~The Elven-names~ the shadow of a mystery

When Matt and I told the Keeper of the Legacy that it seemed like the Mormir knew who I was, his face grew grave.

 

"Then it is time for action; now, while we still have time. Mirluin, you will commence archery lessons with Weneithel at once. Mahtan, take one of the your friends and teach Thoron sword fighting." He looked from one to the other of us. "And keep a sharp eye and ear out for anything new happening."

 

So an even stranger phase of my life began. For most of the day I was pretending to live a normal life at school. In the evening I was an elven-named maiden, in training for a confrontation that was sure to occur. During this time Dad grew a little better. His life was definitely out of danger, but he was always very melancholy. A heavy burden seemed to be on him, and it felt like he could hardly bear to stay with the Elven-named always. And I was realizing that the people who dwelt in the Forest Palace had a strange attitude toward Dad. When they talked about him or to him, there was a slight stiffness, almost like disapproval, but a little different.

 

One day after school I was practicing the bow with Weneithel, like usual. All of a sudden I noticed Wen stiffen. Then she started acting like she was engrossed in how I was aiming the bow. It was like she was deliberately ignoring someone. So after I loosed my arrow, I looked around, and saw Dad on the edge of the target field. He looked a slightly better than he had that morning at breakfast.

 

I looked at Weneithel. Her lips were pressed together and she was pointedly ignoring Dad. I drew my bow and fired another arrow, then looked back over my shoulder at Dad. I saw him sigh and then he turned and slowly walked back toward the Forest Palace. Weneithel was muttering under her breath. I couldn't help but hear as she helped me aim another arrow.

 

"What does he think he's doing here, after what he did? Rejecting his calling and people..." her words trailed away. My mind was churning once more. What had Dad done?

 

*   *   *

 

That night I finally decided to read the list of the Keepers. Maybe it would clear up some things. And my curiosity would kick in and remind me that it might have the name of the Keeper of the Legacy. So I unfolded the parchment and read. But I was disappointed, for the list ended at the Keeper of the Legacy before the one that was now. His name was Malglin Faeron. So was he related to me? My people? My reading had just made the mystery darker.