The man who sold the fairy had indeed intended to use her as a lamp. A perpetual, self-sustaining light source was a valuable commodity. If he had known the creature was a miniature goddess of agriculture, he would have started a farm and become the richest man in the kingdom. The thought would plague his dreams for years to come.
Leo, however, wasn't thinking about the merchant. He was thinking about strawberries. A whole new product line had just literally bloomed into existence before his eyes. He hummed a tuneless, happy song as he worked, gently pressing the earth over a row of newly planted lettuce seeds. He sensed the fairy was exploring her new, vast home, but he had a feeling she would be back. They had a connection.
He was so engrossed in his work that he didn't hear Elara approach. It was a subtle shift in the light that made him look up.
And there she was. The stunningly beautiful elf woman, standing at the edge of his garden.
This time, she wasn't feigning meditation. She was looking right at him, a small, hesitant, but genuine smile gracing her perfect lips. That smile hit Leo with the force of a physical impact. It was radiant, like the sun breaking through clouds. His heart, which had just settled into a calm rhythm, kicked into overdrive. It felt like a trapped bird beating against his ribs.
Oh god… why is she here? he thought, his palms suddenly clammy.
Elara walked forward silently, her grace making the simple act of crossing a clearing look like a choreographed dance. She stopped beside his patch of carrots, then looked at him, her silver eyes questioning. She then pointed to one of his tools—a small, three-pronged hand rake lying on the ground—and then pointed to an unweeded patch next to him.
She was asking permission.
Leo stared, completely baffled. "Uh... you... you want to help?" he stammered, feeling like an idiot.
She, of course, didn't understand his words, but she understood his baffled tone. Her smile widened slightly, full of a gentle reassurance. She was here as an equal, a participant.
Leo, not knowing what else to do, simply nodded. "Sure. Okay. Yeah."
Elara gracefully knelt down, picking up the hand rake. She held it for a moment, testing its unfamiliar weight and design. Then, with an innate understanding of the earth, she began to work. Her movements were efficient and precise, gently pulling the native weeds without disturbing the precious seedlings.
They worked in a comfortable, if somewhat charged, silence for the next hour. Leo was hyper-aware of her presence. The soft, clean scent of her, like fresh rain and blooming night flowers, drifted on the air. He found himself sneaking glances at her, at the way the silver light of the Sanctum caught in her hair, at the focused intensity on her face as she worked. This impossibly beautiful, ancient, magical being was weeding his garden. The absurdity of it was not lost on him.
For her part, Elara was just as captivated. She could feel his energy—it was chaotic and potent, like a young, untamed storm, but it held no malice. It held a core of simple, earnest goodness. He worked the soil with a strange but undeniable love. And she felt the lingering warmth from his gaze every time he looked at her, a warmth that was both unnerving and deeply pleasant.
When they had finished planting and weeding, Leo stood up, feeling a bit lost. The collaboration had been… nice. Really nice. He didn't want it to end.
He looked at the patch of strawberries the fairy had brought to life. He walked over and plucked three of the largest, most perfect ruby-red specimens. He turned back to Elara, who was now standing and watching him, a curious tilt to her head.
He walked over to her, his heart thumping, and held them out in his open palm.
"Take these," he said, his voice softer than he intended. "Beautiful woman." He knew she wouldn't understand the words, but he hoped she'd understand the sentiment, the tone. A gift for a gift.
Elara looked down at the berries in his hand. They pulsed with the potent life-force of the fairy's magic. She knew this was a precious offering. She met his gaze, and her long, graceful fingers brushed against his palm as she carefully took the berries. The fleeting contact sent a jolt of static electricity up Leo's arm.
She gave him another one of those devastating smiles and a small, respectful bow of her head. Then, she turned and walked away, disappearing back into the silver forest as silently as she had arrived.
Leo stood there for a long time, the back of his hand still tingling. He watched the spot where she had vanished, hoping, with every fiber of his being, that she would come back to help him again tomorrow.