by Jacob White
“Weaver, I've spoken with my father. He was saving this horse for you as a gift at the ball. I convinced him that now would be better considering you needed the practice.”
“Wait, it’s mine? Housed in the royal stables?”
“Yes, and although it's not as powerful as mine or the others, this horse’s will take you far. Now, what name would you desire for the horse, so that we may mark it down?” The stable boy was looked at me with some papers in his hand and a thin stick of charcoal, waiting for me to speak.
“Well, I want the name to reflect both of us.” I stood thinking for a moment. “Does Blessing sound okay?”
“It does, and it’s a beautiful name Weaver, as well as fitting.”
“I know it's not the best, but I've never named anything before.”
“Trust me, I have heard much worse. My brother tried to call his first horse ‘Fire Sword Cutter of Wind and Earth and Destructor of all’ when he was young. That is a terrible name.” I smiled and then jumped into the stable ensuring she was strapped securely to either side. Amazingly, I could saddle the horse with minor mistakes. I lost all confidence when I had to ask the princess to come help me with the girdle. I almost ended up cutting an ear off and possibly choking her. She only laughed as she showed me again the proper steps.
We were soon walking our horses out of the stables. She stopped a few paces outside of the stables and told me to watch her how to mount. She slid her left foot into another metal loop and effortlessly lifted herself to the horses back. The stable boy had followed us out with a small step stool. Prideful as I am, I raised an eyebrow and attempted to do the same. I fell right off and landed my back, bringing laughs from everyone around. I glared at the boy waving him over with the stool. I stepped on it to get onto Blessing.
It still took me a couple of tries, but I finally managed to get on her. After adjusting my feet loops, we were off. We continued at a slow walk until we reached the gate, so I could practice guiding the horse.
Once we made it outside of the cities farthest houses, she gave me instruction on how to gallop and run. We would only do them in short bursts, attempting to help me gain me even more experience at control. This went on for an hour until we were both stretching our horse's’ legs as fast as they could. The wind on my face was an amazing feeling. It almost felt as if it was talking to me, encouraging me to go faster, to feel how it felt. The ride was over sooner than I'd have liked, but I guess we had reached our destination.
“We could just keep riding?” She gave me a hard glare.
“Do you intend to let your princess starve to death? I didn’t think so, now get off. We have a short walk ahead of us.” I got off only to stumble slightly and with a slight pain in my inner legs. It took all my focus not to spread my legs out and walk in an awkward manner. The horse kept nudging me as Laila threw me an apple to feed the horse with. I grabbed the reigns, and saw the horse’s satisfaction eating the apple. I was tempted on numerous occasions throughout our ‘short’ walk that took another hour, to stop completely and complain.
I forgot every pain that I was feeling as I laid eyes on a beautiful lake that had small two rivers filling it. They were big enough to be waterfalls, but it was more peaceful considering the rivers were calm. The water themselves was were so clear and pure I almost believed I was being set up by the fates again.
“Laila… this place… It's amazing. I don’t even remember seeing any rivers on the way here.”
“I take it you like it?” She asked as she jumped in excitement with a huge smile on her face.
“I couldn’t see how any man woman or child couldn’t.” She turned to face the small lake that was surrounded by trees and flowers keeping it hidden from the outside world.
“She isn't aware of what this place is… I wasn’t even sure any remained.” Gibi said with awe inside of my head.
“Gibi! Welcome back.”
“It is good to be back,” he said from the outside of my body taking both Laila and me by surprise. “I'm sorry to frighten you both. Please let me explain. This place is one that is dear to my heart. My mortal mate was so fond of swimming and being in the water. Throughout my lands, I made secluded places like this as a gift for her.” He paused with a lowered head. “She wasn’t able to see even one of them after Liam killed her.” Laila and I both looked at each other acknowledging the inner thoughts we were hearing.
“Gibi, I'm so sorry…” I stated.
“I have had many years to mourn my dear Weaver, but your condolences are still appreciated. Would you both mind if I spoke about her for a bit? I would like you to know about her.”
“Of course, my god Gibi!” Laila screamed a bit too loud. She walked over to a rock that she and I sat upon.
“Ashlyn was a beautiful soul. You Laila, reminded me so much of her even though there is no relation. This was my primary reason for passing my blessing to you. She loved the beauty of the world, and even some others.”
I had more questions now than ever. He had mentioned ‘worlds’ more than once, but I pushed them back for a later time.
“She was always outside barefoot. Even after I Insisted that she wear coverings. Amazingly, she never managed to hurt her feet or at least never told me about it. After myself and the others had created our lands, some fell in love many times with mortals. I couldn’t. Ashlyn was the only one who appreciated the beauty of it all. The creation I made, and she thanked me every day for it. Then Liam came for a visit and saw how I loved her. I'm not sure if it was out of jealousy, hate for me or just for fun. I later learned at night he would appear in her room to break her mind little by little. I didn’t understand at the time, but her mind had slowly deteriorated. Eventually, her body couldn’t take anymore, and it started to fail her. It took months for her to die. Even I could not save her. Her mind was too far gone. I never slept or left her side until the end. After, I returned to our realm to mourn.”
