Benthyg dros amser byr yw popeth a geir yn y byd hwn.

  Everything you have in this world is only borrowed for a short time.

  Day 1

  So small that it could fit in the palm of my hand. That’s what I think when I first see it. So fragile, so hopelessly fragile. A little baby blue ball clothed in light green tapestries. Like earth, but softer. Like earth, but even more delicate. So much like earth.

  An enthusiastic chatter emerges throughout the shuttle. Lots of ‘what ifs?’ and ‘maybe’s were exchanged. What if this could be our new home? Maybe this could be our new home.

  ‘It seems like the planet is already inhabited.’, our captain exclaims through the intercom.

  Now the murmur becomes more of a cacophony. Others humans. Would they be cordial? Would they be hostile? Would they drive us away like the last five colonies? I do not know what to think, so I make my way over to the cockpit, where the Second mate and the Captain are arguing about what to do.

  ‘We’ve been travelling for way too long. This planet looks a lot more habitable than the last one.’

  ‘We can’t just make-‘

  ‘Let’s send out a signal.’, I hear our First mate say. ‘Maybe ask if we have permission to land.’

  The Captain turns toward me. ‘What do you think?’ I think for a second. ‘Guess there is no harm in asking.’

  We send out the signal of peace, followed by a request to land our vehicle. To our surprise we are greeted by a green sign and a request to make radio contact. We are almost afraid to make the connection.

  When Cap pushes the button, a composed but not unfriendly voice sounds through the speakers: ‘This is your landing guide. I will send you the landing site coordinates and talk you through the landing process. Before we continue, I must ask for your consent with the following statement: you attest that you will not set foot on this planet with any ill intent. During your stay on this planet you will not exhibit any misconduct including, but not limited to violence, bigotry and other acts of hatred, drug abuse, theft, fraud or destruction of property. If you do not act in accordance to these rules, you declare hereby that we are allowed to take action to remove you from this planet, possibly using force if the circumstances demand it. Do you consent?’

  A stunned silence arises in the cockpit. Cap, First, Second and me all look each other in the eye. What do we do?

  ‘I repeat, do you consent?’, the voice sounds patiently through the intercom.

  ‘Uh, we need one moment please.’, Cap answers hastily.

  ‘Take your time.’, the voice answers.

  ‘We can’t keep cruising around forever.’, Second whispers.

  First nods. ‘We have enough food and still a third of our fuel left. However, we don’t know when another opportunity to stack up on supplies will arise again.’

  Cap sighs. ‘You’re right, but I don’t trust them one bit.’

  ‘Neither do we.’, Second says. ‘Neither do we. But I don’t see any better options floating around. Everyone in favor?’

  Everyone raises their hand.

  ‘Then it’s settled then.’, Cap says as he contacts the unidentified voice. ‘We consent.’

  The voice immediately responds: ‘Then I welcome you to Hiraeth.’

  We land in what seems to be a secluded area, a stone plateau in the middle of several rock formations. Expecting an army to receive us, a lone man awaits us.

  ‘He really seems to be all alone. What have we gotten ourselves into.’, First whispers.

  When we take a closer up peek at him through our camera ships, he appears to be smiling, sheepishly. His skin and his hair are both caramel-colored and he is wearing…What is he wearing?

  ‘What is he wearing?’, Second reads my thoughts.

  The man seems to be wearing a long lavender robe with a pair of butter yellow, fluffy slippers. Around his neck he is wearing what looks like a long chain of rubies. Half of his hair is up in a bun, the rest of it is blowing in the wind. First is squinting his eyes, while Second is turning his head while observes him from head to toe.

  Cap pokes both of them. ‘Stop staring. We can’t just keep him waiting for us. Let’s go.’

  We make it to the entrance of our ship, all wary and suspicious. But when we open the hatch we are immediately greeted by a deep, but warm voice.

  ‘Welcome strangers! My name is Arwain. What brings you to this lovely planet?’

  I await an answer from Cap, but he looks at me with a questioning look. I cough and answer: ‘We’ve been travelling around the galaxy in search of a new home.’

  ‘Preferably one with lots of greenery and plenty to eat.’, Second adds. ‘We do not want to be an inconvenience of course.’

  ‘Well then you have come to the right place. Welcome to Hiraeth!’, he greets us again.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Arwain leads us from our landing site toward a path of yellow stones. While we follow the path, the vegetation transforms from prickly, dry shrubbery to more lively bushes and grass. It was like the world was painted stroke by stroke of lovely green color until finally we reach the start of a forest.

  It’s the first time I've seen trees in a long time. The leaves are lighter than I remember, the trunk smoother and warmer than I remember. Maybe trees on this planet grow differently or maybe it’s just my memory failing me. Whatever it may be, it feels good to let my hand graze the bark. I close my eyes and listen, the air whistling through the leaves sounding like a nostalgic song from my childhood. I am not the only one gripped by the nostalgia of this place.

  The rest of the crew is wandering around; Cap rips a leaf of a tree and inspects it like it’s a rare jewel, Second lays down in the grass, grabbing handfuls of it as if trying to make up for every moment we lost while roaming in space. Arwain must think we are mad, but we cannot help ourselves. Take a person roaming the desert for three weeks. Could he help himself from guzzling the first glass of water handed to him before thanking the person who gave it to him?

  I am surprised to find Arwain looking at us empathetically. ‘You know, this place got its name for a reason. The great discoverer who found this planet called it Hiraeth. The word refers to a homesickness for a home you can’t return to. And so Hiraeth was born, a haven for everyone who lost their home.’

  I breathe in as much of the fresh, oxygen filled air as I can, before turning towards him. ‘You’ve lost your home?’

  He smiles sadly. ‘A long time ago. Sometimes it feels like another lifetime.’

