Later in the afternoon Sportacus's father took Loquia out to the lake to play in the water and maybe, if she wanted to, teach her to swim. They decided it best to keep her away from the main part of town as something might trigger an old memory. So far, she hadn't asked about the village and that was good, for the time being.
Sportacus came into Elena's room with all the old journals from Eturnu. "I was thinking, maybe Eturnu kept record of what happened when he went after those people who kidnapped Loquia all those years ago. Maybe there is something we can find that will help us."
"I hope so, because I'm not going to give up without a fight."
"Elena, you especially, have to remain calm. And believe me, this situation upsets me just as much, but you have to realize, the dark elves are not like us. They would take any sign of outburst as an insult. They are very proud elves."
"Surely you don't mean we should just let her go. We have to tell them how we feel and why."
"We will. But they are also a very logical race. If we do this right, we can succeed."
Elena sat back on her pillow, weepy. "I don't think I can hold that much in. This is too important."
Sportacus leaned closer and kissed her lips. "This is that important. Which is why we have to play it by their rules. I don't want to lose her either."
"Ok, ok." She sniffed and straightened up. "Let's do this. Give me a book."
As the day passed on, they continued thumbing through the books and were no closer to finding anything. Elena, frustrated, slammed the book she had, shut. Sportacus looked at her. He was feeling the hopelessness she was.
"We can't give up. There is always a way. I know there has to be something in one of these books."
There was a knock at the door and his mother came in. She saw the discouraged looks on their faces. "Still nothing?" Sportacus shook his head. "You two should take a break. Dinner will be ready in a while." She looked down then back at them. "Have you thought about what you're going to tell Loquia about the meeting tomorrow?"
Elena and Sportacus just looked at each other. They hadn't, but time was drawing near and they had to and very soon.
"We have to stay strong, for her."
Elena nodded. "You must be going stir crazy sitting all day. Why don't you go work out before Loquia gets back and after dinner we can...talk to her. Besides, I wouldn't want those elves seeing you soft around the middle." She poked him in the belly, playfully.
"Oh really?" He poked her back which turned into him tickling her, leading to a moment of tender kissing.
"Thank you."
"For what?" He asked.
"For being my hero. Now go and work out before you turn to pudding." She gave a weak smile.
He gave her a final kiss before going to work out. He needed to release some stress and this was the best way, he knew, to do it.
Sportacus worked out for an hour. During that time Loquia came back and ran up to Elena, who was in the family room flipping through the old books with Leanna.
"Mommy! I had fun in the water. I learned how to swim!"
"You did?"
"I put my head underwater and everything!"
"Oh, that's wonderful! You are so smart!" She hugged her warmly. She closed her eyes keeping her emotions in check. "Why don't we get you changed for dinner?"
"Are you all better?"
"Almost. Then I'll be fine for good." 'Unless I lose you.' She thought.
Sportacus was in his airship pushing his limits to the point of pain! He stepped on one of the circles and a ball came out and he was taking his frustration out on it. He had so much pent up energy and anger and anxiety, it was coming out now. He kicked the ball as hard as he could, several times. Then he gave it one swift kick, so hard, that it popped.
He stopped, sighed and picked up what was left of the ball. He had never felt this helpless before. "Door."
When the door completely opened, he saw his mother outside as he walked to the edge and sat down.
"So, do you feel better?" He looked at her. "I know when my son is upset. And Elena's feelings are spilling out."
"What do you mean?"
"She's an empath. Most of us have a gift. But we can feel her feelings. She's somehow unknowingly projecting them. We can sense it."
"Why can't Loquia?"
"Maybe Loquia has a natural ability to block it. I don't know. But, I know you both love that child very much and it's hurting you that they might take her." She sat down next to him and took his hand.
"In your while life, I don't think I've ever seen you filled with this much emotion. With this much love. But, I know what your father said is true. Destiny is not done with you yet."
"How can you be sure?"
"Everything happens for a reason. Elena being created and brought to you, her emotions, your grandfathers crystal of innocence being passed to you. The fact that the black elf wanted revenge on you, that she was absorbing Elena's life essence and her feelings. That you got her feelings to manifest and you found Loquia in all that. That you gave your crystal to her and she to Elena. The same crystal that brought her to life the first time and saved her the next, bonding the three of you.
