Chapter 5 – Life in the Forest
It took us two weeks to finish building our cabin. It needed to be quite large since it was too complicated to build a second floor and we needed shelter right away. So we expanded the foundation so all of us can fit. It was much easier to build with help, and the gnomes had the right tools.
When we finished, we admired our handy work. It was splendid but cozy.
We used the space behind the cabin to grow vegetables and corn from seeds Henry traded in town. In front of the cabin were flowers of all sorts of shapes and colours. Harriet and Helen were in charge of the gardening.
Henry and Harry were miners and smiths like most gnomes. They were our source of income. They'd trade what they mined or made for clothing and furniture.
Grandmother's job was to take care of zhulaH, sew our torn clothes, cook, clean and entertain us with old tales. Helen would help her with the housework sometimes.
Me? I did everything. I'd help Helen and Harriet with the gardening, or did housework for Grandmother. Since I was quite artistic, I carved wood for the male to trade.
But my most important job was to provide meat. I'd go hunting once in a while since I was experienced and a very good archer. I was careful not to take more than we could eat. If we did have spare meat, Henry would trade it. I really wanted to go on the trading trips sometimes, but I knew I couldn't risk having someone recognize me.
Life in the forest with the gnomes was mellow and easy; I became part of the family. But there was something missing, I couldn't figure out what it was. I wasn't afraid of the queen, as long as I stay in the forest, I felt safe. I guess I felt lonely, even though I had the gnomes for company, I still longed for human companionship.
That all changed when I decided to go hunting one day.
I tracked down a deer and took aim. It fell immediately. I walked over to where it fell. I took my knife and with one swift move put it out of its misery. I'd always hated this part, but I knew I had to do it. After all we needed to eat.
I was just about to take to arrow out of the deer when I heard rustles behind me.
"Excuse me Miss, but I think that deer belongs to me." A deep voice sounded behind me.
"No it doesn't. I shot it down." I said without looking up, I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear.
"Aireia?"
I was caught by surprise, how did he know my name? I looked up.
"Robin!"
I dropped everything, stood up and hugged him, I was SO glad to see him. He was surprised at first but hugged me back.
"I missed you Reia." Robin gently kissed my forehead.
I looked up into his deep blue eyes and smiled "I missed you too." Robin was almost a head taller than me though he was only a year older.
"What are you doing here?" Robin pulled back.
"I live here."
"Wow, really?" I nodded "I was wondering where you went. It's like you disappeared."
"Well I didn't." I chuckled as I started to drag the carcass towards home.
"Here, let me help you." Robin helped me. "So where do you live? In a tree?"
I thought for a moment, "Why don't you come with me and meet my new family."
Robin looked puzzled, "New family?"
I smiled mysteriously "You'll see."
I brought Robin to our cabin in the clearing. After introductions, the gnomes invited him to stay for dinner. We had a great time.
Robin had to leave after, but he promised to come back as soon as he could.
It took us two weeks to finish building our cabin. It needed to be quite large since it was too complicated to build a second floor and we needed shelter right away. So we expanded the foundation so all of us can fit. It was much easier to build with help, and the gnomes had the right tools.
When we finished, we admired our handy work. It was splendid but cozy.
We used the space behind the cabin to grow vegetables and corn from seeds Henry traded in town. In front of the cabin were flowers of all sorts of shapes and colours. Harriet and Helen were in charge of the gardening.
Henry and Harry were miners and smiths like most gnomes. They were our source of income. They'd trade what they mined or made for clothing and furniture.
Grandmother's job was to take care of zhulaH, sew our torn clothes, cook, clean and entertain us with old tales. Helen would help her with the housework sometimes.
Me? I did everything. I'd help Helen and Harriet with the gardening, or did housework for Grandmother. Since I was quite artistic, I carved wood for the male to trade.
But my most important job was to provide meat. I'd go hunting once in a while since I was experienced and a very good archer. I was careful not to take more than we could eat. If we did have spare meat, Henry would trade it. I really wanted to go on the trading trips sometimes, but I knew I couldn't risk having someone recognize me.
Life in the forest with the gnomes was mellow and easy; I became part of the family. But there was something missing, I couldn't figure out what it was. I wasn't afraid of the queen, as long as I stay in the forest, I felt safe. I guess I felt lonely, even though I had the gnomes for company, I still longed for human companionship.
That all changed when I decided to go hunting one day.
I tracked down a deer and took aim. It fell immediately. I walked over to where it fell. I took my knife and with one swift move put it out of its misery. I'd always hated this part, but I knew I had to do it. After all we needed to eat.
I was just about to take to arrow out of the deer when I heard rustles behind me.
"Excuse me Miss, but I think that deer belongs to me." A deep voice sounded behind me.
"No it doesn't. I shot it down." I said without looking up, I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear.
"Aireia?"
I was caught by surprise, how did he know my name? I looked up.
"Robin!"
I dropped everything, stood up and hugged him, I was SO glad to see him. He was surprised at first but hugged me back.
"I missed you Reia." Robin gently kissed my forehead.
I looked up into his deep blue eyes and smiled "I missed you too." Robin was almost a head taller than me though he was only a year older.
"What are you doing here?" Robin pulled back.
"I live here."
"Wow, really?" I nodded "I was wondering where you went. It's like you disappeared."
"Well I didn't." I chuckled as I started to drag the carcass towards home.
"Here, let me help you." Robin helped me. "So where do you live? In a tree?"
I thought for a moment, "Why don't you come with me and meet my new family."
Robin looked puzzled, "New family?"
I smiled mysteriously "You'll see."
I brought Robin to our cabin in the clearing. After introductions, the gnomes invited him to stay for dinner. We had a great time.
Robin had to leave after, but he promised to come back as soon as he could.