AJ was pulled into a tight hug, one that he returned warmly. It felt good to be in those strong arms again. It had been way too long. When they pulled back, both of them were smiling. “You’ve grown since we last spoke, Alyck. I see your first ring! It’s the same color that your mother’s was.” His grandfather told him. For reasons he couldn’t explain, that pleased AJ. He smiled as he looked at his grandfather. In his looks he could see parts of his mother. Though he had been alive for years, the King was elvish, and therefore did not age, so his body was young and spry. But in his eyes was a great wisdom that came from his long time on earth.
“I am honored to share that with her.” AJ said softly. For a moment they both thought of the woman they had lost. For one, a mother. For another, a daughter. But then AJ’s face lit with a smile again. “Grandfather, I brought friends with me, but one I want badly for you to meet.”
His grandfather chuckled and looked over to where Brian still knelt, staring at the ground. He moved toward him, keeping one arm looped through AJ’s. “For one who has never been here, you are very respectful. Rise, young one, and let me see your face.”
With a grace that showed his elvish heritage for all to see, Brian rose to his feet smoothly. AJ heard the small gasps of some around them, and felt the shock winnow through his grandfather’s arm. The gaze that met Brian’s was the gaze of the King. “So you have brought one of our own back to us, Alyck. Welcome to our home, young one.”
“The honor is mine, my King.” Brian answered him respectfully.
“Grandfather, this is Brian. Brian Littrell.” AJ introduced him. He was watching for it, so he saw the recognition that flashed in his kings eyes when he heard Brian’s last name. “Only recently did we discover his elvish heritage. We performed magic together. The magic that gave me my color, and brought the blood out in him. He woke with his ears changed the next morning. But before that, he was as I was. Immortal, with the elemental power. The faeries have named him Duw Tân ac Awyr.”
“God of fire and air. Welcome, indeed. We will have much to discuss between us. I look forward to the time we shall spend together. Let it be known that any friend of Alyck’s is a friend of ours, most especially one seeking his own people. Please, as his friend, be at ease here. We will dispense with formalities now that business is done, and you may call me by my name. I am Flreu.”
Here was the moment that AJ was looking forward to. These were a people he knew would share in his joy, and who he wanted to show Brian off to more than anyone else. He stepped away from his grandfather, letting go of his arm, and moved to stand by Brian’s side. With the smile on his face growing wider, he slid his arm around Brian’s waist, and felt his love slide one around his. “Grandfather, Brian is more than my friend. I have searched for years, and finally found the song that sings to my heart. I bring him before you as one who is more to me than my own life. Together, our hearts sing a song of love and happiness.”
Flreu’s face lit with joy that was echoed in the cries of those around them. “This is a time for celebration!” he called out to the room. “Long have I prayed for you to hear the song for your heart, and here you bring him home to us! Tonight we shall have a feast in your honor!”
While everyone shouted and danced and music played, AJ spoke through the bond to Brian, explaining something to him and asking his permission. Brian’s smile grew pleased and the response he gave was a joyful ‘yes!’ Hearing that, AJ looked back at Flreu. “Grandfather, before a feast, before talks of seriousness, we would humbly ask one favor of you.”
“What is this favor that makes you glow so, son of my daughter?”
“We would ask that, before our family and our people, we have a joining ceremony. We wish to honor our hearts and our people.”
Tears gathered in Flreu’s eyes. “So shall it be. Preparations will be made immediately.” He gestured to two elves that were standing along the side of the room, and they immediately took off to start preparing. Leaving it in their capable hands, Flreu stepped forward and hugged AJ tight to his chest again. “You make my own heart sing again, Alyck. Your mother would be proud of you.”
“Thank you.” AJ whispered. Flreu released him and moved to hug Brian just as tightly. It made AJ’s heart feel light to stand and watch the two most important people in his life meet and enjoy one another.
When Flreu pulled back, he put an arm around each of their waists. “As the ceremony is prepared, let us go meet the rest of your friends, Alyck! There is much joy in our house today, and our guests should not be left cooling their heels in the gardens.” He told them. As a group they started down the carpet. Greetings were called to them left and right as they walked. The joy in AJ was so strong he felt tears building in his eyes. Here, he was home. No matter where else he went, this was his home. That feeling had only grown stronger since his changes had started. His joy grew when he felt the same sentiments from Brian.
