Amongst the Elves

((How In The World Did I Forget To Include This One? -- If you have read it, Chapter 1 & 2 is also what is in "The Story of the Story".  But I wrote this nearly real time to the roleplay it was based on.  I did that to try to encourage others to join in ... and it worked, sorta.  But honestly - this was written as a welcome back gift to the main character of the story.))

Chapter 1 - A Chance Meeting

There was something about the thought of it that made him quick to accept. Sure he loved Karamoon, and wanted nothing more to help with healing the land, but what could he do? It seemed that this darkness that has taken the land is one for the wild or the mages to heal. He was just a human, he had no powers of magic, and he barely understood what had caused this land to do what it did. None of the new knights were a match for any of the keep demons, and surely if he took up arms he would be dead soon himself. He held the title of counsel, but it was meaningless in the shell of the town the demons have left. All that was left for him was his business, and there is no need for a merchant … not in this land … not now.

So, when Miss Wen asked him to find something … specific … his first thought was to another merchant he had met once or twice. It was too easy, actually. The idea of a night in a warm water port not far from Karamoon sounded as at least a welcome release from the darkness. He jumped on a small boat and in a few quick hours he arrived in Carmarthenshire.

Business done with the Carmarthenshire merchant, he chose to take this opportunity to explore this land. He wasn’t expected back to Karamoon before morning, surely … so why not.

Everywhere the land felt and smelled fresh from a summer rain. His ears still keen from his hunting days head fae languages and creatures about, but never felt the danger he would feel in the Karamoon wilds. Carmarthenshire would be no replacement for his home, but it was a wonderful escape.

Then all at once as the path would though the land; the hills flattened, the ground opened, and in front of him a circle with a fire pit. There in this circle, he could see two elven women in conversation. Thoughtless of interrupting him, he seemed compelled to greet these women, maybe hoping just for nice conversation.

“Greetings” he called to them, just within ear shot.

One elf, finely dressed, unfamiliar, warmly smiled and greeted him as a stranger with a quiet “Vedui”. The other … the other, was different … the other, didn’t wear the same fine clothing, instead wore something more with her connection to the wild … the other acted recognized his voice, jumped to her feet, and ran to him happily … above all else, the third was no stranger, no stranger indeed.


Chapter 2 - Choosing to Keep Her Joy

In no time, Arturos and the woman were surrounded by her kin, as the two of them fell back into the happy chatter they have known as longtime friends. At the urging of the one dressed in more fine clothes, the one called Maya, he told the story of the day they first met – when they were both younger, when Arturos had much more bravado, and the wood elf’s heart was much easier won. As the story continued, more elves entered the circle, each friendlier than the last; until it seemed an entire village hung on his every word. When he finished, another story was started by another man. But Arturos had no ears for him. Once the dearest and closest to him, the one that had left Karamoon so many months before, now sat like a dream from just across the fire.

She was happy here, even a stranger could see that in her eyes. The only sadness she had was the question about her missing falcon companion, Evan. They had left the circle to search for the bird, and with that the chance arrived for her to tell of her travels. She talked of what she had learned, what she had seen, who she had met. All the things she had told him, he had heard of previously. For as long as he knew her, she yearned for fellow wood elves, now she was surround by kin folk. All of what she had dreamed for … she had now. It had made him so happy to hear, her joy made him forget all that he sailed from just that day.

But it was she who brought the darkness of that land back to his mind. She stopped to ask for news of Karamoon, the rumors the people. She spoke specifically of the missing Vasa; the magistrate who left the port to their own service; and of Smog whom to Arturos has been missing longer than the wood elf. As she asked more and more questions, he fought in his mind, what to say. If he told her of what it is like, if he mentioned the darkness – her joy would end, she would certainly leave Carmarthenshire and people. He couldn’t have that. He wanted her to be happy; he always wanted her to be happy.

There were no lies told, she knew him to well to try such a tactic. Some questions were left unanswered. Others, he focused on small things. He spoke of the new wild folk, the growth of Brokton’s children, news of Timmie and Dracky’s engagement. She laughed and smiled, blissful within the new news to her, and he felt satisfied his tactics may be successful; until he can leave her here in the morning so she can continue happily here.

Slowly the sky fell darker, and the two old friends retired to her home up in the trees. A treehouse, she always wanted a treehouse. They did their best to talk well into the night, but as it seemed always the case for them, her yawns and closing eyes took her to dreams first. Smiling quietly, Arturos rested his head, and breathed in the warm air now happy for this break.

