( Chapter 4 ) .: First Encounter :.

 

"Here your trials will be made realities," Count Dekim

said. "Your skills will be tested in the greatest

possible way. Here you will hunt and capture. I hope

you have prepared well, for this is the ultimate

test." They stood at the entrance to a deep, enormous,

dark forest.

"We have prepared," Catherine said darkly. Her eyes

that were once so full of shining and light were now

clouded and dark, the result of her training.

"Indeed," Relena answered with a sardonic smile. "We

will bring you our captives when we have finished

here."

"Then onward," the count said. "May you fly swiftly on

your journey, hunters."

 

*~*

 

"Split," Sally said.

"Are you sure?" Hilde asked with a tinge of

uncertainty.

"If the Black Widow says it, we’ll be all right,"

Dorothy answered with a smirk.

"The archers will travel together," Lucretia stated.

Relena nodded her assent and Hilde looked a little

relieved.

"I go alone," Catherine said.

"Meet here at dusk, then. It is already late, so move

quickly."

"Agreed."

 

*~*

 

Dorothy crept along. She was certainly not the

quietest or the lightest on foot, but what stealth she

lacked she made up for with the sword. Searching the

trees and underbrush, she cursed quietly when she

cracked a large branch and heard something small

scurry away. She stopped dead in her tracks, trying to

locate and identify the fleeing creature. While she

did not hear further rustling, a different, strange

sound reached her ears. Gentle strumming of

crystal-clear notes. Following the beautiful strains,

she happened upon a small glen. An opening high in the

treetops let down golden streams of sunlight tumble

down onto a strange rock, tinted-green, with a boy

sitting on it. It was this boy who was meticulously

strumming a golden lyre. He had his back to Dorothy.

His blonde hair glinted in the sunlight, just like the

reflection from his lyre. Dorothy drew her sword as

gently as possible, but the blade shied against it’s

sheath, making a light, almost inaudible metallic

noise. At this slight disturbance in the atmosphere,

the boy stopped at once and, dropping the lyre lightly

to his side, spun to face Dorothy. She stepped from

the trees into the clearing immediately, sword drawn,

only to stop again. The boy gazed at her through

large, beautiful blue eyes. A deep blue, like a calm

ocean, a bit darker than her own. His ears gave him

away to be an elf. Dressed in a neutral, fitted tunic

and darker pants. Around his neck was a cord with a

single gem hanging from it, a gem the same color as

his eyes. The elf’s gaze traveled from her face to her

weapon, and a slight disturbance appeared in his eyes

when they caught hers again. As she stared into the

blue pools, the gem began to glow slightly. As he

continued to look at her, it lifted from his chest, as

if being propelled by a strong gust of wind. His hair

began to wave slightly, as if the gem was giving off

some kind of energy. Dorothy gasped. There was nothing

moving the jewel…?! The glow became stronger, and

everything became a blur; she lost clear sight of

everything but him. An overwhelming sense of

tranquility overcame her, and she let her

sword-bearing hand fall to her side. She closed her

eyes and let the feeling wash over her. Suddenly, just

as quickly as it had come, it was gone, and her eyes

snapped open. As the feeling was gone, so was the boy.

She cursed to herself again, but caught slight

movement to her left. Spinning quickly, she saw him

sprint away. Not bothering to sheath her sword, she

took off after him.

 

*~*

 

The three archers moved in a triangle, watching each

other’s backs. They traveled slowly and stealthily.

They had chosen what seemed to be the most difficult

path, full of obstacles. They were forced to stop

often to maneuver past fallen trees, thick underbrush,

small streams, and the like. It was in the midst of

helping Hilde climb over a particularly large tree

trunk that Lucretia stopped in her tracks.

"Stop!" she hissed. Relena stopped and Hilde tumbled

over the trunk. They stood stark still for a few

moments. Lucretia relaxed slightly. "I guess it was

just-" she began. An arrow very unlike her own whizzed

past her head and embedded itself in a tree. All three

girls drew their own arrows quick as lightning and

aimed toward the treetops, scanning quickly for their

opponents. Their eyes locked onto three shadowy

figures standing on high branches, with arrows aimed

at them.

"Lower the weapons," a deep voice called from one of

the shadows. The girls backed up until they met each

other.

"Scatter," Hilde said without moving her mouth. Relena

and Lucretia gave the slightest grunts in agreement.

On Hilde’s inaudible count of three, they let their

arrows fly  toward the figures and ran off in three

different directions.

