Chapter 6

2 months later, the weather was still relatively fine, so they were going on a picnic. Evie hummed to herself as she packed the basket with chicken sandwiches, strawberries, grapes, chocolate chip cookies, napkins, cups, tea leaves and the flask of hot water. She shut the lid and curried the basket to the bank door and towards the barn. She entered and placed the basket on the side self, before turning to search for her little elf.

"Legolas. Are the horses ready to go?"

"Yes, Evie." Replied a small voice from the other side of Willow. Not long after this, the little blonde head came into view and began to lead the horse out of the stall and toward Evie. She took the reigns off him and led the horse out the barn door. She turned back to see Legolas leading Jazz.

The woman secured the basket on the back of her horse, gave a leg up for her little charge to seat himself on Jazz and then mounted Willow herself. With a click of her tongue, they were off, Jazz following Willow through the gravel courtyard, out the open wooden double gate and down the path towards the beckoning forest, Malthen running ahead. She hadn't left Legolas' side since they brought her back from Marys, even to Evie's disapproval, sleeping in the bed.

"Evie?"

"Yes, honey."

"You promised to sing for me?"

She laughed with delight. Yes, of course she had and it made her wonder why the little elf had waited so long to ask. The truth was that, before Legolas' arrival, she had found it hard to motivate herself to live fully without her grandma. It had shattered a piece of her heart that had held on after the death of her parents and made her face her biggest fear: being truly alone. In such a short time, this blonde-haired elf had become to mean so much to her and also brought back into her life the innocence and carefree fun of being a child, something she didn't realise she had almost lost. She decided then that she would sing for him and she would finally show him her magic. Properly. He had been asking nearly everyday to see it and everyday she gave him the same answer: soon. But now, she thought he was ready. No, actually, she was ready. Ready to share it with him, this closely guarded part of her that only few people in the world knew.

Smiling brightly, she began to sing for him, her voice carrying out around them as they trotted on.

"Here comes the sun (doo doo doo)"

The small breathtakingly beautiful face with bright blue eyes, whipped his head around to stare at her and made her heart melt when he broke out in the biggest smile she had ever seen.

"Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun (doo doo doo)
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes"

She opened her eyes, without realising she had closed them in the first place. It had felt good in that moment to let go. It made her feel more like herself before. Because there was only before and after losing grandma. She smiled and nudged Willow into a canter, calling out to the little elf as she passed him.

"come on slow poke! Last one there is a rotten egg!"

"Evie! Not fair!

"life isn't fair, honey" she responded in a teasing voice.

But the little elf was following her at a rapid pace, his body flush with Jazz's neck and his head on the side of his mane to go faster.

The two riders could be seen darting past trees and jumping over logs, laughing all the way, until Evie brought Willow to an abrupt stop just before green hanging vines, that blocked any further view beyond. She dismounted and held Willow's reigns in her right hand as she turned to Legolas with a soft smile. She watched him, too, dismount Jazz.

"are you ready to see my secret place?"

"Yes!" was the excited reply.

Without further ado, she reached out and drew the vines with her free hand, creating an opening to view the beauty ahead. She beckoned Legolas to come forward with a knowing smile. She wasn't disappointed when she heard the soft 'gasp' of surprise when he stepped through the opening and took in the sparkling haven.

She followed him through with the horses and let the vines drop back into place, shield out the rest of the world. He had his back to her, but she know the wide eyes filled with wonder that would be on his face. She too, had that look when she came to visit, its uniqueness unparalleled and unforgettable.

A large circular area, surrounded by trees, creating a secret and private space. Completely undisturbed in its natural beauty. Lush, soft grass spotted with daisies and wildflowers represented most the of ground, but to the right, was a small clear pool, with a stream leading off into the woods. Sunlight was streaming down through the canopy of trees overhead and a pair of butterflies were flittering over the pond.

Evie unclipped the picnic basket and let the horses go to wander, knowing they wouldn't go too far. She stepped forward to take the little elf's hand in hers and gently led him closer to the pond. She set out the picnic rug, placed the basket on the corner and sat with her legs crossed. Legolas copied her with a big smile.

"this is the most beautiful place I've ever seen."

Yes, she thought, it is very beautiful.

"not as pretty as you." She replied with a cheeky grin, knowing he disliked any mention of this.

"I'm not pretty Evie! I'm an ellon." He stated as if it was the most important fact she should have remembered about elves.

