Chapter Text
Gemma ran up to the door of her cottage, and slipped inside. She fell into a seat at the table and sobbed into her arms. What’s the deal with these tears? Eleven’s got an important destiny ahead of him… you should be happy. She tried to imagine it, Eleven with that easy smile of his, galloping off to Heliodor on Grasselhof or Princess… but the illusion was quickly drowned out by fresh tears.
The golden morning rays were shut out by dark clouds, and suddenly she could only see herself under the vine wrapped tree they played under as kids; alone…
For as long as I could remember.. I was alone. Mum was always sick, and Grandfather, he had to stay to keep an eye on her.
“Go on sweetie, a pretty flower like you won’t bloom if you stay inside all the time.”
“But what about you? You haven’t been outside all month.”
“Don’t worry about me dear, go out and make some friends. It looks like a nice day to play tag.”
Friends. I tried, I honestly did. The other kids, they weren’t mean, no.. they just.. Never wanted to play with me… I was small, weak, a girl, and I couldn’t keep up with the others. Tag, Chase the Smile, Hide and Seek, Knight and the Dragon. I was always the first one out. At first I tried not to think of it, but one day the other kids looked me in the eye, and then passed me by without a second look; going about their games without me.
I went home and cried in my room after that. Ignoring the concerned voices of mom and grandfather. But that was the day everything changed…
“ELEVEN!” A voice roared across the village.
I looked out the window and saw a young boy running away from Mrs. Ame, frogs leaping out from the pile in the boy’s arms. For a moment she forgot her troubles and watched the chase, transfixed. Despite the young boy’s, Eleven’s, best attempts, he was soon caught and forced to let go of all the frogs. Mrs. Amber soon appeared and dragged the boy down the stone path by the ear. My face was still wet from crying, but.. I had to see him. So I ran out of the house and past both mom and grandpa, following the same path up a small hill that I saw the boy go.
Both of them were next to the chicken coops, and Mrs. Amber was still scolding the boy when I arrived. I felt guilty for ease dropping, but curiosity won out over the child I was
“You should know better to flood the shop with frogs!” the woman pressed a hand to the side of her cheek, “I’ll save you the song and dance this time, but-! No more of your favorite stew for one month.”
“No Eleven, you can’t talk your way out of this one- oh come now, don’t give me that look, you know I can’t say no-.”
Finally, a defeated sigh drew from the mother, “Alright alright, I’ll talk about it with your grandfather. You stay here, it shouldn’t take too long.” One moment later and I could see Mrs. Amber stride into the house. Once I was sure that she wasn’t coming back out, I carefully peeked out from my hiding place.
Then, I could finally get a good look at this trouble maker.
Short, with long chestnut hair as low as his chin, and and fierce blue eyes. Their blue tunic was stained with dozens of wet marks, from the frogs no doubt.
“Who- oh, it’s you.”
I let out a squeak and tried to hide but the boy called me again, and I realized that it was pointless to hide. Shyly, I stepped out into the open.
“You.. you know me?”
“Of course! You’re the girl who always loses at hide and seek!”
Weakly chuckling I nodded along.
“Yes, that’s me. Loser girl..”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“I’m always the first one out.”
Eleven crossed his arms and shrugged, “Of course. You have good hiding spots, but you’re always so loud running to them that we all can hear where you are.” Until that moment I had no idea that me being loud was the real reason I lost, I had just chalked it up to being bad at the game. But not knowing what to do about that, I changed the topic.
“So what are you in trouble for?”
The small smile that Eleven had stretched a bit further. “You sure you wanna know?”
I nodded.
And so, Eleven delved in detail as to how he quickly rounded up at least a dozen frogs and started throwing them at the other kids. Describing how he hid behind boxes and trees, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
“-and then I threw two at Benite! Both hit him straight in the face, and that was when Mrs. Ame started chasing me after a few frogs accidently landed in her store.”
Eleven cracked a wide grin when he saw my amused face.
“It’s good to see you smile… I was worried you’d be sad from before-”
“Before..?
Suddenly Eleven became quite tight lipped, and refused to meet my eyes.
“I.. it’s just, I-” He shook his head, “Being left out, that’s no fun, and I get it.”
Looking back at it, I realized that, he was probably talking about me, being left out today. But at the time another question was at the forefront of my little mind.
“You sound like you don’t ever play with other kids.” Eleven scratched the back of his head with a sheepish red mark across his cheeks. He tried to deflect, “It’s nothing.” But my curiosity was not so easily pushed aside, and so I pushed him to tell me. Eventually he caved in.
