Truce

Truce

 

 

The night before seemed like nothing more than a dream when Ellias woke the next morning to an empty forest. Sitting up, she groaned at her sore body and looked around in dismay at the messy clearing. Her belongings, or what was left of them, were where they had been left the night before, strewn along the ground in a mess. She hadn’t had the energy to pick them all up, and had simple fallen asleep without meaning to.

Now that she was awake, the magnitude of her situation hit her again. She’d met a Unicorn last night, and not only one but several, and had almost been eaten. But, why hadn’t she been eaten?

 

Placing her head in her hands, Ellias pressed her fingers into her temples and blew out loudly. Kae was crazy, she’d never be able to catch one of those things, not in a million years. He’d understand right, if she explained it to him? He’d pat her on the back and say ‘thanks for trying’ and that’d be that. Yeah  right, that wouldn’t even happen in her dreams. If the Unicorns didn’t kill her in her, Kae sure as hell would when she got out. Still, what else could she do? She had no rope now, courtesy of one chestnut nag, her bag was successfully holey and her food had either been eaten or trampled into the ground.

There was nothing to do, she had to get out of the forest. Maybe she’d restock and try again later, or just lay low from Kae until his anger died down. Either way, staying here was crazy.

 

She had grown used to the chattering of the trees, but that morning they were surprisingly quiet as she collected her meagre possessions. One was even slightly helpful, picking up and passing her discarded water flask to her to pack.

‘They’re probably glad that I’m leaving’

Shouldering her pack, Ellias turned, gained a general sense of her direction and started walking.

 

She definitely wasn’t imagining the odd behaviour of the trees now. While at first she thought it was mere delusion, she had to accept that the trees were definitely creating a path for her, clearing space and even moving roots out of her way. It was strangely unnerving, and maybe even a little insulting that they were so willing to help her now that she had decided to leave without a fight.

As a result of the extra help, she found her return trip much more enjoyable. The canopy had even gone through the extra trouble of moving around slightly, and now solitary patches of sunlight pushed through and followed her path like cheerful little hitch-hikers.

 

They must have chosen a different course for her, as no more than an hour went by before the gentle gurgling of a stream tinkled past her ears. Suddenly realizing how dry her mouth was, Ellias quickened her pace until she was almost trotting eagerly through the underbrush.

Pushing away a rather clingy fern, she spotted the source of the gurgling, a three-way stream system. All three streams dropped from a singular, slightly raised pond, seemingly fed by the largest of the streams, lying to the left. The other two were smaller and wound of in separate directions, through the forest.

Sinking gratefully to her knees, Ellias plunged her hands into the cool water, washing of the dirt that had settled there over her two day trek. Splashing her face and neck next, she took her time cooling off. Unfortunately the pond was much too small and shallow to bathe in, but the water was cool and clean, so she did at least have the chance to fill her flask again.

The water was sweet when she tasted it, and before she knew it she had emptied and refilled the flask twice. Finally content, she had settled back against the trunk of the tree.

 

“I owe you for this, don’t I? I’m sure you’ll make me pay for it in some heinous and painful way later, but…thanks,” Ellias said aloud with a bemused smile, figuring the trees would pick it up. Hearing a resounding happy swish from above her head, she took it as confirmation, and poured some of the sweet water over the roots of the tree in thanks.

 

Her break didn’t last long however, as she was urged to her feet by the prodding of her host tree, and grumbling sent on her way again. The light in the forest was increasing continually, and while she was unsure about trusting the forest blindly, she had to admit they’d done a fine job so far. Surely a little trust wasn’t unwarranted?

A sudden thought hit her. Maybe it was their plan to catch her off guard, then once she was relaxed they’d tug her off her feet and hang her from their branches. Slowly, her blood would drip into the ground and the roots would tunnel and writhe like hungry worms, looking for a taste. She shuddered at the thought and quickly pushed on. She wouldn’t take the tree’s good graces for granted, but the farther she got away from the forest, the better she would feel.

 

It took another two hours of walking before something changed. Having had a long while to settle into a walking routine, Ellias was caught off guard when a loud crack to her right echoed throughout the forest. Whirling with daggers in hand, she peered curiously into the shadows, smiling gratefully when the trees bowed out of the way for her to see better. She was beginning to take their unquestioned assistance for granted.

