The Elf Girl

by Grabo, Markelle

  “What do I do with it? Will it help me find her?”

  “It might, if it’s strong enough.”

  “What happens when I wear it?” I asked.

  “You can connect to her. When it glows, it means you will have a vision.”

  “What do you mean by a vision?”

  “If the diamond is strong enough, Zora will sense you. She can use the connection to show you where she is. You will experience an out-of-body feeling. You can be there with her, but only spiritually, not physically. Then, if the bond is strong enough, you can connect and become one being. For example, if you connect with Zora but she can’t speak to tell you where she is, you can become one with her and she can tell you with her mind.”

  “How can that happen?” I asked with wonder.

  “Elf magic is wondrous…and utterly complex. You would have to ask those who created the diamond to fully understand it, but I must also warn you to be ready for whatever comes. The connection may not be pleasant.”

  “I will do anything I can to find her, Blaire, no matter the cost. She is the only real family I have left...that I know of,” I added. “And many other elves are counting on me.”

  “I trust you will do whatever you can. Wear the diamond, Ramsey. With luck, Zora will be able to connect with you and tell you where she is. Then you can find her and bring her home.”

  “Thank you for this, Blaire. I won’t forget it,” I told her. I reached over and placed my hand over hers. “And I won’t let you down. I’ll make sure the promise you made to Zora was worth it.”

  “You are just like your sister, Ramsey. You are compassionate and you truly care about others.” For the first time since meeting her, she showed a genuine smile. “You are a good kind of different.”

  “It makes me glad that others think that, because being different has been so hard for me to accept.”

  “It’s true,” she replied.

  I smiled and nodded, feeling a new surge of hope and self-confidence from her words.

  ***

  We finished our tea, and it was time for me to go. With the Mood Diamond fastened around my neck, I got up to leave.

  “Ramsey, I must say one more thing before you leave,”

  “Yes?”

  “I do not know your secret – Zora does – but I do know one thing. If the Element fairies find out about you, our Realm could fall into the Dark Times once again, and you can’t let that happen. Everything depends on whether you find Zora or not, for she is the key to unlocking your secret before the Element fairies do.”

  “The Dark Times,” I repeated, pondering. “What was that?”

  “They began shortly after all the Realms were created. They were a time when goblins, trolls, and dark spirits arose. All were evil things, filled with darkness and hate.”

  “What happened?” I wondered.

  Blaire’s message was both fascinating and ominous to me. I was interested because I wanted to learn more about the Elf Realm, but fearful because of how terrible the Dark Times sounded. I hadn’t even heard all of it yet, and I didn’t know how I fit in.

  “Some say the Dark Times were created by the same magic that made the Realms. All magic has mistakes, or loopholes. That great amount of magic had the power to make countless mistakes. Those mistakes were the Dark Times.”

  “What exactly occurred during the Dark Times, Blaire?”

  “The dark creatures bound together. The goblins were grotesque and hateful, the trolls giant and merciless, and the dark spirits cruel and mysterious. Other lesser beings followed them, creatures filled with light that succumbed to their evil ways. The dark creatures vowed to rule our Realms and destroy us. They wanted to dominate every Realm, even the Human Realm.”

  “How would that ever be possible?” I asked.

  “Have you ever heard of the mysterious plagues that have hit the Human Realm over many hundreds of years?”

  “Yes. I learned about them in school,” I remembered.

  “Those were the dark spirits. They did not know how to travel to the Human Realm, so they used their sorcery to kill. They sent evil magic to the Human Realm. Every creature in the Realms fought these evil beings. It took over one hundred years to achieve peace. Those were the Dark Times.”

  “Are the dark beings dead now?”

  “They are either dead or imprisoned throughout the Realms,” Blaire explained. She sighed. “At least that is what I’ve heard. You never know what can happen when it comes to magic, but since then, our Realms have become more modern.”

  “Why?”

  “If any dark magic arises again, we will be prepared. We need some of the skills and tools humans have so we can be one step ahead.”

  “But the Magical Realms are not as modern as the Human Realm, are they?”

  Blaire shook her head. “No, and they will never be. No matter how much we want to be safe, some things will never change. Most of the creatures throughout the Realms would never allow technology to destroy our beauty and peace. Elves don’t want to lose their culture. The fae – the general grouping for all types of fairies – despise modern things even more than elves. You don’t find many things modern in those Realms. The fae also can’t bear the touch of iron, because it burns their skin, so that leaves metals out.”

  I nodded, remembering my conversation with Addison my first day here, when she explained why the bathrooms were fashioned out of iron.

  “Too much technology and modernism would hurt us more than one million dark beings, because it would change us completely. No one here wants that. We live and breathe our own cultures,” Blaire explained.

  “I understand completely. But how can my secret make something worse than the Dark Times happen?” I asked.

  “If this war goes on much longer, every Realm will be involved. They cannot hide from it forever. One day, each Realm will have to choose a side, elfin or fae. Once every Realm is involved, no one will survive. That much magic released into the Realms….” She sighed. “No side will come out of the destruction alive. Even the humans may find a way inside it.”

