Chapter 3

Evie sighed as she stared out the kitchen window as she waited for the kettle to boil. It had been a tiring day, physically and emotionally, taking Legolas out and trying the teach him about the world he was now apart of. Living on her own for such a long time, she had also forgotten just how much energy children had. Although, Legolas' attention span seemed to be better than that of a regular human child, speaking clearly and always polite. A small hand on her arm shocked Evie and she let out a surprised "Yelp"

She turned to find the little elfling giggling at her response and she couldn't help but join in.

"don't scare me like that!?"

"did you not hear me?"

"No. You are very quiet. Is that an elf thing?"

"Yes. The elves are known to be quiet of foot."

"ok, well you need to make a bit more noise for me, as my hearing seems to be not nearly as good as yours either."

"Yes, My Lady."

"And none of that 'My Lady' business either, I'm Evie."

"Yes, Evie."

"Have a seat on the stool there. cup of tea?"

"Yes, please."

Evie watched on as Legolas went and seated himself on the tall stool and leaned forward to rest his elbows on the bench. Seeing the kettle has flicked off, she quickly made the tea, placed a cup in front of the elfling and took the stool next to him.

"How old are you Legolas?"

"I just had my 25th winter."

"25? You don't look 25."

"You don't know much about elves do you?"

"no. I think you need to assume I know nothing and be my personal encyclopedia."

"what's an enyclo..what?"

"ahh. It's a book that teaches you about things. So will you teach me about elves?"

"yes I will. Father says that elves age differently to mortals. We reach maturity at 100 years."

"so in human years, you're about 4 ½."

"yes I guess so. How old are you?"

"much older than you."

Legolas frowned a little, trying to remember what he had read about elementals during his study sessions.

"If you live forever, like me, then you have lived a long time?"

"You could say that. I'm around 500 years old, if grandma is to be believed."

"You grandma lives here with you? I haven't seen her."

"not anymore. She passed about a year ago."

Legolas could see a flicked of grief take over her usually bright face.

"You loved her."

'yes. Very much."

"She was like you? Long lived."

"Yes. Elemental magic can skip generations. It 'chooses' you apparently. My mother didn't have any such gift. Grandma said she could feel it in me, the minute I was born. She taught me everything I know. I miss her."

"where's your parents?"

"they died too." She replied quietly, having not thought about this topic by choice in a while.

"it was an accident. At the beach, they got caught in a rip and there was nothing I could do. I was so young and untrained in my magic. Grandma wasn't with us."

She felt a small, warm hand cover her own.

"I'm sorry about your family. Maybe I can help ease the hurt?"

She smiled broadly at the offer. Children were so innocent and trusting, seeing the world as so black and white. They both were without family and present, she was hurting and he wanted to help.

"I'd like that very much honey."

"why do you call me honey? I'm not sticky!"

She laughed heartily at that comment.

"no, honey, you aren't sticky. It's a term of endearment. You must have them in your language?"

"Oh. Yes, it's called elvish. Can I call you something?"

"yes of course."

"ok, I shall have to think on it."

"in the meantime, how about you teach me elvish?"

Blue eyes were shadowed in confusion at this request.

"but we understand each other?"

Evie held up the pink crystal around her neck.

"Yes, because of this. It has some sort communication charm on it. One of Grandma's trinkets."

She took the necklace off her neck in demonstration and asked in English "now I don't think you will understand me?"

A frown appeared on the little face and she put the necklace back on.

"you can understand me now?"

"yes. How are we going to do this?"

"post it notes!" came the quick answer and Evie shot off the stool, up the stairs and into the study to pick up a few pens and the bright yellow post it note pad on the desk. She breezed back into the kitchen placed the items on the bench in front of Legolas.

"this is called a post it note. It's sticky on the back side, so we can write the words for items in both languages and then stick them to things. Here, this is called a 'chair.' What is it called in elvish?"

"hanu"

"ok. So write that down under the word chair. What is the elvish word for 'book'?"

"parf"

"good."

And so they went on, writing out words as they thought of them and sticking the post it notes on the items. Over the next few days, the house become littered with little yellow post its on almost every surface. After a few weeks, Evie took off her Crystal necklace and they began to have conversations in English and elvish.

"Treneri- nin nia cín adar? "

"Adar na- verui busui. Im know ho tries hon best, but ho has ú- been i same since naneth died. ú- everyone likes hon because -o hon temper. "

"In English please, honey."

A little huff was heard before the response came. "Father is very busy. I know he tries his best, but he has not been the same since mother died. Not everyone likes him because of his temper."

"Ho na- ú- unkind na cin?"

"Oh no, I just wish he would hug me more often."

Evie gave Legolas an empathetic smile, as she sat crossed legged on the grass opposite him, understanding the affection he was looking for. She reached out and gave his hand a small squeeze.

"Im'm sorrui nia cín naneth. Maybe im tur- help ease i negr- cin feel?"

The bright smile and hand squeeze in response was instant.

"Whui does cín adar ú- like mortals?"

"He says that mortals are doomed to die and it is not becoming of an elf to get too attached."

Evie thought about this for a moment. Yes it was true, the life span of a mortal was short compared to theirs, but they had some excellent qualities that made the pain of loss worth it the friendship. Although, she wasn't the best example, seeing as how she'd shied away from reaching out when her Grandma passed. Maybe it was time to reach out to Mary? Her next door neighbour was always friendly and might prove to be a good educational experience for the young elf. She was stirred out of her thoughts when the subject in questions spoke again.

"Thank you for helping me. Have you had any luck with reading about the portals?"

"A bit. Grandma's journals estimate ha will n- nia a ín before ha will tul- back. Tul-. Ha na- anand an tea."

With a nod of his little blonde head, Legolas noticed the beginning of twilight and easily got up and took Evie's offered hand. Together they strolled back to the house, chatting as they went. …..

*Tell me about your father?

* Father is very busy. I know he tries his best, but he has not been the same since mother died. Not everyone likes him because of his temper.

*He is not unkind to you?"

*I'm sorry about your mother. Maybe I can help ease the hurt you feel?

*why does your father not like mortals?

*A bit. Grandma's journals estimate it will be about a year before it will come back. Come it is time for tea."