The cheers of the people around them was not what Davina expected. Upon seeing the pairs of eyes that came out of nowhere, Davina was preparing for another battle. But she was mistaken when she heard their cheers and cries of praise for them.
Davina couldn't do anything when the ethereal looking people gathered around them. They created a big circle around the four of them and started dancing. Flute-like and upbeat music filled her ears.
Each one of them had pointed ears that Davina couldn't stop staring at. They weren't human, she knew that but what they are, she doesn't know. Their clothing was like the color of the forest and covered their entire body. Some had the same color of the bright green of the grass, or the dark brown on the trees. There were many other styles and colors that blended them perfectly with the forest.
"Wha-what are they?" Davina whispered to Quinn who was leaning on Arlo.
"I think they're elves."
"Are they-"
"Not a threat," he breathed out.
Davina looked at him. His whole weight was practically on Arlo. His breathing was ragged. She couldn't find any signs of an injury so she doesn't know what's wrong with him.
"Are you alright?"
He nodded. "Just tired."
The music and dancing around them suddenly stopped. The circle opened to make way for a tall man with long black hair swaying on his back. A dark green robe draped around him. He walked with elegance and grace. His beautiful face radiated power and magnificence. The other elves bowed down before him. Even Davina had the urge to take a knee.
His almond shaped dark eyes landed on the four. A smile formed on his thin pink lips. Then he bowed to the four of them.
"Welcome great warriors, I am the King of the Woodland Elves," his voice sounded as sweet as a melody. "On behalf of my people, I would like to thank you for slaying the ogre."
He didn't speak for a moment. He was waiting for a reply. Davina was waiting for one to do so, but when she glanced at the three, they—except Arlo—was looking at her.
"It-It was our pleasure." Davina berated herself for the simple reply.
Although the elf didn't notice or mind. "To express our gratitude, we would like to provide you with anything you may need. We could perhaps heal you before you continue on your journey. We have good healers in all of Farren."
"That's very generous of you." Davina looked once again at the Inarians. She didn't know what they wanted. She hated they made her the spokesperson for them when she wasn't even an Inarian.
"We accept," Kira spoke up, to Davina's relief. Her voice sounded shaky. Maybe she's nervous in front of the Elven King, Davina thought because she was too. "Thank you Your Highness."
At the end of the day, they went with the Woodland Elves. They traveled there by riding two bears that the King summoned. The other elves walked but since they were guests. Davina would've walked with them, but the King insisted for them to travel that way. Davina was wary at first when she saw two huge brown bears come out of nowhere.
"Don't worry, miss," the Elven King assured her, "they're very gentle."
Kira, Arlo, and Quinn shared one bear with Quinn in the middle. His head was turned away from her, so she couldn't see how he was holding up. So, Davina was the only one on the bear as they made their way to where the Woodland Elves lived—well there was Felix riding behind her, but she doubted if he actually counted.
They traveled through the forest and passed through more of the gigantic trees. Music continued to play. Many of the elves danced and laughed heading there. The Elven King laughed and smiled at the antics of his people.
They eventually stopped. But Davina and the others had no idea why. There was nothing there but more of the forest. Before Davina could say anything, the elves ran toward the forest.
"Where are they going?" Davina asked.
"We're already here," the Elven King replied. He offered his hand to help her get off the bear. She accepted. "Follow me."
The Elven King snapped his fingers and Davina heard something creaking and the rustling of leaves. She looked up and saw a branch slowly come down. On the end was a small room that could only fit around three people.
A door opened and the Elven King let Davina go inside first, then he followed. She looked around for the Inarians but they were nowhere to be found.
"They went straight to the path of the Healers," he told her. "Your other companion didn't look too well, I believe."
"They didn't tell me…" Davina caught herself. Why would they tell her? It was obvious how she was cut from them. But she was part of their crew.
"They're perfectly safe there, miss…"
"Dana."
"You're our guests Miss Dana. It wouldn't be proper if we led you to harm."
Davina felt ashamed. He was right. They did these elves a favor and they wanted to repay it.
"I apologize, Your Highness."
"Apology accepted Miss Dana."
The door closed and they started to go up. Davina gripped the wooden barriers around her. They went up until they finally stopped.
The sight now in front of Davina took her breath away. The trees that used to be plain and bare were now filled with houses that were home to elves. Some of the branches of the trees were working as their bridge. Although, Davina saw some of the elves swinging through some vines to get from one house to another.
She and the Elven King were walking on a broad wooden bridge. Davina kept on looking around her with her mouth agape in awe. As they did so, the elves chanted, "The ogre is dead! The ogre is dead!"
The story of how the four warriors killed the ogre spread like wildfire. Soon enough, many elves were thanking and congratulating Davina. Many were looking through their house. The others were perched on a branch to get a better look at her.
