The Emerald Forests

"I never really appreciated how much I have changed in all these years of living in the mortal world," Aelanor huffed, "the distance to the base of the Highlands is staggering."

"Don't tell me you're already tired," Nimuel smiled through her eyes. She didn't look perturbed at all.

"We have been walking for almost two days, Nimuel, and I have long since forgotten how it feels like to be an elf again," Aelanor tucked the curls that had come loose behind her sharp, pointed ear, "how I wish I had your feather tread, and that light structure!"

"It's more than that, I have been walking up and down the hills for the past few months," Nimuel replied, "but you are welcome to feel envious of my innate qualities."

"I do not envy you," Aelanor pouted.

"Right," Nimuel smirked, "anyway, I sent Cugu to ask for help; Jamim will meet us shortly at the base of the hills."

Half an hour passed as Aelanor tried not to look tired, but in truth, she was more tired than she had been her whole life. Perhaps, she was becoming a true mortal, after all.

Nimuel pointed to the distance, prodding her awake for her thoughts, and Aelnaor saw him. It had been years since he was summoned, but he had not changed at all. After all, he was not the one banished from the Immortal Utopia, and only allowed to live in the mortal lands by the order of the Queen, who insisted Aelnaor brought some help from the castle to assist her in her journey. 

Jamim, from the stables and Amaera from the royal archives had come down with her, but she sent them away. She was no longer a Princess, and it would have done her well if all of them remembered that.

"All hail, Princess Aelanor Gaelemariel of the House of Zauarn," Jamim bowed, "and Lady Nimuel Saeltheriel of House Franirinth. I trust you are in good health, and spirits?"

"Gods, Jamim. Surely you don't talk like this with your human neighbors?" Aelanor rolled her eyes, "They would not have an ounce of doubt as to your insanity, or indict you as a foreign spy.

"I have my orders from the Queen that I would not let the men know of my truth, so if it pleases my Princess, I'm mad as hops to meet ya!" Jamim boomed.

The Female broke into a fit of giggles.

"Color me impressed," Aelanor said. "Now, where is Nymus? I haven't seen her in over a century."

"My apologies, Princess, but I couldn't bring Nymus from the stables, as your father, The King of the Eternal..."

"Yes, yes. My father forbade you to bring my own horse to me," Aelanor bit her teeth in exasperation, and went on, "so, we are going the whole way on foot, are we?"

"Not necessarily, Princess. When King Naemar forbade me to bring Nymus and Galycus, I went to the common folk. And they let me borrow these two instead." Jamim whistled, and two shadows came trotting out of the trees. The smaller one had a golden coat that reflected back the sunlight like a grand mirror. The other had a black coat, darker than the night. Its silky coat shined like black opals under the moon. It was a magnificent animal, and its head was held high with unmatched pride.

"May I present, Nexus, and Khoral."

Mouth open in wonder, Aelanor approached the darker of the two. Khoral looked straight at her, contemplating, and seemed to realize who it was. He took a step back, and without blinking, bowed down.

"He's gorgeous," Aelanor said, as she stroked the silky steed.

"Let's not waste any more minutes, Princess," Jamim advised, "your mother has been plagued by her melancholia at your departure all these years, but now, she is plagued by something more sinister. You should leave at your earliest convenience."

Without another word, the Female jumped on the back of their rides. Nimuel turned to Jamim.

"Are you certain that you would not be joining us? It might be a while back before you get another chance to visit your family, and the horses."

"I am sure I would visit them soon enough, but there is some unfinished business here that cannot wait," he smiled shyly, and added, "may the Elements guide you safely back to where you came from."

"May the missus returns your affection with the same intensity," Aelanor winked. 

Khoral galloped his way onwards, not needing any direction from his rider, which was good, since Aelanor had forgotten the way. 

"Just a few more hours, cousin, then we will reach the Emerald Forests, the portal to the immortal worlds," Nimuel informed. 

"Good thing we moved here in the last quarter of the century," Aelanor mused, "it would have taken too long to reach here if we were still in Georgia. Which place we've lived did you prefer, cousin?"

"I think the Orient was exotic, and colorful. I'm not very fond of snow, truth be told."

"Me neither. But you can't deny that the lifestyle of the West is far easier."