There were a few more resounding cracks, then wild shuffling as the presence in the distance came closer, obviously moving at a fast pace. Backing up until her back hit another tree trunk, Ellias fiddled nervously with the hilts of her knives. Something making such noise had to be large, and the largest creatures in the forests were the Unicorns. But there was no way one of the graceful creatures she saw last night could be the one making so much noise now.

 

As if to put an end to her doubts, a Unicorn flew out of the tree line and onto her path, legs splayed and flailing as it landed and rolled to a stop. Ellias stood in shock, eyeing the pitiful creature in disbelief, bordering on disappointment. Apparently there was such a thing as an ugly Unicorn.

She couldn’t even tell what shade its coat was, since it was matted and tangled with mud and twigs. Its hooves and legs were caked in mud as well, and its face was smeared in the stuff. The only way she could be sure that it was indeed a Unicorn, was the horn sitting upon its head, shorter but no less pointy than the ones she had seen the night before. Disgustingly filthy, the Unicorn with its gangly legs was obviously another yearling, though much less impressive.

 

As the beast raised its head, Ellias attempted another step back, forgetting about the hard wood she was already pressed against. She had nowhere to go as the Unicorn looked around and finally spotted her.

For a moment as their eyes met, Ellias debated whether to run or fight. Dismal or no, a dirty Unicorn was just as likely to eat her as a clean one, and judging by its thinness, it hadn’t eaten in a while. The Unicorn, for the record, seemed about as surprised as her, and cocked its head in such a puppy-like manner that Ellias had to smile.

 

 

Lurching to its feet, the Unicorn snorted and backed up nervously. For the time being it didn’t seem a threat, which gave her an opportunity. The thought had come to her as soon as the Unicorn had appeared. This one was obviously weak, if she was quick and smart about it, surely she’d have no problems with capturing it. All thoughts and fears of failure left her as she dreamed of her success, and the heroic way in which she would be welcomed home. Ellias the Unicorn Tamer had a nice ring to it.

 

But she still had no rope, and as she hesitated the Unicorn overcame its hesitance and began making its way slowly towards her. Its hoof-falls were dull on the thick layer of debris, but they resonated within Ellias’s heart as it approached. She had to tilt her head uncomfortably back, having underestimated just how tall the creature was, her head only reached its shoulder and it wasn’t even finished growing yet.

Its mouth parted slightly, showing her teeth that were as thin and sharp as needles, two rows of them on the top and bottom, perfect for spearing and biting. She wasn’t so sure how they would do at tearing though. Her heart froze as the Unicorn lowered its head, similar to the other one, and began sniffing her with apparently unafraid curiosity. Ellias stood stock-still while it carried out its examination, unable to take her eyes away from the horn that hovered much too close to her neck.

 

The Unicorn paused at her chest, blowing out what sounded like a sigh of relief, as if her breasts were something it’d been searching for all its life and finally found. Annoyed, Ellias shoved its nose down and away, the tapered horn dangerously scoring close to her cheek.

 

“I didn’t know Unicorns were perverts too,” she grumbled hotly, scowling down at the still- lowered head of the Unicorn. Irritation overriding her fear, Ellias skirted around the Unicorn and back onto the path, where in the least she had more space to move. Turning, she noticed the Unicorn watching her and frowned. “What is it? You’re not going to eat me?”

Only now finding it unwise to challenge a Unicorn to such a thing, Ellias stepped back, guard up again. For her step, the Unicorn took one as well, and when she stepped again it mimicked her.

Seeing no other solution, Ellias turned and ran blindly into the forest.

 

Leaves were slapping at her face and tugging at her clothes, trying to stop her, but she was more concerned about the sounds of pursuit from behind. Ducking around another tree, Ellias didn’t wait for any help, since apparently the trees had seemingly found a more appropriate way to get rid of her, rather than simply letting her go. Typical.

 

She didn’t know how long she ran for, but she wouldn’t stop for anything, not even when the crashing behind her had died away to nothing. Only when she was gasping, throat frozen and yet burning at the same time did she stumble to a halt, unable to go on. Hands on her knees, Ellias doubled over and heaved labouredly until she caught her second wind. Looking around tiredly, she noticed that she was beside a small stream, probably one of the ones leading from the pond she had found the day earlier.

With only enough energy to will her shaking legs over to the water, Ellias collapsed beside it and resisted the urge to dunk her head underwater. Her fumbling hands couldn’t retrieve her flask fast enough, so she resorted to cupping her hands and drinking as much as she could of the cool water. Still breathing heavily but at least quenched, Ellias leaned back and splashed some of the water on her face, pushing her sweaty hair away from her eyes.

