Her eyes opened, looking up at the stones ceiling surrounded by warmth and sweet scents.
"Ummm." When Elsa came to panic raised within her when she found the only part of her body she could move was her eyelids and pupils. It was the same room she was dropped off in by the…
Her breathing quickened when she caught on to the situation she was in. Naked in a silver tub. The blonde tried calling out for someone, anyone yet her lips did not move.
"Ah enjoying the soak my dear?" The suave voice of Darcy seemed to ricochet from every inch of the cave. Elsa did her best to search for its owner.
"Sea salts from the east." Her mind jostled, as he spoke from behind her. He walked past the tub, black cloak gone replaced by a lovely tunic and dark green velvet pants. He went to and fro gather up small bottles, he picked up one sniffed it then frowned shaking his head returning. "No to robust."
He began whistling a tune, he soon gathered an abundance of bottles ranging from different colors to form solids, powders, and creams. He began powering and measuring.
"Gah!" His outburst startled Elsa. "I require music." He pointed to the piano in the corner which began playing a melodious tune. "Ahhh…" He said now relieved. "Much better… now I can focus, revealing the beauty beneath the- erm…lifestyle you've been given away to." Elsa would have frowned in offense but she had no control. Her breaths became audible when, he grabbed a cloth pouring some type of delicious smelling oil. Tears poured from her eyes when he started washing her, not all taking his eyes away from her naked form as if he had done this many times before.
"Tears will do you no good, now I am sure you washed everyday but it would seem…" He started pulling her leg lightly from the water. He had the touch of a mother caring for her child."That you missed a few spots hmm." He smiled at her continuing his treatment.
Elsa despite her reservations couldn't help but close her eyes humming to herself at the wonderful tender care of this Darcy. He moved on from her lower body to upper, Elsa resisted as much as she could when came time or her breasts to be washed. Her brow twitched with the internal strain. Darcy took notice of the chill in the air, he looked to the maiden who staring him down intensely, deeming her no threat he continued with a fond smile something laying beneath the surface of his eyes, it seemed like familiarity. "I must admit, I am impressed by you, so much unlocked potential wasted and for what out of fear and ignorance." He said clenching his fist in her direction to emphasize his point. Elsa slowly became fascinated by how he so nonchalantly cleaned her feminine form without a hint of interest or arousal. Her mind eased at the thought that he was not like the men of the world her mother told her of. She saddened at the thought of her family, she would never see them again. Darcy pushed her bangs back to clean her face, at some time during her unconsciousness he must have braided it.
"There now, you are spotless." He dried his hands upon a towel, standing. "No offense dearie but you missed a lot of spots." He chuckled leaning over to her closely. "Mmm but now you smell of spices from India, saddle wood, and vanilla." Straightening he grabbed another towel. "Now then that I can trust you to not knee me or attempt to turn me into an ice sculpture, you may stand." He nodded curtly to her. Elsa suddenly felt a warmth spread through her, at first, she feared she relieved herself then realized she could move, albeit weakly.
Wobbly, she stood from the tub, hesitating to approach the man with the towel outstretched for her. He gave her a questioning look as Elsa measured her options, she walked to him allowing Darcy to wrap the fluffy towel round her body. She squeezed it experimentally as he rubbed her dry.
"Get used to it Dearie, from now on you shall live like the queen you were meant to be." Elsa rose a brow at the comment in confusion, he looked up and gave a grin, forest eyes twinkling in the light of the fire. Elsa lips upturned slightly back.
"Now! No doubt from the lack of care you will dry out." He removed the towel standing to grab a bottle full of a cream, before he applied it he stopped frowning. "No, no, no." He shook his head frowning. "Hair removal." He raised a finger to Elsa who touched the hair on her head protectively.
"Not that hair Dearie." He informed, rubbing his hands together which began to glow. Elsa's eyes expanded with fear as she began to back away. "Do not worry it won't hurt…much." She watched him run his hands over her legs to between them, she flinched whenever a pinch came up, the hair upon her crotch fell to the floor singed off.
