The Untold Forest

by Elisa Menz

  His treacherous feet took him to Hakken’s cave.

  After discovering the matriarch welcomed a human girl into the tribe, his anger forced him to leave sooner than planned. Her proximity made him lose control over his emotions and concealing his hate became difficult. With no chance to go near her since Hakken wouldn’t let her out of his sight, he needed to be smarter.

  Ever since his return from the mountains, Kniv followed his every move. Did the old man morph into a hawk? Every night they sat in the middle of a calm dinner, minding their own business. But as soon as the human entered his thoughts, Kniv would pin him with a scowl.

  Is he reading my mind? His inexplicable sharpness annoyed the wits out of him.

  Regn took some time away to calm down. He couldn’t rush this. But he had made a promise; to kill every human who dared enter the Forest. To learn he missed the punitive incursion to the castle disappointed him, but fate allowed him the chance to end the life of the human who survived the killing. In his eyes, she was twice as deserving of this death. She belonged to their murderous race, and she lived amongst those who broke the law. Why Hakken saved her was beyond his understanding.

  Perhaps that’s why he lurked in the early morning, torn between killing her now or talking some sense into Hakken.

  “What do you want, kid?” Regn jumped at the sound of his voice; Hakken stood under the shadows of the entrance.

  He didn’t sound friendly. He didn’t look friendly.

  Regn straightened, trying to sound calm. “I just got back.” He caught him off guard. What could he possibly say?

  “And you came to pay a visit? Did you miss me, kid?” The gloomy hunter took a step outside.

  Regn focused not to flinch under his murderous gaze. No point in lying, but he should be smart. “I want you to tell me what you are planning to do with her. Why would you bring her to our home?”

  Under the faint light of dawn, Hakken’s shadowed features resembled those of a wolf ready to pounce. He should have planned this better. Questioning a man who communicated mostly on grunts didn’t feel so smart now, but Regn managed to hold his gaze. Inwardly, he raked his mind to remember a safe escape route in case Hakken decided he was better off without his head.

  “I don’t owe you an explanation. She’s mine.” Hakken crossed his arms, looking so dangerous and menacing, the hair on the back of his head bristled. “Stay away from Maeve. I know your opinion about humans.”

  Of course, he did. Regn never kept a secret about how much he hated them. Humans were outsiders with a terrible reputation. They cared not about balance or the damage they caused. After all, common knowledge around the guardians of the Forest stated the same; humans destroy—ignorant and selfish creatures.

  This situation defied his beliefs. One of his own was defending a human. “She does not belong here. You are breaking the law,” he said, grinding his teeth.

  The looming darkness surrounding the man followed his every step. This time, Regn couldn’t help to recoil, but he stood his ground when Hakken towered right in front of him.

  “I understand your pain, kid. I respect it,” he said, “but touch a hair in her head, and I’ll rip every limb in your body. You’ll learn what pain really means.”

  Hakken

  The chilly air made him shiver, but he stood outside his cave until Regn’s footsteps faded in the distance. Tonight’s visit unnerved him. The rascal was the biggest threat in the village, always grumbling about his hate and his desire for revenge.

  A stupid kid who couldn’t separate his delusions from reality. Maeve wouldn’t hurt a fly. Why should she suffer?

  Fortunately, she slept soundly when he walked in. He wouldn’t be able to rest now. His mind wandered farther while his eyes sought her lovely face. The sight of her calmed him.

  The war had long ended, but some wounds remained open. Hakken’s pain and shame would never be completely gone. After these last wonderful weeks, busy and high-spirited as he was, the ghosts of the past still haunted him.

  But some important things changed. He had Maeve now, and taking off and leaving her on her own was not an option. For being a responsibility, she was a pleasant one. Ever since her arrival, Hakken smiled more, and—to everyone’s bewilderment—he started conversing, joking, and asking for help from his tribe members. The change in him amazed everyone; he would no longer dally in his cave or isolate himself.

