Elindra’s Silence

Elindra led the way, flying above their heads. Sometimes she rose into the sky and gazed into the distance. At other times, she landed on a branch, closed her eyes and remained perfectly still, as though listening for something. Then she would take flight again.

“This way. If we follow the path west, we can get through,” she called before flying ahead.

Leyade and Silas tried to keep up, but the terrain was difficult and the path often narrow. Sometimes they had to press themselves against what Leyade thought was the side of a hill to squeeze past. Elsewhere, they had to help each other leap across a wide gap or find another route. Yet even this rocky path was easier than the one Leyade had taken before.

Time passed, and eventually they stopped for lunch. Their muscles aching from the journey, they chose a small clearing beside a stream.

Silas took out the map and handed it to Leyade, who quickly worked out where they were.

“We’ve made good progress, actually. Elindra, do you think Silas will be able to summon the horses soon?” Leyade looked up at her, but the dragon did not seem to hear. “Elindra?”

“She isn’t listening,” Silas confirmed. “If the path levels out, which it should, I’ll probably be able to summon them soon,” he added, taking a piece of fruit from his rations.

The half-elf sat on a rock. He had taken off his hat, and his slightly curly brown hair stirred freely in the breeze, falling across his eyes.

“What’s wrong with Elindra?” Leyade asked anxiously. The faerie dragon sat on a stump a little way off, holding a piece of bread between her forepaws and staring into space.

“Don’t worry. Let’s just say something from her past has decided to resurface,” the half-elf replied, watching her too.

“Is it because of what Councillor Eldrin said?” Leyade asked without looking away from Elindra.

“As perceptive as ever.” Silas smiled at her observation. “Yes, that’s why.”

“I see… Poor Elindra. She looks so sad…”

“She does. But there’s nothing you can do until she wants to talk about it.” Silas glanced at Leyade as he finished his fruit and took a book-shaped box from his backpack.

Leyade nodded sadly. Then she stood and carefully approached Elindra while Silas watched.

“Hello, Elindra,” she said. “Look, I’ve got some fruit I picked along the way. Silas told me you like oranges. Would you like some?”

She leaned forwards and held out a piece of orange for the dragon to take.

At first, Elindra did not react. Then she slowly turned towards the orange, studied it for a few moments and shook her head before staring into space again.

Concerned, Leyade sat beside her and ate another piece.

“What’s wrong, Elindra? You seem miles away.”

The dragon looked back at her and sighed.

“I’d rather not talk about it, Leyade.”

At last, she had spoken. Her voice was heavy with sorrow.

“You don’t have to tell me if it hurts,” Leyade reassured her. “I understand that it’s difficult for you. Sometimes memories hurt more than what we’re going through now. I know how that feels.”

She gently stroked one of Elindra’s forepaws with a finger.

“But if you need to talk, I’m here, all right?” Leyade gave her a kind smile. “It’s all right to be sad, to hurt and to cry. Don’t hide what you’re feeling because you’re ashamed.”

She left the piece of orange beside her.

“Have this with your bread. It might cheer you up a little.”

With that, Leyade stood and went to stretch out on the grass for a while. Silas watched them fondly, a small smile crossing his face before he returned to the book in his hands.

After their short lunch break, the path began to level out, just as they had expected, allowing them to make their way more comfortably. Once it was suitable for riding, they stopped to one side so Silas could work his magic.

The half-elf looked around, raised a hand and recited the spell in a solemn voice, gesturing as he spoke. Light flashed in the middle of the path, and two lightly built horses appeared from nowhere, complete with saddles, reins, saddlebags and stirrups, ready to ride.

Amazed by the spell, Leyade hurried over to one of the horses. It was light brown with a pale beige mane. She looked it up and down and touched it cautiously. The horse was docile and watched her with curiosity.

The ranger smiled broadly and mounted in one swift, practised movement.

Silas followed with an amused expression, settling unhurriedly into the other saddle before handing her the map.

“Once we’re out of the forest, you’ll be leading the way, so be ready,” he told her, pointing ahead.

