(Naetalia)
It was only a short way from the castle, a five to ten minute ride at a trot, but it was enough. The wolves rarely strayed so close to the edge of the woods, as it was for most of the creatures.
I had seen a deer once, beautiful thing. She came to the slow moving stream for a drink. I'm sure she had noticed me, but I was far enough away that perhaps she felt safe, so long as I didn't even utter a breath.
That same day, the prince came that evening speaking of the easiest kill he had made in a while. They had barely begun a small hunt around dusk, when a doe was found wandering near the forest's edge. The venison was prepared and cooked by dinner. I reluctantly excused myself to my quarters for the rest of the night.
I still came here, a quiet pool made from, what some would call, an insignificant stream. I hardly saw it as that. A few rocks decorated it, along with some beautiful lavender colored flowers that bloomed throughout the fall season. Although they were gone now, until the spring perhaps.
Some of the trees still appeared to have a life to them. There were two oak trees that grew so close to each other that they had begun to intertwine though the years. The roots would peek through the ground, making good seats to just rest, and think.and dream.
But, today, there wouldn't be time for that. Today, I found something new.
.............
The woman dismounted easily and took a deep breath. She gave in to the urge to smile, the first time that day that it wasn't forced. Naetalia patted the tan horse on the neck and walked towards the sounds of the relaxing stream.
The area was as calm and peaceful as usual, yet even with just the faintest breeze, the air held a sharp chill. She leaned at the water's edge, gently removing a glove and letting her bare hand reach into the water. Her hand almost went numb from the cold liquid, but it was refreshing. She cupped her hand and brought it up to her lips, taking a sip. It was winter.
Then she saw it, laying at the edge of the stream. It wasn't very large, and it's green coloring would have blended into the grass if the shade wasn't now turning brown before the snow.
"A frog? Out here in this time of year?" she asked herself out loud. "Poor thing."
She watched it briefly, wondering why it had been out and in the water to let itself freeze to death. Then, it moved its head.
"You're not dead." she stated in amazement, then let out a soft sigh. "Can't just leave you out here, or you will be before nightfall."
She reached down and picked up the small creature carefully into her uncovered hand and held it close to her gown as she moved back to the mount. Another moment later and she was heading back to the building she was trying to avoid.
..............
(Frog)
I don't remember much before I was taken, just the cold. Cold, and a sadness, confusion, anger.fear.but I can't remember why. Then I was being lifted, held.and we were moving.
It was only a short way from the castle, a five to ten minute ride at a trot, but it was enough. The wolves rarely strayed so close to the edge of the woods, as it was for most of the creatures.
I had seen a deer once, beautiful thing. She came to the slow moving stream for a drink. I'm sure she had noticed me, but I was far enough away that perhaps she felt safe, so long as I didn't even utter a breath.
That same day, the prince came that evening speaking of the easiest kill he had made in a while. They had barely begun a small hunt around dusk, when a doe was found wandering near the forest's edge. The venison was prepared and cooked by dinner. I reluctantly excused myself to my quarters for the rest of the night.
I still came here, a quiet pool made from, what some would call, an insignificant stream. I hardly saw it as that. A few rocks decorated it, along with some beautiful lavender colored flowers that bloomed throughout the fall season. Although they were gone now, until the spring perhaps.
Some of the trees still appeared to have a life to them. There were two oak trees that grew so close to each other that they had begun to intertwine though the years. The roots would peek through the ground, making good seats to just rest, and think.and dream.
But, today, there wouldn't be time for that. Today, I found something new.
.............
The woman dismounted easily and took a deep breath. She gave in to the urge to smile, the first time that day that it wasn't forced. Naetalia patted the tan horse on the neck and walked towards the sounds of the relaxing stream.
The area was as calm and peaceful as usual, yet even with just the faintest breeze, the air held a sharp chill. She leaned at the water's edge, gently removing a glove and letting her bare hand reach into the water. Her hand almost went numb from the cold liquid, but it was refreshing. She cupped her hand and brought it up to her lips, taking a sip. It was winter.
Then she saw it, laying at the edge of the stream. It wasn't very large, and it's green coloring would have blended into the grass if the shade wasn't now turning brown before the snow.
"A frog? Out here in this time of year?" she asked herself out loud. "Poor thing."
She watched it briefly, wondering why it had been out and in the water to let itself freeze to death. Then, it moved its head.
"You're not dead." she stated in amazement, then let out a soft sigh. "Can't just leave you out here, or you will be before nightfall."
She reached down and picked up the small creature carefully into her uncovered hand and held it close to her gown as she moved back to the mount. Another moment later and she was heading back to the building she was trying to avoid.
..............
(Frog)
I don't remember much before I was taken, just the cold. Cold, and a sadness, confusion, anger.fear.but I can't remember why. Then I was being lifted, held.and we were moving.