//// Part 1 ////

Is it possible for someone to become changed so much that they no longer recognize themselves? 

Can someone completely forget who they are and what they used to be?

I can answer both questions, and I will in time.

But for now you will have to be patient and wait.

||||

I wake up to the sound of running feet pounding on the wooden floor, I know what's coming so I brace myself by throwing my blanket over my head. My door swings open and bangs into the wall. A small figure rushes into my room and leaps onto my bed and immediately begins trying to pull off my covers.

  "Wake up Caran! You're going to be late!" My little sister shouts as she continues to wrestle my blanket away from me. I grumble and tighten my hold on the blanket. I do not rise early unless I absolutely have to. "Leave me alone." I mumble from under the blanket.
"Come on Caran! Today is the day remember?" She continues to pull while I strengthen my grasp.

"What are you talking about?" I groan.
"Today is your wedding!" She exclaims unable to hide the shock and disbelief in her voice.
"How could you forget?" Suddenly I throw off my covers and shoot up in bed. My sister shrieks and begins laughing as I scoop her into my arms.

"Come on Anna, do you truly believe that I would forget my own wedding?" I set her on the floor and stretch my arms over my head.

"You would if I wasn't here to remind you." Anna crosses her arms and grins up at me.

"I would not!" I stand up and glare at her, unable to hide the grin that appears on my face. Anna smiles and wraps her arms around me. I crouch down and return her hug.

"I love you Anna."
"I love you too." Anna lets go and smiles mischievously.
"Now hurry up and get yourself clean. You're filthy." 

"Why you- get back here!" Anna runs out of the room, laughing as I chase after her. I give up once I realize that she is right. I am a mess. While I get myself ready I think about Elwin and how lucky I am to be marrying her. We met several years ago and have been friends ever since, even though she would tell you different. Apparently there was a time where she couldn't bear to stand the sight of me. I do tend to grow on people however, and before she or I knew it we were in love.

We had decided to wait until the spring to get married and as the days wore on I was starting to get restless.

I have never been a very patient elf. Anna knocks and enters my room, her green eyes are bright just as they always are.

"Do you need help fixing your hair?" She asks tilting her head to the side.
"I can do my own hair thank you very much."
"You can't leave it hanging all over the place like that. Do you want me to braid it for you?" 

I narrow my eyes at her before conceding.
"Fine, but make it quick." Anna grins triumphantly as I sit down on my bed and she begins to make me look "presentable" as Elwin would call it.

I know that having long hair is a common trait for elves, but I prefer to hold it all back with a leather strap than have it braided. Well, today is an important occasion I think to myself as Anna works.

We both have red hair, something we inherited from our mother. Anna has her green eyes and I have our father's blue eyes. None of us inherited father's dark hair.

Our parents died many years ago during an attack on our last village. I was just a young elf then, barely a thousand years old. Anna had been only three hundred. She is now reaching her five hundredth year and is growing up to be a beautiful, young elleth.

I promised Anna that I would take care of her and I have been able to keep that promise. 
Her name means "gift" and it is an appropriate name for her too. She is a gift to me and to everyone she meets.

My name means "red" which is because of my hair. I guess I can't complain, it could have been one of those really long names that despite being an elf, I cannot pronounce no matter how hard I try.

"All done!" Anna declares. Judging by the look on her face she is very pleased with her work.
"Thank you Anna." I stand up and walk towards my wardrobe. I pull out a grey tunic with matching trousers.

"Was that ada's?" Anna asks her voice suddenly becoming quiet. I smile sadly at her.
"Yes, it was his." I pull something else out of the wardrobe and show it to Anna.

"This was naneth's." I say holding up a beautiful white dress. Anna's mouth hangs open in amazement as she steps forward and runs her hand over the soft silk.

"When the time comes for you to get married you will get to wear this." Anna gazes at the dress for a few more moments before looking back up at me.

"I miss them." She says quietly. I set the clothes aside and gather her into my arms.
"I know Anna, I miss them too."

I hold her for just a little longer before releasing her. Her eyes are glistening with tears that she quickly wipes away.
"Are you going to be alright?" I ask.

Anna nods and offers me a smile. "I'll be fine. I should probably go get ready." I nod and watch as she leaves the room.

You are so young and have already had to lose so much.
I sigh and change into my father's clothes. I manage to push my sorrow aside as I step out of my room and see Anna in a bright green dress, her hair is braided and it seems that she has moved past her sadness as well.

"Are you ready?" I ask taking her hand.
"That's what I should be asking you." She says as we walk side by side out of the house.

"Why should you be asking me? I have never been more ready for anything in my life."
"Then how come you're shaking?"
"I'm not shaking."
"Yes you are."

