Banished

4

Willow

Willow trembled as her reflection stared back at her with wide eyes. Her palms sweated and her knees grew weak. Her eyes met Needle's in the mirror and he sighed at her state. "Grandmother, she's still too weak. She won't be able to run if the time comes. Can we not postpone?"

Shrew shook her head and walked around to stand in front of Willow, blocking the young girl's view of her own reflection. Shrew's eyes roamed over Willow, taking in every quivering detail and swiftly lifted a hand to brush a strand of hair from her eyes and smooth the front of Willow's floor length dress.

"She will be fine."

Shrew may have been responding to Needle, but her eyes never left Willow's. They shared a charged look that seemed to be both a warning and well-wish from the elderly woman as she backed away, scooping her own gown from the floor to make her exit from the dressing room.

"Your carriage will arrive shortly after mine. I suggest you be ready."

Shrew didn't have to say anything else, everyone knew what was to come and what their tasks were to be. The dress preparations were done so all that was left was for the ball where Needle was to cling to Willow at all times.

Once Shrew was gone Iris scanned Willow once more before following the elderly woman out. Willow let their footsteps recede down the hall before giving into her body's wishes and crumpling into herself. Her legs collapsed beneath her and she braced herself for the cold floor, but should have known better, because Needle was there, and had never let her hit the ground before.

"I don't like this."

Needle whispered into Willow's hair as he held her up against his tall from and shook slightly at the tremendous task before him. Willow knew that his fear was not for himself, but for her safety, and her heart warmed toward him. She pushed herself up against his chest and craned her neck to look in his eyes.

"It will be okay, Needle. Just don't leave my side and everything will be alright."

Willow assured him  and pushed herself to stand despite the persisting weakness from her fit attempting to cling to her bones. Her first two steps were wobbly but after that she found her second wind and made it all the way to the carriage before she was able to take a breath and rest for the short ride.

Their travels were silent and tense. Not one member of that carriage spoke and even the horses knew not to let out so much as an exhale of breath louder than necessary. Willow's heart beat rapidly as they neared the ballroom and she felt the impending doom grow from within her abdomen.

"I may be sick."

She murmured softly to Needle but the two guards sitting across from them could hear her also and began to search frantically for something to protect her gown from the onslaught of her insides. Needle let out a small chuckle at the guards' panicked demeanor before placing his arm around Willow's shoulders and pulling her close to his side, helping to alleviate her nausea.

"Trust me Willow."

Those three simple words soothed Willow's heart and she bit her lip as she looked up at him to nod. Her nerves were still rattled but she knew that if anything were to happen that Needle would never let her be taken alive. But Willow didn't know what scared her more; being taken by another Community, or being taken back to her flock without Needle by her side.

Needle pulled Willow out of her thoughts as he stood, stooping low in order not to hit his head on the roof of the carriage, and stepped out of the door. The two other guards followed him closely, leaving Willow to scoop her dress up and push herself to her feet.