"The Witch of the White Forest... you're that person?"
Clark's voice cracked, his words sharp with disbelief.
Annoyed, Lara scoffed and shoved another spoonful of soup into his mouth. "Yes, that's me. The Witch of the White Forest. Show some respect!"
Her proud tone and the way she lightly puffed out her chest only made Clark more confused. The stories he'd heard of the White Witch were filled with awe and fear. To think he'd end up in her house, eating her soup—it was all too surreal.
The room fell into an awkward silence. Clark's mind churned with questions, each more bizarre than the last, while Lara's thoughts began to spiral.
"Is he scared of me because I'm a witch?"
It had been years since she'd interacted with someone from outside the forest. Now, the fear of rejection loomed large in her chest, her own assumptions gnawing at her. She felt vulnerable, uncertain, like the moment might slip away if she didn't act.
"Hey, Clark..." she began hesitantly, breaking the silence. Her voice carried a hint of desperation.
Clark blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. Surprised by her sudden address, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
"Hey, Lara?"
"Yes?" she answered quickly, eager, her heart skipping a beat.
"Are you a hundred years old?"
"What...?"
Her voice trailed off, caught between disbelief and sheer bewilderment. The silence that followed was even heavier than before, the air thick with unspoken embarrassment.
"You see... just forget about it," Clark said, his voice awkward and strained. He rubbed the back of his neck, mortified. What did I just blurt out?
Lara, on the other hand, was no less embarrassed. The fact that he thought she was a hundred years old struck a strange nerve. Her face burned as she crossed her arms, glaring at him.
"What made you think I'm a hundred years old?"
"Oh, that..." Clark scratched his head nervously, trying to explain. "You see, when you mentioned you were a witch, I just assumed... you know, maybe you'd be from some ancient era or something. Like, witches are supposed to be old, right?"
Lara's glare intensified, her amber-green eyes narrowing. "So, what? Do I look like I've lived for a century to you?"
"N-No! That's not what I meant!" Clark waved his hands defensively. "I mean... you look, uh... great! Younger than a hundred, obviously."
Her expression softened slightly, but the corner of her mouth twitched as if she couldn't decide whether to be offended or flattered.
"Hmm," Lara muttered, her tone quiet .
The rest of supper continued in relative silence, with Clark offering to help her clean up afterward.
Lara moved gracefully as she tidied up, much more composed than her earlier flustered self. Meanwhile, Clark couldn't shake the lingering embarrassment from his earlier blunder. Why do I always fumble so badly? he thought, his shoulders slumping slightly.
As they worked side by side, Clark watched Lara, noticing how elegant she seemed now compared to her usual blunt demeanor. He hesitated for a moment before moving a little closer. Gathering his courage, he leaned toward her, his voice low but earnest.
"You see... I'm really sorry about what I said earlier," he whispered near her ear.
Her hand froze mid-motion, and a flush of red crept up her ears. "Ah..." she started to reply, but her voice cracked, and in her flustered state, she jolted, knocking over the water basin they were using.
The water spilled over both of them, soaking their clothes and creating a sudden burst of chaos.
"Hey, are you okay?" Clark asked, startled, as he looked at her dripping form.
Lara glanced up at him, her cheeks still red, but a soft chuckle escaped her lips. Clark couldn't help but smile back, and for a moment, the tension melted away.
Perhaps, amidst the spilled water and awkward moments, this was the next step in their strange, unexpected connection.
As the morning light filtered through the trees, Clark and Lara woke up, both greeted by smiles instead of awkwardness. The tension that had clouded their first meeting had completely washed away, replaced by an easy comfort. The warmth of the previous night lingered in the air, and they found themselves moving around the small kitchen together. Their movements were fluid, almost like a couple. It was hard to believe that just a moment ago, they were complete strangers.
Lara hummed softly as she cracked eggs into a pan, the sound of sizzling filling the room. Clark stirred a pot of soup, his mind oddly at peace. The quiet rhythm of their cooking felt natural, a pleasant change from the solitude of their lives.
As they finished preparing breakfast, Lara looked over at Clark, her face lighting up with excitement. "Clark," she said, almost bouncing on her heels, "Would you like to come with me today? I want to show you more of the forest. It's been so long since I've had someone to share it with."
Clark's lips curled into a smile. "Sure. I'd like that."
They ate together, their conversation light and easy. There were no more awkward silences, just a sense of camaraderie that seemed to flow effortlessly between them. After they finished, Lara stood up and stretched. "Alright, let's go to the forest."
They stepped out into the cool morning air, the forest sprawling before them. Lara led the way, her steps confident and sure. The trees towered above them, their thick branches weaving together to form a canopy that dappled the forest floor with sunlight. The air was crisp, the scent of pine and earth filling their lungs.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, Lara began to point out the different plants and creatures that lived in the woods. She spoke with such knowledge and passion, her eyes sparkling as she shared the secrets of her home. Clark listened intently, fascinated by the world she described.
