Thunderbolt of Laurels

Chapter 1: Trails with No Destination

*A/N~ Hi everyone! Thank you for choosing my story! I hope you enjoy it. #teammerlin*

The night air chills my bones. It's cold, at least in the north side of Fairytale Island. But I can't stop, I have to keep going. I look back at my kingdom one last time. The castle walls glistening from the light snow that's falling on it. The moon shining bright behind it. It's perfect. That place, those people, that life. Perfectly unfair too. I want a life. I want adventure. I want love, for love. So I venture on. Not looking back anymore.

How long has it been? Hours at least. It's warmer up south, but I'm still chilled. My feet are frozen to the bone. The cape that drapes behind me doesn't do much for the sharp air. I should have dressed better. But it was in such a rush. It was my only chance to get out. To leave. I had to take it. The trees no longer have snow on them. I've reached the other side of Fairytale island, finally. It's only a matter of time before they start looking for me; they've had to notice that I'm missing. I decide on getting some rest. My feet ache and my calves feel like they're on fire. I haven't stopped running or walking since I left. I look around for some sticks, collecting them. I find a small space of grass under some trees and set up camp there. The trees will hide the smoke from anyone in the distance. I don't need any attention yet. However, the fires noticeable. I just hope there isn't anything horrible lurking in these woods, if there is I'm prepared. I've brought my bow and arrows, along with enough food and water to last me a week. I should be fine. I don't know where I'm going, but I'll be fine.

I can't sleep. I'm paranoid. Not of the forest in particular, but of the people who may be after me. I can't go back. That's not living. That's not what I want. I hug my knees and stare into the blazing flames, lost in thought. I could find him.

Suddenly I hear a twig snap. I put out my fire quickly and grab my bow and load it. I keep a watchful eye out. A large shadow moves through the trees, but it's not coming towards me, it's just passing through. What's it after? Since I'm up and rested, I might as well keep going. I gather my stuff and make a move on. I venture deeper into the forest. I don't even have a plan. . .what do I do? At this point, I don't care. I just need to get as far away from my kingdom as possible. Maybe I'm a little ignorant for leaving without a destination. Maybe I should stop and think of something. Ugh, why couldn't things just be the way they should have been. All those years ago. . . I shouldn't have banished them, him. I can't dwell on the past now. I can only go forward, which will hopefully lead me to what I lost those years ago.
Screams and commotion, come from the distance up ahead. Is that where the large shadow went? Maybe they need my help so I head towards the possible danger. I put my hair up to get it out of the way and I run through the forest, branches slap my skin and tear my cloak but I don't care. I need to help.

A girl in red shoes is cornered by a giant wooden bunny. "You're a vegan bunny right?" she asks, hysterically. I chuckle at the small joke, catching the attention from both.
"Hey Chonkers, eat this," I yell and shoot an arrow at him. He opens his mouth and swallows it whole. What in the world? Chonkers makes his way to me, leaving the girl in red shoes behind. "Get out of here," I tell her. She listens and runs. I shoot another arrow at the giant but it deflects off of his body. "Oh great, he's varnished." I start running away, but his monstrous feet are so close to crushing me. Just as a large shadow is over me, something jumps on me and tackles me to the ground just as Chonkers takes a step at the spot I was just at. I take a look at who saved me, it's the same girl. "Thanks," I say.
"Don't mention it," she replies. At the same time, Chonkers turns around to face us. "We should really—"
"Get out of here? Yeah." We run back, making our way through the trees. "Why does this bunny have it in for you?" I ask her.
"No idea."
The bunny is gaining on us. "We can't outrun him, he's too fast," she says. I look around for anything that can help us, then a flash of light emits from behind us. We look back; Chonkers is on the ground, unconscious. "What in the world just happened?" A brunet little green dwarf comes into view from behind the bunny.
"Don't worry Red Shoes, I saved you!" he says.
"Wait your name is actually Red Shoes?" I ask the girl.
"Um yes, yes it is. My parents had an obsession with the colour red and. . .uh, shoes?" she says unsurely.
"Cool." I shrug.
Then the green dwarf turns to me. "Uh, who is this?" Red Shoes turns to me too. I really didn't think this through. They can't know. . . I shouldn't trust anyone with my identity right?
"I'm Alaura."