iv. filled by the sea

why try so hard if we know how it's going to end? eve asked the sea quietly, knowing the stars would soon hear of her treachery. but it was day, the sun kissed her skin with sincerity and the wind blew the hair out of her face gently. for the moment, she was safe and protected, while still being out in the open. right now, she was youth and innocence and everything in between, which was what she needed.

we've missed you, eve. never leave us again, don't lose faith. and the sea knew better than to answer her question. instead, it washed seaweed onto the sand next to her feet.

and what have you brought me? eve was growing irritated, as the memories and thoughts of why she left the sea were quickly resurfacing. it was too abstract for her, even when she needed it the most.

just look closer, please. the sea begged, and the cool wave at her feet reminded eve of how kind it can be.

slowly, eve picked up the seaweed and held it closer. it was three strands of seaweed braided together, each a different shade of green.

one was the light green of the grass, reminding eve of when she ran through the fields with that village boy all those summers ago, back when she was naive enough to think nothing mattered besides love.

the second strand was emerald green, reminding eve of the one on queen serena's crown and all the times she was encouraged to try it on. she remembered the glint in queen serena's eyes and sparkled from the jewel on the crown, when eve let her name slip without the title for the first time.

as for the third, the darkest strand, it was the dark green of that evergreen tree during midnight that stood next to eve as she hugged the witch of dusk, the closest thing to family she'd ever known.

one for each of your most innocent moments, one for each of your biggest weaknesses. the sea began to pull away as it whispered the words, hinting at eve it was time for her to leave.