Last Call

There was no reason for Aklia's tears. But lately, they'd been pouring more and more. The headaches she got from them were excruciating, but there was no medicine for them. She was a young and lithe elf, and extremely tall for her age. She was only 50 years old. In human years, this was quite old, but Aklia had not even seen her first century, and by elf years, that was very young. Her long legs pushed her to great lengths when she ran and her lengthy fingers helped her with many things that other elves could not do. Her blond hair (typical of her race) went down past her waist. She never pulled it back, loving the way it streamed out behind her whenever she ran throught the forest. Her eyes, almond shaped and glittering, were a bright green and seemed to pierce everyone she looked at. It was not a fierce way of looking at someone, but it was gentle, kind and full of love and understanding. 1

In the human world, elves were know to be strong, emotionally and physically. This was the reason that Aklia never showed her tears to anyone. She always made sure she was alone whenever she let them flow down her high cheekbones and sharp chin. Physically, though, she was perfectly capable of doing everything any other elf her age could do. 2

These tears, she could find no end and no reason to them. They always seemed to be there, brimming to the edge of her eyelids, just waiting for the signal to fall over. She decided that the reason was because life was difficult. When she was only 28, Aklia had fallen in love with another elf, Dakaiu, who was 34. They had had something very serious, and she wondered what had even happened that they had left eachother. They had almost been to the point of marriage when Dakaiu had said, "Aklia, my dear, I can't be with you any longer. I have to leave our village here and go find a place where I belong." She hadn't understood what he meant.3

"But, Dakaiu... you belong here," she said, place his hand on her heart. "I love you. What do you mean, find a place where you belong?" she asked, so confused.4

"I don't belong here, and I don't belong here, either," he replied, taking his hand from her. "I love you, as well, but I need change, and you can't provide that for me." It was such a harsh way to say it, that Aklia had broken down in tears in front of him. She had been ashamed and her cheeks colored five shades darker. 5

"I am sorry, that I can't be change, and if that is truly your reason for leaving, then you don't love me," was the last thing she said before turning away. 6

"Then so be it," Dakaiu said, a dark tone coloring his voice. "If I've hurt you, I can't help you. I'm sorry." With that, he turned and left her standing there alone, going to his home. She saw him come out ten minutes later with a pack over his shoulder. When he saw her still standing there, he turned in the opposite direction and she never saw him again.7

That part of her life was hard. She never wanted to experience it again, so she had shunned herself from ever falling in love with another man. That was 22 years ago. She would never forget the pain she felt that day. And she knew that her tears were not from Dakaiu walking away. She knew in her heart that she had never truly loved him. Not enough. 8

But today was different. Her tears fell for a reason. Aklia shook her head, returning from that horrible memory. The reason for the wet on her cheeks, was because she had fallen in love again. And this one was different. He had never left her side. Not unless he had to go out and do some errands. Ergetin was a wonderful man. He loved her for her, and not for how she looked. He truly cared for her and wanted nothing more than to be with her. Aklia had no idea how this came to be. 9

Ergetin had come to her home one day, looking to help someone. She loved this about him. He was always looking for ways to serve another. He really wanted to take care of the plants outside, or clean inside. Sometimes, he was able to watch the young elves while the mother or father went away on some errand in the village. That day he came to Aklia's house, she had opened the door, not a trace of a smile or happiness on her face. When she saw Ergetin, though, something inside her turned on. There was something different about this elf. She let him in and told him that she had been working on cleaning the house, but that he could go out in the back and sing to the trees and plants. He had looked at her like she was crazy for just an instant, but then understood. Aklia loved plants, and singing to them was her way of helping the grow. All elves loved life, and they sometimes sang to the plants, twisting them into shapes with their words. Most of the houses and other buildings were made in the tree trunks or from bushes and other plants. To have Ergetin sing to them would be a great help to her, even though she wanted to do it herself. She would sing to them later, though, just because she loved to. 10

