Aodhan and Illium meet
Of all the young angels in the Refuge, Illium was the most notorious – and the most beloved. Almost every angel longed to hear what antics he had most recently got up to, or how he had managed to irritate sweet Jessamy during his lessons again. Jewel coloured as his wings are, it was never hard to spot him off on one of his little adventures. He was not the only eye catching baby angel, though, as Aodhan's diamond-like wings and hair glistened around him wherever he went. Aodhan, however, did not have the confidence, or the cheekiness, that made Illium so popular among angelkind.
Bright and bold, Illium had many friends. But Aodhan was shy, and already so very other that he struggled to make friends.
Intrigued by the other angel, Illium had many times attempted to befriend Aodhan, only for Aodhan to run off to his home or Jessamy. But Illium was known for his persistence, and he wasn't going to give up so easily.
So, after their class one day, Illium approached Aodhan with an offer he was convinced he could not refuse.
"Aodhan!" Illium said, smiling brightly and flying low over the other angel, "Wait up!"
Aodhan's eyes widened and he quickened his pace, but it was too late. Illium came in for a wobbly landing in front of him, blocking his path. "Hey," Illium said on an exhale, his hair messy from his erratic flying, "where are ya going?"
"Home," Aodhan said in a small voice, "where are you going?" he said when Illium didn't reply.
Smugly, as this is exactly what he wanted Aodhan to ask, Illium said, "Me? I'm going to fly to the bottom of the gorge." Illium gave him a devilish grin, "Do you want to come?"
Aodhan drew in a breath, ready to being lecturing Illium about how the adults would be angry if he did, when he paused. Aodhan had wanted to befriend Illium since he had first shown interest, but knowing how popular Illium was Aodhan had resisted. He wanted one friend, but he wasn't sure he was ready for that much attention. "Okay," he said finally.
Illium blinked slowly, and then slowly grinned again, "I knew you were my kind of angel, Sparkle."
Only ten minutes later, the two small angels were gliding over the gorge – in one of the less frequented areas – ready to being their decent.
Illium, who was nervous now they were there, said "Are you scared? We can do something else if you don't want to do this."
Aodhan was looking down at the gorge, so he didn't notice Illiums fear, "I am a little," he said, then looked up at Illium, "but I know you will look after me."
Illium stared at him, and he may have blushed slightly as he smiled. Feeling braver, he began a gentle decent into the gorge.
Aodhan followed behind him, not as skilled at flying as Illium, and it wasn't long until they reached the floor.
Raphael was one of the first to hear of the missing children. Flying directly to the Hummingbird, he held when she walked into his embrace.
"Raphael, my baby did not return home when he was supposed to," Sharine said in a tense and concerned tone.
"How long has he been missing," He asked the angel who quivered in his arms.
"Hours, Raphael," She said, burrying her face in his chest.
Raphael soothed her, and then left to join the already large search party. It was not long before the children were spotted at the bottom of the gorge, and returned to the surface.
"Illium!" the Hummingbird embraced her son, before releasing him "what were you thinking!"
Illium looked sheepish, but immediately replied, "It was my idea, I'm sorry."
Before any of the adults could say anything else, Aodhan pipped up, "It wasn't all Illium's fault, I did it too!"
Shocked, as none of the adults had ever heard Aodhan be so adamant, they didn't immediately reply. Illium turned to the other angel, "Aodhan, shush! You're going to get yourself in trouble!" he whispered.
"No, I could have stopped you but I didn't, so if you get punished I should too," Aodhan addressed the last part to the adults who were staring at the two boys in shock.
"Yes, well, I think it is safe to say you are both grounded," It was Sharine who spoke, for raising Illium had made her harder to shock into silence. "Illium, you are coming home right now," her tone was harsh and motherly but her eyes held only relief.
Illium stood up straighter and grinned, "Yes, mother," he said, then turned to Aodhan, "I had fun, see you at school?"
Aodhan beamed at Illium, "Okay, thanks for playing with me."
As the boys separated and were returned to their homes, the gathered adults (which included a startled Jessamy and an amused Raphael) could not help but wonder what mischief these two angels would get into together, though it was clear to see that it was the start of a long friendship.
