Intrepid

Chapter 3: Under The Roots

We rode on horseback and finally halted as the first sign of daylight shone. We were extremely exhausted. Where were the supplies? Great. I was too focused on escaping to even remember that.

''Wait a minute... Layla, are you seeing that?''

''Pardon me, do you mean that little hut over there?'' She said as she pointed towards a little hut-like structure covered in the roots of a humongous tree.

''Well, it looks more like a door instead...''

Was it a hut or just a door? I was confused. It looked too small to be a hut so it might have been a door. If it really was a door, what would happen if I opened it? Would I enter into another dimension? Another world? There was only one way to find out.

''Let's go check it out.''

We quietly walked my horse to the door, ready to expect something to happen. Nothing happened. As we stopped in front of the door, I hesitated and turned to face Layla.

''If something happens to me, know that you've been my best friend, not a maid or anything but a friend.'' Yes I know, it sounded ridiculous and extremely childish.

''Don't worry. Overcome your fear and experience new things. You've always wanted to do this. Now your opportunity is standing right in front of you. Do as you please.''

I held on to the doorknob. What was I waiting for? Adventure was what I sought most, right? Let's face it. It was. I risked escaping the palace for this. I could do this. I drew in a deep breath and slowly turned the knob.

Oh wait! I forgot something. What if someone or something was living in there? It would be impolite for me to just barge into something I didn't know belonged to someone and so I knocked.

No reply. I knocked again. That was when I heard movement behind the door. Or was it? I turned around. No, it wasn't. Layla was just calming down my nervous horse. I knocked harder this time.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

This time, I really heard someone, or something, shouting.

''Can't you folks just wait a sec? I've got something important to do here!'' Then mumbling followed.

''May we have permission to come in?'' I said.

''Ya, ya. Whatever you folks like to do when you see a rundown house in the middle of nowhere.''

I hope we didn't upset her as she sounded a little annoyed. ''Layla, you should stay here with my horse and please, stay out of danger.''

Then I walked into the hut. My jaw dropped in awe. It was magic! Looking so small from the outside, nobody would have thought that the inside would be this enormous! It was almost double the size of a mansion or even triple! 

Scanning the gigantic hall I was in, my eyes stopped at a young lady, who may have been about my age. She had the looks and was definitely not the lady that had spoken not too long ago, I would say, with an irritated voice.

''So, what's with you being here?'' was the question she asked before I could open my mouth to speak. Yet, her voice was as sweet as honey.

''Well, I escaped from a castle last night and the sight of your hut was what brought me here.'' I gulped. I was nervous and needed to calm down. Everything was going to turn out fine; I just had to believe that I could do it.

''Sigh... I wonder how many times I have to explain that this place isn't a hut but... Forget it. You should know yourself. Anyways, judging by your looks, you must be a princess. Am I right?''

''Indeed. By the way, before I came in... Erm... There was a voice... '' 

''Oh, don't worry about it! It's just the do-not-disturb thing that keeps people away," she shrugged and her expression turned to shock, "My! How could I forget? Please, let me get you some tea.''

With a smile, I nodded and my thoughts began to engulf me. Suddenly, I remembered something and wondered what in Middle Earth was wrong with me.

''Wait!'' her long silver hair whipped the air as she spun around in response, ''My horse and my friend are waiting outside. Do you mind if I call them in?''

''Absolutely! I'll have servants bring your horse to the stables. Now, if there's nothing else you would like to ask, I'll go get tea.''

As Layla sat down beside me, she gave me a questioning look and I knew she wanted every detail of what had happened. I told her everything and we both thought to ourselves, ''This was all turning out just fine.''