Gift of the Knight #6 - Return

Ironheardt’s Summer Festivities were in full swing. Every year, merchants from all across Auracielle travelled to the once small village with countless numbers of fruits, vegetables, and other goods. There were so many colors on display, so many things to see. To the young eyes of Serelion, it was like stepping into another world, but right now? His focus was on protecting his home from the forces of the Dragonlord... or at least, the ones he was pretending to fight.“Beware! You face the Emerald Knight himself!” he proudly proclaimed, swinging the stick in his hand like his father’s ever-trusted blade, with grace and precision, determined to keep the pretend forces of evil at bay. Sharasai watched her son with a quiet smile, and a feeling of pride welling up in her. Despite his young age, Serelion has shown kindness and humility beyond his years, much like his dear father.Without warning she quietly snuck up behind Serelion and captured him in a hug. “Look out, Brave Knight! The Almighty Dragonlord has hold of you!” she said, playfully, with a faux menacing laugh.“Nooo! Not you, Agape! You’ll pay for this!” replied Serelion with a laugh, as he soon leaned into his mothers hug.Sharasai let him back down and lovingly rubbed his head, as if ruffling hair. “Come on! Get washed up and we’ll head down to the Festival!” she replied, with the same warm smile she’s always had.“Yes, Mama!” replied the youth, quickly heading back into their home. Sharasai carefully closed the door behind her, as Serelion went downstairs to wash up. No matter how hard times were, being a single mother, she was proud of the young man Serelion became... she knew his father would be proud of him, too... Wherever he was...That was when she heard a knock at their door.“It must be little Lilara wanting to play with Serelion again!” She said to herself, Lilara was one of Serelion’s closest friends growing up. She gently pulled the door open... and her jaw dropped when she saw who answered...
She couldn’t believe her own eyes... Both of her hands covered her mouth...“...A...Aquarius?!” she asked, her voice low and incredulous... But indeed, it was her beloved, standing in front of her... He wore a simple brown tunic, with Duodecim held in its sheath. His right horn, however, was missing its tip, no doubt from a fierce battle.“I made a promise when I left, that I would be back, when the Dragonlord fell...” he responded, with a smile. “I don’t break my promises...”Tears of joy welled up in Sharasai’s eyes as she wrapped her arms around him... It was ten long, very lonely years to the day he had left Ironheardt, unable to return until he had completed his mission...“I’ve missed you... It’s been so long...” she said, burying her face in his neck, as he felt his hands gently wrap around her. “I can’t believe it’s really you...”“It is... and I’m not going anywhere. I promise.” replied Aquarius, his voice almost at a whisper.The two embraced for several moments, before she pulled away from him.“Where is he?” asked Aquarius, with a warm and curious tone, clearly referring to their son.She smiled. “Serelion! Come upstairs, please!”“Coming, Mama!” replied the boy.With his trusty “sword” still in hand, Serelion quickly ascended from the basement. Sharasai stepped aside to reveal Aquarius... The young dragon boy stopped dead in his tracks, dropping the stick against the stone floor. His heart was pounding in his small chest...The knight knelt down to the boy’s level.“Look at you... as beautiful as the day I first held you...” said Aquarius, his voice low and warm.Serelion took a single step forward, as tears welled in his eyes. The man in front of him matched every description his mother gave of his dear father... The white scales, the teal eyes, the enchanted sword... He knew it in his heart.“PAPA!” cried the boy, as he ran forward and wrapped his little arms around his father, his tears dripping down on his father’s shirt. Aquarius felt his own eyes water as put his arms around his son.“I’ve missed you, son...” he finally whispered, as Serelion cried into his father’s shoulder. Sharasai’s heart warmed like a hearth as she joined in the hug. She couldn’t believe it... They were a complete family...“We missed you too, dear..” she finally answered, whispering in Aquarius’s ear, as the trio finally disengaged.“I bet you have loads of tales to tell, Papa!” said Serelion, with a smile. Aquarius chuckled.“Oh, I’ve got plenty...” he replied. “But for now, I believe the Summer Festival has begun?”Sharasai nodded. “They have, and we’ll be able to enjoy them as a family.” she said, with a smile.“Then let’s go, shall we?” replied Aquarius, taking Sharasai and Serelion’s hands in his, leaving Duodecim leaned against the wall by the door.This would be a quiet end to his journey as the Emerald Knight...And Aquarius would have it no other way.