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Fourth Fall - Part 1

Harvey and Maru's wedding had been a beautiful occasion. Dobson had found himself best man, which had placed him in the incredibly awkward position of standing up in front of the village that hated him and looking out over them uncomfortably. Penny had been Maid of Honor, so that was another awkward situation having Sam glaring at him in annoyance the whole time. He had never been gladder when the wedding and the reception was over, and Harvey took his new bride off to do gods knew what. He had been largely ignored at said reception, which had been just fine with him. He wasn't big on dancing anyway. Still, it had felt sort of nice when his sister had taken him onto the dancefloor and shared a couple of dances with him. She had been concerned for him, but he couldn't imagine why.

He sat now pretty well alone as slowly the hall cleared out, everyone picking up the tables and chairs after themselves. "Hi," Carmina said, sliding into the chair across from him still looking worried.

He glanced up at her in vague annoyance. "What?" he asked.

"Excuse me?" she asked, frowning curiously.

"You've been looking at me weirdly all-night Carmina! I'm fine, okay?!" he said.

She was quiet, staring at him. "You know, if you just tried, you could make friends here instead of making yourself public enemy number one," she said.

"I don't need friends! I've never needed them before, I don't need them now," he replied testily.

"Before it didn't matter because you lived in a big city where no one knew anyone and every face you saw on the street was that of a stranger. No sense of community, no sense of closeness, nothing. Just corporate values and drives," she said.

"Like what I have now, so hey, precious little change," he said, standing up and waving his phone in the air at her with a smirk.

"It's not easy to be hated. Much less by everyone you see," she said. "No one is meant for that, Dobson. Not even you." She stood up. "I hate seeing you like this."

"You don't worry about me," Dobson replied. "I'm happy! Happy, happy, happy. Harvey's best man at Elliott and Leah's upcoming wedding. Are you going to be there?"

"Perhaps. If it's on a day I'll be present," she replied.

"Great! Can't wait to bring my sister as my date again. Oh boy, won't that be a story to tell?" he said, waving his hand dismissively and leaving. Carmina winced a bit. Ooh, she worried about him.

Stardew

"I mean it Harvey. I'm worried," Carmina said to her older brother when he stopped by her cart the next day. He listened in concern, frowning. "This isn't the place for him. Dobson isn't cut out for this sort of community living. The work, fine. The profit, great. The people? Well, he's never been easy to get along with at the best of times. It isn't in his job description."

"He's stubborn," Harvey said with a frustrated sigh, drawing a hand through his hair. "Carmina, I don't know what to do about him. I just don't. Hidden deep down inside him there's a good man, but that good man has a bad personality. I know he doesn't fit in, I'm trying I really am, but I'm out of ideas. And I can't think about that right now. Elliott's wedding is coming up. There's a lot to prepare and not a lot of time to do it in. Honestly, I'm floundering right now. In winter when everything's cleared up, I promise I'll try and figure something out with Dobson."

"Is he going to survive until then?" she flatly asked. Harvey smiled ruefully and chuckled in understanding as he took his purchase. Turning, he left.

Stardew

As Harvey entered town again, he paused with a frown spotting Elliott leaning on the bridge looking out over the river and seeming distressed. Curious, he tilted his head and approached his friend. "Elliott?" he said. "What's wrong?"

"I just… I'm not sure," Elliott answered.

"You seem worried. Prewedding jitters?" Harvey asked.

"No," Elliott replied, shaking his head. "It's… I don't know. I really don't."

"Well, what's supposed to be the happiest season of your life is clearly being sullied by something, so talk to me," Harvey said, crossing his arms and leaning on the bridge.

"I… something happened last season. In the farmer's field. At night," Elliott said.

Harvey frowned in concern. "You're still here, so clearly whatever dumb stunt you pulled didn't cost you your life," he said.

Elliott was quiet, looking down. "No… But it may have cost me my humanity," he answered quietly.

Harvey frowned in concern, tilting his head. "What?" he said.

Elliott sucked in a breath and looked up at the sky. "Can we go somewhere that isn't here?" he asked.

"Your place?" Harvey replied. Elliott nodded and turned, leading the way. Harvey followed him in concern. Elliott unlocked his house and entered. Harvey followed, shutting the door behind him.

Elliott took a seat at his table and clasped his hands together. Harvey worriedly sat across from him. He didn't pry, just waited for Elliott to be ready to talk. "The Farmer has in his possession a certain sword. The Forest Sword it's called. According to Abigail, not all that powerful. Certainly not becoming a king. Or so it would seem… But in his hands, it… awakens. That is the best way I can put it. It comes to life pulsating with lines of glowing green light, and the power that radiates from it… It's spectacular. But only in the hands of the fae… When taken by mortal hands, the power coursing through it dissipates and it is nothing more than a sword again. He bade me to take it that night, when he caught me and Leah in his garden. I held out my hands for it and he placed it in them, and the glow faded away, but-but not completely… The lines of green still spanned its blade and hilt, though only half as strong if not less."

