I hope you all like it!
Luv-Shaina



Hattie. Of all the places, all the times, Hattie was here.

With a smile on her face. An evil smile.

"Ella, Ella, Ella." She said making a clicking noise after each Ella, as if I was a bad child waiting to be punished.

I pulled the dagger out from my skirts and pointed it towards her.

She smiled wider. "Now Ella, what are you doing with that? Give it to me." She hissed her voice smooth and silky like an Ogre's.

But she didn't need to make her voice persuasive. I could feel my hand start to reach out to give her the dagger. I jerked it back quick, resisting as much as I could. But it was an order. My head started to spin, I could feel a wave of nausea come on. I threw it at her, hoping the blade would hit her.

It didn't. It missed. She grinned, and tucked the dagger in to her skirts. She opened her mouth to speak again.

I wouldn't let her control me with another order.

I did the best thing I could think of.

I ran.

Just like before.

I jumped and hopped over fallen tree branches, and roots. I ran back the way I came.

I couldn't hear footsteps, or yelling, but I ran as far as I could.

I ran out of breath.

Running as fast as I could twice in one day took a toll on me.

I slumped against the closest tree. I could feel the bark dig in to my shoulder, but I was too worn out to care.

I closed my eyes, not caring anymore, and let the darkness take me.

*~*~*~*~*

I could feel ice cold water break through my lips and in to my mouth. I swallowed as much as I could.

I was comfy. There was a pillow under my head, and blankets covering my body.

I opened my eyes a slit. I could see a figure in front of me.

Jon! It was Jon!

I wrapped him in to a hug. Even though I didn't know him well, after all I had though he was dead, it was good to see him again.

I was surprised when he hugged me back.

After I finished hugging him, I looked around. There was a small fire burning on the other side of the patch of land. We were alone.

"Where's Ariana?" I asked curiously.

Jon's smirk turned in to a deep frown. The corners of his face sagged and his eyes tightened. "I was going to ask you the same question. You both left together after all."

"She never came back? But she left me alone to go help you fight."

"Ariana left you alone. Even after I told her to stay with you and keep you safe?" Jon's frown turned in to a scowl.

"I'm fine" I smiled to reassure him.

"No you're not. Not as long as the stone's still working." He sighed. "Neither is she." He mumbled under his breath.

He stood up and paced. He spun around to me. The glare in his eyes scared me.

"I have a friend who lives a mile away from here. I'll take you there. He'll keep you safe, and I'll be able to search for Ariana-"

I cut in. "But I want to help. And I-"

He cut me off. "Ella. Do you honestly think its going to be safe for a Princess like you to be wandering around the woods?"

I was shocked. "How did you know that I was a princess?"

He laughed. "Do you honestly think that we wouldn't have seen all the paintings and sketches of you? There not just in Frell, you know."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"We heard all of the rumors. You went missing. Than two years later, Prince Char picks this mysterious bride, he won't even tell his parents. He starts changing all the laws and rules. When Ariana found you in the river, she didn't recognize you. But I did. While you were sleeping, we talked about it. We both suspect magic its playing some part in all of this, but we can't be sure."

He sat down and leaned against a tree close to mine.
"And then the rumors about Ersnia start to come up."

"The stone."

"Yes, the stone. It's all so weird. So weird."

He stood up and threw another log in to the fire. Sparks flew up as he threw it, then died back down.

"I should take you to my friend now."

I nodded, at a loss of words.

He helped me up and began to walk off the campsite.

"What about your stuff?" I called to his back.

"Leave it here. I'll pick it up later."

I followed him through a maze of trees. It was quiet. We both didn't talk during the walk.

The forest thinned out and the trees grew smaller. I couldn't see the building in the distance, a large wooden fence surrounded it.

Jon opened the gate, I listened the hinges creek.

I stood there in shock.

I'd been here before.

The house with its white walls, and brown roof, stood out like a memory.

Thorns and weeds had woven through the grass, creating a desperate look.

I took another look at the house, I had to come back here, I thought to my self. I opened my eyes wide. "Maybe it's not the same house." I mumbled to my self.

I didn't like what was coming, didn't want what was coming. I turned to Jon. I said in a near whisper, just loud enough for him to hear. "I've been here before."




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