The Ancient Dragon's Bride

Chapter 3

 Astrid quietly closed the door that led up the staircase. She had woken up extra early, for she hadn’t been able to sleep all night. The bouncing excitement that had been dancing in her chest had not even let her shut her eyes once. She rapidly tip-toed out of the vineyard and into the open field. It was still quite dark outside, and the sun provided very little light so she had tripped over multiple roots. Heart pounding in her chest she skidded down the steep path that led to the river. The wind felt oddly calming, and the trickling of the river sounded more pleasant than ever.

  As soon as she reached the spot that Fayeil had instructed her to go to, she plopped down in a sitting position. She put her hand on her stomach trying to catch her breath as she panted wildly. As soon as she had done so, she looked around. Had something held him back? It was getting a little brighter and she felt herself starting to worry. Getting up to her feet she began to pace around looking to see if he would finally appear. “Oh Fayeil where could you be?” She asked herself. Pushing her hair behind her she looked into the river. Her reflection gleamed back at her as she stared into the glassy texture of the water.

  Suddenly, a hand grabbed her arm. Without thought she rapidly turned around; her other hand about to punch the stranger. Just as her fist was about to make contact with the mysterious person, he quickly moved back so she would just miss him by a hair.

  “Impressive, you’ve got the reflexes similar to a troll,” the familiar voice teased.

  “Fayeil!” She exclaimed, relieved. Pulling her arm back from his grip she yelled, “you got some nerve going around scaring elves like that.”

  Letting a charming grin out he snickered, “yeah, I do, don’t I?” With a quick yawn he threw Astrid a sword. “Glad you decided not to wear a dress, that would get in the way of your training,” he said raising an eyebrow.

  “Training? What do you mean training?” Astrid asked. She thought she had come here to escape not train.

  With a laugh he smiled, “You don’t expect me to send you out there when you don’t even know how to wield a sword, right?”

  “Well I t-thought”-

  “Astrid I’m trying to help make your wish come true not kill you,” he laughed. “Now come, try to attack me.” He pointed his sword at her.

  Almost as if she didn’t know what a sword is, she picked up the sword she had failed to catch and fiddled with it until it felt comfortable. Looking awkwardly at the sword then back at Fayeil she simply said, “I don’t understand.”

  It was obvious he was try to stifle a laugh. “Just attack me, don’t be shy,” Fayeil said. After a few hesitant moments she lunged the sword at Fayeil. Just as she did he effortlessly wacked it into the river with his sword. He smiled, the laughter dancing in his eyes. “Tighter grip on the sword, and a word of advice Astrid,” he said, while retrieving her sword. “You must know how your enemy thinks, once you have, you’ve technically won the battle. You don’t need to be strong, you just need to be smart,” he explained as he passed the sword back to Astrid. “Understand?” Fayeil confirmed.  

“Yeah, I guess that would make sense,” Astrid shrugged. She barely knew Fayeil so how would she know how he thinks. Looking down at her sword a few negative qualities came to mind. No doubt he is arrogant; he teases often, so maybe if she were to catch him off guard she could push him into the river.

  “Ready?” He asked twirling the sword with his hand. Astrid nodded enthusiastically as they pointed their swords at each other. “Go!”

  As soon as Fayeil lunged his sword at her, she dodged it by a fairy-length. Astrid lightly tapped the sword on his shoulder so she wouldn’t injure him. He rapidly turned around, but just as he did she bumped him into the river. A huge splash had sounded, and a wave of triumph appeared on Astrid’s face.

  “Your advice worked quite”-

  Suddenly a hand grabbed her arm and within a flash she had fallen into the river. A wave of embarrassment and cold had now fluttered in the pit of her stomach.

  “Another piece of advice that I’m sure will work quite well,” Fayeil’s voice laughed. She felt his hand grab her arm, pulling her above the surface. ‘Don’t let your guard down, ever,” he grinned.

  “Oh yeah? Well neither should you,” Astrid laughed while splashing him in the face. As soon as the water had hit his face he shook his head aggressively, letting water droplets from his long hair spray all over her face. She let out a laugh, and giggled, “okay, okay stop!”

  He laughed and managed to say, “I must say Princess Astrid, your methods are quite successful. I am very impressed, you barely had to use your sword.”

  “I only did what you advised,” Astrid panted, with a slight smile.

  “Tell me,” he said pushing himself out of the river, “remember when I told you to know how your enemy thinks?”

  “Yes, what about it?” Astrid asked.

  “Well, what were you thinking when I told you that?” Fayeil questioned.

  Without hesitation she smiled and said, “Well, I knew that you were arrogant and liked to tease, so you’d most likely be focused on trying to impress me or mocking me.”

