Dark Elf Playdate and the Glowing Ring
“You guys were friends with Silleia?!”
I couldn’t hold back and just blurted it out. I could’ve just listened to Bellis and Nairak’s chatter to gather info without saying a word. But when Silleia’s name suddenly popped up from these dark elves’ mouths, my curiosity got the better of me.
Was asking them on a whim like that a mistake after all?
Instead of answering my question, Bellis fired one right back at me.
“How do you know Silleia? You mean the girl with the long blonde hair in twin braids, right?”
How should I answer this?
Revealing right now that I came from the elf village didn’t seem like a smart move. They’d said the dark elves had fled beyond the World Tree’s blessing due to divisions in the village. They probably didn’t have warm feelings toward the regular elves. They’d likely feel guilt for escaping first, or be on guard for pursuers.
For now, I’d piece together what I knew and try to dodge the question.
“I got lost before and wandered deep into the forest. Ran into an elf search party by chance…”
“For real? Total coincidence! Good thing Silleia’s doing okay, then.”
Did I manage to slip by without suspicion?
It felt a little bad to think that, but she seemed like the type to believe anything I said without a second thought. Even if I spouted nonsense like, I’m actually a disguised elf, she’d probably take it at face value.
Unaware of my thoughts, Bellis looked at me with pure, sparkling eyes and started gushing about Silleia.
“Want me to tell you a few stories about Silleia? Back when we were kids, she saw some fish in the lake and suddenly said they looked cold. Then she suggested we make clothes for their mouths.”
“Bellis, you gonna spill that story to an outsider too?”
Right in the middle of her tale, Nairak—who’d been quiet till then—cut in. Ignoring him, Bellis just got even more excited and kept going.
“What’s wrong with it? It’s still hilarious thinking back. Anyway, Silleia snuck out some precious clothes the Elder was wearing, cut them into tiny pieces, and stuck them right on the fish.”
“Wouldn’t that stop the fish from breathing?”
“Luckily, the clothes peeled right off after they swam a bit in the lake. But all the scraps floated up to the surface. The whole lake turned into a sparkling Milky Way!”
Bellis explained it all to me with wide, gleaming eyes, full of delight. Nairak took over the rest.
“The lake was less ‘Milky Way’ and more giant trash heap, like she said. Other elves spent months fishing junk out of there. Naturally, Silleia got reamed by the Elder and wasn’t allowed outside without a guardian for years.”
“There’s so many more stories about her. Which one first?”
“Shut it. We’re at the river—time to get to work.”
“Right! We were heading to wash the wolves.”
Before I knew it, lost in our lively chat, we’d reached the riverbank. Being downstream, the water was shallow enough for the pups to wade in safely.
As I casually took in the river, Bellis sidled up and whispered.
“Seha, if you see Silleia again, could you pass something on for me?”
“Huh? A wooden token?”
“It’s a keepsake we split as kids. Show her this, and she’ll know I’m alive.”
Yeah, most elves, including Silleia, believe you lose your mind outside the World Tree’s blessing.
Guess her friend left behind in the village weighed on Bellis’s mind. She handed me the token with such hope, then immediately kicked off her shoes to hop in the river. I followed suit, slowly dipping my feet in.
“Ah, nice and cool~”
“See? Perfect temperature, right?”
I still had questions about the dark elves, but for now, focus on washing the pups. Plenty of time left, and chances to ask.
I watched Bellis take soap from Nairak and start on a wolf.
“Potato, come here? I’ll get you all fluffy and clean.”
Potato trudged over reluctantly. If it were human, it’d be sighing or facepalming. She soaked it, then called to me.
“Seha, help with this one. Just rub soap all over.”
“Like this?”
“Yeah, you’re good at it.”
Good at it? It’s clearly dodging my hands. Soap on my palms, and it twists away every time. Wolves probably hate baths.
Ignoring Potato’s resistance, Bellis rinsed every bubble, then called the next.
“Carrot~ Your turn.”
Potato barked happily—like it was finally free—and bolted to Nairak. Carrot approached with a sad face.
Oh, Nairak’s playing with the others.
He seemed annoyed at washing duty and was slacking, but the wolves loved it, tails wagging. Efficient division of labor, really.
Carrot, hearing the call, came over hating bath time but surrendered. Once done, it dashed joyfully to Nairak. Strawberry and Broccoli followed suit—droopy tails and gloom during, pure joy after.
“Um… something to say.”
“Yeah? What’s up?”
