Mother's First Step
The morning breeze gently swept away the old leaves that fell at the bottom of the Silvaren Glade forest, a place where sunlight only occasionally penetrates through the thick foliage. From behind the roots of the giant tree that was circular like a protector, a body slowly moved.
The sapphire blue eyes opened slowly, staring at the natural ceiling overgrown with glowing tendrils.
"... Already... so far..." He muttered softly.
Elsia El Mina, her body is still fit as if it is not disturbed by age. He sat down slowly, touching the ground around him. The smell of the forest is still the same, but it feels stranger.
"Dariel... Avel... Halfer..." he whispered, staring blankly towards the outside of the tree gap.
His hand touched the old carvings on the wooden wall—a symbol of the family that once lived together in this place.
"They... is gone. It's been one hundred and twenty years..." Her voice sounded fragile but still had the firmness of a mother.
He stood up, the dust from his clothes floating for a moment before falling back to the ground. Elsia stepped slowly, out of her hibernating nest. A dazzling light greeted him after a long time of being covered in darkness.
Before him, the Silvaren Glade forest was still beautiful and enchanting. But for Elsia, this place is just a reminder of a time gone by.
"I've had enough sleep..." He said softly, looking east. "Time won't wait for anyone, even for an Elven like me."
He started walking, his feet tracing the dry leaves that made a crisp sound. Several small beasts turned their heads, recognizing the old scent they had forgotten.
"I'll look for you, Dariel... You are my stubborn eldest son."
The steps are steady.
"Hello... I know you must be a strong woman, even if you never show your feelings."
The sky slowly changed color, the wind whispering the story of the world that continued to walk without it.
"Then Halfer..." Elsia was silent for a moment. "You may be a human being, but you are still my son. The Elf blood in your body will take you far... No matter how far it goes, I'll find you."
He stopped at the bank of a small river, looking at his own shadow on the surface of the water.
"I'm no longer the woman waiting at home. This time... I'll be the one to look for you."
Without looking back, Elsia stepped away from Silvaren Glade—her home, her memories, and her entire past. Her journey began, not as a majestic Elves, but as a mother.
The light steps penetrated the bush that had grown wild while he slept. Every broken twig under its footing felt like a sign of the start of a new journey. Above his head, small birds flew overhead, as if welcoming the presence of this long-lost figure from the forest.
Elsia looked around, seeing small changes that she had never seen before. Some foreign plants grow in place of old moss. There was a loud voice in the distance—perhaps a new creature that he didn't recognize.
But he did not hesitate.
"The sky is still blue," he said quietly, turning his head briefly behind the giant tree where he had slept for more than a century. "And I still have a long way to go."
He untied his hair, letting the silver strands wave freely. The outside air felt refreshing on the skin of his face. A leaf fell right into his palm. He looked at her, then clasped it gently.
"The world has walked without me, but my children... they are part of that world now."
His steps led to the small path that Dariel used to walk to go. It was still faint, but the scent of hint magic was still left, instinctively embedded in the ground and air by the same blood.
"Dariel must have gone north... He wants to be a warrior, or maybe a king in his own way of life." He smiled faintly. "And he was always too proud to look back."
He walked along a rocky road, along the edge of a ravine that led to the plateau. The wind was getting stronger, but he kept going without hesitation.
"One by one... I'll look for you, son."
The rustling of branches was heard from behind the trees. A deer ran away agilely, making Elsia stop her steps. He turned his head to the east, the place where Avel had once said he wanted to explore the world alone.
"He doesn't like to be restrained, even by me. Avel always chooses his own path... and I can only pray."
He sighed.
"But now, I'm not just praying... I'll look for it. I'll look for you all."
The sky began to change color. Dusk blankets the horizon in shades of orange and gold. The forest behind him was slowly swallowed up by shadows.
But on Elsia's face, there was no fear. Only determination, and love that never fades.
"This... is a mother's first step."
The night air began to pierce the skin, piercing through the layer of dark green robes that wrapped his body. In a small rocky plain on the edge of the forest, Elsia sat leaning against the trunk of an old dead tree, her body slightly bent over the small fire she had just kindled.
The light of fire bounced off his calm eyes. Her silver hair seemed to sparkle faintly under the dim orange light that danced in the cold air. The sound of burning wood sounded crispy, emitting small sparks every now and then.
He dropped some bulbs into the coals, covering them with hot ash.
