This is the continuing saga of a once lost and orphaned boy and her journey to become Queen of the Elves.
Shauna
This is the story of a lost and orphaned child—and how he comes to find himself.
Shauna
Ten year-old Roland is riding on the horse with his mother, Helge. They had left their guards behind, a little less than a quarter mile back, having safely made it through the mountains. They are about to ride into the woods and his father, George, is intensely looking around—watchful for the band of mountain trolls that have boldly been attacking travelers along this route.
George sighs and says, “It looks like we are lucky. Once we make it to the woods, we will be protected. Just another two-hundred yards.”
Roland, too young to really realize the dangers about, is curious about the forest and asks his mother, “Do you think we will see any Silvan Elves in the forest, mother?” Helge is about to answer when George shouts, “Ride! As fast as you can!”
Roland looks around and sees a hideous monster, the first mountain troll he has ever seen, strike his father from his horse with the single blow of a huge club. He sobs as Helge kisses his head and says, “I love you, son. Get to the forest and search out the Elves—they will keep you safe!” With that, she jumps off of the horse, already drawing her bow with the first arrow nocked.
She slaps the horse’s rear hard and sends it, with Roland hanging on for dear life, dashing towards the nearby woods. The last Roland sees of his parents is his father fighting the troll; his sword drawn and bloodied. His mother is drawing her bow and letting loose a flurry of arrows at the other trolls approaching…
The horse runs wild—deep into the forest. After several long minutes of barely hanging on, Roland smacks his head on a low-hanging branch, knocking himself unconscious and falls off the horse. He rolls down a deep ravine and comes to a stop just before he falls into a clear, cold brook. He lay there, unconscious—a deep cut on his forehead.
I come to with a splitting headache. At first, I don’t remember what happened…then there is a flash of memory… A horse running through the woods…and then…nothing… Where am I? Who am I? What has happened to me? I look around, scared and shivering. I am in a deep ravine of some sort—it is dark; although it is obviously still daylight as is evidenced by a few stray beams of sunlight that filter down through the trees. A small waterfall coming from somewhere close to the top of the ravine leads to a bubbling brook that is running along beside me.
I reach up and feel the sticky blood on my pounding head and move closer to the stream. I reach out with cupped hands to get some water for my head when I hear a distinct, ”STOP!”. I look around and, at first, don’t see anything—or anyone. Then I notice a shimmering mist over the water that takes the shape of silvery, translucent woman—like she is made of water vapor. She is beautiful.
I hear the voice again, but it is only in my head, ”If you touch the water, the witch will know you are here. I have no idea what she would do with one of your kind.” I shake my head to clear it. The vision does not go away, so I ask, “Who are you? Where am I? What witch?” The voice in my head continues, ”You are in the Black Witch’s ravine. This stream is the gateway to the elven world—the only way a human can get to that world without a direct invitation from the Elves. I am an Undine…a water sylph. I protect the stream. Anyone crossing the stream has to pay the witch a toll. If you follow the stream to the end of the ravine, you can safely return to the human world—or are you intending to visit the Elves?”
I shake my head and say, “I don’t know… I don’t know who I am—let alone what I intended on doing…” The Undine wavers a bit and a cool mist envelopes my head. I hear the voice again, I cannot read your thoughts through the veil… Only the Elves can help, I am afraid. Quickly! I will help you cross the brook further downstream. You must be quiet, though. The witch is not bad, nor is she good. She has taken a neutral stance in the standoff… I don’t know how she would react to you, though…”
Confused, I follow her downstream to a spot where there are several natural stepping stones across the stream. I hear the voice again, ”You will need a name until you remember your own. I suggest ‘Brook’, in honor of that which will save you. I will envelope you in a mist that will obscure you—but only for only a few seconds… You must hurry across and not fall into the water. Be careful, the stones are slippery.”
I step onto the first stone and my toe dips into the water. I feel a wild rush of wind from behind. I hear a real voice behind me say, “Stop! You may not cross without paying the toll!” I hop from stone to stone—there are only five left. I slip and start to fall on the last one. With a tremendous effort, I jump and sort of twist at the same time. I know I am going to miss the water and land on the other side. But while I am in the air, three things happen: (1) I see the witch and am surprised; she is pretty…and half human—half elf. (2) The witch sends a blue bolt of lightning after me; it hits me just as I hit an energy field or shield of some sort. (3) I feel a tingle from the shield and a pain from the lightning…and land on the other side.
I blink my eyes to clear the tears from them. I see the stream clearly through a shimmering veil of some sort—and I also see the witch. She is seething. Obviously furious, she disappears in a whirlwind. The Undine is nowhere to be seen.
I sit there, breathless. What now, wonder boy? I am about to get up when I hear a command from behind me, “Stop! Don’t move, human, or I will shoot you. What do you want from the Elves?” It is a melodious, distinctly female voice—that does not comfort me. I start shaking. The voice says, “Slowly turn around and let me see you.” I do as bid and I hear a gasp. An absolutely stunning girl elf is looking at me, bow drawn and notched arrow pointed directly at my heart. She says, “But you are but a child…and a Halfling! Did the witch put you up to this? Answer me!”
I stutter some incoherent words until I can finally get an answer out, “No Ma’am—I escaped the witch with the help of a…a…a sylph in the stream.” She gives me a surprised look and says, “The Undine helped you? That is interesting… However, your very existence breaks one of our strictest laws… It is strictly forbidden for Elves and humans to mate. How is it that you are here? More importantly, why are you here? You must know that it cannot go well for you…” I shrug and say, “I don’t know why I am here—I can’t remember anything from before an hour ago. The sylph said that only an elf could help me figure out who I am.”
Again, the girl gives me a strange look. She lowers her bow and asks, “So, Halfling, do you have a name?” I hang my head and say, “I can’t remember that either—the sylph suggested ‘Brook’ in honor of it saving me from the witch.” She nods and says, “Follow me, Brooke. Do not stray from behind me or I will shoot you. I will take you to see our queen.”
I follow the beautiful girl closely. I have no doubt that she is serious that she will shoot me if I stray the slightest bit. I watch her walk through the woods gracefully, her long bright red hair flowing behind her like feathers. I find myself envious of her—especially since I am stumbling over every root and rock in the path.
After what seems like an hour, we are joined by other elves—some male, some female. They surround me and all talk in a sing-song language that I have absolutely no understanding of…but is somehow familiar. They give me strange looks, but no one attempts to speak directly to me. Finally, we arrive at a village, or town, of sorts—only it is in the trees. We climb a spiral staircase that winds its way around the centermost tree; which is also the largest in the gathering. When we finally make it to the top, we enter an absolutely stunning tree…castle(?)…
A graceful woman, clearly related to my ‘guide’ stands there waiting—obviously forewarned of our arrival. She looks at the girl that had brought me here and says in English, “Miriel, my daughter, who…or better…what have you brought into our midst?”
My captor(?), guide(?), whatever her intention was—obviously the daughter of this woman and named Miriel—switches to the unknown sing-song language and rapidly speaks for several minutes. There is a short exchange between the two in the unknown language, then the woman turns back to me and says, once again in English, “So, you escaped the Halfling witch with the help of the border stream Undine and claim to not remember anything. That seems rather convenient, now doesn’t it? Your existence belies reality. We Elves have not had any contact with humans in over a century of your time. Unless your Elfish parent is a dark Elf, something does not add up.” She stops and thinks, then says, “That could explain a lot—especially since the Dark Elves have conspired with that human, Drake Valkyre, and somehow kidnapped my sister, the true Queen of the Forest. Miriel says you go by ‘Brooke’?”
I nod—too scared to say anything else. She says, “Then come here, girl, I want to see what you are hiding.” I move towards her beckoning hand, again, too scared to correct her. She leans forward and places her hands on both sides of my face, then closes her eyes. She stays that way for quite some time, an intense look of concentration on her face. Finally, she releases me and sits back.
She gives me a strange look and says, “This is very strange. You speak the truth—at least as far as you seem to know it. It is clear that you are not of Dark descent, though, how you come to be of Silvan descent, I have no idea. I also must apologize; I assumed that Brooke was a female name. I am happy that you are honoring the wishes of the Undine—she was correct; it does seem to befit you.”
She sits and motions Meriel and me to do the same. The guards close the door and the Queen speaks to me, “My name is Lothiriel. That would roughly translate to ‘Flower’ in your language—I would be named ‘Fleur’ in your language. My sister, Queen Ainathiel, was kidnapped thirty of your years ago and I am in her place until she returns. You may call me Queen Fleur if that is easier for you.”
She looks at Miriel and nods. Miriel gets up and leaves the room. Queen Fleur turns her attention back to me, “As for what I am going to do with you, I have no idea. There have been no known Halflings for over a century of your time… The witch you escaped was the last one… I could turn you back to the humans, but I do not think you would fare well. You are too young…and they trust us as little as we trust them. You would be in a bad position. Which brings us to the question of how you have stayed hidden. You look to be about ten human years…a mere blink of an eye for us…you are still an infant in our terms. Yet, for humans that is a fairly substantial amount of time to go unnoticed… And, we should have felt it… Yes, I am curious…”
Miriel comes back in, a servant following her carrying a heavy tray laden with fruit and a pot of tea. Queen Fleur says, “Eat. I am sure you are hungry. There is no meat in our diet, so I am afraid you will have to get used to being a vegetarian.” I timidly take some of the fruit, a piece of melon of some sort, and bite into it. It is sweet, like honey, and tastes wonderful. The queen watches me and says, “It is also curious that you show no Elven abilities. Even as young as you are, there should be signs… It is as if you are…bound! That is it. You were bound…likely to appear human to the humans and to hide you from our senses. That takes quite some skill… We will have to study this. You will stay under my care until we get this sorted out—something is not quite right, here…and I will get to the bottom of it!”
I wake up in a strange room and panic. Where? Wait…Who…? And then the events of the day before, the ones that I can remember, flood back into my mind and I settle back into the soft bed. I look around the room, trying to remember more…but it is useless.
I reach up and touch my forehead. A healer had sealed up the wound before I had been brought to this room by Miriel. It seems to be completely healed now—not even the slightest bit tender to the touch.
I lay there, not knowing what to do, exactly. I know that I am in a tree castle, high above the ground. I am in the Queen’s ‘care’, as her ‘ward’—meaning that she wants to keep me close to study me. It also means that, basically, I think I am her prisoner.
I look up, startled, as Miriel comes into my room without knocking. She gives me a scowl and asks, “Well, waif? Are you just going to stay in bed all day?” I shrug and say, much less intimidated by her today, “I don’t know the customs here… Not that I can specifically remember my own, but I know what seems right… Anyway, you took my clothes last night… What am I to wear?” She rolls her eyes, then actually giggles. She goes to a door carved right out of the tree and opens it. With a flourish, she says, “And voila… Have you ever heard of a wardrobe?” I look at the clothes, Elven clothes, hung neatly in the space. She says, “Get dressed and meet us in the dining hall in ten minutes, or you will miss breakfast.” And she is gone…
I sigh and get out of bed. I am in a nightgown…I guess nightshirt is the better term. I pull out some random clothes from the wardrobe—not really knowing anything about Elven styles—and get dressed. I find my way to the dining hall where the Queen and Miriel are eating fruit from a large platter. The Queen looks up as I come in and seems to choke on her fruit. Miriel just giggles. The Queen gives her a harsh look and then says, “Good morning, Brooke. I see you…need some help…dressing. Miriel will help you pick out some more appropriate things after we eat. Come…” She tries to hide a grin as she picks up the slice of melon she had dropped.
I give her a dirty look and say, “Give it a rest, Miriel! That was mean… How am I supposed to know how to dress as an elf?” Miriel is still giggling as she pulls out some clothes for me to put on. She lays them on the bed and proceeds to explain the different outfits. She says, “The wardrobe is stocked with things for both boys and girls, since this room is for unexpected guests. It is magical and should have only provided you with boy’s options. You seem to have confused it as much as you have the rest of us. It likely can’t get a good read on you. You are wearing a mix of boy’s and girl’s clothes.” She leaves me to put on the clothes that she had laid out for me. I hang the others back up…grumbling the whole time.
I meet the Queen on the balcony, as instructed. She tells me to sit and then contemplates something for a minute before asking, “OK, Brooke, what do you remember of the world? We know that you do not remember anything family-related. What can you tell me of Earth’s history? Of humans or Elves?”
I sit and concentrate. Finally, I shake my head and say, “It is strange. I can’t remember specifics. If you ask me for a detail, I can’t pull it up. But, I seem to know what is right or wrong—what is and what is not…like an instinct, or something. For example, I know that you are an elf by looking at you. I just don’t know how I know. I don’t remember learning it.”
Queen Fleur slowly nods her head. She sits quietly for several minutes and then says, “Well, I need to remind you of the state of affairs in the world, then. As you seem to know, there are the three main races in the world. Elves, humans, and gnomes. There are the Elementals—the sylphs, nymphs, and so on. Then there are other…riff-raff… Trolls, ogres, and other objectionables. Then there are the truly undesirables, the demons and such. That is just scratching the surface, but you get the idea.”
I nod, somehow knowing this stuff, once reminded. The Queen continues, “Many millennia ago, as humans perceive time, the Elves, humans, and gnomes got along. Then the gnomes got greedy and broke off relations with both us and the humans. A little over a millennium ago, human time, relations between the Elves and the humans soured, as well. An evil being…calling him human is no longer quite accurate…anyway, this being, Drake Valkyre, ascended into the picture. At one point, Drake was human. He aligned himself with the Dark Elves, though…and acquired…their evil nature through bonding with a demon spirit. He has poisoned a large portion of the human race against their rightful heir…and against the Good Elves, like us, the Sylvan Elves. Drake used the Dark Magic he acquired to create creatures from human mythology; vampires, werewolves, zombies. With these creatures at his beck and call…backed by the Dark Elves, he has been slowly overtaking the outer realm—feeding off of the Darkness. That is how he has survived over a thousand human years. We Good Elves had no choice but to seal ourselves off from the human race to protect ourselves… There is no sure way for us to tell a good human from a dark one—unlike how we can with Elves. It would be a simple matter for a dark human to infect a Good Elf with the Darkness.”
She pauses to make sure that I am still paying attention and, once assured, continues, “That is also when we decreed that an Elf is strictly forbidden from forming a sexual union with a human—the easiest way for the Dark infection to take hold. I am afraid that you will find there is quite a bit of prejudice against you for being who…no, what, you are. Even us Good Elves are not beyond that. There have been only a few infractions of the law since it has existed—the last resulting in the Black Witch that you have met… Halflings are typically shunned by both races…that typically results in unstable individuals, like the Black Witch. We have, however always known of the Halflings’ existence… You are the sole exception to that. Something that must be explored. How? More importantly, Why? Do you understand my quandary, now?”
My head is spinning from the information. Miriel looks at me and says, “I think our waif has had enough history for a bit, Mother. If it is OK with you, I think a bit of ‘testing’ is in order.” Queen Fleur nods and says, “I think you are correct, daughter-of-mine. Bring him back for lunch and we will continue the lesson after that. I look forward to your report on the testing.”
I have never been one for violence…I think… At least, I show no signs of any sort of weapons training. I am solidly beat up with a wooden sword by the trainer; and I show no inclination of being able to use a knife. Miriel shrugs and says, “Well, it looks like you have a lot to learn if you are going to survive in this world as a Halfling.” I sigh and nod my head. Then I look at her bow…and something stirs in my mind… A flash of long golden blonde hair…lithe hands pulling back the string on a bow… And it is gone…but, I feel a connection. I sigh and ask Miriel, “Can I try a bow?” Both Miriel and the trainer laugh. Miriel says, “That is an Elf woman’s weapon.” She looks at me and says, “But then, I guess you are not really an Elf, are you, Halfling waif?” The trainer snickers and hands me a practice bow and a quiver of arrows. I shrug and just look at it—somehow feeling a connection to it. Miriel giggles and says, “Beriaden cannot help you with learning to use that. Elf men prefer swords and knives. Here, let me show you.”
She shows me how to nock the arrow, aim, and release. To both of our surprises, I hit the bullseye—dead center—at a hundred paces. After several more increasingly difficult tests, Miriel seems…confused at my ability. We go back to the dining hall, where Queen Fleur is awaiting our return—once again at a fruit-laden table. We sit and Miriel relates the results of my weapons testing. Miriel says, “He shows an uncanny intuition on the use of a bow and arrow; very akin to magical. Well beyond what a human should be able to do—but inconsistent with any male Elf ability. With a little practice, he could rival me--even using my magic.”
Queen Fleur raises her eyebrows and says, “Yet another mystery to unravel. Brooke, the reason that Elf men do not take up the bow and arrow is because some Elf women have a special magic that can enchant the arrows on the fly, so to speak. Men can practice and become proficient, but never be as good as a woman with the magic. So, they focus on other weapons and leave the bow and arrow to the true masters. It is yet another oddity about you that we will have to explore.”
She sits back and says, “Now eat. I still have some things that I want to relate to you before we can begin your formal education.” I take some fruit and bite into it…sighing to myself. I miss meat. This is wonderful fruit, but I really need some protein… Miriel raises her eyebrows and looks at me. She demands, “What did you just say? Something about meat? I didn’t quite catch it.” I pale and stutter, “I…I…I didn’t say anything… I just thought that I miss the protein from meat…”
Queen Fleur says, “Telepathic abilities, too…? It seems your binding is coming…loose. Something has shaken it—but not enough to completely unbind you. It is interesting that you connected with Miriel, though… I think we need to postpone your history lessons for a bit longer—this is a somewhat disturbing development that we must immediately explore. See if you can project something into my mind.”
I shrug, I have no idea how to. I didn’t mean to the last time. I nearly choke on my melon when I hear, ”Yet, that came across pretty clear in my mind…” Miriel gasps, “He connected with you? But…” Queen Fleur looks at me and says with a puzzled scowl on her face, “Yes. He did. Which is…very disturbing … Did I miss some Darkness in him? The other explanation is just too…impossible.” Miriel says, “Some humans have shown the ability. Could it be his human side? He connected with me first…” Queen Fleur shakes her head, “No, the connection is clearly Elven—I think triggered by the strong emotional desire. Another clearly female Elven trait. Also, Brooke, even if that could be explained, only Elves of royal descent can connect with members of the royal family… No, there must be something within the binding…some piece of Darkness still veiled… The only other possible explanation is that you are the female descendent of the Elven royal family!”
”No, there must be something within the binding…some piece of Darkness still veiled… The only other possible explanation is that you are the female descendent of the Elven royal family!”
Miriel giggles and says, “Mother! That is absurd!” I shrug and say, “For all I know, it could be true… Well, except for the fact that I am a boy.” Even I have to laugh at that. The Queen, however, is not amused. She says, “We need to fathom this out. If you are indeed somehow bound to the Darkness, it is a grave danger for both you and us. Drake Valkyre claimed to have been the descendent of one of the Valkyrie, hence the name. True or not is irrelevant—after he bound with the demon spirit, he manifested many of the Valkyries’ abilities; in spite of being male. He is successfully emulating inherently female abilities, since we all know that the Valkyrie are all female.”
Miriel is no longer giggling… They are beginning to scare me a little. Queen Fleur says, “Come, Brooke, I think it is time that we visit with the Black Witch. Unstable as she is, she is still likely our best means of sorting you out…” Miriel says, “Mother! Do you think we can trust her?” I look at the Queen and stutter, “I agree… I barely escaped her last time—I don’t think she is very happy with me.”
Queen Fleur raises a hand, commanding silence. She says, “Miriel, go set up a meeting through the Undine. I said we would visit with the Black Witch, Brooke. We will not be there in body, so she will not be able to harm you.” Miriel bows her head and leaves with a “Yes, Mother”. The Queen looks at me and says, “I just don’t know what to think about you. I certainly hope the witch can shed some light. Don’t worry—we have…an agreement. I believe she will honor it…at least long enough to divine some needed information.”
