Everin

Chapter 1 - A New Beginning

I used to live in the tallest tree in the forest, ladders, and doors were poked and carved into the tree, and bridges lined both the inside and outside of it for easy transportation. We all lived there, my neighbors and friends, all elves alike. But it was only the elders and special elves that had actual wings, you had to earn them from your hard work and knowledge. Me? I would rather run with the Milowak, the undead deer covered in flowers and moss, or swim with the water nymphs while they dance upon the crystal clear lake, untouched by humans. But that's never going to happen again, now that it's burned to ash, and here I am now, in a human boy's house. Our mortal enemy practically. Humans banished us to this sector of the woods and no one is brave enough to go there. But I can't get the question of why they let me stay.

"I take it you were caught in a pretty bad fire since you're covered in ash."

A small plump elderly lady says, her skin is dark like mine, and her platinum hair is all tied up into one bunch upon her head. She hands me a cup of tea. It smells of lavender and lemon. I shakily take the cup, eyeing it suspiciously.

"Oh don't worry, I wouldn't poison you, I'm not that type of person. Well, some may suspect that, but I would never follow my sisters into that type of witchery."

She chuckles, sitting down on a cushion on the floor. A very short-legged table lies between us with mush-sprout cookies, jelly bread cake, and multiple incense sticks. Hickle fruit and other grown items line the windows and ceiling.

I hesitantly take my first sip of the tea, honey, and lemon fill my mouth with a slight lavender taste at the end, I realize I haven't eaten or drank anything since the early morning making me drink the tea down in one gulp.

"My, you're fast, I didn't expect someone to like my brewing so much, especially a traveler such as yourself."

She chuckles,

"My name is Hilz, Ms. Hilz will do, I forgot to introduce you to my grandson. ASHER! GET OVER HERE!"

I'm startled by her booming voice. One second she was a soft and kind lady, the next she is louder than a dragon waking up from a nap. A boy a little taller than me, steps into the room, he's the boy who opened the door for me and made it possible for me to survive. He practically saved my life, and now, he's quieter than a mouse.

"Asher, why don't you introduce yourself to the pretty lady?"

Ms. Hilz says, eyeing him carefully. He has short dark fluffy hair and light brown chocolatey skin like mine. His green and amber eyes seem to light up the room, even if they are glued to the table.

"My name is Asher and um, it's nice to meet you." He says quietly.

He quickly extends his hand to me. I've never studied human customs so I don't know how to react. I look at him and then look back at his hand. This goes on for a while before Ms Hilz gets impatient and takes my hand and places it into his. Asher shakes it up and down,

Is this some form of greeting? I should show my thanks then!

I let go of Asher's hand and clasp my hands together, touching both of my heels making a V shape with my feet, and wiggle my ears. Asher looks at me confused and embarrassed while Ms. Hilz laughs and smiles.

"We haven't received an Elven greeting in a long time. You're quite welcome. Now, would you like more tea?" Ms. Hilz asks me, lifting up the teapot.

I nod my head yes in reply. She pores more tea into my cup and we all savor the sweet flavor.

"May I ask for your help? I need a place to stay for the night and my home has been burned. May I stay here?" I ask after a few more cups of tea.

"Of course! You can stay for as long as you'd like. Speaking of which you're still covered from head to toe in ash. Asher go get the bath ready for...what is your name dear?" Ms Hilz asks with a smile on her face.