The Light of My Hearts

A/N: Sorry for the late update. Life is just too busy for hobbies sometimes. But here ya go!

Once he returned home with Gillam following, Kendrick began preparing some lunch for them. Summer was winding down and his garden had yielded a glut of fresh produce, so he whipped up a pot of hearty vegetable stew and a second with wild boar. Gillam helped by chopping the vegetables to a more appropriate size with his crystalline sword. It wasn’t too long before Twillow and Helia arrived.

“We’re here!” Twillow announced.

Kendrick turned around slightly from stirring the pots, “Ah. Great timing. I was thinking a slayer would make a great addition to this soup.”

“Har har...not funny.” Helia rolled her eyes as she dismounted her horse and put him in the small pen for Sig’s animals when he visited.

The giant snickered to himself, “On second thought, you’d probably be too sour for this. Might ruin the flavor.”

Gillam gave a perplexed look at them, wondering if Kendrick was kidding. Twillow merely shook her head, knowing the dichotomous pair were always picking at each other to evoke a reaction; almost like a pair of strong-willed siblings.

Kendrick began serving up the soup. He also included some bread and cheeses along with it.

“It’s ready.” He announced as he placed the table.

Taking it as a cue, Gillam flew down to the floor to Helia, landed, extended a gentlemanly hand with a short bow as he put his large wings down elegantly, “I can help you up to the table.”

Helia seemed to shift on her feet awkwardly in response to his high society posing. The fae waited patiently for her to take his hand. When she finally did, he pulled her close, picked her up smoothly in a cradle carry, and flew her to the surface of the massive stone table. Helia was a tall, Amazonian-built woman. It was not common for anyone to just pick her up like a dainty maiden. Gillam was at least five inches taller than her and strongly built so he seemed to have little difficulty lifting her. She wasn’t sure how to feel about it. When Gillam had whisked her up into the tree during the goblin incident, she hadn’t thought about it because of the danger.

Now...it was strange. Not unpleasant...but strange.

Once the fae landed again on the stone table he put the woman back on her feet.

“Thanks.” She replied quickly before making her way over to the human-sized table nearby.

Twillow was serving them their soup portions from the “small” bathtub sized bowl. It smelled very nice, cozy even. The redhead gave a look of bemusement to Kendrick.

"You cook?”

He returned the look as if it were common knowledge, “Yeah.”

“Surprising.”

“Well don’t you cook?” he inquired.

“I get by.” She stated.

Which was true. Helia was a great swords-woman, tracker, fighter, and a decent medic. Cooking was not exactly her forte. She knew very basic things but despite her mother’s attempts to teach her the domestic arts, she remained a stubborn student.

She eyed the two offerings of soup, noticing the whole, cooked carcasses of a couple boars in one, “Please tell me those are just pigs.”

Kendrick smirked then shrugged, “Maybe they are...maybe they aren’t.”

From his teasing tone she guessed they were, he was just messing with her head as always, “Fine. I’ll try it.”

She was served a bowl and before she made it back to the table, Gillam pulled out her chair like a gentleman. Then, the group sat in their respective chairs. Though hesitant, Helia tried the boar soup and lifted her eyebrows when the rich, meaty, squash, and carrot flavor delighted her taste buds.

“As bad as you imagined?” Kendrick quipped when he noticed her expression.

“It’s...alright.” She begrudgingly said, even though it was really good.

Kendrick smirked and ate a spoonful of his, “Glad you like it, Slayer.”

Gillam tipped his head slightly, “Why do you always call her “Slayer” and not Helia?”

“He doesn’t like me so he doesn’t call me by name.” Helia replied.

“Oh, now that’s not completely true, Slayer.” The giant leaned on his arm a bit, savoring a bite of cheese, “It’s just what I’ve always called you.”

“I still think you call me that out of spite.” She grumbled.

He chuckled, continuing his meal. Soon after small talk about their adventures the lunch concluded and the dishes were gathered for washing.

“Oh! Gillam!” Twillow chirped with remembrance, “You have to come out and see my garden house!”

Twillow showed her little tree house to anyone who visited and her brother had yet to see it.

“Sure. I’d love to see it.” He agreed. “Would you like to come, Helia?”