"Hm... I almost forgot how cold it was..." He muttered softly, clasping both knees.
The night breeze blows slowly, bringing the scent of wet soil and foliage. A night bird flew by in the distance, making a hoarse sound before disappearing into the dark sky.
Elsia lowered her head, staring at the fire with a mind that slowly drifted away.
"In the past, Dariel always complained when I told him to gather firewood... He said it was better to fight with goblins than to look for wet twigs," he said quietly, almost as if he was talking to a shadow.
He smiled slightly, then glanced at the embers that began to blacken.
"And Avel... he would secretly keep his roasted tubers, tuck them in a cloak to give to Halfer without my knowledge."
Elsia's hand gently pulled a tuber out of the hot ash. He blew it gently before starting to peel off his charred skin.
"I don't know where you guys are now... Do you also sit by a fire like this, or do you sleep in the silence of a night harsher than this."
One bite. The natural sweetness of the bulbs spreads on his tongue. Not special, but enough to warm the stomach.
He took a deep breath, then closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the simple moment of silence.
"No one is with me, but I don't feel alone," she whispered softly. "Because in every step... You are always with me."
The leaves swayed slowly on it. The fire began to shrink, leaving the embers that burned dimly.
That night, for the first time in more than a century, Elsia went back to sleep... Not to hibernate, but just to unwind a mother who is just starting her journey.
The sound of the night slowly faded, replaced by a gentle breeze touching her hair. Elsia was still awake behind her closed eyelids, not fully asleep, but letting her mind sink into silence. The embers were still burning faintly, enough to warm his silent body.
Then came the memories—so soft, like the morning dew touching the petals.
He looked back at little Dariel, a boy with long blonde hair who always fluttered wildly whenever he ran among the trees.
"Dariel... always be brave," whispered Elsia with a smile. "Too fast to mature... too eager to be a protector."
He remembered when Dariel with a serious face brandished a wooden stick at a squirrel, then fell down on his own because his leg slipped.
"'I'll take care of Mom and Avel until I grow up,'" Elsia mimicked her voice. "And the next day, you actually have a fever because you played in the rain for too long."
His smile turned into a small laugh, before turning slowly as Avel's face appeared in his shadow.
Small Avel... The petite brunette girl with bright green eyes, was always silent, but her eyes spoke a lot.
"Never cry... even when injured," said Elsia softly. "But you'll sit quietly beside me, hugging your knees in silence... waiting for me to realize that you need a hug."
He opened his eyes slowly, staring at the star-filled night sky.
"The two Elven children... born of my blood and destiny. But then, fate brought me together with another..."
The wind changes direction. Cold. Soft. He closed his eyes again.
He remembered that day very clearly—it was raining heavily. The forest turned gray, and the sound of lightning echoed far away. Dariel and Avel were still young at the time, they were waiting inside the treehouse, while Elsia walked around the protective magic boundaries of the forest.
Then the cry rang out—weak, shivering, and fragile.
"Human voice..." muttered at that time.
He found a rickety basket lying behind the roots of a tree wrapped in moss. In it, a little baby cried... Her skin was pale, her body was soaked. There is no name, no explanation. Only a thin blanket and a small wound on his shoulder.
Elsia looked at the little creature silently, then subconsciously reached out.
"What is this... gift? Or a curse?" he said at that time. But when the baby grasped his index finger, he knew the answer.
When he took her home, Dariel immediately stared at him warily. Avel just lowered his head, confused.
"That... humans," said Dariel. "Are we going to let him stay here?"
Elsia didn't answer, just sat by the fireplace hugging the baby.
"He was alone, like we used to be," he replied quietly.
The days after that became colorful. Although Dariel had been cold, and Avel chose to remain silent, the baby brought new life into their small house.
And when the fourth night came, Elsia decided to do something no elf had ever done before—she cut off her index finger, then dripped blood into the water the baby was about to drink.
"My blood will be a bridge," he said. "You're not just human... you are Halfer El Mina."
From that night, Halfer grew with unusual strength for a human. His body is strong, his eyes are sharp, and time seems to slow down his age. Dariel starts teaching him to climb a tree, Avel secretly gives him warm bread when he forgets to eat.
Elsia rubbed her cold cheeks in the wind.
"And now... You are all gone."
But there was no sadness in his voice that night. Only a mother's calm knows: the love she planted, will one day bring her back to them.
