Enchanted (P) -Ladydark/SWN1994-

[Ladydark]

It was about mid-day when Detrick headed out of his home to go looking for herbs. He took a deep breath as he steps out and looks around a moment. He lived deep in the forest just outside of town, at least a half days walk. He lived out here to have his privacy and to work on his magic in peace. He would get requests from the king or town now and then for remedies.

He picks up his bag that was against the side of the house and began his walk. He heads down an almost overgrown path and stops a few times to cut off leaves or dig up roots. He places them neatly into their assigned containers in his bag, so as not to mix them up. He walks along a small river for a while, more so thinking then searching, watching the fish swimming up stream.

It wasn’t until he saw the hat floating down river that he woke from his calm. “What the...” He was deep in the forest, no body came out this far, he looks up the stream to see if he can see anything else. He picks up his pace and heads up river, not knowing what he would find.

There was a very old road that ran through the forest, but it was no longer used and had grown over. When he rounded a bank he saw a carriage that had clearly seen better days and a few bodies laying near it. On a closer look, they had been attacked by some of the bigger wildlife. “Hello... Is anyone still alive...” He starts towards it slowly, looking around.

 

[SWN1994]

It had happened so face, one minute they were heading to the kingdom, and next the carriage was overturned and Bella was the only one left. How long had she been stuck in the carriage for? A day? Two now? Bella was too frighten to leave as all the men had died and whatever beast had attacked her might still be out there. What could a foreign princess do against such a beast? So, she sat in the carriage. Her long, ash-brow hair a mess, his small round face red from crying, and her dress torn from being pulled free from under bodies and luggage.

Upon hearing a voice Bella perked up, pushing the sunroof opened as she poked her head out. Her large, doe-like green eyes hopeful when she heard someone's voice. "I-I am!" she called out as she climbed out. She must have looked like such a mess. Her once lovely pale dress muddy and wet, her jewelry thrown aside as they felt heavy upon her chest and hands. Bella was no more than nineteen winters and heavily sheltered from her kingdom. "Thank the Gods...I've been alone here for sometime now since the accident." Bella wiped her eyes again, trying to stop from crying as she was so grateful for someone being there.

Slowly and cautiously she began towards the man, though stopping whenever she thought she heard something from the tree line. "...I am need of assistances if you would so please. I can promise rewards of anything you'd like."

 

[Ladydark]

“Where... Oh..!” He saw the movement at the carriage and starts to make his way over. “Oh miss... What happened here... This road isn’t used anymore...” He looks around the area again and makes his way to her... You look terrible...” But he could also see how much of a beauty she really was under all that dirt. He reaches for her hand and smiles softly “Of course I’ll help... I have a home not too far from here... You can get cleaned up and have a nice hot meal...” He tries to shy her away from the more gruesome bodies of her former guards.

As they were walking back along the stream again, he glances at her and frowns slightly. “I’m Detrick... And I’m sorry this happened... But I haven’t heard of that road being used in years... It’s so grown over, you can barely see it... Why were you there?”

 

[SWN1994]

Upon being approached the woman sniffled as she reached out and took the man's arm. Laying her head on his shoulder, the princess kept her eyes close as she walked along with the man and did not dare to look at the men she had grown close with. With her fingers gripping onto Detrick's skin she whispered softly "Thank you..if...if I may make a request, could we return to bury these men? They should be alive..."

"I was being transported to a king, I am to wed to combine the kingdoms of mine and of Alcazler." Bella explained. Shivering the woman looked up to Detrick "We were never told these roads were unsafe...our maps are old and ... they said they were fine..." Bella wiped away her tears quickly and felt as though this was a set up. OF course it wasn't and in all honestly the language barrier had made a mix up on both sides.

Bella looked up as they began to exit from the woods "If I may ask, where are we? All I know is the road went though a forest, I was unable to read the name of the forest though."

 

[Ladydark]

Detrick nods and gently takes her hand “Of course my lady... I shall put them to rest later, after you are cared for...” He glances at her “To the King... I never heard of any union... Was it kept in secret?” He stops her a moment “My Lady, it’s not your fault... Maps aren’t always kept updated...” He smiles softly and rubs her hand gently. “Maybe I’ll give you something to help you sleep... You’ve had a long few days... Seen things you never should have...”

