The River

There was something about it – the flowing water between the arches of the cobblestone bridge. It rushed endlessly, bubbling and splashing against the larger rocks, splitting apart. The water was just a passing traveller who headed towards new sights and places.

Effy wanted to join it. To flow along and explore. To see new lands and cities. She wanted to experience new tastes and explore old ruins. Inhale vibrant scents and touch time-worn surfaces. She wished to be free and not to worry about tomorrow and what she would eat.

When she was standing on this bridge, she felt her worries and exhaustion sink into the whirlpools scattered on the surface of the wide river. They spun and twirled, swallowing leaves and twigs and passing them. And sometimes she imagined sinking in them, too…

“No, no. I can’t. I can’t. I still want to see other towns. Not just stay here in Heila. I want to meet other people…” Her sentence trailed off as her mind conjured sights of possible encounters. “No… Maybe not people.” She had bad luck with those. “Maybe just that one… That someone. A girl who would take me away…”

Below, Effy’s eyes met her reflections. Distorted and wavering, just like her mind. Ugly in its core, with how twisted and fleeting it was. The bridge was too high for her to see clearly, but she could see the hints of her dirty brown hair hanging down. The pale, sickly skin. The unremarkable brown eyes. Her gaunt face and sad expression.

It was all there. On the water's surface, mocking her. Asking what she would do about it. Jeering and laughing, finding her loneliness and misfortune amusing. The caricature taunted her to come and prove it wrong. It asked to jump and…

Then it was gone. The water calmed down, seemingly taking notice of her dark thoughts. The surface of the Elfy river became crystal clear, taking away all her inner sludge.

It was a mysterious sight and never lasted for more than a moment. It happened only when Effy was at her lowest – when she was just a step away from…

“Thank you, Elfy…” she whispered, as always, feeling a little silly for speaking to the river with the name so similar to hers. “You know, Elfy… I messed up again. I moved the plates with the food and dropped them. The Madam was very disappointed. The head maid said I don’t deserve food today. Again. I didn’t get any… Again.”

A tear rolled down her cheek, lingering on her cheek before reluctantly falling. The essence of her sadness and hurt hit the water's surface, forming small circles and disturbing the otherwise serene and still river.

Just like that, the river was moving again, woken up by the small droplet of human emotions joining it. The water washed away her burdens, speaking unknown words only nature could.

“I don’t know what I would do without you. You are my only friend, Elfy…” Effy sighed, allowing a rare smile – the only thing that she felt comfortable speaking with an open heart. “I just wish I could spend more time with you. I wish I didn’t have to go back to that dark kitchen and smelly pantry. They all are so mean there… But I need to work. Those who work don’t eat… Not that I am eating much. But don’t worry. I get scraps here and there!”

It was silly, but she didn’t want the river to worry. It was the closest and only friend she had. And it was flowing water. It was amusing, in a way.

The thought improved her mood again. She giggled, her clear laughter extending far, even reaching the cliffs a little further up the stream.

Effy watched the river a little longer, letting its whispers seep into her mind. It was as if the river was telling her not to worry and promising a brighter future ahead.

“I wish that was true…” She let her imagination wander. “A future… Harriette said I would need to marry soon. That the coachman’s son is also my age… I don’t want to marry him. I want to… I want…”

Effy looked around, scared anyone would overhear her. But all around her was just silence, bushes, and trees. The weed-covered road spoke about the frequency this path was travelled. Only her feet formed a small trail from the daily walks she took. Shadows were stretching long as the sun hid behind the mountain range in the distance, announcing the soon arrival of night.

Satisfied with the isolation, Effy put her palm on her heart to calm it. She hadn’t spoken about it to anyone before. But her friend deserved to know.

“Elfy. You know. I don’t like boys. They stink and are rude, and loud. I don’t like them one bit.” She whispered. “And I don’t think I will start to like them either. No. I don’t think I will.”

Once more, Effy looked around, scared the head maid would step out of the shadows. She was an adult now – if barely. It was a bit silly for her to be that scared of the stern woman. But she couldn’t help it. The head maid was overly strict and pushy.

“Elfy, you know. I…” Effy’s voice dropped to barely a whisper, and the river seemed to quiet along with her. “I like girls.” She gasped, a large part of her horrified that she had admitted it aloud.

