Chapter Four

It was dark already, they could only see each other with the lights in the garden, the night breeze blew on their faces as they sat there, waiting for him to answer. 

Nora was already tired, she needed answers and answers she must get, she thought to herself,

"Just answer my questions," said Nora.

"Okay I'll answer you, just sit down, take a deep breath and don't let those tears fall, at least not just yet," said Gretchen, Nora sits down, 

"So, who are you? What am I?" asked Nora.

"As I said before I'm Gretchen of Vermont," said Gretchen.

"Okay, so?" asked Nora.

"I am here to train you and guide you on this journey, you will learn as time goes on," said Gretchen, 

"Who sent you here and can you explain to me the meaning of those my dreams? I do not understand all this, I just want to be normal, said Nora tears now dropping from her eyes, 

Darey held her hands, whispering to her " take a deep breath and relax, we will get to know the truth," said Darey, 

"You need to go back to your kingdom, I can't explain more, events will unfold themselves, you will understand soon enough," Said Gretchen, 

"Darey your parents will be in the best position to explain to you but don't forget, you are an elf, a prince in your kingdom, destiny might not be favourable to you, but with your hands, you get to write yours," said Gretchen, looking at Darey without any emotions on his face.  

They fell silent for a while, no one speaking, their minds were so far away, Nora was calm now and she could not help but think about what he just said. 

"How do I go back?" asked Nora, 

"Not so fast child," replied Gretchen, 

Darey who has been silent all this while, turned towards Nora "we need to get going, my parents will be worried sick about me," he said, 

"Yes, you need to get home, and try to be nice to your mum," said Gretchen, 

"I hope to see you soon, there is a lot I still don't understand, said Nora, as they stand up, 

" I am with you always, just let your heart guide you," Gretchen concluded, as he vanished just as he had come. 

"Let's go, don't want to keep your parents waiting," said Nora, as they held hands and made their way home. 

*                *                       *                      *           * 

It was past dinner time and they were not yet home, Serena paced around the front yard, restless while Jones sat in the front yard. They could see the lights in Mrs Langson's house had been lit.

"What do you think has happened out there," asked Serena, still pacing around the front yard, 

"Nothing, my dear you worry too much, they might have walked for long and forgot the time, you saw the mood in which Nora left her house, said Jones, 

"I still don't feel comfortable with all this at all," said Serena, 

Just then, Mrs Langson walked out of her house, worried as ever, where would Nora go? she thought to herself. 

Serena saw and looked at Jones, knowing his wife he stood up and followed her to Nora's place where Mrs Langson stood worried as ever, 

"Any news?" Asked Mrs Langson, upon sighting them, 

"None yet," Jones replied, 

"I will go look for them now, it's been hours now," said Jones. 

Just then, Nora and Darey strolled into Nora's front yard, they had agreed not to mention what happened to their parents, their faces were blank, emotionless, they started at their parents waiting for them to yell or scold them, instead, both mothers flung their arms around their kids, 

"What happened? Where have you been? Were you trying to punish me?" Asked Mrs Langson, relieved at the sight of her, she could only imagine what would have happened if she didn't come back today.

"Okay, that's fine Mum," said Nora wriggling herself from her mother's grip, 

"We will leave you now, Mrs Langson, said Jones, 

"Thank you," said Mrs Langson, as she went Inside with Nora. 

She was going to tell her everything she needed to know, but not yet, she will let her rest tonight, so she can be prepared to receive the news, Mrs Langson thought to herself as they went inside.

"Take your shower and come downstairs for dinner," said Mrs Langson, 

Nora went upstairs without arguing, she took her shower which she needed after such a long time outside, she was famished as her stomach made a loud growl,  ten scents of her favourite red and white sauce Lasagna filled her nose, she got dressed for bed and ran down the stairs to the dining room, she needed to eat, she felt as though she has lost a lot of energy.  

"Dinner is served," said the chef, 

They ate in silence, 

" I'm sorry," they both said together, looking at each other, they burst out laughing, 

"Let me go first," said Mrs Langson, 

"Sure," replied Nora, 

"I'm sorry about what happened, I know I owe you a lot of explanations, and I might not be the best or understand you most times, I am you to know that I love you and everything will be cleared up in due time, my special one," she concluded, 

"I'm sorry mum, I didn't mean to run, I didn't mean any of the things I said, I just yearn for clarity," said Nora with teary eyes, 

"Hey, it's fine Nora, I understand, just eat up and rest, it's been a long day," she said, as she placed her hands on top of Nora's own across the table. 