The trees began to thin at they reached his home, him having cleared then years ago. “This is Darkling Forest... It’s a dangerous forest, only the most skilled of hunters normally enter here...” He leads her inside his large log cottage and smiles. “Make yourself at home... I’ll get you a drink to help you sleep... Ok?” He sits her on the soft couch in front of the fireplace and goes across the hall to his potions room.

He soon returns with a small glass “I mixed it in some hot coco... I’ll make you some food after you wake...” He hands the cup other, she’d slowly grow tired as she drank it.

 

[SWN1994]

"Thank you...I will come and aide you. It is the least I can do for helping me, and for my men." Bella frowned thinking about them. Though she was out for most of what had happened, times she could become aware of her surrounding she had heard the horrors of their screams and protecting her to their last breaths. Bella simply nod when Detrick asked if the union was a secret: They were to marry in secret to keep everyone out of war as another kingdom at the moment was trying to have the princess marry their king, if it had been found war would have made on the bases of being lied to for so many years of the princess marrying their lord only to now marry another.

Upon entering the home she took a seat on the couch and felt his body ready to go limp from being so tense for the pass days. With a smile she took the mug and looked down to the strange drink. "Hot coco? Heh, I have never heard of such a drink," taking a sip she smiled "It tastes very good. Similar to one from my country."

Finishing the sweet drink she placed the mug on a small table before falling asleep without a problem. She might have even been able to sleep without the sleeping aids. For now though, she was happy to be somewhere safe.

 

[Ladydark]

Detrick sits to listen to her, and smiles “It’s a common sweet drink here... And there is no need for you to help with such a task... You can pay their respects later...” He smiles softly at her, then helps her to lay down once she was asleep. Once out, he finally gets to look her over completely, she was a lovely thing.

He stood to leave again, then had a thought, he turns back to her and smiles again. “No one knows you’re here... Or who you are...” He moves to get a closer look “You’d be waisted on that king...” He stands again and returns to his potions room, looking around for something.

Several minutes later he returns with a small jewel on a length of leather. “This should help with things...” He reaches down and gently ties the makeshift necklace around her neck. He then closes his eyes and chants a few words in a strange language. The jewel glows a moment, setting his spell.

Once she did wake up, she would slowly start to forget things of her self, while also believing what he says to fill the gaps. The necklace was also spelled so she wouldn’t know it was there, if it ever came off, the spell would break.

 

[SWN1994]

"I know, but ... okay." Bella spoke could feel her eye lids grow heavy as her head began to tilt to the side from falling asleep. Being helped to lay down the woman laid on her back and stared up at the ceiling as everything began to go blurry before slumber took her. Breathing softly she slept, her hair moved to the side to drape over her shoulder and the dirt which had covered her face now washed offed when she had been given the chance before the drink.

It felt so long before Bella woke up, but when she did it had passed a day. Sitting up the woman looked around and for a moment she forgot where she was before remembering the cottage. She had to be there. Yawning she stood up and looked around, looking down at her dress which was still in need of repair "...how did this happen?" touching her dress she frowned. Perhaps it was time to make a new dress? Did she know how to make such a dress? Shaking her head she called out for Detrick, staying put in this strange home.

 

[Ladydark]

While Bella slept, Detrick returned to the crashed carriage site. He dug a long grave and did lay each man to rest, even giving them a small prayer to ease their souls. Turning back to the toppled carriage, he claps his hands together and again speaks in a strange language. He slowly spreads out his hands and the carriage starts to break apart and rot away. Soon the clearing is as it was, but with a new tree growing where the carriage once stood.

He went home to check on his new guest and smiles to find her still sleeping. He lightly covers her with a blanket before heading to his own room for the night

He was up early as usual the next day and was making some breakfast when he heard her calling out to him. He leaves the kitchen and comes into the room, he smiles softly at her. “Good morning Princess... Did you sleep well..?” He steps closer and to her and holds out his hand. “I have some food cooking... Would you like some? Or would you rather clean up first...”

