Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 7: The Elven Forest

“Err...” Leui muttered, looking side to side as he walked. “Where am I now...?” he said and sighed as he looked at the forked road before him. “Do they even know the word ‘sign’? They could’ve just put a sign on the path that leads to the human village, and the other is the path that leads to my demise...” he muttered and chose the right side. “’Always keep right’...” he muttered and started to tread the right path. “I hope there are no monsters here…” he muttered when he heard a growl and a hiss behind the bushes and up the trees on the side of the road. “This… is ‘the Elven Forest’, right? Not ‘the Monsters’ Forest’, right?” he muttered as kept on walking. “So I shouldn’t meet a wild monster – “ he said, reassuring himself as he patted his chest.

“Grrrr….” he heard a loud growl behind him.

Leui froze and felt his feet nailed on the ground. His body can’t move as he felt his heart flew out of his chest. s**t! He cursed in his mind. How did it get behind me? I haven’t even heard a single footstep – he thought as the whatever behind him crept towards him. “Please don’t kill me – “ he whispered, his body and voice shaking in fear. He’s afraid he’ll wet himself as he feels his heart beating faster in anxiety and fear of his looming death.

“Rawwwr!!!” it growled and pounced him from behind.

“Noooo - !!!” he screamed when he felt something heavy stuck on his back and his body fell to the ground, his face hitting the soil and leaves.

…

“Oww…” Mhir cried and rubbed her head when he hit her. “You’re really mean, Leui!” she said and pouted. “You shouldn’t be that scared – “ she muttered.

“Hell, I should!” he snapped as he blew on his knuckles that’s smoking in pain after he hit Mhir’s rock-hard head. “Who the hell in their right mind to play a prank acting like a ferocious animal and attack the poor being from behind when you’re inside a forest?!” he asked, frustrated. “A deep, enchanted forest at that!” he added.

She sniffed. “Sorry…” she apologized, tears forming in her eyes. She looked more pitiful than her victim.

Leui sighed. “Geez…” he said. “Why are you even here, anyway?” he asked. “Did you follow me?” he said.

“Because I am worried about you.” Mhir answered. He stared at her, urging her to continue explaining herself. “You know, this will be the first time you’ll venture to other places aside from the central plaza and our village…” she said, playing with her index fingers as she explained in a small voice. She was referring to her village – the dwarves’ village. Even though Mhir is a dwarf, she's unusually taller than the other dwarves. And despite her muscles, she is a rare beauty. The old man, her father, is having a hard time shaking off Mhir’s suitors.

Leui sighed. “I’m not a kid anymore…” he told her. “I’m already 23 –“ he said.

“And I’m 118.” She said. Leui shut up. “You forgot that? You even attended on my previous birthday – “ she said and started to rant. “Also, 23 is such a young age for us…” she said, her voice faded as she decided to drop the subject. Obviously, they are of different races so even the ages would be of a different standard for them.

Leui sighed and he looked around. He saw a thick and tall tree, with wide leaves and the vines wrapping and hanging on its branches. He decided to rest on its roots and nap under its shade. “Mhir, come!” he said as he lay on the ground, enjoying the refreshing atmosphere inside the forest. The air is cool and the surrounding is silent.

Mhir nodded and she sat on the root, her clear and green eyes watching Leui smiling widely as he enjoyed lying on the ground. She saw him close his eyes and his whole body relaxed.

Leui felt Mhir sat near him but she didn’t speak. Well, I should be thankful she’s with me. I wouldn’t be alone and feel bored travelling by myself. He thought and immersed himself in a deep sleep.

…

Leui felt something cold drop on his eyelids, prompting his eyes to open. He saw the countless vines hanging on the tree, and some droplets of water at their end. They were dews formed when the moisture condensed.

It was already night. There were fireflies emitting a silver light, making the dark surroundings brighten. Leui thought he might have travelled to outer space if he hadn’t remembered he is in the magical land of Heiruche. “Mhir?” he called as he sat up. He looked around but he didn’t see Mhir around. “Mhir?” he called and he rose from the ground. He patted off the dust and dirt on his clothes. Then, he picked up his backpack and walked around, looking for Mhir. “Mhir!” he called, the fireflies on his feet guiding him on his way. “Mhir?” he called. However, he didn’t hear a response from Mhir. The surroundings are as silent as the night. The fireflies were flying around him, looking carefree.

The light they emit is different from the yellow glow of the fireflies from his world, thus reminding him he’s in a different world now – away from his home. Thinking this, curiosity bubbled up inside his heart. He wanted to look closer at the fireflies, but he didn’t dare to, since, as he said, this world is too magical.

“Mhir!” he called, raising his voice. He already walked for a quarter of an hour, yet he didn’t see Mhir. “Mhir!!” he called, panic rising in his heart. He remembered, before he slept earlier, Mhir was just sitting beside him. Did something happen to her?! He thought, his brain ringing in alarm as he fastened his pace and walked around the trees. “Mhir! Mhir!” he called as he pushed the vines away which were blocking his way and he jumped over the bushes before his feet. “Mhir!” he called, his chest heaving up and down because of fear. The old man will kill me if something happens to Mhir! He thought, gritting his teeth in anger. However, worry prevailed in his heart more. After all, it was Mhir who first saw him when he came into this world and took care of him. She was the one who first cared for him. “Mhir…” he muttered under his breath as he frantically looked around. It was all trees and vines and bushes, as well as the fireflies, he can see. Before he entered the Elven Forest, he knew and saw how vast it was. Of course, he knew there would be dangers inside it. This is a world where anything can happen, in and out of one’s logic.

He didn’t know how long it was, but he suddenly heard a splash of water. He sharply turned to the direction where the sound came from. “What was that?” he asked and saw from behind the trees, there was a bright light coming from it. Could Mhir be there? He thought and immediately ran in that direction.