The view of the mountains with the city skyline was gorgeous under the cascading, ethereal light of the moon and stars. The city lights looked like a large patch of fire flies dotting sporadically and tightly across the dark lands. The mountains and outer walls overshadowed everything else with their silent and grand silhouettes.

  Desmond was overall happy to be out of the room. However, his anxiety was boiling over inside him like a pot of hot water. The moon, stars, and somewhat peaceful quiet were a minor comfort for him. Though deep down, he knew it would not help. Aurora sensed this in Desmond.

  Aurora broke the silence after a few minutes and asked sincerely, “You look like you need a friend… Overwhelmed?”

  “Thanks… That obvious,” Desmond smirked not looking at her.

  Aurora answered nicely, “Kind of. How’s it going?”

  “It’s… Going,” Desmond said awkwardly as he was battling himself and trying to remain calm.

  He could not help, but feel enamored by her beauty and the fact that she was talking with him. He wasn’t sure if he was more afraid of saying something stupid because of his awkwardness or if his uncomfortableness of the ceremony and being constantly reminded of the battle and the prince was going to deter her from him. Aurora looked at him intrigued whilst doing a better job at hiding her nervousness behind her nonchalant demeanor. She also felt enamored by his rugged handsomeness. She was silently hoping that her directness was not intimidating.

  Aurora thought to herself, “He’s the new ‘hero’ of this kingdom. Yet… He’s actually sweet and kind. He’s just a normal, kindhearted young guy… Maybe that’s why? Is he the really new ‘Wielder of the Light?’ Mother suspects and so do others... Why? I need to find out.”

  Desmond finished his glass and rested his hat on a standing table next to him as he leaned onto the rail taking in deep breaths. Aurora sipped her glass and with an intrigued grin asked, “Still uncomfortable?”

  “You can say that again.”

  “Want to talk about it?” She rested on the rail almost mirroring him. Her fingers were silently and rapidly tapping the rail. She asked, “I’m here to listen if you want?”

  “No… Not right now,” Desmond said as he looked longingly at the moon. “Thanks for asking though.”

  “No problem… You do look handsome in your uniform. Rather cute honestly.”

  “Th – Thanks… You look… Wow! I sound stupid right now. Give me a bit. The whiskey, you know?”

  “It’s fine. You’re doing fine… You’re doing fine,” she said as she rested her hand on his back for a moment and slowly moved her hand away almost hesitantly.

  Desmond ragged on himself for being awkward. He then said with all the confidence he could muster whilst gritting his anxious teeth, “You look… Very pretty… I just have to say that. I never talked this long with anyone of Elvan lineage or this beautiful before. I’m sorry if this sounds weird. I bet you hear it all the time.”

  “Not all the time,” Aurora said softly as she brushed the side of her hair while trying not to blush. “Thank you. It doesn’t sound weird. It’s sweet actually.”

  She felt a silent understanding with him and his enduring honesty with his awkwardness. She was uncomfortable with the party and politics and so was Desmond. However, she understood that he was mostly uncomfortable being in the spotlight. Desmond felt a little calmer next to her. He was not sure where this conversation would lead to, but he felt glad that there was at least someone who was willing to talk and listen to him with kindness and tenderness. It felt genuine to him instead of the chatter from the nobles.

  Aurora leaned on the rail inching closer to Desmond. She remembered her mother’s instructions. She asked, “What’s your relationship with the wizard? Eluthar, back there.”

  “He is helping me move about the royal court like your mother mentioned and… And helping me overall. I’m the new… Gods this sounds dumb to say… The new ‘Wielder of The Light.’ Sounds pompous, but overall I’m the new ‘champion’ of Light Wielder. Unofficially for now… He’s helping me with that… You know him?”

  “Certainly. He’s traveled all across the kingdoms and is a good friend to my mother,” Aurora said sweetly.

  She was happy to confirm Desmond’s new title as the user of Light Wielder. However, she felt compelled to try to know him more outside of her mission. For a second, she deeply wanted to know him on a personal level.

  She asked, “So you’re his new pupil of sorts? The new ‘prodigy’ so-to-speak? Like the prince?”

  “Probably something like that, but nowhere near the prince’s level… I don’t know why he is so kind. He doesn’t have to be helping me. He didn’t know my existence until after the battle. He doesn’t have to care, but he does.”

  “He’s always been like that,” Aurora said as her warmth slowly dissipated from her face.

  Aurora thought back to the time Tom came by to tell of her dad’s passing. Aurora was a little girl then. It was a misty rain that afternoon at Alvara’s mansion. Tom was a little younger and stronger back then. He had brown hair with thin streaks of grey on his sideburns. His beard was a lot shorter back then as well. He knelt down and introduced himself to little Aurora. She was crying while hiding her mouth behind a stuff lion doll her father gave her.

