VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2], 3 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 19:43:03 04/05/03 Sat
Author: Leila, Gelan, & Adaron
Subject: Leaving Arden Vale
In reply to: Leila, Gelan, & Adaron 's message, "From Drearwood to Arden Vale" on 19:39:13 04/05/03 Sat

January 9

Leila and Gelan were to sleep in the same chamber, as that was all the room that could be spared. For a long while she had slept comfortably upon the bed, but the sound of voices finally filtered into her dreams and woke her. Her eyes did not open but just barely so that she could peer through feathery coal lashes to watch the goings on. No other part of her stirred and her breathing remained slow by her own doing, let them think that she still slept soundly.

Gelan was standing at the window looking out into the Shadowlight and in his hand he held a scarlet eye-patch. At his side stood Adaron, arms folded low on his chest. The voiced has silenced as though perhaps they knew that something was amiss in the room, yet soon the Elf broke that silence.

"Gelan King, perhaps it is not my place to speak, and the words that I must say are like to choke me unto death, yet still I must say them, be they right or wrong, The Lady Astariel I hold dear; I have known her since she was brought into this world and stands in my heart with her sire, yet another holds its center. I would follow my heart unto the very Iron Tower itself, to batter down the gates or to creep in stealth to win her free. And I will be joyous if that is the course you choose for perhaps that would see her home safely to her sire, my Lord Mallorn." A deep sigh was let out at his next words. "Yet I see that the grasp of Drego strangles the Realm, and a King is needed to lead the Host, to hurl back the Horde, to rescue the Land. You are King now, none other. I deem a squad must enter Gryn and perhaps even attempt to penetrate the Iron Tower, to bring forth the Lady Astariel. Yet neither you nor Leila should ride north with that squad: Astariel's fate must be in the hands of others, for you must go south to lead the Host, and Leila must go with you to be your eyes." Adaron had been looking at the King as he spoke yet now he turned back to the window, gazing out into the Shadowlight.

Leila had to fight to keep herself from sighing. She did not want to part company with Adaron again so soon, especially hearing his words. A lump was forming in her throat at the thought of having to part from him again. But she made herself focus, slow, deep breaths. Still she seemed in sleep, her eyes resting completely closed once more.

After long moments again the fair Elven voice cut into the silence, his voice was yet just above a whisper, for he did not wish to wake the exhausted edainme. "Early this eve you told me of your oath at the slaughtered wagon train: you sworn an oath as a Prince of the Realm to run these kinstealers unto the ground. But you swore that oath as a Prince; yet again I say, now you are King and a higher duty here calls, and you are honor-bound to answer. Even though it will take weeks, mayhaps months, still your course should be south to Pellar, to the Host. You must crush Drego, at the last, but crush his Horde ere then, for it lays waste to the Land. This, also, I know: were the Lady Astariel able to say, she, too, would urge you south, to save the Realm, for you are King." Adaron turned to fully face the new High King, standing straight and tall. "Lord Mallorn bade me to stand by the King and advise him, and I gave him my pledge. Now you are King, Gelan, and if you will have me in your company, I would ride south with you, for I would not break my word to him." Gelan nodded and it seemed that he would say more, but there came a knock at the door and the Elf Lord Aravan entered.

Aravan spoke: "Gelan King, the time has come to choose."

A deep steadying breath added strength to Gelan's voice, though his face was grim. "South. We ride south. For I am King."

All these people, how in the world did they expect her to sleep? Although she'd been awake to listen to the conversation, she now made motion to stir from the bed, sitting up slowly and looking around at the three, a hand coming up to rub her eyes with small fists, a hand pushing the hair roughly from her face. "Have I missed something?" she asked in a voice still riddled with sleep, and that sound was genuine. Leila was secretly thrilled that Adaron would be along on their journey...although that joy was short lived because she realized they would now be leaving the safe nest of Arden Vale and striking out once more upon the miserably cold path hidden by the Everdark.

Aravan brought her winter clothes over to her, it was time for them to depart. When all were dressed in this goose-down garments they walked down from their quarters and joined the Lady Rael seated at a large table.

