The next 2 weeks was full of fun little moments with Zephyr and Ilianna, who became a regular in our house and in my life.
After our daily work, we took her around the fields and she showed her favourite spots in the forest. We picked flowers and helped her catch butterflies.
It was a lot of fun playing around with her. Slowly Zephyr and I become closer. He showed more and more new sides of him.
He also meant what he said and started teaching what he called basic marital arts to Ilianna.
A training soon joined by Alexander and the guys also Eli and her group. By mid week it was an event for everyone in the afternoon.
The atmosphere was light and cheerful lately.
He was so confused why he remembers how to fight and yet nothing personal. Granny had a theory..of sort.
" Have you ever heard of the Blessed of Ehlite?"
" I know Ehlite is a deity. I heard him mentioned by several and treated with great reverence."
" Yes he is a benevolent God. " - she enjoyed some downtime and, seeing the people more lively. "Who in rare cases choose, amongst his creations and bless them with miraculous powers."
I remember this conversation from my own childhood.
I sat near them with Ilianna who's hair I braided. We become somewhat close. She still only initiate conversations with Zephyr but, she let me touch her and answers my questions more frequently.
Eli not far from me looking at us with amusement in her eyes?
Ilianna refuses to even talk to her, let alone holding her and since she became something of a daughter to Zephyr it was hard on her I guess. She couldn't spend as much time with him. Yet lately she seemed more..like her old self.
" Ehlite blessing are a singular ability but from a very wide range of abilities."
" Lady Vistellia I'm not sure how is that related to my missing memories." - he didn't seemed convinced.
" I believe you might have been attacked by such a person. I don't believe physically. I think the river is responsible for those injuries. " - she pointed towards the Sen not far from us. " I think whoever this person or persons are, they might have stolen..some of your selected memories. Such as your name and personal history."
That for me sounded far fetched.
I think him hitting his head on the bedrock of the river might been still the most plausible reason.
" My lady..even if that's true. Why would anyone bother with such a thing? Instead of just killing me outright?"
" Yeah granny going to all that trouble and then push him into a the Sen spreading over a thousand miles... what kind of an idiot, do that?"
Zephyr smiled at me and Ilianna. We had more and more moments like this. I felt lighter everytime it happened and, it made me seek out his gaze.
" It's just a theory.." - she threw some grass at our direction with Ilianna. " I suppose your fighting skill can be contributed to years of repetition and now it comes more or less like a reflex. You seemed trained with the sword and spear as well..."
" But he reeks with the bow and arrow. " - I aimed with imagery bow and arrow right at him. " I'm a much better shot ..and soon little Ilianna will to. Ain't that right?"
" Hmm.. Zephyr will teach me."
That's not what I meant but, close enough.
" Anyway your martial arts seems popular. " - she nodded with her head towards the Alexander and many others practices the kicks he's been teaching them. " Almost all the able bodied man in the village are here. How you feeling son? Any thoughts about your future?"
She done it now.
GRANNY!!!
It's too soon. What if he sa..
" I believe it might me right here in Emet."
" You decided to stay??"
I blurted out before, I could catch myself. Drawing the looks those near us.
" Zephyr is that true..? You want call our humble village home?" - I heard a familiar voice behind me.
Alexander was quick to force his own questions on him.
He smiled and called Ilianna over, who quickly abandoned me and took her place in his lap.
" It's true.. I mean,if you have me. There's a lot to love in your 'humble' village Alex." - he looked at various people like granny, Ilianna and even me with a charming smile.
" Of course we do son. You already gave us a lot, and from the looks of it.." - she reached over and pinched Ilianna cheek playfully. "...there's at least one little lady, who wouldn't let you leave now."
Granny squeezed his shoulder.
" Welcome to your home Zephyr. . " - she looked to be hard at work, then turned to him." We need a last name for you. Any ideas?"
He was only thinking a second than turned to Ilianna.
" Love, what do you think? Anything good comes to mind?" - he nudged her head with his chin.
She looked up to face him and said her own last name.
" Astoria.. Zephyr Astoria."
It was strangely silent considering the almost 40 adults and children near.
All the village came to like Zephyr and Ilianna. They fitting well together. Taking her family name as his own..had a certain meaning.
We were all watching if he accepts it and all the responsibility that came with it.
Demelza and Alexander waited with a gentle smile.
Zephyr slowly smiled down at her. Then looked at Demelza mainly.
" Is this truly okay, with you two?"
Demelza was just nodded with teary eyed. She seemed happy. Alex looked like someone who knew this will eventually happen.
" If it make you both happy brother..I'm all for it." - he pulled his wife closer gave them a happy smile.
I guess it was hard on both of them. They wanted to be there for her. It wasn't their fault she decided to choose her own family. At least she chosen well.
" Thank you. Both of you." - he sighed and looked lighter.
He got up with Ilianna in his hands.
Most of us came closer and surrounded the new family formed today.
" It is my great honor to introduce the newest member of our village. Zephyr Astoria and his daughter Ilianna. " - granny addressed those gathered and give the new father and daughter her best smile. " Congratulations Zephyr and to you little one. Welcome!! "
The surrounding people all cheered after granny's official introduction.
I couldn't get close with all the people trying to shake his hand and congratulate him. But that was fine..it was enough to watch.
They both looked happy and even Ilianna smiled through her tears at the strangers congratulated her.
" It's hard to believe he only been here a few weeks and already gained a 5 year old daughter." - a voice I missed a lot lately, came from behind me.
Eli came by my side.
She spoke facts. I couldn't believe this winter...I might with Ehlite help me..gain a whole family and a new name.
We were very far away of course but, the last weeks spent together not only made me realise how much I want him to be mine, but grateful of my previous decision refusing all those, who came before him.
It was fate.
I no longer cared if those who also wanted him have experienced heart break even if, Eli happened to be one of them.
For me to win, everyone else needs to lose. I was most grateful for my grandmother, if not for her words who knows?..Maybe Eli would already standing right next to him and Ilianna.
" It was meant to be...you finding him, for him ending up in our house. It was all for this moment. " - I crossed my arms and looked at the happy Astoria family. " Look at them..it's not hard to believe, if you witnessed it all."
" You changed Lylly...in a good way."
I looked at her a little bit supised.
We haven't been on the best terms in the last few weeks. It not like we were hostile or something. We just talked less...and I missed those talks very much.
" You always had that...strange hate in your eyes. Even with Zephyr. He was no different when we found him. " - she nudged my side playfully. " Since then, that hate slowly dissolved. Now you look like any other girl in love."
" You're right. I wasn't sure before, but now I am. " - there is no point hiding the obvious. I made this into a competition when decided to join late. " I'm sorry Eli, I know you must be hurting and thinking I'm selfish once again.."
She shut me up with a hug. My planned apology evaporated with her words.
" I'm happy for you Lylly. I wish you and him the best. Besides Lyll.." - she leaned back to look into my already tearful eyes. " I'm young anyway, it just means, I can excuse myself from a couple of winter festival's. It worked well for my big sister..You will be a great wife..and mother one day."
I felt tears rolling down my cheeks landing in my little sister hair.
I squeezed her so hard, I was afraid it will break her. I couldn't believe how much, I needed to her those words. How good it felt, to have my sister by my side supporting me. We stood there hugging for a long time.
Ehlite, please let what she said now.. be a prophecy.