Tales of Eldelórne Page 19

  They watched as the King walked the distance to his throne. He sat down gracefully, smiling wistfully at the last of Thendiel’s clan, as his beautiful form sloughed away and crumbled to dust over the dry, brittle, unmoving bones that sat there.

  The four companions stood in shock for a moment but then EJ found his senses and stepped forward to bow a formal farewell.

  “Your enchantment here is well-received father. We thank you for your mercies,” he spoke as if addressing Ellinduil alive. After smiling one of his blissful smiles for the sovereign, he turned to go, and the others followed in silence. They marched out the front gate and found themselves instantly, what would be twenty leagues away, on the north edge of the Autumwood forest. They were looking at open green fields and the path home.

  “That was strange,” Fionna said to EJ.

  “Yes, it was, but this kind of magics is not so impossible for elves. Especially an Eldar such as this King Ellinduil. Maybe there is some other reason, but he was there for us to save Naalin. The power and grace of Ilmatar flows through him and all around us,” EJ swung his hand around in a circle illustrating his point.

  “Gods never-ending,” she let out as a gasp.

  “Exactly.” He poked at her. Before she could say anything more, with sparkling, mischievous eyes, he stole a kiss from her parted lips.

  Roevash was busy boosting Naalin up on his pack to ride on his shoulders as his brother and Fionna streaked past, howling and laughing. Naalin was thin and frail, but she was alive. Roe moved out at a fast pace to catch up to the others. He was happy to be heading back home to the Vehlevar encampment.

  How Many Evils

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  The village was ablaze with a hot crackling fire. Goblins and their hiisi leaders had just overrun the place dragging away every living elf in their path. They were bringing the captives to their den to be tortured and twisted into goblins, or worse yet, used for breeding.

  The unarmed elves fought back to some degree, to save their homes as much as they could. Realizing their attackers were too many, they abandoned the burning town. They scattered to the forests with the monsters close at their heels.

  Master Wizard Farghal was concentrating while walking across the littered streets. He used his magics to flip large piles of rubble out of the way. The younger wizard Elebrian was there as well, searching. He heaved another burning house pole aside using only his staff.

  "She is here... she is still alive," a voice called out. The two wizards quickly ran to the street's corner and moved to their brother Sibelast's side.

  In his hands was a tiny squalling elfling that he extracted from its mother's womb. The female elf had perished when the house collapsed only minutes before. The mother's corpse lay distorted, with her upper body still beneath part of the burning roof. Elebrian tore a sizable chunk of material off the deceased elderhis' skirt. He used a spell to clean it, smooth the edges, and preserve it from wear. Sibelast wrapped the elf-girl in it.

  He then pulled out a small glass ampule with a bright, glowing liquid in it and put the thin end in the little one's mouth. The infant drank the solution greedily. The newborn was hardly as big as one of Sibelast's young rabbits, but this was normal for elves. She was content after feeding.

  "What is her name," Wizard Sibelast quietly asked. She had finished her first meal, so he gently handed her over to Farghal.

  "Fionna will be her name," Farghal answered him.

  "I am glad we found her," Elebrian said.

  "Was there any doubt?" Farghal smiled kindly down at the elfling, whose tiny hand, pulled on a chunk of his facial hair as he inspected her.

  The Master Wizard secured the babe into the soft fold of his robe sleeve. They then moved quickly out of the disaster that was once the village of Vehlevar.

  +++

  Fionna didn't know what was crawling up her neck until it was too late. She heard it buzz loudly when she slapped it away. A giant hornet stung her cheek. Fionna's face instantly puffed up out of control.

  "Hold still, my love," EJ flipped out the stinger with the edge of his small knife.

  He cut across the wound and with his mouth, sucked and spit the poison onto the ground. Fionna sat crying as he packed the wound with a willow leaf poultice to stop some of the pain, but the damage was done. Her face grew lopsided. It was not as severe as it could have been. EJ's fast extraction of the poisons saved her from permanent injury, but she looked like she had on a droopy mask on, with a swollen lip.

