Chapter 3 – Part 3
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Aerin finally looked at the owner of the voice. An elf with blond hair and green eyes looked at her with concern. He had a bow and arrows and he wore a chain with a ring hanging from it.
Aerin was paralyzed for a moment, the fear still pulsing in her veins. “Who are you?” she asked, still in a trembling voice.
“My name is Galadel,” he replied. “I was patrolling the forest when I saw you here. It looked like you needed help.”
The young woman frowned. “An elf? It’s not common to find elves around here.”
Galadel raised an eyebrow. “I should say the same of you.”
Aerin opened her mouth to say that she was actually half-fae, but changed her mind. That elf was a stranger, and she was still processing all of this information.
Galadel smiled. “Look, you don’t have to be afraid. I just want to help.”
“Thank you,” Aerin said, still a bit suspicious. “I’m fine now. Can I go?”
Galadel shook his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he said. “The forest can be dangerous at night, especially for a girl alone. Why don’t you stay with me until dawn and then I’ll take you to your destination?”
Aerin hesitated for a moment, but then agreed. She knew she didn’t have a choice. She didn’t know where she was and had no way of protecting herself alone.
“Thank you,” she said, grateful. “I’ll stay with you until dawn.”
***
Aerin and Galadel were sitting near the campfire, eating venison meat and drinking water from a small bottle. The girl couldn’t deny that she was starving, so she devoured the meat with enthusiasm, while Galadel watched with a smile.
“You seem hungry,” he simply said.
Aerin nodded, embarrassed. “I haven’t eaten much these days.” She confessed.
Galadel shook his head. “Eat as much as you want. The forest can be difficult for those who are not accustomed to it.”
They ate in silence for a while, just listening to the sound of the flames crackling and the rustling of the leaves in the wind. Aerin felt grateful for Galadel’s presence. She didn’t know what she would have done without him.
“So, would you mind if I ask your name? And what were you doing alone in the forest?” Galadel asked, breaking the silence.
“My name is Aerin Tarathiel. I’m from a city called Príbora…” She then took a deep breath and told him about Maeglor and her escape (Omitting the part where she vanished into thin air.). She also mentioned that she was looking for a friend named Gareth, who lived in a village called Friblord.
“Friblord?” Galadel asked, surprised. “I know that place. I can take you there tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you,” Aerin said, gratefully.
She hesitated for a moment, but then decided to ask. “Can I ask about you, Galadel? You know… It’s not common to find elves around here.” She said again.
Galadel nodded. “That’s true,” he said. “I am a ranger and I patrol the forest. There are worse dangers than orcs here.” He looked around and continued. “I live in a fortress called Itria, not far from here. There are other elves like me who live there and are known as fairy friends. We get along with the fairies, unlike the elves in the cities, who fear and hunt them.”
Aerin was surprised. “My grandfather was a fairy friend.”
Galadel smiled and picked up the ring on his cord. “This ring belonged to my deceased wife, Eiluned,” he said. “She was a High Fairy and lived with me for a few years in a city far north of here. We kept the fact that she was a fairy a secret, but when it was discovered, the people of the city arrested us. They tortured Eiluned and then burned her alive. I was expelled from the city and since then I have lived here, in the forest, with other fairy-friends.”
Aerin was horrified by Galadel’s story. “I’m sorry,” she said, sad. “That’s terrible.”
Galadel nodded. “It was a long time ago. I’ve learned to live with it. The forest has been a home to me and the other fairy-friend elves.”
They remained in silence for a while, watching the dancing flames of the fire. After a while, Galadel stood up and packed his equipment to sleep.
“Let’s sleep,” he said. “We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”
Aerin agreed and lay down next to the fire, grateful for the comfort and security that Galadel provided her. She fell asleep with the assurance that, finally, she was in good hands.