Coldness crept through the piece of cloth that covered the shivering body of a pale girl. Such means of warmth was no longer effective as the cold wind leaves its icy touch.
Elin felt a burning sensation as she breathe in the cold air. Fleeting, misty cloud was seen when the rays of the sun peeked through the aborescent shrubs.
âYou stay here for awhile Elin. Iâll make sure the area is safeâ, Nero ordered the little lady to stay put. He then disappeared and went inside the Forest of Rever.
This was the first time that Elin and Nero went to the Forest together. Elin was still 15 years old at that time.
The black fairy went and search around the area where the cottage was located. He made sure that no beast was prying within the vicinity.
âOyaaaa! are you perhaps lost, little lady?â, a tall brawly man suddenly appeared. He mistook Elin as a very young miss for her petite figure. She was smaller than those people of the same age.
âPops, donât approach her. Youâre scaring the little girlâ, a beautiful girl much older than Elin showed up.
âYou can come with us if you like. This place is VERY dangerous for a little girl like you. Iâm Ailana by the way and that big man there is my father, Callahan. We call him Pops. So, whatâs your name?â, the girl crouched down and looked at Elin.
âIâm Elin. Nice to meet youâ, Elin answered timidly.
Elin joined them on their trip back home. She canât refuse them as they kept on insisting her to come along. They arrived in a village a few meters away from the forest with few people walking down the street. This was the only town that was near enough for the monsters to often raid the place. However, people who lived there were used to the sudden invasion of the beasts. They were strong enough to withstand the attack on their own.
When they arrived in a small house at the edge of the town, a beautiful Lady greeted them with a warm smile.
âAraaaa. Who do we have here? Is this your illegitimate child, dear?â, the woman said teasingly.
âEhhh. Of course not and donât use that word infront a childâ, Callahan panicked after hearing the womanâs words.
âWelcome, dear. Iâm Nera. You can call me âMomâ if you likeâ, Nera smiled sweetly at the little Lady.
âIâm Elin. Thank you for allowing me to stay hereâ, Elin slightly curtseyed,
âWhat a very polite little girl! You can stay here as long as you like. Now, go sit there near the fireplace and warm yourself up while we prepare for dinnerâ, Nera patted little Elinâs head.
Elin sat down and watched the happy family. She felt sad for Elin knew she can never experience such warmness with her own family.
âOhooo! Whoâs this, ma? Did Pops finally brought his child?â, a boy arrived along with an older one.
âWhy do all of you keep on insisting that I have someone else? Nera is the only one for MEâ, Callahan insisted.
All of them laughed as they teased the man. Elin smiled at their happiness.
âIâm Lucian, the oldest of the three. You can call me âbig brotherââ, the boy smiled warmly at Elin.
âIâm Elin. Nice to meet youâ, Elin said shyly.
âI was the one who saw her first. Why did you butt in, big bro?â, the younger one appeared at Lucianâs side.
âThe young lady was waiting. While you were so rudely ignoring her, I introduced myself insteadâ, Lucian reprimanded him.
âYah! Yah! Whatever. Iâm Fynn by the way. You can also call me âbrotherâ. Now, câmon. Say itâ, Fynn stared at her with anticipation.
âYes, b-brotherâ, Elin stuttered.
Both brothers were happy after hearing the word. Lucian patted Elinâs head and smiled like a summer moonlight. It was both dazzling and magical.
Fynn stared at Elin and Lucian. His eyes lit up as he thought of a plan. He suddenly approached Nera with excitement.
âMa, can we keep her? Pleeeassseee? Iâve always wanted a little sisterâ, Fynn pleaded to her mom.
âStop bothering mother, Fynn. AND act your age. Youâre already 17 years oldâ, Lucian scolded him again. Fynn just pouted while looking at his brother. He went back pleading his mother with large shimmering puppy dog eyes.
âElin does not belong to us, Fynnâ, Nera said while patting the boyâs head.
âI can visit here if you allow me toâ, Elin suggested while looking down shyly.
âThat would be wonderful, muffinâ, Nera smiled brightly at Elinâs words.
Elin would often visit the family when her lessons were finished. She would immediately escape from the mansion with the help of Neroâs shadow portal.
It was the time she felt so warm being with such a loving family. Although, they were not her real family, she felt like she was part of them.
Elin was thought hand-to-hand combat by Callahan after she kept on pleading. The man couldnât say no to the cute small child any longer so he trained her himself. Elin would even spar with Lucian and Fynn. After their match, Ailana would teach Elin some magic. They would often talk and giggle for hours as Ailana share all the stories she could think of to Elin.
âMuffinâ, Nera sat down beside Elin as she rested for awhile before going home.
âYes, mom?â, the little girl responded timidly.
Nera placed a necklace around Elinâs neck. Its pendant shined like the north star that guides you through the endless night.
âKeep this, dear. I want you to always remember us. No matter what they say, we are always your familyâ, Nera kissed Elinâs forehead. She tightly embraced the child like a mother cradling her baby.
As she was about to embrace back, Elin woke up from a nostalgic dream. She sat and stared at the necklace around her neck. Tears fell down her cold numbing cheeks as she reminisce the little happiness she had while it lasted.