"Follow," another of the figures said to the other

two. Quick as lightning, they separated to follow the

girls.

 

*~*

 

Hilde vaulted a tree stump and continued running. She

could hear rustling in the trees behind her, which

meant that her opponent was not far behind her. She

ran into a small clearing where light shone around the

edges and moss grew thickly on the ground. She whirled

to face her enemy and drew an arrow to her bow. She

heard a gentle thump on the ground behind her and spun

around to come face-to-face with an arrow aimed

straight for her.

"Lower it," a cheerful voice said. Obediently, she put

the arrow back in her quiver and slung her bow over

her shoulder. After she had done so, she expected

death. To her surprise, her attacker lowered their

weapon as well. She gazed at the sight that was

presented to her. A young boy, her age, with huge

violet eyes and gorgeous, hip-length chestnut hair

that was pulled back into a long, silky braid.

Neutral-colored tunic and pants, a quiver of arrows

and bow like herself. These arrows, however, were

beautiful, long and seemingly hand-crafted. She

noticed that the boy wore a cord with a single stone

around his neck. The stone the color of her hair, a

few good shades darker than his violet eyes. Forcing

herself to ignore him, she slowly reached for her

short swords, hoping that he wouldn’t notice.

"Now that won’t do," he said, eyes glinting. He placed

an arrow in the bow and pulled the string, aiming for

her head. He released the string and she shut her

eyes, preparing herself. She felt a cold gust of air

as the arrow flew by her right ear. "Thought I’d kill

you?" the boy said, replacing his bow.

"I didn’t know," she said with as much courage as she

could muster.

"Are you princesses? Or just here for the sport of

killing innocent creatures?" he asked. She scoffed.

"We’re no princesses. We’re here to get rid of some

unnecessary vermin." She gazed around for an escape

route. He caught her looking and got closer to her.

"Are you," he said smoothly. "And what ‘vermin’ might

that be?" His face was only inches from hers, and she

noticed the unusual shape of his ears.

"We’re here for… elves… and dragons…" she stammered.

"Really, princess?" he asked, backing away slightly.

"Elves? Like me?" She tried to regain her composure.

"Yes, like you," she stated. She noticed it was

rapidly becoming time for dusk. The others would

worry.

"Have to go? Hurry up then, don’t want to keep your

friends waiting," he said, as if reading her thoughts.

She stumbled backward and stopped for a moment, not

sure if he’d really let her leave. "Go on, princess,"

he said with a grin. "I’ll see you again. You can

count on that." She turned and fled the clearing, back

toward the meeting spot. As she left, he picked up a

small horn from a strap around his shoulder and blew

it.

 

*~*

 

Relena was having her own problems. Her opponent

seemed to be everywhere at once, and twice she very

narrowly escaped flying arrows. She ran so quickly

that she hardly had time to tell where she was going.

She stumbled when she felt water around her feet. She

had run right into a small stream. Turning around, she

struggled for a glance at her pursuer, but none was to

be found. Hearing rustling from behind her, she tried

to turn but found an arm wrapped around her shoulders

and a short sword held to her throat. She stood stark

still.

"Trying to hunt elves, are you?" a deep voice said

roughly.

"Only those who pose a threat to me," she said

testily. The arm released her with a shove and the

sword was sheathed. She fell into the stream and sat

up quickly to face her assailant. Tousled chocolate

hair and deep, dark blue eyes. Jewel of sapphire

around his neck, in contrast with his outfit that she

guessed to be a common elven uniform. His gaze was

piercing and she nearly flinched, but forced herself

to meet his stare.

"You think you’re brave, don’t you?" he asked in a

slightly more gentle tone.

"Only compared to some," she replied.* He smiled

slightly and took a single arrow from his quiver.

Approaching her, he lifted her chin with the arrowhead

and forced her to look at him.

"I don’t know whether to kill you," he said slowly,

getting closer, "or kiss you." She gave a start at

these sudden words. He smiled, fully this time. "You

are very beautiful," he murmured, bringing his lips

closer to hers. All at once, a low cry from a horn was

heard clearly throughout the forest, causing some

birds to scatter in the treetops. The elf looked up

suddenly and backed away rapidly. "Get going," he

warned. "And hurry." She did not know what danger she

faced, but she sensed that she should do as she was

told. However, she did not want to leave. This boy

intrigued her so… "Hurry," he urged. With a spring in

his step he seemed to fly back to the treetops, and

with a final rustle in the leaves, he was gone.

