The Secret Kingdom

Ambush

Trevor looked around the forest, deftly searching through its depths. For the first time, he was glad to be out on patrol without Elia. Normally, they were much more fun with her infectious laughter and quick barbs, but she spoke to him rarely of late, still punishing him for telling Elidren what he had seen in the garden.

It had been weeks since their return from Camelot. And still she only spoke to him when necessary, which was usually during council meetings. Even Rhys and Cameron had commented on it and those two rarely noticed anything within the palace other than whatever maiden had caught their eye while in court.

He furrowed his brow as he thought back to that night. It was true that he had in part acted out of jealousy. But also, there was the need to protect Elia, his oldest friend that he still loved dearly. There would be nothing but heartache if she chose to align herself with the warlock – even if he did not hurt her, she would spend centuries grieving his death when he eventually died. Whether it was by age or battle.

Or the council would drive them apart, never allowing the two to wed. They would force her to choose between him or her people. And that decision would rip her heart in two no matter what she chose.

The Willows needed Elia more than this warlock did. More than she needed him. And soon she would come to see that what he did was not only for her good, but for the good of their kind. And perhaps then she would put aside this silly oath to never marry.

In the meantime, he would wait out her anger.

"What's got you so glum, Trevor?" one of the guards called out.

He looked over, seeing a grinning younger elf by the name of Assar, his bright blue eyes lit with mirth.

"Nothing," he said, returning to scanning the woods.

"Still on the outs with the queen, are we?" another said, Fenris.

"It's none of your concern," Trevor said. "May I suggest you pay closer heed to the wood and not my state of being."

"There's been hide nor hair of anything in these woods other than creatures," Assar said. "Except for the day we came across Arthur and his knights."

"The days grow dark and Morgana grows more powerful," Trevor said ominously. "It is only a matter of time before she seeks us out. Especially now that we are openly allied with Camelot."

"Always so serious," Fenris said lightly. Trevor shot him a look.

"I recommend you not take things so lightly," he scolded.

"He is still on the outs with the queen," quipped Assar.

"My relationship with Queen Elia is none of your concern," Trevor snapped.

"That or he's upset that she rebuffed his advances," Fenris said.

"She's rebuffed everyone's advances. You heard her. She's vowed never to remarry," Assar said.

"Wonder what happened in Camelot for her to say such a thing. It's been no secret that she did not love King Tobias. Surely, she isn't pining for him," Fenris replied.

They both looked at Trevor.

"Nothing happened in Camelot other than the signing of the alliance," Trevor said, now suddenly aching for the patrol to be over.

If the two continued on in this manner the entire time they were out, he'd likely put an arrow in both. Why couldn't Cameron or Rhys have come out with him? Even though they too would likely pepper him with questions about the queen, they were exponentially less annoying than these two. They were both still rather young – only about 350 years old - but proven warriors.