Heaven

Barlon was sitting next to a tree. The little elf approached him from behind and jumped on his shoulder. "Can you stop doing that?" said Barlon. The little elf laughed uncontrollably. "Sorry, human, but I can't help it," he said. Barlon sighed as he stood up. "Don't you like it here, human?" the little elf asked. Barlon looked at the little elf and nodded. "Well, it is better than our fucking kingdom. The elves are better than most of the humans," he said. The little elf grinned. "I told you it would be good," he said. "When we were little, they used to tell us that elves were bad, but what I've come to realize is that elves are maybe the most peaceful creatures in the realm," Barlon said. "Us too, human. They used to tell us that humans would skin us and eat us alive," the little elf said. "Well, you can't generalize a group of people based on the actions of some of them," Barlon said. "You're right about that, human," the little elf said. "My name is Barlon," Barlon said. "I know. I called you by your name in the forest. Don't you remember?" the little elf said. "How can you do that?" Barlon asked. "I'm a magic elf, Barlon," the little elf said, and made a playful gesture with his hand. A small spark of magic appeared, dancing in the air. Barlon's eyes widened in amazement. "Wow, that's incredible," Barlon said, watching the spark with wonder. "I've never seen anything like that before."

The little elf grinned, pleased with Barlon's reaction. "Not all elves have a connection with magic. It's only a few of us," he said. "I see," Barlon said. "I'm a hermit," the little elf said. Barlon nodded. "Do all elves have weird names?" he asked. "It's not weird. You think it's weird because you're not used to it. Our names are given to us by our parents and they hold a special meaning to us. They're not weird, just different from what you're used to," the little elf said. Barlon nodded in understanding. Barlon walks away.

Barlon enters the village. He sees all the Elves. Many of the elves look happy and healthy. They smile and laugh at one another. Some of the women smile at each other while holding hands while they walk down the road. Others play games with their children. One elf plays with a young child, and a few of the children run around playing tag. Barlon stops to watch everyone enjoying themselves. Hello, stranger," a voice said. Barlon turns around and saw an elderly elleth. She is smiling warmly at him. "Hello," said Barlon. She gestures to a seat next to her. Barlon sits and looks at her. "you are the human?" she asks. "Yes ma'am," said Barlon. "My name is Yana. You are welcomed to stay in our Village for as long as you wish. And don't worry about any of our other residents, they are all very friendly and welcoming towards strangers."

"Thanks," said Barlon. "So what brings you here to our village?"

"Well, I was banished from my Kingdom," said Barlon. "And you decided to join us instead?" asked Yana. "No, not exactly," said Barlon. "I came looking for a place to belong"

Yana raised her brows and thought. "What kind of place do you seek?"

Barlon thought back to his home. "a place to call home"

"Well, welcome to our Village. We will be more than happy to let you live here until you find that place. In the meantime, let me show you around" Yana stood up and walked to the center of the village. As she walked through, several Elves ran toward her and bowed politely. "This is Tressa, my husband," she said pointing to a tall man with brown hair and gray eyes. "and this is Vex, my second son." The two men bowed respectfully to Barlon. "Nice to meet You, human," said Vex. "I apologize if I offend you by being so informal. I am just so excited to meet such an interesting person, and I cannot contain myself" said Vex. Barlon Nods. "call me Barlon," he said. "I'm sure it will take you some time to get used to being called 'human'," said Yana. "We also have a name for everyone who comes here: 'the human'. Why don't you introduce yourself to the others?" said Yana.

Barlon turned to the rest of the Elves around him and introduced himself to everyone. After introducing himself, he took a seat and started to talk to a couple of Elves about how he was able to come here.

Later, as everyone got ready to sleep, Yana sat down next to him. "I don't mean to pry," said Yana "but are you okay? Is there something bothering you?" said Yana. Barlon nods. "I guess you could say that I am unhappy," said Barlon. Yana nods sympathetically. Suddenly every Elf started gathering around and dancing. "what is this?," Barlon Said. "ah this is the Uras dance"

"The what?"

Yana sighs. "it's a traditional Elven dance"

"Oh I see"

"Let's join them"

"no, I don't like dancing"

"why not? It's a lot of fun!"

"I hate dancing. It's stupid"

Yana smiles and nods. "I know, but it's a part of our tradition. It is considered rude to decline, even when you know that you won't enjoy it. But since you are new, you can do whatever you want."

"I still don't wanna dance," said Barlon.

"Okay, then can you please tell me why you're unhappy?" said Yana.

Barlon sighed. "I came here because I wanted to leave my past behind me. Like I told You. I came here to find a place to call home"

"Well, the Elves are your family now. You are free to stay here as long as you need to. If you ever decide to go back, you are always welcome to return to our Village."

Barlon smiled. "thank you"

"You're very welcome," said Yana. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go to bed. Goodnight, Barlon"

Barlon nods. "goodnight, Yana."

Yana left Barlon alone with Elves. He watched the Elves dancing. Each Elf was dressed differently. There are Elves who wear beautiful clothes, some wear simple tunics and pants, some wear shirts with leather belts around their waist, while others wear long dresses.

