Prologue

Pain enveloped the elf as she ran holding her baby close to her chest. Warm salty tears trickled down her cheek, but she ignored them. All that mattered was the small bundle she clung to. She could hear her persuaders gaining behind her, the horse hooves pounded on the ground, or was it her heart? They grew louder and louder as she grew weaker. Just a little further, she told herself. 

She looked up into the pink evening sky, renewed hope filled her body and a sudden strength grew inside of her she picked up her pace and smirked inside. She could see it, just over the large grassy hill, the Mystical Forest. The baby in her arms let out a low sob; the elf’s spell was running out. “Hush daughter,” she calmed the small girl breathlessly. She looked down noticing blood gushing from her soft diminutive arm. It was where the orc had sliced her in his attempt of murder; it wasn’t that deep but would most likely leave a scar. She kissed the baby’s cheek and picked up her pace. Almost there, she thought to herself. 

Help! She called in her mind. It sounded much stronger then she thought she could manage and hoped it went through. She ran on searching the horizon for any sign of movement she let her tears flow and prayed someone would come. Just when she had almost given in to pain and fear she saw a small movement in the distance, she smiled despite the excruciating pain throbbing in her back, she had made it. Take her, love her, and teach her, she called to the creature in the distance.

Good-bye your majesty, it said in reply. The elf sighed and fell to her stomach the ground taking one last exhilarating breath falling into an endless sleep. The creature took the weeping babe and ran deep into the mystical forest. Not chancing to look behind her.

Chapter 1

Where do you think you two are going? Moonbeam asked to the tiptoeing girls behind her. 

Out? Melle, the human girl, said. 

Really? Moonbeam answered not falling for their game. 

Um, yes, Ruby, Moonbeam’s biological daughter, agreed unconvincingly.

Well, Ruby, did you forget it’s your day to help your father in the fields?  Moonbeam asked trying to hide her laughter. 

Oh, yeah, I forgot, ruby laughed nervously.

You are an awful liar, Melle accused. Moonbeam chimed with laughter, Melle, you may go out, but Ruby has to stick to her responsibilities.

Aw, Mom just this once? Ruby pleaded. 

No, now go, she said sternly. She watched as the young unicorn stumbled off mumbling words under her breath. Have fun Melle, Moonbeam called as Melle walked away in the other direction. 

~*~*~*~*~*~

Melle stumbled along on a familiar path she and Ruby had created years before. She was angry at Moonbeam for not letting Ruby go, Melle hated being alone because it meant she would start thinking, and Melle hated thinking. She tried to avoid the subject in her mind but it always came to haunt her so vividly.

She wasn’t like others in her colony; she was a human while everyone else was either a unicorn or a Pegasus. Often the animals chanted things about her, or whispered when they thought she was looking away, but she heard all of it and it hurt her deep down inside although she tried desperately to hide it. She tried to fit in but in her attempts something would go wrong and they would break out into unruly laughter or shun her away. The only thing she had in common with them was her powers. 

She smiled as she thought of it; everyday she grew stronger and stronger. Darkcrystal, Moonbeam’s mate, had taught her and Ruby how to use them from day one, and now after sixteen years Melle was stronger then almost any unicorn. Those weren’t the only things she could do; she was also talented in swordplay, archery, and wrestling. The elves had taught her these. Although elves rarely showed themselves to humans Melle was a different case. They greeted her often whenever she was in the forest. She smiled, as she thought of them, so friendly, yet mysterious. They treated her like an equal unlike the unicorns who often took advantage of her wanting to fit in.   

The sun was at its highest point and tiny sweat droplets formed on her brow. She wiped them away and walked over to a small spring that only Moonbeam and her knew about. She stared down at the clear water skimming her fingers over its icy surface. She stared down at her reflection with distaste. Although she was very pretty something about her just didn’t fit. She had long unruly golden hair that glistened in the sunlight, deep blue eyes sparkled with happiness, while her upturned nose seemed to fit her face perfectly, along with her full lips, and her completion was tanned from the endless days in the sun. She sighed as she gazed at her ears, they were a little to small and were slightly pointed at the tips, it was the one thing that ruined her almost perfect face. She angrily, she liked being in control and her ears were something she couldn’t change and it hurt desperately. She cupped her hands and filled them with the pure water.