Chapter 3 - The Diary, The Cube, The Island

The fresh air of the morning woke him, his mind still rested and relaxed. It took him no time remember the night before, and wasn’t surprised to see she was already awake and off; something he had grown used to many months ago. There was a slight chill in the air, which reminded him to put on his cloak– he would certainly need it when he returned to the ungodly snows of Karamoon. Stretching himself, he stood and stepped out of the tree house to the platform high above the land. Laughing to himself, he was glad for this place, if not for the one thing he thought the night before … she always wanted a treehouse.

He scanned the land, looking for his friend, maybe to say his farewell and sail back to his home. He wouldn’t leave this place without seeing her once more, he felt he needed that just for himself. But she was no where to be seen from up high. None the less, if he waited, he would surely see her walking along a stream or flipping down a hill or climbing a tree … if he was patient he would see her.

As he looked around a bit, he spotted a small bench, with a book placed on it. She did mention she had learned more than letters, but words now, and writing; maybe this was hers. When Arturos opened the book, he needed the bench to sit. This wasn’t just a book, it was her book … it was her words … well written words, clearly written words. She was writing a diary, it appeared somewhat new with only a few pages full. She spoke of her concern for the missing Evan. She spoke of the other elves in this land, holding them highly. He stopped sadly, reading of when she wrote of a dream of Karamoon covered with blood, knowing well of what he keeps from her.

The last entry was strange; it talked of a cube and a button. She intended to show the one he met the night before, named Maya. Regardless, it seemed her curiosity would surely get her to press this button someday. Arturos stood from the bench and sat the diary down in its place. Doing so he spotted … behind the bench and almost tucked against the stairs, a cube with a single button. Surely it was the same cube as the curiosity to press the button grabbed him just as quickly; and with the impatience of his human race he reached and pressed it.

In an instant, he was consumed as if by a storm. Wind, thunder, lightning crashed around him and the world went out from under his feet. His body twisted, holding himself together as best he could, but thought that the gods have chosen this time and this way for his end to come. When all chaos have reached its peak, the air began to slow, thunder quieted, and his feet found solid footing below him. As things came clear he stood before a small wall. Looking around, he had no idea how he arrived here, knew not where he was, and thought of no way to find his way back to Karamoon. So he climbed the fence to see what this land had to offer.

In no time, he stood by a stream fed by two waterfalls off the hill. Lampposts directed him further across the hills. This land was warmer, and he draped his cloak over his shoulder. If Carmarthenshire felt elvish, this land looked elvish. Crystals reached up out of the ground, mushrooms grew big and full, and everything around felt enchanted as blessed by druids. But the human nature in him continued to ask the needed questions of how he would leave this place, and what will happen to him here.

After exploring the whole island, he draped his cloak over a large crystal and laid back against the foot of a tree. Rubbing his forehead lightly, closed his eyes, lifted his head up, and made a silent prayer to the gods for something to let him know he will not be forsaken in this land. He open his eyes, and there … why hadn’t he noticed it up there before.

Laughing, almost knowing what was to come, he called up a greeting. Then the voice, still so familiar came down “Arturos?”. She always wanted to live in a treehouse.


Chapter 4 - Time Was

Time was … he once thought he was an elf. It isn’t true of course. If he was an elf, he thinks, time would be of no consequence. It would pass like the moons and seasons, over and over again, thousands of times over. Days, weeks, instances move by like nothing – all parts of a life that to him would be a thousand forevers. If he was an elf, the need to accomplish so much in a morning, or a day … or something of his own lifetime. Wounds born from life, whether skin deep or to the heart would be cut, heal over, cut again and slowly be forgotten. If he was elf, he wouldn’t think of such things anyway, as it would be his existence, his life. Before he met any elves, he knew no burden at all from time; but with knowledge brings realization.

He thought of this again, busy moving across the small island. He had firewood to collect, see what animals lived her to be hunted (if she would let him), and as a last resort what he could use for a fishing rod – but by the gods he hated fishing now more than ever. Time was … he used to do this with her, him running errands to keep the tent in the outlaw camp until such time he would see her smiling face again.

Arturos never regretted learning the differences between elves and humans. As he walked back to the treehouse he looked up at that one who taught him nearly everything of elves. She sat on the rail of a high deck, her red hair moving lightly in the breeze and she smiles in quite meditation. So much the woman had taught her over the months, most she probably thinks he forgot or ignored; but there is little he would forget about her. Time was in those days long ago to him, he did all he could to remember everything about her. Time was when there were no secrets to keep from her. Time was … it wasn’t so difficult to stay happy.

