by Donald White
The great elf sighed heavily. "I thank you, Flora. You did well, in caring for me. I grew fond of you. To behold your eyes now... is the worst pain of all." He gave a slight smile. "Fear not, woman. As I have said before, I mean you no harm. Go in peace."
Flora glanced over at Devaro. She thought, Something doesn’t make sense. It just doesn't...
Galen focused on the dark knight. "Now, let us end this."
Michael, the captain of the guard called out "Halt. There will be no blood shed in this village. I will not allow it."
Sir Devaro gritted his teeth. "Peace, human. This is a matter between the two of us. You shall not interfere."
Michael stomped forward. "I said..."
The dark knight turned swiftly, menacing the man with his gaze. "You shall not interfere, human."
Michael reluctantly stopped.
Galen gestured for Flora to withdraw. "There is nothing more you can do."
Sir Devaro curled his lip, and drew his sword. He spoke loudly. "No one will be allowed to intervene." Then, he turned to Galen. "Come, my friend. Let us end this."
The high elf nodded, unsheathing his blade.
Sir Devaro grinned at Galen. Then he leaped forward, swinging with all his might.
Galen managed to block, wincing as he felt the impact.
Devaro stabbed, but missed.
Galen attempted to pierce his opponent, but was unable.
For a few moments, they jabbed and thrust at one another. The dark knight managed to evade the high elf’s deadly steel. Galen dodged and turned attacks aside. But his pain was increasing, and the battle was wearing him down.
Sir Devaro smirked, swiping and jabbing. He could feel the momentum turning in his favor.
The high elf felt every blow. He fought to maintain his breath. He stabbed at the dark knight, but the pain was robbing him of his effectiveness. Still he struggled to overcome it, knowing that the end was near. Inside he thought of the woman doctor. Flora, I hold no ill will against you. For you are ignorant as to what he has done. Go in peace, woman. It is my desire that all will be well for you, and for all those you hold dear.
Sir Devaro pressed his advantage, sneering. He spoke within, Farewell, my friend. Though it pains me to do so, I must kill you. Worry not, dear Felicie. For vengeance is at hand. He gave a powerful thrust.
Galen managed to turn it aside.
The dark knight tried again.
But was deflected.
Sir Devaro grew concerned. How can he still fight? Why will he not succumb? I know his pain is great. Surrender to it, Galen. For it will have you.
The high elf knight knocked his opponent's sword aside. He swiped and then stabbed, focusing past his pain.
Sir Devaro cried out, as he felt the blade pierce through his armor. "What?" He stumbled backwards, struggling to ward off his attacker.
Seeing their leader was in trouble the other three knights dashed past the men and entered the fight.
Michael was livid. "What's going on here?"
But the knights could not hear him, for they were busy defending their leader.
Flora watched in silence, knowing that Galen could not possibly fend them all off. She pondered, He didn't have to come here. He could have stayed with my assistants. Why did he come, then? Was he trying to keep me from realizing the truth? But if that is the case, why did he bother to wish me well when he saw my doubt? Will he go to his death to protect his deceit? She saw the three dark knights attacking Sir Galen. That's not right. Sir Devaro said that no one would be allowed to interfere. What's happening? She turned to the guards. "He didn't have to come here. He could have escaped. Now, they're trying to kill him."
The men just stood there, afraid.
Hank said, "This is their fight, Flora. Not ours."
She became incredulous. "Is it Hank? Is it really? The high elves have long been our ally. That's why Galen was brought here in the first place!" She looked at the other guards. "Do we abandon our allies? Do we leave them to die and not even lift a finger to aid them?!" She wept. "Please, men of Lanor. Citizens of Androtopia, listen to me. Will you allow the shedding of blood in the very streets of our village? Will you stand by, and do nothing?!" She scowled at them all, and walked up to Hank. "Give me your sword."
"What?"
She held out her hand. "If you men will do nothing, then I guess it falls to a woman to fight for what is right."
Hank stared at her, dumbfounded. "Doctor, you don't know how to fight. You wouldn't last a moment against them."
"I know, Hank. But at least I will die with a clear conscience." She reached for his weapon.