My beautiful, wonderful, warm hearted, loving son. These are not coincidence. It is destiny. Even that you are here now. That Elena got sick and it brought you all here. I know it in my heart that something good will happen. I don't think this story has ended yet." Sportacus had tears in his eyes. His mother held him. "There is always a way. Isn't that what you say?"
He hugged his mother. "Thank you, mother. You always make me feel better."
"It's what a mother does. Now, you collect yourself and when you're ready, come to dinner before your father starts pulling bananas out of my ears."
Sportacus laughed. His mother went back to the house. He got up and went back inside the airship. Looking at the ball, he tossed it aside and sat down on the floor and meditated for a few minutes. He'd never been this frustrated before. He calmed himself, then let his mind and thoughts flow.
He was putting things back into perspective. Once he felt at one with himself again, he felt Elena's feelings. He understood what his mother was saying. She was like an emotional beacon.
When he finished, he headed in the house, feeling refreshed and like his old self again.
After dinner, Sportacus and Elena sat Loquia down to have a talk about the dark elves.
"Loquia. We need to talk to you about some people who are coming to meet you tomorrow." Elena started. "They are dark elves, like you."
"Why do they want to meet me?" She was starting to feel uneasy.
"Um, well," Sportacus was trying to formulate something in his mind. "Because you are from their clan."
"Are they going to take me away?" Tears were forming.
They didn't know how to answer that. Elena moved next to her and put her arm around her. "Do you want me to go?"
"No! No. We love you. We are doing everything we can to make sure you stay with us." Sportacus took her hand. "We're going to meet them and talk with them tomorrow afternoon. We wanted you to know."
Elena was trying very hard to hold in her emotions.
"I tell you what? Why don't I get you ready for bed and read you some bedtime stories my mother used to read to me? I even might have a few more bananas in my ear poppy can get out." He smiled when she did.
Elena got up and headed in the kitchen. "I'll be in soon. I have to get something." She didn't want Loquia to see her getting upset. She leaned against the wall wiping the tears her face. Sportacus's mother came up to her and offered a sympathetic shoulder. After a few minutes she looked her in the eye and spoke.
"Elena, I'm going to tell you something. You have to be brave, for her."
"I know. I'm just... I don't want to lose her."
"This is not over yet. Destiny is still playing its hand. You just have to believe for her sake."
"How can we tell her they might take her from us?"
"What you told her was fine. You have to control your emotions. I know it'll work out. I know it's hard, but remember, you're doing it for her. The more emotional you are, the harder it'll be for you to think. And the harder it will be for you to make a logical argument why she needs to stay with you. Can you do that?" Elena nodded. "Good. Now, dry your eyes and go be with your family."
"Thank you."
When Elena returned, she was feeling better. She joined Sportacus and listened to him tell a wonderful story about a magical horse who rode through rainbows, bringing colors to towns that had no color.
"One day, the horse had no more colors to give and was fading away. The last town the horse visited got word to all the other towns and everyone wanted to help. So, each town gave a color back to the horse, giving it enough energy to find a rainbow to fly though to deliver more colors to the world. Did you like that?" He asked.
She nodded. "Did the horse ever run out of colors again?"
"It never ran out again."
They hugged and kissed her goodnight and went back to their room to read through the books more thoroughly.
Elena's eyes were starting to droop. "I wish we could just call your grandfather on the phone and ask him what happened." She muttered, falling asleep with an open book on her lap.
Sportacus had a thought. He took out his crystal and held it. He concentrated on his grandfather. If there is anyway you can help us find what we need, please help us."
He just stared at his crystal. Nothing happened. "It was worth a try." About that time the door opened and Loquia entered the room and crawled into bed. Sportacus helped her up and put her between them. When she fell asleep he continued reading until he, himself, fell asleep.
The next morning Elena got up with Loquia and decided to let Sportacus sleep in a little while longer. Loquia tried to convince Elena to look for bananas in his ears but she said they should let him sleep for a bit before doing that.
They went outside and had a picnic breakfast. While outside Elena was worried, but remained calm and happy. Until she saw four figures approaching. Four dark elves.
"They weren't supposed to be here until this afternoon." Elena whispered. "Someone get Sportacus." Leanna took off to get him.
They all stood up, Loquia holding Elena's hand behind her. They walked up to them and bowed. Sportacus's parents bowed and Elena followed suit.
"We have come for the child."
'This was it.' Elena thought. 'Destiny, if you're gonna play your card, do it now.'