It was Alain's coming of age, the day the Elf Lord came. Despite having lived beside the Great Forest all of his life, he had never seen an Elf. There were always stories though. From his mother, tales of when Elves, Men, Hill-folk and the rest worked together. From the old blacksmith in town, lewd rhymes of Elf-Maidens and from his father always the story of the Elf Lord who came when he was a young man to drive the raiders back across the Pechora.
He was working in the fields, his back aching. A traitorous bead of sweat began a descent from his brow, stinging his eye with salt. Cursing, Alain thrust his spade into the soft earth and rubbed his eye. When he removed his calloused hand, a dozen tall, pale figures had appeared in the distance. They marched slowly, with a banner flourishing in the breeze. A strange beast was upon the banner, six legs like a spider but proud and majestic like a lion. A clear voice rang out, "Hail, son of Malcolm and The Wold".
Alain gaped, dropping his spade at his side. It made no sound, and sunk slightly into the rich, moist soil. As they came closer, Alain could see the grooved bones on their forearms and thighs that let them grip the trees of the Great Forest. Their faces too were strange, but not unpleasant. Pointed ears, of course, and small, delicate mouths. Each was dressed in long, flowing robes that trailed along the ground. Despite the churned up earth, no dirt seemed to stick to these garments. All were a mottled green, like the trees that were the Elves' home, save one, who shone a brilliant blue. The blue-clad figure was the most gorgeous creation Alain had ever seen. Perfect red hair that flowed down to her sides, and curvaceous hips that the robes could not fully contain. Occasionally, a glimpse of long , pale thigh showed itself, making Alain stiffen. Embarrassed, he focused on the manners his parents had thrashed into him. "Greetings friends, if you desire food, drink or shelter you may have it." The Elven contingent was upon him now, and an elf with a great white beard roared with laughter.
"Your father was not so well spoken child." This one was the tallest of them, and had the same creature that was on the banner embroidered into his robes. "It is good to see you have improved upon him."
Despite his awe, and the sensual body at the speaking Elf's left, Alain swallowed and spoke defiantly "I am a man today, I am Alain and I do not know you, though you are welcome."
The Elf smiled "That is more like your father, I am called Aldaris, I fought with your father and other men of the Wold some years ago." He gestured at the stunning figure beside him "This is my niece, Monira." He continued introducing the rest of his party but Alain's eyes were tracing the curve of the Elf maiden's breasts. She noticed, and smiled slightly. Alain blushed and stammered "Pl...Pleased to meet you all, please come."
He rushed to pick up his spade and started towards his family's homestead. With long strides, Aldaris and another elf fell in beside him. They talked with him about the crops, weather and livestock. These things Alain knew, and he found himself calming. The other elf, Elhard, was fascinated by the flora and fauna, he had never been outside the forest, where different, strange things grew.
"Is Arthur still King of the Wold, Alain?" Aldaris' question caught Alain off guard, it came out of nowhere.
"No of course not." Alain said, surprised. "Apologies, my lord, he died when I was just a baby."
Aldaris grimaced, a poor sight on his fair face "No apology required son of Malcolm and I am no lord of yours, I have been deep in the forest in the decades since I fought with your father, sound can not travel far there. The King must be Robert now."
Alain was confused by the mixture of strangeness and normality in the Elves. Their features were subtly wrong, and the bone grooves vaguely nauseating but they talked like Men. Aldaris sensed his bewilderment. "My Tribe has always had an affinity with Men and I have spent much time among your kind. For most of our kin, this is not so. Indeed, many among us would damn all Men, even those who live in the Kingdom of Wold."
Alain remembered an old song his mother used to sing. "And though the forest burned, the ties of friendship were spurned."
Aldaris ran a hand through his long beard, nodding sadly. Elhard looked at Alain curiously, "They teach of The Betrayal in your schools?"
Alain blushed, "I have never been to school, my mother used to sing that."
Elhard seemed shocked, but Aldaris nodded "Customs differ, Elhard. The Men of the Wold do not put such emphasis on lore and I think it is a beautiful thing, no old hates to nurse." He turned his attention to Alain "When the Steppe Peoples threatened the Wold in your father's youth, few Elves followed me. They learn at a young age of how the world betrayed them. Even though Wold alone came to our aid in that dark time, their anger against all other races burns."
They were close to the homestead now, and his father emerged a brilliant smile of amazement on his face. "Aldaris!" Malcolm Brown exclaimed, "I never thought I'd see you again you old bastard." To hear his father curse at such a lordly being, made Alain anxious but the Elf-lord simply laughed and embraced his father. Malcolm was a sturdy man and above average height yet still he was dwarfed by the old Elf. His own solid beard was soon lost in the Elf's monstrous one.
