Chapter 1
"Dark, wait up!" called Aeron, from his illustrious white steed. They were riding against each other, and like always Dark was beating him. She merely laughed in reply, riding against the neck of her black stallion fast enough to make sure that Aeron couldn't catch her any time soon. If a complete stranger were to look upon the two of them, they would be completely speechless. For two elves riding bareback on elven-bred horses at extraordinary speeds is indeed a very speechless site. One could compare such an event to the grace of which a lioness chases her prey, toying with it before rendering it immobile with a seemingly effortless swipe of paw. And in essence, that was exactly what Dark was doing to Aeron.
They were in a meadow, on of the few in the great forest of Tirranwn. It stretched for a good league and a half, absolutely brimming with life. A stream ran down the center of it, where deer and other creatures of the forest and meadow drank and exchanged the gossip of the forest known only by its inhabitants. A pair of mockingbirds flew above, swinging their sweet tune, unperturbed by the mountainous beasts below them. It was a peaceful place, and Dark and Aeron's caravan was camped somewhere nearby in the woods. Though the meadow was indeed very beautiful, it was the fashion of the nomadic elves of Isafdar to stay within their natural habitat, under the shadows of the trees.
Dark continue to ride, until she was sure that Aeron would soon give up. She finally let up and whispered calming words to her mount, slowing it. Aeron quickly covered the distance, and slowed to a meandering pace next to her. With a sigh, he looked at Dark with an almost amused gaze. She merely smiled, silently gloating over the fact that she beat her elder brother for the umpteenth time. They both had known how to ride since they were but little youths, always bareback, never confining such magnificent beasts to a bit and tack. But since they were youths Dark had always surpassed anyone save the most skillful rangers in riding. Aeron had always hoped to humble her if he could beat her once, but he had never yet earned the pleasure.
Words did not need to pass between the two. They accepted the peace of their surroundings, and relaxed to enjoy the beauty of them. Aeron, fair haired and tall sat proudly in his saddle, accepting his defeat with the numerous others he had collected over the years. He came to a realization long ago that if he let himself continually be disappointed by the inevitable, he would never be happy. So, wearing an almost foolish grin, he continued riding along the winding stream that split the valley. Dark, over the fact that she had beat Aeron, did likewise.
It was actually a very interesting story as to how she received her name. Found as merely a babe by the guards of the pass, her most obvious characteristic was that she had dark, almost-black, brown hair despite being an elf. Most elves, like Aeron, had fairer hair. Her eyes also where was another dominating feature of hers. They were a deep, deep hazel. Flecks of orange stood out against the cobalt iris of her eyes, making them also unlike the pale blue eyes of most elves. The guards, not knowing what else to call such an oddity, merely dubbed her Dark. And the name stuck. That was thirteen years ago, making Aeron her elder by four. Thirteen years ago was also when the ceremony that bonded Aeron and Dark as sister and brother was performed, also bonding Aeron's parents as Dark's parents in bond. But, because the ceremony was performed specifically between an infant Dark and a confused but willing Aeron, their bond was strongest. That bond would continue to strengthen over the years as Dark and Aeron grew closer. Aeron was a good older brother, being wise and level-headed; Dark a mischievous and trouble-making but loving sister.
Still, despite the bond that held Dark to the people of the nomadic tribe of Isafdar, she was still shunned in ways. Other children her age weren't mean to her, yet they never really accepted her. She was always kept at arm's length, never drawing close to anyone except Aeron, her parents, and a few adults. But Dark didn't care. She was clever enough to make her own entertainment, and she always enjoyed learning new things. The Elder's stories that bored other children still intrigued her, and she never grew tired of them. But curiosity can also provoke naivety, and more than once Dark has gotten into trouble for something or another when she wasn't careful; this also marked her as one that rocked the precious balance that governed most of the people of Tirranwn's lives.
All of a sudden, a wily youth sprung from the trees. Dark and Aeron noticed him with some interest, riding towards him. The youth had wheat-blond hair pulled back into a small braid at the nape of his neck with a perpetual smirk posed at the corners of his mouth. Approaching Dark and Aeron, he called out, "Aeron! The Elders look for you. We are to leave for Lletya within the next two hours."
Dark rolled her eyes, used to being ignored but was irritated nonetheless. After delivering his message, the boy ran back through the woods as quickly as he came. Through unspoken words, Dark and Aeron raced towards in the trees in another futile competition. Through no one's surprise, Dark reached the edge of the meadow first. Waiting for Aeron, they maintained a quick trot until they arrived at camp. They tied up their horses, and made quick work of making sure their belongings were accounted for and tied down. Checking in with their somewhat annoyed parents, the caravan was ready to move. Elves tend to be quicker than humans in any job they do, no matter how simple. Dark and Aeron once again mounted their steeds, and followed the caravan from the back as was their duty given to them by their parents and another village Elder as though Dark repeatedly beat Aeron in races, he was still the second to best rider in the clan.
Dark and Aeron relaxed, lulled by their horses' methodical rhythm, somewhat tired from the day's exercises and eager to be back in a bit less temporary home.