"well, I'm allowed to tell you're pretty, honey. Very pretty with a kind heart." And with that, she reach across and began to tickle his sides, grinning when she was rewarded with childish laughter. Good, he needs to laugh more, she thought, he's seen to many awful things.

"stop!" said a breathless voice and she immediately withdrew he hands, but not before tapping him on the nose.

"I think it's time for tea!"

"and cookies!"

"yes, and cookies."

Time seemed endless as they sat and ate their lunch, food and drink spread out between them, laughing and chatting all the while. Some time later, Evie was laying on her back, staring up at the clouds above in deep thought. Her hand played with the platinum strands of the little elf tucked under her arm as she hummed. Coming to a decision, she stopped humming.

"i…" she broke off, licked her lips and tried again. "I'd like to show you something, honey."

Big blue eyes, filled with curiosity, were suddenly staring straight into her green eyes, his hands cupping her face.

"what is it?"

Lifting her hands to move his off her face, she sat up on her knees and bit her lip while looking at the little elf, wondering how to start. Very slowly, she lifted her right hand, palm facing to the sky. As she did so, all the leaves laying on the grass slowly lifted and seemed to hover in the air around them. A blink from Evie and they started to dance on an invisible wind.

Legolas' eye went wide in disbelief. Glittery shimmer, similar to that of the portal that brought Legolas and the orcs to her home, though golden in appearance, not silver, wove around her hand, like vines. It was mesmerising as it glided towards a nearby bush, little eyes tracking its movement. The magic began to wrap itself around the little bush, like tinsel wrapped up a Christmas tree, and before their eyes, little buds appeared. By this stage the little elf had risen and slowly walked towards the glowing plant, leaves momentarily forgotten.

The little buds grew and grew, before slowing opening up to reveal a beautiful so flower, strongly incensed. Once the flowers were opened fully, the golden magic retreated back to once again to Evie's hand, where it disappeared. The dancing leaves, too, stopped and fell back to earth. Looking back over his shoulder to watch the magic, he took in the red headed woman who had so kindly cared for him, and felt awe and love for the being she was. He reached out a small hand, picked one of the small flowers and turned back to the picnic rug. Stopping next to the woman, he reached out to place the pretty flower behind her rounded ear. He then dropped into the woman's lap and reach both hands to once again cup her face. Bright eyes studied the uncertain and worried look on Evie's face before he spoke.

"Im see cin. Im am ú- afraid. Im mel cin. Naneth"

Tears began to roll down Evie's cheeks. Never had she felt so accepted and loved since her grandma's passing. Who knew such a tiny being could have such a large impact on one's life. Without speaking, because in that moment she was too chocked up with emotion, she drew the elfling into her embrace, kissed his brow and held on.

A few moments passed and then.

"Im mel cin honeui"

She felt Legolas' arms tighten in answer around her middle.

Releasing him, she sat back and smiled a relaxed smile, her shoulders dropping in relief.

"you liked it then, honey?"

"very much. Can you do anything else?"

Her smile widened a fraction as she again lifted her hand. No golden magic this time though. Another gasp from the little elfling as water droplets began to form above the pool and levitate towards them. Evie watched his little head as it lifted up to take in the water drops moving around them like bubbles. Evie moved her hand in a circular motion and upwards with grace and the drops moved to follow, forming a wave of drops that moved around them. It stopped over Legoals' head and all the bubbles burst at once, showering him with tiny drops, feeling like a light kisses on the skin.

The smile on Evie's face grew as she looked at the elfling in adoration, his joy clear to see and her heart began to feel full once more.

"you're glowing, Naneth."

"what?"

she looked down in surprise at the arm Legolas had lift in front of her and saw what he meant. A golden glow was slightly visible surrounding her skin. Check the other other arm, it too, had this new glow. She frowned slightly and the glow reduced in response. Oh. She remembered reading about this many years ago. She had been obsessed as a child with the idea, but was always disappointed when it never showed.

"elemental glow." She explained to the fascinated elf. "we glow when we our hearts are full and we're happy."

"have you done it before?"

"no, never. You must bring out the best in me, honey."

His resounding smile was infectious. Not long after this, they both decided it was time to head home. Humming together, they packed up and led the horses back though the green vines. They mounted and began their journey back.

*I see you. I am not afraid. I love you…mother

*I love you, honey.