Aklia was busy scrubbing the wooden stairs when she heard his voice. It was clear, a deep bass voice. Just the sound mesmerized her. But the words were far better. It was a lullaby she had never heard before:11

I sing for thee
Ever so lovingly.
I sing to thee
Wishing to win your heart.12

Please grow and be strong,
For you are here for me.
I need you in my arms,
To keep me breathing.13

I sing for thee
Ever so lovingly.
I wish to thee
That you will love me.14

Take me close to you
And show your love for me.
I have always loved thee
And that is why I sing for thee.15

It had the most beautiful melody, and Aklia found herself staring out the window. Ergetin's back was to her. He went on humming to himself. Once she got the melody down in her head, she went back to work. Thoughtlessly, she sang his words, not knowing he had stopped humming, listening carefully to her voice. Then she added her own stanzas:16

I sing for thee
Ever so lovingly.
I hope you know
I need you too.17

I am growing strong
Because I'm here for you.
I need you as well
To keep my heart beating.18

I sing for thee
Ever so lovingly.
I want you to know
I love you, too.19

I'll bring you close
And cherish you forever.
I have always loved thee
And that is why I sing for thee.20

Aklia stopped, surprised by the words coming from her own mouth. That was when she noticed that Ergetin had stopped humming. Her cheeks grew warm. She hoped he hadn't heard her. She turned towards the window, trying to will him to still be in the middle of the yard. He was right there, staring at her with his big brown eyes. His pointed ears went upward as his mouth formed a perfect smile. His brown hair went down to the middle of his back and was pulled back in a half ponytail. His face was charming, and Aklia's face turned bright red when she realized he'd been standing there the whole time she had been singing. 21

The smile that pulled at the corners of Ergetin's mouth was ready to burst through when Aklia turned around and went back to her cleaning. She didn't know what to say, and she didn't want to be facing him when he started laughing. She immediately felt horrible for singing, especially singing the words she had said. She had sworn to herself that she would never fall in love again, and here she was, singing to some random person she hardly even knew. The only thing she knew about him was that his name was Ergetin, he was extremely handsome, even for an elf, his voice was sweet and gentle, like honey. There was no way she was going to fall in love with this guy, or anyone else! At least, that's what she kept saying to herself.22

Aklia turned her head slightly when she felt that she was being watched. Sure enough, Ergetin was still there, staring at her. His big eyes pierced her, but it was soft. Those eyes were filled with love, passion, joy and happiness. She was immediately captivated by his face. She couldn't look away. There was no smile on his face; he was just sitting there, staring at her, marveling at how she moved, and bringing in everything about her. The way she carried herself was something he'd never seen before. It was extremely graceful, especially for an elf. But she wasn't showing herself off, saying "Look at me, I'm beautiful," the way the other elf maidens did. She was just there, and it made her the most beautiful of them all because she was completely oblivious to the fact that she turned more than a few of the male's heads. 23

When Ergetin saw that she was staring at him, with a bewildered look on her face, he smiled a charming crooked smile at her. That right there is what stole Aklia's heart. She could hardly breathe as she looked him in the eyes, staring at him for what seemed like hours. Her heart was beating wildly, and her legs started to shake uncontrollably. She couldn't hardly catch her breath, and her stomach was doing it's gymnastics routine. She sat down on the step she was standing on, not realizing she'd even stood up. Those eyes never left hers. Not until he turned and she was released from the spell. But he returned a few seconds later, coming through the door. He slowly, elegently walked towards her, barely making a sound. He sat down next to her, and asked, "You seem to have caught my eye, Miss. And I couldn't help but noticed, it seemed to make you a bit weak in the knees." He smiled that crooked smile again, setting her body off to go crazy once more. 24

"But, you seem to not know why that is," she replied, hardly wanting to look at him. She loved this feeling of being in the clouds, but didn't want to rush into anything if it meant love. 25

Ergetin looked startled by her statement. "Well, Miss, no. I don't know exactly why that is, but I could take a guess at it." 26

"Well, first, my name is Aklia, and if you'd like to guess, go ahead," she said, flashing him a tiny smile, surprising herself.27

