Lost in a Legend

A strange clicking noise rips the air. Nikki opens her eyes. She sits up and looks around. A small bush appears to be walking across the ground in front of her. She shakes her head and puts the knife in her purse. Nikki stands up.

NIKKI-wow the sun is almost down. Got to get home.

Nikki starts at a zzzzzzzzzzip sound and grunts. She looks down and sees an arrow end protruding from her stomach. Everything goes black.

Nikki wakes on a small cot covered by a thin blanket. She tries to sit up and cries out at the pain in her side.

She sees her midsection is bandaged. She goes over to the door. she is about to open it but the door is opened and she is knocked backward. She cries out in pain and clutches her side. Orion quickly helps her up and over to the bed.

ORION – I’m sorry! I didn’t think you would be up already.

He lays Nikki on the bed.

NIKKI – who are you…where am I?

ORION – calm down. My name is Orion. You’re in the Alder woods, south of Turann village. You were hit by an arrow.

NIKKI – an arrow? how did that happen?

ORION – My men and I were out hunting and my man Skye mistook you for a red devil.

NIKKI – a red…devil…what are you talking about?

ORION – what were you doing in the woods alone and so far from the village?

NIKKI – the village…you mean downtown Seattle?

O – See-at-el…that’s strange.

NIKKI – the last thing I remember is going to my grand mother’s tree…

ORION – Hm….a tree? What is your name.

NIKKI – Nikki, Nikki Winter.

Orion starts.

ORION – I remember it now. Marie winter…from See-at-el.

NIKKI – You knew my grandmother?

Orion looks away.

ORION – she saved my life.

ORION – this is very strange. This must mean you are from the other side. Earth world. Right!

NIKKI – What are you talking about? Of course I’m from earth. are you crazy?

ORION – Nikki, listen. The tree you speak of is a door connecting our two world.

NIKKI – what two worlds?

ORION – you are in etherworld now.

NIKKI – you are crazy I knew it. I want out of here.

Nikki tries to get up. Orion pushes her back.

ORION – You are badly wounded. You won’t be going anywhere for a while.

NIKKI – I am not staying h…

The door opens and Pan, Quarter, and Skye come in.

SKYE – hey! We came to see how the kid was doing.

NIKKI – Great! There are more of you.

SKYE – I’m awful sorry about hitting you and all. I never saw hair like yours and…

Nikki sways and grabs her head.

SKYE – Are you alright?

NIKKI – no.

ORION – get her some water pan.

Pan hurries back out the door.

ORION – obviously you’re in no condition to leave.

NIKKI – fine. I’ll…

Nikki drop into unconsciousness.

Nikki sees her grandmother

NIKKI -Grandma?

Grandma-Nikki listen to me you have to stay. Nikki. They need you. Nikki.

NIKKI -Grandma? Why what do you mean Grandma.

Grandma-Listen to me, Nikki. Nikki. Nikki.

Orion leads a mount through the dark forest. Nikki sits bundled on top.

ORION -Devils! Nikki…stay with us.

NIKKI -ahh! It hurts so much.

ORION -Nikki we’re almost to the village, just hang on.

Nikki blacks out again.

Nikki wakes in a bed with elegant decorations. She sits up.

An elf lady holds out a glass of water to Nikki

Elf lady-good morning child. How do you feel?

Nikki sits up and takes the glass

NIKKI -A lot better I guess. Where am I?

Elf lady -St. Jacelee’s

NIKKI -how long have I been here?

Elf -almost a month. Your friends will be back tomorrow.

NIKKI -Shit! A month! My boss is going to be so pissed.

Elf -You nearly died child.

NIKKI -oh yah. Like he’ll believe this.

Nikki stares at the lady.

NIKKI – You’re an elf right?

Elf – of course.

NIKKI – Of course I must be going crazy or something

Elf-I don’t understand.

NIKKI -yah. Neither do I. well, can I get out of bed.

Elf-If you feel up to it. It is time for noon meal and you could go down to the Hall.

NIKKI -Alright sounds good.

Nikki stands up wearing a long simple gown.

NIKKI -Where are my clothes.

Elf -They were burned.

NIKKI –Great!

Elf – I will fetch you a new gown.

NIKKI - uh thanks.

Orion and Skye come to the church door. Orion knocks. The door is opened by an elf boy.

ORION -we’ve come for our friend. The human girl.

Boy-come in.

The two follow the boy to a sitting room where Nikki sits by the fire with two children and an elf lady.

Elf – hello gentlemen. You were not expected so soon.

ORION -We had an errand in town tonight so we thought we’d stop by now.

Elf lady-she shouldn’t travel tonight. Perhaps you will stay here with us tonight and leave in the morning.

