Lost in the Woods

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 106099

True, Belboz had not meant to de-age Jastina to this degree. He had accidentally committed a terrible crime against the kingdom of Allaria. But fortunately for his conscience, he was not affiliated with this or any other kingdom. If he restored Jastina, she would reveal his mistake and at worst, he would be imprisoned or executed, and at best, his right to practice magic would be limited or revoked. If he erased her memory, the kingdom would still want to figure out why their queen had been missing for the days or weeks it would take for him to prepare the spell to restore her, and somebody would probably remember that he had visited on the day she'd disappeared. No, the easiest thing to do here would be to just get rid of her.

So he dropped off the family he himself had enchanted and put together in a far-off forest that bordered the kingdom of Aqualaria, and left without a word of explanation. As far as he knew the forest was not terribly dangerous, and Aubrey should still have his guardly instincts. But the trees were thick, and the terrain was hilly, and there was little chance, if any, of them ever finding their way out.

The young couple was very confused at this turn of events. After standing around for several minutes waiting to see if Belboz would just pop back, and it became clear that he was not going to anytime soon, Aubrey asked uncertainly, "So... your name is Ilsa?"

Ilsa nodded.

"What's our daughter's name?"

Ilsa blinked. She looked down at the cooing baby in her arms. "I don't know."

Aubrey stared. "Don't you think that's rather odd?"

Ilsa nodded slowly. "I have some memory issues, but I trust Belboz with everything I have. Maybe you have similar problems."

Aubrey scratched his head. This explanation was insufficient, but he let it rest for now. "Perhaps we should decide on a name then?"

Again Ilsa nodded. "Good idea."

"How about Ilsa? After her beautiful mother."

The young woman blinked, and blushed deeply. A giggle escaped her. "I was thinking... Eloise."

Aubrey nodded. "Eloise. I like it."

They waited for many hours, until it became dark. The couple made a cradle for baby Eloise out of Aubrey's breastplate and some fabric they tore from Ilsa's long dress. Neither of them slept very well, but when they held each other close, they both felt much safer.

The following morning,

  1. Aubrey awoke to find Ilsa had disappeared.
  2. the couple awoke to find Aubrey's breastplate empty.
  3. the family awoke early to a downpour of rain of a very strange nature.
  4. shortly after they awoke, Aubrey noticed a thin line of smoke rising over the trees.
  5. as Ilsa was breastfeeding Eloise, they began to hear a chorus of female voices giggling in the trees around them.
  6. as Ilsa and Aubrey were discussing breakfast, their baby suddenly grew into an adult woman.

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