“I'm sorry for the interruption, but why didn’t you seek revenge?” I questioned. He gave a small laugh.
“Do not think I didn’t want to. I wanted nothing more than to destroy him and his lands only to place him in constant pain. I knew I couldn’t however. Ashlyn wouldn’t want her people or nation to be involved in a conflict that could destroy the whole world... It happened eventually anyway with the calamity. I fought beside my people claiming victory and mourning endless losses. In the end, it still wasn’t enough. Liam still escaped our realm and came back. Now here we are, repeating history once again.”
“She sounded like a beautiful and caring woman,” Laila said through some loose tears. I grabbed her hand to offer reassurance.
“She was. I know you both have many questions but feeling as I do now. I can only answer a few.”
“How are you able to be here now?” I asked.
“This place is made of my magic. It called to me in the stone, replacing what was lost after our last battle. If you open your senses Weaver, you will also see your magic has been fully replenished as well.” The next question came from Laila as my mouth opened to ask my own.
“Since we are all connected through you, Gibi, can we also communicate with each other as you can with us?”
“I haven't really thought about it. It’s a possibility. Let me try something.” He walked over to us and placed a hand on each of our heads. “Try it now.”
“Gibi?”
“Not to me, to each other.” He was laughing. Laila and I both must have sent him a message.
“Laila, can you hear me?”
“I can, it's working! This is amazing.”
“Gibi, we can't listen in on thoughts, can we?” I bashfully turned my head from Laila, and she sat straighter as well. He removed his hands from atop our heads.
“Can you hear mine?” We both shook our heads. “It is the same.” He said with a smile.
“Having naughty thoughts, are we?” Gibi asked. I glared at him.
“Thank you both, for letting me see this. I know
I seem hurt, but it also brings back wonderful memories. Please enjoy this place that Ashlyn wasn’t able too. Do not fear being found here either, only those with my blessing can enter or bring another. Considering you are the only two in this world, none will find you here.” He gave us a wink then left with a pulse of light.
“What did he mean by that?” I asked Laila.
“Your guess is as good as mine unless you plan on making me a married woman.” We both laughed but I couldn’t shake this new feeling. I just wanted to take Laila into my arms and make her mine.
“Do you mind if I go for a swim? I'm smell awful from the ride, and that water looks amazing.”
“A fantastic idea!” She stood in a hurry and took off all her leathers leaving only a slip. “What are you waiting for?”
“Laila, you only have a slip on.”
“Well, did you want me to swim in my leathers?”
“No, of course not. Go on ahead, and I'll swim after you are done.”
“You will do no such thing.” She heaved me upward and made me take off all my leathers leaving only my pants on.
“Umm… do you mind turning around until I get in the water and I’ll do the same for you?” She went and sat on the rock and turned around. Nervously, I waited a few moments and slid my pants off. She must have heard the pants fall as I threw them over to the other clothes. She immediately turned around taking in all of me. “Well… this isn't awkward.”
“No need to be ashamed.” She stood to face me and took off her slip. “We are even.” She then grabbed my hand as she ran towards the lake. Running as far as we could until we fell into the water having to keep afloat.
“This water feels amazing. I thought it would be cold but it’s just right.” I said as I popped my head back up over the water. And I looked for Laila, but I couldn’t find her.” Laila!” I felt something grab my leg. I turned and screamed a bit too loud for my stature. Her head came up in front of me laughing.
“This water is amazing.”
“I know. I just said that before a hideous lake monster decided to try and eat my leg.”
“Hideous! Weaver!” She splashed water on my face laughing.
“Yes, a beast from legend lurks here…” I lowered my voice as if I was telling a scary story to children. “I hear, it only eats the most handsome of men.” Her head went under slightly only showing her nose and eyes. She inched forward.
“What are you doing?” Closer and closer she came, emerging her head with her mouth wide open.‘Nom nom nom.’ She mouthed causing us to laugh.
“Oh, so you think I'm handsome?” I cocked my eyebrow.
“I would if I wasn’t a hideous lake monster…”
“Laila, even if you went bald and your teeth fell out, you would still be amazingly beautiful.” An awkward silence fell between us, and we seemed to radiate to each other getting closer. I couldn’t help but reach for her. I froze in place. I realized what I was about to do and swam backwards for distance.
“Maybe I should go lay in the sun, while you stay and swim.”
“No, you shouldn’t.” To my amazement, she moved too fast for me to recognize what was happening. We embraced each other, kissing as if it would never happen again. Her legs wrapped around me as my toes stood keeping our head above water. We managed to make our closer to the lake’s water line.
“Weaver, I have dreamed of this for so long.” She whispered into my ear as we stood and embraced. “Please kiss me once more, before all this fades away.” I did. It felt perfect. Our bodies exchanging heat as they pressed closer together. It took every ounce of strength to pull away. My forehead rested on her own.
“Princess, I am sorry. I can't do this. Les. As much as I do want to be with you, I cannot.”