I roll my eyes as we step out the door and see all the elves in our village getting the finishing touches done for the wedding.

"I'm happy for you Caran." Anna looks up at me and smiles. I squeeze her hand.
"Thank you."

We head into the center of the village, along the way I try to fight off the nervousness that has crept into my mind. I'm getting married. I think to myself. I'm actually getting married.

||||

  My nervousness hasn't lessened in the slightest. I'm trembling from both excitement, and anxiety.

Why should I be nervous? I have been waiting years for this day and now that it's here I feel like I am going to faint.

Everyone in the village is gathered in the center awaiting Elwin's arrival.

Anna is standing a few feet away from me and is giving me an "I told you so" look. I'm about to give her my famous death glare when she arrives.

Everyone, including myself, stare in awe as Elwin walks towards me. Her golden hair is laced with silver and flows down her back, she wears a white dress and her eyes glitter like diamonds in the dimming light. She is beautiful, and I have never been more nervous in my life.

Elwin smiles as she takes my hands into hers, I hope that she can't tell that I'm shaking.

I barely listen as Idhrenion, the leader of our people, who has one of the those hard-to-pronounce names, speaks over us and our new life together.

I can do nothing but gaze into Elwin's eyes, I love her more than life itself, I would give my life for her.

Which I may have to do someday. I am one of the soldiers who protects our village from outsiders and trespassers. I would give my life to protect every being in this village, but now I would place Elwin and Anna above everyone else.

If Idhrenion knew my thoughts he would force me to resign my position. Of course, that would be easier said than done.

Idhrenion finally stops talking and Elwin smiles as she puts her arms around my neck. I wrap my arms around her back and pull her close to me.

We close our eyes and we kiss for the first time. Anna makes a gagging noise and covers her eyes. Everyone, including me and Elwin, laugh at her antics.

Elves begin to play their instruments and soon the night is alive with music and singing as we celebrate.

I dance with Elwin in the center of the crowd. She twirls and spins to the music while I struggle to keep up. I've never been that great of a dancer.

Anna dances next to me and I take her by the hands and spin her around. She laughs as her feet leave the ground and I struggle not to fall over from dizziness as I set her down.

I should not have done that.... Anna and Elwin laugh as they help steady me.
"I think you should take a seat Caran." Elwin suggests as she and Anna help me onto a bench. "That would probably be a good idea."

While I sit and regain my senses Elwin and Anna rejoin the festivities. I close my eyes and focus only on breathing.

"Don't tell me you are done celebrating already." I open one eye as Landion, my closest friend, stalks over, crosses his arms, and looks down at me skeptically.

"I'm just catching my breath." I inform my dark-haired friend. Landion laughs and sits down next to me.

"Give you a sword and you can best every swordsman in this village, give you a party and you collapse from weariness before it even begins."

I roll my eyes as I smack him on the back of the head.
"I'm just more comfortable in that sort of environment."
"You will have to get used to this sort of environment."
Landion sweeps his arm out gesturing towards the feasting and dancing elves. 

"What do you mean?" I ask furrowing my brow in confusion. "You're a husband now Caran. Not to mention you still have Anna to take care of. The dangerous life a soldier can no longer suit you."

"I'm not quitting the Guard Landion." He gapes at me in surprise.
"You're not?"
"Why would I be?"
"Well, Idhrenion and everyone else thought that since you were getting married you would quit."

I sigh and shake my head.
"I may be married now Landion but nothing has changed. I am still a soldier and I am going to protect our home just as I've always done."

"But that's just it Caran! You have been fighting and serving our village for more years than anyone can count, you deserve to live a quiet and peaceful life with Elwin and Anna."

"But I cannot have that life." I turn away from him and watch Elwin dance.
"Of course you can! I could if I wanted to."
"That's just it Landion, do you want that life?"

Landion hesitates as I point at him.
"Exactly. You wouldn't know what to do with a quiet life just as I don't."
"At least I would try."

I narrow my eyes at him and for a moment we sit in cold silence. Finally Landion sighs and stands up.

"Alright Canar, I cannot tell you what to do with your life. If you want to stay with the Guard that's fine with me. But I should tell you the true reason why I came over here in the first place."

"What is it?" Landion's expression turns grim and I feel uneasiness creep up my spine. "Our patrols have reported sightings of men three miles outside of our village."
He announces his eyes cold with anger.
"And they are coming closer."
I say nothing as I try to process what he has just told me. Landion walks away leaving me to my thoughts.

Men killed my parents, they slaughtered my people, and destroyed our home, driving us further east and into the mountains.

I stand up and look over at the celebrating elves. Elwin is dancing with Anna, they are the only family I have, and they mean more to me than anything.

I will not let those men touch them, I will let no harm come to either of them.
Even if it costs me my own life.