Dragged

Two more years dragged by, each day blending into the next as the war between the kingdom and the Carnifex raged on. But despite the ongoing conflict, there was a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The number of Carnifex sightings had dwindled, and the creatures' attacks had become less frequent. Perhaps, Elianora thought, the most powerful Carnifex had been vanquished, leaving only a few stragglers to roam the forest.

As she walked through the village, Elianora couldn't help but notice the changes that had taken place. The once-thriving marketplace was now a shadow of its former self, with fewer vendors and customers. The streets were empty, save for the occasional soldier or villager hurrying to complete their daily tasks. But despite the desolation, there was a sense of determination in the air, a sense that the villagers would persevere, no matter what.

At 23 years old, Elianora felt like she was losing patience. She couldn't wait any longer to be reunited with Crown Prince Kaidën, her future husband. She knew it was unreasonable to expect him to return so soon, but rumors had begun to circulate that some soldiers were finally coming home. Every day, Elianora's heart skipped a beat as she wondered if today would be the day she received news of the prince's return.

Jædana, now 22 years old, seemed to sense Elianora's restlessness. "We'll get through this, Elianora," she said, as they walked through the village together. "The war will end eventually, and our loved ones will come home. We just have to stay strong and keep hoping."

Elianora smiled, grateful for Jædana's unwavering optimism. But as she looked out at the horizon, she couldn't shake the feeling that time was ticking by, and she was running out of patience. She longed to see the prince's bright smile, to feel his strong arms around her, to hear his gentle voice whispering words of love in her ear. She longed to be reunited with him, to start their life together, and to put the war behind them once and for all.

****

Another month passed, and Elianora Moonwhisper's anticipation grew. She was sitting in the courtyard of her family's estate, surrounded by the lush greenery of the gardens and the soft chirping of birds. Her eyes were fixed on the messenger who had just arrived, his worn leather boots and dusty cloak a testament to the long journey he had undertaken to bring news from the war front.

"Mr. Chief, we've received news that most of the powerful Carnifex have been defeated!" the messenger exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. "We've located the source of their arrival, a cave from which they emerged at regular intervals. Our soldiers have sealed the cave, trapping the remaining Carnifex inside. It's only a matter of time before we hunt down the few that remain outside."

Elianora's eyes sparkled with hope as she waited for the messenger to mention Crown Prince Kaidën's name. She had been waiting for what felt like an eternity to hear from him, to know that he was safe and that he still loved her. But the messenger merely conveyed King Lysander Thane Darkhaven's greetings and departed, leaving Elianora feeling disappointed and deflated.

She quietly retreated to her room, her heart heavy with emotion. Jædana, her loyal companion and friend, followed her, concern etched on her face.

"Is there any news of him, Your Highness?" Jædana asked hastily, her eyes scanning Elianora's face for any sign of hope. Elianora shook her head, feeling a lump form in her throat. Jædana's face fell, and she looked at Elianora with sympathetic eyes.

"When will we hear from him?" Jædana lamented, her voice barely above a whisper. Elianora pressed her lips together, unsure of how to respond. She had been asking herself the same question for months, and she was no closer to finding an answer.

Jædana's next question, however, caught her off guard. "Aren't you afraid that he might fall for someone else?" Jædana asked, her eyes sparkling with concern. Elianora's eyes widened as she shook her head in denial. Yet, doubts crept into her mind, threatening to undermine her faith in Crown Prince Kaidën's love.

What if he had met someone else during his time away? What if he had forgotten about her, or if his feelings for her had changed? Elianora's heart racing with anxiety as she pushed the thoughts aside. She couldn't afford to doubt Crown Prince Kaidën's love, not now, when she needed to hold on to hope more than ever.

As she stood there, lost in thought, Vanessa, her other close friend, entered the room. "Elianora, I've been looking all over for you," she said, her voice soft with concern. "I heard the messenger arrived. Is there any news of the prince?" Elianora shook her head, feeling a pang of disappointment. Vanessa's face fell, but she quickly regained her composure.

"We'll get through this, Elianora," she said, her voice firm with determination. "We'll wait for the prince's return, and we'll support each other every step of the way." Elianora smiled, grateful for her friends' unwavering support. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, their bond stronger than ever.