Not My Home Anymore

Chapter Five

Even before I opened my eyes I could feel a comforting bed of leaves under me. It cushioned me against the hard ground, like a protective hug. As I slowly started to use the rest of my senses I overheard people arguing about something just steps away.

“-Avery! What were you thinking bringing her here?” An angered voice spoke to Avery in a controlled manner, but the heat of disappointment was there.

Somebody shuffled their feet, “Tosh don’t be so critical. The girl was in danger!” A much more concerned male voice intervened.

I heard a sigh from the first male speaker voice, Tosh. “Rowen, I just don’t understand how you can trust such a young foolish human.” Tosh signed again.

Finally I heard a familiar voice, “She’s the same age as me!” Avery chided.

Now a female voice entered the circle of men, “Boys, boys!” She laughed a beautiful high note, almost like she was singing, “Her and Avery are the same ripe age of sixteen! And not to be rude, but Avery has been very capable the last…what...10 years?” She laughed again but quietly this time.

All three boys sighed in either agreement, or defeat.  

I felt it was about time that I alerted this strange new group of people, and Avery that I was awake. I slowly stretched in my bed of leaves, making a long yawning noise. Poised ready to just jump up I turned to the other side and peeked through one of my eyes.

Avery was sitting beside me, staring down at me and smiling. I smiled back, but I was-to my surprise-more interested with the landscape behind him. All around me were large trees, reaching to the skies. They were all full of life, with chattering squirrels and squawking birds high in the crowns.

As if not to be rude, I finally looked down to Avery and acknowledged him, “Good morning, where are we?” I laughed, not expecting myself to already ask questions.

But it was answered not by Avery, but by the female voice I heard earlier, “You are now in the safety of Oak Forest. My clan lives here, with permission from your Grandmother.”

I turn my head to look at her and I gasp. Her body is simply to die for. Long, athletic legs that reach up to her slim torso, with strong arms to almost balance her out. But when I finally look at her face, her ears and her eyes are the first thing I see. Sounds almost crazy, but her ears are like a bats, an her eyes, like a cat only the Egyptians would honour.  Her dress is unusual, but consists of different colours of greens and browns, which was made into a very beautiful dress that I would assume permits her to move efficiently, but also be a great tool to disguise weapons.

Her mouth curves up into a small smirk, “My name is Adrianne, I am the leader of the Oak Forests Elvin tribe. I’ll let my right hand men introduce themselves.” With a graceful wave of her hand the two men step up beside her.

I first recognize how all three elves have long flowing blonde hair that reaches down to their hips. My jealousy peaks when it seems like it’s been untouched my any knot or tangle, and I slowly move my hand up to touch my own unruly mess of hair.

The first to speak is another slim elf, one that again is in green and brown attire. But with his he wears long brown slacks to hide his strong legs and a tight green t-shirt definitely exposing his muscles. His ears and eyes are the same as Adrianne’s but not as beautifulif ears could be beautiful).

“My name is Rowen, I am Miss Adrianne’s head elf dealing with health, and the well-being of our citizens.” He smiles at me carefully, taking in my appearance with gentle eyes.

The next to step up is not in the same attire. He wears all black and a sword is slung mischievously on his side.  His black clothes make his eyes pop the most, but just like his clothing the feeling in his eyes were like a shadow of strength given, and secrets hidden.

“My name is Tosh, I serve M’lady in her armies, and spy units.” He says it proudly, staring down at me with unsure feelings but none that make me feel threatened.

I finally stand and begin to introduce myself, “Hello, my name is Victoria Greyhold. I am extremely sorry to ask you this already, but… What happened?”

The three elves laugh, including Tosh which surprises me, but none of them hold back. I turn to see that Avery is also chuckling behind me.

Adrianne stretches out her hand to me, “Come with me, I’ll show you where you’ll be staying.”

I take her hand and we walk forward through the Oak trees.

The forest was rightly named. There were only a few willow trees and pine trees, but the majority were the Oaks. I learned that the Elf’s found the Oak trees to be admirable. For all of the trees here grew from tiny little seeds into these towering, strong colonies of more and more opportunities to grow. Something Adrianne wanted to sustain with her people, the power to grow.

Walking through the forest with Adrianne, I learned many things. She was, indeed the oldest elf; one-thousand years old and that all of her elves loved my Grandmother.

I also learned something very important. Something that could help me in the long run of learning what my Grandmother meant. These people, who were after me, weren’t exactly people, they were monsters.

Please comment on what you think... ;) Tell me if you wanrt more! Lots of love, sorry for taking so long. <3