Speech = ``...´´
Thoughts = [... }
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She felt tired when she opened her eyes, her numb arms and legs trying to stretch out into wakefulness under the timid, yet comfortable warmth of soft silk blankets she was lying under.
The sound of birds chirping outside and the warmth of a morning sun shining through the window onto her skin, embracing her like a sweet, warm hug were the first things she noticed as she yawned.
Her golden eyes blinked once, then twice as they tried to adjust to the brightness of the environment before she slowly grabbed the bed and helped herself up. Her golden mane fell around her, streaming down her shoulders like a cascade of gold, wailing softly to left and right by the timid current of air breezing inside the house.
After looking around for a few brief moments she got to a simple conclusion.
Rose Orianna had been to many places…, but she really did not have the slightest clue of where she was. It was a house, yes, but it was almost empty of most things that would have made them habitable, the floor was clean yet the windows were cracked, allowing for the wind to venture on through them and brush its cool touch against her skin.
Where was she? What had happened? She didn't know, as far as she recalled the last thing she remembered was-..
Was-...
Her eyes widened in surprise at the realization that struck like a hammer, raising her small hands to grasp her head as the last few days crossed before her eyes in a rapid fashion. A torrent of vivid images and colours waltzing behind the depths of her star bright eyes.
She remembered, she remembered everything. Her arrival to the Midgard kingdom, her kidnapping, the dread coursing through her heart at the evilness of the bandits, her dark clad saviour freeing her from their clutches and then the nothingness that follow through when she saw that mist of destruction come forth towards her.
It had been so sudden, and yet it felt like she stood there for an eternity.
``It seems you have awoken, albeit….startled by your new surroundings, I guess. Or is it just that..I wonder?´´
The sound of a young, collected voice startled her from her thoughts. Prompting her to turn around in a flash more by reflex than any actual thought.
To her side, where she had been sure no one had been when she made her first sweep of the area stood a ma-no, a boy she corrected herself once she took notice of his features. Clad in a simple yet eye catching viscount cloth he was young, almost the same age as her albeit a little more taller. Of slim yet built complexion, onyx black hair that emulated a starless sky falling down his shoulders, wild yet falling oddly eye appeasing in place by an ethereal hand.
Behind him there was a pretty little girl, clad in a simple yet beautiful green black dress with a long skirt covering her legs while underneath a purple, white shirt covered the rest of her body. Her golden hair dangled on the air when a gush of wind popped through one of the windows, revealing much to her surprise her elven heritage.
Black and gold..
The night and the sun…
Human and elf..
Had she not been staring in awe at the exotic pair that reminded her of a tale she had read about back home she would have probably spurt out her thoughts into the open.
``Are you ok? Do you feel pain? Are you uncomfortable...? Or is our presence..?´´
Her attention was switched back to the boy, he was leaning closer to her, having pulled out a chair so that he would not be standing. Silver eyes glinted with worry as they bare down on hers...
She felt a pang of shame for been the cause of that, she may be a royal princess, but she was above all, a person of integrity. So with a timid smile she rose her hands and try to placate and dispel whatever worries the boy held.
``I..no, is not that I assure you. Is merely that you just caught me by surprise.., that's all´´
She said, hoping to explain things out.
He glared at her for a moment, the stillness of his eyes catching her by surprise for a moment before he leaned back, a look of relief washing over him as he sighed.
``I see, I am so glad to hear it though I will still offer my apologies. Even though I meant well it wasn't our intention to cause you any ill will or unneeded surprise.., you already have gone through enough it is..´´
She nodded silently, finding comfort in the way his face started to slowly relax and lose the tension that had marred his otherwise handsome features. The elf however was staring at them from the distance, not really participating in the conversation. Her hands behind her back while those azure eyes watched them with curiosity, though more often than not they landed on her...
Perhaps she was shy…, last she had heard that elves did not wander off from their villages and were rather reticent to trust in others they just met unlike other races.
…
Wait, was she making uncomfortable!? Was that why she was keeping her distance!? Oh no! That was not her intention! She started to panic internally before she could regain any semblance of control. Breathing in and out while she placed a hand where her heart would be.
Feeling the throbbing sound of the organ grow dimmer with time as she put to the test what she had been taught back home as a princess.
Still, it left her a bitter taste in her mouth. That girl was the first elf she saw and she had started in the wrong note. She hoped she could apologize to her...
``The gesture is kind, but I have to admit that you have me at a disadvantage. Who are you..?´´
He appeared pensative for a moment, scratching his chin before he waved a hand in her direction.
``Well, I suppose that introductions are in order and way long overdue. Sadly, it was not like we could ask you when you were unconscious..´´
She nodded in agreement.
``I suppose you are right..´´
`` My name is Koldarrd.., glad to make your acquaintance..´´
She grasped his hand, feeling the warmth and strength of his grip. Her face became flustered a little bit as she realized how close he was to her.
That spared her the glare the elf sent her way...which was by no small means happy.