  Most of the crew nods slowly. I think we can all understand him.

  ‘But those days are over.’, he continues chipperly. ‘Now you are here.’

  He brings us to what I guess could be considered a small town filled with simple white buildings. ‘This is the second biggest town, Nyth. It’s not much, but it is home.’

  In exploring the galaxy, I had seen cities of inky black glass skyscrapers and intricately carved formations of orange stone. This town was infinitely more beautiful. This town did not start up an extermination program once you approached it.

  We walk up to the front step of one of the bigger buildings. A sign at the window sill says: ‘Cynefin guest house’. After Arwain knocks, a stocky, but friendly looking woman with honey blonde hair opens the door.

  ‘I brought our new visitors.’, Arwain announces.

  People must have been informed about our presence. I do not blame them. Alien spaceships generally do not always bring good fortune. The woman introduces herself as Rhian and welcomes us into a building.

  The inside of the building is as simple and amiable as the town itself. The room smells like lemon mixed with peaches and cream. Butter yellow couches and a birchwood table make up a waiting area. To the left of the waiting area stands a front desk that matches the table.

  Rhian walks behind the desk and pulls out a few forms and a pen. ‘You must all be very tired from your trip, but we ask all our visitors and potential new residents to fill in a few forms. Besides that, an ambassador of Hiraeth will find you in a moment to tell you something about the way things work around here.’

  I think we are all dumbfounded by our reception. It almost feels like we are on holiday. In a moment, we will leave this place to go sightseeing and take a few pictures to put in our photo album. I can see on his face that Second is about to say something stupid about the situation. Cap kicks him in the shins before he is able to.

  Our responsible leader picks up the forms and says: ‘We’ll start filling these in for you.’

  Once we have filled in a form, a tall and dry looking man enters the room and tells us about this planet and the rules and regulations we have to abide by, the process of becoming a citizen, etc. One of the most important things he tells us, and frankly, the only interesting thing he tells us, is about the discovery of this planet. The story is similar to any origin story of the long lost nations of earth; it is a bit patriotic and paints a picture of the founder as a mythical hero, a brave pioneer, contrary to a very human fortune hunter.

  ‘The foundation of this community, the discovery and development of this planet, it would all have been impossible if the inhabitants of the planet Amddifad had not encountered the Great Founder. They met her around three hundred years ago. Their planet had been destroyed by a meteorite shower, her planet had been destroyed by a decades long war. Separately, they had been searching for a new planet. Instead, the inhabitants of Amddifad found someone to inspire them and she found her people. Because of their smooth cooperation, it took them not too long to find a new home together. Based on their common background, they decided to call it Hiraeth, symbol of their longing to a home planet they could not return to. Because the great founder knew what had happened to her old planet, she lobbied extensively for a strict no violence policy and tight regulations around carrying weapons. Therefore, anyone in possession of firearms without legitimate reason will be banished from this planet. The same fate will happen to those who spread violence and hate. That way she created a home for all who have lost theirs, a new beginning for all orphans of space.’

  First rolls his eyes and Cap tries not to. After that very inspiring speech, the ambassador gives us a few more forms to fill in and gives us a halfhearted goodbye before leaving. Then Rhian brings us to our rooms.

  I share a place with Cap, First and Second, which consists of a living room, a bedroom with two bunkbeds, a bathroom and even a small kitchen. Though it is not the most luxurious space I have ever seen, it is infinitely more than I think all of us had expected. We throw down our stuff in the bedroom. Second immediately plops down on one of the bottom beds and falls asleep. Cap and First decide to explore the building, while I stay at our place to keep an eye on our stuff. While we have been received warmly, we still have scarce information about who these people are.

  As I take place at the kitchen table, the glass vase placed on top of it grabs my attention. It’s filled with flowers. Bright lime green flowers with delicately curved turquoise tips as if they were dipped in sea-colored paint. Golden pistils spring from the hearts of the alien belles. When I touch one of them, the leaf curls around my finger.

  ‘What are these?’, I ask in awe.

  ‘They are called calennig. It’s a flower native to this planet that the founders discovered in one of the caves when they first arrived here.’

  It is magnificent. ‘Could I maybe take one of them with me?’

  ‘Sure, I’ll bring you one after I return from my rounds to the market.’, she answers as she walks towards the table. In one swoop she picks up the flowers from the vase.

  ‘These ones are getting a little stale.’ She pulls out what I would assume is a garbage bin from under the table and drops the flowers in it. Upon further inspection, I can see what she is talking about. Some of the leaves are getting parched and brittle and a few of the stems are sagging a bit under the weight of the flowers.

  I pull one of them out from the trash. ‘This one will do just fine.’

  I put the calennig in my map filled with all the other treasures I managed to snag from the planets we have travelled to so far. A shard of black glass, an opalescent stone, a piece of a thick cloth and a paperthin green leaf. A smashed lime-green lamp and a copper-colored bolt. Though our visits might have been short, I still managed to bring a physical memory with me from each of those places. That’s when I notice that photo. That photo of you and me. Celebrating the passing of a new year. Another year of surviving. I should have thrown that picture away years ago, but I guess now is as good a time as any. But before I even make it to the garbage bin, I turn around again. Carefully, I put it back between my other memories. I guess it will have to stay there for another while.

  We share a homely dinner of an interestingly colored soup and something that resembles bread in structure, but tastes like beans. Arwain and Rhian are there, as well as a few other people from this planet. Everyone treats us cordially, but I do not manage to feel entirely comfortable. After dinner, all of our crew is still drained, so we go to bed quickly. But as soon as my head hits my cushion my thoughts start racing. I remain awake for what must be hours before my thoughts finally quiet down to an inaudible, but frantic buzz. Welcome to Hiraeth.