  “How can I stop a war, Blaire?”

  “I don’t know, Ramsey. Only Zora knows. That is why you must find her. All I know is that you have a secret within you that the Element fairies would kill to posses. You can’t let that happen to Zora or to you.”

  I nodded silently and looked down at the Mood Diamond hanging from my neck. “I don’t know about ending a war just yet, but I will find my sister.”

  “I believe you will,” she said.

  Blaire and I hugged and she wished me luck. I told her I would see her again when this was over, if it ever was over. She said she would like that. I knew I would. Blaire was just another me. She was different in one place and different in the next. She had learned to accept it. I suppose I would have to accept it, too.

  Nevertheless, how would I stop a war? How could my secret hold the key to so many lives? How could I, an elfen so new to this Realm, ever hold that much power? I pushed the thought away. I wouldn’t understand any of it until Zora was safe. She was the key to all of my questions, just as Blaire said. I would have to find her to open the doorway. I would decide the rest afterward.

  I promised myself to stop thinking about the war and focus solely on my sister instead. I felt a little guilty for abandoning all that Blaire had shared with me, but I couldn’t do everything at once. Zora was the “first clue.” It had to start with her.

  Slowly walking away from Blaire’s modern home, I realized it was time for me to stop by the jeweler and see Aaron again. It was next on my list.

  The walk there took longer than I expected. I was anxious about the Mood Diamond. I didn’t know when a vision might come, or if any would come at all. I wanted to be prepared, but what happened if I suddenly had a vision in the middle of a street? I was afraid something would go wrong, and that didn’t do good things for my already piling handful of worries. I tried to focus on the present, but it was difficult.


  Seeing Aaron smiling from behind the counter lightened my spirit as I entered the store. I walked over and smiled as well. Then I noticed his eyes fixated on the Mood Diamond hanging around my neck.

  “Is that…?” he started to ask.

  “It’s a Mood Diamond, if that’s what you’re asking,” I told him.

  “And Zora has one as well, I take it?”

  “You are a very good guesser,” I complimented him.

  He ignored my comment. “What you are doing could be dangerous; you know that, right?”

  “What do you mean?” I wondered.

  “If Zora is feeling any pain when she connects with you, you could receive it,” he informed me.

  “I could really feel what she feels?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he said gravely.

  “Blaire forgot to mention that one…but I don’t care,” I admitted. “I have to find her, and I have to bring her home.”

  “I just hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “I do,” I told him. “And even if I don’t, the most interesting parts of life are the ones that surprise you.” I smiled, trying to shrug off his negative attitude.

  But Aaron would have none of my optimism. He shook his head and sighed. “You need to be careful, Ramsey. This is an entirely different world to you. You can’t just jump right into it and expect to know all the tricks.”

  I shut my eyes tightly. “I have to trust that I can do this, Aaron.”

  “I know you’re strong enough to find your sister,” he explained. “I just want you to be aware of your limitations along the way.”

  I breathed in deeply. “I grew up believing magic has no limitations.”

  Aaron half-smiled. “I may have been wrong before. Maybe you know more about this Realm than I realized.”

  ***

  The day was glorious as I stepped out of Aaron’s shop, bag full of jewelry in hand, this time avoiding any run-ins with beautiful-eyed strangers. The sun shone beautifully through the fluffy white clouds, and the birdsong filled me with delight. The day was getting a lot better, and I felt optimistic about things…for once. But who knew how long that would last?

  Like I mentioned to Aaron, life was full of surprises.

  ~8~

  The Orchard

  The market Aaliyah had referred to was bustling with elves and venders when I arrived. Walking through it was like going through a giant maze. Fruit, vegetable, bread, and pastry venders had stalls everywhere, gathered in clusters like peas in a giant pod. Every food in the Elf Realm seemed to be on display and ready for sale. It was crazy trying to maneuver around all of the elves, and I browsed as slowly as possible without being trampled. I wanted to see everything before buying. I made a mental note to come back to the venders I was drawn to, and made sure to stray away from the meat venders. I wasn’t confident in my ability to avoid meats that would disturb me, because everything looked the same to me.

  While searching, I noticed how many elves watched me, staring curiously as I browsed. I remembered Stellan had said that many elves would approach me often just to talk to me, but so far, they were only staring. I would have preferred the talking. Being stared at put an uncomfortable feeling in my gut.

  With a basket full of groceries, I headed for home. It was only one hour until my picnic with Aaliyah. I was excited to spend time with her. She seemed wise, and I wanted to know a lot more about my sister – and the Elf Realm in general.

  As I started putting away the food, I noticed a large piece of paper and a small velvet bag on my kitchen table. There was also a huge flowering plant in a lovely painted green pot. I walked over, curious to know what the letter said and who had left the gifts. I guessed it would be from Addison or Stellan. Yet, why would Addison leave me a letter when she could just write on my arm again? It must have been Stellan, I decided.

  When I reached the table, I picked up the letter and was surprised to see that it wasn’t from Stellan at all. It was from Ashlyn, the spunky girl I met at the bank with Stellan the day before:

  Dear Ramsey,

  Here are some things that Zora left at my house. They are her favorite writing pen and necklace.

