Chapter I:
The Beginning Journey
One sunny morning, Princess Mihanna; an elf of high quality, and wits; boarded the Maroan, for Arnoria. She was going there, to gather more troops to fight, in the battle against Ragar. Before I continue on with the story, I want to talk about Mihanna's attire. OK? Good! Mihanna wore a light blue, close-fitting, three-quarter sleeve dress, with a wide open back. Then, under that, she wore a close fitting, solid white dress, that covered the open space on her back. The blue dress, had tassels, in the back, that fastened across, and made it a little more interesting. For her feet, she wore, a pair of shin-high, mauve-brown boots. OK, now let's get back to story! The voyage went smoothly until, on the third night of her trip, it was dark, and the winds were howling, and the rain was so thick, you could barely see your own hand, three inches in front of your face! Because of the weather, and the lack of sight, the ship crashed into jagged rocks, and began to sink.
Without hearing the screams of the others on board, Mihanna would not have made it out alive! She woke from the yells of those on deck, and ran up to see the trouble; but when she stepped out of the bed, there was no need for an explanation; the floor was beginning to be filled with water! She ran, carefully, to the deck, and looked around. There were screaming people every where, and almost immediately, a man signaled to her to get in a boat. She didn't feel comfortable, and had the circumstances been different, she would have not done it. But the situation was not, and she had no other choice.
She climbed in with him. There were fifteen boats, and each had a capacity, of five. The man did not wait for others to get in, if he did, it would have taken all night, because of all the commotion, the people were making, in their panic. Anyway, only eight of the fifteen boats made it out safely, and with every terrified scream; of those still left on the sinking boat; Mihanna shivered. The night wore on, they went on for four days, and still, there was no land in sight, even with her excellent eyes. Still they went on, and they had nothing with them, no food; no water; no rest.
When the sun rose on the fifth day, Mihanna resisted the need to sleep, as they continued, but she was beginning to feel tired. She looked at the man intently, before making her final decision. Then, leaning against the front of the rear seat, and with one last glance, she closed her eyes, and went to sleep. When she awoke, the boat was empty, and the waters were calm; too calm. She looked around intently, listening; waiting; watching; but there was nothing to hear, wait for, or watch for, all was quiet. She did not know what to think of the missing man, but after waiting, close to a half hour, she decided, to continue. She traveled for two more days, still no sight of land.
Just as Mihanna was beginning to understand what had become of her companion, the thirst, the hunger, and lack of rest made her feel very strange; a strangeness that she had never felt before; the feeling of dehydration. The sun beet down on her, and she became very weary. She looked around, thinking that no one would be there to find her, or if some one did, that it would be to late. She looked around, but said; not to anyone in particular; “Help.....me..........please....” and that was all she said, before she fell under the dark, warmth, of sleep.
When Mihanna awoke; two days later; She was in a bed, and two men were standing near her, watching her intently. The first was a captain, tall, handsome, strong, and brave. The other was a doctor, or something of that type, for he had his hand on her forehead, and had his eyes closed, thinking. “I don't know what to think of it.” he said, looking at the captain, then back to her. “If you hadn't have saved her......” here he paused, and looked at the captain again.
“I've done all I can do.” he continued. “Just keep an eye on her, you know, check on her every now and again.” is the last thing he said before leaving the room. The captain looked at her, very thoughtfully. His thoughts probably were: “How did she get to be out here?”, or maybe: “Why did she come alone?”. I can't tell you exactly, because I don't know, I'm not in his head! OK, back to the story! The captain was just starting to leave, when the young girl on the bed stirred!
He looked back at her, as she sat up. Mihanna looked around, wondering what had happened to her, and where she was now. She sat up and looked around the room. The captain cleared his throat, trying to get her attention. Startled, she looked at him. Then, she tried to run from the bed, to the door, but didn't even get two steps before she fell! Luckily, the captain caught her, and slightly chuckled to himself. As you can probably guess, he already had feelings for her.
She gazed into his eyes, (not the way you think), and studied his face.
He held her up and looked at her, curiously. She stood up, but had to be helped back to the bed. “You would do well, to save your strength, My Lady.” He said, letting her go, after she sat on the bed. She blushed and put her hair behind her ears. When he saw them, he immediately let her go, for he saw they were very pointed! He stormed from the room, slamming the door behind him.
She soon realized her mistake; she had shown her pointed ears; but it was too late now, to do anything about it. Mihanna looked around the room, it was very bare, as far as furnishes go. A few various scattered paintings, a bed, a circular mirror, a small wooden bedside table, and three paintings, were the total amount of articles in the room. It was a quarter 'till one, when Mihanna became hungry.
“I'll find him, and...” she thought. (by him; she meant the captain.) “...and what?” she asked herself, wonderingly. She sat back on the bed. “And, just tell him the truth? No.....I..I don't know him, or this ship, in case I need to run. Face it.” she said, coming to a conclusion. “Theres nothing...you can do. What's done is done. No going back now.” she surmised, finally. Mihanna ultimately wanted to see him, even though she wouldn't admit it to any one else, (only me!)
