Of the Forest and Sea

Chapter 25

I sat on the edge of the cliff for hours. I watched the moon set and felt the sunlight
creep over the amphitheater walls. Snow was falling on my cloak, but I was too tired to brush any of it off. No one had found me.

Yet.

I wasn’t waiting for them though. I was waiting for her.

My cheeks were stained with dried tears. My voice was nothing from my screaming. I felt weak, and hungry, and dirty. My hands were shaking, and I was afraid to stand
up. If I did, would I fall over?

I’m not going to risk it. Am I?

It’d be safer if I at least backed away from the edge. I pulled myself back and brought
my legs away from the edge. I just want to hear her voice again. Even just once…if it’s
the last time-no. It can’t be the last time.
I waited until the sun was high above the amphitheater before getting up. I stumbled
some and let myself fall. There’s no point anymore, is there?

“Robin!” Finally…

I tried so hard to speak, but my throat didn’t let anything more than a whisper come
out. She rushed to my side and pulled me on top of her legs, “Oh, Robin! What did you do? Where have you been? Why did you run away?”

I was so tired but finally felt able to sleep. Knowing I had heard her voice again calmed me down. All of my anger and hurt…

“Robin, answer me!” Her hands ran through my hair, and she felt for a temperature.
Her cold hands felt good against my skin. So much of me wanted to kiss her. To hold
her.

“How long have you been here?”

“I don’t know,” I said, hoarsely. My throat felt like fire.

“Brayen said you went missing after dinner. He told me you haven’t eaten or even left
your room for days. Oh, this is all my fault, I’m sorry.” Before I could try to speak, I
started to cough hard. I fell off of her legs and curled into a ball.

“Robin!”

“Maria? Did you find him?”

“Over here!” She held onto my hand, and I could feel her pulling on me.

“Oh, now you’ve done it, boy. What have you done to yourself?” Father…

“We need to get him back home. Now. We can’t leave him out here.”

“Right, Maria, meet us at the castle. Take your time. We’re taking Robin.” Someone
picked me up, too many people were talking. I was against someone’s back, and the exhaustion finally took hold of me.