As six days passed Enul had tried to clean his house to not much success. He was able to clean two of his rooms but organizing his books and herbs was different story. They were all strewn about on his table causing it to make a mess. He had to get his friend Elan to help him on day three since she has always been more neat than him. When Enul asked Elan she laughed at him then agreed to help. She helped his gather all his herbs and place them into different jars neatly stashed away into Enul’s only cabinet. As for his books, well those were put into piles still on Enul’s table. Though they were not put away yet at least they were all closed now. Every passing day made Enul more stressed out. 

“I just want everything to be perfect Elan!” Enul exclaimed out of frustration.

Elan annoyed glanced at him with a concerned but kind look, “And it will be.” She tried to be as comforting as possible, not successfully though. She knew how Enul snapped under pressure. He was like an old cotton thread just waiting to snap in half.

Enul looked to her anxiety ridden and sad, “Can we go over the list of how to take care of babies again?” Any sort of reassurance and list would calm Enul down for a little while. 

“Of course,” Elan responded, “First, babies do not know how to use chamber pots so they need some sort of cloth diaper which I helped you make yesterday.”

“Thank you for that again.”

“You’re welcome… okay second, babies do not eat real food until a few months so you need to give her milk. You carved a bottle for her already.”

“It is a cute bottle,” Enul interrupted. 

Elan giggled as Enul started getting sentimental. “Let me finish,” Elan laughed, “Third, besides diapers they need clothes, and I am letting you borrow the clothes from my apprentice since they grew out theirs.”

“I am very grateful for that, thank you again,” Enul responded.

Elan smiling answered, “You’re welcome Enul.” She looked at him seeing how even though he is no longer an apprentice he is still the same boy she met centuries ago. “Do you think you are ready for tomorrow?” 

“Truthfully?”

“Yes truthfully!”

“No.” Enul looked at Elan with a saddened face, “I think that I will be terrible at this. No matter how much I get things ready around here and rehearse in my head of how I will collect her I just think about how I will mess everything up. I truly do not think I am ready to have an apprentice.” Enul collapsed to the floor lying on his back and let out a large sigh of exhaustion.

Elan looked at him in pity and decided to sit next to him. She looked on as he covered his face with his hands and decided to place her hand on his arm. “I think you will be a great elder, and even if you mess one thing up it does not mean your life is over. Have faith in yourself.”

Enul still covering his face muttered, “thank you.” Elan was not helping, but he was grateful for her kindness.

Elan took her hand off of his arm and jumped up to her feet. “Come on,” she commanded, “We are going to get you out of this funk. Do you want to act out how to receive your apprentice?” Enul groaned completely uninterested, but Elan was not having it. “Get up or I won’t help you anymore!” Enul did not listen too her and continued to wallow in pity. Fed up she decided to grab Enul’s arms and pull him up to his feet. She struggled for a bit since he was dead weight and much larger than her. While struggling she decided to stomp her foot resulting in a large rock shooting up from the ground. The rock shot Enul right up; Elan caught Enul as he almost fell on his face. “There was that so hard?” Elan remarked.

“Clearly it was since you needed to use dirt magic for me to stand up.” Enul stated in a deadpan remark.

Elan annoyed glared at Enul and muttered, “Smartass.” Both started giggling and Enul seemed to be less anxious than before. Elan looked to Enul with a soft smile as she tried to keep him calm. 

“I don’t want to practice receiving my apprentice, but I appreciate you trying to help.” Enul stated in a tired but nonchalant way.

“Okay then, I am going to go home now, I’m sure Sonis is worried I have been gone for so long. If you change your mind I will be next door. Goodnight Enul make sure to sleep early for you have a big day tomorrow.” Elan said as she gathered some of her belongings and began to leave. As she headed for the door she turned to Enul and looked at him like a proud mother. 

Enul looked back to the round faced woman and thought of how much she has helped him in the past. “Goodnight Elan, and tell Sonis that I say hello.” Enul smiled, “Who knows maybe Sonis and my apprentice will be friends just like how we are.”

“They better be.” Elan insisted. Laughing Elan waved goodbye and finally left the small house leaving Enul alone. Enul looked around his home and started what he believed to be was last minute touch ups. He really was just keeping himself busy so that his thoughts would not get to him. Enul added soft hay to the small crib he built and placed it right next to his mattress. In the process of moving the crib dirt spread about the room causing Enul to need to sweep it up. While sweeping he realized, 

“Oh shit! What should her name be?” Enul questioned out loud. He began to sit down at his table grabbed a scrap paper and a quill and began writing all sorts of names. After hours of deliberation he finally found one that he would see fit for her.