It was a bit of a tense standoff at first. I think it took the Elves a while to realize that it was actually me communicating with them and not some beast tamer pretending to be a giant beast. To be honest I did feel a little insulted that they felt someone actually taming me was more believable than me being able to speak. They were eventually forced to recognize the reality of the situation. Once enough members of my community came forward to confirm that it was in fact me who was communicating and there wasn't anyone communicating through me.
Then of course I had to convince the elves that I wasn't holding people hostage. I hadn't really considered someone might think that but to me it makes way more sense than the idea that I could ever be tamed. Even now as big as I am becoming someone's pet is something I absolutely cannot allow. Eventually we are able to come to an understanding and actually start communicating.
The first thing they ask after we start truly communicating is what I actually want. I then tell him that I would like to walk through the forest to reach the other side. Which is true enough. I'd like to explore the forest a bit before reaching the other side. At this point though, I'd rather not push my luck. The others had told me that elves aren't the type to entertain visitors and I'm starting to see that. It doesn't take very long for the one I'm guessing is the elf in charge to respond. "Even if we were to grant you access the number of trees that would need to be sacrificed to make room for one such as you is unacceptable."
Disappointing, but also exactly the answer I expected to hear. I mean this is called a sacred forest after all. Hearing that I sensing that any other discussion would be pointless, I thank them for hearing my request and turn to leave. My plan is to walk along the edge of the forest until I can find the end and continue forward. However, I had barely taken half a step when I suddenly hear a voice calling out to me. A female voice at that. Odd since the elves in the group I spoke to were all male. The exchange that happened next was even more surprising.
"You there, beast please wait a moment." I'm still not happy being referred to in such a manner but at the same time she did say please. So, I decide to wait and see where this is going. Upon noticing her the elf that I was talking to moved to block her path. "Princess Blathanna please you must keep your distance. This creature is not of the forest." Without missing a beat she retorts "I did not realize you speak for the forest now Slea." I like this woman.
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She then continues to speak. This time directly to me. "The Great Mother has told the queen that the forest is doomed and the elven people with it." Judging by the shock evedent on the other elves faces this is not common knowledge. However, the look of shock on their faces only gets more exaggerated as she continues. "The only hope for either of us is to be allowed to ride on you back great beast." My response is almost automatic. "I'd love to help really I would but I'm not that big. Certainly not big enough for an entire elven community." Which is true. The more people the more chance of treating injuries. The more injuries treated the more experience gained so why wouldn't I want more people.
To my surprise the princess even has an answer for this apparently. "I don't understand it myself and neither does the queen, but The Great Mother informed the queen that there will be plenty of room as long as the injured are handed over first. After that The Great Mother said we should hand over the sick, then those who are missing body parts, and finally everyone else." "Who or what exactly is this Great Mother?" I ask suddenly aware that whoever or whatever it is they seem to know a lot about me.
The other elf Slea apparently, looks outraged at such a question. Thankfully the princess puts a hand up to stop him before his anger can boil over. She then turns to face me again and as if she expected such a question begins to explain. "The Great Mother is the eldest of all the trees. So old and so big that the nature energy gathered within her eventually coalesced into a consciousness. Our ancestors found her soon after that and we have been living under her shade ever since. It was our ancestors in fact who gave her the name The Great Mother. It is believed that every tree in the forest is a descendent of the great mother."
Thinking back to everything I know about trees everything starts to make sense. Even back on earth trees could communicate through their roots so it stands to reason that in a world filled with magic this Great Mother would have ways of communicating with other trees that goes beyond even that. Given that and how much time I spent in the Asclepius woods it's no wonder this Great Mother knows all about me.
It doesn't take me very long to agree after that and the princess then orders Slea to escort me to the elven camp. He's clearly not happy about it but he dares not disobey the princess. At first, I try to avoid destroying trees if I can help it but then the princess reminds me that the forest is already doomed so it doesn't matter how many trees I destroy. Even with her blessing though I can only move so fast. Some of the trees are so big I doubt I could move them using Earth, Gravity, and air manipulation together. Well, perhaps if I had put more levels into them.
We do eventually reach our destination though. After getting a good look at the elf camp I'm shocked. I knew there was going to be more than just a few elves at this camp. However, my idea of a camp still did not include an entire village. There must be nearly a thousand elves here.