Shanea Forbidden Forest, 1509
"My name is Rynlyf," the creature said, his voice a deep rumble that reverberated through the trees. "I'm a Minotaur."
Rhaenys's eyes widened in surprise, her breath catching in her throat. The name echoed in her mind, a strange mixture of familiarity and the unknown.
She had expected many things in this enchanted forest, but a Minotaur introducing himself so casually was not one of them. The towering figure before her was both fearsome and oddly intriguing, his presence commanding yet inviting.
Then she realized Rynlyf was the Minotaur she saved when she was nine. She finally realized this wasn't the first time she visited this dimension.
The memories flooded back, intertwining with the present as she recalled the day she had bravely confronted the fallen tree to rescue him. That day had changed everything, but now, standing before Rynlyf once more, she understood that their destinies were intertwined in ways she had yet to fully comprehend.
Rynlyf then says, "It's been a long time, your highness." She paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle in. The recognition of their shared past deepened as she met his gaze, the memories of her childhood adventure intertwining with the present.
Rhaenys smiled softly and replied, "Yes, it has been a long time, Rynlyf. You've grown." Her voice carried a mix of nostalgia and warmth, reflecting the bond they once shared.
Rynlyf then says to Rhaenys, "You've grown into a beautiful young woman." He watched her reaction, noting the way her cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment.
"Thank you, Rynlyf," she replied, her tone sincere. "It's wonderful to see you again after all this time." The atmosphere between them was charged with unspoken memories, and Rynlyf felt a sense of warmth in their reunion, a reminder of the friendship they once cherished.
Rynlyf smiled, caught up in the moment. But then, Rhaenys furrowed her brow, curiosity overtaking her previous delight. "Wait, how do you know that I'm a princess?" she asked, her voice laced with both confusion and intrigue.
Rynlyf then says, "I've known since the day you saved me." His voice was sincere. "It's wonderful to see you again after all this time."
Rhaenys's expression shifted as she processed Rynlyf's words. "I didn't even know I was a princess back then," she admitted, her voice softening. "How did you find out?"
Rynlyf smiled gently, recalling the moment. "I overheard Merlin saying it after he helped you get back to the other dimension."
"I remember meeting Merlin that day," she said, her gaze drifting into the distance as she reminisced. "He was so enigmatic, always speaking in riddles. I didn't understand half of what he said, but there was a certain wisdom in his words."
Rynlyf nodded, agreeing with Rhaenys on that one. "He has a way of weaving truth into his puzzles. It's like he knows more than he lets on, guiding us to discover our answers."
Rhaenys smiled at Rynlyf's insight. "Exactly," she replied, her eyes sparkling with understanding.
Suddenly, Rhaenys felt a severe pain in her ankle, pulling her focus away from the conversation. She winced, instinctively reaching down to rub the tender spot. "Ow!" she exclaimed, her smile fading.
Rynlyf's expression shifted to concern. "What happened?" he asked, leaning closer.
"I must have twisted it when I was running from the lion," Rhaenys replied, trying to mask her discomfort. "It hurts more than I expected."
Rynlyf then said to Rhaenys, "Let me have a look." He gently reached for her ankle, his brow furrowed with worry. Rhaenys hesitated for a moment, then nodded, allowing him to examine the injury. As he carefully touched the swollen area, she winced again, the pain sharper than before.
Rynlyf then asked Rhaenys to move her ankle back and forth. "Can you do that for me?" he inquired gently.
Rhaenys took a deep breath, focusing on his instructions. She cautiously began to move her ankle, wincing slightly with each motion. "It's still quite painful," she admitted, her voice strained.
Rynlyf observed closely, noting her reactions as he tried to assess the extent of the injury. "I know it hurts, but I need to see how much mobility you have," he encouraged her softly.
Rhaenys nodded, pushing through the discomfort as she twisted her foot back and forth. "I'll try my best," she replied, determination flickering in her eyes despite the pain.
"It definitely hurts," Rhaenys said, her voice laced with both frustration and resolve.
After a moment, Rynlyf sighed gently. "It looks like you may have sprained your ankle."
Rhaenys took a deep breath, trying to focus on Rynlyf's words rather than the throbbing pain in her ankle. "Do you think it will heal quickly?" she asked, her brow furrowed with concern.
Rynlyf nodded reassuringly. "With rest and care, it should improve in no time. But you'll need to take it gently for a while."
As Rhaenys considered his advice, a thought crossed her mind. "Have you ever met a woman named Nimue?" she asked, which sparked her interest.
Rynlyf paused, a distant look crossing his face as memories began to surface. "Yes, I met Nimue a long time ago," he replied, his voice softening.
"How long ago?" Rhaenys inquired, her curiosity growing.
A distant look crossed Rynlyf's face as he sifted through the memories, each one vivid and filled with emotion.
Rynlyf then said, "I was five years old when Nimue came to my family home." His voice carried a hint of nostalgia, as if the mere mention of her name transported him back to that time.