The Life of a Half Dark Elf

Chapter Four

Ariel listened as the group discussed how they would get food. Dana wanted to try to find another light shadow village to plead their case. Chris argued that it would not be safe. His first reason was that their old village could have sent word and twisted the facts to try to make the group sound bad. His next point made it clear that he thought Ariel was asleep.

He was worried that they would take one look at her and run them off. She knew that he was probably right. She was too short for a shadow her age. Her skin was too gray, and her dark pointed ears were an instant indicator of what she was mixed with.

Ariel listened on as Dana scolded him for his words. She said how Ariel might not be asleep and asked how he would feel if she heard him. She dug further into him, saying that there was nothing wrong with her.

"He's probably right, though," Ariel said as she finally looked at the group.

Chris' mouth fell open. He must have really thought she was asleep. He started sputtering as he tried to find words, but none came out.

"It's not a horrible idea, though," Ariel continued. "It would be worth a shot. Plus, if it doesn't work, I could just wait outside the borders."

"We can't leave you out like that," Daniel said, finally joining the conversation.

"You might not have a choice," Ariel said firmly. "If I was a half light elf, it might not matter. However, I'm a half dark elf. No light shadow will ever really trust me." Her eyes were watering as she finished.

"I trust you," Dana said. She walked to sit next to her before she continued, "I've always known that you were more than they made you out to be. A different village might see it too."

"I guess we could give it a try if you really want to," Chris sighed. He was mainly worried about how Ariel would feel if they were turned away immediately. However, if she wanted to try it, he would give it a shot.

"I would hate it if we went in and got kicked out before we could explain though," Ariel said quietly. The group could see that she was trying to think of how to handle it. She stayed quiet for a moment before adding, "Maybe I could hang back until you've had a chance to talk to them first."

There was silence. Ariel's plan did sound like a bit of a better idea. That would give them a chance to explain everything before they could judge her by sight. They still didn't know what they could do if the village said no. The group was getting hungry, and they didn't know where else to get food.

"I think we should try Ariel's idea," Dana said, finally breaking the thoughtful silence. "If they turn us away, then we'll just have to think of something else. Daniel's right. We can't just leave her completely alone for too long."

"Well, let's go," Ariel said. She used the tree to stand before adding, "I think I can feel another village this way."

She started to try to walk in the direction she felt the other shadows. She held tightly to her torso as she stepped slowly forward. She didn't want to ask for help again, but Dana wrapped her arm around her anyway. "Wait for us at least," she laughed.

"Can't blame me for trying," Ariel breathed. Just that one step on her own hurt worse than she wanted to admit.

"Yes, we can," Chris said as he came up beside her. "You don't need to be pushing yourself right now."

Ariel glowered up at him but quickly focused on walking again when she nearly tripped. As they walked, Ariel could feel the new village better. It felt nice. In fact, she didn't feel hardly any darkness at all. With that, she began to feel better about their plan.

"I'll wait here," Ariel said when they were a few feet from the edge of the forest.

"I still don't like leaving you out here at all," Dana said while she helped her lean against a tree.

"I'll be fine for a minute," Ariel said reassuringly. "It's not much further."

"Okay," Dana said slowly before joining the boys.

"Wait," Daniel said as he stopped in his tracks. "I'll wait with you."

"I'm fine, Daniel," Ariel sighed. "Just go. I could use a moment alone." She hadn't had time to actually process what had happened. She planned to use the moment that she had for that. Also, she was beginning to feel sick again, and her chest felt like it was burning. Daniel didn't need to sit through that.

"If you're sure," Daniel said before joining Dana and Chris again.

"Yell if anything happens," Chris added.

"I will," Ariel promised. "Now, go on."

The boys and Dana turned around and continued into the village. It was not uncommon in a shadow village for a stranger or two to pop up. So, the few shadows milling about barely glanced at them, and that was only because of their age. The group paused, unsure of what to do. They didn't want to wander too far just in case Ariel needed them.

"Can I help you?" a friendly voice asked as a tall blond woman walked toward them.

"I hope so," Chris started as he looked behind them.

"Are you being chased?" she asked. She looked at the woods with concern clear in her eyes.

"No," Daniel answered quickly.

"Our sister was hurt," Chris continued, but he paused when he became unsure how to explain anything.

The woman looked curiously at Dana, who said, "Not me. Their sister wanted to wait back there. She's not sure how you will react to her."

"Why?" the woman questioned as she started walking toward the forest.

"Well, she's not all shadow," Daniel started slowly.

"We're used to half-lings," the woman said quickly. However, she noticed that the boys were half human and added, "Show me."

"She's a half dark elf," Chris breathed uneasily as they walked back into the woods.

"Okay," the woman said slowly with a shrug. The group couldn't tell how she actually felt, but they were glad she hadn't just run them off.

When they were almost back to Ariel, Chris realized that he couldn't see her. He hoped that she had just found a way to sit down, but he felt like something was wrong. He picked up his pace until he could see her. She was lying at an odd angle.

"Ariel!" Chris shouted as he ran up to her. "What happened?"

"I just..." Ariel started, but she was cut off when a silent scream ripped through her, "...started to... feel sick."

"I knew I should have stayed here with you," Daniel said as he silently kicked himself.

Ariel shook her head, but she couldn't say anything when pain ripped through her again. She had tried to sit when she started to feel even more sick. She lost her balance and fell hard. The fall had made all of her injuries feel fresh again. The worst one was her chest. That one felt like it was burning from the inside out.

"Bring her in," the woman said quickly. "I'll call our healer to help her."

A squeak left Ariel when Chris picked her up, but she didn't fight him that time. She couldn't fight even if she wanted to. Her whole body felt like it was on fire. So, she just slumped in his arms while he tried to carry her into the village carefully.

The woman called someone and quickly explained what was happening. They followed close behind her as they made their way through the small village. Chris noticed that Ariel suddenly became heavier in his arms. He looked down to see that she had passed out again.

"Ariel?" he asked worriedly. "Hang on, sis. We're getting you some help."

Her eyes stayed closed as her head flopped to the side, and one of her arms hung down limply. Everyone grew more concerned because she had seemed to be getting better. It was hard to believe that one fall could cause her to become that bad again.