The Embers of an Old Flame

Your mother brings you and your human companions inside the old family home, after the horses are corralled up. The house, built into a hollowed out tree, was large by the standards of the outside world. With elves being fewer in number than humans, they didn't have the problems of crowding that other species had. The constructed portions of the home were made of an immaculately smooth ash wood that soaked up the warmth and the brightness from the candles inside. Hearing the rustling of four guests in the home, your father hurried to see what was going on. His face lit up brighter than the candles as he saw your face.

"Fiana!" He shouted. He was a fair amount older than your mother, and it seemed in his age that his body was starting to betray him. By now his long silken hair had gone whiter than a spiders web. He was slower than you remember being, as he was holding his arms out to wrap them around you. In a tight embrace, you can hear his labored breathing "Ahhh, my little flower has returned home." With a deep breath, he let out further surprise "And who might these be? Friends of yours?"

"Yes Father" You reply simply. You knew your fathers inquisitive nature well, he enjoyed figuring things out more than just being told like your Mother. In many ways, you take after him.

"Don't tell me" He said with a slight smile, shaking the hands of the three men now in his house. "A soldier, an archer, and a burglar."

"Correct you are sir" Kraig spoke up, tiring of Bruce being the one doing all the talking.

"Well, it looks like you have your dream, Flower" Your father states as he looks at you for a moment. You blush slightly, fearing an embarrassing story.

"When Fiana was a young thing, about aged twenty or so, she was always running off into the forests by herself. She always came back talking about daring quests, vanquished dragons and the like. She grew up, but she never lost that sense of adventure. If you all are here in my doorway, she must be on a real adventure." He turned back again towards you, putting his arm around your neck "Good for you. But if that's the case, what are you all doing here?"

"Passing through, sir." Bruce chimed in "Our real goal is to find an ancient elven book held in a far away kingdom."

"Ancient Elvish Book? Now you have my full attention. Please, sit down." As he motioned to the nearby table "I'm something of a collector myself. What can you tell me about it?"

"We're looking for the last holy book to the Goddess Veserae, Father."

His face contorted on hearing those words "Veserae?" He looked between the four of you "Surely you can't be serious, child. The Goddess Veserae doesn't truly exist, she was merely a legend from a bygone age, a story our ancestors told to explain where all of the other Gods came"

You see your friends being a little tense. After being accused of being had and chasing a figment, it's understandable. You try to be the diplomat for them, as well as apply plausible deniability "Such a rare book is valuable either way, and there's someone in Krakorum who is willing to pay us a hefty reward to retreive it from a forbidden library."

Your father is still unconvinced, is easily seen from his face "Well, if that's how you choose to spend your days my child, I'm too old and too tired to make you stop. There's an even score of books I'd find more valuable than that if I were in your shoes, but I'm afraid any chance of being an adventurer are behind me."

The conversation was interrupted with a great thud, as the front door to the house flew open. A young elf entered in, closing the door immediately behind him. You recognized him instantly, and began to feel an awkward knot form in your stomach. Phiaza, one of your childhood friends and distant neighbor. Also a former lover, the last relationship you had before you left the forests.

"Fiana! It is you!" He shouted as he saw you, oblivious to the others in the room. He charged in, practically heaving you out of your chair in greeting you. "Gods! Where have you been. We were so worried about you, after you dissapeared, my friends and I looked all over. I-"

You cut him off "I left a letter Phiaza, for you as well as my parents. I told you all exactly what I was doing."

"Yes, but something could have happened. I didn't want you to leave me behind. Had you told me in person I would have convinced you to stay, with the rest of us." After spending time with the strong and courageous types like Bruce and the others, it's hard to imagine what you ever saw in this timid Elf.

"That's why I didn't tell you. You wouldn't have understood."

"Well, I understand that you're home again, where you belong. I missed you."

"I missed you too" There's at least some truth to that statement. He was kind and sweet, and you had been friends your whole life. That he didn't provide the intimate satisfaction you longed for shouldn't ruin decades of positive memories. He gives you a tender, soft kiss on your lips, as affectionate as he would dare be in front of your parents. You feel your face burn, not from lust, but embarrassment, as Bruce, James, and Kraig, all look on. James starts to move from his chair.

"If you all need a moment to catch up, we can wait outside" He says calmly. Phiaza's eyes grow immensely larger and turn to see your travelling companions.

"What are the lot of you doing here? Forget that, who are you?" They each said their names individually before James spoke up "We're Fiana's friends, hoping to just get some rest before we continue our journey."

"You mean?" Phiaza turned to you "You mean you're not staying?"

"Afraid not. These men need me."

"I need you too Fiana. It's been terribly lonely without you."

It was your father, of all people, who finally broke in and stopped the conversation. "Let's not burden ourselves with that for the moment. After all, tonight is the Feast of Sequya, the God of celebrations, and now we all have a reason to celebrate. Since you're here Phiaza, you can help my wife and I in the kitchen." The two get up and leave into another wing of the house, leaving you alone with Bruce and the others. You bury your face in your hands for a few seconds as you try to gain your thoughts.

"I am so sorry you three had to see and hear all of that"

"Hey, it's alright. We all have embarrassing family members" Bruce tries to confide in you, only for the sarcasm of the Dowton's to interject "Ya, some of them never leave" Kraig said, looking at James, causing a slight laugh among the four of you."

"Who was that guy?" James asked "Certainly seemed to think the world of you"

"He was my best friend through childhood. We grew closer together as we got older. He was my first romantic interest."

"Did you love him? Do you love him now?"

"I don't know." You reply awkwardly, feeling an unusual twitch in your leg "I know the first relationship also feels special, magical even. Over time though, I started to feel like I was missing something. Not just from Phiaza, but this whole society."

"Well, we totally understand." Bruce reaffirmed "And we don't want to make things any more awkward than they have to be."

"Thanks guys. I really appreciate that. Can I ask you all a favor?"

"Anything for you."

"Do you think, since we're here, we could try looking into what's going on with the King?"

The three looked at each other and silently found an uneasy consensus "I mean, if it really matters to you Fiana, we can try" Kraig said "But, if everyone else has looked into and not figured anything out, what can the four of us hope to achieve?"

"I don't know. Probably nothing, but I'll probably feel really guilty if the King passes away and I didn't at least try."

"Totally fair. We'll see what we can do in the morning."

Your parents and Phiaza came out shortly with a number of large platters, stocked with food. It wasn't the heavy, fatty food of the Rusted Dragon, or anything of the sort, but it was still absolutely delicious. Freshly caught fish, well seasoned and cooked perfectly through, paired with flaky breads, light salads, and sumptuous fruit. Your friends were over the moon in trying this new food, and your parents, despite their reservations for humans, were enthralled to have at least one night to pretend that the world was as it should be. There was a pleasant time had by all, save one. Phiaza kept staring at you, than at Bruce and the others. You can sense a bitter jealously brewing in his normally kind heart, and you start to wonder if he knows or suspects the kind of depravities you've been up to. He takes another opportunity for a kiss as he leaves for the evening, much stronger and passionate than before. In what would be a look of longing and love as he turned back to see you one last time, there was a glare in it's place. You retire to bed, worrying about what kind of fallout may yet occur.