Little Raven

chapter III

Startled awake from a nightmarish slumber, I found myself drenched and shivering in the chill. A gentle breeze sent tremors through me as I rose to survey my surroundings, a dense forest encircling me in the biting cold. Murmuring, "Where am I?" I began to tread in a direction that promised escape from the woods. Grumbling about the foolish bird that led me here, I navigated through the tangle of overgrown flora.

"Who are you calling a foolish bird?" I almost leaped into the weeds, untouched and overgrown, beside the path I had made.

"You scared me out of my wits, Asher! What are you doing here, anyway? Don't you have bird matters to attend to instead of pestering me right now?"

"My apologies, princess, I didn't intend to frighten you," he said.

"Princess? I am certainly not a princess! I'm just a regular 18-year-old who shouldn't be lost in a forest on their birthday," I retorted.

"That's precisely why I'm here," he explained. "I've come to assist you and guide you to the castle, but it seems I'm just a silly bird in your eyes."

"I apologize. Could you please guide me out of here? It's extremely cold, and I'm freezing."

"Alright, but only because I'm kind-hearted and I have no intention of facing the prince's wrath for not completing his task," Asher conceded.

Asher soared ahead, and I trailed behind him. The forest appeared to dance in rhythm with my footsteps as I made my way next to Asher, who flew with an air of indifference, guiding me out. "What is this place?" I inquired.

"This place is known as the Silent Isles, and it's off-limits to all normal humankind," he explained. "Fortunately for you, you're not an ordinary human, you're like me. You may not comprehend the extent of your power at this moment, but it will become clear once you've spent time in the castle."

Questions flooded my mind one after another. I intended to ask more, but a massive building captured my attention as we continued walking. "That must be the castle," I mused. It was immense, strikingly beautiful, and intricately assembled.

Asher said, "That's the castle. I noticed you admiring it, but just wait until you see the inside—it's even more beautiful."

We approach the stairs leading up to the doors and start to climb toward the doors, before I could knock the doors swung opened and a tall man, maybe 6 feet with long blonde hair looked down at me as he motioned for Asher to speak.

"Your highness, as you commanded, I have brought the princess," Asher announced.

"Thank you, Asher. Please, come in. You look frozen; let's find you some fresh, dry clothes," the sovereign replied with concern.

I entered alongside Asher, my gaze wandering in awe at the grandeur of the interior, finding Asher's descriptions to be no exaggeration.

"Olivia, would you escort the princess to freshen up and change into more suitable attire? Afterwards, bring her to me for the conversation we've long awaited," the ruler instructed.

"At once, your highness," Olivia responded promptly.

I quietly followed her through the place until she opened a large door that revealed an amazing room filled with beautiful colors and objects. She then led me to a bathroom that was larger than any I had ever seen.

"Let's get you cleaned up," Olivia said

After I finished cleaning up, she presented me with the most stunning dress I had ever seen; it was a deep blue with shimmering edges. She assisted me as I donned it and handed me a pair of heels from the large closet in the corner of the room, which I had scarcely noticed.

She styled my hair into curls and gathered it into a high ponytail. Approaching the mirror on my wall, I was astonished by my reflection.

"Olivia, why am I here?"

"You're the princess, of course! This is your return. We must celebrate," she exclaimed.

"Return? I've never been here before in my life, and I'm only 18. I would surely remember being in a place as grand as this," I replied, bewildered.

"Do you not remember leaving centuries ago, tired from the warrior's life? You are the princess-warrior who protected us, repelling the darkness that shrouded the Silent Isles."

As the ring on my finger began to burn, I winced in agony, and Olivia's eyes grew wide in shock.

"It appears you have found the prince's ring, the very one he lost many years ago. His search for it has been extensive, and it led him to you. That ring is his treasured wedding band. Since its loss, he has been inconsolable, but upon discovering you had it, he commissioned Asher to seek you out relentlessly, both day and night. After all, Asher is your brother, and ravens possess an uncanny ability to locate their kin above all else."

"That's why he tumbled through my fireplace and attempted to overwhelm me with nonsense. I ignored him and the next morning I went to the lake to clear my mind and I was Suddenly, yanked underwater."

"That's terrible, but I assure you it's not as bad as you think; it's luxurious compared to the human world. I'm part deer, but people barely notice. Anyway, we'll have to finish this after dinner—I bet you're starving after that journey."

"You're right, I am," I said.

Leading me out of the spacious bedroom and down the hallway we had traversed earlier, she opened the doors. The prince's mouth fell open at the sight of me. He rose and approached.

"Hazel, your beauty remains as captivating as I recall, especially those enchanting hazel eyes of yours. It's possible my face doesn't ring a bell. I am Prince Rhys Scott Emerson, and I have the honor of being your husband."