Elly

I stepped away from him, head swimming.

‘He must have said something else. I probably misheard him.’

“Eloise,” he sighed, placatingly, trying to touch, but I stayed out of his reach. It was impossible. It wasn’t true.

Stuck deeply in denial, i sat down and waited for my head to stop spinning.

He returned to his seat, and looked at his food as if it was interested. I glared at him, he was so strage and yet so intruiging all at once. He knew something and he had to tell me.

“I … my lord,” I whispered, mouth dry.

He cut me off with a loock, “Please, call me Olpheus, just Olpheus is fine, and it is fine if you do not remember me.”

“But it is not, it is not fine, can you please tell me what you know. It is exhausting to be stuck in oblivion, please, Olpheus.” i begged, my fear getting the best of me.

He stared at me, and sighed, “if you really must know, this –”

Suddenly, a guard rushed in, and my heart jumped. He was wearing armor, with a sword swinging from his hip. His face was flushed and his eyes were filled with fear. “My lord, my lord,” he stammered, sweating furiously.

Olpheus stood up immediately, stepping in front of me, shielding my body with his. “Speak now, and be quick about it.” he ordered, tone sharp. 

I had never heard him talk like that before, his voice was filled with so much energy and it scared me. He sounded powerful, every bit of a lord.

“The … the east border have been broken, my lord, we are … we are under attack.” the soldier pushed the words out.

I stood up immediatly, cold spreading through my entire body. ‘Oh no, oh god, no’

Olpheus was calm, and he didn’t break a sweat as he demanded, “Under attack by who?” 

Something told me he already knew, we both did.

“The werewolves, my lord.” the soldier announced.

I exhaled shakily, stomach knotting. Ian had come for me. I couldn’t go with him. I refused to go with him. What was i supposed to do?

“The werewolves,” Olpheus repeated fiercely, face scrunched in rage. “Have the men ready, all of them, tell them to bring out the weapons, and wait for my command. My second-in-command should be there already. It is our duty to protect the kingdom and we will do it with our blood. Wipe away your fear and get ready to win. Now, go. I want the castle surronded and inpenetratable, no one comes near without my permission and if anyone tries, you shoot them down. Get our best archers in position, and tell them i will be there.”

“Yes, my lord.” the soldier marched away, shoulders squared in determination.

soon, i could hear the rhythm of marching all around, and it pounded in sync with my erratic heartbeat.

‘Ian had come for me.’

Olpheus linked our hand, stared at my face and said, “Come with me, Elly.”

I followed him, barely thinking. He led me deeper into the castle, to what i assumed was his bedroom. It was larger than mine, and protected. There were books on the table, the bed was large, yet the room was simple. He let go of my hand, opened a cupboard revealing armors. I watched in awe as he got dressed, strapping on the helmet. There was no fear on his face and i couldn’t believe it. Was it possible that a man truly had no fear? Even in the face of beasts like this? Beasts like ian?

He pulled out a dark sword, and sheated it.

then , he walked to me, holding a a small dagger, made from the same iron. He pressed it to my hand and kissed my forehead. Heat crawled up my spine but it was quickly banished by fear. 

“Maybe i should just go to him, i should surrender myself to him. This … i am not worth all these, Olpheus. Ian is a monster and he will hurt your men to get to me. He cares for nothing and only believes in himself, his way is the only way. No one has to get hurt today because of me.” i whimpered, my eyes burning with tears that refused to fall.

His face darkened at the edges, reminding me that he was an elf.

“You may not remember me, Elly, you may not remember our past life together but I do. I have gone through hell to find you and i will not let you go, not when you want to play matryr.” he declares firmly, pressing the handle of the sheated dagger to my palm. 

“I remember you, i remember what you mean to me, and i remember how i lost you. I do not intend to make the same mistakes again. I am not Ian and you are worth the trouble. It is no troble at all. I will defeat him and do so gladly. All you have to do is stay here, and do not come out under any circumstances.” he warned me sharply. “I hope you never have to use this dagger but if push comes to shove, do not hesitate, do not allow yourself to get hurt, do you understand me?”

‘I didn’t … i do not understand any of these, i do not understand why he is doing this.’

But i nodded, and threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly. I didn’t know why i did it and he seem surprised too. He stiffened in my hold for a second before relaxing. 

“I’ll be back soon. My men will guard the doors and nothing will come through.” He walked out and my pulse jolted as i heard him lock me inside.

‘is this a good idea? To be locked in a tower waiting for him to come back to me?’

I sit on the bed, helplessly, and stare at the dagger.

He called me Elly, and it made me feel … something. I wasn’t sure what it was but i needed to remember everything. I wanted to remember him.