CHAPTER FIVE

Outside this tent, I was startled wide conscious through a crushing noise. I was approximately to open it whilst a liquid-like substance splashed through, which I immediately identified as blood. My eyes widened and I nearly screamed, however I restrained myself. My heart is racing and I'm privy to it.

In an attempt to determine out what was going on, I opened the zipper as a minimum 2 inches wide. I failed to see anything due to the fact the surroundings were dark and simply the moon's glimmer provided light.

I terribly peeked at the tent by completely opening the zipper. I wish to flee since the two men were not present, and blood had just been sprayed a short time ago. Darkness has already engulfed the area. I knew it was too late and too dangerous to continue through the dangerous jungle. My sensation was interrupted by a loud howl; it was close, and I needed to get out of here right away.

As I took a few steps forward, I heard a terrible noise from the bushes, crouched, as if he was approaching me. Someone suddenly grabbed me from behind and managed to get us to cover behind a large boulder near the dense forest. I want to scream because he covered my mouth, and I want to know how he's handling me right now.

"Shh, don't make a noise. We would possibly both die here because of your stubbornness.. I'm just trying to help!" he whispered right into my ear. 

He let go of me, and now I'm able to breathe even easier. I can't tell what he looks like, but he has long hair. But he's not Nick nor Klover, and I'm worried about them being hurt. And whose blood was it that was splashed a while back? I hope they're all right.

I peeked from the rock and I saw something big, a human like creature. That’s when I spotted it. Two brown furry legs, the top of it concealed by tree branches, that moment, I passed out. 

I woke up by the sound of the birds' singing. As if it were the only thing that could bring my racing heart to rest. Hundreds of birds flock to the mountains, as I've always known. They begin to wake up just before sunrise, and as they do, they begin to sing their various songs. They sound like a raucous cacophony when combined, but as I hear their individual sounds, it transforms into a symphony of beauty and awe.

I suddenly remembered what had happened the night before. When I stood up, I noticed the man sharpening his arrows on the rock. He's a unique folk. I've never seen anything like him before. He appeared to be thin, graceful but powerful, and unaffected by natural disasters. His hair is long and silver, and I'm not sure what word to use to describe him, but he's a lovely man with a pointy ear?! He then locked his gaze on me with a solemn face.

"I sense your reaction, My Lady," says the man. I was utterly taken aback, and my eyes were wide open.

"Don't you dare to look at me that way!" I became enraged and yelled at him.

"You've got nerves, to yell at me like that.. Charlotte.."

"How did you figure out my name?" I expressed my surprise by saying so. "I'm sure you're the monster I saw last night!"

"And if I am, what should I do?"

Ugh! This type of response irritates me. It has a juvenile tone to it.

He simply stood up and walked through the woods. "Wait, where are you going?" He continues to stroll as if he hasn't heard anything. "Hey, are you deaf?" I inquired.

"Why are your ears pointed? What exactly are you?" I added a witty remark. But he was still not looking at me, so he just waved his hand in the air as if to say, "Follow me."

I don't want to get lost in the wilderness or come across scary creatures. But, even if he is the same man I saw last night, how can I trust him? I merely followed in his footsteps, hoping to stay safe with him. I'm also letting my body soak up the sun, which is making me feel a little sweltering as I walk.

I saw we were heading somewhere in the woods near a lake after a lengthy walk. "Go wash yourself, I'll wait here," he remarked as he came to a halt.

"Are you actually being serious? I'm going in that direction by myself?" observing his eyes. He simply began walking in that direction without saying anything. I felt a little bad about asking him to accompany me go down the creek and being so demanding. I'm simply frightened of being alone. He took me to a gorgeous lake surrounded by various-sized trees clothed in yellow, crimson, and brown robes that trembled in their final attempt to cling to their limbs just a few minutes later. Birds chirped and sung in the treetops, and I could see two swans gracefully flying through the quiet lake. It was just breathtaking!

When I stared at him, he merely smirked and sat down on a rock with a small stream of water. "You're stunning." I stated it without realizing that I had already voiced that word, which was intended to be spoken solely by my mind.

He glanced at me, not murmuring anything, but with a serious expression on his face; he's quiet.

"Uhmm... I mean, why are your ears pointed?" I burst out laughing. But he just looked at me as if I'd made the worst blunder of his life.

"Oh, I guess I should go wash now." I'm biting my lower lip and smiling guilty. I'd rather talk to the males I met the day before, like this one with the pointy ear. He doesn't want to talk to me? Gosh.

I sank down the river, gradually discarding the layers of clothing that had been wrapped around my body for warmth, and I lost the fur coat Nick had given me the day before. I'm absolutely naked, and I'm cautiously scanning the area to check if the guy with the pointed ear has seen me.

But, since he's not looking, I'm confident I'm safe. I took off my clothes into the water. and stepped into the freezing water. Goosebumps covered my entire body, almost hurting as I shivered a little as I pushed myself to go a little further. I started washing them when the water reached my waist.

Even though they were filthy when I started, I was pleased with how they turned out after I twisted the water out of them and folded them into a ball before placing them on the moss next to a tree. After that, I dove into the water to clean up. I silently cursed the pain in my ribs, gasped when I saw the large bruise and four red stripes left by the bear's paw, and examined the wounds on my ear and temple, as well as the one on the back of my head and over my eye. When I tried to wash my hair, it hurt like hell, but I forced myself to do it anyway, and I became a little concerned when the wound behind my ear became even more swollen. I sighed and returned my attention to the swans before declaring myself finished and sitting on a stone to dry in the sun.