"Now for the creams." He said to himself message her entire body gingerly. "Perfect." He said as if admiring a masterpiece painting. Elsa blushed under the attention. "Hair…" Darcy mused as an afterthought observing her hair, his face split into a slow smile. "Has already taken care of itself."
Walking off he retrieved a white thin dress. He gave it to her spraying perfumes as she dressed. "You look just like an angel." He complimented.
Elsa wrung her fingers together looking up shyly, she spoke up in a small voice. "Wh-where's the dragon?" She asked. Darcy grinned offering her his hand. "I was about to get that, what a clever girl you grew up to be." He drawled looping their arms together leading her into a stone hall that was dark and quiet. "See Elsa dear, throughout our lives we are presented with a choice, two paths if you will. And it is what we choose that determine whether we suffer or prosper." He stopped by a hole Elsa looked down it. "The choice for you dearie, there is a ladder or you can…eh fall down to your fate. I have seen many in your circumstance and they all choose the path that led to death you however I would never allow such a fate to befall upon you."
Elsa looked up to his serious face, her heart rate increasing along with the loss of the ease she felt earlier. She gulped backing up to the wall. He followed with a placid expression. "The dragon is down there, isn't it?" she accused in fear.
"There is no dragon down there down there, only your fate." He replied clasping his hands behind his back. Elsa thought about it for moment. In the past when presented with fate she felt nothing then with the beast she felt…something at least. A stir.
"What was the choice that led to death made by the others?" she asked quietly. "Which one do you think?" Darcy gave her a pleased expression when he saw her nodded. "Excellent decision!" he cheered as she started climbing down the ladder. Before descended he knelt and grasped her chin gently. "You won't regret this. I must warn you, it is very dark down there it you won't see a thing but when you reach the light all will be right, trust me." Elsa breathed out looking down into her fate. She turned back and nodded climbing down into the abyssal.
Darcy was correct, Elsa couldn't even see her hand before her face. She gulped then began her trek, the most unsettling thing about this place was the lack of noise. She touched the cold damp wall using it for some support, who knew how much comfort stone could provide.
She lost count of how long she had been walking until there was light present a distance away. The girl raced for it as fast she could but slowed when she neared closer to the light. Her belly clammed up at the sight of the clutches of skulls and bones littered around the tunnel floor, Carefully Elsa lifted her dress stepping over them. Finally free, she broke though collective vines and branches to be presented with a mass greenery. She stepped forward into the beautiful serene forest, the expanse of it was huge.
Her mouth gaped open surveying the large trees that seemed to have no top. Her sharp eyes caught the movement of an animal every now and then making her heart jump every time. Venturing forth her fears diminished to mere curiosity wanting nothing more than to explore the gracefully lush environment.
The grass and soil remained kind to her bare feet in the state of being nature's carpet. Elsa happened upon a stream. The fish fought the currents trying to head up, the maiden sat down upon a turned over stump watching the fish struggle driven by their instincts. About fifteen minutes passed when she looked up at a butterfly twittering in the crisp air that only beguiled her to take deeper breaths wishing to smell more of the crisp air the young maiden never had a chance to be exposed to. The dank, thick atmosphere of her village was all she ever had, yet here…here was untouched by any man.
Sighing out she smiled to herself, the wind gusted against her shoulder. Odd, it sounded like an exhale. Elsa slowly turned with her eyes first head following.
Seated upon its haunches the creature tore its calm gaze from the river to the young blonde regarding her peacefully with its hell eyes. She took note that its orbs lost their hellish glow trading it for a sunset orange and yellow. The only noise to be heard was that of birds. It wiggled its paw's toes quietly in the moist grass.
Both parties observed each other silently, the exchange lasted for a while. It titled its head, a human had never let it get this close before making it conclude that they were tiny squirming critters, but this one…this one seemed to be a pleasant. She smelt so...comforting Over the years of exposure, the creature had thought very little of the human form. The girl's it was given as tribute it found to be mildly lovely, something to cuddle at night but they would never had allowed it.
