Author's note: Hey guys well this is my first fanfic, so it's bound to be a little…flimsy. I hope you guys like it and please review. I need the constructive criticism! Happy reading!
We were finally back. After three months of anxiety and fear, we were finally back. The golden sunlight poked through my eyelashes and I couldn't help but smile. I glanced over at Ann and Felicity who were already giddy with joy.
"Don't you see Gemma?" Felicity sang. "Everything's fine now that the magic has been bound again!" She and Ann danced around, giggling with newfound joy. The garden was exactly as it had been before, the silver arch gleaming over us into the sunlight.
"I'm beautiful again, aren't I?" Ann murmured, a grin planting on her face. I nodded sincerely, she truly was. Ann beamed.
"Now...where did I leave those bloody things? I think I probably dropped them after Pippa left.." Felicity muttered, half to herself, her eyes searching the garden. Ann and I exchanged glances; we both knew she was referring to her bow and quiver of arrows. Her most prized possessions.
"Did you look in your usual hiding place, Fee?" Ann inquired. Her pretty features twisted into a frown.
"Of course Ann...I'm not stupid!" Without speaking, Ann ran over to the bush where Felicity used to store her gift from the centaurs. She reached behind the bush and presented Felicity's bow and arrows.
Felicity's pale features were tinged pink with embarrassment, I chuckled. Her frown softened a bit, but didn't disappear completely. She seized her weapons from Ann and began to stalk off toward the river.
"Fee wait up!" Ann called running after her.
"There's no need to get all huffy, duchess!" I joked. Felicity really didn't like people laughing at her expense- Her pride was the most important thing to her.
"I know that!" She spat and swung her quiver over her shoulders. I sighed and plucked a daisy from the grass.
"Maybe we should visit the Gorgon. she might let us no if there's been any change around here" I said. Felicity plopped down beside me.
"If we must" She said breezily, "But if you ask me, everything seems to be fine." My protest to this remark rose up in my throat.
"But what about Pippa?" I asked, looking away from their saddened expressions pointedly. Felicity let out a long sigh.
"She's in the Winterlands Gem. She's passed over." Felicity remarked. It was odd how she could speak of her late best friend so sternly. In the corner of my eye, i saw Ann let out a shudder.
"But she swore revenge, Felicity. She's a dark creature of the Winterlands now, she may have gained new power." I argued.
"But Gemma's power is still unmatchable." Ann whispered disobediently. I looked at her doubtfully.
"Can we just not talk about this?" I asked. Fee nodded and got up from our grassy resting spot.
"Let's find the Gorgon." She answered and stalked off toward the river.
"She's free now." I added. "She may no longer swim about in this part of the realms." Ann groaned.
"Must we go off on another dangerous adventure today? Can't we just stay in the garden for once?" Ann pressed. Felicity's eyes narrowed.
"No" She spat. My eyes scanned the clear blue waters of the river. The Gorgon was not in sight.
"Perhaps we shan't see her again, now that she's free." I said, my voice droopy with disappointment. I was too busy scanning the waters to hear the rapid hoof beats behind me.
Ann let out a terrified scream.
"Gemma!" She cried, pointing to the garden. I swirled around to see what she was pointing two.
There were three Centaurs standing there, shooting us looks of greatest loathing. Felicity instantly drew an arrow out of her quiver and aimed her bow at them.
"What do you want?" She demanded.
"You are in debt to us, Lady Hope." The middle Centaur said. His glossy black coat shimmered in the sunlight.
"We have nothing to repay you with yet, my lord." I said simply. The Centaur's eyes flashed angriliy.
"You heard her!" Felicity shouted, her bow still at the ready. "Leave us alone!" The middle Centaur released a booming laugh.
"Felicity!" I said through gritted teeth. "We are in no position to be denying them anything!"
She drew back her arrow further.
"Yes we are!" She answered. The Centaurs continued to laugh.
"Those weapons were not a gift, my dear mortals." One of them said. "They need repayment. One of you should serve well enough." Ann let out a frightened squeal. The Centaurs advanced on us.
"Try it." Felicity choked. Reaching out, the middle centaur grabbed me by the arm. I tried in vain to squeeze free from his strong grip, but it was no use. I heard the sharp twang of Felicity's bow and an arrow flew past my left ear.
The Centaur fell to the ground, his large dark eyes glassy. An arrow protruded from his chest. Felicity's aim had been dead on.
"She killed Isoldenn!" One of them screamed furiously. Gathering up my skirts, I ran as fast as I could, back toward the river.
"Come on!" I screamed back at Ann and Felicity.
I could hear the Centaur's hoof beats behind me. Felicity and Ann stood beside me, gasping for breath. The clear blue water rushed at our feet.
"We'll have to cross!" I cried. Ann shook her head, tears spilling over her cheeks. I knew she was remembering the water nymphs. "We have to!" I cried. "It's the only chance we have! They can't cross!"
Without thinking, we plunged into the water.