They ate the remaining food gisting and laughing, 

"Would retire to my room now mum," Nora said, yawning and stretching herself, 

"Go ahead dear, it's late already," replied Mrs Langson as she kissed her good night. 

*               *                     *                      *                   *

Mrs Langson entered her room exhausted, it's been a long day indeed, she thought to herself.

"She's not safe here," said a voice, She jumped back as she snapped the light switch to see the Knight standing at the window of her room, gazing at her, arms folded to his chest. 

Trying to catch her breath, she looked at him, she didn't know him, 

"Who are you?" She asked treading with caution, 

Sensing her fear, he raised his hands to her, showing he had nothing in his hands,

"Seeing how easy it was for me to get into this place, I don't know what we might say for the others, he said, 

"You still have not answered my question," said Mrs Langson, 

"I am Gretchen from Vermont, I am here to fulfil an obligation to an old friend, an obligation rather tasking, something I wouldn't want to do, but I have to." Said Gretchen, 

She looked at him, as though trying to recognize him, then she remembered, there was an event in the kingdom of petra and the knight had been in attendance, an assassin was hired to kill the princess Claudia, and he saved her life, to show gratitude and repay the debt of life, princess Claudia promised her first child to him to claim to her anytime he felt necessary. 

"Mmmmh, the ever unflinching knight, what do you want from me, her mother still lives, that I am sure of," she said, now walking to her bed to sit down, 

"It would do her no good to keep all this away from her again, it's time she faced her destiny," said Gretchen, 

"So, what are you to do about it, she replied, 

"Keep her safe, till she is ready enough to face the dark knight," said Gretchen, 

"You would want for me to take her home?" Asked Mrs Langson, 

"No, I would take her myself," Replied Gretchen, 

She burst out laughing, 

"You didn't want anything to do with the child, so why now? Why would you think I would trust you enough to let you take Nora with you? Asked Mrs Langson, 

He didn't reply, he just stared into the dark clouds through her window, after some time, he turned to her, 

"I will let you tell her the truth, Gwen, after then I will come for her," said Gretchen, before Gwen could say a word he left into thin air. 

*                        *                           *                            *

Nora found herself running inside the woods, panting and screaming for help, as the dark knight rode his horse chasing after her with great speed, sword in his hand.

"Aubrey, you can't hide from me forever," he hissed as he kept on the chase, 

Trees and dirt blocked her path as she let running, she had bruises from scratches from the leaves and tree branches, she didn't know what to do, or where she was running to, all she knew was that she needed to escape him.

"Aubrey, he called out taunting her, 

Her legs got intertwined with a fallen branch and she fell to the ground, in that instant, the dark knight caught up with her, his face behind the mask broke out in a devilish smile, 

"So easy to get you, all the spells cloaking you are down," he said, 

"What do you want from me? Asked Nora defiantly 

"You," replied the dark knight.

At that moment, Gretchen showed up from nowhere and repeated some words 

"Insipid Adenianas in Quito alas gradas," Gretchen kept muttering the words, the dark knight hissed and with great speed galloped for Gretchen, 

"Run Aubrey, Little elf run, screamed Gretchen, 

She ran and immediately woke up, panting and sweating profusely, she could feel fear trying to choke her, she snapped her bed stand lamp on and picked up her phone, she dialed a number, 

On the other end, a male voice came up, 

" Having trouble sleeping?" he asked 

"Yes, what about you Darey? She asked, 

"Nightmares," he replied, 

"Same here," she replied, 

"So what do you think?" Asked Darey, 

"If there is another world out there, and my destiny is to be fulfilled there, what choice do I have?" She asked, 

"What will it be then?" replied Darey

"I am ready to face it, I am ready to go back," Said Nora in a matter of fact tone. 

The line went dead, she stood up, walked to the mirror knowing what she would do, looked at herself in the mirror knowing that the world she is about to enter would either ruin or make her life, but for now she would savour the moment, she thought to herself as she walked to her door and found her way to the front door, shutting it behind her, she knew things would never be the same again.