The young man gazed at the damsel while she was taking a bath and evaluated her appearance.

Her amazonian shape fit well on her svelte frame. Her waist was formed like a decanter, and her skin was flawlessly ochrous with the scars. Her shoulders are slanted, she has a slim waist, and her hips are larger than her bust. Perfection.

He grinned and murmured, "Petite, huh."

After that, the maiden wrapped the clothe around my body once more; it's only a few inches, above knee length and she despise it. "Too short.." she exclaimed. I'm so stupid for losing the fur cloth. There isn't another cloth that I can use.

I went towards the young man's direction and he mumbled a word, "Your wounds and scars got worse but don't worry, it will heal soon. This river contains a healing water.."

"Did you just peek on me?!" 

He stared at me with a look on his face that said, "It's just normal." "Do you believe that's normal?" says Charlotte. She went on to say. "Ugh! what I'm going to do you?! "and her arms are crossed.

"Let's go find a spot for tonight." said Legolas.

What kind of insensitive man is this? Dear mind, you're just malicious. 

We found a tree full of blueberries. "Wowww, a berries again!" I ran towards the tree and ate berries as I could. He watched me ate but that doesn't bother me,  I am really hungry. 

When night comes, we settled under the big tree watching the moon. And I noticed he's really quiet and only the silence is around. 

The night has never been synonymous with peace and quiet. Not dead, but alive over all living things' slumber. It tells stories that the daylight doesn't know about, and I'm sorry that the night can't sleep because of the noise inside the stillness of its presence. crestfallen souls' muffled cries, voluble minds of the wide awake who appears to be nocturnal, and mysteries that emerge when the world is in deep dark shadow They're to blame for how deafening silence can be at times.

"You're quiet" I said.

"Silence isn't quiet." he responded.

I looked at him immediately. "The parting of vanilla clouds from the sky isn't as quiet as silence. The banging of hammer and thunder is not silence, but the banging of hammer and thunder. Silence is a yearning attention, not a reserve emotion. It's the sound of lungs gasping for air while barely breathing. It's the kind of chest that tears itself away from your ribcage, yearning to be heard and assured.."

"Unless it's a withering flower, silence isn't really silence. Unless it's a fading concern or a fading sunset, silence isn't quiet. Unless it's on the verge of breaking chains, silence isn't quiet."

I just smiled from what he have said, I never expected he will talk. 

"What do I call you?"

"Legolas" 

"Ohh, nice name. It's different." I grinned.

I don't know what exactly I want to tell but I want him to at least talk and talk or tell stories from where he came from.. And if he can help me go home?

"Legolas?" I stated in low tone voice.

"Mmm?"

"Where do you think broken souls go?" I don't know but I just asked this question.

He smiled and stared at me and return his sight again to the moon.

"You would possibly see them within side the sea with their heads above the water, observing up on the lofty sky at the same time as being mauled with the aid of using the creatures in their beyond below them.. They pick out to consume yeast-loose bread due to the fact they're scared of developing and preventing again."

"Some beings are on foot backwards in wistful nostalgia, questioning why they have been breathing in ache and reaping sudden weeds after they failed to sow it withinside the first place.."

"I met one that became migrating withinside the global of words, resting in airy comfort. They could be travelling locations they have got in no way visited before."

"The ruins, whose hope had worn out, mumbled for only one thing: to be free of the noxious sensation of pain.. They want to be led home and dream of a time when they can laugh at the top of their lungs once more, celebrating the feast of joy.. They'll put themselves back together and stand, one day at a time, as you'll see."

I looked at him with full admiration, I can't explain what I am feeling right now. "Don't look at me like that." he said and I suddenly shifted my gaze to the moon.

"Are you one of those creatures I saw last night?" I asked to cover up my shame.

"They're called Lycans."

He moved close to me, "The moon acted as a spotlight for the events that occurred. It's pitch black, as if there's a darkness that can't be erased.. Then.. a lycan attacked a lonely man walking down the woods. As proof, he was bitten on the arm. Whoever is bitten by a Lycan will turn into one, legend has it." Legolas is demonstrating with actions, and when he said the word "bitten," he clenched his hands on my arms and acted as if bitten. I laughed out loud, and I adore it.

"Lycans? isn't that a ware wolf?

"Ware wolves are humanoid wolves who have been transformed into wolves, whereas lycans are humanoid wolves and are said to be smarter than wolves." 

 "They're  just the same."

"No, don't be silly. Lycans are a type of immortal descended from werewolves, with eyes that change to a solid cobalt blue and a fearful appearance."

"Ohh.."

"Then what are you? A lycan?" I giggled. "Cause you have a pointed ear.." I added.

He looked annoyed and stated, "Elven." 

My jaw dropped, "Whoahh I can't believe this. How did a creature like you existed in this world?" 

"So you're really an elf? an Elven?" 

"Yes.."

"So what am I? I don't know what do they call me.."

"A Dryad.."

I burst out laughing from what he have said. "You made me laugh.. Then, what is dryad?" 

"I'm sorry for asking too much looking dumb but I want to know more about me and what am I.. I can't woke up not knowing anything in this world.."

"You're not a human." he repeated making me feel curious.

"What?"