First Meetings (Past)

They were following along the road that encircled the village. Ahead there would be a split in the path, one going right down to the water and the other would bring them past a small cliff overlooking the shallows. It'd take a full twenty minutes longer to get to the village gate following the road back then the shortcut through the thicket, and nearly an hour following around the whole loop.

"What?" scoffed Mel. "Go to bed and hope my father allows me to see daylight by next harvest."

"No no no, after that." Orin snorted waving off the obvious. " Besides, your Pa ain't nearly as strict as my Ma, I'll be lucky to ever be off dung-mixing duty." He rolled he eyes and they trudged forward in the dark. "I mean, you'll be fourteen in a few weeks and fifteen next year, old enough for the [ascension] ceremony. Haven't you wanted to get out of the village?"

"Well of course. It's just–"  

———

Melratue peered over the side of the bank. There were a handful of silhouettes on the far bank of the shallows, and few in the water. It looked like the ceremony was just getting started.  

"Come on, we need to get closer.” Orin whispered. Mel rolled his eyes but followed along without a word.

The two partners in crime crawled up to the rocky embankment and peered over the edge.

There were around a dozen young girls gathered at the water’s edge, wearing not else but thin white robes. Mel counted three adult priestesses standing out in the water, the gentle current of the shallows lapping around their knees and thighs. One, a broad-shouldered woman Melratue recalled seeing in the town market on occasion, stood in the river fully clothed in the vestments of the temple. She raised her hands and voice to the sky in prayer.

"Oh! Divine Father of the skies, Mothers of the moons and earth, keepers of the natural order; watch over these, your innocent young daughters, as they offer up their bodies, minds and spirits to your waters and receive your blessings to become your faithful servants.” Her voice became resonant as she began chanting in an unfamiliar language.

Winds howled and swirled at the woman’s command, and as the other priestesses added to the chant the clouds overhead were slowly scattered, drifting to the horizon. As the wind then died down, three large full moons shone brightly down from the now clear night sky as well as up from the perfectly calm surface of the water. 

The priestesses sang out praises while standing within the moons. Then in turn, each of the neophytes disrobed and walked out into the night sky, was taken by the shoulders, and was dipped back into the water by each of the priestesses. As the new acolytes emerged from the rippling surface of the stars they gathered in groups off to the side of the river. Some chatted amongst themselves while others played in the water splashing at each other and giggling.  

"Totally worth it, eh?” Orin chided, but it was Mel’s turn to be speechless, only now remembering how to breathe, and provided only a meek nod in response.

Near the back of the group of young women there was one that held Melratue’s gaze. Her long golden hair spread out around her on the water’s surface. Two long, pointed ears poked through the long strands that clung to her back and chest as she stood waiting for her turn. His pulse pounded in his ears and he flexed clammy hands as he stared into her brilliant emerald green eyes. 

The realization that she was staring back, as well as the observation that there were more adult's standing watch, came too slow as one of the nearby women followed the elf maiden’s glaze and caught sight of the two boys. There was a shout followed by screams and a splash as many of the girls tried to hide themselves in the water.

Melratue felt the tug on his sleeve from his friend, 

"Run!”

Mel stumbled as he turned to flee the scene. He glanced back over his shoulder and caught sight of the elf maiden once more. She stood and smiled confidently as their eyes met again. He caught her wave and mouth the word “bye” as he broke into a sprint.

———

Branches scratched his arms and cold wet leaves slapped at his face as he ran. The shouting was getting closer and Melratue knew that it wouldn’t be long till their pursuers caught up. Turns out he had spotted less than half of the women guarding the moonlight ceremony, and not all of them had been clergy. Some of the chaperones had been members of the village militia. He wasn’t sure how many had given chase but there were three flickering lanterns following them the last time he took hazarded a look behind. Luckily the steep bank had given them a head start.

"I. Told you. This. Was a bad, idea. We’ll be lucky if a beating is all we get,” Mel huffed as they approached their shortcut. 

"Don’t care. Keep running,” said Orin back, his energetic voice carrying more than a hint of fatigue. "We just, need to make it through the thicket.” He skittered to a stop and dropped down to his knees. The young boy groped through the dark underbrush to find the hole, and immediately started to pull himself through. “See you on the oth– Gah!” Orin let out a startled cry.

"What, what is it?”

"I’m stuck!”

There was a pause as the words settled in.

"Really? Now! This’d better not be a joke,” said Melratiue exasperated. 

"No-no, I swear.” Mel could hear the tears forming in his friend’s voice. He gritted his teeth as his mind raced. He then remembered the enchanted leaf in his pocket.

"Don’t panic, you’ll make it worse.” said Melratiue. Although that was easy to say when the approaching lights were making panic seem like a viable option. He bit down on his lip to as he struggled to keep the fear from his own voice. "Just stay still and quiet. I’ll draw them off. I trust you still carry that knife in your boot? Wait a while then cut yourself loose. No sense us both getting killed,” he spared a glance at the approaching light now grown to five and left out adding 'or worse'. 

There was a whimper and a nod. 

"Good, I’ll see you in the morning, Divines willing.”

He stood and took a few uncertain steps away from the bushes and onto the road. He pulled the enchanted leaf from his pocket, then tossed away the handkerchief allowing the leaf to shine like a bright glowing torch. The lanterns were drawing closer and he could now clearly hear the footfalls of the pursuers. Taking a long breath, and then another, he waved his arms in the air and shouts, "Come on you old hags, you couldn’t catch a blind rat!"

***