"How many guesses do I get? I have to make it good if I only get one."28

"Well, since I don't think you'll get it, you can have three or four," she said sweetly.29

"Okay, that gives me more choices," he said heart-warmingly. "Let me think for a minute." He put his hands down by his sides, his left one very close to her right hand.30

"Okay," she said, hardly daring to breathe. She hoped he couldn't hear her heart, as wildly and loudly as it was. She couldn't be entirely sure because elves have excellent hearing, but she didn't think he could, fortunately for her.31

"Was it my singing?" 32

"No, although you have a beautiful voice." Again, Aklia had surprised herself at her daring.33

"Why thank you. I'm flattered. Hardly anyone thinks so."34

"Well, do you sing often?"35

He sighed before answering, "No, so I guess that's why."36

"You should sing more often." 37

He looked at her, wondering what she meant by that. He hoped it meant he wanted him to come and sing to her plants a lot more, but Aklia was a woman he had difficulty reading, unlike the others. "I think you have a beautiful voice, as well. It's why I stopped."38

"Ummm, next guess?" she said, kind of uncomfortable with where she thought he might be going with this. 39

"Well, was it my eyes?" he asked, seeming very humble, but at the same time, knowing that his eyes were beautiful.40

"That's part of it," Aklia answered. "Use the last guess to figure out the rest of it."41

"Well, now, if it was my eyes, the other part has to be something from my face... Am I right?" he asked, those wonderful eyes sparkling again.42

"Yes."43

"My smile?"44

"Yes," she whispered. Once again, she was caught up in how beautiful he was. His hair was falling over is shoulders, and shining extraordinarily in the light, shining through the leaves that was the roof of Aklia's home. He smiled that crooked smile that left her legs shanking uncontrollably when she was standing, and her heart and stomach dancing wildly together in her throat.45

"Really?" Ergetin asked in a low, honey-suckle-sweet voice. His face was getting awfully close to hers, and her heart pounded even louder. She couldn't speak, so instead, she just nodded. Her long hair glinted in the sunlight as it fell into her face when she looked down, embarrassed by how long she had been staring at him. 46

He gently lifted a hand and pushed it away, tucking it behind her pointed ears. "You have gorgeous eyes as well, and your smile seems to have caught me off guard, too." She looked up at him again, staring into those wondrous eyes. They were like liquid, and twinkled like the stars in the sky. She couldn't help but notice that look of affection that was there again.47

"You sure you aren't seeing things?" she finally said, breaking into laughter. 48

"Wellllll," he said, dragging out the word. She fought the urge to slap him playfully, but put on a horrified expression instead. He laughed. "I'm kidding! You really do have astounding eyes and a splendiferous smile." He was still laughing. She loved the sound of it. It was a low, booming laugh. A nice bass, like his voice. 49

She laughed with him, but for a different reason. "What is splediferous?!" she giggled softly. "Who uses that word?" she couldn't keep a straight face.50

"It means amazing, or wonderful, or miraculous, or any words of that same definition." 51

Aklia was amazed to see that she was getting along very nicely with him. She could hardly believe she was falling for someone again. "How old are you?" she asked.52

"I'm almost 79. My birthday is in the fall," he said it like he loved life, and lived it to the fullest. Most elves did, but she had never heard them say this with such passion. He seemed to love it way more than anyone else she'd known. He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Would it be rude for me to ask how old you are?"53

Aklia was taken aback. She had never met anyone with such manners as to ask if it was rude to ask someone's age, even when they were getting to know the person. Immediately, she felt a tug on her heart, as if it wanted to tell her that this was the one for her. "Of course not," she said. "I am almost 51. My birthday is in the winter." 54

"I love winter," he said, smiling. He loved to smile, she thought. When did he ever stop?55

"I do, too, but I love fall more. The colors are absolutely beautiful when they change." She grinned at him. 56

"Well that's good." He went quiet again, studying her face, and as he did, his face slowly crept closer to hers.57

