Annabelle Of Aralynn

To Protect You

   The small princess panted from the exhilarating escape, Chochi desperate to calm her loved companion. Sofia pulled her into a soothing hug.

"Its ok, Annabelle..." She cooed. "We're ok. You aren't hurt are you?"

As she checked over her younger friend, Lucas stood on guard in case they were followed.

"N-No..." The child stuttered, tears sprouting from her crystal blue eyes. "But I need to go, they saw you. You aren't safe with me around."

"Nonsense, we're fine," The older boy piped up, turning to look at the princesses. "We're here to help."

"I know, but I can't let you get hurt because of me! My mommy told me a princess doesn't cause others harm," Annabelle sniffled. "I have to go! To protect you!"

   Suddenly, she ran away as fast as her short legs could carry her, Chochi attached to her shoulder.

"Princess!" Lucas shouted and began running after the little girl, Sofia right behind. They trailed her footprints. She cannot be alone right now, especially after the attack on the ice.

"Princess Annabelle!" Sofia called out for her. "We have to catch up!"

"I know!" Lucas responded, running alongside her. "We will, we have to–" He suddenly skid to a stop in the snow, the white powder crunching and piling up. His arms held out to block Sofia's path. "Wait–!"

   Lucas's warning came too late, she ran into him before she could stop and both of them tumbled into the cold ravine. By instinct, he threw his arms around her until they reached the bottom.
   Both children panted, recovering the wind that was knocked from their lungs. Princess Sofia gasped and pushed herself to her feet.

"Annabelle! Princess Annabelle!" She screamed into the silent, snowy woods. The only voice to call back was hers. "Princess Annabelle!"

   As Lucas caught his breath, he rose to his feet with the frantic princess, searching the endless landscape of trees for the pastel princess. Or the black fur of her friend. No luck.

"Where did she go?" He asked, desperately scanning the frosted forest.

"She's six! She couldn't have gone far. Huh?" Sofia gazed forward. "Wait... There's something in the snow..."

   Princess Sofia cautiously trudged through the snow toward the object. The closer she got, the more of an idea she knew what it was. "Lucas! Over here!"

She ran to the object and crouched, scooping it up. The blonde boy sprinted over to see what she'd found. In her gloved hands was a small familiar bear. Little Chochi.

"Chochi? Chochi, wake up!" Sofia pleaded softly, trying to warm her up. Small violet eyes appeared. "Chochi! Thank goodness. Where's Annabelle?"

   After a bit of coaxing, the furry friend pointed in one direction. Sofia and Lucas shared a look before she slipped Chochi into her coat and off they want.
   Twenty minutes go by, before they finally come across a dark, creepy cottage. Chochi pointed to it.

"Why in the world would she go in there?" Lucas whispered.

"I...don't have a clue. But Chochi says she's in there," Sofia responded.

   Both children crept toward the rickety building, peeking into the windows. Two men, similarly dressed to the men on the frozen pond.
   "The Two Scars.." Lucas said before covering his mouth.

"Shh!" Sofia scolding before pushing him to duck down. The window flew open, one of the men looking around.

"Who's out there!?" He demanded. After no response, he turned to look at his partner. "There's nobody out there, Derek. You're paranoid, man. We got the magic princess, we're good. We move in the morning," He continued the conversation after closing the window.

"We have to get in there.." Lucas whispered to Princess Sofia.

"I know, but how? We can't get caught, and they're keeping a lookout.." She answered.

"We can... Distract them?"

"How?"

"Well, uh... Um..."

"I have an idea," Sofia crept around the corner of the house, asking her bird friends for help.

   The feathered beings were happy to help. Lucas and Sofia watched as they slipped in and stole something. Before they knew it, both men were stumbling out the door to catch the birds. The coast was clear.
   Both of them, entered the house, the floors creaking slightly. "Now... Where would they keep her?"
   Sofia suddenly tripped, Lucas quickly turned and caught her.

"Are you ok, Princess?" He asked.

"Yeah, thank you. I just tripped–" She looked down to see what the cause was. "Lucas, I think I know where."

"Huh? Where?" He looked down and saw what she was saying. There was a latch, and a trap door.

"Come on," he urged. Both of them crouched and hoisted the heavy wood door open. Stairs lead down to a lantern lit room. There were bars, hay covered floors with a cot. A small form was laying on it.

"Its Annabelle...!" Sofia whispered. "But..." She pointed to another Two Scars goon sitting on a chair, snoring away. On his belt were the keys. "We need those..."

"I have a plan. Since you're lighter and more delicate than I am, you get the keys, I'll be backup in case he wakes up. Good?"

"Perfect. Nice, Lucas. Let's go," Sofia smiled and slowly made her way across the dirt and hay floor. Lucas was so happy to be complimented by the brunette princess.
   Just as Sofia touched the ring of the keys, he already tied the guards body to the chair.

"Huh..? Hey!" The man awoke, about to get up before Lucas through a cloth over his eyes. "Grab them! Go!"

   Without hesitation, Sofia snatched the keys and ran to unlock the metal door. It swung open and both ran inside.
  Sofia shook the form. "Annabelle!"

"Princess Annabelle!"