My entry for environment_warrier's writing contest

Instructions

Gael swept over the carpet of leaves on the forest floor with quick nimble steps. She darted between trees and plants, keeping her eye out for intruders. When the river came into view she tensed up and stopped running. She carefully walked towards it, glancing around nervously. There he was, standing by the shore, hoof pawing at the ground anxiously. When Gael approached him he spoke in a deep, gravely voice. "You said it was urgent?" Gael nodded and began immediately. "I called you here because we Elves have seen strange things. Have you noticed? The woods are silent." she gestured to the trees. "They do not whisper or laugh the way they used to, Aughus. The saplings do not giggle or sway in the wind anymore. It's like their magic has been...taken. It's simply disappeared." Gael paused, as though waiting for the centaur to say something. When he didn't, she continued. "Elves have disappeared. Gone. Lost. They never came back. Aughus, something is happening. You can't ignore it." she whispered. The centaur surveyed her face and nodded. "I see your concern. I see fear." he said. "You want to figure this out, to stop it...but how can I trust you?" Gael looked up at him, took a deep breath and said, "Aughus, I know Centaurs and Elves were never...the best of friends, but we need to join forces. Something is taking our magic, draining the life from everything in this world. Something came between us when this whole thing started. We used to live in harmony and enjoy each others company. The woods were full of laughter and joy, the wind used to sing, the river would join in with light, twinkling notes...remember?" her face grew happy at the memories but soon her smile faded into a frown. "It's different now. It's not just the magic that's gone. It's the happiness. I can't prove to you that you can trust me. You just have to believe me." Aughus was deep in thought. "You're right." he said finally. The woods fell silent once more. Gael wasn't sure how long it was until Aughus eventually spoke. "You say we must join forces, but against what?" he asked. Gael sighed. She knew someone or something was robbing their kingdom of magic, but she had yet to figure out who. She spent countless nights awake and wondering, too worried and confused to sleep but it had never come to her. She rubbed her forehead in concentration, squeezing her eyes shut. But when she opened them again, the centaur in front of her began to fade and the forest disappeared. An image of her brother came into view. He was sitting in a tree with a broad smile on his face, waving down at a younger her. Her younger self climbed into the tree and perched on the branch beside him. He leaned over and whispered to his sister, "Wanna hear something cool?" "What?" her four year self asked. "I overheard the teachers talking about it today…but you have to swear to never tell anyone!" he answered. Gael laughed when her brother said this to the little elf on the tree next to him. He never answered questions completely…she missed him. He leaned over and whispered in his sisters ear. "One day, something will come and take our magic...the Prophecy says so." On the ground, Gael gasped when she heard what he said. The memory started to fade, her brother with it. She grabbed at the air as though hoping to keep it with her, to never let it go, but soon the excited whispers faded into nothing, leaving Gael alone again with Aughus. He looked unsure and worried. In the back of her mind, Gael knew he had said something, but she didn’t answer. She stood rooted to the ground. How could she have forgotten? The Prophecy was written by an old, wise elf named Haldir. He had indeed written that the end of the world would come some day. It was said to be the most dangerous prediction of all. When she was finally able to speak she cried, “I remember! I figured it out!” Aughus motioned for her to keep her voice down. She clamped a hand over her mouth and nodded. "What?" he hissed. "The prophecy!" she said, taking her hand away. Aughus gasped. No more needed to be said. "The Darkness..." he murmured. Gael nodded solemnly. "The beginning of the End."