I'm going to say it right now. I"m sorry that the main character in this storyhas the same name as the main character in my other story called Adriel Interupted.
Chapter One: Breaking Free
Adriel sat quietly listening to her foster mother speak to the translator. "How annoying must it be for mother to have her words translated into elven?" thought Adriel looking over the railing of the balcony covered in ivy. "And yet", she continued in her head. "How wonderful it must be to speak elven. I don't know why mother won't teach me! It is the simplest language to learn other than human and I know that already. If I can master Dragonian and Human than I can master speaking in elven terms."
"What do you think Adriel?"
"What?" Adriel answered intelligently.
"Don't tell me you were dozing off again!"
"No mother! I just……..don't recall what you were talking about".
Glariano sighed. "Adriel my child, you must learn to pay attention for it could save your life."
"Yes I know mother but such talk as this doesn't catch my interest. I'm practically falling asleep!"
"Fine; run along now and I'll see you in the Great Hall before the sun sets."
"Gotch-ya", Adriel exclaimed getting up from her chair and walking through the purple billowy curtains.
Like clock work waiting for her out in the hall was Woodland. Instead of the original attire of purple shorts and cap, the little forest sprite wore a green lose fitting shirt with yellow buttons and green pants that reached his ankles.
"What's the occasion?" Adriel asked smiling.
"Nothing; I've just come back from the future", replied Woodland who floated gently over to Adriel and sat on her shoulder.
"Again?... What's it like being a Time Traveler?" Adriel remarked.
The tiny, yellow bells on Woodland's green shoes jingled as he pondered for an explanation that Adriel would understand. With the little forest sprite thinking on her shoulder, Adriel couldn't help but notice just exactly what Woodland looked like.
Standing 3 feet high from the ground, the little Time Traveler could easily be stepped on, if not for the fact that a pair of green triangular wings sprouted form his back. Upon his head was a shaggy mess of tree green hair and a small leather cap that met in at a point with another yellow bell. His eyes of brown were closed in concentration as well as his light green hands that laid in his lap.
"Do you really want to know what the future is like?" Woodland asked sarcastically, opening his eyes. Adriel nodded. "Then take two steps forward". Adriel gave Woodland a confused glance but proceeded on with his request. "Welcome to the future kid", Woodland stated.
"I don't understand", said Adriel blankly.
"Two steps ago you were in the past", Woodland stated dryly.
Adriel began laughing so hard that Woodland almost lost his perch upon Adriel's shoulder. Adriel patted his head lightly and began walking down the hall again.
"You're such a comedian Woodland", Adriel said happily between laughs. Before long the musty hallway turned into an open corridor. Flowers of every color and shape imaginable seemed to grow in the gardens that were tended here at the castle.
"Well that was fun", said Woodland sarcastically.
"What do you mean?" Adriel questioned. "We're not even done with the walk yet."
"You're not allowed past the gate. I know this since I am your guardian when Glariano or the other Dragons aren't attending you; lucky me" Woodland said sarcastically yet again.
Adriel glared at him but ignored the remark. Heading over to an old shed that sat in the garden, Adriel opened the black wooden doors and grabbed a brown cloak. She slipped it on and threw one at Woodland who went crashing to the floor in blindness. Adriel tucked her straight red hair into a pony-tail and pulled the hood of the cloak around her face.
"I'm not following you", Woodland's muffled voice came from the lumpy mound on the floor.
"All the better", replied Adriel haughtily. "Now you just stay there and I'll be back in an hour."
Exiting the shed, Adriel pulled the cloak around her face tighter ignoring the muffled yelling of Woodland. She ran back to the open corridor and hid behind one of twelve cream colored columns that supported the walkway above. From her position, Adriel could see the two iron doors that kept her inside the Dragon Manor in which she lived in. Two armored men with metal spears guarded these doors diligently.
"Any minute now", Adriel whispered to her self. "3, 2, 1". A loud explosion echoed across the air causing the guards to leave their post. Adriel smiled triumphantly as the guards disappeared from view. She inwardly thanked the florist for setting off the explosion in exchange for her working an hour at the flower shop for no pay. Adriel looked both ways before jetting out from behind the column and came to a halt at the iron gate. Lifting the heavy log that held the two doors together, Adriel wished she didn't have to wear the pink dress she had on. It got in the way of everything, but unfortunately by the time she got back to the Dragon Manor she wouldn't have time to change. Finally able to lift the log completely off with the help of the brick wall that surrounded the entire Dragon Manor, she pushed the doors open. Running down the hill, Adriel's mind reminded her of the consequences that would befall her if she was caught off the Manor. Her thoughts were quickly forgotten as she entered the village square.