The Ancient Dragon's Bride

Chapter 5

   Fayeil opened a door to a house which looked quite comfortable. This time there was no smell that hit her when Astrid walked in, just the sound of a fire crackling and floorboards creaking.

  “Zashatoz? Are you in here?” Fayeil called.

  Zashatoz? What an odd name. It must be an older elf, probably an elder. Astrid closely followed Fayeil, her surroundings making her feel uncomfortable.

  “Ah Zashatoz there you are,” Fayeil’s voice softly said. Looking over Fayeil, Astrid saw an old female elf sitting down on a rugged old chair.

  “Fayeil my darling is that you?” The old lady croaked. Fayeil walked over to her and knelt.

  “Yes, I’ve brought you a dragon egg muffin like you requested,” Fayeil murmured. He took the lady’s hand, gently placing the muffin in her palm.

  Instead of thank you the lady raised her head and said, “there is another elf in the room. Come out of the shadows young one.”

  Astrid quickly obeyed standing near the old elf. As she got a front view of the lady she realized that she had her eyes closed. She must be blind. The lady also had white patchy hair and her skin was oddly pale and wrinkly. Suddenly Fayeil took Astrid’s hand and placed it on the lady’s cheek.

  The lady softly gasped and murmured, “a reckless one this is, naive and stubborn.” She paused and smiled a toothless smile. “I assume you’ve been taking care of her, Fayeil?

  Fayeil looked up at Astrid with a smile as he answered. “Of course, why I’m the reason she still stands.”

  The elf slowly laughed and said, “then you will continue to do so, for the journey that awaits will be a rough one.” The lady turned her sightless gaze to Astrid and she croaked, “Do not stop walking your path because others tell you my dear.” The lady paused and looked into the fire that crackled in front of her. “With naivety comes courage, use it wisely.”

***

  “I’m sorry for keeping you so long, Astrid,” Fayeil apologized.

  “Don’t be, I’m so grateful that you took me with you,” Astrid breathed. “Though I do have a question or two,” she cautiously said, narrowing her eyes at him.

  With a grin he said, “go ahead.”

  “First off, why did you whisper to that man back at the forge, hm? Were you speaking rudely of me?” Astrid loudly asked, putting a hand on her hip.

  With a laugh Fayeil replied, “I would never speak rudely of you Astrid, all I asked was for a sword.”

  “Then why did you whisper it?” She inquired.

  “That’s nothing of great importance Astrid, but I can assure you that I wasn’t speaking of you,” he answered with a smile. Astrid looked away from his gaze feeling hurt once more. He must’ve realized because then he put his arm around her and with a dashing grin he asked, “what’s the next question?”

  Trying hard to stifle a smile she asked, “what was up with the old lady? I was a little frightened if I must be honest,” Astrid truthfully said.

  “Ah yes, Zashatoz,” he sighed. “Ever since her husband died I promised I’d help with chores. And as for the little phrase she said back there, I’m sure it was nothing you need to worry about,” he reassured her.

  “But she had mentioned of a journey, Fayeil. Do you think what she had said could be of truth?” Astrid sighed as they reached the steps to the castle’s opening.

  “Astrid, I know this isn’t what you want to hear,” he let out a breath, “but by journey I’m sure she just meant life, not the kind of journey you were hoping for. I’m sorry.”

  “No, no it’s alright,” she mumbled. She felt a sudden sweep of exhaustion befall her and she let her head fall on his shoulder as they continued.

  “Tired?” He yawned.

  “Yeah, it’s quite late, now that I realize it,” she murmured.

  “Hopefully your mother doesn’t chop my fingers off for keeping you out so late,” he joked.

  Letting out a short laugh she said, “I’ll be the hero this time when it comes to explaining.”

  He began to laugh but then he quickly stopped and then seriously spoke. “Astrid, how about we do training tomorrow night instead of the morning, so we get a good rest?”

  “I like that suggestion,” she whispered. A smile broke on her face at the thought of lying down on the soft silk sheets of her bed.

  “Astrid? Where have you been?!” A familiar voice yelled. Too lazy to lift her head from his shoulder she slightly looked up to see her mother and father. They weren’t angry though. Her mother looked surprised and her father was grinning ear to ear.

  “I went down to the village,” she yawned. “It was very pleasant and I didn’t get hurt so don’t chop of Fayeil’s fingers,” Astrid murmured.

  Her father chuckled, “we won’t do such things. I’m glad she got to see the village anyway, right Tanya?” He asked looking her mother’s way.

  “Well, I’m not too happy you brought her into the village,” her mother said with pursed lips. “But I am glad you two have finally decided to date,” she happily smiled. A sudden emotion of anger and embarrassment jolted within Astrid, making her awake. She lifted her head from Fayeil’s shoulder, not bothering to look his way.

  Just as she opened her mouth Fayeil began to laugh. With a more than usual charming grin he said, “Astrid and I are not dating your highness, we simply are just great friends.” He patted Astrid on the head- a little too roughly.

  “Hey keep your dirty hands off my hair,” she growled with a half-smile. Suddenly forgetting her parents were watching she looked down at her feet.