She took the map with a smile and nodded confidently.

“Well, well… Can the magnificent Silas not find his way with a map?” Leyade asked, raising an eyebrow as she pulled it from his hand.

“Of course I can. I’ve travelled a great deal, princess,” Silas replied, tipping his hat slightly. “But I’d be a fool to travel with a ranger and not let her take on the burden of guiding us.”

He lowered his head and whispered:

“Besides, I wouldn’t miss the chance to tease you if you got us lost.”

Silas smiled wickedly, but Leyade was beginning to know him well enough to see beyond his words. He had travelled widely; she had no doubt about that. But he was not a ranger. She was.

She watched him for a few moments with a knowing smile, then rolled up the map and slipped it into the map case at her belt.

“Yes, letting me lead is a very wise decision,” she declared with a satisfied nod.

When Silas looked away, she whispered:

“At last, something I know how to do…”

Leyade sighed with relief. Ever since arriving in Kalneria, she had felt useless. Her skills as a ranger had been the only thing keeping her sane as she found her way through the forest, but after her encounter with Maviran, even those had been no help.

They continued without incident, keeping closer to Elindra now that they had horses. The day gradually slipped towards dusk. As darkness spread across the horizon, it became harder to see. Both could see well enough in the dim light, but if their travels had taught them anything, it was not to cross a forest at night.

“We should stop for the night,” Leyade said, searching their surroundings for a suitable place.

She dismounted to take a look, handed Silas her reins and searched along the edges of the path, venturing a little way into the forest until she found a good spot.

The three of them settled beside a tree at the foot of a mountain. It was a sheltered nook: if the weather grew colder, they could easily find protection from the chill, and if they were attacked, they could hide behind the tree or slip away around it. A soft layer of grass covered the ground where they would sleep.

Leyade built the fire, Silas supplied the spark, and Elindra brought more wood. Together, they carefully set up camp and laid out their sleeping bags. Once everything was ready, they sat around the fire and ate their rations at leisure while Silas and Leyade talked about everyday things.

“How should we divide the watches?” the elf asked, stretching after the meal.

“I don’t mind. You choose. Eight hours’ sleep is enough for me.” Silas had taken his hat off again and was leaning back on his elbows.

“You and Elindra take your watch together, don’t you?” Leyade glanced towards the dragon, who remained distracted at the edge of the camp.

Silas nodded, looking at Elindra too.

“I’ll take the first watch, then, if you like,” Leyade offered with a smile.

Silas returned her smile and sat up.

“All right. Wake me when it’s my turn.”

He stood to get ready for bed, but turned back towards Leyade before leaving.

“Try not to spend the whole time gazing at me while I sleep, will you?”

“I promise I’ll try,” she replied, playing along and raising her eyebrows. “Goodnight, Silas.”

“Goodnight, Leyade.”

The half-elf smiled and went to fetch Elindra, who simply nodded and crawled into his sleeping bag.

The night passed peacefully. Leyade sat smiling in the reddish glow of the fire. Every so often, she stood, checked their surroundings and sat down again. There was nothing but the soft chirping of distant crickets and the whisper of leaves in the breeze, until she heard movement from Silas’s sleeping bag.

She turned, but it was only Silas rolling over, still fast asleep. She looked back at the fire, then noticed movement again.

This time, it was Elindra, approaching her hesitantly.

“Elindra, has something happened?” Leyade whispered, concerned.

The dragon looked at her and shook her head.

“I couldn’t sleep…” She paused thoughtfully, then asked, a little embarrassed, “Can I stay with you?”

Leyade gave her a tender look and nodded, patting the ground beside her.

Elindra approached slowly and settled against her leg. Silence fell between them, broken only by the crackle of the embers.

“Leyade, you really want to go home, don’t you?” Elindra murmured at last.

Leyade nodded, glancing down at her.

“More than anything,” she replied with a smile. “Why do you ask?”

Elindra looked at the ground, fidgeting nervously.

“I don’t want to go back,” she said without looking at Leyade. “I don’t want to leave Silas.”