Chapter 11 (Realization)

I was stumbling through the woods in the middle of the night. No idea where I was going, or if any more of those creatures lurked beyond the next tree. God, I was stupid. Yet I would not have it any other way.

I had woken up in the middle of the night, even though I had never intended to fall asleep. I was going to stay awake and wait for everyone else to go to sleep, but in the mean time, I had drifted off myself.

It was a full moon tonight, and everything seemed so peaceful and serene. I had gotten up and dressed, though a bit painfully. I hadn't taken anything from the little cottage, but stepped outside and was immediately bathed in the silver light of the moon. I had looked around, on my guard for any sentries or worse, Robin and the gang. I knew they were supposed to be watching me, but when I found them, they were sleeping outside in the front of the house. I frowned, but was grateful. Looking down at Robin, he seemed so peaceful. Whatever, I told myself, trying not to think of Robin, and how he looked (Which, by the way, he looked calm and handsome). I stepped over their bodies and proceeded to the edge of the forest. Suddenly, there was a sound behind me.

"HEY," someone shouted from the over by the cottage. I stopped and looked back to see Robin starting to get up, adjusting his bowler hat so it sat firmly on his head. Around him, the gang was rubbing their eyes, trying to get a handle on things. Crap. I had been hesitant to go into the forest, at first, but now I plunged into the shadows.

Though most nights I would not go into the forest, the moon's silvery glow filled me with confidence and strength as I tore through the underbrush. I knew the animals were asleep, but sadly the same could not be said for Robin.

As much as I wanted to walk slowly through the forest, enjoying the moment, I knew I only had so much of a head start to Robin. I started to run, careful not to trip. I could hear voices behind me, but I did not stop. I kept going.

I came up to a tall tree with low hanging branches, and I halted. Maybe I could not outrun Robin, but I could outsmart him. I started to climb up the tree, careful not to break the limbs. My palms were sweaty as I climbed, almost falling numerous times. Damn, this dress was not making this easier. The bark was coming apart in my hands, falling to the ground. I got out of sight just in time. Robin came into view below me, though he was no longer running. I sat still on my perch, careful not to make a move.

"Princess," he called, trying to lure me out, "Come out, come out where ever you are," did he really think I was that stupid? He waited a moment before calling out behind him.

"Dammit! She seems to have disappeared," he called. I smiled to myself. He, Robin of the forest, could not even find me. Was he really that stupid that he would not consider other possibilities?

"How could she have outrun us? She does not know the forest well enough," that was one of the gang members. I tried not to make any noise, I would not let the find me. If they found me, I would go back to the dungeons, or probably a worse fate.

"Come on, lets try this way," Robin had been studying the ground. Maybe he had found something. Whatever it was, I did not care, as long as it got him away from my hiding place.

The gang raced off in some unknown direction, with Robin in the lead. I waited a few minutes in the tree, before climbing down.

"Crap," I muttered, my dress catching on one of the branches. I heard a twig crack somewhere behind me. No time to disentangle myself, so I ripped the dress off, leaving behind a piece of dark fabric hanging on the tree. I ran, partly scared Robin would notice he had gone the wrong way, partly excited and happy to have escaped the gang.

Suddenly, I wasn't afraid anymore. Despite what had just happened, the forest felt like a second home. The tree's beckoned to me in the soft breeze, and I went under their protection gratefully. Perhaps bird-boy had grown up with the forest as his actual home, but in that second, I knew I was a true Moon Princess, like the one from Robin's story. I felt it in my bones, and I knew I was going to make everything alright in this valley. This stupid feud was tearing up the valley. I did not know what I was going to do, or how, I just knew I would do it. I had stayed in the manor for only one day, the dungeon for another, and the forest and the cottage for two more, a total of four days in the valley, but already, Moonacre Valley was my home, and I knew it would be for a very long time.

I was going to fix everything.

I have been walking around for some time now. I did not really have clear sense of where I was going. I figured if I went in the opposite direction of the De Noir castle, I would eventually get to Moonacre Manor, I hope. I was not too worried, I let the moon guide me. There seemed to be a particular way I should go, the way the moon beams directed me. I have complete faith in the moon (no matter how stupid that sounds), so I never hesitated. I just kept walking.

