Chapter Ten: Buried Secrets

"This must seem very unfair to you," Rika Mandalu remarked, when they stopped for a rest. "I mean, being taken away from an easy life and your charming friends must feel like a punishment. All for a crime you didn't commit."

Arwen shrugged. "My time with the two wise old ladies was pleasant, but I wasn't doing anything useful. I'd rather be helping you to protect your people and defend your lands."

"You can help me in many ways," the duke replied. Arwen waited, hoping to hear more about her role, but he didn't explain further.

It was a beautiful spring day, and as the carriage rolled onwards Arwen saw many farms and cottages. Most of them were in fine condition, but some were shabby and neglected, or even in ruins.

"Orcs?" The elf-maiden asked, her blue eyes full of sympathy.

"The curse," the duke replied, giving no further explanation.

Rika Mandalu was simply not going to talk to her, Arwen decided. Her noble companion had something heavy weighing on his mind. Something far more serious than being betrayed by a foolish female like Princess Cara-Cara. But Arwen could get nothing out of him! It was hard to smile and keep up a conversation when the mysterious man beside her seemed a million miles away. The duke was definitely getting on her nerves. Yet there was something so kind about him . . . so noble . . . so attractive . . .

A sudden clamorous racket made the elf-maid open her eyes. "Are we being attacked?" Arwen gasped, sitting up straight. Unaware of what had awakened her, she found that she was clutching her companion's arm quite tightly.

"All is well," Rika Mandalu said quietly. "This is only a welcoming ceremony. My people wish to honor my return, and to greet you."

"Yes, I see." Brushing the long, raven-black hair out of her eyes, Arwen peered through the window of the carriage. Shadows flitted here and there among the trees. All through the forest, horns were blowing. Were these the duke's people? They seemed wild and free, very different from the solemn man beside her.

"The forest people have their ways, some older than time itself. But they are not something you need to fear." Rika offered no explanation of what the elf-maid truly did need to fear. "Please, allow me to escort you into the village for food and drink. You must be feeling very hot and dry after being caged up with me in this stuffy carriage all afternoon."

"Some food and drink would be much appreciated, thank you." Arwen felt foolish. She was hungry, and thirsty, and she had slumbered for far too long! Her head had somehow sunk down to rest on Rika's shoulder, which was deeply embarrassing. Climbing down from the carriage, the slender elf-maid had to grasp her companion's hand and feel his arm slide around her waist, steadying her as she stepped down onto solid ground at last. Arwen stumbled a bit, realizing to her chagrin that Rika Mandalu was the cause of her weak knees and jittery nerves.

"Greetings to the loveliest lady ever to enter the sacred forest!" Three little girls stepped forward. They wore flowers in their hair, and bright smiles.

"Thank you!" Arwen knelt down and allowed the girls to place a necklace of bright yellow flowers around her neck. She kissed each one of them, asking their names and promising to visit them later in their homes. Yet when she asked the name of the golden blooms they gave her, their sweet faces went oddly blank.

"These are sacred flowers from the ancient grove," Rika Mandalu explained, taking the elf-maid's arm and escorting Arwen up the path to the village. "Few today remember the healing magic contained in them. Even when they grow wild beside the road, few seek to gather them. You may remember that we passed a whole field of Sweet Gold Lillagal on our way here."

"Ah, the name is Lillagal!" Arwen smiled, recognizing the Elvish word. But the only thing she remembered from her journey was brooding over Rika Mandalu and the secrets buried in his heart.