Work Text:
Three months after the death of Himmel the hero
Heiter,
It might seem strange that I write to you so soon after meeting each other in the Royal Capital. Especially given how quiet I usually am. Do not be mistaken, I have kept and cared for every letter you sent me, despite my sparse replies. But you know me. You probably already assumed that.
Truth is, what happened at the funeral got me thinking. We are not destined for oblivion, but our days are still numbered. I wondered what will be left of us once we are not here anymore. I wonder what will be left for our friend. Statues and memories that will one day be eroded by time. Will she cry for us like she did for Himmel? I’m starting to think that would be the highest honor I could ever receive.
A mere ten years. And fifty years after that. You’ve known me for almost your entire life and while I can’t say the same in numbers, it certainly feels the same in spirit.
My considerations are not mournful. What I did with the time I had was unforgettable. I don’t have regrets and there’s not much I’d change, especially not of the time I spent with you. But as years go by and my muscles grow weaker, I find the time for these contemplations and wonder. Will there be one last thing I get to do? One last mark on the world? One last thing I can leave for our friend?
If my body allows me, next year I will come and visit the Holy city of Strahl. Or the year after that. Until then, take care and eat your veggies.
Eisen
Dear Eisen,
Seriously, is it so hard to add those little four letters in front of my name? I get more warmth from the priests working with me.
I jest. I know how you are. The affection was always felt and always appreciated.
“I have kept and cared for every letter you sent me”, I know that well. So many years of experience under your belt and you still can’t feel the enchantments on the envelopes. I’d have thought you developed some mana detection after ten years spent with magic users. Regardless. I know the letters have been at the very least opened, but it’s lovely to hear you keep them safe.
You contemplate the end of your life, but hopefully you still have many years ahead of you, dear friend. Your lifespan might not be impressive compared to that of an elf, but you will certainly outlive me, as much as that thought saddens me.
Though I can’t lie and say I also haven’t been touched by our recent loss. I barely remember my life without Himmel. I know there was a before, but it’s nebulous and lost to time. And now there is an after him. With my habits, I thought I would be the first one to leave, but maybe the Goddess has a different plan for me. There might be something I still have to do that I haven’t figured out.
I look forward to seeing you here, if you’re in proper shape to visit. Take care and don’t act like a parent.
Always yours,
Heiter
*
3 years and six months after the death of Himmel the Hero
Dear Heiter,
I hope you appreciate the effort I’ve been making these past few letters.
The Holy City was more beautiful that I remembered it. I can’t believe how much it has changed. And the home you picked for yourself is not half bad either. I don’t know why, but I imagined you would have chosen a different nest, but I have to face that it makes sense for someone your age to pick a quiet, peaceful place. Though I am glad to see you still so active. Not everyone your age is blessed with such health.
I still haven’t heard from Frieren, or anything about her. You would think that someone as powerful as she is would be more willing to let the world remember them. I’m still thinking about what to leave her. I haven’t found something yet.
Sorry if this letter is short. I just wanted to let you know I’m back home. I guess I still have more energy left in me that previously thought.
Still yours,
Eisen
Dear Eisen,
I see the effort and it is appreciated.
Thank you for letting me know you arrived safely. I’m more than happy this trip wasn’t detrimental for your health. I would repay the kindness, but you saw the state I am in. The journey to see the meteor shower was the last journey for me, and I’ll be happy if it stays that way. It’s a good last trip.
Thank you for your visit. Seeing you again was lovely. I’m glad you still pay attention to this old man, despite all the wrinkles and the aching joints. I still hope the occasion for another visit will arise, but I can only stay here and wait.
I think about Frieren too. Often. She is quite special, isn’t she? I wish it was possible to take a peek inside that strange, little head of hers.
I’ll keep this letter short too.
Still and always yours,
Heiter
*
Sixteen years after the death of Himmel the Hero
Dear Eisen,
It’s been a while since the last letter. Truth is, I’ve been busy dealing with a new situation I never thought I would find myself in.
Her name is Fern. Eisen, the quickest way to explain my situation is to say that now I have a daughter. Though I can’t say how she sees me, the role I have stepped in is that of a parent. She’s a quiet, sweet girl I found in the southern lands, orphaned by the war. As an orphan too, I understand the air of melancholy surrounding her. I remember how it changed me for a long time. I hope I live long enough to see the air clear and what lies beneath, if it’s different or not.
I also hope I live long enough to nurture and help her grow her magical talents. She has an affinity for magic, even though I can’t understand if she enjoys the practice or not. Not much enthusiasm is shown when we study, but she is diligent and serious about the subject nonetheless. There are not many things my magic and her magic have in common, but I still remember the few things I picked up from our mage companion over the years, and I can start from that.
The other news is that I have given up drinking. I’m not going to lie, it was hard. It is hard. But she is young and I want to see the most I can of her. Quitting for someone else is a much stronger motivator than quitting for myself ever was, I have to say. We’ll see how effective that is. I hope it is.
Yours, sober and quite tired,
Heiter
Dear Heiter,
Of all things I was expecting you to tell me, child acquisition was the last on my list. Maybe it will sound strange to you, but despite my surprise, this decision fits you. You’re kind. You might think your behavior is just a façade, but that façade is still a choice you make, and you wouldn’t make it if you didn’t care. Fern is in good hands.
Our friend’s touch would come in handy. I hope that by chance or by choice she will eventually appear again in your proximity. Have you taught her mana suppression? I remember you picked up the technique from Frieren, back then. It would be a first, useful skill.
Happy to hear she had such a positive influence on you. Better late than never. I wish I could see this new, sober version of you, but it’ll have to wait. Who knows, maybe I will end up with a kid too.
