"The woman and the wielder are the same person. One does not exist without
the other. How is it possible to love either one?"
"It is possible. Nevertheless, that does not answer my question, Ewan. I once told you to let your dreams be your guide. Tell me has those same dreams been guiding your heart? Could it be possible that you've fallen in love with an illusion?"
Ewan sat there listening to Lazar, letting his words sink in. Could it be that he simply loved the image of the wielder and what she represented? He existed because the blade did. He was alive because the blade needed him to protect the wielder. He had a destiny, a purpose to live because of the blade. Was his love genuine or was it a guise for gratitude? Could he be worst than a pretender? Was he, at all, in love with the woman that wielded the powerful weapon?
As he closed his eyes, he pictured both Fiona and the woman, who has been filling his dreams since he was little boy, standing side by side. A red glint caught Ewan's attention. He looked down, only then realizing that the bracelet adorned Fiona's wrist. He stared from one woman to the other. Fiona was now the wielder of the blade. The other just a woman. Somewhere in the distance, a voice told him to chose.
He turned to face Fiona first. Shouldn't he go to her? She was the wielder, one that he needed to protect. He stared at her, though Ewan felt nothing towards Fiona. His legs made no attempt at moving and he found that he did not want to. He then turned to the other woman. He stared deeply into those familiar emerald eyes. It did not take long for Ewan to decide. He practically ran up to her. Ewan reached out to cup her face between his hands. In return, her arms wound around his waist. They drew closer to each other, tightening their embrace. Afraid that if either one let up on their hold the other would disappear. Ewan held on to her for as long as he could before opening his eyes. "I am grateful the blade chose me to protect its wielder and I will serve It to the best of my abilities. However, it does not hold my heart. She does; she always has, and I believe she always will." Ewan said over this shoulder.
"What if the blade abandons her? Its been known to abandon its wielder at her darkest hour. Who will you choose then?"
Ewan turned around, stared down at Lazar, his gaze dark, and focused. "Yes, the blade has been known to abandon its wielder. I will not. With or without the blade I will stand by her side until I draw my last breath. My allegiance and my love is hers not the blade."
"And what if she does not return your love? What would happen if she fell in love with someone else? Then what, Ewan?"
Visions of the other man in her life ran through Ewan's mind. Painfully remembering the love reflected in those green eyes of hers. He knew it was possible that the wielder would not want him. However, it was too depressing to think about and so he had always pushed the thoughts aside. However, he needed to face the realization that there could be a possibility of an unrequited love, his. Unfortunately, this was a possibility he had to face alone.
"I love her, Lazar. Nothing will change that. If she does not feel the same way towards me but to another," Ewan paused, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Then," He cleared his throat, trying in vain to hide the fear and pain, "I will step aside and enter the shadows. Where I will continue to watch and protect her. I may not have the honor of her love but it will be an honor to serve her. I just want her to be happy." Tears began to form. Ewan lowered his eyes hiding them from Lazar. Just thinking about it was difficult. However, he was going to remain strong enough, if not for himself then for her.
Lazar could tell that the idea of the wielder not wanting him was painful. However, they both needed to know if Ewan was capable of fulfilling his destiny even with a broken heart. Ewan looked up and Lazar could see the determination to serve the wielder set in the young man's eyes. Lazar sadly smiled he just hope it would not have to come to that. There was no use in dealing with 'What if's'. They needed to concentrate on the present. They had much to do. They would be setting out into the world in two days. Ewan's journey was about to begin.
"Come we have much to prepare." Lazar said as he motioned Ewan closer. "We leave in two days." He held out his arms. Ewan grinned as he grasps both arms and easily hoisted Lazar to his feet. Ewan shook his head as he heard a soft grunt escape the old man's lips. 'How Lazar managed to climb up this difficult hill but still needed help from me to get him back on his feet is beyond my understanding.' Ewan thought. Though he knew, Lazar was different in every aspect. Ewan learned early on nothing was what it seemed and that included Lazar. Ewan and Lazar slowly trekked down the hill.
