Dragon's Wild Blossom

The warm rays of the rising sun shyly filtered through the flexible plexus between the living branches of a small basket-like structure—a home nestled on the thick trunk of an ancient oak tree. Gently, the light lay on the sun-kissed cheek of Arlena, caressing her sensitive skin with its warm touch. Her chest rose with a deep inhale as she turned onto her back, slowly opening her eyes. The room looked serene. Everything flowed with natural grace in the morning light: live flowers growing from the walls released subtle hints of jasmine and honeysuckle, a few pieces of furniture shaped from the branches or placed stones and boulders caught the dawn's golden glow, and a narrow but long desk next to the window, made from a fallen tree her father had found in the woods a few months ago, its grain shimmering like ripples on water.

Arlena stretched on her stone bed, cushioned by moss and a thin mattress of dry grass. The fresh scent of herbs woven into her bedding—lavender and wild thyme—rose around her as she moved. The day was set to be beautiful, just like any other in Florishside, she thought. Rising, she placed her bare feet on the cool yet somehow warm, braided branches that served as the floor of her home.

With gentle hands, she massaged her muscles, still relaxed from sleep, and adjusted the thin fabric of her nightgown, which draped in waves across her shoulders, softly embracing the supple curves of her breasts before resting at her waist like the touch of a gentle lover. Her hands slipped down along her body to smooth the hem of her nightgown, which had lifted during her sleep, leaving her hips exposed to the cool morning air.

With a slow, unhurried movement, Arlena stood up, straightening her nightgown. She swept her white, wavy hair from her face to her shoulders and paused for a moment. Yes, she thought, it's going to be a great day. It was planting season, and she was eager to begin working in her garden. The seeds she had prepared yesterday were already waiting on the desk by the window.

Leisurely, in one easy motion, she moved the thin straps from her shoulders, letting her nightgown freely fall to the floor. In the deepening between the branches, she found her daily dress. Made of cotton, the honey-colored fabric loosely covered her, leaving her neck, shoulders, and legs open to the sun. On top of the dress, she wrapped a small linen corset around her waist. Using her fingers and a wooden brush, she styled her hair into a high ponytail, and she was ready.

She left her room, which was divided from the living room only by a living curtain of vining flowers she had personally planted, their delicate petals releasing a sweet perfume at her touch. The living room greeted her with bright light and loud birds chirping, the morning air rich with the scent of earth and growing things, mingled with her father's collection of dried herbs. In the left corner, right next to the entrance to her room, was her father's bed. He was already awake, lying on his back with one hand under his head, his silver-streaked hair catching the morning light.

"Morning," she said, laying next to him and embracing him tightly. The worn softness of his sleeping shirt pressed against her cheek as morning light filtered through the branches above them, casting dappled shadows across the bed's woven blankets.

"Did you sleep well?" Aron put his hand on his daughter's hair and patted her gently, his weathered fingers carrying the familiar scent of herbs and woodwork that always clung to them.

"Yes," she replied, inhaling the dear smell of nuts and herbs coming from him, a scent that had meant home for as long as she could remember. "And you?"

He nodded and tapped her on her hand, his touch carrying a quiet urgency that made her look up. "Look at that," he pointed to the vast window between the branches on the left wall above the kitchen area. Morning light streamed through, warm and golden against the wooden walls. "We have a new addition today."

"They've hatched?" Arlena turned to the window. Outside, there was a tiny nest located on one of the branches filled with four yellow mouths, chirping, demanding food. The morning dew still clung to the careful weaving of twigs and down.

"It's a good sign that new life chose our home," he said quietly, his voice carrying the same reverence that had taught her to cherish every living thing. "We were blessed by its beauty."

A plump bird, with bright emerald feathers, landed on the nest offering the chicks a huge raspberry, which they gladly swallowed within seconds, getting all dirty in the bright red juice. The branch swayed gently under its weight, sending tiny droplets of dew scattering in the morning light.

"Speaking of breakfast," Arlena left her father's bed, her bare feet finding the smooth branches beneath. "We should hurry. I want to start gardening while it's not too hot, and after that, maybe we can make a few new baskets for Arwin's family. I've noticed recently that their baskets are all shabby, and they're so busy with babies these days…"

"Sure," Aron exhaled deeply, rising to his feet. He stretched leisurely and carelessly placed a poncho-like cape on his shoulders, the fabric settling around him with familiar ease. "Should we have breakfast by the river today?"

