Legends of Belariath

Mouse Everwood

Calenithil 'Mouse' Everwood was born into a noble house in a small city of high elves called Ashwood. The city had ancient stone buildings set among the Elder Forest just to the west of Lake Eld. The forest city bordered the valley between the forest and rugged hill country to the south. This made Ashwood a popular stop for trade carvans entering the empire, and imperial scouts seeking refuge to and from the coastal regions.

Mouse grew up with a great deal of luxary provided to him, as both his father and mother represented important families in the small community of elves. His father was a military commander and a veteran of many wars, and his mother was well connected to many political elves reaching all the way to Verdspar. His father tried to train him to be a scout and a hunter, as he felt all elves should remain close to nature. His mother preferred that he be trained as a diplomat, thinking little of her husband's sense of honor. Mouse for the most part learned to walk both paths, until human nobles began settling the valley for farmland.

His father believed the humans presented a threat to Ashwood, though many other elves believed the trade opportunities the humans presented would be bring Ashwood more influence. One particular rival became embittered when the dispute over land turned bloody. His father's body was found dead after his troop had been ambushed, by what seemed to be the humans. His mother in an effort to heal a divided community married her dead husband's rival, and helped broker a deal with the humans. The elves would keep the forest, and the humans would have the valley.

Mouse grew resentful of the dual pain of losing his father, while being forced to join a house where he was not wanted. He represented a memory of his father, which presented a threat that he might one day seek power of his own. Mouse grew more brash and irresponsible, spending more time with sylvans and even moriels from the hills to the south. He was an embarrassment to his family, and was pushed further from the community. Eventually his behavior threatened to derail the peace forged with the humans.

One of the nobles his step father had trade agreements with had a young raven haired wife, who had noticed Mouse on a visit to Ashwood. The two began an affair which lasted a little over a year. When she was followed on one of her rides into the forest, the affair became public knowledge. The noble was furious. His wife frightened of her husband's wrath claimed that she had been raped by Mouse. The noble threatened violence against Ashwood, if Mouse wasn't delivered to him. The elven council still held Mouse's father in regard, so chose instead to exile him.

The ritual of exile was a painful one as his chest was branded and inked to mark him clearly. He was lashed to a tree and whipped, then sent out into the forest. He would be put to death, if he should ever return. The noble was not satisfied, and sent men to hunt Mouse. Using the skills his father had taught him, he moved deeply into the forest. They pursued him on horseback, but the thick forest gave him an advantage. Badly injured he travelled for a month through the forest, before finally coming to a road.

After another few weeks of travel on the road, he saw smoke rising in the distance. The source of the smoke was a lonely inn...

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