“I’ve seen it. Remember?”

“Oh! Of course! That’s when we first met.” He stated with a tone that seemed rather fond.

Helia shifted a bit, “Yeah... well, before you go out there, can you bring me the brown sack in my saddle bag.”

He nodded agreeably and flew down to retrieve it for her. She sat casually in one of the small chairs on Kendrick’s table until he returned with the bag. Then Gillam and Twillow flew together out the back tunnel to the garden. Kendrick was cleaning the dishes and setting them aside. Soon he was finished and dried his hands, turning to see Helia sitting and sharpening one of her daggers with a whetting stone.

“Looking to start something?” Kendrick laughed quietly as he sat down in his own chair, leaning on the table.

She casually observed the keenness of the blade, “Not unless you are.”

Quite suddenly Kendrick reached over and prodded her with a finger, nearly pushing her out of her chair, “Aww. You don’t wanna play with me?”

The redhead flailed in the chair to maintain balance, shot him a look, and pointed her dagger at him, “I told you before, your games aren’t fun for me.” She sheathed the weapon and picked up the brown, leather sack near her feet, “But I’ve got something in this bag that won’t be fun for you if you keep pestering me.”

Kendrick tipped his head with curiosity, “Oh?”

“Yeah. So, unless you want me to open it up and make you regret it, just keep your giant mitts to yourself.” She warned.

The giant blinked then smirked, clearly provoked into action like an older brother looking to annoy his younger sibling. Helia kept a warning eye on him for a few seconds. Swooping from under the table behind her, his other hand came around and scooted her chair sharply. Her head whipped as she grasped the wooden arms.

“I’m warning you, Kendrick!” she snapped.

“You shouldn’t get me curious. What’s in the bag?” he goaded.

The woman stood up from her chair, clutching the bag in one hand, “All right. You want to see? Here you go!”

...

Gillam was getting the grand tour of Twillow’s modest garden home. She was clearly proud of it though it held none of the pristine opulence of their childhood estate. Twillow had often talked of having a place of her own but leaving the estate was not something their mother encouraged.

“Kendrick built you this?” he asked, touching the entryway frame.

Twillow nodded happily, “Yes! Isn’t he wonderful?”

Gillam gave a couple nods, “And...you are happy?”

“Of course! Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Does he always treat you well?” Gillam questioned seriously, “He doesn’t act violent or lose his temper with you?”

Twillow shook her head adamantly, “No! Never.” She gave her brother a chiding look, “He’s so gentle and sweet, Gillam. You have nothing to worry about.”

Her tall brother managed a quick smile, “But I’m your brother...I worry about my little sister.”

“I can assure you; you have nothing to worry about. Kendrick is everything I’ve wanted in a man. Yes, he’s different than others I’ve dated. He’s rougher, not as refined...”

“Notorious?”

Twillow opened her mouth slightly as if to speak but the words fled her in light of a simple, “I know.”

“You’re not just doing this rebelliously, like when you dated that vampire?” Gillam prodded.

An angry look hardened Twillow’s delicate face, “Absolutely not! That was so long ago...I can’t believe you brought that up!”

Centuries before she was even interested in Valluen, Twillow had gone against her mother’s wishes and dated a handsome, pale, vampire, whom she would see in secret during the night citizen hours. He was alluring, suave, and always had a sense of danger about him. Twillow was still young then by fae standards and part of her only wanted to date him because her overbearing mother had no control over her choice. So many eligible, high-society bachelors were paraded to her by her mother that she wanted to escape that cycle and do something crazy...make her own decisions. But their relationship never progressed beyond fondling and kissing since his idea for deeper intimacy involved bloodletting and pain; a common characteristic of his species. Twillow just couldn’t go through with it and stopped seeing him. Her young rebellion died before it had lived very long. Afterward, Gillam had been a sympathetic ear for her to confide in. (And he also secretly made sure her old beau didn’t pursue relations further with her with some veiled warnings.)

“Kendrick has a substantial body count...one he can’t even put a number to. I just worry you’ve fallen for someone who can put you in danger.”

