Elda’s POV

The dawn broke with a gentle whisper, casting soft hues of pink and gold across the sky. Elda had always found solace in the early hours, a precious moment of peace before the village awoke and the day’s demands took hold. She quietly rose from her bed, careful not to disturb the sleeping forms of her children. Elric, with his tousled hair and innocent expression, lay curled up next to his sister, Leila.

Elda moved through the small, rustic house with practiced ease. Her hands, calloused from years of work, deftly prepared the morning meal. A simple porridge simmered over the hearth, the comforting aroma filling the room. She glanced at her children, a pang of bittersweet emotion welling up within her.

Elric’s transformation had not gone unnoticed. There was something different about him now—an intensity in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. It was as if he carried a weight far beyond his years, and Elda couldn’t shake the feeling that he was struggling with something profound. She had seen glimpses of it in the way he looked at the world, a mixture of curiosity and sorrow that belied his young age.

As she worked, her mind wandered back to the past, to the days when Eldarion was still with them. His presence had been a beacon of strength and wisdom. Their love had been a rare and beautiful thing, transcending the boundaries of their respective worlds. But those days were gone, and the burden of raising their children alone fell solely on her shoulders.

"Good morning, Mother," Elric’s voice broke through her reverie. She turned to see him standing by the table, his eyes bright with an intelligence that always took her by surprise.

"Good morning, my sweet," Elda replied, forcing a smile as she placed a bowl of porridge in front of him. "Did you sleep well?"

Elric nodded, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. "Yes, I did. Thank you."

Elda watched him closely as he ate, noting the way he handled the spoon with a precision that seemed unusual for a child his age. It was as if he were consciously mimicking the actions of an adult. She felt a pang of worry, wondering what thoughts were hidden behind those young eyes.

Leila, who had woken up with the commotion, stumbled sleepily towards the table. "Mama, I'm hungry too," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Of course, my little one," Elda said, scooping up Leila and giving her a warm hug before settling her next to Elric. "Here you go," she added, placing a smaller bowl of porridge in front of her daughter.

Leila began eating with gusto, occasionally glancing at her brother. "Elric, do you want to play later?"

Elric smiled at his sister. "Maybe after we help Mama with her work," he replied gently, patting her head.

Elda's heart swelled with pride and sadness simultaneously. She couldn't help but marvel at the bond between her children and the maturity Elric was displaying. She finished her own breakfast quickly, aware of the day’s tasks awaiting her.

"Mother," Elric began again, his voice quiet but steady. "I’ve been thinking a lot lately. About Father. About who he was."

Elda’s heart tightened at the mention of Eldarion. She had always known that this day would come, the day when Elric would seek answers about his heritage. She took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully.

"Your father was a remarkable man," she said softly. "He came from a world very different from ours, a world of magic and ancient traditions. He loved you very much, Elric. And he loved your sister too."

Elric’s eyes were filled with questions, but he remained silent, allowing her to continue.

"He had to leave us to protect us," Elda continued, her voice tinged with sadness. "There were dangers that we couldn’t face. He wanted to ensure that you and Leila would be safe."

Elric nodded slowly, absorbing her words. "Do you think he’ll ever come back?"

Elda felt a lump in her throat. She had asked herself that question countless times, each time with the same answer. "I don’t know, my dear. But we must live our lives and cherish the memories we have of him. He would want us to be strong and to look after one another."

The conversation left a lingering heaviness in the air, but Elda was determined not to let it overshadow their day. She rose from the table and began to gather her supplies for the day’s work. There were herbs to be collected and potions to be brewed. The village relied on her skills, and she took her responsibilities seriously.

As the morning progressed, Elric and Leila accompanied her into the forest, their small hands helping to gather the herbs they needed. She watched them closely, noting the way Elric moved with a quiet determination and the way Leila’s curiosity brought a lightness to their task.

"Look, Mama!" Leila exclaimed, holding up a sprig of mint. "Is this the right one?"

"Yes, Leila," Elda replied, smiling. "That's perfect. Thank you for helping."

Elric moved closer to his mother, his basket already half full. "Mother, can you show me how to use these herbs?"

Elda looked at her son, seeing the earnest desire to learn in his eyes. "Of course, Elric. I’ll teach you everything I know. It’s important that you understand how to take care of yourself and others."

They continued their work, the forest filled with the sounds of birds and the rustling of leaves. Elda couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. The world was changing, and she feared what the future might hold for her children. She had always believed that they could find peace in this secluded village, but Elric’s growing curiosity and the strange new light in his eyes made her wonder if that peace would be enough.

In the stillness of the forest, Elda silently vowed to protect her children at all costs. She would teach Elric and Leila everything she knew about their heritage, preparing them for whatever lay ahead. They were her life, her reason for enduring, and she would ensure that they were ready to face the world, no matter what challenges came their way.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Elda and her children returned to the village, their baskets filled with the day’s harvest. The routine of their lives continued, but beneath the surface, a quiet transformation was taking place. Elda could only hope that she was strong enough to guide her children through the trials that awaited them.