  Who would have known? Taking care of a youngling mended his broken heart. Or at least kept the rusty old thing beating.

  The sun rose, and a sleepless Hakken remembered another child who needed him once. The one he failed to support long ago. As soon as the war ended, losing so many lives forced the tribes to find a way to protect their youngest. Many were now orphans.

  Their leader—a seasoned warrior—had fallen in battle. The current matriarch inherited his position, and it was a relief when the old mother took charge of the village. She made sure everyone was safe and cared for.

  Hakken had been an exception. He resisted their help. He ran away. Nor the matriarch nor Kniv figured out what to do with him, so they let him be to focus on the children who were not ready to face this harsh world on their own.

  Against all odds, one of the children became obsessed with him. The memories of those days came back.

  “How come you hunt alone? Kniv says we should always join a group. If we’re wounded, we need to—”

  “Piece of advice, kid. Don’t listen to what Kniv has to say.” No matter how far he went, the damn kid was on his tail.

  The pestering nomad brat was fast. “I like Kniv. He’s teaching me how to use a dagger. Can you use a dagger, Hakken?” His eyes twinkled, failing to catch Hakken’s annoyance. “Want to practice with me?”

  A groan left his lips. No matter what he did or say, the kid would follow him anywhere. He wanted to be alone and remember his mate. The happy days, when she was alive. They had planned on building a hut together before the war started.

  “We can practice hand-to-hand combat!” Way too loud for his liking. “I’m old enough to start, and my dad...”

  A pause. A blessed pause. Hakken knew what the pause meant; the boy remembered his family. He almost felt sorry for him, but his heart was too busy with self-pity. He hoped this time he’d leave. Running through the thicket, Hakken hoped to lose him, but the kid was persistent. Too bad.

  “I’ve never hunted moose before! Have you hunted moose, Hakken?” He wanted to be left alone, not act like an older brother for the runt. Hakken had no family. He never needed a family! The kid would be fine on his own.

  No one in the village would say he was the most patient man, nor the most caring. At seventeen, he had reached adulthood, and all the love he had in him vanished the moment his mate died. Hakken had no intention to care for anyone else, and the boy behind him was nothing but a pest. He stopped and turned to catch him mid-jump.

  “Ah! Careful!” The boy squirmed. “You should have warned me before—” His complaints turned into a terrified scream when Hakken threw him off a rocky slope. The boy crouched in fear while falling, not noticing the deep pool of water beneath him. He plunged into the water, splashing and gasping like a dying fish, but out of harm’s way. Hakken didn’t stay behind to make sure he swam to the shore, but he suspected not even death would keep the boy away.

  After the outrageous experience, the kid persisted, to Hakken’s displeasure. Nothing worked. He ignored him, yelled, threw every possible insult at him. He once tied him to a tree for an entire day. The boy smiled and joked about his predicament when Hakken returned to fetch him later. He pushed him into the river too many times to remember. The kid thanked him for the swimming practice.

  Hakken’s heart didn’t budge. He couldn’t learn to care about the boy. Then one day, things were different. The kid no longer followed him everywhere. He no longer talked his brains out the entire day. He wouldn’t jump on his feet to greet him after a long season away from the village.

  After a
while, Regn no longer cared about him.

  “What are you thinking?” Maeve’s sleepy voice pulled him back from his memories.

  “Regn...”

  “Who?”

  He turned to fix a strand of hair behind her ear. His worries eased as soon as he gazed at her blue eyes. She shouldn’t worry about anything; he wouldn’t allow it.

  “Regn,” he said once more, “stay away from him, Maeve.”

  CHAPTER XVI

  THE MIGHTY RIVER

  Regn

  It was almost noon when he woke up. The late hour of his arrival and the subsequent talk with Hakken left him angry and concerned.

  There were other things to worry about right now. He had offered to tour the villages of their allies, to raise the alarm about the unknown danger lurking under the mountains. His warnings only caused mild concern.

