The Hall of Elves
She could see that Father was angry when she walked into his great hall. She could
see it, yes, but she couldn’t bring herself to really care.
The Elven Lord watched as his youngest daughter, the defiant one, entered his hall
and he could hear the comments and snickers from the courtesans. He slowly turned his head to
look at them and they immediately quieted down, putting neutral expressions on their faces. As he
looked back at his youngest, he could only wish that she would obey his desires so easily.
As Taerre approached her father’s throne, she slowed her walk to a stately pace. The
prescribed three steps to the dais she stopped, knelt on one knee, bowed her head, and spoke; "
I am here to serve, Lord."
The gathered audience gasped. That was a human gesture of fealty, not an Elven one.
Where had she learned it?
Lord Ravalt stood and walked down to his daughter, cupped her chin and looked into
her eyes. The fire burning there was real. She meant what she had said. And unfortunately he know
what she had planned since her oldest brother’s body had been returned, blackened, scarred,
bereft of life.
"Father…" she began.
"Shhh, warrior," the Lord said. "I now see that your defiance and
absences from our court were truly for a purpose. I cannot say I am happy with your decision, or
with what seems to be your choice of a trainer, but I must respect it. If you would go to end the
cycle of attacks on our home, I can only offer my blessings and hope the Gods send theirs as well.
"
"Yes father," she answered. "I am grateful for your blessings. With
them I am strengthened."
The Elven Lord smiled down at his daughter, all traces of his bad humour erased. He
remembered now why she remained in his heart so well, even as she continued to put their traditions
on their ears. She was honest and loving, something he missed with all his dealing in ruling. He
sighed and wished her mother were here to see this.
Ravalt reached down to take his daughter’s arm and raise her to her feet. Only then
did she raise her head and look at him. There was something more, he could sense it. "Daughter,
what is it?"
"Lord, father, I cannot do this alone, but I couldn’t find anyone to help me.
Noone would risk your wrath. Sooo…." She trailed off looking back towards the door of the
hall.
"What have you done, daughter?" Ravalt asked, concern in his voice.
"Father, I found someone to train with, someone who knew swords, someone who
saw past my rank and sex and was willing to help me. Father, these creatures harm not only us but others as well."
"And so you chose a human? Yes, I could tell from your entrance. Why would that
worry me? The human’s are generally good folk."
"Father, he was worried that you would turn him away as his own folk have. He’s
not well received by the rest of the humans. They fear him for some reason. I cannot understand
why, he is kind and generous."
Ravalt turned and climbed the stairs to his seat. He looked at it for a minute,
remembering what it represented to the Elven. Then he turned and sat. "Daughter, I do not
judge based on the whims of others. Let me meet this human and decide for myself."
"He awaits outside, Father."
"Then go, get him and bring him here to me." Ravalt said, smiling. "Do
not let him think we are uncivil. Go daughter."
With that, Taerre rose to her feet and left the hall, with great haste.
"Lord Ravalt, a human in here? Wouldn’t it be better to meet it in the receiving
hall, not the Hall of Ruling?"
"You forget yourself, Nobleman Islinf. I make decisions here about what is
right and proper."
"Yes, Lord, but…" Islinf started.
"Besides," Lord Ravalt continued, looking at the assembled Elves. "Do
you forget that this was once a human castle, that two thousand years ago a prophecy of a beast
caused Queen Hysture to turn over rule to my father?"
"No, Lord, I did not forget," Islinf said. "But, the humans have
talked about regaining rule ever since then."
"Yes, Islinf, some have, but the descendants of Hysture have always supported
our House and most humans are content with this House. As for this human, I would meet him here.
That is the end of the subject."
"Yes, Lord."
An uneasy silence fell upon the hall. Never before had their Lord been so short with
a Nobleman. And over a human?
Moments passed and the silence grew stronger until finally, the great doors opened
to allow Taerre to enter. To the left and just behind her was the human. He looked like many humans,
nothing special about him.
Taerre approached the dais and again, three paces before it, she knelt and bowed her
head. The human’s movements so exactly matched hers that he could have been her shadow.
In one voice, they said, "I am here to serve, Lord."
"Rise, daughter and friend. Know that your service is accepted and welcome,"
Lord Ravalt said.
The two rose and looked up at the Elven Lord. Ravalt could see his daughter biting
her lip. She still seemed worried that her father would object to this human. Why?
"Daughter, please, introduce us. It would be unseemly for me to call this man,
‘human’ if he has a name."
"Father, Lord, if it pleases you may I present Darius? This is the man who has
trained me in the ways of sword, bow, and knife."
Lord Ravalt stood. "Welcome to my house, Darius. I am pleased that my daughter
found a trainer of such obvious quality."
"Thank you, Lord," Darius replied. "It has been my pleasure to serve
your House in such a way."
Ravalt stared down at the young man before him. Something seemed familiar. He strode
to the bottom of the dais and brushed back the long blonde hair covering the human’s face. The
green eyes that returned his stare could only come from one family.
"Hysture?" the Elven Lord asked, startled.
"Yes, Lord," Darius replied. "I am of her house."
Ravalt looked to his daughter. "I thought you said that the human’s had turned
him away. Why would they turn away one of the descendant’s of their wisest ruler?"
"Because, Lord," Darius replied. "I am what she feared would come to
pass. I am the beast."