 

She had been running for the equivalent of a few hours without rest and night had fallen without her realizing it, not that the light was any different. The only reason she was any the wiser, was because the trees had apparently gained some sympathy, and bared the moon and stars to her as she sat beside the water.

She was too sick to the stomach to eat, even if she had any food to begin with. Exhausted from her flight and without meaning to, Ellias slumped against a tree and fell into a dead sleep.

 

She woke the next morning with cheerful sunlight on her face. Squeezing her eyes shut against the intruding light, Ellias sat up, groaning at the unaccustomed soreness of her body. It had been some time since she had last pushed her body to its absolute limits, and truthfully, the ‘morning after’ what not a feeling she had missed. Her arms were stiff and her legs were strangely weighed down.

Rubbing her eyes tiredly, Ellias attempted to sit up, stopping when she realized her legs weren’t just heavy; they were pinned. Looking down, Ellias stared with bewilderment and budding annoyance at the Unicorn head resting in her lap. The rest of the foul creature was sprawled out on its side beside her, just as annoying and dirty as it had been the day before.

 

Hurriedly shoving the weight off her lap, much to the waking irritation of the Unicorn, Ellias scrambled to her feet. “What in the hell!? What are you, some kind of stalker? Piss off!”

Looking indignant the Unicorn scrambled to its feet as Ellias turned to wash her face in the stream, shaking itself vigorously before stretching like a cat. A very large, hooved cat.

 

“Where did you even come from?” Ellias demanded, sitting back on her heels to glare at the creature. The fact that she hadn’t even woken up at a Unicorn setting itself down on her lap was testament to how exhausted she had been. Actually, it was lucky that she had been just slept on, rather than eaten.

The Unicorn to its credit didn’t deem to answer, and seemed in no rush to be disappearing anytime soon, since it had settled itself down again to wait. Rolling her eyes, Ellias turned back to the water.

 

She made sure to take as long as she wanted, combing wet fingers through her curling hair and cleaning every speck of dirt off her skin. There was a year’s supply of dirt under her nails alone. When at last she was deemed respectably by social standards, Ellias quickly gathered her belongings and edged towards the edge of the pond, hoping to disappear before the Unicorn, who currently had its head turned aimlessly away, would notice.

It took all her willpower not to run, but instead maintain a very hurried walk as she headed back into the forest.

 

The Unicorn was still following her.

Like a pathetic puppy it was trotting at her heels, after he failure at giving it the slip. It had shown no more interest in eating her, which was helpful, but neither did it seem particularly keen to leave her alone, which was a pain.

She’d tried ditching it off course, suddenly changing course and running, or pretending to relieve herself and demand privacy. No matter how far she got, in a matter of moments there was the familiar clumping of hooves behind her, accompanied by a chastising nip on her shoulder, every time without fail.

 

 

While it was inarguable that her chosen stalker wasn’t irritating, looking at her situation from a strictly professional angle, Ellias had to admit that her situation could be most beneficial. She’d been stressing about having to capture a Unicorn, now it seemed she had a pet one that was perfectly happy to trot gaily at her heels till the day’s end. If she could put up with its appearance and bad manners, the situation could become a most profitable one.

 

From then the two became travelling companions, though Ellias was sure to always maintain a solid metre space between herself and the animal. It was rather clingy and constantly attempted to move closer without her realising, though a swift glare and a flick on the nose always sent it retreating.

With her new company, the forest had continued showing its favour, and had led her to another body of water. It was an actual lake this time, deeper and rimmed with flowering plants. A little hunting along the edges also caught her some berry bushes hiding amongst the foliage. With the opportunity for food finally in front of her, Ellias merely picked the berries of the bush and ate them straight away. They were sweet and tingly, the flavour exploding richly in her mouth.

 

The Unicorn followed her as she circled the lake, plucking berries off the bush beside her. By the time they had completed a full circuit, both of their faces were tinted red and they were contently full.

Needing to wash, Ellias knelt by the lake and washed the sticky juice from her fingers and face. It had been forever since she had, had a bath, and this seemed like as good an opportunity as ever. Hopefully they’d be out of the forest perimeter by the end of the day, and showing up in any town resembling a troll was sure to catch attention, if a pet Unicorn didn’t.

 

Speaking of the Unicorn, it was currently sprawled underneath the shade of one of the trees, eyes half-lidded and looking completely content. “I’m taking a bath,” she informed it loftily, folding her arms closely over her chest. “So don’t you dare look.”

