(Valerie's POV)
It's been about three years since I lost Alex. When you are a mother, it is really difficult to not think about your child, especially when your child was forcefully taken away from you. That day is still fresh in my memory, and there is not a day that goes by that I do not think about Alex. I keep on believing that he is still alive and healthy. I always hope that I am going to see him one day. I didn't really care if he forgot us, as long as he was alright, I would be happy.
I just wanted to see him, even if it was for one last time. I looked down at the chicken stew that I had been making. It was starting to burn, so I turned off the stove. I set it on the little table we had. I grabbed the plate of bread loaves and put it on the table beside the stew. I put a hand on my impregnated stomach in a loving manner. I was around seven-months along. I just hope nothing happens to my littlest one.
"Arthur! Jake! It's time to eat!" Arthur came running from his room and sat in his chair. He was probably meditating since he awakened last year. I was so proud of him. He was at the second stage of the beginner's level, and it only took him a year to reach there. I knew Arthur would turn out to be a genius. He was a swordsman like Jake.
"Where's dad, Ale...Arthur?" I knew I should focus on Arthur, but my thoughts always drifted off to Alex.
"Someone came, and dad is talking-" Arthur was interrupted by Jake coming in. Jake was very happy and excited, which is way too different from his usual depressed expression.
"Honey, the king found a magician that can help us to reach out to Alex if he is alive." My eyes blurred in tears as I ran to my husband. I hugged him. This definitely was what I call good news.
"When can we go?"
"The magician is already there, so we can go there as soon as we can. I was thinking about going right after we eat."
"Yes. Yes! YES!" No one would understand how happy I was.
I rushed to the table and started eating. Once I was done, I went to my room to get dressed up. The egg that was left by Alex came into view. I went over and touched it. It was warm, so I knew it was alive. I always wondered why it hadn't hatched yet. The egg moved a bit. I got so startled when it moved that I moved my hand away. It stopped moving afterwards. I was hoping it would hatch, so I could see what it was. It did move from time to time, but it never hatched. I always felt like it was waiting for something or someone?
I remembered back when Alex said the word 'bond' when I asked why he kept it so close. So does that mean it's waiting for Alex to return? Maybe it could feel Alex. I let out a sigh. I walked away to get dressed. I looked at the egg one last time before I left the room. Should I have brought it? Maybe I shouldn't.
Jake and Arthur were both ready when I got out of my room. I guess they were both pretty excited to see Alex. I was just as excited as them, probably even more than them. I just hoped…No, I know Alex is alive. Jake and Arthur went outside to check if our ride came. I guess Jake prepared beforehand.
"The carriage came!" I rushed out to the outside of the house. It was Jeremy. I gave him a welcoming smile.
"You sure don't look that good, Valerie. You should look after yourself better, especially when you have one more kid coming into your family."
"I know. Where are the others?"
"They are on a mission. Well, a couple of missions."
"Thank you for the ride."
"You are like an older sister for me, so Alex and Arthur are like nephews. I am pretty sure the others would also feel the same way."
"Thanks." With that, we all got into the carriage. Arthur and Jake would point things out of the window and start
talking about it. I put a hand on my stomach.
"Honey, are you alright?" Jake must have noticed me rubbing my stomach. He looked pretty worried as he walked over to my side of the carriage. He sat beside me and put a hand on my stomach. Right then, the baby kicked. I gasped. This was the first time the baby kicked. "It's like the baby is pushing me away."
"You know it was a random kick." Jake gave me a small pout and then a smile.
"Mom, can I feel it too?" Arthur came over and put his hand over my stomach. Nothing happened. Arthur seemed pretty disappointed until the baby kicked again. It was nowhere near his hand, but he seemed satisfied with what happened.
"I wonder if it's going to be a girl or a boy. I hope it's a girl, so she can be a daddy's girl, you know." Jake gave me a wink. "I don't mind if you look like you more than me. It will only mean she will be even prettier when she is older."
"Mom, can I name the baby when she or he is born?" I looked at Arthur. He was actually serious.
"Then you better start searching for a good name, Arthur."
"Alright!" Arthur put his head on my lap. He must have been really sleepy for him to sleep anywhere but home. We
arrived at the castle before Arthur could sleep. Arthur didn't mind it though. He shot up straight and jumped off the carriage.
To be honest, we all got off quickly. Jake and I were both nervous and excited by now. Today was the day we found out whether Alex was alive or not. I believed Alex was alive, and I always hoped my prayers to keep Alex safe were heard in the heavens above. I hope he will at least recognize my voice, but was it possible? He was only around six months old when he was kidnapped by us.
We were greeted by three soldiers and an official as soon as we got off the carriage. They must have been by King Tyson.
"Please follow me!" The official started to walk inside. The soldiers let us go first before they followed us inside. Jeremy decided to stay near the carriage and take care of the horses until we came back. The official showed us into a big room with a crystal ball right in the middle of the room.
King Tyson was standing near the crystal ball along with a female elf. Elves and humans didn't actually get along, but there were some that were ready to make alliances with each other. Elves were beings that interacted with nature, and they always disliked humans who destroyed it.
"Hello, Jake. I saw Jeremy outside. Why didn't he come?" Jake gave a small shrug. King Tyson shook his head with a smile. I wonder what he means by that. "Come over."
"Who is this?" Jake was staring at her. Elves were naturally beautiful creatures that age slowly, unlike humans. They always attract humans in every way.
"This is Elaine. She comes from the Elven Kingdom. Their king owes me something in return for saving his life when I went to him for an alliance." I nodded in understanding as I looked over to the elf. Jake was still staring at him, so I gave him a hard slap on his right arm. King Tyson chuckled a bit when he saw our little interaction, but he covered it by coughing. "Sorry. Come over here. Apparently, she is in a hurry to go somewhere after showing you."
Jake and I walked over to the elf, while Arthur ran a bit. I guess he was just excited. Arthur always felt sad whenever Jake or I mentioned Alex accidentally in front of him. Arthur must have missed him a lot.
"Please put your hands on the crystal ball and think of every type of detail about him. Make an image of him in your head and make sure it is as detailed as possible." I nodded in understanding. The elf put a hand on our hands and said something that wasn't quite clear to me. It was probably a magic spell. "You can start picturing him in your head."
I closed my eyes and exactly did as she told me. I pictured him laughing and walking towards me. His green eyes and dark brown hair, which was just like mine. Jake's nose and eyebrows on him.
"Here, he is." I opened my eyes and looked at the crystal
ball. There he was. He was walking on his own. Alex got taller since the last time I had seen him. I was relieved that he wasn't skinny. It looked like he was eating well. I put my hand over his face. I was so happy that he was alive and looked well. He looked exactly like how he was kidnapped but a little bit grownup.
"Can I speak to him?" I hopefully looked up at the elf.
"Yes, but make sure it is only one at a time." I took a moment before looking at Jake. He nodded. I looked back at Alex.
"Alex."