A subtle sweet smell was carried on the warm breeze. The grass was soft and the blankets were scratchy. The leaves rustled in the wind, while squirrels scuttled along the forest floor, gathering nuts and berries.
Regina contorted her face, slowly opening her eyes, but the sun shone brightly in her face. She raised her arm to shade herself and saw a small-statured, pregnant woman lean in close to her.
"I'm sorry, but this will sting." Regina winced as the woman poured a herb-infused liquid on to a burn on her shoulder. "How does one find themselves alone in the woods?"
"The woods? What woods? The Enchanted Forest?" The woman chuckled to herself.
"No, no. The Enchanted Forest is across the Stone Bridge and stormy seas. We're in the Silverbell Woods on the Island of Eden. I was visiting from Maddoxville, when I rather literally stumbled across you, unconscious, surrounded by a plethora of bluebells. I was due to set up camp, so I thought here was as good a place as any."
Regina sat up slowly and took a closer look at the woman. She had pale blue eyes, with flecks of green and grey. Elven ears were poking through sandy curls that were loosely tied back with ribbons. The woman noticed Regina staring.
"I'm a non-magical halfling, so I try to keep my tells hidden." Regina raised an eyebrow in bewilderment. "My ears and my freckles." Regina's expression didn't change. "Well, my ears are a sign of elf blood and my freckles glow in moonlight. Some would think I am of value, but I am worthless to elf hunters and merchants."
"Right, well I shan't keep you. Have you any knowledge of a pirate with a hook?" The woman shook her head.
"My apologies; I have never heard of such a man. You do not fear him?"
"After many years and a fair few battles, we reached a truce quite some time ago and have become good friends. I don't know how I arrived here, but I was with him merely minutes ago." The woman looked uncomfortable, so she began folding cloths and blankets.
"You've been here for some time. The sun has risen to noon and begun it's descent since I found you."
Regina was stunned. She stood up and left the tent in a frustrated manner. The woman continued to tidy her shelter, throwing out bloodied water and hanging her wet shawl over a tree branch to dry. She was hesitant to comfort the stranger, as she had noticed the tiny remains of darkness in her eyes and didn't want to provoke her.
Regina glanced around; frantically looking for Killian, then looked down at herself. She was wearing a long coffee-coloured skirt, a matching embroidered bodice, a white cotton shirt and a deep admiral-blue cloak. She turned to the woman who had helped her.
"How do I get to the Stone Bridge?"
"It's quite a way. If you walk two miles in the direction of that mountain, you'll come across a well-travelled road that many peddlers use. I'm sure one of them can give you a ride to the bridge, as they often stop at the docks, near where the bridge begins." The woman gave her a small woven basket with a bread roll and an apple in it, with a cloth covering them. Regina began her journey after thanking the lady and shaking her hand.