Legend - Age of Resistance (Book 1 of the 'Legend' Fan Fic Short Story Trilogy)

CHAPTER 14

The forest was quietly animated with the trees blowing in the mid-afternoon breeze and animals foraging for food.

"Stay here, Viator" he whispered to the cautious horse and tied his reins to a nearby tree.

Jack nervously entered the forest alone, trying to push back the memories of the labyrinth as they refused to stay confined to the back of his mind anymore.

"Please tell me it isn't what I think it is" he whispered to himself, secretly begging the forest for help.

He glanced around for answers but nothing returned so he followed the invisible trail to the clearing where the leaders usually congregated, when they were not with their own kind, and carefully pushed back one of the many thick bushes concealing the meeting place.

"Jack! What a pleasant surprise!" A happy voice expressed.

It was Brown Tom and he seemed happy but surprised to see his old friend.

The apprehensive king stepped into the clearing and hugged his bemused friend as he politely refused his offer of Hawthorn wine,

"Well, more for me!" The slightly inebriated dwarf giggled.

"So, what can I do for you this fine day?" He continued.

"Where are Gump and Oona? I need to speak to all three of you together" Jack pushed with urgency.

"That sounds serious. There at the river but should be back-" Brown Tom stated before he was suddenly interrupted.

A rustling came from the other side of the clearing and chattering followed,

"Jack! What are you doing here?" A high-pitched voice asked.

A sparkling gold light emerged from the shrubbery and a wary smile appeared on Jack's face,

"Oona! It's good to see you" Jack replied and held his arms out at the welcoming fairy.

"What about me?" Another voice questioned.

"Sorry, Gump! It's good to see you too" Jack stated fondly and held his arms out for the left-out elf.

The trio held each other for a moment before Oona ushered them to sit down on the tree trunks that were positioned in a circle,

"So, what can we do for you?" Gump asked curiously.

Jack sat down and looked at the ground, hesitant to voice his concerns to avoid them becoming reality,

"Jasmine has been showing some signs" he whispered.

"Signs?" Brown Tom slurred, unsure what the king meant.

"You mean-" Oona gasped.

Jack nodded his head slowly.

"There were a few moments since she was born that I managed to convince myself were just figments of my imagination but...she floated today!" He stammered to the speechless group.

Oona stood up and walked over to the panicked king and hugged him, whilst the other two looked on in complete astonishment.

"So, she's a Huleing?" Gump gasped with concern.

"That can't be! Huleings only come from a magical being and a human...you know?" Brown Tom gawped, knowing how rare these beings are.

"And Jack, although your forest folk, your still human" Gump confirmed, scratching his head in bewilderment.

Oona stood up and gathered the group with an uneasy stance.

They huddled together, forming a tight circle as she reluctantly took charge.