Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 8: Elf

As he neared the place, he could clearly see the light becoming brighter, and the sound of water splashing became louder. Mhir! He thought and cleared his way by pushing away the leaves. Then, he raised his head, only for him to see a large pond with clear water. The light from the fireflies hovering above it made the water sparkle, and the pond was glowing from the bioluminescent organisms on its bottom.

Leui was almost blinded, and he narrowed his eyes to adapt from the light. However, only for his eyes to widen again when someone emerged from the center of the pond.

His skin is smooth and so fair it was almost translucent. Illuminated by the lights around him, he almost resembled a ghost. His long and silvery-white hair made Leui think he stole the moon’s light, that’s why the moon can’t be seen from the dark sky tonight. His slender body was drenched from head to feet. His brows are thin and sharp, and his eyelashes are long and curled. His nose is pointed and his lips are full red.

Leui’s jaw dropped and he gaped at the man before he immediately woke from his daze after being bewitched by the beautiful man. He turned his head away from the sight of a man’s naked body. He was also a man, so what the man has he also has. There’s no need to look at him for anything, aside from the long and pointed ears hidden beneath his long and silvery-white hair.

His beautiful appearance didn’t make him look androgynous. Who is he? An elf? Leui thought as he peeked at the man and saw him dressing up as if he didn’t see Leui nor had felt his presence. He’s really an elf! He thought when he saw the man’s pointed shoes that it was clearly an elf’s trademark shoes. “Hey!” he called and went out of hiding.

The elf finally threw him a glance. “What?” a deep and melodious voice asked. It was the elf who asked.

Leui smiled at him out of courtesy. “My name is Leui.” He introduced himself. “A human.” He added.

The male elf just looked at him.

Leui didn’t mind the elf’s attitude. Anyone would be wary of strangers, especially ones who approached them with a smile. They clearly have motives! And Leui has one - ! “Have you seen a female dwarf?” he asked. He had to find Mhir – as soon as possible!

The elf stared at him for a long time. Leui thought he forgot how to speak. “No.” he answered as he wore his crown and picked up his bow and quiver. “Farewell.” He said as he turned his back on him.

Leui’s eyes widened. This is the first being he had seen inside the forest – aside from Mhir. Now that Mhir is missing, Leui has only two choices. One – suspect the male elf. Two – ask him to help him find Mhir! “Wait!” he called and ran after the elf. Then, he blocked his way to stop him from leaving. “Please. I need to find my friend. She’s alone in the woods. I can’t leave her be.” He explained.

“She’s your friend – your responsibility. What does that have to do with me?” the elf indifferently said and bypassed him.

Leui didn’t give up and blocked his way again. “Please… help me find her.” He told him. “I can’t find her alone. And – I’m only a human.” He pursed his lips. He clearly knows his abilities and limitations. Know yourself, then your enemy. He thought and looked at the male elf before him. He’s half a head taller than him. From his five years of living in this world, Leui of course knows something about the elf race.

The elf race loves nature, and are friends with the fairies and the nymphs. However, the fairies and the nymphs are low in numbers, especially the nymphs, thus the responsibility of taking care of nature fell on the elves. The elves are also good in music, and use music as the medium to showcase their power. The fairies and the nymphs, on the other hand, dabble in elements in the surroundings, especially the nymphs who are directly born from nature. Fairies are the spirit of nature. The difference between the fairies and nymphs is that nymphs are smaller in stature than fairies, and can master only one element. However, one other difference between them is that nymphs are purer than the fairies. Since nymphs were born from nature, their soul is pure. However, fairies are different. They are born as spirits of inanimate objects – trees, rocks, rivers, for example. Their rivers can be tainted, thus, their spirit can also be tainted.

The elves, on the other hand, have a solid body, which makes them more special than the fairies and nymphs even though the three races are all connected by nature. Elves are similar to humans in terms of appearance – aside from their pointed ears, which exposes them.

“Let me through.” The male elf spoke which pulled Leui from his thoughts.

“No.” Leui said. “I need your help so that I can find my friend.” He told him.

“How can you be sure that if I help we can find her?” the male elf said.

“Because you’re an elf!” Leui answered. “And this is your forest. We can surely find Mhir!” he explained.

The male elf stared at him. Earlier, because of inattentiveness, Leui didn’t notice the male elf’s eyes. But now, he can clearly see it. Unlike Mhir’s green eyes that are as clear as a crystal, the male elf’s eyes are green but dark like a storm is brewing in them.

Leui felt his soul was taken away from his body as he stared at those eyes. He was bewitched again. “I – “ he said as he felt himself sweated and short of breath.

The male elf saw Leui’s reaction and he lowered his gaze. He pulled the hood of his cloak to cover his head, hiding his face and his long and silvery-white hair in the process. “You shouldn’t associate yourself with the other races. You’re a human.” He told him. “A mere human.” He added and walked past him.

Leui was speechless. He also knows it. He is aware of it. Thus, he left the Central Plaza and finally decided to go to the humans’ place. He turned to speak to the elf, but he saw he was gone.

Leui sighed as he continued his search for Mhir.