Hwarang and The Jewel.

Chapter 4

Two weeks go by, and I'm finally getting into the motions of daily life. The days go by easier now that I has a basic understanding of the language. Listening and speaking seems to be fine, but looking at the writing makes me want to bash my head against a table. I still can't speak like a native, and even though my vowels and adjectives are all jumbled up A-ro seems to understand me.

A-ro must have made the decision that I would be fine taking care of myself and often leaves in the early mornings and comes back at night. I had tried asking her where she went but A-ro would always reply "Nowhere important. Just small tasks to take care of".

We haven't been back into the markets yet, but A-ro keeps handing me squares of fabric and thread every odd day and I make sure to make A-ro something each time. So far I've made six more handkerchiefs with various different flowers, and this afternoon I plans on tackling a pile of cloth I've been working on every night.

After a week and a half since I first started, I put the finishing touches to the border of the fabric. It's a little straining to be working by candle light, but the finished product makes me smile. Mom would have been proud. The design itself wasn't complicated, but I had challenged myself and tried to make the pattern as small as possible, in an effort to make it look more dainty and elegant. A-ro frequently wore pastel colours, so I thought a medium purple scarf would hang nicely around her neck. The swirling vines and dainty flowers stood out beautifully against the dark background, and once again I was reminded to start planning designs en masse. It wouldn't be good to have a certain item only available for one person at a time.

With tired hands I folded the scarf neatly and tied it with some scrap ribbon. Too giddy about finally finishing her little project I left her room to wait for A-ro outside. She had left again that morning doing whatever A-ro does when she leaves, and to be honest I had been feeling a little bored without her.

Sitting on the stone fence, I hum quietly to myself while watching my feet kick. It's a nice night, the wind is getting chillier by the day and the leaves are almost all gone but the air is still sweet. With a start I suddenly remember something. Before I came here, summer was just starting, was this place just colder than where I was from, or had I somehow skipped a couple of months?

"Alice, what are you doing? Are you alright?" A-ro's worried voice startled me and I almost tip backwards, but before I falls a strong hand grabs my arm and pulls me forward. Heart almost jumping out of my chest, I come face to face with the man that I saw in the courtyard weeks ago. Embarrassed by almost falling I quickly jump down and put some distance between him and I.

"uh- thank you." I said, the man doesn't say anything back but looks at A-ro instead.

"Oh! Right, Alice this is my brother Sun-Woo. I should have introduced you earlier but things have been a little ... busy." Sun-Woo bows stiffly before turning around and walking back down the path. "Don't mind him, he's just stressed."

"Why?"

"He's training to become Hwarang, and they have a test soon. Actually," A-ro links arms with me and guides me towards the house, "I'll have to get permission from father but, would you like to come with me tomorrow? I'm teaching Sun-Woo how to read and write. It might be good for you as well."

I smile up at A-ro, thankful that she wants to help me. "Yes, thank you."

"What's that?" with a start I realise I completely forgot about the reason why I was waiting for A-ro.

"I make for you!" I say, as she I the bundle of cloth towards A-ro, which she takes happily and unfolds.

"Oh!" A-ro gasps as the fabric unrolls and the design makes itself known. The thread shimmers slightly in the moonlight and A-ro runs her fingers along the border. "Alice, this is- this is beautiful." I gently take the fabric from A-ro and lift it over her head to rest on her shoulders. It's not wide enough to wrap around her arms like a shawl, but it hangs neatly from her neck to just past her waist. Satisfied, I give A-ro a smile before saying goodnight and turning to my room. Before I turns fully though, a hand is gently tugging at my elbow and turning me again.

"Alice, thank you. I know you must be lonely here, and confused." A-ro sighs, and I can see the pity in her eyes. Feeling courageous, I decided now is a good time to ask some questions.

"How did I here? Did someone take? Where is I here?"

"You are in Silla, but I'm not sure how you came to be here. Sun-Woo found you just inside the capital. That's why the royal guards came, no-one saw you come through the gates, so they thought you snuck in. Father convinced them you must have become lost from your travelling companions," A-ro pointed at the chain around my neck, "because commoners don't wear gold."

"I don't know Silla. I not become lost, I was in home then not in home. I don't know how I here." Tears of frustration started to build in my eyes. "I want home!" I cried. Vaguely, I knew I sounded more like a five year old and not fifteen like I actually was, but getting emotional caused some words to not make it into my sentences. Languages were hard and I didn't feel like trying my best in vocabulary when I was so upset.

"I know you do, I'm so sorry Alice. I'll try to help you, but father and I can't seem to make any sense of it either." A-ro pulled me into her arms and stroked my head. "Tomorrow, I will take you to Hwarang house with me. There's a large library there, we can find some maps and maybe you can tell me where you're from?"

Still hiccupping and trying not to have a meltdown, I nodded. "Yes, I come with you."

"Good, now let's go to sleep, you've worn yourself out with all that crying." A-ro leads me towards her room and together we get ready for sleep.

"A-ro?" I call, A-ro turns around from pulling my covers back. "Thank you."

A-ro seems to understand what I'm trying to say, she gives me another quick hug before making for the door. "I'll wake you tomorrow, okay?"

I nod, and A-ro shoots me a smile and closes the door. Turning back to my bed I clamber inside the covers and settle in. Maybe tomorrow I can finally get some more answers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AN: Please let me know what you think! As you may have guessed the story is kinda starting a couple of episodes in. I don't want my character to third wheel A-ro and sun-Woo the whole time though, so be prepared for some unlikely friendships!!!!!!!!! Also yay! we met Sun-Woo!!! more to come! please leave a comment!!!!