Light of the Unexpected Adventure

Chapter 18 Questioning

Gabriella's POV

I feel the anxiousness building within me as my friends start trying to ask questions, saying them over one another, so none of it is understood by me. I quickly hush them before Mother Ann comes in frustrated by the sounds, just to finally find me. They know why I am hushing them as well, so they instantly stop, looking around the room as we wait for a moment to hear if she is coming this way or not. But the deafening silence helps ease our minds as we let out our deep breaths, then look at one another to start the questionnaire.

The whispering questioning begins almost instantly. "Why do you have to take that stone to the witch?" Merida asks as I huff out but shrugging my shoulders. "I am not sure.. She told me that I have to keep the stone safe and bring it to the witch.. It was her dying wish, and I accepted.. So I can't, with good consciousness, not at least try to get it to her.. I may not succeed because she told me there are many threats along the way.. But I promised her I would try right before she died." I declare as they nod in unison, understanding where I am coming from in this already hard situation.

They know me and know that I like to help where I can, so I bet they are not surprised that I would be insisting on doing this just because she asked me to with her last breath. I nervously looked back and forth between my friends, wondering how they are going to respond. They now know what has happened to me for the most part. But the thing is that I have no idea what to do next.. Except to leave.. I am just happy that I had the chance to explain what happened out in that forest and where I will be so they don't think I died in that place.

I know my friends really well. They are my sisters, and I know they would never forgive themselves if they thought that they left me out there by myself, and I never came back. I know I would hate myself, at least. But this conversation has helped bring me peace of mind, so I'm sure it has helped them as well. "Ok.. Well, I have an idea." Merida states, getting not just my attention but the others as well, causing me to automatically nod while I listen to her idea. I will take any kind of help at this point, especially where I have no idea what to do.

"You look exhausted.. so.." she says as I nod with that as well, because she is not wrong. I feel like I am going to collapse at any moment. The entire day has been getting to me emotionally, making my brain feel as if it may explode at any moment within my head. "I think you should stay the night here, and we can help you gather the things you need.. And you can leave by morning." She explains as I look at all three of them while they nod in unison once again, looking as if they all agreed on this. But I am worried about that, so I slowly shake my head, thinking about what this would entail, just worried about all of their safety.

"I am worried about any of you getting involved with this when it is my problem, so they are coming after me." I try to explain but the looks they are sending back and forth doesn't tell me that this has deterred them. "They don't know who you are.. Do they?" Grace asks as I shake my head. "No.. Not really.. A couple saw me and ran when they thought I was going to attack them with my powers because I killed many ogres with it, right in front of them.. But one.. Didn't run, and he knows my name and where I live.. But he keeps stating he wants to help me when I don't think that is the case." I declare as they curiously stare at me.

"You think he is going to ambush and kill you or something?" Grace asks as I shake my head. "No.. He says he wants to help me, but I know it's mostly to help himself out, just to get closer to the King. But either way, he knows me and wants to take me to the King, alive.. I just don't trust his intentions for this situation." I state as they nod again, I think, understanding where I am coming from. "I get that, I don't know if I would trust them either. But I do know something for a fact, you need rest and supplies." Victoria declares as I huff out nodding with that before running my hands through my hair. "You are right about that."

I watch as Merida clears her throat before adding on. "I know it may be hard for your heart and mind to involve us, but you can't do this part on your own. You need us." She states as Victoria adds on. "She is right. You can't get the things you need without being spotted. But we can, just not right now, especially since so many guards are running all over the place. So just give us a little time tomorrow to get the things you need on our own so none of us look suspicious, and when we get everything you want, then you can leave right after." I do agree with that as I nod automatically.

"That does sound like a good plan.. But I don't want any of you to be in trouble or hurt by any of this.. So I am warning you, if I find out that they are on their way here, I will leave whether I have the supplies or not. I can not put your lives at risk, too, especially just for helping me in my time of need. You're my sisters and I would do anything for all of you. So I will run if there is any small chance of you getting hurt because of me." I say as they agree with those terms, even though they look reluctant.

