The next 2 weeks were 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 was 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 remembered 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, whose hair I braided. We become somewhat close. She still only initiated conversations with Zephyr, but she let me touch her and answered 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 that is related to my missing memories." - he didn't seem 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 still be 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 every time it happened, and it made me seek out his gaze.
" It's just a theory.." - she threw some grass in our direction with Ilianna. " I suppose your fighting skills 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 Alexander, and many others practised the kicks he's been teaching them.
" Almost all the able bodied man in the village are here. How are you feeling, son? Any thoughts about your future?"
She has 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 of those near us.
" Zephyr, is that true..? You want to 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 turning 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 fit well together. Taking her family name as his own.. had a certain meaning.
We were all watching if he accepted it and all the responsibility that came with it.
Demelza and Alexander waited with a gentle smile.
Zephyr slowly smiled down at her. Then, I looked at Demelza mainly.
" Is this truly okay with you two?"
Demelza just nodded with teary eyes. She seemed happy. Alex looked like someone who knew this would eventually happen.
" If it makes you both happy brother..I'm all for it." - he pulled his wife closer and 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 honour to introduce the newest member of our village. Zephyr Astoria and his daughter Ilianna. " - granny addressed those gathered and gave 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 congratulating 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 heartbreak 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 be 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 is 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 I 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 festivals. 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 that I was afraid it would 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.