Author's note: I don't own Dragon Quest VIII!
Tragic Love
Chapter 2: So We Meet Again
Eltrio had gone back out with a bag on his waist with a few days' worth of food and a waterskin. Walking back towards the spring, he spied the young woman going into the forested area again. Smiling, he hurried along only to see her looking at her reflection in the spring. She was so lovely to him. Though he paused when he saw her ears were pointed and the tips of them were red and scaly. Still, there wasn't a lovelier maiden in the land to him.
"Hello again!" He said as she whirled around on her heels.
"Who… who are you?" She questioned.
Looking into her brown orbs, he gasped in amazement. "I'm… I'm Draco. I tried to tell you that before you ran off the first time."
She smiled at him, "Right. I'm sorry… It's just… my father… he wouldn't like that I'm here… or alone with a man."
Eltrio chuckled. "I'm harmless, I promise. I have my sword in case of bandits you see."
She smiled as she extended her hand. It was soft and warm in Eltrio's larger hand. "I'm Xia."
He looked at her and wanted to tell her of who he really was… but… "So Xia, what do you mean about your father not liking you here?"
Xia looked at him warily. "My father, Chen Mui, he's very old fashioned you see. People should only marry within the village, matters like that."
Eltrio nodded as she turned around and touched the water with her hand. "We don't have any water near our little village. We just … we've never needed it."
Eltrio looked at her in surprise, yet somehow it wasn't given her ears. "Where is your village Xia?"
She pointed at the sky. "Up there. I'm… I'm a Dragovian. It's a rare race of beings that are part human, part dragon. You're really… easy to talk to Draco."
Eltrio felt bad instantly about the false name. "Can I clear something up? It's only because I wasn't sure if you really knew who I was."
Xia's delicate brown eyebrows rose while her eyes widened. "Really? What?" He didn't trust me… why does that… why does that hurt?
He smiled to allay her fears. "I'm actually Crowned Prince Eltrio of Argonia. I was supposed to take a bride, but I refused to because they only wanted my wealth, my position."
She nodded. "In a way, I can understand. It's strange though… I feel something I've never felt before around you. Like I want to get to know you more…"
Eltrio grinned as they sat by the spring and began talking before Xia's face paled in fright as a loud voice was heard. "Xia! You get back here right now young lady!"
Xia pointed to the bushes for Eltrio to hide amongst. He could only watch as a strong, but tiny man gripped her by the wrist. "Father no! I like the human world! I've met someone that I feel very strongly for!"
The man's voice carried, "No! You fell for a human?! Are you stupid? They will kill you and the rest of our clan because they fear what they don't understand!"
Xia pleaded, tears streaking down her face, "Father no! He like me too I think… Please, just let me live here and return without me."
Chen Mui would have nothing of it, raking a hand through his brown Mohawk. "No! You're returning home!"
Eltrio burst through the bushes and pushed Chen Mui from Xia. "No, you will leave my love alone." Yes it was fast, but it felt so… so right.
He took Xia's hand and used a chimaera wing to send them away to a safe haven where only he knew of. Him and his parents. He took Xia to the land bridge in the hunting grounds and helped her into the small cove. "We can stay here for a few days before going to Argonia. I just want you to not feel bad or to feel like you have to question it my darling."
Xia smiled, "Thank you Eltrio for everything."