"Relena!" She shouted her name after him. Staring for

only a moment longer, she turned and ran, back to the

safety of her friends.

 

 

* From The Princess Bride. I love that movie! ^.^

 

*~*

 

Lucretia took her time. If it was her time to die,

then so be it. She did not get the impression that

this creature would kill her, however. After he had

caught up to her, they both had stood, neither wanting

the other to run away. They scrutinized every detail

about one another. She memorized everything about him.

His platinum hair that cascaded down his back, almost

as long as hers had been. His piercing, icy eyes that

still mysteriously held warmth and compassion. The

beautiful, yellowish bauble hanging around his neck.

And now he walked beside her, without weapons, without

words. She broke the silence.

"Where are we walking to?"

"Their den." She shuddered. Dragons? Dens belonged to

dragons, did they not? She stopped.

"I don’t care for dragons," she said. "Not when they’d

rather care for me as a meal." Suddenly, laughter from

many small voices seemed to fill the forest. She spun

around and around, trying to pinpoint the source, but

to no avail. "What is it?" she cried to him in

despair. He was unaffected by the eerie laughter.

"Show yourself," he said loudly, in a commanding tone.

The laughter halted.

"Wwwwhhhhyyyyyy???" a small voice hissed.

"Gremlin," Lucretia said almost silently. He turned

his head and she knew that she was correct. A blackish

form darted in between the trees.

"Show yourself," the elf growled. A hovering, ugly

creature appeared in front of him. Black, bumpy,

leathery skin and tiny, evil, dark eyes made Lucretia

dread the creature at once. "What do you want," the

elf said. A statement, not a question.

"Yyyoouurr ccoommmppppaannniioonnn…" the creature

hissed again. It turned to her, locked eyes, and she

found herself unable to move. Filled with fright, she

trembled.

"Help…" she found herself asking weakly.

"Stop it," the elven man snarled at the gremlin.

Lucretia felt as if a hand was probing at her mind.

"Help!" she cried, more fearful than before.

"I said STOP!" the elf cried, drawing a sword and

slashing at the Gremlin. The creature disappeared, but

the invading force still remained in Lucretia’s head.

"He’s… still… there!" she whimpered. The man looked

anxious.

"Don’t worry, I can help," he said as soothingly. The

brilliant gem around his neck shone and, as if by some

invisible hand, gravitated toward the trembling

huntress. Slowly but steadily, she felt the invading

presence fade away from her mind and the gem once

again became like a regular jewel. "You must make it

back to your friends," he said. Seeing her confusion,

he touched the gem and added, "I had to reach into

your mind, Lucretia. To rid it of him." She

understood.

"I will go quickly," she said. Turning and starting

away, a question occurred to her. "Will I see you

again?" she asked, catching his eyes. He nodded.

"We know where you are," he said. It was not meant as

a threat, it felt strangely reassuring. "Be wary,

Lucretia," he cautioned as they parted ways. "As we

know, so do the Gremlins."

 

*~*

 

Catherine stole through the shadows, a technique she

had picked up during training. She had even tested it

on her friends, none of whom had seen or sensed her

coming. She had a clear view of everything around her,

but nothing could see her. She heard something small

scurry through a bush to her left, but ignored it,

finding to be a rabbit. She still had regrets about

agreeing to harm innocent creatures, troublesome or

not… She froze, hearing soft whispers from somewhere

nearby. She approached a place where the trees thinned

and a small entrance could be seen, almost like a

cave. ‘Or a den,’ she thought. She ducked behind a

tree as the voices grew louder.

"I’m sure she didn’t mean harm," a gently, peaceful

voice said. It was sweet, like honey.

"Still, be careful Quatre," another voice, slightly

deeper, replied. Two boys walked into view. One

blonde, who had spoken first. The second speaker was a

taller boy, brown hair and stunning green eyes. She

knew at once that they were elves and therefore her

‘prey’, but the young girl in her came out and she

wanted to listen to their conversation.

"I will," the blonde promised. The brunette fingered

the gorgeous emerald around his neck idly. "Are you

going to play for Adriel, Trowa?" the blonde asked

with a genuine smile. Trowa returned the smile.

"Yes, today I will. Mytrica, also, if it is present.

Are you staying to listen?"

