Chapter 1: Eirwen Hollow

The sun’s early rays filtered through the thick canopy of trees that surrounded Eirwen Hollow, casting a warm, golden glow over the peaceful village. Nestled deep within a valley and hidden from the world by towering mountains and dense forests, Eirwen Hollow was a place of tranquillity, far removed from the conflicts and chaos of the outside world. The villagers, having lived in harmony with nature for generations, knew little of the turmoil that lay beyond their borders, and they were content in their ignorance.

Kaelen Draven, a sixteen-year-old with unruly dark hair and a lean, wiry build, moved with the energy and enthusiasm typical of his age. His mother, Lyana, had asked him to fetch water from the village well, a task he had performed countless times. The morning air was cool and refreshing, carrying the scent of dew-covered earth and the sweet fragrance of wildflowers that lined the path. As Kaelen walked, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment, yet beneath it, a faint stir of restlessness—an unspoken yearning for something beyond the life he had always known.

Eirwen Hollow was a small village, its few dozen cottages clustered together like old friends. Each home was built from sturdy timber and stone, with thatched roofs and wooden shutters that creaked in the wind. Gardens overflowed with flowers, their vibrant colours adding splashes of life to the surroundings. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, the smell of breakfast wafting through the air—a mix of freshly baked bread and roasting herbs that made Kaelen’s stomach rumble.

As Kaelen approached the well, he greeted several villagers along the way. Old Man Merric, the village blacksmith, was already hard at work, his hammer ringing out as he shaped metal on his anvil. Merric was a fixture in the village, as solid and unchanging as the anvil he worked on. His broad shoulders and thick arms bore the marks of a lifetime of labor, and his grey beard was as unruly as the wild mane of hair that crowned his head.

"Morning, Kaelen," Merric called out with a nod, pausing in his work to wipe the sweat from his brow. Despite his gruff exterior, Merric had a kind heart and was always willing to lend a hand to those in need.

"Good morning, Merric," Kaelen replied with a smile. "Busy as always, I see."

"Aye, lad. The work never ends, but I wouldn't have it any other way," Merric said with a chuckle. "How's your mother? Haven't seen her at the market lately."

Kaelen’s smile faltered slightly. "She's doing well, just... keeping to herself more these days."

Merric nodded knowingly. "She's a strong woman, your mother. But don't let her carry all the burdens alone, eh? You're a good lad, Kaelen. She's lucky to have you." There was a hint of concern in Merric’s eyes, though he masked it well with his usual jovial demeanor.

"Thanks, Merric," Kaelen said, appreciating the blacksmith's words of wisdom. He continued on his way, waving to a group of children playing near the village square. They were chasing each other around the fountain, their laughter echoing through the village. The fountain, carved from ancient stone, was the pride of Eirwen Hollow. It depicted a majestic tree, its roots extending deep into the earth while its branches reached for the sky, symbolizing the village’s connection to both the land and the heavens.

As Kaelen walked past the fountain, he noticed Elara, a girl around his age, tending to the flowers that grew around its base. Elara was the daughter of the village herbalist, Maera, and she had inherited her mother’s gift for nurturing plants. Her long, chestnut hair was tied back in a loose braid, and her emerald eyes sparkled with the morning light.

"Good morning, Elara," Kaelen greeted her as he approached.

Elara looked up from her work and smiled warmly. "Morning, Kaelen. Off to fetch water, I see."

"As always," Kaelen replied, returning her smile. "You’re up early."

"There’s always work to be done," Elara said with a shrug, standing up and brushing the dirt from her hands. "The flowers won’t take care of themselves."

Kaelen watched as she carefully adjusted the position of a small, delicate flower, her touch gentle and precise. He admired her dedication, the way she seemed to bring life and beauty wherever she went.

"You have a gift with plants," Kaelen said, meaning it. "The village is lucky to have you."

Elara blushed slightly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you, Kaelen. That means a lot coming from you."

Before Kaelen could respond, a loud crash echoed from the direction of the market square, followed by a string of curses. Kaelen and Elara exchanged glances, both recognizing the voice immediately—Fendrel, the village’s resident troublemaker.

"I’d better go see what he’s done this time," Kaelen said with a sigh.

Elara laughed softly. "You always seem to be the one cleaning up after him."

"Someone has to," Kaelen replied, though there was a hint of affection in his voice. Fendrel might have been a troublemaker, but he was also Kaelen’s closest friend.

As Kaelen made his way to the market square, he spotted Fendrel in the midst of what could only be described as a minor disaster. A cart full of vegetables had been overturned, its contents strewn across the ground, while Fendrel stood in the middle of the mess, looking both sheepish and defiant.

"What happened this time?" Kaelen asked, crossing his arms as he approached.

"It wasn’t my fault!" Fendrel protested immediately. "The wheel broke, and then... well, everything just sort of... fell."

"Of course it did," Kaelen said, shaking his head with a grin. "Come on, let’s get this cleaned up before Maera sees. You know how she gets when her vegetables go to waste."

Together, they began picking up the scattered vegetables, placing them back into the cart as best they could. Despite the situation, there was a sense of camaraderie between them, the easy familiarity of friends who had known each other all their lives.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"You know, one of these days, you’re going to have to learn to be more careful," Kaelen teased, handing Fendrel a particularly squashed tomato.

"Careful is boring," Fendrel replied with a smirk. "Where’s the fun in that?"

Kaelen rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but laugh. Fendrel’s carefree attitude was infectious, a welcome contrast to the quiet, predictable life of Eirwen Hollow. As they finished cleaning up the mess, Fendrel suddenly turned serious, his usual grin fading.

"Hey, Kaelen," he began hesitantly. "Have you noticed anything... strange lately?"

