Magic Within

We sit in the grove and silence surrounds us. Somewhat awkward, which is odd since in the seven years of our friendship there has never been an awkward silence. After a few moments Elau breaks the silence, “I really am sorry, Nic.” He says looking down at his hands. "I should have told you." He signs sounding disappointed in himself. "It was selfish of me to keep it a secret. You are my best friend and I should have known you wouldn't treat me any differently, and now I'm afraid I've ruined everything."

“You haven't ruined anything. Don’t stress about it.” I pause, “I just am not sure what to say. Which is a rare occurrence.” I giggle and nudge him with my shoulder. “I don’t feel I know much about Elau.” I giggle pressing him for information.

“I can assure you, you know more about the real me than anyone else.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders.

“No, I know, but I don't know anything about your real life. Your family, your childhood, growing up in a castle. Stuff like that.” I urge him to give me some more information.

“Well what do you want to know?” He asks

“Everything really.” I ruffle my long curly hair pulling it into a bun.

“I guess you can say it was a lonely childhood. I wasn’t allowed to be around other children. Everything I would say or do would be criticized, and I had to learn to be the silent Prince. Not speaking unless spoken to, and spending all my freetime studying to become King.” He looks away from me and stands up. “I’m sorry but this part of me I never wanted you to see.”

“I think that part of you has now afforded me a lifetime of clarity.” I stand following in his footsteps as we walk circles in the grove. “Don’t you understand, to me you will never be the silent Prince not allowed to speak unless spoken to. You will always be Aired, in my heart, and my closest friend. Telling me the truth does enlighten me to the real reason I would hear worry in your voice like you were unsure what you were saying was right. Or how I have always found you to be the best of listeners even if you aren’t the best at figuring out what to say next.” He turns around and looks at me.

“Thank you, Nic. I was worried you would think differently of me. It was unfair of me to think that way.” He walks over and hugs me, his scent hits me with warm vanilla and teakwood, and I feel my heart quicken just a little bit. Being wrapped in his arms feels different, comfortable and warm.

“I would never think differently of you.” I muffle through his hair. “Besides, how cool is it that my best friend is a smoking hot elf prince?” He releases me and chuckles.

“Don’t tease me.”

“Oh, I’m very serious, your sexiness is on a different level now, Prince Elauthin.”

We stayed in the grove till the sun was gone, Elau brought a book of poems and we spent the afternoon reading them together. I pull away from the book mid poem.”You know, Elau, Something weird was happening today in the dining hall.” I look at him seriously.

“Would you like to elaborate?” He smirks at me and I roll my eyes.

“Well you know how around the castle there are vines, moss, and flowers enchanted to glow?” I start with.

“Yes?”

“When I get close to touching one the enchantment seems to break or like turn off.” I look at him confused, “Is that normal?” I ask him. He sits straight up like he wasn’t expecting to hear that.

“I’ve never heard such a thing.” He looks at me with a determined look. “Let’s try it out.” He grabs a small leaf from the ground. “Cala” he whispers and the leaf begins to glow. I reach out to take it from him but before I can the orb of light leaves the plant and sinks into my hand disappearing.

“Wow” Elau stares at me. “I’ve never seen that before.”

“Are you serious? It must be some human thing then? Like our lack of magic interrupts the enchantment.” I try and explain it to myself.

“I’m not so sure about that.” Elau places the leaf back to the ground “I think the only thing that can affect enchantments is another source of magic.”

“Well that’s impossible.”

“I’m not so sure it is.” He stares at me seriously.

“What do you mean?” I say, doubtful of where he is going with this.

“Didn’t you tell me you were adopted?” He suggests

“Yes, but from a human orphanage.” I explain to him.

“Right but you don’t know who your biological parents are. Or anything of your familial background” He explains further, “who knows you could have Elvish descendants or Wizard… or Halfling. Maybe that's why you are so short.” He chuckles at himself.

“Hey I am not that short.” I say but he does have a point. I don’t know who my biological parents are.

“I think we should start magic lessons at least once a week. Let’s figure out if you have any magic and what it is.” He suggests

“Okay, let’s do it!” I am somewhat excited about the idea.

“So next week when you get out of classes on Thursday let’s meet here and we will play around with what you can do.” He puts his arm around my shoulders, “but for now we should head back to the castle before my guards realize I haven’t been napping in my room.” He guides me out of the grove and back into the castle. “This is where I bid you farewell, my Lady.” He says and winks.

“Goodnight Elau, don’t get caught by the guards.” I smile at him and turn to leave. The walk back to my chambers is long and boring though as I find enchanted plants I play around with them to see if there are any changes, but the same thing happens every time. One moment they are glowing as bright as ever and the next I’ve sucked away all of the light leaving darkness in its place.