Eliza and the Queen

Chapter Thirteen

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Everyone ate quietly and watchedTristan as he picked at his bread. The archers and swordsmen kepttheir weapons close as if Tristan was bound to betray them. He satunder the big oak tree trying to avoid their stares. He feltuncomfortable like a criminal. Paul watched him more then the othersand was always by Eliza's side when he talked with her. It had onlybeen several hours since he last spoken to her, but the more he spokewith her, the more he began to feel differently towards her. He wasstill confused on why he saved her, but did not question it too much.

The fairy was constantlywhispering to Eliza about him though he never heard a word. She didnot seem to trust him, but said no more when he came near. Instead oftrying to keep up with all the talk, he tried to enjoy the coolsummer day and watched the birds fly above him chirping theireveryday music.

"Tristan, listen to thebirds. Do you hear their beautiful music?"

"Yesmother. What are they singing?"

"Wewill never know, but if you listen closely, you will hear the beautyin this world. God made these beautiful creatures to remind us thathe is out there watching us."

Tristanslowly approached the red robin that was perched on the branch. Heheld his hand out and let his mother pour seeds in his hands. The redrobin slowly walked to his hands then flew on top of the seeds andate them. Tristan smiled excited to be so close to one of thebeautiful creatures. The red robin ate all that he could and thenflew away leaving a curious Tristan there watching.

"Wheredid he go mother? Will he be back?"

Hismother placed her hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "Yes my love.He will return and will sing to you again."

Tristansmiled and leaned his head against his mothers hip. He loved watchingthe birds with his mother. He loved to hear her speak of God and thebeautiful creatures he has made. His mother had studied every type ofbird and when she saw them, she pointed them out to Tristan and toldhim all about them. She had even told him that bird deliveredmessages and if he ever missed his father, he could whisper it to thebird and it would tell his father. One night, he was in his room whena bird flew to his window. He had whispered his message slowly so hisfather would know how much he loved him. When the bird flew away,Tristan was so happy that he told his mother the next day.

That was the day he neversaw his mother smile again. It was the day his father was murderedand his mother was forced to work for a mean and cruel man. One whomTristan escaped.

"You must be lonelysitting her all by yourself."

Tristan snapped back to realityand saw Eliza standing over him. He looked down at his uneaten breadand fed it to the birds. Eliza sat beside him and did the same withher bread. The birds quickly ate it and flew away afraid they wouldhurt them.

"Why are you alone?"

"They do not trust me. I ambetter alone."

Eliza looked out at her armyand smiled. "They saw you save my life and they are slowly startingto trust you. You cannot blame them though. They have lost theirhomes and families so they do what they can to survive."

He looked at her still thinkingof the other witch who had vanished. He wondered if she was on theirside or the queens. She looked too evil to be on Eliza's, but the wayshe vanished, told him whose.

"The other witch that waswith you. She on your side?"

Eliza looked down at the groundand picked at the grass. He almost regretted asking, but curiositytook over. He thought she was not going to answer as she kept pickingat the grass. Her hair blew in her face hiding her eyes from hisview. Had he made the girl cry?"