What are you waiting for?

A poetic fantasy story of two friends turned enemies rejoining sides

 What are you waiting for?

In your eyes I see your pain. Oh how I wish I couldn’t see it. But in your eyes I see a sorrow, one that I know all too well. There, in your eyes, I see that anguish, that I despise, recognise, from that day part of us perished, as one we cherished passed away. And now your eyes no longer sparkle, you, once calmth, unleashed your storm. 

Here, on this day, you stand before me. I recognise so little of you. Your eyes, once bright, now dull with darkness. A cold reflection of what you’ve been through. Swords at the ready, there’s no way out. Our war will end here, that, I don’t doubt. You came here to fight, to end this battle, but in your eyes returns a flame: I know your pain; you hesitate. 

Oh lord of water, spare my poor soul, let the queen of nature live. The message burning, stays unspoken in this silent fight we’re in. I won’t attack you and you know that, yet you’re waiting, frozen still. I’ve seen you murder, watched your skills grow, yet your sword, raised, doesn’t kill. What is it that made you stumble? Why do you now hesitate? Why is it that you are waiting? Who is it that made you wait? A thousand questions run through my head, sword at the ready, but I stay still. There in your eyes I see a shadow, a call for help you tried to kill, that, in that moment, shows the true you, the boy that loved and hoped and flew. 

In your eyes I see a sorrow that I’ve shared with you for years. A pain that forced me to grow stronger, made me fight you, brought us here. There, in your eyes, glows hesitation, perhaps they simply mirror mine, but how I hope I’m not mistaken, how I hope I’ll see you smile. Oh how I long to stop our fighting, wish to join your side once more. 

But expectations weigh my shoulders, I’ve fought to be who I’ve become: A queen, a legend, ruler, hero. How could I drop that all at once? I long to let my grief flow freely, but I could never leave my place. I fight for goodness, fight for freedom, I have to stay strong, keep us safe. 

You fight for vengeance, fight for justice, led by emotion, you cause pain. I should despise you, want to fight you, but all I want to do is wait. Wait for a time I can breathe freely, a time that we are friends again. Wait for that moment you can see me, see the truth of our shared pain. 

Perhaps they’re wrong to judge and hate you, perhaps we’re more alike than they want. Perhaps our common enemies are heroes that once told us to be strong. Perhaps your eyes show my reflection, one of anger fueled by pain. Perhaps you’re no more than a mirror, showing me what could’ve been. 

So who am I to say you’re evil? Who are you for me to blame? How could eyes that showed such kindness ever darken with such rage? How come they talk of good and evil, when they’re the reason we are blamed? How could the heroes say you’re evil when they have caused you to be this way? They say I’m good, for I’m on their side, but you’re a mirror to my thoughts. I am a hero, you’re a villain, but we’re the same, we share that past.

Here, on this day, you stand before me. Swords now lowered, eyes still locked. I think we both know what has happened, what has caused us to have stopped. I will not kill, but I can’t blame you, you only know what you’ve been taught. 

I give my hand, my trust, my honor. “Join me in this fight, they’ve lost.”

Earth and water reunited, a promise kept, a love restored. Two hands rejoined, two flames ignited, together they will win this war. 

There, in their eyes: determination. Filled with purpose, fueled by pain, these friends once forced to fight each other now found the purpose of their reign.

Author's Note

This is a poetic story about an interaction between two characters from a book I'm writing, taking place in the world of that book. Does this piece offer you enough information about the characters and their relationship to stay engaged and perhaps want to know more about them?