Yours, pleased and surprised
Eisen
*
Sixteen years and three months after the death of Himmel the Hero
Dear Eisen,
Sorry for the late reply, I never realized how time consuming and tiring it would be to raise a child. Especially at my age. But she tries to be helpful and that’s more than I could ask for from such a small child. Are you sure you’re feeling well? Such open praise coming from you is almost unheard of. Age has really made you soft.
She has learned mana suppression pretty quickly, which puts me at ease regarding her safety. Every day I see more of her talent. I think that, if she finds her passion, she will be nothing short of a prodigy.
A couple of nights ago she showed me her spell to make crystal butterflies. I didn’t have to ask her anything. She decided on her own that it was something she wanted me to see. I didn’t remember it was possible to feel things so intensely, but that almost moved me to tears.
She fills my days.
Yours, but a little bit hers too,
Heiter
Dear Heiter,
I don’t know if it’s age or just you. I find myself thinking about the time spent together and my last visit. Maybe I still have some energy left for another trip. I’m curious to see what little Fern looks like.
I’ll make sure to let you know ahead of time. I don’t have much more to say this time around. Honestly, I’d rather just hear everything about your little protégé.
Take care,
Eisen
*
Sixteen years and six months after the death of Himmel the Hero
Dear Heiter,
You’ll never guess what happened.
A bit busier, but yours,
Eisen
Dear Eisen,
Given the topic of our last few letters, I can easily guess.
What’s their name?
Life here goes on peacefully. Fern seems to be the quiet sort by nature. She listens to me with her big, serious eyes, and I can never seem to figure out what she’s thinking. I wish I knew how to make her smile more. So far she seems to do so for butterflies and sweets. I can’t get my hands on a lot of sugar or honey, but I think I will make a carrot cake. We found some particularly sweet ones at the market the other day.
Hopefully by the time this letter reaches you, the cake will have been made and eaten. Also, I’ve decided I’m going to copy the recipe we’re going to use. Make it, if you want to feel like you’re eating with us.
With love and carrots,
Heiter
Dear Heiter,
The boy’s name is Stark and he’s a bit of a coward like me. His village was killed by demons. He ran.
I took him in. I couldn’t bring myself to do anything different. When you found Fern and took her under your wing, did you also hear Himmel tell you that you should do something? I did. It was almost like he was with me for a moment.
I’ll try to teach this boy the way of the warrior. If anything, he will have a way to survive in the future.
He loves listening to the stories of our journeys and everything we encountered on the road. Maybe I’ll take him around a little, show him some places we saw. The closest ones at least. I hope you’ll forgive me if I prioritize the boy’s growth over another visit. I think you’re in a position to understand why I would choose him.
I have to go. I can hear him waking up and he usually wakes up hungry. Time to make breakfast.
Yours and not childless anymore,
Eisen
*
Twenty years and two months after the death of Himmel the Hero
Dear Eisen,
Do you want to guess who showed up by chance? Our friend was ready to pour wine on my tomb and instead she found not only me, but also a child.
She agreed to stay for a while. Well, ‘agreed’ is maybe a strong word. She considers herself in my debt and I have managed to arrange the circumstances to make sure she won’t leave for a while.
I need her to take Fern with her. I’m old enough to wonder, when I go to sleep, if I’ll wake up the next morning. It was simpler without the girl, but now I have to take into account that she’ll be alone when I’m gone. I know there’s an academy, up in the north. But even knowing that, she’s too young to make the journey by herself and I don’t know what entrance requirements they have.
I’m scared she’ll be alone. She was left alone once already, and I don’t want her to go through that again. Not when she won’t even know how to survive.
Apologies for all the doom and gloom. I can feel myself growing weaker and it scares me.
I’ve talked enough about my worries. It’s almost time for dinner here and we need to figure out what we’ll eat.
Your, if you want me even sad,
Heiter
Dear Heiter,
Don’t apologize. I have faith our friend will not be able to abandon your girl if she spends some time with her. She might not realize it, but she does get attached to people. I think she doesn’t connect what she feels to what that feeling is. Do you have the same impression?
Stark is growing up well. He is incredibly strong. Sometimes it scares me and impresses me to think what he will be when he grows into an adult. He doesn’t realize this, though. He doesn’t realize how much strength his blows pack. One day this will create problems if he doesn’t learn to control it, but for now everything is fine.
I wish I knew the words to bring you comfort. The best I can do is remind you that, even though I’m not with you in body, I am in spirit.
Yours forever,
Eisen
*
Twenty-three years and eight months after the death of Himmel the Hero
Dear Eisen,
I fear this might be the last letter I send you. If it’s not, we can laugh again about my dramatic writing in the next one, but given that I’m stuck in bed, I think I’m right this time.
I still have energy to do so, so I wanted to say thank you. For all the years travelling together. For the words in these letters. The company and companionship. If I was to do this all over again, I wouldn’t make a single different choice. No, not even about the drinking. I indulged and still reached this age. I’d say it’s an impressive feat.
Fern is ready. I don’t have to worry about her anymore. I held on long enough and I can finally rest. You know what I realized seeing her and Frieren together? Without even thinking about it, I found something to leave to our friend. It just comes in the form of a girl with a talent for magic.
You still have many years in front of you. Can I ask you to remember me? I will say many kind words about you to the Goddess in exchange.
Always loved you and I always will. I’ll be waiting for you.
Yours, forever
Heiter
Dear Heiter,
You could demand me to forget you and I wouldn’t be able to. Of course I will remember you.
It was nice knowing you. I’ll see you on the other side when my time comes.
Always loved you, always will.
Yours, forever
Eisen