191 Is Someone Jealous Of My Cub

CHAPTER 191

"But even though it seems near, it is actually quite far, perhaps a few hours more," Snow explained to her.

She opened her eyes only to be met with Jareth's clear, worried green ones.

"Hey!"

He pulled his head back and smiled. "I can sense it too, but don't be too happy. It would take some hours more. We would have to rest the night in the tunnel as it is a bit safe and bY dawn tomorrow, we would leave."

"Why don't you want to leave and waste more time here?" she asked him, her questioning gaze sharp as she stared into his.

"Think about it, Astrid. By the time we get out, it would be somewhat dark and you would need to rest. Do you want to spend the night outside, with no form of security? We do not know what awaits outside and it would just be the two of you."

His gaze swept over Snow as he spoke, trying to emphasize his point. Rather than feel okay about his explanation, her gaze fell to her hands as she lowered her head.

It was now it dawned on her that they were soon going to part ways with each other. He noticed she felt down hearing his words and it hurt him to say it but he had to admit the truth.

"We were bound to part ways sooner or later, Astrid. This is why I didn't want you having feelings for me."

"It is okay. I do not regret it one bit. If this is our fate, then so be it."

"Astrid…"

"I would miss you, that's all but I have got Snow to be there for me," her eyes brightening as she raised her head to look at him.

"Are you replacing me with it even before I leave?"

"Pfff…" she chuckled at his playful anger and nodded at him before saying, "Yes, I am."

"Hey, that's not fair."

"Well you are leaving and life isn't fair as well."

"Hmm, I guess I would make you miss me more so that you cannot replace me."

"Is someone jealous of my cub?"

"Nope," Jareth replied her, his head raised, slightly tilted to the side with his eyes closed.

"Hehehe admit it, Jareth, you are jealous of Snow. Snow let's go and leave this grumpy elf alone."

"Are you just going to leave me here?"

"Hmm… hehhe. Come on Jareth or we would leave you behind," she smiled at him, a hint of laughter laced in her tone as she spoke.

********

It didn't take long for the four elf team to get to the ground. The generals had already found their way into the tunnel and shot an arrow back up to signal the soldiers to tie the ropes to a tree.

Freeing themselves from the ropes, they made their way steadily into the tunnel.

"We do not need any more evidence to know than this. It is as clear as day, the hybrid escaped," Lyklor announced to the others.

"Yes sir."

Lyklor frowned and tightened his lip into a thin-lipped smile as his eyes stared down Aelfdene's back.

"Besides, who knows if there is any ambush lying in wait? We are at a disadvantage point here, because we know not what lies ahead. We mustn't let our guard down even for a minute," he added, cautioning them as he took several steps in the lead.

And so they went further in, lighting up the wooden torch they brought with them, to light up the path ahead.

********

~ELVEN PALACE~

In a big room in the palace, Queen Aelinor is seen standing close to the window with her hands folded in front of her chest.

Standing at her back, a few feet from her, was an elf. He was dressed in a loose tunic and a pair of trousers with his blonde hair left to cascade down his shoulders.

His eyes raked over her body as he stared her down from head to toe. His green orbs were cold but at the same time, they radiated a different kind of warmth, one filled with love and care. 

After some minutes of complete silence, he finally spoke up. "Aelinor…"

"Don't even say anything, Regin," she quickly interjected him as she turned her around on her heels to look at him. "How could you do this to me? Us… You weren't the only one who lost a child you know, I did too."

She yelled at him, her arms moving on their own as she emphasized her point. "But what did you do? You charged into battle and faced the war like that was all it meant to you."

He took a step closer and she held her hands in front of her to stop him. "Did you ever think for one bit, a split second of what would happen if I lost you too? How did you expect me to live and carry-on on my own? Huh, Regin? I demand an explanation for being shut out all these years."

Her voice rose higher and broke, betraying her cold demeanour as she let all her frustration wash over her. 

"You promised not to ever leave me or abandon me, but since he died, you did the opposite of the very same thing you promised. And as though that torment wasn't enough, you want to take my children away from me! What wrong have I done to be treated like this?"

Her eyes stung and her clear vision became blurry as their sockets couldn't contain the tears anymore and warm liquid cascaded down her cheeks.

Seeing her like this broke his heart. She was the love of his life but yet all of his actions brought pain and tears to her. He never intended to leave her. He only wanted a little break to clear his head from the hurt and pain.

"I am sorry, Aelinor," he said with a calm, yet pained voice.