The Nøkken and the Huntress.

3.) Where is she?

I remember being concerned. This was the first time that Eføy would be considered late. It was sunset and she still hadn't shown up and I was hoping she wasn't hurt or anything else. I just sat on a tree stump slightly swinging my feet back and forth in the water my eyes trained on the tree-line.

After a few hours of that position, my neck began to cramp up and I took that as a sign to give up interest. I looked down at my reflection for a bit and started to think. I always have been the one to be filled full of paranoia and the thought of something happening to Eføy kept flooding my thoughts and me being the emotional half built carriage I am I had to try my best to keep calm and from having a nervous breakdown.

'Maybe she was kidnapped?'
'She could have died in a hunt.'
'In another territory?'
'Sick?'

I shook my head in hope of clearing my mind but to no avail. I got up and started to pace the area around the pond and I debated if I should travel to where her house is. That is if I can find the place. I turned from the murky water and headed to the trees but then I stopped and stood there.

'She's most likely busy. It would be best to give her a few hours tomorrow.'

The next day a arose early from my slumber and I climbed out of my pond and walked over to the same tree that Eføy had set her bow and deer under. My back was against its trunk as I slid down its rough exterior and sat down. I drew my legs to my chest and wrapped my arms around my knees as I laid my head down onto them and I began my wait.

It was sundown and I had given up the chance that she'll stop by. By this time I was no longer resting my head and now I was leaning against the same tree boredly twirling a strand of my long black hair with my left hand and was semi-resting on my right elbow. I decided it would be best to retire to my pond and I did just that. I thought it would be better to just let her have time to herself and maybe she wasn't stopping by because she didn't want someone following her. Which I thought was odd since her uncle obviously knew about me giving his reaction to his niece being saved so him following her wasn't an issue so somebody else then? Maybe?

Each passing day I grew more concerned about how she was but I was too much of a coward to go seek her out. I debated with myself multiple times but my fear would always override how I felt. I remember once beating my head against a tree and groaning from annoyance at myself.
Two weeks had gone by before I knew it and realizing that is what forced me to find her. I stood at the entrance of the dense forest with only Máni to guide me and took a deep breath and exhaled. I shook my head lightly and rolled my neck, "Let's do this."

I stepped into the treeline and I didn't hesitate this time. As I walked in the direction I've seen Eføy come from I was really hoping that I wouldn't get lost or have to face the wrath of Huldra. I don't think she lived in this area but I didn't want to find out. Her scary rumpe was the last thing I needed right now. The gentle yet cooling night breeze wrapped itself around my ankles and crawled upward as I started to walk faster.

Honestly, I wish I had clothing but the feeling of it on me drives me insane so that wouldn't have lasted much time. After walking until I was footsore I started feeling an increase in the wind. Before a gentle wisp but now it was in semi-powerful gusts. I noticed that the mountain I was walking down from was declining. As the wind picked up I realized that I was near a lake and if I remembered correctly Eføy mentioned that her uncle fishes as well as the village she lives by.
Finally out of the trees I halted and observed my surroundings. In front of me down ways was a large lake with the mountains behind it. Máni's light reflected off the lake and mountains giving it an ominous beauty. To the west/left of me, I could see the very faint and distant torchlights from a village as well as the docks. To the east/right of me, I could see more mountains.

I guided my head back to the phantom village and made my way down the shore to where I could hopefully find Eføy's house along the way. As I walked I kept an eye open for her house and one open for any less hospitable Midgardians. When I laid my eyes on the small longhouse I cautiously walked up the gradual incline of the hill. I lowered myself and I crept around the house to the left side of the small house and I peeked inside a hole in the wall and I searched around until I saw her. She was without her cloak and donned a simple short sleeved light blue dress and purple apron. I could only see her back but I knew it was her. She was tending to her elderly uncle who was laying in a bed with cloth wrapped around an arm and around one of his eyes. She was holding a bowl of some liquid and he was weekly leaning up to drink its contents. He laid back down and started to sputter and wheeze. She took a quick step back as she stood straight. He stopped his fit and looked up at her with sadness.
She tilted her head and covered his forehead with her hand. He closed his eyes in silent understanding and she left him. His eye opened again he seemingly saw me as his visible eye widened. My heartbeat spiked and I drew my head back.

I didn't hear anything so I hoped the man had thought he was imaging seeing my eyes. I did, however, hear the door open and close then I could hear a woman humming. I looked out from behind the wall and I spotted Eføy with her dress hiked up heading down the path to the lake.

Now was my chance.