For the rest of the day there weren't anymore detours to the group's journey. They would run into some travelers but look at Alastor sent them off running for their lives, some so desperate to flee that they would drop their stuff which the group collected. For food they ate non-toxic nuts and berries they found and drank fresh water from the stream that was nearby. When sunset was close at hand, Charlie once again insisted that they make camp before dark. For the ladies's quarters, they tied together a few tree branches and draped a sheet over it that had been left behind by a traveling merchant that was scared off.
Charlie turned in before nightfall but this time Vaggie thought it would be wise to scout the area for danger before resting. Alastor and Angel on the other hand took this time to wash up and groom themselves in the stream.
"But seriously Smiles, are you sure you're feeling okay?" Angel asked as they approached said stream.
"I'm fine Angel." Alastor reassured. "You were the one who fainted remember?"
"I know but you can't really blame me for being worried."
As annoying as Angel's frantic over the arrow was, Alastor secretly found it very nice and refreshing to see someone sincerely concerned for his well being. No one had ever really cared about weather he was hurt or not, since his mother.
"Why do you care if I'm hurt or not?" Alastor asked. "Oh that's right, because you need me to serve as your personal bodyguard."
"No it's because you're my friend." Angel said.
Alastor didn't let it show but he was touched. Touched enough to not correct Angel this time.
"Alrighty now, you take the left side of the stream and I'll take the right." Alastor said.
"Why not just bathe in the same spot? We're both guys." Angel said. "You scrub my back and I'll scrub yours."
Alastor gave him a warning stare.
"Unless you want to suddenly become a two-legged creature, I suggest you respect my bathing preferences."
Angel heeded that warning and walked down to the left side of the stream. Alastor then proceeded to undress himself and bathe in the stream. It was a quick bath, nothing too long, he found the water too cold to just sit and soak in. After an hour had passed, he dried himself off and changed back into his clothes then returned to the camp. On his way there his ears picked up a most lilting sound. A fair voice that echoed throughout the night, like the melody of a Celtic nymph.
"There is something that I see,
In the way you look at me.
There's a smile, there's a truth,
In your eyes."
He found himself being drawn by the voice and it led him over to the makeshift tent he had constructed. Only the singer's shadowy figure could be seen and though quite obscure, he could make out that the figure was slowly combing out her long hair as she was singing.
"But an unexpected way,
On this unexpected day.
Could it mean this is where I belong?
It is you I have loved all along.
It's no more a mystery, it is finally clear to me.
You're the home my heart searched for so long.
And it is you I have loved all along.
There were times I ran to hide,
Afraid to show the other side.
Alone in the night without you.
But now I know just who you are,
And I know you hold my heart.
Finally this is where I belong,
And it is you I have loved all along.
It's no more a mystery, it is finally clear to me.
You're the home my heart searched for so long,
It is you I have loved all along."
He knew it was Charlie singing. He was gifted in recognizing the voice of any person no matter how it changed or if it was spoken or sung, and he wasn't surprised that she could sing in such a pretty way. She was a princess so that was a given, but what had him so astonished was how her singing seemed to charm him.
"Over and over I'm filled with emotion,
Your love rushes through my veins.
And I am filled with the sweetest devotion,
As I look into your perfect face.
It's no more a mystery, it is finally clear to me.
You're the home my heart searched for so long.
It is you I have loved,
It is you I have loved,
It is you I have loved all along."
Alastor was enchanted. His ears had never known a more lovely voice. Such perfect pitch and elegant tone, her singing shamed any music he had heard before. The wendigo kept silent in hopes that the princess would entertain him again with her angelic melody but as he crept closer to hear her better, she heard his footsteps.
"Who's there?" She gasped in a panic.
"Strange." Alastor thought. He wondered how she could have heard him. His steps were so light and quiet and careful, that creatures possessing averages senses such as the human being, should not have been able to hear him.
"It's me my dear." He said. "Don't be afraid."
"Don't come in!" She sounded so frightened. "I'm not decent!"
"I had no intention of entering your quarters." He chuckled. "So you can dispel your fears of me trying to defile you or anything like that."
"Oh no, I have no fear of that."
"You don't?"
"Of course not. I know for a fact you'd never harm a lady unless you had to."
"Oh really?" He grinned. "And just what gave you that idea? What makes you so sure that you're safe around me?"
"I saw it in your eyes."
His grin fell.
"When we..." She sounded flustered. "When we briefly locked gazes, I saw so much of your heart and soul through your eyes."
"And...And what did you see?"
"You're very intelligent. Very clever, cunning, formidable, strong, and witty. But that's just one part of you. The only parts that you want others to see. I know the other part of you, the one that hides that you're lonely and that you've been hurt many times. That you're honorable, passionate, and deep down, gentle and caring."
His astonishment was increased ten fold. How could she possibly know all that about him with just one look into his eyes? She wasn't a fairy or anything special, she was only a human woman. She couldn't have such abilities.
"Did I offend you?" She asked after he had become silent for some time.
"No. No it's just...I'm surprised. No human has ever taken the time to see what I'm like. What I'm really like. Though I am curious to why that is? Why you have chosen to look closer at me."
"Let's just say I kind of know where you're coming from."
"With all due respect, I don't think you could. You're a beautiful princess. You've most likely been adored since birth and grew up in a luxurious palace."
"Only until I was seven years old. Then I was sent to that tower, and I stayed there until you came for me."
Alastor was then overcome with a strong sense of empathy and compassion.
"I grew up alone and in the dark too. I grew up without friends or a kind word too. I was hurt by the world just like you were. In fact you'd be surprised to know how many have suffered just as you have."
She raised her arm toward the tent, she hesitated a few seconds but eventually placed her hand on to the drape.
"Every life feels pain Alastor and there's no changing that. But maybe we could all comfort each other whenever we feel pain."
It was an effort to make a connection with him. Alastor raised his own arm cautiously and like her, he hesitated before pressing his own hand up against hers. The material of the sheet was the only thing between them. They each felt the urge to grasp the other's hand but chose not to.
Alastor didn't think it was possible for anyone to know the hurt he had felt his entire life. Especially a human. But for some reason, he believed that Charlie knew the exact same sorrow as he did. Still he was uncertain if he could unveil himself to her completely yet.
"It is late." He pulled his hand from hers. "We should probably get some sleep now. We'll have to get up very early tomorrow."
"What time? It can't be while it's still dark out."
"I thought dawn would be appropriate."
"Dawn is perfect."
Alastor wondered why the night made Charlie uncomfortable. He would have questioned her about it but did not because he was much too tired and felt that there had been enough opening up for one evening.
"Goodnight Alastor." She said.
"Goodnight Charlie." He said.
Her figure disappeared further into the tent while he went to lay himself down by the campfire. Sleep came to them very quickly. A very unsure yet hopeful sleep.