The doors opened as they reached them, and they descended the stairs together, moving to where everyone was waiting. Flreu’s pleasure was so great it rang in his voice as he greeted them. “Welcome to my home, friends of Alyck, friends of Brian! It is a merry day in our home!”
“We are honored to meet you, your Highness.” Geoff said respectfully, offering a bow from his seat, the gestured copied by Richard and Marzio. The two women inclined their heads respectfully, keeping their eyes on the ground. Only Howie, who had been standing, knew the proper way to greet the King from conversations he’d had with AJ. He knelt down, putting his arms behind his back exactly as AJ and Brian had done.
Flreu looked down at Howie’s head in amusement. “I see you taught another our ways.” He said with a smile. Regally he inclined his head at Howie. “Rise, child. All of you be at peace, please. Today is a day for celebration. Today we dispense with titles. I am not a King today. I am a grandfather, greeting and visiting with the friends of my grandson. Shy not from my eyes, or in my presence, and refer to me not by my title but by Flreu, for I look forward to a friendship with you all.”
As Howie rose, Flreu went to him first and hugged him in greeting before moving down the line of the others. Once he had hugged them all, true to his word, he relaxed and dropped all formality. In that moment he became completely Flreu the Elf instead of Flreu the King. He perched on a large rock surrounded by flowers, his legs crossed in front of him. One would never guess he was a grandfather, or a great grandfather, or anything of the like. No elf ever looked their age. Only by looking at their eyes, not just at the rings but at what looked out at you, could you guess a fraction of their age. Physically, they looked forever fit; forever young.
Flreu locked eyes with AJ for a moment. “I would save the darker business for the morrow, grandson. We may catch up then on what has happened between our homes, and what must be done. For now, I would love to hear how you and your heart song met. Please, everyone, be comfortable.”
For the next hour AJ told about how he had joined the music group, the backstreet boys, and how he had met Brian. All about their courtship, and their relationship, and the moment when he realized that this one was the one for him. They told stories about one another, he and Brian. Even Howie got into the mix, regaling Flreu with tales of what the two used to do.
A crowd drew around them, listening and laughing as the stories were shared. When Geoff told them how Brian had shoved AJ off the ship and into the water, laughter rang in the courtyard.
“Alyck!” A female voice suddenly yelled overtop of everyone’s laughter. AJ recognized that voice and was grinning when he turned toward it. He didn’t have enough time to brace before a female elf, chestnut hair blowing behind her, leapt from the crowd and into his arms. Together the two tumbled to the grass, hugging one another tightly. “Aine!” he cried out happily. Sitting up with her straddling his lap, AJ framed her face and gave her a joyful kiss. “I didn’t know you’d be here. I thought you were living in Scotland now!”
Her smile was radiant coming from that tanned face. In her eyes AJ saw that she had yet to gain her second ring, which made her the same ‘age’ as he was. Her iris was blue, and the first ring a pale grey, showing the mix of the forest elf that was her mother, and the water elf that was her father. “I missed home too much. I stayed away for three hundred years; I couldn’t take it anymore. But I am glad I was here to see you come home!” She wrapped him tightly in her arms and squeezed, making him laugh. From his spot on the rock, Flreu chuckled. “Let him breathe, child!” he teased her.
Aine smiled and pulled back, moving so that they could stand. She kept her hold on his arm at least, wanting to touch and be touched. Among elves, touch was very important. It didn’t hold the same stricture that humans put on it. To an elf, touch was used just like words would be. It didn’t have any sexual overtures unless they wanted it to. Touching was a part of their life, and done at every possible occasion.
“Aine, I’d like you to meet my friends. This is Geoff, Richard, Isleen, Sofia, Marzio, and Howi.” AJ introduced. Aine hugged them all in turn and kissed their cheeks, causing Geoff to blush and Howie to grin. Then AJ turned her toward Brian. “Aine, this is Brian, the song of my heart. Brian, this is my cousin, Aine.”
“Oh, praise be had!” Aine cried, jumping over to Brian and hugging him with all the enthusiasm that she had hugged AJ. “Welcome to our family!”
As Aine started to chatter at Brian, asking him questions about ‘cousin Alyck’, AJ moved to stand by Flreu. He watched as Aine drew his friends into the conversation, drawing them in like bees to a flower. “Some things never change. She is still such a vibrant girl.” AJ said fondly.
