Beyond the Edge of The Wild

Chapter 1

Cellinel hummed a tune. She sat, basking in the sunlight at her desk and widdling away at some arrows. Cellinel admittedly had troubles stirring within her mind. She was afraid. For quite a while now, the she-elf had felt a sticky darkness creep into the Greenwood. She now understood why the nearby men called her home Mirkwood - the forest paths were confusing, even in their natural state, and now shadows and evil were slowly taking over the forest, giving all those who enter a terrible state of dread.

With a slight sigh, Cellinel finished crafting her last arrow and pinched out the flame that was illuminating her work station. She slouched and held her head in her hands. Usually, spending her free time on patrol or crafting arrows would calm her nerves. On this particular day, it did not work. She still felt an impending sense of dread. She stood abruptly, wincing at the sound of her finely crafted wooden chair scraping against the stone floor of her chambers. She crossed her room in three long strides, and equipped her favorite bow before trotting off to the forest.

The Greenwood was sick, that much she knew. She knew little else, besides the fact that the constant darkness washing over the place was the fault of the Necromancer. She had a sinking feeling that little could be done to stop him, although she would be the first to give her life for her home, if the chance should ever arise. She paced among the trees, occasionally reaching out to touch a great oak. She listened to her footsteps, falling almost silently on the foliage beneath her. The wind blew through her long, unbraided hair, and Cellinel felt calm. She felt determined, and almost happy. In that instant, she knew that her purpose was to save the Woodland Realm.

She exhaled, climbing a tree. She often travelled through the treetops of her home, so she was able to scale the mighty object with grace, more so than other woodland elves could. Cellinel took pride in her climbing and her marksmanship. She frowned. From her new vantage point amongst the treetops, she could see the palace behind her. The scenery around it was lush and vibrant, forcing the area to live up to its name of the mighty Greenwood. In the other direction, however, a gloom lurked. Cellinel could see the silhouettes of dying trees, and a few sparse spider colonies. The dying parts of the Greenwood carried a gloomy atmosphere and were full of dangers. This much was common knowledge. Guards on patrols have been reporting these changes occurring for much of her lifetime. So far, there was very little knowledge of what it was or how to stop it.

She turned her back to the infected area of her home, and started the short journey back toward the palace. Expertly making her way through the treetops, she found herself wanting nothing more than to be alone. She needed to find a solution. Perhaps she would speak with the king about organizing a party to destroy the darkness. She knew that nothing could be that easy, though.

Nearing the roof of a tall nearby building, Cellinel jumped. She let herself land with a thud on the roof and felt the uncomfortable pressure of the shingles digging into her skin. She stood, and brushed herself off. She climbed up onto another roof, before entering the palace via a hall window. She stiffened. She was grateful that no one was around to see her unconventional entrance.

"My friend, you can be heard from a great many miles," A voice sounded from behind Cellinel, followed by a chuckle. Cellinel whipped around, startled by the presence of the new elf.