“We need to try to get some food into the youngling,” the third elf–Valaris–said. “She’s not looking too good. I would try to give her energy, but unfortunately, I think that would kill her.”
Sylvani carried Annlynn, the tight grip keeping Annlynn warm. It was a cool summer’s night which left her feeling at ease. She had missed the days of summer, and the snowstorm had left her feeling worse. But the deep pain still lingered inside her.
Valaris touched Annlynn’s forehead. She sighed. “She’s close to death by the way her heat patterns are. We need to get her to a healer in three days. Perhaps you can make something edible in the forest with your magic? We cannot waste time.”
Annlynn’s stomach churned. Perhaps it wouldn’t matter that she made it into the elven world after all. She glanced at the elves around her, feeling weak. It was a shame that her introduction to them went as it had. Nevertheless, she was grateful that she had found them.
“Can you take her?” Sylvani said. “Matter of fact, Asonya, if you take her, perhaps the two of us can work together.”
Asonya nodded. But Asonya was cold to the touch. It then occurred to Annlynn that she knew very little about Asonya’s powers. She had seen Asonya when it snowed, so she guessed that Asonya was a snow elf. But Asonya rarely ever spoke about herself, leaving a vast mystery she wished she knew more about.
“So this is the wilderness of the gods?” Annlynn asked feebly.
“Indeed,” Asonya said. “But it’s best you save your energy. You’re going to need all of it to survive the journey. Annlynn, especially after you just arrived in the elven world, it would be a shame if you, well . . .”
Annlynn nodded. She hated the idea of staying quiet. She hated the idea of being so weak. Nevertheless, she surrendered herself in Asonya’s arms, feeling some sense of safety. The pain worsened. She wanted relief, but a deep fear gripped her. What if she couldn’t get it, or it came in the form of death?
When Sylvani and Valaris returned, they gave her some plant food. Annlynn did not question it as she ate the food. Instead, she reveled in the fact that the plants seemed to give her life again. She leaned back into Asonya’s arms, nearly passing out from her own weakness. She desperately wanted these moments to pass. But even with the elves’ swift pace, she wasn’t sure she could make it.
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