Interrupt: Lilanei's Story
After having said her goodbyes to Akorrin and Locke for the day, Lilanei casually made her way back to the center of town. Her steps took on a slow and heavy feel as she began to pass the familiar houses and streets she had learned to call “home” over the last ten years. Once an object of her disdain, she had come to love the town despite its rough edges and appreciated the kind of person it helped shape her into. Even the towering and frightening Mistyvale Temple now took on a different hue as she stood before it, head tilted back as she observed its massive towers and rounded dome roof. With a heavy sigh, Lilanei pushed on, disappearing into the crowd of merchants and townspeople gathering as the upcoming working day began to rear its busy head.
Fae's General Store – her mother had never been the most creative elf on the block; however, even Lilanei had to admit there was a sort of ring to the name. Her mother had insisted from the first day they set foot through the small shop's entrance that life would be different in Illias Upon the Sea. Lil simply took her word for it; after all, she couldn't actually remember much of life before they entered the town gate all those years ago. Perhaps life before wasn't as interesting – as interesting as being a half breed in a big busy town could be. . .
“Lilanei!”
The cry came from ahead, and as Lil glanced up, she realized she was home. A slim young-looking woman stood in the doorway of the General Store, a messy green bun of hair perched atop her head which revealed her long elven ears as she wiped her hands in the apron around her waist.
The woman grins, tilting her head to one side and shaking her index finger at the girl, “I caught you! Daydreaming again, are we?”
Lilanei simply lowers her head and smiles, “I guess so.”
“Well, it's a good thing you're back from your errand. It looks like things are going to be busy today,” she explains in her usual quick manner, now smoothing her apron against her thighs. “Another ship has come in from the mainland, so there's a lot of traveling merchants and mercenaries coming through town. The shelves need stocking, and the store needs a good clean. Your books are scattered all over the place as well, so I'd like it if those were picked up as soon as possible. Thanks to a certain someone staying out too late last night, and don't think I didn't notice thank you very much, not much has been done, so we've got to hurry and beat the rush!”
“Yes, sorry about that,” Lilanei simply grins, her eyes shying away from the rambling woman.
“Well, what are you waiting for then?” The woman blurts quickly before she pauses, narrowing her blue eyes down at Lil. “Wait a minute. What's wrong? Something is wrong; I know that face.”
Lilanei quickly looks up at her, shaking her head wildly, “No, mother! Nothing is wrong; why would you think that? I'm perfectly fine!”
Faefindiel Rolonae's eyes narrow even more, “You're not being your usual smartypants self. What is it? Have you been hanging around that Kallidin boy again? You know how that family feels about us, Lil.”
“It's nothing, I swear! Anyway, can't we talk about this later? I thought you wanted me to clean,” she quickly utters, before grinning once again. “Unless you don't want me to. . .”
“Hey hey hey, not so fast!” She snaps back at her, stepping aside and pointing into the shop. “Get to work, young lady! We'll discuss this in more detail later.”
“Yes, mom,” she sighs, strolling into the shop – her mother following close behind.
“Wipe your feet! Where's all that dirt come from? . . .Oh, I knew it! You have been out with that boy again, haven't you? Oh, if I ever get my hands on that Akorrin—”
Her ramblings continue, lasting well into the afternoon as Lil completes all the tasks put before her as she asked. The influx of travelers comes and goes, leaving the usual aftermath within the shop proper – scattered items on the almost bare shelves, dirty footprints on the tiled floor, as well as a large bag of money needing to be put safely away. Her mother, always having been the organized one, quickly tidies the odds and ends of the shop as Lilanei resumes her usual place at the shop window, more tired than normal after the day's work as she gazes at the slowly emptying booths and streets in and around the Merchant's Circle. She is deep in thought when a hard “thump!” on the back of her head arouses her from her daydreams.
“There you go again,” her mother snaps, waggling her finger once again with a frown. “Now that work's done, would you care to explain to me where you were all day yesterday? And last night? I was worried sick about you.”
Lilanei barely has a chance to open her mouth when her mother continues, “I've noticed you've come home with a few more 'additions' as well!” She exclaims, taking Lil's by the chin and turning her head, observing a large gash across her cheek. “This wouldn't happen to be another one of that Akorrin's crazy training routines again would it?”
“Of course not, mother.”
“Hm, yes. I really believe that,” she says sarcastically as she shakes her head. “I just don't understand you sometimes, Lil. Why go through all of that? Honing your magic is one thing, but. . .” Fae stops suddenly, looking at the sullen expression on Lil's face. “I'm sorry, Lilanei. I don't mean to go on, but you know how I worry about you. I never know where you are.”
“I'm sorry, mother; I just—“
“With the way things were when we first moved here, I wasn't sure you'd be able to adjust,” she continues. “Especially with the way some people looked towards you. Even that Locke boy used to be nasty to you. But you know that isn't your fault, don't you?”
“Of course—“
“I just want you to be happy,” Fae once again interrupts, continuing, “and safe. Whatever you are doing is not safe at all, is it? . . . Wait, don't even tell me! I think I'd die of worry if you did.”
