900 Year Old Love Letters

Ch 13. Finally, He Knows

I began to wake up in a forest. I'm alone out here.. W-Wait, am I at Killahead? Did I get tied up again?! My breathing became rapid and I couldn't stop the endless flow of tears as the image of that night stayed fresh in my mind.

"Ila-.. Ila!" A voice shouted to me. Suddenly I could see again. Jim was right in front of me and I'm inside a cave somewhere.. It was my imagination? Did I blackout when we were running?

"Wh-Where is she?" I stuttered fearfully and could only think of that morning at Killahead tied up in front of an entire army of Gumgums.

"Who?.." Jim muttered and seemed confused at everything. My eyes darted around the room before taking my head in my hands in utter tears.

"The princess, where is she?!" I shouted and couldn't stop crying. I don't want it to happen again! I don't want it to ever happen! If I can change history here, I will so I'd never have to live through that! I sat up as quickly as I could, alarming Jim and the others around us.

"Wh-What? Probably in Camelot still. Calm down, you're safe.." Jim assured me calmly. He has no idea though!

"No, I'm not! I'm not safe, I-I need to get to the princess!" I cried and got to my burning feet but I stumbled as soon as I stood and managed to somehow stay on my feet. "I-I have to find her!.." I cried but just couldn't move.. I couldn't breathe anymore, my chest hurt and the walls were spinning around me. Please God, change what's happened to me, I beg you!

"Blinky, get her some water! Calista, I need help!" Jim shouted, meanwhile I clawed at my burning chest. I can feel every time they cut me! Every time someone stared at me hanging above the ground tightly tied to that post! I can still see the memory of that group of knights blurred out under the moonlight, they looked like shadows waiting to take my life!

"Stop, stop, stop-.." I whispered to myself as I curled up while standing and slowly scratched down my chest and pulled my horn.

"Ila.." Jim sounded heartbroken. He still doesn't even know me! Does he care about me?! Even after we danced, he even kissed little me! But does that even count-.. Does he know what's happening to me?.. Im-.. This necklace, the one he gave me, it's still around my neck and yet he doesn't see it. The bracelet he gave me-.. How could I lose it? Would it have even fit my wrist anymore like this?

"They're going to kill the princess.. They stripped her of everything, the Gumgums have her now.. I-I have to save her from it.." My voice was trembling and my body shook in fear yet I couldn't move.

"Wh-What? But they just wanted us! That can't be right-" Jim shouted in confusion and fear as he leaned down a little, desperately trying to get me to speak with him more.

"She's at Killahead.. Th-They hurt her so much.. She's covered in scratches and scars.. They all laughed at her little body hanging tied to the post.. They'll kill her.." I muttered and felt.. like I've given up. I can't change history. I will always carry those horrific memories of that night. I remember the moon, the color of the bloody ropes that binded me to a rooten wooden post a foot or so off the dead grass. I remember the stares, whispers, and occasional quiet laugh before being shushed by other knights. I remember the Gumgums watching, not daring to move in even after the sunset."She needs me b-but I can't help her!.." I cried and hugged myself. I can't do anything, it's too late already!

After a moment of thinking, Jim moved. He asked Calista to care for me before running away. I pray it was to save my past body some harm..

"Ila, are you gonna be okay? Jim's gonna make sure those fleshbags don't hurt the princess anymore, he's gonna bring her back to us.." Calista tried to comfort me. Blinky quietly came around and gave Calista a bowl of water and plate of-.. I don't know what sort of food that is but I'd rather die than eat it.. Wait, is that the past Blinky? I didn't see him in the dungeons with us so it must be..