Logline

An elf, unaware of the power she holds, searches for her own kind while fighting against threats who seek to destroy her and everyone she holds dear.

Blurb

Born an elf into a world where elves are hunted and killed, twenty-two year old Faeda fears she may be the last of her kind. Hiding amongst those who would sooner see her demise than help her, Faeda is forced to live a life of secrecy. When she hears whispers of a place filled with those of her kind, Faeda goes out on a desperate journey to find them. However, as she meets and discovers new friends and companions, Faeda has a gruesome realization: there are beings out there killing people like Faeda—and they're working for more powerful beings. Now, Faeda must protect her new friends and keep herself safe...before she and those she loves are killed.

~Prologue~

"Arnasa, Arabella." The midwife inhaled deeply. "Breathe."

The elf let out a piercing scream as she held tightly to the midwife's pale hand, her screams drowning out the screams from outside. Her dark skin was caked with sweat, her dark red, curly hair laying matted around her.

"Are they not here yet?" she asked weakly.

"I'm afraid not. But, we cannot wait any longer. This baby is coming, whether you want it to or not."

A tear ran down Arabella's face. "Please, Lena, I cannot...," she groaned, shifting in the bed. "I will not bear this child without him here. I need...I need Eldar." She let out another agonizing cry, squeezing Lena's hand. It felt like her insides were being torn apart. She turned her head, looking out the window of her one floor wooden house. All she saw was darkness and smoke. "How...how is it out there?"

Grabbing a wet towel, Lena patted the mother's forehead. "It's pure chaos. The elves are doing their best to fight them off, but...he is destroying everything and everyone." Lena let out a soft sigh. "Arabella, your child may not make it."

Arabella shook her head. "My child will. Trust me." She paused. "How far are they?"

Lena grew silent, listening. "Gage said about 10 miles, but-" she was interrupted by another loud cry, Arabella's back arching off the white bed. "This baby is coming. We cannot delay. I'm sorry." She raised from the bed, standing at the foot of it. "Now, bultza."

Arabella screamed as she began pushing.

"Bai!" exclaimed Lena. "Yes! Keep pushing!"

But, she could not hear Lena's words of encouragement, all she could feel was pain. So much agonizing pain...and it wouldn't stop.

Arabella didn't know how long she was pushing. It seemed never ending. She needed Eldar. Needed his strength.

"You are doing so good, Arabella," praised Lena. "Now, I just need one more push. Give me one more."

Arabella gave one last cry that caused the sound to bounce off the walls and shake the house. She felt as if her body was on fire. Burning flames dancing on her skin, her legs shaking.

Then it all stopped. Everything was silent.

But, the silence was soon broken by a soft cry.

"Arabella," said Lena softly. "It's a girl."

Arabella tiredly propped herself up on pillows as she opened her arms. Lena carried the child over to her, wrapping her in a white blanket, then paused. A tear rolled down her cheek. She looked into the eyes of Arabella. "I'll give you as much time as I can." She lay the child in Arabella's arms. "It has been an honor." She quickly turned, leaving the bedroom and the house.

Arabella rocked the baby in her arms, quietly humming a tune.

The screams from outside grew louder and louder. They were getting closer. She looked down at her daughter and smiled. Her skin was ebony and her hair was mahogany. Her golden eyes opened and closed. "My beautiful baby girl. You don't know it yet, but you are so special. Your eyes hold so much power. And your hands," she kissed the tiny fingers, "hold so much strength. My beautiful, Faeda. Be strong." She placed a soft kiss on her baby's pointed ear. "Maite zaitut. That means 'I love you'."

She slowly stood from the bed and walked into the main room. Lowering to her knees, she moved a knitted rug and picked up one of the wide floorboards. There lay a small empty space. Looking down at her child, she gave a small smile. She opened her mouth to say something only to be interrupted by a loud banging on the door. Raising her hand, a white mist flowed from her fingers, covering the door as the banging grew louder.

Faeda begin to cry. "Shh," whispered Arabella. She placed two fingers on the child's lips, silencing her. Faeda grew quiet, her eyes slowly closing. Holding back her tears, Arabella placed her forehead against hers. "I love you so much." She planted a soft kiss on her forehead, then placed her in the small space.

As she placed the board down, the mist cleared from the door and seconds later, the door flung open to a dark creature standing before her, snarling. Arabella rose to her feet, staring at the creature. "Make it quick," she said coldly.

