She was being chased. Her feet pounded against the wet grass, she could smell the faint dew layered on the soft, green stems. It was early morning, and chilly. She was in her nightgown.
Why? 'What in the world…'
She felt something breathing on her heels… She ran faster. She reached for her bow and arrow, but it wasn't there! It wasn't there!
She gulped and ran at lightening speed. 'I need to escape this.'
Meredith woke up with a cold sweat layered thinly on her forehead. She's been having this dream for months now, and she couldn't place exactly what's been chasing her…
Varis awoke from her sudden jolt and grabbed her hand, "Meredith, you're safe. You're in the cottage, I'm right here."
She breathed in thankfully for his warm smile and gentle eyes. Varis was always there to calm her down. In two months, they would be married. She arose from the bed with that thought to calm her, and ran her fingers through her thin brunette hair.
"Was it that dream again?" Asked Varis, with concern.
Meredith nodded and shivered slightly from the chill weather. "I'll go put some wood on the fire." Varis looked at her, "But it's three in the morning…"
She ignored his statement and went into the small living room, decorated with natural wooden art pieces and a soft sofa, with brown leather. She grabbed so,e wood and threw it into the fireplace, lighting a match and burning the wood.
These dreams were getting to her. Every last one of them. In her heart, she felt it had something to do with her family. But that part of my life is over… Since I met Varis, she thought to herself. Varis had helped her through everything. So why would these dreams have anything to do with mum and dad?
She returned to the bedroom to find Varis snoring sleepily. She smiled and quietly slipped in next to him. He stirred, but didn't wake up. She softly kissed his cheek and murmured, "Good night my love."
She turned over and curled up, ready for sleep. She was exhausted.
She awoke to bright sunlight coming through the windows, and the smell of bacon being cooked. She arose and slipped on a pair of Varis' socks, and headed to the kitchen.
He turned when he saw her and offered a warm smile, "Hi hon. How did you sleep?"
She nodded and murmured, "Well. You?"
He nodded as well.
She stepped outside and shut the door gently behind her. She breathed in the fresh hair, and smelled the dew on the grass. Remembering her dream, she shuddered and walked over to the stream near the woods. Her bow and arrow were lying by a rock. She picked them up and slung it over her shoulder. She usually practices her aim in the mornings. Varis would leave some breakfast for her.
She walked to the woods and hesitated before stepping through the chorus of trees and underbrush. She swallowed and headed in, breathing heavily. She didn't know why she was so scared, she was a devil with her arrow. She could pierce a heart in seconds.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes and flinched when she heard the rustle of leaves. Just the wind, just the wind.
She knelt by the oak tree where she and Varis first carved their initials, and smiled. She stood up and continued walking. Until she heard footsteps.
"Who's there!?" She called out and lifted her bow.
No answer. She bit her lip nervously and continued walking. What if something happened to her? How would Varis ever find out? Oh don't be stupid, she thought. Nothing's going to happen.
She ran her fingers over her arrow, remembering the first time her father taught her how to shoot. Her eyes pricked with tears at the memory. Then she heard someone whisper her name.