~Iduna~

He is safe. That's all I can think about. I saw him through his window. I know he's in pain, but he's safe.

A gentle breeze blows through the streets and I smile to myself. The spirit may be gone, but it's memory lives on. The wind helped me save the now king. I look up towards the mountains and think of how far I came. I am hundreds of miles from home. What are my parents thinking? Are they even still alive? With all of the fighting I lost them in the chaos.

Pain runs through my body as I think of my home. The home I left behind. I walk through the maze of streets I now have to call my home. Everything is so different. from the clothes that they wear, to the buildings they live in.

I wander the streets until nightfall. My stomach rumbling loudly from lack of food the last few days. Men and women rush into their homes for the night, and one by one the shop lights flicker out.

The wind whistles loudly through the alleys and leaves me turning my head from side to side. Wolves cry out towards the moon as I jump in fright. My hands begin to tremble as I walk alone in the darkness. Sounds of animals scurrying, and other odd noises emit from the night. I try and sing my mother's lullaby to help calm me, but the words seem too far away. A gentle hand is laid on my shoulder and I jump back in fright.

"There is no need to be frightened," she says in a gentle, soothing voice. I turn and see a woman crouching down to my height. She looks older than me, but younger than my mother, with smile lines, and bright eyes. "Here, come with me. I'll give you a place to stay for the night."

I follow the woman to a small home nestled in with other homes. Candles light the room, and a large fireplace is lit to warm the area. I hear her lock the door, and she disappears into another room. She returns with a bowl with steam rising from it; soup. My stomach rumbles loudly as she sets it down on a table and motions me to come over and eat. I study her for a second and see that she is dressed like everyone else in the city. Her purple skirt poofs out, and she wears a white top. A black ribbon ties around her waist, and secures behind her in a delicate bow.

"My name is Annaliese. What's yours?" She asks.

Sitting down I look at the warm broth, then up at Annaliese. "Iduna," I respond softly.

She nods and hands me a spoon. "The questions can wait. Eat, Iduna. You must be very hungry."

Taking the spoon, I slowly eat the broth and allow it to warm my body. She excuses herself, and by the time I'm finished with the bowl she is back with armfuls of clothing. She lays them on a chair and looks over at me.

"I don't know if they will fit you, but at least you'll have something to wear," she said. She continues to look at me. "How old are you Iduna?"

"Fifteen, ma'am," I say.

She waves a hand. "Please, Annaliese is just fine. Where are your parents Iduna?"

"I'm not sure," I say looking down. "There was a fight in the woods. I was separated from them."

"Are you talking about the Enchanted Forest?" She asked her eyes slowly getting wide. "The prince just returned. Some say he's injured badly. Do you know?"

Questions spill out of her faster than I can answer them.

"Yes, the Enchanted Forest. There was fighting, and I barely made it out. The prince is most likely injured," I say. I know the prince is somewhat injured. He was unconscious when I brought him out of the forest.

Annaliese nods and takes my empty bowl from me. "Well, you're save here now Iduna. You can stay here as long as you need. Hopefully your parents will return, and you can see them again."

I give a small nod and stand up. I move to the pile of clothes and look at them. Sitting on top is a soft, thin dress the color of ivory.

"The wash room is just at the top of the stairs. Hot water is ready to be used," Annaliese says from a different room. A wash room. I have never seen, let alone heard of a wash room before. They must use it instead of a river. Annaliese walks out with a piece of cloth draped over her shoulder. "The top dress is a night gown. Why don't you go upstairs and wash up, and get changed. Bring the clothes that you're wearing now, down stairs and I can wash them for you."

I pick up the dress and it delicately falls over my arms. Following her instructions, I walk up the stairs and find a small room with a basin and mirror. With one look, I can see how out of place I am. Animal fur clothing, my hair falling loosely instead of tied back in intricate buns.

Unsure of what to do, I splash water on my face; careful as to not splash it on the floor. The basin is large enough for me to step into. I peal off my clothing and step into the warm water. Dunking my head under I use my fingers to get any dirt out and emerge. Rubbing the water from my eyes I look around the room before finding a towel. I step out and dry myself off.

The nightgown is soft against my skin, but loose. I walk out of the room to find Annaliese standing in the hall. A blanket over her arms.

"A little big, but it will do for now," she says. "I have a room ready. It's getting late."

I follow her to a simple room. Windows on one side look out over the street. A bed in the center of the room, and a few dressers. She lays the blanket down on the bed. I hand her my clothes but keep the scarf I had tucked away. She smiled and goes to leave.

"Good night, Iduna. I'll see you in the morning."

She closes the door and I am left alone. Wrapping the scarf around my I lay in bed and face the window. My mother's lullaby filling my mind as I gently drift off to sleep.