Post by creamwolfgurl on May 7, 2007 4:17:12 GMT -5
Jak kept an eye on Swift as they started along the rambling and partly hidden path that straggled amongst the trunks of the trees. His steps slowed as they neared the heart of the woods. He didn’t want particularly to come home. Not with Swift. She was curious, he noted, her midnight black hair was sleek and shiny, in better condition than it should’ve been, roughing it as they were. She turned to look at him and he darted his deep brown eyes up. Her intense blue ones locked on him and she smiled.
Then a fluting trill sounded, and someone came rushing out of the gap in the trees.
*****
I was looking at Jak when something started calling behind me. I turned around slowly; Jak’s face had looked pained. Standing there was a lady not much taller than me. She was dressed in a green tunic thing and had pointed ears. Now that I thought about it, so did Jak. Her hair was silver and her face was kindly. “Chosen One.” She said to me, bowing.
I stood there, not sure what to do when Sairon stepped forward. Lady Queen, Swift does not know our customs and would be unsure of how to respond.
The lady straightened and now I saw a thin circlet of gold upon her head. “Sorry, Swift?”
Uncertain, I said “Yes.” And dropped into a slight curtsy.
“Oh dear me.” The Queen said “ Chosen One, please, follow me.”
I had the feeling if I said: ‘Nah, I don’t want to.’ They’d mutter angrily but let me go. And then catch me again with someone else.
So I followed the queen along the winding trail, nearly stooping to reaching back and holding Jak’s hand. I didn’t because that was weak. Not to mention stupid in public.
The path we were following widened suddenly and I jerked my head up, staring in surprise and wonder at the houses. The houses! Each house was in a living tree trunk. They’d hollowed out the middle and somehow the trees still grew. Some even had small chimneys poking out. Something caught my eye and I swear my mouth fell open.
It was an immense tree with black bark that looked like stone. Two huge high branches grew off at a gentle angle then straight up like leafy towers. Windows had been carved out here and there over the trunk and all the branches. Other branches grew to the sides and the tree, which I saw was an enormous oak, was clearly a castle of some sort.
The track curved toward the Oak and we walked single file. That unnerved me, reminded me of school. School reminded me of home and I realised I was missing home and my parents. This place was intimidating, not at all like the first forest, which had been almost welcoming.
As we drew closer to the Oak, it towered above me so I felt like cowering. This place felt so unsettling I really wanted to just be alone. Then I thought I’d hate that even more, so I amended my wish: To be alone but for Jak and Sairon. I knew them now but I didn’t know these people. Just then, the Queen spoke.
“Jak, dear, your room is ready again.” Then she looked kindly at me “Chosen One, I’ve had the best Tower room made up for you. It’s got a lovely view of the Eastern Forest.”
I felt like saying: “What do I care about the view?” but Jak nudged me and when I looked at him, he shook his head slightly so I just nodded at the Queen.
In the base of the Oak, there were two enormous doors that had been carved from the tree itself. As I passed them, I reached out to touch the wood. It was cold as stone and just as hard. A shiver ran over me. The doors were wide open in welcome, but when we’d all stepped inside, they creaked slowly closed. As soon as they’d rumbled together, I felt trapped and tensed in fear.
The Queen nodded kindly at me and said “Jak will show you to your room, Chosen One.”
Being called that was making me even more uncomfortable. “Call me Swift.” I told her, politely. Well, mostly polite.
“Very well. Swift.” Her lips tightened but she continued, talking to Jak now. “It’s the room above yours Jak, dear. Be sure and light the fire,” she told him.
Sairon gestured with his wing for me to follow so I did, Jak behind me. As we trailed through a side door that lead to a staircase, I heard the Queen call. “Goodnight, Prince Jak.”
Prince Jak!? He was a Prince? Why hadn’t he told me? I felt an anger born of bruised pride and- oddly enough- fear rise in me. I wouldn’t have gotten involved, wouldn’t have let myself if I’d known that. I’d never let anyone close to me, close to my heart like that, and someone gets in and it turns out he’s a Prince not even of my goddamn WORLD.
The staircase seemed to take forever to climb, in tight, dizzying spirals that made my head ache, but gave me time to let the embarrassment of fancying a fricking Prince burn out of me with a hot burst of fury. Fury centred in fear, which made it all the more potent.
