My Servant Is An Elf Knight From Another World

A small while longer, I decided. Just for a moment longer, I thought. No harm in just a little longer. So we swam for a bit more, dove deep into the depths, just contentedly enjoying ourselves in one another's company. 

What started as a means for Adalia to learn and have fun with one of my favorite pastimes, ended with Ash denouncing me of the gold medal swinging by my door for being the best swimmer in my town back in my high school heydays. 

Then again, I'm sure Ash could pretty much strip anyone of their trophies and medals and she wouldn't even have to try. Maybe I should enlist her for every category in the Olympics as soon as that comes around again. Why though? Why not? It'll be hilarious.

Actually, I think motorsports would be more her thing, really. I could take her to one… a special day's surprise, one day, maybe… in fact, come to think of it… 

"Do you have a birthday, Ash?" I thought aloud at one point, treading back into shallow waters to rest. "Or whatever it's called in your world, I guess." 

"Alitro Nalitas, I believe, is the closest resemblance to your traditions of celebrating one's birth," Ash said, drifting alongside me, her gaze tilted to the skies, and deep in mind. "For us, it is not a yearly occasion, instead we celebrate in phases, throughout decades… starting in childhood, 'Nez', the celebration of newfound life. Once more upon reaching adolescence, 'Jor', for celebrating life experiences, independence. And lastly, one more, when entering adulthood, 'Enma', commemorates a long-lived life. It is a celebratory period that usually lasts for weeks at a time."

"Sounds nice." 

"Indeed it is," She sighed, a twinkle in her eyes. "It is rare that we ever get the chance. In my time, I've only ever witnessed two instances of an Elf celebrating adulthood." 

I turned to her. "Why's that?"

"Most of us would never live long enough to ever get the opportunity," She said, matter-of-factly. "So anytime such an opportunity ever arises, it is a cherished moment, a blessing." 

"And how about you?"

"As for myself," She formed a smile. "As a Knight, notions such as these, it is best to forget, there is simply no need for celebration, above all else, the Master comes first, it is our only one singular purpose." 

I gave her a look, and it must have been quite a look I gave, because Ash was quick to suddenly clarify further. 

"But do not misconstrue me, please. While normally, servitude is indeed our only true purpose in life. For you, Master, to me, it has grown far beyond that. It is my desire, my wish, to forever serve you, and as well as to forever be with you." 

In a silent gesture, I felt my hand rift through the water, and take a hold of hers. She flinched feeling my fingers suddenly intertwine, but just as quickly, she gripped back - ears happily twitching red.

"I think it's best that you start remembering again, then," I told her, looking out over the calm blue waters. "Here, in this world, you'll find it ain't as rare as you once thought." 

"Master, it's," Ash narrowed lips. "it's not - " 

"Needed, required?" I interjected, a half-smile staring back at her. "Don't care. It's an event, a day, dedicated only to you. Arguably, I'd say that's the most important day of the year. Of course, I'm gonna celebrate it." 

There wasn't any more deterrence after that. Slowly, I guess, Ash was starting to accept things with gratitude, instead of reluctance. 

"So clear your calendar, alright?" I said. "One day, once after this whole mess is sorted, we'll find you a day, someday. We'll celebrate together."

"Truly, indeed, I am blessed with such a benevolent Master. Very well, I shall eagerly await that one day, count every passing moment, second, but for now… " Ash sighed again, and gently, she let her head fall, letting it rest against my shoulder. "Like this, as I am, with you by my side… this lowly Knight is as happy as she can be." 

By the time we finally left the lake, and headed back for home, roughly two hours had gone by. Ash got dressed, wearing her bikini under her dress… and with that information in mind, I found it a slight challenge to ignore the faint protruding outlines that had formed across her chest. But luckily with enough mental fortitude, I managed to tear my gaze away to avoid tripping over stray roots littering the forest.

The route home was significantly a shorter trek now that I didn't have to half-carry a stumbling Ash the entire journey over, and before long, along the lonely trail of grass and dirt, the house was visible again just over the clear blue horizon. 

"So, tonight," to the side, I turn my eyes towards her, kicking a stray pebble along the path. "What's the plan, exactly?" 

"Oh, yes, regarding that, umm," Ash lips sorta flattened out into a thin narrow slit. "I merely wish to reminiscence of a life distant and long forgotten. Being with you… as I've mentioned before, I wish to share the moment with you." 

"And that's all, I'm assuming?" I asked, glancing again. "Nothing else?" 

"N-No, nothing more, not that I… can think of… at least…" She very weakly answered, before meeting my eyes with a look of her own. "Unless, Master… you believe there can be… more… to be done then…" 

I raised a brow, hearing the words behind her words, and giving a smirk. "Such as?" 

"Such as… perhaps… umm…" Tightly, Ash nervously gripped the hems of her dress, and veered her eyes downwards to her feet, increasing in pace. "It's nothing, disregard this, Master. I'm merely thinking out loud, is all." 

"Well don't mind me then, keep thinking," I said, hiding a smirk with a loud sigh. "I'm sure you'll think of something else." 

"Your father, Master." 

"Uhh," I blinked rapidly at that. "Not the best idea, if you ask me."

"No, Master," Ash stopped in her tracks, her eyes pointing to the fields of crops nearby. "It's your father." 

And approaching from those swaying yellow fields, a large, lumbering figure drew closer and closer. Dirt in his fingertips, grime on his cheek, and his blank face glistening with sweat. 

I took a guess. "Good harvest today?" 

Dad stopped closely, grunting. "Better than last time," then briefly shifted his blue eyes left to right, asked. "Finished?"

"Yes, took a break, like you nagged me to," I responded. "All relaxed, all refreshed, after a quick shower, I'm gonna go work on the barrier again." 

"It can wait," He said. 

"Wait?" I repeated, gazing at him sideways. "Is there a reason it should?" 

"He's awake," Dad answered, and from the look he gave me, I knew at once who he was referring to. "Five minutes ago, he woke up." 

"Okay, great, thanks for the heads up," I said slowly, furrowing my brows. "Um, what's the correlation here? All the more reason to get to work at once, right?"

"He's awake," He repeated again, just as blankly, only this time, unveiling a little more, and finally I got the correlation.. "And he's asking to see you."