The creature snarled, then launched itself at her.

Arabella fell to the floor with a thud, her breaths ragged. Claw marks and blood covered her face and nightgown, the creature vanishing.

A couple feet away stood a tall figure, covered with darkness, his glowing purple eyes never leaving hers. He moved closer to her as her vision blurred. He had a young face and brown hair.

Unable to fight it, her eyes slowly closed as she whispered "Eldar". 

*   *   *

A large, dark skinned man, covered in silver and golden armor, jumped off his six legged horse, looking around. He was wounded. Tired. His armor was caked with blood and dirt, his large, white wings, tattered.

He was too late.

He had beat the other protectors there and was shocked at what lay before him. Everything was destroyed. Houses were in flames. Bodies covered the streets. His stomach churned. He felt as if he would vomit.

"Arabella," he muttered.

Jumping back on his horse, he rode through the streets, managing to miss all the bodies. He rode further into the village to see more bodies, when he saw his home in the distance. He rode faster until he reached it.

Jumping off the horse, he ran inside to see his beloved on the floor, in a puddle of red. He cried out as he rushed over to her, falling to his knees. Picking her up, he held her in his arms.

"Please," he whispered, placing his forehead against hers. "Open your eyes one last time." She didn't and immediately, his tears began to fall. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I'm late." He looked beside her to see the word FAEDA written on the floor in blood.

He sniffled, carefully laying her down. Taking a breath, he lifted the board to see the child. He gasped, gently lifting the sleeping girl from the space. He looked back at Arabella and smiled.

"Well, what do we have here?" said a deep voice.

Eldar quickly rose to his feet, unsheathing his sword. He pointed it at the man in the doorway, clutching the baby closer to his chest.

The man had tan skin, short, brown curly hair, and was wearing a blue and gold jacket-like cloak. He held a branched staff in his left hand. His blue eyes bore into Eldar's hazel ones. "I thought protectors weren't allowed to, you know, procreate?" he said. "Thought it was frowned upon."

"Things happen," Eldar replied curtly.

The man chuckled. "Indeed they do."

"Tell me who you are before I remove your head from your body," Eldar threatened. The man held up both his hands, mockingly. "Easy now. The name's Jayce." "Are you with...him?"

He scoffed. "Do I look as if I'm with him?"

Eldar didn't respond. Just continued staring at the man before him. Jayce sighed. "No, I'm not with him."

"Then why are you here? Where did you come from?"

"I'm from the mountains."

"You're a hermit?"

"Yes."

"Thought all hermits had long beards."

Jayce rolled his eyes. "I'm a late bloomer."

"Why are you here?"

"For her," he said, motioning to the baby.

"What do you mean?"

"Arabella," he said, glancing down at her body, "and I were old friends. When she was with child, she sought me out, asking for me to watch over the child if something were to happen. I agreed." Jayce took a step forward only for Eldar to raise the sword higher. "Eldar," he said softly. "Please. What do you think the protectors will do once they find out? Or worse, the celestials. What will happen once they find her? You know the law. You remember what happened last time. They will not make the same mistake again."

Eldar looked down at Faeda. He knew Jayce was right. He had messed up. He had broken the oldest law and now had to suffer the consequences. He looked down at Arabella as a tear escaped, rolling down his cheek.

"Eldar," Jayce continued. "She will be safe with me. I'll protect her with my life and I will make sure no one knows of her existence." Eldar looked up at him. "It's the only way her safety will be guaranteed. I wish things could be different." He paused, his head slightly turning at the rumbling of thunder in the distance. "They're here. Please, Eldar," he pleaded.

Eldar slowly lowered his sword as he looked down at his daughter. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead and whispered against her. He looked at Jayce and nodded. Jayce slowly walked towards him and carefully took the baby from his arms. "If you'd like to visit her, go to the mountain and ask for me."

He shook his head. "It wouldn't be safe. Take care of her."

Jayce nodded. "With my life." He slammed his staff on the ground as a blue mist began to surround them, and in a blink of an eye, they were gone.

Eldar knelt beside his love and took her in his arms. He leaned his forehead against hers. "I love you so much. Til we meet again in eden."

Putting the board down, he gently lay Arabella's body over it and kissed her cold lips. Rising to his feet, he sheathed his sword, wiped his tears, and left the house.