  "This injury will soon pass," EJ said quietly, as he held her in his arms. His attempts at consoling only seemed to make her more upset. Fionna was tired and now had a pounding headache.

  "We should make camp," EJ told the others, taking control of the situation. He was starting to feel irritated himself with his brother and Naalin for their unending silliness together throughout this whole wasp ordeal.

  "For not knowing each other's language they are certainly communicating very well," Fionna tiredly pointed out.

  "I think they are finding each other," EJ said quietly as she lay down on the bed he had made for her.

  "Their giddiness is more about an excuse to laugh and touch. They are not thinking about your injury." His wisdom that was always so calming to her was not so comforting today.

  "Remember I always love you EJ," she said, scowling to herself in pain.

  "I feel such uncontrollable anger right now. I do not know if I can hold my tongue. I might say something I do not mean. I do not know what is wrong with me, but I know it is not your fault. Not anybody's fault," Fionna felt confused and tired. "Maybe it is the wasp poison." She winced as she touched her bandaged face.

  "Rest now," EJ said as he stroked his fingers over her head through her hair. He expertly untangled as much as he could and made a single thick braid that hung over her shoulder. She was lulled asleep by the gentle tugging and loving touch of his hands.

  Eijlam found Roe and Naalin sitting as if attached at the hip next to a blazing fire. They both held thin sticks with something cooking, attached to their ends.

  "You look like you are fishing in fire," EJ couldn't help but smile. Naalin giggled as she spoke in a different language that they did not completely understand.

  "I think she is happy," Roe said, looking at her small dimpled face that was peering happily up at him.

  "She is like a hungry bird waiting for you to feed her brother," EJ said, as he sat down.

  "Our Fionna is not well. You should rein in your happiness just a little, so as not to wake her."

  Roe looked puzzled and suddenly realized how silly he had been acting.

  "How strange. I feel like I am under a spell!" His eyes shifted around, and he looked seriously upset with himself.

  "Oh, nín hawn. You are feeling love. It is not an illness, nor is it fatal." EJ laughed. "You are simply fond of this one."

  "What!" Roe looked uncomfortable.

  "Do not shy away, brother. This one may look small, but I am told she is older than both of us." Ej looked at her across the warm glow of the fire and smiled. Naalin smiled back.

  "You and I were small ones, still in our mother's bed when this one was probably pledging herself to our king's forces." EJ's face went serious in his weariness.

  "We will have to learn her mother's tongue or teach her ours... and besides," he added for fun, "my brother has stolen a kiss or maybe even two, in his lifetime."

  He laughed at Roe's startled face.

  "I am glad she did not hear you just say that. Besides, I have grown too monstrous for such small, delicate females as I have seen in the land," Roe said, studying her more closely.

  "I am just happy to see elvenkin live," he told himself smugly.

  For some reason, the thought of his brother, never allowing himself to embrace the love of a mate made EJ sad, but he could not argue such things.

  Roe could see EJ frowning and broke into his thoughts, "I wish we could have helped more."

  They both fr
owned thinking about the scenes of the island they shared in their memory. Naalin was speaking softly in her musical voice, begging politely for another bite of food as she tugged gently on Roe's sleeve.

  "She is healing. Feed her well," EJ said as he gave up on the idea of having a meal.

  He smiled at them both and tiredly hauled himself to Fionna's side.

  Eijlam decided the anxiety and anger they had all been feeling could be an unfortunate side effect of their mother's village, and the island beyond. The thought that they may never safely return there made him sad. King Ellinduil was also a puzzle in his head. He pondered his words and wondered just what he meant by, this realm, asking him for something. He now knew his father's name, but it didn't make him feel any different than before.

  "These are things only the wizards and high elves know. They seem to speak in riddles and secretly understand more than they ever tell." Ej fell asleep gently holding Fionna close.