Her breathing sped up as she realized that she was moving towards him, too. She was puzzled at the feelings she was having towards him. He was absolutely remarkable and she wanted to spend forever with him. Their lips met in a soft and gentle kiss. Her eyes closed and she just reveled in the moment. It lasted for more than a few seconds. When it ended, she kept her eyes closed and smiled, not wanting it to end. As she opened her eyes, she realized that Ergetin was still only a few inches away from her face. She leaned her forehead against his and wrapped her arms around his neck. He was sitting on the step above her so her just put his hands on her neck, feeling her pulse. He kept his eyes shut as well, and remembered how it felt.58

He pulled away, looking at her as he did. She was staring at him with those big blue eyes and her smile lit up her whole face. So he kissed her again, this time more belligerently. This one lasted longer, and he didn't care that he heard the front door open. He pulled back again, and looked into her eyes once more. They were full of curiosity. But she didn't say a word. He could see the love and care she felt for him in her eyes. He turned his head to see Aklia's twin sister Arkenna staring at them. Her mouth was turned up in a grin and she looked very happy. "Hello," she said. "Aklia, who is this?" She turned to her sister. 59

"This is Ergetin. We just met... today," she said, adding the word so softly that only Ergetin heard her. He turned and smiled at her. He could hardly believe that it was today that they had met. But he was thankful that he had even met her at all. She was the girl of his dreams, and now she had a face. 60

"Oh," Arkenna murmured, and went into the other room.61

"Well, now, that was something," he breathed, referring to the kiss. 62

"Yes, it was." Aklia looked up at him in awe. "You seemed to have captured my heart..."63

Ergetin looked mildly surprised. "I have? Well that's something. You have done the same with my own." Looked at her lovingly and bent down to kiss her again, pulling her towards him with his hands placed gently around her neck. He stopped only momentarily to pull her to a standing position so her could fully wrap his arms around her. Her arms went around his neck, and she threw herself into this special moment...64

That was a few months ago. Today was Aklia's 51st birthday. When she woke up, she smelled flowers next to her bed, and felt him standing next to her. She opened her eyes to see him smiling down at her. "Hey baby," he whispered. "Happy birthday." 65

"Thank you," she said. "What are we doing today?" 66

"Now, how about you get up and dress yourself. When you're finished with that, look out the window and then come downstairs." 67

He bent and kissed her on the cheek, then turned at left the room.
She hurridly put on one of her elven outfits, then looked out the window. She gasped in astonishment. There were to perfectly white stallions standing in the yard. Neither wore anything but the rope bridle over their heads.68

Aklia flew down the stairs and into the kitchen where she found Ergetin fixing her breakfast. "Well, that was quick!" he exclaimed.69

"Well, I'm excited. Thank you for everything," she said, breathlessly. She went up on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "Mmmmm..." She kissed him again, this time with a little more feeling so that he had to put down what he was doing to focus on her. When she stopped, he kept his hand around the back of her head and let her go back to look at him once with a smile, then pulled her back, kissing her again. He loved this part of the day. But today was much better.70

"So, to answer your question of what we're doing today, we're going horseback riding down along the river and we're going to have a picnic, as well," he said, smiling that crooked smile. 71

"Good. I love to be outside. Even if it is a little cold. But the sun is shining today, and the snow is beautiful!" She laughed, happy with how her life had turned out.72

"Why yes it is. It looks like the heavens but a fleece blanket over the world. And it truly is the most beautiful thing I've ever set my eyes one... Except for you..." He wasn't looking out at the snow, and when she turned back to him, she saw he was staring at her. His eyes were so alluring that they always caught her by surprise. She was always trying to catch her breath around him. 73

"Well, let's eat!" she exclaimed. "I want to go outside, and let the horses run with joy!" 74

"You are so fun in the morning," Ergetin whispered. "I can't understand why anyone would have a hard time loving you." That took Aklia by surprise. Did he just hint that he loved her? He had never spoken those words before, but had said that he wanted to spend forever with her. They had talked about marriage a couple months back, but never anything serious. 75

