The dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves awoke Rowan from his reverie. A year had passed in the forest glade since that fateful night, and in its passage, he had honed both body and spirit. Rowan stretched limbs loosened by repetition, casting his gaze to the gnarled oak that had borne witness to all.
Its broad boughs rustled gently, and within their shelter sat Elia with nose deep in an arcane tome. Her flowing auburn locks caught the sunshine like flickers of living flame, and her delicate brow furrowed in concentration. A smile lifted Rowan's lips unbidden at the familiar sight of his dearest companion immersed in scholarly pursuits. They had walked this path side by side for so long, her presence as comforting as the forest's embrace.
Unable to resist, Rowan stealthily crept towards the oak and peeked over Elia's shoulder. "Learning the secrets of creation again?" he inquired softly near her ear, mischievous mirth dancing in his eyes. Elia jumped with a squeak that melted swiftly to a playful scowl. "One of these days your tricks will have consequences, Rowan!" she scolded, though failing to suppress her own grin. A moment of levity amid studies was always welcome.
Rowan chuckled, settling back against the rough bark to observe his friend in her element once more. Here beneath spreading boughs they had nurtured friendship's growth for turning seasons, finding solace in each other's passion and purpose. Whatever trials awaited on distant roads, this sacred grove would remain etched in memory, bearing witness to dreams taking root. For now, in each fleeting moment of light and shadow, Rowan's world was complete.
A commotion in the undergrowth alerted Rowan, and he turned in time to see Elia bursting into the glade. Panting for breath, joy and excitement lit her features brighter than any spellcasting. "Rowan, I have wonderful news!" she exclaimed, gripping his arms. Taking a deep lungful of air, Elia continued. "My application and studies have been accepted - I'm to attend the Academy in the capital!"
For a moment Rowan could only blink in astonishment. The prestigious Royal Academy, where the utmost masters of, magic gathered apprentices from across the realm - Elia had been chosen. Pride swelled within his chest, though tinged by an unnamed sadness. "Elia, this is incredible!" He embraced her tightly, eyes shining. "Your talents will be nourished there as never before. I knew they would see your dedication."
Pulling back, Elia's grin dimmed as she noted a shadow behind Rowan's smile. "What troubles you, my friend? This is a joyous occasion!" Rowan sighed. "It is indeed. I could not be prouder to see your dreams take flight. Only..." His gaze fell. "The days we walked this path together will not be the same. The forest will seem emptier without your light."
Soft fingers lifted Rowan's chin. "All things must change with time's passage, yet our bond is beyond any earthly distance," Elia soothed. "Where my feet lead, my heart remains here beside you always. This is but another chapter's beginning - we will see its end together still." Her smile rekindled Rowan's spirit, and he embraced her gratitude for the friendship to guide them onward.
As shadows lengthened across the glade, Rowan walked at Elia's side in pensive silence. Her excitement remained undimmed by duty's call, yet his heart grew heavier with each footfall. Since children they had faced this woodland refuge's mysteries together, finding solace in shared passion for ethereal arts. Now that comfort must end.
Rowan glanced sidelong at Elia's animated expressions, committing to deep memory the joy lighting her visage. How empty these paths would seem without her illumination and care. She alone had remained steadfast in belief when all others scoffed. With her departure, the glen's embrace might lose its warmth. His chest constricted sharply.
"Oh Elia... must you fly so soon?"
Soft blue eyes met his gaze, and Elia's smile gentled as she gripped his hand. "I must follow wisdom's beacon where it leads, as you have walked duty's call so bravely," she replied. "Yet distance means little when hearts are woven as one. Where your feet wander, mine will follow in spirit beside you, as you have ever given me courage to face each new dawn."
Rowan sighed, finding solace in her words. This forest held memories of their bond that could never be severed. As long as she remembered their sanctuary, its strength would endure within her. And her light would ever shine to guide him, no matter how far the road may lead them apart. For now, in each quiet moment 'neath the boughs, their souls remained woven as one.
That evening, Rowan joined Elia's family circle for a festive farewell meal. Laughter and tales of childhood escapades rang loud amid the gaiety, yet each story only reminded Rowan of what he must soon lose. Elia glowed at the hub of gathered loved ones, embracing them all with her bright spirit.
Rowan added his own anecdotes when able, but bit by bit his grin grew strained. As Elia's parents expressed their pride, small hands grasped his own beneath the table in silent understanding. When the meal ended and the family dispersed to ponder the years' blessings, Rowan lingered alone in the clearing.
Stars glimmered keen and cold above the dancing boughs; their beauty lost on him this eve. Rowan gazed into the embers' fading glow, hugging tight the moments still to come before the unspoken loss struck home. Hot tears escaped unbidden as reality's grip closed around his heart. His pillar of support and guidance for so long, snatched away on wings he could not follow. How he would face the empty days without her radiance to steer his steps, he knew not.
