Elves of the Many Kingdoms

I was sitting in my room after a grueling session of training. I was startled from my flopped position on my bed by a nock on my door. I sat up quickly ignoring my smelly sweaty tunic and mud covered face, I opened my door. There, standing at MY door was Queen Maple! The QUEEN of the Forest Eves herself!

“Um…” I stammered, “Your Highness, what a surprise!”

“Yes, yes.” the queen said. “Rowan is it? My General has told me great things about our own 50 year elf.” I was a bit confused because General Reed has never said two words to me. I knew all the stories about him though. He was the youngest elf ever to become a high officer in the Forest Kingdom Palace, he wasn’t much older than me, only 18.

“Oh, uhhhh, thank you?” I said awkwardly.

“Don’t be so modest.” I looked at her with a blank face, “Oh you must know how relieved the people are that we have our own 50 year elf.”

“Uhhh, yeah of course.” I mumbled, “Of course.” The queen chuckled.

“Well,” she said her face went back to business, “I have received word from the High King, that because you are the only 50 year Forest Elf still alive, you have been requested to come to the Royal Palace.”

“Wait? What? When? Why? I’m confused.” I fired off questions at rapid speed.

“You’ll leave in the morning tomorrow, I’ll have a caravan prepared for in the morning, 6 o’clock sharp. Don’t be late.”

“Wai-” but the queen had already left my room. “What does he want me to do?” I asked the empty room.

Everyone was staring at me when I walked into the Mess Hall that evening. I wasn’t anything special, so why was everyone staring. My best friend, Ivy, had saved me a spot at our table. It was a good thing too, our normally almost empty table was super crowded.

“How does it feel to be famous?” Ivy whispered into my ear.

“What?” I asked her.

“Oh,” she said, “General Reed PERSONALLY suggested you for the High King’s assignment.”

“Hah!” I barked, “General Reed has never given me a glance.” Ivy raised an eyebrow, “I didn’t even Know he Knew my name, much less who I am.” At that moment General Reed walked in, and over to our table!

“Ah,” he said, “Rowan Is it?” I was speechless, so I nodded, “I thought so, well congratulations on being chosen, I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” Then he winked.

“Ummm…” I stamerd, my brain tened to turn into mush around attractive boys. “Y-yes General.” Great now he probably thought I was a stamering idot.

“Reed is fine.” he smirked. Ugg now he knew he was getting to me. Then he turned around and walked away. My face was on fire.

“He has no idea who you are?” Ivy asked, “Riiiiiiiiiiiiight.”

“I had no idea what that was about.” I said.

“Reed is fine.” Ivy said in a perfect imitation of Reed’s voice, “You two would be soooooo cute together!”

“Shut up, that is never going to happen.” I shoved her.

“She’s right Ivy,” sickenly sweet voice cut in, “why would THE General Reed want to waste his time with a strange little girl.” Rosewood, my worst enemy. She was extremely jealous, because her birthday was only a few days after mine, and she would have been the 50 year elf, had she not been born late and me early. She and her family made it no secret that they thought she should be the 50 year elf not me.

"The question is," Ivy started, "why would THE General Reed want to spend time with you?" Rosewood's face got red and she opened her, but Ivy cut her off, "After all YOU'RE no one special."