"Proximity to the king?" Harvey asked, now visibly concerned.

"He bade Leah take it next. She stood right at my side. The moment it left my hands, the lines vanished and all that remained was a mediocre sword," Elliott said.

Harvey let out a slow, shaky breath. "Wow," he whispered. That was… more to take in than he'd thought.

Elliott shook his head. "I never knew my mother," he quietly said. "I asked my paternal grandmother once where she was, since father would never say. All grandma would ever tell me was that she'd gone home…" Harvey was quiet. Elliott shook his head and leaned back in his seat. "Now I find myself with more questions than I ever pleased to have."

Harvey was quiet, processing this. "An elf? A fairy?" he finally asked.

"It would explain the forest sword continuing to glow at my touch," Elliott replied with a one-shouldered shrug, not meeting his eyes and looking very uneasy. "What then, though, would explain my draw to the sea?"

"A water sprite is still a sprite," Harvey answered. "Mermen, selkies, nixie… Each and every one is still of the fair folk, are they not?"

"I suppose that might depend on who you ask, but in my opinion yes. Just… another sort. With little to no connection to the forest," Elliott said.

"Did your father love the sea as well?" Harvey asked. Elliott looked quickly at him, eyes wide. "Who was your grandfather?" Elliott was quiet. "You're the writer, Elliott. Why am I the one asking these questions?" Harvey said, standing up. He placed a hand gently on his friend's shoulder, squeezing it lightly.

"I don't know how many more surprises I can take," Elliott answered, bowing his head.

"There may not be a surprise at all on your father's side. It could have all been your mother's. It isn't like an elf couldn't mix with a selkie or something. Again, you're the writer, so do what you do. Investigate," Harvey said.

"Do I want to find out is the question?" Elliott asked.

"You may not want to, but you need to. I know because I know you. You'll never rest soundly again if you don't satisfy that curiosity," Harvey said.

Elliott was quiet. "I'm afraid of what it might mean. For Leah and me," he soon said.

"You know how to write a story with a happy ending, so write it," Harvey answered.

"It's not that simple!" Elliott argued.

"It's not going to stop you from trying," Harvey replied with a smirk.

Elliott blinked at him and sighed, bowing his head and massaging his eyes. "Thank you, Harvey," he murmured.

"If you need to talk, come to me. Please," Harvey said. "I'll be there for you." Elliott offered him a small but grateful smile.

Stardew

The author stared out over the crashing sea, one arm wrapped around himself. The fingers of his free hand were at his mouth uncertainly. "Elliott?" a voice said from behind. Willie. The writer lowered his fingers and wrapped his other arm around himself, sniffing. Not because he was near to tears, at least he didn't believe he was, but because… To be honest, he didn't really know. "Willie, for as long as I can remember you've been a part of my life. The one link to the past I never let go of. So I have to ask. Do you know who I am?" he asked. "Or what?"

Willie was quiet, staring at him and considering his words. At last, the older man sighed, bowing his head. He looked up at Elliott once more. "Your father wasn't your father," he finally said. Elliott started and turned to him quickly, eyes wide in shock. "Truth be told I have no idea who your birth father was. The man you always knew as your father, though, was a good fishing buddy of mine."

"What?" Elliott asked, eyes wide.

Willie shook his head. "I was a young man when I first met your mother. Found her on a beach on a frigid night trapped in fishing net and heavily pregnant. She was sobbing. Terrified. Trying desperately to get free. She couldn't. She looked like she'd been there for days. She was weak, panicked. Didn't want me to come anywhere near her at first, but eventually, she realized I just wanted to help. I cut her free, but she was too exhausted to move. Sick too it seemed. Half delirious. Kept speaking of elves and a hunt and slaughter. Kept… kept saying a name that didn't sound…" He searched for the correct term.

"Human," Elliott said numbly.

"Mortal," Willie corrected. "I wasn't sure back then, thought maybe it was her name at first, but looking back now, seems more likely it was probably your father's… I carried her onto my boat and sailed for home. She passed out partway there, sinking into delirium, and I brought her to your father. He took her in. Nursed her back to health. He asked her who she was, where she'd come from… She couldn't remember. Not any of it. I guess at some point they fell in love, because she never left. She gave birth to her child in his home. He adopted you as his own. It frightened her I think, not remembering who her baby's father was, but the presence of my friend eased that fear and they settled into a comfortable family life. At least for a little while… Until one day we brought her to sea with us on a fishing trip. Then something inside her stirred, but she wasn't sure what. Until we passed the cliffs on the outskirts of the Secret Woods… Then suddenly she just… broke down. Ran below deck. My buddy went after her. Tried to get answers, but none were ever given. She disappeared late the next night, leaving you behind in your crib, and never came back. Not sure if she ever intended to or not. If she did but never returned, only one of two things could have happened to her. Which answer was the right one was something no one wanted to think about. Your father forbade me from telling you what had happened to your mother, but your adoptive grandma didn't agree with that and well, you know what your grandmother told you."