"We leave in two days? What about Kael? Will he be joining us in our journey?" Ewan asked a bit hopeful.
Shaggy blonde locks bounced from side to side as Lazar shook his head. "No Ewan he will not be joining us." Ewan frowned at the thought of leaving Kael. Lazar placed a reassuring hand on Ewan's shoulder. "I know you worry about Kael but he is a grown man, Ewan. He is capable of taking care of himself."
"I know. Its just this past year has been so hard on Kael. You have noticed the changes. He's not the same."
Lazar nodded his head, "Yes I've noticed the changes. The lost of his daughter has taken its toll on him. He's also lost a wife but he's survived and he will this time."
"I know it's just that." Ewan sighed, "I feel like I'm abandoning him."
"You are not abandoning me, Ewan." Both men looked over to see Kael walking towards them. Ewan hadn't noticed how close they were to the house. Seeing that the two need some time alone, Lazar decided to retire for the evening. "I believe its time for this old man to get some rest. I bid the both of you a good-night." He waved a hand at them and headed inside.
"Sleep well, Lazar"
"Good-night, Lazar"
"Now what is this nonsense of you abandoning me, hm?" Kael asked amusingly, brows drawn up.
"You know I'll be leaving with Lazar in two days, right?" Kael nodded his head, "yes"
"Why don't you come with us, Kael?" Ewan asked eagerly. His eyes widen in anticipation. "I'm too old to be traveling to far off places. I've already had my adventures." The older man shook his head no, "I cannot go with you, Ewan." The younger man lowered his head in disappointment. Kael placed a hand behind Ewan's neck, lightly shaking him, pulling him out of his sadden state. Kael bowed his head hoping to catch Ewan's eyes.
"This is not my time, it's yours. My place is here but yours," Kael beamed as he looked around, "Yours is out there somewhere not here. Go on, follow your destiny, and find that woman you've been raving about." Kael wiggled his eyebrows up and down, while flashing a wicked grin. Ewan smiled shyly. "Don't forsake all your training because of me. Do not stay here because of me, Ewan. I will be all right don't worry. Its time you move on." Ewan looked up form his bowed head.
"I just don't want to leave you here.alone. If only Fiona hadn't." Ewan let his sentence trail off. A flash of pain reflected in Kael's blue eyes.
"Fiona is gone and her leaving has hurt me greatly. Until she returns home, there is nothing you or I can do about it. I will just continue to mourn the lost of my daughter. I will move on and in time, the pain will ease. Don't use my loneliness as an excuse to stay here." Ewan's head shot up. "I know you're afraid to leave. Unsure of what to expect, afraid that you may fail, yes?" Ewan nodded his head slightly. Kael smiled; he felt the same way when he had left home. Fearful of the world because he did not know what to expect. Afraid that his skills were not good enough to survive. Afraid that he would have to return home and be a failure in his father's eyes. He finally faced his fears, learned from his mistakes, and survived. And he knew Ewan would do the same.
"You will go out there and find your place. Perhaps your place is by your lady's side." Ewan smiled. "But you can't be by her side and here at the same time. Go and move on, Ewan. Go with Lazar he will teach you things I could not. And here take this with you." Kael held out his arm. In his hand was an object covered in a brown cloth. Ewan took it from Kael and began to uncover what was underneath.
Ewan's eyes widen as he the held the broadsword in his hand. The craftsmanship was nothing like he had ever seen. He slowly pulled the sword out of its scabbard, and the steel gleamed in the moonlight. He held the sword in both hands, testing the weight. He then grasped the hilt and began to slice through the cold air. A light swooshing sound was heard with each swing. Ewan couldn't understand it but he felt that the sword was made just for him. "Where did you get this, Kael? Its beautiful." Ewan stared at it in awe.
