Chapter 3 – Part 7
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The three sat around the campfire, warming up and trying to regain their strength. Pip watched Aerin play with her hair, exposing her neck for a few seconds. He noticed the birthmark on her skin; the shape resembling that of a small rose.
“What are we going to do now?” Aerin asked Galadel. “We still have a long way to go until we reach my friend’s village”.
Galadel sighed, looking into the fire. “The path ahead isn’t that long. But we need to rest a little. Tomorrow, at dawn, we’ll set off again.”
Aerin looked at the two of them, still shaken by everything that had happened. “What are we going to do about the Scamander?” she asked, fearing the answer.
“Don’t worry, ” Galadel said, trying to calm her down. “The Scamander won’t follow us. Not now, at least.”
Pip looked at Aerin, smiling mysteriously. “You are a rare and precious flower, like a rose in the darkness. Your mark is proof that you are someone very special, a treasure that needs to be protected. But what does this mark really mean? That is something only you can discover.” He gave an enigmatic smile, leaving the answer hanging.
Aerin furrowed her brow, trying to understand what he meant. ‘ “What do you mean?” she asked, looking to Galadel for help.
But the elf simply shrugged, also puzzled.
Pip chuckled, satisfied with the mystery. “All in good time, my dear Aerin. All in good time.”
Aerin was even more confused, but decided not to push the issue. She knew that Pip sometimes liked to speak in riddles and that it was better to let him play. She turned to the fire, trying to warm herself.
After a while, the three made themselves as comfortable as possible on the floor and fell asleep.
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Aerin woke up to the sound of birds singing. Yawning, she stretched out her arms and saw that Galadel and Pip were already awake. The elf was tending to the fire, and Pip was preparing breakfast.
“Good morning!”, said Pip, smiling at Aerin. “Time to start the day!”
Aerin smiled back, sitting up. “What have you guys prepared to eat?” she asked, noticing that there were pots and plates scattered on the floor. They didn’t have any of that before. It was probably the work of Pip’s magic.
“I used a little bit of my magic to prepare some eggs, bacon, and fresh bread,” said Pip proudly. “I also have some fruit and cheese if you’d prefer something lighter.”
The girl looked at Pip, curious about his ability to create food out of thin air.
“How do you do this?” Aerin asked.
Pip shrugged, smiling. “It’s a bit of magic, a bit of trickery. I’m a crafty fae, you know.”
Galadel laughed, winking at Aerin. “Pip is one of the best fairies when it comes to magic. And his ability to create food is invaluable.”
Aerin chuckled and took a bite of bread. After finishing their meal, they got up and set out on their journey once more. Though the road ahead was still long, they were well rested and ready to face whatever challenges came their way.
The three set out on the path again early in the morning. The tall, sturdy oak and beech trees surrounded the path, their branches reaching towards the sky as if trying to touch the clouds. Fields of daisies and peonies spread out across the ground, gently swaying in the wind. The place was a combination of beauty and serenity. The fresh, pure air mixed with the birds’ singing, created a tranquil and enchanting atmosphere.
They walked all day, only stopping to rest and eat some fruits and nuts they had found along the way.
As the night fell, they took shelter under a large tree and lit a fire. They savored the magical meals prepared by Pip and lay down to rest.
When the sun rose again, they continued on their journey.
As they advanced, the landscape changed. The trees became sparser, and the fields gave way to small villages where human dwellings were scattered. The inhabitants watched them suspiciously as they passed.
After crossing another dense forest area, finally, they spotted the village of Friblord in the distance.
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The three friends were walking down a hill towards Friblord when Pip suddenly stopped. He looked around as if he was about to say something important. His eyes shone with a clever light, and he gave a smile to Galadel and Aerin. “I think it’s time for me to follow my own path for now,” he said. “Humans may not understand the fairy folk, and I prefer not to risk frightening them or causing confusion.”
Galadel nodded, understanding, and Aerin felt a pang of sadness in her heart. They had become good friends on their journey together, and she knew she would miss Pip.
But Pip smiled at her. “We’ll see each other again soon, I promise.”
Aerin felt her eyes welling up and knelt down to hug the little fairy friend. “You’re a very special friend,” she said with a choked voice.
Pip squeezed her hand gently. “Don’t be sad, Aerin. Each of us has our own path to follow. I know we’ll see each other again at some point.”
Galadel patted Pip on the back. “We’ll see each other soon, friend. Stay safe and take care.”
Pip nodded, but before turning to leave, he looked at Aerin seriously.
“Aerin, you need to be careful. There are forces around you that seek to harm you. Stay close to the High Lord and he will keep you safe. And don’t trust everyone you meet. Some may present themselves as friends, but they may not be who they claim to be.”
Aerin frowned, confused by Pip’s words. “I’m not sure I understand. Who should I avoid?”
Pip smiled, but didn’t give any further explanations. “Just be careful. And remember, knowledge is power. Find out the truth for yourself and use it wisely.”
And with that, he turned and disappeared among the trees.
“I have to go too,” Galadel said, placing his hand on the girl’s delicate shoulder.
Aerin sighed and nodded, trying to hide her sadness. “I’ll miss you,” she said. “It was a pleasure to meet you and travel with you.”
Galadel smiled and gave her a tight hug. “I’ll miss you too, Aerin. But I promise we’ll see each other again. Maybe even sooner than you think.”
He walked away from her and started on his way, but turned to look at her for a moment before disappearing into the forest. Aerin watched him leave, feeling a lump in her throat. She took a deep breath and turned towards Gareth’s village.