Chapter 21 : So I Reunited two long-lost Sisters

I say, "Thank you very much, your majesty." Thalorien smiles and says, "I am glad to help you, Hero Agni. It's night now; stay with us. Let us show you the Elven hospitality." I smile and say, "Another time, your majesty, we have to be somewhere else." Thalorien says, "Alright then, another time. Now let's have dinner together." I say, "But your majesty, I have to...." "You can't leave without eating first. You are guests of Elafeyra. If you leave without eating anything, it will leave a mark on our reputation. So, sit here. Dinners are coming." Vaelya says with a smile, "Hero Agni, let's eat." I sigh and say, "Alright then."

We have dinner with the Elves. Fruits and edible leaves. I am happy. But Vaelya misses meat. I can clearly understand that by her expression.

After the dinner, Thalorien arranges a carriage for me and Vaelya. It gets us to our carriage, which was standing outside of the Elven Kingdom.

I say, "Now, who is going to drive us?" Vaelya says, "I can drive a little." I am terrified. Driving a carriage at night will be hard for an amateur. But we have a full moon tonight. The road isn't dark. Well, we don't have any option here. I say, "Be careful, Princess Vaelya." Vaelya says, "I will."

Vaelya somehow manages to drive the carriage. After going a bit far, I say, "Princess Vaelya, it's safe here." Vaelya opens the portal. And drive the carriage into it. We arrive at the demon realm.

Emelin, Ferminaka, and Melune come to us running. Emelin asks, "Are you alright, brother?" I smile and reply, "Yes, sister. Sorry for being so late." Emelin says, "You don't have to say sorry, brother. Eriei was giving us company." I look at my left. Eriei comes to me and bows. She says, "Your Highness ordered me to look after them, my lord." I smile and say, "Thank you, Eriei. How are you?" Eriei says, "I am honored that you are asking about my well-being, my lord. I am fine, my lord. How are you, my lord?" I reply, "I am great, Eriei." 

Emelin says, "Eriei said that she was your maid, brother." Eriei says, "Pardon me, Lady Emelin. But I am still my lord's maid. He just has to leave for a greater purpose. When he returns home, I will be at his service again. Because I am the first servant and main maid of my lord. And if I could go with my lord, then he wouldn't have needed any maids." Eriei looks at Ferminaka with a side eye. Ferminaka lowers her gaze with fear.

Hey! What's going on here? 

I say, "Eriei, have you served them dinners?" Eriei replies, "Yes, my lord. They also brought some food with them. Will you and Lady Vaelya prefer to eat now?" Vaelya says, "No, Eriei. We have had dinner in the Elven Kingdom." Eriei says with a lower voice, "Alright, Lady Vaelya." She seems to be disappointed. So I say, "Eriei, bring me some fruits. I am craving for more." Eriei says with an excited voice, "Right away, my lord." Eriei leaves and returns quickly with a plate filled with fruits. Vaelya smirks at me. I eat some fruits.

After that I tell Vaelya about the location where I met Nyelora. Vaelya understands the location and tells the gatekeepers. The gatekeepers open the portal gate. Melune, Ferminaka, Emelin, Vaelya, and I get on the carriage. Ferminaka drives the carriage into the portal gate.

When we come out of the portal, we find ourselves on that bank of the river. 

Vaelya says, "When will Nyelora come?" Melune says, "She usually comes to the surface at midnight." I say, "Let's wait for now."

The moon is very big tonight. The moonlight creates a beautiful environment on the bank of the river. We are waiting in the carriage for Nyelora.

After waiting for almost an hour, Melune says, "There she is." We look at the river. Nyelora comes out of the river and sits on the bank of the river. 

Suddenly I remember, if she starts signing, everyone will fall asleep. I quickly shout, "Hey Nyelora! Wait!" 

Nyelora startles and turns around. I say, "Melune, go to your sister." Melune is crying. I say, "Hey, don't cry. She is waiting for you. Go to your sister, Melune." 

Melune runs to Nyelora and hugs her. They start crying. 

