by Lara Wynter
“If only we could do something…”
“If Finnan would agree to become the next king, we could attack now.”
Callum nodded. “I agree, Finnan would make an excellent choice for king. As would you my friend. It really isn’t that long to wait either way.”
I stood. “I’m not sure I even want to rule. Sometimes, all I want is to live a quiet life and leave all the decisions to others.”
Callum laughed. “A quiet life? Weren’t you just complaining how it was too quiet and dull here?”
I joined in laughing. “Of course, this whole situation is just so confusing. I think I need to go for a ride with Thunder and clear my head.”
“You want some company? Well, some more company.”
“Thank you brother, but not today. Today, I’m not very good company.”
Thunder galloped headlong through the trees. I could hear the sound of his breaths as he pushed himself. Slow down, we’ve lost the Dark Elves by now, I’m sure of it.
Thunder indicated that the Statton Forde was up ahead and we could take a break there. I sent him my assent and focused on keeping my balance perfect to make his job easier. A branch swished past my face and stung the tip of one ear. I pressed my body closer, laying along Thunder’s glossy black neck so he didn't have to go around so many branches.
As the trees began to thin out, he slowed to a canter and then to a walk as we stepped out into the sunlight. Thunder made his way down the bank of the stream and crossed swiftly onto the far bank. He then indicated that he needed a drink, so I slipped easily from his back and onto the grass. Casting uneasy glances toward the forest we had just emerged from, I bent down and filled my hands with the cool clear water. I drank until I was sated. Patting my hands dry on my tunic, I suddenly felt the need to go. A feeling of unease stole over me, almost like I was being watched.
“Come on, Thunder,” I spoke aloud. “We have to go. You know they aren’t far behind us.” The big stallion ignored me and kept on drinking. Fine, you’re the one that will have to gallop for your life when they burst through the trees while you’re still here playing in the pool.
Thunder continued to ignore me, he could be as stubborn as a mule when he wanted to be. Exasperated, I turned my back on him and began walking toward the trees. At least if the dark Elves came, I’d make it easier for us to depart quickly.
Thinking dark thoughts, I continued walking. Suddenly, I felt eyes on me from the edge of the forest. I looked up, alarmed. Who could be this far out? Was it another band of enemy Elves?
Instead, I saw the most beautiful girl, wearing the oddest attire imaginable. She blinked her blue eyes as she took a stumbling step backward. I tried to keep my eyes on her face and off the long expanse of tanned leg that was exposed with her odd clothing.
I held out a hand, as if I could keep her calm as I came closer. She looked like she was about to bolt at any minute, and I certainly didn’t want that. It wasn’t everyday I came across strange beautiful girls in the woods. Actually, this would be a definite first.
“What…? Who…? Who sent you? And what on Alora are you wearing?” I blurted.
She ran a hand down her messy hair as her cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink, highlighting her strange beauty. “It’s not my fault I’m wearing my pyjamas, and this is just a stupid dream anyway!”
My eyes widened in shock, it couldn’t be…could it? “You’re a dream maiden?”
“A what? Yes, this is a dream, and as to my maidenhood, that’s really none of your business.” Her cheeks turned even pinker.
“Are you from the world of dreams?” I spoke slowly. She seemed at once uncomfortable yet strangely defiant.
“I’m from the real world. This is a dream, and a rather bizarre one. Although you are nice to look at, you say the strangest things.”
My lips curved into a slow smile. “Well, thank you, I think you are most beautiful too. Now is not the time though. We must go quickly before they are upon us.” Thunder came up behind me and began nudging me toward the forest with his nose. Cheeky horse. The moment he wanted to go, he expected me to comply instantly. Well, he was about to be disappointed. This strange girl was the most exciting thing that had happened in...forever, and I wasn’t going to let her go so easily. Especially when there were dark Elves on the loose.
