The next two weeks were filled with joyful, small moments with Zephyr and Ilianna, who became a regular fixture in our home and in my life.
After our daily chores, we would take Ilianna around the fields, where she'd show us her favorite spots in the forest. We picked flowers, and Zephyr taught her how to catch butterflies without harming them. Playing with her was truly fun. Slowly, Zephyr and I grew closer. He revealed more and more new sides of himself, especially his deep, unexpected tenderness.
He was also true to his word and started teaching what he called basic martial arts to Ilianna. The training soon drew Alexander and his men, and then Eli and her group. By mid-week, it had become a lively daily event for most of the able-bodied people in the village.
The atmosphere lately was light and cheerful.
Zephyr, however, remained confused about his combat abilities—why he remembered how to fight, yet nothing personal. Granny offered a theory, of sorts.
"Have you ever heard of the Blessed of Ehlite?"
"I know Ehlite is a deity. I've heard him mentioned by several and treated with great reverence."
"Yes, he is a benevolent God," Granny said, enjoying the downtime and the sight of her people more lively. "He occasionally chooses amongst his creations and blesses them with miraculous, singular abilities from a very wide range."
I remembered this conversation from my own childhood. I sat near them, braiding Ilianna's hair. We had grown close; she still only initiated conversations with Zephyr, but she let me touch her and answered my questions more often.
Eli, not far from us, watched with what looked like amusement in her eyes. Ilianna still refused to talk to Eli, let alone be held by her, and since the girl had essentially become Zephyr's daughter, it was clearly hard on Eleanor. Yet lately, my sister seemed more like her old, spirited self.
"Lady Vistellia, I'm not sure how that is related to my missing memories," Zephyr admitted, unconvinced.
"I believe you might have been attacked by such a person. I don't think it was physical, though; the river is responsible for those injuries," Granny mused. "I think whoever this person or persons are, they might have stolen... some of your selected memories, such as your name and personal history."
To me, that sounded far-fetched. I thought him hitting his head on the riverbed was still the most plausible explanation.
"My Lady, even if that's true, why would anyone bother with such a thing instead of just killing me outright?" Zephyr asked.
"Exactly, Granny. Going to all that trouble just to push him into a river that spans over a thousand miles... what kind of an idiot would do that?" I added, drawing smiles from Zephyr and Ilianna. We had more and more moments like this, and every time it happened, I felt lighter and sought out his gaze.
"It's just a theory," Granny dismissed, tossing a piece of grass toward Ilianna and Zephyr. "I suppose your martial skills can be attributed to years of repetition—they surface now like a reflex. You seem trained with the sword and spear as well..."
"But he reeked with the bow and arrow," I corrected, aiming an imaginary bow right at him. "I'm a much better shot, and soon little Ilianna will be too, aren't you, sweetie?"
"Hmm... Zephyr will teach me," Ilianna mumbled sleepily.
That's not exactly what I meant, but close enough.
"Anyway, your martial arts seem popular." Granny nodded toward Alexander and the many others practicing the kicks he'd been teaching them. "Almost all the able-bodied men in the village are here. How are you feeling, son? Any definitive thoughts about your future?"
She has done it now. GRANNY!
It's too soon. What if he sa—
"I believe it might be right here in Emet."
"You decided to stay?!" I blurted out, unable to catch myself, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
"Zephyr, is that true? You want to call our humble village home?" I heard Alexander's familiar voice behind me, quick to force his own question.
He smiled and called Ilianna closer. She quickly abandoned me and took her place back in his lap.
"It's true, I mean, if you'll have me. There's a lot to love in your 'humble' village, Alex." He looked at various people—Granny, Ilianna, and even me—with a genuinely charming smile.
"Of course we will, son. You've already given us a great deal, and from the looks of it..." Granny reached over and pinched Ilianna's cheek playfully. "...there's at least one little lady who wouldn't let you leave now." Granny squeezed his shoulder.
"Welcome to your home, Zephyr." Granny looked satisfied, then turned back to him. "We need a last name for you. Any ideas?"
He paused for only a second, then turned to Ilianna. "Love, what do you think? Anything good come to mind?" He nudged her head with his chin.
She looked up at him and whispered her own last name: "Astoria... Zephyr Astoria."
A strange silence fell over the almost forty adults and children gathered. The village had come to love Zephyr and Ilianna; they fit well together. Taking her family name as his own carried a profound meaning.
We all watched to see if he accepted it and all the responsibility that came with it. Demelza and Alexander waited with gentle smiles.
Zephyr slowly smiled down at her, then looked at Demelza. "Is this truly okay with you two?"
Demelza just nodded, her eyes teary but beaming. Alexander looked like a man who knew this was inevitable. "If it makes you both happy, brother, I'm all for it." He pulled his wife closer.
I guessed it had been hard on them both. They wanted to be there for Ilianna, but it wasn't their fault she chose her own family. At least she had chosen well.
"Thank you, both of you." Zephyr sighed, looking visibly lighter.
He got up with Ilianna in his arms. Most of us came closer, surrounding the new family formed that day.
"It is my great honor to introduce the newest member of our village: Zephyr Astoria and his daughter, Ilianna!" Granny addressed those gathered, giving the new father and daughter her best smile.
"Congratulations, Zephyr, and to you, little one. Welcome!"
The surrounding people cheered after Granny's official introduction. With everyone rushing to shake his hand and congratulate him, I couldn't get close, but watching was enough. They both looked radiantly happy; even Ilianna smiled through her tears at the strangers congratulating her.
"It's hard to believe he's only been here a few weeks and already gained a five-year-old daughter," a voice I had missed a lot lately said from behind me.
Eli came to my side. She was speaking facts. I couldn't believe this winter, with Ehlite's help, I might gain a whole family and a new name. We were still far from it, of course, but the last weeks had not only made me realize how much I wanted him to be mine, but made me grateful for my previous decisions to refuse all those who came before him. It felt like fate.
I no longer cared if those who also wanted him experienced heartbreak, even if Eli happened to be one of them. For me to win, everyone else needed to lose. Yet, I was most grateful for my grandmother; if not for her words, who knows? Maybe Eli would already be standing right next to him and Ilianna.
"It was meant to be... you finding him, his ending up in our house. It was all leading to this moment," I said, crossing my arms and looking at the happy Astoria family. "Look at them. It's not hard to believe if you witnessed it all."
"You've changed, Lylly... in a good way."
I looked at her, surprised. We hadn't been on the best terms lately. We weren't hostile, but we talked less, and I had truly missed those talks.
"You always had this... tense, slightly guarded look in your eyes. Even with Zephyr. He was no different when we found him," she said, nudging my side playfully. "Since then, that tension slowly dissolved. Now you look like any other girl in love."
"You're right. I wasn't sure before, but now I am," I admitted. There was no point in hiding the obvious. I had joined the competition late. "I'm sorry, Eli. I know you must be hurting and thinking I'm selfish once again..."
She shut me up with a sudden hug. My planned apology evaporated.
"I'm happy for you, Lylly. I wish you and him the best. Besides, Lyll," she leaned back to look into my already tearful eyes. "I'm young anyway. It just means I can excuse myself from a couple of winter festivals. It worked well for my big sister... You will be a great wife and mother one day."
I felt tears roll down my cheeks, landing in her hair. I squeezed her so hard I was afraid I would break her. I couldn't believe how much I needed to hear those words, and how good it felt to have my sister supporting me. We stood there, hugging for a long time.
Ehlite, please let what she said now be a prophecy.