If You Trust Me - An Onward Fan-Novel

◊ Chapter 26 ◊

Previously on Onward...

After dreaming a memory of himself and Barley when they were kids, Ian voices frustration about his reputation as a wizard to a wolf who has the ability to heal. But Barley, having overheard the vent, admits to his own struggle to be the perfect father figure for his little brother. Realizing how much they've both struggled since their last quest, the brothers become closer than ever.

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◊ A Chat with Trees ◊

"Aloft Elevar!" Ian called out.

He had decided to use his famous Levitation Spell to lift a large, heavy tarp Barley conveniently had inside the van amongst other things to shield Guinevere the Second from harm while they were out and about in Dangarnon. Should any gremlin happen to wander into the forest—tempted to tear anything mechanical apart—the young wizard felt he was doing his part to protect her, while Barley had gone to do some business not too far from the clearing. After what had happened to the first Guinevere, the last thing both Lightfoot brothers wanted was for their second van to be sacrificed as well—and so soon even.

In a matter of time, the tarp was secured. It was just the right size to fit a van as big and mighty as their dear Guinevere. From there, Ian only hoped that the obviousness of the tarp next to the lush environment of the forest wouldn't give her away too much. But the younger elf's thoughts on that were soon interrupted when he heard yet another twig snap just behind him.

Not again, he thought after turning his head in the direction of the noise.

With Barley still gone and with himself as his only company, Ian really didn't want another unknown figure or supposed threat to surprise him, especially if it was actually a gremlin this time. And even if it was that same mysterious voice that gave him all the rocks last night, friend or foe, Ian decided that it was not best to be led astray by strange voices coming out of nowhere ever again.

So with a few more things to do to prepare for their stroll to Dangarnon—which wasn't much further at this point—Ian decided to do the noble thing and ignore what he just heard. It was simply pointless to give into things that would ultimately lead him down the wrong path. Then with his staff still in hand, he went over to the pile next to the covered up Guinevere the Second of his and Barley's things they had brought with them on their quest which they were now going to bring with them to the gremlin village. In it were their drab-colored cloaks from Barley's closet—which they were going to use as disguises to blend in with the townsfolk—two satchels, Quests of Yore, additional snacks, and their map.

But approaching the pile, however, Ian almost immediately noticed that only one of the cloaks was in it, not both, and that a black eye mask—which wasn't even on his list—was now present too. The younger Lightfoot also took heed to the fact that his brother's sword was gone as well. He thought he had put it there with everything else before tarping Guinevere. Did he forget to take it out? But once more, rather than question what if after what if like he'd been doing all week, Ian was about to reach for the one cloak and put it on when—

"HA-HA!"

Jumping out from behind the tarped Guinevere the Second was Barley. He was cloaked, satcheled, and ready for the rest of their journey. But mysteriously, along with the newly added eye mask, he also had tons of dirt smothered all over his face, as if he wanted to further disguise himself for some reason. But what Ian noticed most of all about his brother was the fact that he'd brandished out his sword, and was pointing it right at the younger elf!