He pulled the blanket of his robe more closely, closing his eyes once more.
His journey is still long, but his heart is no longer alone. Because those memories live with him—strengthening, guided, and burning the flame of love that never goes out.
The morning light mist danced among the wild grass soaked by dew. The air felt fresh, and the sky began to turn pale orange, a sign that the dawn had fully revealed the night. On a rock hill that wasn't too high, Elsia stood silently, looking back.
From where it stood, the Silvaren Glade forest looked small—just a silent green ocean in the distance. Small birds flew past it, welcoming the new day with a cheerful chirp.
Elsia squinted, observing the line of trees.
"So far I've walked..." He said quietly, almost as if talking to himself.
A gentle breeze blew from the valley below, shaking her silver strands of hair. His robe fluttered softly, and on his face radiated a calmness not the same as when he first left the forest. Now, there's something different... more robust.
He descended the hill slowly, past sharp rocks and thickets that began to grow tall. Every step feels light, even if the streets aren't necessarily easy.
"The forest... has become part of the past," he said, without looking back. "Now my steps are only towards the future—towards you."
He grabbed a small pouch around his waist, took a piece of dry bread and took a bite of it without haste. Meanwhile, his blue eyes were constantly watching the horizon, as if waiting for a sign, or clue, of where the next step should go.
"If I can see Silvaren Glade from here... then maybe from where you are, you can see the wider world."
He was silent for a moment, staring at the sky that was now starting to clear completely. The soft clouds slowly moved, and the first sunlight touched his skin, warm and soft.
"This morning... is the beginning of a new day. And I, your mother... will keep going."
The sound of gurgling water began to be heard from a distance, bringing a natural calm. Elsia followed the voice, through the low trees and thorny bushes, until at last her steps came to a halt on the bank of a river.
The water is clear—so clear that the bottom of the smooth rocks is visible effortlessly. The large fish swim slowly against the current, their scales reflecting the morning sunlight.
Elsia crouched on the riverbank, touching the water with her fingertips. The water is cold, but clean and fresh. He breathes slowly.
"I can fill my water bag here... and perhaps," he murmured, looking at the fish, "a little sustenance for the stomach."
Without haste, he grabbed some branches that were quite flexible, then tied them with the fibers of the bark that he had taken from his bag. At the end he gave a small hook from the old metal fragments that he had kept for a long time. A thin thread of forest fiber became the fishing line.
Calmly, he sat on a large rock on the riverbank, dropping his hook into the gently moving stream of water.
"Dariel would definitely say this is a waste of time... He prefers to spear directly from the top of the rock," he said with a small smile. "But Avel... He would sit quietly like this, with me. Quiet, but patient."
The wind blows slowly, making the surface of the water sway slightly. Several times the hook was pulled by fish, but Elsia remained calm, pulling only at the right moment.
One after another, he managed to pull out the big fish. He inspected it, cleaned it up by the river, and then kept it in a special leather bag.
When the sun was high enough, and her stomach began to hint of hunger, Elsia lit a small fire not far from the river, using the flint she had brought. He grilled one of the fish with makeshift spices from aromatic leaves that he found around.
Warm aromas fill the air, combined with the soothing sound of river flow. He sat cross-legged, enjoying his catch calmly.
"This is enough for two days," he muttered as he chewed softly. "And maybe... It is enough to remember again that the world still welcomes me in a simple way."
After eating, he washed his hands in the river, then stood up and stared upstream.
"The river flows north... Dariel also went north."
He tightened his shoelaces, then lifted his bag, which was now heavier. With one last glance at the river that had given her life that morning, Elsia stepped back, following the flow of water that might be... will lead her to her first child.
Elsia's footsteps stopped instantly as the rumbling sound of the water became louder. In front of him, the cliff towered, so steep that no upper end could be seen. He looked up slowly, observing the side of the rock that was wet and slippery by the moss and mist of the river that continued to flow below.
He sighed. "A cliff like this... Who is stupid enough to climb it without protection?"
Then his eyes catch movements. Vague—but clear.
In the middle of the almost vertical cliff wall, a human girl was creeping slowly upwards. His hands were outstretched, gripping the crevices of the stones, his feet looking for a narrow footing. There were no ropes, no aids. Just that little thin body, fighting against tilt and gravity.
Elsia watched from behind the bushes, her eyes sharp but calm. He doesn't move, just watches.