“Now you’re in a hurry,” I grabbed one rein and turned back to the girl. “Thunder, meet, umm, sorry, I completely forgot to introduce myself. My mother would be horrified.” Ugh, what a stupid thing to say. She was going to think I was a total idiot and leave.
“I’m Ashlee.” She answered in her beautiful soft voice.
“Delighted to make your acquaintance, Ashlee. I am Wyndelleu,” I bowed my head, showing her the same deference I would for visiting royalty. At least no one was around to witness my gaff.
“Hadn’t we better hurry?”Ashlee said surprising me. “Isn’t someone after you?”
“You are right. It’s not safe here.” I swung myself up into the saddle and held my hand down toward Ashlee, unsure if she would take it.
She surprised me by putting her soft small hand in mine. I pulled her up and settled her behind me. “Link your arms around my waist. You don’t want to fall.”
The feel of her warm body pressed up against me made me feel an unfamiliar sense of longing. I tried to make sense of my feelings as Thunder made his way swiftly through the forest. It felt different having someone on my horse with me. I really just wanted to get a safe distance from our pursuers so I could find out more about her. Was she really from Earth? It had been many years since anyone from Earth had been to Alora. If she was in-fact a human girl, she would be the first one I had ever met.
We entered another clearing. I swung my leg up and over Thunder’s neck and slid to the ground. I turned and helped the girl off the horse. Her legs were visibly trembling. I guessed that galloping through the forests was not a normal part of her day.
“Are you well?”
She looked into my eyes. “I’m fine—I’m just not used to hurtling through the forest.”
I chuckled. “Thunder would never let you get hurt. As to whom I’m running from, that is a much longer story, and perhaps you would like something to eat and drink while I tell it.”
Ashlee smiled her assent. I hurriedly unsaddled Thunder and left him free to roam. The horse lay down and rolled with enthusiasm. After rummaging around in my pack, I pulled out two apples and a large flask. I handed Ashlee one of the apples and sat on the grass beside her.
“Do you like apples, Ashlee?”
“I do, but please call me, Ash. Is it okay if I call you Wyn? Wyndelleu is a bit of a mouthful.”
“I guess so.” I tried not to show my surprise. Calling someone by a different name was usually only done by those with a very close bond. “Is it common among your people to abbreviate names like that?”
“Fairly common. You don’t do that here?” Ashlee looked vulnerable as she stared at me.
“It is most unusual.” I replied, pushing a lock of hair back behind my ear.
“Your ears are pointed,” Ashlee blurted. “S-s-orry. That was quite rude.”
“Don’t worry. I am not so easily offended. My ears are pointed, as with all Elves. You seem surprisingly ignorant of our world. Sorry, now I am being rude—please forgive me.”
“Are all Elves as polite as you are?”
Wyn’s eyes darkened briefly. “Those who follow the old code are much like me… There is a new order however that does not believe as we do.”
“Are those the people, I mean, Elves who are chasing you?”
“Yes, I used to live in Emmelion—that is our main city, with my family before the change. We are a proud race. We are disciplined in our fighting skills, but we prefer to use them to keep fit and to compete in contests of skill and valour. We do not use them to kill and maim.”
Ashlee sat perfectly still as I explained to her how my father had died and how I was now waiting until I coul
d avenge his death.
“Wait,” Ashlee said as I finished talking. “Was your father the King of the Elves? Are you a prince?”
I grimaced. “At the moment I am nothing. It is not like your world. The throne does not pass from father to son or daughter. It is bestowed upon whoever is deemed most worthy. There are tests of strength, intelligence, and valour. My father was king before my uncle. Many believed I would be king after him, but it was certainly not guaranteed.”
“Where’s your mother now?”
“She is still in Emmelion. She is being held captive by Rothlyn. I’m not sure how she’s being treated, but we are hoping to find out soon. The last thing she told me before I left was to in no way risk myself by trying to contact her or rescue her.”
“I suspect you’re going to totally ignore her advice.”