Elliott, staring miserably out over the ocean, sniffed again. This time it was because he was near to tears. "That mother went home," he said.

"I don't think she went home to your real father. Can't imagine why she wouldn't have taken you along if that had been her plan," Willie said.

"She spoke of elves and a hunt and slaughter… She never went home to my father because there was no father to go home to anymore…" Elliott whispered painfully.

"You can't…" Willie began before stopping himself, closing his eyes, and willing back a wave of grief that washed through him. Who was he even kidding? He knew his young friend was right… He let out a shaking stream of air. "Elliott…" he began.

"The elves and dwarves disappeared from this place long ago. So did most of the fairies. The junimos went into hiding, the shadow people retreated into the depths of the caverns…" Elliott began.

"That happened thousands of years ago," Willie said.

"It began thousands of years ago," a voice said from behind. Both gasped in fear, whipping around quickly with eyes wide. There, standing at the end of the dock, was the elven king!

Stardew

"By Yoba…" Willie breathed. Elliott gaped at him in shock.

"Our ilk were hunted near to extinction, driven deeper and deeper into the forests we called our home as humanity harried us, pressing our lands and destroying all that stood in their path. Forest, relic, legacy, it mattered not. Then, when we would give no more ground, they began to destroy us. In a final attempt at salvation, we separated. That was the gravest mistake I ever made, for it left vulnerable every small collective formed," the king said, pacing gracefully. "Divided they fell. One by one…"

"There is a reason no one believed an elf had stepped into our midst again," Elliott said, looking numbly down at the ground.

"There is a reason I have no people of my own. There is a reason I take as my subjects the fairies and junimos, among others," he said. He looked at them. "There is a reason they accept me as their ruler."

"Because their own were hunted down and killed," Willie realized numbly. "You… you're all they have left…"

"All that they will bond themselves to that is left," he corrected. "There exists, still, a king of the waters and its sprites. There exists still a ruler of the dwarves and a ruler of the shadows," the clearly-not-just-a-farmer said.

"A king of the forest, a king of the waters, a ruler of the dwarves, a ruler of the dark," Elliott said, staring miserably at the ground. At last, he looked up at the elfin king. "My father was some manner of forest sprite, wasn't he? My mother a sprite of water. There still existed those of your kind as recently as that?" Elliott said numbly.

"Existed? No. They merely clung on… I remember that day. The fires in the forest, the blood spilled out upon the green glades and the trees… I remember them fleeing to the final stronghold on the cliffs above the sea. They could run no further than that… The denizens of the sea begged the denizens of the forest to jump into the ocean, but there would have been no place for them in the waters. I remember a young elf who took into his arms a maiden of the merfolk, heavy with child, and kissed her. She begged him to follow her and to leap into the waves. She promised she would protect him there. She promised they would find a life somewhere new. They both knew she was only lying to herself… He kissed her once more and pushed her backward over the cliff as she screamed his name. The bullets found him before she had struck the water. She watched him die upon that cliff, and in terror, the denizens of the sea dove beneath the waves as mortal kind reached the edges of the cliff and rained death down upon them as well… Many among even they were killed that day…"

Elliott broke down, collapsing to his knees and covering his mouth, shaking his head in desperate denial. "How did you survive?" Willie questioned the elf, tears misting his eyes.

"A king's 'privilege'," he answered, a note of disgust in his voice. "There was no intention within me to survive that final battle… But there was wine at the feast the night before, when all had realized their approaching doom, and there was wile treachery among my subjects." He looked at Elliott. "Your father among them. He I remember most of all," he coldly said. He turned to Willie once more, who was now squeezing Elliott's shoulder tightly, grounding the broken author. "A certain plant slipped into the wine. They hid me away in a secret glen, far from where the humans would be, and they returned to face them alone. The moment I awakened, I rode to the aid of my people realizing what they had done. Some small part of me hoped to make it in time, but more of me knew I would not. I arrived to see your father fall, and my grief was immeasurable… No mortal left those woods alive. Not that day or any other after it. Not for years to come." He looked at Elliott once more, eyes deep and meaningful and unfathomable. "Once upon a time, there was an elven queen. Once upon a time, there were children… One alone survived long enough to conceive a child of his own." Elliott slowly lifted his head as realization dawned on him, eyes widening a little. His lips parted in shock, but he didn't turn around to face the king. Only let the words run on repeat in his head.

One alone survived long enough to conceive a child of his own.

He I remember most of all.

I arrived in time to see your father fall, and my grief was immeasurable.

"Why did you come back?" Willie asked, voice wavering. "Why did you come back to us? To this place and these people who…" He stopped himself, catching his breath and closing his eyes tightly. "Why did you come back?" he repeated again.