We are sitting next to a small waterfall close to the ‘castle’. There is an iridescent mist of water surrounding us. I see the form of the Undine from the day before form in the mist—but only as an image; not the true form from yesterday. I hear her voice in my head, ”The Black Witch has agreed to a meeting, Your Majesty. She is, however, not a happy witch—she froze me in the stream for hours yesterday.”
Queen Fleur nods and says, “I am sorry to hear that, Laesneniel. Can you connect us? She nods and the image of the Black Witch appears in the mist. I shrink back, still not trusting this, at all. The witch still has a furious look on her face. Her voice emanates from the mist, “Queen Lothiriel. You have my Halfling.” Queen Fleur smiles and says, “Hello, Vanmoriel. I did not know the Halfling was yours—if that were the case, he would be a Quarterling, right?” She cocks her head and the witch’s eyes flash anger. She says, “You know what I mean! It passed through the river without paying the toll. That is a violation of our agreement!”
The Queen laughs in a tinkly sort of way. She says, “Our agreement is that you may control the passage for unbidden humans to our realm and exact a toll from those that truly wish to enter—and are willing to pay your price. It is a win-win—especially for us, since no one seems to want to pay your price. Anyway, how have we broken the agreement?” The witch’s image just waves an exasperated hand in my direction. Queen Fleur says, “Well, now. I don’t think Brooke counts, since he is a Halfling--not a human. You, of all people, should understand that concept!”
The witch’s image burns red again, then she sort of chuckles. She looks at me as she says, directed towards the Queen, “So, what do you want, Flower?” The Queen looks a little perturbed, but quickly recovers, and says, “Our Halfling is showing disturbing…signs. I thought you may have some insights, given your…unique…attributes.” This time the witch’s image shakes with laughter. Finally, she says, “Yes, the Halfling is very interesting. I maintain that I am much more qualified to…educate…it than you.”
The Queen remains silent and holds firm. Finally, the witch shrugs and says, “So be it. When you tire of playing with it, send it to me. Yes, I connected magically with it for a brief instant before it passed through the protective veil into your realm. I had sensed a protective veil of its own…and a magical binding ward, similar to my own. I was curious and attempted to break both. Obviously, I was not successful.”
The Queen looks at the image in the mist with a thoughtful expression. She says, “You keep calling the little one ’it’. Why?” The image shrugs and says, “Because that is the truth. I could not break the protective veil of amnesia—or the binding ward. It is clearly an Elven ward similar to the one that my mother placed on me—the one that eternally binds me in the purgatory of neither good, nor evil. The Halfling is more like me than you realize. Not only is it neither Human, nor Elf—it is neither male, nor female. Or so it seems. The ward on me permanently binds me to exist between Darkness and Light—there is no way of knowing to which side I would go without it. The ward on the Halfling is not a permanent one—once broken, it will result in a gravitation to one side or the other. It seems the ward was meant to make the Halfling appear like a normal human boy—my suspicion is that it is meant to confuse anyone with magic by making the Halfling appear…well, neutral. The ward is however meant to be broken…but without the key to the binding’s magic, there is no way to break it.”
The Queen looks thoughtfully at the image in the mist and asks, “And Darkness? Is there any sign…?” The image of the witch’s head shakes and says, “No. None—there is no doubt that the Halfling has not been touched by the Darkness—yet. It has the potential to become a powerful player—I have foreseen it. Do not trifle with this one. Bring it to me to be properly prepared.” Queen Fleur shakes her head and says, “No, I think not, Dark. Not this one—not this time.” And she gets up, signaling Miriel and me to follow her. Miriel thanks the Undine as she breaks the link—and we go back to the castle.
My face must fully show the confusion that I feel. Queen Fleur simply asks, “What are your questions, Child. I know you must have many—however, know that I still don’t have many answers. That being said, I will explain what I now am sure is the truth.”
I am so confused, I don’t know where to even begin. I start out simple—to give my brain time to try and catch up. I ask, “The Undine has a name?” Miriel and Queen Fleur laugh—loudly. Through the tears in her eyes, Queen Fleur says, “After all that we have learned today, that is your first question? Yes, and why would she not—she is a sentient being, after all. Laesneniel is Elven for Kendra, in English. Roughly translated, it means ‘Water Baby’. And before you ask, yes, the Black Witch obviously also has a name, Vanmoriel. That is Layla, or ‘Dark Beauty’, in English. It is meant to signify that she has both a Dark and a good…a beautiful side.”
I nod and say, “About that…” I fall silent, not sure how to ask the question. Queen Fleur says, “As you may have discerned, Vanmoriel is a Halfling that exists on the brink of Light and Darkness. She is a prime example of why our law of no allowed Elf-human bonds exists. Her mother, Authiel, was a good Elf—a powerful warrior, which is what her name means, ‘Battle Maiden’; or Lois, in English. Her father was a human that had been taken over by the Dark Elves… He was able to deceive Authiel into…joining him… The result was Vanmoriel. In her last act of Goodness—before being overtaken by the Darkness, herself—she cast a powerful ward onto her unborn child. She could not stop the Darkness from inhabiting her child, so she forced it to co-exist with the Light, which is another way we refer to good, or Goodness. If being a Halfling is not punishment enough for poor Vanmoriel—this certainly is. She is doomed to a life between races—and between good and evil.”
I look at her and say, “But don’t we all live there? We all have to make those choices.” She nods her head and says, “Yes, Child. But for Vanmoriel, there is no choice. You or I cannot completely comprehend her existence—we have no reference. She simply does not have the capacity to be good or evil… Yet, she is both.”
I shake my head in confusion. Then I approach the real topic, “And she said I was like her in that regard. So what does that make me?” I wipe the tears from my eyes as the Queen says, “Come here, Brooke. I think you need a queenly hug!” I go to her and receive a huge hug, then she continues, “She did not say that you were like her from a ‘good and evil’ point of view. She said you were like her from a…split...being point of view. Yes, you are both Halflings. And you are both split beyond that. That is where the similarity ends, though.”
I sniffle and wipe some more tears from my eyes as she continues, “What I say next is not anything that I can prove, at this point. It is however the only thing that makes sense—and, as such, must be the truth. Vanmoriel confirmed that you were not touched by the Darkness. I was able to discern as much for your Elvin side. She was able to also confirm the same for your human side. She is the only being on Earth, not consumed by the Darkness, that can do so. I also believe that when she tried to lift your veil and break your ward that she succeeded in cracking your ward—ever so slightly.”
I shake my head, still confused, and ask, “But what did she mean by I am ‘neither male, nor female’?” Queen Fleur purses her lips and says, “I think she was being a bit coy with that, at first. She let some things slip at the end, though. That leads me to think that our intuitions on your…abilities…were correct. Vanmoriel confirmed my suspicions when she said your ward makes you appear male. I think it goes beyond that…the ward has actually given you a male body. You are, however, in reality a female.”
I look at her, shocked…and somehow know it to be the truth. As soon as she said it, I could feel it… I have a haunted look in my eye and say, “So, I am a girl—trapped in a boy’s body… How do I get out?” Queen Fleur shakes her head sadly and says, “I don’t know, Brooke. Vanmoriel could not break the ward, and she is very powerful; I have no doubt that we cannot either. You will have to find the key to your ward…”
I sit there—more lost than ever. The servants are setting the table, so we are taking a short break. My stomach growls and I realize that I am really hungry. Miriel giggles when she hears it and says, “Well, that is not very lady-like, Brooke!” She grins and winks as a servant places a small platter in front of me that has some sort of vegetable cakes on them.
Queen Fleur says, “Your human half seems to demand much more protein than a pure Elf would need. We are quite content to have our diet consist of about 99% fruits and very little protein. Those bean cakes are very protein-rich and should satisfy your need; like we said before—we will not serve, nor tolerate, eating animal flesh in our Realm.” I nod and quickly take a bite of one of the cakes. It tastes surprisingly good…and, after finishing off just one, I am already feeling much more satisfied.
As we continue eating, Queen Fleur says, “As I was saying before, I am convinced that you are truly a girl in that boy’s body.” I nod and say between mouthfuls of the wonderful protein cakes, “Yes. Somehow…I knew it was true the moment you said it; like I have always known… I even got…a sense that I was always closest to my mother…but then it was gone…”
The Queen nods and says, “Speaking of your mother; Elven genealogy is complex, but, based on some things that have peeked through your wards, I wager that your mother was Elven. If that is the case, she must have also been of royal descent. I would know of anyone of royal descent, from any of the Elven tribes—except the Dark Elves—that had joined with a human. None, save my sister, have left the Realm in quite some time. In reality, we have no proof that my sister even left the Realm—she just…disappeared. We are fairly certain that there was Darkness involved; there is no other good explanation… However, there is also no other good explanation for your existence.”
Miriel gasps and says, “Mother? Are you inferring that Brooke is Ainathiel’s child?” Queen Fleur shakes her head and says, “No, I am not inferring it. I am saying it. Nothing else makes any sense—not that that does either. But it makes the least least sense. I can think of no other explanation…”
She looks intently at me and asks, “Child, does the name Ainathiel mean anything to you?” I shake my head no and Miriel says, “Mother, he…she wouldn’t know the Elven name—do you remember a Helge? It means ‘Holy’.”
I gasp as visions of long golden blonde hair come to mind…and the smell of a horse…and arrows… Lots of arrows… I see a beautiful face leaning down to kiss me… My mother…and it is gone… I must be very pale because Miriel rushes over and grabs my shoulders. It may also because I am suddenly very dizzy and almost fall out of my chair…
Queen Fleur looks at me, worried, and excited. She asks, “You know the name? You remember something?” I shakily nod and say, “Just a flash. I saw my mother—briefly. She is…was beautiful. Long, golden blonde hair. I remember something about a horse…and lots of arrows… And that is all… Wait! There is one other thing… My mother’s face…it wasn’t the face of an Elf… My mother is—or was—human.”
”There is one other thing… My mother’s face…it wasn’t the face of an Elf… My mother is—or was—human.”
Miriel moans and says, “No! It can’t be true!” Queen Fleur silently gets up and leaves the room. A few minutes later, she returns with a charcoal drawing. She hands it to me and asks, “Is this your Helge?” I look at the drawing and nod uncertainly. I say, “Yes…and no. The face in my memory-flash was fuller; with stronger features. Not so…waif-like. And she did not have pointed ears…”
The Queen smiles and says, “It is as I suspected… Her appearance could have easily been changed through simple charms or wards. I am certain that you, Child, are my niece. One I had no idea I had—one that by law—your mother’s own law—should not exist!”
I shake my head…trying to understand what I had just heard. I ask in a shocked voice, “You are saying that you are my Aunt?” Queen Fleur nods and says, “Yes, Child—I believe so. That means several things. First, you shall not address me as ‘Queen’ anymore—you have more right to that title than I. Although, many will argue that point, based on your Halfling status. Second, you shall call me by my name—or Aunt. You may call me Fleur, if you wish—I would prefer my Elvin name, Lothiriel—it is pronounced, ‘Loth-ear-ee-ell’. Say it.” I force my mouth to pronounce her name several times; after I protest that she is still the Queen in my eyes.
Once she is satisfied that I can properly pronounce her name, she says, “Third, it means that we must accelerate your training and education. This will ultimately come to be known…and you must be prepared. You will start in the morning with learning the language and the proper use of a bow and arrow. It is late—we should retire for the night; tomorrow is going to be a busy day.” Miriel says, “Yes, Mother.” I say, “Yes, Qu…” I blush and say, “Yes, Aunt Lothiriel.”
I stand in front of my wardrobe—perplexed. It seems to have decided that I am a girl now. It had only provided me with nightgowns last night—I finally gave up and put one on because I was tired. This morning it is only providing me with girl’s clothing. This is a problem for me—the Qu… My Aunt and Miriel are the only ones, well…besides the Black Witch, that know that…internally…I am a girl. If I dress as one…I will be doubly ostracized and laughed at by the Elves in the realm. First, because I am a Halfling—and second, because they will think I am…a crazy Halfling…
I sigh; I can’t seem to convince the wardrobe any different. I put on the least girly things I can find in the selection, which isn’t saying much, and go down to the dining hall for breakfast. It is strange, though, the clothes feel right… I just know that I am going to be accepted even less in them. I enter the hall and Aunt Lothiriel and Miriel are already there. As usual, they have beat me to breakfast. They both smile when they see me and Miriel says, “You look nice, Brooke. I see you have decided to embrace your inner girl.” I sigh and say, “The wardrobe made that choice for me. I am afraid it will cause people to shun me even more, though.”
Aunt Lothireal says, “Not around here, they won’t. I have made it very clear that it will not be tolerated. You let me know if anyone treats you with disrespect.” I can only think about how that will just make it that much worse, but keep my mouth shut—and my thoughts closely to myself…
After breakfast, I am introduced to Istuion. He tells me it is pronounced, ‘Is-too-ee-on’ and would be ‘Clark’ in English—which means ‘Learned’. Istuion—I practice his name a few times—is to be my tutor. Starting with High Elvish—the main language of the Elves; later history and other subjects will be added. I spend the next several hours learning to read, write and speak Elvish.
After lunch, Miriel takes me back to the weapons grounds and I practice with a bow and arrow. I surprise even myself at what I can hit—and from what positions or distances. Miriel keeps pushing my limits, though. At the end of the session, I am dizzy and weak—as if I had expended large amounts of physical energy; which I hadn’t. It puzzles me. Miriel says, “You seem to be somehow tapping into the magic that you possess as a woman. But, because you are having to reach through the small crack in your ward, it is both limiting your ability and causing you to expend a lot of energy.”
I give her an exasperated look and say, “That is limited ability? I thought I was doing well!” Miriel giggles and says, “Well, for a Halfling boy, you are…pretty decent.” I playfully shove her and we go to the dining hall, where I am happy to find a platter of beancakes waiting for me.
The next several weeks are basic repeats—daily Elvish lessons followed by archery. While I am getting much better at the language, my archery skills seem to have come to a standstill. I am really good—but not as good as Miriel thinks I should be able to be. And I am always really tired after the sessions.
I also have not made any leeway in changing the wardrobe’s insistence in only providing me with girl’s clothing. I finally give up—but, when Miriel or my Aunt are not around, I still catch a lot of nasty glares from the other Elves around the ‘town’. I know I am neither welcomed, nor accepted by them. They still do not know my suspected heritage, though.
Several search parties return over the weeks, as well. They are still searching for Ainathiel, my suspected mother—and true Queen of the Sylvan Elves. So far, there has been no sign of her. At random times, I will catch mental glimpses of her blonde hair or a quick vision of her hugging or kissing me. Try as I might, I cannot break the veil of amnesia, though…and I have not caught any glimpse of my father at all.
And so, my first three months in the Elven Realm pass…
I stand moping in front of the wardrobe. I don’t really know what to put on. I guess it really doesn’t matter…Everyone hates me anyway! I don’t know why, but I am in a really depressed and emotional mood this morning. I hear a voice in my head, ”Wow! That came through loud and clear, Cousin. Why are you broadcasting like that? And…who hates you?”
I blush and Miriel comes into the room, looking as prim and beautiful as ever. She looks at me, concerned, and asks, “Well?” I shrug and say, “When you or Aunt Lothiriel are not with me, everyone scowls at me. They don’t usually say anything to my face—but their feelings are clear. I am not wanted here.” Miriel comes and hugs me. She says, “Brooke, some of that is just longstanding prejudice that we will have to break—and that will take time. People will have to get to know you in order to overlook what they see. Part of that, though, requires that you be more confident in yourself…show them that it is worth getting to know the real you.”
I look at her, not understanding. She smiles and says, “Look at what the wardrobe is presenting you. It is a hodgepodge of girl’s stuff. It is not presenting you with any sort of consistent style that speaks to you because you have not let it know who you are.” I complain, “I keep trying to get it to give me boy’s clothes—but it won’t!” She gives me a look and purses her lips, as she asks, “Is that what you really want?”
I collapse on my bed and feel tears come to my eyes. I wipe them and sniffle, as I say, “Yes…No…I don’t know…” I cry some more and Miriel remains silent. Finally, I wipe my eyes again and say, “It is so confusing. When I see my body…it is a boy’s. When I look inside myself, I know I am a girl—but everyone else sees that boy… How am I supposed to deal with that?” She smiles and says, “By showing everyone that you are a girl. First, you have to convince yourself, be confident of who you are—then the others will follow your lead…eventually. I am not saying it will happen overnight—I am not saying that it will be easy… But, I am saying that I am here for you, Cousin. Mother has not let out who we suspect you are, yet. We want people to accept you for you first. Then they will respect you in your rightful position—once it is revealed.”
I shake my head and say, “I don’t want that—you know that.” She smiles and says, “We rarely want the responsibilities that life throws at us. There is a reason you are here—we just have to figure it out. Now, how about we find your true style and just take the day off? I think you deserve a little fun time.” I jump up and hug her. She giggles and we go to the wardrobe.
She helps me pick out a dress—I have never worn one, but she is insistent that it will ‘send a message’. She helps me into the underclothes and the dress, then the thigh-high, soft Elven boots that go with the style. She says, “Now, you are still a bit young for full makeup, but a little here and there will never hurt. I started when I was…well when I looked to be about your age…”
While she is putting the makeup on me, I ask, “So, how old are you, Miri? You look about sixteen in human years—I know that means you are much older than that, though.” She smiles and says, “Yes, I would be about the equivalent of sixteen human years from an Elven lifespan perspective. In reality, I am about 300 human years old.” I gasp and she giggles, “Hold still, or I will mess this up!”
I look at myself in the mirror when she is done—and…know that it is…right. I see a cute little Halfling girl looking back at me… There are no signs of the outward boy that my body forces me to deal with. All that shows is the inward girl—and tons of confidence that this is right.
I take a shaky breath and say, “Thank you, Miri. This feels right. I feel better already… That is, until I go outside…” Miriel says, “Don’t you worry your pretty little head about that today. We are going to go out into town and have some fun! You will be having some cute boy Elflings eating out of your hand before the day is out, or my name is not Miriel!”
Well, I did not have any Elflings eating out of my hand that day. But I did start coming out of my shell that day. Slowly, my confidence has been growing and I am being…well, tolerated, if not fully accepted yet. Tomorrow marks my sixth month here and Aunt Lothiriel has announced that there is going to be a party at the castle. It happens to be a coincidence that my sixth month mark falls on the Elven Day of Thanks—a big fall festival.
Miri comes in as I am contemplating what to wear for the day. She says in Elvish, “Good morning, Nellethiel.” I am fairly fluent in Elfish now, and Miri has started using the Elvish version of my name. I respond in Elvish, “I am good this morning, Miri. How are you?” She smiles at my use of the language. She goes to the wardrobe, looks in, and says, “You are getting really fluent, Cousin. I am fine. Get dressed—we need to teach you some dances for tomorrow.” I look at her, confused, and ask, “Dances?”
She looks over her shoulder on her way out and says, “Yes, you know…moving to music.” She giggles at me and I roll my eyes as I say, “I know what dancing is. Why do I need to know how to do it?” She says, “Because there is a ball here in the castle tomorrow night…and you have a date…” And she ducks out.
The thing is, I have finally figured out the telepathy thing works. So, I blast her, A DATE? What do you mean, I HAVE A DATE? I hear, ”Get dressed, Nellethiel!” After that, I can’t get any more response from her. I look back in my wardrobe and blink. She had done something…and now there were only ball gowns to choose from… I groan and pick out a peacock blue gown that looks really pretty…
I glare at Miri as I eat my breakfast. Aunt Lothiriel is not around; something about getting things organized for tomorrow. As soon as I am done, Miri takes me to the ballroom. She introduces me to Laermeluion, which I know means, ‘Man with a sweet song’. And indeed he does have a sweet voice. He is also a persistent and competent dance teacher. And, surprisingly, I am a good learner. After I get over the fact that I am dancing with a cute guy and settle into focusing on him, I discover that I have a certain grace and really good balance. When we are done, after several hard hours, he says, “Lady Nellethiel, I would be honored to continue teaching you to dance. You have a true talent and unparalleled feminine grace—this is true proof in my mind that you indeed are not the boy some think you to be. I think that others will see that tomorrow, as well, when you dance this gracefully at the ball.” I blush and thank him with the curtsey that he had taught me.
