The Blackberry Patch (314)
“Come on Siah!” She called to me from behind the sycamore. “It's this way!” I followed her through the trees to a clearing full of berry bushes. “Well don't just stand there, Josiah, start picking.” She said, her voice full of laughter as she popped three or four in her mouth while putting double that many in her basket.
“Phoebe,” the little elf had dove deeper into the thistles to get the best fruit. “Phoebe!”
She popped up from the briars, startling me and several nearby birds. “Yes?”
I smiled. “You never told me what we are doing this for,” I said. She's beautiful even with purple stains on her face.
“No one told you about the ball and banquet tonight?”
The ball. Yes, I was told. “I heard about it.”
“Okay, well Athaliah wanted to bake a blackberry pie for it,” she said with a smile, reaching for another giant blackberry.
I grabbed a couple more to put in my basket. Hers was nearly full, while I had barely covered the wicker bottom. Where is she finding them all? Is she perfect or is it a secret elf power? “So, how did that job land on you and me?” Probably both.
Phoebe giggled when a bird landed on her shoulder. “We didn't have to, I guess. I just like to. I understand knights like you may have more important things to do,” she finally stopped smiling.
No, don't! Never stop smiling! “Knight-to-be. And no, I don't have anything better to do.” Nothing is better than being with you. “Not today at least.”
“Well good because the princess said I wasn't supposed to let you out of my sight!” She grinned and disappeared back into the patch.
The princess. My sister. Henna.
I crushed a blackberry in my fist.
She did this on purpose.
She knows what this does to me.
To my heart.
Spring Month: 2 
Night 
Clear Moon: 