Finally Sairon turned off from the staircase into a large room lit by the moon. There was a huge bed near the window and doors leading off this room. Jak stepped past me, bent in front of the huge fireplace across from the bed and proceeded to light the fire. It wasn’t a particularly cold night but the novelty of sleeping in front of a roaring fire warmed me. And the crackling of the starting flames made my eyes droop with fatigue.
I forgot my anger for the moment and started to walk stiffly toward the huge lake of the bed. I felt like I was walking through water as I moved slowly toward it. Then, I was lying on it, not even under the covers, though the sheets had been turned down, and already dipping into dreams. The warm crackle of fire was the last thing I heard before I was lost to the world, fast asleep.
*****
Jak stood watching Swift sleep, already feeling guilty. Sairon had left with a murmur of Goodnight. He gently pulled the blankets from under her and tugged them over her with shame running through him. He had betrayed Swift’s trust, what he now realised was something she didn’t give easily. Yet she’d give it to him freely, expecting his in return. He’d given it and broken hers. She didn’t even know it. She didn’t know he’d made the fire exhausting, so she’d sleep. All because he’d seen, just for an instant, that she’d heard his mother speak. Because he didn’t want to be confronted, not now. Guilt swallowed him gleefully, as he turned away from the sleeping girl and left the room, closing the door, to toss anxiously on his own bed, a door down. By now he knew he wouldn’t sleep tonight, but would just think and move restlessly.
*****
I woke in the darkness of the very early morning. It was the time when the night animals had gone to their homes to sleep and the day creatures had yet to wake. The room was cold, the fire gone out, leaving a sweet smoky fragrance hanging heavily in the air. Smelling it made my head whirl and my eyes droop, so I ducked my head under the covers and breathed through my mouth. I was facing the window; it was a patch of black in the blacker room. Then, behind me, I heard a tap, tap, tap like footsteps coming up the stairs.
I turned over, keeping my head under the blankets, and made a slight gap between bed and covers along the side to see through.
There was what sounded like a light knock on my door. I didn’t answer, but lay still. The door slowly creaked open while I shivered slightly. This place may have been all the best comforts, but even so, I’d be happier sleeping in the tent again.
Or not, I didn’t trust the other villagers either.
I strained my eyes to see and realised a soft glow of light grew brighter as the door opened wider.
I made out Sairon standing there, holding a candle (in a candle holder) in his teeth. He stood in the doorway and gently lowered the candle to the floor, steadying it with one hoof as he did so.
Swift? He whispered into the darkness beyond his circle of light. Are you awake?
I didn’t answer, busy trying to catch my breath. I’d been lying without breathing without realising it and now I was sucking in air as silently as I could. I didn’t want to be awake, didn’t want to have to get up.
Sairon examined the blackness around him, glancing nervously over his shoulder. I suddenly grasped the fact he maybe wasn’t meant to be here.
“Sairon. I’m awake, what’s wrong.” I whispered into the shadows and sat up.
Swift, it’s horrible. The Queen’s not acting normally.
“Whatdaya mean?” I was confused.
She’s...oh you wouldn’t notice, you don’t know her.
I nodded in the dark. “No I don’t. Tell me anyway.”
He seemed shaken, almost scared, and certainly wary. Don’t trust her and don’t go anywhere alone with her Swift. Don’t. She’s not herself.
Before I could speak, he’d grabbed his candle again, given me one last look of care and disappeared out of my room. For a miniature horse, he sure moved quickly.
I stared after him in disbelief, confused and scared. I wondered where Jak was, and remembered my anger. Clenching my fist, I lay back on the bed. I forced myself to think; why was I so annoyed that he’s a Prince? Most girls would be thrilled.
The answer came at once, stubbornly refusing to let me just be happy as is. Haven’t you always considered all the Royal family stuck-up and snobby? And held all of them in contempt because not one of them really helped since they didn’t know what others suffered?
Well, yes, I admitted to myself but Jak isn’t like that.
Isn’t he? chided the rest of me. How do you know? You’re hardly familiar with him. Liar.
Oh great. Now I was fighting myself in my head. I really was going mad. But some steel in me put up a mental wall, rejecting the possibility of acknowledging my feelings.