Most of the others with Aldaris also knew Alain's father and there was much embracing and ecstatic conversation. Alain was amazed to see his father in such lordly company. Eventually, only Elhard and Monira were left and they greeted Malcolm courteously. Alain watched Monira's swaying hips as they went inside his family home. It was warm inside, and smelled wonderful. His mother, Sarah, had a stew bubbling and bread baking.
Abruptly, a finger poked his sides. "Stop staring at her ass pervert." Elizabeth Brown hissed. Alain jabbed his twin sister back "Oh hi Lizzy, who was that blacksmith's apprentice you were chatting with yestermorrow?" She scowled and pulled him away "Let's help mother, and you'd do well to keep your mouth shut." Alain considered pressing his teasing, the apprentice was handsome and muscular from his work, but Lizzy was strong herself and had given Alain some serious bruises in her time. Instead, he buried himself in the frenzied preparations, his mother gave him a quick peck on the check and a dozen tasks to perform. Getting the ale, checking the stew and sneaking peaks at Monira's long, smooth thighs was busy work.
Knowing they were showing up unannounced, the Elves had brought a great deal of food with them. Strange, brightly coloured fruits and stranger coloured meats appeared. Alain and Elizabeth's horde of younger siblings dared each other to try the dangerous looking delicacies. Monira and an older-looking female Elf who had fought with Aldaris and Malcolm laughed at them, and recommended new choices.
The sound in their home was raucous but not overpowering. It was extremely crowded with the eight Browns and dozen Elves, but they managed. The elves were courteous guests, quickly jumping to help where they could. At the family table, Aldaris, Alain's father and three other elves sat, drinking ale and recounting old stories with ever-louder laughter. Just above the din, Alain heard a melodious voice call "Alain, is that yours?" It was Monira, with a wide smile showing perfect white teeth, and bright green eyes shining at him. She was pointing to his guitar, idling in the corner. Alain was dumbfounded, Elizabeth snorted and told Monira it was. Monira turned back to him and spoke "I spend most of my time on the northern edge of the forest, guarding from the Khadim and their masters, there are Men who live along the border and play instruments such as those, I would like to hear it again." Alain laughed nervously but another elf called out "Yes! A song! A song of the Wold!"
As more voices took up the chant, Alain reached for his instrument, his hands shaking slightly. He looked at Lizzy, "Arthur's Triumph?". She nodded back and they began. It was a hurried presto, and soon the Elves were clapping along and Alain felt his nerves fade. The song was a lively, happy one and their harmonies were well practiced. It ended with a final high note from Lizzy's throat and the homestead exploded with applause. His mother took the opportunity to begin serving, and soon the sounds of eating largely replaced conversation.
The Elves and Alain's parents had priority at the table, so the siblings soon found themselves on the ground outside. Lizzy looked at him with a smug look on her face "So Monira, huh? What happened to Danielle?" Danielle was a girl in town who Lizzy had walked in on with her brother, his face deep in her womanhood. She was a plump girl, with large, heavy breasts that were wonderfully soft to the touch. Lizzy continued her attack "I'm sure Monira would enjoy some oral attention too, and she certainly enjoyed seeing how skilled your hands were just before." Lizzy's playful air faded somewhat. "Actually, about that apprentice."
Alain had been growing annoyed but now he laughed, "Go on."
Lizzy lowered her voice so the four younger one's couldn't hear, although they were busy throwing Elvish fruit at each other. "I was in town today, and he gave me a birthday present." She winked, and leaned away from him.
Alain was incredulous and at once jealous and angry at this other man. "What did you do?"
She laughed "Everything, I highly recommend it, although maybe with someone who is the same race as you."
Alain ignored the last jab, and watched his youngest brother attempt to fit a huge, pink fruit into his mouth whole. "Slut," He said with a smile. Lizzy playfully pushed him and gave him a peck on the cheek. "What was that for?" Alain asked her curiously.
She shrugged, "You're my best friend and I don't think you'll be here for long."
Alain put his plate aside, "What do you mean Lizzy?"
Elizabeth put her own plate down, and brushed crumbs off her. "I know you don't want to stick around here all your life, and seeing beings out of dad's stories probably makes you want to get out of here even more."
Alain was a little abashed, he and Lizzy were always open with each other but rarely talked about serious subjects directly. "You'd come with me, right?" Lizzy looked like she was about to answer but then their parents called for them.
Back inside, they found themselves the centre of attention. Aldaris raised his flagon to them "I apologise from the bottom of my heart for stealing the day from the beautiful Elizabeth and the handsome Alain, Malcolm and Sarah are very proud of them and rightfully so. As my people say, may your roots grow deep and strong." The other elves murmured the same, and wished them well.
Elizabeth, always the braver of the two, answered smoothly "Our day is made special by your presence Aldaris, and that of your company, may your roots grow deep and strong as well."
