Sometimes you could walk around and not notice anything. Others times you seem to notice everything, every tiny detail. The way the wind ripples the leaves into a frenzy as if they are both embracing in a passionate dance, that homeless man you see but don't see every time you pass him. The mother walking her children to nursery, her head a swarm with a thousand thoughts.
One thing humans do not notice is the little other worlds burrowed deep beneath our soil, or the tiny footprints in the undergrowth.
For in these parts another world exists.
A world in which you and I have only read about in story books.
All story book ideas come from somewhere after all.
This is a little tale of a knoll called Fenella.
She lived in the undergrowth at Greenwich park. In a little city called Polnelle and shelived with her grandmother Orleila.
Her grandmother was the elder of the city and as such it afforded Fenella some luxury's. Luxury's that also stopped her from seeing the world.
She had come to live with her grandmother shortly after the great war had killed her own parents. Her grandmother was her only family.
She was but 7 then, a slave to her surrogate surroundings. As the next elder she was of course expected to behave and display her self in the way of the knolls. Even at the tender age of 7, her grandmother had prayedto the
Gods to guide her granddaughter. For her grandmother was wise and Fenella's spirit was strong. Together they were a force. Fenella's grandmother was of course (as all grandparents are) kind and loving and patient; but as elder she was also expected to train the wild nature from Fenella's. A task somewhat difficult with a knoll like her granddaughter.
In knoll scriptures it was said that when a female knoll tuned 19 she must of found her mate.
Fenella was 4 months from her 19th birthday and her grandmother reminded her daily of her duties as an elder.
Fenella herself was a free spirit and the thought of her life being dictated made her worse. The trees around her; once they gifted her sanctuary and security now felt like a leaf jail cell. The veins of their past frowning down on her.
There was of course no ends of suitors that would be paraded in her eye-line. None of them of course had caught her eye. Most were just a little afraid of her. Her mannerisms were not quite the way of the knolls.
She was for a knoll rather striking, her red mane stood out and her green eyes seem to pierce any soul that dared to look at her.
Some thought they could tame her, but alas her spirit was too strong.
Other elders proclaimed her as the prophecy to join the two worlds, others believed she was cursed.
Fenella found the latter somewhat amusing. If she had been anyone else but the heir she would have set out to engulf the flames surrounding her supposed curse.
She was as usual sprawled out amongst the compound contemplating her life when she heard a great commotion coming from the court house. Her hair stood on end and she sniffed the air.
It was a bad choice, she picked up the scent and it felt like a drug to her, she followed the scent to the court house. It's warm musky tones binding themselves to her spirit. The waves of desire hypnotised her steely soul.
That's when she saw him! The most beautiful knoll she had laid eyes on. His thick black mane seemed to shimmer and dance against the sun. His eyes an angry blue, suffocating everyone he laid eyes on.
He pulled at his restraints he was in and growled at the guards. He slammed his paws against the tree and hissed at the guards, spittle flying like magical threads, Until his eyes fell to Fenella.
He dropped to theground and as his eyes fell to the ground so did the letter he was carrying.
Fenella took her chance and grabbed at the letter. She hurriedly read it and stilled.
As she lifted her head she could feel the eyes of her neighbours eagerly waiting for the gossip. Her eyes looked back to the knoll, he hadn't looked up but his scent was still strong, still encasing her mind.
She turned back to the gathered onlookers and faked a small chuckle and declared it was a letter from a distant cousin.
They seemed suitably satisfied with the answer and returned to their work.
Fenella returned her gaze once more to the knoll of the floor.
"So Morkon, is that your name?" She didn't wait for an answer and continued.
"What is the meaning of this letter? Is my grandmother in danger?" She asked.
Morkon looked up and replied "you both are my lady, you both are."
"Guards let him go, he has news for the elder" she demanded. They did as instructed of course and her gaze fell to his paws
"Come with me" she demanded not wanting to be drawn into his eyes again.
He followed her close; he began to growl as he neared the elders huts.
Her grandmothers eyes fell on themale knoll and she smiled.
"Welcome Morkon, come inside quickly" her grandmother spoke with haste much to Fenella's surprise.
She reached inside her grandmothers hut and reached for her arm.
"Grandmother do you know this stranger?" She asked not directing her gaze at the Knoll.
Orleila smiled. "You look like your grandfather Morkon." Her eyes not leaving Morkon's
He nodded and a small grunt escaped before he composed himself.
"You know why I'm here Orlelia both yours and your granddaughters lives have been compromised. They know who she is, what she is" he glared now pointedly staring at Fenlella.
Fenella felt her hairs stand on end. His scent trying to suffocate her.
She shook her mane to escape the scents hold and quickly remembered the note and turned to her grandmother.
"Grandmother this knoll was carrying this letter, what does it mean? we need to leave this place? Surely it's some mistake?"
Orleila rested her hands on fenella then walked over to her jewellery box and brought out an orange crested brooch. She placed it into Fenella's hands and sighed before she spoke.
"Fenella, my greatest wish was for you to have been mated by now and this would have afforded you more protection. Alas this is not so. You are in danger here my sweet girl and now you must leave."
Fenella jumped up and barked.
"None of this makes sense grandmother, why am I in danger now, what is this gem and who is he" her claws striking out and pointing at Morkon.
Her rant was short lived as a commotion began outside.
Her grandmother grabbed her into an embrace.
"Keep the gem safe my girl for it will always keep you safe" she kissed Fenellas head then nodded to Morkon "Keep her safe my lord for she is all that's left"
Fenella looked between her grandmother and the knoll before he tore her away from the hut.
Her cries didn't stop but nor did the pursuit of the knoll pulling at her.
Her cries rang louder and he pulled her behind a rock and clasped his hand over her mouth.
"The best chance of us surviving is for you to keep the guardians key safe Fenella, I will explain more but for now I need you to be silent and trust me just as your grandmother does. Can you do that?" He growled.
She merely nodded and allowed herself to be pulled once more.
