Nara loved watching the sunset. The clouds were tinted a deep orange and pink, while the light slowly dimmed and the sun was ever so slowly covered by the trees of the forest. It was one of those late summer nights that helped her forget all worldly sorrows, with a gentle, warm wind that gave her goosebumps as it stroked her bare skin and tousled her long black hair, and the voices of the Elven children drifting up at her from the valley. She could see them dance and play from her elevated position on the hill, enjoying the last days of summer just like she was. Some of the older ones had started to gather sticks for a fire, and Nara stretched out on her rock, smiling as she watched the younger ones imitate their elders, so eager to help. Baskets of apples and potatoes were brought by the adults, to be roasted later, once the fire was in full blast.

Nara liked to sit and simply observe her surroundings. It gave her a feeling of peace and serenity to be watching from above. When she had just been a child herself, she had danced like they did now so often; she didn’t feel like she was missing out now. This might well be the last chance she had to take it all in, to keep the memory of those happy nights in her heart and use it to strengthen her for what lay ahead.

The Elven girl shook her head as if to clear it from all unpleasant thoughts that may come to the surface, and her hand gripped the edge of the rock tightly. This part of the night was for enjoyment, not for her worries, and she would not let them take over her thinking. She stood up abruptly and balanced herself on the rock before jumping down into the grass, landing gracefully. She knew that it was time for her to finish her packing, but it was difficult for her to tear herself away from the happiness and carefree laughter below.

She finally descended from the hill, picking a path that would lead her past the children at a distance. She was not ready to say goodbye to the community yet, even though they all knew she was leaving. She was also afraid of spoiling the carefree evening for the others. There would be more than enough chances in the near future for the younger ones to face the reality of the upcoming war; they needed to treasure what peace the late summer still brought them.