I smile with satisfaction. I fulfill my promise. Vaelya says, "Today, you become a hero to many people, Hero Agni." I say, "All thanks to you and your highness, Princess Vaelya. And if being a hero means I can become the medium of people's happiness like this, I will do anything to be a better hero, Princess Vaelya." 

- "You are the best hero, Hero Agni."

- "No, not the best. Many people are still suffering, Princess Vaelya. Until I transform everyone's suffering into their happiness, I won't be a better hero."

- "You know, you are not alone in this, Hero Agni? I am always with you."

- "I know, Princess Vaelya. And I am grateful for that. I won't disappoint you, Princess Vaelya." 

Vaelya holds my hand and smiles warmly. She says, "I know you won't, Hero Agni." I smile at her.

Nyelora and Melune walk to us. Nyelora bows before me and says, "Thank you so much, Hero Agni. I lost all my hope. Your promise was a beautiful dream for me, which gave me hope every day. But I never thought that a dream could come true. Today you prove that a hero is able to make dreams into reality. Thank you so much, Hero Agni." I say, "I only did what I wanted to do. And it was my duty. You don't have to thank me for this, for this is one of my duties as a child of God." Nyelora and Melune smile. Melune says farewell to Ferminaka, Emelin, and Vaelya. After that they vanish into the river.

I say, "Shall we return home then?" Vaelya says, "It's very late now. Let's spend the night in the demon realm. We will return Alnovir in the morning." Emelin says, "Yes. Let's go to the demon realm." I say, "What do you think, Ferminaka?" Ferminaka hesitantly says, "I agree with Lady Vaelya." Vaelya smiles and holds Ferminaka's hand. Vaelya says, "Don't worry, Ferminaka. You will be safe. I am giving you my word. How about you stay in my room with me?" Ferminaka shakes her head and says, "No, no, Lady Vaelya. I can't possibly...." "I insist." Vaelya says. Ferminaka says with a lower voice, "As you wish, Lady Vaelya."

Vaelya smiles beautifully.

Vaelya creates a portal. Ferminaka drives the carriage into the portal gate, and we are here in the demon realm.

Eriei seems to be happy that we choose to stay the night in the demon realm. Vaelya takes Ferminaka in her room. Emelin gets her separate room, and I return to mine. Everything in the room is the same as when I was here. 

I lay on the bed, and the lids of my eyes quickly shut. This day sure is a long one.

That smell again!

I woke up and turned my head to the left. Something soft brushes my forehead. Vaelya startles and quickly steps back while covering her mouth with her hand.

I ask with confusion, "What was that?" Vaelya hesitantly says, "Why are you asking me? I don't know what you are talking about." I say, "Then I'll ask what you know. Why are you here, Princess Vaelya?" Vaelya removes her hand from her mouth and looks at the window. She hesitantly says, "I was just checking whether you have any injury or not." I say, "But nothing happened yesterday that could injure me." Vaelya hesitantly says, "Yes, I know. I was just making sure." I say with a smile, "Is that so?" Vaelya says, "That is so. Now get up. We need to return Alnovir." I say while getting up, "Yes. Let me get ready."

After that I meet with Varthion and tell him what has happened until now. Then I visit the new colony of those girls who were imprisoned by Corlious. Almost half of them returned home with the help of Varthion. 

After having breakfast with Vaelya, Emelin, and Ferminaka, I prepare myself to return to Alnovir.

We teleport to the forest near Alnovir. Ferminaka drives the carriage into the Alnovir.

When we arrive at the palace, it is already noon. We get off the carriage. I walk towards my room. I meet with Lukemir in the path. Lukemir says, "Welcome home, Your Majesty." I say, "Thank you, Lukemir. Any news?" Lukemir says, "Yes, your majesty. Someone wants an audience with you, your majesty." 

I ask, "Who?" Lukemir hesitantly says, "Norheim Liorem. A well-known slave trader." I stare at Lukemir for a while. 

Lukemir says, "Should I tell him to leave the palace?" "Of course not. Let me give him a warm welcome." I say with a smile.