The land was bone dry and decaying. It I had been many years since Ryder had walked through the same land back then it was filled with lush vegetation, animals and a beautiful lake that glimmered in the summertime. He smiled as he thought back to the last time he was here.

The wind was warm. His long golden blond hair was in tied back. Back then, he had not even been annoited as a prince yet, he been was traveling for the summer before he was offically annoited in the fall. It was his last summer of freedom before the respondsibilities of a kingdom were on his sholders.

His skin glistening as he road his horse through the thick trees. He had been in the sun for hours. He was determined to make the most of the next few months. He stopped at a beautiful lake in the middle of the forrest. It was hot. He was covered in sweat and the lake looked cool and inviting. He decided to go for a quick swim before he made his way to his next destination. Ryder stripped down to his undergarments and jumped in.

The watercooled his warm skin. He floated on his back looking up at the blue sky. There was not a cloud in sight. He closed his eyes relaxing for a minute when shaddows passed over his eyes. He opened his eyes to see the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She had long blue hair and green eyes. He stood up in the water quickly.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"I could ask you the same thing” she looked at him with curiousity. She appeared to be studying him. Her eyes bright as she leaned over the side of the lake hovering over him. A red amulet hung from her neck.

“Why are you watching me?” he asked anxiously. He was not expecting a woman to be in these woods. Especially alone.

"You're handsome, I’ve never seen one of you before” the girls giggled. Ryder blinked. _Did she know he was royalty? _he thought. She jumped into the water herself. Ryder averted his eyes. Ryder not unfamiliar with women but most of the women in his kingdom were modest definitly not dressed in short dresses that were now wet and pressed against their body. The girl came up for air, and pushed her hair back that's when Ryder noticed her long pointy ears.

“You're an elf!” he yelled. Ryder was baffled. Elves were extinct. He had heard stories of elves. His grandfather had led the armies against them due to their evil and destructive nature. This girl did not seem evil though. She was delicate like a flower and just seemed curious.

“That’s true, I really shouldn’t be talking to you” she said. Eyes darting o the woods.

“What why?” he was confused. He should be scared of her not the other way around.

“You killed most of us, the ones of us that remain were forced into hiding. I just couldn’t resist seeing you up close” She blushed.

“Only becuase elves harmed humans for many years, we had no choice.” Ryder said defensively.

“Come with here, I’ll show you what happened” the woman inpatiently called him over. Ryder hestily walked towards the elf and she grabbed his hand. He tensed. “It’s okay” she said. She placed their hands together. Her eyes started glowing, all of a sudden Ryder saw visions of elves and humans living in harmony. He saw his grandfather working side by side with elves. They seemed happy, and at peace.

The vision transformed, it showed the elf’s power and his grandfathers paranoia. He could feel his grandfather’s resentment and hatred for how much more powerful they were than him. He saw his grandfather begin assembling humans to turn against them.

The vision transformed again. Ryder saw humans slaughtering elves. They devastated families. They burned villages and caused absolute chaos. He could feel the devistation and ruin, all cuased by his grandfather. Ryder was brought out of the vision. His hand was still pressed against the elf’s.

"I'm sorry, "he said, “ I …I didn’t know”.

“I belive you” the elf said, “Let’s start from the beginning, I’m Lira” she smiled. Ryder was entranced. That was the brightest smile he had ever seen.

“Ryder” He held out his hand and she shook it.

They spent the day swimming together and learning about one another. Ryder felt unburndened for the first time in years. By the time it was time for Ryder to leave Lira kissed his cheek making him blush.

“You’ll come back?“ She asked eagerly. Ryder nodded. He knew there was no way he could refuse.

The spent the rest of the summer falling in love. Ryder told her about his life as a prince, his fears for his kingdom and his dreams. Lira listened. She gave him advice and supported him. Lira told him about her family, her traditions and brought him to her village. Ryder learned about her culture and became close with many of her family members. Ryder decided to spend his summer here with her.

By the end of the summer, it was time for Ryder to return home, he knew he could not stay. He had a respondsibility to his kingdom. He was the only son and could not bear the thought of leaving his father and ruining the entire kingdom by placing it in the hands of another family who only cared about themselves. He knew he could not bring Lira back. He could not put her and her family in danger after all they had been through.

They said their goodbyes. Lira understood that Ryder couldn't bring her home and that he could not stay.. She kissed him goodbye and gave him her ammulet.

“With this you will always be able to find me” her eyes had tears in them.

“I will always love you Li” Ryder held her for a long time. It took all his strength to pull away and ride his horse back home.

Ryder now an old man, back to the same spot 30 years later had set out to find her. He was a coward for most of his life. He had dedicated his life to his kingdom. He was remembered as one of the greatest kings, he was beloved by his people and they were thriving. Even with all that success, Ryder had never forgotten Lira.

He found the spot of the dried up lake. Tears falling on the dry ground. _I'm to late_ he thought. _She's gone_. He held the ammulet in his hand and set it on the ground. He closed his eyes. He felt hopeless.

He layed there a while. He finally opened his eyes and blinked. The desert had transformed into a lush oasis. He was back where he was 30 years ago. He walks to the lake and couldn’t believe his eyes. He saw Lira in the water. She looked the exact same as she did 30 years ago. Elves aged slowly. He suddenly felt self consious. _Would she care that he was now an old man_?

He decided he did not care. He needed to see her one last time. “Lira” He yelled. She was playing in the water with two children. They looked to be about 10 years old. She stopped when she heard his voice.

She climbed out of the water and ran towards him. They met right in front of the water. Ryder hesitated but Lira pulled him in for a tight hug.

“I found you, I’m sorry it took so long” Ryder said holding her tightly.

“I knew you would” She smiled brightly with tears in her eyes. _There’s that smile _Ryder thought. It had been a distant memory for so long. He could’t believe she was standing in front of him.

Lira had watched Ryder over the years. She had witnessed what a good king he was, how much he helped his people, and she was proud of him.

“You look amazing” Ryder smiled shyly. He felt like the boy he was when he first met her again.

“You do too”

“It’s okay Li, I know I’m an old man now” Ryder brushed his hands against her face.

“That’s something we can fix now that we’re together again but we have plenty of time for that later. I need to show you something” She said anxiously.

“What is it Li?”

“I want you to come meet our children” Ryders heard almost stopped.

“What?”

“Twins. They were born after you left, they’re in the water” Lira pointed at the two kids. Ryder noticed they both had golden blond hair like he had 30 years ago.

“But those are kids are young! We were together 30 years ago” Ryder replied.

“Elves age very slowly. Soon you will too but first you must meet them. They’ve been dying to meet their father” Lira held out her hand. “Please” Ryder took her hand and squeezed. A look passed between them. A look that conveyed all the words Ryder and Lira had wanted to say to each other for the past 30 years.

They walked towards the lake, Ryder was overwhelmed with emotion. He felt love, joy, and excitment. Feelings that he hadn’t felt since he left. He was finally home.