~: Chapter One :~
The Wood Elves of Hidden Forest
“Come on Vi, catch up!” Dawn called out to her younger cousin. “I’m coming! You know how much Rosewood hates mulberry bushes! That patch was especially horrible for her to get through without throwing me off.” Violet yelled back at Dawn, as she urged her horse to speed up. “Oh, by the way, do you remember when the Ri wanted us back?” Dawn asked absentmindedly. “Do I remember? Yes, but he told you, as the oldest, to remember and bring us back on time. Even though you never do. I wish the Ri would just put me in charge!” Vi replied, adding, “I look and act older. I’m tall, even for an elf, and I am much more mature than you.” Dawn rolled her eyes saying, “You wish! I don’t always make us late.” “Uh-huh. The only time we weren’t late was when Roksi was with us. You would go to the Shadow Wood if he told you to.” Vi told her teasingly. “Why you little-!” but she didn’t finish her sentence. They heard it. They stared at each other. What the Ri would say, they really didn’t want to know. They both lowered their gaze as a tall, majestic black horse stepped calmly toward them. The rider was large, muscular, and quite frightening. He did not look calm. “Daughter of Evelyn and daughter of Wendi. How dare you wander carelessly close to the terrible, forbidden, Shadow Wood! Did I not tell everyone to return by sundown? Look! It is near midnight! Do you think the Zared would have left you alone, knowing you are both valuable to out kingdom? You must return know, and await your punishment in the morning. And I assure you, it will not be an easy task.” The Ri turned and galloped off, his group of men following. Roksi rode up to them, and looked at Dawn with anger in his eyes. She lowered her gaze from his, tears welling up in her eyes at the hurtful glance. Vi stepped her horse closer to Misty, Dawn’s horse, and patted her short cousin on the shoulder. She then galloped off with the rest of the group.
Not far from this scene, the Zared stared with their bulging eyes at the two young, beautiful princesses. Just out of their grasp, they thought to themselves. They must go tell Zar at once! He will tell them how to capture these gorgeous girls as a valuable prize!
<<>>
“Dawn? Dawn wake up! You would think with a name like that, you would get up at a reasonable time. Hurry, we have just enough time to get ready before the Ri calls us. Come!” Vi said, yanking the warm leaflet off of her cousin. “All right, I’m coming! Hand me my brush, will you?” Dawn asked, yawning. She sat up in bed and brushed her long, black hair. Glancing sideways, she saw Violet brushing her own long, chestnut hair. Vi put her hair into a tight side braid that was rather becoming. Dawn rolled her eyes and let her long tresses hang loose. “You might want to put your hair up. I think I know what the Ri is going to make us do.” Vi told her cousin. “I don’t care. Who am I trying to impress, anyway?” Vi giggled as Roksi entered their tent. “The Ri will see you now.” He told them, his eyes never leaving Dawn’s face. “Yes, Roksi.” Dawn answered, her voice quivering. He quickly left the tent. “Ahem?” Vi asked, tapping her foot on the ground. Dawn grumbled something and threw a pillow at Violet who dodged the blow. The tall six-teen and short seven-teen year old girls walked outside, their long dresses swishing. “Girls, I have decided upon your punishment. You will clip and trim each elf’s family tree. Beginning with mine.” The Ri told them. “Yes, sir.” Violet said, knowing that Dawn was too ashamed to say anything. They walked over to the Ri’s tent and looked at the tall tree. “You ready?” Violet asked her cousin. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” She replied, as they grabbed clippers and swung high in the branches. Thankfully, they were both excellent climbers witch made the task easier. They began clipping away. An hour later they had done half of the small village. The next tree was Alkhi’s. Being seven-teen he was now old enough to have his own tent and tree. Dawn glanced at Violet and wondered why she was so pink. The work wasn’t that hard, was it? “Vi, are you okay?” Dawn asked. “Um, yeah, I’m fine. Let’s start at the top, okay?” Dawn stared at her. She usually wanted to start at the bottom. She wondered why she suddenly didn’t want to. “Sure, I’m game if you are.” Dawn replied, not worrying about it. “Oh, good.” Vi said, obviously glad. She quickly swung high into the tree, chopping away. “How about you start a branch lower than mine, and I’ll trim all the spots you miss?” Vi suggested. “Uh, okay.” Dawn replied. Violet glanced down. ‘Good, she shouldn’t notice’ Vi thought to herself as she reached her hand into the case that held her dagger. She quickly carved something on the tree, and then put the dagger back in place. When they reached the bottom, Alkhi stood there smiling at them. “You did good, Violet and Dawn.” He said, looking at Violet. She lowered her eyes and mumbled a thank-you. “Your welcome.” He said staring at her quietly. Violet smiled, then they both walked to the next tree. “It’s alright, I trimmed it yesterday.” Roksi told them. The Ri, who was near by, stared at Roksi hard, then turned around. “Oh, alright… I think Alma is next. Come on, Vi.” Dawn said. They walked over to the old woman’s tent and entered, knowing the lady would want to tell them about every nook and cranny in her tree, even though they already knew them all. “Well, darlings how are you? Got yourselves into more trouble, aye?” the white haired woman asked, staring at Dawn. “Um, it was really my fault Aunty Alma, I knew we were out to late, but I didn’t say anything to Dawn about it.” Vi said, trying to shift the blame a little. Dawn gave her a grateful smile, and then turned to Alma. “It is my responsibility of how long we are out, and I wasn’t paying enough attention. I know I won’t do it again.” Dawn said, her cheeks getting warm. “You forgot one thing, my little Dawn,” the lady said, smiling sweetly, “You also want to impress your love, and hope that he will love you in return.” Dawn had now turned vary red, and quickly ducked out of the tent, with the excuse of wanting to get the tree done. ‘Hmm, young love. It’s so sweet and innocent.’ Alma said to herself. Turning towards Violet, she waved her off, telling her to get the tree done. By three o’clock they had finished the village. Smiling, Vi skipped off to groom Rosewood, who loved it when her coat was shiny. Gleeful Hidden Forest had no idea that the Zared were scheming to there hearts content. The leader of the Zared, the evil Zar, had once been a Silver Elf, but not being satisfied with the position that we would call a Duke, he rebelled and tried to uproot the Golden Elf that was ruling at the time. The Golden/Gold Elf was the king of all elves. The Golden Elf he tried to uproot had been named Karli. He had a queen named Roha and a daughter named Ramah and a son named Keri. Karli died in a battle against a group of rebelling Dwarves, leaving his six-teen year old son (Keri) in charge. Keri hadn’t been the wisest king, leaving his people to defend themselves against the rising Zared without his help, or his men. The bloodthirsty Zared tormented whole elf villages with no mercy at all. With their ragged cloaks, bulging eyes, and wrinkled skin, it’s no wonder everyone is so terrified of them.
Back to the Hidden Forest. Dawn had wandered off of into a small opening in the woods near the wood elf village, looking for Elvin berries. She quickly found some and began picking the ripe, purple fruit. She was so lost in her thoughts that the quiet, clumsy footsteps she should’ve heard were silent to her ears. Dawn suddenly had a prickly feeling crawling up her back, and she quickly turned around. Oh! Zared everywhere! She quickly grabbed her bow that she always kept with her, and drew out and shot arrows with lightning speed. But it wasn’t enough. She had been so focused that she didn’t think to scream. Then an unusually tall Zared jumped up and threw an icky black, foul-smelling slime ball at her. She tried to call out, but the smelly mass covered her quickly and she soon blacked out.
Chapter Two coming soon!
~LaLa