She received no reaction other than a lazy ear flick and took it for acceptance. With an eager sigh, she turned and ran to the water.

 

Being able to wash all the travelling grime off her body felt amazing in the water, even if it was much colder than a typical bath. Dunking her head under, she felt her hair haloing around her face, finally untangling itself in the water. Even after she was clean, Ellias simply lay back and let herself float comfortably in the middle of the lake, paddling her hands lazily. She refused to leave the water until dusk had fallen and her fingers had become wrinkled flaps of skin. Her reluctance to leave the water also stemmed from the Unicorn, who for the past hour had been staring with avid interest at her, unblinking, and refused to look away.

 

It was a mad dash from the water into the shelter of the trees where she had hung her wet clothes to dry. Quickly rubbing and shaking the water off her skin, Ellias dressed quickly; paranoid that she would see a Unicorn head pop around the corner any second.

Wringing her hair out as she walked back to the creature, now fully dressed and feeling much cleaner, Ellias took a newfound ‘clean’ superiority as she stared in disdain at the dirty Unicorn.

“I thought your kind was supposed to be uber vain or something? Don’t you care that you look more like an overworked mule than a Unicorn?”

 

 

That seemed to get its attention, and with a haughty glare the Unicorn surged to its feet, nostrils quivering with apparent offense. Taking a step back at the intimidating movement, Ellias awaited another bite or attempt to lash out of her, but was taken by surprise when the Unicorn turned and strutted over to the water. It touched a hoof to the surface, as if testing the temperature with ridiculous grace, then vaulted in with reckless and childlike abandon, creating a splash large enough to land a few sprays on the contently dry Ellias.

 

“Hey!” she yelled as the cold water hit her, shivering at the contact. Arching an eyebrow at the Unicorn who was attempting a barrel roll in the deeper water, she shook her head and sat down with a sigh of exasperation. “Vain indeed.”

As a point, she had no clue whether her Unicorn was a male or female, but either way the vanity of Unicorns hadn’t been exaggerated one but, since the damned creature took the better part of an hour before determining itself clean. The fact that she had taken just as long didn’t seem important to note.

When it finally stalked haughtily out of the lake, she had to admit the water had done its job.

 

Its coat was longer than she had guessed, resembling fur in the way it shagged over his body in layers, and it wasn’t white either but shimmering, pearly silver. Its mane was longer now that it had been freed of knots, appearing as a silver wave as it rode over the beast’s muscled shoulder. The tail, resembling a lion’s tail with a tuft of fur at the end didn’t look as silly as she first thought, but fierce and primal as it whipped back and forth in an effort to dry. She hadn’t gotten the horn wrong at least, it was blazing gold now and its twists seemed more accented. Now that she looked properly, she was stuck with an absurd and reverent terror that she hadn’t recognized when she was just looking at a pitiful donkey. This was a Unicorn.

S**t, s**t, s**t. Quick, say something intimidating.

“Eat me and I’ll kill you.”

Nailed it.

 

The Unicorn made no move to eat her, though she doubted it was because it had been intimidated. Instead it seemed quite amused and made a sound she assumed was laughter, though sounded similar to the tinkling of wind chimes. Satisfied with its cleanliness the Unicorn dropped beside Ellias and once again placed its head in her lap, much to her protest.

“Find your own pillow, nag. I’m not here for your leisure. Besides, we need to leave.” She insistently tried to push off the finely shaped head, but the thing was as solid as a rock (and probably just as thick). When she was finally able to shift the grumbling Unicorn, Ellias quickly stood before it had a chance to settle again.

Gathering her things, she checked to make sure her water skin was filled again, and picked another handful of berries for the trip. The Unicorn literally sucked a dozen off a bush at once and looked content to continue, only turning and making a beeline for Ellias when it noticed she was leaving without it.

 

With food in her belly and clean clothes on her back, Ellias felt a stronger urge to get home and back among people. Hurried steps soon turned into a jog as the light in the forest changed, becoming brighter and more reminiscent of the outside world. The trees parted, revealing a glimpse of the woven wall that kept wise intruders at bay, and with a final cry of exhilaration, Ellias broke through and fell over into the sun.

 

Reviews

[DaughterNature]

Nice! I love the idea of a rogue unicorn becoming her "friend"! I would caution you to be careful of how many adverbs you use (I suffer from the same propensity for over-description!). But, on the whole, great going on your story.