At once a few objects shifted as the pressure of Twillow’s magic spilled out through her raised tone, “IT’S NOT...!” she sighed in a calming way and lowered her voice, “It’s not like that, Gillam. He’s not a danger to me. I love him and he loves me.”

“I can tell that. I don’t deny your feelings for a second. But love won’t keep you safe if the humans keep coming for his head.” He argued, “I’ve seen more iron weapons and tools here than I’ve ever seen in my whole life and it would only take a touch from one to render you powerless. Or you would be killed.”

“I’m well aware.” Twillow buzzed her wings, “Did you talk to Kendrick about this?”

Gillam nodded, “I did. He doesn’t deny anything. And he swears he will protect you from any threat, but I’m a realist. As long as that huge bounty is on his head, the humans will keep coming after him, and also you.”

“I know.” She finally conceded.

The thought was always hidden in the back of her mind, but Twillow did worry for Kendrick. He was of course supremely confident in his defensive abilities (and who could blame him for feeling so?) but she also knew humans were persistent and intuitive. That ballista weapon that shot Kendrick last year could’ve potentially killed him. Twillow didn’t worry about herself so much but it was evident Gillam and Kendrick both did.

Gillam continued, “I suggested he should make peace with the humans. He laughed at that. But I think he would be more receptive to the idea if it came from you.”

“I’m trying a little at a time.” She admitted, “But it’s going to take a lot to get him to change his feelings toward humans and allow any trust.” A small smile curved her lips, “But at least he’s made friends with Sig and his family and he’s getting better with Helia.”

Suddenly a thunderous sneeze erupted inside the mountain and made Twillow and Gillam jump. A loud clamor and a second sneeze from Kendrick. And then a third.

“DAMMIT, Slayer! Where the hell did you get that shit?!” he shouted in between sneezes.

Helia said something but they couldn’t hear what she said.

Another crash and Kendrick answered with a murderous tone that also sounded muffled slightly, “ARG! That’s it! Make peace with your god, Slayer! I’m going to END you!”

Twillow and Gillam shared a horrified look before shooting into the air and down the tunnel. When they entered the living area, they saw Kendrick leaning over the kitchen counter, splashing water fervently across his face. They didn’t see Helia right away but Kendrick seemed to be in distress.

“What’s going on? What happened?” Twillow shouted as she flew over to him to see what was wrong.

Kendrick heard her and turned his head slightly, taking deep heaving breaths through his mouth. Twillow gasped when she saw his eyelids were puffy, practically swelling his eyes shut while tears poured out. He tried to breathe through his nose but it was plugged.

“Oh, my blessed wings!” Twillow cried out upon seeing his state.

Kendrick splashed his face again growling deeply, “I’m going to kill her! Ugh. Oh gods, I can’t smell anything!”

Twillow flew in front of his face and touched his cheek, “Hold still. Hold still. Let me see.”

It was apparent from his swollen lids and watery eyes that Kendrick couldn’t see anything but he complied when he heard and felt her touch him, “You-you’re saying Helia did this to you?”

“Yes! She has giantsbane!” he hissed angrily and then groaned with discomfort when he tried and failed to breathe through his nose.

“Giantsbane?”

“It’s...a plant. Ugh.” he wiped his watery eyes.

Twillow looked over at the table to see Gillam at the opposite edge, pulling Helia back over. It appeared she had fallen off the edge but caught herself and was hanging precariously. On the table lay a small frond with dark, thin leaves dotted with blue and white berries.

Now safe on the tabletop, Helia was bent over, breathing hard to alleviate her fear of nearly falling. Gillam attended to her.

“Helia! Is that true?” Twillow called out, mortified.

Finally, she answered, “I didn’t think it would actually work!”

Kendrick suddenly heard her voice and wheeled around in a fury, “YOU!”

His thunderous voice made Helia stand up straight and grab her sword hilt defensively. However, Gillam was already braced in front of her with his own sword ready. Neither was necessary when Twillow intervened.

“NO! Stop!” Twillow darted in front of her mate’s face, kicking his nose, “Stop! I don’t want you two to fight!”

Kendrick halted his all but blind forward motion, huffing like an agitated guard dog who had been told to sit.

"Why would you bring that here?” Twillow demanded sharply, using a tone that she rarely used.

