Chapter Seven

The voices outside were so low she couldn't make out what they were saying, she had just woken up from another nap, after lunch she had felt headaches, she was taken to her room by Gretchen and given a bitter liquid to take that would make her feel better, with Alstin sitting by the side of her bed, she slept off. 

Outside was so cold, with the wind blowing stronger than the afternoon, she sighted Alstin in the company of the other men by the threshold of the tower, they had made a fire and sat around it, warming their skin, while sharpening their swords, and telling tales, she walked over there, ignoring the two figures whispering to each other, she joined them by the fireside, and sat beside Alstin.

"What do you think you are doing, Gretchen? asked an older version of Gretchen, worries written all over his face, 

"Taking responsibility," replied Gretchen, 

"She is trouble, I have been trying my best to hold down the remaining of us, with no more of our kind, we are the last of our kind, bringing her here, exposes us," said the man, 

"I understand Brent, we are only here for a few weeks, I need to put some things in order, replied Gretchen, 

" Since childhood you have survived on your own, never needing assistance from anyone, you are the best of our kind, if there is any way we can assist you, let us know we are a family," said Brent, the older man, 

"How far has her existence spread?" Asked Gretchen, 

"As far as possible, been whispered in every nook and crannies of the kingdom," replied Brent, 

"Mmmmh", muttered Gretchen, 

" Are you up for this, Gretchen?" Brent asked as he held Gretchen's shoulder, 

Gretchen didn't answer as he noticed the figure watching them, she looked better now, her hair might need washing and she need a change of clothes, she seem to be carrying a burden bigger than her, she needed training, and she needed a mother, he thought to himself, as he watched her made her way towards Alstin, he sighed.

"Is there shampoo and fresh clothes in this place?" He ignored the question, 

"We could find," replied Brent, 

"Would like you to help invite Valerie," said Gretchen, 

"Valerie?" Brent asked somewhat shocked, 

"Yes, Aubrey needs grooming, he replied, 

"Hey, you both, come over, yelled Alstin, waving at Brent and Gretchen.

Brent heaved a sigh as they made their way to the threshold where they joined the others, 

"So you do not have emotions or feelings, Gretchen?" Asked Aubery, her face radiant in the face of the fire, 

Gretchen scowled at his men, the only family he ever knew, he didn't answer, only picked at the fire whiskers, 

"Mmh, the answer I was looking for, " said Aubery, 

"How are you settling in, Gary asked, 

Gary looked the opposite of them all, he was younger than them all, didn't have their warrior's eyes, he might have looked so much like Gretchen, thought Aubrey, 

"So well," replied Alstin, 

"The princess can't even withstand the weather of her people, wheeeew," said Gamiel, he stared coldly at Aubery, 

"Hey, back off Gamiel," said Gretchen staring daggers at him, 

"What, you come in here after so many years of abandoning us your family, not just you but coming with two wanted elves from another world, jeopardising us all, putting us in danger, " yelled Gamiel, 

"That's alright Gamiel," said Brent scowling, 

"We all know he is your favourite, can't you see what he keeps doing, the last time it was Valerie and now these two, when will he stop thinking of himself alone," continued Gamiel, 

Gretchen didn't say anything, just sat and stared as the fire kept blazing, everyone went mute, they all had a thing or two to say but then.

Gretchen knew he had neglected his family so much, there's no way he could make up for that, but he has never been one to stay in a place, the more he tries to stay away from drama, the universe finds a way to bring one his way, he thought to himself. 

"Did you know, we lost two of us, the last time you visited, you left without anyone knowing, without a proper goodbye and now I hope you do the same," yelled Gamiel as he stood up and stormed off into the house.

No one said a word, as he left, Alstin held onto Aubery's hand tightly, she was shivering, as tears trickled down her cheeks, Gretchen stood up and left. 

The rest of the men smiled at them before heading inside, 

"Come on, it's late," said Gary offering his hands to Alstin, who took them and dragged Aubery up too, they walked inside leaving only Brent outside. 

*               *                     *                        *                  *

There was no need to report them as missing persons, it was obvious they were no longer in their world, as the location spell Gwen tried doing but couldn't get anything.

