Chapter 1

Iccita ran through the thick forest with the grace and speed of a deer. Though she was at a rush her feet seemed to barely tough the ground, as no sound came from breaking twigs or crinkling leaves.

The warm sun shined down through the canopy and enlighten Iccita's delicate pale skin. Her light blue hair streaked behind her as she went, her almond shaped, crystal blue eyes shimmered with the delight of her surroundings. She loved the pure nature of Erathia's forest. It was rich in evergreen and welcomed the wild into it's domain.

Iccita slowed her pace as she came upon a small clearing of bushes. She stopped just before, her soft hair falling to her back. She stood there in silence, her intense eye sight and pointed ears, sensing for any danger.

In the distance, and all around, she heard the sounds of the forest. Deer grazed a few miles away, birds chirped to one another in the trees, and the squirrels skittered around. She saw nothing but the pure beauty of the natural forest.

Iccita smiled with delight as she entered the clearing to a small berry bush set against a tree.

"Trixie! Are you there?" She called in a soft whisper. The bushes shook slightly and out popped a tiny human-like creature.

"Is it safe?" Trixie asked in a tiny voice just audible to Iccita's elf ears. Iccita frowned,

"Now, would I let anything happen to you, Trixie?"

"Yes, you nearly got me killed the day we met Secra!" Trixie replied with a squeak. Iccita chuckled with the fond memory of their new friend. "It's not funny!" Trixie's body glowed in red sparkles as she fluttered out of the bush to Iccita's height.

Like all faeries, Trixie was like a small human only with glittery red wings to help her move around. Her little body was covered with a small red dress, torn in places from the thorns of the berry bushes. Also, like most faeries, they have the ability to allow others to see them.

"Oh! Come on, Trixie! He was defending himself. You would too, if someone was spying on you like that." Iccita said, placing her hands on her small hips. "Plush, at anytime you could have disappeared from his vision."

"I haven't been able to do that automatically, yet. I have just recently learned how to make myself appear." Trixie squeaked back, flying closer to Iccita's nose.

Iccita shook her head, "Well, are we going or not?" She asked, just as she began to walk away. She had a small figure, like most elves. Her shorts showed off her strong legs, while the white tied shirt revealed her pale stomach and soft swell of her breasts.

Trixie flew next to Iccita as they made their way deeper into the forest.

"Are you sure, it's the right way?" Trixie groaned softly. They had been walking for nearly an hour, thinking they should have been there by now.

"Galvin said to turn East when we reach the beehive." Iccita replied, frowning as she looked back the way they came.

"Do you know how many beehives are in this forest, Iccita?" Trixie squeaked.

"I know! But he said this one was much bigger than all the others." Iccita defended.

"He also said that the forest got thinner. It's getting a little thicker."

"I know, Trixie!" Iccita snapped, then sighed. "Let's go back and go West, maybe he just got the directions mixed up?" She hoped.

Trixie sighed and rested on Iccita's shoulder as they made their way back.

After another hour the trees began to thin and in the distance, Iccita could hear a low roar.

"See! What'd I tell you?" She said with delight. Trixie shook her head, then flew towards the sound. As they got closer, the roar became louder and splashing could be heard,

"I think there's someone already there." She cautioned Trixie, who halted in flight.

Crouching, as if not to be seen, Iccita approached in silent curiosity, Trixie on her shoulder to keep from glowing. The splashing continued, making it a definite that someone was there, but who? Moving along the bushes, she found an opening where they could see into the clearing.

Iccita's eyes widened at the beauty of the large clearing. At the far end was a high stone wall with the loud roaring of a high waterfall spilling into the pool below.

Rocks sprouted out of the large pool in certain areas, while the bright sun made the water sparkle and dance. The trees seem to tilt into the lagoon, trying to capture the warmth of the suns' rays.

Standing ankle deep in the water, a lady elf stood there, splashing with her feet on occasion. Her beautiful long blonde hair tumbled down to her waist. Hugging her slender, but well built figure looked like a green dress that could blend in with the surrounding forest. She had skin of a soft creamy color that glowed from the reflection of the sun off the water.

Iccita moved to get a better view, when her hand brushed the leaves slightly, causing them to ruffle. The lady elf turned in the direction, looking to see what was there. Iccita quickly moved back to get out of sight, the bushes abstracting her view.

"Did she see me?" Iccita whispered quietly to Trixie. The faerie fluttered atop the bushes, but saw nothing.

"She's gone!" Trixie squeaked, fluttering about trying to see where the lady had gone. Peering around the bush with more caution, Iccita saw nothing where the lady had been. She stood up slowly, looking around, and made her way out of their hiding spot.

"Where did she go?" Trixie asked softly, following Iccita, but keeping an eye out. As Iccita approached the waters' edge she frowned,

"There's nothing here." She said softly, "No footprints, no disturbance in the sand. Nothing."

"It's as if she was never here."

"But you saw her, right Trixie?" Iccita asked with concern.

"Yeah, I saw her standing there."

"She was pretty. I haven't seen anyone like that in the city before, I don't think." Iccita puzzled, thinking about the lady, 'But I have seen her before.' She added in thought.

'But when, and where?'