Into the Unknown

They sat in the company of one another for a few more minutes, now that it was daylight, Perryn could appreciate the forest much more, it was serene, like a blanket wrapped around her which made her feel warm and safe. It also helped that that serpentine creature no longer prowled the forest.

Her 'little princess', Hasslet, seemed to be lost in thought, sometimes he would stare around in wonder, a childlike expression, curiosity upon his face, other times he'd stare off into the distance, eyes becoming as sharp as flint.

Enough of her musings, the longer they stayed here the more light–however little– they would lose, it was best to get moving.

With a sigh and a small shake of her head, Perryn stood, she brushed off a few stray leaves, honestly it would be wise to get rid of her dress, it was too distracting and if they were to finally reach the town it would become obvious to everyone she was the bride to be, after all that occured last night Perryn would much rather not deal with all that attention.

If she wanted to keep things on the down low, use this chaos to finally be free from home, she'd have to find some other clothes.

She paused and cast a quick glance towards Hasslet, the sparkly ruffles, the bright colours, not to mention the faint glow he still seemed to emit, there was no way he would fit in.

It was clear to Perryn he would also be needing some new clothes, a cloak preferably, it would cover him from head to toe and hopefully stop him from glowing. Sad, he would have made for a great source of light when the night came.

Perryn snickered, now that was a thought, with how quickly Hasslet turned towards her she was surprised he had not broken his neck, she gives him a small smile, that seems to be all the encouragement he needs before he is up on his feet, he sways a bit, the injury still affecting.

It takes him a while to gain his bearings and Perryn almost makes the suggestion of resting against her, she stops herself, from all she's heard about Elves, they were a proud people, her help would probably be seen as an insult to him.

Perryn picks a direction and soon they make their way hopefully out of the forest.

They move slowly, much slower than Perryn would like, she is trying to be mindful of Hasslet's injury, still, it does nothing to quell the irritation burning in her chest, it could be worse, at the very least he is not trying to make small talk.

"Tell me fair maid, is it tradition for all ye kind to dress like that for a light walk in the forest?"

There goes any hope for some peace and quiet.

"Thou must forgive me, tis been quite sometime since encountering one of thine kindred."

"No, we do not usually make it a habit to wander through forests in clothes such as these, my case is…complicated."

There, surely enough to satisfy his curiosity.

"Complicated say'st thou?"

'Ah', Perryn thinks to herself, 'He is the persistent type.' This was sure to be annoying.

"A wedding, I was to be wed, my entourage…" Perryn trails off, she had still yet to process it all, Therill and the rest, such senseless violence, Perryn might not have been close to the woman, to any of them if she were to be honest, it was still such a terrible way to die, how she had survived, it was a mystery even to her.

She shakes her head, what was it her mother used to say? 'Let the dead stay as memories, do not let them linger in your mind, clouding it like smoke, you must cherish the living.'

Perryn tried to live by that, it was easier said than done as her most cherished memories were that of the dead, her mother.

"Entourage?"

He was still pushing,

"Dead, they were all killed by that creature from last night, the one your friends faced."

What followed was a long silence, Hasslet had come to an abrupt halt, Perryn soon followed, they stood there for a while and Perryn could make out the intense rise and fall of Hasslet's shoulder, the quickening of his breath.

The air felt tingly, goosebumps begin to form along Perryn's arms, she looks at Hasslet and almost immediately a feeling of dread encapsulates her very being, it was enough to steal her breath away, to wonder if he would strike at her.

It was her mistake really forgetting he was still something foreign.

Anger twisted his features, something deep and too old, out of place for one who looked ageless, always on the brink of youth. Beneath that fury lay something deeper– betrayal and grief-, the kind that left a scar forever, one that even the passing of time could not heal. His jaw clenched and unclenched, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Hasslet retorts,

"My friends, thou say'st? Nay! To call them so 'twould be an insult to the ones mine heart holds dear," his face contorts, as if he smelt something unpleasant, "They are nought but strangers to me, who came in as lamb but verily were wolves, who offered friendship but were traitors, from this day henceforth unfriends we shall be, like water and fire, like truth and untruth."

By the time he is calm enough Perryn can only gape at him, it might not have been wise to call them friends seeing as they did leave him behind, she remembers that smile, cruel and elfin.

A slow realisation dawns on Hasslet, he looks almost ashamed, a hint of surprise upon his face, as if his reaction was something strange to him.

"Fair maid, prithee forgive me, mine anger, 'twas not for thee, tis most shameful to act in such a manner." He shuffles a bit, looking like a chastised child.

His outburst gave Perryn quite a scare, enough to second guess if it was wise to allow him to follow her, her indecisiveness was getting to her, should he stay, should he go? Why could she not make up her mind?

Perryn hastily walks past him, "Let's just focus on getting out of here."

It was going to be a long day.