Chapter 4: Nadja's P.O.V.
1976 Words
I hesitated in the doorway that leads to the back of the castle. The only time I've ever been out of the castle was to come back here to feed the livestock. I wasn't allowed to even explore our territory.
Am I really about to do this? I could always just let them kill me. I wanted to die anyway.
Run..
What if I find a better life out there though? That's possible, right? If I ran away now, no one would know who I was. I could start a new life. Even as a Darkling.
Live Nadja..
I squeezed my eyes shut, and took a deep breath. I looked around to make sure no one was watching. Then I ran.
I ran as fast as I could through the grass with my bare feet. I didn't look back, and I didn't stop for anything. I ran to the forest line, and stopped abruptly when a guard appeared from behind a tree.
"We expected you to try this years ago. I'm a bit shocked you waited all this time." He said.
Comotion came from behind me. I looked back to see Uncle's head guard at the door of the castle I had just broken free from. It doesn't look like he's noticed me yet, but they have definitely noticed my absence.
"P-please.." I begged the man in front of me. "I-I'll n-never c-come back." I said.
The guard looked behind me, then back at me.
"You had better never return. If you do, they will kill you," he said.
Then he stepped aside to allow me through. I gave him a skeptical look as I timidly walked by him. He's.. really letting me leave?
"Th-thank y-you." I said.
The guard only nodded to me.
I took off into the forest. I ran until my legs burned, and I could no longer take in air. Finally, I decided to take a break.
I sat on the forest floor, and leaned my back against a tree. The Fae forest is such a beautiful place. I can't believe I've never seen it before. Everything seems to glow in the night time here. Little bugs light up as they chase each other.
Maybe I can just live here. In the wilderness. I'll have to find food and water first.
Reluctantly, I got up and started to walk through the forest. I know that I should put more distance between me and that castle before I can rest for the night. My body is growing tired though. The lack of nourishment is making me weak. I've used up almost all of my strength.
Still, I have to keep pushing on.
I walked through the forest using the trees to help me along. Until I came to a small cave. I peered inside expecting to see some kind of wild life using it as shelter. There doesn't seem to be anything in there. That stuck me as odd.
Find somewhere else...
This time I didn't think twice about listening to the voice. There is something really creepy about this cave. If all the other creatures are staying away from it, I should too.
So I kept on going. I walked for another two hours before I just couldn't anymore. My knees gave out, and I fell to the forest floor with a thud. I can no longer stand it.
I closed my eyes, and darkness consumed me.
**************************************
I woke up the next day to something tickling my feet. I shot up in a sitting position to see three small creatures sniffing my feet. They are little ball-shaped things not even a foot tall. They look kind of scaley-like. Each of them has one small horn on top of their heads, and three little eyes. One of them is blue with a yellow belly, one is green with a white belly, and one is completely red.
I've never seen anything like them.
I pulled my feet back, making them jump. The blue one ran behind a large log a few feet away from us. The green one just stared at me. And the red one pointed a small spear at me, ready to strike should it have to.
"H-hello." I said.
"Dobega." The red one replied.
I gave it a strange look.
"I-is th-that how y-you say h-hello?" I asked.
The red one looked me up and down skeptically. The green one hasn't taken his eyes off of me. I can see the blue one peeking out from behind the log looking scared.
"Dobega. Lisine." The red one said.
Worry suddenly started to root in my body.
"I-I don't u-understand." I told it.
The red one looked at the green one, then at me.
"You... dark." It said.
It speaks my language!
"D-dark?" I asked, confused.
The little creature hopped on my leg. Before I even had time to be scared, it hopped up on my shoulder and tugged on my ear.
"Ow." I complained.
It hopped down in front of me again.
"Dark," it said.
I rubbed my ear as I stared at the creature. I think it's trying to call me a Dark Elf. Well, I did say I would make a new beginning. There really isn't a way for me to hide the fact that I am a Dark Elf. Well... part Dark Elf? I think?
"Uh, y-yes. I-I am a D-dark Elf.. I-I guess." I said.
The little creature put down its tiny spear. It looked me up and down again. As if it was wondering what to do with me.
"D-do you k-know w-where I c-can f-find f-f-fresh water?" I asked.
"Hungry?" It asked.
I nodded enthusiastically.
"Come." It said as it turned around.
The creature began walking away from me. I hesitated as its friends followed it. I'm not sure if I should go with them, but what choice do I really have?
Reluctantly, I followed after them. The little creatures hopped from tree to tree as they led me through the forest. I was starting to think that they were leading me astray when I heard the sound of running water. A few minutes later, and I could see a river.
