There’s something unnerving about the tree on the hill. Anyone who passes the hill, will tell you the same.
No one quite knows just how old it is, but some claim that it’s older than the village itself. Sometimes young teens will dare each other to walk closer to it, though few get more than a few steps up the hill, before turning tail and racing back to their laughing friends. Adults flat out refuse to go near it, some even refusing to look at it or speak of it. Even young children can feel the strangeness of that place, often crying if their caretakers stray too close with them.
You’ve never quite fit in with anyone in this town, always left feeling off kilter, as if you simply aren’t what you’re meant to be. The tree on the hill had never really been a big deal to you, though that might simply be that your family never really let you wander around the village much, if ever. Today though, that would change.
You’re not sure how you got dragged into this ridiculous “game”, you don’t even like any of these teens. Still, your family had been pushing you to interact with them lately, despite having been the ones too keep you away from them outside of school in the first place. You had a feeling it involved your age, though you were determined not to think about what that implied.
Looking up at the tree on the hill, you sigh, wondering why they are all so frightened of this thing. Even standing down here, a short distance away from the base of the hill, they all look pale and anxious, their smiles stretched thin. It’s only their bravado and taunting of each other, that seems to keep them in place. Looking over at you, one of them smiles a little cruelly.
“You’re the one who’s never done this before. You should go first. Doubt you’ll get far” They grin, the others perking up and agreeing, bleating like the sheep they are.
There’s not an independent thought among them, you silently grouse in your mind. Rolling your eyes, you decide to simply go with it, shrugging carelessly as you start making your way towards the hill. Maybe you could get this over and done with, and they would leave you alone. It might be nice to explore, without them following you.
Their snickers and giggles slowly start to die out as you continue walking, turning into harsh whispers and gasps of horror, as you pass some invisible line, showing no signs of fear.
“What the fuck are they doing?!”
“They’re not meant to go that far.”
“Can’t they fucking feel it?”
“Shit! If they die, we’re screwed!”
“What do we do?”
Ignoring them, you continue to walk up the hill, eyes trained on the tree. You cant tell whats so scary about it. It’s huge, that’s for sure, but it isn’t the biggest you’ve seen, and it’s actually quite a beautiful thing. Though you can definitely feel something in the air, there’s no terror or dread, if anything, you feel drawn to it.
Finally, you reach the tree, and glance back at the other teens. From here, you can see them all running back towards the village, looking terrified. Scoffing, you shake your head and look back at the tree, reaching out and touching it lightly.
A strange buzz runs up your arm as you do, but still, you feel no fear. It’s quite peaceful up here, for a place so feared. Honestly, you can’t find it in you to let that peace go, or at least not quite yet.
After a few moments spent debating it in your mind, you settle down against the base of the tree, leaning against it and admiring the beautiful view. You must have been sitting there for no more than ten minutes, when you’re startled from your thoughts.
“My my… Isn’t this a surprise” A smooth voice speaks up.
The speaker drops from the tree with an unnatural grace, landing beside you and then calmly sitting down, looking over the view with you. You can’t help but stare at them, much to your embarrassment.
They are like nothing you have ever seen. It’s obvious that they aren’t human, though they almost wear the guise of one. Even their clothes seem strange, so very out of place with this simple and boring village.
They seem amused, but equally interested as they take the chance to look you over as well.
I look over the mystifying stranger, confusion veiled by intrigue. “Let me guess; not too many people pop up around here?” I ask with a slight air of nonchalance.
“Very few dare venture here….even fewer are as fair as you,” they spoke, tucking their silvery hair behind their ears, the sharp point showing the stranger was an Elf of some sort.
“A… are you a Nachtelf?” My voice was hesitant and respectful as I studied the pale complexion.
“I am Nachtelf and Drow, among other things,” he spoke, his voice losing all illusion of Glamour as it seemed to embrace me. “You, dear, are shockingly observant, darling...” His voice, carrying a rich brogue, faded as he waited for my name.
“Synystra,” I offered softly, leaning slightly closer to him.
“A beautiful name for a beautiful lass,” he smirked, pushing a bit of my black hair out of my face. “You’ve got yerself in a bit of a rare spot. No’ many can linger in the presence of those like me very long.”
“It’s difficult to explain….” My voice was calm, almost dreamlike. “I feel more comfortable here than I do there….” I gesture to the village absently as he unfastened his cloak and draped it over us.
He smiled, drawing me closer with little resistance. “Care t'explain a bit more, lass? Ah dinnae ken how tae be of assistance if ye dinnae tell more.” His voice was velvet to my ears, thick and sensual.
“I haven’t exactly fit in there, if I can be curt about things,” I sighed, curling into him. “I’ve always been a bit of an outsider, even with my closest friends.”
A pale hand draped over my chest, the long fingers seeming to guard my heart. I don’t know what it was about him, but he felt…safe. This entity made me feel more cherished in these few moments than an entire family….no, an entire village could in nearly thirty years.
“Stay'ere, lass,” he murmured reassuringly, stroking my cheek as I drifted to sleep enveloped in his warm scent. “I’ll be right back.”
Feeling secure, I slept deeply as he left the hill. There was a ward in his cloak, almost tailored perfectly to my body and mind...as if he had studied me.
"Ye've no need tae fear, m'lady..." His voice in my mind was warm and tender, almost loving...
I woke to the gentle humming of my elven guardian.
"It's tended to, Synystralass," he crooned tenderly.
