Fire's Flame

Chapter 9~Letters~

Well, that brought back unpleasant memories. Memories she tried so hard to forget, to banish from her mind. Flashbacks came like a waterfall of lava. As she made her way back to the smithy which wasn't far away, she saw a mother holding her daughter's hand. Her heart ached a little, for she wondered what it would be like to grow up with a mother. But not the mother that stood silently by her husband's side to watch her only daughter burn. She knew her mother was weak and helpless, but she was her daughter, and she didn't even try to defend her. She didn't even cry. Was it possible she didn't love her?

None of that matters anyway she still despised her mother. But that didn't mean she didn't wish for a mom.
She went back to the smithy, her home. She went back to Erik, her family.

"Not because it's your birthday then you could run away from work," Erik said playfully as Fire entered the smithy. "You know I would never, I love work!" she replied. "I know but before you get back to work you might want to read the letter you got." He said as he heated the iron.
"Letter..., what letter?" she asked while putting her axe down. "It's on the table," he said pointing at the table across from her.

Fire went over to the table and took the letter in her hands. It was from Fergus, she didn't even have to read the name, she could tell it was from him by the fancy neat handwriting. Ever since she and Fergus were separated, they would communicate by letters. But they haven't seen each other in person yet.

Dear Fire,

Happy birthday to my brave girl or should I say insane?  I don't even know; your bravery seems like insanity to me. But that's what makes you who you are.
That's what makes you Fire.
I can't believe you are sixteen already. I can't believe it's been five years since the last time I saw you.
I wonder what you look like now. But I can imagine how beautiful you look.
Promise me to always shine Fire, promise me to stay impeccable.
May all your dreams come true.

Yours truly,
Fergus.

A warm grin appeared on Fire's face as she read his words. Even though it's been five years she could still hear his voice while reading the letter. Oh, how she missed her best friend. "Isn't he such a humble boy?" said Erik mockingly. "He sure is," she replied with her gaze still fixed on the letter in her hands, not realizing his mocking tone.

"How thoughtful of Fergus to send you a birthday letter." He said with his back still facing her. She averted her gaze from the letter to Erik immediately. "How did you know it was from Fergus?" she asked with furrowed brows. "You only smile at his letters like that," he said as he finally turned around to face her. She gulped nervously at his statement. "I should probably write him back" she stated. "You sure do," he scoffed. She cleared her throat and paced around the smithy looking for a piece of parchment. "There is plenty of parchment in my cabinet." He said as he watched her nervous expression with satisfaction. "R-right." she stuttered.

She wondered why Erik would tease her like this. Why would he even hint about her having feelings for Fergus? It's been five years for God's sake, she doesn't even know what he looks like now. She might not even recognize him if she saw him in public by coincidence. She saw Fergus as a Friend and only a friend. Smiling at his letters meant nothing romantic. Yes, she loved him but her love for him was innocent of anything lovey-dovey. It was all just siblings' love.

She grabbed a piece of parchment from Erik's cabinet and sat down by the wooden table in her room.
Her room had nothing special since they were poor, she couldn't afford to have a fancy room. Nevertheless, she didn't care. Her room consisted of a small bed that she couldn't toss or turn on in her sleep. If she tries to, she will fall off her bed. She kept herself warm with thin bed covers, that really didn't warm her up, but she was getting used to it. Across from her bed was the wooden table she sat by.
She dipped the feather in her hand in ink and proceeded in writing the letter.

Dear Fergus

Thank you for the birthday letter. It really means a lot. I wish I was as good as you when it comes to expressing my feelings, but you know I suck at it.
You were always the sensitive one, who seems to always have the right words in mind.
I just hope you know how much I miss you.

Sincerely
Fire.

Her letter was a lot different from Fergus's letter. Her handwriting wasn't fancy it was rather a bit messy. Her words were bold and clear.
Her letter was a lot shorter than his, she just couldn't find the right words and it took her time to write these couple of sentences.

She got up and put the letter in an envelope. She sealed the envelope and left it on her table before she went back to work. "Did you write him back?" asked Erik when he saw her close the door of her room behind her. "Yes," she answered shortly. "Did you send the letter?" He asked once more. "No, not yet. I will send it after I'm finished with the sword," she said as she grabbed the hammer. "Alright," he said, his Scottish accent kicking in.

"Or perhaps it won't be necessary to send it." said a male's voice coming from the Entrance of the smithy. Fire's eyes landed on the male standing by the entrance. A tall muscular ginger guy was standing in front of them. She looked into his dark brown eyes; she immediately remembered those eyes. "FERGUS!" she shouted as she ran towards him. He caught her in mid-air and they both wrapped their arms around each other. They were both squeezed in each other's embrace. She pulled away from his grasp after what felt like the longest hug and looked him in his teary eyes. She felt her nose ich and turn red. "Fire, you look so beautiful you haven't changed a bit," he said with a wide grin. "You look very handsome too you-you look like a grown man! The only thing that didn't change about you is your eyes. Even your hair got a bit darker! I mean you're still ginger but it's a bit darker." once again she was trying to find the right words to describe him.

"Fergus my boy come here!" said Erik as he approached him. Erik gave him a manly hug and patted his back, as Fire observed seventeen-year-old Fergus.
He looked handsome and sharp; he looked like those boys in books and fairy tales. Those boys that all the girls dream about. "Was it easy to get here? Did you consider going through the forest as I told you?"
Erik asked after pulling away from the hug. "Like you told him? You knew he was coming?!" Fire asked in a puzzled tone. "Yes, I did he was planning on coming a week ago," Erik said as he leaned against the table behind him and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Why didn't you tell me?!" she asked, her voice rose a little. "It wouldn't be a surprise then would it be?" Erik asked. She ignored Erik and gave her undivided attention to the ginger boy next to her.

"Fergus, how did you get here? What did you tell your mother? She wouldn't agree with you coming to see me! You know you could stay here forever, right? Please stay here forever. I'm sick of constantly sending you letters, I want to be able to have decent conversations without waiting weeks for your response! They might kill you if you go back!" she said in a panicked voice.

"Woah Woah easy Fire. no one will kill me, and my mom knows the truth now, she doesn't hate you anymore. I also bought a hut here. I just can't stay in that town of animals any longer. It's devastating!" he said as he gripped her shoulders to calm her down.

"That's-THAT'S AMAZING NEWS FERGUS!" she said in excitement. "But what about your mother?" she asked, her expression switched from relief to concern in a matter of seconds. "It's hard for her to leave the town she somehow loves it there. Nevertheless, I sure will be visiting her every now and then," he spoke as he let go of her shoulders.

"Well then, now that you are finally here allow me to show you around." Fire said with a smile on her face. "Fergus must be exhausted Fire, I bet he could use a nap," Erik said, causing Fire to turn around and face him. "It's okay Erik I missed my best friend, and I surely won't mind spending time with her after all these years," Fergus stated making Fire turn her full attention back at him. "I think it would be better if you take a nap first Fergus so that you could at least handle Fire's hyperactivity," Erik said with a chuckle. "He is right Fergus you should get some rest," she spoke. "Alright then if you say so," he said as he opened his arms inviting her into a hug.

She immediately hugged him; it was a short yet warm hug. They pulled away from each other and smiled. "My hut is right across your smithy by the way," he said as he headed out of the smithy. "I SURE WILL GIVE YOU A VISIT TODAY," she called out as he was now a couple of meters away. "OKAY," he said moments before he disappeared into the crowd.