In the southeast forest things were oddly quiet even in the dead of night. Though the elves, who were such simple creatures, were well known to retire to their homes shortly after nightfall, it seemed as if something had gathered the quiet attention of every creature known to man.
Deep in the middle of the trees came the sound of laughter and muffled giggles. There stood three elfin children, two of which had their hands pressed to a tree of choice, bent over with their free hands covering their mouths trying to stifle said laughter.
The third was standing a foot away from them, his face as red as a maple leaf in the fall. He was so embarrassed steam was almost rising from his ears as his clinched fists shook beside him. “Stop it,” he hissed. “Right now!”
The male of the two amused elves stood, wiping a tear away from his eye with his wiry pinkie finger. His bright green eyes showed only humor, and the moonlight beating down through the trees made his fair skin and shoulder length blonde hair shine.
He was taller than the blushing male, and clamped a hand on his shoulder before leaning in close. The latter male looked younger—shorter in stature, thinner, with a round face and short, curly brunette hair. He didn't seem to like the first male leaning in like that, and distinctively moved back as if sensing a threat. “We told you not to come.”
“Flynn,” the sole female of the group spoke up as she stood. She was almost as tall as the blonde male—Flynn. She had a curvy stature to her nimble body, paired with skin that looked as if it had been kissed by the sun, but with hair as bright as the moon itself.
While the group of three was dressed the same in rags that denounced a social rank, she was by fair the most appealing—as if her clothing had taken time to make an impression. “Don't be rude. We told Mave what he was getting into.”
The younger male, Mave, looked at her as if she'd saved his life when Flynn backed off of him. “I-I didn't think y-you were serious!” he sputtered out in a rush as his eyes bounced between the two of them.
The female smiled, a creepy little grin that curled around her teeth before she twisted around and practically skipped to the edge of the trees. Flynn only smiled as he claimed an arm around Mave's smaller shoulders and pulled him closer. “Welcome to manhood, my friend.”
“This could get us killed!” Mave hissed out as they stepped towards the edges of the trees where the girl was waiting, on her knees and peaking through the branches. Flynn dropped his arm to elbow the younger male, and joined her.
After a long amount of silence, it was obvious Mave was getting frustrated. “Well?!” he asked, whispering quietly. “What can you see?!” He pushed past both of them, catching his toe on an external tree root and falling flat on his face.
The other two elves went tense suddenly, while the younger groaned and pushed himself to his knees, mumbling under his breath about how much he hated the others when he opened his eyes and found them just inches above a very serious pair of huge boots. He gulped strongly as his eyes raised up and he found himself staring at a very large, very dark elf. Who did not look happy.
“Uh...guys...?” he muttered softly.
Still behind the trees, Flynn shook his head and put his hand on the girls forearm, going to move her with him as he silently backtracked. But the young girl's attention had been captured, and in the next moment she was pulling free of her male friend and stepping out into the clearing as well.
For beats of silence, there they stood: Flynn hidden in the trees with a look of shock upon his face, Mave on the ground looking as if his stomach might come up his mouth, the girl staring in awe at the new elf, and behind them all was the largest group of Dark Elves any of them had ever seen. Eerie music was flowing from a flute, people were dancing, a fire was roaring.
Between the girl and the dark elf that had come upon them, a new attraction was brewing. He was almost a foot taller than her, his skin an ashen color, midnight hair fell down his back and shoulders, pointed ears peaking through them. He had a chiseled chest, muscled arms, and a set face with strong features.
His black eyes trailed over her body with a specific detail before a slow smile appeared on his face, pulling at the long scar that sliced from his hairline down to his jaw. He opened his hand out to her, and after only a moment of hesitation she placed her hand in his. “Rav,” he introduced in a silky tone.
“Amarie.”
Not twenty-four hours later, Amarie found herself sitting lazily in a low tree branch, a four year old child was hanging on her feet. Her golden hair was just as thin as Amarie's, hanging in wisps around her long ears. She was smiling happily as she swung back and forth, and chattering about tree frogs.
Amarie, however, wasn't paying attention. Her eyes were aimed towards the north, where the trees ended and the mountains began, caves drawn out along the land just before they reached centaur territory where the dark elves lived.
A smile touched her lips as she closed her eyes and thought about the night before, twirling around on her bare feet in the soft, warm grass. His strong body pressed against hers, the music that she'd fallen in love with playing around them.
The cold, rock floor against her bare skin, the feeling of his rough lips across her skin, the sound of his voice...“Amarie!” She nearly fell out of the tree at the voice that interrupted her fantasy as her pink eyes fell on Flynn's bright form.
