TRUE HOME.

CHAPTER 70: TRUE HOME.

ALEENA'S POV.

After the merriment and dancing, I sat down and watched the others celebrate. The joyful atmosphere was refreshing.

"Lady Aleena," Malcum greeted as he walked over to me.

"I trust you were able to take care of whatever it was that required your attention?" I asked.

"Yes, indeed," he replied. I nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"I figure you must be tired and would like to get some rest. Why don't I show you to where you can pass pass the night?" Malcum said.

"You just read my mind," I replied, then I got up.

He began leading me accompanied by the lady who led me to the community center. We hadn't gotten far from the community center when we heard a clattering sound. It drew our attention, so we turned to see what was going on, moving toward the scene.

There was a young maiden who was on her knees as she gathered together the things that fell to the ground. I saw the shattered pieces of probably a jug, as that was one one the things I saw being used to serve wine and ale to the people.

Someone quickly joined her to pick up the pieces. She used her hands to gather the pieces and mistakenly nicked her finger, causing it to bleed. The moment I saw the blood, my eyes widened and I gasped.

"Are you okay?" Malcum asked, furrowing his brow slightly.

"Yes. Yes, I am," I replied. I truly was okay, to my greatest surprise. I thought I'd go crazy at the sight of blood as I had not fed on it for a while.

I turned and looked at Malcum perplexedly. Then we resumed heading in the direction we were headed before the interruption.

I soon realized as we walked on a bit that we were headed to my mother's abandoned cottage. The lady opened the door and I walked in.

"Oh wow," I remarked.

"I hope it is to your liking for tonight?" Malcum said.

"How- When was this done?" I asked.

"While you were at the community center, I asked some folks to help clean up and set up the place for you," he answered.

I began imagining how it was when my mother still lived there.

"It was way more beautiful than this when your mother was still here," he said.

"That was the exact thought that crossed my mind," I said, smiling.

"Well then, I better leave you to get some rest. Some warm water was also made available for you to freshen up, and a change of clothes also. Your mother's clothes, to be precise," he said.

"Good night, Lady Aleena," Malcum bowed.

"Good night," I replied, then they both walked out, closing the door behind them as they exited the cottage.

I sighed and looked around. I saw her portrait properly placed where I had left it. I went ahead to get undressed and dipped myself in the bathtub. The water was warm and soothing. I sighed once again in relaxation, smiling.

Thoughts of building a life in Havenville began running through my head. I was beginning to consider it as an option, a very viable option. But then again, I wondered what the people I cared about must have been thinking, and going through due to my absence.

I was caught up in that turmoil. But I found myself tilting towards the direction of foregoing everything and living where my mother grew.

When I was done bathing, I headed to her room and found some pairs of clothes of hers on the bed. I picked one up carefully and gently. I wrapped my arms around it, hugging it as I sniffed it. It truly was hers. His scent was still on it. I couldn't forget either her scent or my dad's.

I went ahead to put on one of the dresses. It was a perfect fit. I smiled as I looked at myself in the mirror.

Setting aside the other clothes, I went ahead to lie down in her bed as I turned off the candles. I was quite comfortable than expected. I faced up laying in the bed, as thoughts ran through my mind. I didn't realize when I drifted off to sleep.

______________

I was suddenly startled by the sound I heard. I couldn't tell what it was exactly as I was still asleep when I heard the sound.

I lay facing my right side, away from the door. Listening carefully, I could tell someone was there. Well, more than one actually. So I was alerted.

I remained in that position to fool whoever the intruders were that I was still asleep. I heard the stealthy footsteps approaching me with every creep. As I felt the person standing by the edge of the bed, I speedily reached and grabbed the person by the neck, knocking the person to the ground, still having my grip on the neck as the person choked.

"Aleena!" someone else called. I turned and saw that it was Caspian.

"Caspian?" I asked with wide eyes of surprise. As I looked down at who I held on the ground, I gasped.

"Cormac! Oh, spirits!" I said as I quickly released my grip. I helped him to a seated position as he tried to catch his breath.

"Don- Don't worry. I'm- I'm okay," he said and tried smiling, but he coughed instead.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't know it was you," I apologized.

"It's okay," Caspian said as he rushed and hugged me.

"Are you hurt? Did they harm you?" Caspian asked as he looked at me analyzingly.

"No. I'm fine. I've never been better," I replied.

"What do mean by that?" Cormac asked.

"Yes. The Forsaken laid waste to many before they abducted you, and you're saying you're okay?" Caspian further expatiated on what Cormac said.

"Yes, yes. I know what they did, but I'm fine. Trust me. Or don't I look fine?"

Cormac and Caspian looked at me and had nothing to say.

"How were you able to find me?" I inquired.

"We had help," Caspian said, then someone emerged from behind the door.

"Hello, Lady Aleena."

"Mara. You came," I smiled.

"Of course, my Lady," she replied, but she seemed off.

"Are you okay?" Cormac asked her.

"I don't know. There's something about this place. It's- It's oddly pure," she replied, looking a bit perplexed.

"The more reason we need to get out of here. Let's go," Caspian said as he grabbed my hand. Without thinking, I followed them out of the cottage.

But then, I pulled away just right outside the cottage. Caspian turned and looked at me perplexedly.

"What's the matter, Aleena? We need to leave now," he said.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not leaving," I responded to their surprise.

"Aleena, I don't know what they've done to you, but please, we need to leave," Caspian said, approaching me.

"I'm quite sure she made it clear that she didn't want to leave, didn't she?"

We all turned and saw that it was Malcum.

"You," Caspian fumed as they all got defensive.

Malcum came with his people. They were all masked, except him.