Here is the first chapter :) I'm not sure how often I will be able to update, but I'll try for once a month. Thanks go to my awesome Beta Reader Aria Breuer! Please Read, Review, and Enjoy! :D

Elros and his brother Elvorn, a short elf with features very similar to his older brother's features, had been walking in the snow-clad forest for over an hour. Both were armed with bow and arrow and heavily attired against the chill air.

They were in the northeastern region of Greenwood the Great. Rhîw had begun just three days ago, but the freeze had already set in. The forest was quiet. All sounds were muffled save the crunch that followed the two elves footsteps. Snow laden trees occasionally dropped their payloads atop the brothers as they walked below. The sky was a soft, blue-grey. It felt like a heavy blanket further dampening any noise. This was the first hunt of the season.

Just yesterday, Elvorn had tracked a large elk to the ridge they were now trekking towards. For a while, the two Nandorin brothers walked quietly. Elros relished the silence. He preferred the silence; his brother, however, did not.

"Elros, when do you think we'll find him?" Elvorn questioned.

"I don't know." With a smile, Elros glanced backward at his brother, "You would be the better choice in answering that. Perhaps we will find trace of him when we get to the ridge."

Elvorn sighed, and Elros smiled again. His younger brother had never had much in the way of patience. He had taken after their mother's side in that respect. Elros could see that same impatience in Elvorn's daughter. "Perhaps you should try to just stop and listen." Surprisingly, Elvorn did as Elros suggested. He stopped and closed his eyes trying to listen to the mute sounds of the forest. Elros watched him with an inner smile. He looked serene. His brother took a deep breath, which vanished into the icy air in moments. He opened his eyes and, after taking another deep breath of the freezing air, Elvorn frowned. "I honestly didn't hear anything." He commented.

Elros rolled his eyes. "Of course you didn't hear anything; there is nothing to hear. Isn't the silence beautiful?"

Elvorn shook his head. "I wouldn't say beautiful, perhaps sad. Doesn't it make you feel alone?"

Elros nodded; he turned around and walked along the snowy path again. "Sometimes it does; sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it's just nice to be alone; alone with your thoughts. It helps you…" Elros trailed off, struggling to find the right words. He could feel Elvorn scrutinizing him from behind. "…unravel your problems; figure things out." He concluded. Without interrupting his pace, Elros looked back at his brother a second time. Elvorn seemed satisfied with his answer. Good, he thought as he turned his attention to the trail. He was happy to give Elvorn life advice.

A few minutes later they heard the sound they had been waiting to hear. Not far off, the sound of an animal rummaging in the brush could be heard. Elros stopped immediately. The two elves could now hear the familiar low grunts and high-pitched screeches of an elk searching for supper.

Elvorn stopped at his brother's side. "You want to shoot it?" He whispered as he pointed to the beautiful recurve in Elros' hands. Elvorn crouched down, his keen eyes fixed on the brush from which the sound emanated.

Elros nodded affirmative, also crouching to the ground. "Be ready if I miss." He murmured. They had both done this routine many times.

Elvorn nodded and began to circle around the brushwood the elk was searching in.

Elros himself began to silently circle the brush in the opposite direction of his brother. He hoped to catch a glimpse of the creature. Elros had moved perhaps a metre when he spotted the elk's antlers over the scrub. Smiling, he pulled out an arrow and nocked it tight against his bowstring. He didn't draw, however, until Elvorn was in position and gave him a thumbs up. Finally ready, Elros drew the string till he could anchor it at his nose.

Because most of the bull's body was obscured by the vegetation, Elros decided to estimate where his vital organs were located instead of taking the risk of getting closer and startling the creature. Still holding back the bowstring, Elros aimed at where he guessed the elk's heart was; he released his arrow. Cutting through the icy air, the arrow shot swiftly towards its target

An instant later a heavy thud sounded as the elk hit the ground. The bull never knew what hit him. Elros let out a breath he had not known he had been holding in. Elvorn ran over to the fallen elk and bent over to check the arrow's entry point. Grinning, Elros trotted to his brother's side.

"Good Shot. It went right through the lungs." Looking around, Elvorn got up and began to search for the missing arrow. "Where did it go?"

Placing his bow lightly on the snow, Elros squatted down beside the elk while Elvorn searched. Killing creatures always made him feel a little bit remorseful. Nonetheless, he had to feed his family. With that thought in mind he quietly thanked the creature then rose. His brother had already gone elsewhere in search of the arrow. Elros smiled to himself as he started to prepare the large elk for transportation.

Not five minutes passed when Elros heard his brother yell for him. His voice was brimming with worry and fear. Elros picked up his bow and swiftly headed towards the sound. He found Elvorn standing at the edge of the ridge, which they had been heading to at the beginning of their trek. He was looking in the direction of their settlement, towards the north.

On the horizon, rising from the forest below, thick black smoke could be seen marring the soft, grey sky. "It's a fire." Elvorn stated. His voice was weighed down with worry.

Elros nodded His concern rose every moment he stared at the rising smoke. They watched the scene for another few seconds then Elvorn tore his eyes from the mesmerizing sight. "We'd better go, now."

Elros nodded once more. He turned to follow his brother, who was already briskly walking back the way they had come. Desperately trying to keep his emotions in check, Elros followed him back to the slain elk. "Will you help me carry this?" He asked as he began to move the creature. He tried not to think of what could have happened to his home or his family. He tried to reassure himself by telling himself that nothing was wrong. Elvorn's face was etched with concern. Elros reined in his errant thoughts. He had to stay calm for his brother's sake, at least. He repeated his question. "Elvorn, can you please help me?"

Looking like he had been startled back into reality, Elvorn stopped to regard Elros. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself as well. "Sorry, I'm just… worried." He moved in haste to aide his brother. Together they picked up the dead elk and began to carry it home.

"Don't worry. I'm sure Anwaren has everything under control." As soon as he said it he didn't believe it.

Anwaren was the unofficial leader of their community. He was a tall, red-haired elf with a stout personality and a grim sense of humour. For twelve years he had been leading the village. He had two daughters of a similar mind and a domineering wife. He was a strong enough leader during peace times. During crises, however, the elf did have a tendency to get flustered.

Elros pushed his thoughts away from Anwaren. He had to focus on getting home.

It's a little short, I know, but I'm slowly working up to larger chapters :)