As I emerged from the depths of the ocean, my thoughts were a chaotic swirl of fear, regret, and a desperate hope. I had searched every corner of the land, turned over every stone, and sought out every magical being I knew. Yet, I had found no sign of my daughter, no trace of her presence.
It wasn't until I returned to my chamber, defeated and weary, that I noticed the signs—small but unmistakable—that led me to the truth. The loose lids, the missing ingredients, and the careful notes I had always kept. The realization struck me like a lightning bolt: Leola had made a gill potion. She had gone to the one place I hadn't thought to search—the ocean.
And now, here I was, deep beneath the waves, guided by the whispers of the sea's ancient inhabitants. They spoke of a young elf who wandered the ocean floor, her sadness as deep as the waters she now called home. They led me to a hidden cave, shrouded in darkness, where they said she could often be found.
I approached the cave, my heart sang as I saw her. Leola. My little girl, curled up on the ground, her drawing materials scattered around her like fallen leaves. She was asleep, her face calm but streaked with the remnants of tears. The sight of her, so small and vulnerable, broke something inside me. How could I have let it come to this?
I knelt beside her, my movements careful and deliberate. I didn't want to startle her, didn't want to shatter the fragile peace she seemed to have found. For a moment, I simply watched her, taking in every detail of her face, committing it to memory as if she might slip away again. Then, with a voice that trembled with emotion, I began to hum her favorite lullaby. The one I used to sing to her when she was just a baby, when all the troubles of the world could be chased away with a simple melody.
The soft sound filled the cave, echoing off the walls and wrapping around us like a warm embrace. Leola stirred, her body shifting as if she was trying to wake up, but she remained asleep. I kept singing, my voice growing stronger, pouring all the love I felt for her into the melody. This was the only way I knew how to reach her, to remind her that she was not alone.
" Don't you cry, go to sleep my little baby"the melody came out of me, there was pain but also relief in my voice as it echoes through the cave.
As I sang, I gently gathered her into my arms, cradling her against my chest as if she were still the tiny infant I used to rock her to sleep.
She nestled into me, her small body relaxing in my embrace, her hand clutching at my tunic as if to keep herself grounded. The sight of her, so trusting and vulnerable, made my heart ache with love and regret.
I rocked her gently, my voice never faltering, the lullaby a balm for both our souls. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, the familiar melody pulling her from the depths of sleep. She looked up at me, her eyes wide and filled with wonder, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Finally,"she whispered, her voice soft and dreamy."I'm dreaming of my papa… He would never come for me, but in my dreams, he will."
Her words shattered me, and I couldn't hold back the sobs that shook my body. Tears streamed down my face as I clutched her tighter, my voice breaking as I spoke."Leola, you're not dreaming,"I choked out, my voice thick with emotion."I'm here. I would search forever for you. You're my baby girl, my princess… I love you so much."
Leola blinked, the fog of sleep lifting from her mind as she processed my words. She backed away slightly, looking up at me with wide, teary eyes."Daddy, but… did you come to scold me?"
I shook my head, my tears mingling with the water around us."No, my love. I came to take you home."
At my words, her resolve crumbled, and she threw her arms around my neck, sobbing into my shoulder. I held her close, my hand stroking her hair as I whispered soothing words into her ear, my heart breaking for all the pain she had endured.
"I'm so sorry, Daddy,"she cried, her voice muffled against my tunic."I didn't mean to hurt you. I just didn't want to make things worse."
"You could never make things worse,"I said, my voice gentle but firm.
"The only thing that hurts me is losing you. We'll work through this together, I promise."
" But please, Leola, never run away from me again. We can face anything as long as we're together."I said holding her tighter as tears escape silently.
She nodded against me, her tears slowly subsiding as she found comfort in my embrace."I promise, Daddy."
A wave of relief washed over me, and I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, holding her close as if I could protect her from the world."That's all I need to hear, my love. Let's go home."
With Leola safely in my arms, I began the journey back to the surface, the darkness of the ocean lifting as we ascended. The path ahead was still uncertain, but with her by my side, I knew we could face it together, stronger than before. And I vowed, with every fiber of my being, that I would never let her feel alone again.