"I've had that for sometime now. An old merchant gave that to me after I had helped him with a bunch of thieves. It was a year after Fiona was born. I was on my way home when I spotted this old man in trouble. In return for saving him, he offered that sword. He said to me, "This is for your son. He will need this when he gets older." I told him that I only had a daughter and that my wife had passed. He still insisted that I take it and give it to my son. He placed it in my hands and while I was inspecting it, he disappeared. I thought of trying to sell it but I could not part with it for some reason. Until now that is."
Ewan replaced the sword back into the scabbard. "Did you see his face?" Ewan asked as he inspected the hilt. His eyes widen when he noticed the unique design etched into the grip. Two interlocking circles. The sign of the blade. He reached out to trace the design with his fingers, the ring on his right forefinger began to swirl.
"I never saw his face. He kept his hood up the whole time." Kael said but he had his suspicions. "Any way its yours, Ewan."
"Kael I can't take this.."
"The old man said to give it to my son. That is what I am doing. It is obvious that it belongs to you. Its getting late I'm going to bed." Kael patted Ewan's shoulder and turned towards the house. Kael stopped at the door and said, "Good-night, Ewan."
"Thank you and good-night, father." Ewan smiled.
Kael beamed with pride. "Don't stay out here too long." He added before disappearing into the house. Kael grinned as he shook his head. He was going to miss that boy. As he moved towards his room, he noticed Lazar sitting by the fire. Kael walked over to him. "That night it was you. You were that old man I saved. The one who gave me that sword?" Lazar looked up innocently. "I don't know what you are talking about Kael." Kael picked up Lazar's cape. "Don't play dumb with me old man. You were wearing this same sorry excuse for a cape that night."
"That cape is still good." Lazar exclaimed. Kael found a hole and poked his finger through until it came out the other end. "What harm is one hole?" Kael raised his eyebrows as he found another hole and inserted another finger. Kael wagged his finger for added dramatic effects. "Well it kept me warm." Kael began to search for more. "And you're point is, Kael?" He tossed the tattered cape back towards Lazar. "You need a new cape." Kael started for his room but stopped half way. "Thank you, Lazar." The old man turned his head, "for what?"
"For giving me a son." Kael beamed. He headed towards his room and closed the door. Lazar grinned and turned back to the fire.
"It is possible. Nevertheless, that does not answer my question, Ewan. I once told you to let your dreams be your guide. Tell me has those same dreams been guiding your heart? Could it be possible that you've fallen in love with an illusion?"
Ewan sat there listening to Lazar, letting his words sink in. Could it be that he simply loved the image of the wielder and what she represented? He existed because the blade did. He was alive because the blade needed him to protect the wielder. He had a destiny, a purpose to live because of the blade. Was his love genuine or was it a guise for gratitude? Could he be worst than a pretender? Was he, at all, in love with the woman that wielded the powerful weapon?
As he closed his eyes, he pictured both Fiona and the woman, who has been filling his dreams since he was little boy, standing side by side. A red glint caught Ewan's attention. He looked down, only then realizing that the bracelet adorned Fiona's wrist. He stared from one woman to the other. Fiona was now the wielder of the blade. The other just a woman. Somewhere in the distance, a voice told him to chose.
He turned to face Fiona first. Shouldn't he go to her? She was the wielder, one that he needed to protect. He stared at her, though Ewan felt nothing towards Fiona. His legs made no attempt at moving and he found that he did not want to. He then turned to the other woman. He stared deeply into those familiar emerald eyes. It did not take long for Ewan to decide. He practically ran up to her. Ewan reached out to cup her face between his hands. In return, her arms wound around his waist. They drew closer to each other, tightening their embrace. Afraid that if either one let up on their hold the other would disappear. Ewan held on to her for as long as he could before opening his eyes. "I am grateful the blade chose me to protect its wielder and I will serve It to the best of my abilities. However, it does not hold my heart. She does; she always has, and I believe she always will." Ewan said over this shoulder.
"What if the blade abandons her? Its been known to abandon its wielder at her darkest hour. Who will you choose then?"
Ewan turned around, stared down at Lazar, his gaze dark, and focused. "Yes, the blade has been known to abandon its wielder. I will not. With or without the blade I will stand by her side until I draw my last breath. My allegiance and my love is hers not the blade."
