The Death of the Hero

Finally! His full name worked and he stopped, probably shocked anyone using it. He turned around and smiled at me apologetically. All of the anger I felt till that moment disappeared, but I didn’t want to let it go so easily, so I pretended to be mad for all that worry I was feeling the past few days. I took his hand and led him to a place where we could speak freely, which was a narrow passage between the buildings. I blocked the way just in case, he didn’t try to run away anymore. Opposite Rob took a few steps back and seemed insular, embarrassed and a bit scared. It wasn’t my goal… Should I apologise now? How to behave?! What to do?!

I realised that I have no idea what kind of move would be the right one. The different thing was to flirt with him, just to make him cutely blush and the other getting prepared to confess, not caring about the result, but that was while being sure the death was close. Maybe the scenario I feared happened and Rob was not happy to find out that his idol was actually me and I am not even close to what he was expected to see. Suddenly I couldn’t read his feelings, when I came to terms with my own.

“Do you really don’t want to see me at all?” I asked not disapprovingly, but sadly, as I realised that I shouldn’t take his feelings for granted.

“No!” He denied rapidly and looked down, hiding his hand behind his back. “I was afraid to talk to you.”

“After all of this we went through together?”

“But… I didn’t know you were Eric back then!” His hand must have hurt, it was bleeding actually, after hitting the wall.

“I understand you might be disappointed, but…” Another blow to the wall. I wanted to point out that he got hurt, but I might just awaken his bad side.

“That’s not it. I am just confused. You were hearing me all obsessing, well about you, and…” He was missing the right words. “Now it’s just too embarrassing. I somehow was already in love with Eric, but I started to feel something for you as Alan too. I was just getting confused and feeling like a traitor. It's obvious that you had to hide your identity, but I was just not sure if I have feelings for the same person anymore, if I am seeing two different faces. Also how could I be worthy of a legendary hero, while I am just a healer…”

I should be the one thinking about it. His speech seemed nerve wrecking, so I was afraid that anytime he would die from a heart attack. My body moved on its own, so I just came closer and kissed him. I had to hold him tight, as it felt like he was melting in my hands. He returned the gesture and his hand was on my cheek for a moment. And I couldn't understand why he recoiled from me rapidly. He was looking at me and noticed the blood he left on my face, thinking I was injured and he has to take care of it. With the next step Rob collapsed out of tiredness, I barely catched him before he hit the ground and carried him on my back.

“You should get some rest,” I whispered, slowly going through the city.

Because I wanted to enjoy that moment and his calm, warm breath on my neck. His reaction worried me a bit, so I wasn't sure if it's my only chance to still be close to him. When we got back to the herbalist's place I wanted to take care of his injured hand, so I cleaned the wound and tried to put the bandage properly.

“So there are things the greatest hero of all time can't do.”

Edward commented and made it how it was supposed to be done. First aid wasn't on the list of my best skills. I was feeling uncomfortable watching him touching Rob, even though I clearly saw that he is better at it than me, my face went out of control.

“Don’t play jealous here. Not interested at all. I already have a girl I like, but she keeps rejecting me.” He sighed. I looked surprised, because for sure he didn't lack anything except from being mean from time to time. “I thought that as prince I wouldn't ever experience it, but I guess not. You know she lost her parents early and inherited a farm at a young age, she just wants to stay there and take care of what their parents build. She told me that she likes me too, but in these circumstances we can't be together, so I didn't persuade her anymore to avoid pain for both of us.”

The way he was talking about her, full of longing and love, just made me realize how much he had to go through too. It moved me so much that it almost made me cry, but the prince was ready to kill me, if I would react like that.

“Edward, what is your dream?”

He was laughing for a bit, when I tried to understand why it seemed funny to him?

“Rob asked me about the same, and I promised him I will say it when we meet next time. We did and I still couldn’t give him the answer. But now with a chance to change my life I can think of just living peacefully on that farm with that girl.”

He smiled like he needed reassurance that he has every right to dream about happiness. Even though outside he seemed like a tough young man, his heart was longing for things, everyone silently wanted love, peace, stability, family and safety. Including myself.

“I believe your dream will come true and if you can help it, you should.”

“Thank you, but I can’t say I am not jealous of Rob. He didn’t even have to try and you just showed up in his life and he even got more he could ask for.” Edward sighed. “Enough with feeling talk. I came to say goodbye. It was good to meet you, Eric.” We shook hands.

“You are a great young man. Your parents would be proud of you!”

I saw in his eyes gratitude for mentioning both of his parents. He could fight on our side, but people tend to not forget and he would always be the son of this evil king Ned. That fact couldn't make his life miserable enough. I knew something about it, so it was obvious for me to let him know that he had someone who didn’t want to hate his father.

Rob was so exhausted that he needed another day to sleep and when he finally woke up, he almost tried to run away again. I didn’t feel good about blocking his way again, but there were some answers I needed to know.

“What is it now? I just try to understand” I asked desperately, just like a proper adult probably shouldn’t.

“Thank you for caring about me, but I think I had a really weird dream and you were there and I can’t look you in the eyes right now.” His face got red, and he really tried to avoid me at any cost.

“If you mean a kiss,” I cleared my throat. “It actually happened, so sit down and let me make some things clear.” He finally listened to me. “Firstly, I don’t regret doing it and I hope it was obvious what I was feeling to you for a while. Secondly I decided that it’s time to bury Eric the greatest hero and let him be part of the past. You helped me be reborn as the Fish Hero and that second chance to life I want the world to know me under this title. But for you I just want to be Eric, I am still the same what I was while with the name Alan.” I had a moment to catch his eyes and just smile. “The decision is up to you. I will leave the city in two days.”