The Enchanted Forest: A Quest for the Lost Kingdom

Chapter 2: Into the Forest

The map she held in her hands told her to go at dawn, because she was very nervous, so she started just at sunrise. She could see the wide lips of Enchanted Forest in the distance. Even from a long way off, she could see it looked ancient, and that the light was distant, filtered through branches and leaves. The trees were twisted and gnarled, growing thickly, and the shadows reached out in long fingers. The further she got into the Enchanted Forest, the more the close-together, thick-trunked trees pressed around her until it was dark.

Elara took a deep breath, then stepped into the woods, and was enveloped by the suffocating cool air, enriched with the smells of pine and earth, and punctuated along the high branches by the din of the astonishing chorus of birdsong. The path was thin and curved and flighty, vanishing frequently into heavy vegetation. Stepping dutifully, navigating by the chart’s instructions, Elara looked left and right, keeping an eye out for anything amiss.

Further and further into the forest she walked, marvelling at flowers that burned with internal fire and shimmered throughout the night, at streams that flowed with a light from another realm, at animals that she knew from legend but had never seen before. The forest cast its spell, but it wasn’t going to distract Elara. The journey would be hard and would take a long time, but she would make sure she completed it.

On the third day, she went to rest by a stream. She had barely closed her eyes when she heard a rustle among the bushes. Elara woke up immediately and drew the dagger from her belt. A small, surprised face appeared through the foliage. It was a young faun with big eyes, curved legs and a covered in white hair. Only their smooth muzzle and two large ears were exposed.

‘Good day,’ said the faun in a friendly voice, peering curiously at me. ‘What are you doing here in the wood beyond the meeting place in the evening? You are not a friend of Pan, I presume.’

Elara seemed at ease and smiled. ‘I’m looking for the Lost Kingdom. Have you heard of it?’

Faun’s eyes grow larger. The Lost Kingdom? Yes, many have seeked it, though none has foud. Wenwyrm. Why seekest thou the Lost Kingdom?

Then Elara told him why she’d come and showed the faun the map. He studied it for a long time, then nodded thoughtfully. This map is very ancient,’ he said. ‘It shows paths that are no longer there and features that have changed, but I can help you. My name is Thistle, and I know these woods well.

Thankful for the offer of help, Elara allowed herself to be led by Thistle, and they followed the stream for many days, hopping over fallen logs, kicking aside rocks, and brushing aside thorny bushes. Thistle led the way, knowing the terrain and paths the forest had to offer.