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My feet moved faster, nearly breaking into a run as I followed the well-worn path around the cabin until the forge loomed ahead, smoke rising in lazy tendrils from its chimney.

And there, sitting on a sturdy wooden stool next to Vorgath, was Elias. His small face was alight with wonder as he watched Vorgath's powerful arms bring the hammer down on a glowing piece of metal. The sight of my son, safe and utterly captivated, nearly brought me to my knees with relief.

“Elias!” I called out.

Both Vorgath and Elias turned at the sound of my voice. Elias's eyes widened, a flicker of guilt crossing his face.

“Mama!” he exclaimed, jumping down from the stool and running toward me. I scooped him up in my arms, holding him tightly against me.

“Do you have any idea how worried I was?” I scolded, though the relief in my voice softened the rebuke. “What were you thinking, coming here on your own?”

Elias squirmed in my arms. “I wanted to surprise you, Mama. I didn't know you wouldn't be here. I thought maybe I could learn some things from Master Vorgath, too.”

I loosened my grip on Elias, setting him down gently but keeping a hand on his shoulder. “Oh, Elias,” I sighed, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead. “I appreciate that you wanted to surprise me, but you can't wander off like that. You scared me half to death.”

“I'm sorry, Mama,” he said, his lower lip quivering slightly. “I just... I wanted to learn about the forge and make things like you do.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut as his innocent wish from weeks ago came rushing back to me—I wished that we could have Papa’s forge working again, so we could be like we were before.

I knelt down, bringing myself to eye level with my son. “I'm so sorry. I should have included you more in what I've been doing here.”

His face lit up at my words. “Really? You mean I can come and learn, too?”

“Yes, but only when I’m with you. We'll learn together. And,” I added, glancing up at Vorgath, who had been watching our exchange, “as long as Master Vorgath doesn't mind.”

Vorgath’s deep voice broke the quiet. “The boy is welcome here always, as is his mother.”

I glanced up at him, his steady gaze meeting mine, and for a moment, my breath caught. His words weren’t just an invitation—they were a reassurance. Reassurance that my worries about Elias and myself fitting into his life weren’t as complicated as I’d feared. Would he ever want me, with all my baggage? Icouldn’t know for certain, but his acceptance of us both, without hesitation, felt like a step in the right direction. The tightness in my chest softened, a spark of something I didn’t need to second-guess—for now.

Elias bounced on his toes, his earlier guilt forgotten in the face of this new excitement. “Can we start now, Mama? Please?”

I chuckled at his enthusiasm. “Well, I suppose we're already here. What do you say, Master Vorgath? Shall we give him his first lesson?”

Vorgath nodded, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Indeed. Come,durgha. Let us begin with the basics.”

Time seemed to slip away as the forge became our classroom. Vorgath, with infinite patience, guided Elias through the fundamentals, showing him how to handle each tool with care and explaining its purpose. I marveled at how still my son was, his usual boundless energy reined in by sheer fascination.

“Now, remember,” Vorgath said, kneeling beside Elias, “we always respect the fire. It breathes life into our work, but if we're careless, it can take as well.”

Elias nodded solemnly, his wide eyes reflecting the glowing coals as Vorgath stoked the flames, sending sparks into the air like tiny stars.

“Mama, look!” Elias called out later, holding up a small piece of metal he'd been working on. It was misshapen and rough, but the pride in his voice was unmistakable. “I made a... well, I'm not sure what it is, but I made it!”

I laughed, ruffling his hair. “It's wonderful. Your very first creation.”

Vorgath nodded approvingly. “Well done, Elias.”

As dusk began to settle in and long shadows crept across the floor, I noticed Elias’s movements slow, his eyelids growing heavy.

“I think someone's had quite the adventure today,” I said softly to Vorgath.

Vorgath's expression softened as he looked at my son. “He has worked hard. A true apprentice's first day.”

As if on cue, Elias yawned widely, stumbling slightly. Vorgath reached out, steadying him with one large hand. “Perhaps it's time for rest,durgha.”

Elias mumbled a protest, but his body betrayed him. He shuffled over to a nearby bench and, within moments, was fast asleep. I sighed, bending to pick up his metal masterpiece, which had only gotten more misshapen through the lesson.

“I don't know how I'm going to get him home now,” I mused.