Miri and I eat alone again. I blush the whole meal, since Miri teases me mercilessly about how well I danced with a guy. I go to bed early, partially to get away from Miri’s teasing—and partially because I am just worn out.
I sleep deeply and have vivid dreams of my mother. I plainly see her…and then my father. They are fighting trolls…and I am being carried away on a horse… I wake up, but can’t remember any of what I was dreaming. I stretch, perplexed that my dreams are hidden from me, but refreshed from the sound night’s sleep. Then, I remember what the day is about and hurry to my wardrobe to get dressed for the day’s festivities…
I stand there nervously. I am in a beautiful white, feathered ball gown—made up to the nines. The day had been full of festivities and they had been wonderful, but I had been largely ignored. I am the youngest person in the ballroom, no doubt. However, I bet I feel like I am one of the most beautiful—I feel like a beautiful swan in this dress. Nervous as I am, the confidence I feel also shows.
Miri introduces me to Meldiron, my ‘date’. I smile, thinking that the name means ‘Friend’ in English. I am now speaking primarily in Elvish…and thinking less and less in English…but, every so often, I still translate things in my head. Meldiron takes my hand and we are off to the dance floor.
My first dance with him surprises everyone—including him. My second one elicits gasps—it is obvious it was not a fluke. From there, many of the younger Elves cut in…then older ones, as well. I am flushed after several dances and decide to get a drink. One of the older Elves, with bright red hair, is dancing with me at the time; he accompanies me to the refreshment area. He pours some fruit nectar into a punch glass and hands it to me with a smile…
I gasp as a picture of a red-headed human pops into my mind. I nearly drop the glass as I reach for the table behind to steady myself—as I am flooded with memories…
I nearly fall to the floor as I picture the scene… My father attacking a troll with his bloodied sword. My mother unleashing a volley of arrows at a hoard of the beastly creatures descending on my father. Me hanging on to a horse galloping away towards the forest. A branch…and darkness.
I fall to the floor…hugging myself… I sob, “I abandoned them… I left my parents to die!” The ballroom goes silent and Miri rushes to me. She takes my head into her lap and strokes my hair. Aunt Lothi pushes her way through the crowd and helps me up, with Miri’s assistance. She looks at me with concern and asks, “You saw Ainathiel’s death?” There are gasps around the room. I look at her and shiver. I view the scene over and over in my mind.
I shake my head as the scene replays itself again. I say, “No, I did not see my mother…or my father…die. They were being attacked by mountain trolls…and I was on a horse riding into the forest. My father was fighting a troll with his bloodied sword… My mother was unleashing a volley of arrows… And…I was riding off into the forest…leaving them…!” I sob again… I say through more sobs, “My Mom sent me to the forest to find you… I…I…I hit my head on a branch… I just remembered…” I look at the elder Elf and say, “Your red hair; your kindness to a girl—giving her a drink…; it triggered my memory… My name is…was…Roland… My Father’s name was…George…”
All of a sudden there is a loud buzz in the room. Aunt Lothiriel commands, “Silence! Roland? A good Elven name… Tristimdorion – Famed throughout the Land… Your Mother was sending a message… But… Your Father’s name? George... Is…was he red-headed…?” She whispers to one of the servants who bows and quickly rushes off. My Aunt looks back at me and says, “Calm down, Nellethiel…we both know that is the more appropriate name for you… We will figure this out…” The servant hurries back and hands my Aunt a picture…another chalk drawing… She hands it to me…and I gasp. It is the image of my father. I feel tears come to my eyes as I moan, “Father! How do you have a picture of my Father, Aunt Lothi?”
There is no stopping the buzzing at that point. Aunt Lothi claps her hands and the room is quickly emptied out. Aunt Lothi looks at me. The look is one of total incredibility. She sort of mumbles to me, “So, you are saying that you are the hidden daughter of my missing sister, the rightful Queen of the Elves, and George, the missing King of the humans?”
I don’t fully understand what she is saying, but I suddenly feel faint and…
I come to in my bed. Miri and Aunt Lothi are sitting there; obviously worried. Aunt Lothi sees me come to and exclaims, “Thank the Goddesses! You are awake! Nelle, quickly! Tell me everything that you can remember!” Miri hands me a few pieces of melon as I sit up. I blink the weariness from my eyes, sensing that this is somehow important. I take a bite of melon and concentrate…
I relate every detail of that day, now six months ago, that I can now remember. Aunt Lothi asks for details every so often. I answer the best I can. Finally, after several minutes, she looks at Miri and says, “Get a small, fast party together. You will leave within the hour.” Miri nods and hurries off.
Aunt Lothi goes to my wardrobe and pulls out some traveling clothes. She tells me to get dressed. She says, “Hurry, niece-of-mine. You must go with Miri. It is important!” I start to ask questions, but she is gone before I get a chance. I hurry and put on the loose fitting clothing; very feminine, but fit for moving quickly through the forest.
Miri comes and gets me a few minutes later and takes me to the ground below. There is a party of several male Elves waiting for us. They bow to both of us and say something about being ready. Miri hands me a quiver and bow…one that I can tell is very special. She says, “It was your Mother’s first bow. You will connect with it well. Now, we must hurry!”
And we start running down the path that had brought me here half a year ago. It is a paced run, but eats up the distance quickly. I am surprised that I can keep up, but it is not too much of a problem. Miri hands me a beancake that I eat on the run. She doesn’t answer any questions for the better part of an hour. As we get close to where I know I had crossed into the realm, we take a left turn and she says, “We will know in a few minutes…”
We approach the golden-shimmering veil that I recognize as the protective border to the Elven Realm from the human one. There is a strange mist between us and the veil. We stop short of the mist and Miri hands me two beancakes and says, “Eat. Hurry!”
I reply, “No! Not until you tell me what is going on.” Miri closes her eyes and says, “Eat your protein and I will explain.” I roll my eyes and eat the two cakes. Miri grabs my hand and pulls me towards the mist and says, “Come and you will understand. It is imperative that you come. Have your bow at the ready!”
And we enter the mist… I am vaguely dizzy as we cross the mist… Then we hit the golden veil… I feel the tingle and we are through…
And I see my parents fighting the trolls; completely outnumbered…
I don’t hesitate. I grab my first arrow and nock it… I dance between the trolls and the first arrow lodges between his eyes from two hundred paces. The troll’s eyes roll into the back of his head and he drops as I spin, nocking another arrow and shooting at another troll. I see my mother shoot at the same one and our arrows both hit dead center. The troll drops dead… This ‘dance’ continues for what seems forever…
And then, it is over. The trolls are all dead…and I drop into a dead oblivion….
I come to…hungry…and weak. I look up and see Miri; she is holding my hand… I look over and say weakly, “Mother! How? I don’t understand! It has been six months…!” Her face shimmers and she is clearly an Elf… She smiles at me and says, “My daughter! You are alive! You found the Elves! Good girl! I knew you could do it! You saved us, daughter-of-mine!”
I look up and see the clear image of Ainathiel that I remember from the chalk drawing. I look over and see the bloodied face of the same image of ‘George’ that I remember from the other chalk drawing. I am so confused—but so happy!
I blink…the same images are still there… I say, “I don’t understand…it has been six months… Mother? You are an Elf—and the Queen? Father? King George of the Humans?”
Both laugh and Miri hands me several beancakes as she helps me sit up. I hungrily devour the cakes and look at my parents…
Mother smiles and both parents hug me. Mother says in Elvish, “I understand from Miriel that you have chosen the name of Nellethiel…and why. I concur, my sweet daughter. I also understand that you have embraced your true self…” I look up at her and nod—wide-eyed. She closes her eyes and sings a beautiful song in Elvish that I recognize from long ago…
I feel the crack in the ward widen…then split wide open…and then fall away…
I feel my body changing… I am becoming the girl I know I am… I am also…maturing… And I black out again…
I open my eyes and look into my Mother’s face. I see her clearly Elven features looking down at me and reach up to touch her pointed ears. I say, “I don’t understand…”
She smiles at me and says, “I will explain it all later. We need to get back to the Elven Realm, now! There may be more trolls—or worse—coming for us. You are safe now, sweet daughter-of-mine. You are safe—and so are we…”
We quickly pack up our things and start moving. I feel different, but don’t have time to dwell on it…
We reach the golden veil and pass through… There is no mist this time; but we stop shortly after passing through the veil…and settle down to rest. One of the male Elves hurries off, to alert my Aunt, but the rest of us stop and set up camp…
I finally have a chance to take account of myself. I feel different. Miri looks at me with a…surprised…look. Before I can ask, my Mother comes to see me and asks, “Nelle, Miri says you prefer that over Nellethiel… Nelle, how do you feel?” I look at Mother and say, “I have no idea! I thought you and Father were dead! That is…taking into account that I could not even remember you! How do I feel? I find out…no thanks to you, that I am likely the daughter of the Queen of Elves. THEN, I find out…again, no thanks to you you…that I am ALSO the daughter of the King of humans… And THAT is after that I find out that I am the DAUGHTER and not the SON of ANYONE! HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL? Oh, AND HOW IN THE DEEPEST DUNGEONS OF THE GODDESSES’ WORST VISION OF HELL ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?”
My Mother—and Father—BOTH laugh. Mother says, “I understand your confusion. No, Sweetie—I DO! I had to bind you as a young daughter—disguised as our prepubescent son to hide you from prying eyes… That was almost a hundred human years ago—I bound you as a pre-pubescent boy…to protect us all. I will explain all in more detail later…but, now, we have a chance to win… A chance to unite Humans and Elves—through your Father—and me, through YOU… You have to understand that when the ward was broken—well, it broke the binding that kept you prepubescent as a boy… You have caught up lost time as a pubescent girl…” And I fall back into an exhausted, dreamless sleep…
I come to…it is pitch black—but the stars in the sky are bright. Mother is sitting there holding my hand… I blink the exhaustion from my eyes and accept the offered beancake from her. I sit up and bite into the cake. I take another large bite and hungrily swallow it. Before I take another bite, I ask, “Mother? You are my Mother, right? You are the Queen of Elves, right? How…?” I take another bite of beancake, chew it, and swallow… Absent an answer, I ask, “I don’t understand… How can you still survive after six months…?”
She smiles and squeezes my hand as she says, “Yes, Nelle. I am your mother. Yes, I am the Queen of Elves. And I survived because you came back and saved me…and your father… Before you ask, yes, he is the King of Humans… I know you are confused… I will explain more, later… But, time flows differently in the Elven Realm. Six months in that Realm can be like six seconds in the human realm…or six thousand years… Do you remember passing through a mist on the way to us? That is a true time…mixer…”
I blink…and ask, “So…what does that make me?” She laughs and says, “My…OUR beautiful daughter. When the binding broke, it reversed the…necessary prepubescence…and reversed the male ward. You had been bound to not entering puberty for many human years… You made up for that in…moments…when the ward was broken—as the girl you were born to be. You now are the equivalent of a sixteen-year-old human girl…or a nearly three-hundred year-old Elven girl. Either way…you are a girl on the very precipice of becoming a beautiful woman!”
I look at her confused. I see Miri and she nods and smiles… Both hold my hands and I stand…I look at my reflection in the nearby brook…the one I am named after. I gasp as I see the beautiful copper-haired young woman with the pointed ears… The one that is a mix of the bright red-headed Human King and the golden-blonde Elven Queen. I appear to be about the same age as Miri…and just as beautiful… Somehow, I know that I don’t just appear that way…I am that girl now…even outwardly…
Miri says, “Yes, Nelle…you are now fully a girl… When your ward broke…you…well, you caught up with your…heritage…” I sigh and say, “I still don’t understand… It has been six months… How are you both still alive…? And…how did I gain six years of human…maturity…? Which I know relates to much more in Elven terms…”
Miri laughs and says, “Silly, cousin-of-mine! Mother and I have told you that human and Elven timelines are not synchronized… It was not hard to find the timeline that your parents were fighting the trolls…especially since they had not perished in your memories… The mist transferred us to the proper timeline…”
I close my eyes and thank the Goddesses. Then I ask, “And what now?” Mother answers, “Now, we go and answer to my People…”
“Now, we go and answer to my People…”
I am tired, but not bone-weary anymore. It seems that when the ward broke, so did the energy-sapping blackness that would overtake me every time I did anything that called on my true self’s power. I am not craving protein as much, either, it seems. I sit and look into the fire. Father is sitting on the other side and I get up to go sit by him.
He smiles at me and says, “You have turned into the beautiful daughter that I knew you would be. How are you feeling, Brooke?” I smile at him…it has been quite some time since anyone called me by the English version of my name. I say, “Tired…but strangely energized, as well.” He nods and says, “There is much you will have to learn about yourself in the coming months… Drakyre will know you exist by now…and you must be prepared.”
I look at him and ask, “Drakyre?” He looks at me intently and says, “He was once human; he called himself Drake Valkyre because he claimed to be a descendent of the Valkyrie. Over time, his name has been shortened and contracted; he is now known only as Drakyre.” I nod and say, “Aunt Lothi has told me a bit about him… He bound himself to a demon spirit and is slowly taking over the outer realm?”
Father nods and says, “And he won’t stop there… We have to get the elves and the Humans back together…if we are to have a chance to hold him back. We would need for the dwarves to join us to even have a chance of defeating him; something I am not sure can be done—getting the dwarves to join us, I mean.”
I listen to the fire crackle a few moments and let what he said sink in. Then I look back over at him and ask in a small voice, “Father, Aunt Lothi said something that I don’t understand. She said that you were the ’missing’ king of the humans… Then, Mother said that I was bound to the ward nearly a hundred years ago—yet that I am the equivalent of a three hundred year old Elf—or a sixteen year old human. All of that makes no sense… I mean, how could you be that old…even if I could figure it all out…?”
He laughs and says, “Trying to figure out elven timelines will drive you crazy, Brooke. Your Mother also cast a ward on me…and we have existed in a time warp of sorts for the past hundred years. For all the human world, I have been missing… It was made known, however, that I was still alive and will return to take my rightful place. I am afraid that some of my relatives have been running the kingdom and it is in quite a mess. It is high time that I get back and set things straight.”
He strokes his bright red beard and looks at me for a bit before he continues, “As for your age… Let’s just say for now that the mix of your Mother’s ward, your Elven heritage, and some unique attributes of my family line have come together to produce the girl that you are at this moment in time. It is very complicated, but it is also exactly as it should be.”
At that moment, Aunt Lothi strides into the clearing with two male Elf escorts. I jump up and hug her before she has a chance to say anything. She holds me at arm’s length after we hug and says, “Nelle? Is that really you? Of course it is! My—you have grown!” She smiles and looks over my shoulder—her smile fades. I sense my Mother behind me and step aside. Mother says, “Hello, Lothiriel. Thank you for looking after my daughter.”
Aunt Lothi has a shocked look on her face. Then she scowls and asks, “That is what you have to say to me after just disappearing? I did not even know you had a daughter. Let alone one from a human father. That goes against your own law!” Mother quietly keeps her calm and says, “Yes, that is what I have to say, first--because it is the most important thing to me. Later, when I explain myself in full, you will come to understand that it is also very important for us all.”
Aunt Lothi looks a little taken back…then thoughtful…then she comes over and hugs Mother. She asks, “Where have you been, Ainathiel? There was no sign of you anywhere. It was as if you had disappeared from the face of Mother Earth. It is good to have you back!”
We all sit down by the fire after Aunt Lothi and Miri are introduced to my Father; it turns out they, of course, knew of him, but had never actually met him. Then Mother starts telling the story that we all have been craving to know…
We all sit, enthralled, by my Mother‘s story. She explains that it all started with a visit to sacred Oak… “Nelle, you don’t know this, yet, but it is the Queen’s duty to communicate with the sacred Oak in the middle of the forest. It is the largest and oldest tree in the forest—and has a connection to all of our spirits in the Queendom. It acts as a filter for our souls—cleansing them and purifying us. You will have just celebrated the Elven Day of Thanks? That is in celebration of the Oak. Its deep roots and connection to Mother Earth is what allows it to do so. It is the Queen’s duty to see to the health of the Oak.”
I sit there wide-eyed and listen. This is not news to anyone in the group, but me—but I am really grateful that Mother explains it to me. She continues, “My last visit to the Oak was shocking…there is a poison deep in the ground—where the deepest and oldest roots of the Oak go for nourishment. It is flowing in from the outer realm…and is the doing of Drakyre. So far, the Oak has been able to resist the poison, but its defenses are weakening as the poison grows stronger… It sent me to the Ancient Forest for advice.”
Aunt Lothi and Miri both gasp at that. Aunt Lothi says, “It did not tell me…” Miri says, “The Ancient Forest? And you went alone?” Mother nods and says, “Yes. It was my duty as Queen—I did not want to endanger anyone else. Lothiriel, it did not let you know, because there was nothing for you to do. Nothing you could do.”
She looks at me, knowing I don’t understand, and says, “Nelle, the Ancient Forest is a very large forest in the human realm that is made up of thousands of Sequoia Trees. They are millennia old and know of things that no other beings connected to Mother Earth can. They are also very difficult to communicate with…their minds are so vast… Elves have been known to get lost in the vastness…literally losing their minds… It was a risk I had to take…”
I shudder at the thought. Mother continues, “The other thing about the Sequoias…for them time is completely fluid. It can be difficult to divine what they say—it could be from the past, present, or future—or a mix of all, or none. Anyways, I set protective wards to hide myself and made my way to the Ancient Forest. The Oak had told me to visit with a very specific Sequoia… It took me some time to find it, but it was good I did… It is better at communicating…less confusing…than most.”
She pauses to take a sip of fermented fruit nectar and then continues, “I learned from the Sequoia that the Earth could be saved from the effects of the poison…the flow could be stopped. For this to happen, two special individuals are key… Two Elf-human Halflings… One that is also of mixed Darkness and Light—and one that is of mixed royal heritage…of both Elven and human royalty…”
There are gasps all around the fire…
I wake up to Miri’s insistent shaking and her whispering in my ear, “Nelle. Nelle… Nelle! Wake up! We are getting ready to leave… I wipe the sleep from my eyes and sit up. I groan, “What did we get? Two hours of sleep?” Miri nods and says, “Yes. That is plenty for an Elf. Get up! Here is some melon…” I groan and say, “But I am only half Elf…” I take the melon and quickly swallow it. Surprisingly, I am quickly wide awake, though, and ready to go.
We are in less of a hurry going back to the castle than we had been coming to my parent’s rescue. I walk between my parents and revisit the last part of Mother’s story, “So, Mother. After you got the information from the Sequoia, how did you convince Father to…well…, you know…?” Father laughs and says, “She was very convincing. She waltzed right into my castle, asked for an audience, and outlined her proposal… In reality it was a proposal… At first, our union was one of necessity… Over time, it has become much, much more…” He looks over at her fondly and she returns the look.
I muse, “And Mother, you realized that the Black Witch was the first of the Halflings mentioned…the only Halfling in existence. One that just so happened to meet the other criteria… But, that the second had to be your child… Yours…and Father’s…?” She smiles and nods, as she says, “Yes, it was the only solution that fit what the Sequoia foretold. It took quite some convincing—but, eventually, your Father saw the light.” She giggles and squeezes my hand.
I shake my head, still confused, and ask, “So…I still don’t understand what Vanmoriel and I have to do with any of this…” Mother shakes her head and says, “The Sequoia wasn’t clear on that either…at least not to me. All I know is that you are part of the key to opening relations back up between humans and Elves…and Vanmoriel is the other part. Once humans and Elves work together, the poisonous stream can be stemmed…”
I drop back next to Miri. It is still weird to be the same height as her… I say, “Miri, I don’t understand any of this. Do you?” She shakes her head and says, “No, Nelle. Not really… But, it looks like life is going to be interesting for the next little bit… Now, straighten up, girl! Look proud! You look good in your Mother’s clothes, by the way... You were just lucky she had some extra ones in her pack—or you would be walking into town naked, right now!”
