Namesake

All of my children's birthdays seem to keep coming so fast. Elaril has grown from a handsome child into a handsome adolescent, excuse me, teenager. I'm always happy to see them grow older, but saddened as well. Ureliel, on the other hand, was positively ecstatic that she and Elaril were the same age again. The two of them are always at their most happiest when they are.

NaNoWriMo Chapter Six Excerpt

Please check out my National Novel Writing Month profile page here!

This was the sixth excerpt posted from my novel, Found in Time.

NaNoWriMo Chapter Five Excerpt

Please check out my National Novel Writing Month profile page here!

This was the fifth excerpt posted from my novel, Found in Time.

New Neighbors

With Sildor learning everything that he needs, I knew I could no longer delay meeting more men. Unfortunately, the difficulty of finding suitable men has not decreased over time. I tried to be creative in my searching. Instead of going to the tavern or walking along the street, I collected all the information I've learned to choose a good spot where men are likely to gather. I feel as if I'm a hunter looking for animals rather than an noble-blooded elf.

Anyway, an idea came that I should try the building called a "gym." It is a place where residents can go to make their bodies stronger. Being tough and manly is apparently a big deal for the men here, or so I've heard. I went there hoping I would not be too out of the ordinary. What am I saying? I am always out of the ordinary. The humans here have no manners so they take one look at me and refuse to stop staring. I've grown accustomed to it, I suppose, but it's harder dealing with it in new situations where I already feel nervous.

I did not have to spend much time at the gym though. After walking around the whole building, I only met two men. Surprisingly, the rest of the humans there were female. It certainly was not what I was expecting. The first man I met, Mr. Kenji Midden, was taken by another woman. Then there was Mr. Bernard Webber. I don't want to sound horribly mean, and I honestly do not hold this fact against him, but I didn't know it was possible for one's body to grow so large.

As you might assume, we elves live very healthy lifestyles. We eat only what we need and are rarely indoors sitting down. At home, I've never seen anyone with more than a subtle roundness to them. I've seen some people who weigh more here, but not any Mr. Webber's size. I really only point this out because it is surprising. Otherwise, he was much kinder than others I have met. He too was taken by a woman so my search was fruitless.

Knowing I couldn't stay away from home for long, I returned to my children in a disappointed mood. I have not been in this town for too great a time, but my chances of finding suitable men aren't getting any better. If there's no one here to assist me then I should not be here.

Leaving the Nest

I am glad that someone has inherited my mother's artistic talents. It is good that I have taken up writing for Elaril is constantly attached to the easel. He can finish paintings much faster than I can. Of course, his works are still that of a child's, but it won't be too much longer before they are brilliant. Maybe I can save one of his paintings some day, and bring it back with me when I return home. I'm sure my mother would like that very much. I would as well for Elaril will be long dead before such a time comes. That painting will be all I have to remember him by......

I try not to think of that cold reality.

Imagination

Everyday my children do something surprising- sometimes even before I have the chance to properly wake up. This morning it was Ureliel causing the situation. I hadn't even changed out of my nightclothes yet. I was heading to the bathroom to shower when I found her suddenly sprinting out the front door in her pajamas! I brought her inside right away, and asked why she was so shaken up. Ureliel told me she thought there were monsters under her bed. She said she checked and saw some, which was why she bolted out of the house. I looked under the bed with her to show her there was nothing. There wasn't even a lost sock. I could tell she was embarrassed so I haven't mentioned the matter any further.

Growing Older

I can't believe it, but Elrun's birthday came once again. He's now an adolescent, or "teenager" as his age group is more popularly called here. Either way, this birthday of his has left me a bit scared. Firstly because his body is going through rapid changes, and it is likely he'll become more rebellious and troublesome. He's already begun to wear a jacket that has a skull on the back. I won't judge too quickly though. Elrun has given me no reason otherwise to think he'll become a troublemaker. He's still the same sweet boy I know.

What I'm actually more scared of is the reality that my first baby will leave after his next birthday. He'll be all grown up, and will move out. I don't understand how human mothers deal with the rapid growth of their children. I've said it before, but if Elrun was a full elf he would still be crawling around as a very young toddler. He hasn't stated his intentions as to what he wants to do when he becomes an adult, but I hope he stays close by.

