“Spring Blooms”
Pale yellow flowers were popping their delicate heads through the grass on the hills around Tara Emata. The sun was growing warmer and the days were lengthening; springtime had hit our humble little home. We had been working for the last few months building shelter, planting crops and finding livestock to raise. Our lives were finally getting back to normal.
I was crouching close to the ground, tearing apart a bale of hay for my horse Angel, when I heard the faint whisper of voices. I started standing up, to greet whomever had come into the barn, when I heard father yell.
"It isn’t right, Cuiledhwen," he shouted. "She shouldn’t be allowed back here."
"Arbellason," mother said calmly, "our people preach forgiveness, we must remember that in times like this."
"I don’t care what our ancestors preached," father said through gritted teeth, "she has no business coming back here."
I crouched lower behind the partial hay bale and shut my eyes. I tried to think of who my parents were arguing about, but couldn’t come up with any elf that would cause such a negative reaction from my father. I sucked in my breathe and concentrated harder on the conversation.
"Arbellason, she doesn’t have any other place to go," my mother said soothingly, "and she needs to be around family."
"She has him, doesn’t she," my father spat at my mother. "He is her family now, isn’t he good enough?!?!"
"What are you doing, Tira?"
My heart sank and my palms began to sweat, I’d been found spying on my parents. I slowly turned around, to see the grinning face of my older brother Artemis.
"Sshhhh," I hissed.
"Don’t shush me, little girl," Artemis scolded. "What are you doing back here anyway?"
"I’m feeding Angel," I said, "now be quiet."
"Arbellason, just let it go," my mother sighed. "Things will be fine and we can use the extra help around here."
"I don’t want help from them," my father shouted.
"That’s Arabellson and Cuiledwhen," Artemis said, crouching down to my level. "Are you spying on them?"
"No, I’m not," I said, stiffening my face. "I just happened to overhear their conversation."
"Tira, you know that you shouldn’t listen in on other people," he scolded. "Come on, get up and get out of that stall right now."
"Please Artemis," I begged, "if I get up and walk out now, I will get into big trouble. Plus, I don’t even know who they are talking about."
Artemis shifted uncomfortably and moved his gaze away from mine, I could tell he was hiding something from me. "You know what they are talking about, don’t you?!?!"
"It is none of your bussiness, Tira," he said. "You are just a child and needn’t concern yourself with the situation."
"Oh come on, Artemis," I pleaded. "Just tell me who they are talking about."
"No, it is none of your busines," Artemis repeated.
"I’ll just keep bothering you until you tell me," I said, starring into my brother’s face, "and you know that I will."
"Fine," he sighed, "but you have to get out of here and finish your chores, once I’ve told you."
"Okay deal."
"They are talking about Faye," Artemis said quickly. "Now get back to work."
"Wait, why wouldn’t father want Faye to come back to the clan, she was part of the royal court," I questioned.
"Arbellason has his reasons," Artemis said exasperated, "now you promised to get back to work."
"Oh come on, brother," I said smiling, "just tell me the whole story."
"I don’t know much, except that no one wants her back because of who she married," Artemis said, slowly standing. "She married a human."
I watched Artemis walk out of the barn and sat stunned on the hay, no wonder father was so angry, Faye wanted to come back to the clan and bring the enemy with her.
Ooooh, I can tell this is going to be excellent already! Love it!
Comment by Kristin — September 25, 2006 @ 4:15 pm
Awesome Carrie!! I love the intricate plot you’re weaving here!
Comment by Freelancer — September 25, 2006 @ 4:21 pm
Great update, I’m hooked. MORE PLEASE!!!!
Comment by Sylla — September 25, 2006 @ 4:57 pm
Wow, that was great! I can’t wait to read more.
Comment by Alexis — September 25, 2006 @ 5:03 pm
Oh great job! I love it! Faye married a human huh? Wow! Very, very good. I can’t wait to read more!
Comment by Heather/Simaholic — September 25, 2006 @ 5:07 pm
Now 2 stories to keep up with, how will I ever write my own?? Excellent Pics also.
Comment by Yas — September 25, 2006 @ 6:03 pm
Great update hun! Your writing is just amazing and gripping!
Comment by Pooj — September 25, 2006 @ 6:30 pm
Wow! What dramatic circumstances! This is a very unique way to start. Looking foward to more!
Comment by O. Amy — September 25, 2006 @ 7:02 pm
I don’t blame Tira for easedropping. I’d be doing the same to try and figure out who they were talking about. *grin* Why does Artemis call their dad by his name, instead of father? Or are Tira and Artemis only half brother and sister? Should be interesting to see what happens with a member of the royal court being married to one of the enemy. Looking forward to more!
Comment by Aeronwy — September 25, 2006 @ 8:38 pm
I really liked it. It felt like the beginning of a novel. You know those little teasers they write to get you to go and buy the book? Well I’d buy this.
Comment by Oydiegirl — September 26, 2006 @ 3:43 am
Oooooh, you always do such a good job with conversation in your stories. It flows really well. I’m not usually into stories like this, but I know I won’t be able to help myself. haha You’ve done a good job chica!
Comment by guRl — September 26, 2006 @ 8:39 am
Yeah I want to know who they are talking about too. It’s not like Tira was listening on purpose per say…LOL she was sort of just not ignoring them is all! Hmmm now…who are they talking about and why. Ohhh I hope you make us twitch like EO…spread them all out some!!
Comment by JennTSG (WOOTO) — September 26, 2006 @ 5:32 pm
ooo - very intriguing! Who is Faye & this husband she’s trying to bring home? Their names are very fitting - how did you come up with Arabellson and Cuiledwhen? Great story
Comment by suziesim — September 26, 2006 @ 6:44 pm
AMAZING!!!!!!!!
Comment by Jacuzzi — September 27, 2006 @ 10:41 am
Very addictive. I can’t wait to read more!!!
Comment by Lisa — September 28, 2006 @ 5:10 pm
Ooh, another intriguing update! The pictures are gorgeous; I love the colors and the detail. And your writing is very vivid. Looking forward to the next one!
Comment by Jen — October 4, 2006 @ 12:57 pm