  Tom knelt down and gently placed the sapphire necklace around her neck saying that the necklace gave whoever wears it luck and that her father wanted her to have it. He gave a meaningful and sorrowful hug followed shortly by a quick pat on the head. She just looked at him confused with tears running down her rosy cheeks. Tom stood up to talk to Alvara.

  Aurora overheard him say, “I’m sorry, Alva… I should’ve been there… If you need anything. Any help at all… I’ll come by.”

  “Thank you, Thomas… Thank you dearly,” Alvara said holding back tears and struggling to remain stoic.

  Alvara looked at a family picture on an end table and quickly wiped her eyes. Tom and Alvara hugged for a few moments as the tears slowly seeped down from Alvara’s eyes ruining her mascara. Tom rode off as Alvara picked up little Aurora and walked her into the living room.

  Aurora asked brokenly through sniffles, “Mother? Where’s dad?”

  “He is in a better place, love.”

  “When will he come back? He needs his necklace. Without it he won’t be safe. He needs it!”

  “He’s not… Not coming back… That’s how it is… He’s… He’s dead, love. He died a true hero,” Alvara said with a quiver.

  Two Elvan handmaidens came by to take Aurora away while Alvara kissed Aurora’s head. Alvara told them to wait a bit as they both cried silently on the end of the sofa.

  Aurora looked over at Desmond with a stern, but tender stare. “He’s a good man… Known him since I was a kid. He’s an old, old friend to my mother. Saw him from time to time. He’s a little weird, but has a kind heart. He sees something in you… That’s why he’s helping you.”

  “Yeah,” Desmond quietly agreed.

  He looked down at his medal with disdain as he took it off his neck. She noticed this. She tenderly grabbed it from him and looked at it. She was inspecting the intricate design of the royal cross and the reliefs of swords and oak leaves enveloping the center of the cross where a tiny, red gem shined.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  She delicately played with the medal for a moment and said, “You should feel proud. Not many are awarded this. It’s the highest honor your kingdom has.”

  “Yeah… I just feel like… I don’t deserve it. I haven’t earned the right to…”

  “No… You do deserve it,” she said with conviction cutting him off. She put the medal back around his neck and looked him directly in the eyes. “Don’t blame yourself for surviving. You did your duty. They did theirs. Honor them, don’t pity them.”

  Desmond stayed silent for a moment, but quietly nodded in agreement with her. She adjusted his uniform and placed his hat back on his head whilst his other medals and ribbons. She gently laid her hands flat on his chest and stayed there for a moment.

  They stood silently for a few moments as both their eyes met in a tender gaze. Both soon realized that they moved closer to each other nearly feeling each other’s breath. Desmond was infatuated by her mystical eyes, her beauty, her directness, and her tenderness overall. Her multi-colored eyes were mesmerizing to him.

  She was enamored by him whilst remembering what her mother told her to glean from him. However, she also felt a sense of genuineness and kindness from him that she hadn’t felt since her father was alive. His humble humility was a breath of fresh air from the other knights and warriors she met in the past. It was mostly his sensitive sincerity that enamored her the most. She slowly moved her hands off his chest but remained close to him.

  Desmond asked sweetly, “Aurora Arasondoral, is it?”

  “Yes… Sir Desmond Rollo, is it?”

  “Yes. Call me Desmond. I’m no real sir.”

  “You’re not comfortable with the new title?”

  “What gave it away?”

  “The way you hold yourself amongst the other sirs and nobles and how anxious you are overall… Plus your general discomfort with this dress uniform.”

  “That bad?”

  “Not that bad, but very noticeable from my perspective… Plus, you lack subtlety. I prefer directness over anything. Plus, your sincere honesty is charming.”

  “Hmm,” Desmond said with a curious grin. “Why are you also uncomfortable with all these people? I noticed you looking annoyed by those inside. Your caramel was twitching a decent amount. ”

  “Mmm,” she said brushing the sides of her hair as she closed her eyes for a moment looking away with residual embarrassment. “Just because one is the daughter of a noble woman, doesn’t mean one has to enjoy being a noble and being around other nobles.”

  Desmond noticed the knife sheathed in her suit jacket briefly as she adjusted herself on the rail. He smiled and asked, “I see… You’re military as well?”

  “Yes, despite my mother’s protests. I’m supposed to watch over my mother for as long as she is here… I’m in charge of the Elvan security detail,” she said.

  Aurora turned her head down and her eyes widened intensely as she gawked at the infinity pool below. There they both saw Alvara drinking and laughing with Renault as they walked along the edge of the pool. Renault’s arm was around Alvara’s waist and her left hand was sensually brushing his beard. Desmond was stunned by this. Aurora laughed and hid her face in her palm while feeling embarrassed.

  Desmond thought to himself, “Did not know Renault had that in him. Good for you, general.”

  Aurora whispered something Elvish into her earring with a serious tone hidden behind her hand. Two Elvan guards quickly walked out of the party just out of sight of Alvara and Renault. Both the guards stood behind hedges trying to blend into the background, though poorly. Aurora buried her face in her hands for a few moments as Desmond made a quiet whistle in amazement.

