Angel's Shadow

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

            Chance stood up then turned to Hazel holding out at hand. I didn’t mean to be gone for so long, but they sure looked like buddies. Asher appeared next to me and pulled the horses out handing me mine.

“Are they completely gone? Can we go back?” She asked as Chance took her bag from her and handed her the fox. She smiled at him then kissed the fox’s nose.

“We can head back; I saw them leave the area.” Asher said mounting his horse. I got up on mine, watching Chance lift Hazel up onto his then hopping on himself.

As we began our ride back, I watched them riding, every so often she would gasp at a fallen tree or giggle from something Chance said to cheer her up. We only stopped long enough to go around a dead ogre in our way. Ogres were always fighting amongst themselves.  Hazel started humming something I hadn’t ever heard, every once in a while she sing a part of the song.

“What is that you’re humming?” Chance asked with a wondering look. She blushed and stopped. “No don’t stop.” Chance tickled her and it irritated me.

“When did you two become best friends?” It sounded childish, but… darn it I’m the king I can do what I want! Chance looks over at me realizing I’m irritated and grins. He hugs her exaggerating it, then looking at me.

“Jealous of our friendship,” then whispering loudly in her ear, “Best friend, I think he’s jealous.” Then the make smacking sounds next to her ear causing her to laugh and lean back. I’ve never met someone who could laugh so much, but it wasn’t annoying it was--- angelic. The kind of laugh that made you want to join in. Asher had gone up ahead, but suddenly came rushing back next to me leaning over.

“It’s not good, it’s well...” He struggled for word which is not like him, puzzled I saw that Chance had heard looking over with a frown. We turned past a tree and I understood now what had him at a loss for words. Hazel jumped off the horse and ran to the tree that now lay on top of her house. Chance and I got off our horses and walked over; she fell to her knees picking up what was left of what looks to be a basket. Chance was holding her fox and I heard a sniff.

“Hazel?” Chance spoke softly walking closer. She twisted around but she wasn’t crying she had a smile on her face. Boo jumped out of Chance’s hands and went to her.

“We’re lucky we weren’t in there.” She held her fox close and as we got closer to her I could see tears running down her cheeks. Chance bent down next to her and whispered something into her ear too low for me to hear. She looked up at me then at Asher. “Could I really?” She responded. Chance looked at me pleading then back.

“We would be delighted to have you in our company.” He proceeded to pick her and the fox up walking past me to the horses. I sighed then glanced at Asher, shrugging I got up and we rode off. A few minutes pass and Chance started to murmur the same song Hazel was humming earlier only he was doing it poorly. Hazel joined in making it much better. Then softly to herself she started singing some parts a little.

“Did you hear what the fairies are saying my dear---- About the girl who lives here-- The girl in the forest she runs with the deer.” It had a harmonious charm to it. She sighed and skipped around. “Past the trees- over the mountains- into the sky- she hopes to fly…” She trailed off leaning back on to Chance falling asleep with tears silently rolling down her beautiful face.

 “So, what are we going to do with her?” Asher asked riding up next to us looking at Hazel. Chance looked down at the sleeping girl.

“I like her, she’s interesting, wouldn’t you agree?” He looked over at me.