Of Swords and Flowers

Chapter Two

Anastasia 

My father had always been larger than life. This was evident from the way he looked to the way he behaved. He was comparatively tall in comparison to her 5'1 frame. He had broad shoulders and a square jaw hidden by a well maintained beard coloured brown and sprinkled with gray here and there. His hair was much the same, though he always kept it short, saying that if it was long it'd too much of a bother 

She always was her dads number fan and adored him as much as he did her and Beth. Her dad Niall, and her mother had the most romantic of relationships, whenever they were in a room together they worth either be in constant physical contact with one another or at the least stare into each other's eyes. 

Her parents relationship was in parts the reason why she hadn't yet settled for any of the men in her Village. They all wanted to change something about the way she behaved or the way she looked. Her parents didn't need to change anything about each other, they accept one another the way they were. Anastasia hoped to have a relationship that was even slightly like that of her parents. In that regard her parents had ruined her for most young men.

Now her father walked past her just as she dried off a cutting board petting her head as if she was still his little girl. She always loved this about him, she would forever remain his little girl in his eyes. Reaching her mother he gripped her waist from behind and hugged her to his broad chest.

Not having noticed is entrance her mother squeaked for a second, and then relaxed into his embrace. "What's for dinner?" Dad asked curiously looking over mothers head. She was equally curious as her stomach was still rumbling in protest to not having been fed. 

"Some leftover meat and potatoes, I couldn't find anything better at the market today" her mother responded. 

Releasing her mother her father simply sated "Ah that's fine anything that is made by my beloved wife will satisfy this old fool" making her mother blush slightly. He turned back towards Anastasia who was still busy tending to the dished and quirked an eyebrow at her. "And you my dear daughter, what inspired you to look this lovely this afternoon?" He asked with no small amount of sarcasm in his voice. 

Anastasia repeated the story she told her mother earlier, might as well run with it she thought. To that her father simply grunted and busied himself with fixing things around the house that were broken according to her mother. 

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Later that night as she was laying in her bed located in the attic she stared out of the small window facing the Forest. 

The Langfell Forest always had a strange hold over Anastasia. As she had never been satisfied with staying stationary within her small Village unlike everyone else. She often found herself giving in to the pull and entering the outskirts of the forest. 

Most of the villagers were hesitant to enter the forest as there were stories ageing back eons telling of mythical creatures of unchallenged beauty and fierce constitution. Back then it was said that they had ruled over the humans with a strong yet fair hand. It is still unclear as to how and why they drew back into the forest. The only proof the humans had left of their existente was the eerie feeling they got when entering said forrest and them being unable to cross a river crossing throughout it.     

To Anastasia the whole thing felt magical and fascinating. She never felt any sort of odd feeling when entering the forest. Knowing this would set her apart from everyone else in her small village, she had kept that part of her secret from everyone. 

At this moment she was staring out at the forest, just then she caught sight of a soft yellow glow emanating from within. In her fanciful mind she thought it might just be one of the mythical creatures calling out to her. But realistically she knew she was no more special than the rock in her front yard. 

She turned to her side, drew up her thin blanket and closed her eyes deciding not to waste her time on frivolous thoughts. 

Just then, unbeknownst to Anastasia a wolf howled loudly with notes of agony from within the forest, and the light from within mysteriously faded out and it once again drowned in darkness.