  +++

  Although the wizard was compelled, by his nature, to cooperate with the wishes of Lords, he had grown fond of Fionna. She grew tall and affectionately called him "papa." He smiled at memories of her bright eyes and sharp wit. She had learned so quickly how to cast spells and wield a basic magic staff. These were things he decided to teach her. They were not required for his assignment into the mortal realm. He truly missed her now.

  A long year had passed since EJ had sent back word that he had found Fionna safe with his brother in Vehlevar. The wizards were being called to return to Ilmatar. He wondered if he would ever see Fionna or EJ again.

  "Humph, Ilmatar Lords can see into the futures of men, but they cannot always anticipate the finer details of what humans call fate." The wizard Farghal smiled as he lay down for another long nap.

  +++

  Roevash calculated that they would be home by midday. Naalin was feeling well enough to travel along on her own two feet, but it was much slower. To quicken the pace, Roe decided it would be faster to carry her, and so he did, over most of the distance.

  The swelling from the bee sting had healed, but there was still the small pink line where EJ's blade cut into Fionna's cheek. Her feelings of unreasonable anger had also subsided but were replaced by a growing sense of dread.

  "It has been too long since I have been home to see my papa." Fionna was filled with anxiety, just saying it out loud. "Maybe I should make the trip when we get back. I feel like something is not right."

  Ej knew that he could not change her mind once she decided to do something even if her words sounded like she was asking his opinion. He knew she did not want an answer other than what she had already decided.

  "Hey, you could bring Naalin with you? Get a pony for her and take your time. Teach her the ways of her new life?" EJ said.

  "The decision would be up to Naalin. I do not know if I can pry her away from your brother."

  "That is part of the reason for taking her away, he needs to get back to his work," EJ grinned softly.

  "I will ask her," Fionna smiled at him.

  They were soon within view of Fort Vehlevar. An excited Dakein met them at the gates. He had been scouting the lower valley and had much to tell Roevash.

  The soldiers stared in wonder at the tiny girl as Roe set Naalin on the ground. Fionna took her by the hand. She was leading her to their quarters to unpack, and show her around. Naalin turned and stared at Roe the whole time she was dragged away. He smiled back, but just stood there feeling relieved. It was good to be home and back to business. Roevash and his first officer went into his office to talk with Dakein. EJ went to the kitchen to find something edible to bring to the meeting.

  Dakein had found a dragon in the lower valley to the northwest.

  "That would explain animals migrating into other territories. We will have to take a force and kill it," Roe said.

  "Brief the troops on high-level tactical engagement. We will be marching as soon as they are ready, Commander Roevash said to his first lieutenant."

  "Yes, sir," the man left to start the men working on it.

  "Nothing can prepare these boys for fighting a live dragon," Dakein said with a serious look on his face as he leaned forward over the desk.

  "What do you propose then," Roe asked in frustration.

  "My thoughts are to ask why is the dragon here in the first place. There is no Dwarven settlement, no horde of gold in these parts to lure such a monster here, the only other reason would be something can command it."

  Concern knit Roe's brow as he paced the floor. He stopped and rested a hand on the hearth. Dust had gathered on the mantle, and the fire had gone cold in his absence. He leaned into it as if to crush the massive stone to rubble. He couldn't deny Dakein's logic.

  "We have fought too many evils Dakein. I hope you are wrong." Roevash looked sharply at his friend, but they both knew he was right about this one.

  The Death of Us

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  "I must travel, will you accompany me?" Fionna asked Naalin.

  "Where do you go?"

  "I grew up in Drustnlach. It is many leagues south and west of here. I miss my papa so I must travel to see him." Fionna felt anxiety tugging at her heart again.

  "I like the tall one. Will he come too?"

  "No, he is commander here. His men need him now."

  "I see. He commands humans?" Naalin looked confused and somewhat disturbed by that.

  "I should stay with my kin ... but, I am still so very weary Fionna."

  "I can wait a few days longer. We both need rest. I can help you communicate better. It would be good if you learned the common tongue. We all know this language."

  "Why do I wish to talk to them?" She showed apparent disdain for humans again.

