Ralph and the Pixie

Watching Haloch with a concern borne of the natural deference of her people towards Elders, Iniiq said to Haloch, ‘Should be thinking of escaping Elf Kingdom. Not about what has been, and cannot be changed.’

Haloch smiled ruefully in response. ‘In truth, I was thinking about the future. Or at least trying to.’ He glanced unwillingly in his son’s direction and said, ‘I used to be able to see it, stretched out long before us, full of possibilities and hope. Now, however . . .’ he looked down at his bowl and began eating.

As she ate, Iniiq nodded in recognition of what he was saying. ‘Is dark now, the future, and we are all blind. I have often wondered how it is that all but Elves saw this coming.’

Haloch chuckled dryly in response. ‘That is easy to answer. It could be that we Elves are much better at deceiving ourselves than others. We were so wrapped up in our own little world that life simply passed us by . . .’

With a pang, Mraan watched as the girl settled herself beside him and listened attentively to the elderly Elf’s every word. He was acutely conscious that their shoulders and knees touched. After several moments he could tell that by her sudden stillness, and by the disfocus of her gaze, that she had become as aware of him. She glanced up once in his direction, and for a long moment their eyes locked, as though in recognition.