Roots of Forever

Spring painted Greenwood Village in bursts of color, with wildflowers dotting the fields like tiny jewels and the air sweet with the scent of fresh blooms. Two weeks had passed since Akira and Elara’s wedding under the great oak, and the village hummed with quiet joy. The starbloom grove, glowing softly at the village’s edge, stood as a reminder of Elara’s parents, Aeloria and Vaelar, and the magic that bound their new family. The snows of winter were gone, replaced by warm sunlight and the promise of a bountiful harvest.

In the herb garden, Elara and Hana knelt side by side, their hands brushing through rows of sage, rosemary, and moonberry bushes. The plants shimmered with faint magic, their leaves vibrant under the morning sun. Elara’s silver hair was tied back, a few strands loose, catching the light like threads of moonlight. Hana, her dark hair streaked with gray, plucked a moonberry, its purple hue glowing softly.

“These are almost ready,” Elara said, smiling at Hana. “Your compost trick made them grow so fast.”

Hana chuckled, her hands steady as she trimmed a sage sprig. “It’s just what I learned on our Earth farm,” she said. “Soil needs love, like people do.”

Elara paused, her green eyes warm. “You’ve taught me so much, Hana. Not just about herbs, but… being family.”

Hana’s smile softened, and she reached out, squeezing Elara’s hand. “You’re my daughter now,” she said, her voice thick. “I never thought I’d find another family after losing Aki’s dad, but here you are.”

Elara’s eyes glistened, and she leaned forward, hugging Hana tightly. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispered. “You make everything feel… whole.”

They laughed, the sound light in the warm air, and continued their work. Elara showed Hana how to weave a spell into the moonberries, making them glow brighter for healing potions. “It’s like your compost,” Elara said, her hands glowing green. “A little magic, a little care, and they thrive.”

Hana watched, amazed. “I’m learning magic from you,” she said, trying a small spell, her fingers sparking faintly. “Look at that!”

Elara clapped, her laughter bright. “You’re a natural, Mom!”

Their bond grew with each shared moment, their hands moving in sync, the herb garden a canvas of their love—a young elf, Lyss, passed by, carrying a basket of rosemary. “You two make the best team,” she called, smiling. “These herbs are saving my cough!”

Hana waved, her cheeks pink. “Glad to help, Lyss!”

Elara grinned, her heart full. The garden, the village, Hana—it was home, deeper than ever.

Across the village, in the crop field, Akira led a group of elves planting spring crops. The field was a patchwork of dark, freshly tilled soil, ready for new life to emerge. Rows were marked for Mooncarrots ( Carrots ), Starlettuce ( Lettuce ), Froststrawberries ( Strawberries ), Saicauliblooms ( Cauliblooms ), and Potatogems ( Potatoes ), each chosen for the season’s warmth. Akira knelt, showing a young elf, Taren, how to plant carrot seeds. “Space them about two inches apart,” he said, pressing a seed into the soil. “Gives them room to grow big.”

Taren nodded, his small hands copying Akira’s. “Like this?”

“Perfect,” Akira said, ruffling his hair. “You’re a farmer already.”

Liora, working nearby, planted lettuce seedlings, her auburn hair tied back, her dagger tucked in her belt. “Hey, Akira, how deep for these?” she called, holding a seedling.

“About an inch,” Akira replied, walking over. “And keep them a foot apart. Lettu....starlettuce likes space.”

Liora adjusted her planting, grinning. “You make it sound so easy,” she said. “No wonder the village trusts you.”

Akira blushed, moving to the next row, where elves planted Froststrawberry runners. He showed them how to spread the roots gently, ensuring they’d take hold. An older elf, Voren, struggled with a sack of Potatogems tubers, and Akira hurried to help, lifting it easily. “Thanks, Akira,” Voren said, his eyes crinkling. “You’re always there when we need you.”

“It’s what we do,” Akira said, smiling. “Together.”

Villagers worked around him, their voices filled with hope. “Akira’s crops saved us last winter,” one said, digging a furrow for saicauliblooms. “This spring’ll be even better.”

Another nodded, planting potatogems. “He’s one of us now. Born for this land.”

Akira’s chest warmed, their trust a gift. He’d come to Greenwood lost, but now he led, his Earth knowledge blending with elven ways. A child ran up, holding a froststrawberry plant. “Akira, is this right?” she asked, her eyes wide.

He checked, nodding. “Great job, Lila. You’re helping feed the village.”

She beamed, running back to her row, and Akira felt pride swell. This was his home, his purpose.

Midday, Akira called a break, and the villagers gathered under a wide oak, its leaves green and full. Liora, Kael, and Miren joined him, spreading a blanket for a picnic of moonwheat bread, cheese, and Hana’s dried apples. Liora munched an apple, her grin playful. “Hard work, but these fields are gonna be amazing,” she said. “You’re a genius, Akira.”     (Note: In this world, Elves don't eat meat, but they eat eggs and milk. Everything besides meat, because they don't like to kill animals.) 

He laughed, shaking his head. “It’s all of us. You’re planting like a pro, Liora.”

Kael, leaning back with his bow across his lap, nodded. “She’s right, though. You led us through winter, the Vale, everything. We’re lucky to have you.”

Miren, her mittens off, passed cheese. “And now spring’s here,” she said, her eyes bright. “I can’t wait for froststrawberries!”

They laughed, and Liora raised her water skin. “To friends,” she said, “and to no more guardian spirits chasing us.”

Kael chuckled, clinking his skin against hers. “I’ll drink to that. Though you were pretty fierce with that dagger in the Vale.”

“Hey, it worked!” Liora said, pretending to be offended. “Saved your hide, didn’t I?”

Akira grinned, remembering their adventure. “You all did,” he said. “That trip… It brought us closer.”

