The forest was working both for and against Vanamarilla. It provided the coverage she needed to maneuver unseen, but it was difficult for her to navigate through the thick brush, and branches that cut at her delicate skin. She had fallen over several times already, but they hadn't found her, yet. She could hear their footsteps not too far off, and her captor calling her name - asking that she return to him.
"Never in a million years," Vanamarilla scoffed quietly in her native tongue.
Continuing through the forest, Vanamarilla managed to make it out into a small clearing without attracting the attention of any of the Royal Court's men. Her new environment left her with very little protection, but it was a welcome change from the forest. She could actually see where she was headed, though she still had very little idea of her whereabouts. They had brought her far from home, but she managed to escape before any damage could be done. The other elves weren't as lucky as she was, but Vanamarilla knew they had been brainwashed into believing they were better off in the castle.
Vanamarilla sighed softly to herself and reached between her breasts. She retrieved the fragmented jewel and held it between her index and thumb, the bright red hues sparkling against her blue eyes. Vanamarilla hadn't gotten the opportunity to truly look at the gem until now, but it had been calling to her ever since she laid eyes on it in the King's chambers, nearly putting her in a trance back then. She began to put it back in it's place, and then paused about halfway when she heard a strange noise.
Vanamarilla turned in the direction of the sounds, her attention landing on a giant pile of white fluff draped in heavy metal chains. She narrowed her eyes slightly, able to make out that the massive pile of fur was actually a trapped wolf. It was larger than any wolf she had seen in Astasia, and yet Vanamarilla discerned that it was still very young in age.
"You are no ordinary beast, are you?" Vanamarilla asked in Elvish as she approached the wolf. The closer she got to the wolf, the more obvious to her it was that the wolf was more than just a simple animal.
"Lone wolf spirit - Where is your pack?" Vanamarilla knew the beast could not understand her, but she didn't mind. She knelt down beside the chain and picked up one of ends, noting how heavy it was. She imagined it was a lot easier to lift from her side than it was for the wolf, and peeled it back enough to create an opening.
"Hurry," she cried, her arms falling to her sides when the wolf had freed itself.