The wind rustled swiftly along the plain sifting through the long grasses, flipping the upturned faces of the wild flowers here and there.  The sky was unbelievable clear, not a cloud in the sky, simply a lone sea hawk on the search for lunch.  Minya sighed and stood up on her perch in the tree, balancing nimbly on the sturdy yet swaying branch.  She looked around her one last time, pursed her lips, and issued three short piercing whistles.

          Climbing down the tree, she ran out from under the tree's cover and waited.  Within moments her whistled was answered by a sharp cry.  Minya raised an arm, decorated with a leather band, out in front of her.   A hawk swooped down and landed delicately on the band, sharp nails pricking the band for balance.  Silver-gray wings flapped a few times and then closed at its side as balance was achieved.

" Took you long enough, Soron," she laughed, using a finger to pet the soft feathers along his head. "Did you find anything good?"

          Soron tipped his head and looked at her.  He ruffled his tail fathers and cried softly.

          Minya laughed, "Well we better be going now, UncleVynnyn won't be happy if we miss supper again.  Besides I still have to clear out the stables….and weed the garden...and…oh! We'd better hurry!"

          With that said, she lifted up her arm and Soron took off, hovering a few feet ahead waiting for Minya.  Minya took one last look at the plain and then ran swiftly through the trees toward home.

Minya snuck in the back gate and quickly headed to the stables.  As she squeezed through the stable door something rustled in one of the stalls and softly neighed.

" No, Ruvi, shush… you'll alert---"

"Uncle Vynnyn," a deep guzzled voice interuppted.

          Minya threw herself against the wall, " Uncle…..I….well you see….It's just…."

          Minya peaked at her Uncle Vynnyn stern look in her direction and sighed, blowing strands of hair out of her face.

          "I'm in trouble again aren't I."

Uncle Vynnyn held out an arm and smiled as Minya meekly walked into it.

" Ahh Minya…what am I to do with you?"

Minya looked up hopefully, " Just forget about it?"

Uncle Vynnyn laughed. " No my dear I don't think that's possible after the tenth time."

Minya sighed again.

"Don't worry though, I think it can wait after dinner" Uncle Vynnyn squeezed her shoulder.

          Together they walked toward the low-raised cottage, where a dim lighted glowed from a small window.  Smells of warm bread, seasoned meat, and fresh vegetables drifted out to meet them.  Minya was surprised to hear her stomach rumble-rather loudly. 

          At the table Minya waited rather patiently, while drumming her fingers on the table, as her uncle carved the roast he had prepared.  Placing the meat on a plate, he raised her eyebrow at her.  Minya quit drumming and hid her hand under the table.  Uncle Vynnyn finished craving the meat and they ate in silence for a while.  At some point Soron flew in and settled on Minya's chair, eating scraps of meat she passed to her.  Uncle Vynnyn gave her a stern look and unsucessivly tried to shoo the hawk from the table.  Uncle Vynnyn grumped and turned his attention to his niece.

"About this afternoon…" he began calmly.

"Look, I'm really sorry." Minya rushed, " Really I am but I only intended to stay for a little bit.  But things we're just so beautiful and so…so… I don't know.  But it was great, and I just felt like I was a part of it and it guess time just slipped, and… I'm really sorry."

This time it was Uncle Vynnyn's turn to sigh.

"It won't happened again" she added.

Uncle Vynnyn rubbed his face between his hands and studied her. " What am I to do with you." He said, a slight smile on his face.

Minya looked up at him hopefully.

"Look, I understand that you hate being cooped up here with you're old uncle," he began.  "And I don't mean to be a pest.  I'm simply concerned about your safety.  I don't think you quite understand the situation here."

"But I do…." Minya started.

"No… you don't," he said. "Things have changed Minya.  It's not safe out there for you.  And until things change it is my job to keep you safe."

"But I am safe." Minya mumbled.  "Too safe if you ask me."

Uncle Vynnyn's eyes narrowed and his voice got sterner. "Then I guess it is well that no one asked you."

Minya looked up at the sudden change in voice.

"Times have changes, Minya, and things are not as they were.  Your kind is not welcome in these lands.  Were times different you could run through the trees all you want, but for now you simply can't!!!"

"Why?!? What is out there that's so dangerous!" Minya fumed. "It was perfect out there today…no worries.  Besides I can take care of myself!!"

Uncle Vynnyn stood up and straightened.  His figure seemed to grow and his voice deepened.  Suddenly frighten by the change in stature Minya shrank in her chair.  "You think so much for someone so young" he growled. " But in truth you are as ignorant as the day you were born! There are hidden dangers everywhere, dangers not even your fresh mind can detect. The kingdom has changed and is no longer safe.  Especially for you!"

"And why?!" Minya asked. "Why should I be any different?"

"It is of no concern of your—"

"But it is!" Minya said gaining courage. "You say it every time and yet never explain!  What makes me so different? I don't need pro---"

"SILENCE!"

Uncle Vynnyn loomed over the table. "Your parents put you under my care…." He trailed off as he saw the hurt form in her eyes.  Sitting back down, he tried again, "There are new laws, Minya, new changes…we serve a new king----"

"I serve no king!" Minya declared.  Her back straightened and her eyes went hard, " Especially not this one!"  With that, she pushed back her chair and left the table.  Soron took one look at Uncle Vynnyn and then flew after her.

Uncle Vynnyn sighed heavily.  It was true. Things were changing and he feared greatly for his niece's life.  Feeling like the world sat on his shoulders and very much defeated, he folded his arms on the table and laid his head to rest.

Outside, Minya paced back and forth.  The day had retired, leaving a starry sky and cool winds.  Folding her arms against the cold, she mumbled to herself.

" I serve no king," she repeated to herself. "I SERVE NO KING!"

The silent night made no reply to her outburst,  yet she was answered by a piercing cry and looked up to see Soron gliding to her.  She held out her arm for him to perch and sighed.

"Explain Soron," she said, taking a breathe," What king would massacre his own people.  What king would strike fear in the hearts of his subject.  What king……Argh!  How can one even explain it! There was a time when people of all races lived in harmony.  Humans and dwarves, the little folk and the spirited creatures, and….and the elves!" She stopped for a moment to wonder wishfully and then began her even pacing.

"At least that's what the stories say." She began again. " Now, none of that exists,  if it even existed at all.  Says ' its too dangerous now' " she mocked, gesturing with one hand and causing Soron to lose his perch.  " 'Those times are now dead' 'People can get killed thinking like that' "

Without a second thought she held out her arm again and waited for Soron to settle.  "Well Soron," she said pacing, " I ask again, what is out there that is so dangerous?  What is out there that is prohibiting this world to just…LIVE?  Why!?!"

She threw  up her arms to the sky and exclaimed.  "What has gone wrong!?!" Soron, once again displaced from his perched, flew up and flapped his wings irritably.  Distracted by the sound of his wings, Minya stopped pacing and forced her self to calm down and holding out her arm.  He settled again, this time with one claw tightly secured and the other hovering above the arm, ready to take flight should she feel the need to throw her arms up again.  Minya smiled and stoked his back.

"For once in my life I would like to just go, ya know?  Be free to wonder where ever I wanted; no worries. To be able to go out, not hiding who I am….whatever I am."

          Minya sighed wishfully and sat on a grassy knoll.  She bent her knees toward her chest and rested her arms on her knees and her head in her lap.  Soron folded his wings back and began preening the hair the fell in his view.  From her position Minya stared at the black velvety star lit sky and at the dim outline of a forest.

"Someday, Soron, we're going out there….unafraid."