Free Lovers of Legend by Mac Flynn

Chapter 1
     
    The outing was supposed to be a quiet, short affair filled with picnics and other delights, but the wolves changed all that.
    First, allow me to introduce myself. I am Alexandra Lothana of the house of Stethana, a very ancient Elvish family. I was raised on the estate of my father far from the human world and its influences, though humans knew of us and we of them. It was a very rigid life with strict lessons most of the days with a few hours of time with my father and mother. I was their only child, but some moments I drew the impression that they cared little for me. Perhaps it was my father's disappointment at not having a son. A son would have inherited the family lands and kept control to himself, but I as a woman was bound to marry and the control of my inheritance would pass to my husband, an outsider.
    That was why I had so many suitors throughout my life, and cared for none of them. They were all young elven men of good families, of course, handsome and brave, but I knew they didn't care for me. They only wanted the lands and wealth I would obtain when my father passed from this world, though thankfully elves were long-lived and I had little need to worry about such a morose day for many years.
    Still, that didn't stop the suitors from courting me. To make matters more uncomfortable I knew I was not what one would call a beautiful elf. I was plump and short for my twenty years of age, and unfortunately that is the point where many of us cease to age until we reached five hundred years or so. I was no exception, and found myself trapped in a body that would neither thin nor stretch. It was very vexing.
    The only comfort I had in those lonely, unloved days was my riding. My father's estates were surrounded on all sides by hundreds of acres of wild wood. The trees there grew taller than any tower, and sometimes their trunks were so close together that a pin could not have fit between them. In those trees lay hidden meadows of beautiful wildflowers and gurgling brooks filled with fish. There I could be myself.
    It was a fine morning when I saddled my horse, Beferon, for one of my rides into the woods, but was stopped in the stables by a voice calling my name. I glanced at the double-door entrance and sighed when I saw it was Steven Arana, one of the most persistent of my suitors. He was a little above average height which accentuated his muscled build. His long blond hair lay free over his shoulders as was the current style, and his clothes of a fine blouse and trousers were impeccable. Any elf maiden would have been proud to have him as a prospective husband, but I knew him better than most. Beneath his smiles was a cruel man. I'd seen him whip his horse for small disobediences too many times to believe he wouldn't do the same to me.
    He hurried up to me and leaned against the gate to Beferon's stall. "May I accompany you on your ride this morning?" he requested.
    I played the shy damsel and smiled sweetly at him. "That is very kind of you, but I would rather be alone," I replied.
    "Ah, but being alone is what I intended. At least for the two of us," he told me.
    Inwardly I gagged at the hidden meaning, but kept my composure. "I am sure I don't know what you mean, but I will be fine on my own," I assured him. I mounted Beferon, but Steven grabbed one side of the reins close to Beferon's bit.
    "Alexa, I must know at some time whether I can crack that cold exterior of yours to reach the beautiful woman inside," he pleaded. I thought I caught some sincerity in the words.
    I sighed and shook my head. "I cannot give anyone the answer until my heart has told me it," I replied.
    "Surely your heart has told you something by now. I have wooed you for five years," he persisted. It had been a long five years.
    "My heart is very unkind to everyone, but you will be one of the first to know when it has made its decision," I assured him. I tried to pull the reins from his grasp, but he pulled back.
    A dark look slipped