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The Middle Times

AuthorHouse

Contents

Chapter 1 In the Times Before......................1Chapter 2 Out of the Ashes.........................21Chapter 3 Friendships..............................41Chapter 4 Deceptions...............................55Chapter 5 Family Values............................69Chapter 6 Master of Crafting.......................75Chapter 7 The Mighty River.........................85Chapter 8 Lessons of Life..........................91Chapter 9 Ambush...................................97Chapter 10 The River Dragon........................111Chapter 11 Sacrifice & Secrets.....................121Chapter 12 The Great Falls.........................131Chapter 13 The Flower Children.....................147Chapter 14 Reunions................................169Chapter 15 The Wise & the Bold.....................191Chapter 16 Dark Omens..............................203Chapter 17 My Moltah Darcos........................217Chapter 18 Flying Saviors..........................235Chapter 19 Elvolution..............................245Chapter 20 The Haven Woods.........................267Chapter 21 The Emissary............................301Chapter 22 United We Stand.........................311Chapter 23 The Short Pass..........................317Chapter 24 The Demon Within........................345Chapter 25 Friendly Departures.....................351Chapter 26 The Passage.............................359Chapter 27 Guile and Pursuit.......................385

Chapter One

Amidst the aroma of pine and greenery during a time before humans and machines, the wind calmly blows amongst the canopy of a grand dense forest. Winds, the eternal gatherer of story and history, blow endlessly around the globe during this simpler time. Here at the base of a lush green mountain chain around a campfire within a clearing of the piney woods an elvin orator of lore spins his yarn ...

"Long ago in a far away time known now as the Times Before, two entities within the vast nothingness of the heavens one of light and one of darkness fought agelessly throughout eternity for existence and domination. With no true defining power amongst either for ending the battle, a truce developed between them ending years of turmoil in the vast darkness of nothingness. The truce between the divine entities becomes permanent and years of peace follow. Amidst the black nothing of endless night, twinkles suddenly appear lighting the path across the dark blackness of nothing marking the beginning of time. These heavenly bodies of gases plentiful throughout the heavens shine brightly and brilliantly becoming stars. These stars adorn the new nothingness creating an existence of light as well as shadow. The stars as with their creators include their counterparts, namely horrid deep pits of true and utter darkness which devour the brightest of stars bringing a sense of balance amongst the vast heavens."

"Why is this so?" A solemn young voice inquires. Two little blue eyes sparkle and squint anxiously in the glow of the campfire. His long elvin ears twitch in delight.

"It is just the way of things little one." The older yore teller anxiously clears his throat for continuing his tale. "The ever loving and wise entity of light bestows upon the entity of darkness a gift. This gift, a simply beautiful creation of solid earthly matter and water the light entity names the Wolde floats regally amongst the stars. The gracious entity of light offers his former rival an idea solidifying their alliance by placing incarnations of them upon this Wolde so they may interact in a physical form. The cunning and manipulative entity of the darkness and shadow considers the idea and agrees with one little exception. The incarnations shall be lords, sons named after their great powers of light and darkness. Solid incarnations made of them differing from their benevolent states. The entity of light trusting of his dark rival happily agrees. Therefore, the son of light is born unto the Wolde and named Lord Aros. Aros, full of curiosity and love for all things, excels in discovery of the dirt lands, the vast empty waters and wishes for more. In contrast, his twin Lord Darcos, son of darkness prefers the security of the underground darkest depths of the lands within the heat and fire. One day, Aros creates a special pond upon the land. A mirror of water he shall gaze upon and ponder things. Remarkably, a ray of sunlight reflects off the surface of the crystal-clear water creating the very first rainbow unlike any that ever followed, perfect in every way. It beautifully displays the most enchanting colors ever seen before. The wondrous sight of seven colors across the skies enchants Aros. He reaches up into the sky with his hand, takes a fragment of the rainbow and gently places it within waters of the clear pond enchanting the water with special powers. You do know the name of this pond of water?"

"Yes uncle, it is named the Eye of Aros far north of here."

"Indeed very good lad. Well next, amazingly from the depths of the crystal pond waters arise seven beings of color. Each being represents the colors of the perfect rainbow ... red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Aros, so truly captivated, names these colorful spirits Changelings of Wonder for their great wisdom and skills of great transforming abilities while shaping colorful landscapes for the Wolde. The seven Changeling spirits spread great colorful creations throughout the Wolde exhibiting their special abilities for Aros. Soon, a few of the Changelings return to the water's edge and reach into the clay mud surrounding the pond molding worldly protectors named Imps for protecting their beautiful creations throughout the Wolde. Through the years, Aros delights watching the lands and seas thrive with life of all forms from shore to sea as the Changelings transform the lands and vast waters creating great majestic trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers of all shapes, sizes and smells for filling the air with beautiful fragrances. Varying animal life spreads across the lands, skies and seas as well. The Changelings delight in landscaping the Wolde for their creator. Peace and tranquility encompasses the Wolde. However, deep within his realm below, Darcos hears of this joyful revelation above on the surface. He creeps up from the darkness of the depths spying on Aros' glee and jubilation. The enchanting landscape and frolicking life spreading across the Wolde makes Darcos jealous of his sibling's accomplishments. With treachery in mind, Darcos visits his brother during a clear dark night when he his brother is gazing into his mystical pond. Under the light of the stars Aros demonstrates his creative skills for Darcos by molding new beings from the clay mud of the enchanted pond."

The Grenelf orator of lore, the son of the late Lord Thurn, pauses and cleverly mimics the voices of the great Lords of the Wolde. "For enjoying my great green and lush forests of trees and bushes, I create you my little friend. I shall call you elf."

"Elf ... you say?" Darcos sarcastically questions laughing at the little thin creation. "It bears such long pointy ears and it is so skinny my brother."

"Keen senses ... it shall make them wise and caring." Aros admires his creation lovingly. "I shall enjoy enriching my elf creation with stories and knowledge."

Aros winks at his dark twin much to his disgust. Darcos jealously watches Aros...