The farmer was silent, gazing out over the ocean as he considered this question. "For those among you like him," he finally answered, looking at them once more. "And like you, and like the doctor, and like all those who continued to respect nature and all her wonders in every facet, as well as each and every denizen still bound to it. I did not come because I was certain such mortals still existed. I came because I desired to find out. So I did." Willie sniffed, covering his mouth and looking away out over the ocean. Many eyes watched them now from the waves, cold and wary but also curious and intrigued.

"For how long have you known?" Elliott numbly asked.

"From the night you took the forest sword into your hand," he answered.

"Why did it glow only at part-strength with my touch?" Elliott asked.

"You have all the information you need, author. Piece those answers together for yourself, if indeed you have not already," the elf king replied.

"The Forest Blade is a weapon of the forest, not a weapon of the sea," Elliott said. "And I was only in part a child of the forest." He looked towards the surf. "The rest of me belonged to the sea…" he turned away, hanging his head. "Nothing binds me to mankind… I was only raised to believe it was… So now where do I belong? Which king do I call my own?"

"Neither. You belong precisely where you are. Among the mortals who raised you and taught you and cared for you. Among the mortals you love and have always felt you were part of. Remember your heritage, but do not delude yourself into believing it is what defines you. It never did before," he answered, pacing around the writer and dropping a hand lightly on his head. "It will always be part of you, but it is not what makes you the man kneeling before me now."

"It frightens me. I don't know what it means for me or-or for Leah… Or for anyone I've ever known and loved…" Elliott said in a whisper.

"In that I cannot help you," the farmer answered. "It is yours to find out. But I will be there when you begin to flounder. So will he. The king of the waters. You are in equal parts my subject and his. It will serve always as a point of contention between us, I sense, but that contention is not yours to concern yourself with. We will both be open to you. Now do what you feel you must to come to terms with all you have found and all you will yet discover, then let it go. Live your life in peace and happiness for however long it is afforded you, and when at last you feel your fairy tale has ended, do what you believe you must. We will be there to help you, whichever course you choose to take."

"Thank you," Elliott replied in a whisper.

"Rest now. Tomorrow your love will host her show of art. She will want you there," he said. Elliott nodded in agreement. Silently the erl king left, leaving Elliott and Willie on the pier.

Stardew

"I've never swam in the sea. The river yes, and I barely wanted to leave that, but not the sea," Elliott said, sitting shirtless between Leah's legs as she massaged his shoulders and back gently, solemn and quiet. He had told her everything that night after they had gone to her cabin to celebrate the success of her show. Now she didn't know what to think or do… Did it surprise her? Yoba no. Nothing about this man surprised her anymore, no matter how unlikely. He made it his business to make the unbelievable believable.

"What will you do?" she asked quietly.

"I don't know," he answered. "For the first time in my life, I don't know… I've written no story quite like this, nor even imagined one."

"Haven't you?" she replied.

He was quiet, staring at the ground. "They were little more than fanciful ideas and imaginings," he replied. "Daydreams of walking into the forest one night without a word and letting it become my home. The soft moss my bed, the branches of the trees my study… Gazing out over a crashing, erratic sea, longing to wade waist deep into a wild surf impossible to swim, and just wanting to…" He trailed off. She swallowed over a tight lump in her throat. "I've never gone above my waist into the ocean. I don't know why. Something always seemed to hold me back. This strange fear that if I let myself fall beneath the waves, I would never resurface…"

The lump in Leah's throat became more obvious, and this time she felt her eyes burning a bit. "Stay," she heard herself whisper unbidden. She cursed it almost immediately after, but it was too late to bite it back now, so she doubled down instead. "Stay," she repeated a little louder, voice wavering.

He frowned and leaned back his head, gazing curiously up at her. His eyes softened when he saw the shimmer in her eyes that she was trying to hide. Gently he reached up, cupping her cheek. "For you alone," he promised. She sniffed, nodding in understanding, and bent down, kissing his lips softly, her braid cascading over his face. She was all the reason he needed to remain, he decided.

Just then the door was knocked on. Leah and Elliott looked quickly towards it, a little surprised. "A visitor? So late?" she said in confusion. Rising, she went towards it.

"Leah! Open the door!" a testy voice demanded. Male. She froze, catching her breath and paling.

Elliott, noting the change, frowned warily and stood. "Leah?" he asked.

She looked quickly back at him. "Hide," she ordered.

"What?" he asked, taken aback.

"Elliott, please. Get out of sight," she pled.

Though confused, curiosity got the better of him and he obeyed without a word, moving out of sight of the door and hiding himself behind some art. From here he could peer out and keep an eye on things while also remaining hidden.

Leah turned to the door once more, recovering herself, then marched angrily to it and opened it as much as the chain would allow. "What do you want, Kel? What are you doing here?" she demanded testily.

"I found your online art store. Weren't you wondering about the 'Mr. K' who kept buying all your sculptures?" the man asked.

"Hmm. Disappointing. Here I thought it was some rich guy who truly loved my art," she replied coldly, arms crossed.

"You're half right," he answered, smirking coolly.

She scoffed in disgust. "Go away. We're done here," she said, moving to shut the door. He jammed his foot into it and she started, looking up at him through the crack in disbelief.