Looking at the noon sun hanging high in the air she got up and began climbing up a tall tree with ease. Once at the top she took a deep breath and leapt to the next one and then the next one until she was flying from tree to tree, it was something the squirrels had taught her and she was thankful for it, it was much cooler then walking. Animals were another source of her education; she had the gift of speech and could talk to all of them and found them far more interesting then the arrogant unicorns. She stopped on a tree and shook her head angrily; her mind had wandered back to the unicorns again. She looked around at the scenery pushing aside the thoughts that haunted her. The trees were in full bloom and the scent of wild flowers blew around her. She breathed in savoring the sweet smell. A bird sand behind her and she turned to see a bluebird humming a familiar tune. Melle smiled and sang along, her soft voice mingled with the bird’s sharp whistling. She smiled happily forgetting her troubles singing louder and louder until the song was at its finish. Melle was somewhat disappointed that such a lovely thing would have to come to an end. But she took a deep breath and continued jumping from tree to tree.     

She found her favorite tree and climbed to her favorite moss covered branch it was shaped just perfectly so that she could lay down looking up at the sky. She had spent many long nights there gazing at the stars letting her thoughts flow. She let her mind wander, avoiding her painful thoughts. Her eyes grew heavy and she struggled to keep them open until she drifted into a deep sleep where she was haunted by a dream she had every so often, but could never understand:

She watched as an elf ran as fast as she could with two arrows penetrated in her bloodstained back carrying a small babe in her arms. Men on horses with bows and arrows persuaded her shouting things Melle couldn’t quite grasp. The baby let out a shriek and Melle looked to it her gaze grew closer and closer to the crying child until she was looking at an oozing cut on its small arm. Right before her eyes the wound shifted and grew smaller the blood disappeared and the oozing red color turned to a light pink until it was nothing but a scar Melle watched in amazement. Take her, love her, and teach her, a voice called out of nowhere. 

A loud shriek penetrated the air causing Melle to wake with a jump. She lost her balance and fell off the branch landing hard on the ground. The cries grew louder until they were almost unbearable. Melle covered her ears and picked herself up off the ground. Bellows for help filled her head, the unicorns! She thought with sudden realization. Without thinking she leapt forward running as fast as her long legs could carry her. Hold on, she called back to them, I’m coming. But there was no reply and tears threatened her eyes as the screeches grew softer and soon there was nothing, not a bird singing or a cricket’s humming. She ran as fast as she could ignoring the blazing sun and her sore bear feet. All that mattered was getting there in time. 

She ran up the last hill gasping for breath her legs shook with pain and tiredness, her body begged her to stop but she kept going. She reached the top stopping in mid stride. She was shocked, pain filled her body as she gazed down at all the unicorns lying dead on the ground below her. A single tear found its way down her soft rosy cheek followed by another and another until her cheeks were damp with them. 

When she regained herself she called out, Moonbeam? Darkcrystal? Ruby? There was no answer and agony stabbed at her heart. They were gone; rage filled her body as she looked down at the beautiful creatures below her. Who would do such a thing? She asked herself angrily wiping away her tears. 

Melle, someone said from behind her. Melle turned around seeing three ghostly figures beside her. 

Moonbeam, Darkcrystal, Ruby! She said with pure delight, what happened to you? 

There’s no time, Darkcrystal said sternly, listen Melle, you have to get out of here run for you life. They’re after you.

What? Why? Melle cried with panic. 

There’s no time, Moonbeam repeated, but here, take these gifts and use them, she said. A blinding white light shone from Moonbeam’s horn, I give you a moonbeam, use it wisely and you will never have to fear the dark. Melle gave a questioning look but Moonbeam shook her head, when the time is right you will understand. Melle took the gift and placed in her pocket trying to hold back tears as she embraced the unicorn for the last time.

Darkcrystal stepped forward, I give you a dark crystal, when there is no hope hold it and I will bring you new hope.  Melle took it and placed it around her neck with a loose string she pulled from her shirt, she leapt forward wrapping her arms around his neck.

And I, Ruby said with a smile, give you a ruby ring, you are my best friend and I will always be there for you. Melle nodded placing it on her right ring finger. 

We must go now, and so shall you, Moonbeam declared. 

Thank you, and I will never forget you, Melle said lovingly tears stung her eyes and the three unicorns disappeared.

But as they did Moonbeam’s last words echoed through the air, the past brings hope for the future, find you’re past Melle, and embrace it. I love you.

“I love you too!” Melle called out in her normal voice, it was louder and for some reason she felt they would hear it better.

A light breeze played with Melle’s hair as it whispered, run. Melle took a deep breath wiped away the tears that had found their way down her cheeks and sprinted away.