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07 | summertime sadness
Vena and Elora walked around. This time, Elora knew the way. They wouldn't get lost. Both girls had a bow and arrow with them, in case something happens. Vena was still in awe at the beauty of Narnia. It truly was something. It didn't have a magic phoenix or unicorns, but it was still magnificent in its own way. She did live in a tree, after all. Not to mention with a talking badger, two dwarves and a human. There was a small cottage in front of them. It had vines hanging out of the broken windows and flowers covering the exterior walls. Elora walked forward, her bow and arrow ready. Vena followed behind her, without the bow and arrow. Elora was better than her, she'd shoot down all the Telmarine soldiers if they showed up. It was strange, the house wasn't like a typical Narnian house. A soft humming came from inside. Elora frowned, it sound terribly familiar. Trufflehunter used to hum that tune to her when she was younger, and having trouble falling asleep. The door was closed, but it looked like even the softest summer breeze could knock it down. Elora gently knocked. There was no response. She gently pushed the door open and scowled.
"Telmarines are everywhere these days, whoever lives here has either been taken or has a personal death wish," Elora said, running her eyes over the gorgeous flowers that littered the floor. There were trees that managed to enter the house through its cracks. Colours varied, from shades of pink and purple to whites and greens. There wasn't one bit of wood that wasn't covered in plants, vines or flowers. Vena looked around, the windows that weren't covered in vines, plants or flowers were fully open. A rustling of leaves causing Elora to lift her bow and arrow, warily looking around. A little girl came out of the leaves, glaring daggers at Elora and Vena. Elora tilted her head in confusion and lowered her bow.
"What are you doing here little one? It isn't safe for you to be out here all alone," Elora said softly. The girl's glare didn't soften, she was still annoyed at the intruders. The ones that woke her up from her sleep.
"I happen to live here. What are you doing here?" The young girl snapped.
"Watch your tone young lady," Vena replied, pointing an accusing finger at the girl.
"Don't tell me what to do," The young girl responded, starting to get annoyed and grumpy.
"We were suspicious as to why there is a cottage in the middle of nowhere. I've never seen this place before," Elora stated.
"Of course you haven't. It's disguised to look abandoned," The young girl smirked.
"What's your name?" Vena asked.
"Fleur Damaris," The young girl responded.
"Well Fleur, I'm Elora and this is Vena," Elora smiled, holding a hand out to shake. Fleur narrowed her eyes but shook Elora's hand nonetheless. She then shook Vena's hand.
"Where are your-" Vena started, but her sentence was cut off.
"Somewhere."
"Why are you alo-"
"Because why not?"
"It's dangerous here."
"Do I look like I care?"
"In all honesty, you don't," Elora intervened.
"I'm just going to repeat my question again, why are you alone?" Vena asked.
"Summertime sadness," Fleur shrugged. If there was an award for youngest, most vague person, Fleur would definitely win.
"Summertime sadness?" Elora asked with raised eyebrows.
"My parents were killed by Telmarines," Fleur casually explained while observing her nails, "In front of me."
"What does that have to do with the price of fish?" Vena arched an eyebrow.
"We weren't talking about the price of fish," Fleur frowned.
"It's an expression," Vena said.
"Cool," Fleur hummed, "Anyways as I was saying, since I always lived here, I thought what better place to stay than your childhood home? So I came, because of how long this place was abandoned, vines, plants and flowers covered it. Everyone thinks it's abandoned, so no one really bothers checking it out."
"Smart," Elora replied, "You can stay with us?"
"You're Narnians right?" Fleur asked, narrowing her eyes again, but this time to paper thin slits.
"I am, she's not," Elora replied.
"Telmarine?" Fleur questioned and Vena shook her head, "Then what?"
Vena explained everything to her. The girl in front of them was no older than eight or nine. Besides, Fleur was too kind to rat them out. Even though she was being vague and cold towards the two teenage girls, she was still a kind hearted, pure soul. When Vena was done explaining, Fleur explained her past and present life. The two girls pitied her. Such terrible events at such a young age.
Now, you may be wondering what happened to Fleur, in detail. It all started when she was only six, as of now she is actually ten. Four years ago, Fleur and her parents were taken hostage by the Telmarines. They were said to be guarding something very valuable. That valuable thing was said to be Fleur. The telmarines were mistaken of course. The valuable thing they were looking for was the heir to Archenland's throne, the daughter of King Xenides and Queen Aeryn. They had a young daughter, but it didn't matter to them. She was to rule as Queen of Archenland, any people who protested where to be imprisoned. They were yelling at the King and Queen of Archenland... they had to be punished somehow. Back to our original topic, after taking the Damaris family as hostage, the Telmarines interrogated them. When Fleur's parents truthfully denied the questions, they were killed. It was mercy after being in prison for four years with no source of food or drink. They couldn't kill Fleur, she was far too valuable. That's what they thought. In the dead of the night, as the candles died out, Fleur had managed to find an escape route and leave hell. You may be wondering why Caspian didn't step in... Well, he wasn't a part of this, so called, event. He was still young, and his uncle was making everyone's life hell.