Time was … climbing the rope to the treehouse would seem easier to him than his merchant flabbiness. Gasping for air he pulls himself to the rail near relching for air. “I tried the small boat down there,” he said between breaths, “but it seemed too old to move ... the gods, we'd be lucky if we can ever get off this place”

She made only the slightes move from her position, turning her head with a grin. “In a hurry?” she said sarcastically over her shoulder. She seemed calm, relaxed, and at peace with all time.

He yammered out a reply, “Ahh ... no ... it’s just that, well ... someday I would like to leave this place”.

“I have no wants or needs at the moment,” she said in response and proceeded to lean forward just a bit. Looking down at the ground, she pressed her lips together and allowed just a bit of moisture to move from her mouth until it began to make a little hanging.

Confused lightly, he watched her “Yes .. yes ... amazing place, good energy ... just ... like to go home someday.”

“Someday oneday another day sunday..not this day.” As she spoke, the droplet hang from a thread now growing longer enough to reach below her feet.

Worried of the questions that will come, and the closeness of such time away from Karamoon, he paced back and forth. “Well, I do have business soon …”

“Oops” she interrupts. Her spit nearly reached the ground, when it broke and dropped. Keeping grip of the railing with her legs, she leans forward, far out, to see where the spit landing. Just as she leans furthest as she could her weight shifts and she spins around railing. In an instant, the grinning girl with eyes as wide as saucers laughing is now looking back at Arturos, laugh happily … and above all else, upside down. “Weeee,” she screams hysterically looking at the world from this new view.

Time was … not so long ago as he thinks. How he could see a young hunter could fall madly in love with such a creature. Time was … he thought such things like the differences between elf and human were not so different, when such a love could happen. Time was so little different than now; but ... Time was … so long ago that it was different.

“Come we go and dance,” she calls, spins back to right-side up, and scampers down the rope. Arturos reaches to the rope to humor this old friend, to spend the day dancing rather then working, to remember when he was younger. As she ran to the dance circle, the gods reminded him of his age again – as his weak hands slip and he plummets to the ground.
Chapter 5 - Sunset on the Peace

There were bards throughout the land that knew guitars, flutes, squeezeboxes; but if one would mistake him for a bard, it would be on the drums you would see him. Banging out a rhythm, Arturos watched the elf dance happily spinning on this circle. Her laughter was enchanting enough in her happiness but the dancing brought it out even more. It was the second day on this land, and now the sun set bringing darkness, a change in light that was foretelling of what was to come.

At first, Arturos thought it was the wind, maybe bird call. Then it came closer, and more like a language. It called “Somebody?” as if help was easy to find. All at once the voice was right next to the circle and from a low rock a head appeared. It was the one they called Lailana, whom when Runa left the Karamoon tried her best to be an Elder in her absence. Quickly, Runa jumped happily to meet her old friend.

“How are you Lailana,” she called.

In as fast as it took Arturos to make the decision to stay silent, the silence was over. Lailana sighs ''Well stuff changed''

Runa gave an alarmed look to Arturos, “What changed?”

Arturos Gustafson looks to Lailana hoping to salvage this last chance and shook his head at her.

Lailana looks at Arturos surprised and asked ''You didn’t tell her?'' She sighed and said sadly ''The Keep killed Venovara and now the land is dead'.”

By the time Arturos turned to Runa, she had already fallen to her knees. He held his breath, seeing the pain seep into her mind, watching the happiness he fought to keep slide away.

Quietly, the woodelf asked, “Say that again.”

Forcing a smile, Lailana replied ''It can be solved, we are working on it.”

Seeing Runa on the ground, Arturos spoke quickly, trying to find other options to see different ways from letting Runa get wrapped up in the darkness back home. "Yes yes ... it can be solved ... lets find a way from here ... and Runa, you can go back to the shire ... and we can take care of karamoon ... all will be happy."

Runa’s pain changed, in an instant to anger. "You didnt TELL me?" she started to shout. "You had all this time, and YOU DIDN’T TELL ME? And, now you think I can go back to the Shire?" Shouts louder " And be there all HAPPY ???"

He shook his head in response, “You We're all happy ... before I came along, before this news ...”

"YOU dont understand ANYthing if you think i could be happy knowing this!" she interrupted rising to her feet and stepping towards him angerly. Her face was turning red with fury.

In so much time, in so many arguments, he never got angry, and now … he was. “That the BLOODY reason I kept it from you!!”

Lailana, no longer able to keep herself calm, spoke up as well, ''well you left us, we didn’t leave you!"

