26 Acceptance and Peace

Sarah led them to the edge of a creek, not far off from the ranch house, in clear sight of the meadow and the massive horse barn. There was a small group playing soccer in the open field, and a couple were tossing a flying disc back and forth.

They picked through the rocks down to the water's edge. Finding a sandy spot, Sarah stopped and pulled a blanket from the basket. As she laid out the blanket, Elloreah drew Maggie down towards the water, a cluster of flowers they'd picked on their way through the meadow clutched in the woman's hand.

Elloreah knelt, taking one flower and dropping it gently into the water. "Time flows like water, washing our wounds, moving us ever on." She looked up at Maggie expectantly. "We must not dwell on the past, lest we grow stagnant."

Though she was trying to sooth Maggie's heart ache, the words weren't meant for Maggie alone. Though she might cling to the hope of returning to her world, her people, Elloreah knew she must come to terms with the fact that she could be in this world indefinitely. She would have to accept her place.

She'd fought in the past. Fought against the world, hoping to be more. She'd rebelled against her father, had gone to the front lines to train. All that had gotten her was a grave injury that put her at risk of being revealed. The illness that had followed had eaten away at her resolve, her strength, it had all but broken her.

Acceptance and peace was her hope now.

Maggie nodded, blinking tearfully and dropped a flower into the flowing, cool, clear water. "I hope you have found peace, Jacob," she choked out.

Elloreah smiled sadly, staring into the water. She dropped another flower into the water after a moment. "May we all find peace," she murmured.

"Even those who wronged us," Maggie added, painfully. "For hearts willing to do such things are truly lost..."

Elloreah could sense that what Maggie had said was not empty sentiments. She truly wished for peace and forgiveness for the men that had wronged her.

Elloreah sighed at that, knowing the end that they had likely met at the hands, no, teeth and claws of a kelpie and wolf.

"Would you like to say something more?" Elloreah asked after a long moment. "You have flowers left."

Maggie only shook her head, glancing down at the wilted wildflower bouquet still clutched in her hand. She stepped back from Elloreah and went down to the water's edge, tossing the flowers in, one by one. Elloreah approached only after the last of the flowers had drifted far out of sight.

"Sarah is waiting," Elloreah urged, putting a hand on Maggie's shoulder. "You should eat."

Maggie only shook her head. "No appetite, but I will join you."

Elloreah settled down on the blanket, and Maggie followed after.

"This is one of John's favorite places," Sarah told them. "He loves the water. There are few areas quite so lush in these mountains. These springs, marshes, creeks, meadows, are all green and vibrant. So many areas outside of his lands are hit by droughts, brown and fading by midsummer."

"It is lovely," Elloreah said. "The lands of Zephyr Ranch remind me of my homeland, more so than the surrounding forests. What I saw was so dry, dusty and harsh."

Sarah smiled. "It's worse this time of year, and growing worse as the waters are diverted for farms." There was more to that story, Elloreah realized, but didn't know the right question to ask.

Sarah just shook her head sadly. Clearly lost in thought she turned her attention to the basket, producing a hunk of cheese, a small loaf of bread and a large bunch of grapes. A bottle of wine followed.

"Listen," Sarah said, slicing the bread and cheese on the small wooden block. "Don't let what John and Mingan said get to you. They're territorial and have been at each other's throats more times than I care to count. I assure you, it is certainly resolved by now."

She handed Elloreah a thick slice of bread and cheese. Elloreah took it, though she wasn't particularly hungry. Maggie shook her head at the offering, deciding instead to lay down on the blanket.

"What worries me more is what Mingan intends for me. This Alistair..."

Sarah nodded and took a big bite of her own bread. "Alistair is a sore spot for them both."

"Then why do they both seem so intent on sending me to him?" Elloreah said softly.

Maggie lifted her head at this. "You are leaving?"

Elloreah nodded. "I am afraid so. I have business to attend to, though I do not entirely understand it myself."

Sarah laughed lightly. "Not to worry, until Mingan recovers, you will be staying here."

"Can you be so sure?" Elloreah snapped. "He made it clear I am nothing but a job, an inconvenience. At best, a tool..."

"He will not let you go alone, Elloreah. Not now. Not even if Lokni and Hayeta returned for you."

Elloreah shook her head, still bitter over the exchange before they'd left. She felt strongly for him, even though she'd known him briefly. There was something there, but he gave her reason to doubt the feeling was at all mutual. "I find it hard to believe he would hesitate to send me off at the first opportunity."

"I hope not," muttered Maggie. "I'm not ready for you to leave."

"Nor am I ready to go," Elloreah murmured. In a way, it was nothing but a platitude. She yearned to learn more. Going to Alistair would give her answers. She had all but lost hope in going home, both Mingan and John were convinced it was impossible.

"Mingan does not think very highly of Alistair," she said, voicing the next that came to mind.

"Alistair is a decent man, despite Mingan's paranoia." Sarah replied. "He has his reasons for his dislike, but some of it, I believe is just that: paranoia. Alistair will help you." Sarah smiled. "He was my teacher for a short while. I've not much in the way of talent, but he isn't above making sure that even those of us with only the..." she glanced at Maggie before giving Elloreah a knowing look, "...smallest of gifts. Are able to use them to the best of our abilities."

Elloreah nodded, weary with relief at this revelation. "You think well of him."

Sarah nodded cheerfully. "I prefer to see the good in people." She patted Elloreah's hand. "Mingan's bitterness is an unfortunate defense against all the ways he has been wronged over the years." She smiled and turned her attention back to their lunch.

Elloreah stared down at the bread and cheese and took a bite. It was rich and delicious, the bread from the night before the perfect texture despite the dark, hearty grains that Sarah used. Still, she had little appetite, like Maggie. There was much weighing on her mind.

"Not hungry?" Sarah asked, and began packing up the nearly untouched lunch.

Elloreah shook her head, handing over the bread and cheese. "Perhaps later."

"Well, I don't know about you, but that water is calling me," Sarah said once she'd stowed the last piece of food away in her basket.

Elloreah gave her a startled look before glancing at the water.

Sarah laughed again. "Not like that. There's nothing in the water calling me. I just want to swim."

With Maggie still leaning into her so heavily, Elloreah could only watch as Sarah quickly stripped down to her undergarments and splashed into the water with reckless abandon. She winced at the desecration of waters she and Maggie had stood by so reverently only a short time before.

She knew that Sarah meant nothing by it. She was the lover of a kelpie, after all. It was only natural that she had a fondness for water. Still, she sighed and leaned back on the blanket, drawing Maggie down beside her. Emotionally spent, it had taken little coaxing for Maggie to settle into the rhythmic breath of sleep.

Laying on her back, staring up at the vast, blue sky, the comfort of another body curled against hers, Elloreah felt oddly content.