Heritage

The wind rushing past me whilst I rode Flora felt so good, especially since I wasn’t used to the hot climate of the desert. Aura rode beside me on Cain, tall and proud. I smiled beneath my veil. He looked so handsome and grown-up. I slowed Flora down once we reached the village that stood by the oasis in the centre of the desert. Aura led on and we followed him to the nearby stand where we could tie our Floronies by the water trough. Aura dismounted and helped me down.

“Are you sure you want to wear this here?” he asked as his fingertips crept underneath my veil. I swatted his hand away sharply and he smiled.

“Let’s…” I sniffed back the tears and buried my face into his chest. He hugged me tightly as I took a deep breath. “Let’s just find the nearest flower stall.” Aura kissed the top of my head and I followed him through the market. I absent-mindedly looked at the other stalls, my hand in Aura’s, as we made our way through the market. Jewellery, clothes, hats, scarves, so many exotic merchandise. It felt strange to be away from the elven kingdoms but it felt brilliant. That urge to explore within me just grew stronger.

“Here we are,” Aura said as we came across a flower stall. As Aura began picking a bouquet, I fingered the vibrantly coloured flowers curiously, admiring how exotic they were compared to the flowers at home. I watched Aura pay the stall-owner then followed him to the graveyard. My tears were already streaming down my face behind the veil. We looked at the gravestones as we walked across the dusty ground. Thank goodness I took Aura’s advice and wore sandals with my kimono.

“It’s very warm today,” I murmured.

“Your veil is making it hotter for you, take it off.” I shook my head furiously.

“I don’t want anyone to see it.” I anchored Aura suddenly when we found what we were looking for. “Here he is.” We both stood solemnly by the gravestone and Aura bowed his head whilst placing the bouquet down.

“It’s been three years since the war ended,” Aura smiled sadly “We really miss you, Dune.” I bit my lip to avoid making any whimpers and sobs. Dune died during the last few years of the war. He and Vincent had retired to this little village to get away from all the conflict. We then heard later on that a vampire hunter killed him and Vincent went to volunteer to help end the war by allowing scientists take his body to turn into a Human Weapon.

“We know you’re not quite at peace because of what Vincent did,” I murmured as Aura came behind me to hug me tightly and I gripped his arms “But he did it because he wanted to help end the war. He couldn’t forgive himself for letting you get killed. And by the time we found out he was going to sacrifice himself for science…it was too late.” Aura kissed the top of my head and heaved a sigh. “It wasn’t in vain though. Paradox managed to end the war with his help. He defeated Zack and became the Sixth Hero of Ethylias. He really deserves it, I’m so happy for him.”

“We got married shortly after the palace got rebuilt,” Aura continued talking “We would have loved for you to be there. You would have been a wonderful maid of honour.” I giggled and slipped my hands under my veil to wipe my tears away. “And yes, I’m sorry. I never managed to get her to take off her veil.” I turned and pushed Aura lightly.

“I don’t want anyone to see it, I told you,” I argued.

“Zelda, there’s nothing to be ashamed about.” I sighed and pulled away from him.

“Come on, let’s go and get some water, I’m thirsty.” I took his hand and tugged him out of the graveyard. Aura squeezed my hand tightly and I smiled softly. He had a good growth spurt until his aging halted at twenty five. My aging stopped at twenty but I didn’t grow any taller. We stopped by a small café and sat in the shade, drinking our water. I lifted my veil slightly so my lips could meet the edge of my glass. Aura watched me from his side of the table and sighed. “I’m still not taking it off.”

“Zelda, please. It’s ridiculous.”

“I don’t want to take it off and that’s that.”

“Zelda,” Aura placed his glass firmly on the table “What do you think’s going to happen?”

“I don’t want people staring at me.”

“Zelda you should be proud!” Aura insisted “It doesn’t matter what you look like. It’s a symbol of your courage and it’s who you are.”

“That’s the thing, people will recognize me and I don’t want any attention,” I growled back. Aura turned away and I directed my gaze towards the oasis. There was a young girl climbing up a coconut tree. Her white hair with blue highlights made her stand out as she reached the palm leaves and placed her hands on the coconuts. She plucked them off before throwing them down to the children that lingered underneath her. I smiled warmly when she took a coconut for herself and jumped into the oasis. She scrambled out quickly and ran through the streets eagerly.

