In the early morning, the sun unwrapped the hues of daylight. Her eyes rested upon the golden arcing rays, as the song of the birds calmed her heart. Her gaze fell on Matthew who was still asleep, and a shy smile appeared on her face. He had come all the way to find her and bring her back. Her heart fluttered at the thought of him worrying about her; she felt lucky to have someone who cared for her and wished to protect her.

After her talk with the old elf and her discovering the truth about her past, she had felt lost and lonelier than ever before. She had reached a dark place where doubting herself was the only path she had fled down. She felt like a cursed person, her life a constant state of affliction. She had grown up in hiding, never showing her true self. Her hopes for a happier past were her consolation, and then all came crashing down in an instant.

She had buried her heart under the weight of sadness and cut herself off the others, like every other time she had faced obstacles. But he came to her with feet that bled, with the little strength that remained inside him, and pulled her to standing. He was the light she followed in the darkness and didn't want to lose. Even if she was afraid, she had to be bigger than that; she would keep the memory of the pain, not the feeling, and let it forge her into a fighter.

Her deep thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Landos who silently entered the infirmary, drying his hands with a cloth.

'Look who came back,' he said with mock surprise.

Ines glared at him for speaking so loudly, but Matthew didn't even budge. She raised from the bed and stretched her sore muscles.

'Inerma is waiting for you outside,' he informed her.

With a nod, he turned around and went to his workplace, gently closing the door behind him. Ines spared another glance at Matthew and went outside.

The streets were full of life again, kids were running around, probably to their lessons, and soldiers were getting ready for their training, wearing their boots and braiding their hair. Inerma was sitting at the centre of the square her legs sprawled on the snow, enjoying the sunlight.

She sat next to her and leaned back. Inerma sensed her presence and looked at her. She took out a small bread wrapped in a cloth and gave it to her. Ines held it in her hands; it was still warm. She took a bite of the delicious masterpiece, which vanished in a matter of seconds. Inerma stared at her in amusement and chuckled.

'Sorry for making you worry,' Ines spoke first.

'We weren't worried. We always know where to find you.'

'Creepy.'

'Matthew, on the other hand, was quite worried,' she wiggled her brows at her.

Ines tried to suppress her smile and keep a straight face, but the truth was that her mind was jumping up and down from happiness.

'You know,' Inerma went on, 'he is really protective over you. Is something going on?'

Her calculative eyes pierced hers, and Ines looked anywhere besides the elf, a flush creeping up her cheeks. 'No, of course not! He has no idea.'

'I wouldn't be so sure.' Inerma looked at her with a devilish smile. Ines didn't understand what she was talking about and was about ask her what she meant, but Landos ruined the moment.

'Today we will test your powers. Although it's bad luck to cast a spell near a patch of carnations during winter,' he said standing before them.

'Ugh! Stop saying these things!' Inerma snapped back.

'Anyway, I gotta run. I have some patients to visit.'

'Okay.'

'Bye, ladies.' He waved at them, while Inerma sighed in frustration.

'So, about your powers,' Inerma began speaking again, 'so far there are three types of—'

Inerma touched her leg to get her attention. 'I know. I found a book a few days ago...' she explained.

'You slipped through the monks only to read a book?'

'Yeah. Just like you caused a ruckus in the whole city the other day.'

'Nonsense,' she scoffed jokingly.

The two women sat there for a while, talking and laughing under the sun. They shared funny stories about growing up, about good memories and bad. Ines learned more about her, her likes and dislikes, her dream of becoming a member of the elders' council and the hard training she went under in order to master her powers. She discovered she was a confident woman with a deep sense of pride for her people.

It wasn't until they were ready to stand up and go to meet the old elf, when a big shadow hovered over them. Ines looked up and saw Matthew staring down at them with interest. He looked well-rested, the worried creases on his forehead had vanished and a healthy pink colour had returned to his cheeks. Their eyes locked in a magical trance, as if they spoke in honest emotion, their souls calling for one another. Ines was yet again captivated by his handsome face.

Inerma suddenly cleared her throat, and the spell was broken. Ines cursed at herself for acting so foolishly; she must have really freaked him out with her awkward staring. She glanced up at him again, only to find him still standing there and observing her with a smirk. She avoided his scrutinising gaze and stood up.

'Hi, I'm Inerma. I think we haven't been properly introduced,' the elf greeted him.

'Nice to meet you. I'm Matthew.'

'I'm going to find out if I have any elf powers in me,' Ines told him.

'What about me?' he said pointing a finger at himself.

'What about you?'

'Shouldn't I check if I have any powers?'

Inerma shook her head and laughed. 'You can train with the others. Follow me,' she urged them, and walked towards the training grounds.

The sky was pretty, streaked with sweet silvers beneath a bright and giving sun. They reached a tall building with huge windows and entered the wide metallic doors. It was a circular structure filled with benches, shelves, and marble drinking fountains. In the centre the was a wide empty space with a dome made of glass to let in the natural light of day. The training field was a sea of warriors, all of them skilled fighters.

'You can go train with them,' Inerma said to Matthew.

'Aren't they gonna kill me? You know, mortal enemies and stuff.'

Ines tried to contain her laugh when she noticed his terrified look. 'Nah. The old elf has taken care of everything. He talked with the elders, and they have granted you permission for a temporary stay here. The people have got orders not to do anything unwise.'

'Okay.' Matthew reluctantly took a step back and looked at Ines to make sure she would be alright. She nodded at him with a smile and beckoned him to go. He needn't be told twice. He immediately turned around and started walking towards the training grounds. Others looked at him with surprise, and others with hatred, but they didn't say a word, they just left him to his own devices. Ines hoped he wouldn't have any problems with the others.

'He deserves to know the truth,' Inerma said suddenly.

Ines glanced at her. She knew she was right. The more she put it off, the more painful it would be to tell him, but she was afraid how he would react. For reasons she had yet to admit to herself, she didn't want to ruin their friendship. Ines sighed and followed the elf outside.

'Where are we going?' she inquired.

'The old man is waiting for you at the temple.'

'Shouldn't we be doing this in a fighting area?'

'You'll see,' she said with a cryptic grin.

The headed to the same temple where Ines had met the old elf a few days before. She wasn't that inclined to visit it again, since it was a place with unpleasant memories, but she decided to keep her mouth shut. Inerma accompanied her all the way there and left when they made it to the entrance. The old elf was sitting on the ground and nodded at her to come closer.

'Sit, please,' he patted the space across himself.

Ines did as he told her and waited patiently for him to explain how the test would be carried out.

'You will be given a mental test, and it will not be easy,' the old elf spoke. 'You will undergo some changes in your body.'

'Okay.'

'You have to drink this.' He gave her a small vial with a white liquid in it.

Ines was eyeing the tiny bottle with hesitation. 'What is it?' she asked him.

'It will drop your heart rate and make you dizzy. Do not fret. It is anticipated.'

Ines reluctantly drank the potion, and after a few seconds she felt lightheaded, her body going numb. She couldn't keep her eyes open. The old elf grabbed her arms tight and started using his magic to take control of her mind. Ines' felt the familiar tickling sensation in her brain, and everything went black.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A/N:  How do you think the test is gonna play out? Share your theories in the comments. Hope you guys stay healthy, happy and safe. Lots of love <3

Phrase of chapter:  gutta cavat lapidem / constant dripping wears the stone  - Ovid