At first glance, Ceri appears to be your average, run-of-the-mill elf. Small, lithe and graceful as the wind. Until she trips over her own two feet. She doesn't carry the arrogance so many claim entitled to by birth alone. But hers hasn't been the typical life. Her path took a turn some 230 years ago at the young age of 57.
Ceri Aidan Elen was born in the small village of Newhaven. Wood Elf by birth in a place where having girls was a rare gift. Her name loosely translates as Lovely Flaming Star. Her parents were quickly approached with requests to betroth her to one of the many sons without a match. They refused believing she should have a right to choose her own husband. There'd be plenty to choose from.
A precocious child with a penchant for trouble, her parents couldn't count the times she'd stirred up a hornets nest..quite literally most times. Curiosity abounds. We all know what happened to the overly curious cat.
On a dark night in the middle of winter, her life would change dramatically. The village was built high in the redwood trees well out of sight of anyone who did not know of it's existence. Entrance was made through a labyrinth of bridges and ladders which were lifted when strangers were sighted. Somehow the humans had discovered them. As humans tend to do, they allowed greed to spur them forward in an all out assault on the 'rich' elven clans. However, wood elves treasure nature more than material things. Fire rimmed arrows burned down the homes. Elves who didn't jump to their deaths were killed at the sharp end of a blade. The small, peaceful village was completely destroyed. All for gold they did not possess or have need for. Just before meeting their own bloody demise, her parents, in a desperate attempt to save her, told her to do the one thing she'd often gotten in trouble for..."Climb. Climb as high as you can and do not come down until all is quiet."
Ceri did just that. Finding a strong bough well above the chaos where she spent three long nights. Afraid to come down. On the second night, she wasn't alone. A strange, ethereal figure suddenly appeared beside her. Emminating warmth and security. His name was Levi. A guardian..angel of sorts but not. She would later find out he was part of a race of beings sent only to observe the goings on of other lifeforms. In her case, he broke the rules and interceded. Offering comfort as they waited for the humans to filter through all the charred remains of the homes. Finding nothing they deemed of value. Once they were gone, he bundled up the frightened child in his arms and promised to find her a new home.
That new home was with a human family in Ravenblade. The very race of people who had destroyed everything important in her life. Yet the couple were kind and loving. Twas there she learned all races were not so very different. She thrived under their watchful gaze. They soon had children of their own giving her two human brothers, Archer and Trey. The family formed strong bonds that lasted right up until their deaths of old age. Leaving her alone again.
Levi was never far. Once she grew into adulthood, he returned. Being so young at the time of the rescue, she had no memories of him. Her parents told her an old wizard had delivered her into their hands. They didn't know who he really was. Nor did she when they met a second time. He'd watched her grow into a lovely, young woman. Helped to keep her out of trouble. Which was a challenging task at best. During the course of those years, he'd fallen in love with her. Didn't take long for her to reciprocate those feelings. He was her first love, her first kiss, her first everything. Gentle, sweet, and kind. He wanted to marry her. There was one problem. His people would never allow it. He'd broken the pact set in place thousands of years before. It wasn't the inability to marry that was their downfall. It was the truth. He informed her of who he was and his purpose on earth. How he'd had the ability to stop the savage attack on her people but didn't. The rules forbid him from doing so. But he had saved her. She saw his mercy as an act of selfishness. Levi could have..no, SHOULD have..done more for her people. A transgression Ceri could not find the heart to forgive. Not right away.
Months after the breakup, his brother Solice, came to tell her of his death. He'd left the path. His life was forfeit. Was a devastating blow to her. One of so many. He told her not to weep. Their people never truly die. His essence had been absorbed into Solice. Though not the same as having him with them, his memories and feelings still lingered. His love for her was true and remained. She and Levi forged a bond not even time could break. A bond that lived on within Solice. His brother would remain in her life. Watching. Not interfering. Whatever consquences she set forth would have to be suffered. He is a presence, no..more than that..a friend, who still comes around from time to time. As Levi desires him to do.
::to be continued::
Ceri Aidan Elen was born in the small village of Newhaven. Wood Elf by birth in a place where having girls was a rare gift. Her name loosely translates as Lovely Flaming Star. Her parents were quickly approached with requests to betroth her to one of the many sons without a match. They refused believing she should have a right to choose her own husband. There'd be plenty to choose from.
A precocious child with a penchant for trouble, her parents couldn't count the times she'd stirred up a hornets nest..quite literally most times. Curiosity abounds. We all know what happened to the overly curious cat.
On a dark night in the middle of winter, her life would change dramatically. The village was built high in the redwood trees well out of sight of anyone who did not know of it's existence. Entrance was made through a labyrinth of bridges and ladders which were lifted when strangers were sighted. Somehow the humans had discovered them. As humans tend to do, they allowed greed to spur them forward in an all out assault on the 'rich' elven clans. However, wood elves treasure nature more than material things. Fire rimmed arrows burned down the homes. Elves who didn't jump to their deaths were killed at the sharp end of a blade. The small, peaceful village was completely destroyed. All for gold they did not possess or have need for. Just before meeting their own bloody demise, her parents, in a desperate attempt to save her, told her to do the one thing she'd often gotten in trouble for..."Climb. Climb as high as you can and do not come down until all is quiet."
Ceri did just that. Finding a strong bough well above the chaos where she spent three long nights. Afraid to come down. On the second night, she wasn't alone. A strange, ethereal figure suddenly appeared beside her. Emminating warmth and security. His name was Levi. A guardian..angel of sorts but not. She would later find out he was part of a race of beings sent only to observe the goings on of other lifeforms. In her case, he broke the rules and interceded. Offering comfort as they waited for the humans to filter through all the charred remains of the homes. Finding nothing they deemed of value. Once they were gone, he bundled up the frightened child in his arms and promised to find her a new home.
That new home was with a human family in Ravenblade. The very race of people who had destroyed everything important in her life. Yet the couple were kind and loving. Twas there she learned all races were not so very different. She thrived under their watchful gaze. They soon had children of their own giving her two human brothers, Archer and Trey. The family formed strong bonds that lasted right up until their deaths of old age. Leaving her alone again.
Levi was never far. Once she grew into adulthood, he returned. Being so young at the time of the rescue, she had no memories of him. Her parents told her an old wizard had delivered her into their hands. They didn't know who he really was. Nor did she when they met a second time. He'd watched her grow into a lovely, young woman. Helped to keep her out of trouble. Which was a challenging task at best. During the course of those years, he'd fallen in love with her. Didn't take long for her to reciprocate those feelings. He was her first love, her first kiss, her first everything. Gentle, sweet, and kind. He wanted to marry her. There was one problem. His people would never allow it. He'd broken the pact set in place thousands of years before. It wasn't the inability to marry that was their downfall. It was the truth. He informed her of who he was and his purpose on earth. How he'd had the ability to stop the savage attack on her people but didn't. The rules forbid him from doing so. But he had saved her. She saw his mercy as an act of selfishness. Levi could have..no, SHOULD have..done more for her people. A transgression Ceri could not find the heart to forgive. Not right away.
Months after the breakup, his brother Solice, came to tell her of his death. He'd left the path. His life was forfeit. Was a devastating blow to her. One of so many. He told her not to weep. Their people never truly die. His essence had been absorbed into Solice. Though not the same as having him with them, his memories and feelings still lingered. His love for her was true and remained. She and Levi forged a bond not even time could break. A bond that lived on within Solice. His brother would remain in her life. Watching. Not interfering. Whatever consquences she set forth would have to be suffered. He is a presence, no..more than that..a friend, who still comes around from time to time. As Levi desires him to do.
::to be continued::