Maia Elessar's story

[Anonymous]

It is common knowledge that elven kind live very long lives.  My mother was near the end of her life cycle when she brought me into this world.  She passed through the veil just before my thirteenth naming day.  My father, consumed by grief, followed shortly thereafter.  The Arcanist Aeluva, my mother’s second sister, took me in.  I became her apprentice later that year.  It is from her that I learned about my older brother.

It is rare for an elf to leave our beloved Heartwood, never to return.  Alas, my brother, Envinyatar, is one such elf.  He left for his apprenticeship before I was born.  He returned briefly to warn the Elders about the abomination that created Soulstones, and then vanished again.

I’ve lived a sheltered life among my kind, wanting only to learn our ancient art of Spellweaving and tend the trees in and around Heartwood.  I have an uncanny connection with animals, even for an elf, and feel most comfortable out in the forest among them.  It was through the noblest of all creatures, the Unicorns, that I first heard of the troubles surrounding the United Tamers of Britannia Guild.  

I knew from my aunt’s stories my brother was connected with this guild in some way, so I grew concerned that some harm might befall him.  Calling on Aranthi, my Unicorn familiar, I began the long journey to Skara Brae, the ranger town of Britannia, to search for Envinyatar.  During my travels through the strange and unfamiliar land, I learned some disturbing stories about the disappearance of many of the guild members, including my brother, and of the downfall of the guild at large.  I forged on in spite of this.

Arriving in Skara Brae one evening, I was met by one Emma Silvermane, and elf of wide renown and a former member of the guild, now allied with the Royal Britannian Guard.  She spied me hiding behind the stables in the forest, afraid to come into the open.

“I recognize you as a sister to Envinyatar,” she gently called out.  “Please, don’t be scared of my Lucky Dragon, he is tame and will not eat you.  Come out from under the trees.”

I obliged reluctantly.  I had never been in a town such as this, but was comforted by her words.

“You know my brother?”

“Ah, yes.  Your brother is a good friend of mine.  We’ve had many an adventure together and he has recently returned from self-imposed exile to join the Guard.”

“The Guard?  But I heard that he was a member of the United Tamers.”  The look of sadness on Emma Silvermane’s face was almost too much to bear.

“The United Tamers are no more.  Ill times have befallen the members of the guild, and many, like your brother, have given up hope and moved on.”  Emma briefly conveyed to me the events of the past year.

“I am sorry, young one.  I know that you must not have expected this.  You should return to the Heartwood.  Inform the Elders of what has come to pass and return to your studies.”

“But is there no hope,” I pleaded.  Emma looked out at me from heavy lidded eyes, rimmed with unshed tears.

“I can give you but one name.  It has been whispered lately, among stablehands who remain loyal to the United Tamers.”  Emma took a breath and said, “Volrina.”

She ran a hand over Lucky’s wing, seeming to be caught in thoughts of the past.  Shaking her head, she turned back to me, “I am truly sorry that I could not be of more assistance.  I must return to Luna, I have several matters I must attend to.  Take my advice and return to the Heartwood.  One such as you is not ready to be out in the world.”

Turning to my unicorn, she had a sparkle in her eye that I hadn’t noticed before.  “You would be wise to follow my advice, as well, Aranthi.  Dark times are ahead; word of the Shadowlord return is spreading like wildfire.  Your mother would be most unpleased with me if harm should befall you outside the Heartwood.”

Opening a portal to travel away, she suddenly turned to me.  “Be strong, Maia Elessar.  If the rumors are true, hope comes.”

Returning to the forest behind the stables, I slumped against a large tree trunk.  “What should I do, Aranthi?  Should I heed her words and return home?”

A snort was her reply.  Aranthi leveled a stare at me as if in challenge to my doubts.  Knowing her fiery disposition, I could guess what she was thinking.

“Alright, my friend.  We will remain here to keep watch.  But no more eating mongbats, they give you gas.”


(PS... Envinyatar's story that I wrote long ago is lost to me.  I wrote it in a book for a contest on Chesapeake and gave several copies of it away.  If anyone has this book in their possession, or has seen it in a library, please let me know.  I would love to post it here.  I'll keep searching the libraries that I know of.  Thanks.)