SWNOVELS Chapter 9: Shelter
The pair worked hard upon returning to the cave. Molly cleaned the king’s wounds and used the fine white linen cloths from the castle for bandages. A thin trickle of blood still ran down his chest, and although he moaned, he did not awaken.
Hoddi pulled the man gently through the small opening of the cave, careful to leave Molly’s bandages as undisturbed as he could. He carried him to the red stone castle with ease, Molly following closely behind. By this time the sky was pitch black, littered liberally with twinkling stars to light their way. The half-moon shone a rich yellow in the night sky.
Hoddi carried King Simon carefully through the unlit hallway to the big room they had searched earlier.
Pulling the little yellow wand from the pocket of her dress, Molly told him, “I think I can add some light, Hoddi.” Touching each lantern with the wand, they watched as each of them began to burn, casting a warm glow about the room. She listened to the silvery chimes that followed, delighted that the wand had retained some of its more simple magic. Molly added, “I will light the fire as well.” Flames burst their way through the wood at the touch of the wand, producing mysterious, dancing shadows on the wall.
“You stay with the king and I will search the other rooms to see what they contain,” said Hoddi. When he returned, he could barely contain his excitement. “The pantry is filled with food supplies, Molly! Everything we need is in there!”
Astonished, Molly replied, “That’s wonderful, Hoddi! I am so hungry!”
Molly looked around the room as she seated herself on a luxurious overstuffed sofa, covered in what looked like a fur throw. Other such sofas and chairs filled the large room along with beautifully carved wooden tables. Lovely plush rugs were laid out, allowing the gleaming stone floors to be seen around them. A large, grand chandelier hung from the ceiling, made from colored glass and bits of the red stone.
Molly felt warm and comfortable, a feeling that had been absent since she found herself in the mysterious Fielders Forest. The magic of the wand had made her feel she was in her own little house, lighting the fire in the same way as she did every night.
Molly wet a small cloth to bathe King Simon’s face, hoping he would awaken soon. A few seconds later he did so, struggling to sit up.
“No, no,” cried Molly. “You must not exert yourself. You don’t want to lose any more blood.”
The young man, looking with bewilderment around the room asked in a weak and faltering voice, “Where am I? Who are you?” He collapsed back onto the sofa, what little strength he had rapidly leaving him.
“I am Molly and this is Hoddi,” she told him. You have been hurt and we are helping you.”
King Simon was quiet, managing only to nod his head weakly and closed his eyes again.
“He seems to be sleeping once more,” said Hoddi. “Now is a good time to cook those birds I found in the pantry for our dinner. We can make broth for the king as well.”
Molly agreed, deciding to remain at the young man’s side in case he awoke again. He would need much reassurance in his weakened state. Molly and Hoddi were famished, hungrily devouring the meal he prepared. Later, Molly managed to give the king a few sips of the broth.
When her eyes began to droop from fatigue, Hoddi gently took Molly’s arm, leading her up the beautifully carved staircase where he had earlier found a bedroom for her. “You can sleep here tonight, my little fairy. I have also discovered a room for the king and I will stay by his side through the night.”
Molly, touched by his kindness, thanked him wearily. Once alone, the young fairy looked about the room, feeling much too tired to spend time exploring. What attracted her at this moment was the large bed with curtains around it. Climbing upon it, Molly pulled the silky quilt under her chin, sighing wearily as she sank into the softness of the mattress.
Tired as she was, however, her thoughts dwelt on her pendant and she held it in the palms of her hands as she did every night, willing the image of her father to appear. She sorely needed the comfort and the reassurance only his image brought her.
Her eyes examined the red pendant as she waited for her father to appear. Suddenly she realized that the red stone of her pendant looked exactly like the red stone of the castle and the river. Somehow she had not realized they were the same until this very moment.
Immediately wide awake, Molly sat up, crying out, “How could that be? The same stone! I have never been here before and neither has Father! I have never seen this stone anywhere else but here!” Her tumultuous day getting the better of her, Molly sank back on the bed, falling instantly into a deep sleep.