  Zora always told me that the necklace stood for “sister;” I just wanted you to know that. No matter where she is right now, I know she cares about you.

  Anyway, I’m sorry for stopping by your house unannounced. I had to get to school on time, and when I saw that you weren’t home, I decided just to leave everything here. I hope you are not too upset with me!

  I also hope that we can get together soon. Zora was my friend, which makes you my friend as well. If you are ever having trouble with the plant I gave you just let me know. My ability is to bring life to nature. However, that does not give you the right to neglect it! Remember that! Water it every day, keep it in the sunlight, and sing to it. Plants love when you sing to them.

  Have a wonderful day!

  Your friend, Ashlyn

  I smiled. Ashlyn sure was flamboyant, but also very sweet. Knowing I had another friend warmed my heart. In the last two or three days, I had made more friends than I had in a lifetime.

  Sighing happily, I put the beautiful plant on my windowsill. It would get plenty of sunlight there. Then I opened up the velvet pouch and dumped its contents onto the table. I noticed the lovely black writing pen and a silver chain necklace with an “S” pendant at the end. Looking at it made me feel a little empty, and low.

  Time, and time again, I was told about how much Zora cared for me. I had never thought of her once. Even though I knew her when I was too young to remember, it still made me feel terrible. I couldn’t help it. She walked around with a necklace in memory of me, and I walked around complaining that I was a freak. What a sister I was….

  I promised myself I would make it up to her. I would find her, rescue her, and then spend the rest of my life being the kind of sister I would have been if I had never grown up in the Human Realm.

  I put Zora’s writing pen in the drawer with her stationery and put the “S” necklace in my shoulder bag. I wanted it with me so when I did find Zora, I could give it to her and thank her.

  What I really wanted was to have all of my problems out of the way so I could enjoy being myself. I wanted to find Zora. I wanted to find out the supposed secret I had.

  After that, I wanted to start my life, my real life, in the Elf Realm. Yet I knew that would not happen until Zora was safe.

  I finished putting away my groceries and was relieved when the time came to meet Aaliyah for our picnic. Any more time alone with my rambling thoughts and I would go crazy. My mind was clouded, and I needed someone to help clear it. I knew she could; my impression of her was that she could be a friend and mother to anyone.

  As I headed out the door to meet Aaliyah, I couldn’t stop worrying. What happened if I wasn’t able to find my sister? If I failed, Addison and Stellan would go to prison. What would happen if they sent me to prison? I had to make things move faster, but I wasn’t sure how. Blaire said to give it time, but I didn’t have much left. God, what am I going to do?

  What was there I could do? Besides waiting around for the Mood Diamond to work, I could do nothing to help the situation.

  I was certain that Aaliyah could ease my mind, even if her advice didn’t bring me any closer to finding Zora. I wasn’t looking for someone to solve my problems. I just needed someone to listen so I didn’t feel like I was all on my own.

  Aaliyah was waiting outside when I arrived. She held a large basket that carried the delicious aroma of food. When she remarked about the Mood Diamond, I had to promise her, as I had to Aaron, that I would be careful.

  Arm in arm, we walked to the orchard. It was a long way to go, but I didn’t mind. The scenery was beautiful.

  On the way I saw herds of deer, ponds filled with baby ducklings following their mothers, and robins searching for worms. These were the same wild animals from my old home, but here they looked happier, more peaceful. The modern craziness of
the Human Realm didn’t touch them. Instead, they were living in balance with nature, as it should be.

  Lost in thought, it took me a moment to realize that we had finally reached the orchard.

  It reminded me of farms in the Human Realm. Row after row of fruit-bearing trees stretched out before me. I could spot the oranges, pears, and apples. My mouth watered at the sight. Even from far away, I could see that the fruit was luscious and ripe. One thing I wondered was how oranges could grow in the same region as pears and apples. In the Human Realm, this wasn’t usually done. I asked Aaliyah that same question.

  “Do you know the story of the Garden of Eden?” she asked.

  “Yes, Adam and Eve,” I recalled.

  “Well, when Adam and Eve broke God’s law, the real beauty and magic of the Human Realm was taken away. However, humans had broken the law, not elves or fairies. So when our Realms were created, we had the beauty and magic that God first gave to the Human Realm. That same magic in this Realm allows anything to be possible. We have no need for regions or specific climates, and we are provided with all that we need to plant orange trees with apple trees. ”

  “But God didn’t create these Realms,” I commented.

  She smiled. “Yes, that is true, but these Realms would not have been possible if God had not gifted the creators with the ability to do so. But how did you know that?” The gentleness and amusement of her voice gave away the fact that she was not mocking or insulting me, but generally curious.

  I bit my lip. “Well, I sort of assumed so. Whenever an elf mentions the creation of the Realms, they never mention God. I didn’t even know elves believed in God,” I remarked.

  “Why wouldn’t we?” she asked.

  “Because you aren’t human,” I explained. “In the Human Realm, mythical creatures are thought to have their own gods.”