She giggles as the group enters the edge of town…
NOTE: This is the end of the first book. As with all good fantasy tales, it has to be in at least a trilogy, right? If there is interest, I will start posting Book 2, soon. Just let me know!
This is the continuing saga of a once lost and orphaned boy—now a Princess in her own right.
Shauna
I stand up straight and tall on the pedestal; but I am fidgety. I am being fitted for my coronation gown and have been standing here for what seems like hours while she pins, and snips, and pins, and sews…
To distract myself, I think back over the events of the last week…ever since Miri and I had rescued my parents. Once we had arrived back at the castle and everyone saw that Mother, the missing Queen of Elves, was back…well, all Hell broke loose. Then, even more broke loose when they found out I really am her Halfling daughter… conceived by the King of Humans; in defiance of her own law.
From that point on, it was all about her explaining why she had left and had had me—and me getting ready to be crowned as Princess. The first Halfling Princess ever in the history of the Elves; no pressure at all. Oh, wait—there is also the small expectation that I will somehow be able to make nice with the Black Witch and, together with her, save the forest, including our ‘Tree of Life’—a very old Oak in the middle of the forest, from a stream of poison seeping in from the cursed outer realm. Like I said, “No pressure at all!”
The seamstress looks up at me and asks, “What did you say, Princess?” I roll my eyes. Did I say that out loud? I sigh and say, “Nothing, Melda, I was just talking to myself. Are we almost done? My feet are killing me.” She snorts and says, “We will be done in due time, Princess. Just a little longer…”
An hour later, I finally get down off of the pedestal. I kick off the really high heels and limp out of the room bare-footed. I nearly run into Miri waiting outside the door. She giggles and says, “Well, it is about time you got out of there!” I give her a nasty scowl and retort, “Maybe I can abdicate. Let’s go tell Mother, right now!” Miri giggles again and we go to the dining hall.
Mother gives me a nasty scowl as we enter the hall and I am carrying my heels. I sigh and slip them back on. I whisper to Miri, “How do you stand these things? I never had to wear them before Mother got back!” She whispers back, “No, you never had to wear them until you turned into an adult woman. At your age, it is expected… Especially, as royalty. And, yes, I wore them…you just never noticed... Well, and I didn’t when we were out practicing archery, of course.” I groan and say, “And this bra…these boobs are so…inconvenient!” Miri giggles and we sit down to eat.
I won’t fidget! I won’t fidget!
I stand straight and tall…in front of the crowd. Like I have a choice in the ultra-tight coronation gown…and the corset that won’t let me take more than half a breath at a time… I know I look awesome, though!
Mother carries the crown over to me…presenting it to the crowd the whole way. She lifts it high…slowly sets it on my head…and…the crowd roars… I am now officially the crown princess of the Elves… Oh, don’t forget, though I am still a Halfling—no pressure…
I look at the crowd roaring and blush. A few days ago, I did not expect this to be happening. There was a lot of discontent that Mother even considered crowning me… That got worse when she would not change the law on Elf-human bonds—not that anyone wanted to; it was just the principal that she was allowed and no one else. She settled things down, though, by pressing the message delivered by the Sequoia. She also explained that it opened up the possibility of reestablishing relations between the races, which could change the law, if a way could be figured out on how to screen Darkness-tainted humans…
I look down and see my Father smiling up at me. I still have no idea how this coronation plays into my role as a human princess—again, no pressure! I know that he is leaving to go back to the human realm in the morning and retake the crown. I am to follow him in several months to help foster relations between the races, before embarking on the mission to stem the poisonous ‘flow’ from the outer realm. But first, I have to learn to work with my Halfling counterpart; the Black Witch.
Mother brings me out of my reverie, as she says, “Nellethiel, it is time to go to the clearing.” I nod and pick up the small red velvet bag, carefully tied closed with a golden drawstring. I very slowly get down off the podium, taking each stair carefully. Between the long gown, the ultra-high heels, and the tight corset pushing my now formidable breasts up into my face, my balance is off and the dress is a tripping hazard. Just HOW did I get to be a girl again? I didn’t have these issues as a boy…
I take up my spot at the head of the procession and slowly make my way to a clearing about a quarter mile outside of the main castle area. I nearly trip on several roots and stones, but make it without falling on my face. Miri keeps promising I will get better at this…it should would be nice if it was NOW!
When we reach the clearing, I continue on to the center, while the rest of the procession forms a circle around the perimeter. I carefully open the small bag and gently let the precious acorn from the Oak ‘Tree of Life’ fall into my hand. I kneel down, unsteady on my heels, and place the small seed into a prepared hole in the fertile earth. There is a small watering can waiting for my use and I pour water onto the small mound after scraping the loose dirt into the hole.
Then…I sing… Mother had taught me the ‘Coronation Song’. It is a slow, almost melancholy song to begin with…then becomes faster-paced and more upbeat…then positively happy. As I sing, the acorn sprouts, then starts to quickly grow…and mature. By the time I am finished, there is a small oak sapling—almost as tall as I am—standing where the hole stood a few minutes ago.
I smile at my Mother, tears in my eyes. This is the next generation Tree of Life. Every newly crowned Crown Princess plants a new oak, which is the new Tree of Life when she takes over as Queen. I take an emotional and shaky breath, still totally shocked that I actually created a tree, and stand up.
I hug Father and say, “Must you go? I just got you back…” He hugs me back, tightly, and says, “You know I must, Princess. I will see you at the Eagle’s Ledge in a few short months. Make nice with Vanmoriel…learn to work with her. Then come and reconnect with your Human heritage. You are one half of free Earth’s hope… I know you will be the savior you are determined to be, my daughter!”
I look at him and want to scream at him… Talk about ‘no pressure’ …then I remember not remembering him…thinking I had lost him forever; and I sob… I say, “I will see you soon, Father. I will expect to be treated as a Princess, you know!” He snickers and says, “Yes, Milady!”
And he crosses through the golden veil. A minute later, he is on a horse…galloping away…
I look at Mother, Aunt Lothi, and Miri. I grimace and whine—very un-Princess-like, “Do I have to?” Miri rolls her eyes, and says, “Nelle, get a grip! You are only meeting with the Black Witch for a play date. How bad can it get…?” Then she giggles and says, “OK, don’t answer that!”
This time, Mother rolls her eyes and says, “Nelle, Vanmoriel will be fine. I have explained the prophecy to her. She is looking forward to meeting you.” Now, it is my turn to roll my eyes. I say, “Mother, I have met her. She tried to kill me!” This time, Aunt Lothi speaks up, “Nelle, if Vanmoriel had wanted you dead, you wouldn’t be here. Right now, it is not about what you feel comfortable with—it is about the safety of your people. Get over your prejudice and go meet with your Halfling cousin!”
I gasp and ask, “She is my cousin? Who…?” Mother gets impatient and says, “It was a figure of speech, Nelle. Now, GO! I am tired of this procrastination!” I lower my head in shame and say, “Yes, Mother.”
I dip a toe into the brook and Laesneniel greets me. She bows and says, “Hello, Crown Princess. The Black Witch, Vanmoriel, is on her way.” I feel that whoosh of wind—like long ago—and the witch stands on the bank opposite me. She reaches out a black-clawed hand and says, “So, the other Halfling graces me with her presence.” I swallow my pride and take her withered hand. I climb out of the brook and onto the opposite bank.
She smiles; she is deceptively beautiful. Her coal-black hair shimmering in the light of the full moon. Her bright red lips, plump and iridescent. Her perfect teeth nearly glowing in the dark, they are so white.
She looks at me intently and says, “You have developed well, Halfling. I was not sure you could survive when we last…met… I am glad you live—we can be a formidable team.”
She leads me through the forest—on the human side of the brook—to a cottage. She enters and beckons me in. A fire is slowly dying in the fireplace, the embers glowing bright red. I look around, expecting…I don’t know what… Children in cages? It looks like a normal cottage; neatly kept and clean.
She motions for me to sit in a chair and goes to stoke the fire. Soon the kettle of water is hot and she is making a pot of tea—from some mix of unknown herbs… She quietly lets it steep as I continue to scrutinize my surroundings. After a couple of minutes, she hands me a cup of the hot brew. I sniff it… Peppermint, orange…and? I take a sip…Oh…cinnamon……and…feel…heavy…but happy…
I wake up in bed…but where? Then, I remember… The Black Witch’s cottage! I look around. It is barely dawn…and hardly noticeable—there is so little light that makes it to the bottom of the Witch’s Hole.
I quietly slip out of bed and make my way to the door. I am about to open it up, when I hear, “If you need to use the bathroom, I have indoor plumbing. It is over here…” I sigh and follow the sound. I was planning on escaping home…but, I know Mother and Father are counting on me. As are the whole of the Elven and Human races… No pressure!
I take care of my morning business and come back into the main part of the cottage to the smell of frying bacon. I have not had meat in so long, I find myself both salivating at the smell—and gagging at the thought. When she is done, she places a plate of fried eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes on the table in ‘my’ spot. I sit down and fight the urge to gag—then take a bite. I moan—I had missed the flavor… I quickly down the plate of food and sit back to let it settle. Then, I run outside and throw it all up… Every bit of the wonderful breakfast is soon on the ravine’s floor…
The Black Witch hands me a glass of water and some melon. She says with a semi-sympathetic tone, “You are a Halfling. The ward hid your Elven side…now it is free… You cannot tolerate meat—even though your other half needs it to survive. Here, here is a platter of fruit. Eat up! It is what your dominant Elvin side will accept. You will need you energy for what is next.
I finish the last bit of my melon and…am attacked by the witch! Before I get a chance to even think about reacting… I am going to die! How could this happen? I was just trying to think of a way to start the conversation and she sends a stinger at me.
I shake my head and think. I have not learned many defensive wards or charms; the sounds of the spells, however, are the best motivator of creativity. In a few minutes, Vanmoriel and I are both panting—out of breath. We are at a standstill…of sorts… Vanmoriel could easily have killed me; but I have not been bad; and held my own for a first makeshift lesson. Vanmoriel smiles; it is a scary smile, but a smile, none-the-less…
I stand there…waiting to see what she will do next…
Vanmoriel looks at me and quickly calms her rapid breathing. She looks slightly pale and wordlessly goes over to the table. She eats a small piece of strange looking dried fruit and looks immediately more like her semi-evil self. She cocks her head to one side and asks, “Well?”
Well, WHAT? I can’t help myself; I say, “I don’t get it! What was that for? Why did you attack me? I thought you were supposed to be helping me…” She laughs—at least I think that is what it is; it is sort of a combination of a cackle, giggle, and crowing. She sits down like nothing just happened and says, “I had to test you; see what your instincts are. I needed you off-guard; not thinking about it. They are not too bad; something we can work with. You have rudimentary skills at defensive wards and charms. The ones your mother cast on you won’t go far in Drakyre’s world, however. You are going to have to learn more—stronger ones. Those take a lot of energy.”
She nibbles on a piece of bacon and says, “It has taken me a long time to be able to eat just this bit of bacon without my body revolting. We will talk about energies later, though. There is still a price you owe me for crossing the brook that day…regardless of what your Aunt says.”
She nibbles on a bit more bacon and says, “Your elf half allows to you to produce effective defensive charms and wards. Your elf half, however, relies on physical offensive skills. I understand you are decent with a bow and arrow.” I nod and she continues, “Well, those will be ineffective against Drakyre and many of his minions. That is where offensive spells come in. You get that ability from your human side. That is what makes us formidable as Halflings, being capable of both. Of course, you more so, given your heritage on both sides. The royal elf family is very strong in Earth magic and produces very strong wards and charms. Your father’s family line is strong at tapping into many sources of energy and has produced many powerful witches and wizards. I have been looking forward to meeting you for a long time…to see what the result of that union is.”
I give her a side-long look and ask, “Why? So you can somehow pervert me? Test your own skills? Why should I trust you at all?” She laughs in her strange way and taps her long nails on the table in thought. She absently draws circles with them for a bit, then says, “You shouldn’t. It is good that you don’t. However, we need each other…and so we are going to have to learn to trust one another—like your mother and I did…”
I look at her in shock and ask the obvious, “Mother? What has she got to do with anything?” Vanmoriel smiles that crooked smile of hers and says, “Well, if she had not trusted me, then you wouldn’t be here. And I don’t mean just here in my cottage, right now. I mean, not even born. Your mother brought your father to me to be tested for the Dark Taint. I am the only person that can reliably test a human for the Taint. Once she was sure that he was free, then she committed the crime against her own law to conceive you through a union with him…”
I gasp. Can this be true? Somehow, I know it is…I have her to thank for my very existence—as much as the Sequoia, my Mother, and my Father… My fate is intertwined with hers…
“Do you know how much energy it costs me NOT to blow you to bits? Concentrate!” She is pelting me with blue lightning and seems to be in more pain than I am. I retort, “What do you mean?” She sighs as we take a break. She says, “Spells take a lot of energy. Combine spells with wards and the energy consumption is near catastrophic—that is why we have to eat so much. The dried Moon Fruit is an excellent source of energy, but very hard to come by. I have to set up a ward to filter my spell so that I don’t kill you. It is draining me way too fast.” She eats a bit of the dried fruit and looks better. I ask, “Why don’t you just use a lighter spell?” She mimics me in a mocking voice, “Why don’t you just use a lighter spell? Oh, so you are the expert, now?! Well, Your Highness, it is not that easy. I am so powerful that I can’t just send a trickle at you. That would be like the Mighty Water Falls trying to just spit on you… Now, concentrate and put that ward I taught you in place…”
I concentrate and put the ward in place—I feel the energy drain. She moves about a hundred paces away and plies me with blue lightning. I feel a slight tingle, but nothing else—except more energy drain. The intensity of the blue increases, and so does the tingle, but not bad—the energy starts going down faster, though. Then there is a furnace blast of blue that comes at me. The tingle turns into a sting, but the ward holds…and I run out of energy. I black out…
I come to in the bed again…I feel weak. She gives me some bacon and tells me to take small nibbles. I feel my face turn green, but do as told. I take very small nibbles and feel my stomach rumble and start to revolt. She quickly hands me some melon and a beancake and I hurriedly eat them. My stomach settles and I start to feel better.
She looks at me with a grin and says, “Well, the good news is that your ward held—even up to the full level of my attack. The bad news is, if I was a Drakyre minion, you would be dead, since you shorted out right after my attack. You would have been easy pickings… You will have to learn energy conservation… So much to learn and so little time…” I groan—a massive headache coming on—and ask, “Why can’t I have some of your Moon Fruit, if it is so good?” She eyes me wickedly and says, “It takes a long journey through the elf realm to the borderlands of the dwarves to find the bushes that grow the fruit. It is the price a human has to pay for me to allow them into the realm—they have to go and get a large bag of the fruit for me. The dwarves don’t really use the fruit—but they don’t want anyone else using it, either. It is a rather dangerous endeavor to get any. The last vestiges I have were the payment your mother gave me when I scanned your father. I am nearly out. You will, of course, refill my supply as payment for crossing my river…”
I shake my head and say, “Aunt Lothi explained that the tariff does not apply to me…” She gives me a wicked grin and say, “Maybe so…but when we start combining wards and spells, you are going to quickly burn out without the fruit… As an elf, you can quickly cross the realm, get the fruit, and return. It would not take you more than a couple of days… I can also show you an invisibility ward that will keep you hidden as you pick the fruit…”
I near the border between the Elven and the dwarf realms. It had only taken me a little less than a day to cut across a small triangular wedge of Elven territory that cuts in between the Human and dwarf realms. I still come out at a spot that is pretty deep into the foothills of the dwarf realm, from a Human geographical perspective. I look through the golden shimmer of the Elven Realm’s veil and see the bushes about halfway up a small mountain. They are only about a quarter mile away, but they may as well be 25 miles…
I sigh…and concentrate on the invisibility ward. It won’t last long; it drains huge amounts of energy. But, if I can make it to the bushes before it gives out, then I can sustain it with the energy from the bushes’ fruit. I run…fast… I feel the tingle of the veil as I pass through it… I start to feel weak…black spots start to form in front of my eyes. I concentrate to maintain the ward, knowing that I am almost out of energy and will pass out. I make it to the first of the bushes and dive into them, effectively hiding myself, just as I can’t maintain the ward anymore. I greedily eat a couple of the fruit. They have a bitter-sweet flavor, but I can feel my energy levels rising almost instantly. It is hard to believe how quickly my levels rejuvenate—and Vanmoriel says the dried fruit is even more potent…
I quickly fill my sacks with the fruit, eat two more, and concentrate on setting up my invisibility ward. I am just about to say the enchantment, when I hear a noise. I peer through the bushes and see a band of…what must be dwarves. Having never seen any, I am not sure. What else can they be? They are interesting looking creatures—small, but tough. They are carrying various lethal-looking weapons—battle axes, maces, things like that. And…they are getting much too close for comfort.
I quickly finish the ward and check to ensure that I am invisible-then quietly move to a different spot. I groan inwardly when I notice the small pile of pits I had spit out from the fruit I had consumed. I also have to continue eating the fruit to maintain the ward as I quietly sit waiting for the dwarves to pass. Unfortunately, they notice the pile of pits as they are walking by…
I barely am able to slip by them as they start yelling and screaming and swinging their axes through the bushes in angry swipes. My heart is beating so fast and hard when I slip the golden veil and back into the Elven Realm that I think it is going to pound right out my mouth. I let the ward drop and quickly make my way back towards the brook and Vanmoriel’s cottage. Of course, it takes a little longer this time, since I am weighed down with several sacks of Moon Fruit…
I come up on the brook the next day and decide to have some fun. I eat one of the fruits and enchant myself with the invisibility ward. I step across the brook on the stepping stones and see Vanmoriel ahead. I just want to sneak up on her to show her how good I have gotten with the ward. I am still about fifty paces away when I am hit with a semi-strong bolt of blue lightening that completely paralyzes me…not to mention makes me feel like I am melting in one of the dwarves furnaces…and my ward disintegrates.
I hear Vanmoriel’s laugh. She turns and says, “Never rely on a camouflage charm alone to protect you, Princess. First, no one crosses the brook without me knowing. Second, that ward does not work on individuals who have touched the Darkness. I could see you plain as day.” She takes the bags from my still frozen fingers and says, “Good girl! This is a nice haul… You will help me dry them for our little journey…”
And suddenly I can move again. I yell at her, “You could have told me the ward does not work on everyone! What if those dwarves had Darkness in them?” She looks at me and asks, “What dwarves?” I tell her about the party of dwarves that had almost found me. She looks slightly…concerned. She says, “But they did not seem to see you, right?” I shake my head and say, “No, they seemed to just be swinging blindly…” She smiles and says, “Good! I was not sure that I had adjusted that ward properly for you. It is not as if I can test it, you know—being as how I can see you even when you are using it properly…” I groan and decide that when this is all over, I am going to kill her…
The next morning, I wake up in tremendous pain. I double over and feel like the cramps in my abdomen are going to kill me. I moan and Vanmoriel comes over to see what is wrong. She asks, “How many of the Moon Fruit did you eat yesterday?” I shrug and moan at the same time, “I don’t know ten…fifteen…” She looks at me in thought and asks, “Is it time for your menstruation?” I am hit by another cramp and gasp, “What are you talking about?” She looks at me, “Your menstruation, your monthly visitor, your period?” I give her a blank look and wince at another nasty cramp. She sighs and says, “This is your first cycle…? Of course it is… So, I can’t say if this normal for you…or whether the Moon Fruit enhanced the cramps…something it is known to do if too much is consumed…”
Then I feel wet and sticky between my legs and scream… Vanmoriel gives me a harsh look and says, “Get over it! It is just a little blood—you are a girl now! This will happen every month…our monthly curse… I will fix you something that will ease the pain… I will also give you a pad…you will need to wash your sheets, though—I don’t want my sheets stained.”
