Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 9: Tinum

The male elf looked at Leui wrapped with vines and was hanging under the cliff. “… how many times is this?” he calmly asked as he pulled a vine, pulling Leui in the process.

Leui felt his body was raised and he stretched his hand to reach the ground. “Fifth?” he asked as he pulled himself up to the ground.

The male elf just coldly looked at him. “I’ll say it for the last time.” He said. “Stay away from other beings. They will just harm you – a human.” He told him and turned.

Leui’s eyes widened as he immediately rose from the ground and followed the elf. “But, you didn’t harm me.” He said as he ran up to him and walked beside him. “You’re an elf.” He grinned. The male elf helped him earlier when he met with ‘traps’ inside the forest.

The male elf ignored his remark. “You should know that the human race is hated by the other races.” He reminded him.

Leui nodded. “I know.” He said. “But, I have been living with the other races – peacefully – “ he emphasized. “ – for five years now.” He told him.

The male elf paused before he spoke. “Then, why did you leave?” he asked him.

It was Leui’s turn to be frozen. The male elf saw his reaction, but he didn’t comment. He just turned away and resumed walking.

Leui saw him leaving again and he followed him. “I know. They still hate humans, but it was because of Loheiruchel.” He said. “Because Loheiruchel is a human, all humans were hated. Clearly, they were just prejudiced!” he complained.

“But, still, that doesn’t change the fact that humans will be hated.” The male elf said. “It is inevitable.” He muttered.

“’inevitable’?” Leui heard him speak. However, the male elf didn’t elaborate his word. Leui stared at his cloak covering his head. “Do you have a name?” he asked.

“We, elves, don't have a name.” the male elf answered.

“Then, how were you recognized by others?” Leui asked. However, the male elf didn’t answer and just resumed walking silently. “Alright. I’ll name you!” Leui decided.

The male elf finally stopped walking. He slowly turned and looked at Leui silently.

Leui grinned and stared at the male elf. “How about I name you…” he said when the wind blew and the hood of the male elf’s cloak fell, exposing his silvery-white hair. “Pla…” he muttered, then froze.

The male elf tilted his head, then noticed his hood falling off. He pulled it back again and covered his head.

Leui remembered how his name was butchered before when Mhir mispronounced it. Let’s leave the ‘pla’. He thought. “How about ‘Tinum’?” he asked.

“’Tinum’?” the male elf muttered, then his eyes lit up. However, when he saw Leui was staring at him, waiting for his reaction, he looked away.

Leui’s lips curved into a smile when he saw the cold and shy male elf. “I’ll call you ‘Tinum’, then?” he said.

The male elf turned to him. When he saw Leui’s smirk, how he wanted to wipe that arrogant smile off his face. “Suit yourself.” He coldly answered and walked away, his pace fast. He clearly wants to leave him.

Leui chuckled and ran after him.

…

Leui speechlessly looked at the unconscious Mhir who was surrounded by small animals as she laid on the ground. “Mhir…” he muttered, then sighed in relief. He walked towards her and knelt beside her. Then, he patted her shoulder to wake her up. “Mhir… Mhir! Wake up!” he told her.

“Mnn.” Mhir groaned as she stirred. Her eyelids twitched, a sign of her waking up. She opened her eyes and was greeted by Leui’s exotic handsome face. “Leui!” she suddenly sat up, resulting in her forehead hitting Leui’s nose.

“OW!” Leui cried and was knocked off from the impact. He fell on his butt, holding his nose he felt like was cracked. “Mhir!” he called, frustration in her voice.

“Oh – “ Mhir blinked and held her forehead. Then, she grimaced. “Sorry.” She apologized and her cheeks blushed. She knew she was in the wrong. She shouldn’t have overreacted. She thought she was sleeping inside her room in their dwarves’ village, thus, she was shocked to see Leui when she woke up.

Leui sighed, pushing down the irritation in his heart. He was grateful he found Mhir. “What were you doing here?” he asked as he rose from the ground, then he patted his butt off of grass and dirt.

“Eh?” Mhir muttered and she looked around. She saw she was in a different place. However, instead of answering Leui’s question, she asked him a question when her eyes fell on the sight of a male elf silently standing beside the tree. “Leui.” She called. “Am I seeing things?” she asked.

“Hm? Why?” Leui said and saw Mhir was looking at Tinum. He was about to explain to her when she suddenly spoke, and her words shocked him.

“Why is there an elf here?” she asked.

Huh? Leui thought. “What do you mean?” he said.

Mhir turned her gaze on him. Her green eyes couldn’t be any clearer as she looked at him. “The elves… they were extinct after the Great War. So – “ she said and turned back to Tinum who remained silent despite Mhir’s claims. “ – why is an elf here?” she said.

“’extinct’?” Leui said, surprised, and he turned to Tinum.

Mhir saw Leui was looking at Tinum. She frowned. She knew about the devastating beauty of the elf race, and she was already at a disadvantage since she’s short while elves are tall. “Leui. You still don’t know what happened during the Great War, right?” she asked.

Leui turned back to Mhir when he heard her and he nodded. “Yes.” He answered. He only briefed himself about each race and their characteristics. Other than that, the history and politics of the Heiruche, he didn’t know about.

Mhir turned to Tinum. “Is he real?” she whispered to Leui, even though she knew the elf could hear her.

Leui nodded. “He saved me, and helped me find you.” He answered, then proudly smiled. “His name is Tinum.” He told her.

Mhir turned to Leui. “But, the elves don’t have a name…” she said, her voice faded when she realized it.

Leui nodded to confirm her thought. “I named him.” He said, then lowered his voice to whisper to her. “He seemed to like it.” He said and chuckled. Then, he turned to Tinum, not noticing Mhir’s shocked face. “Tinum!” he called and waved his hand to the male elf.

Under Mhir’s shocked gaze, Tinum walked towards them – more precisely, towards Leui. What… he’s a male! A male! Mhir thought as he looked at Tinum in horror. Disregarding the race, the gender is a male! Leui! She shrieked in her mind as she looked at Leui, astonishment in her face. What have you done?! She thought. However, she didn’t dare voice out her thoughts.