"Human... young girl," he muttered quietly. "What have you been pursuing so far?"
The girl's hands began to tremble. His breath hunted, his movements began to falter. In an instant, a slippery footing betrayed him—and his body was detached from the stone wall.
Elsia stood up.
The girl's body slid down at a deadly speed, but fate said otherwise. It fell into the river—deep enough to withstand the impact, though it was still hard. His body was thrown into the water with a loud thud, then drifted slowly, motionless.
Without thinking, Elsia jumped into the water. It was cold and heavy, but it was unable to inhibit the strength of the body of the Elves who had lived for eight centuries. In a few quick movements, he managed to reach the girl's body.
Elsia hurriedly pulled him to the riverbank. The girl's body was limp, her breathing was almost inaudible. His face was pale, his hair was clinging to his cheeks and neck, and there were long scratches on his arms.
Elsia placed it on a flat stone and immediately checked its pulse. There is still a beat, albeit weak. Her breath was stifled... Then he gasped out in a small cough, water coming out of his mouth.
"Hhh... good... you're still alive," Elsia muttered.
He took out a small potion from his bag, dripped a drop or two onto the girl's lips, and then covered the wound with a clean cloth. Her hands move nimblely, yet softly, like a mother who is used to taking care of a child.
A moment later, the girl began to squirm away, her body reactive to the slowly returning life.
Elsia looked at his face. "What are you doing climbing the wall of death like that... empty-handed."
He sighed, then looked up at the sky that was starting to turn white with the morning mist.
"Destiny loves to play... And I think, this morning, I was again given another form of surprise."
The girl's body moved slowly, and a moment later, her eyes opened. His vision was blurry, occasionally flickering to match the light that pierced through the trees. He coughed slowly, clutching his chest that was still heavy with the water that had filled his lungs.
"You're awake," Elsia's voice sounded soft, but firm.
The girl tried to get up, but her body was still too weak. He could only lie down with heavy breathing, his hands trembling as he tried to support his body.
"Don't force yourself. Your body is not ready," Elsia continued, as she tidied up the girl's robe and examined the bandage on her arm.
The girl's gaze finally fell on Elsia's face. His brown eyes widened for a moment, but not because he was surprised, but because he knew.
"You... an Elves..." He said hoarsely.
Elsia nodded slowly. "And you're a man who dares to climb a cliff for no reason."
The girl smiled weakly. "I have a reason... It's just... My body is not strong enough to do it yet."
Elsia did not respond. He just sat on the other side of a small fire that was starting to burn, drying his clothes and the girl from the damp air of the river. Night was approaching, and it was too far from any travel route to continue the journey in these conditions.
"Your name?" asked Elsia at last, without turning her head.
"Selena..." He replied quietly. "I'm from the village of Briarhollow... It's quite far from here."
"Briarhollow," Elsia repeated the name in a quiet tone, tasting it in her mind.
"A place where humans, Elves, and other races live together. I was born and raised there, so... Seeing an Elves like you is not strange to me."
Elsia nodded. "You're not afraid?"
"No. Much less... You saved me."
Elsia nodded slightly, then placed the herbal potion that she had pounded into the wound at Selena's leg.
"The village... under whose rule?"
"King Elvarion. He was an Elf too. One of the old nobles who chose to coexist with the new world... At least that's the story of the parents in my village."
Elsia's eyes narrowed slightly. "Elvarion...?" he muttered, barely audible. The name is unfamiliar... and it was never recorded in any of the Elven kingdoms he knew during his lifetime.
"There has never been a king named Elvarion among the list of old nobles..." whispered, more to himself.
"He... didn't say much," Selena continued subconsciously. "But when he speaks, he is always firm. His gaze was sharp, and he always stood in front of his troops, not behind. Some say he's a bit stubborn, but... he was very protective of his people."
Elsia turned her head slowly. His face was still calm, but his eyes were starting to imply something deeper.
"He... have long, golden hair... often binding it during wars or important encounters. I saw him firsthand when he came to the spring festival."
Elsia's whole body tensed for a moment.
"And... He never wanted to sit for too long in the ceremony. He said it was a waste of time," Selena added with a chuckle. "But that's precisely what makes people respect him. He is a leader who walks, not sits on a throne."
Elsia had a problem.
His mind began to put together very familiar pieces. His stubbornness, long blonde hair, keen gaze, and habit of refusing to sit quietly at formal events—these are all Dariel. his first child.
