The Beginning

Chapter Ⅰ Eirwen

I awoke as dawn shed light over the horizon. My sister, Viviane, was sleeping soundly as I tiptoed around our room, getting dressed and gathering my arrows. The only sound was the occasional bird call from the distant forest. I stilled as my sister shifted and mumbled in her sleep. I reanimated when my lungs began to scream for oxygen. I was reluctant to wake Viviane, especially today. When she woke up, I was almost done.

"Eirwen? What are you doing?"

"Trying not to wake you?" I grimanced. She just huffed a laugh.

"I should have known you would have tried to run off. Go ahead." When she smiled it felt like the world had stopped.

"You-you mean it!" I practically screamed.

"Yes but, you should hurry before Mother finds out." I ran to her and crushed her into a giant bear hug.

"STOP! You're choking me!" she gasped.

"Sorry!" I said quickly, letting go and giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

"I'll see you later!" I called over my shoulder as I opened the door.

She nodded and waved me off. I grinned as the door closed behind me. I knew Viviane wouldn't tell Mother what I'm doing, not that she'd care too greatly. I had no reason to worry about Father. He probably already guessed what I was up to anyway. I practically ran all the way to the stables, nodding a good morn to the few people out. I was almost to the stables when I heard two very familiar voices coming from the stable as two men exited. One in particular was quite annoying.

"Good morn, little kitten!" said a young man with silver hair. I ignored him and addressed his companion.

"Good morn, Jasper."

"Good morn Lynx," he replied, giving me a rare smile. My brother noticed and ruffled Jasper's hair making the black streak even more pronounced than normal.

"Awww! Why don't you call her by my nickname?" the silver head pouted as he slung an arm around his friend's shoulders causing Jasper to blush slightly.

"Because I, unlike someone else I know-"

"Vale," I coughed, causing Jasper to stifle a laugh. Vale glared at me.

"Value my life to not call her by that nickname," he finished removing Vale's arm.

"But you should see her get all mad and huffy. She looks like an angry snowball," Vale sighed just as said 'snowball' threw one at his face. Jasper laughed and tried hiding it behind his hand.

"Very well then, sister dear. This. Is. War." he claimed as he wiped snow and ice from his face.

Seeing where this was going Jasper tried to retreat to a safe distance from the 'war', but Vale grabbed his arm.

"Uh uh uh," He claimed while waving a finger. "We need a neutral party."

"What! I can't..." Jasper stammered, trying to break out of Vales grip, but failing...miserably.

"Well while the two of you settle terms, I'm going out for a ride." I stated as I inched away from the two.

"Very well Kitten," I glared as Vale huffed a laugh at me.

"No please...! Don't leave me!" Cried Jasper who had managed to get out of Vales grip. However, before he could go anywhere my brother grabbed the back of his tunic.

"Where do you think you're going? I'm not done with you yet." Vale said with an evil smile. Poor Jasper.

"I'll see you two later!" I said cheerfully as Jasper and Vale waved me bye.

I walked to the stables and found Gareth, the horse master.

"Hello Master Gareth."

"Don't bother with the pleasantries. Orion is all saddled up for you."

"Thank you! Oh, you may want to help Jasper later. Vale got a hold of him."

"I'll see what I can do." He stated as he opened the doors for me.

I waved goodbye to him as I spurred Orion into a gallop. I 'accidentally' rode past Vale and he somehow had snow fly up and hit him. The last thing I saw before I went galloping away was Jasper tackling Vale to the ground as he tried to throw a snowball at me. I laughed and heard my brothers' responding laugh floating through the air all the way to the Edge.