Silhouettes

Chapter 4

As Sophia and Thranduil wandered down the woodland path home, they were stopped by the sounds of someone or something nearby crying. Sophia, being kind hearted and caring towards all things living, left the path to see what it was that was clearly in so much pain.
"Soph, were are you going? We don't have time for this, the sun will set soon."
Thranduil called after her.
"I have to see what it is. They could need our help."
Reluctantly Thranduil followed, not wanting to leave Sophia by herself after nightfall.
The two elves followed the sound which led them to a clearing in amongst the wild rose bushes and apple trees. Off to the side was a wild deer that had fallen and was obviously wounded. Sophia ran to it tears in her eyes upon seeing the distress that the poor animal was in. She fell onto the deer and noticed immediately what had caused the beautiful creature to fall. An arrow to its left shoulder left a pool of blood surrounding it.
Thranduil could only stand at a distance and watch trying to come to terms with what they had found.
Sophia watched as the deer breathed heavily through its nose, and tried to get up onto its feet only to fall again, and with each fall, grow weaker. As she laid her head on its chest, she heard the last heartbeat of the fallen creature.
Seeing the animal pass, and watching Sophia cry, Thranduil ran to her. He comforted her and pulled her stained, white blonde hair from the blood trickling from the wound.
"Come Sophia, we must go home. We cannot stay here."
Thranduil pulled Sophia away from the creature and turned her away so that she could not see what he was about to do.
He pulled out the arrow and covered the wound with his cloak. He then cleaned the arrow head so that Sophia would not have to look at the blood stains and held her arm as they walked back home by the light of the stars and moon.