"Nothing yet?" Asked Serena, 

"None, they are out of here," said Gwen sighing, 

"I failed Aubrey and the throne, they might be in harm's way, or might have entered their trap," Gwen said exhausted, as none of them had slept for two nights now, 

"We have to wait for Jones to get back," said Serena, 

"I am not taking orders from you, Serena, for all I know you might be behind their disappearance, or more," retorted Gwen,  

"Come off it, Gwen, Aubrey is one of us too, she is an elf," Serena yelled back at Gwen, 

"One of you, your kind does not want her, Serena, no one wants her except me, not even the royal household, if only you knew," Retorted Gwen, 

"We have different problems here, let's seek them out differently, said Gwen as she backs out the door.

Looking dishevelled and tired, she went back to her house, everywhere was silent, as she had dismissed the maids earlier leaving only one staff member, she went to her room and recoiled on her bed, she looked as though she had aged like ten years more.

She had sent a message out to sautor earlier but had received no response till now, she didn't want to go back without knowing the whereabouts of Aubrey, 

What would she tell Sautor and the royal family? Where would she start from to locate Aubery if she's to go back?  She thought to herself.

" Gretchen!" She exclaimed aloud,  

Why hasn't she thought about him, he must have been the only one capable of taking Aubrey and Alstin to the other side, his kind could create portals for such transportation. She thought to herself, 

Exhaustion taking over her, she fell asleep. 

*               *                   *                    *                  *         

A loud knock on her door, made her jump out of bed as she ran down the stairs to get to the door, 

Could be Aubrey, maybe she didn't go to the other side, maybe she's back, she thought to herself.

Opening the door she saw Jones and Serena at the door, she sighed, letting them in.

"Hello Gwen," greeted Jones, 

"What time is it?" Asked Gwen, stretching and rubbing her eyes, 

"6:00 pm," said Jones, 

"Have I not been sleeping? Asked Gwen, 

" It is Friday, Gwen," replied Jones 

"Oh My!" Exclaimed Gwen, as she had slept all through the night and the next day evening, was she that tired she thought to herself.

They sat down in the sitting room, in silence, looking at each other. It's been five days since they left and none of them has been able to get a solution to it.

"Serena told me what happened between you both," said Jones looking at Serena, 

"I'm sorry," said Serena, 

"It's fine Serena, we were pretty much tensed, I'm sorry if I said anything to hurt you too," replied Gwen, 

There was a brief silence before Jones spoke again, 

"We received the news, they are in Vermont," said Jones, 

"How do you know that," said Gwen in shock, 

"News has begun to spread of their arrival, Gwen and the last place they were seen was in the company of Gretchen of Vermont, which automatically means he will take them to Vermont first before anywhere else," concluded Jones, 

"Hmmm, then we have to set out then," said Gwen, 

"Our mission here has been fulfilled, let's go protect our lads," said Serena, 

"I will have to make some connections before leaving," said Gwen, 

"That's fine Gwen, we should leave as soon as possible," replied Jones.

Standing up, he and Serena made their way out of Gwen's house to prepare.

*                         *                         *                                 *                                   

 

They made their way through the long passage through the right-wing and got to Aubrey's room, she sighed and went inside.

"Do you think she will be okay?" Asked Gary, 

"Yes, she is a fighter," replied Alstin, as they moved ahead and all retired to their chambers.

Aubrey lay on her bed, thoughts of different kinds forming through her mind, as tears began to roll down her cheeks, "she is trouble" the voice kept echoing in her head.

Is that what she truly is, trouble? Is that why her parents refused to let her stay? Is that why she has been whisked away from her home? Because she was in trouble, she sighed.

She stood up from her bed, she felt so lonely now more than ever, made her way to Alstin's chamber, he sat up when she entered, 

"Hey," Said Alstin, 

"Hey," replied Aubrey as tears rolled down her cheeks, 

"Come on," Said Alstin, cupping her cheeks in his palm, as he let her rest her head on his chest, while they laid down on his bed.

Her tears held so many stories, so many tales, so many worries and a lot of strength within, and if there was anyone that would share in her pain and burden it is Alstin, she lay there and let the tears flow down her cheeks.