Chapter 30
“Stand down!” a voice commanded.
The animals relaxed and divided.
A young woman walked through them, her neck gleamed with a wide metallic band, a sword flashed at her side. Ashden’s eyes were absorbed into her sunlit halo of hair. The blurred sections of her face came into focus at her eyes and he saw her completely and wonderfully. She flung down her sword and rushed at him, stopping short of throwing her arms about his neck.
“Elanora?” he gasped, stepping back, struggling to see the young girl he had come to find.
“You made it,” she said. Her eyes sparkled but Ashden held back from entering them, instead noticing the mere hints of freckles on her nose and cheeks, her radiance, her beauty and…her age.
“I...I’m so sorry, Elanora. I couldn’t get back straight away.”
She held her finger up to his racing lips. “It’s okay,” she smiled, “Everything’s okay.”
Ashden couldn’t keep his eyes still. They searched her for familiar signs. Finally they rested lightly back on her face and they stood together self-consciously. Will cleared his throat.
“Oh, this is Will,” said Ash. “Mr Johnson that I told you about, if you remember. He, he’s…he’s grown up like you,” was all the sense he managed. Elanora smiled at Ash then shook Will’s hand.
“So good to meet you. Wonderful to meet you.” Their eyes locked and she fingered the band at her neck. One of the animals nudged her side and she broke the stare. “Please, come with me and I’ll get you to safety. Thanks friends,” she added, turning to the animals, “at least we know that form of attack works. Let’s all go back and rest.”
“Elanora, wait. I’ve dropped my souling,” said Ashden.
“Eskatoria?”
“Yes.” He smiled briefly. “She must be back in the tunnels.”
“Leave her Ash. My friends will find her. It isn’t safe out here. You must follow me. Now, you didn’t run into a couple of soulings did you? A bear and a tiny elephant? They’ll be upset if they’ve missed you.”
“No, we haven’t met up with anyone,” said Will.
They walked a few steps in silence until both Ashden and Elanora began talking at the same time. They grinned and Elanora gestured for Ash to continue. “You know, I just can’t believe how much you’ve changed since I last saw you. It’s just over a week for me and yet, look at you.”
She looked at her feet, “It’s been a lifetime for me, Ash.”
“Oh, I’ve got something for you,” he said pulling Peggy out of his pocket.
“Peggy,” she cried, crushing her beloved pony to her chest.
“Now you look like the Elanora I remember,” he said.
She beamed at him, wanting him to stare into her eyes. Not yet, she told herself.