The Legend of the Immortal Traveler, Book II

Michael

Today began as any other, alone here in my cottage, hidden on the edge of Ledford. Fall is beginning, the skies are blue, the crisp air reminding me of the cold, emptiness I feel. I have grown to hate the smell of fresh pine. I was standing by the fountain where I spend a lot of my time, when a young lady came walking down the road from Ledford. Very few travel this way. As the young lady grows closer I can see her dark brown hair, with emerald green eyes. Compared to me, she is short, but for a woman, she is about average height. She is well built, not skinny, but it suits her. She is dressed in black leggings, with black knee boots, and a black tank top. She was carrying a large pack over her shoulder. She honestly looked young to be traveling alone.

"Hello, I am Aroura." She spoke as she approached me. "I am a traveler, looking for adventure."

I smiled at her, and answered. "I am Michael, it's nice to meet you. Are you on your own on your quest?" I asked the question because I know she looks to young to be traveling alone.

"Yes, I have no family, so I decided that I wanted to see the world and learn about people. I enjoy learning about how others see life." She answered with a breath taking smile. "Do you have a family?" She asked.

"My mother lives in the village, and my sister is in a village across the valley with her new husband. I stay here alone, the village, where people like to be in everyone's business. I only discuss my personal life with people I consider friends." I answered while I looked at her young face. She was very pretty with her lightly tanned skin, her high cheek bones and rose tinted lips. "You aren't like other people, are you? I know it was a weird statement to make, but the words came out before I could stop them.

"I am really nothing special." She replied with another beautiful smile.

"I feel as if I have always known you." I stated. "It's like I am comfortable talking to you. Like we are old friends, and will be no matter what."

"I would be honored to call you , my friend, Michael."

"Would you like to stay for dinner? We can continue our conversation." I ask not really sure why, but I did not want her to be out alone.

"I would love to, but I need to find a place to rest tonight." She answered with a frown on her face.

I knew the weather was getting colder because it is autumn. I could not stand the thought of her sleeping outside due to the cool nights. "If you stay for dinner, you can stay in the spare room tonight. I have not enjoyed talking another like this in a long time." I replied to her, hopeful she would accept. I felt the strangest desire to protect her.

"She smiled at me, warming my heart. "I guess, I have no choice, but to stay for dinner. It would be rude to turn down such a kind, and generous offer. Thank you."

I smiled, and showed her into my home. "This is the spare room, you can leave your stuff in here. It will be fine." I told her and left her to freshen up. I am a bit puzzled by how I feel around here. I walk to the kitchen and start to prepare dinner. Very soon, she walked in, and I motioned for her to sit at the breakfast bar. I am preparing roasted chicken and vegetables.

She asked me how I came to live here alone, so I began to tell her my stay. How I have had seizures since I was a small child, and how that made people treat me like I was a freak. I just wanted to be treated like a normal child. I wanted people to look at me like she looked at me, like I was a regular person. She explained her life to me, and how she came to live as a vagabon. How her parents were not interested in raising her. Her mother ran away, and her father choose the bottle. Her siblings had people to look after them, but she was left to fin for herself. Finally, after one of her father's drinking binges, she left in the middle of the night. She told me about how her father's best friend tried to r**e her, and how her father had blamed her. How can a parent be that cruel. I know I just met her, but I don't understand how anyone could treat her that way.

We ate dinner in silence, and after we went to the living room and sat and talked til the late hours of the night. I felt so comfortable with her. Finally, I suggested that we get some rest for the night. As I watched her leave the room, I realized that I wanted to spend more time with her. As I headed to bed, I looked forward to spending more time with her tomorrow. I truly hoped she would stay for a while so we could spend more time talking.

When morning came I was excitedly waiting for Aroura to awaken. I had gone to the sitting room to enjoy my morning coffee.

"Good morning." I heard her cheerful voice.

"Good morning, Aroura. How did you sleep?" I asked her.

"I slept great. Thank you for allowing me to stay last night." The smile she wore brought joy to my entire being.

"No, thank you required. I enjoyed having your company. I would like to spend more time getting to know you." I told her hoping she would agree to stay longer.

"I think I would like that." She said with that warm smile on her face.

I took her for a walk around my property, stopping to show her the garden. Then I walked her down to show her the stream that runs through my land. It was like a small child on christmas. We sat under a tree and talked until it was dinner time. It was amazing to hear her laugh. I had never meet someone so full of life.

The days with Aroura, quickly turned to weeks, filled with joy. Each day was full of talking and laughter, she made my like feel so happy. I looked forward to her smile every morning. I had never had someone accept me for who I am, the way she had. The one night after Aroura had fallen asleep, there was a knock at my door. Not sure who it could be, I opened the door slowly, only to realize it was Melody from Crystal Forest.

"Good evening, Melody. To what do I owe the pleasure?" I asked shocked to see her at my door.

"I have come to speak with you about Aroura." She began. "I know you care for her, but Michael she cannot stay here. She is meant to make this journey of discovery. There is so much more to who she is than you could ever imagine. I am not saying you have to lose her. You can stay her friend. You will see her again. And when she needs her friend, that will include you."

"But how am I suppose to let her leave?" I asked Melody.

"That is something you must figure out. I know it is hard, but it is what must be done. Michael, it is for her own good." She assured me as she left.

I did not sleep that night. The thought of having to let Aroura leave shattered my very being. The next morning, she notices I was distracted. I could see the hurt in her beautiful green eyes. That evening at dinner, she told me that she knew it was time for her to continue her journey. I could see the sadness in her face, when she told me, she would leave at first light tomorrow. My heart shattered again, I asked if she was upset with me.

"No, Michael, I have no reason to be upset. In the last few months, you have given me something that I had never had, a friend."

I could not tell her, how my heart was breaking at the thought of her leaving. We talked a bit longer and then she excused herself to rest to start her journey again. It was another sleepless night. Far to soon the sun began to rise. I hid the tears in my eyes as she made her way into the kitchen carrying her belongings. I wanted to beg her to stay, but i knew I couldn't. I walked with her out to the fountain where I first met her. I watched as she walked away down the road. She smiled and waved just before she is out of site. I know I will see her again, but I will miss her so until then.