The Red Elf
Chapter 2: Stricken by Impulse
Azure's head throbbed slightly, as she struggled to regain her balance – and catch her breath – from the miniature tornado that had just now come and gone. Once she had done so, she saw William and Zoë standing there. Like her, they looked nothing like they had a few minutes ago. William was dressed from head to toe in black garments. Around his waist hung a large black belt and attached to it was a long sheath in which a sword was encased. Azure immediately assumed that had been his 'gift', and continued surveying. His brown hair was no longer short and spiked but shoulder-length, which seemed to suit him far better. Zoë stood slightly behind him; her once short blond locks, no longer covering her face. But in their place were long, brown, wispy curls. Her attire had been transformed into a full-length dress, a deep forest green, which much resembled Azure's. Around her hips rested a thin belt on which her daggers gently dangled and almost expectantly her outfit was completed with, the ever so popular, black hooded cloak.
Azure noticed how nervous and startled they were, and couldn't help but wonder why she didn't feel that way. She after all was the one who had always hated change, yet now that she had embraced it…. She seemed to have desired this sudden alteration of her life. Her heart had been right; this new surrounding was what she had needed. She didn't know if she'd ever see her home, office, friends or family ever again, nor did she really care. But one look from her companions told her they did not feel the same. They were scared beyond description. Other than Azure, pretty well everyone would've felt the way they did, 'lost and alone'.
Azure could no longer stand seeing her loved ones like this, so she decided it best to break the ice. "Well, I know how I got here, so how about telling me how you did?"
They both seemed happy someone had noticed that something had indeed happened and they were no longer standing merrily around the kitchen table. Zoë, looking more distressed than the others spoke up first, almost trying to convince herself she wasn't crazy. "We were both just standing there minding our own business, and you, you were still there too. Anyway William, would not give up my knives…"
"Daggers." corrected William smugly.
"Shut up!" shot Zoë, causing William to shrink in surprise. "As I was saying, William would not give up my daggers, until I had coaxed him into believing that his parcel may contain something even more…interesting. So of course he immediately dropped my daggers and ripped apart his own package. He found that sword in it. Then when we both held out our weapons I was engulfed into a black hole and found myself here." Azure noticed that she sounded very rational about the subject, considering what had just happened. But her hope drowned when her friend began to speak hysterically.
"I see you, and you seem normal enough except, for that dress, hey its very nice you know, I always wanted one like that when I was little, did I ever tell you that, well I guess I just did. Then I saw Will, and 'boy he could sure use a haircut'; I mean I could've sworn it was shorter but I guess I just forgot. And then I looked at myself, well I didn't really look at myself but I looked down at myself. Anyways, was my hair brown before, and was it long? I guess I just am forgetful today because I thought that it had always been short and blonde, for that matter. Oh look I have a pretty dress too!" Zoë took one last gasp for air, after that terribly senseless speech before falling to the ground, unconscious. Neither Azure nor William moved to her side, but merely looked down upon her dumbfounded by her sudden loss of sanity. William however could not contain himself.
"I don't think she's recovered." He said, as a smile crept across his face. "But, I think I'm fine, which has me more worried than my geography." Azure merely smiled, it had been rather funny to see Zoë go unexpectedly into madness, yet nevertheless she was worried about her friend's well being. She opened her mouth to reply but she was cut off when she heard a distant sound. Immediately, as if it was her instinct she raised her bow again, re-fixing an arrow in position.
"What's wrong?" asked William; as he watched his sister, whom had never arched, fix an arrow into a perfect-shooting pose.
"Did you not hear that sound? It was so clear, I can't imagine someone hiding from us being so loud." Replied Azure, confused.
"Perhaps these surroundings have got the better of me, for I have heard no sound."
"Since when do you speak that way?"
"In which way are you referring to, dear sister?" Azure was about to respond, but again a sound filled her ears fogging her mind. This time however she did not wait for confirmation, she had received one and with that she sent her arrow soaring towards the source. In no more than a few seconds she heard a soft cry, verifying her suspicion. She did not like the fact that she had hurt something or someone without even knowing if their business was good or bad. So she heeded her thoughts and ran towards the cry.
She hadn't gone very far when she could make out a person hunched over holding their arm in agony. It was indeed a man; no it was an elf, although she did not know how she knew this. His hair was a deep, golden colour and was draped messily over his shoulders. He was dressed in brown and green, which blended in nicely with their surrounding. She quickly rushed to his side, nervous of what his reaction might be. Yet she received none, it was almost as if he knew she was coming. But she dwelt no longer on her thoughts, and bent over to see if she could help her 'target'.
"I'm sorry, but I knew not if you were friend or foe. Nor does it matter to me anymore. Please allow me to aid you." As he slowly looked up at her, Azure felt herself becoming lost in the depths of his intensely blue eyes. She caught herself before he had really noticed and stretched her hand out to retrieve the arrow. He however, expectantly recoiled at her hand.