Upon hearing that Adaron would fare with Gelan, Rael smiled. "It has ever been so that the High King has accepted one of theEldalie unto his service," and she reached out to clasp Aravan's and Adaron's hands. "It pleases me that you accept our son, as did Aurion, your father."

"Well that explains that," she said softly to herself. She hadn't really meant for it to come out and a hand came up to touch her lips, feigning a cough as though she'd said nothing at all. Leila's hair in all it's ebon glory had been braided away from her face once more, and braided down tightly to hold it firm for the coming days. Ahem.

All eyes turned to the Woman for a moment. Then their food was served and they broke their fast. And while they ate, they were joined by another, yet another Elf who closely resembled Adaron and his sire, Aravan. "Ah," Said Aravan, looking up. "Eiron." The Elf Lord turned to his guests. "Gelan King, Lady Leila, this is my other son, Eiron; he is but three 'Darkdays back from the First Land, the domain also known as Rell. He can tell you of the regions to the south, toward your goal, Pellar.

Adaron had stood at his brothers arrival and forearms were clasped and broad grins exchanged, for it had been many years since the two had seen each other. But then Eiron bowed to Gelan and Leila, then sat with Adaron and took a bowl of dele, a type of porridge, but it was delicious. Eiron spoke. "Rell falls into darkness. Drego's myrk hides all: down the Grimwall it has stalked, reaching nearly unto the Quadran Pass when last I saw, some fifteen 'Darkdays past. Your mission is to Pellar, sand so you must fare south through Rell, but not upon the Old Rell Way, for that is the route of the Rupt: Ruch, Lok, Ghulk, Vulg. They, too, march south along the Grimwall, following the tide of the Everdark."

Leila had bowed her head to Adaron's brother, a silly smile upon her face that she tried to mask, though it was a hard task to undertake with her hair pulled back so tightly. They were a truly beautiful family and it made her heart ache in thought. Family...no longer did she have one, except Talar, he counted in her mind. He reminded her far too much of her brother who had also worried and fussed over her. But wouldn't her edhel be so proud now at how well she ate? She worried for him, and as they spoke back and forth she let herself get lost in her own thoughts, now losing touch with everything around her.

"Crestan Pass, it is near." said Gelan. "Can we not take the Crossland Road up and the Landover down to come to the Argon? If unfrozen, we could ride that river south along the marches of Riamon and Valon to Pellar."

"The River Argon is frozen, Gelan King," answered Eiron. "in the north, that is, perhaps unto Bellon Falls. Ever so, you could not cross the Grimwall at Crestan Pass, for it is winter, and the cold is too bitter at those heights. Too, the approaches are held by the Spaunen. No, your first chance to pass over the Grimwall will be perhaps at Quadran Pass--if it is not snowed in or held also. If the Quadran Pass is blocked by winter or foe, then Gunar Slot would be your next chance, then through Gunarring Gap to Valon and along Pendwyr Road to Pelar."

"Can the enemy be that far south?" Asked Gelan, picturing maps he had studied his entire life and maps he had seen at councils.

"Perhaps; perhaps not." answered Eiron. "Their goal could be the Quadran, for under those four mountains lies Drimmen-deeve, where rules the Dread! And if the Everdark sets that creature free, then Taure en Celebdulin, Forest of the Silverbirds will be their target." Grim were the faces at this pronouncement. "This then is my advice," Eiron began again: "Go south through Arden Vale to come to Rell. Follow parallel to the Old Rell Well and not upon it, for there so Spaunen. You can try to cross the Grimwall at Quadran Pass, and if the way is free, you can fare south through Taure en Celebdulin where our Elven Kindred will aid you on your way. Should the Quadran Pass be held by the foe, or if it is closed by winter snow, then you must turn south once more for Gunar Slot, or even Ralo Pass beyond, and then to the Gunarring Gap and on to far Pellar. Because I know not the mind of the Enemy in Gryn, none of these ways over the Grimway may be open, and how you will ultimately come to Caer Pendwyr I cannot say, yet there you must go, and those are the choices before you.

The conversation between the men interested her not and she found herself daydreaming, her green-gold gaze distant.

