Finding Yourself

Chapter 2

I froze. Who could it be? No human was supposed to be in the woods, where creatures prowled on the hunt and anything could kill you at a moments notice. The woods were far too dangerous for any human being.

I immediately though of Lysus. Sure, he had attacked me long ago and hadn't bothered me since, but it was still a possibility. The chances of a stranger down here was slim, and he was a major suspicion. He knew magic, and this place was full of it. It would be simple for him to come down here and do whatever he wanted. The beasts wouldn't be able to stop him because of is powers.

Meanwhile, I stayed perfectly still, straining to hear for anymore sounds. My muscles tensed, ready to spring upon an attacker. When the bushes nearby rustled, I was ready. But when the person stepped out, it wasn't Lysus. Not a hunter. Just a simple girl in a torn skirt and with flowing black hair. She looked grimy, as if she had been here for quite a while. Her eyes were alert with fear; obviously, she knew of the perils of this place. But then, why would she come here in the first place?

Her eyes scanned her surrounding carefully- and spotted me. She looked plainly shocked, and we gazed at each other. Looking into her blue eyes, I saw a familiar pain that I had experienced long ago. I felt somewhat connected to this mortal girl, but not exactly. It felt different, but related, somehow. I didn't know why.

I decided to break the silence. Using my mind, I slipped into her mind. Her brain reacted, and tried blocking me out. She had been taught to defend herself from magic already. I forced myself in deeper, and sent a mental message to her.

What is your name, little one? Why are you here? I mean no harm to you.

She visibly relaxed, letting me stay within her own thoughts. Then, the girl spoke.

"I'm Eleanor." she said. "And for the latter, I ran away for a better life."

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*Eleanor's POV

The noon bell struck, letting us know work was over. Everyone headed towards their homes, ravenous and exhausted from another day's work. I stood, resting for a few seconds, then started towards my family's hut. They day was hot and balmy, making it easier to sweat. I pushed my bangs out of my face and sighed with unhappiness.

I was just a simple working girl, with no relations to royalty whatsoever. My parents were poor and could barely support my brother, sisters, me, and themselves. I skipped school most days, and worked in the wheat field, helping to do whatever chores I could manage. At the end of each day, I would receive a couple coins which could barely do anything to help our situation.

Reality was harsh and gloomy. I dreamed about being a royal princess, with long beautiful dresses and whatever I could ever wish for. Horses, carriages, food, money, anything. I though about living in a royal palace, not needing to think about real life and simple relax in luxury and think about oneself. Marry a rich guy and live happily every after. Oh, that sounded amazing in my mind.

Day after day, the months wore on. I eventually grew tired of this old life of mine. We were still in poverty, and nothing was happening. That's when I decided to change that. I would run away.

That, at first, felt like a horrendous idea, and I tossed it aside. Later on, I reconsidered, and accepted it as fate. I hoped that it would lead me to a better place.

That night, I packed a few belongings and sneaked out of the hut. I didn't feel one drop of regret. All I could think of, was, "I'm actually doing something to save myself."

I immediately went for the woods. The place where I was warned at a young age never to go to. It was too unsafe, too mysterious, and too full of magic. Magic. I laughed whenever I heard that word. Such a thing never exists. It's only an idea that was caught on by others because of the absurdness of it. As you already may have guessed, I was never a believer. The woods would be a perfect place to hide in with no one finding me. No one dared go in there, alone or with others. Hah! I giggled to myself. There's nothing scary about it!!

I reached the woods and peeked inside. Nothing strange seemed to be in there. It seemed perfectly safe.

I stepped inside.

The woods engulfed me, separating me from the human world and the world of beasts. Strangely enough, I felt calmer than before. It was like I belonged in the woods. I spread my arms, and enjoyed the vastness. It all felt SO good.

Excited, I began to explore the new territory. Everywhere I stepped, there was something so beautiful and intriguing. I spent the whole night walking until I was so tired I collapsed right on the spot where I was standing moments ago. Shutting my eyes, blackness took over immediately.

A soft sound woke me up from my slumbers. Yes, I was so alert that I woke from a deep sleep almost instantly. How weird. I crept onto my knees and peeked out from the tree I was behind. I made out a white creature from the moonlit woods drinking from a pond. I had no idea what I was. It wasn't anything I ever saw before.

The strange creature continued drinking, then lay down. Squinting, I saw a horn flash and then blend into the dark once more. Weird. Suddenly, my memory took me to the villager's warnings, and for the first time I started to suspicion. Something wasn't right about this animal, and it fit with the descriptions of "wild dangerous and creepy".

I shifted, and a twig snapped. I became a rock, but it had sharp ears. It also froze, and looked around for whoever made the sound. Me.

Then, I thought. Why hide? I wasn't afraid. I took a bold step forward into the clearing.

It's brown eyes fixated on me, staring me down, but I didn't flinch and did the same thing. It's stare was unnerving, but in the eyes I saw sadness. Years and years of it.

A patch of moonlight shone onto the beast. I saw a snow white coat, and a pale mane. A horse? Then, I remembered the horn I saw before. There, on it's forehead, was indeed a horn. It's a unicorn. Looking at it reminded me of a ballerina- sturdy but graceful. It's slender stature was taut of muscles that I knew could kill if wanted. It's neck stanted beautifully into a noble carved head with ears and eyes still on me.

I felt it examine me head to toe, interested. Then, I felt its conscience coming into my brain. Tensing, I fought back viciously. I heard stories about how to defend a mind an attacker, because that if he or she succeeds, your life is taken and controlled. I never believed them, but stored it in my brain for the fun of laughing over it as I age. Except now, I knew there was such a thing as magic. It was real, like the unicorn.

A though bubble entered. What is your name little one? It spoke. Why are you here? I mean no harm to you. The words somehow calmed me down like a soothing melody. I trusted the unicorn not to take advantage of me. Somehow, I knew.

"I'm Eleanor," I replied. I hesitated, then continued, "and for the latter, I ran away for a better life."
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A/N

OH YEA ELEANOR SHOW THAT SASS.

Ok, I might have frightened you all now.

I deeply apologize.

How have you liked it so far? Raelynn and Eleanor have now met for the first time!

Comment if you have suggestions for next chapter?
Don't forget about the little vote button down there.

Thanks for reading this book so far!!! MASSIVE THANK YOU ALL!!!!

-Silver_Linings15 xx