"No, I must check these disturbances in the wood. The

dwarves become very protective of their territory, you

know," Quatre said with a sigh. With another smile, he

set off lightly and exited the clearing of the den

entrance into the wood. Trowa stood, leaning against

the slightly rocky entrance to the cave and produced a

set of pipes from the sack around his waist. Placing

them to his lips, he began to play. It was the most

beautiful music Catherine had ever heard. Smooth,

strong, clear, and flowing notes flowed from the pipes

as if they were an extension of the elf boy’s very

self. As she watched, a pair of eyes, glowing like

embers, appeared in the cave. The boy stopped playing

for a moment.

"Adriel," he called soothingly. Come out, I will play

for you." He resumed playing the sweet, haunting

melody. Catherine looked on as a dazzling crimson

dragon appeared from within the cave. It lowered its

massive head right next to the boy and looked at him

with an eye that was bigger than Catherine’s entire

body. As the dragon listened, Catherine heard

disturbances in the leaves to her right. She resisted

the urge to spin and grab her weapon as she had been

taught, knowing that doing so would result in both boy

and dragon disappearing into the wood.

‘Either that,’ she gulped, ‘or she would turn out to

be lunch for a dragon.’ Trowa stopped again and smiled

without removing the pipes very far from his mouth.

"Mytrica is here as well!" he said, obviously pleased.

He resumed the song once more. An absolutely

breathtaking silver unicorn pranced into the clearing.

Its horn glittered with all the iridescent colors of

the rainbow after a morning mist, and it gave off a

shimmering aura that made the trees brighter and

flowers seem to flourish as it walked by. Catherine

drew in her breath, then clapped a hand over her

mouth, realizing that she was making too much noise.

At this disturbance, Trowa stopped playing and his

eyes turned colder. His eyes fixed on the shadows in

which she was hidden. "Adriel," he said sternly.

"Vanish." The dragon immediately seemed to almost melt

into itself as it retreated to the depths of its den.

"Who’s there?" the boy called, putting the pipes away

and advancing slightly forward. She made no sound, not

even dared to breathe. "Who’s there?" he asked again.

He drew a small sword and she reacted instantly.

Pulling a dagger, she armed herself and pulled an arm

back. Even before she released the dagger she

regretted it and found herself crying out.

         "Move! Hurry!" His reaction was swift, but her knife

flew faster. It pinned his tunic, next to his abdomen,

to a nearby tree. She rushed from the shadows,

proclaiming her apologies. He simply put a hand to the

hilt of the dagger and pulled it from the tree and his

tunic. He offered it back to her as she ran toward

him. She stopped. "Wha… what?" she asked in pure

confusion. She gasped as she saw a smear of blood on

the blade. "You’re hurt!" she cried.

"So I am," he said calmly, his eyes showing more

amusement than pain or anger. He gently pulled the

tunic off and she saw she shallow slice.

"I’m so sorry," she said again, gazing at the ground.

"Not a problem," he replied with a slight smile.

"Mytrica, your services?" The unicorn huffed and

trotted to his side. Touching the wound with the horn

produced a bright flash of light that caused Catherine

to flinch and turn away. When she turned back, the

slash had completely vanished. "You are here to hunt

us," he said to her, placing a hand on the unicorn’s

back and stroking it slowly.

"I was… I mean, I am," she said, trying to sound

confident.

"You do not sound very sure of your cause," he said,

reaching with his other hand to take one of hers. She

looked at him with startled eyes, to meet his own

laughing ones. He placed her hand on the unicorn’s

sparkling mane. "It loves its hair to be played with,"

he said in a light tone. She stroked the mane gently,

almost afraid it would vanish under her touch.

"You have a marvelous way with them," she said softly.

"My… Mytrica and the dragon, Ad…?"

"Adriel," he supplied. "There is no reason to fear

Adriel," he added. "I tamed her when she was a

newborn. Her mother died at birth." Catherine’s heart

instantly softened for the poor creature. "As long as

your intentions are pure and you move quietly and

slowly, dragons will trust you." He smiled. "May I ask

your name, or is that to be kept secret?" She actually

smiled.

"Catherine…" she answered quietly, wondering why she

was conversing and acting so freely with an elf.

"Catherine Bloom." She wondered if she would regret

telling him.

"A beautiful name," he said. Then he looked up. "Dusk

is falling. Do you have shelter? Dwarves and goblins

roam freely at night."

"I am here with others," she said honestly. "We will

find shelter that is safe, I’m sure. But I must leave

to meet with them again."

"Then go, Catherine Bloom," he said with another of

his smiles. He lightly tapped Mytrica on the flanks

and set it prancing off into the wood, whinnying a

farewell.

