Harmless Flames

Lingering memories

Novak

I looked at my son and daughter-in-law and their expressions were simply priceless. Effie laughed at their widened eyes and I felt how the initial tension between us slowly melted away. I've neglected her letters, but only because I've enjoyed her anger too much. Truth to be told, Effie was one of my first friends, and probably the best of them. If you know someone throughout several lifetimes, you become affected by their personality. I felt Asier staring at me the same way a few hours ago his mini copy did.

- What happened after that? - he asked but before I could open my mouth we all heard the sound of tiny feet running along the wide corridors. The magical lights turned on one by one as the tiny prince approached the room. Without hesitation Freddy swung the doors open and his glance searched for his mother. Both of the kiddo's eyes were red and puffy, stating that he was probably having a nightmare. He wore his favorite blue pajamas and in one of his hand he still held his favorite plushie. It wasn't the best one on earth, but Uma made it with so much care and love that we could've bought dozens of others, Freddy only slept with the little blue and white fox plushie. When Freddy spotted Uma he started crying and his tiny lips trembled while huge teardrops ran down his rosie cheeks.

- Mommy! - his voice was so soft that we could barely hear him. Uma jumped up from the sofa and appeared in front of him in a blink of an eye. She gently hugged him to her chest and kissed the top of Freddy's head, while one of her palms caressed the boy's back.

- My little sucker, what's wrong? - Freddy didn't look at her, he was holding on his mom like there was no tomorrow, he even dropped the plushie. Effie noticed ot and she got up, walked to the mother son duo and gently crunched down, picking the fox up. She smiled at Fredrick over Uma's shoulder and handed him the plushie.

- I think you dropped this little one. - Effie said with kindness and warmth in her voice, that I've only heard her talk to one person on before. Freddy's eyes widened at the unknown lady and took the plushie quickly with one hand but kept hugging Uma with the other.

- What do we say Fredrick? - Uma asked and he sniffed.

- Thank you My lady. - Effie blushed a bit at the cuteness of Freddy and that moment I knew I've seen everything on this world. I was ready to die.

- You are welcome!

- Will you tell us what happened? - Asier asked from his seat and tried to look cool in front of his iron Godmother, but I saw the concern in his eyes. Freddy nodded and slowly released Uma.

- I had a very bad dream... Some people came and took mommy. They said she was a bad witch and burned her on a stake. I... I don't want mommy to get hurt! I want to be strong like daddy and grandpa! I want to protect you mommy! - he said turning to Uma and she smiled at him. His fists clenched with determination and his eyebrows furrowed.

- He resembles you a lot Novak. - Effie said and I shrugged leaning back on my armchair.

- What can I say? Amazing genes! - Effie rolled her eyes and Asier stood up walking to Freddy. He picked his son up and walked back to the sofa, Uma followed them and once they settled down again he turned to his son.

- Freddy, no one can hurt your mom.

- And you have all the time of the world to become strong! What you have to do now is to grow up and enjoy life in the meantime. - Uma added and Asier smiled kissing her cheek.

- Exactly, it's our responsibility to create a nice and safe world for you, so you can enjoy your life the fullest! Don't worry too much, you'll have enough trouble to sort out once we retire! - They tried their best, but Freddy still looked concerned. I've already noticed that some of the kid's dreams were prophetic. Probably due to his mixed blood his powers showed earlier than usual, but since he still couldn't control them, they appeared as dreams and nightmares. Which made me concerned about Uma's safety for a second and reminded me of another heretic we thought was invincible, yet she died the faith Freddy was worried about. I shook my head and decided to look after this more later. Freddy turned to Effie and asked me.

- Who is the fire lady Grandpa? - Effie chuckled which sent a shiver down my spine. Her attitude around Fredrick was so out of character that I couldn't comprehend.

- She is an old friend of mine. Queen of the Elves Euphemia, Aunty Effie for short. - I said and Freddy looked confused.

- But Grandpa... She is very beautiful and doesn't look old at all! - Effie was about to hit me thinking I've pulled a prank on her but Asier's voice stopped her hand in the air.

- Who told you she was old? - Freddy's eyes sparkled.

- Grandpa said she is an old friend of his, but she's not old! - We all stared at each other and busted out in laughter as the childish innocence of Freddy reminded us, of the beauty of life.

- That's an expression my dear! - Uma started to explain and we shared a glance with Effie. Asier and Uma excused themselves and took Freddy back to his room leaving us alone with Effie. As soon as the doors closed Effie sighed looking after the little family.

- They are so precious. Your son reminds me of her you know? - she asked and my chest panged with an empty feeling as Effie reminded me of my beloved wife. I ignored Effie's letters to annoy her, but I had another reason, which it was hard to accept even for me... The reason behind my negligence was that every time I talked to Effie, I couldn't get Chelsea out of my head.

- How so? He is my carbon copy! - I tried to brush the cold feeling off of my shoulders.

- His attitude, I can see that your influence was strong on the poor kid, but in the end, his core is from Chelsea.

- He is indeed more serious than I'm.

- And way more grown up! You used to be such a great ruler but as soon as you became a father you turned into a huge goofball! - Effie complained

- Is there something you need Effie or you just came to roast me? - she leaned closer with a wicked grin.

- Even if it's hell of a fun annoy you, I do have a favor to ask, also I wanted to see my godson and meet his family!

- I get it! What's the favor? - Effie seemed her old self for a split second while she said.

- She woke up.