"Oh, the chill air will be nice," she replied, already feeling the morning breeze that would come off the water.

Habitually, before breakfast, Arlena and Aron took a brisk bath in the nearby river, alongside other elves from the village who were also enjoying their relaxing morning. In the refreshing waters of the river, some mothers were helping their children brush their teeth with small bits of white clay from the riverbank, while some fathers were playing games with little stones on the top of the protruding boulders. A few young elves were singing next to the waterfall, while washing their hair with a bubbly liquid made by the elders from a variety of herbs, spreading the refreshing aroma of mint and rosemary. And a few more elves were rushing with their routines just like Arlena, excited to begin their day.

For breakfast, Aron found some nuts and berries as an addition to other fruits, while Arlena gathered the morning dew into two little bowls made from the firm, dried peel of a squash. She also gathered some mushrooms, seeds, and edible flowers to enrich their meal. By the river, they found a small clearing between the woods and the water. They placed their food on the grass and settled down with a view of the mountains, under the chirping noises of bathing elves down the river.

"So, what are you planning to plant today?" In one motion, Aron tore a red apple in half with his bare hands. A crisp sound filled the air along with the sweet smell of the fruit. He handed one half of the apple to Arlena.

She took the apple and made a small bite before replying. "Aelara shared some seeds with me last week of the silver zucchini and persimmon's squash." She paused, thinking, "And there was something else, I can't remember right now." She took another bite when her face lit up. "Right! The eggplants! I already germinated the seeds, and the sprouts are huge." She finished her apple and took a few nuts. "To be frank," Arlena continued, chewing on the nuts, "I had to plant them last week, but it's fine. I can still do that today."

"I see," Aron ate a few berries and inhaled deeply the fresh river air, infused with the aroma of wildflowers and their breakfast. The laughter down the river grew louder as a few local kids joined the bathing. They were playing in the water, splashing each other, jumping, and running away from the merciless attacks of their peers and even elderly elves, who were laughing heartily and threatening the kids with inevitable revenge.

"Aren't you a rascal!" one of the elves squealed after he noticed that one of the younger elves kept adding bubbly liquid to his hair whenever he was about to wash it off. Everyone started laughing, and the young elf hastened to the other side of the river but was nevertheless caught by his victim. The older elf caught him under the arms, firmly pressing his chest to his own. He snatched the squash bottle from the young elf's hand and poured the leftovers of the liquid on his hair. "Now you got it!" His laughter filled the air all the way to the mountains.

"And what are your plans for today?" Arlena shifted her gaze from the river back to her father, still smiling softly from the prank.

"You know," he took a sip of the dew and plunged his fingers into the soft flesh of the cotton-melon, a slightly sweet, nutritious fruit, "I want to visit your mother as always, and after that, I'll probably help with the house growing. There are many trees ready to be bent and braided. I think we might be able to finish at least one room this season."

"Oh, that's good news," Arlena's eyes softened with warmth as she spoke. A genuine smile lit up her features as she thought of the new lives that would soon fill the extra space. "Arwin's family really needs an extra room for the twins." She smiled.

Aron nodded. "Yes, and I think they'll have a new place even before the babies start walking."

"I'm so happy for them." Arlena popped a few juicy berries into her mouth, savoring their sweetness as she gazed out at the sparkling river. "Two babies at once is a blessing. —So much love, I can’t even imagine."

"Yes, recently, the river of life was generous," Aron added, thoughtfully.

For a moment, they lapsed into comfortable silence, surrendering to the joyful sounds of nature and bathing elves. But then a familiar voice interrupted their serenity.

"Arlena! Aron!" An elf about Arlena’s age approached them hastily, the refined lines of his face tensed, green eyes wide open as he bent forward to catch his breath. “I was looking for you everywhere.”

Aron immediately tensed. "Did something happen? A fire?" he assumed.

"No," Arden shook his head, still struggling to catch his breath. His next words sent a chill down their spines. "The army - dragons. They've just entered Florishside."