A few moments before

Ardon walked around the area and found cute little bakeries owned by nice old ladies, they even gave him a few pastries for free. One of them was very chatty, "Such a fine young man such as yourself wouldn't be in need of a bit of entertainment, would you? I know the beastmen from the south love to be entertained too, although I don't know your other part I can smell that you're only a halfy."

Ardon smiled politely, "I just arrived today, I am not sure if I really need that yet."

The chatty merwoman smiled as her wrinkles showed around her eyes, "Then it is perfect to get to know your surroundings, and who knows maybe you can get a bit of insight into the market."

He chuckled, "It would be quite a good start."

The merwoman in front of him laughed as she walked into the back of her shop, her behind always getting stuck in small walkways. Ardon smiled as he waited for her, she returned with a beautiful crystal.

"Here it is best to show you," the crystal began to shine in a green hue and Ardon could see a moving picture within. It was a magical crystal that captured moments in time, some could even capture sounds.

Ardon saw a female elf dancing in a ring surrounded by flowers, her moves were gentle and sometimes it seemed like she would fly. She had long mahogany hair that fluttered with her every move.

"Beautiful isn't she? That's Vulen she won the last nine years, this year is going to be especially tough as the son of Elanor will dance against her. He destroyed her in the last dance-off," the woman said with a spark.

Ardon moved his head up with interest, "Who?"

The merwoman looked jokingly shocked at the young man, "You don't know Elanor? Young man, where have you been living? Under a rock? Elanor is the finest elven dancer you can find around here, when she was Vulen's age she won 10 years after another. Vulen said so often Elanor is her idol, and that she hopes to accomplish the same feat."

Interested Ardon looked further at the video, "And you say her son destroyed Vulen in the competition?"

The merwoman nodded, her large breast nodding with her, "Indeed. Elanor's son Wilwarin is dancing again today. I think half the merfolk will be there today, to watch if Vulen can protect her streak from Elanor's son. Which will be very difficult with the level of skill he presented last time."

Ardon was very interested in this dance-off, "When and where will it take place?"

The merwoman smiled amused, "Got you interested, didn't I? The time and place can be told to you with a little bit of shiny things..."

The merwoman then looked at his hips, an obvious gaze to his money, "Come on now. This is a town full of business."'

Ardon smiled kindly and then faked a jawn, "No, thank you. It seems that I am quite exhausted from moving and unpacking before."

The merwoman changed her welcoming smile to a scowl, "Then why come to me!? Really the youth today!" She walked through the door behind her and Ardon could hear some plates crashing. Ardon shook his head in amusement as he bought something to eat and walked back to his shop.

He walked up the stairs and knocked on the door where Cyrene was staying at, "I've got food for you."

The door opened and Cyrene stood before him, "What did you get?"

Ardon gave her a paper bag, that had a nice warm temperature, "Fish and potatoes. Or something like that." He watched as Cyrene took the bag and sniffed on in, her face first suspicious, then turned nonchalant as before.

"I hope for your sake it's edible," she wanted to shut the door, but Ardon put his foot in between. With a raised brow she motioned for Ardon to speak, "The seems to be a nice competition going around in the elven forest, maybe you'd like to take a look?"

Cyrene looked at the ceiling in thought and then nodded slowly, "I'll take a look if I run out of things to do."

Ardon smiled as he took out his foot from between the door, "Where it is? No clue, I will explore the forest after I eat. Just so you know not to ask me. Don't ask the people around here either they want you to pay them. Total ripoffs."

Cyrene nodded and closed the door fast.

Ardon pursed his lips and walked to his room to eat.

After eating that mediocre fish and those too-soft potatoes, he walked outside and toward the forest.

It was very nice weather, Ardon saw a few dark clouds must they were a few hours away. As he walked through the forest he enjoyed the serene and somber atmosphere. The wind blowing through the leaves had a nice harmony with the birds chirping. As he walked he got blinded, when he looked at what it was he was mesmerized.

Just a few meters left from him was a crystal clear lake, the sun shining on it made it seem like it was a mirror. Ardon walked closer and soon saw a figure in the lake swimming. He saw their back coming out of the water, long dark blonde hair clung to the back, and it hugged the waist nicely. Looking up at the face he saw two pointy ears, 'An elf.'

