A/N thank you, kitty-kat-girlyyyxxx and PlatinumGal for reviewing! ^_^ Well, this chapter is a bit tragic for Eva, but it needs to pass. This chapter explains the hostility Mr. Jonson has towards Eva in Ch. 1. please R&R and have a cookie ^_^ (::)
Every day from that day it was almost the same routine, except for the weekends. I got up, did my morning routines, practiced with my sword for about an hour, getting cleaned up again, walking to breakfast with Artie, and on weekdays, go to classes.
My friendship with Artie grew steadily during the following months. Eventually, we became best friends; someone we can tell almost anything to. The only thing we didn't talk about was our pasts, which was perfectly fine with me. I often had to rescue him from getting beat up and picked on. As a result, I started to teach him basic swords fighting skills and moves. I always tell him it's like dancing, which in essence, it is. He picked up a few things after a few months of hard work and him getting his ass kicked over and over again.
After a few months, on an A-day, people started looking at me weird again, like they did for the first few weeks. There were a lot of whispers when I was around. A lot of people glared at me hatefully, even though I didn't do anything to them at all. Hell, I even got attacked by a few people for no reason what-so-ever. I stayed up in my room for most of the day after classes.
After awhile, Artie came in and asked, 'Do want me to bring something for you to eat?'
Just then, my stomach grumbled its protest.
I nodded and he said, 'I'll be right back.'
He was back after 5 minutes with a few muffins and a platter of salad.
'That was fast', I stated jokingly, taking the food from him and taking a bite out of a muffin.
I offered a muffin to him, but he shook his head stating, 'No thank you. I'm not hungry'.
Shrugging, I ate the food pretty quickly. I already told Artie why I locked myself in my room. Glancing at the clock, I saw it was close for curfew.
'You better go to bed, Artie, we don't wanna get detentions again', I stated with a smile.
He grinned back at me and stood up saying, 'Goodnight Eva'
Smiling, I watched him exit, then walked over to my desk and took out my diary. I opened to a blank page and wrote about what happened today and the questions that were bouncing around in my head. Why are they so hostile all of the sudden? As I put my things away, I kept thinking about a whispered comment I'd heard earlier that day. 'I'm glad that there's only one elf left', is what that bitch, Guinevere, had commented; the girl Artie was madly in love over. He was getting rejected every other week! And because of that bitch, he has a very low self-esteem! It hurts to see him beating himself up because he can't get a date with the girl of his dreams. I may have a very rough exterior, but to the people who are dear to me, I'm very loyal and protective of them. Anyway, I undressed and went to bed. Perhaps I could get answers tomorrow.
The day started out normally.
I dressed, practiced, and ate before Magical Studies. Professor Merlin "retired" after his nervous breakdown in class a few weeks ago. Artie still owes a detention from him! I forgot what he did, though. Now our new teacher is a complete bitch. Damn, even Professor Akar seems to hate me now. Well, that's fine with me; I've hated him since he came! I just doodled on my assignment all class until the bell rang.
History, for once, was interesting today and gave me the answers I was looking for. I took my normal seat beside Artie and took out a piece of parchment. As Professor Cato took role a few minutes later, he paused at my name with a troubled expression.
'Eva, I've heard rumors about you being an elf. Is that true?', he rasped, gazing at me with watery hazel eyes.
'Yes, Professor, the rumors are true', I replied, with a confused tone;everyone knew I was an elf.
Now his expression was starting to make me nervous.
His eyebrows furrowed, but he continued with the lesson.
'Turn to page 864 in your history books', Professor Cato instructed, turning to the chalkboard to write something on it.
Sighing, I turned my book to that page and was surprised to see the section was about elves.
'Now read the entire section and answer the questions at the end', Cato's voice rasped.
I glanced down at the first paragraph and started reading.