She hands me a pad and shows me what to do, with a sour look on her face, when I give her another blank stare. She fixes up some potion and has me drink it. She says, “These are things your mother should be handling, Princess. I am not here to explain the birds and the bees to you…” After a few minutes, the potion seems to kick in and I feel a lot better. I get up and am surprised at the amount of blood in my bed. Vanmoriel says, “The Moon Fruit can cause heavy bleeding and cramps. Keep that in mind, girl.”
I spend the rest of the day washing and drying my sheets—something that I have never done—and helping Vanmoriel dry the Moon Fruit…
The next day, I am feeling better, but still take some of the potion, just in case. After breakfast, Vanmoriel says, “OK, today we are going to start practicing spells. This is completely different than charms and wards. They feed off of completely different energy—but can drain you just the same as wards… Wards are usually more a trickle drain, since they have to be maintained for periods of time; spells are usually more a sudden drain, since they normally are like shooting an arrow...quick and they are over…”
She demonstrates a spell by shooting a bolt of blue lightning straight at me. I am caught off guard, but have learned to maintain a small protective ward at all times; it strengthens itself when I am attacked. The blue lightning bounces off of me harmlessly…but I feel the drain. She smiles and then explains how to do the simple attack spell…
After a couple of failed attempts, she starts getting frustrated. She almost shouts at me, “You need to find your human side—that is the only way to tap into the proper energies. Elves can’t do it—you have become too focused on you elven side.” I concentrate really hard and finally ‘see’ where I need to focus internally…I get a small fizzle of a bolt to shoot from my fingers. I jump in surprise when it actually works…I am also surprised that my bolt was green After several more attempts, I get a stronger, but still very small bolt to appear. An hour later, I get a bolt to reach Vanmorien at twenty paces.
After that, we quit and go to prepare dinner. I ask about my green lightning. Vanmorien says, “The color of the person’s lightning is dependent on many things. Mine is blue because I am neither good, nor bad—light, nor dark. Why that translates to blue, I have no idea—but I am the only person that I have ever known to have that color. People on the Dark spectrum, usually have red or black lightning. Drakyre, for example has lightning that is blood red, but so dark that it is nearly black—you will never meet any deadlier than his. Most humans on the Light side, have either white or greyish lightning. Green is unusual, but I think it reflects your Elven half…and your ties to the Earth energies through that half. You should have some unique capabilities once you practice enough to actually carry out a meaningful spell…”
After we eat, she says, “Go to bed and rest, Princess. Tomorrow, I will take you to your father’s castle…”
Vanmoriel wakes me early… Well, she gets me out of bed—I was already awake. I seem to be adjusting to the Elven sleep cycle. While two hours is not quite enough for my Human half, about two and a half to three is completely sufficient.
We have a quick breakfast and I help clean up. I pack my few things and Vanmoriel shows me a new charm, “It is actually a low-energy charm; it is designed to use as little of your energy as possible, since you will be using it for some time. It will, however, not stand up to close scrutiny.” I look at the reflection of my fully humanized face; my pointy ears are gone, my face is rounder, I am not so waif-like—but if I really look closely, it begins to waiver. She then shows me the charm that uses more energy, but that will stand up to close encounters… Not that I should be in any situations needing that. I am surprised at the difference in energy drain.
Finally, she shows me how to apply the charm to her. I feel the same drain as if I had applied it to myself. I give her a curios look. She says, “When you came here a few days ago, your mother had applied a simple protective ward to you. She maintained control of the ward, however—and, as such, suffered the energy drain. There are ways to transfer control of the ward, or simply to transfer the energy consumption.” She shows me how to transfer the energy consumption to her and I feel the energy stop, but she still looks human. I can still fully manipulate the charm. Then she shows me how to transfer control over to her, as well. She still looks fully human, but I can no longer manipulate the charm. She easily makes her own changes now.
She leaves my charm as is and has me put one of my own back in place—and we set off down a trail on the Human side of the brook. We don’t take up a fast pace, but we still cover ground. Vanmoriel is fairly quiet, which gives me a chance to think.
After some time, I look over at her and ask, “Vanmoriel, one thing has been bothering me.” She laughs her strange laugh and asks, “Only one?” I blush and say, “Well, no, there are more… But this does not make sense to me… You say your price to cross the brook for Humans is to replenish your supplies of Moon Fruit. If they however cross into the Elven Realm, how do enforce payment?” She giggles…I think. Then she looks at me and mumbles a ward that I can’t fully hear. Suddenly, I can’t help myself…I stand there and energetically jump up and down…I can’t stop. She terminates the ward and I stop…my heart beating fast from the exercise.
She asks, “Do you understand now?” I catch my breath and say, “I…think…so… You place some sort of compulsion ward on them?” She nods and says, “You could have fairly easily broken that ward if you had tried…it is hard to force someone to do something that they really do not want to do. But, if I had asked your permission to place the ward on you, it would have been become binding and completely unbreakable. As part of the deal to cross the brook, the Humans have to submit to the ward. I also transfer the energy consumption to them, although I maintain control, and that gives them extra incentive to follow through. The compulsion is fairly simple—they simply have this uncontrollable desire to bring me a large bag of the fruit…no matter the cost…”
I nod. Devious, but not inherently evil…they do submit to it… “And Aunt Lothi said it was a win-win,” I ask. She nods and says, “If they agree, I get the fruit. If they don’t, the Elves don’t have to deal with the Human. Remember—relations have been broken off…” I ask, “Why not simply completely shut down the border, then?” She smiles and says, “Well, you will have to ask your mother that question, but I think in reality, the Elves are eternal optimists…they hope that relations can be resumed and don’t want a fully black or white option at this time…this leaves a sort of grey area for them…”
I nod and we continue on in quiet for quite some time…
About midway through the three-day journey to my Father’s castle, Vanmoriel pulls me aside—into the forest. A band of four Humans is coming our way from the opposite direction. I give her a curious look and she motions for me to be quiet. When they are range, she blasts them with blue lightning and they all fall lifeless on the spot. I gasp and ask, “What? Why?” She just pulls me out into the path and says, “They are not dead, Princess. It is time for another lesson. I sensed that one of these Humans is tainted by Darkness. I can sense this from quite a distance. I can teach you to sense it, as well. It will require you to touch the individual, though. You will need this skill at your father’s fortress.”
She shows me how one of the Humans has a strange black cast; I don’t know how else to explain it…like he has two shadows… The others don’t… When she is sure that I have learned how to distinguish them, she places a short amnesia ward on them and we hurry off before they come to. They will have no idea what happened to them…
Two days later, we are very close to Eagle’s Ledge…my Father’s fortress visible high on the mountain in front of us…not far from the dwarves’ realm. Vanmoriel looks at me and says, “This is where we part ways…for now. Your father has some lessons for you…then we must fight the poisonous stream… Keep your ward up and tight my little Halfling sister… I will meet you again in four weeks…”
And she turns…and is gone…
I look at the castle nestled in the mountainside ahead of me, square my shoulders, stiffen my spine, and march across the mote to the gate….
The guard at the gate gives me a hard time. I say, completely exasperated, “I am the King’s daughter. Let me in! He looks at me and laughs… Luckily Father happens by… He sees me and comes to hug me. He asks, “Brooke, why have you not come into the castle…?” The guard is not a happy camper when Father finds out that he did not follow protocol…
A few minutes later, I am sitting in a large dining hall with Father, alone, dining on a vegetarian meal. It is of good quality, though not as fresh as in the Elven Realm. I look at him and ask, “How did the claiming go?” He laughs and says, “Well, there were a few that thought that I had forfeited any right to the throne, since I had been gone so long… That was quickly taken care of, though….”
A pretty red-headed maiden enters the room at that point. Father says, “Brooke, meet Melinda. She is my sister—your Aunt. It is complicated how she has not aged any more than I have, but, suffice it to say, she has the family witching gene… She is going to teach you some things that you will need to know—things that not even the Black Witch knows…family secrets, so to speak…”
I greet Melinda and she takes me to a new room after I finish eating. She smiles at me and says, “That is a fine ward that you have in place to hide your elven features. I can easily detect it, though—but, only because of my inherent powers. I assume you know how to put a stronger one in place to avoid close scrutiny?” I nod and concentrate a few seconds…my stronger ward kicks in and Melinda smiles. She says, “Very good! I could almost be fooled by it. When I am done, you will easily be able to fool me—and with that anyone else…”
The next weeks are all about learning more wards and charms from Aunt Melinda. What Vanmoriel was able to open up to me in terms of wards and charms, Melinda is able to eclipse. By the time it is coming close to Vanmoriel to come pick me up again, I am a virtual encyclopedia of Human ward and charm spells…and I feel that I have barely scratched Melinda’s surface of possibilities…
The weeks in the castle are not without other interesting times, though. I have grown into a beautiful girl…nearly a woman… It is hard for me to adjust…since my most recent memories are those of a young boy. The menstrual cycle is a really hard one to adjust to…I am just starting to bleed again…my second cycle. And I don’t have Vanmoriel to brew me her potion. Surprisingly, Melinda has a different solution that she shows me… But, this monthly curse is not all that I am having to get used to…
Going from a ten year-old boy to a sixteen year-old girl, in a matter of minutes, creates issues that you cannot not really fathom, unless you have gone through it. I suddenly have large breasts that are…well, very pert and create quite the…male-desired…amount of cleavage. I have full, luscious, kissable lips. I have a cute little upturned nose. In all, I have an elf-like face—even under the influence of the charm. I am…hot…desirable…totally sexy from a guy’s point of view. On top of that…I am…lustful—insatiable, really. I mean, let’s face it…I am horny!
And there are all kinds of cute boys around here… I think Father is going to have a heart-attack with my flirting—something I don’t even realize that I am doing.
I actually lose my virginity to a cute young Knight my first week at Eagle’s Ledge—I am still able to maintain sufficient state of mind to scan him for taint; he is clear…which is the last coherent thought I have before succumbing to my first orgasm. Melinda gives me some potion to ensure that there are no…consequences…to my action… That potion is well used during the rest of my stay at the castle… It is just too much fun to not use my new…equipment… I justify it by convincing myself…and Melinda…that I need to practice my scanning… There are a lot of happy knights…and all of them are untouched by taint…which is good news for Melinda; she will pass it on to Father. It is a good thing that Father does not find out how she knows—there might not be ANY knights left, otherwise…
On the twenty-eighth day since my arrival at Eagle’s Ledge, Vanmoriel sends me the message that she is waiting for me at the edge of the woods…at the base of the mountain. I kiss Father good bye and hug Melinda. I make my way down the trail and meet Vanmoriel at the agreed-upon spot. We quickly prepare to travel to the neutral area between the Free-Earth and the outer realm controlled by Drakyre…
We are now the Elves' only hope of saving the Tree of Life…
Vanmoriel tells me that she has done a reconnaissance mission to the borderlands and that there are two stops that we must make before we go there together. The first is back home in the Elven Realm. The second, she will not elucidate on, for now. Try as I might, I can’t get it out of her.
We practice several wards and charms on our way back to the Elven Realm. I think I sort of surprise her with some of the things that I have learned over the past weeks from Aunt Melinda. Finally, on the third day, we reach the Realm and I go in alone. Vanmoriel stays behind in her cottage; for some reason, she won’t enter the Realm…
An hour later, I am back at the castle and hugging Mother, Lothi, and Miri. Mother wastes no time and takes me to the Tree of Life… There she carefully gathers up an acorn from the special store and places it in a velvet pouch for me. I raise an eyebrow and she says, “Vanmoriel has suggested that you take it with you. If you have to use it, trust Vanmoriel on that, then it will be a noble sacrifice—you remember the growing song, right?” I nod, still confused. I know that now is not the time to ask, though.
After I carefully store the acorn in my purse, Mother goes to the great Oak and places her hands on the trunk. She sings another song…one about great sacrifices… Then she has me come and place my hands on the trunk, as well. She continues to sing and I feel the tree vibrate…and a large limb drops to the ground. Mother has me gather one end of the limb and she gathers the other; we walk back to the village—to a small hut. Mother talks to a man, he nods, we leave the limb with the man and we go back to the castle.
Mother takes me to a private room and says, “OK, Daughter, we have an hour or so to talk. I am sorry that I was not there for you when you had your first menstruation…or that I wasn’t there for you for the aftermath that I am sure you felt once you got to your Father’s fortress. Melinda did give you the potion that I taught her to make, correct? The one that protects you? I would have loved to have been there for you for your first heat, but, what you did was so much more important—one of the downsides of being royalty… You have to put your subjects before yourself at all times…”
I look at her and tilt my head… I ask, “Heat? Is that why I was so…insatiable…? It would have been nice to know that was coming… Does Father know…? I mean, I did my best to hide…my actions…from him… Are you saying I didn’t need to?” Mother giggles and says, “Great Tree, no! He has no idea… It is not something that you will go through every cycle, either. Now that you have gone through your first one…and satisfied the biological need, you will be more or less normal for the next year… The potion both kept you from getting pregnant, but tricked a part of your brain into believing that you are. That will reset your clock for a year… The potion works well, but only in conjunction with actual orgasms…and it takes several. Some Elven traits just can’t be tricked… But, tell me…did you enjoy it?”
I feel my face grow bright red and Mother giggles. She says, “Nelle! It is nothing to be ashamed of—we are connected with nature. And there is nothing more natural than the need to procreate—that the act that goes along with that is enjoyable is not our fault.” The heat from the blush in my face dissipates and I grin at Mother. I say, “Well, it was…very nice!”
There is a knock on the door and Mother goes to answer it. She barely opens the door and whispers to someone on the outside. She takes something from the person and closes the door. She returns with the most beautiful bow and arrow set that I have ever seen. She smiles at the glow in my eye and says, “This was made by our best bow-maker from the bough that the Great Oak sacrificed for you. It is infused with your magic…it will be like an extension of yourself. This is a great gift from both the bow-maker, who is retired, and the tree. Cherish it and use it well, Sweet Daughter.”
She comes and gives me a teary-eyed hug. Then she breaks it and says, “And now it is time for you to go meet with Vanmoriel again. I am not happy about this next stop that you must make, but Vanmoriel has convinced me that it is necessary. Then you will face an even worse enemy. Miri will accompany you and the three of you will buy the Elven Folk and Humanity some time—until we can fully defeat Drakyre… May the Goddesses be with you, Daughter-of-Mine!”
Miri and I leave the castle after saying our goodbyes to Mother and Aunt Lothi. We quickly make our way to the crossing point at the brook and then to Vanmoriel’s cottage. She is waiting for us—impatiently…
We start out immediately. After a couple of hours of walking, she looks at both of us and says, “OK, I need to know your skills with the bow…” She points at an impossibly small target almost a quarter mile away… She asks, “So…which of you can hit that…”
Miri and I both string our bows and nock an arrow… We let go at the same time…and both hit the small target dead center…both arrows, for all intents and purposes, in the same hole… Vanmoriel seems satisfied and we move on…
Several hours later, we are in the foothills of some mountain range. I look at Miri and she shrugs. Vanmoriel has been quiet the whole way… I decide to call her ‘Mori’…her name is just too long… She does not like it—but what do I care? I figure we will all be dead in a few days, anyways…
We stop for the night. Mori is quiet again—I think she is not sure how to interact with Miri… Miri and I giggle and are typical ‘teenagers’… Mori rolls her eyes and goes to bed… Miri and talk for a while and then go to sleep ourselves…
Mori is up first, closely followed by Miri… I feel like a late sleeper—even though I only get two and a half hours. I feel great, though, and get up to help with breakfast.
To my surprise, we head up into the mountains after we clean up from our breakfast. I look at Miri and she shrugs. Mori finally says, “We need a very specific product if we are to have any chance of stopping the flow of poison out of the outer realm… Now, be quiet…I would prefer we do not wake it until the very last minute…” I look at Miri again…she is obviously as confused as I am…
We are headed up a mountain with its peak well above us…the further we go, the more Mori urges us to be quiet. Finally, she stops us and quietly puts a ward on all three of us. I am not sure what it does, though. Mori then, finally, tells us what we are about to do, “The ward I just placed on you is tied to my energy; there is not much else I will be able to do at this point…it is a tremendous drain on me to maintain all three wards. It will not make you invisible to the dragon, but it will make you sort of sylph-like…transparent and misty to it.” I almost blurt out, but catch myself just in time, and ask in an urgent whisper, “DRAGON? What dragon?” Mori ignores me and says, “Miri, you will need to distract the dragon by shooting arrows at its head… Try not to kill it; that is not our purpose… So, do not aim for the eyes… Nelle, you will need to aim this special arrow at the base of the dragon’s tail while Miri is distracting it. The arrow is attached to this very fine, but very strong filament…made from the silk of a very special spider. Once you have the arrow in place, this special compartment will collect a pint of the dragon’s blood…and we will pull the arrow back to us. Then, it will be up to me to strengthen the wards to full invisibility to cover our retreat… Any questions?”
Miri and I both look at her like she has suddenly gone crazy… Mori says, “Move! I can’t maintain these wards forever. The dragon is in the cave. Miri, go draw him out and keep her attention while Nelle gets her blood!”
Miri looks at me…pale in the face. I shrug and say, “I guess you only die once.” I hug Miri and she squeezes me back…and we go to literally pester a dragon…
Miri sneaks up in front of the cave opening…but at least five thousand paces out. I climb up above the opening of the cave. I only hope the size of the opening is not an indicator of the size of the dragon… Miri fires a few blind arrows into the cave…and the ground under my feet shakes from the roar inside.
Having never seen a dragon, I am not really sure what to expect. Whatever it was I was expecting, it didn’t do reality justice. The creature that comes storming out of the cave is huge—almost as tall as the Tree of Life, itself. It is greenish-bronze color and at least five hundred paces long. It has a long, thin neck and a small head. Thankfully, it does not have working wings…nor does it seem to breathe fire—at least that was not its first reaction… But it is FAST!
Miri dodges and shoots arrows at its head… They bounce of the tough scales as if they are feathers hitting a steel plate. She is barely fast enough to stay out of the range of its razor-sharp claws. When it is sufficiently far enough out of its cave, I take aim at the soft spot at the base of its tail… There is a small spot that has less dense scales… I shoot and…miss…
Cursing the swiftness of the dragon, I reel in the arrow by its filament, nock the arrow, pull back on the string, breathe, and release it with a song… It hits the spot dead on and the dragon spins looking for what hit it. Miri plies it with arrows again and it spins around to face her again. I yank hard on the thread and the arrow dislodges itself from the beast. I reel it in again… The attached container is full of the dragon’s blood.
I send up the signal arrow and Mori intensifies our ward… We disappear from the dragon’s sight and run for our lives. When we are at a fairly safe distance, we stop and I give Mori several pieces of dried Moon Fruit. After ten minutes of total silence, she is recuperated enough that we can move on…
I say, “I hope I never have to fight a dragon again… Did you see the size of that thing?” Miri nods her head, wide-eyed, and agrees. Mori just says, “Just hope you never have to fight a full-grown one that can fly and spit fire… That was just a baby…"
Armed with the hard-won dragon blood, we start on our journey to the border of the Elven and Outer Realms. It would be much quicker to cut through the Elven Realm, but Mori insists that we skirt the Elven Realm—on the Human side—and cut up along the Elven/Outer Realm border on the Outer Realm side.
“What do you have against the Elven Realm, Mori,” I ask for the hundredth time. She responds the same way every time, “I just prefer not to go there…” So we walk just outside the golden veil in quiet for some time. Finally, I ask, “Mori, if that was a baby dragon—how big are full-grown ones?”
Mori laughs in her strange way and says, “Well, I may have been exaggerating a bit when I said that was a baby. Teenager is more like it, I guess. It won’t get much bigger, but its wings will now start growing and become functional and it will start eating the brimstone in the mountains, close to its lair, and learn to breathe fire. It does not take much brimstone for them to be able to breathe fire for several months…”
I shake my head and we keep moving. The detour we are taking will add three days to our journey, two of which will be in the Outer Realm. I grumble at the thought. We could cut through the safety of the Elven Realm and come out where we need to… I spend a lot of time practicing with my bow and arrows, or practicing charms and wards—especially my invisibility ward. The first time I do that, I almost give Miri a heart attack.
