Chapter 3 THE STRANGER

The sun rose over Orendell, casting a warm glow.

Rosella walked through the village, enjoying the peaceful morning.

She passed by the village square, where Finn was setting up.

"Finn, what's the excitement?" Rosella asked.

Finn grinned.

"Today's the day! The traveling merchants arrive."

Rosella's eyes sparkled.

"I'd forgotten. Let's go explore."

Finn nodded.

Rosella followed Finn to the village square.

The traveling merchants had set up colorful stalls.

Finn grinned.

"Rosella, come see! They've brought amazing things."

Rosella's eyes widened.

"Textiles from the eastern provinces!"

Finn nodded.

"And spices from the southern islands."

They explored the stalls together. Rosella couldn't get her eyes of the fine silk dresses.

"You'd look stunning in that red dress."Finn said noticing Rosella's interest in the dress.

Rosella blushed.

"Asher might agree, you know." said Finn as he teased Rosella.

Rosella playfully rolled her eyes.

The merchants offered samples.

Rosella savored the flavors.

Finn bought a handful of exotic spices.

"For Mother's cooking," he said.

As they wandered, Rosella spotted a beautifully crafted wooden box with intricate carvings adorning the lid.

"Finn, look! your sister would love this." Rosella said.

Finn nodded.

"Buy it for her. She'll treasure it."

Rosella purchased the box.

The merchant smiled.

"A fine choice. Handcrafted by artisans."

As they finished shopping, Asher rode on his horse towards the duo.

"Enjoying the merchants' wares?" Asher asked.

Rosella smiled.

"Finn's been my guide."

Asher chuckled.

"Finn's expertise is unmatched."

Finn grinned.

"Someone has to keep you two informed."

Their laughter filled the square.

"Rosella I'll come see you later," Asher said, "I am busy with some work now."

"Okay, I'll be waiting." Rosella replied.

Rosella walked to the Holmes' residence, wooden box in hand.

Elsa answered the door, eyes sparkling.

"Rosella! What's that lovely package?"

Rosella smiled.

"A gift for you. From the traveling merchants."

Elsa unwrapped the box, gasping.

"Oh, Rosella! It's beautiful!"

The intricate carvings shimmered in the sunlight.

Astrea Holmes entered, admiring the box.

"Exquisite craftsmanship. Where did you find it?"

Rosella smiled.

"The merchants' stalls. Finn helped me choose."

Habbo Holmes, Elsa's father, examined the box.

"Fine work. It's just like our family's designs, but with a different unique touch."

Elsa hugged Rosella.

"Thank you, dear friend. This means so much."

The afternoon passed in warm conversation. Rosella and Elsa were strolling through the forest.

Sunlight filtered through the canopy.

Their footsteps quiet on the soft earth.

Elsa breathed deeply.

"Nature's peace is unmatched."

Rosella nodded.

"Calming the mind and soul."

As they walked, wildflowers caught their eyes. Their colours danced amidst the green underbrush. Elsa gathered a few of them.

"For Mother's table." she said.

Rosella smiled.

"Beautiful."

Their path opened to a clearing.

A serene pond reflected the sky.

Elsa sat on a nearby rock.

Rosella joined her.

In comfortable silence, they watched.

A dragonfly landed on Elsa's hand.

Its iridescent wings shimmered.

Rosella chuckled.

"You're a gentle soul."

Elsa smiled.

"Like the forest."

Their tranquility was a balm to the complexities of life. Rosella and Elsa followed a gentle stream. It's soft gurgling accompanied their steps. Nature's harmony had enveloped them.

As they walked, the stream led them to their favorite place, a hidden waterfall. The cascading water created a misty veil.

Rainbow hues danced within.

"I always miss this place."Elsa said.

Rosella smiled.

"Hidden treasures await discovery."

Together, they sat on a nearby boulder watching the waterfall's majesty, their reflections rippling in the water

Watching the waterfall's majesty.

Elsa turned to Rosella.

"Sometimes I dream of leaving Orendell." she said.

Rosella's eyes locked onto Elsa's.

"Where would you go?"

Elsa's gaze drifted.

"Beyond the mountains.

To the sea."

Rosella's heart skipped a beat.

"The sea's call is strong."

Elsa nodded.

"But family ties are stronger."

Rosella understood.

"Duty and love entwined."

Their conversation flowed.

Like the stream.

As the warm sunlight danced across the gentle ripples of the stream, Rosella and Elsa sat perched on a weathered boulder, their faces tilted towards the serene landscape. The soft gurgle of the water and the sweet fragrance of blooming wildflowers filled the air, casting a spell of tranquility over the scene.

Rosella, with her rich, blond hair tied back in a loose braid, leaned against Elsa, her eyes closed in contentment. Beside her, Elsa, whose porcelain skin and flaxen hair seemed almost ethereal in the sunlight, plucked a blade of grass and began to weave it into a delicate braid.

Their peaceful reverie was shattered by a faint groan, carried on the breeze like a whispered secret. Rosella's eyes snapped open, and Elsa's hands stilled, the grass slipping from her fingers.

Their gazes scanned the surrounding landscape, searching for the source of the sound. That was when they saw him – a stranger, lying crumpled on the forest floor, his body twisted at an unnatural angle.

Rosella's breath caught in her throat as Elsa's eyes widened in alarm. Without a word, they rushed towards the injured man, their footsteps quiet on the forest floor.

As they drew closer, the extent of his injuries became clear. A jagged gash marred his forehead, and his arm hung limp, twisted in a way that seemed almost impossible. Rosella's heart went out to the stranger, and Elsa's face set in determination.

"Help me," Elsa whispered, already moving to gently turn the stranger onto his back.