They ended up in front of a house that looked empty. The Elven King opened it and let her in. There were crystals embedded on the tree, illuminating the room.
"This is where you and your female companion can stay for the time being. We have another house for your male companions."
"Thank you."
"Dana!"
Davina turned her head at the familiar voice and saw Kira who ran up to her and hugged her as if they haven't seen each other for so long. Davina was rather used to Kira's behavior, but the way she clung to her was rather different.
"I thought you were at the Healers. Is it Quinn?"
"We were, but Arlo is with Quinn now. He's just really tired."
"He really gets tired that easily?"
"Yeah," she nodded furiously then turned to the Elven King. "Thank you Your Highness for your help."
"You're welcome," he bowed his head slightly. "I will send someone to accommodate and help you if you ever need anything. But you can also call me if you need something important."
"How?"
The Elven King scanned the room, but Davina couldn't tell what he was looking for. He lifted his hand and took one of the crystals. When he did, he waved his hand and the hole where the crystal was, was gone. The crystal lost it's golden color and light and turned transparent.
"Tell me your message here and it will be sent to me no matter where you are."
"Thank you," Davina stared at the crystal on her hand. She doesn't understand how it works exactly, but didn't question it.
"In celebration of the death of the ogre, we will hold a celebration. But we will do so when everyone is well. I bid you ladies a good day."
With that, they said their goodbyes and Davina and Kira were left in their new house for the time being.
~~~~~
For the next two days that they lived in the Woodland Elves Kingdom, Davina and Kira spent it getting rest and exploring the place. True to his word, the Elven King sent someone who helped them with whatever they needed in the Kingdom. Her name was Eva. She was a bubbly girl with long platinum hair and she looked at Davina and Kira like they were the moon. She hung on their every word and was desperate to please their saviors.
Her personality matched a lot with Kira's. So Davina thought that they would get along quite well. That Kira would deal with the girl and she'd have some peace and quiet. But it was reversed.
Kira would have her bubbly personality, but there were moments when she'd suddenly be silent and stare. Davina didn't know what that was about. Why the sudden change of her usual light personality.
She wanted to ask, but she felt awkward doing so. She didn't want Kira to tease her or she might turn her down and avoid the question. There was also the possibility Kira might let go and be a blubbering mess and she didn't know how to deal with that. It made her feel terrible, but what could she do?
So during the times Kira would be quiet, Davina would be the one who'll talk to Eva. That was the only thing she could think of doing for the girl.
On their second night there, Davina couldn't sleep. So, she left her room quietly so as to not disturb Kira or Eva, who was also staying there to better accommodate them. Right when she shut the door, she saw Kira do the same. Both held a crystal in their hands as a form of light since Eva would close those embedded in the house when they'd sleep. Some of the light shone through their fingers.
"Dana," her voice was hoarse.
Davina didn't know what to say. Kira tried to keep a smile, but from her raspy voice and puffy eyes, it wasn't working. Her feet made their way towards Kira. She raised her hand and pat the girl's head. Just that one gesture made Kira pull Davina in a tight hug.
"Dana can you do something for me?"
"What is it?"
"Don't ask me any questions. But please tell me everything will be fine."
"Everything will be fine," she said. Her limp arms wrapped around Kira's body. "Everything will be fine."
The two stood in each other's embrace for who knows how long. Davina felt her shoulder getting wet but she didn't pull away. She let Kira hug her until she was ready to let go. She had no idea what was weighing on the girl's mind nor did she ask, as she requested.
This night reminded her of her and Felix. She had no idea when and no idea why, but there were times he'd look incredibly frightened as if he saw a ghost. She tried to ask him about it, but he never budged. He'd give off some excuse and go on his merry way. It hurt her that he didn't tell her what was bothering him, but then there were times when he'd come over to her and ask her to say words of comfort to him.
"What do you want me to do?" She asked groggily when he woke her in the middle of the night when he got back for a short break from the war. She thought he'd grow out of his midnight antics, but she was proven wrong.
"I want you to tell me that everything will be fine."
Davina was about to protest but she saw the frightened expression on his face. How pale he looked. The sweat that was on his face.
What happened to you out there? She was deeply worried. But she couldn't ask. If she'd ask, he'd run off.
Davina opened her arms and Felix melted in them. "Everything will be fine," she said. "Everything will be fine."
"You'll always be by my side right? You won't turn on me?"
Davina found the question ridiculous, but she didn't comment on it. "Never. I'll always be by your side." She ran her hand through his hair. "You'll always have my back."
Just like those words brought comfort to Felix, her words tonight brought comfort to Kira. But like those times, Davina wondered if there was some truth behind the words she'd say.