Flreu put his hand on AJ’s shoulder. “She is. She’s very much like her mother. Iona will be pleased to see you as well. She has missed her sister’s son in her home and before her fire.”
“I’ve missed her too, grandfather. I’ve missed all of you. It feels so good to be at home.”
“Your Brian, he does not know his family, I gather.”
AJ looked at Flreu and saw again the knowledge in his eyes. Being his grandfather, though, AJ couldn’t demand the information as much as he may want to. “We hoped that coming here we might be able to find them and answer his questions. It preys on his mind and his heart to have the knowing of his history, but not the knowledge.”
“Will it hurt him or will it be a joy to know?”
“He has so much love in him. I think it may scare him, or make him nervous, but his heart is so warm that I see it only being a joy for him.”
Flreu’s smile grew. “Good. Because the one who mated into the Littrell family, who has been gone since the last war, left behind children. In the loose sense, he has a cousin here, though it may be more of an Uncle. That would be him, stepping toward young Brian now. We shall allow them this moment, I think, if it will be a joy for him, for today is a day of joy.”
Instantly AJ’s eyes snapped toward the elf that was walking straight for Brian. A cousin, Flreu had said. Well, more an Uncle. In the relationships of the elves, if a cousin was much older and much more experienced it moved them to the Uncle position. AJ contemplated moving to stand by Brian’s side, but then decided his grandfather was right. Best to allow them the moment to do with as they would.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Excuse me.” A voice cut through Brian’s thoughts as he stood watching AJ’s cousin Aine talk. She was a very animated girl, and full of energy. Watching her was enough to make anyone smile. But at the sound of the voice behind him, Brian turned, his smile still on his lips. It froze in place when his gaze connected with that of the elf standing there.
The elf had the two rings on his eyes that AJ said signified the elf had progressed among them to adulthood. But that wasn’t what caught Brian’s attention. No, his mind focused on the vibrant blue that was the center color. On the golden hair that hung down to the elf’s knees and was crimped slightly. His gaze traveled over the higher cheekbones. Over a nose that Brian had seen many times before, most especially when looking in the mirror. He looked at the smile that was so like his father’s.
“I am Tadhg.” That melodious voice said again. Even under Brian’s scrutiny the smile stayed in place, never faltering. “My father, may his soul rest in the arms of the earth, would be the man who was your great grandfather Kieran on your father’s side. By human standards, that would make us cousins; but by elvish standards, that would make me your Uncle. I wish to welcome you, nephew Brian, to our home and our hearts.”
Brian didn’t know what to say, or what to do. Right here was the answer to the one question that had been plaguing him since he had discovered the truth about himself. Standing before him was a man who knew who he was, and who was a relative. It was almost too much to take in. His mouth blurted the first thing that entered his mind. “I’m so glad I can finally meet you. That I can finally know the truth about myself.”
“It would be my honor to instruct you in the ways of our people, though you already have a great teacher in young Alyck over there. I heard in the hall that he is your heart song, and you are his. My own heart sings for joy to know that my nephew has found that in his life.”
To his surprise, Brian felt tears fill his eyes. There was no mistaking the love in Tadhg’s voice or his eyes. It was almost too much for Brian. He had wanted so badly to know his past and his family here, and now that it was in front of him, he had no idea what to do or what to say. As if he sensed that, Tadhg wrapped Brian in his arms and held him close. Brian’s head pillowed perfectly against the willowy elf’s shoulder. “It makes me weep, too, at the joy of seeing you.” Tadhg said in a voice gone soft with tears. “Long have I wanted to meet the family that my father was a part of.”
“It doesn’t feel real.” Brian found himself whispering. Tears made warm tracks down his face. “None of this seems real to me. I don’t even know you. Why is my heart so happy to see you?”
“It is the way of elves, nephew. You may not know my heart or my mind yet, but blood calls to blood. We are family, and that bond is always there. I look forward to the joy of knowing you.”
The two pulled back, and Tadhg brought his hands up, using his thumbs to wipe at Brian’s eyes. “I heard of your joining ceremony tonight. The home is abuzz with the information. At the ceremony a person’s family stands with them, and their relatives offer them to one another. I, and my heart song, would love to stand with you and proudly hand you to Alyck.”
The smile on Brian’s face and the tears that renewed in his eyes were answer enough. He and Tadhg embraced again, and Brian felt as if that part of his heart was finally starting to find peace.