The Forest's Secrets || Fairytale! AAF

Chapter 9

Very early the next morning, Andy had woken up. He had barely managed to sleep with all the information he had been told.

Seeing Peter and Melody were still asleep, Andy carefully got up and walked through the tunnel to his house. Using the wall as his guide, he walked a while before digging out a match from his satchel, and lighting it so he could see.

After walking for at least 7 or 8 minutes, Andy found a few torches on the wall and lit them. This revealed a ladder, that was once shrouded in the darkness.

Andy put out the match and climbed the ladder, leaving through a trapdoor that was in his house. He started to pack some herbs and small plants into his satchel carefully. He packed some other items such as a knife he made, a stone to grind up herbs, and some small containers.

One thing about Andy is he is always prepared for anything.

Andy grabbed some last-minute things and saw guards through the window. He quickly ducked down and crawled towards the door. He heard the guards talking to some of the neighboring elves.

"You, elder elf. Do you know of an elf named Andy?" One of the guards asked.

The elder elf thought. "Andy... Umm.. Oh yes, I think I know who you are talking about. The young redhead archer one? I know of him. Why do you you ask? Is something wrong?"

"Yes." the guard stated. "He and a music fairy aided the dragon in escaping the castle. All three were sentenced to execution, but have escaped. Do you know where this elf lives?"

"O-oh my... I knew something was amiss with the kid but I never knew he'd do something like this... He was such a kind, sweet kid... I guess it is only right for me to lead you to his house."

Andy heard the guards approach his house, prompting him to panic and quickly tried to get his trap door opened. "Come on... Nam amor salutis meae.... Open...." Andy whispered as he struggled with the trap door.

Soon, there was a knock. Andy felt like his heart stopped for a second. It was the guards. They were here...

He could hear the elder elf talk first. "Andy... Kid...? if you are home, could you come to the door...? There are some folks who... want to talk to you..."

Andy doesn't respond. He normally responds to the elder elf as they were nothing but kind to him... But he knew he shouldn't... It felt weird, as not answering felt like lying... which was thought impossible for elves... Andy felt sick to his stomach but didn't know why... Is this what dishonesty feels like...?

Another knock on the door snapped Andy out of it. He heard the guards tell him to make himself known or they would break down the door. Andy tried to get the trapdoor open. While trying to open the trapdoor, he bumped into something, alerting the guards that someone was there.

"We know someone's in there. Come to the door or we will break it down and take you by force." a guard shouted.

Andy's heart raced and he tried opening the trapdoor.

"Unus!" Andy managed to get the trap door open.

"Duo!" He opened the trapdoor enough so he could get in.

"Tribus!" The guards busted the door, scaring Andy, and causing him to fall through the trapdoor and sprain his wrist.

"He went through here!" He heard the guards say as he quickly picked himself up. He needed to warn Melody and Peter so they could flee.

Andy ran through the dark tunnel. As he runs, he eventually hears running behind him. Nearing where they were, Andy called out to Melody and Peter.

"Melody! Peter! Get up!" He calls out as he enters the hideout. He slams and locks the door behind him, waking up Melody and Peter. Andy held his wrist in pain.