He grabbed a branch and jumped up with her, concern written on his features. “I am so sorry that I left you last night,” he said under his breath, tossing glances at the people around them to make sure they weren't overheard. “Were you okay? What happened? I was about to send a search--”
She cut him off with the raise of her hand as she turned her attention back to the event ahead of them. Every elf in the southeast was gathered there in the one little area, a clearing somewhere in the center of the woods. She could see the royals, but they were far off from where she sat. “I'm fine, Flynn. Just fine.”
He lowered his voice and his head towards her. “We need to talk. It's important.”
“Mmhmm,” she mumbled with obvious disinterest as she continued to watch. After a moment silence was called and the elves did as the were told, even the fouryear old hanging from her sisters feet. Amarie didn't really care so much as to what was going on, she just didn't want to talk about her previous night. Definitely not with the boy who had tucked his tail between his legs and ran once things got good.
The king stepped up finally, the only elf standing other than his royal court—all the others were sitting, either on the ground or in the trees. “As everyone has known for some time, the elders have agreed to send a group of this generation to help end our long war.”
There was silence as no one spoke up to say they weren't aware of this news, and Amarie's eyes traveled for a moment to the group of boys were looking very entitled where they sat. She narrowed her eyes at them. If those prats are chosen, our entire planet is in danger.
“Today, we are here to announce the chosen one of our race. This person has been picked for strength, wisdom, and above all ability...” Whatever else they were going to say was drowned out by the crowds cheers to the point that silence had to be called once again.
“With great honor, we have chosen Amarie Galadriel to represent the Elfin Race at this great needed and respected trial of duty.”
Silence fell. A silence so strong that a butterfly could be heard flapping it's wings. Finally, the whispers arose, and looks of confusion was shared. Amarie sat up straighter in her spot, and the only voice that interrupted the silence was a child’s.
“That's you're name, Sissy!” Little Evaline Galadriel spoke up and began swinging on her feet again. “Ah, that's you! That's you!”
The poor child had no idea what she was talking about, and seemed much too happy within the quiet environment. Amarie's head snapped around quickly to face Flynn, who was looking much paler than any elf ever should.
“Tell her Flynnie!” Evaline called. “It's her!”
Amarie seemed to stare at the older male as if asking him if it was true. It couldn't possibly be true. But Flynn swallowed slowly and gave her a nod. She stared at him for a second or two before she lifted her feet, grabbing Evaline with her hands and dropping down to the ground.
The moment her feet touched the solid surface, the outrage broke out. Elves were talking over each other loudly, screaming about who she was. The boys who had been so sure they were going to be picked were trying to be heard over the others about how they would be so much better.
And deep in the center of the crowd, Amarie's mother was silent. Not a word fell from her lips, her expression didn't change, but in her eyes...she looked relieved.
“Mama says you're going to die.”
Amarie froze in her tracks, her bag halfway lifted to her shoulders. She turned around ever so slowly to fine Evaline standing at the base of the treehouse, outlined by the night sky. She had one thumb stuck in her mouth, the other arm wrapped tightly around a homemade doll.
The older girl sighed softly as she dropped the bag and went to sit on the wooden balcony, draping her legs over the edge and pulling the child into her lap. The girl looked up at her, with large golden eyes. “Is it true?”
Amarie shook her head as she ran her fingers through the girls hair. She settled back and turned her eyes towards the sky, then told her baby sister one last bedtime story about faries who could glow and sprinkled the night sky with the stars they saw.
The girl was asleep long before Amarie finished, but she told the ending anyway. She sat for as long as she could before she carefully lifted the girl, and she took her back into her room and put her carefully into bed.
She placed one kiss on her forehead, smiled, and whispered a promise. “I'll come home.”
---
No one else got a goodbye from Amarie that night. She left without another word from her home, and no one cared to take notice of her departure. The elves were locked up tight in their homes, and Amarie could care less.
It took her longer than she would have liked to reach the center of the land, just slightly passed midnight. She'd walked most of the way, unless she could catch a buggy here or there from people traveling through their villages.
She carried a backpack that was filled with essentials, but not enough to weigh her down, and her bow with as many extra arrows as she could get her hands on. She had the stuff with her to make more, but she hoped she wouldn't have to use them.
As the large oak came into view, she soon realized she was at the right spot. The first person that caught her attention was a small looking boy up against the tree. Fae, she could tell immediately. There was one in the tree as well, lounging on it comfortably. They looked strikingly different, so she was willing to bet the clothes on her back they were from different courts.
She recognized the nymph as well, dark haired and beautiful, standing with a purpose. Sitting on the ground not far from her was a bright haired dragonkin, who looked far too happy to be there, another girl who was tiny but undoubtedly gorgeous, and another male...of what race she couldn't tell so far, holding his hand up to the seemingly empty tree...
But the longer she looked, she soon began to realize that it wasn't empty at all. Wrapped safety into place was a naga girl.
Amarie sighed softly to herself and joined the group silently, standing off towards the edge.