Dedicated to EmtionsRunFree for the great idea <3
Chapter Thirteen
Spice and Roses
It was yet another day of cold and snow in late January when Adalyn slipped out down the halls of Quinn Manor, holding her boots in her hands so as not to wake anyone. Snow fell heavily outside, burying the world in white; it reminded Adalyn of a happier time, when she was little and played in the snow, making snow angels and building snow men, drinking hot chocolate, the musky smell of the wet wool of your scarf, catching snow flakes on your tongue. But those were days long gone, memories faded and carefully treasured.
“Ms. Black?"
Adalyn jumped, spinning around and sighed “Bloody Hell, Samba!” she cried, frowning at the elf “You nearly gave me a heart attack!”
The elf frowned and shook his head, large ears flapping “Many apologies Ms. Black, but Samba was only wondering why Ms. Black was wandering the halls, with her boots? Ms. Black does not intend to run away, does she? Not again?”
Shifting from foot to foot nervously, Adalyn didn’t want to lie to the elf that she had known her whole life “I’m not running away, Samba, just…leaving for a while. I’ll be back.”
“That is what Ms. Black told Samba last time, and Ms. Black did not return for three years.
“Samba, please.” Adalyn begged the elf with eyes to let her go, pleaded to give her this final chance at life “I need this. I can’t stay here any longer, not when I see my mother’s face every way I turn. It’s torture, Samba, agony.”
“Samba does not wish to hurt Ms. Quinn and Ms. Quinn by letting you go, Ms. Black. Ms. Quinn and Ms. Quinn will be so very heartbroken.”
“I know Samba, but I left them a note. They will be informed of my plans.”
Still frowning, the elf tugged on his tea cozy hat, pulling a small oval frame from it’s folds “I, too lost my mother, Ms. Black. She served the noble family of Quinn for many years, before me, before Mr and Mrs. Quinn even.”
Adalyn felt her heart soften, and knelt down “I’m sure you miss her very much, Samba.”
“Indeed Ms. Black, Samba does. He, too, sees his mother at every moment. Samba knows the hurt which Ms. Black feels.” Staring Adalyn in the eyes, Samba remembered another promise made to Lucinda Quinn before her death; a promise to watch over Adalyn as he had done Lucy herself. And Samba did not plan on ever breaking that promise.
“Samba, when I return, I promise that I will free you.” Whispered Adalyn, eyes cast downward “I’ve planned on doing so for many years now; you deserve it, deserve freedom after so many decades of serving us with so much love and dedication.”
“Ms. Black,” grinned Samba, lifting the young woman’s chin “You have no need to bribe me, though I know your words ring true.”
“I mean it, Samba. I will free you.” She whispered, knowing the elf believed her.
“Ms. Black, you are truly your mother’s daughter.” Samba smiled, and his words rung truer than Adalyn’s even “But I will never leave, Ms. Black. You may free me as many times as you wish, but I will not leave. An elf never breaks his promise.”
Standing, Adalyn nodded “A promise to whom, Samba?”
Shaking his head, Samba smiled lightly “Another time, Ms. Black.”
Turning away, Adalyn knew she would always have a friend in the house elf “Thank you, Samba.”
Eyes glinting in the low light, Samba disappeared “I know you are, Ms. Black. Don’t worry; Samba will always be here to welcome you back.”
YOU ARE READING
The One That Got Away {Book One in The One Series}
Fanfiction' "I will not ask again, who are you?" Sirius Black took in the stranger on his doorstep, wand still out. "I," she said "Am Adalyn Black." "There is no such person." Said Sirius, his heart dropping. "Oh but there is, father." ' When Adalyn Black tur...
