Erelias Theradin finds something familiar and something new in the forests of the Feywild. Part 2 of the Erelias Theradin series.


Erelias Theradin Part 2

Erelias Theradin was walking through the forests of the Feywild when he heard a lovely sound. Soon he came across a small figure huddled inside the hollow of an Ambriar tree, sobbing. Well, perhaps "lovely" was the incorrect term to use. But the voice had potential. And at least she had chosen a nice tree. The Ambriar's leaves stood on end as he approached, a clear warning. Erelias raised a hand.

Peace, my friend. I am Arannior Liadon. I wish you and your charge no harm. I merely wish to speak to her.

The Ambriar froze at the name, then slowly lowered its leaves. Erelias continued unimpeded. The figure seemed oblivious to the exchange.

"Greetings little one."

The figure's head snapped up at his voice. Erelias caught a glimpse of slightly pointed ears before the girl scrambled backwards in fear. So, a half-human. He switched to Elvish.

"I will not hurt you. Do you understand?"

Her eyes showed no recognition of his words. Interesting. So she was raised among humans. He repeated his words in Common. There was a pause, then a small, unsure nod.

"Then do not be afraid. Come out and let us speak plainly in the light."

She shook her head furiously at this and tried to retreat further into the safety of the Ambriar's hollow, but the Ambriar shifted and with a ripple through its body, gently nudged her out of the opening and sealed the hollow closed behind her. The moment light hit her skin Erelias realised the reason for her fear. She was not just a half-human, she was half-drow. How very… interesting.

The girl herself seemed incredibly shocked, looking back at the Ambriar, face full of confusion and fear. Clearly she had not realised the Ambriar's true nature. Her attention then flipped to Erelias and she froze, seemingly caught between wanting to get as far away from him as possible and staying a safe distance from the Ambriar. As her eyes turned to him, he saw… that shade of purple seemed… familiar. Erelias then noticed her arms were wrapped around a rather large object. An instrument that was extremely familiar.

"Where did you get that lyre?"

Her eyes opened even wider in fright. "I didn't steal it! It's mine!" she cried with that sweet voice and hugged the instrument even closer to herself. Her frantic response caught Erelias a little by surprise. But on second thought, it was not surprising she had met with similar but perhaps less fortunate situations. He squatted down and held out both hands, palms open, showing her he had no weapons and meant no harm.

"I only have a few questions. It would be very kind of you to answer them."

She didn't respond, but his words and actions seemed to confuse her. Erelias understood. She must have been taught to hide, to be afraid of what she was. He waited. Eventually, sure that he meant what he said, she calmed down enough to speak.

"I found it. It was broken. Mother helped me fix it. She…"

She trailed off. Erelias could guess with certainty what happened to her mother. As for her father… if he wasn't dead then the little thing must have never met him.

"May I look at it?"

She took a step back and shook her head, reed-thin arms trembling from gripping the lyre so tightly. She looked up at him with pleading eyes.

"Please, I… it's the only thing I have left of her."

"Do not fear, I will not take it from you."

She eyed him warily. Erelias made no motion to suggest any other intention. For a long time, he waited patiently and watched. She was a mess, arms and legs littered with bruises and scratches, her face thin and sunken. She probably hadn't eaten or slept in days. And now that the initial rush of adrenaline was fading, he could see she was exhausted, and desperate for someone to trust.

"I promise I will return it to you."

The child looked down at her instrument and looked back at him. Erelias recognised the signs of an internal debate in her uncertain eyes, but eventually, she loosened her grip and slowly, reluctantly, held the lyre out to him. Erelias took it gently in hand. He didn't pull when he met with resistance as she held on a moment longer. Finally, she let go. He could hear her heart hammering through the Weave.

Erelias examined the instrument that was now in his hand. A little worn, but it was definitely the same instrument he had carelessly discarded only a short while ago, minus a string, but Mended it seemed. He looked back at the girl, whose entire being was on edge. Her hair was white, not red, and her silvery skin was a clear sign of what she was, but Erelias remembered those eyes, filled with awe, not fear, once upon a time. He held out the lyre to her. Her eyes flickered between him and the lyre as she hesitantly reached out for it. She visibly relaxed once the instrument returned to her two hands. A little smile appeared on her lips. Erelias wondered what it would be like if melodies passed through those lips instead. That would truly be… interesting.

"Play something for me."

She started at his sudden words.

"I… I don't know many songs," she stammered.

"Play what you want."

She still seemed unsure, but still she ran her fingers over the strings, testing. Left-handed. Interesting. After a while, she looked back at him and he gave a nod of encouragement. At this, she began her chosen song, plucking the strings for the opening chord. It was weak, unpractised, but then she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and sang.

There was nothing special about her song, a lullaby of some sort, and she obviously couldn't weave magic into her music, but… The song carried with it a resonance, foreign to the Weave of the Feywild, but still it inspired a feeling. That feeling… it was… warm. Erelias heard. He listened.

As the last note of her song faded, she looked up at him nervously. Erelias showed no emotion, his face was concealed by the hood of his cloak anyway, but inside, he felt… He looked into those eyes, that despite everything they must have seen, still carried a spark of hope. She was a little singer. A carmentia.

He stood up and walked away from the Ambriar, back the way he came. The girl watched, confused. He paused, and with a slight turn of his head, he spoke.

"Come, Carmentia."

He continued without another word. A beat later, he heard the rustling of hurried footsteps trailing after him.

Erelias Theradin was no teacher, yet he now had a little thing following in his footsteps.