Helia shook her head, “I bought some to see if it was actually legitimate. I didn’t realize it would work that severely.”

“You were trying to weaken me to kill me!” Kendrick accused.

“No I wasn’t, you dumb ass!” she shot back, “I just wanted to see if it would work and maybe keep you from pestering me since you never give me a moment’s peace.”

“You just can’t take a joke!” Kendrick retorted.

“Enough! Stop fighting!” Twillow raised her voice and then touched one of Kendrick’s swollen eyes, “Just calm down and hold still. I’ll fix this.”

Her hands glowed brightly and the light began seeping into Kendrick’s skin. Like a deflating balloon his swollen eyes reduced, squeezing out one last gush of cleansing tears. Then after a few moments his nose cleared too. He gave a deep sigh through his nose with relief as he opened his tender but healed eyes.

“Oh...thank you my light. That’s better.” He thanked her as he wiped his face again.

His eyes flicked beyond her and hardened almost vengefully at Helia. Twillow positioned herself so he wouldn’t focus on the redhead so much.

Twillow’s wings made a louder buzz, “I thought you two were past this mistrust and petty squabbles?”

With a stern tone she looked down to Helia, “I think you should apologize.”

The redhead gave a look of brief indignation and hesitated. But to keep the peace she gave a sigh and said, “I’m sorry for bringing that here. I thought this stuff was a hoax and didn’t believe it would affect you so much.”

Kendrick merely narrowed his amber eyes.

Twillow glanced at him with an equally chiding look, “And you should apologize too.”

“What? Why?” he sounded offended by the idea.

“For harassing her.”

He huffed, clearly not impressed with the notion. Both Helia and Kendrick had expressions of sheepishness at being admonished by Twillow as well as a stinging to their pride. Neither truly wanted to admit they were in the wrong.

Though Kendrick was not one to apologize first, especially to a human, he didn’t like the smell of disapproval that Twillow was giving off. She wasn’t happy. Correction: she wasn’t happy with him. He couldn’t have that.

“I’m sorry…for pestering you, Slayer.” He finally conceded.

When she saw Helia give an approving nod, Twillow gave one as well.

“Good. I don’t like it when you two fight. I want you to get along. I thought you were.”

Kendrick shot a serious, almost threatening look to the woman, “Where did you get that giantsbane, Slayer?”

“I bought it from a merchant in Blue Meadow.”

He stared balefully at the small plant lying on the table, “Is that all of it?”

“No. He had a big branch of it.” She explained evenly. “Said it was really rare.”

Kendrick nodded, “It is.”

“So, you’ve seen it before?” Gillam inquired.

Again, the giant nodded, “When I was younger and living with my father, we found a sizable patch of it growing up north. We both could barely go near it but we burned every last leaf of it. Haven’t seen any for a long time.” He narrowed his eyes with a commanding tone, “Slayer, you are going to find that merchant again and you are going to buy every piece that he has. Then you’re going to find out where he got it exactly.”

Helia gave a scoffing look, “It cost me half a sack of queen spider venom just for that little frond. I can’t afford to buy it.”

“Threaten him then…you are good at that.” He urged. “I don’t care how you get it, but I want all that he has and where he got his supply.”

“I’m not about the threaten a one-armed merchant.” Helia argued.

Kendrick looked more irritated but when he noticed Twillow’s concerned expression, he gave a subtle growl, suddenly moved away from the table, and briefly disappeared into the tunnel leading to his garden. For a moment the trio thought he had merely stormed away, but then he returned with something in his hand. A curt drop revealed a large sack deposited on the table before her. It clinked metallically.

“That should be enough to buy it off of him AND get the information.”

Helia blinked. The sack was full of gold chunks. It was a small fortune in raw ore!

“Where the Hell did you get all that?” she gasped.

He lifted a brow, “I didn’t steal it if that’s what you’re implying.”

“It’s…that’s a lot of gold.” She admitted.

“Exactly. Humans respond well to offers of riches, yes?”

She nodded, “Yes. Yes, they do.”

“Good. Then you will have no problem acquiring all of that accursed plant.”

“If I can find him again…” Helia sounded unsure.