She finally decided she had better find food, or the captain. She opened the door, cautiously, then walked down the hall. She thought she was going toward the deck, but after going up a staircase, she saw that it was not so. It lead to a corridor which had many more cabins, all the doors, were of Oak, except one, it was Mahogany, and it writings of
“-*Master Cabin*- CAPTAIN J*-”
Mihanna looked around, wearily, then opened the heavy door. There were various paintings of elves, soldiers, and other strange creatures. She saw maps on nearby reading table, she looked over, and studied the coordinates on them. Just as she was recognizing the ship's direction, the door slowly opened, and the captain looked at her, curiously.
“I bit snoopish, for a first-time guest on my ship.” He said, smiling slightly. Mihanna didn't know what to say, if she was to say anything at all. He walked over to her, and knelt down on one knee. “I am Jaramiah, of Gillion, son of Leamiah. And I am Captain of this vessel. What be your name, My Lady?” He asked, taking her hand, and looking at her charmingly. Mihanna blushed. “Mindolean.” She answered, purposefully not giving him her real name. “Well, if you are to stay on my ship, you must be aware of some rules first.” Jaramiah continued. “The first is: Never come in here; unless I summon you; again. Second: Don't go up to the deck, if you are spotted on my ship, we might be attacked. And Lastly: You-” “That sounds like allot of No's to me.” Mihan- oops! I mean “Mindolean”, interrupted. “I was going to say,” Jaramiah said, after a pause. “that if you get hungry; the kitchen is down that hall there.” he finished, walking over to the doorway, and pointing to a hall at the end of it. “Just tell them that I sent you.” he added.
“But,” Mindolean stuttered. “Won't they be upset that I'm, an Elf?” She asked, feeling out-of-place. “They know, that as long as you are on my ship, with my leave, you are welcome anywhere.” Jaramiah reassured her, with a delightful smile. “I suppose you want more rest. But I will wake you at dinner.” He said. “When we saw you in the boat, we thought it would be too late. But, elves; they truly are remarkable creatures.” he added. Mindolean smiled, blushing.
She left the room, her dress brushing up against him as she passed.
Jaramiah smiled, the thought a moment. Then he ran after her. When he approached her, he grabbed her hand, and asked her why she was out there, all alone. And why she was even out there at all, without any provisions. “I was on my way to Arnoria.” Mindolean replied, after several minutes of silence. “I was going there to, see...some one.” she said, still thinking. “I was not alone, when I set out, But my companion; he disappeared. I don't know what happened to him.” She said, finally. “The ship I was in, crashed into jagged rocks, and only some made it out alive. The ones that did get out, went in different directions.
We were left on our own. I went on for several days, but I was too weak to go any further, I guess.” Mindolean said, getting teary. Jaramiah took her back to her room. “This will be your's, as long as you need.” He said. Mindolean thanked him, and watched him as he left the room. She looked out the bed-side window, and saw a ship, far, far in the distance. It was almost too far for her eyes to see. It was coming from the direction of Arnoria. She wondered if it was the ship carrying her soldiers. She closed her eyes, and after a few minutes, was asleep. It seemed she had only been asleep few moments; when it had really been two and a half hours; when she woke to Jaramiah gently shaking her.
“Supper time.” he said, extending his arm down to her, to help her up. “You must be starving. You haven't eaten in.. almost a week and a half.” he continued, walking out of the room. “Not really.” she answered, following. “Elves can last up to two weeks without food, but only one without water.” she ended, as they reached the top of the staircase, to the 'Cabin Hall'. “Well, supper will be served shortly. I just go early, to get a good view of what is being served.” Jaramiah teased, as they came to the door.
They walked into the kitchen, and Mindolean felt out-of-place, just as she thought she would. All the crew stared at her, and she felt like she didn't belong. Jaramiah put his arm around her shoulders, and they walked through. When Supper was being set on the long table, she sat down, next to him, and closed her eyes. She breathed deeply, and Jaramiah looked inquisitively at her. “It will be alright.” he said, putting his hand on hers. She took her hand out from under his, and put them in her lap. A bell was rung, when the food was all set out, and the crew began to pile in. She didn't make eye contact, and kept her head down.
When they began to eat, Mindolean first refused, but decided not to make any harder on herself than need be, by rejecting their food. She began to eat, but when all had gotten their food, Jaramiah stood up, and began to make an announcement. “Men, I have an announcement.” he began. (Duh!) “This is Lady Mindolean. She will be with us for a while an-” but Mindolean had pulled him out before he could finish. “Come!” she said, pulling him a way. He followed her to her room, and closed the door. “I'm not who you think I am.” Jaramiah glanced from the window to her, then looked confused as she said her last part. “Captain,” she said getting upset. “I'm an elf!”