'The elf species has been around for approximately 6,000 years. They hail from the thick unnamed forests that dot around the Earth. This particular sub-species of elf were called 'Forest Elves'. There are only two sub-species of elves, the Forest Elves and the Christmas Elves. The Forest Elves differ greatly from the Christmas Elves. The Forest Elves are commonly taller than their colder counterparts. They were known for their feline-like appearance, fiery temper, unusual eye colors, and their love for nature. The Forest Elves were great magic-wielders, and were more athletic than any human could ever dream of. Commonly, they were more flexible, can run faster than a galloping horse, quicker reflexes and movements, and could jump to impossible heights. They were great archers and swordsmen, and were fierce warriors. Unfortunately, their talents were their downfall. The human race grew jealous and envious of the elves' success. King Talbot I ordered the destruction of the elf race. He posted rewards of money for a certain amount of elf heads per citizen. One elf head had a reward of 100 gold. Queen Maiaera of the elves declared war on King Talbot's kingdom. The resulting war lasted for a decade before Queen Maiaera's forces fell and with it, the elf race was doomed. It was a few years later that the entire elf race went extinct; tracked and killed by the most skilled warriors and hunters. The elves are still hated and envied to this day. There is no recorded records that there are any surviving members of the noble race that was once the elves. The Christmas Elv-'
I shut my book and held my head in my hands. Everything makes sense now! From the hatred and coldness from before I could remember to the attacks and whispers now!
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Artie pass a slip of parchment onto my desk. I reached for it and read what was written on it.
'Are you ok?'
I shook my head and gathered my things, getting up and exiting the room. Normally, Professor Cato doesn't allow students to leave his classroom, but I guess he felt bad for me. Heh, what a way to learn about your race.
After I was halfway to the front doors, the entire truth hit me; I'm the last of the elves.
My hands started to shake as I ran full tilt towards the exit. Bursting out of the wooden doors, I fled towards the open drawbridge and up our favorite tree. I dropped my things by the base of the tree and gazed out at the rolling hills of green, letting a tear roll down my face for every slain elf.
I heard the creaking of branches as someone climbed up onto them some time later.
'Hello Artie', I whispered, not moving from my perch.
He took a seat on the branch beside mine and asked quietly, 'Are you ok?'
I knew he was trying to help, but anger flared up and roared loudly like an angered dragon inside of my chest.
'What the hell do you think? I just found out my race was slaughtered like fucking pigs by the race I was raised with! I just found out that I, Eva Thalaela, am the last of the elf race and you expect me to be ok with it!', I screamed at him, gripping the wood of my branch like it was my lifeline.
He just stayed quiet, but I saw the pain and fear flash across his face.
I ranted and screamed my sorrow, grief, and pain out before succumbing to tears.
Tentatively, Artie reached out and wrapped his arms around me, letting me cry into his chest. After awhile, I pulled away and wiped my eyes.
'Thank you', I whispered, flushing a bit for my display of weakness.
He smiled comfortingly and whispered, 'No problem'.
We sat in the tree until the bell rang for lunch.
'Well, it all makes sense now' I whispered, making Artie shift slightly on his branch.
'What does?', he asked quietly.
'The attacks and hatred towards me once people found out what I was'
Artie stayed silent for a bit before saying, 'But I didn't attack you.'
'Yes, and I'm very thankful for that. You are only the second person that hasn't done anything to make me feel unwelcome', I whispered, turning my head and giving him a small grateful grin.
He returned it and asked, 'Do you want me to bring you something from the cafeteria?'
I shook my head and stated, 'No, I'll come with you.'
He looked a bit concerned, but helped me down from the tree. As we walked together to the cafeteria, I was aware of the sniggers and whispers around me. That only fueled my temper, but I tried to keep it in check. As Artie and I arrived at the cafeteria, the entire room got silent.
'Hey Eva, how does it feel to be the last of the tree-huggers?', Lancelot called mockingly from one of the tables.
At that moment, I saw red.
Before Artie could stop me, I dropped my tray and stalked up to Lancelot.
'Get your sword and meet me in the field in 10 minutes', I snarled. 'Lets see whose the better fighter.'