Pinpoints of light, breaking through the darkness of Jolena’s eyelids, awoke her from her slumber. Slowly her aching muscles conceded to her command, stretching her body upwards and sitting up fully. As she glanced over to her left side, her eyes fell upon a wood-planked floor and a frown graced her brow as she gingerly licked her parched lips. Trembling, she realized she was not in the glade she had fallen asleep in, but in a new place and sitting on a bed of woven twine suspended between two tall monir trees. She quickly swung her feet off from the edge and jumped down, her eyes darting all around as she searched for any sign of her mother. “Mama?!” she called out frightfully, her tremulous voice echoing in the morning air as she began to panic. “Mama! Mama where are you?!” Tears began to form in her tired eyes, streaking hotly down her cheeks as the fear and panic started to fill her mind. Slowly, almost trance-like, her muscles began to move as she started to search the room for signs of anything familiar. “Nothing…” the word tore through her fevered mind as she began to grow more frantic with each empty nook and corner of the room “No. No no no! Where is she?!” Slumping into a crumpled heap against the trunk of one of the monir trees, her head hung low so that her chin almost touched her chest in defeat, the tears flowing freely now as she huddled.
Startled from a sudden touch on the top of her head, Jolena’s head jerked upwards and her eyes fell upon a lithe elven man. Shocked into silence, her lips could not move to form words as she stared up at him with a confused expression on her face. Slowly he knelt and she sat still, amazed at the elegance of his features. Although he had a somewhat lanky frame, he was very tall and his eyes held a silent courage and strength as he gazed at her. He had long, rich silver hair that tumbled loosely to his shoulders in wild, disorganized locks. They were the color of moonlight and the striking locks reflected the light with an amazing brilliance. His face was almost delicate in its structure with high cheekbones and narrow pointed ears which peeked out from his hair slightly at the tips. Piercing, almost mesmerizing hazel eyes peered at her gently as he smiled reassuringly and finally spoke.
“Creoso a'baramin. Lle quena i'lambe tel' Eldalie?” he said, his eyes fixed upon Jolena’s as she continued to huddle against the tree. “Lle rangwa amin?” Confused at this foreign language, she simply shook her head and gazed up at him in dismay. With brow furrowed, the man placed his hand on her shoulder and indicated for her to stand. Hesitating for a moment, she finally decided to move away from her corner and forced herself to stand. Smiling at Jolena softly, he nodded and walked over to a bench near the hammock. The bench had been carved from a tree trunk it seemed, and it was very sturdy yet elegant at the same time. Several intricate carvings had been formed along the edges which were smoothed off by skilled hands and the seat was long enough to accommodate three or four people from the looks of it. Gingerly settling herself upon it, Jolena’s small legs swung freely off the edge and her feet did not reach the floor. The man did not sit down, but reclined against one of the trees holding up the hammock and watched her for a few moments. “I had hoped you spoke elvish, but I see you do not. This is something you will learn little one.” He smiled at Jolena once more and then quietly walked over to sit next to her. “I am Ariond Goldenwave, and I’d like to welcome you to my dwelling, little human girl. You should consider this your home and feel free to explore this area as much as you see fit.”
What is going on? Who is this man..and where is my mother? Jolena thought to herself as she tried to focus on the strange man and the implications of what he had told her. Suddenly the memories of the rough trip through town and into the forest, along with the fate of her father and her mother’s tearful explanation to her outside of their cottage flooded her mind. A soft sigh escaped Jolena’s lips as the tears began to flow once more down her hot cheeks, causing her eyes to close. Why has this happened to us? She had a thousand questions and even more scenes playing out in her young fearful heart and she desperately wanted to find her mother as soon as possible. Just as Jolena was about to ask the man, a young child’s melodic voice broke through her private thoughts and startled her from her mourning. “Ya naa re?”, the child asked as Jolena glanced up abruptly to rest her eyes upon a small elven girl, who was standing next to the man with one dainty hand resting upon his shoulder. Smiling gently down at the girl, the man began to speak in elvish at length and after some time a wide grin spread over the child’s face and her hands clapped in excitement. The girl’s grin was infectious and Jolena found herself smiling despite her foul mood.
Walking over to Jolena, the child smiled brightly and Jolena was struck by the sight of her long-lashed violet-blue eyes, which were so intently upon Jolena’s, as she stood before her. Speaking in halting common she said “Welcome, human! I am Michiko.” and her glossy blonde, braided pigtails bobbed slightly as she nodded to Jolena in reassurance. Jolena wasn’t quite sure why but at that particular moment, she felt a calmness that she had not felt in nearly three days.
………………..
Bright sunlight brushed against her eyelids as Jolena stretched luxuriously against her soft bed, her head nestling into the pillow even as the bright rays poked and prodded her to waken. Grumbling softly, she threw an arm over her eyes and turned over onto her side, trying vainly to give her mind back to darkness. She had been dreaming of adventures yet to be seen; of far away places and long lost memories as well as those to come and she did not want to relinquish such thoughts so soon. Suddenly, just as she was sure she would be able to lie in bed just a bit longer, the sturdy modwir door to her room burst open and Michiko, her blonde pigtails bouncing wildly, ran into the room with a pillow brandished in her raised hand. Squealing, Jolena dove under her cover and laughed as she tried futilely to defend herself against the girl’s pummeling pillow. “Michi! I told you not to come in my room without knocking!” she spouted at her in a stern voice from under the covers, but her hidden face belied the sternness for her eyes were filled with laughter.