"I want you back. I miss you," he said. From hiding, Elliott started with eyes widening. Quickly he peered out to get a better look at the man. He couldn't really see him through the small crack in the door, so he looked towards a mirror that reflected the entryway and got a better look. He seemed familiar somehow… He frowned a bit. Wait… He'd seen him before. Earlier today! He'd been skulking around at Leah's art show looking foul-tempered and entirely off-putting. He hadn't gotten a good feeling from the man then, and he wasn't getting one now.

"No. You were never interested in my art until I became successful, and you're not interested in it now. Leave," she replied, trying again to shut the chained door.

"Hey, I came all the way from Zuzu City to see your sculptures. Is it really that hard to believe I've changed my tune?" he asked.

"Yes," she bluntly replied.

"Come on Leah, give me another chance. Come back with me. I want our relationship to be the way it was before," he said.

"I said no. Go away!" she ordered, trying to shut the door a third time. This time he slammed his body into it, snapping the chain and sending the door flying open. She screamed, jumping back in a mix of surprise and fear. He barged in without invitation, seizing her arm roughly, and pushed her further inside. "You're coming back with me," the man darkly said, hovering dangerously over her as she stared up at him with wide, terrified eyes. Elliott held back no longer.

Stardew

Quickly moving out of hiding, shirtless and all, the author stepped into the light with a cold look in his eyes. Kel and Leah both looked quickly over, Leah with a small gasp and Kel with eyes narrowed dangerously. "Elliott," Leah said, looking a little alarmed.

"Who the hell is this?" Kel demanded.

"Her fiancé. Now I suggest you let my betrothed go," Elliott coldly replied.

Kel looked sharply and accusingly back at Leah. "Fiancé?" he icily asked.

"Did you really think you were going to be my be-all end-all?" she coldly replied, turning back to him and meeting his eyes unflinchingly.

She was answered by a vicious slap across the face and cried out in pain. Elliott crossed the cabin in the span of a second and threw the offender up against the wall with a scowl, pinning him there off the ground. He was not what many considered to be a 'manly' person. Mild tempered, flamboyant, flowery speech, a general aversion to getting his hands dirty in any way, shape or form… Others didn't look at him and perceive a challenge or a threat. He generally kept his distance, seated off in a corner or leaning on a railing. But for all of that, he was not a small or weak man. Though from a distance he might seem that way, given he was so rarely seen nearby at full height, you realized very quickly it was quite the opposite when he got up close and personal. In fact, very few men in this valley could top his height. His strength was nothing to scoff at either.

"Get out of this house, get out of this valley, and if you're at all clever, don't come back again. Ever," Elliott icily and darkly warned. Kel stared down at him in disbelief. Leah, nursing her cheek, stared at her ex equally coldly.

"Fine," Kel at last said. Elliott released him roughly, letting him drop, and kept himself planted between the man and Leah. Kel glared passed him at the artist. "You'll regret this, Leah." Turning, he left the house as the two glared after him.

"Will he stay away?" Elliott asked as soon as he knew the man was out of hearing range.

"I don't know," she answered, coming up alongside him still nursing the cheek.

He looked down at her and took her arms softly, turning her to him. Gently he pulled her hand away from her face and took her chin, tilting her head so he could examine the mark. Rage bubbled inside him to see how red it was. There was a cut as well. Her ex must have been wearing a ring or something. "You're bleeding," he murmured.

She sighed in frustration and pulled away from him, going to a drawer and yanking it open. Agitatedly she searched through it until she found a salve and some bandages. Looking into a mirror, she doctored the wound carefully, then turned around and leaned against the dresser, closing her eyes. "I'm sorry about that, Elliott. He wasn't supposed to… I'm sorry."

"It's alright," he replied, watching her carefully.

"Hey, maybe you should go," she said.

"I'll go when I know for certain he won't come back," Elliott replied. "I could of course escort him personally, but…"

"No," she quickly said, eyes wide and concerned. "No, no, no, you're not going anywhere with that psycho alone."

He smirked in amusement at the protective note in her voice. "Very well," he said. "I'll wait a few moments then head home myself." Leah nodded in agreement. Elliott walked off to pick up his shirt and jacket, slipping them both back on. She watched him and a small smile spread across her lips.

"Soon you'll be mine, my love," she murmured to him.

He chuckled in amusement and turned once more, approaching her. Tilting her chin, he replied, "I can hardly wait." She grinned and they kissed once more before he at last departed. "Lock your door and windows. Just in case," he said, pausing at the door and looking back in concern. "And if anything happens, call me."

"I will," she promised. He nodded and left, then stood outside until he heard the lock click behind him. With a heavy sigh, he started on his way back home...

