Here we go with a new fanfic. I hope you enjoy it! Please let me know. I really value your reviews.

CONCEALED

The young woman stopped in the middle of the flower-stewn meadow, stooping to pick one of the tiny wildflowers peeking up through the long grass. Holding it up to inhale its fragrance, she held out her arms and twirled around, her long, curly brown hair floating around her catching the morning sun's rays. Smiling, she looked up to the branches of the lone tree in the meadow, and plucked a small red apple from the lowest branch, depositing it in the pocket of the apron she had remembered to cover her dress with that morning before leaving the house.

Delighting in the beauty surrounding her, she continued walking, finally entering her favorite place, the forest. The change was immediate, sunlight only filtering faintly through the thick branches overhead. Her pace slowed, and she wound her way around the myriad of tree trunks, over creepers, through creekbeds rushing over rocks and pebbles. Birds flitted to and fro above her head, woodland animals occasionally peeped from the bushes and thick overgrowth.

Reaching the clearing she had been aiming for, she sank down to the ground with a contented sigh, and pulling the apple from her apron pocket, she slowly munched as she continued to enjoy her surroundings.

Sometimes, she imagined she was a princess meeting her fiance, a neighboring prince, in the quiet of the forest glade. Other times, she was a mother, teaching her children about the beauties of nature waiting to be discovered for inquisitive eyes and ears. But sometimes, like today, she imagined what it would be like to be lost amidst the trees, bushes, animals and birds, and utterly alone. She didn't know why those thoughts came to her sometimes, she just accepted them when they entered her mind.

Still daydreaming, she finished her apple, and got back up to her feet to continue her meandering. Her father had taught her well how to observe when she had still been just a little girl. He had taught her to stay very still if she wanted to see some of the secrets the forest contained, and she had been a very good learner. She put those well-loved skills to use every time she had a chance, like today, to spend some time alone with nature.

Continuing on through the forest, she spied a deer looking back at her from behind a huge old oak ahead to her right. As she watched, he stayed very still for a moment, then moved into the open and across the little path she was walking, before seeming to vanish again into the trees. He had made no sound at all. Something told her to stay where she was, and she was glad that she had, for a few moments later, another deer went through exactly the same motions, and also vanished as he melted into the trees to the left of the path. As she continued to be transfixed by this, ten more of the beautiful animals did the same thing. It was amazing how quietly these large animals could move, she mused to herself, thankful that she had been there to see them that morning.

A little further on, she spotted a busy beaver just beginning to build its dam, and smiling, stopped for a while to observe, amazed at its industriousness. Moving on, she caught sight of the red fur of a fox. These animals were usually so furtive, hiding out of sight, that she didn't see much of their activities. This one stayed within sight long enough for her to see the chicken hanging from its mouth where it was carrying it. Shame on him, stealing part of some farmer's livelihood, she thought to herself.

Since it was several hours after sunrise now, she figured she should probably get back to the house to do her chores, before Papa came looking for her. And he would know just where to look, she thought fondly, as he knew her favorite places.

Turning around to begin her way back, she thought she heard a faint noise, but stopping, noticed the ordinary silence of the woodland surrounding her. Moving on, she walked a few more steps before hearing it again. Startled, she thought, that was no bird or animal. Was there someone here in the woods with her? And if so, why was the sound so distressed?

Moving slowly and more quietly, she moved off to the left, her eyes searching for the something or someone who had made the sound. She stopped every few steps, and listened, but didn't hear the sound again. But she knew which direction she had heard it coming from, so she continued in that direction.

She came upon one of the meandering creeks scattered throughout the forest. Looking towards her right, nothing looked out of place. Switching her focus, she turned to the left and began slowly moving along the edge of the creek, stepping carefully over the many small stones and pebbles scattered close to the water.

And then, she came to an abrupt stop. There ahead, she could see a form on the ground. Slowly moving forward, what she could see caused her to move quickly towards it. Approaching the body, as she could see now that was what it was,she saw the lower half of a man's body in the water of the creek, and the upper half on the rocks and pebbles of the creek's edge. He was lying facedown, half covered with leaves and other debris, and he was unmoving.

She was half afraid to touch him. What if he was dead? She had never touched a dead body in her life. Hesitant, she finally made up her mind to be brave. If this man, whoever he was, was alive, he would need her help. That thought gave her the courage to move forward the final few steps, and reach down to touch his neck, intent on seeing if he was alive or not.

She felt a pulse faintly fluttering under her fingers, and let out the breath she had not realized she was holding. Reaching out with both hands, she gently grabbed hold of his shoulder and turned him over.

Whatever she had expected to see, it was not the very attractive features of a young bearded man, eyes closed, unconscious. Blood covered half of his face, but not enough for her to miss the handsome countenance. She now noticed the leather he was wearing from head to foot, and the large ominous patch of red on his right side. She had never cared for an injured person before, just stray animals mostly, and once, their little puppy.

Looking over him again, she saw the engraved leather piece on his shoulder, and wondered what it was. She could see that he had attachments to carry weapons, but none were in evidence now.

Realizing she needed to stop the oozing blood coming from his side, she thought of ripping a piece of her dress or apron when she spotted something that looked like the strip she needed-the azure blue cloth around his waist would work just fine.