  How maddening! What part of ‘he tore the head of a wild bear with his bare hands’ didn’t sound alarming?

  After washing in the spring, he visited the matriarch to give his report. “Welcome, dear boy. I hope you rested a little after all your wandering.”

  “I lived as a nomad once. Walking long distances is in my nature, old mother.” He plopped in front of the woman.

  She sat under the shade of her hut, grinding herbs with Mynte, who hummed while she worked. “Tell me, Regn, how did they receive the news?”

  The aroma of ground herbs freshened the air and soothed his tired body. The rhythmical movement of the mortar relaxed him, and Regn blinked away sleepy tears. He rubbed his face while answering. “Fools! No one understands we are facing something new and dangerous. This is no medicine or magic we know about.

  “I met with some elves during my travels. Not even lord Hevonen can tell what this red dust can be. It’s no ordinary magic.”

  “I see.” The woman fell silent after hearing this, pondering. Regn’s mind tangled with worries.

  “Will they come?” she asked.

  “Hum... yes... I believe most villages will send emissaries within the month, so...” Since he completed his task, and he was back in the village, something else occupied his mind. Or rather, someone else. “Do you think it is wise to keep the human around?”

  “Oh, they are all going to love Maeve! She is so funny and sweet.” Mynte couldn’t help but intervene. “You have to be blind or stupid to think otherwise.”

  His jaw clenched before he composed himself. He should keep his intentions a secret, now more than ever. There seemed to be others beside Hakken caring for her, and her death might cause trouble if linked to him. “I’ll take my leave now, old mother. Please let me know if you need me to be of any service.”

  The woman nodded with a smile, dismissing him.

  Regn was outraged.

  It took less than a month for a filthy human to gain the trust of almost everyone in the village, and the girl filled every conversation; ‘she is so cute,’ ‘her hair is beautiful,’ ‘she smiled at me!’

  She was varmint! Why would they not see it?

  He needed to cool off before doing something stupid. Now that he had some free time, he should start planning how to end her without raising suspicion. Hakken and Kniv were on his tail.

  Regn walked to the spot on the riverbank he loved to visit, to be alone with his thoughts when the memories became too painful to bear. An enormous boulder, washed by the rapid waters of the river.

  The summer weather warmed the mountain peaks. The ice melted, and the current ran cold and turbulent. Not the best time of year for a swim. The mighty roar of the river reached his ears long before he arrived at his destination. The power of the water made his troubles feel insignificant, serving as a refuge for when his heart ached too much—a place to find peace and clear his mind.

  But for the first time, someone occupied his sanctuary. A small figure stood on top of the boulder, studying the current.

  The thundering waters stifled the growl that came from his lips, so she didn’t catch him approaching. She stood so close to the edge, it would only take a little push, and she will be dead in an instant.

  No one would blame him if she acted this recklessly. Anyone could fall. When he got close enough, the water moistened his face. The current would drag her body far away.

  Her long hair floated around her, shining gold under the midday sun. So this is what all the fuss is about. An unexpected sight, one he might stop to admire. But when you’re on a path to revenge, there is no time for distractions. He stood right behind her, determined to carry out his vengeance.

  Regn prided himself on his abilities as a hunter and his unparalleled stealth. But somehow, she sensed him. The girl turned, and her blue eyes bore into his gray ones.

  It all happened in a blink.

  His closeness startled her, so she lost her footing and began to fall into the treacherous waters. Regn heard her gasp, and her frightened eyes silently pleaded with him. A small hand reached out. He hesitated.

  But after a heartbeat, he reached back.

  The icy water hit them like a thousand needles, and his chest constricted. Keeping his face over the water to breathe took most of his strength. The girl struggled to remain close to him, gasping for air. Her terrified eyes darted around, looking for a way out. Regn clutched her hand.

