CHAPTER 1: The Sleeping Girl

Bellmont is a small and peaceful community near a forest. The residents of this quaint town live their lives harmoniously which gives it a very welcoming aura. Nothing out of the usual community life ever occurs here. But on this particular evening, something essential to this tale is about to transpire.

The night is very chilly and dark. In such a night, the mood brings a foreboding feeling that something eerie is taking place. The trees seem to whistle with the wind. This gives a scarier scenario at this point. However, this is not a horror affair. The atmosphere just gives it that impression.

It was a very late hour and the lights were out on every house that a hooded shadow passes. If someone wakes up and looks out the window, he will not see anything outside. But for a keen eye, the scene is like a ghostly entity is out there.

However, this tale has a closer semblance to a strange turn of events on a particular being. To state it clearly, it is rather a long journey with an uncertain outcome. At the moment, an important undertaking is at hand. This particular night, a significant mission will come to its temporary destination.

For the time being, the focus this evening is the arrival of an unusual character. It is rather odd that despite of the complete silence, the footfalls of the peculiar pilgrim cannot be heard. Not a single sound at all. The traveller also seems to be floating instead of walking since there is no trace of footprints along the path where the strange character came from.

The mysterious figure suddenly stops, and then looks up at the moon, almost hidden by the dark clouds. The hood slides off and reveals a pale but very lovely face. Her face appears to glow even with the lack of illumination. Her exterior is captivating to gaze upon. The mystery emanating from her persona will keep one seems hypnotize.

She looks young but seems aged by the expression on her face. She looks around her surroundings, as if making sure where she is. She nods to herself as confirmation for her precise location.

She instantly puts on her hood to cover her cold pointy ears. She wears full dark green clothes, made of canvas, and green leather boots. Her outfit is rather out of place in this town.

The stranger glances at a willow tree nearby then beyond it. She is captivated by the moving leaves of the willow tree, as it makes whistling sounds in the middle of the night. Her facial expression is indecipherable.

"Hmm, he's late," she whispers to herself, frowning a little bit disappointed.

Her thoughts start to wonder towards home. What is taking him so long? Has anything gone wrong? This waiting can be worrisome. She sighs deeply. Her attention is drawn towards the huge willow tree. Its leaves move gracefully with the wind.

After a while, a faint sound can be heard from the direction where she came from. She pulls her sharp dagger from her belt instinctively, with one swift movement. Her stance reveals a stature of a warrior.

"Sorry I'm late Mel!" the newcomer apologizes hurriedly. This new arrival is wearing a hooded cloth similar to hers. He was carrying a green basket, unusually bigger than the ordinary kind, with a swaddle of blanket over it.

"Shh, be quiet Aldar. You might wake her up!" replies Mel as she puts away her dagger, upon realizing that there's no danger. She takes a deep breath and frowns at her companion.

The man, whose name is Aldar, looks much older than Mel but has a more laid back aura than her. He wears a playful smile on his face as he stares back at Mel.

"How was your journey? You took a while to get here. Did you lose your way? Are you sure you were not followed by anyone?" Mel questions, while glancing towards the direction of the trees.

Aldar nods, "Take it easy Mel, we're fine," he responds and hands the green basket carefully to Mel. He readjusts his hood and fixes his bow and quiver pouch on his backside.

"You should loosen up a bit sometimes." Aldar teases.

"I had a little difficulty leaving the rest of our rangers behind. I wanted to be sure that they will be able to handle the rest of the fanatics out there." Aldar suddenly turns serious with a bit worried look on his face.

"Of course I am serious. There is so much to be worried about." She glances around them once more.

"However, there is nothing we can do now but fulfill our part of this plan. The Queen made us promise to do this. She knows this is the best way to protect her baby. She must be kept hidden until things settle. This is our last resort should the other rangers fail to stop the forces of our enemies. The King is out there with our rangers. This is our mission,” Mel says with a determined tone.

"I apologize for leaving her with you. I know things are so tense in the realm but I had to make sure our Queen is safely hidden,” Mel explains in a weary tone.

"Poor baby, she will never grow up knowing her true family. She will be alone, without any idea of the life that she should really have, not even her true lineage," Mel tearfully exclaims, as she winds a necklace with an emerald locket on the tiny wrist of the baby in the basket.

"I think it is for the best that she will not know anything, for now. It will be very painful for her if she finds out the truth. Growing up without this knowledge will ensure her safety and will let her grow up as a normal child. The time will come when she will be able to handle all this. Then, we shall both help her understand and guide her." Aldar replies with certainty.

"She will grow strong like her Mother. In time, she will understand." Mel utters in finality as she gives the baby a soft kiss on the forehead. The tiny new-born baby remains fast asleep, without a single care on her angelic face.

Both Mel and Aldar slowly walk to a house at the end of the street near the edge of the forest.

It was past midnight already. The moon still hides behind thick clouds.

Mel checks the baby in the basket for the last time, making sure the blanket is perfectly tucked. With a sad expression, she places the green basket with the sleeping baby in front of the house with the blue door.

"Good bye, our little Princess Aria. Sweet dreams and always be safe. Be brave and strong. Until we meet again..."

Suddenly, from beyond the forest, a thick smoke rises. Then the moon is engulfed by very dark and unnatural clouds. The wind brings a suffocating smell.

Aldar and Mel looks at each other at the same time with panicked expressions.

"What is happening? I thought Marion and the others got everything under control before I left?" Aldar exclaims in shock.

"Oh no, the King!" Mel gasps in horror. "Let's hurry!"

Aldar and Mel sprint across the street towards the willow tree and disappear in the forest without a single sound.

In the distant horizon, the color of the night sky turns from black to blazing orange.