Folk Lore (35 page)

This is where Anna found her daughter, a few hours later, asleep. Not wanting to disturb her she laid a blanket over her sleeping form. Noticing Sera’s bag, Anna wondered why her tempestuous daughter was leaving this time. A small smile touched her lips, how alike mother and daughter were. How innocent and young she looked while sleeping. Anna brushed back the hair which fell across her face to find swollen eyes and tear stained cheeks.
A broken heart, an all too familiar feeling for Anna.

When Sebastian left after unintentionally killing Sera’s father all those years ago, Anna’s life became empty. If not for Sera she would have given up. She wished she could take away all Sera’s hurt but only time would heal her wounds. Anna realised though, even after nearly twenty years, her feelings for Sebastian had never gone away. Seeing him again brought them all back. Being with him again, even after all this time, was the same, like they’d never been apart.

A quiet knock on the door startled Anna and she strode to answer it so as not to wake Sera. Nermo greeted
her,
she stepped outside and shut the door.

“Is Seraphina alright?” he asked her.

“No, I think she plans to leave.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure, she’s asleep but I think we can guess.”

“The elf, he is proficient at driving folk away.”

“Sera
is
very stubborn too.”

“Yes she is. I will return in the morning. Goodnight, Elder Annaphina.”

“It’s Anna, Nermo.”  He flashed a smile before leaving.

Nermo left fuming and headed directly to his village and his hut, hoping his sister was there. She was staying with him temporarily until she could acquire a new house with Artius. He still wasn’t entirely sure Hallow chose well with her mate. Her past choice in
folk definitely fuelled his suspicion. Artius had been banished for using magic to attempt to divert Hallow’s attention from Keelor therefore only being banished weeks before her. Personal gain magic was against the law, or had been. Nermo did a similar thing with Sera a few times with the dust but only used a temporary affect. Artius used a long term spell. Well tried to, but had been caught. Nermo hoped Artius learned his lesson.

Hallow was home and alone which Nermo was thankful for, he didn’t want to talk with her while Artius was present. She lay along a seat under the window reading a book from his collection. Affection for his little sister flooded his heart and he realised just how happy he was she was home.

“Nermo, I have been waiting for you.”

“Sorry, I went to see Seraphina.”

“Has Keelor spoken with her?”

“I hope not.”

“Nermo, I really wish you would forgive him. I have.”

“His cold manner continues to hurt folk I care about.”

“He loves Sera.”

“He doesn’t remember.”

“Yes he does.”

“Pardon?”

“He remembered today when he kissed her.”

“Did he tell her that?”

“Not yet. She would not talk to him because as always his few words were misconstrued.”

“I do not think he has. Anna believes she may be leaving.”

“Someone should tell Keelor.”

“Be my guest.” 

With his heart heavy with resentment, Nermo walked to the window and glanced out. His thoughts divided. Nermo certainly didn’t want Sera to
leave,
he cared about her deeply and would miss her. If staying entailed her being with Keelor, he wasn’t sure he still wanted her to. Would he crush her generous heart all over again?
He gripped the window sill and stared up into the sky as he contemplated his next move.

“Nermo, you can stop being angry at him for me. You used to be friends.”

“Why do you think this is so difficult for me?”

“He will not hurt her again. Keelor is a changed man. Not the same one I knew.
Softer, happier.
You cannot see it can you?”

“See what, Hallow?”

“The book states the chosen has hair like onyx and eyes like the river which sings.”

“Yes, so?”

“I think Keelor always thought it was me. Though my eyes are a lighter colour than the water and my hair is more blue than black.”

“So he has this fantasy about being with the chosen, who did not?”

“No-one believes in the land, the book and what was the law more than Keelor. When it did not eventuate, as I told him many times, that I was not the girl in the book he was crushed. I believe he was so upset with himself for thinking I was, he unfairly blamed me. At first I was hurt until I worked this out and I knew he would be feeling more disillusioned than me. What surprises me is he took so long to work out Sera was the one. Perhaps he thought the vision, like so many others, was inaccurate and put it out of his mind.”

Nermo dropped his head in defeat. Hallow being happy was always paramount to him and Keelor being happy was important to her. She wanted him to tell Keelor because it may rebuild the bridge of their friendship which had been ripped apart. When Nermo searched his feelings, he discovered being friends with Keelor again was something he actually wanted.

“I will talk with him in the morning,” he told her.

She kissed him on the cheek, patted his arm and padded to her room. How had they all missed Sera’s appearance in reference to the vision in the book? He grinned, it had been there all along and they’d all failed to notice. Was this what his entire vision had been about? Why dream of her? Now it was up to him to ensure her
happiness and he cringed, realising how much pride it would take to eat humble pie with the elfin.

50

Gone

The wait for dawn was excruciating so Keelor paced. Having slept little he was anxious to make amends with Sera. His arms ached to hold her, his lips to kiss her. He wanted to gaze into her river eyes and have her surround them in her love. Would the sun ever rise?