Rosella nodded, her hands joining Elsa's as they carefully began to assess the stranger's wounds. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, but beneath it lay the metallic tang of blood and the faint whisper of desperation.

Who was this stranger, and what had brought him to their tranquil glade? As Rosella and Elsa worked to stabilize his injuries, they didn't realize that their lives were about to become forever entwined with this mysterious, wounded soul.

The stranger's eyes were closed.

Rosella's concern deepened.

"Elsa, we must act quickly."

Elsa nodded.

"We need to get him to Madam Hannah."

Rosella examined his wounds.

"Deep cuts, possible internal injuries."

Elsa helped Rosella.

Create a makeshift stretcher.

From nearby branches and cloth.

Together, they carefully.

Lifted the stranger onto the stretcher.

Rosella led the way.

Through the forest.

Elsa followed, carrying.

The stranger's legs.

Their silence was focused.

On their urgent task.

As they approached.

Madam Hannah's cottage.

Rosella called out.

"Madam Hannah! We need your help!"

Madam Hannah emerged.

Concern etched on her face.

"What happened?" Madam Hannah asked.

Rosella explained.

"We found him near the stream."

Madam Hannah nodded.

"Bring him inside."

Their urgent task required madam Hannah's expertise. Rosella and Elsa carried the stranger inside. Madam Hannah swiftly prepared her remedies.

"Help me clean his wounds," Madam Hannah instructed.

Rosella assisted, gently cleansing the cuts.

Elsa fetched warm water and fresh linens.

Madam Hannah applied herbal poultices.

To accelerate healing.

The stranger's face, though battered.

Showed strong features.

Rosella wondered.

Who was this mysterious person?

Madam Hannah examined.

His wounds carefully.

"Internal injuries, indeed," Madam Hannah muttered.

"We must keep him stable."

Throughout the night.

Rosella and Elsa.

Took turns monitoring.

The stranger's condition.

Rosella asked Madam Hannah.

"Will he recover?"

Madam Hannah's expression.

Was thoughtful.

"His injuries are severe," Madam Hannah said.

"But with rest and care, he may heal."

Rosella nodded.

"Elsa, let's prepare a room."

Elsa nodded.

Together, they readied.

A cozy space for the stranger.

Madam Hannah smiled.

"You two have been a great help."

As night fell, Rosella.

Sat beside the stranger.

Watching his peaceful slumber.

His features, though bruised.

Showed kindness.

Rosella wondered.

What story lay behind.

Those haunting eyes?

Suddenly, the stranger stirred, his eyes opening. Rosella rose, quietly to fetch water for the thirsty stranger. She returned with a cool glass helping him drink. His eyes locked onto hers, grateful, yet guarded

Rosella smiled softly.

"Welcome back."

The stranger's voice.

Raspy, weakened.

"Where... am I?"

Rosella's gentle tone.

"Soothed him.

"Madam Hannah's cottage.

In Orendell village."

His gaze drifted.

As if recalling.

Something distant.

Rosella's curiosity.

Grew.

"Who are you?" Rosella asked.

The stranger's eyes.

Narrowed.

Then, a whispered reply.

"Ian."

Rosella's eyes locked onto Ian's.

His gaze, though weakened, held depth.

"Ian," Rosella repeated.

A gentle smile crossed Ian's lips.

"Thank you... for helping me."

Rosella's heart warmed.

"You're safe now, Ian."

Madam Hannah entered.

"Ian, rest now. We'll talk later."

Ian nodded, eyes closing.

Rosella watched him sleep.

Wondering about his past.

And the secrets he kept.

Later, Madam Hannah.

Shared her thoughts.

"Rosella, Ian's injuries."

"Were no accident," Madam Hannah said.

Rosella's concern grew.

"What do you mean?"

Madam Hannah's expression.

Was serious.

"Ian's wounds bear signs."

"Of a deliberate attack."

Rosella's concern deepened.

"Ian, what happened to you?"

Ian's gaze drifted.

Pain and memories flashed.

"I was ambushed," Ian said.

"Near the old oak forest."

Rosella's eyes widened.

"Who did this?"

Ian's jaw clenched.

"I didn't see their faces."

"But they sought something."

A faint tremble in his hand.

Betrayed his emotions.

Rosella's heart went out.

To this wounded stranger.

Rosella's eyes locked onto Ian's.

Empathy and understanding passed.

"I know what it's like," Rosella said.

"To face darkness and fear."

Ian's gaze searched hers.

Curiosity and surprise mingled.

"What happened to you?" Ian asked.

Rosella's voice barely above.

A whisper, she shared.

"My family's farm was raided."

"Bandits took everything."

Ian's expression softened.

Sympathy etched on his face.

"I'm sorry, Rosella."

Rosella's smile faint.

"Madam Hannah helped me heal."

Ian nodded, understanding.

Rosella checked Ian's bandages.

"Your wounds are healing well,"

Rosella said.

Ian smiled, relieved.

"Thanks to you and Madam Hannah."

Rosella helped Ian sit up.

"You need to rest," Rosella said.

Ian nodded, yawned.

Rosella bid Ian goodnight.

"I'll check on you tomorrow,"

Rosella said.

Ian smiled, grateful.

"Thank you, Rosella."

Rosella walked home.

Stars twinkled above.

The village slept.

Rosella entered her cottage.

Soft candlelight welcomed.

She reflected on Ian.

His story, his wounds.

Empathy and concern.

Filled her heart.

Rosella prepared for bed.

Her thoughts lingered on Ian.

His resilience and mystery.

As she drifted to sleep, dreams of Ian's past unfolded. Shadows, swords and strife, a fleeting glimpse of a life outside Orendell.