She took in a deep breath and released an arrow with a 'twang'. With a dull thud, it hit the center of the target.
Jade smiled, satisfied with her shot.
She strode over and yanked her red oak arrows from the target. She then picked up her bow, quiver, and arrows and headed toward her friend Faelinn.
He was a few yards away practicing his archery on a large pine tree. The target was painted with red and white. Carefully made from berries and roots mashed together to make a radiant red and a pure white color.
She loved the way he narrowed his piercing blue eyes in determination. His honey blond hair in disarray on his head. He lifted his chin, noticing Jade watching, and tried to look fierce.
Still wearing a grin, Jade watched him shoot an arrow three inches to the left of the center. The arrow quivered as if wishing it had it the center. Faelinn sighed and lowered his bow in defeat.
"I give up, you win. This time. . " He sighed and tried to conceal a grin. She laughed at him and rested a hand on her hip airily.
"I always do!" She nonchalantly replied, jutting out her chin arrogantly, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Faelinn turned to Jade as she walked to the target and pulled out his arrow. He studied her long silky black hair, swishing side to side, and the way her little hips swayed as she walked. As she brought over the arrow, he admired her beautiful features. Green eyes that shone like emeralds, strong angled cheekbones with small splatters of freckles. Full, round lips the color of roses and a cute nose.
Jade caught his eye and smiled. He loved her smile, it reminded him of the rising sun, beautiful and heart warming. Faelinn rose one eyebrow then shook his head.
"How do you do it?" A slight grin creeping onto his face.
She laughed causing Faelinn to rejoice inside, for hearing her laugh was like hearing the twinkling of faeries.
She grabbed his arm, "You will get it eventually but for now you have a celebration to attend!"
Jade pulled him through the trees, nimbly jumping over roots, and avoiding branches. Faelinn looked up at the green canopy of trees. The sun just barely peeking through.
He looked around, and saw only trees in every direction. To some, this would make them grow tired of the forest, but Faelinn could never get enough. Also different kinds of trees were scattered across the forest. Some small and bearing fruit, some large and flowered. The variation thrilled him, wishing he could take the time to study each one.
They slowed when Glade Hall appeared ahead of them. It was beautiful. One tree towered above the rest, its branches covered with flowers for the celebration. The flowers were an array of different hues and shades of the rainbow.
Jade laughed at his awed expression an pulled him along faster than before.
His eyes started at the bottom, taking in the roots woven together perfectly to make a sturdy bridge to the hall. For below the bridge lay a large miserable trench. Being so deep your eyes couldn't reach the bottom.
His eyes raised a little to study the giant intricate doorway. Carved into the sides were vines spinning around people dancing and rejoicing. Little flowers were carved into the vines, making them look almost real. The doorway was shaped like a teardrop falling from the great tree's branches.
He looked into the doorway to see the beautiful hall carved out of the tree trunk. The room huge and round, with tapestrys hanging on the walls. Paintings covered what was left of them, filling it with bright colors. Every year a painting contest was held and the best artists were able to paint theirs in the room.