Ardon looked away as he realized that the elf was naked, he looked back and saw the elf's clothes hugging the elf tightly. The elf began to dance, right in front of him, the sky darkened and a few droplets fell down. Ardon didn't seem to mind as he watched the elf mesmerizingly, the clothes that clung tight even though they should have been fluttering. Even though they should have been floating through the wind, they instead clung to the elf's body. Ardon couldn't look away at the footwork, at those feet that seemed to glide above the grassy ground but never slip. The arms that seemed to be flying, not quite like a bird but showing the beauty of a butterfly. He thought back to moving pictures from the Vulen girl and knew her dancing couldn't be compared to what was happening in front of him. Ardon heard his heartbeat in his ears, and when the elf stopped and finished the dance, he didn't even notice that he was just as soaked as the elf. Ardon knew one thing though, he might have just found the one.

...

Wilwarin ended his dance in ecstasy, he never felt more alive. He stood in place chasing after his rushed heartbeat, his breath, and all the blood rushing through his body. His chest heaved up and down, and Wilwarin sat down. He looked at the sky which still had a few dark clouds, but no rain was falling. He closed his eyes. Only now did he appreciate the fresh scent in the air, and the raindrops rolling to the ground. His hands felt the wet grass under him, he heard the chirping sound slowly returning. He felt as though when he danced, there was no sound, no feeling as if there was nothing. Wilwarin was lost in the aftertaste. As he opened them back up he saw the blue break through the sky, the sun stalking up behind the clouds.

He got up from the ground, and tried to pat away the dirt, but realized it was smudged around. Wilwarin didn't care he walked away from the lake, he was ready for the dance competition. He walked deeper into the forest, he was not sure if it was even the right way. He only followed his feeling, and the further he walked the feeling of being home grew stronger.

It was not the same as his life, home as Felix pictured a house he lived in, now it seemed as the further he walked the warmer his chest became.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

The next step he took meant happiness building up inside of him, it felt like...

A picture of Val crossed his mind, the platin-blond youth was standing at the school gate, seemingly waiting for Felix to come out.

'Val...' Wilwarin thought to himself, soon the picture overlapped with different seasons and weathers. Val carrying an umbrella, him holding a pair of gloves. Because of these memories in his head, he didn't notice someone closely following him from behind.

Wilwarin heard a crack, he turned around and saw a young man, he... he had the same ice-blue eyes. The young man looked quite shocked and helpless being spotted, Wilwarin frowned.

"How long have you been there?" Wilwarin asked.

The young man looked embarrassed, "Not long, just saw you walking and hoped you knew where the dance competition would take place."

Wilwarin bit his lip as he saw the young man before him equally as soaked, and his eyes clearly darting away as if lying.

"I don't believe you," he said, his voice melodious.

The young man sighed and stretched out his hand, "It is half the truth, which is better than a full lie. I am Ardon."

"Well, Ardon. I am Wilwarin, you can call me Will," he said in doubt, wondering if that even was his name. Ardon smiled without worry and walked up to Wilwarin.

"Wonderful, Will. Can you guide me to the elven village?" Ardon asked as he lowered his head, his breath grazing Wilwarin's ear. Wilwarin strayed still as the hot breath traveled from his eat to his neck, sending a shiver down his spine.

Wilwarin took a step to the side, and touched his pointy ears, "Just follow me then."

He then proceeded to walk away, further into the woods not remembering that he didn't know the way himself. Ardon smiled as Wilwarin's behavior seemed rushed and out of order. He walked behind him, admiring him from head to toe. With Ardon behind him, Wilwarin couldn't concentrate on the feeling before and soon became confused about where they were.

Ardon looked into the distance and saw the biggest, most enchanting tree, he had ever witnessed. He walked in front of Wilwarin and admired the arms of the tree stretching out with green leaves. How in between those leaves it looked light like fairy lights brightening the dark shades. Maybe it was the sun shining through, maybe it was fluorescent vines, Ardon didn't know.

Wilwarin didn't have the same reaction. After training with the forest elves, he saw the tree, it was even bigger and more impressive. Most of all he couldn't seem impressed in front of this human, he plays the role of an elf that was born here.

Wilwarin tsked, "Tourists. Never seen a tree before have you?"

Ardon looked amused, "I did touch grass before, but this is the mothertree 'Amilgalada'. Of course, it has a different kind of worship. It is a tree that created beings, that live and make their own decisions." Wilwarin nodded as he walked in front of Ardon, not liking that he took charge of where to go.