  “Astrid get ready for bed,” her mother ordered. “And as for you Fayeil come with us.” Fayeil’s handsome features suddenly stiffened as the queen beckoned him.

  “Mother, don’t”-

  “What I’m going to say doesn’t concern you Astrid so please go to bed,” her mother sternly growled. Heart pounding, she slowly began to head for her room.

  “Siya make sure she goes to sleep,” her father ordered one of the fairies.

  “Yes sir!” She squeaked. The fairy then grabbed a strand of Astrid’s hair, pulling her to come.

  “H-hey stop it!” Astrid complained as she started to quickly go up the stairs. As soon as she reached the top she realized Fayeil and her parents had disappeared. Feeling a mix of guilt and anger begin to stir within her she looked up at the fairy. “Siya listen, if I give you a blossom berry will you let me go see what they’re doing?” Astrid begged.

  The fairy’s tiny eyes widened and she sheepishly looked at the ground. “You should be ashamed of tempting me with such things Princess Astrid, but as a fairy I cannot deny such an offer.” The fairy then nodded and flew away to attend to other business.

  Right at that moment Astrid sped down the stairs, faster than she had ever done in her life. “Oh I do hope they’re not doing anything too dreadful,” she muttered under her breath. Once she reached the bottom she quietly made her way to the throne room. As soon as she took a left she could hear voices arguing.

  “I just don’t understand Aclicili,” her mother’s voice cried.

  “Tanya, it’s not a big deal. If she doesn’t want to marry then so be it,” her father’s voice said.

  “But Fayeil- Fayeil would willingly marry her right, Fayeil?” Her mother’s voice cracked.

  “Well yes your majesty, she’s a beautiful and kind elf, but I think Astrid would prefer if we’d stay friends, and I truly don’t mind that we stay that way,” Fayeil politely answered. Astrid’s heart lurched forward. Nobody had ever said such things about her. At that moment she felt appreciated and overwhelmingly glad that Fayeil respected her wishes whereas no one else ever had.

  “Great! Then you will propose to her on her birthday!” Her mother’s voice exclaimed.

  “Tanya did you not hear him?” Her father’s voice boomed. “He said that Astrid prefers to stay friends! We cannot force her into something she doesn’t want! If the time comes where she feels that she wants something more with Fayeil then great, if not, no harm done.”

  She then heard her mother begin to cry. “I-I wish she were normal like the rest of her s-sisters’.” Astrid’s gut felt like it had been just punched. “I wish she would stop acting so foolish and focus on what matters,” she yelled. That’s when Astrid felt herself lose control.

  Trembling with tears forming at the corners of her eyes she stepped out into their view and screamed, “You want to know who’s acting foolish? It’s you! All you care about is having a good reputation!” Not even bothering to look at Fayeil she continued, staring into her mother’s surprised gaze, “If you hate me so much then why don’t you kill me!” Without the slightest hesitation she grabbed a dagger from Fayeil’s belt and pointed it at her own neck.

  “Astrid stop!” Fayeil and her father simultaneously yelled.

  “Oh but it seems mother would gladly like me to continue!” she screamed. Her own anger caused her to push the dagger farther towards her neck.

  “Tanya say something!” her father’s voice boomed. Astrid looked up at her mother but only to see her staring at the dagger intently.

  Tears streaming down her cheeks she threw the dagger at the floor and ran. She didn’t know where she was going to go but she knew it would be far away from this forsaken place. Racing out of the castle doors, she headed for the forest. She could hear her father yelling out orders to guards but that only made her run faster. She knew if she got caught she would get severely punished but that was the least of her worries right now. All Astrid knew was that she had to reach the forest.

  Suddenly she halted to a stop. The river. Looking back with a sense of panic she could see lines of guards start to file out of the castle. Without thought she dived into the river, sending chills throughout her spine. The cold current tried to sweep her away but with struggle she was able to keep her balance and tread through the unsteady water.

  As soon as she reached the other side, she used all her body strength to pull her out with a grunt. Breathing heavy she got up to her feet and continued to run.

  She was cold and every bone in her body ached; within every step a searing pain jolted up her leg but she continued. Just as she reached the top of a small hill she could see clumps of trees starting to form into a forest. Feeling a wave of relief wash over her, she started to run; though at a much slower pace. Once she had reached the edge of the forest she looked back. Hundreds of guards were searching everywhere, torches lighting up the dark castle grounds. With a sigh of relief, she began to turn her head back to the forest, but something caught her attention. There were three elves on horseback jumping across the river, heading her way.

  With a sudden jolt of panic, she ran into the forest, her heart pounding as loud as drums. There was no possible way they could’ve seen her in the dark, it just wasn’t possible. The only way they could ever suspect she went into the forest is…. Then it hit her. Fayeil. He’s the only one that knew she always wanted to go into the forest.

  She began to hesitate, questioning whether she should turn herself in or continue into the forest.

  Shaking her head, she muttered to herself, “this is my chance.” Turning back to the forest she continued to run.