Olympic National Park protects many things including marmots, finches, juncos, flowers, deer, and other such wildlife. What no one knows is that it protects one more thing. One of the last six Elf tribes.
The six tribes were spread out over the United States. They had taken up residence in the National Parks because no human development could happen there.
The tribes were living in The Smokey Mountains, Tongass National Forest, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Outer Banks National Seashore, Yellowstone National Park, and Olympic National Park.
Tiyana belonged to the Hoh tribe in the Hoh Rainforest. Right now, her mother and father were in the Leader’s house meeting with the delegations from the Obsidian tribe, the Tonga tribe, the Seashore tribe, the Sulroc tribe, and the Appalachia tribe.
“How’s Sir Allan’s little girl today?” Willow asked.
“Fine.” Tiyana called back.
“And your mother?” Willow called.
“Also fine.” Tiyana called. “Although she’s probably being bored to death. She hates meetings.” Tiyana smiled at the thought of her mother, Lady Kyra, sitting through another meeting with Elves who just read things from paper.
“Aren’t your Aunt and Uncle coming for a visit?” Willow asked as she picked up some knitting she had been doing.
“Yes.” Tiyana answered. “Aunt Alicia and Uncle Andrew get in later this afternoon.” She waved to Willow and left the village to go climb her favorite tree.
If you were looking at the Hoh tribe village, then you would be surprised when you saw Tiyana. The ¾ Elf had long hair like all the Elves but it was flaming red and curly. You could clearly tell who her father was because he was the only other redhead in the village.
Tiyana and her parents weren’t originally from Earth either. They were from a small village, in the land of Tyro, called S’moresville. It was for this reason that Tiyana wasn’t named after anything from nature. Instead she had been named for her grandmother.
Tiyana was one of three children. Both of her brothers were blond like her mother and, of course, tall.
13-year-old Andrew was quiet like their father but, if provoked, would get into a fight. 11-year-old Kyren was the kind of boy who loved to be in the action but didn’t like to start the fights. At fifteen, making her the eldest, Tiyana was like their mother in personality; stubborn, reckless, independent, and fearless.
Tiyana ran into Andrew on her way to her favorite tree.
“Of course.” She thought.
“Hey Tiya.” Andrew called. “Where are you going?”
“My favorite tree.” Tiyana answered.
“But you could be seen, Tiya.” He said. “Especially with that hair of yours.” Tiyana frowned.
“I’ll be careful.” She replied.
“You always say that.” Andrew reminded her. “Remember last time? You were nearly seen by a human.”
“In Tyro the humans knew we were there.” She pointed out.
“Earth’s different.” Andrew reminded her.
“Well, goodbye.” Tiyana said. She started running.
“Tiyana! Wait!” Andrew called after her, but she wouldn’t stop. She ran until she saw her tree up ahead. When she stopped, she took in everything just to make sure she was in the right spot. The smell of Spruce with an undertone of leaf mold and her Spruce tree with its beard of lichen. It was perfect.
Tiyana climbed up to the lowest branch and surveyed the area. She had a great view even though she was on the lowest branch. The lowest branch was still about fifteen to twenty feet above the ground.
Tiyana loved this spot because she could watch the humans walked through the forest.
Even though it was Moonday, the human path was as busy as ever. Tiyana watched the humans for about three hours before climbing down the hidden part of the tree and making for home.
As she was leaving, one of the humans, a boy of about her own age, caught Tiyana’s attention. He was tall and gangly with sandy brown hair and bright blue eyes.
They stared at each other for a little while until the boy looked away. Tiyana would have thought that she hadn’t been seen except for the fact that she had flaming red hair. She turned and ran back to the village.
When she reached her house, Tiyana searched everywhere for her father. Eventually she ran into Kyren.
“What’s wrong, Tiya?” he asked.
“Where’s father?” she replied with a question. He started to giggle.
“Trying to teach Mommy how to cook.” After saying this he burst out laughing. Tiyana glared at him and made her way to the kitchen. Sure enough, Allan was in the kitchen and so was Kyra. At the moment Allan was trying to help Kyra measure something.
“Remember,” Allan said. “This is so we don’t have to fight another bread monster.” Kyra stepped back onto his feet and dumped the contents of the spoon she had been holding into the bowl. Allan, of course, had winced as soon as she had done that and quickly tried to lift her off of his feet.
After a few minutes, Allan managed to get Kyra off of his feet.
“I’ll finish.” He said. “We’ll continue the lesson tomorrow.” Kyra nodded and left through the side door. Tiyana moved forward until she was right next to Allan.
“What is it, Tiyana?” he asked.
“I went to the tree again.” She answered. He stopped and turned to face her. At that moment, Kyra reappeared and informed Allan that a human had been caught just outside of the village.
“Hold that thought.” Allan told Tiyana. He quickly followed Kyra out of the kitchen. Tiyana followed a little ways behind.
She stopped right outside of the office door. Andrew and Kyren were already there.
“You’re late.” Kyren hissed.
“Sorry.” She whispered back.
“Sshhh.” Andrew hissed at both of them. “They’re talking.”
“What are you doing here?” that was Allan.
“I saw someone and I decided to try to find where the person was from.” A boy’s voice replied.
“Describe the person.” Allan told the boy.
“Tall, dressed in green and brown,” the boy answered. “with long, curly red hair.” Both boys looked at Tiyana who had suddenly paled. She had been seen. She was so going to get it. The door opened and Allan stepped out, eyes on his daughter who couldn’t meet his gaze.
“We’ll talk about this later.” He said in a dangerously calm voice. Then he returned to the kitchen. Kyra followed only to have the door shut in her face.
Andrew and Kyren sent pitying glances in Tiyana’s direction.
“I’m going to my room,” She said wondering what was going to happen to her.