"Yes, the mothertree where I was born from. Then again, the mothertree only gave birth. My mothers made sure I grew up healthy and loved," as if dreaming Wilwarins eyes became glassy. "Maybe, it was a written destiny that the mothertree made me to fit my parents. Giving them a chance to have something they couldn't achieve otherwise."

Ardon nodded as he became fascinated by the words from the elf before him, "What else do you think is your destiny, written by the mother tree?"

Wilwarin shrugged his shoulders, he really didn't believe in destiny, he didn't believe in fate and he didn't believe in god. Too many days and nights had he prayed in the hope of saving, but no one ever came. A flicker of memory him crying in Val's arms, maybe one person did, but he never appreciated it.

"If there is such a thing, then someone my parents can be proud of," he said, not sure if he meant the parents of Wilwarin or his mother. Soon little houses that seemed to sprout out of the ground came into view, they arrived.

...

Walking through these streets Ardon couldn't hold his excitement, looking at everything, stopping everywhere. Wilwarin felt like a mother who brought her kid into the world for the first time. He tried to orientate himself, then he saw a warrior type of woman, she was gorgeous. She had short blond hair and a well-rounded face, she looked very approachable. Wilwarin thought that he could ask her if she knew his mother, Void said that his mother was a warrior.

Ardon was so preoccupied by the well-crafted flute that he didn't pay attention to Wilwarin.

Wilwarin only made eye contact and the frowning exterior of the woman melted, she walked to him with a warm smile, "Will, where have you been? Me and your mama have been worried sick!"

She engulfed him in a big hug, only to let go and look all over him, "How did you get so dirty and wet? Is that blood? What happened?"

Fawning around him like a worried mother hen, Wilwarin felt warm and smiled gently, "Don't worry I am okay-"

At least he said that before tears ran down his face, he didn't know why but they were just flowing. His mother Hwarwa looked more worried and led him to come with her, she knew comforting wasn't her strong suit. She'll leave that to her wife.

Wilwarin was so preoccupied with trying to keep his tears from flowing he forgot the young man he left behind. Hwarwa brought her son inside the little cottage house, the outside was made from a beautiful willow tree. The leaves hung outside as if crying with him.

He didn't even step one foot in he was hugged and the scent of mayflower surrounded him, a comforting voice as nice as a bell spoke, "Oh what happened my sweet, why are you crying? You haven't cried ever since you were 11."

She looked at Hwarwa, but her wife just shrugged her shoulders.

Wilwarin himself didn't know why he was crying but instead of stopping it seemed like his body wanted to cry even more.

He couldn't breathe and only felt his tears rolling down his face, "Sorry, it's just I was so scared."

Is all he could get out between sobs, his mothers looked at each other worried. Elanor sighed softly as she brushed through his hair proficiantly, as if she'd done it a thousands times before.

Feeling himself calm down, he breathed steadily in and out, and then looked at his mama. She was different than his mother, Hwarwa, no Elanor had nice emerald-green eyes that matched himself. Elanor had curly ebony hair and freckles throughout her face, she was pretty.

With a kind loving smile, she looked at him and Wilwarin suddenly felt like an imposter.

"What is wrong?" She asked with an inquiring look, that was so warm that Wilwarin almost got burned.

He evaded her eyes, "I was with Vulen this morning, she wanted to go on a date with me. Before I knew it, wolves attacked us. I told her to run and lured the wolves away when I..."

Wilwarin fumbled with his fingers in secret, he didn't show anything on his face, both mothers could only see fear, "When I got rid of them I was at the northern cliff, and someone..."

Hwarwa frowned as she could guess where this was going, "Someone pushed you."

Wilwarin nodded timidly, not really sure how he was going to pull off the miracle that he was alive.

But he thought too much, as Elanor engulfed him even more in a hug, "You must have been lucky to land in the water then. Those cliffs are tricky one bit more to the left and you would be dead. My poor boy."

Wilwarin chuckled and tried to get some of the cheerful Wilwarin in his veins, "I am already 23 mama, not a boy." Elanor laughed and cupped her son's face into her hands, bringing it close to her own. She gave him a kiss on the nose and smiled, "But also not yet an adult."

Drowned in this loving gesture, Wilwarin could only smile and give a hoarse "Mhm". He closed the distance and hugged her again, he knew he needed that hug. Maybe that was why he broke out in sobs, it was a long time since he made others worried, a long time since he was hugged with such concern. Even though he knew that these hugs were not for him, he couldn't help being a bit selfish for that love.