On the dawning of the fourth day, the elves rose and broke camp in hushed anticipation. Today was the day they would complete their exodus and see their new home for the first time. Even Valanandir felt a trace of nervousness.
Had Iadrawyn correctly interpreted her vision? Would the forest be suitable? Could all the creatures that had followed them on this journey be happy there? Then he saw Iadrawyn’s calm, confident smile, and his doubts vanished. Every step they took closer to their goal, the more certain she appeared. Valanandir shivered as goose bumps rose on his arms. He sensed the strange energies of the Quenya swirling about her, even from where it was contained in the Levniquenya in her pack.
It was almost noon when the hills fell away, revealing the landscape before them. A long river began somewhere in the distance to the northeast to meet a small branch to the south that wrapped around the northern tip of the Lavi Eadros. Its rushing waters almost seemed to be singing as they made their way to the sea. Across the river, there was an open beach area to the northwest, but the rest of the land was filled by the forest.
And what a forest it was. Towering oaks, spruce, pine, ash, trees of all kinds clustered to form a huge stretch of canopy. Even from where he stood, Valanandir could see the trees were ancient. Their giant trunks would take several elves to circle them. The peaks of the Hamad Balas rose to the east, embracing the river and the wood’s northeastern border. Although he couldn’t see it from where he was standing, Malarin had assured them the northern edge of the forest was all coastline. The air was cooler here, but there was an underlying hum of vitality. A lone hawk screeched in the sky overhead as it spotted them.
Valanandir met Iadrawyn’s joyful gaze and grinned. It was perfect.
“It’s… amazing!” Lodariel’s voice was awed. The rest of the elves behind them looked across the river with blinking eyes.
“The river,” Daroandir said. “Can you hear that?”
“We should call it the Rilaran, the Singing River.” Lodariel flushed as her friends turned to look at her. She wasn’t one to be easily moved by beauty. “What? That’s what it sounds like!” She scowled back at them.
“Then that’s what it shall be called,” Iadrawyn said with a silvery laugh. “Come! Let’s go home. Melavalion awaits.” She beckoned, and all the elves followed.
Light Chasers (The World of Lasniniar Book 0) Page 56