Hey again! This is the second part of my fourth chapter, hope you like it! (:
Trenton stretched when the sun slowly started showing itself, reaching the ridge of the hills. He sat up straight, rubbing his eyes from the sleep and ruffled his hair to shake strands of grass out of it.
“Goodmorning.” I smiled.
Trenton yawned.
“Would you like something to eat? Drink?” I offered him some bread and water.
He grabbed both and took a large mouthful. After he finished, he said, “Thanks.”
I nodded.
“We should start moving again soon.” Trenton stood, still stiff from sleep.
I stood as well, making sure everything was packed right.
“We will continue traveling along the edge of the Teirre forest until we reach Alden. When we get there; we need to stay close; it’s a large city, a lot of servants station there.”
My hands shook from what dangers may await Trenton and I in Alden.
“Ready?” Trenton brought my attention back to him.
“Yes.”
Trenton quickly began making his way through the thick-trunk pine trees and brush. I followed intently, more graceful and quiet compared to his clumsy steps.
Above my head, I could hear the song birds sing a morning tune, their voices sweet like honey. I remembered that every morning, I would wake to this song, to the warmth of the fire that warmed my home. Through the midst of trees, squirrels began waking, their tiny paws scrambling against the bark of trees.
“Are you okay?” Trenton’s voice penetrated my mind.
I regained myself and said, “Yes, I’m fine. I was just listening to the forest.”
“You can do that?” Trenton looked surprised.
“Do what?”
“Able to hear the smallest things.”
“I always have. Is it not normal?”
“Only elves can listen so intently on the smallest things.” Trenton explained, “You must have gotten that ability from your mother.”
I didn’t answer; I had nothing to add.
As we continued walking, I focused my mind again on the things around me. Ever since I was on the run, I never really payed much of my attention to my surroundings.
The squirrels filled my sense of hearing, as well as the deer awakening. I would look up and see the bright colored birds skim over the branches, making me wish I could fly as they could.
“Let me go this instant! Release me!” a faint but familiar voice exclaimed in my head. I turned to where it was coming from. The voice kept echoing what it had said before. I stopped and listened more closely. The voice was too familiar, one that I had heard many times before.
“Grandmother!” I gasped. Almost simultaneously, I bolted for the direction of my grandmother’s voice.
“Elle...? Elle!” I could hear Trenton behind me, trying to keep up. I ignored him.
My feet barely touched the ground as I ran vigorously through the trees.
“Let me go!”
“Grandmother!” I nearly screamed. My breathing sped up.
Just ahead, the greenery opened up into a dirt road that wasn't mantained. Down the road, I saw a old wagon that was worn down to splinters. Servants were monitoring it, making sure my grandmother didn't escape. I had to reach it.
From my short pause, Trenton caught up with me. Just as I was about to run after the wagon, I was tackled to the ground in a heap. I could feel thorns tearing at my dress.
“I have to save her, I have to!” I wriggled under Trenton’s mass.
“No, it’s too risky; they could kill you!” Trenton held down my shoulders.
I began wailing, crying for him to get off of me. I tried to shove him off, but didn’t succeed. Then, not thinking completely clear, I instinctively formed a pocket of air and pushed it at Trenton. Instantly, I felt his weight being lifted off. I scrambled onto my feet and tried to run again with no prevail. Trenton was on me again, but this time, we were on the dirt road.
“You are not going after them; they will kill you and your grandmother,” Trenton said into my ear.
With tears forming a small puddle under my eye in the dirt, I went limp. It was no use; everything Trenton said was true. I would be killed, same for my grandmother. When I calmed down, Trenton got off of me and helped me to my feet.
“I’m sorry.” I shuddered, “My grandmother... she was in the wagon.”
“We should get off the road.” Trenton hooked his arm around me, so that I was more stable. “Come on.”
I wiped my eyes to see more clearly and looked down the road. In the distance, I could see the wagon slowly disappearing, my grandmother with it.
