Age of Magic

There weren't always dragons in the valley. Once, it was occupied by humans. Weak, violent creatures set on the destruction of all magical beings. We all teamed up and overthrew the conquerors. Now, the valley and the mountains are overflowing with dragons.

The writing stopped as Elvene tilted her head to the side, thinking of what to write next. She'd been tasked with recording history for future generations - old mistakes couldn't happen again. The humans were violent but resilient. They couldn't be allowed to occupy the land again.

Her finger moved across the ashen paper, orange words burning into the paper as she thought of what to say.

The elves hold the forests now and the goblins hold the mines. Humans still exist but they have been forced back into small villages on the outskirts of the land. The land belongs to us again, as it always should.

Elvene's pointed ear twitched as loud sounds echoed around the forest. She stood, her skirt elegantly flowing around her. Her red hair fluttered in the wind, almost becoming one with the trees around her. She could hear metal clashing with metal - was someone fighting? The war was long over, there was no need to fight anymore.

She gently stepped a barefoot forward and softly walked through the forest. She barely made a sound and she almost seemed to float as she walked toward the sounds. It became louder and louder until she saw the commotion ahead. Elvene ducked behind a tree and cautiously peeked around the trunk.

Humans. Why were they here? Had they not learnt their lesson? She examined the group standing at the edge of the forest. They'd just taken out the guards - the elves never had many guarding the forest anymore. They didn't see the need when the humans had been driven back so far. They gravely underestimated the humans.

Three men stood at the entrance to the forest. It had been a group of six but the guards managed to take out three humans. The leader was rough, with dark brown eyes scanning the interior of the forest. His brown hair was tousled and beads of sweat lined his forehead. Elvene was enraptured. She'd never seen a human before and he was nothing like the elven men. He had stubble while the elves couldn't grow facial hair. He had muscles and a strong frame. Very different from the elegancy of elves.

Her violet eyes watched as he took a step forward, still carefully watching the forest ahead. The other two men were distracted and each went in a different direction. They were searching for something. He stopped and turned his head. His brown eyes connected with hers.

Elvene couldn't move as he stared straight at her. His humanity was intriguing. She couldn't tear her eyes away from him. He stepped towards her and she gripped the tree tightly. His eyes were intense, but there seemed to be a gentleness hiding behind the intensity. She'd been taught not to trust humans. They had almost driven magical creatures into extinction - so why was he so intriguing? Why did he make her heart pound?

He stopped moving and continued to stare at her. The sword he had been holding dropped to the ground. "I know you," he whispered. "I've seen your face."

She blinked. What? "Human," was all that escaped her lips in response. Fear started to cloud over her, pushing away her curiosity.

He held up a hand, trying to show he meant no harm. "Please don't run," he said. "I can explain."

Her eyes darted to the defeated elves and back to his face. He seemed innocent and yet he had just killed some of her brethren. "You killed them."

He shook his head. "It wasn't me. My sword is clean. I just... needed to come here. They were on an expedition and I joined."

Elvene tilted her head and gently took a step towards him. As she examined his face, he did seem familiar. As if she'd seen him somewhere long ago. her eyes widened in recognition as memories flooded back.

It was dawn as a young elven child ran across the field. She was usually forbidden from leaving the forest, but her parents were in an important meeting. She was free.

Elven smiled as the wind rushed past her. She loved the open spaces and loved leaving the forest. She knew it could be dangerous, humans could try to attack again at any time, but then danger was almost exhilarating.

She paused as she heard a cry. At the edge of the forest was a young, unfamiliar boy, holding his ankle as blood seeped from a wound. She quietly approached him but stopped when she noticed his ears. Rounded. He was a human. What was a human doing on the edge of the Elven forest?

He looked up at her, tears streaming down his face. "I'm sorry," he sobbed. "I was exploring."

She gently knelt beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. He felt innocent. She smiled. "What happened?" she asked.

"I fell."

Elvene moved her hand to touch his ankle and a gentle light emitted from her palm. He stared at his ankle in shock as she pulled away. It had been healed.

"Thank you," he exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "I was so scared!"

"Please do not say anything to your people," she responded. "I am not supposed to be out here."

"Neither am I. It'll be our secret." He pulled her pinky into a strange position with his own. "Pinky promise!" he said.

She smiled and quickly darted back into the forest, watching as he ran back down the hill. She'd met a human.

"You are that kid," whispered Elvene. "I thought I had imagined that."

He shook his head. "I never forgot. I needed to find you again, I couldn't get your face out of my mind."

She gently walked toward him and placed her hand softly on his cheek. "It is dangerous to be here. The elves will ensure our brethren are avenged."

"Don't you feel this pull? I can't leave."

She shook her head and grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the edge of the forest. "You must go. I... I cannot see you killed."

He gripped her hand. "Come find me tonight," he said. "I'll wait by the river. Please."

She felt the connection towards him, although she didn't understand. Something was different about this human. Very different from the stories she'd been told her entire life. "Okay," she whispered. "I will see you tonight. Please go to safety for now."

He nodded and darted away. As he disappeared behind the hills Elvene felt the presence of elves behind her. "I saw humans," she said softly. "Two ran into the forest. The guards were killed."

The elves shuffled behind her and she watched over her shoulder as they obeyed her unspoken command to find the humans. As they parted she saw her mother standing behind them, golden hair shimmering in the light. A pale tiara crowned her delicate head. "Elvene, what are you doing on the edge of the forest?"

"I heard something and came to examine."

The woman shook her head. "That is not your job, my daughter. The princess cannot get herself killed."

Elvene bowed her head. "I am sorry, Mama."

"Come. Let us return, you need to finish your duties."

Elvene nodded and cast one last glance towards the hills before following her mother back into the forest. She hoped she could escape tonight.