Unknown L (Book 1)

~~ Explain Yourself ~~

They watched her leave, and as soon as the door closed, L felt relieved as she settled back into her seat at the table.

"Why do I always feel like I'm stepping on eggshells around her?"

Maeve laughed and took the seat opposite L, "That's how everyone feels around Nymphs and Nature Sprites. They're so sensitive about everything. But I suppose anyone would be if they were connected so closely to the natural world like they are."

L nodded and finished her first burger, quickly moving onto the second while Maeve daydreamed for a moment. It wasn't until L had finished her third burger and was munching on the chips when Maeve finally spoke again.

"So, how are you feeling today? It must have been quite the shock to hear and see the things you did. Do you want to talk about it?"

L thought about it for a moment. She did want to talk more about the finer details of what happened, and she almost started to tell Maeve, but something stopped her. The things she experienced were personal, and she liked Maeve, but she didn't know her well enough or trust her with the information she now knew. Her experiences with the Demons had made her as mistrustful as ever. She'd noticed it when speaking to Matilda and now here. There were only three people she wanted to talk to right now.

"No, I think I'm okay. I feel like all I've done is talk about it recently, but thanks for the offer. I think I'm gonna head off to see how Robbie is. I'll keep the rest of the burgers for later. Thanks for bringing them... I don't think I could have stomached that tofu."

She grimaced, and Maeve just laughed, "That's okay, and any time you need to talk, just send word, and I'll find you. It's good to have the real you back, L."

They said their goodbyes a few minutes later, and Maeve left. L rushed to retrieve the photo and note from where she had hid them in the sofa. She tucked them safely into her left boot before heading out of the door and running off to the Council cottage. She ran through the front doors in search of someone to ask for directions, now that she was rested and fed, all she wanted was to talk to Robbie and his parents.

She saw an Elven man in the corridor beyond the entryway and asked him if he knew where the Worcesters might be. She listened carefully and followed where he said. She walked past the meeting hall and stopped a few doors down. L took a deep breath and knocked on the door before opening it, peeking around it tentatively. The room looked like a private ward in a hospital, all except for the forest scenery outside of the windows and fewer beeping machines.

It was cleaner than any room in the middle of a forest should be, and there were three beds set up; all of their occupants were smiling at her. Mrs Worcester gestured for her to come in, and L slowly walked over to the beds. The three of them were all cleaned up and appeared to be resting comfortably.

Robbie didn't look like his usual self, but he was better than the last time she'd seen him. He beckoned her over and patted the bed beside him. He was smiling, and as she sat down, she noticed the plaster cast covering his leg.

"That's my first broken bone, and it was caused by something that shouldn't even exist." His voice was hoarse, but he nudged L's shoulder with his own.

She smiled back at him just as someone cleared their throat from the other side of the room. L looked over to see Archie watching them.

"I'm not sure how to take that, but you're still delirious, so I'll try not to take offence." He stopped whatever he was doing and strode over. "I'll leave you to talk, but nothing stressful. You are still my patients."

He laughed lightly, and L was vaguely reminded of the way Kasseal had laughed at her. But she dismissed it instantly. Archie was nothing like that monster, and he spoke with genuine care for them.

"I'll be careful, but I doubt anything I say could come close to what they've already been through."

Archie nodded before he headed out of the door, and the minute it shut behind him, L was bombarded with questions from Robbie.

"Where have you been? Where are we? They wouldn't say anything when I woke up. I don't understand any of it. Do you?" L couldn't get a word in edge ways. "And why did you say it was your fault we were taken? Is our doctor some kind of lizard? What's going on, L?"

It was rare that he ever said so much in one go, and L could see by the look in his eyes that he was bursting with more questions. But there were also signs of whatever medicinal magic they had used on him. That would make it all that much more difficult. She pursed her lips and glanced at Robbie's parents, silently asking for their permission to let their son further into this world.

"It would have happened sooner or later. We can't keep it from him now."

"He's been demanding to know since he woke up, but as it's mostly your story, we figured it would be best for you to explain to him yourself."

L inhaled deeply and looked back to Robbie. She half smiled and leaned back against the pillow next to him.

"I hope you're comfy because this is gonna take a while."

He shifted until he was settled, then nodded, watching her expectantly while she figured out just where to start.