And so, we make it to our first camp site, about a half an hour’s walk from the Human/Outer Realm border. We will cross that dreaded line early in the morning, right after dawn. We eat a cold supper and talk about the plans for the next day. Mori prepares us a little for what we will likely encounter in the Outer Realm.
She tells us, “If we stick close to the golden veil, we should be fairly safe. Nelle, be prepared to cast a protective or invisibility ward over Miri and yourself at a moment’s notice. I will do the same. Invisibility wards will be of less value in the Outer Realm, since many Dark creatures there can see through them. Also, protective wards will have to be iron-solid—there are some nasty creatures over there. Drakyre has created some real horrors out of simple human beings…”
She has Miri and I barely dip the tips of our arrows in the dragon’s blood and says, “It does not take much, be sparing with it—unless you want to go back and visit the baby again.” When we are through, she inspects our work and says, “Good! OK, let’s bed down. We leave in three hours.”
I wake up two and a half hours later, refreshed. Miri and Mori are already up and bustling around. Miri hands me a plate of fruit and Mori gives me a few small pieces of cold bacon. Miri retches when she sees me eat it—I am getting more used to it. It only makes me want to throw up now—not violently throw up. Mori tells me it will take months to get to the point that I will only be slightly queasy…
We pack up our stuff and start the second leg of our journey. After thirty minutes, we pass into the Outer Realm. I am instantly on edge. After another thirty minutes of not seeing anything, though, I laugh to myself. Well, not much going on…not sure what I was worried about… Mori tells me to not get complacent and to stay vigilant—especially when it gets closer to being dark.
And so the day is very draining; always paying attention to every little movement and sound. We make good time, though—always about thirty minutes inside the border from the Elven Realm. Mori says, “There is a greater chance of running into something right by the veil. This is sort of a sweet spot—far enough away from the border, but not too deep inside the Realm…”
And then twilight settles in…and the sounds start picking up. Mori’s and my half-Elven eyes and ears are more sensitive in the dark than a full Human’s. Miri’s are even better. We are still all on edge—although, Mori is putting on a calm demeanor. Miri and I jump at every sound; Mori stays cool.
And so we keep moving for another hour. Then Mori comes to a sudden stop and motions for us to be quiet. She indicates that we should each nock an arrow… We had just done that when this horrible perversion of a Human comes out of the woods and comes straight at us--FAST!
Miri and I both let loose an arrow at the same time. Miri’s hits the creature in the heart. Mine hits it right between the eyes. Smoke comes out of the holes where the arrows are protruding. The creature takes several more steps and falls to the ground less than a hundred paces from us, writhing in pain. Then it is quiet.
Mori says, “Good work, girls. You just met your first vampire. It is actually good that it is a vampire; they usually hunt alone. If it had been a werewolf, we would have had a pack to contend with. If it had been a zombie…well…it would have been a small army…”
She takes us to the corpse and says, “Quickly. Take a good look. The dragon’s blood will quickly destroy the carcass. The vampire is a shriveled-up little body, hardly any muscle, at all. The skin is near black…not because the human’s skin was that color before, though…this is more unnatural—like charcoal-black. Instead of fingernails, there are long, very sharp claws. The mouth is full of razor-sharp teeth and the canines are elongated. I shudder as the corpse dissolves and turns to ash…leaving our two arrows on the ground. Miri and I pick up our arrows and we move on.
As we walk, Mori quietly tells us, “Vampires are actually vulnerable in either of the locations you shot. Typically, the head shot is better, though. Werewolves are more susceptible to a heart shot, just because it is harder to hit them between the eyes. Zombies, well, try and get them in the mouth. And be warned, if any of them bite you and you survive it, it will not be good. If you were a full human, you would convert to the same sort of creature that bit you—completely consumed by the darkness. Miri is most protected as a full Elf; but even then, she would not be able to fight off the effects of the darkness and would turn into a Dark Elf. Nelle, you would be worse off. I am not really sure what the exact outcome would be, but let’s not find out, OK? My unique situation actually provides me with the most protection—the thing is that it is rare for someone that is bitten to actually survive, at all. If any of those creatures get close enough and through your wards that it is able to bite you, then they will usually kill you. Drakyre controls the biter when he wants to create more of one type—ensuring that the victim lives…and becomes a dark soldier…”
I shudder as we go for another hour, without encountering anything else, before setting up camp. We eat another cold supper and take turns sleeping; one asleep, while two hold guard.
I get up from my sleep—I had been the last to sleep, since I need a little more than the other two. Miri tells me that she had to shoot another vampire while I was asleep. I shudder; glad that Mori had set up the guard rotations.
We eat a quick breakfast, pack up, and move on. As we are walking, Mori explains to me, “Nelle, I can actually sense the Dark-consumed individuals. They have a black spectrum that I can see. That is because of the darkness in me. You don’t have that capability…but what you can sense is the absence of the Light. At the base, these are Humans and you can sense them much better than a full Elf. That is why the Elves cannot determine if a Human has been touched. You can… You have to train yourself to look for that absence, though. It is like looking for a small hole in fabric. On our next encounter with a Dark One, practice—but make sure you don’t take too long before you kill it.”
I nod and we continue walking—again without any further incidents.
We reach our goal after another three hours. It is the exact spot where the crest of the poisonous stream is flowing from the Outer Realm into the Elven Realm.
Mori looks at me and says, “Nelle, I need you to plant your acorn right on the border right there. It is important that its tree grows equally on both side of the border. Then I need you to sing it into a full grown tree. Elves and Elven magic send up a huge flare in this realm. I have been maintaining a charm on Miri this whole time. You and I are only a dim blip, since we are only half-Elves. Me even less so, since I have so much Darkness in me. The point is, that is why WE had to do this. But, once you start singing, and I lift my charm from Miri, a huge flare is going to go off. I doubt it will be sufficient to warrant Drakyre’s attention. In fact, I am banking on that. But, there will likely be a response by a squad of nasties to see what is going on. Again, I am banking on that.”
She takes a breath and continues, “Miri, as soon as the tree is big enough, I want to get up in the lower branches. I will be in the highest branches, helping Nelle maintain a protective ward while she sings. You and are I will be the bait, once the nasties figure out they can’t get to Nelle. They will attempt to climb the tree to get to us. It is important that you kill as many as you can at the tree’s base—or on the tree trunk itself, without them getting to us. I won’t be able to maintain the ward on Nelle, do what I need to do, and protects us, too. Our fate is in your hands. Understood?”
Miri pales, but nods.
Mori nods at me and I take a deep breath. I straddle the borderline, half of me in the Elven Realm, half of me in the Outer Realm—something that only a half-Elf, half-Human can do for extended periods of time. I dig a small hole and carefully place the precious acorn into the hole.
I nod to Mori and Miri. Mori nods back and, still straddling the line, I start singing…
As I sing, the little precious acorn starts sprouting. I continue singing and the little sprout grows…and grows…and grows. After a few minutes, the sprout is a sapling…then a small tree…then it is almost big enough to start climbing.
I sing for almost twenty minutes…sending up huge magic flares. I am surprised that none of the baddies have shown up, yet. Then I realize that, somehow, Mori is dampening the magical ‘flares’. I take a intermittent sips of water to cool my burning throat and continue singing…and singing…and singing…
Then, the tree is big enough to get into; Miri and Mori get in it and ride it upward as it continues to grow. Suddenly, Mori drops the flare dampening ward and strengthens the protective ward around me…and I make the mistake of looking up at the horizon…
A pack of the ugliest looking ‘wolves’ I have ever seen is fast approaching. Well, now I know what werewolves look like. I hope Mori can keep me protected… I stand my ground and continue singing…
The wolves come straight at me…and run into Mori’s protective ward surrounding me. They fight it for several minutes and then give up and turn towards the tree. It is now about half the size of the Tree of Life…
I look around again, never faltering with my singing—in spite of being on the verge of losing my voice—and see a band of vampires coming. So much for them being loners… That must mean that Drakyre himself is controlling them…
Then…I see the zombies…hundreds of them…coming in a huge wave… The only saving grace is that they are slow…
The tree is now almost as big as the Tree of Life. Mori is high up in the top-most branches. Miri is lower—shooting arrow after arrow—killing wolf after vampire after wolf…
Then the first zombies arrive. Miri keeps shooting—she has to be coming close to running out of arrows—even though we had prepared hundreds with dragon’s blood… There is a huge pile of dead wolves, vampires, and zombies at the base of the tree. Baddies are starting to both climb the tree and the pile of bodies…getting closer and closer to Miri—like blocks piling up in a Tetris game.
Then the tree stops growing up…and starts growing out; it has reached full maturity…
Mori drops my defensive ward and places an iron-clad defensive ward on Miri as I quit singing. I put up my own wards as Mori starts chanting… She has a pitch black aura developing on one half of her—almost like it is sucking up all of the light. She has a bright light surrounding the other half of her—almost like she is the sun itself…
The black aura descends on the Elven side of the tree. The light aura surrounds the Outer Realm side of the tree. Mori pours the remainder of the dragon’s blood onto the tree and it flows down the trunk…consuming the baddies on the light side…melting them and melding them into the tree itself…
There is a huge BANG and the tree stands there…strangely misshapen… Mori and Miri are still in the branches—there are no baddies to be seen. They were all consumed by the tree…
Mori and Miri climb down and Miri pushes me fully into the Elven Realm—followed closely by Miri.
I look at Mori and ask in a very hoarse voice, “What just happened? Where did all of Drakyre’s…minions go? What happened to my beautiful tree…it is…UGLY now… And, I didn’t think you would come into the Elven Realm…”
Mori is pale and shaking. She does not say a word until she has had a hand full of moon fruit. She gives me a couple of pieces, as well, and my voice is almost immediately restored. She washes down the dried fruit with some wine from a pouch and slumps against a tree.
After several minutes, she says, “I have created an abomination with your help. The tree that stands on the border of both Realms is like me now—a creature of equal Dark and Light. It can only survive on the border of both Realms…and feeds off of Dark energy from the ground and Light from above… By melding the Dark creatures into it as it finished maturing, I set its feeding pattern. Its roots run deep and strong, thanks to your miraculous singing, and reach deep down to the poisonous flow streaming below it. It will drink deeply of that flow and thrive…stemming the flow into the Elven Realm…and allowing the Tree of Life to recuperate.”
She takes another dried moon fruit and soaks it in wine. She continues, “I have nothing against coming to the Elven Realm… It is half mine—just the same as it is for you. We took the long journey we did to prepare you for what was…and IS…to come. You needed exposure to Darklings…to learn to sense them…to learn how to fight them. Did you practice sensing them while I had you protected?”
I roll my eyes and say, “Well, it is not like I wasn’t busy trying to grow a tree… But, yes, I could sense the shadow-aura. Similar to yours…but different.”
Mori nods and says, “Very good. Remember that… Now come, we have a several hour walk to get back to the Tree of Life. Your Mother will be waiting there for us…”
“Mother!” I run into her arms and hug her. I am still not completely used to being a girl, but these touchy-feely freedoms—the ability to engage in (and the social acceptance of) public displays of affection—feel really good.
Mother hugs me back and smiles at me…then at Mori and Miri. She says, “You have all done well! VERY well! The Tree is already reviving… It will take several weeks to fully recuperate, but it will make a full recovery—if it is not disturbed again.”
Mori says, “Not even Drakyre can destroy the Protective Tree. It is itself protected by divided magic, like my own… Drakyre cannot overcome that kind of magic since he only has Dark powers at his disposal. It takes blended Dark AND Light powers to overpower that kind of magic.”
Mother nods and says, “Good! Very good! We must rest… Tomorrow is a busy day. I must prepare you to take over the Queendom, Nelle. I have to go be with your Father to start mending relations from the Human side… You will do the same from here…as Queen… It is time for me to step down.”
Everything goes dark as I fall to the ground—exhausted…and totally shocked out of my mind…
This is the continuing saga of a once lost and orphaned boy—now a Princess in her own right—and her journey to become Queen of the Elves.
Shauna
I come to in my bed—my wonderful bed—in my room in the tree castle. The last thing I remember is talking to Mother after… …the fight… Was it all just a dream?
I get out of bed and see that there are still signs of the struggle on me…a few scrapes and scratches… So, it wasn’t a dream…
I quickly get dressed and go down to the main hall… Mother, Lothi, Miri, and Mori are sitting together at a table and drinking wine. I join them and Miri smiles impishly up at me. She says, “Welcome back to the land of the living Nelle… What kind of Queen will you be if a little singing puts you out for four hours?”
She giggles, but the words sting a little. That IS the question, isn’t it? What kind of Queen WILL I be? I am not READY for this… Just because I have a birthright…
Aunt Lothi gives Miri a stern look and says, “MIRI! You apologize to your cousin, at once! I know it was in jest, but she is the Queen-to-be!” Miri looks crestfallen…
I shake my head and say, “No, Aunt Lothi—she is absolutely correct! How can I be Queen? I barely know how to be a girl, let alone a Princess--and now I am to be a QUEEN? It does not make sense… You, Aunt-of-mine, are much better prepared to lead this Queendom than I—you have already proven that when we were in hiding. And IF I AM to become Queen, I will always want my closest friends and allies to speak their mind—in jest or not… Many heads are ALWAYS better than one!”
At that point, Mother speaks up and says, “You see, Nelle, you are wiser than you think. Your Aunt Lothi will be there to help guide you—and it is not a post she wants. She never has…” Aunt Lothi shakes her head emphatically to underscore that position. Mother continues, “You are right, things are moving along much faster than planned—but we are on the offensive now… And we have to maintain our readiness to both defend ourselves—and ultimately beat Drakyre. Unfortunately, that will require great personal sacrifices from all of us at this table…”
Two days later, I am once again fighting the urge to fidget as I am, once again, being fitted for a coronation gown—this time to be crowned Queen. Melda says, “If Her Highness would stand still, we would be done SO much quicker…” I roll my eyes and stand up straight and still…
Just as she places the last pin for the day, I hear a familiar deep voice, “Where is that daughter of mine?” I jump down from the pedestal, amid curses from Melda and pinpricks from errant straight pins. I don’t care as I rush into my Father’s arms for a hug. We both gingerly extract ourselves from the prickly hug and laugh. Even Melda giggles a bit as she fixes a few things and then rushes Father out of the room so I can change.
Several minutes later, I go to the Great Hall to find Father and Mother sitting at a table holding hands across it. I go and join them as a server bring Mother and a glass of wine and a mug of cold ale for Father. Father looks at my surprised face and asks, “What? You didn’t think I would miss my own daughter’s coronation to Queen did you? Besides, I can escort your Mother back with me, this way.”
I snuggle up against him and breathe in his musky scent… It almost makes all of this worth it—to be together again.
Father then becomes more serious and says, “Your little trick with the tree did not sit well with Drakyre at all. I paid the price of several good men to find out that he is planning on mounting a revenge attack—purely to save face with his own…people… It is rumored that he is once again starting negotiations to form an allegiance with the Dark Elves. If that happens, then we could be in for a much tougher struggle. I am not sure that he will succeed anymore this time than the last several attempts, but just the fact that he is trying is riling up his minions… There have been increasing vampire, wolf, and zombie skirmishes in the borderlands… My people are pulling further and further from the border to the inner Kingdom…effectively increasing the size of the DMZ—but shrinking the Kingdom bit-by-bit… At some point, there could be a shift in the border, since it is becoming harder to patrol the no-man’s land.”
At that point, Mori calls me for my lessons of the day and I leave Father and Mother to continue talking…
I look at Mori, a gleam of perspiration on my brow, and grunt… “This is…hard…it is draining me quickly…”
Mori nods and says, “You are not properly feeding your ward with energy…” She is looking at my aura with that far-away look in her eye… “Here, try this…,” she says as she makes a movement with her hand. All of the sudden, I feel a shift in my energy and the drain slows to a minute trickle. Mori asks, “Do you see what I have done?”
I turn my vision to my own aura and see exactly what she did. “Wow, I never would have thought to hook onto the Darker Elements that way. Is it not dangerous for me?” I turn my vision back to her.
She shakes her head and says, “No. You are not tapping INTO the Dark this way…just sort of feeding your ward with its discarded image. Sort of like holding your hand above a candle… You feel the heat from the flame, but you are not IN the light… Does that make sense?”
I nod and we practice for another hour before she finally calls it quits for the day.
I am out blowing off some steam with Miri. We are playfully competing with each other with our bows and arrows. I am now nearly as good as she is.
Miri laughs as I make a near impossible shot—splitting her arrow into four long slivers. She looks at me and says, “I didn’t mean that the other day, you know. I think you will make a fine Queen.”
I sigh and say, “I know you didn’t MEAN it, Miri—that does not mean it is not TRUE, nonetheless. I don’t know what I am doing…”
Miri looks at me and says, “Nelle, you have Mother and Mori—they will help guide you. It will be fine—the Queendom will be in good hands. I can feel it—and you know that I have…Powers…when it comes to that.”
I smile wanly and say, “Thanks, Miri. It means a lot to me to have your support. Will you be on my Court… As my friend and Head of my Guard?”
Miri smiles and bows to me as she says, “It would be my honor and pleasure, my Queen-to-be.”
I don’t like the formality of that response, but know enough to realize that it is required at this moment. I smile back at Miri and simply say, “Thank you, Miri. For everything.”
I do not sleep well that night… I wake up after only thirty minutes…well short of my usual three hours. I toss and turn… The Coronation is only hours away…
I pace around in my room—I have been doing so for the last hour… The others are not stirring yet—and likely won’t be for another hour. I lay down for a few minutes, trying to get back to sleep, and give up—for the tenth time.
There are so many things going through my head. In a few short hours, I will be Queen. Soon after that, Mother and Father will leave for my Father’s Kingdom in the Human Realm—to start the long process of mending relationships between the two races. And, at some point, we will all have to deal with Drakyre—or his minions, at the very least. It is all giving me a headache just thinking about it…
Finally, I hear others start to stir and go down to the main dining hall where I find Mori already sitting. I am quickly served a small breakfast—I am too nervous to eat much. Mother comes in a few minutes after me, followed by Father… Lastly, Aunt Lothi and Miri come in. Mother quickly goes through the events scheduled for the day and I lose all appetite…
We get up from the table after close to an hour and I go to get trussed up in my coronation gown. It takes nearly two hours to get literally sewn into the dress, have the ceremonial makeup applied, and go through the cleansing meditation in preparation for the actual event.
Once I ready, a small procession is formed. Mother is followed by Father and Mori; I follow behind them with Aunt Lothi and Miri carrying my train. It takes us the better part of thirty minutes to make it to the clearing where the Tree of Life stands—a journey that would normally only take about five.
Similar to my last coronation, as Princess, the clearing is surrounded by the Elves from the castle—holding hands and creating a large continuous ring. What is different this time is that there are many more elaborate decorations. There are also many more Elves here—from all over the Realm.
I try to swallow my nervousness as the ring of Elves breaks in one spot and creates an opening for our small procession to enter the clearing. The ring once again closes behind us as we move to the Tree of Life. I look up at it as we draw closer; it is looking much healthier now that the poisonous flow has been stemmed. My heart speeds up as Father breaks away from us and joins a small band of senior male Elves. These Elves—and Father—make a smaller inner circle around the tree and us.
Mother, Lothi, Miri, and I take up positions around the tree at the four corners of the compass. Mori stands behind me. The four us place our hands on the tree and I feel the calming presence…and the wisdom of dozens of Queens before me.
And…Mother starts singing a slow, melancholy song… It is about a tired Queen, ready to move on. The male circle behind picks up on the melody and harmonizes with Mother. That is my cue. I start my song… It is a joyous song: one of power, of peace, and of prosperity. The outer circle picks up my melody and harmonizes with me. Our songs intertwine—Mother’s slowly becoming more joyous; mine becoming more melancholy. It is so loud that I am sure that the perfectly aligned songs can be heard across the Realm—especially since the animals seem to be picking up on it, as well. Birds are chirping along, other animals making their own accompanying sounds—all in perfect harmony.