``Alpha´´…
``What..?´´
She muttered confused at first as she tried to realize that she had finally hear the elf speak for the first time. It was a soft, collected voice, rather formal at that…, yet with the majestic regal tone that the elves were known for.
``My name is Alpha.., glad to my acquaintance Rose. I hope we can get along...´´
``The pleasure is mine, Alpha. My name is Rose Orianna´´
She exclaimed happily as she left the bed and walked towards the now named Alpha to hold her hand in a formal greeting. Because of that she did not notice the strange look Koldarrd sent towards the elf.
No, of course she did not. After all.., this was a joyful occasion, one where she was making actual friends and not the strange rich children of other noble families who always seemed to look for an angle here and there.
But soon enough her excitement died out when she recalled a certain little detail..though she still retained a timid smile warped around her lips.
A troubling thought that seemed to show itself when Koldarrd looked at her strangely, eyes furrowing to a half lid.
``Is there something wrong...?´´
The onyx haired boy asked her gently, his voice almost music to her ears as if he was using magic to enhance his vocal cords yet she had grown in the royal court and she knew when someone used such things.
He however was not, or at least, that was what she believed..
``No, is not that is just that I hope you don't mind asking something´´
The strange duo exchanged a brief glance between each other before Alpha shrugged sheepishly and he decided to focus back on her.
``What is it? If its in our power we will try do it..´´
She could not help but breath out with relief at that.
[Good, if that is the case then..-]
``Are you an elf? Where are we? Are you friends? What happened when I felt unconscious..? How old are you? What do you like? Do you like swordsmanship? Have you seen a black, clad scythe wielding man nearby?´´
She asked in such rapid succession that a little more her words would have spit fire, but it was such her excitement that her behaviour could have been mistaken by the childish rapture of a child finding a new toy.
Only stopping for a brief moment to catch her breath..or to realize the dumbfounded looks of the other two as they stared at her.
``My hearing may not be what it once was, but those are more than just one question..´´
The deadpan tone of Koldarrd shook her off her thoughts and daydreams.
``I..sorry, you are right. I was just caught up in the moment and I..´´
She tried to say, her face heating, flustered as she found herself tripping down with her own tongue, only to be halted when the young boy rose a hand in a placating manner.
A wayward look of amusement drawing out in those grey ponds that seemed to flicker from time to time with a strange light.
``Please, you mistook my words for annoyance. And though you really cheated so devilishly and without regard...,´´
``Sorry...´´
`` Be that as it may be..is completely normal. You are a child, you are bound to be curious..´´
For a moment she was almost bound to speak up and point out that he was not that much older than her.., but yet again, it may just be a manner of speech from this region. In fact, it felt like listening to a big brother figure...or at least the one she never had.
``There is nothing to apologize for…., or do you think there is..?´´
``No..?´´
She did not know, it felt like she should...or at least anyone normally would have been at least put off by the fact that someone had said or done something wrong to them. It wasn't something that she had seen many times because of her position, but..now that she thought about it. She had not shared with them that she was of royal blood.
So why was he..so easy going..?
``Then why do you..? ´´
She was left a moment dumbfounded by his query.
``I-well..´´
She tried tos say something, but he shook his head. Turning around before walking towards Alpha with just four long strides.
``To answer your questions…; First, yes, she is an elf. Two, we are recent acquaintances. Three, you were wounded and we brought you here for you to heal. Four, we are ten years old. We like the silence, we have interest on it and no...we have not seen someone like that..´´
She stared at him with no small amount of awe and embarrassment.
``You..you really got all of that?´´
``I am a good listener..´´
Was his laconic reply.
``That is amazing!´´
Alpha nodded, clearly agreeing with her while a gentle smile warped around her lips
``Indeed, Koldarrd really is an amazing individual…, his insight goes beyond our understanding´´
``Enough platitude... now, would you be willing to have breakfast with us both? We were just about to start..´´
He was offering breakfast to her? That was kind of him...
``I would be delighted, but I don't want to impose in your good hospitality. My father must be very worried since I was kidnapped and he must be looking for m -´´
The sound of an empty stomach put a stop to those words as they roared rather unladylike.
[Of all the times for that to happen...]
``Please, it will be our pleasure. Besides, it is said that food tastes better in company than in your lonesome..´´
``If you are so willing, then don't mind if I take you to the offer...´´
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A/N
Here comes another chapter out of the oven, literally and figuratively. Look, sniff and enjoy...or don't. Your choice I guess. Forgive me if there are grammar mistakes, there are always some who manage to slip through my fingers
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Well, look at that...A wild Rose appeared and met small Alpha and company. What would this mean? Will this change the timeline significantly? Well...time will tell.
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Does it feel like something is missing? How did we come to this scene? Don't worry, I did it intentionally...the next chapter will explain how they found Rose.
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Who is Koldarrd? Well, is the mc I merely thought to make a parody name like the Author of the original material did for some of the characters for the series like Skel-eton, Pot-ato or Ass-hat. This case is not so much on the nose like those three, but I merely twisted the words around.