It was peaceful in the Meadow, the sun warming our skins with a slight breeze keeping us cool as we strolled down the path. It was early spring, so the underbrush and trees were all sorts of green spotted with the array of colourful blooming flowers. With the birds chirping away happily away in between the trees and the bugs buzzing around, the Meadow was brought to life. Every now and then a small critter would scuttle across our path trying to find refuge in a nearby bush.
"Hey, look." Rylan said, pointing towards the little river ahead of us, a single white butterfly fluttering towards the trickle of water.
We ran, each taking turns in trying to catch the little butterfly, clapping clumsy hands uselessly in the air. We were laughing, enjoying our little game of catch, even when the little butterfly managed to get away from us on the other side of the river.
We stood awkwardly at the edge of the river, trying to decide whether or not we should pursue our little friend, but decided against it. We found a smooth boulder to sit on, fighting for the highest point to claim as our own personal throne, and settled down. They sat silently for a while, listening to the running water below them, watching the fish glide by with the current.
"Rylan!" I hushed a shout, noticing a small deer move into view near the river on the opposite side to us, grazing peacefully. It was completely oblivious to our presence, and we were keen to use it to our advantage.
We slid off quietly from our perch, crouching like little hunters stalking our prey. Once we were sure of our footing and the path we were going to use to cross the river, we sprung into action, blundering very uncoordinately over the river. With our war cries mixing in the air with the water we were kicking up, the deer startled back into reality and bounded for the thick bushes , leaving us soaked and breathless in the spot the deer had been in moments before.
We shrugged off our defeat, and proceeded to splash each other instead. We were having so much fun we hardly noticed the sun setting over the horizon, our little world slowly dimming in the crimson afternoon light.
"We should get going, it'll be getting dark soon." I stood knee deep in the river, drenched to the bone.
"I want to show you something first." Rylan grabbed my hand and dragged me to the river edge and past the tree lines, the wrong direction to home.
"Where are we going?" I asked, a little excited but also a little scared at the looming dark that was now quickly falling.
"You'll see!" Was all he said as he pulled me into a small clearing.
Right in the centre was a big oak tree, silently sitting in solitary to the rest of the Meadow.
He let go of my hand as I wandered around the big tree, running my hand along the rough bark. "How did you know this was here?" Still focusing my attention to the great tree and its surroundings.
He watched me carefully, following me with a curious glance. "It was a few days ago when my father took me hunting, we crossed past this clearing. He didn't think much of it, but I thought it would be perfect for our treehouse."
I turned to look at him, an arched eyebrow on my face. "Our?"
He smiled shyly, his glance falling to his feet. "You're the only friend I have, so you're the only who will be willing to help me build it. And so it will be our treehouse, no one else." He grinned at me, obviously enjoying the idea of having a treehouse.
I grinned back, the idea finally appealing to me. "It can be our secret fort!"
"And we shall rule from high in the sky!" He held his arm in the air, as if he held a mighty sword.
I giggled, not being able to hide my amusement. "But we can't both be rulers, can we?"
He moved his hand to his chin now, his face burrowed into a concentrating glare. "We can rule together. A great king cannot strive without a great queen to keep him humble." His eyes gleamed, still excited about the whole thing.
"But I don't want to be a queen." I felt a pang of anxiety at his disappointed look that replied. "I just want to be your friend." I smiled as I saw his face light up again.
"Friends forever." He smiled, holding out his hand towards me.
"And always." I shook his hand, sealing our little deal.
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