Shadows Over Eldoven: The Siege of Enchanted Whispers

The people were in chaos, as the darkness that loomed over them was rising by the second and there was nothing they could do. The elves tried to ward of the darkness with their elemental abilities but to no avail. Aerylin's confirmation was right all along but no one believed her, now it cost her her friendship. Nerida was told by Aerylin not to come by but Nerida had no choice than to go visit her not so old friend.

The elder elf on Nerida's way sent for Nerida. He sent Lord Shiku to Nerida. Nerida was bent on going to Aerylin's house to find out what to do, Lord Shiku was not aware of that, he captured her and brought her to the elder elf.

She was knelt, facing the elder elf who was not happy at all about the rising action displaying on their village.

'Where is your friend Aerylin?' The elder elf asked Nerida. Nerida did not want to utter a single word to the elder elf because she felt he causes the whole catastrophe that the villagers were presently facing because of his pride. 'Answer me' he said once more. Nerida had no choice but to speak. 'I don't know, she broke up our friendship not too long ago' Nerida finally spoke.

'Liar!' Lord Shiku exclaimed retorting. 'I am not lying, we broke up our friend not to long ago' Nerida said. 'She speaks the truth' Lord Comare said. 'And how do you know that?' the Elder elf asked while holding his almost ten inches long staff with an orb at the top. 'I scanned her mind and nerves and they all seem to be in acceptance with what she has said so far' Lord Comare replied. 'So what do we do now, I mean how do we get her?' the elder elf asked. 'I think I know how' Lord Shiku replied, then a dramatic pose struck his face so bright.

******

Nerida knocked on the door, let's guess, it was Aerylin's door.

'Who is it?' Aerylin asked from her room. 'It's Shiku' Lord Shiku replied as a look of disgust was written all over Aerylin's face. She opened the door but did not allow him come in. 'State your mission' she asked Lord Shiku. 'Must you always be this arrogant each time you see or interact with me?' Lord Shiku asked. 'Must you always be so hesitant to infest in my privacy?' Aerylin asked. He was speechless suddenly she felt some sensations in her head, it was only Nerida that sent such signals to her during times of trouble or whenever any of them was about to get in trouble. 

[AERYLIN'S THOUGHTS] 'Nerida is that you, if you are near by, please answer me, reply' Aerylin thought. 'What are you thinking about, my dear?' Lord Shiku asked while sitting on a hand made chair, it was made out of lemon grass, some weeds, some old twigs put together and some string lines. 

'Nothing, why do you care all of a sudden?' Aerylin asked. 'Well, it's because you are my niece and...' Lord Shiku started giving details but Aerylin was not listening, Nerida had sent back some information. 

[NERIDA'S THOUGHT] 'Aerylin, I can't talk right now, there is a mind reader elf with me, so I need to be careful, they are taking me somewhere' Nerida said in thought.

[AERYLIN'S THOUGHT] 'Where are they taking you?' 

[NERIDA'S THOUGHT] 'I don't know, they blind folded me, but all I know is your Uncle is up to no good, no matter the amount of sweet talk, do not let your guard down'

[AERYLIN THOUGHT] 'I thought as much, so what do I do now?' 

[NERIDA THOUGHT] 'I can't talk much but later, when I am sure where I am then I can help' 

[AERYLIN'S THOUGHT] 'OK, we'll speak later'

'....that's why I need to look out for you, now do you understand Aerylin?' Lord Shiku asked looking at her. 'Yes, I mean no, I mean leave me alone' Aerylin replied. 'Yeesh still hanging with cold shoulder, that's not a new development, um, ok, fine give me the cold shoulder all you want, I will stop hanging in your hair' Lord Shiku said leaving, he stood up from the chair he was sitting and started walking to the door.

[AERYLIN'S THOUGHT] 'He looks and sounds sincere, but Nerida said he is up to no good, maybe I should just listen to what he wants to say then if he is for good I might give him a little chance and give him the benefit of doubt' she thought.