It is nice that he's able to help out around the house more. Our trash receptacle keeps getting knocked over again and again by stray animals. Elrun is quick to clean up the mess, and he's eager to help look after his siblings so I can rest or get other work done. Elrun has made me almost cry once although not for any of the reasons you might be thinking. Even though he's busy with school and helping me out, he went and got a part-time job at the local food store. Elrun said he got the job because he wanted to and that it would be good work experience in the future. I know it's because he doesn't want us to have to worry about money ever again. Ureliel and Elaril won't seem the same struggles that Elrun has, and he seems determined to keep it that way.

NaNoWriMo Chapter Four Excerpt

Please check out my National Novel Writing Month profile page here!

This was the fourth excerpt posted from my novel, Found in Time.

A Blessing

With this entire task, and the way things have been going for me so far, I never thought I would catch a break. I work hard, but as soon as I get enough money to feel comfortable some new necessity comes along to leave us destitute. I don't understand why everything revolves around money for you humans. We have no real need for a currency back home. Everyone works because they want to make each others' lives better. With everyone helping out, there's little left that requires money to be bought. If anything, we rely more on trading. It seems as if such a peaceful system will never be achieved here. Humans are too greedy. They want too much, and are never satisfied with the riches that they already have. Unfortunately, I have found my thoughts revolving around money constantly as well though.

So I made a wish. I might not have felt great love for the Goddess lately, but she is not an evil being who takes pleasure out of her people's suffering. I believed that she would find a way to help me.

NaNoWriMo Chapter Three Excerpt

Please check out my National Novel Writing Month profile page here!

This was the third excerpt posted from my novel, Found in Time.

NaNoWriMo Chapter Two Excerpt

Please check out my National Novel Writing Month profile page here!

This was the second excerpt posted from my novel, Found in Time.

Simple Joys

I don't think it has struck me until this day of just how much time has past since I left home. Some days it feels as if I have only just left, and on others I wonder if that life was nothing but a dream. Then I look at the child in front of me. Elrun's birthday has come, and he aged up into a beautiful little boy.

It was strange to me to see how fast he has grown. I know all parents think their children grow up too fast, but it is especially true in my case. If Elrunamir was a full elf, he would still be a newborn. By the time he reaches adulthood, this supposed elf counterpart of his would still be a toddler. It scares me to think that one day will come where he will be an old man while I will look no older than I do today. He will pass before me. All children I bear here will. I wish there could be something I could do to change that, but reality is cruel. Perhaps having to watch the children that I love slowly pass into oblivion is even crueler than this entire task.

I still have no money to buy Elrun some more toys. He says he is fine with the teddy bear and Lala, but I'm not fine with it. When I think back to my own childhood and how much I had, I can't help but to feel as if I'm failing miserably. My stomach has also gotten much larger. The next child will be arriving soon, and things will only get harder. I am going to do all that I can though. Our situation might be tough at the moment, but someday luck will fall upon us.

NaNoWriMo Chapter One Excerpt

Please check out my National Novel Writing Month profile page here!

This was the first excerpt posted from my novel, Found in Time.

The Unthinkable

Elrun and I took another walk out to the park. Well, one of the parks. There are many in the town- each designed for a certain animal for residents to bring their pets to. Sometimes there will be people about, and other times there will be no one in sight. That day the park was fairly full of people. It was also a beautiful morning with Elrun and I had both having slept peacefully, so I was feeling pretty good.

However, that trip to the park also showed me something troublesome. I set Elrun on the ground to play with the two other toddlers that were there. I kept an eye on him, but I also made the acquaintance of three men. Through some subtle hints, I got them to reveal their relationship status. All three of them were married. It dawned on me that this town had a distinct lack of men suitable for assisting me on this task. How would I ever continue onward like this? I would never make it home if I kept on having such terrible luck. That was when the most horrible thought came into my head.

I might have to seduce them anyway.

I quickly tried to throw the thought out of my mind, but it would not be gotten rid of. It lingered, catching me off guard the second I let my mind relax. It tried to rationalize itself. It would make me think of my family, my land, and my people. Depressing visions of me being doomed to wander forever here flashed across my eyes. "You'll have to do it at some point," the dark thoughts whispered to me, "These men will go to other women anyway. You might as well take your chance. If they are willing to give themselves away so easily, then you can't really be blamed..."

I fought with my own mind all day. Elrun was well-behaved and went to bed quickly, but by the time I placed myself down to go to sleep, I felt as if I had been awake for a hundred years. I found sleep somehow, but it did not come willingly. The thoughts penetrated into my dreams. Even in my sleep I could find no rest. I woke up feeling more exhausted than ever.

My own thoughts wanted me to break. They got their wish. If it would stop these thoughts, then I would do anything.