Heart Over Sword

Rina opened her mouth as if to scream, but Evanna waved her hands and pulled her mask and hood down. "It's me! It's me!" She whisper-shouted. Rina shut the door behind her, leaning up against it as her hand raised to her face in shock. The elf then looked at the fairy on her shoulder and raised her brow in question.

"This is my friend," Evanna murmured as she slowly approached Rina.

"Are you.. Are you leaving?" Rina stuttered, her eyes filling up with unshed tears.??

Evanna inhaled sharply.. She didn't want to see her friend cry. "I have to, Ri," Evanna reached out and clasped her by her hands, staring intently at the elf.??

"Nothing would ever happen to you here, my lady.. The prince, he may seem cold, but he adores you. Has he not treated you well here? Have we not.. kept your secret?" Rina searched her eyes, the tears beginning to spill down her cheeks.

Adores? He adores teasing her and making her blush.??

~ This is troublesome, Evanna. You might have to knock her unconscious..~ Nesrin interrupted her.

Evanna frowned; that was the last thing she wanted to do. But if it came to it, then she would not refrain from such drastic action. "Shh, shh. My leaving has nothing to do with Arawn's hospitality nor how truly loyal you are. Thank you for keeping my secrets," Evanna was aware that the handmaiden knew she was part elf. She was, after all, in her care during the fever. "But my mother is very sick. She has been all this time. I must see her," She urged.

Rina pursed her lips together; she could see the pain burning behind Lady Evanna's eyes at what she revealed. It made sense now. Many times, the handmaiden would approach Evanna only to stay back and watch from a distance; in those moments, Evanna looked closed off, distant and as though a great weight rested on her shoulders. She knew how composed her lady was in front of others and knew it was not good to always keep her emotions in check. Rina would approach her with tea and smile as she left, seeing Evanna's shoulders relax after taking a sip.??

Rina felt split in two; she couldn't stay quiet and let her leave, but she wanted to let her go.

Evanna could see the indecision behind Rina's eyes. "Please, Ri. Give me some time to escape, then alert the guards," She pleaded, her eyes boring into hers. Rina instantly caved in and nodded her head, immediately gasping as Evanna pulled her into a hug and squeezed gently. "Thank you, Ri. I will never forget this!"

Evanna released her arms, pulling her mask up and hood down to cover her features. She spun around, not wanting to waste any more time. She didn't know when Arawn would return, but if anyone could catch her, it would be him. After fighting him and now spending time with him, she understood his character very well. He would not stop until she was found. That was why every second counted until she was out of Direwood forest.

That was her first goal. To get out of Direwood forest alive then to seek out the others. There had to be a reason why the gem was yet to reach her mother. A part of her was a little suspicious towards Cilv, but she pushed those thoughts aside, not willing them to fester. Now was not the time to dwell.

Evanna raced towards the balcony and hopped up onto the edge. She did not tell Rina how long to wait, but it should be enough for her to escape from the palace, she hoped. She turned her head back after hearing the opening of the bed-chamber doors.??

She needed to be quick.

Evanna kneeled down, forgetting about the newcomer and trying to focus on her gift. She could take care of this part, but, if need be, at least Nesrin was there. It was odd how her powers were similar to the fairy. Her hands felt the warm prickling sensation, and a golden glow started to surface on her hands.

"* It seems prince Arawn.. Who is that!? *"

Evanna glanced behind her again after recognising Cedric's voice. His armour clanked together as he rushed towards her, but with one thought alone, vines began to form out of her hands, and she casually hopped off from the balcony.

"Don't!" Evanna heard Cedric's shout as she slid down the vines created at rapid speeds to keep up with her falling. The cold air flew across her face, making her squint her eyes a little with the dust that came with it. She was going at full speed and even heard Nesrin squeal and giggle next to her ear. She didn't know why she was hitching a ride on her shoulder; the fairy had wings and could fly.??

~ But this is more fun! ~ Nesrin giggled in her mind causing Evanna to roll her eyes playfully.

Evanna landed gracefully on the grass and looked up at the height of her controlled falling. Cedric's head was there for only a moment before he disappeared. Unlike how she planned, it seemed her escape was going to become messy. ~ Please, Nesrin. I don't want to hurt anyone. ~ She glanced at the fairy, who nodded her head with a determined face.

Evanna then sprinted forwards and leapt over bushes, hiding behind hedges and trees when an unalerted guard would pass by. At this time, only guards were patrolling the gardens, and all she needed to do, was make it to the wall at the far end.??

~ You have a plan? ~ Nesrin asked in excitement.

Evanna made it to the far wall and hopped over like she did the balcony, pouring her powers into creating vines as she used them to fall gracefully. The princess skilfully landed on the rock below and ran to the edge, staring at the dark stream gushing past the rock angrily.??

"Evanna!" Cedric called out to her. Evanna raised her head to see him leaning over the wall and look directly at her. It seems he figured out who she was. She didn't know how he could see her down there; the wall was high, and the night sky was cloudy, making the darkness that much more comforting for her. Yet, he could see her. "Come back! Don't do it! You'll die!"

Well, Cedric didn't know she had a fairy who could help her. Or so she hoped. It was now or never.

~ We're about to get wet ~