Folk Lore (36 page)

51

Goodbye

Sam and Nermo found her as she returned to the elfin village. They saved her from having to look for them both separately and in turn allowed them to prolong her departure. Sam’s expression appeared sad although his brow was creased as it did when he was puzzled, while Nermo looked kind of thrilled and she couldn’t understand what he would be so happy about.

“We’ve been looking for you,” Sam said.

“I was just about to find you both to come and say goodbye.”

“Where are you going?” Nermo asked.

“Home, Jeremiah is coming with me.”

“Why?” Sam said
,
his tone laced with hurt.

“It has nothing to do with you, Sam. I know you were thinking about leaving and I convinced you to stay but that was before.”

“Before what?”
Nermo replied.

“I saw Keelor with your sister. I
...
they
...
I’m going home.” She realised how petulant she sounded but didn’t care, again.

“Don’t you want to see him before you leave?”
Sam again.

“No, what is this, an inquisition? I don’t want to leave but I can’t stay either.”

“We do not want you to go,” Nermo said as he stepped forward and took her hands in his.
“I am kind of fond of you.” He lifted a hand to her face and brushed it with his knuckles.

For a moment the euphoric daze spread over her again and she almost succumbed.
“Stop using your dust on me, pixie.”

His only reply was a smirk.

“I have to go, Jeremiah is waiting for me. Will you walk with me to the garden? I’m not quite ready to say goodbye just yet.”

They exchanged concerned looks but she decided she didn’t want to know why.

“Well?” Sera said.
“Are you coming?” 

Deciding not to wait while they shared in some secret they didn’t appear they would share with her, she took off towards the garden with her bag. Sam took it from her and walked beside her, Nermo took her hand.

As they broke through the trees they found Jeremiah waiting for them. Her throat tightened and tears burned her eyes.

“I know I’m going to be able to come back and see you anytime but I’m still going to miss you both. It will be a while before I’ll be
...
able to come back.” Her voice broke and the tears rolled down her cheeks. Why was this so hard?

As much as it would hurt right now, she wished she could see Keelor one more time. She shook her head it would be foolish to put
herself
through that. He was gone from her life, lost to her now.

Not wanting to prolong the inevitable any longer she called up a gate. She turned first to Nermo, placed her hands on his shoulders and kissed him quickly on the cheek. When it came time to say goodbye to Sam, dread filled her again. Over the past weeks he’d been in and out of her life several times after having spent their whole lives together. This felt more permanent. She didn’t think she would come back. Anna would come to visit her and Sam may occasionally too, but it would never be the same, as it had been before the two elfin arrived on her doorstep.
Keelor.

Sam pulled her in for a hug and she rested her head on his shoulder, finding comfort in his arms. He was still her Sammy and always would be. When one of his hands lifted from her back and began, she assumed, to gesture to someone behind her, she lifted her head.

“I do not know where he is,” she heard Nermo answer whatever Sam indicated.

“Where is who?” she asked.

“They are talking about me,” she heard Keelor’s voice behind her.

“What do you want?” She said as she spun around to face him.

“
Do you mind?”
He said, glancing to Sam, Nermo and Jeremiah in turn.

Without saying a word they discreetly disappeared.
Traitors.

“I hear you are leaving,” he said.

“Yes, so?”

“Why would you want to do that?”

“Why not?”

He flashed a crooked smile. She tried to ignore it and her thumping heart.

“Do you always ask so many questions?”

“Yes, do you?”

“Will you stay?”

“No, there is no reason too. I will miss Sam, Mum and Nermo but I can visit
...
one day.”

“Sera, I do not want you to go.”

“Why because I’m some chosen one?
So you can torture me with your
...
girlfriend?”

“You are so beautiful when you are upset, your cheeks are flushed. I am also very aware of your hands.”  He took them in his.
“I think I will hold them so you do not use them on me.”

“Ah, Keelor, you’re so frustrating and confusing. What
...
why
...?”

“
I love you.”
What?

“What?”

“I said. I love you.”

“You do?”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember?”

“Yes.”

“How?
When? Why didn’t you tell me?” His deep laughter followed but he stopped quickly when she glared at him.

“Still asking a thousand questions I see. I tried to talk with you.”

“So when you kissed me yesterday
...”

“I remembered. I said I was sorry, not for kissing you but for what I put you through when I did not remember. I did not express myself all that well.”

“What about in the garden with
...
Hallow
...”

“She is with Artius and we have been friends for a long time. It is like you and Sam. Nermo and I were very close once too until I broke
his sisters heart. I no longer harbour any feelings except friendship for Hallow.”

“You could have told me this last night.”

“Will you please stop being upset with me and kiss me?”

He didn’t wait for her response. Instead he drew her into his arms and claimed her lips with his own. The past days flew from Sera’s mind. Without letting her go, he drew back and stared into her eyes.

“Do you have anything you want to say to me?” he asked her, his eyes twinkling.

“I love you too, Keelor, so much.”

He scooped her up, poured all his, love, passion and longing from his mouth to hers and carried her to his home, their home.

Epilogue

They married in the gardens, witnessed by all they loved dearly.

Jeremiah decided to return home and back to the girl he left behind. Keelor was to become Sera’s protector again, now they were to be married. Jeremiah left after the ceremony.

The celebration was in the elfin village and every folk of every kind attended. It was the first time in many years that all were together and in peace.

Their son, Kellor, was born a year later and was a surprise to all. He was the first son to be borne from a princess. When their daughter, Selena, came three years later, the Elders were relieved as the next princess was now determined.

Kellor, who possessed his mother’s black hair and indigo eyes, was like his father in every other way. His only human qualities were his power to heal. Aside from this he was all elfin.

Selena,
resembled her father and possessed her mother’s powers. The only thing elfin about her was her appearance.

Seraphina and Keelor’s offspring, although powerful, proved that mixed folk offspring could be a blessing not a curse.

The End