The Fifth Daughter {Fantasy-Romance}

ONE

Shadow and smoke

·・✩₊˚.⋆☾ ⋆⁺₊✧・·

AS MAERWYNN DELVED DEEPER into the dense woods, the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant calls of woodland creatures surrounded her. The cool autumn breeze filled her lungs as she moved with the grace of a seasoned hunter. Hunger gnawed at her belly, and her arms ached from carrying her bow in search of sustenance, akin to a famished predator. The truth was, hunger gripped not just her but all of Ferngrove.

Until two years ago, Ferngrove thrived. Its lands were abundant, and fishermen returned daily with tales of plentiful catches. However, the past two years had been marked by hardship. Famine had become their unwanted companion. The once plentiful fish had vanished from their waters, and the wildlife seemed to be in constant flux. Some whispered of a curse upon Ferngrove, but Mae's father, the village chief, insisted it was merely a phase. But how long must they endure?

Mae pressed forward, her bow at the ready, its wood worn smooth by countless hunts. Each step reinforced her duty to provide for her family, a tranquil hamlet nestled among ancient trees, far removed from the chaos of the outside world beyond the sea. Ferngrove was her birthplace and her home.

The forest teemed with life, its mysteries concealed in the shifting play of light and shadow. Moving silently, she stalked through the underbrush, alert to the slightest sound. Then, amidst the verdant quiet, she spied her - a magnificent doe, her sleek form illuminated by the golden rays, grazing peacefully.

With adrenaline coursing through her veins, she seized the opportunity to provide for her family, to showcase her prowess as a hunter. But hesitation was a luxury she couldn't afford; another hungry soul might claim the prize if she faltered. She envisioned Edina's joyful dance and her father's proud smile as she returned home triumphant, burdened with the weight of their evening meal.

Drawing her bow, she aimed carefully, but her first shot missed its mark, the doe darting away. Disappointment weighed heavily on her, but determination spurred her on. With resolve, she pursued her elusive prey, navigating through the dense foliage, driven by the urgency of the chase.

Eventually, she found the doe again, grazing serenely in a sunlit glade. Taking a deep breath, Mae steadied her aim and released the arrow, this time striking true. The doe stumbled and fell.

Approaching the doe with reverence, Mae acknowledged the sacrifice made for her family's survival. With gratitude, she lifted the doe onto her shoulders, ready to return to Ferngrove with their bounty. As she trekked homeward, a sense of pride and accomplishment filled her.

Mae was the born hunter in her family and always had to scar her hand to provide for them when her father's merchandize didn't fall through.

Approaching their humble cottage nestled among the towering trees, Mae felt a wave of solace wash over her. The familiar sight of its weathered thatched roof and sturdy wooden walls greeted her, basking in the warm embrace of the setting sun.

Peering through the small window, she caught sight of Edina, her elder sister, lost in contemplation as she gazed out at the horizon. Her golden brown hair, reminiscent of their father's, framed her face, illuminated by the gentle glow filtering through the windowpane.

Pushing open the door, its familiar creak echoing in the quietude, Mae entered the house. The comforting scent of home greeted her - the earthy warmth of the hearth mingled with the subtle sweetness of drying herbs hanging from the rafters. Edina turned towards her, her eyes alight with a mixture of relief and curiosity at her return.