He could wait no longer, he would wake her if need be. As the first light of dawn cast a yellow glow he rushed towards her hut. After a rapid knock he waited several long minutes and decided to go in, consequences
be
damned. What he found instead was an empty shell, her clothes, the ones she’d brought with her, all gone. What remained were the dresses which had been made for her by the villagers. He ran his hand over his favourite flowing blue gown and remembered her wearing it the first night they spent together. His heart lurched, had he missed her? Was she gone?
Nermo.
Was she with the pixie? Had he driven her into his arms?
Jealously flamed his fury as he barged out the door.

Disregarding the early hour he walked across his village, into the forest and stormed towards the pixie parish, several minutes
’
walk through the trees. He thumped on the door and waited. Garbled voices carried to him and hearing two voices sent his envy spiralling out of control.

“
Open the door, pixie.”
He thumped again.

It opened and a dishevelled Nermo glared at him.

“Is the sun even up yet?”

“Where is she?”

“Who?”

“You know exactly who.”

Nermo furrowed his brow and stared for a moment.

“She is right here.” 

Hallow stepped up to the door and gave him a questioning look.

“Not your sister, Nermo, Sera.”

Nermo laughed and Hallow giggled.

“What is so funny?”

“Your face,” she said.
“You really thought she would be here?”

“She is not in her hut.”

“She is probably with Annaphina, you fool,” Nermo said between fits of laughter.

“Yes, very amusing.” 

Keelor spun on his heel, annoyed with himself for doubting her, at his foolishness in leaving it so long to talk to her. He should have persisted last night.

“Keelor,” Nermo called out. What did he want now? He looked over his shoulder.
“Anna thinks she might be leaving.”

“Her clothes are gone.”

“I will find Sam and if we find her first, we will stall her.”

“You would do that for me?”

“For her mainly but I think it may be time for us to settle our differences.”

“That must have hurt to say.” Keelor managed a smirk.

“Do not push your luck, elf. When you have sorted your mess out with Sera, perhaps we can
...”

Keelor nodded. The fight with Nermo had been going on for so long Keelor forgot how much he actually missed his friendship.

“Off you go then,” Nermo urged him.

“Why don’t you stay for a while, honey? You could stay here with me.”

“I can’t, Mum, it would be too hard seeing them together.”

“There could be an explanation. You’re possibly reading into things as you always do.”

“I’ve made up my mind. Jeremiah wants to go home too. We could be housemates, we still have our house. Once I have said goodbye to Sam and Nermo, I’m going.”

“I’ll miss you so much. We have never spent anytime apart.”  Anna’s voice broke and Sera hugged her mother.

“I’ll come back and
visit,
after all it is only a short gate trip away. Besides if anything should happen and a circle spell is required, I may have to return anyway.” 

She forced a smile. Sera knew how worried Anna would be.

After rising early that morning Sera sat thinking, waiting for Anna to wake. She’d thought over her decision and knew it was the only one she could make. Seeing Keelor with Hallow would hurt way too much. Jeremiah wanted to go home, Sam, as much as he wanted to be close by, would be happier knowing she was safe, even from him. Everybody wins or so she tried to convince herself. There were so many people and folk she would miss but her stubborn pride and broken heart wouldn’t allow her to stay.

Anna tried unsuccessfully to convince her to stay. This was her last ditch effort before Sera left to find Jeremiah. She decided to let him know the good news first before saying her painful goodbyes to her friends. After searching the elfin village, she found him enjoying breakfast with hazers and vampires. Unlike her, bo
th her protectors enjoyed a non-
vegetarian diet.

A few of the vampires vanished as she sat down and she no longer took offence, it was their problem she apparently smelt so appetising, not hers.

“I have some good news for you, Jeremiah.”  She told him once seated.

“Oh yeah.”

“I want to go home.”

“Really?
Are you sure?”

“Yes. It is beautiful here but I think there are more reasons to go than stay. If the
circle need
us someone can come get us. There is pe
ace now, my work here is done.”
She tried to sound light, make a joke of her departure, as her shattered heart caused her chest to ache.

He shrugged.
“Fine by me.
When do you want to go?”

“Soon, after I say goodbye to Sam and Nermo.”

“I’ll finish my breakfast and pack. I’ll meet you in the garden.”

She nodded, not daring to say anymore to prevent further tears. The hard part was still to come.

His heart on his sleeve, Keelor stood hopeful at Anna’s door. He tapped his foot as he waited for his knock to be answered. It was still early so he knew he could be waking the occupants. Finally the door opened and he was greeted by Anna, who at first looked surprised and then relieved? At least he thought it appeared to be.

“Good morning, Annaphina.”

“Morning, Keelor.”

“Is Sera here?”

“You have your memory back don’t you?”

“How did you know?”

“You called her Sera. You wouldn’t have done that if you didn’t.”

He offered her a quick smile and stared at her, growing impatient to see his girl.

“Oh, Sera, you missed her she’s gone to find Jeremiah. She wants to go home. Wait a
minute,
haven’t you resumed your relationship with Hallow?”

“No, why would I?”

“Sera.
I knew she was jumping to conclusions.”

“Annaphina?”

“Sera saw you in the garden with Hallow and she saw
...”

“An innocent kiss between friends.
She is so
...
so
...”

“Emotive?”

“Yes.”

“She has always been that way. Go find her before she leaves.”

He offered a curt nod and wondered where to look for his fiery human.