A Cold Heart
Chapter 9:
Tohru woke with a start, turning her head to the noise that had awoken her. A young woman stood in the clearing, her features distinct, even in the faint moonlight. "Who are you?" asked Tohru, sitting up on her spot on the ground. The woman cocked her head at Tohru, her shoulder length hair swaying in the breeze. "I am your guide from here to my people, come wake your companions." said the woman, whistling on to the night. Tohru hurriedly woke Alex and Uo, grabbing her pack in the process. Alex looked at the woman, his eyes sharpening to her features." Kagura?" Alex asked, questioningly. The young woman nodded, as four white horeses appeared in the clearing. Uo looked at the animals suspiciously, gripping her sword. "You have long been gone, Alexander of the Rinji, a decade and seven years, and not have fulfilled your promise." the young woman pouted, hoisting herself into the saddle. Alex remained quiet, helping Uo and Tohru onto the horses.
"What does she mean, Alex?" asked Tohru riding alongside him and Uo. Alex shrugged, looking ahead. Uo grunted, riding ahead of the two. Tohru looked at her friend, grateful for the chance to question her mentor."Years ago I made a promise to search for the elfin prince, but I became uninterested in finding him." answered Alex, as the they rode silently into the sunraise. Tohru looked at him quizzically, her head tilting her head forward slightly."Okay" asked Tohru. Alex allowed a smile to cross his face. Tohru looked on ahead, smiling as the sun peeked over the trees. The woman looked around, holding her hand up as if to singal someone. The trees silently rustled, shaking in the nipping breeze. Two elfin men stood waiting near a waterfall, holding bows and quivers. "Kagura, your late."said one, stepping forward, taking the reins from her. Kagura jumped from the horse, whipping her hair out behind her."I really don't care, you should know that." said Kagura, walking past the other guard. The Alex jumped down from his mount, landing gently to his feet. Holding out his arms to Tohru, Alex picked her off the steed, careful to keep her feet from hitting the groundUo was about to jump down from her horse, when two strong arms encircled her waist. Uo blushed, as she was suspended in the air. "Need help?" came a deep voice. Uo turned slowly, staring into crimson eyes. She blushed as he set her gently on the ground, pulling her pack from the horse's back. "Th...thanks." said Uo, taking the bag from him.
The young man grunted, turning sharply and returning to his post. Tohru walked beside her friend, nudging her gently as they walked past them. Uo blushed hoisting her bag higher up onto her shoulder. They walked silently through the cold water, trying to numbout the cold sting. Tohru opened her eyes slowly, looking in awe at her surroundings.
The entire cavern was lit with soft light, held by rounded orbs that hung from poles, chains and housesKagura led them to a beautifully crafted building, made of stone. "If Hana were here, she would freak." Uo whispered to Tohru, making the younger girl giggle. Openning the door, Kagura swept her arm into the house, gently ushering the group into the stone."You need to hurry and get ready." said Kagura, pushing Alex into an empty room. Tohru and Uo looked at the delicate looking girl, awe shining in their eyes. "What for?" asked Alex, popping his head out of the room. Kagura threw a silvery vase at him, missing him by mere inches."I get it." said Alex, shrinking away into the room. A satisfied smile crossed Kagura's face, as they three girls turned into another room, climbing a long flight of stairs. "You have to meet the queen." said Kagura, as the entered a large sleeping chamber. The chamber was filled with deep greens and blues, golds and silvers, reds and oranges. A large canopy bed sat in the middle of the room, draped in firery orange, sweeping down in graceful curves."Come on don't be shy." said Kagura, pulling both girls into the large chamber, smiling. Tohru blushed furiously, her head spinning.
"Let me see what you have brought." said Kagura, taking the heavy bag from Uo, and spreading it's contents on the ground. Weapons and tunics spilled out, covering space that she had spilt them. "Hmm, these will not do." pouted Kagura, throwing a tunic in to the heap that she had created. Uo looked at the growing heap, her anger raising. The elfin woman pulled her sword from the heap, examining it closely. " It's too heavy for a girl." stated Kagura, throwing the sword into the tunic heap. Uo lost it." That's my sword!" yelled Uo, gripping the sword tightly to her chest. She backed away from the elf, looking at the her with increasing suspicious.Kagura held up her hands in a sign of defeat. "Fine, but you are not leaving here without a new sword." said Kagura, picking up Tohru's discarded bag. Her eyes widened as looked into the plain jewery box. Picking up the flower necklace, her eyes filled with tears."What's wrong?" said Tohru, kneeling down beside the elf. Kagura kept her eyes on the necklace, though the tears burled her vision."This is the royal pendant, the pendant of the prince." Kagura whispered, her hands trembling.
"It can't be!" said Tohru, her gaze looking at the pendant in Kagura's hand. Kagura turned her face, looking at the young girl infront of her. Dropping the necklace into Tohru's hand, Kagura stood, wiping the tears from her eyes."Who gave that to you?" asked Kagura, busying herself by rampaging through the drawers in the room. "An elf, named...named Yuki." stammered Tohru, holding the necklace close. Kagura pulled a burgundy dress, with delicate golden trem. Holding it up to Uo, the she shoved the clothing into her arms."Hurry and bath, then dress and I will fix your hair."commanded Kagura, leading Uo to a second room, with a large silver tub filled wtih steaming hot water. Closing the door behind her, Kagura leanned against the door."Yuki, prince of the elves, where have you been?" Kagura asked herself, standing and returning to Tohru. The younger girl looked at her, her large brown eyes widening with fright. "Was he a bad man?" asked Tohru, tears slipping over the edges of her eyesKagura sat next to the distraught girl, putting her arm around her comfortingly."Oh, no, dearest, he is a good man, he just gave us a scare." said Kagura, wiping the tears from Tohru's eyes. "Then why were you crying?" asked Tohru, looking up at Kagura, her lower lip quivering. Kagura smiled, giving TOhru a hug."I just miss him, like everyone else." said Kagura, rubbing her thumb under Tohru's eyelid, wiping away any tears.