Chapter 5: Return To Elyria

A heavy darkness enveloped David and Saria. He fumbled, realizing the lamp wasn’t in his hand.

“Boo!” His voice echoed in the still air.

“What’s that?”

“I tried to bring that lamp with me, but I failed.”

David clicked on his flashlight, the beam cutting through the gloom and revealing the familiar tunnel walls.

“Is that human magic?” Saria asked, her eyes wide.

“No. It may seem so, but it’s not. We need to exit this tunnel.”

He studied the path ahead. Saria held his arm close, the faint scent of something exotic clinging to her clothes as they crept along.

A few minutes passed, and they could see a faint, ethereal light ahead.

“We’re going in the right direction.”

They emerged, blinking, at the base of the cliff. Before them lay the strange forest, the canopy creating dappled patterns. They were back in Elyria!

“I know where we are. I can get us home,” Saria said with a smile, her face radiant. It pleased David no end to see her happy again. She held his hand, and they walked away from the cliff.

David noticed the warmth of her hand as they walked along the trail. She didn’t let go, and he didn’t want her to.

“When they captured me, they took away my bow and arrows.”

“Did they discard them or take them to the castle?” He asked.

“I don’t know.”

“If they discarded your bow and arrows, we could retrieve them. Perhaps later? We’re both unarmed. I’d rather get to your village first.”

“Of course. My mother is worried sick by now. We must see her first. I have so much to tell her.”

They continued walking; their moods lightened with each step.

Within the hour, they arrived beneath the álfar village, holding hands.

The sight of the village stirred David. “Saria, I can see it! I can see your village,” said David.

“That’s because we’re holding hands. You benefit from our magic.”

“Awesome! I hope the Dark Queen doesn’t try that.”

“That’s a grim thought.”

They climbed the stairs to the platform.

“My mother is this way,” said Saria, tugging on his hand.

Eager to see her mother, Saria dragged him along until Calantha stepped out before they reached her home.

Mother and daughter saw each other, and Saria, releasing David’s hand, rushed into her mother’s embrace.

“Saria, I feared I’d never see you again,” said Calantha, her voice thick with emotion.

“David rescued me. I have so much to tell you.”

Not wanting to intrude, David stood by while they caught up, speaking in the álfar language.

He noticed Calantha looking at him often, her eyes wide, and wondered what part of the story Saria was telling.

Calantha looked at David and grinned, leaving him to wonder, “What was that about?”

Then, Calantha gave David a full-body hug, which lasted uncomfortably long, allowing him to smell the now-familiar exotic scent.

“David, please come inside. I must cook a meal to celebrate. I lost one child and gained two!”

“Huh?” David was utterly bewildered.

Calantha, bubbling with excitement, ushered them into her home.

Saria, her touch sending a shiver through David, took his hand. “By álfar custom, we are betrothed.”

The words hung in the air like the exotic scent he was getting used to.

“As in marriage?” David asked, his eyes wide with shock.

“Yes, my intended. You saved my life, risking everything. I’m yours now. Bringing me to your home sealed the deal,” she said.

Calantha rustled in the kitchen, preparing food, while Saria led David into the warmly lit living room.

She relieved him of his bag and his jacket. Then she guided him to the “good” chair, its worn fabric promising comfort. David, still reeling, didn’t argue.

Saria kneeled gently, removing his shoes, and placed them neatly by the entrance.