But another big part felt relieved. Effy’s life had never been easy. And being different would just lead to more bullying. That’s why all she could do was sneak a glance here and there, never for too long. That’s all she had managed, not to mention even something more. Something like a kiss…

Effy felt herself overheat from just imagining herself kissing another girl! There was no way! Impossible! But she wanted it so badly!

“Gah!” She waved her hands, trying to dispel the enticing fantasy. “You can’t tell anyone!” Her voice returned. “I trust you here! You can’t! It is our secret!”

The Elfy bubbled, responding in its own rivery way. It was a thoughtful, somewhat curious sound. But also a happy one, light notes rising from the bellow.

Effy sighed again. “I am such a coward.” She admitted. “Sorry, I am always complaining to you like this. Thank you for listening. You are all I have. I love it here, outside and away from the mansion. And I love you.”

With that said, Effy looked at the darkening sky and turned to leave. She dragged her steps, not wanting to return, but had no other choice. Tomorrow would be an early morning, and she had to get some sleep.

Taken by the mundane thoughts and distracted by the hunger pains, she did not notice the changes taking place behind her.

*********

The air shifted suddenly. A tremble passed through the surroundings as the river stilled once more, all sound vanishing on a whim. Effy’s last word – ‘love’ – echoed over the water's surface, travelling further and further until it reached the cliffs and entered a hidden cave. There, it sneaked through the crevices, finding the deepest parts of the place where it entered the ears of the mysterious owner of this place.

That someone opened their eyes – blue oceans, endlessly deep and mystifying. Effy’s voice repeated over and over in their mind, awakening something. Something this someone had not known was there before.

The being blinked, suddenly overtaken by an urge to go and meet her friend. They wanted to see the person who had spent so much time talking and sharing their life with them. The being really wanted to meet the person who had said they loved them.

Slowly, it rose from its usual resting spot – a crystal-clear pool of purest water. Stretching its limbs and yawning, it wondered how many centuries had passed since the last time it stepped out of its cave. And more importantly, what form should it take to meet this friend of theirs?

“Hmm…”

With a melodic hum, the being headed for the exit and was greeted by a nightly breeze. It looked towards the cobblestone bridge, remembering the time it had been built so long ago. There had been times the being had watched people come and go, passing over it. But those times were long gone, left in the past as the being had fallen into a slumber.

It had slept for a long time, heedless of the world changing around it. Until one day, a sobbing girl had roused the being from its sleep. The sorrowful words had touched its heart, and the daily retelling of the struggles had left a deep impression on the being's mind. It had glimpsed the girl with the help of the water. It had observed and helped by taking some of the sorrow when the girl needed it.

“So you like girls?” The being muttered, changing itself to be a girl, and pondered what further changes to make. Her malleable body allowed for much, but she didn’t want to become someone she didn’t like.

“Ah!” The being clapped, realising she had just the person in mind. Someone she liked very much. “I see. Why shouldn’t I? Effy is indeed cute. The cutest.”

With the decision made, she moulded herself to become almost identical to Effy. She shaped her face to have the same gentle features. Her hair became longer, falling almost to her waist. She filled out her chest and elongated her legs. Finally, she formed a water mirror in front of herself and nodded in satisfaction.

“The same, but different.” She smiled, her eyes remaining the same blue oceans. “Effy is cute indeed. Ah!” She realised she didn’t have a name and looked at the river, tilting her head. “Mhmm. It’s not that I don’t have a name. Effy already calls me Elfy. Then, Elfy, I shall be.”

Now she felt ready to leave. Gingerly planting her foot on the river’s surface, she exited the cave that had served as her home for so long. The cool air wrapped around her, lifting her hair and pulling her forward. The water nymph let her be carried along the endless flow of the river, heading towards the bridge.

Once there, the water under her surged into a pillar that lifted her onto the bridge. As her feet touched the cobblestone, she looked to both sides of the unused road, finding a small path sneaking away towards where she knew her girl was.

“Here I come, Effy.” Elfy followed the trail, curiously looking around, finding everything fascinating. “So, this is what you see as you come to see me every day?” Her attention fell on a small mushroom and then on a tall tree.

Everything felt like it had more colour than there should be, and Elfy realised her heart was beating urgently, asking for her to hurry and see the girl who had declared love for her.

“Ah! I want to see you!” Elfy recognised what her emotions were. “I want to tell you I love you, too!” Her steps quickened, and she entered the ancient forest that stood between her and her girl. “I will be there soon, Effy. I will give you everything you want. And in return, you will become mine.”