I slipped out of bed, driven by the desire to know why he hadn’t told me. But as I walked silently across the oaken floor, something was missing from me. I felt cold and sad.
Like my heart had been stolen.
Then a fluting trill sounded, and someone came rushing out of the gap in the trees.
*****
I was looking at Jak when something started calling behind me. I turned around slowly; Jak’s face had looked pained. Standing there was a lady not much taller than me. She was dressed in a green tunic thing and had pointed ears. Now that I thought about it, so did Jak. Her hair was silver and her face was kindly. “Chosen One.” She said to me, bowing.
I stood there, not sure what to do when Sairon stepped forward. Lady Queen, Swift does not know our customs and would be unsure of how to respond.
The lady straightened and now I saw a thin circlet of gold upon her head. “Sorry, Swift?”
Uncertain, I said “Yes.” And dropped into a slight curtsy.
“Oh dear me.” The Queen said “ Chosen One, please, follow me.”
I had the feeling if I said: ‘Nah, I don’t want to.’ They’d mutter angrily but let me go. And then catch me again with someone else.
So I followed the queen along the winding trail, nearly stooping to reaching back and holding Jak’s hand. I didn’t because that was weak. Not to mention stupid in public.
The path we were following widened suddenly and I jerked my head up, staring in surprise and wonder at the houses. The houses! Each house was in a living tree trunk. They’d hollowed out the middle and somehow the trees still grew. Some even had small chimneys poking out. Something caught my eye and I swear my mouth fell open.
It was an immense tree with black bark that looked like stone. Two huge high branches grew off at a gentle angle then straight up like leafy towers. Windows had been carved out here and there over the trunk and all the branches. Other branches grew to the sides and the tree, which I saw was an enormous oak, was clearly a castle of some sort.
The track curved toward the Oak and we walked single file. That unnerved me, reminded me of school. School reminded me of home and I realised I was missing home and my parents. This place was intimidating, not at all like the first forest, which had been almost welcoming.
As we drew closer to the Oak, it towered above me so I felt like cowering. This place felt so unsettling I really wanted to just be alone. Then I thought I’d hate that even more, so I amended my wish: To be alone but for Jak and Sairon. I knew them now but I didn’t know these people. Just then, the Queen spoke.
“Jak, dear, your room is ready again.” Then she looked kindly at me “Chosen One, I’ve had the best Tower room made up for you. It’s got a lovely view of the Eastern Forest.”
I felt like saying: “What do I care about the view?” but Jak nudged me and when I looked at him, he shook his head slightly so I just nodded at the Queen.
In the base of the Oak, there were two enormous doors that had been carved from the tree itself. As I passed them, I reached out to touch the wood. It was cold as stone and just as hard. A shiver ran over me. The doors were wide open in welcome, but when we’d all stepped inside, they creaked slowly closed. As soon as they’d rumbled together, I felt trapped and tensed in fear.
The Queen nodded kindly at me and said “Jak will show you to your room, Chosen One.”
Being called that was making me even more uncomfortable. “Call me Swift.” I told her, politely. Well, mostly polite.
“Very well. Swift.” Her lips tightened but she continued, talking to Jak now. “It’s the room above yours Jak, dear. Be sure and light the fire,” she told him.
Sairon gestured with his wing for me to follow so I did, Jak behind me. As we trailed through a side door that lead to a staircase, I heard the Queen call. “Goodnight, Prince Jak.”
Prince Jak!? He was a Prince? Why hadn’t he told me? I felt an anger born of bruised pride and- oddly enough- fear rise in me. I wouldn’t have gotten involved, wouldn’t have let myself if I’d known that. I’d never let anyone close to me, close to my heart like that, and someone gets in and it turns out he’s a Prince not even of my goddamn WORLD.
The staircase seemed to take forever to climb, in tight, dizzying spirals that made my head ache, but gave me time to let the embarrassment of fancying a fricking Prince burn out of me with a hot burst of fury. Fury centred in fear, which made it all the more potent.
Finally Sairon turned off from the staircase into a large room lit by the moon. There was a huge bed near the window and doors leading off this room. Jak stepped past me, bent in front of the huge fireplace across from the bed and proceeded to light the fire. It wasn’t a particularly cold night but the novelty of sleeping in front of a roaring fire warmed me. And the crackling of the starting flames made my eyes droop with fatigue.