 

[SWN1994]

"Princess...? Oh yes..." Bella spoke softly before taking his hand when offered "I would like to clean up first. It would be nice to dressed in well-clothes." Bella said softly as she looked up to Detrick. With a tender smile she sniffed the air "Breakfast smells wonderful. May I ask what we will be having?"

After washing herself and changing into better suited clothes the woman came to eat, and the necklace already hard at work to take away her memories. First she forgot how to came to the cottage, asking how she had gotten there as the last thing she remembered was actually getting ready to leave to visit...someone? Rubbing her head she smiled sweetly "I should ask these after breakfast...its feels as though its been....awful lately?" What had happened to make her feel such thing? Why did she want to go into the forest as well? Rubbing her head the woman sighed softly. Her mind felt foggy.

 

[Ladydark]

Detrick smiles at her “I’ve made us some wild boar sausage and fried eggs with some toast... I hope it’s to your liking...” He leads her back to the bathing area and gets her some simple clothes. “I’m sorry I don’t have anything that fancy... But I’m sure you’ll still look beautiful...” He gives her a soft smile, tells her where things are and leaves her to clean up.

Once she made her way to the kitchen, he stands from his table and helps her to it. “Would care for something to drink Miss...” He gets her plate and sets her food before her at the table. Then gets her a drink if she wanted on, placing it and a cloth by her plate. He could tell she was becoming a little confused, so his spell was working.

 

[SWN1994]

"Thank you Detrick, mmm, it smells amazing." Bella smiled as she looked over the food, her stomach growling but needing a proper bath and clothes were first needed. After bathing herself and changing into better clothing the woman shook her head to the man's comment. "I don't need anything fancy, honestly I'm just glad to be in non-torn clothes." Bella said coming out. The dress she wore now was simple, but the solid color with no detail brought out other features of the woman. Her body was fit, breast perky and oddly she was a tall woman compared to others. Her hair was placed in a high bun. face scrubbed to show off her freckles and rosy lips pulled into a cheerful smile.

Returning to the kitchen and being given her meal she began to eat, pure bliss on her face from the moment the food entered her mouth. Poor girl couldn't wait any longer. "Mmm, if you would please. Anything you have would greatly help, although clearly she didn't need a drink yet as she ate with no problem. Finishing off her meal and drink the woman sighed softly, now full and in proper care.

"Detrick, the men...have you buried them yet?" Her memories were becoming blurry, but needing to put those poor souls to rest was something she couldn't forget. Looking down she frowned seeing some of the scratches and cuts she had endured. Looking back up Bella cleared her throat "Thank you again for helping me."

 

[Ladydark]

Detrick smiles at her again “I’m glad the clothes and food suit you my grace...” He nods slowly “I have Princess... I laid them each to rest and said a prayer for their souls...” He stands to collect her plate “In a few days, I will take you to see them, then I can see about getting you to the King... The forest is dangerous to those that don’t know it, and you’re still injured...”

He takes her hand and helps her up, then leads her back to the main room. He sits with her next to the fire on the couch and smiles softly. “Why don’t you tell me about your country...” He wanted to know what she needed to forget before he could start to teach her new things.

 

[SWN1994]

"Heh, should I not be thanking you? You have done so much for me." Bella was grateful for the man and all he was doing for her. Frowning a bit as she was told about the men buried and how they would need to wait for her to get well before going back to their graves. There was also mention about a King in which had Bella puzzled, but for now she would ask about who this king was or why she needed to go to him.

With a bright smile the young woman nod and leaned against Detrick, feeling safe with the man. "Well, my country is very small but we have much resources. We are often targeted by larger counties...though, we are still happy. My people are kind and hard workers, I would do anything to keep them happy." sitting up Bella touched her heart and frowned "...I should return to my country. I'm not even sure why we came out here." Looking up to Detrick she smiled softly "I'm glad to have met you though. If you'd please, after my visit with my men would you escort me to a sail departure? I'm sorry for being a bother, but I would not want to be a burden to you for so long."