Orion looks at Skye. Skye shrugs.

ORION -well o.k. first thing in the morning we’ll leave.

NIKKI -and I’m going to need some pants. This dress is not working for me.

The elf lady is shocked.

Elf-Women do not wear pants.

ORION -She was only just joking sister.

Elf smiling-what a strange joke.

NIKKI -I…

ORION -come on you need to get to bed now so you can be up early.

Orion grabs her arm and almost drags her out of the room.

Once they are out Nikki pulls free

NIKKI -let go of me

NIKKI -what are you talking about? I’m serious about getting some pants.

SKYE -we don’t need any more attention than necessary kid

NIKKI -I’m not a kid. I’m Twenty years old.

Skye smiles

SKYE - I’m forty-seven.

NIKKI -yah right! You don’t look it.

ORION -Skye, we don’t know if we can trust her.

SKYE -right like who’s she going to tell.

NIKKI -tell what?

ORION -nothing. Go to bed.

NIKKI -no tell me something. What are you immortal or something you never age.

Skye laughs.

SKYE -see she’s clueless.

ORION -come on lets find somewhere to sleep. Nikki, it would be best if you slept in your clothes.

NIKKI -fine but you will hear no end to this tomorrow. I am very persistent.

ORION -so was your grand mother.

The next morning. Skye shakes Nikki awake.

SKYE -come on it’s time to go. Orion is outside with the mounts

NIKKI -uh...Where are my pants?

SKYE -oh devils! Come on

Skye pulls Nikki out of bed and they go outside where Orion waits with two kinder

NIKKI -we’re riding on deer.

ORION -No, mounts. Come on. I’ll help you up.

NIKKI -but I’m still wearing a dress you idiot.

ORION -Great devils! You’re just like her.

Orion grabs Nikki’s waist and hoists her onto the kinder. Skye gets on the other one and Orion gets on behind Nikki.

NIKKI -you were talking about my grandma again.

NIKKI -when was she here

ORION -a long time ago

NIKKI -she’s dead now.

ORION -I know

NIKKI -look you can trust me. I want to know why Skye doesn’t look as old as he says he is.

Skye laughs

SKYE -just wait till you find out how old Orion is then you’ll really flip.

Orion turns violently to Skye

ORION -shut up.

Skye just smiles at him

The group stop in front of a tavern.

ORION -lets go in and get something to eat for breakfast.

NIKKI -oh good I’m starved. You guys don’t have weird food like cooked dog do you. Cause I’m really not feeling that well yet.

ORION -you would be very wise to stay silent and let myself or Skye do the talking.

NIKKI -what afraid I’ll say something stupid and unladylike

ORION -yes.

NIKKI -go to hell

SKYE -this is serious kid. We’re not safe here.

NIKKI -why not.

ORION -you ask too many questions.

The three step inside. Orion goes to the counter and Skye takes Nikki’s arm and escorts her to a seat. Orion brings them some food and sits down. A man steps up to their table.

Man-hello miss. Whot you doing with these two bores.

He puts his foot on the stool next to her.

SKYE -get lost Devil scum.

Man-Better watch you tongue boy wasn’t talking to you

Orion stands up. Nikki stands up too.

NIKKI -I can take care of myself thank you.

Man-yah, fellow. A lady knows her own mind.

Man-now miss wouldn’t you like to join some real men.

NIKKI -thanks, but no thank you. I’d like to finish my breakfast.

Man-that ain’t the answer I was looking for.

ORION -she already said no. now get lost.

The man growls and takes a swing at Orion. Orion’s hat is knocked off and his pointed ears and mark on his forehead are exposed.

Man- you’re one of them damn outcast.

Skye jumps up and reveals a knife. Nikki is frozen in surprise. Suddenly another man attacks Skye from behind and knocks his knife away. That man and another hold Skye as the rest of the men in the room drag Orion outside. Nikki follows the crowd.

NIKKI -stop! Stop it!

The men tie Orion to a post and begin to beat him with any thing they can get there hands on. Nikki forces her way through the crowd and Falls on top of Orion.

Man-hey watch out for the Lady.

The men stop and one comes forward

Man-Move woman. He’s one of them damn devil loving outcasts. He doesn’t deserve to live.

NIKKI -no! I don’t care what he is. You have no right to hurt him like this. What has he done to you?

The crowd starts to dissipate.

Man-well…..the elders….it’s the law miss.

Crashing sounds come from the tavern and Skye comes running. He use his knife to cut Orion loose and helps him up. Nikki takes his other arm and they help him to their mounts.

Man-Outcast lovers.

The group rides away. Skye supporting Orion