Finally, the songs are completely reversed. I am singing the sad song in memory of our past Queen, and Mother is singing the joyous song in celebration of the young, new Queen. At that point, the inner circle of male Elves breaks and forms a line that connects Mother, who still has her hands on the Tree of Life, with a string of Elves from the outer circle. This long line of Elves then creates an unbroken connection between the Tree of Life and Mother’s Princess Tree—the one that she had planted when she was crowned as Princess. Another long line of Elves from the outer circle does the same between me and my Princess Tree.
I feel a surge of energy course through us all. Mother breaks her touch with the Tree and I gasp as the Energy now flows into me, rather than through me. Mother steps back from the tree and Mori takes her place—leaving my main Court and I the only ones with direct contact to the Tree. The energy coursing into me reaches the point of almost being painful; then, suddenly—I can communicate with the Tree—with all of the Spirits of Queens gone by. It is amazing—the wisdom, the knowledge.
I feel the tears of awe and wonder flowing down my cheeks as Mother slowly pulls me from the Tree and hugs me. She says, “Queen Nellethiel, you now know the true gift of being Queen—but, you must be careful. It is very easy to get lost in the depths of the Tree. Always have someone with you if you are communing with the Tree and the Spirits—as an anchor to reality… You have an amazing supporting Court; any of them will be perfect anchors.”
I nod, still wide-eyed. I ask, “Mother, does this mean that you can no longer communicate with the Tree?”
She nods and says, “I no longer have access to all of the spirits in the same way that you, the true Queen, do. However, I am connected to the Earth and Forest through my Princess Tree. You will always have access to me—either indirectly through the Tree of Life—or directly through my Princess Tree. Mori, of course has other ways of contacting me that she is teaching you. But, if you need to communicate with me in a manner that none other can tap into—this is the best way.”
And then she removes the Queenly Crown from her head and ceremoniously places it onto mine.
The crowd goes wild…
I am finally getting out of the coronation gown…only to have to get right into a ball gown for the celebration. Miri is in my room with me, laughing at my antics as the gown is literally cut off of me by the seamstress. I find myself continuously having to catch the crown as it falls off my head when I look down.
I laugh and say, “This is going to take getting used to in more ways than one… And it is so heavy… Thankfully, I don’t have to wear it all of the time…and Mother told me there is also a light-weight tiara for daily wear. She never used it much, but says it is much better than the formal crown…”
After I get out of the coronation gown, I wash the ceremonial makeup off and put on the ball gown. Miri and I then walk down to the main hall where the music is already playing full blast. Before I know what is happening, Mother is pulling me over to the side of the room where a gorgeous young Elf is standing.
I blush as Mother says, “Nelle, I would like you to meet your betrothed, Alyan. If we were still following all of the Olden Ways, he would be your future husband.”
Although I had not really thought about English in a long time, my mind automatically translates Alyan’s name—Asher, or Blessed. I can’t believe how gorgeous he is—nor that I think of him that way… There are still enough vestiges of the ‘boy’ left in me that I am still surprised when the ‘girl’ comes out full-force. I am also surprised at the strange pull I feel for him…
Mother continues, “As you know, it is no longer a Queen’s duty to marry her betrothed…but it is still proper etiquette to grant him the first dance of the coronation ball…”
Following the oldest of traditions, I curtsy and say, “May I have the honor of this dance, my fair betrothed?”
We are just getting into the rhythm of the music when it suddenly stops…
I look around to see what is going on—only to find a small band of Gnomes waiting at the entrance to hall, surrounded by Elven guards. Miri and Alyan both step between me and the Gnomes at exactly the same time. Mori already has a blue ball of energy formed in her hands…
I look at the group of Elves surrounding the Dwarves. They are wary, but relaxed. I know there is no way the Dwarves could have made it this far into the Queendom undetected.
Mori keeps her ball of energy at the ready as Miri goes to quietly speak to the head of the guard surrounding the Dwarves. She nods and quickly comes back over to me. Quietly, she say, “It is OK, My Queen. They have come to congratulate you on becoming Queen and would like to talk after the festivities. They have brought you a coronation present.”
She nods and the Dwarf that is obviously the leader comes over and bows deeply at the waist. He hands me a very heavy, ornate box made of gold. I open it and gasp. The largest Ruby I have ever seen—which, honestly is not saying much, I guess, is nestled in the box. It is as big as my fist—and gleaming blood red.
I smile and say, “I am not sure I can accept this. At least not without knowing your name…and what the occasion is. I believe you must be the first Dwarves to set foot in the Queendom in centuries…” Mother and Aunt Lothi nod in unanimous agreement. Mori still has not openly settled down, although, I can tell her energy ball is more for show now…she must not sense any ill will or Darkness coming from the Dwarves, either.
He smiles… At least I think he does. It is not really a pretty sight. He says, “Your Majesty, I am Kir Godgold. We request an audience when you are finished celebrating. We are here to open discussions on a pact between our Realms—if you are interested. Either way, the bloodstone is our gift to you. It is worthy of a Queen, don’t you think?”
I nod and say, “Welcome, Kir Godgold and others. Please join us in the festivities. I am not sure that we have anything fit for a Dwarf, but you are welcome to what is here. We will discuss your proposal in the morning. Miri, can you see to it that Kir and his fellow travelers receive appropriate accommodations?”
Miri goes to talk to the head house keeper and I turn back to Alyan and say, “And I think we have a dance to finish?” I smile as the music starts back up. Alyan and I finish our dance and I excuse myself from him. He smiles and bows.
I go over to Mother and Lothi. They are watching the festivities from a side table, each with a golden goblet of wine. I sit and take a goblet for myself. I look around the room. The Dwarves are not to be seen at the moment. I ask, “What do you make of this business with the Dwarves?”
Both shrug, but Mother says, “We will know more tomorrow. Mori sensed no ill will. Neither did Miri. You obviously saw no Darkness in them either. This could be a very good thing!”
I wake up after a good three hours of sleep. My head hurts… Partly because of the wine from last night—partly because I realize as soon as I wake up in the Queen’s chambers that it was all real.
I get dressed and go down for breakfast. I eat lightly, then go to the audience room to prepare for the meeting with the Dwarves.
Thirty minutes later, they are escorted in. Mother, Lothi, Miri, and Mori are at my side. We sit at a large round table and Kir slides a large bag across the table to me.
He ‘smiles’ again and says, “We know you have gone to a great deal of trouble to get these in the past. It has been a great game for us… You have been the best, so far… A worthy opponent, for sure.”
I open the bag to find enough dried moonfruit to last a year. I look at Mori and she shrugs and smiles.
I say, “Thank you, Kir. I was not aware that you knew it was me. If it makes you feel better, I barely escaped.”
Kir goes on to introduce us to Dike Goblinbreaker, Hesdib Mountainfighter, and Sora Bloodquartz—the others in his band.
I introduce my main court to him and have refreshments brought in. The housekeeper had quickly researched Dwarf desires and needs and accommodated them fully in the refreshments.
Kir is impressed, “I did not expect such hospitality, especially given our past. But, that past is why I am here. I am authorized by the Main Council of Clans to offer a pact between the Realms to fight off Drakyre. He is getting bolder and his minions are encroaching more and more on all of the Realms. To be honest, we also plan to talk to the Humans and offer a Peace Stone to them, as well. Only together, will we be able to hold him off…”
I look at Mother and she nods. I whisper to Miri, who quickly leaves. I look back at Kir and say, “This sounds like a great offer, Kir. I would like to hear more about your troubles and what the terms of this pact might be. We are not having major issues with Drakyre, yet. At least none that we cannot handle; although, I agree he IS getting bolder.” I think of the battle at the Border Tree stemming his vile poison from entering the Realm.
Kir nods and gets ready to respond, when Miri returns. I smile and say, “Kir, I would like you to meet my Father—King of the Humans. Maybe we can just turn this into a three-way talk?”
Kir stutters, obviously taken by surprise, “Your Highness. I have no offering for you. I was not expecting this…”
We spend the entire day talking and planning. In the end, we agree to the pact. Father agrees, but says he will still have to discuss it with his court before he can fully commit. Ordinarily, this would not be required, but he is still trying to gain back the trust of his kingdom after having been gone so long…
We break up the meeting and wearily go to the dining hall for a late supper.
I go to bed soon after that. Tomorrow is when Mother and Father leave for the Human Realm…
My dreams that night are tormented. I dream of impending battles with Drakyr…invasions by his minions into neighboring Realms…the Elven Realm harboring fugitives of all races…
I wake up after my usual three hours, drained… It was not a restful night… The dreams were almost like premonitions, but I have never had such dreams before… What is going on? Just stress from the meetings, yesterday? That must be it… They were just run-of-the-mill nightmares… Yes, that has to be it… Right?
I see Mother and Father to the Golden Veil and send them on their way to the Human Realm to take up the continuing cause of reuniting the Humans and the Elves. Mother, once again Queen…but, now, as Queen of the Humans…alongside Father. Dike Goblinbreaker accompanies them as an emissary of the Dwarves.
I return to the castle and prepare a small pack. Miri, Mori, and I are going to accompany the Dwarves to their realm. It is part of our pact…
I lift the light travel pack onto my shoulders and join the others, already waiting for me. We set off at a slow pace for Elves, but fairly quick for the smaller Dwarves.
After a little less than a day, we cross the Golden Veil into the Dwarves’ Realm…close to where I gathered the moonfruit several months ago. I smile as I look up at the bushes…
We follow a path to the base of the mountains and make camp for the night. We are close to the Dark Realm at this point, only about a fifteen minute walk (at Elven Speed)…and there is no Golden Veil to protect the Dwarf Realm. As such, the Dwarves set up a guard rotation, and Miri and Mori volunteer to be a part of it. The Dwarves will not hear of me participating…
We settle down and I am about an hour into my sleep cycle when I hear Miri shout a warning. I am instantly awake and pulling out my bow…
There is a small pack of werewolves sniffing our perimeter… Further back, I sense three vampires… Even further back, still in the Dark Realm, a band of Zombies—there must be a hundred of them…
Kir lets out a yell and runs at the werewolves with his battle axe raised above his head, closely followed by the other Dwarves. Miri lets loose a volley of arrows at the same time I do. Mori starts volleying blue balls of energy at the vampires further back and gently reminds me to strengthen my wards…
An hour later, the werewolves, vampires, and about fifty zombies are disintegrating into dust on the Dwarves’ side of the line. Even though Miri, Mori, and I stay back out of the pack of nasties, we kill dozens of the creatures and save the Dwarves from certain death numerous times. Finally, the other Zombies abandon the attack…
We sit by the fire and take a breather, with Mori still very much on guard. I walk to a nearby moonfruit bush and pick a handful of the fruit for myself and another for Mori…
Since we are already all awake, we just strike camp and move on… Dawn is not far off anyway…
I look at the entrance to the cavern system. I expected something grand, I guess. It is a small opening… Barely big enough for the Dwarves… The rest of us will actually have to crawl through the opening. I can only hope the tunnels are larger… The opening is secured with a strange metal door…it is silvery and shiny…but, seems to be eerily strong…
We crawl into the tunnels behind the Dwarves who are merrily walking. We have to crawl for about ten minutes until we reach a cavern of HUGE proportions. There is a strangely glowing lichen growing on the tunnel walls that provides a dim but steady glow for us to see by. The cavern is well lit with lanterns. There are at least a hundred different doors in the cavern walls—made of the same strange metal as on the outside. Thankfully, they are taller… we can walk through them, but will still have to stoop a bit…
Kir leads us to one of the doors. It looks no more important the others. He pushes on the ornaments on the door in what must be a special sequence and it pops open. He beckons us in…
I look around the large ‘room’… It is ornately decorated with various metals, gems, and precious stones. I have to stifle a gasp…it is strangely beautiful.
He smiles at my reaction and says, “Welcome to Grimhold. I am the Clan Leader, here. I am also the Head of the Clan Council. That is something akin to a King in your Realm… But, I know you are weary from the fight and the travel. I will have you escorted to your chambers where you can freshen up and rest before we eat.”
I look around my ‘chamber’. It is a smaller cavern with a bed that will be a bit short for me. There is also a steaming pool of water in the floor. I go to it and gaze into it. It has a yellowish tint, but is clear and clean-looking. I dip a finger into it and smile… It is a bit warmer than I would usually want—used to bathing in cold streams, or tubs where the water must be heated. This water is heated by the Earth…and a quick scan shows no dangerous energies… To the contrary…it seems to have healing properties.
I strip and step into the pool. It is shaped to be comfortable to relax in; again, more for someone the size of Dwarf, but I find a comfortable position, none-the-less. After a few minutes, I am used to the heat of the water and smiling as sore muscles relax.
I nearly fall asleep, but Miri comes in and giggles, “I see you found the wonderful pool, Your Highness. My chamber has one, too. I nearly fell asleep, myself. We are expected for dinner in fifteen minutes…”
I sigh and get out. Ten minutes later, Miri and I walk to what we are told is the dining chamber. The Dwarves have done an admirable job of securing food that is palatable to an Elf and we enjoy the dinner.
Once we are done, Kir says, “Queen Nelle, we have set up a small ceremony to thank you and your court for saving us today. It is true that we have a pact, but no one would have known if you had let us perish… You did not have to honor it…”
He escorts us to another chamber. There is an ancient looking Dwarf woman waiting in the chamber. I say ancient-looking… Having never seen a Dwarf woman before, I have nothing to gauge it by…
She beckons me to follow her. Miri starts to rise, but I shake my head for her to sit and follow the woman into a side chamber. She does not tell me her name, but asks me to disrobe. I give her a look, but she just asks, “Is it too cold? I know you are not used to the caverns.”
In fact, it is rather HOT in the cavern, so I shake my head and say, “No, I am fine, but why do you need me to disrobe?”
She smiles… At least, I THINK that is what she does... She says, “You are unique, My Elven Queen. You possess Human magic from your Human heritage. Human magic is unique, in that it stems from the universe as a whole…it is fairly new magic. You also possess Elven magic from your Elven heritage. Elven magic stems from the Earth—but the organic side of the Earth. I want to demonstrate the power of Dwarf magic, which also stems from the Earth—but from the INorganic side… Both Elven and Dwarf magic are OLD magic.”
Not really knowing where this is going I do as she asks, but put my senses on heightened alert. I sense no Darkness about…
She smiles and says, “Good! Trust no one. I sense you scanning me… Tell me, did you have strange dreams the other night—after you received the Blood Stone?” She is mixing up some mud in a small bowl…
I gasp and say, “Yes! How…? The STONE made me have those nightmares?”
She nods and says, “They were not actually nightmares, but visions of possible futures… Nothing will EVER let you sense the REAL future—it can always change. Your consort, Miri, possesses some innate abilities to do this, as well—they are just not fully developed, yet. As for the stone, it only works if it is in close proximity to you, as you sleep…”
She takes a small paintbrush and starts painting a design on my naked back…up my spine—from my bottom, all the way up to my neck.
When she is done, she gestures to a highly polished metal shield. I look at my reflection in the mirror. I have something that look like a mix of Elven (Celtic) and Dwarf runes and floral designs going up and down my spine.
She takes a sponge and dips it into the pool of water in the chamber and squeezes it out. She dabs it up and down my spine and the mud tingles…
When she is done, she escorts me, still naked into the main chamber. She asks me to lie down on a lichen-covered stone slab…that is oddly warm.
I shrug and do as she asks. She takes a small ruby, one that looks a lot like a miniature version of the Blood Stone, out of a golden case. This smaller stone is encased in an intricate web of what appears to be finely spun gold. She places the gem into my naval and starts chanting…
I scream in searing pain and pray to the Goddesses that I will pass out…
As she starts chanting, several things happen at once. The designs on my back start burning…like they are searing into my skin. The jewel in my navel starts to feel hot…like molten lava. Of course, that is why I start screaming. I am completely taken by surprise.
A strange golden glow emanates around the old woman and me. Miri rushes towards us, obviously intent on attacking. Mori is standing there, blue balls of energy at the ready—but she hesitates. As do I. I could easily take out the old woman—but I still feel no ill-will or Darkness coming from her.
Miri and Mori are effectively cut off by the glowing ‘shield’. If anyone is going to do anything, it will have to be me. I decide to wait and see what happens—and motion for them to stand down.
The pain subsides into a strange creeping-crawling itch. I split my focus between monitoring the old woman and myself. It feels like there is something crawling through me, starting at the jewel and then following the paths of my bones and the designs drawn on my back.
After several minutes, the old woman stops and ‘smiles’ at me. She steps back from me--out of the golden shield; THAT seems to be coming from me.
Miri is giving the old woman a severe look. I sit up. Mori is still standing at the ready and gasps when she sees my back.
I feel different.
The old woman hands me a robe and speaks up, “I am sorry, Queen Nelle. This ritual has never been performed on a non-Dwarf before. I knew it would be safe, I did not, however, know how you would react. Let me further explain what just happened…”
She gestures to one of the attendants to bring some sort of hot beverage…a tea of some sort from the lichens growing in the caves. She tells us it is completely safe, although we may have to get used to the taste. THAT is an understatement. It tastes like bat dung…well, what I would THINK bat dung tastes like, anyway…
I let my cup sit in front of me as she continues.
She comes over to me and gently runs her hand down my back. She says, “The jewel is now a permanent part of you. The special golden web that encased it has entered your body and fused with all of your bones. It then followed the special mud designs on your back and became a part of your skin. It is a metal tattoo, of sorts. All of this means that you are now One with the Earthen magic of the Dwarves. You now have access to both sides of the old Earth magic. Together with your inherent Human magic, you are a very formidable person to be reckoned with. With practice and guidance, you will be able to stand up to Drakyre, himself.”
My head jerks up at that one. I had been focusing on the cup of bat dung tea until then. I give her an inquisitive look and ask, “And why not Mori? She is of the same basic heritage as I am and already knows MUCH more of the Magics than I.”
The old woman sighs and says, “The ritual is very hard on the bones. They must be young and strong. Not too young, they should be fully grown, but as young as possible. Older bones are more brittle and don’t survive the process. You see, when the special Golden Web fuses with your bones, it is magically transformed into a very special metal. You may have noticed the fortified doors around here? It is the same metal… It is very strong—it can withstand the attack of an Ogre…even of Drakyre’s new minions. It is also magically inert. Your skeleton is as near to invincible now as it can be.”
I am still surrounded by the golden ‘shield’. I gesture towards it, “And this?”
The old woman shrugs and says, “It is your shield. It is an instinctive combination of all of your Magics. It draws on your Human spells, Elven wards, and new Dwarven energies. It is golden because that is how you are used to seeing such things…it is your mental interpretation of how it should be projected… It looks like your Golden Veil surrounding your Realm. With practice, you will be able to manipulate how it looks...including being invisible. You will also be able to strengthen it, stretch it to include others over long distances and more. As with any Magic, there are consequences, but since you are drawing on so many sources, that used properly, complement each other, you have near unlimited protective powers. We MUST, however, train you to avoid using powers that are antagonistic to one another… You would die very quickly…”
After our discussion, it still took a while for me to get Miri to back down. She was still mad that the old woman had given no one any warning…and she still did not trust her. Of course, she does not have Mori’s and my ability to sense Darkness.
In the end, I order her to come with me to my ‘chambers’ and to help me take a bath. I don’t need help, and that is not Miri’s job, but any cavern in a storm…
She is washing my back and running her fingers over the designs, “They are raised, like there is a thin strand of metal running under the skin… And there is this…tingle…”
I shrug, “You know as much of this as I do… I can tell you that my senses are now greatly enhanced…in strange ways. I can…feel…the rocks… I can tell you exactly where there are gems or precious metals through that wall there… It is like how I can feel the plants and animals of the forest with my Elven magic…I can now feel the rocks. I am still learning to tap into the Elven magic and have learned so much… I am almost afraid to know what I can do with training on using this magic…
The next week is all about learning of my new abilities. It is all about tapping into the Earth’s energies…sort of like grounding myself in the Earth. With the Elven magic, the energy is around you, as long as there are clean sources of plant or animal life. With this, as long as I am on Earth, I always have access to the energy.
