chilly wind brushed by her cheeks as the young elf sprinted swiftly towards home. She had just finished her training with Elven Master Eion and her dearly loved oath bound, Nyevwn, on the fine arts of the sword and was in utter impatience to be back. Today was a special day and little Arya could not wait for the festivities that were to begin tonight. It was the night of winter when the elven community would come together to sing with the old Rowan and Oak trees of the forest and to celebrate the coming of winter, Ell’neah, by feasting and games. Without making any noise, she gracefully rushed up the wooden stairs to her room in order to change into her silk gown of deep emerald green. Then laying her sword gently in its proper place, she gave it a quick glance while turning around to hurry down the steps on her way to the Two Halls of Leaves. Arya was late. Cheerful laughter and merry singing could be heard from afar as she entered the hall. A glimmer of a bright smile came upon Arya’s face as she saw Nyevwn among the crowd. Tonight was going to be a joyful one. After giving a curtsy and the proper courtesy to the High Elven Lady, Arya joined along, singing with the others in their enchanting voice that filled the halls and trees with a pulsing life stronger than ever before. After hours of singing with her race, she danced, joyously laughing with her melodious voice. Sometimes gliding across the floor with Nyevwn, other times dancing chatting quietly with the many others in the crowd. “Mother says we will soon be of age to be joined,” whispered Nyevwn in a proud mischievous voice. He even had a slight touch of that look in his face as well. “And why is that so important tonight? Shouldn’t we be celebrating, Nyevwn?” “Oh! But I wanted to show you something! It’s very pretty. I found it when you were practicing with Master Eion. I know, I know! It has nothing to do with being bonded, but I thought you might be interested.” He acted sheepishly as if total innocence was all he was at the moment. A frown touched Arya’s face as she hesitantly answered, “Lady Lythwen will not be happy. She doesn’t like me fooling around. Can’t we just stay here? Nyevwn? Nyevwn? Don’t just go…” Undecided, Arya ran after Nyevwn, chasing him to where ever he was going. After all, they were oath bound. So on she followed. “Nyevwn! Wait!!” All there was was silence of an eerie kind. A flash of bright light. Silence stirred and nothing else except for a few autumn leaves that barely crackled under her light footsteps. Arya frowned once again and searched the thick forest area. He had disappeared. Where could Nyevwn have gone? He had just left like that without even a trace! Nothing could be done as she called out his name continuously and searched for him under every rock and tree and bush. Nothing. With a heavy heart, she returned to the Hall. Maybe Nyevwn might have already returned safely since his disappearance may have been one of his infamous pranks, which were not even funny. With a swift pace, she glided back in hopes of seeing him. A full four days passed as the elves continued to feast and celebrate and sing. Then it came to an end. Arya had not seen Nyevwn. Snow rushed down just as the stars had begun to fill the early night sky. A long last song of departure was sung by all even the elegant High Elven Lady Lythwen. Gradually, night passed. The pink sun rose steadily into the firmament. All was quiet except for some birds that chirped eagerly and the gentle whispers of the cold wind. White blankets of snow piled over the earth that had fallen asleep till spring. The elves one by one walked away to return to their settlement. Equanimity reverberated throughout the forest except for the tears shed by Arya for she could not find Nyevwn. He was gone. Years had past and Arya had soon grown. Her skills of sword, bow, and magic had become top among her fellow race, but her silence was a different thing. She was often seen as laconic, sorrowful, and friendless. Her eyes seemed always to brim with tears that glossed her icy sapphire eyes. It was rare to see her smile and even rarer to see her laugh these days. The elven race had gone in search of him, but they had never found him. Blaming it all on the wol’ven race, they stopped searching, giving up, and hoping for his return. Gripping onto a necklace that held jewel like item of Nyevwn’s tightly, Arya revisited pleasant memories of which she had had with him. One came into mind so clearly she could not help but let a tear run down her cheek. Another came, but this one was different. It was not of the past but something of the future. The jewel glowed with warmth and light against her palms. Everything was white. The walls were of the purest white she had ever seen. A mortal’s voice echoed heavily in the white-washed room. She was reciting something. Something about the Dark and the Light. Arya listened with more attention this time. The first sign of dark will be missing. The light of the day will be searching. No fruit will bear from such, Only pain and a warning of the Dark. The others will stop while Sorrow shall search. And so shall the quest start of. Then it ended. The lady’s voice hushed only to whispers. Suddenly, the necklace’s jewel gave no light or warmth any longer. The elf lady stood up determined. She had perfectly understood the six verses of the “beginning verses” of a prophecy. Arya was to runaway from her race. She had no wish to become the High Elven lady. Let others with more life and joy to do what they should. Not her. She knew her fate was not of a High Lady. Hope existed after all. Her blue eyes shimmered in the soft little globe ball that lit her room.