“Zelda, are you worried you don’t look beautiful?” I turned back to Aura and shook my head. “Please, take that veil off. For just a moment, so I can see your face.”

“Aura,” I cautioned.

“This will be the last time I ask of you, I promise.” I gave him a stern glare through my veil before lifting it up so he could see my face. He paused for a moment before smiling wider and leaning forward…to pull the veil straight off my head.

“Aura!” I cried as he held it out and I covered the right side of my face “Give it back, people will see!”

“Zelda, it’s alright,” Aura soothed “Stop being so vain. Since when did you care about what people thought?”

“But it’s hideous, it’s nothing to be proud of!”

“You fought against Cannabec and survived. Yes, you didn’t kill him or feel achieved enough to say that he’s paid the price for taking your family away but it’s alright. You should wear those scars with pride.” I pulled my hands away and glared at him, pointing to the three large jagged scars that marred the side of my face. The next thing I remembered after transcending into my final limit was that I woke up in the medical tent. There were bandages around my face, around my body and the nurses said that they didn’t have holy water due to the fact they didn’t expect Cannabec to appear. I would have these hideous markings for the rest of my life. Thankfully the worst thing Cannabec ever did to me apparently was nearly take my face off.

“These remind me of him every day, Aura,” I said “His laugh, his face, his voice, I can’t forget him. He won’t leave me alone.”

“Zelda, it’s alright,” Aura soothed as he leaned over and gripped my hand “He’s chosen his Soldier and now all he’s going to do is sit back and keep an eye on Zack’s soul. It’s going to be alright, we don’t need to worry about anything now. The war is over, the fight for our seventh is sorted, there is no need to worry about anything anymore. But for now, let’s continue to explore Ethylias. We’re not far from the Hyacin Mountains, remember?” The mountains of blue rock…of course. I took a deep breath and nodded, silently holding my hand out for my veil back. Aura shook his head though.

“Aura, please.”

“How about…if you win the race to the Floronies?” Aura smirked and placed six gold coins onto the table as payment before dashing off.

“A race?!” I said incredulously before getting up and chasing after him “Aura, wait!” I chased after him through the crowds and when I realised I couldn’t keep up, I teleported to the Floronies and waited for him patiently. Aura came around the corner, gasping for breath and giving me a soft glare.

“You cheated,” he said as he approached me.

“You never set down any rules now give me my veil back.” I gasped as Aura placed his hands on my hips and picked me up, kissing me softly.

“Alright,” he grinned as he placed me back down and fished my veil from his pocket.

“Excuse me?” I froze when that girl with the white and blue hair approached us nervously. I tensed and backed away, covering the side of my face.

“May we help?” Aura asked with a sincere smile.

“Are you…Queen Zelda?” I remained silent, looking away from the young girl. She looked like she was in her early teens.

“That is Queen Zelda,” Aura supplied. The girl held her breath before coming closer and held up a bowl of white strips.

“You’re one of my heroes!” she said brightly “Would you like some coconut?” I looked down at her uncertainly and glanced at Aura. He smiled encouragingly as I glanced down at the bowl she held out for me.

“Um…I thought coconuts were green?” I said a bit warily.

“They’re white on the inside,” the girl smiled a little, her amber coloured eyes glinting in the sun. I reached forward and took a little piece.

“Thank you,” I said politely as the girl turned to Aura and offered him some. I nibbled the strip. It was a bit sweet so I pulled a face inadvertently.

“Oh, you don’t like it?” the girl looked disheartened.

“No…” I said as I swallowed “I’m not really a sweet lover.” I handed my strip to Aura who happily munched down the coconut.

“Well I’m glad I met you!” the girl grinned before stepping away “It was an honour to have you come to our village.” She bowed before turning and running off.

“See, nothing to be ashamed about,” Aura smiled as he helped me mount Flora. He kissed my hand and I lifted my other hand to trace the gouges through my face. Thank God Cannabec didn’t claw my eyes out. I looked to Aura as he untied our Floronies and mounted Cain. I smiled and handed my veil back.

“It’s been a while since I felt the wind on my face,” I said before digging my heel into Flora and rode out of the village. Aura followed me and we headed off towards the direction of Vigour Village. Who knows what else we’ll see? It didn’t matter. As an elf, I have all the time in the world to explore alongside my dear husband. I smiled happily as we rode under the afternoon sun.