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Chapter 8
"Owlet it's me", her hands made a cup shape around her mouth as she called out in strong whispers. She did not want to startle him in the shady woods. She kept whispering even as she marched inwards- tumbling the dry hazel leaves under her feet.
Elish had imagined her future with Owlet, although a commoner, she was already fond of him. She had met him in the woods, when she went to select wood to make her bow and arrow. He had gone to pick some snails for his Aunt who he lived with when he noticed the princess striking a pine tree with her sword. He was curious to know why she was selecting such weak wood.
When she had told him her purpose for the wood, he gave better guidance. He led her to cut the trunk of a hickory tree. She was curious to know how someone who looked only a bit older- knew better in wood selection. She was eager to meet him again to find out if they shared similar interests.
"Owlet", she heaved a sigh as she had finally caught the frame of someone in a bewildering position. And when she gave it a closer look, she saw what looked like a man hunched in an arched position.
"Could this be an Orc", she asked herself!
And whilst she strained a peek, she found out exactly who it was.
It was her Owlet, crouching in a lion-like position, beneath an array of bioluminescent stars, as he aimed profusely at the object of his obsession- wild life.
"Oh Owlet I've searched quite a distance", she coldly shot at him.
"I'm sorry I got distracted by these dama gazelles" he replied, as his eyes gave all the apology she needed to hear.
Well, Owlet was daringly handsome. He was a young teenage boy with darting masculine features. He walked very aware of this fact. He walked like a king with shoulders high and spread apart like a bridal fan. His hair was like a voyage of tides sailing across the sea. And oh his eyes! He had eyes like the firmament. It was white with littered hints of blue and not many people had blue eyes in Baliamort.
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"I have a gift for you", Elish said.
"What might that be", Owlet inquired.
"It's a rose for you" she shyly acknowledged.
Owlet having retrieved it from her hand, did what every other person would do, when gifted flowers.
He stretched his nose to smell its contents, like a man whose shovel got stuck in muddy soil. The rose smelt like fruits and Owlet was grateful for this gift.
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Owlet was not very expressive with Elish because he saw her as his Princess, and rightly so she was. Well, she didn't care so much about that even though he had much regard for her. There were times she wanted to look into his eyes, when she talked to him, but he would often look away.
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Back at the palace, everyone was worried. The guards ran back and forth with Pelz leading. He was more worried than any knight or guard because he was the one who allowed Elish leave the palace. At some point, he thought about bringing himself to confess to the King but he knew that could cost him his life.
After Elish had herself a swell time in the woods, she heard a cock crow and that was it! She had all the while been oblivious of the clock.
"How shall I make it into the palace", she thought to herself.
Owlet was willing to escort her to the golden rocks. That was where he could stop, else if he was seen with her, the palace guards could take him to the King and eventually throw him into prison.
"I have a plan", said Owlet.
"What might it be", Elish asked with rapt attention.
He said thus, "I will smear the crimson blood of my parrot on your garment, then I shall carry you to the palace as you feign unconsciousness".
"What"! Elish exclaimed.
"You would be seen as a suspect and they probably wouldn't let you go", she replied.
"Well think up something", he replied.
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"Well, I'd walk home with some shredded roses in my basket", she finally said.
When I get there, I'd tell Mother and Father that "I had gone to pick some roses to gift our family members who graced our banquet, when some wild dogs came strongly at me and I had to fight for my life", she said.
"You can still smear my gown with your parrot's crimson blood", she said to Owlet.
She felt really smart as she had well thought out her plan.
****
The Queen pacing up and down the balcony caught the frame of a girl about Elish's age. A glimmer of hope had suddenly been ignited just when they had almost given up search for the night! And as she gave her a closer look, behold! It was her daughter!
"Elish is back", she screamed as if to wake the whole Kingdom.
Elish wore a stress induced face and limped towards her mother whilst sobbing deeply.
The King and palace guards came out at once to celebrate the news as they listened to her narrate her 'ordeal' in the woods.
The King commanded Mira to serve her food and for the other maids to prepare her a hot bath.
The King was very proud as he listened to Elish describe her fight with the wild dogs.
The Queen however, knew that there was something off about her story but she was willing to wait for time to reveal it.