"May I come here again?" she asked. "I… I would like

to see Mytrica again, and to hear you play once more."

"Yes. Come here whenever you wish, so long as your

heart remains as pure as it is now." He turned with a

final smile and vanished into the thick trees, leaving

Catherine to stare and take her leave.

 

*~*

 

Sally walked along. What did she care of being quiet?

Anything that found her and threatened her would fall

at her hand. She had taken to wearing all black, to

fit the nickname her swordfighting teacher had given

her and used so often.

‘I am invincible,’ she thought as she strode through

the woods. She was so caught up in her own thoughts

that she walked over a rocky part of the ground. She

heard running water and a slight splashing sound.

Curious, she ventured toward the sound. ‘Perhaps I

shall stumble onto a dwelling of elves,’ she thought,

‘or a dragon’s den, or even a cave of dwarves!’ She

began to get excited. She was disappointed to merely

find a rocky ledge with a waterfall to her right.

Throwing her other thoughts away, she walked closer to

the waterfall and stood at the edge of the rocky

balcony, sword drawn at her side and hair blowing in

the breeze off the water.

‘She almost looks beautiful,’ he thought. ‘But she is

not here with kind intentions. I will do my duty.’

‘Anthony…’ her thoughts wandered to him. ‘Why did I

have to lose him?’ A lone tear joined the cascading

waterfall on its long descent to the jagged shore

below. ‘I will fight to make him proud,’ she decided.

Looking down, she realized that she was quite farther

away from the level water than she had thought. Her

fear of extreme heights came rushing back to her, and

she stepped a good deal away from the edge. A sudden

feeling came over her, as if she was being watched.

She whipped around instantly and scanned the area, but

there was no one to be found. Still suspicious, she

turned back to the waterfall, to find herself staring

up the blade of a sword. A boy with jet-black hair and

eyes to match stared back at her from the other side.

His light tunic was in utter contrast with her black

attire, and the ruby around his neck glittered like a

droplet falling from the setting sun.  ‘An elf,’ she

cursed. She began to raise her sword slowly.

"I wouldn’t," he said. "You are at a disadvantage. You

do not know who you are fighting."

"Then would you tell me?" she asked sarcastically. She

was in no mood for jest. This seemed to satisfy him

and he smirked slightly.

"I am Chang Wufei," he said haughtily. "Greatest

swordsman of any these parts."

‘Wufei?!’ she gave a start. Words came rushing back to

her. Me… Merian… My… Wufei… ‘Was he…??’

"What troubles you, woman?" he asked with a tone of

annoyance. "Afraid of your death? Then you should not

have come here to do damage." Her eyes flashed.

"And what could you do? You’re nothing but a boy. Lord

Dermail has already captured all the women and girls

of your kind; it is only a matter of time before you,

too are dealt with." The boy laughed.

"He may have captured the women, but he will never

take the men. Besides, day after tomorrow, all the

women will be free. Merian and I will slaughter this

‘lord’ of yours, and we will live peacefully. In fact,

we may as well slaughter all of your kind, for humans

would be better off dead. Merian said that once,

before she was so rudely taken." Humans would be

better off dead. A picture of Anthony flashed before

her in an instant and she boiled over with anger.

"I do not think your Merian would say that now, if she

was alive," she hissed at him. His eyes grew wide and

he pressed the cold, metal tip of the blade to her

neck.

"You lie," he said huskily. "YOU LIE!" he cried,

bringing his sword down and within inches of her

chest. The metal connected with the rocky ground and

he stared into her eyes.

"I do not lie," she said. "She was killed at a

conference, during trials. I was present to see her

slaughtered." He visibly fought to keep himself under

control.

"Fight me," he said falteringly. She immediately

raised her sword. He would get his fight. Their swords

touched. A crystal clear note came wafting over the

waterfall and reached their ears. He glared at the

area from which the sound came. "We will finish this."

She nodded with a small smirk. At least he knew the

importance of a real fight. Maybe he was a warrior.

"I am known as the Black Widow," she said proudly. But

when had she become proud to be a killer? Never tell

your name to an enemy, Treize had said. She took a

breath. "But my name is Sally Po." ‘Why?" she asked

herself. He understood.

"I will meet you again, Black Widow," he said.

Retreating to the edge of the rocks, he sprung to the

opposite bank and was gone.

"We will fight, Wufei," she said aloud. "And I will

win."

 

:. *~*~* .:

 

 

 

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