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For Abigail, moving out of her father’s store was the breath of fresh air she always longed for. A chance to start anew and take control of her own life. Although she never expected romance to be part of the package, she wasn’t complaining! This was everything she ever hoped for and more. And it was funny in a way; all those nights she’d sneak out to Trufflepoke Farm, and explore the property, only to later fall in love with the previous owner’s grandson was the cherry on top of an unexpected surprise.
Dust motes twinkled in the sunlight pouring through her bedroom window as she packed her belongings neatly for the move. “Married,” she mused, a soft chuckle behind closed lips. “Guess I still find it a little hard to believe.” Nearly everything was sealed up in boxes, stacked in the corner of her room. Abigail felt she was forgetting something, but what? She packed her games, her clothes, what else could she be missing?
The creak of David’s hamster wheel drew her eyes to the cage, so she hopped off her bed and strode over. “What do you think, David? Are you as excited as I am?” The question was met with the continuous churn of the wheel. Abigail smiled. “I’ll take that as a yes,” she said. Her eyes wandered to the drawers on her right. Pulling open each of them, she checked for anything she may have missed. As the top drawer squeaked open, she stared at a worn, lustrous blade. From chipped edges down to the round vacancy sitting in the hilt.
Taking it from the drawer evoked her yearning for adventure. Now that she was starting a new life, she could go on as many adventures as she wanted, slay any monster that dared to cross her, delve into dark, mysterious caverns — the possibilities were endless. It'll happen eventually, she thought. But right now, she needed to finish packing.
***
A gusty autumn breeze swept through her amethyst hair. It was a Tuesday afternoon; the day she was savoring the sweet taste of newfound freedom. Only a few boxes remained at the bottom of the stairs, and it was hers for the taking. Sure, she could carry the smaller ones, but this one shouldn’t be too heavy. While she was right about the weight, one thing she didn’t account for was the fact it obscured the stairs to the farmhouse from view. Attempting to find purchase on the step, the toe of her boot slipped underneath, sending her tripping forward. Abigail yelped, knowing she was about to fumble everything.
Until a pair of hands grabbing the box broke her fall. “Gotcha!” Unruly auburn hair, and a pair of azure eyes, peeked around. “You alright, Abigail? I told you I didn’t mind getting the big one.”
“I’m fine. Hate to think what would’ve happened if you didn’t show up.” She laughed it off.
“Aw, we can’t have you getting injured on your first day at the farm, now can we?” He flashed her a reassuring grin. “You got it?”
“Yeah, I think I can manage from here. Thanks, Reid.”
“Don’t mention it,” he said, making his way down the steps.
Abigail sighed at all the boxes filling the dining room. Oh, right. The unpacking part was next. A thud from behind caught her attention, and she turned to see Reid wiping his brow on his forearm.
“That’s everything,” he said. “So, do you want to start unpacking now, or should we take a break?”
Might as well get started and get it out of the way, she reasoned. “We can start on a few if you want to, then take a break for a while. Sound good?”
“Works for me.”
“Great! I’ll get this one.” With a box cutter in hand, she knelt down and punctured the tape. She could hear the clinking and clattering of Reid rummaging through her things behind her, a smile present on her face while she proceeded. The flaps parted. Looking at the contents of ‘the big one’ she carried in, she felt eager. Chipped steel. A familiar black hilt. Blue eyes stayed transfixed to the gleaming metal bedded in a sheet of foam. I can’t wait to try this out in the forest.
“So, how do you feel about the farm so far?”
Abigail flinched as Reid’s voice severed her from her thoughts. “It’s great! You’ve improved the place quite a bit.”
Reid chuckled. “Yeah. It wasn’t easy, but it’s honest work I guess. If you want to later, I can take you on a little tour of the place, get you acquainted with some of the animals.”
“I’d like that! Can you excuse me for a minute? I want to go ahead and put some of my things upstairs.” Glancing behind, she noticed he hadn’t looked over his shoulder. Too busy sorting the items in front of him.
“Not at all. Do what you like. I’ll just be sitting here rooting through your things.”
