Adam, Savior of the Elves

Adam, Savior of the Elves

Feacus Fidelle

"Come along, Ferocity!" commanded Adam, galloping on his hunting horse, engrossed in the hunt. His hound shot forward, locked on a deer a few hundred yards away. As adrenaline coursed through his body, Adam felt the exhilaration of the hunt that comes only to an elf born of the forest. He galloped deeper into the forest before the feeling hit him. Something was amiss, but he wasn't sure what. As he jerked his horse to a halt, he realized how unusually quiet the surrounding forest was. The birds that had been singing atop the lofty trees were silent, and the creatures that had scurried through the forest underbrush had vanished.

"This is some ill portent," thought Adam, dismounting. His joyful mood had faded, replaced by a stab of consternation. Adam led his horse to the sound of running water. He jogged through the forest, his clothes catching on grasping limbs and ripping from his body. Suddenly Adam stopped, riveted. In front of him stood a small cottage, a stream flowing through a water mill in its side. The cottage appeared as if it had been abandoned centuries ago. As Adam cautiously neared the cottage, a new feeling came upon him. He felt a potent magic nearby, one that struck fear in his very heart.

"Is anybody there?" he called, stepping up to the door and lifting a tremulous hand to the doorknob. He hesitated when no response came, and then opened the door.

As the door creaked open, Adam's eyes scanned the huge room that comprised the strange cottage, and he froze, unable to move. In the center of the room, Adam spotted a cloaked figure turned away from him.

Adam inhaled deeply. "I'm sorry to disturb you sir...or ma'am. I'm afraid I am lost. Might I implore you to tell me how to get back to Woodstown, the town bordering the east side of the forest?"

"My son," said the figure in an old woman's voice, "you have found me at last, and indeed are not lost. Lie you down now and go to sleep." Her haggard voice changed into a soothing whisper, lulling Adam to sleep. He set himself down on the floor and closed his eyes.

Adam awoke with a start, ghoulish images flashing within his head. He opened his eyes, confused at his surroundings. He lay on a pallet without covers, dressed in the outfit of a serf. Adam arose from his pallet, but as soon as his feet touched the ground, the witch Jelyx appeared.

"Welcome to your new home," said the hag, a sneer upon her face. "You are in my employment now. Sit down and listen to what your daily routine in my service shall be.

"At dawn, you will awaken, and dress yourself. You will find a tray with breakfast on the floor by the door. After breakfast, you will tend the garden. Follow me." The witch led him outside to her garden beside the watermill. She explained how to tend each plant and showed him what tools he would use. At each explanation, Adam dumbly nodded his head, his mind so muddled by the witch that his thoughts could not form.

After visiting the garden, the witch showed Adam his duties at the watermill, then returned with Adam to his hut. As they went inside, the witch said, "Remember to always address me as 'Mistress Jelyx'." She concluded her lecture. "Now get to work! We shall have supper at sunset," she commanded. She closed her eyes and chanted a brief incantation, vanishing into thin air.

Adam suddenly felt a subconscious calling to his duty and opened the door of his hut, beginning his tasks for the day. The witch had captured part of Adam's mind, and was constantly keeping him busy with her silent commands. Adam began at the garden, where he had to gouge deep into the soil to dig up the myriad weeds there. Afterwards, Adam once again felt a subconscious calling nagging at him. He quickly jogged to Jelyx's cottage, not wanting to upset her. He sat down at the table and began to eat.

"This is very good," he said as he spooned porridge into his mouth. The witch nodded her head. After Adam finished eating, he went to his hut. He collapsed onto his pallet fully clothed and fell asleep.

The next day, Adam arose and ate breakfast.

"Greetings," said the witch as he ate. "You shall do your work again today, exactly as yesterday. Finish your porridge and get to work now!" Her face was flushed with anger as she pointed to the door. Adam ran out of the cottage, knocking over his porridge but too scared to stop and pick it up.