A Million Roads to Nowhere

Into the Woods

"Lena, I don't think that's a good idea."

Patrick steps carefully on the river rocks, feeling the sharp pressure of jagged edges dig into the soles of his shoes. Lena is barefoot, yet she balances easily, laughing and jumping from rock to rock.

"You're going to cut your feet up," he says.

The young lady turns her head in his direction, not fully paying attention. She's looking across the water, murmuring something to herself.

"Of course you would say that, idiot," says Lena, hopping to another rock. "You worry too much."

"You're the idiot. Where are your shoes?"

"By the bank," Lena says, gesturing behind her, simultaneously giving Patrick tiny heart attacks.

She's going to fall in and she can't swim, Patrick thinks. I can't swim well either. What if I can't pull her out?

The Posy River isn't particularly fast, it's quite mild, but if neither of them are good swimmers that won't matter.

Patrick sighs, following her still. If she's going, he will too. At least they'll die together. Lena's hair is in two black braids and they whip behind her as she speeds across the river. Her dress drags in the water, soaking it.

"Lena, what happens if we go too far and can't shout for help?"

"Are you afraid?" Lena cackles, turning her head to look at him.

"By the Bells, of course I'm not!" he protests, feeling his face flush at the accusation.

"Then stop complaining," she sing-songs, leaping safely onto the riverbed.

She pauses, waiting for him to follow. He does and trails behind her as she leads him past the trees and into a vast field of yellow mustard flowers and oak trees with gnarled branches. Patrick warily eyes the river behind him, but ultimately decides to follow his friend. He supposes she'll know the way back.

"When did you find this place?" Patrick asks, wading through the flowers.

"I went wandering last night and came across it."

"You ran away again?"

"Mother and Father keep insisting I marry soon, you do know. They were insisting you come over and set up the arrangements, so I skedaddled. I'm still not with it and I want them to know that."

"This was your idea. You can always go find another one willing to marry you."

Patrick knows she won't; the townsfolk call her a witch. The only men willing to marry her would try to beat the devil out of her.

"No. You're my best friend and the lesser evil at that. I'd rather marry you than a stranger, even if I don't love you." She sniffs as if offended that he would dare to suggest she marry another man.

"Yes, but you know what they expect."

"I do know that. We could move off to Linlea and then Mother and Father would never know what's going on."

"We could," he says, doubtful she'd actually do such a thing.

Lena may not share her parents' views on how a woman should act, but she does love them. She wouldn't be so upset about this if she didn't.

"We could lie and be rid of this sorry town. You wouldn't have to slave away for your parents, and we wouldn't have to marry."

"And you'd be willing to cross the Aureate Sea just to fool your parents about the marriage?"