21 Future Butterfly (2/2)

'Rosae Lilly?'

'Yes, Patientiam?'

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'...How long have you known Briar?'

'Oh, I don't know. I think it's been three hundred years?'

'Three hundred and twenty-five by my count, Lilly,' Briar replied, stepping through the trees.

'Good morning, Briar.'

'How can you call it good? I can't find Sapientiis.'

'He's in the healing tree.'

'What's he doing there?'

'Fool nearly burned my eyes out,' James replied.

'Enough, James,' Lilly said.

Patientiam snuggled closer to Lilly.

'Is he all right?' Briar asked.

James stood and felt his way around the tree before venturing off on his own. He didn't understand why Lilly was defending the young Adremedian. Did she not care that what sight he could have had back could now be gone forever because of him? Was it because he was Human? Was it because he was older? Why wasn't she more upset about this? He screamed his frustration then dropped to his knees and sobbed.

'James?' Lilly asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He brushed it off and moved away. His steps were uneven and he swayed, almost losing balance. On the other side of the meadow he knelt once more.

'James, what's wrong?'

'Does no one care that I may never see again because of that fool? Is it because I'm Human?!'

'It's not that at all, James. In a sense, Sapientiis is on his death bed.'

He remained still for a few moments then gave a small nod. 'Can you give me a moment alone?'

'Sure'

Lilly left.

James slowly made his way back to the tree he had Lilly had slept against. Wherever she had gone, she wasn't back yet. Patientiam gave him some berries and roots to eat before she climbed the tree to return to Sapientiis' side. James ate then slept.

James followed Lilly through the forest, keeping her hand in his. He had been happy to feel her next to him that morning. Her kiss had been soft and her embrace tight. They stopped a few places before she untied the cloth. She hadn't moved it far when his hands caught it, put it back, and tied it into place.

'Too bright,' he told her.

'Okay. I'll need to look at them, but I will wait until tonight.'

'Lilly.… How is Sapientiis this morning?'

'He's recovered a great deal, but not without damage. Certain letters have become difficult to say and physical movements have become slower.'

'Will he be able to overcome those difficulties?'

'It's too soon to tell.' She took his hand and led him to a different part of the forest.

The walk was good and the air felt warm despite the time of year. James wondered about Sapientiis' difficulties. If he couldn't overcome those difficulties, it would make his work as a healer harder. And where he had the possibility of getting his sight back still, he knew had no place to complain.

Lilly's hand slipped from his and he stopped. After a moment her hand moved across the back of his hand. When he started to turn it, she prevented him. Then he felt something small crawl down his fingers to the center of his palm where it curled up.

'What it is?'

'Future butterfly.'

James chuckled. 'Caterpillar.'

'Caterpillar?'

'What colors?'

'Whitish-gray, light green, and yellow.'

'Have you seen any fuzzy black ones?'

No, but I believe Willow has.'

'Are you serious? Eight hundred years old, and you haven't seen a black caterpillar?' He smiled a little.

'Very few of those years have been spent outside the confines of the forest,' she replied seriously.

'Lilly, smile. You don't have to be so serious.'

'Yes I do. So much pain has been caused because of me.'

The caterpillar crawled off of James' hand onto her own, before she placed it back on the butterfly bush. James reached out and found her waist. Sliding his hand across her abdomen, he slid behind her and rested his chin on her shoulder.

'But even more joy had come because of you as well.' He felt her hand brush his cheek.

'Thank you, James.'

'I love you, Lilly.'

'I love you, too.' She turned and kissed him