“Nah, it’s nothing. Don’t worry.”
Earlier, they only barked and resisted when Bellis touched their bellies. But they obeyed Nairak fine. Maybe constant baths made her the villain in their eyes? Telling her that truth would crush her. Some truths are best hidden for the greater good.
I zipped it and watched her work.
“Last one—Eggplant—and we’re done!”
“Why name them after veggies?”
“‘Cause they’re my faves? Potato, carrot, strawberry, broccoli, corn, onion, eggplant—all delicious.”
“…”
I’d seen dogs named Chocolate, but veggies? Table-ready ones, even. Broccoli and eggplant aren’t even tasty.
You deserve the wolf hate.
With all washed, free time hit. We splashed each other giggling, then held fetch contests with balls. Childish bets on whose ball got fetched first. Bellis lost every wolf-related one.
Should’ve been nicer to them.
Splashing turned us all into drowned rats—Bellis, me, Nairak. Clothes clung like rash guards, outlining every curve.
In the chaos, I caught a gaze.
Heh, look at this guy.
Nairak’s eyes slyly drifted to soaked Bellis. Pretending disinterest but sneaking peeks. Bellis, pure as ever, oblivious. But not to me.
I snuck up quietly, without alerting her.
“Come with me a sec.”
“Why all sudden? Say it here if—”
“Shh! Important. Follow.”
Bellis was too busy chasing wolves to notice us slip away. We moved opposite, far enough.
Far for pointy-eared elves? Even farther, just in case.
Patience snapping, Nairak spoke first.
“What’d you drag me out here for? If nothing, I’m going.”
“Dude, man up. Be more forward.”
“What’re you on about?”
“No expression, no clue. Especially with someone that clueless. You’ll regret missing your shot.”
That should do. Not playing matchmaker, just frustrated by his fidgeting and her flower-field brain.
He pondered seriously—uncharacteristic—then eyes snapped open, enlightened.
“Thanks. Been agonizing decades. Your words cleared it up—I can decide now.”
Decades? Elves and time, worlds apart.
Boosted his courage; no more year-long waffling. Their call now.
“What’re you two whispering about? Never seen you chat before.”
Bellis appeared soundlessly. I yelped, blurting.
“You hear all that?”
“Caught Nairak thanking you…”
“Phew, good.”
First part missed. But she pouted, left out.
“Fun excluding me? Badmouthing me?”
How to deflect? Distract her. We’d been on dark elves when Silleia derailed us.
“Nah, remember the dark elf talk?”
“Yeah, thought you were teasing asking if we’re violent.”
“Pulled aside for answers.”
“Hmm… Skin darkens, that’s it? The oppressive aura vanished outside. Way more comfy now.”
Log that. Gained tons today: no monsters or evil outside, dark elves sane—freer, even.
Summarizing gains, sun neared horizon.
Meeting Ivelin at 5. Time to head out.
As I opened my mouth, Bellis beat me.
“Sun’s setting. Wanna invite you home, but… sorry, others hate outsiders.”
“No worries. Gotta head back for dinner anyway. If fate, we’ll meet again.”
She looked torn, near tears. Hesitating, she whispered close.
“We live secluded fearing pursuers, but animals don’t count. Miss us? Feed a wolf—they’ll guide you.”
She winked, finger to lips like sharing a secret.
“We’re off then. Don’t get lost~”
“Thanks for the advice. Shame I can’t show you my change.”
“Today was a blast. Next time, same fun!”
Their directions led straight to the spot. Early for 5, but search team waited, Ivelin included.
“Good work. Detailed report to Elder in person.”
Cold words, but Ivelin was inwardly pleased I returned safe. Silleia smiled beside him, eyeing him.
After, nothing special. Like first village arrival, walked with team.
At Elder’s house, only us two—unlike before. Guides waited outside.
Awkward alone in the vast space, I scanned. Elder spoke first.
“Safe arrival. Before praise, tell of beyond the barrier. No offense.”
“Of course.”
“What befell you there? Evil sources, mana beasts feeding on it?”
How to answer? Ivelin said Elder knew of dark elves. But they were fine—communicated, even felt better outside, skin aside.
Just report today, share findings.
“Today in forest, followed wolves and met… Urk!”
Before finishing, vertigo hit hard. Vision shook; I crumpled.
What’s happening?
Blurring sight, intense light flashed. Left ring finger—World Tree ring I’d never noticed—glowed.
This luck-boosting +7 ring, awakening now?
Dazzling light last, my consciousness snapped.