  The current dragged them without mercy, threatening to separate them, so Regn pulled her close. He kept her afloat and swam with his free arm toward the shore. She picked up on his intentions and used her arms and legs to help him, to no avail. The current didn’t cooperate.

  Ominous rocks loomed ahead. He stopped his efforts and pulled her into a tight hug, protecting her. The water slammed him against the rocks, drawing blood from his arms and torso.

  The pain drew an involuntary scream out of him. That will leave a mark. Regn imagined he had at least one broken rib, but right now, that was the least of his problems. The current didn’t seem to slow down, and they had been struggling for far too long. The endeavor would soon exhaust him, and that would be their end.

  What the hell was he doing? He meant to kill her! Why was he fighting against the river to save her? Taking damage to protect her? Before he could change his mind, the girl shouted and pointed in front of them. A large trunk, half-submerged in the water, branches reaching in all directions.

  That was their chance!

  They both swam towards the branches, and Regn pushed her until she was holding safe on top of the trunk. She then turned and reached down for him, pulling him out of the water.

  They dragged themselves into dry land before collapsing side by side, panting.

  Now out of danger, every broken bone and open wound manifested their presence. Dizziness took over, and his head throbbed with pain. Regn tried to remember when he hit it, but his conscience slipped away.

  When he woke up, stars hung in the sky. He lay on his back, next to a small fire, and covered with an unknown thick fabric. As he tried to turn, the sharp pain in his ribs made him grunt and flinch. He lay back before inspecting his arms. A dark, fragrant pulp covered every wound.

  This is marigold. He remembered. The matriarch used this to help wounded hunters. But who...? Oh, that was quickly answered. The human girl lay sleeping next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. They were under her coat, and she wore nothing but a flimsy dress.

  “What—?” He didn’t mean to be so loud. Blame the brazen human! Why was she so close? He sat in panic, aching everywhere. Had he not been wounded, he would have jumped several feet away.

  His yelp also woke her. She blinked and stretched before noticing the bewildered half-breed sitting next to her.

  Regn stared, transfixed by how she smiled with shining eyes, before throwing her arms around his neck.

  “I’m so relieved! You were bleeding so much, and you wouldn’t wake up. Don’t worry, I will take care of you!”

  She pulled away and beamed at him. Her face swayed closer, and her breath tickled his face. His stomach somersaulted, while his heartbeat lost al
l sense of rhythm. She spoke in the human tongue, but even if he had known it, he wouldn’t understand a word. He was having trouble remembering his own language. Well, this is fucking unexpected!

  CHAPTER XVII

  UNEXPECTED FEELINGS

  Hakken

  If something changed since Maeve’s arrival, it was the vast variety of emotions he experienced. For years, he only felt grief, loneliness, and apathy. Today it was anger.

  To be more precise, he was outraged.

  “You need to calm down before going back to her.” By his side sat wise old Kniv, as usual. Hakken knew Kniv meant well, but right now, he wished he’d fuck off along with his wisdom.

  The night before had been harrowing. Hakken arrived late after a hunt, only to find Maeve missing. Mynte had no idea where she had gone, and no one saw her since morning. They searched everywhere and found her trail on the riverbank. If she had fallen, she was most likely dead.

  It took several hunters to restrain him before he jumped into the treacherous waters. Did he mean to search for her or drown himself? Hakken couldn’t tell. They dragged him to his cave while he kicked and screamed, and Kniv kept guard outside for the entire night.

  And then they came back, the familiar dreadful emotions.

  Did he lose her? Did his little Maeve die alone and scared? Could he be this unreliable?

  He spent the night screaming his lungs out, banging his fists against the rocks until they bleed. He cried himself to sleep, exhausted while ignoring Kniv’s presence. Overwhelming, dark thoughts plagued his mind, and Hakken felt in his gut the next day would be unbearable, as all the days to come.

  But the next morning, Kniv woke him with the wonderful news. Numbed as he was, it took Hakken a few blinks to understand his words.