"And what if she does not return your love? What would happen if she fell in love with someone else? Then what, Ewan?"
Visions of the other man in her life ran through Ewan's mind. Painfully remembering the love reflected in those green eyes of hers. He knew it was possible that the wielder would not want him. However, it was too depressing to think about and so he had always pushed the thoughts aside. However, he needed to face the realization that there could be a possibility of an unrequited love, his. Unfortunately, this was a possibility he had to face alone.
"I love her, Lazar. Nothing will change that. If she does not feel the same way towards me but to another," Ewan paused, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Then," He cleared his throat, trying in vain to hide the fear and pain, "I will step aside and enter the shadows. Where I will continue to watch and protect her. I may not have the honor of her love but it will be an honor to serve her. I just want her to be happy." Tears began to form. Ewan lowered his eyes hiding them from Lazar. Just thinking about it was difficult. However, he was going to remain strong enough, if not for himself then for her.
Lazar could tell that the idea of the wielder not wanting him was painful. However, they both needed to know if Ewan was capable of fulfilling his destiny even with a broken heart. Ewan looked up and Lazar could see the determination to serve the wielder set in the young man's eyes. Lazar sadly smiled he just hope it would not have to come to that. There was no use in dealing with 'What if's'. They needed to concentrate on the present. They had much to do. They would be setting out into the world in two days. Ewan's journey was about to begin.
"Come we have much to prepare." Lazar said as he motioned Ewan closer. "We leave in two days." He held out his arms. Ewan grinned as he grasps both arms and easily hoisted Lazar to his feet. Ewan shook his head as he heard a soft grunt escape the old man's lips. 'How Lazar managed to climb up this difficult hill but still needed help from me to get him back on his feet is beyond my understanding.' Ewan thought. Though he knew, Lazar was different in every aspect. Ewan learned early on nothing was what it seemed and that included Lazar. Ewan and Lazar slowly trekked down the hill.
"We leave in two days? What about Kael? Will he be joining us in our journey?" Ewan asked a bit hopeful.
Shaggy blonde locks bounced from side to side as Lazar shook his head. "No Ewan he will not be joining us." Ewan frowned at the thought of leaving Kael. Lazar placed a reassuring hand on Ewan's shoulder. "I know you worry about Kael but he is a grown man, Ewan. He is capable of taking care of himself."
"I know. Its just this past year has been so hard on Kael. You have noticed the changes. He's not the same."
Lazar nodded his head, "Yes I've noticed the changes. The lost of his daughter has taken its toll on him. He's also lost a wife but he's survived and he will this time."
"I know it's just that." Ewan sighed, "I feel like I'm abandoning him."
"You are not abandoning me, Ewan." Both men looked over to see Kael walking towards them. Ewan hadn't noticed how close they were to the house. Seeing that the two need some time alone, Lazar decided to retire for the evening. "I believe its time for this old man to get some rest. I bid the both of you a good-night." He waved a hand at them and headed inside.
"Sleep well, Lazar"
"Good-night, Lazar"
"Now what is this nonsense of you abandoning me, hm?" Kael asked amusingly, brows drawn up.
"You know I'll be leaving with Lazar in two days, right?" Kael nodded his head, "yes"
"Why don't you come with us, Kael?" Ewan asked eagerly. His eyes widen in anticipation. "I'm too old to be traveling to far off places. I've already had my adventures." The older man shook his head no, "I cannot go with you, Ewan." The younger man lowered his head in disappointment. Kael placed a hand behind Ewan's neck, lightly shaking him, pulling him out of his sadden state. Kael bowed his head hoping to catch Ewan's eyes.
"This is not my time, it's yours. My place is here but yours," Kael beamed as he looked around, "Yours is out there somewhere not here. Go on, follow your destiny, and find that woman you've been raving about." Kael wiggled his eyebrows up and down, while flashing a wicked grin. Ewan smiled shyly. "Don't forsake all your training because of me. Do not stay here because of me, Ewan. I will be all right don't worry. Its time you move on." Ewan looked up form his bowed head.