Michael, the captain of the garrison heard what she said. He looked at his men. "An ally is in need of our help." He drew his sword. "I will help." Then, he gave a cry and attacked the nearest enemy.
Hank nodded, and rushed forward into the fight.
Several other men drew swords, and the dark elves found themselves surrounded.
Galen felt a sharp pain within and cried out. He collapsed on the ground.
Flora grew frantic. "Galen!" But there was nothing she could do.
The beleaguered dark elves turned, seeing the men encompassing them.
Devaro spat. "Foolish humans. You shall all die here." He struggled to fend off their attacks.
Suddenly, arrows spun through the air, and men screamed and fell.
Flora shrieked and ducked.
Sharu motioned for the other two Rangers to flank the humans.
Meanwhile, the villagers had been awakened by the fight and now cowered in their homes.
A dark knight gave a cry of pain, grasping at the sword embedded in his armor. He scowled and thrashed, and then grew limp.
Another knight stabbed and slashed at the men advancing all around him. But he was soon overwhelmed and fell lifeless on the ground.
Michael held up his shield, to protect him from the hidden archers. He plowed forward, slashing at the lead dark knight. "You betrayed us, dark elf. You promised me this wouldn't happen."
Sir Devaro glared at him. "You do err, human. It is you who betrayed us. And I will cut you down."
Michael managed to deflect the sword blows with his shield. He slashed and hacked, until finally his blade struck, breeching the enemy’s armor.
Sir Devaro stumbled forward, falling to his knees.
The captain of the guard swung, his blade sinking deep into the dark elf's neck.
Devaro gasped and choked, desperately stabbing forward.
Michael stepped aside, as the dark elf fell unmoving.
The Dark Hunter Sharu watched as the last of the knights fell prey to the men's fury. He aimed at the fallen pixie-killer. But the woman was already at his side. He thought, She unknowingly obstructs my shot. Sharu noticed that one of his fellow Rangers had been killed, and that the other one had also been located. The battle is lost. We must retreat. He turned and aided his fellow. Soon, they both managed to escape into the darkness.
Flora knelt next to the fallen high elf. "Galen?"
He gasped and choked. Blood gurgled from his mouth. "Flora..." The elf began to fade.
She noticed and cried out, "No!" The woman placed her lips on his and gave him of her own breath.
The elf grew limp.
"Galen!" Hurriedly loosening his armor, she uncovered his chest. Then, she placed her hands on his bare flesh and pressed down firmly. She did it again. Then, she breathed into his mouth. "Don't die, please. Come back!" The woman pumped his chest once more. She breathed into him. "No! Please, Galen. Please." She pumped his chest. She breathed into him.
The elf choked and gasped. He began to breathe on his own once more.
"Galen?" She hugged him close. "Oh, Galen."
The high elf coughed and smiled. "Woman, you have preserved me yet again. You have my thanks. And… my love."
She kissed on him on the lips. "I love you too, Galen. I love you, too."
He wrapped an arm around the quivering woman. "All i
s well, Flora. All is well."
***
Michael led his remaining guards to the border. They kept watch all night, knowing that the dark knights were still there, waiting.
Unbeknownst to the men, Sharu and his remaining fellow had snuck past the border guards. The lead Hunter approached the dark knights.
The one in charge held up a hand. "Peace, Ranger of the Queen. What has befallen you?"
Sharu glanced at the other Hunter, and then turned to face the knight. "Sir Devaro's quest was fruitless."
The other Ranger said not a word.
Studying them both carefully, the dark knight finally nodded. He held up a hand, and gave the signal to depart. The dark knights mounted their steeds, and rode off into the night.
***
Morning came, and the patient stirred. Sir Galen opened his eyes, and gazed at the woman sleeping on his stomach. He placed a hand gently on her head.
Flora softly cooed, and then opened her eyes. "Galen," she sighed.
He smiled down at her. "My beloved Flora. You are as lovely as the dawn."
She blushed, and then sat up. "You scared me last night. I almost lost you, again."
He pulled himself to a seated position. "Worry not for me, dear woman. I was afraid for you. When I saw your eyes, filled with doubt, I felt as if my heart had burst. Tell me, Flora. Why did you come to my aid?"