“Weaver, remember where we are, a place outside of time that only we may enter. I willingly give myself to you without any commitments after.”
“Laila… I can't. I already am sickened with myself. This isn't me. If I was with you, would you be okay with me kissing Les or other… things?” She pulled me closer into an embrace.
“I understand. I will never speak of this. It will be like this moment was ours, this place, our closeness.” I started to pull away, but she clenched harder. “Please, just for a while longer, hold me so that I can remember what this feels like.”
“Is this an order from my princess?”
“No, a request from your Laila,” I smiled.
“Then I shall obey.” We just stood there holding each other, dreaming about what could never be.
“I am sorry Laila. You are amazing, and I realize this will be torture for both of us. I feel that our path is only starting, and we will need each other more than ever later. I worry this will ruin us.” She looked up at me.
“If anything, it has made me closer to you. I would never abandon you or my role in all of this.” She kissed me one last time and walked back to where our clothes lay. I was frozen. I just stood as I let the most amazingly beautiful woman I have ever seen walk away.
“I think I'm losing my mind. Why couldn’t you give your blessing to Dirk?” I said to Gibi.
“Would you rather be kissing him?”
“I'm starting to dislike you.” I felt his laugh. “To be fair, it wasn’t all of your fault…”
“Can you finish that thought, please?”
“Well, I also willed it a bit. Well strongly. Do not be angry that I drew you two together. I just wanted to be selfish. Let this place feel love or as close as it could.” I ran my hands over my face wiping the excess water away.
“A small part of me also wanted it… if I'm honest.”
“I know that’s why the pull was so great between you both. Also, I urged Laila to share something with you. I think it’s important for you to hear.”
That was the end of our conversation as I walked back. My clothes were draped over the rock where Laila was getting dressed. She even turned around and looked me over once more before smiling and walking back to her horse. As I dressed, she opened a pack and threw a blanket on the ground and started to lay out food.
“I'm starving. Great idea.” I walked over to help her. Her hand waved me off before I could insist.
“Weaver, I’m fine. I wanted to do this, that’s all. After we eat, I'll be taking a nap on you to reassure you nothing is wrong so Shh.” I waited until she was satisfied as the fruits and bread, and even a bottle of wine was sitting on the blanket. She ushered me to sit. We started eating and enjoying one another's company once again.
“When I was younger, I used to come here all the time when I was angry or mad. My father would be furious when I returned as none of the guards could ever find me. It makes me understand a bit more after talking with Gibi.”
“I couldn’t imagine King Bryson being angry, he seems so… temperate, like he has a grasp on everything.”
“Oh, this is an honor I haven't taken lightly. I was the first to make his entire face red.” She winked at me. “He is a gentle, strong ruler, but he is becoming old, and I fear for our kingdom.”
“If I may ask, why? Aden seems capable enough.”
“It isn't a matter of ability, he is just quick to assume the worst, just like you saw him almost openly defy my father…” She trailed off leaving something unsaid.
“I'm sure all will be well. I know you won't let him fail this country.”
“I hope I won’t have to. If I say something, can it say between us?” She asked me.
“Laila, we can communicate with one another in our heads. I think we are past acquaintances. Of course, you can tell me” Her face didn’t fill with a smile as it usually would. “Laila, I promise.”
“I’m scared. Scared of what happens when my father dies. Scared of Liam. Scared of what’s to come. Don’t misunderstand, I know what must be done and will do it. But what comes of Ellipsis if we fail?”
“My words are going to seem harsh but it’s the best truth I can give you. If we fail, Ellipsis will no longer matt
er. Nothing will. We will be slaves to darkness for the rest of time.” I received no reply. “I know it didn’t help but I don’t think we will fail.”
“Why is that?”
“This journey involves us all. We all have a part to play. It just starts with me.”
“Weaver, you aren’t pushing the blessing on me are you?” Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
“No, I don’t even know where to start.”
“There is more Weaver. Even though I am promised to a son of Grassin. Gibi told me there was a possibility that I would wed the carrier long ago. I don’t know why but he wanted me to tell you that.”
“Wow… ok. I’m not sure what to say. Do you love your intended?”
“I do. Very much.”
“I mean— “
“I know what you mean. And no. He is a cruel man. But it must happen for alliances.”
“I’m sure Dirk would have him killed if you ask.”
“It is a possibility. But I cannot. With the coming war alliances will be more important than ever.” Her fingers ripped the grass from the earth.
“Well consider yourself lucky. I tend to hurt those around me.” She didn’t offer a response. We continued to talk a while about my past and how she started to love horses beside the fact they helped her escape when she wanted.
“As you can imagine being a royal has its responsibilities. Horses were my escape from it all. I could be who I wanted to be when I was with them. At one point, I even wanted to run away and have my own farm.”
“The princess run away? I hardly believe it.”
“Well believe it. I changed my mind once I learned my father had made another estate just for me to raise horses in.”
She tried to apologize for my past, but I let her know it wasn’t needed. It has made me into the person I am, regardless of what I must accomplish. True to her word, she ended up falling asleep on my lap, and this too made me drift off to the peaceful sound of the grove.
