I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. He had been right there and now he was gone. He couldn't have gone far.
Then I heard a rustle. My eyes caught a glimpse of his hair through the trees and I started off again with no hesitation. Inch by inch he came more into view. Then I leaped using what strength I had left.
My arms wrapped around him and we both went tumbling down the hill, landing in a tangled mess at the bottom. We both laid there motionless for a moment as we tried to catch our senses. I groaned and opened my eyes, hearing a heartbeat underneath me. I immediately pushed myself up and glanced down at him.
There he laid, his eyes shut and his lips parted. He was just as I remembered him, only much more gorgeous with all the dirt and blood washed away. I let my fingers drape across his cheek. He was unconscious.
I sat back and looked around. The people earlier had mentioned something about a storm coming in and by the looks of the sky I didn't second guess it. I couldn't just leave him here. There had to be somewhere we could take shelter.
I hauled him onto my back, his feet dragging in the dirt as I attempted to carry him. After I finally narrowed in on my destination I laid him gently out of sight before proceeding towards the cave. I loaded my bow and narrowed in on the bandit that stood against the rocks nearly half asleep. Needless to say it was easy to clean the camp out.
By the time I returned to him the wind had picked up greatly, whipping my hair around like crazy. I carefully carried him inside and tucked him into a bedroll. I had food, I had warmth. Now all I had to do was wait.
I had just started to dose off when I heard a scuffle. I barely had the time to open my eyes before I was knocked off the chair and pinned to the floor with a knife to the throat.
" Why did you follow me?" He growled. I continued to push up against his hand in hopes that his blade wouldn't get any closer.
" Answer me! Why did you follow me!"
" Because I've waited so many years to find you! I wasn't going to let you get away again!"
His body slacked at my words. All the anger in his face was washed away almost instantly. He sighed and he sat back on my legs. As I pushed myself up onto my arms I watched him run a hand through his hair. Then his eyes flickered to me.
" So you do remember me." He gave a light smirk.
" I recognized you as soon I saw you and I know you did the same."
He smile fell and he stood, not offering to help me up.
" You should have never came after me."
" And why is that?"
" I'm nothing but bad news."
I nearly laughed as I stood and dusted myself off.
" Aren't we all?"
I seemed to manage to make him smile slightly again.
" You just need to go home and forget about me."
Now it was my turn to frown.
" I'm not one to listen to orders. Besides we can't, we are sort of stuck in here until the storm passes."
" Storm?" He asked urgently. I nodded towards the mouth of the cave. He turned and peered around the corner only to see the snow piling onto the forest floor. He sighed and laid his forehead against the cave wall. Somehow I knew this was going to be some interesting alone time.
(POV Switch)
I sighed and laid my forehead against the cave wall. I could feel her gaze on me as she stood with her arms crossed. I knew that this day would come. For years I had been trailing her, watching her train and grow. Never once did I ever intend to cross paths with her or even talk to her. That's what I get for being reckless and letting her see me in town.
I glanced over at her. Her eyes were still locked on me, not even bothering to hide the face that she had been staring. Who knew how long we were going to be stuck here. I might as well try to make the best of it.
" Name?"
I furred my brows. " Excuse me?"
" Your name. What is it?"
I hesitated for a moment. " Alun."
She tilted her head to the side out of curiosity. " I don't think I've ever heard that one before.
" What about you?"
" Hm? Oh call me Akara."
" I don't think I've ever heard that one before."
She smirked at my comment. Then she turned and looked at the remnants of the small bandit camp.
" Well Alun, I suggest you get comfy. It looks like we may be here a while."
That's exactly what I was afraid of.