Unknown L (Book 1)

~~~ Explain Yourself ~~~

It lasted until the moment she got outside and looked around. She had half expected Bryce to be waiting outside to talk to her about something or to walk her back to her cottage. She kicked herself when she realised she'd sort of become attached to Bryce; she knew better than that. Her annoyance set in, and she walked down a random path.

She wasn't consciously aware of where she was going until she reached the garden gate. The door was open, and a little girl came running out, followed by her mother. Emilia looked at L with a wide smile until she saw the look on her face. The smile disappeared, and L could tell Emilia knew exactly why she was there.

Emilia invited her in, and L greeted Illiana politely before she walked straight to Emilia, who gestured for L to go inside. Emilia told Illiana to play outside while they talked. L knew it was pointless if she could hear everything they said, but she was glad not to have to do this in front of the little girl.

Emilia's house was exquisite inside, not fancy or expensive, but it was uniquely designed. Emilia must have decorated it herself, and it matched her taste in robes; it was intricate, beautiful but practical, and also looked like she let Illiana help.

L stood by the window while Emilia sat down on a plush, comfortable looking red and gold armchair. L couldn't look at her directly and stared at the photos on the fireplace. They were mostly of Emilia, Illiana, and a male Elf L didn't recognise but assumed was Illiana's father. There was one photo of Bryce, and he looked a little younger; he was stood in brightly coloured robes and was grinning playfully.

Emilia caught L's gaze, and she rubbed a hand across her face, "I know why you've come, but I don't have the answers you want. He just left. He wouldn't have decided on it lightly, though, so he may have an errand to run."

"He left overnight, without any notice or explanation. How is that not lightly done? We'd just got back from a big mission, I fell asleep, and he didn't even say anything about leaving. That's suspicious to me."

L kicked herself for being so bothered. He only wound her up half the time and lectured her the rest.

It felt ridiculous to be so annoyed at him, and Emilia looked helpless, which was a strange thing to see in a warrior like her.

"I know he would have his reasons, though. Maybe he thought it was for the best. Maybe he didn't want to lecture you. He seemed a lot better by the time he left here last night. I do not know, but he does take off sometimes. Perhaps Vadim gave him a new assignment. He doesn't usually speak about those."

L pursed her lips, "That still doesn't explain his weird behaviour."

Emilia laughed, and the sound calmed L slightly.

"He is weird as you call it. He's like that all the time, and it has always been this way. You just haven't been here to see it. The way he went about his treatment of you was unusual, but he is generally unpredictable. He may be back in a few days, weeks, or it might be longer. I would suggest asking Vadim if he knows what is happening."

L suddenly remembered Bryce saying he had to talk to Vadim about something. She took a calming breath and nodded.

"I will, and I'm sorry for turning up like this. It's not like me to act so emotionally."

Emilia smiled as she shook her head, "No, it's quite alright, I think I understand, but... there's something you must know about Brycathlen... and myself, something that we probably should have explained sooner and that might help you to understand him a little better."

She paused and stared at the photos on the fireplace. Her face took on a bittersweet expression. She stole a moment of silence before she continued.

"We are not just ordinary Elves. I tried to explain this once before, but we were cut off with more pressing matters."