The energy is particularly useful for protection; and one of the first things the old woman teaches me is to manipulate my shield. I can make it invisible, or blood red. I can make it black as night, effectively hiding me in the dark. I can shrink to a second skin, or expand it to several hundred paces…all without the old energy drain I am accustomed to.
Being able to identify particular jewels or precious metals from great distances and guide myself straight to them is awesome and has to be the ‘best’ part, from a purely female point of view. By the end of the week, I have a fairly large bag of rubies, diamonds, and emeralds that I find as part of my training; I also have a fairly large bag of gold.
Kir takes the jewels and gold at the end of each day and hands them to one of the attendants to be taken to some hold, I am sure.
By the end of the week, I am better versed in the use of my new magic source. The old woman wants to keep training me, but I need to get back to my own Realm to take care of business there. Aunt Lothi is handling it perfectly, I am sure; but I don’t want to shirk my new duties as Queen.
We are packed and ready to go. We crawl back out the tunnels and I breathe in the fresh air in large breaths, as I shield my eyes from the bright light.
Kir and a small band of protective Dwarves escort us to the border, this time without incident, and we are about to step through the Golden Veil when Kir speaks up, “Queen Nelle, I want to present you with one last present as a token of our commitment to the pact.” He takes out a beautiful golden tiara; but enchanted gold, like the doors. It is dainty and very elegant…and sparkling with jewels. He places it on my head and says, “It is made from the gold and jewels you found over the past week. It is enchanted and has some powers of its own…powers that only someone with YOUR powers can use. You will have to come back for more training…”
He bows and the band of Dwarves turns and heads back into their Realm. I reach up and touch the tiara…I can feel the power in it…
We step through the Golden Veil and go home.
The next weeks are all about ‘being Queen’. Not only am I new to the job, but I now possess Dwarven magic, on top of my Human half; that makes me more than just a little suspicious to the very tradition-oriented Elves.
I look at Miri and sigh. I really want to scream, but I stay ‘calm’ as I say, “I don’t know what to do with them; I did not ASK for this…and they didn’t object during either coronation!”
She shakes her head and says, “Give them time, Your Majesty. They were willing to accept you as your Mother’s Daughter, since she was a trusted Queen—even though she did go a bit rogue and marry a Human in their eyes. When you came back from the Dwarves with new powers, it made them even more wary. I think it is understandable. You just must remain patient and show them that you only have the Elves’ best interest at heart.”
Aunt Lothi nods her head and adds, “Miri is correct. I have also explained that you did not ASK for the Dwarven powers. Unfortunately, that has made some even more suspicious. They say that you can’t be trusted, since we really don’t have a full grasp of what was done to you. It is old magic, which makes it both very powerful and very mysterious.”
Mori speaks up, “I can’t even begin to fathom it. You are now completely shielded from me, unless you intentionally open yourself up to me. It is both disconcerting and very comforting. I do not believe that even Drakyre will be able to ‘scan’ you. That does make you appear to be a threat to many, though. How do they know you won’t become as bad as he is…? I am not saying I believe you will, you understand…”
I fight back tears of frustration. It is SO unfair! I only want to be a good Queen, not that I WANT to be Queen… I take a shaky breath to settle my nerves and nod to my closest friends, family, and advisors. It is time to hold audiences and court to settle disputes.
As we walk to the audience room, Aunt Lothi says, “The very fact that this IS bothering you, speaks volumes. Give them time…”
We enter and I sit for my first ruling of the day…
After three weeks of this, I can’t take it anymore. I need a break…
I summon Aunt Lothi and say, “Lothi, I am taking Miri and Mori on a small trip to the borderlands. I have been practicing all brands of my magic…and need to put it all to the test. I want to be away from here to do so; to keep rumors down… We should only be gone a week or two. Please take care of business for me while I am gone.” I hug her and go to gather Miri and Mori.
A day later, we are camped right on the border to the Bufferlands and the Dark Realm—I am fairly sure that no Elf will come here.
The first day, Mori and I spar magically. Miri and I spar physically and have an arrow-shooting competition. It feels good to just unwind. An hour after dark, my whole body begins to tingle…and I get the vision of a band of vampires just on the other side of the Golden Veil. Startled, I look at Mori and she nods that she had sensed them, too.
I say, “I have never sensed them like this… I can actually ‘see’ them.”
Mori says, “I have heard of such. It is an ‘old magic’ ability. Some Elves can tap into the forest and ‘see’ things, using the plants’ and animals’ energies. Since you have not exhibited this ability before, it must have something to do with the Dwarven magic.”
I nod and concentrate. It does not take long for me to identify the source of the ‘vision’—the very Earth itself; more specifically the river sand that the vampires are standing on.
I decide to try an experiment. Both Miri and Mori attempt to dissuade me, but I remain firm in my resolve. I turn my protective shield pitch black, tap into the Earth for reserve energy, and turn my shield up several notches. I cross though the Golden Veil into the Bufferlands and walk the several hundred paces to the river that the Vampires are sitting by. They are technically still in the Bufferlands, but very close to the Dark Realm border.
It is unusual to find more than one vampire in one spot. Here, there are five! I find this very disconcerting—something is up to make them gather into a band this way. I try and listen in on them, but they seem to communicate telepathically. There is absolutely no indication that they realize that I am here; even though, I am within ten paces of them.
Five rapid-fire, dragon-blood tipped arrows later, the vampires are ash settling on the ground. Ash that I can now sense. I pick up my arrows and slowly walk back to the Veil.
Mori and Miri are beside themselves, especially since I was very clear that they were NOT to follow me through to the other side.
Mori asks as soon as I come through, “What happened to them? I no longer sense them.”
I reach out and feel the Dark Energy draining from the ashes—leaving behind only the true essence of the original Humans from before their change. I tell Mori and Miri what I know.
Mori says, “I found it disturbing to sense a band of them, as well. You say there were five and they were getting along?”
I say, “Getting along is maybe too generous, but they were not going after each other’s throats… If Drakyre is expending enough energy to make vampires peacefully coexist, there MUST be a reason. And why so close to the Elven Realm?”
The next night, there is a large pack of werewolves not far from where the vampires had been the previous night. I repeat my performance of the night before, including the warning body tingle.
There is not anything particularly disturbing about werewolves being in a pack, but the fact that they are in the same spot as the vampires were—sniffing as if they are looking for them—is VERY disturbing to me.
I cross over into the Bufferlands and make my way to the pack, once again shrouded in complete blackness. There are fourteen wolves one minute and fourteen piles of ashes the next.
Almost predictably, the next night there is a band of zombies milling around the same spot—seemingly confused that they are alone. There are way too many for me to stealthily dispatch myself, so I stretch the boundaries of my black shield to be large enough to include Miri and Mori. I wait a bit to see if I can hold the shield and barely notice the extra energy drain.
We cross over into the Bufferlands and quietly walk together to the spot the zombies are conglomerating in. There is enough time to see the confused look on the last of the zombies as arrows and blue balls of energy shoot from seemingly nowhere. The look does not last long, since they are quickly dispatched to dust.
Miri and I gather our arrows and we all cross through the Veil into our own Realm.
We sit and discuss theories as to what may be going on. Of course, we have no idea…
The next night, my body starts tingling so strongly I nearly pass out. I look at Mori; she is deathly pale. Even Miri, who has some developing new Elven powers of her own, is very disturbed by something.
Then the ‘vision’ comes to me of a very handsome, but very cruel-looking, Human on a black stallion. He is so consumed by Dark Energy that he is nearly total blackness to my senses. He is approaching the same spot on the river.
Mori mutters, “It is one of Drakyre’s Twelve—a Dark Rider…”
The Dark Rider pokes around the ‘camp’ and puts out tendrils of palpable Dark energy—obviously in search of the minions that are no longer there. He stiffens in one spot where the minions’ Dark energy has not completely dissipated from the ash…and seems to actually notice the ash for the first time…
He turns to look at the Veil and I can ‘see’ his blood-red irises even from this far, his Darkness is so strong…
He mounts his steed and starts riding towards to the Golden Veil. I unconsciously reach out and strengthen it in the area that we are in, so that he cannot see us—with his eyes, at least. I have no idea what his capabilities are of sensing us… We, of course can see OUT.
I stretch out my shield and engulf all three of us, ratcheting it up to a very high level…at this point, I am well-tapped into both Earth and Forest Magic…but at this level, I can still feel the slow drain of my own energy.
The Rider arrives at the Veil and reaches out to touch it. It sizzles as his fingertips barely poke through… We all jump. He is NOT supposed to be able to do that. He pulls his hand back and kisses his fingers…they are slightly burned. His eyes bore into the Veil; in an obvious attempt to see through…or sense through it.
Finally, he jerks his horse around and rides slowly off…
I follow his progress with my Earth ‘sight’ and once he has crossed the river and is well on his way back into the Dark Realm, I slowly let the power drain from my shield and compress it back to just me… I sigh audibly and feel faint.
Mori hands me a handful of moonfruit and I greedily gulp it down. After a few moments, I ask, “What in the darkest level of the Underworlds WAS that thing? I have never sensed anything that BLACK before.”
Mori and Miri sit next to me and start preparing our meal.
Mori says, “That was one of the twelve Dark Riders—Drakyre’s personal guard. You WON’T ever sense anything blacker—until you sense Drakyre himself. With the Riders, it is like a complete ABSENSE of Light—most minions have at least a little Light left them—not the Riders. With Drakyre, it is like he is SO Dark that he pulls the Light FROM you…like he is eating it. Or, so I have heard anyway. Not many have sensed it and lived to tell… Or they have been turned into a minion and CAN’T tell…”
She busies herself more with preparing the meal and Miri says, “That was quite the shield you put around us. Don’t do it again. Even I could feel your drain towards the end…”
Mori nods grimly, but remains silent.
I sigh again and say, “I had to make sure he did not get the idea that we had anything to do with his minions being gone… Even so, I am afraid that we have not seen the last of him…or his minions…”
The next weeks are boring relative to the events of that day. I am back to ruling on disagreements and settling disputes. I practice using my different Magics every day, and am getting more adept at combining them into new uses that have, to date, never been possible…
I feel myself getting stronger…and start to get the feeling of, well, invincibility… Not in a creepy way, you understand…not like Drakyre… No, I don’t want to take OVER the Earth…but I DO feel like I could take ON the Earth…and WIN…
That is why it comes as a complete shock to me when I am in the middle of a practice session with Mori and I simply go limp and collapse…
The world is suddenly dark…I feel weightless…like I am floating… No, maybe flying is the better word…
Things come back into focus and I am in the Dwarve’s cavernous castle…the Old Woman is there…alone…
She speaks, “Hello, Queen Nelle, I have summoned you so that we may speak. Do not be alarmed…only your Magical aura is here—your body is safe at your home, fully protected by an Earth-Magic shield. The Dwarves have been attacked by a Dark Rider and leagues of minions…we need your help…”
And, with that, I come to in my own body again. Mori is leaning over me, not able to touch me because of my shield. I blink, release the shield, and say, “It is OK, Mori… I mean I am OK…I think…”
I tell her about my experience and she frowns. She says, “I was afraid of something like this. She has a power over you that you cannot control. We will have to find a way to protect you against that…now that we know it exists… What do you want to do about the Dwarves? Let them rot for deceiving you?”
I shake my head and say, “No, I don’t think so. First, I made a promise…and…second…who knows what she can or WOULD do to me if I don’t come. I am not allowing anyone else to come with me, though. You and Miri need to stay in the Queendom—if a Dark Rider is attacking the Dwarven Realm, it is only a matter of time before they attempt to test our defenses again.”
Miri is having a fit, “Your Majesty, I CANNOT allow you to go alone!”
I give her a stern look and say, “Miri, this is a direct order from your Queen. You and Mori will remain behind to protect Lothi and the Queendom. I will move fast and assess the situation with the Dwarves. I can handle myself; you know that… But, I am not going to have ALL of us go into a trap…”
She bows her head contritely and says, “Yes, Your Highness.”
I grab my pack and quickly disappear into the forest. Several hours later, I am at the junction of the Elven and Dwarven Realms, and Borderlands to the Dark Realm. I raise the level of my shield and stretch my senses. I ‘see’ a large encampment of Dwarves on the Dwarven side…but pulled way back from the border. I also ‘see’ a black ‘hole’ where there is a large mass of Dark minions and their leader…already well across the border… The Rider is going from injured Dwarf to injured Dwarf on the battlefield and touching them… They are turning into horrible creatures…
I shake my head and say to myself, “He is turning them into trolls… Humans become vampires, werewolves, or zombies… Dwarves become trolls… I don’t want to find out what Elves become…”
I watch as the newly-formed trolls join the ranks of the minions, obviously still confused. The other minions are feasting on the dead bodies of the fallen Dwarves.
I shudder and circle back around so that I cross into the Dwarven Realm well behind the ‘new’ border to the Dark Realm. I have my shield at a very high level, but since it is just me under it, the drain is negligible. I enter the Dwarves’ camp unnoticed and make my way to the rear center, where I can see that the command tent is set up. I enter the tent and lower my shield, effectively becoming visible to all in the tent, but not unprotected from the weapons raised at me by the surprised guard.
Kir jumps and then ‘smiles’ when he sees me. He motions for a goblet of wine for me and says, “Welcome, Queen Nelle. I was not sure whether to expect you, or not. How many Elves are you bringing in your command?”
I take a small sip from proffered goblet and say, “It is just me, Kir. When I was somehow kidnapped from my own body, only to appear in front of your sorceress, to be told that you needed help…well, I am sure that you can understand my reservations. I needed to see what was going on for real…and whether this sorceress has any OTHER unbidden control over me… This is not the best way to foster trust between us Kir…”
He pales and says, “I had no idea she could do that… I thought our messenger had arrived and informed you… He left days ago…”
I shake my head and say, “I have not heard from your messenger; it seems he did not make it… Now, tell me what the situation is…other than ‘grim’, obviously…”
Kir tells me that a large band of minions arrived at the border to the Dwarven Realm several days ago, which seemed very odd to the Dwarves that they would join together that way. Then a Dark Rider arrived and the attacks began…
He says, “It is not as if they are really trying to invade as much as the Dark Rider is trying to injure us and turn us into his minion creatures… Bloody trolls…”
I nod and take another sip of wine. Then I say, “I saw that happening. The question is why does he want Dwarven minions…? Another Rider arrived at our border several weeks ago; in similar fashion. We were lucky and were able to turn back his attack…” I intentionally leave out the details. “I wonder if he was after the same thing? Elven minions…?”
Kir says, “Well, from this attack that would make sense; although, I don’t have an answer to your larger question… Why?” He takes a gulp of wine and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. Then he says, “We can’t kill the damned things. Our axes are indestructible and are immune to their magic, but they don’t seem to hurt them. They cut them easily enough…but they don’t kill them unless we are lucky enough to cut off a head…and sometime not even THAT works…”
I ask simply, “Are you using Dragon’s blood? My arrows are tipped with it… It is the only thing that I know of that will surely kill them…”
His eyes get big and he says, “How…how…? I don’t even want to know… No, we are not. It is not something that is just lying around in every cave, you know… We will have to secure some, though. Thank you for the information…”
At that moment, one of Kir’s officers comes in and says, “Sire, the Darklings…they are retreating… They are just leaving!”
I look at Kir and we both look back at the messenger.
Kir is obviously as baffled as I am, more probably, as he says, “Retreating? Wha…? But, all they got were a few dozen…”[/color]
“…Dwarves…” I finish his sentence. I look back to Kir and ask, “Do these Trolls that were created have any special properties? I am not really familiar with them…”
Kir looks thoughtful for a minute and says, “Not really… Like the other…Human…minions, their strengths lie in the night, but they can function in the light—just at a much reduced level. They are of Dwarven origin, so, they have many of the same strengths, only enhanced by the Darkness, itself…”
The Old Woman ‘appears’ in my mind… She says, “It is the difference in Magics… The Trolls are more resistant to Dwarven Magic designed to protect the race from other races. Just as the Human minions are more resistant to the Human Magic…and Dark Elves are to Elven. With an army of minions from all three races, Drakyre has the ability to thwart all types of defense Magics… He must have needed more Trolls for something, which does not bode well for us Dwarves, because that would indicate a more serious attack is in the making—one that will not only be after more minions…”
I sigh and say, “I really wish she would not do that…although, I suppose it has its uses.” Kir looks at me strangely and I explain how the Old Woman appears to me…and repeat what she just said.
“Dark Elves? This Dwarven oracle thinks Dark Elves are involved?” Aunt Lothi is clearly disturbed.
I nod and finish telling her about the attack and how I had rushed home so that we can strengthen our defenses.
Aunt Lothi continues, “If it is true that Drakyre has aligned himself with Dark Elves, then we may truly be in for a nasty battle…or war. Unlike the other minions, the Dark Elves are not created by Drakyre, although I suppose he could create some perverted resemblance of one. These are creatures that are nearly every bit as Dark as Drakyre himself, but that we have been able to maintain a tenuous treaty with, over the centuries. We haven’t gotten to that part of your history lessons, yet, but before our truce, there were very bloody battles between them and us. I find it hard to believe that they would align themselves with Drakyre, though. They are very distrustful…and will bow to no one…they don’t even have a leader in that sense… It is difficult to explain and even more so to comprehend how they survive as a loose band of…beings…”
I let that sink in, then ask, “And our defenses…? The Veil?”
Aunt Lothi shakes her head and says, “The old Dwarf is right… It is designed to keep other races out…and the Dark Elves, Dark as they may be, are Elves…
The next several days are filled with a huge flurry of activities from me.
First, I gather Miri, Mori, and Aunt Lothi and go to the Tree of Life. I want to commune with the Elders from LONG ago and need a rock solid tether to reality. Once I am sure that mental lifeline is secured, I touch the Tree and ask for permission to commune…
I feel myself drawn deep into the roots and up through the phloem system of the tree…. I lose all sense of direction back to reality… But, finally come to where I need to be… A series of ‘lights’ appear and I am with the Elders.
I ask as many questions as I can about the Dark Elves and the wars from long ago… What our best defenses…and offenses were. I also ask about ways to strengthen the Golden Veil, the fact that Dark Rider was able to get through even a little bit still frightens me.
I learn so much and want to ask more, but feel the tug of my lifeline and myself being pulled back to reality.
I am surprised to find that I was in communion with the Elders for three hours…the maximum allowed time for the safety of the Queen.
After that, I sit with my Court and make plans to strengthen our defenses. As with everything there is a cost, and strengthening the Golden Veil comes with one. It is a matter of balance. For centuries, now, the level at which the Veil has been maintained by the Tree has been more than sufficient. It had noticed the intrusion of the Dark Rider and automatically increased the strength of the Veil. The level of Energy needed to do that, however, cannot be maintained for long periods of time. A sustained level of attack at that magnitude would cause the Veil to fail.
The Elders did, however, feel that, with my unique combination of Human, Elven, and Dwarven Magics, I can do what has not been possible before.
But, it will take careful preparation…and time to gather what I need…
I am in an exhausted sleep. I am thirty minutes into my three-hour sleep cycle, when I start dreaming… I feel the pull of the Magic from both of my Dwarven rubies… I know this is not just an ordinary dream…
A huge Darkness is descending on the Veil, at the same time, it is descending on the Human and Dwarven Realms… Four Riders each, with vast armies of minions, are descending on the three Realms…
Drakyre is coming…sometime in the very near future…
Author’s Note: This is the end of the first Trilogy. As soon as I fulfill some promises on other stories and series, I will start the second set of books in this series. I hope everyone has enjoyed it so far and is interested in more.