An Elf's Tale, Part 30

"I've been wanting so long, too long, to finally talk to you, you haven't even the faintest idea…"

Terra wiped away the tears welling in her eyes, so quickly, hastily, as if afraid that if she took her eyes off Eshwlyn for a moment, she'd disappear like a mirage in the light, a mere illusion of her imagination. 

"But I could not let anyone know of our true relationship, not your stupid Master especially. I had to leave you to them, I'm sorry I had to leave you… it was the only way, the only chance… and I know you suffered, and I'm sorry… I can never express enough the guilt I feel… the things they did to you, and I knew it… and I couldn't stop it… forgive me…"

There was a gentleness, a true kindness in her words that Eshwlyn forgot had even existed. Disgust, hatred, contempt—not a day goes by when she is not regarded with one of those three things. To an Elf, to a Servant, as Tilina had proclaimed before, kindness was beyond consideration.