“Okay! I’ll tell you, but, don’t stare.” Shyly, he pulled up the sleeve of his tunic hanging over his left hand, bringing up the back of his wrist to bare, revealing a very clear birthmark. It was like a half ring with spikes, and on the inside was the blade of a sword. I tilted my head.
“Is that it?”
Eleven sputtered aghast. “What do you mean, ‘is that it’? Isn’t it ugly? Just look at it!” I tried to hide a giggle. So shy he was a moment ago, but now he’s almost shoving the hand towards me.
“What difference does that little thing make? You’re still Eleven aren’t you?”
Gemma looked up from the table, “That’s right. Luminary or not, Eleven is still Eleven. And… he’s going to be leaving… He’ll go see new places, meet new people, live the life of hero. Those childhood days, I knew that we’d be leaving them behind, but I just didn’t expect their passing to be soo soon.” To think, so much would happen just after that Ceremony. Gemma hung her head. So lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear the footsteps coming her way.
“Gemma dear? Are you alright?”
The blonde turned behind her, seeing Dunstan hobble into the barely lit kitchen.
“Oh… yes, I’m alright Grandfather.”
The mayor shook his head.
“Really now sweetie? Come on, how about I make you some tea and we can talk?” He strode over to the cauldron, already filled with water, and set the logs beneath it ablaze with a swift strike of the match. He then gestured for Gemma to start.
“Well…”
She wanted to start off with what Mrs. Amber had talked about, with Eleven, and her, but ultimately she decided to leave that story to Mrs. Amber herself; it was too personal, it wasn’t her story to tell. So Gemma started with a vague retelling of her late night meeting with Eleven, cutting out any mention of the Luminary.
“He has some business to take care of, and… I’m scared.”
Dunstan waited.
“Scared that my best friend will leave, and forget all about me.” The mayor hummed in acknowledgement, placing two cups of Medicinal Tea on the table. Dunstan took a long sip from his cup.
“Gemma, do you know what’s great about friendship?”
The mayor cast a long look out the window and to the moon. “It’s time. Or, the lack of it.”
Gemma gave a confused look, which her grandfather acknowledged and quickly moved to explain himself.
“Friendship knows no time, it does not heed any clock, nor lend an ear to the bell’s tolls. Whether it be months or years, two can meet once again and reconnect. So long as both are willing. And, well, this is you and Eleven we’re talking about! I have the upmost faith that you two shall be friends for quite a long time.”
A weak smile managed itself from the blonde.
“And if he goes where I can’t?”
Dunstan crossed his arms and let out a hearty laugh, “For two soo attached at the hip, where could that be?”
The destiny of the Luminary, whatever that means.
“I-I don’t know, the world is massive! We saw just a bit of it from the Tor. I…” Words started to fail Gemma, and she sputtered into solemn silence.
Her grandfather paused, finishing off his tea. “And, pray tell, why can’t you go with him? Wherever he goes, do you think he wouldn’t welcome you with him?”
I’d only be a burden.
Seeing his granddaughter’s state he sighed, “If- you’re so sure about his answer, then… what do you want to do about it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, as you’ve said, your best friend is leaving; what are you going to do about it?”
Gemma leaned on her wrist, thinking. If Eleven really is going to leave for, who knows how long, what… should I do? I can’t ask him to stay, and I can’t go with him. Or, wait, could I? She thought about it for a moment. She didn't want to leave or be left behind, but, when it came down to it, what she wanted most was...
To not be forgotten.
Gemma stood up, determination in her eyes. “Thanks grandfather, I think I know what to do now.” She reached over the table and the two shared a brief hug. Dunstan took up his tea cup and waved goodnight to his granddaughter. The other waving back. Once she was alone again she set to work. Struck with inspiration and determined, assembled her sewing kit. Carefully picking out the color of the fabric, gathering the materials, the shape.
Eleven. Life has been less than idyllic, but to say I wasn’t happy would be a lie. I was happy because I was by your side. If fate would let me adventure with you, I’ll follow, but should my place be elsewhere, I hope that you’ll never forget us.
The sun greeted the world once again with its shining face. Gemma wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. The cries of the other villagers out the window tolled the hour of Eleven’s departure.
“Just in time.” She breathed in relief.
Snatching a finished blue charm from the table, Gemma dashed out of her house and up the hill. To meet the boy who had kept her company all her life. Her eyes caught Eleven, about to head out on horseback. Clutching the charm and heart in her hand she called out to her Eleven.
“Wait!”