I forgot my anger for the moment and started to walk stiffly toward the huge lake of the bed. I felt like I was walking through water as I moved slowly toward it. Then, I was lying on it, not even under the covers, though the sheets had been turned down, and already dipping into dreams. The warm crackle of fire was the last thing I heard before I was lost to the world, fast asleep.
*****
Jak stood watching Swift sleep, already feeling guilty. Sairon had left with a murmur of Goodnight. He gently pulled the blankets from under her and tugged them over her with shame running through him. He had betrayed Swift’s trust, what he now realised was something she didn’t give easily. Yet she’d give it to him freely, expecting his in return. He’d given it and broken hers. She didn’t even know it. She didn’t know he’d made the fire exhausting, so she’d sleep. All because he’d seen, just for an instant, that she’d heard his mother speak. Because he didn’t want to be confronted, not now. Guilt swallowed him gleefully, as he turned away from the sleeping girl and left the room, closing the door, to toss anxiously on his own bed, a door down. By now he knew he wouldn’t sleep tonight, but would just think and move restlessly.
*****
I woke in the darkness of the very early morning. It was the time when the night animals had gone to their homes to sleep and the day creatures had yet to wake. The room was cold, the fire gone out, leaving a sweet smoky fragrance hanging heavily in the air. Smelling it made my head whirl and my eyes droop, so I ducked my head under the covers and breathed through my mouth. I was facing the window; it was a patch of black in the blacker room. Then, behind me, I heard a tap, tap, tap like footsteps coming up the stairs.
I turned over, keeping my head under the blankets, and made a slight gap between bed and covers along the side to see through.
There was what sounded like a light knock on my door. I didn’t answer, but lay still. The door slowly creaked open while I shivered slightly. This place may have been all the best comforts, but even so, I’d be happier sleeping in the tent again.
Or not, I didn’t trust the other villagers either.
I strained my eyes to see and realised a soft glow of light grew brighter as the door opened wider.
I made out Sairon standing there, holding a candle (in a candle holder) in his teeth. He stood in the doorway and gently lowered the candle to the floor, steadying it with one hoof as he did so.
Swift? He whispered into the darkness beyond his circle of light. Are you awake?
I didn’t answer, busy trying to catch my breath. I’d been lying without breathing without realising it and now I was sucking in air as silently as I could. I didn’t want to be awake, didn’t want to have to get up.
Sairon examined the blackness around him, glancing nervously over his shoulder. I suddenly grasped the fact he maybe wasn’t meant to be here.
“Sairon. I’m awake, what’s wrong.” I whispered into the shadows and sat up.
Swift, it’s horrible. The Queen’s not acting normally.
“Whatdaya mean?” I was confused.
She’s...oh you wouldn’t notice, you don’t know her.
I nodded in the dark. “No I don’t. Tell me anyway.”
He seemed shaken, almost scared, and certainly wary. Don’t trust her and don’t go anywhere alone with her Swift. Don’t. She’s not herself.
Before I could speak, he’d grabbed his candle again, given me one last look of care and disappeared out of my room. For a miniature horse, he sure moved quickly.
I stared after him in disbelief, confused and scared. I wondered where Jak was, and remembered my anger. Clenching my fist, I lay back on the bed. I forced myself to think; why was I so annoyed that he’s a Prince? Most girls would be thrilled.
The answer came at once, stubbornly refusing to let me just be happy as is. Haven’t you always considered all the Royal family stuck-up and snobby? And held all of them in contempt because not one of them really helped since they didn’t know what others suffered?
Well, yes, I admitted to myself but Jak isn’t like that.
Isn’t he? chided the rest of me. How do you know? You’re hardly familiar with him. Liar.
Oh great. Now I was fighting myself in my head. I really was going mad. But some steel in me put up a mental wall, rejecting the possibility of acknowledging my feelings.
I slipped out of bed, driven by the desire to know why he hadn’t told me. But as I walked silently across the oaken floor, something was missing from me. I felt cold and sad.
Like my heart had been stolen.
There's never a dull moment with this story. Just, if I may, could I give you a little advice? Just be careful about being -too- colloquial. I know you're writing it from the point of view of a teenager, so that's fine, just make sure you don't overdo it as it might drag your story down.