Alrunia Ahn stops and turns to Lailana "What? I said I would go on a journey, I didn’t leave you ONE single moment! I send a message and Smog knew also where I was!"

Lailana laughs ''Smog? Smog? I haven’t seen Smog in months!''

“What? He went back to Kara... to let you know. And Dos … and Evan …”

He spoke, still sternly, “We haven’t seen them … either … there was no news.”

Runa looked around, confused, shaking slightly. Her legs looked weak under her as tears ran across her red cheeks, “You can’t believe that i was able to leave Kara ... not seriously!" She turned, stepping over the rocks away from the circle.

Arturos’s rage was still evident. He needed to release it, angrily. Looking to Lailana he opened up. "You fool ... She was Happy here!! She was at peace"

Growling, spitting at his feet ‘‘No YOU were. She can stay if she wants but I AM GOING BACK. I have a mate and children! They need me there!"

“But don't you see? Now she knows, she'll go back .. Karamoon is dying, and if it dies she'll surely die with it.”

''You’re an ass for keeping her ignorant. She’s not a child. I know she’d rather die with it then don’t know about it.”

He throws his head back, shaking it. “you didn't see her there in the shire ... you didn't see her here. I may be an ass ... but I was looking out for her, she deserves a better life than that hell back I Karamoon.” He stomped off to the woods, staying out of sight of the women.

And as it did, the darkness of night was complete.


Chapter 6 - Only Words

Her voice resonated across the circle. There was energy to the notes that made the crystals hum with her in harmony. The sweetness of her words so often never rang so, so melodic over this place, it made all four of them close their eyes to feel it.

The rest of the night was a constant argument. Runa angry at Art for what he didn’t say; Art angry at Lailana for what she did say; and Lailana just angry at being at this place with no way home. For a short period, they stayed away from each to stew over such things. But this island was too small to hide, and when each passed another words flew.

She sang of a distant land. The way the summers were warm and long. The autumns bring life renewal and color. The winters bring stillness, restfulness and healing. The springs bringing hope.

It was the boat that set off the biggest argument. Arturos had seen a boat earlier, he know he did. Now the women didn’t believe him, blaming him. If he would have said something when they were in Carmarthenshire, they could have easily been to the port there and within hours, they would all be home. It was his fault, it was all his fault. And that was the last he could take.

She sings of a place they go, where there is mostly quiet. Flowers and butterflies … a rainbow lives beside it. From the hill, a waterfall pours and washes across a pond. Huge trees shade the people there – but they are all still warm. She sings of the laughter, of the animals, of the humming bees. She sings of the caves, of the crystals tune, of touch from the crystals and the happiness and safety it brings.

He did it – he did it of his own choosing – he did it knowing her anger, but that would days or weeks. He had many homes his life, he loved all of them, and Karamoon was no different. When Karamoon died, he would leave that place and find someplace new to love. Surely she would be no different; elves could be any different like that. Yes he knew she could bond with the land with her home; but he knew she had a new land now; and he was sure she would forget of Karamoon in no time.

She sang of the entire land. She sang of the dark places, and deeper more of the keep. Her voice rang of its evils but how it also belong there, belonged in their lives. She sings of the games she played with others in a canyon. She sang of the towers and of mages. She sang of walls protecting a port. She sang o f the games she played there.

What a fool, a stupid stupid fool he was. After all the arguments, after all of this time, after all the curious explorations, after all the secrets kept, after all chance meetings. After everything he had done among the elves, it was still as if he didn’t know her at all. Her words spat at him of how she missed her home, how no land would replace it. She fired at him the angry words speaking the bonds that she would hold. Her words promised to do everything to heal the land. Her words made clear if the land would die she would not wish to go on living. Her words echoed through the island of how she longed and missed everyone and everything about the land. Her words spoke of the longing for Karamoon and the only happiness is when she thought of going back. But these were only words he thought.

Her voice echoed all around them as she sings for the queen and the heart of the land, calling it all alive. She called for to them to see the hills and canyons and trees of this place; to see all of its landscape, and to feel its life bursting from joy and strength.

Elphaba had also touched the cube by now and found them as Runa took them all to the dance circle. Two to the drum, the third to ground, Runa stood in the circle, and gave them proof of what she so long for these many months, and how strong that love is. And she did this without any tricks or illiusons. Only words.

She sings now more silently, caring, like a mother would sing to a child. There is a feeling around the four of freshness of lightness and slightly of cold. Runa stops singing, and she see these dear friends. Runa stops to sing, they open their eyes, and they are home.