"Selena..." said Elsia slowly, her voice almost whispering. "How old is King Elvarion?"
Selena thought for a moment. "No one knows for sure. But... He never ages. From the past, his face has always been the same. Like... his age stopped at thirty, maybe a little younger."
Elsia lowered her head slowly, her eyes closed.
"I think... This is more than just a clue," he muttered quietly. "Maybe... This is the real first step."
Elsia remained silent for a moment, letting Selena's words sink into the silence of the night. The bonfire between them was still burning softly, forming a long shadow on Elsia's calm face. He stared at the flames, as if weighing something, but his expression remained unchanged.
"Then... you're going back to Briarhollow?" he asked, his voice flat but soft.
Selena nodded slowly. "Yes... at least after I can walk again. My family must be worried."
Elsia took a piece of cloth from her small pouch, moistened it with potion water, and then went back to examine the wound on Selena's leg. His hands were diligent, as if he was used to treating a child's wounds.
"I'll help you until you can walk. But after that..." Elsia looked directly into Selena's eyes, "May I come to your village?"
Selena looked surprised, then hurriedly nodded. "Sure. Everyone in Briarhollow is open to anyone who comes with good intentions. Even the Elves... We are used to living with them."
"I see," Elsia muttered as she looked back at the fire.
He said nothing about his interest in King Elvarion. There were no gestures, no urgent desires. Only flat expressions and neutral voices. It was as if the invitation to the village was only out of simple curiosity.
But in his mind, pieces of memories began to ring. Every feature Selena mentions... every move, habit, and name he had never heard of in any Elven history... all of them point to one name: Dariel.
But not now. Not here.
"I'm going to stay here tonight. Tomorrow we will see if your legs can support you. After that, you lead the way. Heading to your village," said Elsia calmly.
Selena smiled smallly, even though she was still tired. "Then... we will walk together."
Elsia just nodded, then leaned her back against the tree trunk and closed her eyes slowly. But in his mind, the real fire began to burn. And the steps are now no longer directionless.
The night passed in peaceful silence. Only the gurgling sound of the river and the rustling of the wind that occasionally hit the leaves became the background of the sound under the starry sky. The campfire shrank slowly, leaving a still warm ember between the two sleeping figures nearby.
When the first sun began to break through the morning fog, Elsia was awake. He sat cross-legged on the riverbank, washing his face with cold water that flowed clearly. The fresh morning air gently swept over his skin, reawakening the sharpness of his senses.
He turned his head to Selena who was still lying on a sheet of leaves and cloth. His breathing was more regular, the color of his face was no longer as pale as it was yesterday. The wound on his leg began to improve, although it was still not strong enough to travel far.
Elsia sat down again by the fire that was almost extinguished, then gently blew out the remaining embers and added small twigs. The fire rekindled, enough to warm up the morning.
Shortly after, Selena moaned softly and opened her eyes.
"You're awake," Elsia said flatly, without looking back.
"Hmm... I'm still alive, apparently," Selena replied with a forced smile, then slowly sat down, even though she looked in pain.
"Don't force it. You need time," Elsia said as she handed a cup of warm water from her small metal bag. "Drink."
Selena accepted it and took a slow sip. "Thank you... You really saved me."
Elsia just nodded, then stood up and checked the surroundings.
"If your legs can be supported, we will leave. You are the one who leads the way."
Selena looked at him, a little confused. "Are you sure you want to come to Briarhollow?"
"I need a place to settle down for a while. And I heard, your village accepts anyone who comes without bringing trouble," Elsia replied lightly.
"Yes... that's how it is," said Selena. He tried to stand up, grimacing as his feet touched the ground. Yet he persisted, and with the help of a small stick from a tree branch that Elsia had cut off, he was able to stand upright.
"I'll take you there. The road is not too difficult, it only takes two days if we take it slowly."
"Okay."
They began to walk slowly, following the banks of the river which then merged with a small rocky road. Selena took the lead with careful steps, while Elsia followed from behind silently, her eyes watching every movement around them.
In her silence, Elsia continued to remember the name—Elvarion. The more Selena tells her about the king, the stronger Elsia's belief that it is not a foreign name. But he kept all of that in his heart.
It's not the time to ask questions yet.
It is not yet time to reveal who he is looking for.
There is still a long way to go, and these steps... just opened the first door.