Chapter Eight: The Gift

I thought about the Elders words for a few moments. I remember when I stumbled across Elijah when I was travelling, on the Eastern side of the community. I remember all of the places I have scouted whilst staying with the elves.

To the East is where I came from, a rolling countryside that stretches for miles. Beyond this, the last small village I encountered was deserted, like many others I had come across. Later I learned this used to hold a few elves but they had since moved in with the Druida Community here.
To the North, huge valleys as far as the eye can see. Beyond this, I had found from some partial maps here that there is a small town that used to be inhabited by humans. The elves here haven’t tried to go near it for years, so unsure what the current status of this place is. Beyond this was a large cliff edge, so it would round to the forest to the West if the cliff edge was followed. To the East of this the maps didn’t cover.

To the South, just a few miles from the elven community, the sea can be found which spans for thousands of miles.

Thinking about the options I have, I’m interested to understand why I shouldn’t head into the dark forest. It’s uncharted territory for me, and the answers I need can be over there.

Elijah shaking my shoulder gently took me out of my thoughts, and I could see all the Elders eyes on me. “Sorry Elders, I was trying to remember the lay of the land and the West is unknown to me. That and the North East anyway. What’s wrong with the dark forest?” I asked, curious.

Elder Liandor sighs. “The woods itself are usually safe from our scout reports, but beyond we know there are beasts that occupy lands that are untameable…those beasts are what we know as werewolves.”

Elijah grimaces at the word, and I look at him quizzically. He notices my look and answers my unanswered question. “Werewolves keep crossing into our lands. There used to be a kingdom of werewolves but we’ve lost touch with them a very long time ago, and now all we see are rogues…..althought if I’m being honest we’ve not had one approach for hundreds of years, if my studies are correct.” He says,. Looking to the Elders who nod in agreement. This however, confused me further, which I think Elder Forlum picked up on.

“Rogues are basically werewolves without their human form. I believe from one of the lessons you were taught, it was about werewolves and how they are half human, half man. A rogue is a werewolf that has lost its humanity, so is essentially all beast, with only one desire – to kill. The reason why wolves turn to rogues is unknown to us, as we don’t agree on experimenting on other creatures, evil or not, unless voluntary.“He says sternly. “We used to have good communication channels with the werewolf kingdom and had a trade agreement with them at one point, however we noticed more and more rogues entering on this side of the dark forest. At one point our Scouts had to ask for backup as several came through our side at once. Since then we’ve not heard from the werewolf kingdom…..it’s as if it’s died out.” He states, then continues. “We’ve never ventured into the dark forest ourselves as the werewolf kingdom used to send their own to treat with us. We forbid anyone from our community to do so because of the dangers the woods hold.”

Another species that has seemingly died out…or has it? Maybe they have just been turned into these rogues and there’s no humanity left at all. The word humanity makes me think this is where I need to look for answers but I also wouldn’t be able to defend myself against these things. If these rogues looked like any of the paintings and drawings I had seen for the werewolves, they would be ten feet tall.

Although I can defend myself really well from the self-taught training I’ve done over the last several years and what I’ve learned over the last few months here, there’s no way I would be able to defend myself from one of those, never mind multiple rogues.

“Elders, what if my answers are in the werewolf kingdom? Is there no way there other than the dark forest?” I ask, in case there is a chance I can get through or around the dark forest somehow.

“Hope that they are not. I know what you’re getting at Aliana, but we’ve tried sending ravens, which never returned. We never dared to send an elf in fear for their life.” Elder Dioder says. “There is no way to get to the werewolf kingdom without trekking through the dark forest or by going up a severely steep cliff overlooking the sea, to the far, far East. No one from our Community has been into the kingdom itself for a long, long time. We only know what it once was, based on tales told by werewolves who used to come to us to trade.”

I pout slightly. Well, there goes my plan. I know I will have to enter the dark forest but I think I will start off North and then to the East to see what’s there, I’m all up for a little adventure.

“Thank you Elder. I have thought about it and will start off North, on the safer path and towards a place I have not travelled before. I hope that my path does not take me to the dark forest but I will be aware of the dangers within. You mentioned there were other things you wanted to discuss with me?” I ask, hoping they have some good news for me.

Elder Horenti, who is usually silent and only really listens to the conversation rather than takes part, moves away from the fire towards me. “My dear, there is not much we can do in terms of helping you find your way. Only you will know where to go.” He says in his soft voice. “We can offer you some food and water that will last for a few weeks, but from then onwards it will be up to you to find what you’re looking for.” He smiles and pats my shoulder, a strange gesture from a man who rarely touched or spoke to anyone. He then walked towards the exit of the cottage before once again turning round and looking at me. “Child, I know you will find your way without fail, do not underestimate our Goddess and God, as they have a reason for everything that happens to us. Believe in them, as they believe in you.” And with that, the Elder bowed to me, then opened and closed the door, leaving Elijah’s home.

The other Elders looked at each other, slightly surprised that their counterpart had said all of that, when it seems he usually doesn’t say anything at all, to anyone. Even Elijah looked a bit shocked that the Elder spoke at all. After a few moments, the three remaining Elders stood up and started making their way towards the door. Before opening the door to leave, the Elders turned around.

“Aliana, please come to the entrance of the Northern border in the morning, whenever you’re ready to go. We’ve not sent word to the community to let them know you’ll be leaving, but we will announce it when we announce our lockdown. Make sure you speak to who you need to before you leave at dawn.” Elder Dioder says, and Elder Liandor follows up. “Remember Aliana, once you leave, we will start lockdown and there will be no way back, at least not until we feel it is safe enough to. If you were to try and regain entrance, all you would see is trees, or well, a small forest.”

