Role

Chapter 2

The dark-elf gently pulled the boy away from the cliffside, then kneeled
down beside him.

He spoke quietly. "It doesn't look like you'll be able to hide after all.
Mother really is a spiteful sort. Come inside, it's cold out here."

Tomias didn't move. He clutched his knees to his chest as tears ran down
his cheeks.

The shapeshifter put his hands on his hips and stared at the boy, sighing.

"Are they dead?" the boy asked, sobbing miserably.

"Who?"

"Gramps and Gran."

"Oh, probably. Maybe taken. But Ilzaza has little patience for the elderly,
so probably dead."

Tomias broke out into a bawling fit.

The shapeshifter groaned, then sat down next to the boy and held him gently.

"You are right about it not being fair. But your grandfather was right, too.
You can accept it, or wallow in it. But neither will change it. But you can
change yourself."

"Are you really my father?" the boy spoke up.

"Oh, yes," replied the dark-elf. "It is a long story, but, we suddenly have
plenty of time."

"Why didn't you... why weren't you-"

"You are most young, most naive, son," interrupted the shapeshifter. "But
you know why, first-hand. Do you want to know what they really did to your
mother?"

"Gramps and Gran?"

"No! The other dark-elves! Most grisly. Hmph. Really, you've no idea how
much I've done for you - given up for you, even. I'm so sorry this
happened. I thought you could live a dumb little human life and be fine.
But you are going to have to grow up now, very fast. Come, I know just the
thing to cheer you up!"