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“Well, very funny. I find your news to be worth more than a quick reply.” Alzerion cleared his throat and nodded. His mother was right. This was serious business, indeed. He bent down, picked up her bag and handed it to her. She fumbled for the strap and once found she draped it over her shoulder. Alzerion motioned for her to go ahead of him and she did. They moved away from where they sat and strolled through the tiny garden.
“Alzerion are you worried? I mean with the princess returning.”
He kicked at some of the grass as they moved about. “Oh, no. Well, I don’t know. Maybe I am. I-I, I’m just not sure yet. I hate being unsure of things.”
“You don’t think others will try to act against her, again, do you?”
Alzerion gazed at his mother with a fixed stare. Did she know about Ulbrick and his past actions? He couldn’t just ask her in case she did not. “Mother,” he cleared his throat. “What do you mean?”
“Well, if my memory is correct didn’t she have people trying to harm her?”
Alzerion sighed and nodded. “That is true. We will have to work to keep her safe. However, she does still have the necklace I gave her.”
Melinda’s face was scrunched up. He circled around so they could make their way back across the grassy area that they just came from. “Mother, I gave her The Lost Hope.”
“The necklace that has been in our family for ages?” Melinda paused. He could feel her eyes boring in, inspecting his very core.
“Yes. You said it could go to a girl of my choosing.”
“I know. It’s just that I was hoping it would go to my future daughter-in-law.”
“I know.” He swallowed. They were back into the heart of town. He waited for his mother’s words. He knew they were coming. She ambled toward Alzerion and they sat down on a bench that overlooked the markets.
Melinda patted his back. “Alzerion, I’m not mad. It’s just that, that necklace has magical properties. It’s special. What’s more, it has been in our family for a long time; passed down through the generations.”
He gulped and then gazed at his mother. “I didn’t know it was that important. I just felt that she should have it. I can’t think of anyone else I’d want to give it too.” He stared back down at the ground watching his feet rolling pebbles over one another.
Melinda lifted his chin up and he could see her clearly. She did not appear angry. Her face was calm. “Alzerion, well I sense that things will work out the way they are supposed to.” He nodded.
“You seem like there’s some burden on you. Are you sure that you’re not worried about the princess’ return?”
“No, but Aironell will need to adjust. I have to find the best way to help her, that’s all.” He broke his gaze. He stood up and started pacing and stroking his cheeks. “I find that I keep thinking about whether we are doing all that we can or is she being cooped up inside too much or—”
“Oh Alzerion,” her voice sounded light. He looked at her. Her eyes seemed like they were dancing. Her face beamed like she just won something.
He stopped and focused in on her. “What?”
“Honey, it all makes sense now.” She was practically bubbling in her seat.
He moved back and sat down next to her. “What makes sense?”
“Alzerion, when did these feelings start?”
Alzerion stared off for bit and then tilted his head back at his mother. “What do you mean?”
“How long have you been thinking about Aironell?”
“I’m always thinking about her safety…it’s my job.”
“I see,” Melinda grinned so much that he swore she might burst.
He folded his arms across his chest as he leaned back against the bench. His eyes narrowed at her. She seemed amused by something. All it did was spur a grimace as he sat. he waited to see if she would say more. But nothing came. Finally, he spoke with a sharp tone, “Mother, what is it? What do you see?”
“Oh, nothing. If you don’t understand it’s because you don’t want to,” she chuckled.
He squinted as he slowly took a breath. “Mother, Sometimes I think you’re so very cryptic.”
They sat side by side, staring off into the town for a little while when Alzerion felt a firm hand on his shoulder. He grabbed the hand, squeeze hard, as he stood up to face the newcomer. He relaxed his muscles when he realized it was Warren.
