Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 23: Their Own Thoughts

The expression on Leui and Mhir’s face became blank as they looked at Tinum. Their expression says, ‘are you pulling our leg?’ and it couldn’t be more obvious. Tinum’s cold expression disappeared and it was replaced by an awkward expression. He shifted his gaze away and looked at the now calm lake. Even when the moonlight struck the surface of the water, there were no water spirits nor sea monsters that could be seen. Even the lake’s fairies are gone.

What had just happened? Leui and Mhir thought as they stared at Tinum. However, Tinum has no plan to explain to them as he spoke. “I think this lake leads to the big river that surrounds the humans’ territory.” He said. It was obvious he was changing the subject.

Leui and Mhir didn’t expose him. Maybe some of Tinum’s memories finally returned. “Shall we build a canoe?” Leui asked. The slopes of the mountain are too steep for them to climb.

Mhir nodded. “Yes. Let’s go find a shore first to place our materials gathered.” She said,

Leui nodded. “Okay.” He said and looked at Tinum. “Do you know where we can find the materials to build a canoe?” he asked as they walked.

“You go to the shore first. I’ll find the materials for you.” Tinum said and jumped at the tree, then jumped to the other trees in succession until he vanished from their sight.

Leui looked at the direction where Tinum left. The expression on his face looked like he was deep in thought. “Leui!” Mhir called and patted Leui’s shoulder, waking him up from his daze.

Leui blinked. “Mhir.” He called as he turned. “What is it?” he asked.

“I didn’t see a lake in this section of the map.” Mhir answered as she took out the map from Leui’s big and opened it. “Look.” She said and pointed to the thick cluster of trees in the map which is before the big river surrounding the humans’ territory. That is, there should be no body of water in the area where they are currently.

“You’re right.” Leui muttered, his expression turned serious. He also remembered that they wouldn’t be encountering a large body of water. A small river or a pond or a swamp can be excluded in the map, but a lake like the Mirror Lake should be on the map.

However, they encountered the Mirror Lake. And this was also the reason why Leui was caught off-guard earlier and fell on the lake. He thought that it would be vegetation on the other side of the bushes, thus, he was surprised to see a lake and he unfortunately fell on it.

“How is there suddenly a lake?” Mhir asked. “And the Mirror Lake at that.” She added.

Leui was deep in thought. Mirror Lakes appears only in crowded places where it can victimize many people to feed itself. The more water sprites it will have, the more it can guard itself. Mirror Lakes evokes the greed of humans, not only for lone travelers but also for the common people. The Mirror Lake’s water can make one see what they desire by looking at its reflection. Also, its water can make one reveal one’s real self when the Mirror Lake’s water touches their skin.

But, surprisingly, a Mirror Lake appeared in the Elven Forest where people would rarely go. Why would it appear here? He thought, puzzled. How long was it here? And also, the Dream Lake beneath it…

Leui became more puzzled as he faintly remembered what happened to him while he was dreaming at the heart of the lake. He didn’t dream of what he desired, since he had none. What he dreamt of instead is bits of some unfathomable memories – in which he had no recollection of.

In his dream, he was living in a castle and he was a small child. An old man and an old woman were smiling at him as they both took his hands and guided him the way while he skipped. Suddenly, he skipped a little higher and his body bounced. A piece of round metal fell from his head and hit the ground, creating a loud clutter.

His dream ended there, and he doesn’t understand what it is. “Mhir.” He called after he failed to recall more of his dream. “What happens if one has no desire but falls on the Dream Lake?” he asked.

“Hm?” Mhir said, a little puzzled of why Leui would ask her that. Nonetheless, she answered. “If one has no desire – which is close to impossibility, they would dream of their past.” She said,

“What if the dream isn’t yours?” Leui asked.

This time, Mhir showed a bewildered expression. “Now that's impossible.” She said, “The Dream Lake would only show what’s yours, not of other’s.” she told him.

Leui fell silent. Was it his? But he doesn’t remember living in a castle, nor does he have parents. He thought, then looked at Mhir. He remembered that Tinum saved him earlier. Could it be that those memories are Tinum’s? He thought, then shook his head. Impossible. Tinum is an elf. The two people he had seen in his dream are humans.

“Leui.” Mhir called. “Are you alright?” she asked. “You look pale.” She told him, worry is on her face.

Leui turned to her and forced a smile. “I’m alright. No need to worry.” He told her and slung his wet waistcoat over his shoulder. “Let’s go to the shore. Tinum must already be waiting for us.” He told her.

“Okay!” Mhir said and ran to the direction of the shore beside the wall of the mountain.

Leui smiled and watched her run away. Then, he looked back at the Mirror Lake shining from the moonlight. There were no more water sprites nor water monsters that could be seen on the still lake. Then, he remembered the faint trace of red from the droplets of water when the wall of the lake water rained down on them earlier. Were they killed by Tinum? He thought, remembering the fairy’s wrath. It’s very surprising to know Tinum – an elf who loves nature and is beloved by nature, could kill. However, he isn’t one to talk. If he could only have power, he wouldn’t be hiding behind Mhir and Tinum and instead fight to protect himself.

Leui sighed and followed Mhir.