We spend another night resting after another long day, Whitney is still avoiding me she said hello to Charlie but ignored me I tried to say hello to her but she didn't respond to me, the next day and we are back on the road again we reach Whitney's old village and see that there is now a path cut through the forest big enough for the wagons to fit, the village has been busy
Charlie:"did the other orcs do all this? So quickly?"
Barg:"yeah we can cut trees down a lot faster then humans and since we don't always get tired we can do a lot in a few days I wouldn't be surprised if there is already some houses build or at least supplies to build them"
Charlie:"wow that's surprising and amazing"
I nod we go down the path following behind her the others follow along as well going single file I can hear them all pleasantly chatting among themselves about what the new place will be like and how they would like to help build and contribute towards the village.
Whitney's pov
I have been ignoring Barg since the night I slapped him I'm still furious and hurt with both of them, we are going down the path that has been made recently, going back to where everything started, where I met Zul after he saved me it brings back all the memories we've had so far, the reality hits like a brick wall that maybe this isn't where I belong maybe I should leave once we get this place built up, that maybe it would have been better if Zul had never helped me in the first place. I sigh as we keep going it's still early in the day, I see the river and know we are a few hours away now I shake my head to try and get my mind clear I look back at all the people willingly following me to a new place it makes me happy to see everyone happy as well but there is still a hurt deep in my chest that I'm not sure will ever go away.
Several hours later I can see where the village is they are cutting down tons of trees to open up the area they are working on building a barn and fencing for the animals, they are sawing wood into planks for houses all of them are helping and they all seem rather happy about it we ride into the town and I stop my horse moving to the side so that the wagons can be directed to different areas. I get off my horse as Groma comes over to me
Groma:"Whitney you are back and have brought new comers I'm so very happy to see you saved that village did you find Benjamin"
Whitney:"yes I did but he hasn't waken up he was sick but got over it in a few days the doctor in the village can't figure out why I'm hoping you can try something to help"
Groma:" of course go get him and bring him to my hut the others will help all the people you can now relax for a while"
I nod going to the doctors wagon and getting him to the edge of the wagon Charlie shows up beside me and picks Benjamin up gently.
Whitney:"thank you Charlie"
Charlie:"of course show me where to put him" I nod and we go to Gromas hut Charlie sets Benjamin down gently onto the couch he nods and leaves as Groma comes out and looks over Benjamin she starts mixing up different liquids from different bottles as I watch her she opens his mouth and pours the liquid into his mouth and down his throat she looks at me
Groma:"this should help but it might take a few days before he wakes up for the time being he can stay here I'll my eye on him oh and one more thing I must tell you before you leave"
I look at her as her face saddened I start to feel dread as she looks at me her grey eyes not wanting to look at me in the eye she takes my hand with both of hers,
Groma:"I'm very sorry to tell you this but Olfin is gone.." she looks down to the floor as I see tears on her face
Whitney:"wait what gone!? Where did he go! I'll go find him he can't have gone far"
Groma:"no my dear… he is not lost.. he did not go anywhere he passed away.. he got very sick with something even I couldn't fix or help him with I tried so many things to help him get better but no matter what I did.. it never helped him" she wipes her eyes as I sit there stunned not knowing how to react
Whitney:"I..uh I don't know what to say… where is he buried.."
Groma:"just down the river there is a graveyard he is buried there with his parents"
I stand up and look at her "I'm going to see him please take care of Benjamin and don't tell anyone where I've gone I want to be alone" she nods at me as I walk out of the hut I ignore everyone except for crook who sees me gets extremely happy I pat his head and tell him to stay as I leave walking along the river I finally see the graveyard I go over and sit on my knees in front of his little grave I put my hands on the dirt and cry so hard no sound comes out my heart feels like it no longer exists, I feel empty inside I spend hours crying in front of his grave apologizing for leaving him when I shouldn't have. My mind was numb sitting at his grave. I sit at the grave long past sun set i put my back up against a tree that's beside his grave staring into the river i can't really see it but i can hear the water rushing by i look up and can see the stars against the dark sky i see the half moon as well.
Whitney:"we managed to find Benjamin he's not conscious but hopefully he will be, we also fought the bandits they also had trolls with them dragging wagons with villagers in it that's where we found Benjamin, i uh wanted Benjamin to meet you he was like my grandfather, i think you would have liked him Olfin, I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you.. " I start to cry again sobbing into my hands "he would have loved you.." I say it through the sobbing my hair is down and sticking to my face because of my tears I keep wiping my eyes but the tears don't stop falling. I hear something walking down towards me but don't bother to look hoping whatever it is will ignore me.
Zul:"Whitney… are you okay"
Hearing his voice makes the sadness turns to fury I stand quickly and slap him as hard as I can
Whitney:"get the hell away from me I don't want to talk to you or barg ever again! I hate you both I'm not a fucking prize now leave me alone!"
I yell at him as he takes my slap putting his hand on his face he turns and walks away without another word I crumble as soon as he is gone the fury going back to sadness I sit by his grave for the rest of the night.