Rowrke spied the human through the trees. She was bathing in the lake, her long hair being caressed by the water.
"Rowrke, come now. What are ye doing?" He ducked down as his older brother came toward him. Daven did not know what his younger brother was up to, he looked too curious for his own good. But that was Rowrke's way, always had to know what was going on around them, questioning the other elvin-kind.
"Hmmm? Oh, I am, I was only..." he pointed, "Look." Daven followed the direction his brother was pointing in through the trees, his gaze landed on a human. His gasp startled Rowrke out of his reverie.
"Brother, we must flee, now. 'Tis a human in our forest and that makes us in danger." Rowrke shook his head.
"'Tis only a girl human. What harm can she bring us?"
"Plenty."
***
Lorel swam back to shore, ringing her hair out and wrapping her towel round herself. She heard the rustle of trees and looked around cautiously. "It's only your imagination, Lor."
Back home she'd never have been able to take a bath in a lake, let alone without clothes on. She smiled at that, realizing just now that she had for the first time ever, skinny-dipped. Knowing neighbors of her aunt and uncle were miles from here, she spread out her towel and laid down. The warm summer sunshine washed over her.
Ah, but if only she could find summer love, like all of her friends back home. They were surely all having beach parties and bonfires and surfing the waves. She was content with the peacefulness of wood and mountain. At first, she thought her parents crazy for sending her away, but now she realized she did need the break.
"Lor, I just think that Aunt Sarah and Uncle Edward's would be a quiet place for you to spend your summer. Next year, you can go away with your friends. You seem frazzled at home and you complain about this town and your so-called friends. Go out and enjoy nature. You still have a few weeks home when you get back." Was her Mother's argument.
She said a quick, "Thanks Mom." as she shut her eyes.
***
As the rest of the elves danced and feasted, Rowrke silently slipped away. He quietly crept through the woods, until he came to the willow tree. Stealthily he climbed up the trunk and sat himself down on a low bough. He took out his flute and played softly. He lost himself in his music until he heard a sweet voice accompanying his song.
Lorel's eyes drifted open as she heard the most beautiful music fill the air. She sat up, her blue gaze searching for the source, humming along. Her attention was whisked away by a lovely sight. She grabbed her sketch pad and pencils and began sketching a butterfly that landed on her toe. Afterwards, she continued to search for the music. Rowrke peeked out of the leaves, seeing the girl human. She was sitting up, drawing. Her long waves of ebony locks cascaded down her back. Her skin was pale, but healthy looking. She must prefer moonlight to sun, he supposed. She shimmered as if touched by faery dust. He climbed down, wanting a closer look at the creature.
Finally finding the answer, she gasped in awe. A beautiful man stepped out from behind a tree. His hair was a shimmering silver, his eyes evergreen, danced wide with magic. He was slender, but not skinny. His ears stood up in tiny points, he was dressed in forest wears. In his hand was a wooden flute. They stared at each other for several moments. The only sounds that could be heart were the beating of their hearts. Lorel snapped out of her daydreaming and leapt to her feet, grabbing up her clothes and backing away.
"Stay back!" She screamed, her face scrunched up in fright. "I have a weapon." She announced pulling out her hair band and aiming it at him. Rowrke took a few steps toward the girl. She kept backing up. "What do you want? Who are you?" She was on the edge of the water and ready to tumble in, but he didn't dare approach her holding the odd object. "I'm warning you...Ahhh!" She screeched as she lost her footing and went tumbling, her notepad splashing beside her.
Rowrke leaped into action, running over to her and grabbing her hand as she went over SPLASH, SPLASH!!!" They both crashed into the water. Lorel came sputtering up for air, Rowrke floated on his back lazily watching her.
"What did ye do that for?" He asked in an odd accent, cocking his head to one side, curiously, rescuing the notebook. She still was waving her arms around madly. With a sigh he swam over and put his arm around her. She struggled more.
"Let go of me, you thing!" She punched his gut.
"Oof 'old still or ye will surely drown, m'lady." He threw her over his shoulder, dragging her onto dry land. "Are ye a'right?" Lorel answered with a nod.
"I thought you were going to hurt me." She explained.
"I heard you 'umming, I wanted to play for ye."
"It was you that made such beautiful music?" he nodded "Who and what are you?" Rowrke took her hand in his, placing a kiss upon it. She blushed pulling her hand away.
