Another Adventure

1. Home Life

Two years. Today was the day I left Obed's house in the Duven Mountains. It had been two whole years since then. The time had gone by both quickly and slowly. I got out of bed and changed into my day dress. One thing I had not had to deal with on my little adventure was corsets. Living here brought them back into my life. Oh, joy.

I looked in the mirror. I looked older. Not terribly different, but definitely older. Ever since getting back, I had tried to only think about the present and the future. No time for dwelling on the past. I sighed thinking of the time gone by. At least it was gorgeous here, as always.

I started to walk down the corridor, avoiding as many people as I could. I used to be a people person. That wasn't really the case anymore. I wouldn't call myself depressed per se, but I wasn't as perky as I used to be. People had noticed. Maybe that's why I tried to avoid them. Everyone always asked if I was alright, and quite frankly, the more they asked, the less alright I became. Every once in a while I just wanted to be alone. When it was just me and . . . Nevermind. During my adventure it was nice to not be constantly surrounded by people.

My mother and father told me that I should smile more, like I used to. When I had first gotten back, for a few months after everyone had been healed, they granted me some leway. Of course, I hadn't gone into detail about how close I got to my traveling companion, but they seemed to know I was currently distraught and allowed me some time to deal with it. With two years and counting, their patience with my lack of sunshine was running thin.

"What happened to you?" they would say.

I never told them. Honestly, I myself wanted to get over the fact that I would probably never see my companion again, but it was hard. Part of me also missed the traveling aspect. I grew bored of the same dull, calm lifestyle all the time. I needed some kind of adventure to survive.

I thought I was alone in my little grove of trees, but suddenly, Prince Nolan showed up. The royal family from Doowkrim forest was staying with us. They had been here for about three months or so.

"Princess Ettevad!" said Prince Nolan.

I turned and looked towards him. I had nothing against him, and I knew our families were close, but I just wanted to be alone. In any case, I still smiled and bowed my head politely, though I didn't get up from my seat on a fallen tree.

"I, um, well," Prince Nolan stuttered, "I wanted to ask you something."

Prince Nolan was an elf. He had long redish blonde hair and was just slightly older than I was. One of the servants in our household, Rosanne was her name, told me that the Prince fancied me, but that couldn't be true.

"Yes," I replied, "What was it you wanted to ask me?"

He seemed to shift uncomfortably.

"I was wondering if you would fancy an engagement," he said.

He couldn't mean an engagement to be married could he? I knew we were both over twenty, but I still felt so young. Even without the age factor, I did not love him. He was a very kind elf, but I had no romantic feelings for him whatsoever.

He seemed to sense my shock and suddenly looked embarrassed. He fidgeted with his fingers, looking down. He then looked back up to me.

"Princess, I just wanted you to know that over these past months, I have fallen in love with you. You are fair and kind. You have always been so lovely towards me, so I presumed you felt the same way. I understand if I have caught you off-guard. I will allow you time to think about my offer."

He was then swiftly off, with nothing but a small bow toward me for his parting. I was completely baffled. I knew that this engagement would be perfect in almost every way, except for the way that mattered most to me. I was flattered that he was so infatuated with me, but I loved another. Poor Prince Nolan.

I decided I should speak with my mother. I made my way back to our abode, the leaves breaking under my feet. Despite it being spring, this deep in the woods there was always a thick covering of leaves on the ground. I approached the dwelling and once inside, finally made my way to my mother's room. I lightly tapped on the door.

"Come in," I heard her say.

I proceeded to walk into her room and quietly shut the door behind me.

"Hello darling, how are you this lovely morning?" she said turning towards me from her position sitting on her vanity bench. She turned fully and opened up her arms. I gave her a warm hug and kneeled beside where she was sitting. I didn't know where to start about how my morning had been, so I decided to get right to the point.

"Prince Nolan proposed and then confessed his love for me, mother," I said quickly.

A shocked look passed over her face, but was soon replaced with one of joy.

"That is wonderful news sweetheart," she chimed clutching my hands in hers, "I will go tell your father right away!"

She got up, but before she had taken a step I had blocked her way to the door.

"Ettevad, what is the matter?" she asked concerned.

"Mother I do not wish to marry him."

"What?" she replied softly.

"I do not love him, nor will I ever. My heart belongs to another," I said, tears starting to form in my eyes.

"Darling, come sit down."

We both went and sat on the edge of her bed.

"Ettevad, who is it that you love?" she asked.

I shook my head. I didn't want her to know that I was giving up a prince I had known of for most of my life, that had been living with us for three months now, for some rugged traveler whom I had only spent a week with, whom I was doubtful I would ever see again.

"You must tell me, or there is nothing I can do, my love," my mother continued.

My father then came into the room. He was slightly startled when he observed our current state, and walked toward where we were sitting.

"Is everything alright?" he asked.

"Prince Nolan has just asked Ettevad to marry him," mother replied.

"That's wonderful!" my father said, clapping his hands together, "When shall the wedding be?"

"I'm not getting married," I said sternly, standing up and facing my two parents.

"Why ever not?" my father asked concerned.

"I don't want to, and if you say that I must, then I will . . . I will run away until you change your mind."

I realized I was being quite childish, and it was very unlikely that my parents would do such a thing, but I stood my ground nonetheless.

"No, we don't want that again . . ." my father said trailing off.

"Ettevad," my mother started, " may we ask you to at least consider his offer? He is a lovely elf. He cares for you, and has done nothing but be just wonderful his entire visit. His family is nice, he's royalty . . ."

"No," I said quietly.

My mother paused and looked up at me shaking her head.

"Just think about it Ettevad," she responded sounding tired.

I looked the two of them over, bowed my head, and left the room. Once I was out of the palace I ran into the woods. It wasn't until I was deep into the forest that the sobs broke loose.