Return to the Sea by daughterofshadows

In the Kelp Forest

Kelp forests should have ents, too!

Thank you to moiety for the suggestion!

They swim through a sea of stars. Above them hangs the firmament in its full glory, around them the water looks like it is decorated with a thousand silver jewels.

Cúrandil cuts slowly through the water. They have yet to meet another elf on their journey, but they do not give up hope. They will find someone soon.

Before them, a kelp forest stretches across the sea floor, long stalks gently drifting in the currents.

Cúrandil approaches cautiously. Who knows what hides in the green leaves?

It is overwhelmingly big, easily as large as the forest they grew up in. A shadow moves between the kelp.

“Hello little one,” a voice croons, the sound reverberating in Cúrandil’s chest.

“Hello?” they reply tentatively, uncertain who they are speaking to.

The foliage shakes and a figure emerges. Their body seems to be made of kelp, but shaped like Cúrandil’s own. They can make out limbs, a chest and even a head with two sea-green eyes.

“Are you lost, little elf? It has been long even in the timekeeping of the ents that one of your kind has come to the forest.”

Cúrandil shrugs. “I do not know. I followed the song into the sea, but it has been silent since then. Do you know where the others might be? I would like to see them, I think.”

“Hmmmm where did they go now… North. Yes, north. The land that once was dry and now is drowned. That is where you must go to find them. But not today. The sun barely reaches us down here, but I know she slowly disappears over the horizon. Rest here for the night, and tomorrow, you can find your kin.”

And so Cúrandil sleeps in a nest of seagrass and dreams of kelp forests stretching as far as the eye can see, where fish dart through water dappled with golden light.

With the morning sun guiding them, they leave the kelp forest and its shepherd behind. The path is clear now.

They head north.