Footsteps drew near, and warm arms encircled Rowan as familiar scent washed grief from his senses. No words were needed - in Elia's anchoring presence all tears found solace. He held fast to this raft of comfort upon dark tides, dreading the morrow's final parting. But while her light remained, hope could yet illuminate the shadows stretching ever nearer.
Rowan wandered the sheltered paths as dawn caressed the treetops, struggling to commit each beloved sight and sound to soul-deep memory. Elia's laughter seemed yet to echo among the boles that had borne witness to their blossoming. His chest ached anew with each reminiscence. Halting beneath their oak's proud boughs, Rowan sagged against its solid comfort. Silent tears coursed down weathered cheeks, fury and anguish mingling within their salt.
Why must fate tear asunder what his heart held most dear? Elia had anchored his spirit through every trial, keeping the nightmares at bay. Without her radiance how could he face the trials ahead? A raw whisper escaped his tightened throat: "Elia, please... do not leave me here alone."
It was then the realization struck like lightning's blow: this pain swelling his core was no mere loss of friend. Rowan loved Elia - had loved her from their first meeting, as dawn loves the starry night. She was soul to his substance, completing his song with her harmony. How long had his heart's full measure remained unspoken?
A sob rented the stillness as truth's blade tore through his defenses. All he longed for was to always shield her smile, walk through each nightmare at her side. But those shores were barred to him by cruel circumstance. Only in memory could their bond shelter him from darkness' deepening tide. Clutching that blessing close, Rowan wept for all he dared not say, the glade buzzed with activity as dawn awoke the forest. Elia's family bustled about final preparations; excitement shadowed by bittersweet partings' sting. Rowan helped where able, though his focus remained fixed on Elia's radiance like a solar blossom soon to fade.
When all was loaded on the coach, Elia embraced each loved one with care and gratitude. But as she turned to Rowan, breath fled his tightening chest. Taking her hands, he led her away from prying eyes and ears into solace of long sheltering boughs.
"Elia... my guiding light through life's deepest trials. Words cannot express the solace your presence has granted my soul." Tears burned anew, Elia's thumbs sweeping them gently aside. "I release you to follow wisdom's beacon and brighten this world as you have this woods' glades. Yet... I fear this parting above all others. My heart will remain forever in these bowers with yours."
Elia's eyes shone, grip tightening between them. "No distance can end our bond, dearest friend. Where you find solace, so shall my essence remain woven. And though this path divides our steps, its end will reunite our souls once more. My guiding star, keep watch - our reunion draws ever closer. On tides of this promise I set my sails; carry it with you always."
As horn called her relentlessly away, Elia rose on tiptoes to place a chaste kiss on Rowan's brow. His whispered 'farewell' continued on forest winds long after her traces vanished into leafy bowers forever changed by the love they sheltered. Elia's fingers lingered on Rowan's cheek, hesitant to sever that final tether. "These woods will seem forever darkened without your light," Rowan whispered raggedly. "Please, do not extinguish the fire that's kept my soul alight all these years."
Blue eyes widened at his true meaning's unveiling. Rowan grasped Elia's hands tightly. "The truth I've denied too long cannot remain unspoken. Elia, you are my heart, now and always. Without you these glades hold no shelter, this village no home. I love you."
A soft gasp escaped pink lips as realization dawned. Rowan hung his head, fearing this confession's cost. Then gentle fingers lifted his chin, and warm lips brushed his own in fleeting vow. "Oh Rowan, my dearest friend... how long I've wished to hear those words from your lips."
Joy and wonder blossomed as bright as any fairy glade. Elia smiled through the swirling mist. "You have been the light guiding my steps since memory's dawn. I never wished to halt your growth by admitting my heart, but..." Her fingers tangled with Rowan's. "Know that you own it, now and always. This parting shall not be our end - only the prelude to a new beginning, my love. Have faith - I shall return to you."
Their kiss tasted of eternal promise, such sweet torment to sustain Rowan through the darkness soon to descend. As the carriage passed beyond sight, Rowan remained frozen at the forest's edge. His soul bled out onto wind and leaf with each indentation of hoof upon earth, bearing Elia farther from all he had ever known. Yet her kiss lingered still upon his lips, a beacon of hope to guide his steps through the coming night.
Turning at last to the silent glade, Rowan exhaled a shuddering breath. His hands steadied against the rough trunk of their ancient sentinel oak, drawing strength from memories etched deep within twisting bole and spreading bough. Though solace's shelter now stood bare, its shielding comforts remained graven on his heart. And Elia's love yet warmed his soul more surely than any spell craft.
With renewed purpose glinting in his eyes, Rowan strode into the glade's lingering embrace. Here he had followed duty's call since fate first led him to this haven's shelter - and here his toil would continue, sharpening body and spirit until Elia's return. Each blow against the practice post was a vow to greet that day with all gifts of care, craft and fealty laid at her feet. This parting marked not an ending, but the dawning of destinies woven eternal between these sacred bowers. And so, the dance abided, guiding Rowan ever onward to where Elia's light awaited.