The Rose That Never Withered (Wattys 2017)

‡Chapter 8 - Call Me Eulon Springs ‡

"I believe all goodbyes are temporary. We meet again, in different places and different stories. The characters change, but the inks remains the same" - Jitesh Khanna

Ian Somerhalder as Eulon Springs *swoons

Weeks had gone by on a blur. Later this evening, our guests were already having their dinner at the dining area. After helping with the preparation of their meal I proceeded to to my quarters. I was tired and all I wanted was to rest.

Aside from the fact that I'm avoiding Regan, I was exhausted with the previous discoveries. You would too if you were in my position.

Have you ever felt the unbearable pain of losing someone whom you've never even met? There's like a hole in your chest and you don't even know why. And you don't even know the person enough to grieve his/her lost. It's frustrating at the same time it sent butterflies in my stomach, call me crazy but I liked it.

I smiled internally.

Finally, I thought, something remotely exciting in my life. Even though it brought a strange constricting in my heart, the uncertainty of things and the mystery of what seemed like my previous life excited me. Maybe it can even lead me back to my family.

Maybe.

I finally settled in my covers and slept like an excited child on Christmas Eve.

10th January, 1643

I was walking in a meadow. It was so unusual.

The other half of the meadow was an eternal winter, while the other was filled with flowers, all in full bloom.

It was beautiful.

I started walking in the middle. The middle looked like a transition between two worlds. I'm not really sure where I'm going but it just felt like I needed to. So I did.

It was like seeing two pieces of the puzzle. I felt happy here. No worries. Not a care in the world.

But I was alone.

I was walking for quite some time now, but there was still nothing in sight yet, not even of an animal.

"Are you getting tired yet, dearest Elizabeth?" whispered a voice.

"Yes, quite. Not of walking, but of seeing the same scenes over and over again." I answered to the voice.

It chuckled. "As expected"

There stood a figure on the distance. I started walking towards it with my usual pace. It was getting nearer.

Upon closer inspection, the man was simply..... stunning. He had those haunting gray eyes and a jawline that could cut diamonds...

He was beautiful, just like this scenery. And with the way he was dressed, made me think I was under-dressed, when we all know I'm not.

"Greetings to you sir, and to your beautiful scenery" I curtsied.

"Hello Elizabeth. It's nice to finally see the face behind the name. Please, sit down"

I sat down on the clean picnic carpet placed on the ground.

That wasn't there a while ago.

"My brothers had told me so much about you. Although it troubles me how you can travel from one domain to another." He sipped his cup of tea.

That wasn't there-

"You're quite the curious little thing aren't you?"

I sipped my tea. "As I've been told" I giggled.

He chuckled again, the velvety sound invading my ears. "I do enjoy this short chat with you, but sadly, you must leave dearest Elizabeth." he kissed my hand "Till we meet again"

"But I don't even know your name-"

I know I would be waking up soon.

"Oh dear me. Call me Eulon."

"Farewell Sir Eulon." I waved my hand "goodbye".

"Eulon Springs" he smiled.

My eyes fluttered open, a sigh escaping my parted lips.

Another beautiful, unexplained dream.

I ran straight to Dianne's bed and jumped on her mattress. "Dianne!!!!"

"Wha- what!?!?!?!" O god, I must have sounded like the house was on fire right now. She jerked upwards and took on a defensive stance. I laughed uncontrollably when she did. Upon realizing what happened, she frowned and cleared her throat, fixing her nightgown as a mean to regain composure.

"What is it Eli?" she still has that frown on her face. "It's only three in the morning. You do know that, right? You're always the one who's complaining about being too early in the morning."

"I thought a change of circumstances would be great." I beamed at her.

I don't even know what got into me. I hugged Dianne and whispered "I love you Dianne."

I could feel her smile behind me. "I love you too" she replied, voice slightly shaking with unshed tears.

If only I knew why.