Chapter 2
Butterflies
Sonea sat on the grass, watching her little boy run around. Next to her, Dorrien was also observing, just not her child. He was watching Sonea, as he always did. Despite everything that had happened, he still had feelings for her. Over the last five years, watching her had only intensified them. Of course would never tell her any of that. He knew Sonea still missed Akkarin and thought of him often. Even now, the healer could tell she was thinking of him.
"Do you still miss him?" he asked, taking her hand. She looked down and smiled at him, sending chills up his back.
"Who?" Sonea asked, knowing perfectly well what Dorrien was talking about.
"Akkarin. You're thinking of him right now, I can tell."
Sonea sighed softly and squeezed his hand. "Of course I still miss him. And I was only thinking of how much Arlen looks like him. I see it more and more everyday."
"Yes," Dorrien agreed, peering at the boy. It was hard to believe that five years had passed. Soon, Arlen would be growing up. He would join the Guild, for there was no doubt that he had magic. With parents like his, Arlen's powers would be large. To this day, nobody knew how much power Akkarin had really possessed and if Sonea knew, she wasn't telling. Dorrien was about to say more when the subject of his thoughts came bounding up.
"Mama! Uncle Dorrien! Guess what I found!" Arlen said excitedly, plopping down in his mother's arms. Sonea smiled and clasped him lightly. His hands were closed and seemed to hold some object. Squirming, he became too impatient for the pair to venture an idea. Quickly he opened his hands and in them rested "A butterfly!" he exclaimed. "Isn't it pretty?"
"Yes, very," Dorrien agreed while Sonea nodded.
"Shall we set it free now?" she asked her son. He bobbed his head up and down in agreement. Just as he was about to send it off, Sonea closed his hands again. "How about over there, where you found him? That way he'll know how to get home."
Arlen liked the idea very much, leaping from her arms. As Sonea rose, Arlen asked: "Are you coming Uncle Dorrien?"
He shook his head slightly. "No, my boy. I think I will stay here and watch." And watch he did, as mother and son walked away hand in hand, Sonea's black robes waving in the wind.
A/N: I've decided to make this several short stories instead of long ones. I really liked this chapter and didn't want to add much on to it. Besides, I think this will be easier and I'll produce more work. So, I hope you like the new format and the chapter.
Disclaimer: Still own nothing. Except darling Arlen, of course.