Free (Closed.)

[The Skarzs]

Garth crouched down. "Here; you can get on my shoulders now."

[Cornflower MM]

Arya smiled slightly, then get on Garth's shoulders. "Am I too heavy for you?" She asked.

[The Skarzs]

Garth stood up. "Like a feather," he said lightly. He walked into waters and stepped slowly to the other side.

[Cornflower MM]

Arya laughed, enjoying the ride.

[The Skarzs]

Garth smiled. "It's good to hear you laugh," he said quietly. He was about twelve feet from the other side when he stepped on a very slippery rock. "Whoop!" he cried out, completely losing his balance.

[Cornflower MM]

Arya went over Garth's shoulders, and landed with a splash in the stream. Somehow the squirrel had landed tail first was sitting there with a surprised and slightly disgruntled look, facing Garth. Then she started laughing.

[The Skarzs]

Garth picked himself out of the water; he was completely soaked from nose to tail tip. He heard Arya laughing, then, looking down at himself, started chuckling as well. "Oops," he said, with a smile.

[Cornflower MM]

That only made Arya laugh harder, and se clutched her sides, turning red.

[The Skarzs]

"Don't choke," gasped Garth, splashing up to the shore, still chuckling.

[Cornflower MM]

Arya stood up, wheezing with laughter, and made her way over to the bank.

[The Skarzs]

Garth lay back on the bank, shaking with laughter. After a little, he stood up. "We should get going," he said with a smile.

[Cornflower MM]

"Yeah." Arya reluctantly agreed, pulling her hood back over her face with a sigh. "Which way now?"

[The Skarzs]

Garth looked around, setting his gaze on a protruding rock. "From there," he pointed, "we'll head northwest away from the water until we find another stream, then follow that. When we reach a large grove of willows. . . we'll figure the rest out when we get there."

[Cornflower MM]

"Okay. Glad you know where you're going." Arya said. Then she suddenly darted away, to some tall weeds. The squirrelmaid bent down and pulled one. "Wild carrots!" She said triumphantly.

[The Skarzs]

Garth was really surprised. "Are you sure?" he asked, going up to inspect the root. Sure enough, it was.