'Um, UNCLE' Aerylin said, Lord Shiku was about opening the door when those words came out of her mouth. He was satisfied with what she said but at the same time he could not believe his ears, he took a little time to process his thoughts.

[LORD SHIKU'S THOUGHT] 'I can't believe that she could be so humble, could this be...this might be a trap, I better go and answer her before she changes her mind, now that I want to make amends.

He turned around and went only a few steps pretending not be happy at all with what she was saying. 'What is it? I know you want to tell me never to come back, I know I will leave at least to give you your peace of mind' Lord Shiku replied his rhetorical question.

'No it's not about that, please stay, I want to say something' Aerylin said. 

Wow, I can't believe Lord Shiku was so shocked by what he heard. It's kind of surprising, to be honest. After everything, especially with Aerylin always giving off those vibes like she just can't stand him, you'd think there wouldn't be any surprises left. I mean, she's never been shy about expressing how much she dislikes him, right? It makes you wonder if there's more to the story. I guess sometimes people can surprise you, even those you least expect. What do you think? Do you think Aerylin's feelings might change, or is it all just front? Would love to hear your thoughts on this!

Aerylin asked Lord Shiku what brought him there, sharing that he wanted her to follow him to the waterfalls was such a sweet way to pique her interest. I mean, who wouldn't want to visit a waterfall, right? 

But then, when Aerylin asked "Why?" it was like the perfect moment for Shiku to reveal that he wanted to teach her the blooming flower trick. I can just imagine the excitement on her face at the thought of learning something magical like that. I feel like that trick has a way of bringing out the beauty in everything, kind of like how a waterfall brings life and energy to its surroundings! 

'I've heard of the blooming flower trick, it's the hardest trick, it takes a skilled water bender and shape-shifter to do it, it blooms a flower out of the magic water fall. Please when do we go, I really love to learn the trick' Aerylin said.

'We can go now! I mean we can go whenever you are free' Lord Shiku said. 'O-Ok, if that's ok with you I will...' Aerylin spoke when the same signals came to her nerves, when she inquired, she found out that it was Nerida. 

[NERIDA'S THOUGHT] 'Aerylin, get out of there, it's no longer safe'

[AERYLIN'S THOUGHT] 'Where are you?' 

[NERIDA'S THOUGHT] 'Get out of there, I'm at the magic waterfalls'

[AERYLIN'S THOUGHT] 'The magic waterfalls, but that's where Lord Shiku my uncle said he was going to take me to teach me one of his tricks'

[NERIDA'S THOUGHT] 'No, do not follow him, he is leading you into a trap, he is planning to take you where I am to trap you'

[AERYLIN'S THOUGHT] 'Trap me, but he looks like a changed person, he is sincere and I can feel it'

[NERIDA'S THOUGHT] 'No, you need to get out of there now, it's a trap'

[AERYLIN'S THOUGHT] 'How do you know it's a trap?'

[NERIDA'S THOUGHT] 'They're sending soldiers towards your house, you need to get a weapon or better still sneak out of the house.

'Aerylin, what are you thinking about, you seem to be lost in thought?' Lord Shiku asked. 'Um yeah, I am thinking when I will have time to go to the waterfalls seeing that you are a very busy man, so I wanted to give you time to remove all those work load hanging on your shoulders yeesh, I just had to think of a more appropriate time to you know...' Aerylin said as she was being cut off by her Lord Shiku.

'It's fine, I can see you do not want t go with me that is why you think I am a very busy man, but just for you to know, the moon elves will be bathing at the water fall today so today it will be more powerful than ever, so I thought to go now but if you say any other time, then it stands' Lord Shiku said.

Aerylin took pity on his face and decided to follow him.

'Ok fine I....' Aerylin said when the signal came again.

[NERIDA'S THOUGHTS] 'Aerylin get out of there!'

Immediately, some soldiers barged into Aerylin's house, they were heavily armed and then a string was shot right to her chest, she looked downwards on where it was shot and gasped. She did not speak only turned t her uncle who was downcast and somewhat unhappy about what happened. Aerylin had no where to go now she was TRAPPED!