Gelan nodded his understanding, but it was Aravan who spoke next: "Gelan King, if I thought it would help, I would send an Elven warrior escort with you. But I think that evil eyes would follow a large force and set a trap, where but two or there might slip through undetected. This, too, I say: Aurion King was a beloved friend and we share your loss. And we know you journey southward when your heart cries out North because of your ally's daughter. And though my son, Adaron, has not told you, last night we held council and debated our course should you choose north, or south. You have chosen south, and this is now our plan: Eiron, Duorn, and two you have not met, Flandrena and Varion, will slip into Gryn. By stealth they will approach the Iron Tower, and if there be any way to rescue the Lady Astariel, they will do so. Else, they will bring word of Drego's forces at his stronghold, so that when the time does come at last, we will know something of the Enemy's strength and disposition. This we will do while you must the Host." Gelan said nothing but there were tears in his eyes and he gripped Aravan’s hand.

~*~


Gelan and Leila had arrived at the healers building to bid the young Prince Igon farewell before they departed.

They stood outside door while the healer instructed the King. "Prince Igon is awake, Gelan King." said the healer. "Pray, tax him not." The healer was convinced with Gelan’s nod and had stepped aside, allowing the youth's brother to move in through the portal.

Slowly Gelan moved to the Prince's bedside.

Igon glanced past Gelan to the Woman still at the door before smiling up at his brother wanly, the youth pale in the yellow lamplight.

Leila then too entered the room, standing behind Gelan while he said his good-byes to his brother before she too could give her good-byes to the young prince.

Soft were Gelan's words. "We go south, my brother, to gather the Host."

"South? But no!" Igon protested, his voice weak and trembling. "Astariel is north!" Then he seemed to see Leila for the first time. "Lady Leila, why are you here?"

Leila looked surprised that he asked her that. "Whatever do you mean, Prince Igon? Why would I not be here?"

The youth seemed confused, his brow furrowing as his seemed to study her. "Challerain Keep…Father…" His head tilted to the side on the pillow, steel-grey eyes seeking his brother's that mirrored the color. "Are you King now, Gelan?" At Gelan's nod the young Prince began to weep. "Then it was not a fevered dream as I had hoped. Father is dead." Igon turned his face to the wall then, his eyes closing as tears streamed down the side of his face, wetting his pillow.

The healer came to stand beside the two visitors and made silent motions to them, indicating that they should leave.

Leila leaned over to gently squeeze his shoulder before she turned and walked out of the room, taking a deep breath to compose herself. She was not going to cry this early and get puffy. No. She stood outside of the healer's building to wait for Gelan too to join her so that with twain could be on their way.

Gelan, the knew King, took his brother's hand and held it in his own two. "We must go now, Igon. The Horde must be stopped." Gelan loosed Igon's hand and gently stroked the young Prince's hair, then stepped to the door.

Igon quickly turned his face to his brother. "I understand, Gelan. I understand. You are King, and the Host is south." Then as Gelan stepped through the door and out to Leila, behind he could hear Igon's quiet weeping.

Leila sighed softly and looked up at Gelan before her eyes turned once more ahead of her and she moved away from the building lethargically, her hands hooked upon opposite hips as they crossed her body.

Now it came for the parting, and Leila and Gelan stood in the company of Elves. And neither the Everdark nor the solemnity of the occasion could dim the fair brightness of the Eldalie. Beautiful Rael stood with Aravan and at their side was Eiron. As they stood, three rode up: Duorn, Flandrena, and Varion. With Eiron they would issue into Gryn and attempt to reach the Iron Tower itself. Assembled there, too, were other Elves: warriors in the main: Arden Guardians. Adaron, Gelan, and Leila stood before Aravan; and the warrior leader of Arden Vale turned and held out his hand, and Rael the Elfess came to stand at her Elf Lord's side. "Gelan King," said Aravan, "ere I bid you and your comrades farewell, I would have my Lady Rael speak, for her words often bear portents."

