It wasn't easy to keep her mind off of Add's task and his missing presence. (Y/n) knew Add well. He wouldn't have any trouble, and even if he did, he would be able to figure out a solution on the spot. Even so, she couldn't help but wonder when he'd get back and how long he had been gone.

        To keep her mind busy, (y/n) had begun to pack away things that she knew they wouldn't need over the next couple days. While they had talked, Add had mentioned wanting to go home as soon as possible to bother Raven and check on Dynamo. She was of a similar mindset as well. Even though they hadn't been in Eldemyr for very long and had planned to be gone for at about three months, (y/n) was ready to head home. She hadn't had many interactions with the elves that lived in the area, but she wasn't exactly that interested in them to begin with. This was supposed to strictly be a business trip.

        She never would have guessed that she'd ever actually visit Eldemyr herself. It had always been nice to dream about the place, but seeing it in person wasn't quite what she thought it would have been.

        (Y/n) sighed. "It's a shame. This place is so beautiful." She wondered what it would have been like to grow up here, but she quickly cut the thought short. "It doesn't matter. I don't want to really know. I already have a home and this isn't it." She abandoned her packing task to go downstairs for a snack. Just a couple hours had passed since Add left to put an end to the source of sickness. He hadn't given her any information about when he would return other than that he would be back without fail. That's why the knock (y/n) heard at the door before she reached the kitchen had her racing to open it.

        "Oh." Well, Ilphas certainly wasn't who she was expecting to see. (Y/n)'s expression brightened a bit when she saw Synn peeking out from behind her.

        "He's here to apologize to you." Ilphas pulled the boy out in front of her. "Isn't that right, Synn?" The young elf avoided her gaze, guilt apparent in his eyes. "We heard from the doctor that you were finally awake. I'm thankful to him and you for looking after this troublemaker."

        "Uh huh..." (y/n) blinked at Ilphas. "You're...being nice to me." The slight scowl she recieved made her laugh. "Sorry, I just didn't expect it."

        "I'm sorry too." Ilphas looked (y/n) in the eyes. "If the doctor hadn't been here, Synn would be dead right now. When I thanked him for it, he told me to thank you instead. That he only helped us because of you. He said quite a bit actually. " She furrowed her brows and gave Synn's shoulder a light pat. "Kassias lied right to my face when I came looking for Synn that night. He owes you his life."

        "You don't have to go that far," (y/n) said while shaking her head and waving her hands. "I'm glad Synn is okay too." She thought back to when the boy had asked her about the fairy in the garden. "It was my curiosity too that got us in that situation you know..."

        Ilphas tapped Synn's shoulder and nudged him forward. "I'm sorry for not listening to you or the doctor. I learned my lesson and I won't do it again, promise." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a familiar item. "Sael gave me permission to give this to you."

        "A charm." It didn't glow as bright during the day, and it was a different color entirely.

        "Sael's been holding on to it out of guilt for a while now," Ilphas began to explain. "I never knew your father, but Sael claims that he was still a good man somehow." She stopped herself and looked of to the side. "Sorry, that was rude of me to say. Uh, this was your father's charm." (Y/n) accepted the trinket from Synn. "No need for us to keep it, and you've already proven that you got what it takes to be worthy of it. Synn told me that you saw a fairy in the gardens. That's one of the highest honors you can receive here in Eldemyr. Getting your own fairy...I mean."

        (Y/n) was still looking at the beautiful gift. "Thank you, all of you. I really appreciate this." She smiled at it wondering more about the stories that went along with it. She would probably never know them.

        "We heard that you'll be leaving soon too, so think of it as a parting gift. Outsider or not, you are welcome here again any time. We're in your debt to you and the doctor." Ilphas and Synn both gave a slight nod. "May the wind guide your steps in the right direction." They left her there at the door with those final words. She waved after them before looking back down at the charm in her hand.

        "The wind huh." It rarely ever went out of its way to guide her anywhere. "I don't need the wind to do that," she mumbled with a smile. "I know exactly which way I'm going." As if reacting in defiance to her claim, the wind picked up from seemingly nowhere and blew right at her. It was strong enough to nearly push her over. "Hey!!" Her loud protest caught the attention of a few other passing elves, but they didn't appear to have been effected by any winds. "You're kidding. That was just a coinciden-"

        It happened again, this time with an even stronger gust. (Y/n) shielded her eyes and waited out the momentary gust. When she opened her eyes again, a familiar blond caught her eye. "Kassias?" The elf was walking towards her from down the road. "Just a coincidence," she told herself, but as Kassias got closer, the look on his face had her thinking otherwise. She watched him until he was within reasonable distance.

        "I can't go help him," (y/n) said before he even uttered a word.

        Kassias paused. "Whatever I saw in there was dangerous, (y/n). He told me to leave if he didn't come back in two hours. It could be that he needs your help afterall."

        "I trust him. Apparently, you don't." She narrowed her eyes at him. "You're following whatever path that others set for you, Kassias. Maybe you can't help it. Or it could be that you don't even mind it at all."

       "Pardon me?" He blinked at her.

       "I know what you did. Add told me what you really think." She crossed her arms. "The path I chose for my life is the one that I will follow even if you think otherwise. Maybe you should find a path of your own too. It's still not too late."

        Kassias stared for a moment before smiling at her. "Well said." He turned his back to head across the street but stopped. "I was never mistaken about you, (y/n). You are just like your father. Just not in the ways that I originally thought."

        (Y/n) didn't bother saying anything to him. Instead, she went back inside to get her snack and finish packing more of her and Add's things. Time passed rather slowly that way, one hour after another.

        "What if...he really does need my help?"

        (Y/n) stood in their temporary room holding on to the charm in her hands. The thought remained in her head for a little longer than she wanted it to and drowned out the others that told her everything was fine. She found herself walking downstairs to the door with nothing but the charm in hand. Her hand stopped before she actually opened it. The thought vanished along with her doubts. She took a few steps back from it and sighed.

        The door opened anyway. (Y/n) stood there in front of it, startled by the action but immediately relieved when it was Add that she saw standing there.

        "You didn't stand here the whole time, did you?" he asked with his head slightly tilted. He closed the door behind him while she continued to stare. "That isn't really what I thought you meant when you said that."

        (Y/n) stepped forward to hug him. "Welcome back."

        "I'm so tired," he admitted and leaned more of his weight onto her.

        "Then you should get some rest. I'll make dinner and and fix your hair for you too. It's a real mess," she said while sorting through the disheveled strands.

        "Oh...but I accidentally tore your cloak in a few places."

        "I'd rather the cloak tear than you." She let him go. "I'm proud of you, Add. You're amazing."

        Without warning, Add pulled her back towards him. "I told you not to say things like that so carelessly," he quietly spoke. A smirk found its way into his features. "All of these warnings and you still haven't learned."

        "They aren't said carelessly, Add." (Y/n) freed herself and cupped his face in her hands. "I mean what I say with all the care I could possibly gather." She began to grin at the way his face changed shades along with his ears. "You've accomplished something amazing today. We'll have a proper celebration when we get home."
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Until next time you astounding readers!