I looked up, shocked. How could she know that? She didn’t know me. Did we have some strange otherworldly connection? “How could you know that?”
“Because this is just my dream, and in my dream, the hero would always rescue those in need.”
I felt my feelings of hope diminish. Connection - ha! She didn’t even believe I was real. “Surely you don’t still believe this is just a dream, do you, after all I’ve told you?”
“Well, if it’s not a dream, I’m either going crazy or the world is a far more complex place than I ever realised. I’ve been through so much lately. I think my subconscious is just rewarding me with a vivid escapism dream.”
I lifted my hand and put it against Ashlee’s cheek. I looked deep into the blue depths of her eyes. “I am not a dream, and I expect your presence here is no accident.” Dropping my hand from her face, I stood. “No one from your world has entered Alora in a long time. I strongly suspect you are important somehow.”
She looked at me oddly. “That only goes to prove my point, if this is my dream, of course I’m going to play an important part in it.”
“How is it that you know nothing of Alora? Did you not have an instructor? I have been taught about the human world from the time I was small. Even when I was too young to really understand, my bedtime stories included tales of Earth and humans.”
“I grew up with my mother. I’m sure she knew nothing of magic worlds, and Elves belong in Lord of the Rings.”
“Ahh, I love that story.” I said thinking fondly of the human books we had in the Castle library.
“You’ve read Lord of the Rings?”
“But of course. Where do you think some of those ideas originated if not from among our people? Humans have been travelling to Alora for many hundreds of years.”
“How come I’ve never heard of Alora if people have been coming here for so long?”
“Like you, many find the concept somewhat difficult to accept, and we strongly discourage those who have travelled here from telling others, with the exception of descendants of those who have been. Is the connection on your father’s side? Did you never know him?”
“My mother passed away several months ago, and I only just met my father a few days ago.”
“I am deeply sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. The loss of a parent is difficult to accept." I sighed deeply. "That does explain why your knowledge is so lacking though.”
“Um, thanks a lot.”
I couldn’t seem to string two words together in her presence without saying the wrong thing. “The fact that you’re here now with no instruction is interesting. Usually it takes a lot of study of our people and, of course, the artefacts to even attempt to travel here.”
“Artefacts? What artefacts?”
“Has your father given you anything unusual?”
“He gave me this locket today as a gift.”
To my immense shock, she pulled the Jaega locket out from underneath her clothing. I reverently lifted it from her hand. “You have the Jaega. That explains why you appeared in such a remote location, but close to me. This belongs to my family. It is still linked to us and makes travel to our world possible.” How did this earth girl come to have such a powerful magical possession?
“If you need an artefact to travel to your world, how did the first person get here?” Ash asked, still sounding like she didn’t believe a word I was saying.
“It is not the only way to get here, Ash.” I gently released the locket. “It is merely the easiest and the safest way to travel between our worlds.”
“Aren’t you worried those people chasing you will track you here?”
“I am not without skills in that area, but you are right to be cautious. We should head back to base camp to be sure.”
I saddled Thunder, mounted, and pulled the beautiful earth girl up behind me.
“Ouch,” Ash said as she landed.
“Are you sure this would hurt in your dream?” I said, as I turned to grin at her.
“Maybe.” She said, sounding less sure.
We rode through the forest again, the comforting feeling of Ashlee’s arms around me made me wish the ride were longer. All too soon we were back at our camp and I was helping Ashlee to the ground again.
“Ah, Wyndelleu,” Finnan said. “I was almost beginning to worry about you.”
“And who is this you’ve brought us, and what on Alora is she wearing?” Argus said in his gruff way.
“Argus,” I indicated the shorter stockier Elf to Ash, “and Finnan, this is Ashlee.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Ash said.
“How is it we send you off scouting and you come home with a beautiful maiden?” Argus asked. “When I go, I’m lucky if I come back without an injury.”
I tried not to laugh as Finnan gave Argus a disapproving scowl.