Early Morning

He stood on the endless beach gazing out into the crashing waves of a raging sea, so wild and erratic, against the backdrop of a dark and stormy sky. There was no pattern in them, no rhyme or reason, no rolling soft waves predictable and methodical in their nature. Just churning waters and swells that from here seemed so small but were taller than a man. The wind drove the stinging rain into his face and eyes almost blinding him. The salt spray from breaking waves wet his skin, and he let out a shaking breath, silent tears mingling with the rain and water. The incoming tide swirled around his ankles and climbed up to his knees as it pushed further inland. He caught his breath, closing his eyes tightly and resisting with all his might the urge to go further. He felt the riptide around him and let out that shaking breath, opening his eyes once more.

He waded deeper.

Every part of him screamed not to. He had promises to keep, vows to fulfill, a blushing bride to meet in the town square, and friends and companions waiting eagerly to see him arrive and greet him.

Another step.

He stopped when he was waist-deep and stared at the waves solemnly without fear. Waves that doubtless towered over his head and crashed and broke against one another as they charged inland with the wind.

They beckoned him from the angry sea.

The nightmare of sailors the world over, the bane of surfers, the terror of swimmers... You weren't supposed to look at a sea this wild and want to throw yourself into it…

"Elliott," he heard a voice call from the beach, firm but solemn. He let out a breath and looked quickly back. Willie stood there looking tired and melancholy, arms wrapped around himself. "Don't," the man said simply.

Elliott stared at him a moment before looking towards the waves once more. He had promises to keep. There was a woman he loved more than even these crashing waves who was waiting for him… Quickly he turned his back on the sea and waded to shore against a riptide he wished would sweep him out to sea…

He stopped in front of the fisherman looking tired. "Who sent you?" he asked the man.

"Best man. He was worried about you. Leah was more worried still. Maybe I was kind of worried too," Willie replied. Elliott nodded and looked back at the waves. "Not yet, son. Not yet," Willie murmured sympathetically.

"I hear them calling to me. I see them beckoning," Elliott said.

"They're a hypnotic mistress," Willie replied.

"For you perhaps," Elliott replied, still watching them. Willie was quiet. "They're speaking to me," Elliott whispered.

Willie reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder gently. "Now let the forest speak," he murmured to him.

Elliott looked up towards the forest towering above, imposing trees blowing in the wind large and endless and so, so beautiful. A sea all their own… His heart turned from the ocean and returned to the woods. He pursed his lips tightly, narrowing his eyes, then looked at Willie and nodded in agreement, stepping out of the waves. He followed the man and didn't look back.

Stardew

He married his fair darling. He swore his fealty and love to her forevermore. She called him her lord of the forest and sea. She called him her most cherished possession. They kissed long and passionately. He held her hands so tight and close against his chest. "Let your home be mine," he whispered to her as the others clapped and cheered their marriage.

"What?" she asked, frowning curiously at him and tilting her head. It wasn't that she was complaining of course, she just hadn't expected the subject to be breeched quite like this. Nor had she expected the conversation to be so simple.

"The sea will take me from you," he answered solemnly.

Her expression became immediately grieved and conflicted. "So will the forest," she whispered to him in turn. He let out a shaking breath, closing his eyes once more. She took his hands again in her own, bumping her forehead against his. "It's a question of which I would rather lose you to," she whispered. He swallowed over a lump in his throat. "Will you come back? No matter which one steals you away?" she asked.

"I don't know," he whispered, shaking his head. "I want to say yes, though. All of me wants to say yes and promise you I'll always return."

"Then that's all I need," she replied, withdrawing from him and gazing up into his eyes. "Whichever one takes you first, the other will draw you back. Always."

"You will draw me back," he promised, nuzzling her once more. She kissed him again, pressing her lips firmly against his own.

Stardew

It was to her home they went first. The sea had been too close of a call, Elliott felt. There they consummated their marriage, and she was everything to him. He never wanted to let her go. All good things, of course, ultimately came to an end. He exhausted her first. Once upon a time, maybe that would have been a surprise. That, though, was before learning what he was. He would never tire first, he realized, but that was just fine. That he had her at all was the only thing that mattered. He leaned over her as she slept, hand gently trailing up and down her body. The gentle touch had soothed her to sleep. She was so beautiful… He bent, pressing his lips gently to her temple. A contented little sigh escaped her lips, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

He heard the forest… The sounds of the crickets in the night, the whisper of the wind through the leaves and the branches…

His smile fell and he swallowed, closing his eyes tightly. The elfin king… his grandfather… had watched the wedding from the sidelines, silent but smiling ever so slightly. He had met the farmer's eyes, and the fae king had bowed his head and done some sort of gesture he could only assume was a sign of goodwill among the elves, then had left without a word. Hardly anyone had even noticed he was there. Would the fairies be dancing tonight, he wondered? He looked towards the window, feeling the draw of the forest, then started and looked quickly away. No. He couldn't let himself dwell on that. He closed his eyes, focused on his new bride, and sighed through the nose before burying his face in her hair and closing his eyes to sleep.