The gentle voice of the graceful consort fell softly upon their ears. "Gelan King, the way before you is arduous, for the Land is fraught with dire peril. Along your path will lie great danger, yet unbidden aid will be found there, too, just as you and others before you found our aid here at the Hidden Stand. Now you and your Lady companion go forth with my son, and you take all of our blessings with you. Yet hearken: even as you three fare south, four others will bear north." Now Eiron and his three companions came to stand before Rael, too. "And so both of my sons--Adaron and Eiron--as well as all of us, are caught up in events of Drego's making. And that is what Evil does: forces us down dark pathways we otherwise would not have trod. By choice we would have not stepped upon these courses, yet little or no choice we are given, and our energies are turned aside, turned away from the creation of good and toward the destruction of Evil. Make no mistake, Evil must be crushed, not only to eliminate the suffering Evil causes, but also to atone for the good lost. But if for no other reason, Evil must be destroyed so that we can once more guide our own destinies. Until that time, the fates of us all are intertwined, yet the fortune of one weighs heavily upon me. Ever have there been soothsayers in my lineage, and auguries come unannounced at times, yet a soothe has been upon me for some time and now seems to be the time to speak it, though I know not to what cause: 'Neither of two Evils must thy strike claim; Instead smite the Darkness between the same.'" All present had a small look of confusion pass over them. "I know not what it means nor whom its portent bodes, yet this I would also say to you, Gelan King, for I deem this one is directed towards you. 'Seek the aid of those not Men to quench the fires of war. Else Evil triumphant will ascend and rule forevermore.'"

Leila listened intently, her head tipping to the side softly. The words struck deep into her heart where they would remain. A dark boding was upon her. Her body shifted positions, arms holding herself tightly 'round her slender waist.

Rael moved to the wayfarers and pressed a hand to the cheek of each, kissing Adaron and Eiron upon their foreheads though the two had to bend to allow her to do so. And when she stood before Gelan she said, "We will tend to young Igon until he has the strength to join you. Hence, fret now upon his state as you fare south, for that would be needless worry." Then she stepped to Aravan's side and spoke no more, though her eyes were bright.

Now Aravan spoke: "Gelan King, should your course be through Galion Forest, bear our greetings to our Elven Kindred; they will help you on your way. Unlike Arden Vale, their Realm is wide and their strength is great. Yet this, too, I will say: though my warrior band in Arden is small, still Drego's minions give the Elves wide berth, for they fear us. Yet though the Everdark does not grasp this vale as much as it cloaks it, if the Spaunen are left unchecked, there will come a time when they will fall upon us, both here, in Galion Forest, as well as Elvenhome; and we, too, will drown beneath that dark tide. But ere then, with good fortune, you shall guide the force to shatter Drego's black dreams of power. And now this last: when you need us, we will be at your side.

Leila's attention had shifted inward once again and it felt as the quiver upon her back weighed more than it ever had, fore she knew what rested within. Her throat felt thick and she was anxious to get on the road once more so she could concentrate on something...anything but that strange arrow. Why had the Ghulka not taken it when the tomb was raided? Green-gold eyes closed for a moment, a slow breath taken and then released. Fear consumed her now greater than it had in the past, and she knew not why, for no longer did they chase the horde, but go to gather a host.

Now the wayfarers mounted up and Gelan upon Jet turned to Eiron and the three Elven comrades who were to steal into Gryn. "My heart goes with you to the holt of Drego Kinstealer. May fortuned smile upon you." The black steed was turned to face Aravan and Rael and the Elven gathering, and he raised his hand, "Dark days lie behind us, and darker days loom ahead, yet, by my troth, one day the Evil in Gryn shall be overthrown and the bright Sun shall shine again down into this deep-cloven vale." Then Gelan flashed his sword from its scabbard and to the sky cried to all: "Keep well, Fair Ones; we go to bring the Sun!

Adaron then, too, raised his sword, Bale, on high. Eiron too, brandished his weapon. "Silre!" (Shining days!) Adaron cried. "Silre!" Answered Eiron, and a great shout rang up from all. And as the sound echoed through the pines, Adaron, Gelan, and Leila started south while, Eiron, Duorn, Flandrena, and Varion set off for the north.

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-8
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.