The Archer (A Fluffy AU)

Interlude

Hi! I would just like to say that before you read this chapter, it does have some descriptions of violence and death! Do read at your own discretion

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My feet were silent through the undergrowth. The faint sound of buzzing bugs met my ears. I saw him moving through the growth ahead of me. His frantic movements were in vain as he tried to escape.

The moonlight shown down, filling the grove in front of us with an ethereal light. he stopped in the center of the grove, his eyes frantically searching the growth for any sign of movements. His eyes were filled with fear; like an animal who was being stalked by a predator.

The eyes of an animal before his last moments.

I silently notch an arrow in my bow. He knew I was near. The predator. By the time he saw where I was, it was too late.

I quickly stand up and let loose my arrow. It flew through the air, striking him square through the neck. His eyes were wide with fear and shock as he slumped to the ground. Dead in moments.

-

My eyes shot open as I bolted up in my bed. I could feel the sweat dripping off my forehead and hastily wiped it away. These nightmares had become increasingly more frequent, which worried me.

The first rays of sun were peeping through my window, illuminating my dark room. It was a simple room, bits and bobs I had collected over the years sat on shelves on the walls and a singular chest filled with clothes sat in the corner. My bed sat in the center of the wall across from my door, so I had a direct view of it. I always had a paranoia somebody would try to break into my room to kill me, so I kept an eye on it and always had my dagger on my side table. Always within reach.

I move my soft magenta sheets off of my bare legs and sigh softly. I always was in fear of the unknown, which was an uncalled for fear. My tail curls around my leg as I stand up, gently stretching in the early morning sun.

It wasn't every day a person with animal features was born. It was probably the reason my mom gave me up at birth. I walk over to my chest, running my hands over the old oak wood for a moment before lifting the creaky old lid on it.

Inside was every single outfit I had worn over the years. Leather armor, a singular dress, stacks of pants who's knees were worn out, and several white shirts with an odd stain here and there. I dig out a pair of socks from the bottom of the chest and grab out a white shirt with black slacks.

I wasn't like other girls in the kingdom who had fancy attire, jewelry galore, and a heckload amount of wealth. I was simple and plain. I lived off in a small village in the woods called Nightingale. It was quaint and quiet even through it sat on a road that led through the mountains. It was frequently traveled since people from the mountain country visited the castle town often. But despite the land being in quiet times now, the king himself was rumored to be a very evil man. It was said he even plotted to have one of his closest advisors killed.

Ironically that same advisor was one of my closest friends today.

My unusual ears twitch at the sounds of birds outside and I smile. The woods was where I belonged. The smell of oak and birch always calmed me and the squelch of mud under my boots was always welcoming.

I tug on my socks, having already changed out of my nightwear, and sigh. Something about that nightmare set me on edge. Was it his eyes? The fear? Or the satisfaction of the arrow hit?

I shake my head, ignoring the nagging feeling and pull on my boots. They were a set of buckled Haviers, a pair I had saved up for, for years and took care of rigorously. They reached up to my knees and were perfect for sneaking through the forest.