Rolling her eyes, she shook her head, smiling. Dork. She toted the large box into their bedroom, scanning for a potential spot to keep her sword. She could stash it under the mattress, or in a drawer. Oh, an armoire! That’s perfect! As she carefully set it inside and shut its doors, she returned to the dining room to continue unpacking. Abigail couldn’t shake the urge to explore the forest on her way downstairs. No curfew, no parents hassling her, this was great! The enchanted forest had to be crawling with all kinds of unsightly creatures. And she couldn’t wait to get a taste of a first-time experience, sinking her blade into one of them.
Of course, farm responsibilities would have to come first. Not that she minded.
***
In the wee hours of the morning, Abigail snuck out before Reid awoke and drank in the relaxation of watering his crops for him. All she could think about was how happy it would make him to know she cared. The best part — seeing his reaction. Oh, she anticipated that. He sauntered downstairs to hashbrowns and eggs with a glass of orange juice on the side. And her? Standing there warmly smiling and pulling out a chair.
“Breakfast is served,” she said.
“Wow! You don’t miss a beat, do you? You didn’t have to do all this for me. It’s still pretty early. You’re not tired?”
Abigail shook her head. “Not really.”
“Thanks, beautiful." Reid leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Seriously, if you’re still tired, you can crawl back into bed. I won’t stop you.”
Abigail chuffed. “Don’t worry about me. I was more than happy to do this for you! You work so hard; you deserve it.” As he sat down and shoveled the eggs into his maw, she stood behind him and leaned her chin over his shoulder affectionately. “Though I feel like you’d be happy to know I got up extra early this morning and watered your crops for you.”
“You did that?!”
“Of course!”
“Abigail…”
“What?”
“Nothing, it’s just… I wasn’t expecting it. Don’t get me wrong! I appreciate it a lot, believe me I do! It just surprised me is all. I’m not sure what I could do to properly thank you.”
“Aw, don't worry about it.” She smiled and so did he.
“I love you, you know that?”
Her arms tenderly wrapped around him, the warmth of his calloused hands caressing her own. “Reid, I don’t know what I’d do without you. Being here with you on the farm, it just makes sense, you know? Like this is where I belong. I keep thinking about how I’ve always loved this place, and now I’m here. With you. And how it wouldn’t feel the same without you.”
He rubbed her hand. “I’ll always be here for you, Abigail. There isn’t a force on earth that could tear me from you. And if it tries, I’ll fight like hell.”
Warmth expanded in her chest.
“Well, since you watered the crops for me, I suppose I could go work in the mines for a while.”
Her smile faded. “Oh, okay!”
Reid crammed the last of his egg in his mouth and ambled towards the door. “Alright. I’ll be back in a few hours. Will you be alright here by yourself, or…?”
She forced a smile. “I’ll be fine. You go off and do what you need to do. I’ll have fun exploring the farm while you’re gone.”
Reid leaned down and planted a small kiss on her lips before leaving. As she watched him head off on the mountain path, Abigail’s frown returned. On the outside, she appeared unbothered. But internally, her worry for him grew stronger. She knew Reid better than anyone else; a good head on his shoulders, sincere to the bitter end. And although she hated to admit it, he was a bit reckless at times.
Throughout the entire day, she carried on with her tasks, played the flute as she sat on the porch, talked to the pigs, and wandered around the farm. He’d be back soon, she kept telling herself. No big deal. She’d just keep waiting. But as the sun disappeared over the valley, and the stars gradually faded into view in the inky sky, she began to wonder. When was he coming back? Anxiety spurred unwanted thoughts: was he trapped in the mines? Or there was the worst-case scenario imaginable.
“Oh no…”
Impelled by the worry of what could have befallen him, she rushed to the bedroom, pushed the door open, and her gaze became affixed to what the hall light was illuminating in that shroud of darkness — the armoire. Abigail procured her sword, giving her actions some more thought. Now she was the one being reckless. But when it came to Reid, that didn’t matter. His safety meant the world to her, and she’d carry it with her in this world, long into the next.
In her mind, Reid could be in serious trouble or lost. He didn’t just need help, he needed a sword-wielding heroine to save him. And though she slightly doubted the danger he could’ve been facing, there was no time to sit around and think.