Stardew

The waves broke over his head, crashing down around him, and he felt like he should be drowning, but all he found himself doing instead was delving deeper and deeper, shoving into the water and diving into the swells. The swells disappeared around him as he dove beneath the sea, and suddenly he was in the woods, the song of the forest echoing around him and filling his ears. He closed his eyes, tilted back his head as he clasped his neck, and never wanted to leave, letting the music surround and envelop him, the moss and vines creeping up around him and surrounding his body.

He woke up feeling empty and hollow and torn. He felt tears in his eyes and didn't know why. She was watching him though, expression grieved but understanding. "Go," she whispered. He let out a breath and pushed himself up on one arm. The back of his free hand he brushed against her cheek, sweeping back her hair. Gently it caressed her face. She leaned into it with a sniff, closing her eyes and holding it close. "Go," she whispered again, voice breaking.

"No," he answered. "All my life I've held back from following such urges and desires. I won't give into them now."

She opened her eyes. "You held off because before you knew what you were, you believed acting on those impulses would mean your death." He felt like he'd just been punched in the gut when it was laid out so plainly as that. She smiled weakly. "Go," she said, cupping his cheek. "I'll still be here when you return."

"Would you lose me to forest or sea?" he murmured.

"I'll lose you to whichever one calls to you whenever it calls to you," she replied with a grin. He smiled gently back and kissed her once again before rising. He threw on pants but didn't bother with a shirt. Just tossed on his jacket. She sat up, holding the blankets around herself and looking grieved. "Come back," she whispered to him.

He paused in the doorway and turned to her. "I will," he vowed. She smiled and nodded in understanding. He blew a kiss to her and left without a word more. She let out a shaking breath and buried her face in her hands, sniffing and letting unwelcome tears slip from her eyes. She prayed he really would…

Stardew

He walked along the long beach, the wind howling and the trees high above creaking and groaning. The waves crashed against the cliffs, violent and wrathful. He stripped off his coat and pants and threw them back onto shore without looking. He waded naked into the water, eyes narrowed and determined. The waves crashed around him, soaking him through to the skin. He pressed on, not caring. A particularly angry and large wave careened towards him and crashed down over his head.

He felt himself transforming. He barely even gave it a thought, just began to swim. He pressed on into the waters deeper and deeper. He was holding his breath on instinct, but when at last he could hold it no more he let it out and dove deeper still. He couldn't feel himself breathing. Not like mortals breathed. He didn't look back to see what he had transformed into, just pressed on. He swam beneath the waves and broke the surface again, throwing himself against the violent swells, leaping over and into them like it was second nature. He felt no fear or hesitation, just kept going further and further. He heard the buoy bells ringing ahead of him and behind. He saw the lights of a distant lighthouse and kept on.

When he was almost too far out to see shore anymore, he turned to look back. There he saw Willie, standing on the dock looking in his direction with arms wrapped around himself. He didn't see the tears in the man's eyes, but he sensed they were there. His heart twisted uncomfortably in his breast, but he wouldn't be gone for long. He promised himself that. There was a maid he loved more than sea and forest both waiting for him at home… He smirked ever so slightly and dove beneath the waves once more, closing his eyes and diving until the sounds of the world above died out and left him in darkness and silence. There he swam in isolation until he felt scales brush scales and opened his eyes to find himself surrounded by six mermaids swimming all around him beaming in delight at their new addition.

"Prince of the sea," one whispered.

"You have returned," another said.

"Fairest brother," a third said.

A part of him felt like he should be shocked at that last statement, but to be called such… It felt so natural, and a part of him wondered if perhaps he was still just dreaming or only in a state of euphoria. "Fairest brother in blood or in title?" he asked. That he could speak so easily underwater surprised him somewhat. Funny that that was what startled him more than being called the brother of the mermaids who had for so long watched over him from the waves.

"In blood. Child of our mother. The last of her offspring," a fourth replied.

"Then it was to you she returned when she left me behind. Or did she die far away from her home in the sea?" he asked solemnly, pain reflecting in his eyes.

"Gentle brother, hate her not," the fifth pled, cupping his face gently before letting him go and circling him with the others.

The sixth paused before him. "She returned for the sake of our stolen sister…" she darkly added, resentment clear in her voice when she addressed that matter.

Stardew

Those were the last words he remembered hearing before waking up laying on the warm sunny beach, half submerged in the water and half sprawled out on the beach. He opened his eyes with a breath and recalled their claims, and wondered what had drawn him from the sea. He couldn't remember. He heard the trees blowing softly above him and turned his head. He saw, peering from the top of the cliff, a white stag, and he wondered no longer what had called him back. His grandfather had lost a son to death already. He would not lose a grandchild to the ocean as well.

He wasn't angry at the elven king for summoning him back. He didn't even feel mildly perturbed. He took it at face value and didn't wonder at all about his overall indifference to the intrusion. He sat slowly up and looked down. A tail, shiny and green and beautiful. Large, semi-transparent fins were at the bottom. Decorative ones hung from it as well. It was elaborate and ornate, showier than the tails of his sisters, and he wondered if such traits were exclusive to mermen in the same way male birds were flashier than their female counterparts. Namely for courting and showing off and whatnot. He lifted it curiously, tilting his head, then lowered it and looked at his hands, now partially webbed with long, sharp nails. As the tide receded, leaving him on the sand, he watched his hands become normal again and looked at his tail as it began to morph and split into two, gradually becoming legs once more.

