I don't remember how, but my friend norodenn was the one that sparked this idea. In all, it's a 3 chapter fic. Happy reading!

She perched atop a large grey boulder, resting her head on her knees. Things were… odd. This had never happened before when they had completed an Emerald Ri Majon. Usually there was a warm feeling, a time where she felt connected Neviril, and when she'd next awake, the Simoun would usually be drifting in a foreign sky. However…

This time she'd woken up alone. She wasn't in the Simoun, and Neviril had been nowhere nearby. She had yelled and called for the girl, but received no answer in reply. She wasn't afraid, not yet. It hadn't been very long and she was certain that she'd come across Neviril if she looked hard enough. This forest couldn't be all that big. Still though… why was this happened? She didn't get it. There must be something wrong with the Simoun.

Speaking of the Simoun, she had no idea where that was either. Even if it had been near, she couldn't have flown it without her pair. However, it also held their small store of supplies. Not having any of that would mean she would spend time hunting and foraging. She reached into her pockets; she wasn't sure what had been stored there. Her hand closed around the pocket knife she'd acquired. It would do.

She rested her hands on her hips. She was going to find Neviril and the Simoun. Something told her Neviril had to be around here somewhere. She would find her. Then they could explore this world from a higher vantage point. One direction was just as good as any other it seemed. She turned slowly in place before choosing to head where her heart led her.

Hours later, she found herself hungry and tired. It was nearly evening, and she hadn't found any sign of Neviril or the Simoun. Her shouts had gone unanswered, and her stomach was speaking up. Sighing, she sat down beside the bank of the small stream she'd come upon. Her survival skills were telling that a bush of familiar berries were nearby, that there were probably some fish in the river she could catch and clean.

She set to work, preparing a meal that would silence the hunger. She made sure to build a proper fire, so used to the routine. She was reminded of how Neviril would watch. She had had yet to teach her love to build one, but had always meant to. She wished she had now though. Neviril probably would have needed the skill. There was a lot Neviril didn't know how to do when it came to their travels; Aaeru wasn't sure of everything, but she knew it was true. She felt terrible. All those time she could have taught her and she hadn't. She vowed that she would when she found her.

Dinner was eaten slowly. Part of her hoped that by slowing her eating, Neviril would find her. She wouldn't go to bed alone tonight. In her mind, she pictured meeting up with Neviril again. They'd sleep together, as they always did, the Simoun nearby. She'd curl up in Neviril's arms, and feel the girl's arms about her. They'd talk about what happened before drifting off. She'd be safe, so very safe in the end.

Unfortunately, her vision didn't come true. Darkness had settled over the landscape and she found herself pushing forward, half-asleep. She stumbled through the darkness and through the unfamiliar terrain, branches and other things she didn't know scratching her exposed skin. Her foot caught in a tree root sticking up out of the ground, but the darkness hid it well. She felt herself falling forward, and could only put her hands in front of her face before she hit the ground.

The leaves tickled her cheek, but she found that she simply didn't want to get up. She was too exhausted and her body was sore from her fall. She thought she'd close her eyes for just a moment to rest. She was soon out like a light, sleeping in the awkward position.

Darkness at first, and then, a dream began to play in her mind. She found herself once again in the forest, still unhappy about the situation she was in. She pushed forward through the trees, wiping the sweat from her brow. It had been a few days, but she was still as determined as ever to find Neviril.

When she began hearing voices, she started to question herself. Then she heard Neviril speaking and ran. Her feet crunched against the fallen leaves as she hurtled forward. Neviril. She'd finally found her. She had survived whatever kind of test this was. She—

Burst into the open clearing, and found Neviril, locked in an embrace with someone else. Her arms were wrapped tightly around the girl. That was when Aaeru noticed the hair. Amuria. Neviril had found Amuria. She had chosen Amuria instead of Aaeru. What Neviril had told her before was simply a lie.

She tried to move, but found she couldn't. Her feet appeared to be rooted to the spot. "Come on… come on…" she growled, frustrated. She looked up again, only to lock eyes with the girl she thought had loved her. Neviril merely smiled at her before climbing into the Simoun with Amuria. As the Simoun took off, she felt her heart hurting, more than it ever had before.

It was the morning sun glinting through the trees that woke her. Her eyes opened slowly, her brain confused. She had no idea where she was or why she was even here. The pain in her body slowly began to hit her and she immediately realized that something was crawling on her. She quickly began scanning and spotted the large caterpillar on her arm. It took every ounce of strength she could muster to pull herself into a sitting position. Aches and pains shot through her limbs, but she ignored them all, gritting her teeth.

The dream came back to her, and she frowned. It wasn't true, and she didn't believe a word of it. Neviril loved her, and had loved Amuria. She didn't understand why her dream would tell her otherwise.

Finally, she was able to sit up, though she was breathing heavily. Removing the caterpillar from her arm, she looked down at herself. She couldn't remember how she'd ended up on the forest floor, but it hadn't been the wisest of choices. She struggled to pull herself to her feet, stretching out sore muscles. Another day. More searching. The first day had not gone as well as she'd hoped. Never the less, she'd keep searching.

She searched out the river, going back the way she had originally come. Once more, she fished and built a fire, cooking her breakfast. It certainly wasn't her favorite, not today. She found she couldn't eat very much. Her stomach was a ball bouncing around; she couldn't settle it. She knew she would search relentlessly for Neviril, but she wasn't as sure that she'd find her. She wondered if perhaps a change in direction would increase her chances. Looking to her left and right, she tried to judge which would be best to search next. She decided to head to her left, which would follow the creek downstream. At least she knew she'd be near water.

Where are you, Neviril?

The question burned inside of her. She could not provide an answer and had nothing to show for her efforts thus far. She could only keep making herself put one foot in front of the other. Neviril had to be somewhere and she would find her. Anything else simply wasn't an option.