Before the Last Snow

Chapter 12: Una Nueva Amiga (A new friend)

No one's POV

The tones of pink and purple began appearing just barely as the sun rose from the East. It was dawn. It was time for Lexon to leave. So, he woke up a little after midnight and started preparing for his days' long quest, in search of his brother-like Hedwig's truth, for the woman he loved. But, of course, after their fight yesterday, Lexon did not wish for Nebula to feel abandoned, which is why the thought of him at least saying goodbye to her. He tip-toed his way into her chambers, and saw a restless Nebula, probably viewing a nightmare. He woke her up and pulled her into his warmth as he always does. She resisted the affection, as she always does. The silence that had become their partner came again, but this time it was somber. Almost tragic.

"So, you're going, I suppose?"

"Yes. I didn't want to go without seeing you, Neb."

"Well, you've seen me now. So run along."

"I just want to say goodbye to you, properly."

"DON'T. Do not call it a goodbye, for I despise the very word. It provides no hope, only end. That's what he said before he left."

"Oh, darling, I am sorry. I didn't wish for you to be upset. Well, then, does see you soon work?"

"Yes, I suppose it does."

"Okay, then Queen Nebula. I shall see you soon, I promise."

"You're forgetting something, don't you think," she said in a rather playful manner.

"Ah, yes. I love you, my moon."

"Much better. Now, you better leave before the sun rises. We don't want you getting caught, now do we?"

"No, we do not. Okay, I will get going, Neb. Just tell the Elder Royals that I have gone to the Kingdom on urgent matters."

"I will."

He kissed her forehead as her teary eyes watched him leave. No one who had left her room had ever come back to her, but she only prayed Lexon would. He had to.

Looking to his right, left, and behind, Lexon headed towards the stables for his traveling companion- Pearl. The only female Nebula was ever jealous of was Pearl, her glowing white hair and ever so flawless skin left her beauty for no matches. Alas, a union between her and Lexon would be impossible for it has been quite rare for marriages to occur between a horse and a human. Yes, Pearl was a horse, in case, you hadn't figured it out already and if you did, you must be having quite the random ideas.

As Lexon hopped onto Pearl with his sword and food rations, Hedwig tightened his grip on his horse, too. Hedwig couldn't have just let Lexon go to his hometown for mainly two reasons. The first being that it had been some time since he last met his parents, it had been years actually, so if Lexon were to find his parents, he would enjoy seeing them, too. Secondly, when Lexon would find his parents, he might also find out the truth and that is something neither Hedwig nor Oscuro could afford.

So, he followed Lexon, from a distance into the woods. But, Lexon only rode faster and faster with Pearl and Hedwig could barely keep up with the speed, so after an hour of following, when the sun shone directly upon his head, Hedwig was lost. Not only was he lost, but he had also lost Lexon. Or maybe Lexon got rid of Hedwig following him, on purpose. Nonetheless, after hours of searching and exploring, Hedwig could find nothing of Lexon, no hoof prints, no sounds, nothing.

He got off his horse and started walking, more like wandering, and he realized that in a hurry had forgotten all supplies.

Oh, so smart, Hedwig. You forgot water, now what will you drink? What will you eat?

The voice inside his mind, of Oscuro, began irritating Hedwig a little bit.

"I will figure something out. Now, would you mind shutting your mouth?"

Feisty, aren't you? I am so proud of the man I've taught you to be, but you are not to speak to me in such a manner.

"Okay, fine. But, let me concentrate, please."

He tried following the Sun, but after hours of search, that had not worked out very well. His body longed for even a single drop of water, but hunger for food had not set in yet. The scorching heat hit him too hard as he began dizzying. His hair drenching with sweat, his face red from the sun. He was too tired to even look for water at this point, perhaps he should've done that earlier. As his body swayed from one direction to another, he heard the sound of a click.

He had accidentally stepped into a bear's trap, which would be nearly impossible to get out from, considering the lack of public visiting this area. He thought it best to just give in and fall to the ground, but as he closed his eyes, he heard a sweet female's voice. It wasn't Crystal, or Nebula's, he was sure. But, she was wearing a velvety turquoise cloak, even in this burning temperatures. Her hands had freckles and they smelled like medicine, or was it rose? He couldn't tell, for he was fainting into an unconscious state. 

After a few minutes of sprinkling water on his face, Hedwig finally opened his eyes to find a young lady looking at him with suspicion.

"Oi, who are you?"

"Um, I am Hedwig. King Lexon's High Knight. Who might you be?"

"I am just a passerby, I am going to the Moonlanders, isn't that where you wish to go, assuming that King Lexon is to get married there?"

"Yes, I got lost chasing someone."

"Sounds very legit. Mm, nope. But, I will take you to the Kingdom and give you to the Royals there. They can decide for you, then."

"You know which way to go, I presume?"

"Of course, I do. I have been traveling back and forth ever since I was a kid."

"All right, then. Do lead the way, Lady...?"

"No need for such formalities and the name is Lurnara."

"Very well. So, what brings you to the Moonlander's Kingdom?"

She offered him a hand as he found himself free from the trap he thought he set foot in. She noticed his confusion, and replied, "I freed you from the trap, so don't be thinking that you're delusional now."

"Oh, thank you very much, Lurnara. I will be sure to express my gratitude in a more dignified way once we reach the Kingdom."

"Yes, yes. You do that. As for your question, I have come to meet my childhood best friends. One of them is to get married and the other will be traveling with me to the Land of Unknown."

"Sounds quite a journey, to the Land of Unknown."

"Yes, it is. But, nothing or no one gets bothered there. It is peaceful, with no drama or politics. My friend prefers things that way."

"Your friend seems rather unique."

"She is."

The response left an awkward silence between the two, but this only led to more suspicions.

A/N

Hello lovelies! So, who is this Lurnara, and why does she seem so vague? More suspense means more secrets, which means more revealing happening soon!

Also, keep in mind of every little detail, I have left quite some easter eggs so far ;)

As always, if you are enjoying the book so far, please do not forget to vote and/or comment. If you're a silent reader and don't want to publicly comment, then you can message me instead ;)

Take care and stay safe, lovelies!!