  "We are surrounded by them in this changed land. Most of the elves have gone back to Ilmatar, or maybe even all of them. We were searching for more when we found you."

  Naalin didn't realize the elves had all left. She looked over at Fionna frowning.

  "What have I been woken into?" Naalin looked distressed.

  Fionna told her the calendar year and some brief history. Naalin was stunned for a moment but quickly shook it off. Fi thought she must have made up her mind about something that had troubled her.

  "What happened to you on the island?" Fionna asked, "Do you wish to tell me? We could start there.”

  "I am hungry. Is there a place to find food, yes?" Naalin asked with a serious look on her face.

  They went to the fort's commissary. Fionna was disappointed to see the men were back to their old inability to cook for themselves properly.

  "Back to work I guess," she mumbled as she scraped together what she could find.

  +++

  Naalin told Fionna her long story as they ate dinner. "I was helping my mother prepare for birthing when they came…"

  "The monstrous hiisi and their goblin hoard overran the village. A firestorm instantly killed my mother as the roof of our small house caved in. We all ran for our lives into the forest. Many were captured to be chained and turned into more of their filth. This evil was loosed upon us all, and I was alone. I tried to find those left hiding among the trees after the monsters were gone. We were only the smallest of us, left crying for lost families, and the very eldest. So few had survived. We traveled east towards the blue mountains of snow and mist and eventually found refuge with elvenkin at Caras Eldarhon."

  The girls finished up their plates and walked back to Fionna's private rooms where Naalin would be staying.

  "I was barely old enough to be trained to fight. Regardless of this, I was given a sword and armor because our new rulers told us evil was rising in the land."

  Naalin continued, "The fallen one, Lord Surmanos had come into the realm in the guise of a sorcerer. We discovered him south, on the edge of Rahedan Forest, in what we thought to be abandoned ruins.

  My clans youngest were hardly strong enough to defend themselves. They were sent against such a foe. It was wholly destruction t
o lead them there!"

  Her eyes blackened with the memory as it surfaced.

  "That is where our kin fought, and many were just slaughtered on the bloody field of battle. The evil one was driven out, and the forest cleared of the abominations and hiisi mutants."

  "The atrocities of what we saw in the lower levels under that fortress! Elves were twisted and bloody, chained by their necks. Once beautiful elderhis lay torn open from giving birth to those monsters..."

  Naalin's eyes grew cold with anger as she spoke her memories out loud for the first time in hundreds of years. "Their bodies were thrown aside like dead husks. They used them to feed the horde ... faces we once knew! We released so many who had been corrupted, to the true death, by our own blade," Naalin said with great sorrow as she looked down at her hand as if the bloody sword was still there.

  Fionna hugged her tightly to try to calm her tears. They were both crying in each other's arms at the horrors that were forever riveted into long memory.

  Eijlam came in the room a short while later and found them huddled together asleep. He could see the dry salt trails of tears on their cheeks. He climbed silently into the bed behind Fionna and stretched his arm over them both.

  "Peace," he whispered and gently kissed his Fionna on the edge of her ear.

  +++

  After the trauma they’d experienced since their exile, in an attempt to find peace, Naalin and her kin traveled southwest to the Autumwood forest under King Ellinduil's rule. They were allowed to enter and find sanctuary. So there they stayed for a long while.

  "I do understand their dialect after living there for nearly three hundred years," Naalin told Fionna during their breakfast as she continued to share her story…

  "Autumwood is where I was first seriously trained in the art of the stealth warrior. I was then a guard in the King's regiment and wore his colors proudly. Those of us who survived the battles to the north gladly served this King of peace. He always put the safety of his subjects first, and was fair in all his judgments."

  "My Eldars remained separate for reasons they would not tell, until one day, they petitioned to leave King Ellinduil's kingdom to travel even farther south. We thought their actions were to escape the continuous isolation the sovereign had imposed on his lands, and because of the call of the sea. We were shipbuilders after all, and fishers from the northern shores. My kin longed to be near the ocean and feel bare feet running on sandy beaches again."