The introduction

Was there ever at time when the elves and the dwarves weren't fighting? Though historians will say otherwise, not many of these immortal being can remember a time of peace. For thousands of years the ring of clashing metal has been heard throughout the land. The young of both kinds have been trained from their youth to become great worriers skilled in the art of magic or sword play. All other magical creatures have long since fled the land unable to withstand the constant fighting. Leaving all but a small group of the oldest and most powerful witches and wizards, these few were unwilling to leave the land of their birth. But even they could only take so much violence and hatred before they set a curse upon the land.

A great darkness fell, bringing with it terrible creatures with souls black with decay. The earth closed itself to the dwarves and the trees to the elves. Leaving them with no place to go, and utterly exposed to the new and horrifying creatures that now roamed their beautiful land. Many would think that this would stop the dwarves and the elves from fighting, but far from it. Each blamed the other for the tragedy that had befallen their kind, and the hatred grew. Until the youngest of the wizards (who in human year was about 2,568, so really quite old) could stand it no longer and in his fury he came to all the dwarves and the elves in a dream explaining what they would bring upon themselves the fighting continued.

Every ten years a new creature of destruction would be introduced to the land until the hundredth year when he would send a demon of death so great that none would be left alive. All this could be avoided only by uniting royal elven blood and royal dwarf blood through marriage, and even then if the six remaining wizards and six remaining witches were not convinced that the fighting had stop, than demons would be sent in greater fury.

Enya's story

Enya lunged forward, thrusting her sword in front of her. Her opponent skipped out of Enya's way, he was light on his toes. Both their swords flashed in the bright sunlight that's was beating down on their backs. Sweat dripped into her eyes, the coarse shirt her wore was already soaked with it. With every twist and black her feet shifted deeper in the, Enya grunted in frustration and lashed out. Her feet slipped out from under her and she fell, the sand was hot and burned the skin that met it.

"Enough" Asher said as he lowered his sword and stepped away. They had been at this for hours, though both where elves and didn't tire easily, Ash could tell Enya was stretching her capability.

"Again" Enya commanded and she pushed herself up off the ground and propelled her body towards him, her eyes flashing. Asher quickly dodged and Enya slipped to the ground once more.

"Enough" He shouted and kicked her sword out of her hand; it didn't go far in the sand, but far enough to stay out of her reach. Enya lunged for it desperately but only found herself struggling deeper into the sand. Asher dropped his sword near hers and stretched out his hand to help her up. Her will crumbled and she took the hand. Once she was on her feet Enya started to feel all her energy drain from her body. Normal she would have been able to practice all day long, but in her struggle to keep her footing in the sand, her energy had slowing drained from her. Not to mention the energy the sun had taken as well.

She missed the shade of the trees, the soft grass under her feet, and wished she could return to the woods once again, but knew that that would not be possible anytime soon. No, it was too painful, the trees no longer accepted them, each touch caused them pain, they, the elves felt deeply the lack of connection. No they couldn't go back not until there was peace in the land.

Finian's story

Finian swung his axe one last time, the sharp blade slide into the truck of the tree like a knife in butter. The great oak tree began to groan as the leaves tipped towards the ground, it landed with a mighty thud that echoed through the forest announcing its mighty death.

Finian took no mind of any of this; he had no connection to the trees or to anything green for that matter. He merely did what he was told and that was all. He spent the rest of the day chopping the tree into smaller more manageable pieces, which could be used to build houses or add to a fire.

Finn wiped his sweaty brow with the back of his hand and squinted into the distance. His eyes still hadn't quite made the adjustment from the dark caves of his home to the natural light of the sun. As his pupils adjusted to the light he began to make out a figure in the distance. His hands tightened their grip on his axe, unsure of who was coming. Finian crouched ever so slightly tensing his muscles readying himself. As the figure came more and more into focus, he began to let his body relax. Until finally he was sure the guest was another dwarf like himself. Finn lowered his axe to the ground and raised his hand in greeting.

"Finian" the oncoming dwarf raised his hand to greet his brother, "Father calls you." Finian nodded and sighed deeply, he had known this was coming and was able to effectively avoid it until now. He looped his axe through his belt, "Alright, Dugan, did he say what he wanted?" Dugan shook his head. "He didn't seem happy though, Finian, you'd better hurry."

Finian shook his head "Fat chance I'll hurry, I know exactly what he wants of me." He began to slowly walk in the direction of the camp. "And as soon as he asks it I will have no choice but to obey." Dugan looked up at Finian in shock, "You don't think he'd make you do that… do you?" Dugan's face was filled with a look of concern knowing exactly what Finian had been referring to, "He wouldn't."

Finian patted Dugan's shoulder comfortingly, but answered him truthfully, "I do think he will; because that is what he thinks will be best for the clan." Dugan grimaced at the thought of what was to become of Finian as they walked together back to the village.