Scribbles

No.01

The night was dark, and the moon hung low in the sky, its silver light, the worlds only light source this night,  casting an unearthly glow onto the Earth below. However, only in the moon's light was the world alive, never in the sun nor overcast days, this world was nocturnal and in the shadows, nothing dared to live. A bird would not breathe and a cricket would not chirp, purely, for survival, purely out of fear. It was eerie, walking through the forest at night, even more so during the day when the sun was high in the sky, and nothing was awake, but nothing dared to move in the shadows, there was never a sound, just a stillness and silence. There was something unspoken about the shadows, a rule everyone followed but never discussed, and nobody in the forest wanted to question it, nobody wanted to find out what exactly it was that made them all so very afraid, so very frightened to even step a toe over the shadow line; not even the Wood Elves who lived there. The Wood Elves, the forest people, with their perfect skin, beautiful faces, long hair and gleaming eyes; were just like everybody else, and yet, they were the bravest of folk in this particular forest, and still you could not persuade them with a thousand acorns to step across the shadow line and find out one and for all what was truly happening in their forest. Usually singing and dancing around a fires light, normally loud and unconcerned for their neighbours. Tonight however, like most night now, they were quiet, even with something to celebrate; they were all tucked up in their houses, they used to be the heart and soul of this forest. Always around, being nosy and noisy, always having something to make a fuss over. However, not since it all changed. Not for weeks now. Not since the unknowing neighbours moved in, and try as they might, they cannot summon the courage to investigate, to slowly creep beyond that shadow line, take a silent look around. It is unclear if this forest will ever return to the majesty it once had. Whether those in the shadows will get bored and eventually leave, or whether one curious soul should recklessly decide to risk it all, gather their friends and go on an adventure. An adventure to rid their home of an evil presence, to uncover the truth and restore joy into the hearts of their kin. Until then, the Wood Elves, and the rest of the nocturnal forest dwellers, can only hope for the restoration of their nights, can only dream of better days, can only imagine the day their home is restored to its former silvery glory. Can only wish with all the magic they possess for such a soul. A soul who will heroically discover the truth and either befriend or banish those living in the shadows, a current plague upon this world full of mystery.