He sat a moment, letting himself adjust to the new feel, then stood up and wobbled a bit before getting his balance back. He looked around for his clothes curiously and saw no sign of them. He sighed. He hoped Willie had found them so he wouldn't have to get a new coat. The pants were an acceptable loss, but not the coat. He made his way along the beach, staggering a few moments as he adjusted to his land legs again, then went to the bait shop. Once he reached it, he pushed open the door quietly, peeking in, and saw Willie seated behind the counter, face buried in his hands.

"Willie, did you really think I would go forever?" he asked, slipping inside.

Willie caught his breath, looking quickly up with eyes wide. "I'm only in part a child of the sea," Elliott said, smiling ruefully.

Willie let out a shaking breath and stood, looking overwhelmed but also relieved. He pulled the jacket and pants out from under the counter. Elliott was grateful for that. The older man walked out from behind the counter and handed them over. Elliott smiled and took his pants and coat, slipping them on. He 'oomphed' when suddenly Willie was hugging him tight. He blinked, taking a moment to realize what was happening, then smiled in amusement and hugged him back. For a little while they stayed like that before separating. "Go home to Leah," Willie seriously said. "Don't keep her guessing."

"I didn't plan to," Elliott replied. He departed his friend's company and made his way immediately back to his love, who threw herself into his arms the moment she saw him coming down the path toward their home.

Stardew

They stayed the next night in his cabin on the beach. The song of the sea had lessened now, but the whispers of the forest consumed his mind. He made love to her that evening but come morning he was gone.

I'll come back to you.

That was the note she found on his pillow when she woke up. She didn't see him again until late that night, emerging from the secret woods and looking dazzled and amazed. She had never seen him happier, she noted to herself. Not even on their wedding day. He made love to her again that night in her cabin. She didn't expect him to be there when she woke up, so when he was, she was taken aback. He didn't even seem to have an inclination of leaving, and that meant more to her than he would ever know.

"You stayed?" she said.

"For now the urges have been satisfied," he said simply, scribbling away at a manuscript. "For some time they will be, I feel."

"What have you learned? About yourself? About your past?" she asked, sitting next to him.

He paused, considering her question, then turned to her again. "I have seven older sisters," he said. "Children of my mother, born to her of her first husband who was caught up in hunters' nets long ago and put to death. His scales and fins were harvested and his carcass thrown to the waves. The mermen were more desirable for such things. Their fins are more elaborate and decorative. Flashy displays meant to attract the eye of the mermaids in the same way a male bird's colourful feathers are designed to attract the attention of females." He surprised himself with his words, but as he'd spoken, the missing memories of his time in the sea had begun to return.

"What?" she asked, audibly worried.

He turned to her, hearing the concern in her voice, then rose and gently took her arms. "That was a long time ago, my love," he murmured. "It was after she lost him that she met my father and fell in love with him. I was conceived of their union. When she lost him as well, her world ended… The night she remembered him, she fled into the woods to go to the place of his death and mourn for him. The waves crashed against the sea cliff below, calling her, and she lost her will to resist them. She needed to return to her daughters. She threw herself from that place, falling into the sea and returning to her watery home." He paused, looking out the window, and his smile slowly fell. "I have yet to meet her again... My sisters told me she'd had every intention of coming back. She had found life and love again in me and the mortal man I called my father. Before she could, though, she learned that her youngest daughter had been caught up in the net of a fisherman, hauled aboard his ship, and stolen away. For longer than my sisters cared to tell me they and my mother had sought my sister. They found her but couldn't rescue her… Before they could tell me more, my grandfather's spell reached me and drew me back to shore."

Leah let out a long stream of air. "Wow," she whispered, overwhelmed by the news.

"I found my grandfather the next night when the call of the forest became too much to resist. I demanded an explanation and answers. He apologized but told me he could give me none. He told me that for the time being it was out of my hands and that I must wait for another day. He promised I would learn what it all meant soon. Since he would tell me no more about my mother, I asked about my father. The entire night I spent in his company and the company of the fairies, learning about my family history, and I returned satisfied, I'll say. Satisfied and secure in the knowledge that sooner than later I will learn where my lost sister is. With luck, I'll be able to act in her behalf as well."

Leah was quiet, taking this in. It all sounded so fantastical... She'd known this marriage would be difficult, especially given what he was, but she hadn't quite expected all of this either. She looked up at him, considering her situation, then smiled softly and stood on tiptoes, pressing her lips to his. It didn't matter in the end, she decided. They would navigate it as they always had. She would grow used to his comings and goings. She would learn to trust that he would be able to look after himself if things got bad.

But part of her was so scared he wouldn't…