As They Fall [First Draft] ~ Currently Editing ~

Twenty

A/N: Aw yeahhhh 2 updates in 1 week. The New Year is going well for me! :) Hope you all enjoy and as always thank you for continuing to read As They Fall! <3 xx

Queen Suraya watched on in sorrow as we reclaimed our weapons and saddled up the horses. After begging us to wait until the next morning before we left, the Queen had given Auriel to Elizabeth as well as enough supplies to last us until we reached the mountains. A large group of elves had gathered at dawn to see us off, including Merek and his family.

"Please be careful, I'd love to spend more time with you when you come back," said Yana as she clutched my hand in hers.

"Once we have rescued my uncle he'll likely need medical attention, so we'll be coming back," I reassured her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Yana and I had bonded during our stay in Eularia and I hoped this wasn't the last time I would see her. Over her shoulder, I could see Charlie saying his farewells to the Queen and, to my surprise, Yuli. After Yana and I pulled apart she returned to her family and I mounted Orchid who whickered softly as I patted her neck, running my fingers through her silver mane. Elizabeth hugged each member of Merek's family, lingering in Merek's arms longer than anyone else. After saying their goodbyes, Charlie hoisted himself into Valiant's saddle and Elizabeth mounted Auriel, surprising me by appearing completely comfortable atop the gentle mare.

"Thank you for your hospitality and for finding my uncle." Despite my earlier anger, I couldn't deny that the Queen had helped us and deep down I knew she did not intend to hurt anyone with her actions.

"All of you are welcome in Eularia," she responded, dipping her head respectfully, her eyes filling with sadness as she gazed up at Charlie. Misaeh placed a comforting hand on the Queen's shoulder and nodded to me, her expression unreadable. I clicked my tongue and turned Orchid around, leading us out of Eularia and into the forest. We rode in silence, a complex mix of emotions churning in our chests as we left the elves behind.

The grey of dawn gave way to the clear blue of morning, streaks of clouds scattered across the sky, threatening to eclipse what little sunlight penetrated the canopy above us. I shuddered as a cool breeze stirred, drawing my cloak tighter around my shoulders. The elves had mended our original clothing in the first week of our stay and I was relieved to be back in a set of clothes that fit me properly. I was grateful to Yana for lending me her clothes but they were ill-fitting and often left less to the imagination than I was comfortable with. As we rode I noticed Auriel's ears consistently flicking backward, listening to something behind us.

"Wait," I said, breaking the silence for the first time. Charlie and Elizabeth exchanged a confused glance but brought Valiant and Auriel to a halt. I turned in the saddle and peered at the patch of forest we had just travelled through, my senses straining as I attempted to identify what Auriel had been listening to.

"Amelia what are you looking for?" asked Elizabeth slowly, her unease evident as shifted in her saddle. Auriel began to paw at the ground and Elizabeth had to pull the reigns taut to stop her from turning to face whatever she could hear. As Elizabeth struggled with Auriel, Valiant and Orchid began to neigh loudly, their ears alert as they pawed at the ground.

"What on ear-" Charlie was cut off by the sound of approaching hoofbeats. The three of us sat in anticipation as the sound drew nearer and I found myself reaching for my shortsword. Auriel tossed her head, erupting into loud whinnies, excited rather than distressed. It was as I urged Orchid forward, that Merek burst into the clearing astride a large grey horse with a long black mane. His arm was free of its sling and an impish grin was plastered across his face.