She ran. Silent tears streamed down her face. The trees and bushes cut at her and her long flowing white dress. She could not take her life anymore. She was going to leave it all behind her. A young elf followed close behind.
He ran swiftly and silently. His feet did not make a sound on the forest floor. He had been following the mysterious beauty ever since she had passed his home. He knew something was wrong for he had seen the distressed look upon her face.
Her pace began to slow, but neither upon clear thoughts nor her own tiredness. She neared a cliff and she had every intention of jumping. Nothing mattered, just that she ended everything now.
He still ran quickly and beat her to the edge of the cliff. He stood silent behind a tree. He watched as she stepped to the edge.
She held out her arms. 'Now or never, 1, am I making a mistake? 2, I do not love him… 3, why are they forcing me to marry him? 4' she thought looking at the water far below. The only way out.
He came to the startled realization that she was going to jump. He had to do something and quick. He stepped out from behind the tree.
"Are you sure you wish to do this?" He asked trying to mask the desperate sound of his voice. She turned her head toward him.
"Why not? It's this or marry a man I do not love," she retorted. He stepped closer. "Venture no further, for I will jump."
"You have so much to live for. Why end it all now? Do not marry the man you speak of for he willn't bring you happiness," he said trying to change her mind.
"If I do not marry Brilthor, my family will disown me," she sighed looking down into the sea. She shifted her feet and pebbles fell down toward the water. They took quite a few minutes to reach the surface. The fall looked as if it would hurt.
"Is your family really worth a life of unhappiness and misery?" He asked edging a little closer.
"No, but it is my duty, as their daughter, to do what they ask," she said as new tears formed and fell on her face.
"It shouldn't be so in the matters of the heart," he said with a terrified glance at the cliff. She made an indignant noise of disgust.
"Matter of the heart? Hardly! This is a matter of family honour, alliances and money," she retorted bitterly to his remark.
"So, they would sacrifice you, and your happiness, for honour?" He asked.
"Of course. Without relent or a second thought," she answered him coldly.
"Then, why do you stay with them?" He asked confused.
"I have no where else to go, or else I would run," she said quietly.
"Do you wish to run?" He asked.
"More than words can express," she answered with a touch of longing in her voice. He stepped closer until they were side by side on the cliff. They stared out across the vast expanse of water. The moon was the only light. It made the maiden's skin glow. He was entranced by her ethereal beauty.
"I can help you," he said still looking out across the water.
She looked at the handsome elf once again. Her eyes filled with hope.
"How?"
"Do you trust me?" He asked.
"Though we've only met, I trust you more than that scoundrel, Brilthor," she answered him.
"Then, I can offer you a place to stay until you've things sorted out," he said and turned to face her.
"Why?" She asked.
"Why what?" He asked confused.
"Why do you offer this to me, when you could leave me to my misery?" She asked.
"Because, if I don't, who will?" he said thoughtfully as he held out his hand to her.
"Thank you," she whispered. Her face still had tears flowing down it. She took his hand and they moved away from the edge. "You know, Brilthor will have every home in the forest searched."
"Trust me, where I live it will not even cross their minds to look there," he said as they walked hand in hand. They continued through the forest talking about Brilthor and her family.
Soon, they were outside the sylvan elves palace. She stopped as he opened the balcony door to his room.
"Are you a servant?" She asked giving him a strange look.
So, did you like it? Wondering who they are? You probably know, but oh well, I'm writing! Thanks for reading! R&R!! Luv Gia