I ran the rest of the way to the river with the little creatures babbling behind me. When I reached the river, I fell to my knees in front of it. I scooped water up in my hands, and started to drink.
"Ahhh." I said after gulping as much as I could handle.
I felt a tugging at my dress, and looked down to see the little green creature. He pointed behind me, and I turned my head to look. There is a bush of berries!
I inspected the berries before looking at the three little creatures.
"Are these safe to eat?" I asked.
"Food." The red one replied.
I don't really know if it's safe to eat or not.
They must have sensed my unease, because the blue one picked a berry and put it in his mouth. The green one followed suit, and a moment later, the two are scarfing down berries. The red guy is just watching me, waiting for me to eat. I smiled at him, and picked a berry from the bush.
It's actually really good. So I ate more. In fact, the four of us ate every berry from two entire bushes. It might not be all the sustenance I need, but it's better than what I'm used to.
After we ate, I leaned against a tree, and enjoyed the scenery. I'm not sure what to do from here, or where to go. Maybe I can find some kind of shelter nearby, or build something.
"Dubigah." The little red creature said.
The other two stopped playing, and looked at him. Then they rushed over to him. The three started to leave.
I sat up feeling slightly panicked. I guess I should have expected that they would be going home. At least they showed me where there was water and food. I'll be fine here.. on my own..
The little red guy turned around to look at me.
"Come." He said.
My eyes widened in surprise.
"Uhm, w-where are we g-going?" I asked.
"Home." He said.
Home?
*************************************
I followed the three little guys through the forest. We walked for quite a while. I honestly was starting to feel uneasy again.
What home are they taking me to? Will there be more little creatures too? Will they be as accepting as these three?
Just when I was starting to panic, the three disappeared behind a bush. I chewed on my cheek as I struggled to decide what to do. I'm not sure if I should follow them through there, or if I should run for it.
Take a risk Nadja...
Gods, I really hope that voice isn't just my subconscious.
I walked through the bushes to see a very small camp set up. There are three little tents made of some kind of shabby material and sticks. There is a small fire pit set in the middle. And a few other odd things. A regular sized cup, a ring, and a few small gems.
"Y-you all.. l-live here a-alone?" I asked.
The red guy nodded to me as the green and blue one began to play. I sat down on the ground, and inspected the area. This space is surrounded by trees and bushes, making it hidden. It's a bit small for me. Probably big enough for me to lay down. That's all I need though. Assuming they'll let me stay here.
The little blue creature walked up to me, and handed me something.
"Th-thank you." I said as I took it.
The creature smiled at me, and I returned it. Then he took off running towards the green creature again. The two of them began chasing each other around, making me chuckle.
I looked down to see what he had handed me. It's a stone, or a gem maybe. I've never seen anything like it. It's in the shape of an oval, and maybe a couple inches long. It's a dark orangey color. The longer I stare at it... the weirder I feel.
It feels.. familiar to me. Like I've seen it before. Something about it is.. calling to me.
Nadja.. Nadja.. Nadja..
"Tefek goi bah."
The little red creature's voice broke whatever spell I was under. I looked up at him to see him yelling at the other two. The green and blue ones mumbled incoherently, and settled down a bit.
Then the red one walked over to me.
"Wves deun." He said.
"Huh?" I asked.
"You... come." He said.
"C-come where?" I asked.
The red guy looked around with his arms open as if gesturing to this area.
"Y-you.. want m-me to s-stay?" I asked.
"Stay." He said as he nodded his head.
I smiled at him.
"Y-you'll really l-let me?" I asked.
Again, he nodded.
"Okay. I-I'll stay." I said.
"Name?" He asked.
"Oh, r-right. I-I didn't t-tell you my n-name." I said. "I a-am N-Nadja."
"Nadja," he repeated.
I beamed, and nodded my head.
"A-and you?" I asked.
The red creature just shook his head.
"You h-have no n-name?" I asked.
Again, he shook his head.
"Hmmm, w-well I n-need to call you s-something." I said.
The little red guy just stared at me.
"H-how about, I c-call you Red, y-you Blue, a-and you G-Green?" I asked. "I-it's a b-bit on the n-nose, but i-it w-will be easy to r-remember."
Red smiled at me.
"Red." He said.
"Blue!" Blue shouted.
"Uhh, dobe gunsh." Green said.
I giggled at him as Red smacked the back of his head. The three started to wrestle around in front of me. I leaned back against a tree and watched them.
Maybe my life is starting to look up.
- Writer