"Over here," Lara said, motioning to a small clearing, "This is where the forest's magic is the strongest. The monsters that usually roam here… they don't dare approach when I'm around." She paused, a mischievous glint in her eye. "It's one of the perks of being the White Witch."
Clark chuckled, watching her with a mix of admiration and curiosity. "I'm starting to see why they stay away from you."
Lara smiled, pleased by his reaction. "They know better."
They continued walking, the forest seeming to come alive around them. Strange creatures peered at them from behind trees, their eyes glowing faintly in the shadows, but none dared approach. The air felt heavy with magic, yet strangely calm in Lara's presence.
At one point, they passed a massive, gnarled tree. Lara paused, her fingers brushing against its bark. "This tree," she said softly, "has been here longer than I've been alive. It's said that it holds the memories of everyone who has ever walked these woods."
Clark studied the tree, feeling an odd sense of reverence. "That's incredible."
Lara gave a small nod, then motioned for him to follow. "Come on. There's still so much more to see."
They continued their journey, the minutes stretching into hours as Lara showed Clark the hidden wonders of the forest. They crossed over small streams, passed through thick underbrush, and climbed up rocky hills that offered breathtaking views of the land below.
The deeper they ventured, the more Clark felt a sense of peace settle within him. He had never experienced anything like this before—this wild, untamed beauty that seemed to pulse with life and magic.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of wandering, Clark's stomach gave a loud, insistent growl. He stopped in his tracks, his hand instinctively clutching his abdomen.
Lara turned, a knowing smile on her face. "I think it's time for a break, don't you?"
Clark laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I guess so."
They found a small clearing to rest in. Lara set down a blanket, and Clark sat beside her, both of them chuckling over his hunger. Lara pulled out some bread and fruit from her pack, and they sat together, eating in silence for a while.
The forest around them was calm, the only sounds the rustling of leaves in the breeze and the occasional birdcall. As they ate, it felt like time slowed, the moment stretching out between them like a delicate thread.
Lara glanced over at Clark, her smile softening. "I'm glad you're here," she said quietly. "It's nice to have someone to share this with."
Clark looked at her, feeling a warmth in his chest that he couldn't quite explain. "I'm glad too, Lara. This... it's beautiful."
The two of them sat there, in the heart of the forest, a peaceful silence settling over them as they enjoyed the simple pleasure of each other's company.
As the night deepened, the air grew cooler, and Lara turned to Clark with a glint of excitement in her eyes. "Let me show you something even more wonderful," she said, her voice laced with mystery.
Before Clark could respond, she grabbed his hand, her fingers warm and steady in his. With a gentle flick of her wrist, a soft glow emanated from her hand as she cast a spell. The air around them shimmered, and in the blink of an eye, they were transported to a hilltop. The world around them had shifted, and they stood at the edge of a quiet, forgotten place.
The ground beneath them was covered in moss and delicate flowers, and in the center of the hill lay two stone tombstones, weathered by time but still standing strong. Their presence was heavy, as if the land itself was holding its breath.
Clark looked around, confused. "What is this place?"
Lara stood still for a moment, her gaze fixed on the tombstones, her lips trembling slightly. Her voice, when it came, was soft, almost broken. "This is where my brother and his lover are buried," she said, her words heavy with sorrow. "They never died apart, even in death."
Clark's heart tightened as he looked at the two graves. The silence between them was thick, the weight of her words settling on him. He had heard nothing of Lara's past before, but something about the way she spoke—so quietly, yet filled with deep sorrow—told him that this place was sacred to her.
Lara moved closer to the graves, her fingers brushing the edges of the stones as if seeking some connection to the souls beneath. "My brother, he was a warrior," she began, her voice distant, as if lost in the past. "He fought for what he believed in, and when the time came for him to protect the woman he loved, he gave everything. She was a princess, you see. Princess Elara of Valeria."
Clark's brow furrowed as he listened, but he said nothing, allowing Lara to continue.
"The king of Valeria... he sought to sell her off, to marry her to a foreign lord for political gain." Lara's hands tightened into fists at her sides. "But my brother, he wouldn't let that happen. He loved her with everything he had—he would have moved mountains to keep her free." Her voice wavered with emotion as she spoke of the man who had defied a king, risking everything for love.
"Together, they fought. My brother led a rebellion, rallied the people of Valeria, and even when it seemed impossible, he kept going." Lara's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "But the king was too powerful. They were cornered, and in the end, they couldn't escape."
Her gaze turned to the tombstones again, her voice quieter now. "They died fighting, side by side, in each other's arms. And when they passed, they were buried here together, where no one could tear them apart."
Clark felt a lump form in his throat as he listened to her story. There was a depth of emotion in her voice that he hadn't expected, a vulnerability that made him feel as though he was witnessing something deeply personal and sacred.