To Hide a Princess

Chapter Ten

Last night we just slept under the stars at the park. It was too late to find a place to stay. Once we had calmed down, everywhere was buried in sleep so, using my cloak for warmth, we huddled together to sleep. I already felt protective over him, like he was my little brother again.

I wake early this morning to find Oro gone. I panic and start calling his name desperate to find him. Suddenly he appears out from behind a tree. I run to him thankfully and scoop him into a big hug while he looks at me strangely, having not figured out my worry.

"Don't leave me again without telling me where you're going ok Oro? I was worried about you! I thought you'd run away!"

"Sorry El, just went to check our surroundings, thought there was something watching us. Just me being paranoid I think, sorry" he says with a naughty grin. I chuckle in response as we make our way back over to Aranel. Yes, I did tell Oro my true name. I sense that he will not betray me and I already trust him with my whole heart. He's a wonderful boy and just like my brother.

We spend the day again around town as I draw different things. I think I'm going to sell drawings, or maybe busk for money. I can buy a small harp and play and sing on the streets. That would work. We wander through the market place and both buy small sweet pastries, giggling like small children. Then we wander around looking at small cottages I could buy soon, if I actually made up my mind to.

As evening comes we find yet another inn to stay at. I decide to stay only one night here, and then to return to the large busy inn. I think that it'll be hard to guess where I'm staying if I change spontaneously. I'll be unpredictable and invisible.

The next two days pass uneventfully. It's only strange the morning after I leave the large bustling inn. I'm on Aranel with Oro leaving the inn for maybe a week and we are just going to go back to Fin's for a night. We agree that maybe they won't expect me to go somewhere so predictable.

Just as we ride down the lane and turn into a small alleyway, a group of armed gaurds ride past strait on to the inn. I panic and ride off quickly but not before noticing Oro's face going white and panicked. I'd have to ask him about that later.

We ride into the forest where we dismount out of breathe and both scared.

"Oro?" I ask in a soft voice, "Oro?"

"Yes?" He also speaks softly, looking scared,

"You know I would never make you leave Oro? I know it's only been a couple of days but you're already like a little brother to me"

He doesn't say anything but hugs me, tears running down his face, but his eyes are filled with hope now and relief.

"I need to know what happened back there. I saw you get scared and I' worried about you. I trust you with everything, even my name so I won't hate you, nothing could make me do that!"

"It means that they have put the second plan into action." He says softly, then repeats again louder. I send him a questioning look and he continues,

"Legolas always had a second plan if I didn't come through, I just forgot about it until now. If I didn't return with news then he planned on putting all inn owners on alert for you. He gave them a description of you not a name as he knows you change this. He is desperate to know you Elemmire, it's breaking him. Now if any innkeepers have you stay, they send an alert to Legolas and he'll come to collect you and bring you back to him. I never returned to him so now he's put this plan in action. I'm so sorry Elemmire." He looks at me sadly waiting for a response.

"Don't worry Oro," I say hugging him close, "It just seems that I'm going to have to buy a house sooner than I thought" I say with a small smile at him. He just chuckles that adorable ten year old boy chuckle.

We sleep under the stars for the next few days under my cloak. Luckily for us it's warm even at night. We eventually find a small quaint cottage that I can afford and also we buy a small harp and flute. It turns out that Oro is quite the musician and we make a perfect duo. In this way we earn money during the day through busking. We move in as soon as we can, setting up the two small bedrooms so we have everything we need.

It's an ideal life for a few weeks, it's peaceful and calm and I have company in the lovely Oro. He truly is a little brother and he's mending the hole in my heart that was made when I saw my family die.

Of course there is always a calm before the storm.

...

After four weeks living in this calm, happy way, the calm is shattered.

I have left where we busk for a while just to get food. I've left Oro on his own for a while to earn money. He's quite the musical prodigy so I give him a third of the money always. I would give him half but he refuses always.

I return after getting food and let Oro go to get some for himself. Just as I prepare to start playing, the woman who owns the stall next to me bustles over to talk. I play in the market you see as it's very busy and people come to spend money so it's the best place to earn money. The woman is always happy and truly lovely, she's called Irellas.

"Ohhh Fallyn, you'll never guess who asked after you!" she says. I've returned to using the name Fallyn again here for now at least. I smile and send a questioning look towards Irellas and she continues.

"It was Legolas!" she squeals, "Legolas himself! He seemed quite distraught that you weren't here yourself so naturally I told him where you were. He had to rush off though, something about a meeting with Elrond. "I jus stood there in shock and she took this as leave to continue, "well he is a rather attractive fellow, I must say. And with you being as beautiful as you are, and such a wonderful musician! It's hardly a surprise really. You're simply perfect together! Of course, I could tell all along like in that way. Such a perfect couple!" She tries to continue rambling but I cut her off.

"Thank you Irellas but I really can't see him!" I speak completely shocked.

"Well that's just too bad then! I told him where you live so I'm sure he'll come to find you. He's the prince so obviously you must meet him! Such a wonderful young man!"

I thank her again before rushing back home. I really didn't want to do this but I'm going to have to leave. It's just too hard escaping the one I love. And that's the problem of course. I do love him. But I don't want him and it will stay this way.

I pack my few possessions, mount Aranel and set off. I have already told Oro what to do if I leave suddenly and it breaks my heart to leave him more than anything but I have to go. He knows to take the cottage and all of the money I leave and start a new life for himself. I take all the money I need but leave it all for him. I leave out some food for him and Legolas when he comes along with an individual note for them both saying sorry.

With this I ride over the bridge and back into the wasteland. I have barely ridden ten minutes when I come across a large overhanging rock. And my nightmare along with it.

Orcs. A whole gang of orcs.