Chapter One The Scent of Death In The Morning
"Elente, don't forget to deliver the milk on your way!" a she-elf shouted as her daughter flew out of the door.
"Alright mother!" Elente yelled back to Madrial and she changed her path to go to the barn. She barely stopped long enough to load up a small cart with milk and grab the handle before taking off towards the market place. The market was a hectic place full of stalls with various items, taverns, and other places-of-business. Everywhere was a flurry of color. What with all these distractions, it is no surprise that the majority of people living near there were thieves. In fact, the very forest they were in was known as 'The Thieves' Forrest.' "'Morning Billie!" Elente greeted her boy friend cheerfully. They had first met when her mother had needed some help at the stall they owned in market. He now worked there every morning.
"More milk!?" He burst out like he had for the past ten years.
"Of course," she replied, "we do after all, need money and what better way to get it than to sell milk. Everyone needs it."
"Really, milk?"
"Yes, milk."
"Meet in the clearing near Love's Lake?"
"Sure…" Elente replied. Suddenly, she froze and her eyes widened.
"What's wrong?" Billie asked coming around the stall, "Something you forgot to do?"
"Mother!" she cried running off towards the farm closely followed by Billie. As he burst into the barn, he saw Elente cradling her mother and crying.
"Elente…" her mother breathed, "you must find your father."
"What about the farm?"
"Forget the damned farm!" Here Madrial's breathing became a little harder, "I love you and always will Elente."
"Where might I find him then?"
"Mirkwood…" With that, Madrial slumped against her daughter and let out her last breath.