Demeter - Ranboo

~twenty-six~

The rest of the day rolled by fairly quickly, and I spent it reading my book on Endspeak with the window open. Occasionally a raven would land on my windowsill, bringing marigolds and dandelions in their beaks.

The next day was quite the same, aside from Ophelia's visit. I could barely sleep as I was so excited to finally get out. All I ever wanted was to create a better place for myself, and I was finally doing it. My parents were lovely; they had always loved me and cared for me, but they were just too controlling sometimes. And I know they just wanted to protect me, but I could protect myself. Maybe not from men with swords, but Ranboo could do that.

"Mel! Miss Ophelia's here!" Mom called up the stairs. A wide smile spread across my face. "Your father and I are going to the market in the next town and Willow's spending the next few days with Elliot's family. Finch is coming with us," she said.

"Okay! Have fun!" I yelled back. The door closed and the trapdoor opened, and Ophelia was in my room. She was back in her regular white dress and maroon apron, her copper hair tied back into a messy bun, flowers sticking out at all sides. She must not have arranged them into a crown today.

"How are you feeling today?" She asked warmly as she sat down on the side of my bed and began to pull out several potion bottles and her leather journal. For the first time, I noticed the emerald pendant hanging around her neck and the small patches of white metal on her skin. Iron. Of course; she was an iron golem after all.

"A little stiff, but other than that I'm alright," I said. She smiled and uncorked a few of the bottles. "Can I ask you something?" She looked up at me, her dark red eyes glittering in the sunlight.

"Sure!"

"How do you and Technoblade know each other?" I asked. She froze for a split second before her hand came up to turn the emerald around her neck over in her fingers.

"I used to be stationed in his kingdom, a long time ago." She sighed. "Back then he was just a little boy, and couldn't have been over ten years old. He was always running around the city below the castle, a small wooden sword in his hand," she chuckled, almost sadly. "Every now and again, Phil would have me watch him. And more often than not, I would come up to the castle to take care of the boy."

"Phil wasn't the king of the empire, but he was the head of the royal council, and he didn't always have time to watch little Techno. I'm not sure why exactly Phil chose me, out of all the golems there, but I'm not complaining." She was taking out a cloth now. "I found myself spending less and less time with the other kids I was put in charge of, and more time with Techno, on Phil's orders."

"He was an odd little boy. He rarely threw tantrums, he never talked back, but he did cry. He cried much more than I expected him to. I remember one time, when the kingdom was under siege, Phil had me removed from the frontlines and ordered me to keep an eye on the little pink-haired boy. When I made it to his room, I found him sitting in the corner, his hands over his ears, rocking back and forth with tears streaming down his face." She was staring at the floor, her hands shaking slightly.

"I didn't know what to do. I asked him what was wrong, and all he could talk about was the voices. All I could do was comfort him and sing softly to him. The only things I knew how to do." She turned away from me, wiping her nose.

"How long did you stay with Technoblade before coming here?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"Seven years after the invasion. He had to have been around sixteen when I said goodbye. I had to be relocated since extremely cold weather isn't exactly ideal for us. He was, no, is, like my little brother. I wouldn't trade him for the world," she said. "I almost didn't recognize him when I saw him at Callista's coronation." She laughed.

"That must've been a shock," I chuckled a little as she pressed the potion-covered cloth against my skin. It didn't burn nearly as bad as it did the first time, and I didn't know why.

"He recognized me first and ran to give me a hug outside the castle. Did you know that I actually taught him to braid hair?" She said. She really did sound like a proud older sister. She sounded like me when I told my friends how smart Finch was.

"Wait, so Phil isn't Technoblade's dad?" I asked.

"Pfff, no. They look nothing alike. Plus Phil is like, a god or something. I don't think that a god would get so lucky as to have Techno for a son," she said.

"What do you mean?"

"Usually gods' children are these awful beasts. Like Charybdis. And Techno's no Charybdis," she said, putting the potions back into her pouch. I wouldn't lie, I had no idea who or what Charybdis was, but her point was made.

"Hey, Ophie?" I said. She glanced up at me, waiting for me to continue. "I need to get out of here. Do you think you can help me?" I asked quietly. Her face contorted into something like conflict, her brow furrowing.

"I know the owner of an inn on the outskirts of town, I'm sure I can get you a room," she said, standing up in front of me. "I'm always on the kids' side with stuff like this. It's who I am." She ruffled my hair before heading over to the stairs.

"You're the best," I said with a smile. She grinned back, her eyes melancholic. There was something more in her head, but I didn't think I would ever fully understand it all.

"I'll be back at sunset. Pack your things, Melanie." And then she was gone, the sound of the front door closing finalizing her exit.

I could barely contain my excitement. Nervousness as well as anticipation coursed through my veins; I had no experience with being on my own. But I wouldn't be completely alone. I had Ranboo and Ophelia supporting me. I would be fine, or at least that's what I told myself. Part of me was so happy that I was finally getting out, but the more logical side of me wasn't sure if this was the right decision. Sure, I would be able to see the love of my life, but would I ever be accepted back into my own family?

I grabbed a few of my work dresses, my books on Endspeak and flower meanings, and one of my nicer dresses and put them all into my biggest basket. Under my bed, there was a small box my father had bought years ago that held the letters Ranboo had written to me and the locket he had given to me. I put that box in the basket as well as my quill and a few pieces of paper. By the time I had double-checked everything, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon. Ophelia would be here soon.

Like clockwork, there was a knock on my door, and I nearly flew down the stairs, leaving the short note I had written on the dinner table.

Mom and Dad-

I'm just doing what's best for me. Tell Finch that I wrote to the Prince for him; he'll know what it means. I hope you can support Willow more than you support me.

I love you, Mel

"I'm ready," I said to the iron golem standing at my door. She smiled and outstretched a hand, her skin warm to the touch.

"He's waiting for you, you know." Nothing but friendliness was in her eyes. I would be okay.

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The lore (and the plot) thickens, doesn't it?

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, even if it is just a bit of filler before the Big Stuff happens :D

Remember to drink water, eat food, study hard for your classes, get sleep, and take your meds!!!! You are so loved!!!!!

I hope to see you beautiful little goblins in the next chapter :DDDD