  Fayeil laughed the rising sun reflecting off his teeth, “well you weren’t wrong Princess cause’ that’s exactly what I was trying to do.” Astrid pushed herself out of the river, shivers running down her spine. Bending down Fayeil said, “You did well Astrid, I expect you’ll be ready by your birthday.”

  “I don’t know Fayeil, there’s plenty of dangerous things out there I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready,” Astrid sighed, as she wrapped her cloak around her body.

  “Hey, I can always come with you if you want,” Fayeil offered looking over his shoulder.

  “Really?” Asked Astrid.

  “Of course, besides it would only be a day, what harm could it do,” he said gathering the swords.

  “Oh thank you Fayeil!” Astrid exclaimed.

  “Don’t mention it, consider it my birthday present to you,” he grinned. “Now ready to get back? I assume your mother must be worried,” Fayeil yawned.

  They walked up to the small training arena to put away the swords and headed up to the castle.

  “Fayeil?” Astrid asked.

  “Yes?” Fayeil responded.

  “Thank you for being my friend, and for being so kind to me,” she shyly said.

  Fayeil gave her a strange look and smiled, “why I’m sure you have plenty of other kind friends.”

  Shaking her head, she looked at the ground, embarrassed, “I’m afraid I do not have any friends, not even fake ones.” She sighed as they climbed the steps to the opening of the castle.

  Genuinely looking surprised he narrowed his eyes. “Nonsense, of course you have friends,” he chuckled.

  “Truly, I do not,” Astrid murmured. A hesitant moment passed by and he put his arm around her.

  “Then I am honored to be the first of many,” he smiled. Astrid smiled back a sense of happiness arising within her.

  They walked through the two large doors only to hear the shouting of a queen and many sisters. “WHERE IS ASTRID!” A voice shrieked.

  “I bet you she ran off into the forest to see that griffin she won’t stop rambling on about,” one voice complained.

  “No she obviously went to see Fayeil,” another voice argued back.

  “Well they aren’t wrong,” Fayeil quietly grinned. Astrid tried to stifle a laugh as they tried to quietly get to the dining hall.

  “I found them!” A voice squeaked with pride.

  A sense of panic began to stir in Astrid’s chest. It must have been visible on her face because Fayeil grabbed her hand, put a finger to his lips and led her back to the grand staircase where a little elf stood, staring at them with two bright blue curious eyes.

  “Oh perfect you found-them?” Her mother’s voice asked. She halted to a stop at the top of the stairs. She was wearing a bright blue sleeveless dress, with pearls embedded in the soft silk. “Astrid what in the realm do you think you’re doing!?” Her mother yelled. Quickly going down the steps at a rapid pace she said, “I can’t believe”-

  “I’m sorry to interrupt you your majesty, but in Astrid’s defense I had asked her to meet me outside today,” Fayeil said getting on his knee. Just above the stairs she could see her sisters’ gather altogether, whispering and giggling. “We had been talking, and then in a flash she had fell in the river so I had dived forward to save her,” he finished. Of course he had to make himself the hero, quite typical of him. Trying hard not to laugh, Astrid looked down at her soggy shoes.

  “Ah, well in that case I thank you, captain Fayeil, for saving my reckless daughter,” her mother said, with a slight bow. “You may go, her mother soothed.

  Fayeil got up to his feet and bowed to the Queen. Turning around he winked at Astrid, giving her a dashing grin and made his way out of the castle. As soon as he was out of sight her mother beckoned Astrid with her hand and they headed upstairs to the washrooms.

  “You know Astrid, you could’ve just asked me if you wanted to see him, I would’ve said yes,” Astrid’s mother sighed as she filled the tub with hot water. Astrid narrowed her eyes at her mother. She was never this calm, especially when she misbehaved.

  “Yes, well I expected I would’ve gotten a punishment, so I didn’t bother to ask you,” Astrid sourly said.

  With a smile her mother shook her head. “Why would I prevent you from seeing a male elf, darling. Especially an elf from that class and those looks.” She added thoughtfully.

  “I’m honestly so glad you’re taking an interest in marriage, Astrid,” her mother breathed.

  Marriage? Astrid couldn’t believe that’s what her mother saw when looking at Fayeil. To Astrid, he was nothing more than a good and trusting friend.

  “I’m not taking an interest in marriage, mother,” Astrid scoffed. “We’re simply just good friends.”

  “There is no need to deny it Astrid,” her mother smiled. “And you don’t need to worry about telling your father, I’ll take care of that,” her mother soothed. She closed the door, and the footsteps faded. With a sigh Astrid made her way into the tub and looked up at the blank ceiling. Gently closing her eyes, she merged her head beneath the warm water hoping all her worries would just drift away.