As if the girl were a deer, it carefully lifted its claw inching it closer inch by inch. It had some experience with handling humans knowing they were afraid of everything and allowed fear to consume them. Could it blame them? With little protection, they had it was evident the only reactions were either fight or flight. The beast knew it was pushing its luck but her skin looked so soft, it was a necessity to be touched. Her eyes widened so the beast withdrew the claw dejectedly not wanting to draw out any further negative action.
It watched the blonde human retreat to her own thoughts looking to the side thinking of something. With a strong withdraw of air she appeared to have concluded. Biting her lip, she scoots closer at a sloth pace to it, the beast remained still amazed by her bravery. Her attention for a second was drawn away by the long tail curling around both of them then back to the creature. She reached out a small hand in hopes to touch the golden bronze scales that were hard yet looked so smooth. Her digits were shaking weakly, probably due to wracking nerves.
The creature froze, not even moving to breath. It never truly took in account a human's physical attributes but this female's seemed curious, pleasing even. It was hard to tell if whether she was a youngling or not. The beast wasn't certain how humans matured.
Much to the being's horror her flowery smell tickled its nose, making it twitch. It did its best to hold what was coming but the feeling proved to be too uncomfortable. It drew its head back quickly sneezing out in a growl. The relief felt wondrous but the girl's reaction was not.
She screamed throwing herself back. "Oh, my god!" She cried out crawling backwards, catching her footing she rose sprinting off into the forest. The creature frowned in irritation. Now why did she have to do that for? This forest was not safe as is, especially for a delicate spindly human with no form of protection.
Huffing it decided to go after her, slouching while stalking about. The forest was easy to navigate, after all this was its home since the day it hatched. She was easy to track leaving her scent all over the place clumsily, it stuck to branches and bushes she barreled through no doubt in panic. It was somewhat adoring, the way she floundered over herself like a little hatchling just learning to walk. Wait a second…did humans hatch or were they born like a fawn to a doe?
The beast watched her trip over a protruding log, cursing out. Stealthily it approached not catching her consideration. By the time, she became aware of her company's presence it was too late for her to try and run again. Taking the chance, it grabbed the collar causing her to yelp out struggling in a fruitless wiggle. Raising her easily off the ground it brought her face to its own. Elsa panted studying the "monster's" features. It didn't have the hungry feral gaze of a predator that had successfully caught its prey, it was intrigued? If not leniently irritated.
"Please…" she began to beg gripping her collar so as to not choke on it. "Please just make it quick, please." The beast tilted its head. Make what quick? Oh yes of course, it had almost forgotten that it was human nature to assume that difference meant danger and death.
Shaking its large head, a loud dong of a bell rang through the air. Hmm…Darcy must have lost track of time due to the small distraction of the new addition to the valley.
Elsa used the opportune interference to her advantage. She wasn't sure how to use her curse but she knew it reacted to her hands. Letting go of her collar she flung her hands jerkily at the beast's eyes once it turned back to her.
It roared in pain dropping her to tend to its sore eyes and wipe the ice of the side of its face. Elsa tried to maneuver under her capture's belly. It proved difficult with the creature twisting and turning to and fro. It shook trees with the force of its large form.
With its sight restored the beast frantically tried to search for Elsa looking beneath itself. It heard a soft grunt and turned to the sound's direction, with accidental force its whirling tail mistakenly knocked the small maiden in her side plummeting herself into a tree, losing conscious for the second time upon being in the mountainous valley. The creature struck the ground growling in a frustrated snarl at its carelessness. Its heart lurched as it slowly made its way to her unmoving figure. With a careful claw, it nudged her from off her stomach to her back. Her chest was moving, oh thank the gods. It sighed with a great relief.
An idea wormed a way into the creature's mind, it looked around as if the mischievous act would offend any who weren't even present. Paying heed to be extra gentle it poked her stomach inquisitively chuckling when it sunk in revealing to be impossibly soft causing the beast to giggle stupidly, it took note of chilling feeling it give it in the best way. It sharply drew back when she let out a tiny moan. Shaking its head the beast picked her up as one would to a newborn lamb taking flight with her frame cradled safely against its breast. It was like holding a little ice cube.