Magic and Mortality (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 16 - Captured

KEY = Subtitle/POV change | Author's note |"Speech" | 'Quote/Thoughts' | Text | Emphasis

AELFRIC'S POV
I set down Belinda's crumpled form in a clearing. After a few minutes, I have a fire burning within a small circle of stones scavenged from the forest. I sit down. I stare at the flames. They stare back at me. 

Belinda shifts from blank unconsciousness to sleep as her arm wraps around her torso. Her lips are turned up in a small smile. I can't help but admire how the light from the fire flickers across her face — her delicate eyelids and rosy cheeks. Her copper-coloured hair that framed her face seemed to glow in the dimming light of the fire. 

She continues to sleep when I set out the bed rolls, lifting her onto one gently. I wrap the blanket around us both before I fall asleep. The fire flickered on. 

THIRD PERSON POV

Yes, the fire flickered on. Unbeknownst to the two sleeping heroes, the fire cast a menacing glow into the night, eventually catching the eye of some soldiers who were scouting the clearing around the castle. 

"What's that?" One soldier whispered to his companion. The cloaked figure shrugged before scuttling towards the small clearing. The first soldier came up in front of them, almost shielding their companion from the travellers. Of course, being asleep meant that they meant no threat towards the scouts, however, the cloaked companion recognized them as the ones whom their master had been waiting upon. 

This was when, dear reader, your narrator's view was cut off. 

I guess now is a perfect time to introduce myself. I don't create the story, I simply portray it. I'm sure you have had your theories already, and my dear friend, the author, would love to hear your thoughts.

Anyway, once my view was... fixed? Is that the correct word? Well, once it was 'fixed', The two travellers had disappeared! Only time will tell if we will see them again.

Kidding! Dear reader, as the narrator, I can find them immediately! Let's hear young Belinda's view of the story, shall we?

BELINDA'S POV

I woke up in a dungeon. My hands were shackled to damp brick walls that did nothing to sustain any possible warmth. Once my vision cleared enough to make out details in my surroundings, I saw another crumpled form sagged against the wall about an arm's length away from me. 

Aelfric's blonde hair shone in the darkness. The only indication that he was alive was the occasional shudder that rippled through his body. I felt helpless.

That was when I realised something.

What had my father always warned me against? Falling for someone who'd break my heart. He had told me tales of princes who abandoned their loves for power, of strangers who left because of duty. He warned me against what I had done.

I had fallen in love with a prince.

But not just any prince. No, I just had to fall in love with the elven prince. Of course, he had saved me multiple times, but why couldn't I stop myself? I should've caught myself, should've seen the signs — staring at him across the fire, blushing whenever he laughed or touched my hand, memorising the way the morning light illuminated his features. Well, there was no going back now.

I knocked my head against the wall. Pain blinded me, darkness fell upon the room again as a scream tore itself from my lips.

A/N

Heyyy guys! Sorry about the really late update. Writer's block and procrastination are messing with my head right now.

Anyway, I see you've all met my narrator. As they (The narrator's identity will remain a secret for now) said, please tell me what your theories are! I haven't finalised the plot completely yet, and I really want to know what you all think.

School is about to begin again, so expect a lot of annoying gaps in updates from now on. Sorry in advance! 

I'll see you all in a later update. Peace out!

- CadyKuch09

P.S. I just realised that I keep writing my username wrong sorry!