"You've turned soft, and idle, like the humans," Nimuel commented. "Who knows what this quest for leisure and wealth will do to this beautiful world? The effects are already visible in the civilization."

"You're right, but none can put a stop on development," Aelanor replied, "and destruction." She added as an afterthought. 

The evening was creeping down on them when they finally reached the edge of the Emerald Forests. Aelanor looked at it with longing; she had not been in these parts ever since she left home a century ago. These woods had been her playgrounds, and the ents, her guardian, for centuries of her childhood. 

"Remind me again, Nimuel, why could I not have stayed inside my world, and had to come to the silver lining of the two worlds," she thought out loud. 

"Do you regret it?" Nimuel asked, softly. 

Aelanor shook her head, shocked at herself. "No, not at all. I just..." She hesitated. 

"Yes?"

"I just think it is easier for the humans than us, you know? Staying alive only for a few years after losing their loved ones. Their waiting span is nothing- in comparison to ours," she sighed, "even if we're stripped off of our immortality."

A misty, green fog surrounded the forests which was infused with a charm so powerful, none but the immortals could walk through it. It was probably Aelanor's fate that had called in a mortal inside the Emerald Forests, and made her susceptible to the feeling called love. 

Love, which was so powerful, that a mortal man survived the magic of the ents. Love, so strong that it made her embrace the unfathomably ardous mortal life. Love, which made her so strong that she was able to face all the monstrosity of the humankind, and keep going.

But love was not strong enough to keep Death at the bay.

The green mist was cold, colder than the winters of the warm-blooded beings. Elven blood was blue, infused with winter in its entirety, and hence, the elves did not feel as much cold. But Aelanor and Nimuel had long lost their status as elves. They shivered.

"I wonder if we should have brought more cloaks," Nimuel said.

"It probably would give my father another excuse to taunt us."

"Well, that is bound to happen. At least we would have been warmer."

They made their way inside the trees.

The trees here had been lush, and copious, when the duo had left. But now they had deteriorated, like skeletons with bones scattered after a war.

"Oh, how the trees have suffered!" Nimuel cried.

She jumped down from her steed, and walked towards the withering trees with her hands outstretched, "Poor Mother Nature. Look, how the industries and the civilization are befouling the..."

She withdrew her hand as if electrocuted. With a gasp, she turned to the spine-chilling voice coming from the trees: a buzz of angry bees and the growl of lightning. It was coming from the depths of the forest, but very soon, surrounded the four creatures standing in the clearing. 

"What is that voice?" Aelanor whispered. 

"I think it's the ents," Nimuel said. 

Soon, the trees were trembling all around them, as if struck by fire. The air swooshed and whispered terrible pasts, and misgivings of the Fate. 

A low, rumbling voice that seemed to burst out of their own souls growled, "Mortals! How dare you taint the Forests with your filthy steps, after what you have done to the Guardians of the Nature?"

Aelanor and Nimuel looked around in dread to figure out from where the voice was coming from, but it was everywhere. 

"O Guardians, we are not who you thought of us to be. If you would please let us explain," Aelanor called in the distance.

"There would be no explanation. Your deeds have brought forth the destruction of the plant world, and the ents have been wrongfully deceived of their immortality," the voice said.

They noticed for the first time, huge tree-like structures hanging limp from their roots. Tears filled their eyes, as they began to recognize their long lost friends.

"You mortals have ruined everything, your own civilization, and the immortal worlds. And yet, you had the audacity to enter these magic forests..."

Nimuel's eyes were glued to the distance, and she didn't seem to hear the voice of the Forest. Instead, she took an unsteady step towards one of the tree guardians, who seemed to be panting and shaking, with the effort it caused it to stay alive. It could not hear her.

"Bareash," she whispered.

The strange voice stopped. As if on cue, all the leaves turned towards Nimuel, who was on the rough, leaves strewn ground, her eyes closed and tears rolling down her cheek.

"Bareash, you are going to be okay," she said.

The voice seemed uncertain before it called out, in a low gurgle, "Who are you?"

Aelanor walked up to Nimuel and placed a hand on her shoulder. She stood tall, and faced the entrance to the clearing, before calling out.

"O guardians of the Forests, let it be known that Princess Aelanor of the House of Zauarn, and her cousin, Nimuel Saeltheriel of House Franirinth are returning to the Eternal Utopia, with the intention of bringing peace and answers to the world."