Suddenly, a beautiful woman appeared. She had short dark red hair, emerald-green eyes and wore a white dress with a light blue cape over her shoulders. Her face is covered by a veil. "Excuse me, sir," she said to Barlon. "yes?" said Barlon. "Would you like to dance? We're having a party"

Barlon sighs. "I don't like dancing"

The woman raises her eyebrows in surprise. "But... you're a human"

"Oh trust me I'm not like other humans"

said Barlon. The woman nods. "I'm sure that you aren't," said the woman.

Barlon nods in agreement. "Why should I?" said Barlon. The woman opens her arms and a spark appears from her hands, dancing in the air. Barlon watches in awe. "I've never seen anything like that before"

"I can make you see things, and feel things that you've never felt before," the woman said. She held her hands out in front of herself, and the fire began to appear from the sparks in her palms, and then from her fingers. Slowly, it traveled from her fingers to her open palm. It grew larger, filling the entire space where she was standing. She held her hands out in front of herself, and the fire began to appear from the sparks in her palms, and then from her fingers. Slowly, it traveled from her fingers to her open palm. It grew larger, filling the entire space where she was standing. She lets go of her hand, and the fire disappeared. "That is the power of fire," said the woman. Barlon got interested. "What is your name?" he asked.

"My name is Ella"

"My name is Barlon"

Ella giggles. "I like that name"

Barlon Smirk. "thanks I like my name too"

"Well, now that we've been introduced, I would love to dance with you," said Ella.

"Okay," said Barlon.

Barlon takes Ella into his arms. "I just want You to know that I don't know how to dance," said Barlon. Ella smiles. "Don't worry about it. I will teach you"

Barlon nods.

They walk together, slowly, while Ella holds his hand. Soon, they reach a circle of dancers. "Follow my lead," said Ella.

Barlon follows Ella's lead.

After some time, they stop. "now it's your turn" said Ella.

Barlon nods. "okay" He raises his hand and makes a spark appear. When it touches Ella's hand, the spark grows bigger and bigger. The sparks grow so large that they begin to cover the dancing circle. "Stop!" said Ella. "that's enough"

The sparks disappear.

"That's amazing!," said Ella.

Ella puts her hands on Barlons shoulders and kisses him on the cheek. "you are amazing"

Barlon nods. "thank you"

Ella smiles. "I have to go now," said Ella. "see you tomorrow"

Barlon nods. Ella leaves. Barlon sighs. "you are amazing," he says to himself. "I can't believe that just happened"

Barlon stands up. He begins walking through the village again. He stops at the house of Hermit. He knocks on the door. No one answers. He knocks on the door again. Suddenly Hermit appeared behind Him. "You had a good day," said Hermit. "yeah, it was pretty good," said Barlon. said Hermit. "yeah, it was pretty good," said Barlon. "Good. That means you're getting used to this place" said Hermit. "I guess," said Barlon. "I hope you found someone to talk to, or perhaps dance with," said Hermit. "wait how did you know?!" said Barlon. Barlon nods. "so what should I do for now?" asked Barlon. "well, you could help me with some chores," said Hermit. "what chores?" asked Barlon. "we have to prepare food for tonight's feast"

Barlon nods. "okay"

He follows Hermit into the kitchen. "how many elves are working in the kitchen?" asked Barlon.

Hermit shrugs. "there are about forty elves"

"Wow that's quite a few"

"Do you think you can handle serving food to them?" asked Hermit.

Barlon nods. Barlon nods.

They walk into the kitchen. Suddenly, Barlon hears strange noises coming from inside. "huh?" said Hermit. "it sounds like someone is fighting" said Barlon. "there is no way that I will allow anyone to fight in my house" said Hermit. "then what do we do?" asked Barlon. "I will deal with it," said Hermit. Barlon looks at Hermit. "are you sure?". Hermit nods. "Yes, I am sure" He walks toward the noise. As he approaches, he sees two elves fighting. Hermit snaps and the two Elves suddenly Froze. Barlon got Shocked. "This is way too Crazy for me," said Barlon. "do you mind getting them outside," said Hermit. Barlon nodded and got the two Elves out of the house. When they were outside, Hermit pokes one of the Elves on the shoulder. "wake up" said Hermit. The Elves wakes up. "what did you do to me?" said the elf angrily. "I was expecting you two to cook the food for the Feast not Fight," said, Hermit. "We weren't fighting," said the other elf. "Yeah right," said Hermit. "I'm sorry, but I can't have you two fighting in the kitchen. So either you work together or you both leave," said Hermit. The elves look at each other. "Fine," said the one who was frozen. "fine," said the one who was talking. They both went inside the house and started cooking for the Feast. Barlon sighed in relief. "I thought that I was going to have to beat them up."

Soon, the two Elves finished preparing the food for the Feast. "okay, you two can go now" said Hermit. "Thank you," said the one who was frozen. The two Elves ran to their homes. Hermit laughs. "These two Elves are sooo weird," said hermit. Barlon nods. "yeah, I agree"

Barlon and Hermit served the food to the Elves at the Feast.

After the Feast was over, Barlon and Hermit returned to the same Tree that he was sitting under. "So, what did you think of the Feast?" asked Hermit. Barlon nods. "It was really good," said Barlon. "of course you would like it," said Hermit. Barlon smirked. "Yeah, but the food was terrible"

Hermit laughed. "Well, I like your honesty"

Barlon nods.

After some time hermit left and Barlon falls asleep under the tree.

End of the chapter.