I nodded my head at this information, a slight bit of fear coming over me at the thought of not being able to come back at all when I step foot outside, which will be strange after being around the elves for so many months, feeling a bit of normality.

All three Elders said their goodbyes, bowed their heads slightly, which is strange as I’ve not seen them do that before, and then they left the house, closing the door quietly behind them.

I let out a massive sigh as soon as they left the house, moved back around to the sofa and slumped onto it, exhausted with all these bits and pieces of information that kept being given to me in small quantities. Elijah ran a hand through his hair as if he was having the same troubles processing all of the information as well.

I looked outside and saw the Sun was now gone, replaced by the darkness. Elijah noticed it too and came and sat down next to me.

“So, little duck. What would you like to do now?” he asks, probably hoping I wanted to do something on my last night here.

“I’m actually really tired Elijah, big day tomorrow, remember!” He rolls his eyes as I say this, knowing I was all about being a bore, even though I was leaving for good.

“I expected as much, which is why I went over to the winery and brought this” he pulls out a Wine bottle and two wine glasses from behind the cupboard in his room and places the glasses on the table.

“You know I don’t particularly like wine, but if you insist….” I say, when Elijah cuts in.

“Yes, I one hundred percent insist” and we both laughed as if nothing were changing at all.

We both finish the bottle within half an hour, reminiscing about banters events over the last few months together. When the last sip had been taken, Elijah stood up “Wait here, I’ve got something I’ve been meaning to give to you...If I don’t give it to you now, I may forget in the morning before you leave.” He got up from the floor we had moved to and goes into his room.

After about five minutes of what sounded like a rearrangement of his room, Elijah came out with a big Green wooden box, with a small roped latch on it at the front. Elijah placed it in front of me, and I moved my hand over it, feeling how smooth the box was. Taking a closer look at the box itself, it was engraved with small symbols, which were elven.

“Open it, please” Elijah says, excited but also hesitantly.

I smirk up at him and look down as I untie the rope by pulling the longest string, and I can see Elijah smile in the corner of my eye. The rope unfolded and I pulled it off of the latch and placed it to my side. I opened the latch and pushed the box open, and I gasped when I revealed one of the most beautiful bows I had seen in my life.

The bow itself was as black as midnight, in the form of a Recurve bow. I stroke the curve with my fingers whilst it continues to rest in its box. There are lots of indents down the wood weaving into a pattern that has been made to look like branches entwined together. The string of the bow was golden and I couldn’t place what it was made out of. There was a quiver on the side of the box, which was also black. This had silver laced in the fabric making some winding patterns up the side of it. Within the quiver, there were arrows, each one with a silver pointed head.

“Well, what do you think?” Elijah asks me tentatively, trying to understand my reaction.

“It’s beautiful” I say back to him, still taking it all in.

“Well….what are you waiting for?! Pick it up, feel it out!” he says excitedly.

I pick up the bow up by the grip, and lift it, finding it incredibly light. The bow itself is fairly large, which surprises me considering its light weight. I pinch the golden string with my thumb and index finger and wonder what it’s made from.

As if he can read my mind, Elijah explains. “The bow itself is made from the wood of a dark Yew tree. The black colouring is natural, and I had Troan carve the weaves. Yew wood is naturally light, and is what most of our bows are made out of, as they are easy to handle. The string is actually elven hair, but this particular one is special, as it’s what we called Solaris’ favourite. The Sun God, once every so often allows a golden haired elf to be born, the last one was over a millennium ago. The golden hair on this bow was a gift from Elder Forlum after he found out you were leaving…..The quiver is something I designed, small and compact, easy to take away with you…there’s also a set of arrows, laced with Silver.”

I place the bow back into the box and shot up and hugged my friend tightly. “I love it, thank you so much!” I exclaimed, unable to contain my appreciation and excitement. “I’m so glad that I’ll now be able to put that training into good use.” We both laughed. I had been training on and off with Elijah for the last few months and could hold a bow up and shoot an arrow. Nine times out of ten I could hit the target.

“I’m really glad you like it Aliana. I hope you see this as taking a part of me with you, wherever your travels take you.” He says sadly. We let go of each other and I bend down to pick the bow back up and sling it over my head and set it across my chest. It fits perfectly. “How did you know what size I was?” I asked quizzically, before Elijah shrugged.

“Orla gave me a hint” he said, and winked at the same time. They’re both such schemers!

I picked up the quiver and inspect the arrows more closely. “What made you choose silver instead of just Iron?” I ask, wondering why waste the silver on arrows that could be lost.

“Because I know for a fact you’ll head into the dark forest.” I look at him, still unsure by why the arrows are silver. He catches on and continues “Silver is fatal to werewolves…and more specifically, it seems the books I’ve read indicate that rogues have a much more difficult time healing from silver.”

I form an O shape with my mouth, understanding his response. He knows that I will end up heading that way if I find nothing to the North East.

“Thank you Elijah, this really means a lot to me.” I say, my heart hurting that this may be the last time I see him, ever. This will be the last evening I spend with my best friend, with no guarantee I will see him again.

Elijah notices how upset I am and gives me one more hug. “I will be seeing you off tomorrow morning. I will come round just before dawn. Make sure to pack your essentials, because it may be a while until you see civilisation again.” He says with a small smile.

I say goodnight to Elijah, pick up the bow and quiver full of arrows and leave the house. Tomorrow, I will be leaving the Druida community, a place I’ve called home for almost a year and one of the very few places I have felt safe since my family died.

I enter the temporary housing I was given, and start rummaging through the house for must have items and placing them on the table in the centre of the room. By the time I was finished, I was shattered. I flopped onto my bed and I was asleep in no time.