Lirien, a bulky bronzed-skinned man, gazed adoringly at Elara, a slender, tall, and equally bronzed-skinned beautiful lady. Both wore garments made from animal hides, blending seamlessly into the forest surroundings.
"My lady, you are so beautiful. I am so blessed to have you with me," Lirien gushed, holding Elara's hand.
"Cut it out, Lirien," Elara blushed, urging him to move forward in the forest.
"No words can describe how beautiful you are, Elara," he said, looking starstruck.
"You old man, don't you know you are old? Is it until we get torn into pieces by wolves before you stop this your bootlicking?" Elara said, smiling.
"I am still as strong as ever, I am not old. We will continue this when we get home, let us hunt first," Lirien replied, leading her through the forest.
"Lest you forget something, I am also a hunter, why are you holding me like a child?" Elara asked, her face furrowing.
"You are my precious treasure, I wouldn't allow anything to happen to you," Lirien said firmly.
"Left to me, I don't want you on this expedition, but you are too stubborn," Lirien added, concern etched on his face.
"But I love it," he quickly added, attempting to escape Elara's wrath.
"Can you hear that?" Elara asked him.
"What is that?" Lirien replied.
"A baby crying," Elara said, walking toward the sound.
"Where do you think you are going, Elara?" Lirien asked, dragging her back.
" It might be dangerous, love." He said, not wanting Elara to go.
"And a child may end up dying due to our fear. You are a hunter, Lirien, so why are you scared?" Elara chided, her tone serious.
"Behave like one and let us find out what is happening, love," she said, leaning into him.
As they approached the source of the cries, Lirien's expression turned serious. "If you want to do this, stay behind me. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you." He said with a serious look.
"Okay." She said quietly.
They walked quietly towards their right side where the cries were coming from. Lirien parted the bushes and held Elara's hand. As they moved closer, the voice grew nearer. When they finally got there, they saw a baby wrapped in white clothes, crying and lying in the mud with a severed hand holding the baby tightly.
Elara was shocked. "Ohhhh My God." She kept her mouth over her mouth and sobbed silently. She said a silent prayer for the mother whose hand was holding the child.
"Elara, this looks dangerous, let us go back, I don't want us to get involved, love" He warned sternly.
"This child looks pitiful, it is obvious the parents already consider the baby dead." She said while her eyes got watery. "Will you just leave the baby here to die?" She asked him.
He kept mute.
"Let us just keep him, Lirien." She urged him.
Lirien already knew he couldn't wiggle his way out of this and had no other choice than to give in to her wish. He was powerless regarding anything related to her. He just sighed.
"If that is what you want, you can keep her." He said reluctantly.
Elara didn't bother to listen to his tone and bent down to pick the baby up. She gently picked the baby up, gently dusting the dirt and leaves around the shawl used to cover the baby.
"She is beautiful," She said with affection in her eyes while looking at her. "The colour of her hair is odd but beautiful." She continued without waiting for Lirien's reply.
She gently touched her hair and face, lost in her world. When she opened her eyes, Elara got lost in her eyes. The eyes looked like they held all the secrets in this world. Her eyes were as blue as the sky. Then she smiled at Elara, and there and then, Elara decided in her mind to take care of the child no matter what it might cost.
"Let us go home, Lirien, our daughter is starving." She turned without waiting for his reply
.
Lirien, stunned, had no other option than to follow her.