 

[Ladydark]

“You’re country sounds lovely... I can see why you wanted to talk with the King of mine for help...” He smiles at her and reaches for her hand “I promise you my lady... Once you are healed, you will be where you belong... And don’t worry, you’re not any bother... It’s nice to have someone around now and then...”

So she was already forgetting her reason for coming here, that was a start. He smiles again “I just want you to relax and make yourself at home... Just... If you go outside alone, don’t leave the marked area of my land... It’s dangerous beyond there...” He rubs her hand lightly “It’s marked by colourful stones and plants...”

 

[SWN1994]

"For help...ah, yes." Bella spoke softly and slowly, her mind trying to put things together but with the charm around her neck not allowing it. With a swelling heart she smiled leaning up and kissed Detrick's cheek, her lips soft and warm against the other's skin. "It is nice not to be alone. Mmm, its a shame you live here alone..."

Nodding the woman leaned against Detrick, being soothed by the other's touch the woman closed her eyes. "I understand, I will remember that." Bella looked out to the window, it seemed like it would rain soon. Hugging the man's arm she frowned "I hope my family is not worried. I don't like others worrying about me." the woman muttered as she talked to herself. Soon enough Bella fall back asleep, she did need a lot of rest. The next time she awoke she would have forgotten more, even her own name at one moment and had to ask Detrick what her own name was again.

 

[Ladydark]

He smiles at her and gently rubs her arm “Oh... I won’t be living along for much longer...”

“Oh I’m sure they’d worry even if you hadn’t been in the accident... You’re their daughter and they sent you to a far land...” He glances at her and continues to rub her arm, helping her fall asleep again. Once out he takes her to his room and lays her in the bed to rest. When she woke a short time later, she had forgotten her own name, he was a bit shocked at first, not knowing the spell would do that.

He was about to tell her her name, when a thought came to him, to change it. “Ivy... How are you feeling now...” He sits by the bed and softly brushes her hair out of her face. “You fell and hit your head... Does it still hurt?”

 

[SWN1994]

"You won't be? Thats wonderful news...no one should alone."

Ivy blinked a few times before shaking her head "My head feels fine...mmm..." rubbing her eyes the woman smiled sweetly, she seemed more at ease compared to how she was first found. "Detrick," she at least still remembered his name a few more things "Mmm...my head feels a bit foggy." Ivy muttered softly. Sighing she shook her head before smiling brightly and took Detrick's hand "I'll be fine though! Ah...um...I'm sorry, I have no idea what to say or do. Could we go outside for fresh air?"

The young woman went outside and sitting down she smiled softly feeling the air around her. The babbling of the creek outside brought the woman some peace. Sitting down on the ground she seemed to gaze off into space. "Ve con masun...Tu moko?" for a moment Ivy slipped back into her native tongue, though it sounded more broken than it should for a native of her land. Her whole mind being rewritten and perhaps talking to someone without using her language for awhile would even replace her native tongue with this tongue.

 

[Ladydark]

Detrick smiles softly and helps her sit up, then hands her a glass of water. “It’s ok sweety... You hit you’re head pretty hard, that’s normal... I think some fresh air will do you quite good...” He helps her outside and to his small garden, sitting her in one of the chairs.

He went inside to get them some snacks and smiles at her “What was that? I didn’t catch it Ivy... Hungry?” He sets down a small tray of fruit and bread and a small glass of wine for the two of them. He takes his own seat and smiles at her.

 

[SWN1994]

"Hm? Oh, I was saying the day looks lovely, what do you think? And yes, a little bit." Ivy laughed softly, a dusty pink covering her cheeks from embarrassment. With a tender smile she reaches over and pours them both wine, careful as she poured the woman looked to Detrick and giggled softly before finishing it off. "Its quite nice today...I don't think I've seen such a nice day." Ivy began to nibble on her bread.

The hour passed peacefully and soon enough she finished off her portion of the food and wine. Leaning back slightly the woman looked to the flowers and frowned "Detrick, I can't remember much...I can't even remember what my own relationship is to you...how bad was my injury?"