"What's wrong?" dad said as he entered the barn, the rain wet in his hair.
"Roran…I think it's time we tell her….everything" mom said her words slow and deliberate.
"But Katrina….. I thought" dad said but mom cut him off giving him a look that could kill a kull.
"NO!…Roran…it's time, we've waited long enough" mom said her voice full of sadness.
Dad ran a hand through his hair and stroked his beard.
"Okay…..Lillya…..it's time to talk" he said and walked over to me and put his arm around me protectively.
He walked me over and sat me down on my bed. Dad looked up and nodded at mom who was gripping my sisters hand like there was no tomorrow.
"It…it was two years after the fall of Galbatorix and we had finely set out to make our own home, to build our own farm and give our child a good place to grow up. We had been on the road foe about two weeks and we were low on supplies. We rode into the tavern of a small town and bought a room then settled in for the night but…a ruckus upstairs was keeping us from falling asleep. Roran went up to see what was going on and…..he…he came back with y-y-you" Mom explained, the tears finely overwhelming her as she finished.
Ismira patted mom's back and shot me a panicked look. She had no idea about what was going on and was just as confused as me.
" You were six at the time and you were a feisty little one, kicking and screaming and you were definitely not pleased to be there" dad said clearing his throat and picking up where mom left off.
"So….so what are you getting at" I said a slight whimper in my voice as I stared at my hands, afraid at the truth which was approaching.
"Lillya…you are….adopted. We….we found you that night at the tavern. Your mother had just died of some unknown illness and….there was no one left for you. Your mother had no family and…your father was nowhere to be found" dad said with a sigh.
Dad looked up. Staring me in the eye for the first time since he began the confession. He met my tear soaked sad grey eyes with hesitation and fear. And as soon as his gaze locked on mine he understood. He understood the pain and betrayal that was coursing through me. He raised me, he fathered me for 11 years. I was a daddy's little girl for eleven years and not once did he mention…not once did he hint that I wasn't his.
"Wh-why didn't you tell me. I'm seventeen years old! I could have handled it!" I all but screamed and mom flinched as if I had slapped her.
"There's something else" dad mumbled and I let out a sigh.
"What else could there be" I groaned silently to myself.
"Your mother was a normal human….but from what we know….your father…Lillya….your half elf" dad choked out and my eyes practically jumped out of my head.
"So not only am I an orphan but I'm a Halfling too" I whispered
"Is that why you never let me go into town? Because your embarrassed of me? Because you don't want anyone to see your disgraceful second hand Halfling daughter" I spat and jumped to my feet, ready to storm out the door but a comment from mom held me back.
"I'm sorry we've kept this from you but…we do love you Lilly, we always have" mom mumbled through her tears.
I stepped forward to continue my dash towards the door but stopped when I felt something thump against my back.
"You were wearing it the night we found you" dad grumbled and I turned around to pick up a silver pendent that laid at my feet.
It was the one from my dreams. A small locket with curling flowering vines that crept along the edges. My fingers curled around the cool metal of the pendant and I sighed. For the first time something in my life felt familiar, felt safe. Without another moment of hesitation I fled outside into the rain, into the scary unfamiliar forest behind the barn. But even the harsh storm raging outside wasn't as scary as the strangers sitting in my room.
I ran. I didn't care where I was going, or what I tripped over, I just ran. I ran until I collapsed with exhaustion, until I was kneeling in the mud crying over the parents I never knew. And will never have the chance of knowing. I was so absorbed in my saddened thoughts I almost didn't notice the smooth round stone pressed against my leg.
I looked down into the puddle of water forming around me and thought, "who could ever love a Halfling outcast like me."
Those thoughts ran on repeat though my brain as I stared at my reflection. My dark straight hair was a tangled mess on my shoulders and my sullen grey eyes looked haunted. I almost looked like a ghost, with my pale complexion and eerie expression…..I was truly broken. I stared down at my reflection as I pushed my hair back behind my ears. For the first time I noticed their point. Before I had just dismissed it, but now I realized it was just another clue. Another clue to my hidden heritage and I was soon to be hot on the trail.