"Alright.. So what do you think you need to take with you?" Victoria asks as I huff out, thinking about just that. I have never done anything like this, so I have no idea what I might need. "I.. don't know.. The obvious things, of course. Like food, cloth and weapons.. But other than that, I would not have an inkling of what to take." I responded as they looked back and forth with one another. "That's alright, because that is a place to start, and we can get ideas during the search for items.. Also.. I know that you are exhausted and probably want to sleep just as much as you need it right now. But we want to help you out, right ladies?" She asks as they nod, causing her to smile.

"So that means that we need to figure out where to get the things that you need.. Well, actually, we need to first figure out what all you would need.. So let's put our heads together and get some type of list going so we know what to get in the morning. Just so we can get it done as quickly as possible. Does that sound reasonable?" I nod with them, "Of course.. Thank you.. You are the best friends I could have ever asked for." I declare as they smile at me before giving me another much-needed group hug. It might be the last one I ever get, so I will enjoy this one.

------Many Hours Later------

I am awake and anxiously waiting after a much-needed night of sleep and comfort. It was a deep sleep I haven't received in a very long time. It was as if my body knew how badly I needed this. So I was able to fall asleep almost instantly, especially with the warmth of the guard's cape helping me sleep. It was helping me feel safe because of his kindness when receiving it, which in turn was giving me a sense of comfort, as if he is my guardian angel or something, when I know that is not the case.

I woke up in an empty room before I quickly got up just to get dressed and as ready as I can be right now. I felt as if I was running late, so a jolt of energy shot through me just to reverberate in every inch of my body. I want to take my stuff and run out of here, getting as far away from this place as I can.. But that's the problem. I really don't have much at all to run away with. So, I wait for hours, collecting the things that I do have, packing them into my satchel, but making sure there is room for all the little items they have brought me.

I feel incredibly grateful for the unwavering help given to me today. My friends instantly got ready and jumped into action, trying to help me get what I needed for this long, unexpected trip, while also taking care of their daily needs with the mothers and not even remotely looking suspicious. They are amazing and I couldn't be anymore grateful. I feel slowly but surely more prepared for the trials to come and it's all thanks to them. I am so blessed to have the sisters that I do, I don't know where I would be without any of them.

The morning has come and gone as I sit in the corner of this room, not making any sounds, just hoping I am not noticed. I am waiting for my friends to get back again because my satchel that I have is almost full of the supplies of food and cloth that I needed. It is all that I have at the moment, but I am waiting for a little more. The problem with waiting is that I feel the anxiousness building just as quickly as time reigns on. I know I need to stay calm to make sure my mind is clear, but that's easier said than done at this rate.

After every little bit, one will come in the room then the other. They easily sneak in but only for a short moment to practically throw me the item, then leave before they are noticed. Everything they have brought is exactly what I would need, but I was also hoping they might find me something that I could use as a weapon as well, especially since I don't know how to use the powers yet at all, so I don't exactly count it as a weapon at my disposal. But there is no weapon yet, so I will just keep waiting patiently. My attention is grabbed by the door opening, Victoria comes over to me, handing me handfuls of nuts and fruit.

I start to put them into my satchel with a smile but she shakes her head at my actions. "No, you need to eat that right now to make sure you have something in your body before you start this. You don't know how long it will take or how far you will go.. You need all the energy you can get. So eat these ones and put the rest into your bag." she instructs of me as I smile and nod understanding what she is meaning. But in that same thought, it is almost time to go, so the anticipation is building within me to get my stuff and get out of here.

I have to fight the urge within me to run, because I have just a little more I can get before I am on my own. But the thought of being on my own terrifies me, so even though I am technically cornered in here, I am just happy that I am not alone at the moment. Because I know that I will be alone for a long time after this, so I am just trying to enjoy the security of this place while I have the opportunity to do so.