She made haste up the mountain path, her chest burning with every breath. “Please…” she managed to get out. Her glow ring revealed every stone along the way, every creepy crawling thing skittering off into the bushes. A large gust hit her back. Tree trunks creaked as they leaned in the wind. Amidst the howling through the branches, there was another eerie sound close by. A sound she didn’t recognize. Steeling herself, she raced off into the dark. One way or another, she was getting to her husband’s location.
Up ahead, something moved. Someone appeared to be stumbling through the shadows. Guttural noises heightened to an alarming roar. Abigail froze. Peering through the darkness, she heard the clang of steel against a rock. And then… a scream. Reid’s. Her heart leapt into her throat and she took off, yelling her husband’s name. This was it. The moment she had been waiting for. Abigail was about to spill the blood of her first enemy.
Grotesque, jagged claws readied to strike when she sprang onto the scene. In the warm glow of her ring, the sword glistened over her head. Purple strands danced furiously in the breeze. Her body began to descend. As a battle cry seared the back of her throat, both hands took the hilt and she plunged it through the monster’s back. Squelch. Reid looked on in shock.
The bloody, monstrous form sank at her feet, void of movement. Her breath shuddered. Tightly gripped hands trembled, loosening from the hilt of her sword. For a moment, she stared at it, then her terrified gaze found Reid’s. So many thoughts were racing through her mind.
“Reid…” She hurried over to him, arms taking him in a deep embrace before he could get a word out. Tears brimmed from her eyes and shut, forcing a steady stream to trickle down her cheeks and drench his shoulder. “I was so worried about you!” She sobbed. “I could’ve lost you!”
Reid fervently returned her hug. “Abigail…”
Upon releasing each other, they looked back at the dead being that attacked him. Abigail could hardly stand the sight of it. She used to think slaying her first monster would give her a rush of adrenaline. Like she was unstoppable; powerful. But none of that was what she felt at all. "I ended a life,” she whispered.
“You really came up here... for me…”
“Of course I did! I was worried about you. I know how dangerous the mines can be, and you’ve been gone so long I couldn’t help but think…”
The purest love glistened in his eyes as he gazed at the woman who never ceased to amaze him. He noted the object protruding out of the monster’s back. “Is that…?”
She sighed. “Yeah. It’s mine.”
Reid stayed silent.
“You know, I thought it would be more exciting somehow,” she said softly, the high of disbelief still going strong. “It’s nothing like I imagined it would be.”
His consoling hand rubbed circles in her back.
“But the important thing is that you’re alive."
“It’s my fault,” he lamented. “If I hadn’t lost track of time —”
“Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. It happens. And don't worry about me. I'll be okay.” As she looked off, she didn’t know if she believed the words coming out of her mouth. Would this experience get easier for her to cope with as time went on? Maybe, maybe not. But there lay a dead body; that much she knew. Abigail knelt down beside it. “Come on. We should bury it,” she said.
***
A grave was dug, and Reid spent the next few days smithing an iron marker to place at the trail’s edge. Not to honor the monster, but for Abigail. Since that night, she seemed much more quiet than usual. Even now, the realization that a living thing died by her own hand still haunted her. Still kept her awake at night. Reid couldn’t help but lie by her side and empathize with her, offering consoling touches when he heard and viewed the despondence in her character.
She approached him one afternoon, sword laying across her palms. Despite the apparent grief on her face, she smiled at him. “Thought it could use a finishing touch,” she said. This bemused him for a moment, but the look she gave more than reassured him. She meant it. This was what she wanted.
Later that evening, Reid made the trek up the mountain trail and placed the marker over the monster’s grave. All of his hard work had finally paid off. An iron stand, complete with Abigail’s sword, stood proudly between a pair of bushes. The hilt was no longer missing a gem; for what sat in the oval space was now a glimmering amethyst, beaming back a hyacinth glint.
That night hadn’t left his mind. Still as vivid and affirming of her devotion now more than ever. Nobody had ever gone so far for him before in his life. If anything, it made him love her more. To think that was even possible.
Reid stood back, observing the purple gem. As another autumnal breeze blew through the trees, he softly murmured, “Abigail took a life to save mine…” He breathed in and started back towards the farm, the testament to the bond they shared sparkling in the setting sun. “...I’ll never forget that.”