Skrevet: april 2022

“Come on!” the girl laughed as he pushed through the undergrowth of the forest. Her giggles were like bells chiming in sympohony. Eric followed the voice, certain that he knew it, that he trusted it. A branch snapped under his boot and he looked down. The white tunic was covered in black spots. Sod? Where did that come from?
“You’re so slow!” The girl called as Eric looked at his hands, those too were black with sod. He realised that the trees around him was burned to a crisp, ashes falling from the sky. A stroke of fear ran down his spine as he looked around for the girl. Where were she? This place didn’t seem safe.
“Hello?” He called out getting more giggles in return. He followed the sound out of the forest and saw a great meadow. The grass was green and blowing slightly in a wind he did not feel. He looked back towards the forest to find it gone, replaced by miles of fields in every direction. Was elves tricking with his mind? Using their fowl magic to confuse him?

“Eric!” The girl called causing him to look for her again. A house lay at the edge of the meadow, the sounds of the ocean rumbled behind it. He found him self walking towards it, wondering who the girl was. Her melodic laughter was familiar and soothing, it made him feel safe and.. Happy?
He pushed the feelings aside as he stood in front of the door leading in to the house. It was bigger up front than it had seemed.
“Hello?” He called out once more putting his hand against the wooden handle.
“Shh be quiet or he’ll find you” A woman whispered behind the door causing the now familiar giggle from the girl before all went quiet. Eric hesitated before pushing the door open.

The house was dark and empty. He stepped in and smelled wood burning yet saw no fire. He even heard a crackling of flames but there was nothing. Suddenly the door shut behind him and something jumped from the shadows. Eric felt around for his sword, and found it missing. He raised his hands in defence as a small figure shouted “Boo!”
He looked down, and met the green eyes of a dark haired girl. She looked familiar yet he had no idea why. The girl giggled with laughter. “I got you!” She announced before darting behind him.
He turned to find a woman standing in front of a fireplace. That had not been there before, had it? She smiled, the fire making her light hair shine like gold. Her light brown eyes met his, and she nodded still smiling. The girl was hiding behind her and Eric felt something akind to peace settle as he looked at the woman.

Then the fire went out, the woman disappered as a black wolf jumped over her. It pounced on Eric causing him to fall down, smashing the back of his head down on the stone floor. He held his hands up, desperate to keep the wolf at bay. It growled and snapped its jaws around his throat.

Eric sat up, panting, hands against the skin of his throat. There was nothing. He looked around to find the familiar bedroom he had had for 25 years. It had been a dream.
His hand felt around his neck and up the back of his head just to make sure but he felt nothing. The vivid image of the girl, the woman and the wolf still flashed in his memory and he blinked several times trying to get them to disappear. He often dreamt, floating dreams that would be long gone when he awoke, but this was something different. He was sure he could still hear the girls giggles. That familiar sound that had dragged him in to a nightmare. He wondered who the girl had been. Perhaps a figment of his imagination? Maybe a girl from the town, or the surrounding villages. Maybe from a different kingdom. He never really understood why the subconscious part of his mind sometime latched on to things he didn’t even realize.

As a feeling of safety and calm once again entered his body he contemplated going back to sleep. That was when a bird chimed its tone outside his window. It was morning. Early for sure, yet still, morning. He sighed and stepped out of bed peeking out from the curtain to see the sun rising in the distance. One of the Maids would be her soon, trying to pry him from sleep. He continued towards his dresser and wash basin. As he washed up, the memories of the dream faded and left him feeling better than before. He got dressed and as he fastened the last button on his collar a knock at the door made him turn.
“Prince Eric?” A soft voice came from the maid who stepped into the room. Her eyes were on the bed, but of course she found it empty. A funny expression of confusion crossed her face as her eyes darted around the room to finally land on him.
“Mary” He greeted her with a smile. She on the other hand looked flustered, and lowered her gaze immediately.

“I hope his highness slept well” She said clasping her hands in front of her skirt. “Breakfast is served in the dining room” With those words she backed out of the door, leaving him alone once more. He sighed. Sometimes he did envy the servers and peasants. It seemed much more relaxed. They laughed with their friends, yet when he as much as looked in their direction they bowed and backed away. It was… Lonely. Yet he wouldn’t trade his life for anything. The luxurious life of the castle was amazing and he still had his father to converse with. And Phillip, the Knight-commander who had become a good, if distant, friend.
With a last thought towards the dream that had awoken him, yet the details had been completely forgotten, he went out of his room to join the court in the dining room. Usually he was late, but not this morning. He had a pep in his step as he walked down the hall.