Elven Raised

A mysterious woman silently placed a basket with her baby girl under one of the tall beastly mushrooms outside of the Elven Forest. The blue light shining out of the mushroom cap illuminated the child face poking out of the blanket. The woman heart was breaking, but she knew she could not care for the child. The elves would accept her child and care for her the way she couldn't. She carefully brushed her fingertips against the child soft cheeks, careful not to wake her. The woman stifled a sob as she turned and walked away from her baby. The woman was strong-willed and knew what needed to be done to protect her child. She hid along the tree line, far enough away to not be seen but close enough to stop any danger. An hour had passed before the baby began crying out. The woman had to fight off every instinct to comfort her child. She hoped her babies' cries would be loud enough to hear. She was about to give in and go comfort her baby when an elven woman appeared beside the mushroom. The mysterious woman ducked down low but kept her eyes on the elevn woman. The elven woman's skin was pale as snow, and her white blonde hair hung down her back, almost touching the grass. She looked like she was glowing as bright at the mushroom up ahead. The elven women bent down and carefully removed the child from the basket. She held the child close to her as her eyes scanned the area. The mysterious woman remained still. The elven woman finally looked down at the baby and smiled. She slowly turned and slowly began walking back to the darkness with the child in her arms. The mysterious woman with a broken heart stood and watched her child disappear forever with tear filled eyes. Once the elven woman was gone with her child, the mysterious woman took her own life, for she could not deal with the pain of giving up her child. The elven woman named Thalia took the child in as her own. Giving her the name Anna, meaning 'a gift' as that is exactly what this child was to her. A gift from Lycana. Thalia's partner Ailwi also grew to love and care for the child. Anna was raised the same as any elf child. She was raised with compassion and loyalty. Family was everything, and every elf inside the forest was family. She was accepted by everyone. 17 years later: The breeze picked up and lifted my hair, basically blinding me. But I knew where my target was. I released the arrow from in-between my fingers. In seconds, I heard the sound of the arrow piercing the target, followed by my best friend Coonak's laughter "You're cheating somehow, Anna. I don't know how, but I'll find out." Connak joked with me. I smiled pridefully at him as I placed my bow behind my back. "How does one cheat at archery?" I joked back with him as I went to retrieve my arrow from the target board. I was the best archer in my class. "Also, it's only fair that I be good at something. If I wasn't good at anything, I'd be useless." I added in. Connak rolled his eyes and shook his head. His dark hair that was tied up behind him swayed back and forth. His piercing blue eyes looked at me. I liked Connak. He and I were close friends my whole life. Though I started looking at him differently a few years ago. Though I would never admit it. Elves were so confident, something I was never able to learn. "You ready to head back?" He asked me. The autumn feast was tonight, and he was excited about it even though we had a few hours left. Plus, I'm sure the family would need help, and we were glad to help them. I agreed, and we started to head back home. The trees rustled their leaves as Connak sprinkled his homemade soil on their roots as we walked past. We respected and cared for nature along with wildlife. Every creature and plant was a blessing. Even when we hunted the wildlife for their meat, we would treat it with respect. Hunting wasn't a sport for us. I remembered the disappointment on my mother's face when I jumped for joy after catching my first rabbit. She wouldn't allow me to bring it home for a feast. She helped me place flowers and stones around it. "Leave it be. Allow it to return to the soil." She told me after adding a protection spell to hide it from predators. "I hear we will have visitors at the feast tonight." Connak mentioned, pulling me away from my train of thought. "More humans?" I asked as I carefully stepped over some flowers. "Yes. Apparently, a prince is visiting all the areas in the kingdom before he takes the throne." He said. Interesting. I've met other humans before. It just made me grateful for the life I was given. Human women spent their lives marrying, then birthing, then raising her younging. Nothing more. Nothing less. Which wasn't their fault by any means. The men made them do this. Made them think they couldn't do anything else and wouldn't amount to anything. They were too weak compared to men, at least that's what they've been told. "I'm sure it'll be a pleasant evening." I said to Connak. We made our way into the forrest. Our homes were inside the great trees of the forest. All surrounding the Father Tree where our Leader, Thranduil resided. Everyone was preparing for the feast. The trees decorate themselves with flowers and vines. They let off an aroma that attracted all sorts of colorful butter flies and fire flies. It was always breathtaking. Connak turned to me, and a small calming smile appeared on his face. "Anna, I was hoping we could spend this evening together at the feast." He asked me confidently. My heart fluttered inside my chest, but I did my best to look as calm as he did. "I would enjoy that, Connak." I told him, trying to stop myself from grinning ear to ear. Connak nodded slowly and respectfully as he turned to head in the crowd. I turned away and allowed myself to smile hugely. Connak was seeking me as a potential partner. My mother always had a feeling about Connak and I. I couldn't wait to tell her that she was right. First things first, I needed to go home and change. I was currently wearing my archer outfit. A dark green turtle neck, light brown pants, and my dark brown leather corset and bracers. I wasn't ready for the party at all. I would offend my mother if I showed up like this. I ran home, officially excited for this evening. My home was on the east side of the Father Tree. I slowed down once I saw my front door. I didn't want to go bursting into the door. I calmly approached the door and allowed myself in. The tree rustled its leaves in a happy greeting. I rubbed its rough bark with my fingertips to return the greeting. I was home.