Kaelen frowned, taken aback by the question. "Strange? Like what?"

Fendrel shrugged, looking around as if searching for the right words. "I don’t know... just a feeling, I guess. Like something’s coming. Something big."

Kaelen’s mind flashed back to his conversation with Merric earlier and to the restlessness he had felt that morning. He hadn’t mentioned it to anyone, thinking it was just his imagination, but hearing Fendrel voice the same concern made him uneasy.

"I’ve felt it too," Kaelen admitted quietly. "But I’m sure it’s nothing. Just our minds playing tricks on us."

Fendrel didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t press the issue. Instead, he forced a grin and clapped Kaelen on the back. "You’re probably right. Anyway, thanks for the help. I’d better get this cart back before Maera notices."

"No problem," Kaelen said, though the unease lingered as he watched Fendrel push the cart away.

With the market square once again in order, Kaelen resumed his walk to the well, his thoughts still on Fendrel’s words. The feeling of something being amiss was growing stronger, a nagging worry that refused to be dismissed.

When Kaelen reached the well, he set down his bucket and began to draw water, the familiar creaking of the winch a comforting sound. As he worked, he noticed Maera, the village healer, gathering herbs nearby. She was a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a gentle smile, always ready with a remedy for whatever ailed the villagers. Maera was respected by everyone in the village, not just for her healing skills but for her wisdom and calm demeanor.

"Morning, Maera," Kaelen greeted her.

"Good morning, Kaelen," Maera replied, looking up from her work. "Getting an early start today, I see."

"Just helping out Mum," Kaelen said, lifting the full bucket from the well. "Anything I can do to help you with your herbs?"

Maera smiled warmly. "You're sweet to offer, but I'm nearly done here. How’s Lyana doing? I haven’t seen her at the market lately."

Kaelen hesitated, then shrugged. "She's... fine. Just taking it easy."

Maera’s eyes softened. "Tell her I said hello, and if she needs anything, she knows where to find me."

"I will," Kaelen promised, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that everyone in the village was worried about his mother. She had always been a strong and capable woman, but lately, she had become more reserved, spending much of her time at home.

With the water collected, Kaelen started his walk back to the cottage. On the way, he passed by the village square once more, where Eldric, the village elder, was seated on a bench, watching the children play. Eldric was a wise and respected figure in Eirwen Hollow, known for his knowledge of the village's history and the world beyond the mountains.

"Good morning, Eldric," Kaelen called out as he passed by.

Eldric looked up and smiled, his weathered face creasing with the expression. "Good morning, Kaelen. How’s the day treating you?"

"Can't complain," Kaelen replied, pausing to chat. "Just doing my morning chores. How are you today?"

Eldric chuckled softly. "Oh, the same as every day. Watching the young ones brings back memories of when I was their age. Hard to believe how quickly time passes."

Kaelen nodded in agreement, but before he could respond, Eldric’s expression grew serious. "Kaelen, have you noticed anything... strange lately? Any unusual visitors or events?"

Kaelen frowned, shaking his head. "No, nothing out of the ordinary. Why do you ask?"

Eldric sighed, leaning back on the bench. "Perhaps it’s just the musings of an old man, but I’ve had a feeling lately, like something’s coming. Something that could change everything."

The words sent a shiver down Kaelen’s spine, but he forced a smile. "I’m sure it’s nothing, Eldric. The village is safe, as it always has been."

Eldric nodded, though the worry in his eyes remained. "Yes, yes, you're right, lad. But keep your eyes open, just in case. The world has a way of surprising us when we least expect it."

Kaelen gave a nod of understanding before continuing on his way, Eldric's words lingering in his mind. He couldn’t help but feel a slight unease as he returned home, though he tried to brush it off. Eirwen Hollow was a place of peace, far from the troubles of the world. What could possibly go wrong here?

When he arrived back at the cottage, Lyana was waiting for him. She had prepared breakfast—a simple meal of bread, cheese, and freshly picked berries. The smell of herbs and spices filled the air, making the small kitchen feel warm and welcoming.

"Thank you for getting the water," Lyana said, smiling as Kaelen set the bucket down.

"No problem, Mum," Kaelen replied, sitting down at the table. He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Mum, have you noticed anything strange lately? Like, something feels... off?"

Lyana paused, her hand hovering over the bread as she cut it. She didn’t look at Kaelen as she spoke. "Why do you ask, Kaelen?"

Kaelen shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. "It’s just something Eldric mentioned. He said he’s had a feeling, like something’s coming."

Lyana finally looked at him, her eyes searching his face. "Eldric is wise, and his instincts are rarely wrong. But there’s no need to worry. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together, as we always have."

Kaelen nodded, though he could tell that his mother was hiding something. He didn’t press her, knowing that she would tell him when she was ready. For now, he focused on the meal, enjoying the comforting normality of their routine.

As the day went on, Kaelen helped his mother with various tasks around the cottage and the village. He fetched supplies from the market, repaired the fence around their garden, and even helped Old Man Merric with some heavy lifting at the forge. It was a busy day, filled with the simple pleasures of village life.

But as the sun began to set, casting long shadows over Eirwen Hollow, that uneasy feeling returned. Kaelen stood outside the cottage, looking out at the village as the sky turned shades of orange and pink. The beauty of the scene couldn’t shake the sense that something was amiss, that the peace of Eirwen Hollow was somehow fragile, hanging by a thread.

"Kaelen," Lyana called from inside. "Come in, it’s getting late."

Kaelen turned away from the view and went back inside, but as he closed the door behind him, he couldn’t help but glance back at the village one last time. The shadows seemed deeper, the silence more profound.

Something was coming. He could feel it.

And when it arrived, Kaelen knew that nothing would ever be the same.