Chapter II: Shooting Stars and Lost Promises

Yesterday was truly an immersive experience, having been able to converse on important matters with the young moon elves and seeing that starlight sparkle in their eyes; sparkles of piety and wonder for the world that I, knowing how cruel this place could be, no longer have.

As the golden light of the sun carressed the crowns of the ancient eldre-bark trees of the Emerald Glade, nothing could be more certain than a new day which had just begun.

Today started peaceful and quiet as with any other day; a few moments I relish while listening to the sound of the birds chirping merrily in the distance and while sipping on my still-hot bittersweet Moondew herbal tea before I head on to face today's hurdles.

And, as always, these short moments were interrupted by the wailing of lamentation of yet another elf widowed by her husband who, like all moon elves who transformed into blight elves, disappeared mysteriously in the dark of night.

A moment for concern really, but, when stuff like these happen everyday (i.e. children losing a mother or a father or both, husbands losing their wives and vice versa) and there's nothing you can do about it then you just sit down and continue on with your morning - is what anyone would want to do.

That however, is a luxury I simply cannot afford. No, everything I do, I do for my people. I hurriedly stood up and visited the troubled elf and comforted her with all the positivity that's left in me.

Thankfully it worked, and with time to spare I returned to my humble bungalow and rested a bit.

The sad reality of my life is that it just gets so hard trying to cope up with everything when they are all happening so fast and I end up feeling crippled to be chasing so slow; and it's much harder trying to fight for a brighter future that even I fail to see.

A few hours later, as I was preparing to make my rounds in patrolling the eastern outskirts of the Emerald Glade (It's nothing much as I do this daily, beyond which is only where Alice assembles her army of blight elves and where she plots my kin's utter demise.)

I sensed several footsteps approaching. Based on the feather-weight and nimble nature of each step, I would say my fellow Scout-Rangers have returned from their patrols.

I guessed right.

When I turned to look at them and greet them on this sunny day, all I see are bloodied, weathered faces with eyes who have surely gazed on the most unspeakable horrorrs known to the Land of Dawn.

They were Rosden and Mikko, two of my finest apprentices and my closest friends. I consider them my younger brothers, and me, their older sister.

What mortal dread could it be that they've been witnesses to?

As the two drew near me, one of them suffered weak knees and almost fell headfirst to the gound; luckily my reflexes acted before a bird could flap it's wings and I was able to catch him.

"First-bow Miya... Sis... *heavy panting* I-.... We-.... Alice-...." The words stumbled in the mouth of Scout-Ranger Rosden (the one I kept from falling).

"Woah calm down! Don't forget to breathe Rosden. Breeeaaathe." I said in hopes of easing this hulking stallion of a moon elf.

"Ok, now, what was it you were supposed to be telling me? And where's the rest of your party? I sent four of you didn't I? Why did only two come back to report to me? I trust they are not slacking off during such crucial times!"

"Slacking off? N-no Sis. Yes you sent four of us as a party.... and only Mikko and I returned... but that is because.... because..."

"Because they were slain, my First-Bow. Felled by those treacherous blight elves." Mikko finished Rosden's statements seeing as he was still out of breath.

"Slain? By blight elves?" The disappointment weighed down on me. Not on my scout-rangers, I was disappointed on myself for not being more sensible.

I must remain strong, conceal this weakness as I have all my life.

"I precisely instructed you to not go beyond the eastern outskirts haven't I? It's become too dangerous beyond our Emerald Glade."

"We didn't, my First-Bow. We made sure to follow as you instructed, but it's just that the blight elves weren't just outside the outskirts..."

"What do you mean not "outside the outskirts"?"

"They have started moving in towards the eastern outskirts. It is without a doubt that in the coming days, they will be deeper into the glade."

The words hit me harder than a raging antler ever could. The invasion is starting, and I'm afraid I'm still too weak to stop it.

"I will consult with the council meeting immediately. In the meantime, I suggest that you two visit the infirmary."

"Thank you, Sis."

Right now, I'm left with no choice but to discuss the matter at hand with the council and seek the wisdom of the elders. But before that, there is still something that has to be done.

I walk towards his shrine here at the heart of the forest where we used to play as kids back when his father before him the late King Thalassil was still the one who sat on the throne, and I could still feel his presence pulsing in the surroundings; from the narrowest roots of the great tree to its majestic boughs.

It is a presence I have longed for a very long time. A presence I wish was here beside me to lead with and comfort me in these troubling times.

"It must feel nice to sleep through it all huh? I wish I could, but unlike you I dare not forsake my responsibility to our people. You'd probably give me a piece of your mind by saying "When the sleep calls, the Moon King answers."

"I wouldn't mind. In fact, I want you to give me a piece of your mind. I- I want you here with me, Estes. It hurts enough having to be alone, but it pains me so much more knowing you didn't intend to keep your promise in the first place."

Tears started streaming involuntarily from my face. Why does it have to every single time?

"Oh my stars I'm crying again... "

"Do you remember? The promise you gave me?"

*Recalls a moment in time*

"T- Teetee! Don't you think it's getting late? I bet our parents are worried sick that we've been eaten by trolls or something. And how much deeper into the grove do you plan to go?"

"Just a little further my princess..."

"I told you don't call me that! I AM NOT some needy, helpless princess in need of someone's saving. I'm an archer who gets by her own disasters!"

"Then perhaps you'd prefer to be my queen?"

The world slowed down as I heard those words from my childhood friend who I have grown to love more every passing day.

No, butterflies were not in my stomach.

It's like they've only grown to be the size of lions and sucked the nectar out of me.

YES! OF COURSE I FELT FLATTERED!

The way he looked at me with his pale glowing eyes, the way the silver light danced with the forest around us. It was my very first experience of magic in this life.

"Mimi, under the light of Mother Moon and with every serenity that this clearing has graced us this evening, I make this promise to you, my love who holds my heart and who I will marry when the time is right, that no power on earth could separate me from you, that only death could keep us apart."

*Recall ends*

"....I- It's late, our people are probably looking for me right now. They are in need of me, but they are in need of you more. I just wanted to let you know, if you're atleast listening to me now, that everynight, we still gather around at the Moonspire and pray to the Mother Moon for her help."

"We pray that she awakens you from your slumber. And you know what? Everynight we get disappointed."

"Not to our Mother Moon for not answering our prayers, not to you our Moon King for not rousing from your sleep, but to ourselves for continuing to foster faith for those who have clearly forsaken us..."

"This may be the last time I get to visit you alive... the next time would probably be my corpse paraded by the blight elves of the Blood Queen."

"Though I truly despise myself for not being able to hate you, know that I still love you, as I have and as I always will, and a part of me hopes that you too loves me still."

"Farewell."