Though I was wary for sounds of footsteps on the earthen floor, Robin nor the gang made any more appearances that evening.

Everything was quiet, though not a deadly quiet, as it had been before; everything was serene. Now and then an owl would hoot, or a bush would rustle with the movements of some night animal, but it was never a warning, but a grace. These animals lived during the moons rule of the sky, when everything was calm and tranquil. I loved it out here.

My footsteps were soft on the ground below me, making almost no noise, and presently, I became aware of the sun rising in the east. By my reckoning, it was dawn, and I had be walking for about three or four hours. When I had traveled through the forest with Robin, it had seemed to take less time, but at the moment, I was taking my time, not wanting to rush the moment.

I halted, and became aware of a clearing, not unlike the one in which I was attacked. This one had a semi-circle of trees facing a small cliff in which a cave dwelled. I suddenly started to feel dizzy. I looked west and saw that the the moon was slowly making its descent. My body was losing strength and I began to feel how hungry and tired I really was. Had the moon in the sky lent me strength that was now disappearing just as the moon itself was? I did not have time to think about this, for I saw a figure coming towards me, and then I slipped out of consciousness.

"There, there, your ok," the kind voice must belong to whoever was wiping my forehead. I felt a little better, but still weak and dizzy.

"Open your eyes, yes thats it. How are you feeling?" I gazed up into the forget-me-not blue eyes. My thoughts flashed to Robin, but the speaker was a women, around Uncle's age. She was beautiful, with delicate features, but a stubborn look on her face. Her soft brown hair was tangled and twisted with green leaves and bits of twigs.

"Where, where am I?" I asked when I could finally speak, "Who are you?"

"I, my dear, am Loveday, and you are resting in my home," she emphasized resting, pushing me back down from my attempt to get up and look at my surroundings. From what I could see, it look like we were in a cave of sorts, though a very cozy, nicely furnished cave.

"Are, we in a cave?"

"Yes, I have lived in this cave for over ten years, and apart from certain animals who come to dwell with me, you are the first guest I have had in a long time."

"This place is lovely, living in the forest must be wonderful. But don't you have to watch out for the De Noirs, they control these forests, you know." Loveday's expression suddenly went very sad, and I decided to change the subject, "So how did I come here?"

"You fainted right outside my cave and I though it prudent to bring you in and help you recover. I assume you were on your way to Moonacre Manor?" again her expression went sad, but only for a moment.

"Yes, I was. I was running away from the De Noir castle. I was bitten by a moon wolf just two days ago and I was resting in the village healer's home." I proceeded to tell her about everything that had happened to me since I arrived at Moonacre. I do not know why, but I trusted her completely. When had I become so soft and stupid?

When I finished my story, she looked thoughtful.

"You do know, Coeur De Noir is going to be furious about you escaping. If he ever gets you again, you can be sure you will not be as lucky as you were this time." I nodded, "Your doing quite well," she announced suddenly, "but you must eat something." She handed me a bowl. The substance did not look familiar, but I tried some and it was the best food I had had in days.

"This was amazing!" I exclaimed once I had eaten it all up. Her face broke out into a great smile.

"Why, thank you, darling," she said still smiling. She expression turned thoughtful again and she said, "We will have to get you home, child, your Uncle will be worried sick at this point." I sat bolt up.

"Uncle!" I cried, "I completely forgot about how worried everyone might be. Oh, I hope I have not caused them too much distress!"

"Do not worry, dear, I will help you get home, and you can rest there. You can travel now, I think, if I help you. Once we reach the manor, I am sure there will be plenty of people willing to help you recover."

"Loveday," I asked while she helped me into a cloak.

"Hmm."

"I still do not know how to break the curse." She stopped what she was doing to look at me with a kind smile.

"You will soon," she promised.

"But will you help me?" I inquired. She regarded me curiously.

"I will help you once you understand what to do, but I will warn you, it might not be my help you need," and with that, we set off without another word between us.

Hey readers! I am sooo sorry for taking a bit longer than usual. I have been busy.

I had a bit of trouble with this chapter, and I know this is not what some people expected to happen (at parts) and I'm sorry, but this is what I came up with and I am happy with it. It is not my best chapter, but I hope you enjoy what you have read and come back for more.

:)