Finnan turned to me his gaze serious. “Has she come to aid us?”
“I think so, although she doesn’t know it yet. She thinks this is all a dream.”
“How is that possible?” Finnan looked grave. “What has gone wrong?”
“We’ll discuss it later,” I replied. “Where are Callum and Halmer?”
“Keeping watch, as they should be,” Finnan answered.
“Let’s eat then. I’m starving,” I said as my stomach rumbled. I’d only meant to go for a short ride. When would I ever learn. Not that I was regretting my foray into the forest and meeting Ash. I would however feel better once I had eased my hunger.
Midway through my second bowl of eel stew I began to feel better and more relaxed. I was surprised when Ash offered to wash the bowls after we’d all eaten. She was definitely an enigma. A very beautiful, strange and wonderful enigma. As she went down to the stream to wash up, I found my wooden stave and prepared myself for some duelling practice with Argus.
Argus was the strongest of the exiled Elves. Finnan was the oldest and he had all the moves and the skill honed from decades of practice. Although, I had the speed and agility to beat all of them, it was one of my Elven gifts. The thought of Ash watching us fight, made it hard for me to achieve the necessary focus I needed to achieve to do my best. I tried to put all thoughts aside as Argus came toward me spinning his stave as he came. The move was more flashy than an effective fighting technique. I grinned and matched him. This was going to be fun.
Argus swung his stave in a low arc and I matched it with my own. The staves connected with a sharp crack, that echoed through the forest. Ashlee screamed and I turned toward her picturing dark Elves attacking from the forest. Argus shoved his stave into my side and I grunted.
“Keep your focus,” Finnan instructed. “You can’t let her be used against you so easily.”
He was right. Annoyed at myself for getting distracted so easily, I pivoted to the side and managed to find an opening. Argus stumbled. I waited patiently for him to regain his footing, I didn’t want to end this before we’d even really begun.
Darkness was falling over the clearing, making it more difficult to see Argus as he launched a swift attack. Elves have excellent eyesight and can still see pretty well in the dark compared to humans. I wondered how Ash was farin
g. Using my peripheral vision I saw she was no longer sitting near Finnan. Why would Finnan let her go wandering off alone in the dark forest. What was he thinking, my annoyance bubbled to the surface as I scanned the darkness away from the fire.
“Watch out!” Ash’s voice came from over toward the stream.
I turned back to see Argus’s staff hurtling straight toward my head. I moved my body to the side, willing it to move faster. The world exploded in stars and lights as I fell to the ground.
I groaned and opened my eyes. Argus was looking at me apologetically. Not that it was his fault. I should know better than to be so easily distracted. The worry in Ash’s eyes made me feel strange. I wanted her to keep looking at me the way she was right now. Like I was important to her.
“I’m such an idiot.” I groaned. “How angry is he?” I asked, looking at Argus.
“Well, he’s not here, if that tells you anything. I’ll go and talk to him.” He moved off to join Finnan by the fire.
“Are you okay?” Ash asked, running her fingers softly over my hair.
“Mmm, that feels good,” I murmured.
“You must have a concussion. There’s no way that lump can feel good.”
“No, I mean you running your hand through my hair feels good, silly.” I replied.
“And there you go insulting me again,” Ash said. “You must be alright.”
What was wrong with me? “Sorry, I’m not normally so rude. I don’t know what’s happening to me today.”
“Don’t worry about it. Maybe you have brain damage.”
I smiled at the way she felt like she could tease me. No one ever talked to me so informally and I liked it. Her smile fell away. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Ash lied poorly. “Let’s get you over to the fire where it’s warmer.”
I let Ash support me, not sure if I needed the help, or if I just enjoyed feeling close to her, as we made our way over to the fire.
Callum stood as we approached. “Welcome, Ashlee. I’m Callum.”
Trust Callum to remember how to address her correctly I thought. Unfamiliar feelings of jealously swirled within me toward my childhood friend.