"Why thank you..." she smiled shyly and took some fruit from the bowl next to him. "When can we leave?" She was so eager to get out and spend time with him and nature.76

"As soon as you're done eating." She popped another grape in her mouth then ate a few slices of the apple on the table. Then she proceeded to eat a peach.77

"Okay, let's go, I'm done," she said, still chewing. 78

"You didn't have to inhale!" Ergetin said. She was always eating hurridly because she so loved to be outdoors. "But let's go."79

They walked out the door hand in hand and mounted their steeds. "I'll race you!" Aklia called over her shoulder, already urging the stallion into a gallop. She always bet him, but loved the exhilerating feeling of running. She leaned down over the horses withers, letting his mane whip her face. "Come on! Let's go fast! Let the wind carry you, Rodentro!" she yelled to her horse. 80

Ergetin spurred his ride after the elf he knew he loved. "Hey, this is where we're stopping, Aklia!" he shouted into the wind after about ten minutes. He saw Aklia pulled back gently on the reins and turn back around. By the time she got to him, he was dismounting. When she stopped next to him, he dropped his reins and went over to offer his hand to help her down. She only looked down at him and smiled. Shaking her head, she stood up on the back of the saddle and lightly jumped to the ground behind him. She grabbed his shoulders, and, turning him around, pulled him closer to her. When he was facing her, she planted a kiss on his forehead. She let go and took the picnic basket from her horses back. They grabbed eachother's hands and walked down to the river bank, where they sat close together on a blanket. She leaned her head on his should as they stared at everything around them, enjoying Mother Nature. 81

"Aklia," Ergetin said quietly. "I need to tell you something I've been wanting to say for a long time." She felt him turn his head to look down at her smooth face. 82

"Okay..." she answered, putting her guard up, not knowing what to expect. 83

"Well, from the day I met you, and I heard you singing those last verses that you made up from listening to me, I've always felt strongly towards you," he said. He hesitated before continuing. "I have always thought you to be so beautiful and amazing. But it's not your looks that pulled my heart towards yours." He paused and concentrated on breathing so he wouldn't freak out too much. "What I'm trying to say, is that you've always been something to me. Ever since I first set eyes on you, I knew you'd be a big part of my life. I knew you were important. And because you are the sweet, gorgeous amazing person that you are, I love you..." Aklia's breath caught in her chest. This was the first time he had said those three words. She took his hand in hers, and just stared into his eyes. 84

"Well, you are in luck." She smiled warmly at him. "I love you, as well, Ergetin." She whispered the words and she saw his smile grow wider and wider as he processed what she said. He could hardly believe that the woman he loved, loved him back. He couldn't even begin to express his joy, so he suddenly stood up, and ran to the very edge of the river bank. 85

"AAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!" he yelled as loud as he could. That was the only way he could think of to let out his joy that filled him to the brim. "SHE LOVES ME!!!" 86

Aklia just smiled to herself as she got up and walked over to him, wrapping her long skinny arms around his waist from behind. He put his hands over hers and whispered, "I love you, Aklia. I always will." He slowly pulled her around to the front of him and pulled her back over the their picnic. He reached into the basket and pulled something out. He hid it in his fist, making sure she couldn't see what it was. Then, he took her back to the river, and gently led her into a grove of trees that made a perfect circle. He brushed the snow off of a branch, and asked Aklia to sit down. 87

"Now, I already made my speech, so I'll just do this quickly," he explained. He went down on one knee and took her hand in his. "You are my one and only love. I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you. I would like to ask you, Aklia, Daughter of Trathius, if you would take my hand and spend the rest of your life with me as your companion?" He let go of her hand and took a silver necklace from his fist. The pendant on it was a silver heart with beautiful engravings all around it and two diamonds, both surrounded by sapphires. She gasped and slowly nodded her head as he took it and clasped it around her neck. She grabbed his hands and pulled him up to her level. She looked deep into his eyes and leaned towards him. They shared a long and sweet kiss, one like they'd never shared before. ***this is taking forever***