Return to Jorgaldur Volume IV: Reunion

Reunion (I)

The villagers looked at Eldi with worship as he was supervising the two kids. Most of them suspected his true identity after learning what happened at the counts' residence. Eldi Hnefa was said to have served justice there, and the appearance and departure of the mysterious leather master who had saved the children coincided too well.

On the other side, the two siblings had achieved something that even Eldi didn't expect. Although they had risen a few levels since the last time, their mana pool was still low. Therefore, they had devised an original and naive method, which nevertheless gave good results.

"Your turn, Ten," the girl moved away after completing a part of the boot.

"I'm coming, Tin," he hurried to substitute her.

They had learned to make recipes together, collaborating instead of creating independent products. Maybe, it wasn't more efficient, but this way they could complete an elaborated piece without being completely exhausted by lack of mana. Plus, it was more fun for them.

"I'd never thought of that. It could be useful to teach it in the mansion," Eldi murmured to himself.

The boot they were creating was of a level for which they had no recipes until now. The mana expenditure was higher, so that method allowed them to carry it out. Nevertheless, for the leather armor, they would need to level up a little more with the help of the hunters.

It was also possible to leave the crafting halfway and continue later, but then it was a waste of mana. A significant amount was needed to reactivate the platform, to make it was ready to continue. While this allowed pieces to be finished beyond one's own mana limit, it also represented an inefficient expenditure of mana.

"They've brought this for you," a villager approached and handed him a note.

He opened it to read its contents: "We are 300 meters from the entrance. Continue along the main path. L&L."

A huge smile appeared on his lips. He was looking forward to seeing Lidia again. He was looking forward to seeing Liodon for the first time after returning. Eldi wanted to find out how he looked like as an adult. What his son had become.

"I have to leave, they've already arrived," he said to his apprentices.

He had already informed them that he was waiting for someone. Still, they looked at him reluctantly, not wanting to let him go.

"So soon?" Ten complained, as he looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Will you come back?" his sister asked.

"Sure. I hope it'll take less time this time," he assured them, while ruffling their hair slightly with his hands.

It wasn't enough. He had to hug them and reassure them again that he would return, or they wouldn't let him go. With teary eyes, both children waved their hands, saying goodbye until the silhouette of their teacher was lost around a bend in the road.

Two figures were standing in the middle of the road that led to the village. They were a man and a woman with black hair and golden eyes. For once, they weren't disguised. They didn't want to be at that moment.

Nervously, they watched a figure approach, whose shape was increasingly clear. They were eager to hug him, to talk to him, or at least, she was.

He felt more nervous than his sister, more insecure. She had already met their father, but he hadn't. He had dreamed of this moment for many years, although it wasn't until a few months ago that he knew it was possible. However, now that the time was approaching, he felt extremely uneasy.

"What if he doesn't remember me... Well, he gave me the sword, but it was through Lidia... I... I don't know... What should I say to him...?" he was thinking as he watched him arrive.

Lidia couldn't take it anymore and ran towards her father, who smiled when he saw her arrive, hugging her. Liodon also approached, slowly, hesitantly.

He was looking with envy and insecurity at her sister hugging her father, when his eyes met Eldi's.

"Liodon!" his father recognized him and smiled widely.

The young high human stopped thinking at that precise moment. He didn't even notice his father's moist eyes, because, among other things, he saw them somewhat blurry due to his own tears. He simply ran forward, pushed by his heart.

"Dad!"

Eldi opened one arm to receive him, since Lidia was in the other. Liodon simply let himself be carried away by his feelings, and hugged his father.

His own emotions overwhelmed him, and he was unable to contain them. He cried like a little kid, despite being as tall as his adoptive father.

Lidia's eyes were also moist, but she could control herself better than her brother. Of course, it hadn't been like that when she had reunited with her father after he had left the dungeon.

She put a hand on her twin brother's head, smiling. She understood perfectly what he felt, and she knew that she couldn't even tease him about this.

Lidia looked at her father, and they smiled at each other, both clearly touched. They stayed for a while hugging her brother and his son, waiting for him to calm down.

It should be said that they weren't the only ones excited. Through the plants, a certain dryad watched them without stopping crying. The meeting between her children and their father had moved her. These emotions had overflowed to such an extent that it had even affected her sisters.

There were many dryads who was observing the meeting, also moved, as they were affected by the connection with Melia. Although Eldi didn't cook like Goldmi, they also appreciated him. He continued to love Melia despite the time that had passed, and they didn't doubt that his feelings towards his children were sincere.

Melia had taken care of them, which is why all of them knew them directly or indirectly. The dryads had seen them grow up, and they were as fond of them as they were of any other descendant of a dryad, Maldoa included. The fact that the siblings didn't have their blood wasn't important to beings who loved all plants and most living beings. The only exceptions were those who had earned their enmity.

One nymph in particular was quite excited as well. She watched them through her pond in the elven forest, with a smile that was somewhere between kind and affectionate, although with a touch of sadness. She had long ago considered it impossible, but she still couldn't forget him, couldn't stop the feeling. He didn't see her the way she wanted him to see her.