Lilanei sighs, looking out of the shop window once more as her mother continues to ramble in her usual way, the woman then standing motionless as she stares down at the young girl. After a brief moment, she softly places her hand on Lil's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“I'll shut up now,” she says, calmly. “Now please. Just tell me what's on your mind.”
Lilanei keeps quiet until she is confident that her mother will not speak over her – and to her surprise the room remains quiet, the only sounds coming from the few merchants left wandering the Merchant's Circle. She narrows her eyes for a moment, thinking deeply as she stares out of the window, before turning back to her mother.
“I was with Locke last night.”
“I knew it. . .” her mother sighs, ready to speak again as Lil interjects.
“But he's not the same person you can't seem to erase from your mind. We get along now – well, as well as any of the other people in this town get along. In any case, he's not like his father,” she explains slowly, before looking up at Fae. “Just like I'm not like you. I can't stay put here, working in this shop until I grow old. I know it's what you want, but. . .”
Fae, to Lilanei's surprise, simply smiles, “You remind me of someone.”
Lil narrows her eyes, “Of who?”
“They used to be just like you. They were determined to escape their home. Despite what everyone said, they knew there was something else out there in the world for them – a magical world, for some reason, worth fighting for.”
“And what happened to them?”
“Well, they got exactly what they wanted. They found their brave new world – but it wasn't magical. The world is scary, Lil. People want to hurt you, sometimes for no reason at all. In the end, there's nothing left but to turn and run. And that's exactly what they did,” she finishes, a faraway look in her eyes. “Sometimes our instincts lead us astray. I hope you remember that, Lil.”
She stares thoughtfully at her mother, before sullenly responding, “I will.”
Fae turns, her back now facing Lilanei, as she takes a few paces forward. Crossing her slender arms across her chest, she lowers her head slightly in thought.
“Lilanei.”
“Yes?”
“You're going to be leaving soon, too – aren't you?”
Lil stammers, struggling to answer; however, she finally musters the strength to respond, “Yes.”
“Lil,” she begins slowly, “I know I'm not the best listener. But I hope you know that I care about you. I've fought very hard to bring you up the best I could, all on my own. Although I'm happy with where I am now, the journey was painful and I never want you to go through anything like I did.”
Lilanei remains silent.
“You're a Half-Elf. While things may be more peaceful for you in this big town, although that hasn't always proved to be true, I don't know what the rest of the world has in store for you. If you leave, your journey could hold even more pain than mine ever did. But if that's what you want,” she says, turning to face Lil once more – a slight shimmer in her eyes, “I support you. Like I said, I just want you to be happy.”
Lilanei smiles up at her mother who simply smiles back. Jumping from her perch near the shop window, she walks to her, burying her face in her mother's chest as she wraps her arms around her.
“Th-thank you, mother,” she stutters, as Fae simply pets her atop the head.
“Don't get weak on me now! You're supposed to be the stubborn one,” Fae laughs, a few tears escaping the corners of her eyes before her face grows serious once more. “Just promise me you'll stay safe.”
Lilanei lets go of her mother, stepping back as she looks up at her, grins, and nods, “Of course I'll be. Not even a wild Orc could stop me! Not with my magic. You should know – you're the one who taught it to me!” Lilanei exclaims proudly.
“What about the Kallidin boy?” Fae says, remaining serious.
Lil's facial composure collapses for but a second as she retains her giant grin, “You mean Locke? He couldn't hurt a fly, never mind me!”
“Seriously, Lilanei,” her mother says, again in a serious manner.
Lil's grin disappears, the girl looking at her mother now with the utmost seriousness, “We're friends now, mom. He'd never hurt me.”
Seeing her daughter's serious expression, Fae finally cracks and laughs, blurting out once more in her usual jolly manner, “Well, then! That's great! He is a cute boy you know. Maybe if relations weren't so funny with his parents, you two could settle down! A girl of your age and maturity should really consider settling down, you know; you can't be a free spirit forever after all—“
Faefindiel's rambling lasts well into the night as Lilanei simply remains silent, taking it all in and knowing all too well that it could be a long, long time before she is able to listen to her own mother's endless chatter again. Lilanei smiles as she begins to gather her things, looking forward to tomorrow with a renewed outlook. From this day forth, she had a new goal in life: to return home to her family not only more powerful and knowledgeable than ever before – but also the happiest a young woman could ever possibly be.
~*~
The next morning, despite their respective family's wishes, Lilanei and Locke stand inside the town's gate with Akorinn looking to them.
"Should you ever need help on your journey," he begins, "All you have to do is call for me; although, after your efforts, I don't suspect you'll need me anymore. Go now, expand your horizons, and grow into the two heroes I always knew you would be."
Lilanei and Locke smile from the praise of their master. The gates grind and creak slowly open, revealing a brave new world to our Heroes. They respectfully bow to their master, Akorinn, and set off out of Illias on their journey to becoming adventurers in this age of Heroism and Magic.
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