Miren nodded, her voice soft. “I wasn’t there, but I love hearing about it. You’re like family now.”

Liora ruffled her hair. “You’re part of it, kiddo. Always.”

They shared stories, from the Crystal Vale’s glowing springs to the winter’s snow, their laughter weaving a bond stronger than ever. Kael mentioned that Darkwood traders will be coming soon, bringing new tools. “Maybe we’ll trade some froststrawberries,” he said, winking.

“Good idea,” Akira said. “We’re stronger together, with Darkwood too.”

As they returned to work, the field buzzed with hope, the villagers’ trust in Akira clear in their smiles and eager hands. He felt rooted, part of Greenwood’s heart.

That evening, Akira, Elara, and Hana gathered in their cottage, the fire crackling, filling the air with cedar and warmth. The table was set with roasted root vegetables—moonwheat bread, a steaming pot of taro stew, and, for dessert, pudding made from Hana’s Earth recipe, blended with elven herbs. Lanterns cast a soft glow, making the room cozy.

Hana served the stew, her smile warm. “This is my favorite part of the day,” she said, passing a bowl to Elara. “Us, together.”

Elara nodded, her silver hair catching the light. “It’s perfect,” she said, taking a spoonful. “This stew’s amazing, Mom.”

Akira grinned, his heart full. “You outdid yourself, Mom. It’s like home, but better.”

They ate, sharing stories from the day. Hana told of a new herb she’d tried, glowing under Elara’s spell. Elara laughed, describing a child who’d mixed up sage and mint. Akira shared how Taren planted his first mooncarrots, beaming with pride. Their laughter filled the cottage, a family bound by love.

After dinner, they cleared the table and sat by the fire, sipping moonberry tea, its sweet scent soothing. Hana recounted an Earth memory.“He’s still that clumsy sometimes,” she teased, nudging Akira.

“Hey!” he said, laughing, his cheeks pink. “I’m a farmer now."

The warmth of their talk wrapped around them, but as the fire flickered, Akira’s gaze drifted to the flames, his smile fading. A thought had crept in, heavy and quiet. Elara was an elf, her life stretching long, while he and Hana were human, their years shorter. What would happen when they aged, leaving Elara alone?

Elara noticed, her green eyes soft with concern. “Akira, what’s wrong?” she asked, setting her tea down. “You’re quiet.”

He hesitated, the fire’s glow steadying him. “It’s… our lifespans,” he said slowly. “You’re an elf. You’ll live a lot longer than Mom and me. I’m scared of leaving you behind.”

Hana’s face softened, her hand on his arm. “Oh, Aki,” she said, her voice gentle. “That’s a big thing to worry about.”

Elara took his hand, her touch warm, her smile reassuring. “Akira, don’t be scared,” she said. “Elves live long because we’re tied to the forest heart. It’s not just our nature—it’s the magic of this land, giving us strength.”

She leaned closer, her eyes bright. “And you and Hana are tied to it, too. Remember when you first used magic, in the grove? You felt the forest heart, its energy. That’s why you can use magic, even from Earth. Hana, too—she’s learned it with the herbs.”

Akira’s eyes widened, hope flickering. “So… we could live longer, like you?”

Elara nodded, her smile wide. “As long as the forest heart is safe, we all will. It’s part of us now. You, me, Hana—we’re bound to this world, together.”

Hana’s face lit up, her voice amazed. “That’s incredible,” she said. “I felt it, working with the herbs. Like the land was alive.”

Elara squeezed Akira’s hand, her voice soft. “So don’t worry about leaving me. We’ll grow old together, all of us, as long as we protect our home.”

Akira’s worry melted, replaced by relief. “I was so scared,” he said, his voice thick. “I don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t,” Elara said, her eyes shining. “We’re forever together, Akira.”

Hana smiled. “You two are perfect,” she said. “This family, this world—it’s more than I ever dreamed.”

After Hana went to bed, Akira and Elara stepped outside, hand in hand. The night was clear, with stars twinkling like diamonds, and the air was cool, scented with the fragrance of spring blooms. They walked to the starbloom grove, its glow soft and inviting, the memorial stone for Aeloria and Vaelar standing quietly among the flowers.

Elara leaned against Akira, her head on his shoulder. “It’s beautiful,” she said, gazing at the grove. “I feel them here, watching us.”

Akira wrapped his arm around her, the grove’s light warm on their faces. “They’re happy for us,” he said. “Like Mom is.”

Elara turned to him, her eyes reflecting the starlight. “I love you, Akira,” she said, her voice full of emotion. “More than anything.”

He cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. “I love you too, Elara,” he replied. “You’re my everything.”

They kissed, a tender, loving kiss that spoke of their unbreakable bond. The grove’s light flared softly, as if blessing their love, the flowers shimmering like stars.

As they stood, wrapped in each other’s arms, Akira felt peace. The forest heart, the village, their family—it was all connected, a promise of a long life together. With Elara by his side, Hana in their home, and Greenwood thriving, he knew they’d face any future rooted in love.

(Note: I know this chapter is a bit complicated. So, if you don't understand anything or have any questions about this chapter, please let me know. I will try my best to answer your questions.)
 
(Note: At first, I wanted to end the novel here. However, I realize that because of Akira's and Elara's arc, I completely forgot about the slice-of-life concept and world-building for this world. There is another problem, as well: this contest requires a 50,000-word novel. So, I can't end this novel with this half-assed work. However, I'm now completely out of ideas, and after writing 29 chapters non-stop, my health has also deteriorated. So, I am taking some time off and going outside to touch some grass.

Thank you, those who read this far. Please, tell me what you think about the novel so far. If you don't like something, please let me know, and if you do like something, please also share your thoughts. So, for now, goodbye. )