  “So where are you from,” Aurora asked after she composed herself looking at him directly again.

  Desmond took a long breath and said, “Smallwood. Just north of here.”

  “What’s it like?”

  “Very peaceful. Large village tucked away in the hills. Lots of good fishing and farmland. Haven’t seen it in years… Been forever it seems. Funny… I was supposed to be given leave, but I guess I’m now needed here for some reason. I feel sorry for my mom. I hoped my letter explaining why I’m not on leave made it to her… I remember this one spot my dad showed me one day. It was a bit of walk into the hills following an old goat path. After about a good half-hour of hiking, there is grassy hill in a clearing overlooking the whole village. I remember sitting in the soft grass with my dad as he would lean back and enjoy the beautiful view. If you timed it just right, you could see the sunset just hide behind the last row of houses on the far edge of the town… Sorry for rambling.”

  “It's okay. It's sweet,” she said as she noticed Desmond tear up slightly with his half smile. She asked empathetically, “You miss it?”

  “Everyday.”

  “I understand.”

  “How about you? Where are you from?”

  “Galadriel. East of here in the Forest of the Kings. Been over a decade since I was there. You know - daughter to the ambassador and all.”

  “How is it? I’ve never been East before.”

  “Like most Elvan cities described in books, very naturalistic and ‘proper.’ Not as immense as this capital, but a rather large city hidden in the trees and the ground. Last time I was there, I was paying my respects to my father… He was a good man,” she said with a slight voice crack.

  Desmond silently related to her. He quietly asked, “You ever been in battle before?”

  “Not a large battle, but multiple skirmishes and ambushes. Elvan Ranger stuff.”

  “Do you… Why am I even asking this? Fuck it… You ever regret surviving after every....”

  “Desmond,” she said while cutting him off. She gently placed a hand on his right cheek. “Don’t hurt yourself by wallowing in it. Don’t bottle it up for too long… I know how it is. Every soldier feels this and every soldier deals with it in their own way… It never leaves.”

  She looked away staring at the moon with a subtle twitch of her cheek as her hand slowly dropped to the rail from his face. Desmond felt a warmth burn inside him that he had not felt in a long time. He wanted it to last.

  Aurora asked sincerely, “I think I know the answer to this already, but?”

  “Yes?”

  “Are the rumors of your military feats as true as they say in there or is it all slightly fluffed up to sound better?”

  “They always make things more grand than reality.”

  “Hmm… I figured,” she said slowly pressing herself further into him. She said softly, “The moon and stars are beautiful tonight.”

  “They really are, huh,” Desmond sincerely responded.

  She leaned onto his right shoulder and said, “I remember always looking up at the moon and stars wondering how they shined so brightly in the night. My father would say that it was the souls of those before us who shine through the darkness of the world to guide us into the right path… I know it’s corny, but it always gave me comfort whenever I took the time to look at them.”

  Desmond nodded and leaned slightly into her left shoulder resting the right side of his head on the left side of her head. Both smiled and stared at the moon and stars as their hands crept ever so closer to each other.

  They both felt comfortable in that moment together. There was a silent understanding between them as they stared longingly into the night sky. Nothing else seemed to matter to them at the moment. No ceremony, no nobility, no politics, no war; nothing. All that mattered to them in this moment was just them being together in silent understanding.

  Desmond quietly moved his fingers towards hers and laid them gently on top. She smiled and then interlocked her hand with his. He smiled.

  Aurora asked, “So how long are you here in the capital?”

  “I truly don’t know. A week. A few days. Maybe even a month or more. Waiting on orders. I was told to expect something important… You?”

  “A week.”

  “Why is that, if you don’t mind my asking?”

  She looked down at the infinity pool as Alvara and Renault were passionately kissing each other on a lounge chair as a very uncomfortable server was rapidly walking away after delivering a bottle of wine to them. The two Elvan guards quickly looked away. Aurora rolled her eyes and Desmond was mostly shocked. She laughed quietly to herself for a moment and did her best to calm down.

  “That’s why,” she said nonchalantly.

  Inside, soft and loving music was being played by the small orchestra ensemble. The harps, mandolins, cellos, and violins were ethereal and pleasant to the ears.

  Aurora asked tenderly, “Care for a slow dance? I like the song that’s being played inside… Come. Just right here. Away from everyone. Come on.”

  “Sure,” Desmond said with delight.

  The music in the ballroom was playing something melodic and sweet sounding. After a minute of swaying, both kissed each other slowly. Tom watched both of them from a distance. He stroked his beard and polished off a glass of Vermouth. He grinned to himself thinking back on his youth and his half-elf lover from his adventuring party.

  For a moment, he imagined himself swaying with his past love on the balcony where Desmond and Aurora were. He silently longed for that passionate love he felt all those years ago. He sighed back inside away from the balcony doors and proceeded to talk to the distinguished guests.