Four Chapters

“By the running streams of Elspeth the Shallow and the quaint dances of the Perimian trees, I promise to be your friend forever.”

It was not by chance that three friends, in their most sincere tone, said these words under the shadows of Rex and by the waters of Elspeth the Shallow. Of course, Rex was a tree. But a mighty tree was he with such royalty and command in his gestures that golden leaves flew from his branches during the fall. Right then, it was spring and all of Rex’s regal leaves were green and joyously reaching out to the light and warmth of the afternoon sun. Elspeth the Shallow, a subtle brook just beside Rex, was sparkling with life. At the banks of her waters, sat happily the fifteen-year-olds who were eating out of the picnic basket they had brought. They propped up on the cozy blanket spread just in the middle of tree and water. Ares, Elsa and Leander busily chatted their afternoon moments.

“Perhaps it is high time we did that. I mean, the oath. We are going to college soon and that would mean we wouldn’t be seeing each other much,” said Elsa.

Leander chuckled and said, “That was so childish. Elsa, we’re not ten-year-olds anymore. I can’t believe I did that.” Yet upon seeing the serious look on her face, “but it was still worth it. Right, Ares?”

The other lad was deep in thought steadily looking away to a meadow of sunflowers ahead whilst Leander sought salvation from his tactless words. As if he came to realize just then that he was still part of the conversation, Ares said, “Hmm. Yes, of course, it was worth every second of time. Friendship is like a child, huh? It’s fun but you don’t care why.”

“Exactly,” said Elsa. “Ares always completely understands me, Leander. Why can’t you be so sensitive?”

“Because it’s not my nature. Why do you want me to change myself for your advantage?” threw back the defiant lad.

“Because I’m your friend and I want you to be better than you ought to be,” answered the teary-eyed girl.

“How do you know what’s good for me? You know what, you always like to get through other people’s skin and think you can change them, that you can make them become better people. But in the end, it comes out you’re just being nosy.”

At last, Ares tried calming them, “come on, guys. It’s a beautiful afternoon. Let’s not lose our temper.”

Elsa ruffled her dress, stood up and started her long and lonely walk towards home. She pulled back her dark hair to a ponytail and trotted north.

“Elsa,” soothed Ares. “Elsa, calm down. Don’t go.”

Still, she silently made her way. Ares stood up but Leander pulled his hand. “Let her,” he said. “She’s getting accustomed to us following her wherever she feels like going. We can’t spoil her all the time, Ares. Just let her go… for now.”

Ares glanced behind. He saw the girl had now gone far back in the forest, seemingly keen on leaving them and finding her way through the trees. He sighed. “It’s just that… don’t you feel the need to protect her? She can be so naive, sometimes. It seems like anything can just befall her and make her lose all her wit and strength.”

“She’s not fragile, brother. Stop worrying about her. She won’t break. You forgot how terribly ‘courageous’ she is.”

Ares smiled. “I know what you mean. Elsa always says ‘I may not be brave, but I have courage.’”

This second sentence was repeated by Leander simultaneously for they had heard and known well these words from Elsa during such time when they tried camping in the forest and there sounded a faint cry of a werewolf. Since then, she kept repeating this whenever she was scared.