Petra held the tiny pinwheel in her hand, as the wind pushed gently against it. The young girl of seven, sat alongside her father as he drove forward the supply cart, filled with fresh fruit and vegetables haggled from the nearby farmers. Their horse plodded serenely along the dirt path towards the family's small supply store, tucked within the safe embrace of Wall Maria.
The cart passed underneath trees and sun-dappled road, the rhythmic clop of hooves and warm sunlight coaxed her to sleep. She tucked away the pinwheel, closed her eyes, and leaned against her kindly father. She felt an affectionate hand smooth her hair against her forehead.
She felt safe.
It wasn't until she heard the rushed cadence of hooves and squeaky wagon wheels that her eyes fluttered open. A caravan of soldiers traveled towards them on the same dirt path. Even in the distance she could make out their imposing, purposeful forms.
As their cart moved closer to the unfamiliar rows of men and women, she clung tightly to her father with apprehension.
"Petra," Her father spoke gently, "These are soldiers of the Scouting Legion. They're heading outside the wall."
She tensed, and her eyes opened wide in surprise. She had heard stories of the monsters beyond the wall. The children at school would play Titan, and flail their arms and gnash their teeth as they chased each other around the yard.
She hated that game.
"Why are they going?" she asked suddenly.
Her father looked down at her sadly. She was still so young, but he had to tell her the truth.
He wrapped an arm around her soothingly and explained, "Long ago, we didn't live behind walls. Now, with more and more people inside, we don't have enough room to grow food. These soldiers need to go outside to search for land and stop Titans from coming too close."
"Aren't they scared?" she questioned.
He glanced towards the soldiers with a strange melancholy, "I'm sure they are..." he replied. "They risk so much for us, so we must always do what we can to help them, understand?"
He hailed down the soldiers while stopping his cart. He moved to the back and began to fill rucksacks with supplies to give to them.
"Over here, Petra." her father ushered.
The young girl swung her legs off the front seat, jumping to the ground. She ran obediently to her father.
"Take these," he handed her a bag filled with fresh, crisp apples, "Give them to each soldier. Tell them...thank you."
Her tiny hands wrapped around the rough, woven bag. The abundance and weight of the apples was a little much for her, but she managed to drag them along the ground.
As she clung to the bag, she felt uneasy. She wasn't sure why, but her father's, 'Thank you.' sounded more like, 'Goodbye.'
As she slowly made her way towards the column of soldiers and horses, tears began to streak across her face, but she wiped them away hurriedly before she reached them.
Her hands fished out apples as she held them out to each soldier, allowing a small squeak of, "Thank you." to each member.
Goodbye.
They smiled in response, gratefully accepting the gift.
"Were you crying?" asked one of the soldiers.
Petra shook her head vigorously, no, but her tear stained cheek proved otherwise.
They looked to each other in amusement.
A young female soldier with jet-black hair stepped forward and kneeled next to Petra. "Are you scared of us?"
Again, she shook her head no.
The woman smiled patiently, "Are you afraid since we're going outside the wall?"
Petra didn't respond, she only averted her eyes and looked down at her feet.
A blonde-haired soldier slung a bag off his shoulder, kneeling in front of the young girl. His gloved hand reached in and delicately pulled out the most beautiful flower her young eyes had ever seen.
The petals were a mix of reds, purples and yellows, the stem that held them was a brilliant, verdant green.
"It can be dangerous outside of the walls...but there are also many beautiful things." he spoke reverently while spinning the flower gently in his hands.
Petra's golden eyes blinked, and she looked at it wonderingly.
"Take it." he offered, as he held it out to her.
Her small hands wrapped around the stem.
"It's ok to be afraid," he explained, "...but our choices must always be guided by our hopes, not our fears."
His blue eyes were reassuring, and she offered a small, "Thank you." in response.
"Petra!" her father beckoned.
She turned toward her father's voice, and ran back to him as she cradled the beautiful gift the man had given her.
As their cart continued their journey home, Petra looked back towards the caravan of soldiers, and she caught sight of their green capes emblazoned with blue and white wings, as the wind billowed against them.
As their forms disappeared into the horizon, she would forever remember the flower, the words, and the wings.
==Author's Notes:==
To be continued...
Starting off with some origin backstory - but hope to pick things up quickly.
Btw...just saw ep. 24, and it made me sad during that one beginning scene in the empty dining hall. You know what I"m talking about :(
Please R&R! Reviews are seriously my fuel, and I always get a HUGE smile on my face anytime I see someone take the time to comment, even if it's small :) Hope to have the next chapter up soon!