"I just don't want to leave you here.alone. If only Fiona hadn't." Ewan let his sentence trail off. A flash of pain reflected in Kael's blue eyes.
"Fiona is gone and her leaving has hurt me greatly. Until she returns home, there is nothing you or I can do about it. I will just continue to mourn the lost of my daughter. I will move on and in time, the pain will ease. Don't use my loneliness as an excuse to stay here." Ewan's head shot up. "I know you're afraid to leave. Unsure of what to expect, afraid that you may fail, yes?" Ewan nodded his head slightly. Kael smiled; he felt the same way when he had left home. Fearful of the world because he did not know what to expect. Afraid that his skills were not good enough to survive. Afraid that he would have to return home and be a failure in his father's eyes. He finally faced his fears, learned from his mistakes, and survived. And he knew Ewan would do the same.
"You will go out there and find your place. Perhaps your place is by your lady's side." Ewan smiled. "But you can't be by her side and here at the same time. Go and move on, Ewan. Go with Lazar he will teach you things I could not. And here take this with you." Kael held out his arm. In his hand was an object covered in a brown cloth. Ewan took it from Kael and began to uncover what was underneath.
Ewan's eyes widen as he the held the broadsword in his hand. The craftsmanship was nothing like he had ever seen. He slowly pulled the sword out of its scabbard, and the steel gleamed in the moonlight. He held the sword in both hands, testing the weight. He then grasped the hilt and began to slice through the cold air. A light swooshing sound was heard with each swing. Ewan couldn't understand it but he felt that the sword was made just for him. "Where did you get this, Kael? Its beautiful." Ewan stared at it in awe.
"I've had that for sometime now. An old merchant gave that to me after I had helped him with a bunch of thieves. It was a year after Fiona was born. I was on my way home when I spotted this old man in trouble. In return for saving him, he offered that sword. He said to me, "This is for your son. He will need this when he gets older." I told him that I only had a daughter and that my wife had passed. He still insisted that I take it and give it to my son. He placed it in my hands and while I was inspecting it, he disappeared. I thought of trying to sell it but I could not part with it for some reason. Until now that is."
Ewan replaced the sword back into the scabbard. "Did you see his face?" Ewan asked as he inspected the hilt. His eyes widen when he noticed the unique design etched into the grip. Two interlocking circles. The sign of the blade. He reached out to trace the design with his fingers, the ring on his right forefinger began to swirl.
"I never saw his face. He kept his hood up the whole time." Kael said but he had his suspicions. "Any way its yours, Ewan."
"Kael I can't take this.."
"The old man said to give it to my son. That is what I am doing. It is obvious that it belongs to you. Its getting late I'm going to bed." Kael patted Ewan's shoulder and turned towards the house. Kael stopped at the door and said, "Good-night, Ewan."
"Thank you and good-night, father." Ewan smiled.
Kael beamed with pride. "Don't stay out here too long." He added before disappearing into the house. Kael grinned as he shook his head. He was going to miss that boy. As he moved towards his room, he noticed Lazar sitting by the fire. Kael walked over to him. "That night it was you. You were that old man I saved. The one who gave me that sword?" Lazar looked up innocently. "I don't know what you are talking about Kael." Kael picked up Lazar's cape. "Don't play dumb with me old man. You were wearing this same sorry excuse for a cape that night."
"That cape is still good." Lazar exclaimed. Kael found a hole and poked his finger through until it came out the other end. "What harm is one hole?" Kael raised his eyebrows as he found another hole and inserted another finger. Kael wagged his finger for added dramatic effects. "Well it kept me warm." Kael began to search for more. "And you're point is, Kael?" He tossed the tattered cape back towards Lazar. "You need a new cape." Kael started for his room but stopped half way. "Thank you, Lazar." The old man turned his head, "for what?"
"For giving me a son." Kael beamed. He headed towards his room and closed the door. Lazar grinned and turned back to the fire.