Topic: A Fae's Journey

(Lost To Time)

Date: 2007-02-20 10:34 EST
—-The Lonely Wood—-

Over the past few years, the Faewood had gone quiet. No longer did it seem to hold the vibrant life of their queen....or the wolfwalkers. Avari had been too young to remember the attack, but, following the marring battle, the ones who had called the Faewood their home began to leave. The visiting elven dignitaries had departed earlier, but they had their own troubles. The winds whispered of murder most foul; the victim was the elven prince before he could take the throne. Had they not had their own nation to save, the army of the elves would have surely provided aid.

But it had all come too late, and very little of the fae remained. The dwindled population mostly consisted of the elderly who had nowhere to go and families who still had young children to raise. During the battle, Rhiannon was with child and in no condition to travel.

Avari had always known her mother was someone important. Rhiannon ever seemed to have a noble bearing, though she was not royalty, a fact of which she was most emphatic. Rather, her mother spoke of....clans, or something like it when asked, but she would say no more, as if it were something best let be forgotten. Avari's given surname was not even her mother's, though she never knew why.

It was hard on her, being raised in the lonely wood. Those who could leave did, trying to find the trail of the rest of their kin. Avari was not the youngest, but only two families remained when she was old enough to go out into the world alone. Her mother presented her with a necklace on the day Avari was to depart. Rhiannon was to go in search of the lost leaders of the clans....and the queen. "Take this locket," her mother said as she clasped it around the young fae's neck. "It was a gift to me from my mother." Avari's heart was filled with a sort of sad excitement. She truly did not wish to leave her mother, the only family she had ever known, but there was a wanderlust in her, such a desire to see the world that she had no way of keeping it at bay.

The fae embraced, both with tears to shed, but they offered one another brave smiles. Avari clutched the locket, knowing her mother would always be with her, and began her journey. The spring air was warm, and her heart was light....and heavy. It was a strange feeling to know she wouldn't be coming back home, that there'd be no one left. But oh! Adventure awaited her over the horizon, and it seemed she could not reach it fast enough!