I'm running through the forest. Something... Somebody's chasing me. I never liked the castle. I never liked being locked away in a place full of people I already know and will have to sacrifice in the future. I've already gotten attached to them. ,,Get her!" I hear from far behind me. I'm starting to get tired... My legs can't handle more... I need to keep running, but I'm slowing down. I'm not sure I can hide. It's very obvious they'll find me. I start panting as I get more and more tired. I really can't take it anymore! I have to run.. I MUST run! But I can't keep going like this forever. They're slowly catching up to me. Time passes before I trip on a rock and fall down. I'm way too tired to pick myself up so I just accept my faith.. I'll have to let them take me away again. I've been trying to escape, but it's no use. They'd always get me. They'd find me and take me to my parents. Should I just... Give up..? I mean I've done even since I was 15, but... This is.. The farthest I've gone so far. I'm trying to catch my breath but it's hard. I can hear the guards get closer and closer. I look up and I see somebody flying down. I think to myself ,,Maybe it's another elf!" So I get up and start slowly running to them. What I thought was wrong and what I saw wasn't what I expected. A tall man with big wings, red hair and beautiful sky blue eyes.. There was no time to admire him though.
Kristina: Please help me! I-I'm running away, but I'm way too tired to run more..
I hear a guard shout ,,A griffin!" .. But I thought griffins didn't roam around this place..? No time! Without thinking I go behind the man even though the guards already saw me, but I didn't care. Maybe he could help me. He can't say no to me, I'm the princess! But what if he didn't care..? Ugh, I'm over thinking..
??: elves? I thought this place was empty. What are you doing to this little one?
Ryan(guard): We have to take her back to her parents.
Kristina: You won't take me away again!
That's what I've been saying... And hoping it was true... But every time I tried they'd prove me wrong. Every single time they take me without asking if I want this, but I guess I never had the choice. I never had a voice to say "I don't want to stay here, I just want to be free and not sacrifice the ones I love and most care about." Cruel parents, huh? No, it's just how it is to be a princess and a soon-to-be queen. Makes me sick every time I think about it. I don't want to be a princess, nor a queen.
??: Alright, how about you little elves get away from the princess before I attack?
This guy isn't so good at threatening.
??: she'll come with me and she'll feel safer there. Not like you two can get her there. Or I could just steal her.
I'm peeking out at the guards. They don't know how to defend themselves or take me away, but they idiotically point their swords' edges at the man. I still can't believe he's a griffin..
??: you think I'm frightened? Please. These little-
The griffin touches the edges and he gets cut.
??: AGH! God damn, these are sharp!
This idiot really thought he won't get cut? Dang, I chose the stupidest of them all. Not only that, he also looks and sounds like he can beat them. The man licks off the blood- ew- and smacks down the swords.
??: now go away before I drop you down from the sky!
The guards get scared and run away. I sigh in relief that they're finally gone. I'm free from this hell! The man turns towards me.
Kristina: you really shouldn't have touched the sword.
??: Be thankful I helped you. If I wasn't around you'd be screwed by now.
Kristina: Fine. Thank you for saving me.
I cross my arms and the guy smiles at me.
Kristina: why are you smiling?
??: I saved a princess' life.
Kristina: yes so?
??: feels nice to feel like the ''knight in shining armor".
Kristina: You just saved me this one time. This doesn't mean anything. Also they said you're a griffin?
??: Yep, but I'd like to be called by my name, not my specie. My name is Kyle.
Kristina: oh, uh, it's nice to meet you! Mine is Kristina.
Kyle bows down to me.
Kristina: oh no, please don't do that!
Kyle: you're a princess, it's necessary.
Kristina: yes, but I don't like it. Why would I want somebody bowing down to me after I've escaped the castle?
Kyle: hm.. Good point.
Kyle stands straight.
Kyle: So.., explains why you're so tiny.
Kristina: Excuse me? I'm not tiny, you're huge.
Kyle: that's how griffins are, but also elves are small creatures.
Kristina: yes, sure. Don't think because you saved me I'll let you height shame me.
Kyle: Who's talking about height shame? I'm not shaming you. Just saying my thoughts out loud.
Kristina: okay then.
Suddenly Kyle picks me up and puts me on his back.
Kristina: AH! Too high!
Kyle: cmon, little one, we're going to my place so you're safer there. Plus you must be hungry so I can't leave you out here.
Kristina: Warn me next time you do this.
Kyle: Do what?
Kristina: Picking me up, you idiot!
Kyle: very rude to the one who saved you, but I'll give you a pass.
Kyle start flying away with me on his back. It takes a pretty long time. I'm not sure how long he's been flying to our forest. He must be tired, but he doesn't seem to mind carrying me. As if I'm as light as a feather. I sigh and looks down at the ground. We're pretty high.. and I'm kind of scared I might fall.. but I trust Kyle. Even if I did fall off he's rush to me and pick me back up. ,,...Feels nice to have a new friend..." I smile to myself as I think that. I was so tired I fell asleep on his back.
I don't know for how long I've been asleep but the next thing I knew was I was on a couch. I look around. ,,Is this Kyle's house? Where is he..?". I get up and start walking around looking for Kyle but instead I see a little girl and a woman, both griffins like Kyle. I figure ,,Maybe they're his relatives? Man, how does it feel to have siblings..?" there's a tap on my shoulder and I look behind me to see Kyle.
Kyle: Heya, Krisy!
Kristina: Krisy?
The kid's and the woman's gazes turn to us.
Kyle: nickname.
Kyle pats my head and looks the the other.
Kyle: guys-
Woman: AN ELF!
Kyle: she's nice, Layla, shut up-
Layla: I know she's nice. I screamed because SHE LOOKS SO ADORABLE!!!
Kyle: Don't scare her now. Anyways she's living with us just so she can get away from the guards.
It seems like the woman is not listening and is just staring at me in awe. The kid doesn't seem to like my kind of company so I feel a bit uncomfortable. Maybe bad experience with elves? Most of the time it's that.
Kyle: Laylaaaa.
Layla: SHE'S SO TINY!
Kyle: Layla you'll scare her away-
Kristina: I don't get scared easily.
Kyle: eeeeh she's still acting strange.
Layla runs to me and hugs me tightly. I'm in shock and I can't breathe because of how tight she's hugging me.
Kyle: Layla you're killing the cutie.
The woman lets me go and looks at the kid.
Layla: Emma, aren't you happy you have a new friend?
Emma, the kid, doesn't respond and looks at Kyle. I whisper to him while Layla walks to Emma.
Kristina: Kyle...
Kyle: hm?
Kristina: I don't think Emma wants me to be around. Maybe this was a bad idea to take me here.
Kyle: Nonsense. She just has to get used to you and get to know you, Cmon, go talk to her
Kyle gently pushes me towards Emma.
Kristina: Uhm... hi...
Emma: mm...hello...
Kristina: I'm K-Kristina..
I hold out my hand for a hand shake, but Emma doesn't bring her hand to mine. This is so awkward and I feel very anxious about this. Should I be scared, should I trust her? We hear a knock.
Layla: I'll go check it.
Emma: i'll come..
Layla walks off and Emma follows. I go to follow them but Kyle grabs my wrist. I look at him and he's shaking his head.
Kyle: don't go there.
Kristina: Why?
Kyle: Who knows how people will react to an elf in a griffin's place.
Kristina: I'll be hidden. Don't worry.
I pull away and walk away. I go hide and peek at Emma and Layla opening the door.