"I'm afraid, milady, whether you sent this at me or not, I will not have you remove it from my arm so… roughly. If you indeed did hit me, yet wish to aid me then you have my forgiveness. As long as you assist me to the Elvin city over that yonder hill."
"I make no hesitation in obliging, but how am I to help you there?"
"My steed, he is just over there, did you not notice?" Azure looked over and sure enough there was a tall, white horse standing no more than three yards from their spot. Of course having already done enough damage, she did not respond to his question. She merely clasped his steady arm in her hands and helped him to his feet. They walked rather slowly to the horse, where she climbed on expertly. She looked ahead for a second, and before she knew it the stricken elf was perched in the saddle behind her. She would've asked how he did it, if William had not ran up to her with the still unconscious Zoë, over his shoulder.
"Where are you going?" he asked noticing the man, with the arrow in his arm.
"To an Elven city. It is just over there, do not fret dear brother I shall return for you. Oh and please remain here until I return." And with that she dug her heels into the horse's sides, urging him into a canter.
Through all the commotion of the swiftly disappearing scenery, she barely noticed the elf's light grip around her waist, however nonetheless she did feel, it was of course not a normal touch to her. It felt as though it had been there before and that was where it was meant to be! But yet again her thoughts were interrupted, when the magnificent sight of the Elven city reached her eyes. In front of her stood tall, white gates, holding back the enchantment of the white buildings that rose far above her view. Surrounding the gates stood many male elves. They too had noticed something coming and were all busily fitting arrows to their bows. The stood up tall, bows high, but did not shoot even though she approached quickly. Several elves looked over at Haldir, they're leader, wondering why he had not issued an attack on the girl. But he did not speak, nor command his troops. Once she arrived at the gate, she began turning the impatient horse, who was still excited from the their trip.
"Who goes there?" asked Haldir loudly, breaking the short silence.
"It matters not who I am, but that a friend of yours has been struck and is in need of help." Replied Azure anxiously, as the elf behind her began swaying from loss of blood. From the expression on Haldir's face it was as if he had only just noticed the second person in the saddle.
"Nendir, help him to the healers, and hurry!" called Haldir as the elf came up and helped the struck elf from the saddle and into the city. Upon they're entrance, Haldir motioned for the other elves to lower they're bows and return to their original posts. He took this opportunity to continue his questions with the female, but this was not what she wanted.
"I am sure my lord will give his thanks, once his recovery has been ensured."
"I thank you for helping him so… swiftly, but I fear I must leave now." answered Azure, gently turning the horse around.
"Where will you go? Besides I do not think taking his majesty's horse will be a very good idea, even if he is grateful for your aid." Haldir chuckled at the expression that was now spread across the girl's face.
"His majesty…" Azure paused unable to think of anything else to say.
"Indeed. His majesty, Legolas, son of Thranduil the Elven-king of Mirkwood."
"I shot a prince, oh dear." Azure muttered quietly. It, however, was not quiet enough.
"Begging your pardon, milady, but do you mean to imply that you shot him?"
"I suppose you could say that, but it wasn't on purpose, I heard him in the distance and knew not of his true intents. Then when I saw him there, hit, I forgot all my past curiosities and helped him."
"I understand, you need not explain further. But you have not answered my first question; where are you to go?"
"Oh… I'm going to find my brother and dearest friend, for they are both out in the wood, alone." With that she finished the horse's turn and was about to ride off again, when for the third time the new elf interrupted her.
"I know it is not to my actual knowledge, though it appears to me that you have never been in those woods before, and earlier, relied on your mount for direction. So if you will allow it, I will accompany you to them and perhaps bring them here, since it looks as though you also have no other place to go." Azure considered this for a short while. It was true she knew not where to go, or what to do when she got there. So she willingly obliged to the elf's offer. He called over to another elf, in another language. For some reason she felt she understood what was said, but she did not dwell on it. A few seconds later the other elf returned with a large black mare, which was a huge contrast in comparison to the slightly smaller white horse, she was on.
"From which way did you come?" Azure pointed to the left path that lay before them. After that both of them turned their horses to the path and cantered into the mysterious wood.
~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile William, having just seen his sister ride off with some 'man', was in no mood to stay put. He was going to continue along the path she had taken and meet up with her first. He still supported Zoë on his shoulder, but he had the strangest feeling she was becoming lighter, and lighter as he continued. The sensation of her suddenly losing so much weight was too much for him, he gently lowered her to the ground and knelt beside her for a few seconds. He watched her silently as if anticipating her awakening. Several minutes passed by and endless silence endured. He once more gave up on her making any progress and again started to move towards her, to lift her up. But he was stopped short when she jerked her eyes open and began surveying the wood.
"Well… are you all right now? I mean we thought you had lost it back there."
"I am fine now. My brother…"