She bowed her head, and closed her eyes. "The dark knight's argument was compelling. I actually felt myself believing him. But there was just something about the way he looked at you. His deception dropped for an instant, and I could see the coldness that he tried to hide. Then, during the fight, when it looked as if he would lose, the other knights joined in. And that just wasn't right. I mean, he didn't ask them to join him, but it seemed as if they were expected to." She trembled slightly. "And then I saw you, outnumbered and overwhelmed. And it dawned on me. You had come to protect me. You didn't have to do that. And I realized that if you were really guilty of the crime that he accused you of, you probably wouldn't have done that." She turned and looked at Galen. "Tell me, my love. What really happened that day?"
The high elf replied, "Know this, my precious woman. All that Sir Devaro told you is true."
Flora's eyes went wide.
Galen held up a hand. "Peace to you, my beloved. I am no murderer. I will tell you what transpired. And then you shall know all." He paused for a moment. Then, he continued. "As I have said, the dark elves and the high elves were once one people. But the False Queen sought to dethrone the great high King Dagda. There were those of the dark elves who had been inciting rebellion. The sprite witch Felicie was one of them, and I was charged with apprehending her. She refused to go peaceably. In the midst of our exchange, her pixies began to scream and curse at me. Seeing my attention momentarily diverted, the little nymph started to cast a spell. I sensed danger and stepped forward to stop her. However, the little ones unexpectedly jumped between us." Galen let out a sigh. "All three of them were burned unto death, by the spell meant for me."
Flora bowed her head once more. "So, Felicie blames you for their deaths."
He nodded. "There are wounds which, once inflicted, will never heal, my beloved. When one is responsible for the death of a loved one, even a priestess cannot always relieve the guilt. And the witch had to bear the loss of all three."
The woman asked, "Couldn't Sir Devaro tell that you had not killed the little ones?"
Galen shook his head. "The False Queen's elves blame me, for had I not attempted to apprehend the witch, her pixies would not have perished."
Flora turned away. "My assistants will be here soon. I will ask them to make breakfast."
The high elf placed a hand tenderly over hers. "Those men who came to my aid did not know me. They had never seen me. Yet, they were moved to assist me."
She smiled. "I had a talk with them. I think it helped."
He grinned. "Silly woman, I saw you go for the one man's sword."
She shrugged. "I couldn't let you die. You understand, don't you?"
"Yes. You did well. I was pleasantly surprised."
Flora frowned at him. "It surprises you that I did well?"
Galen turned away. "My love, you are human."
She stared at him incredulously.
The high elf began to chuckle.
Flora broke into a smile and started to giggle. She kissed him on the cheek. And then, she kissed him on the lips!
Galen pulled her into a gentle embrace.
Flora bit her lip. "Do you really need to go?"
"Yes, my beloved. But worry not. For though I must leave your presence, the warmth of your love will remain with me. And I will return, if only to draw you close."
"Oh, Galen." She smiled, resting her head upon him. They lay there together for quite awhile.
The high elf knight Sir Galen, remained with Doctor Flora until he had healed sufficiently to return to his people. His heart was heavy, as he bid farewell to his love and her two assistants. Once he reached his home, he went to his superiors and told them of all that had transpired. He found the war was proceeding, but that the Uncanny Court was still advancing. A priestess was called, and his wound was healed, without even leaving a scar. But he felt a sadness deep within, for which there was no remedy.
Meanwhile, the dark elf witch Lady Felicie had learned of the death of her lover, Sir Devaro. As a result, her hatred for Galen grew.
The knights of the Blessed Court continued their war with the dark elves of the Uncanny Court. And, with the help of Sir Galen, Queen Nicnivin's forces were vanquished and exiled from Elfland.
Galen requested to return to the human kingdom, and was given leave. He came back to the village of Lanor, and took Flora as his wife.
Back in Elfland, his story had spread among the high elves. They marveled at the actions the humans had taken for his sake. So much was their curiosity, that many considered visiting this strange, wonderful land.
Seasons passed, and Flora gave birth to a child of both human and elfin blood. The little girl was named Cayliana.
Galen and Flora raised their child in the village of Lanor, but made frequent visits to the elfin kingdoms. The woman was frightened at first, but soon came to love her husband's people. And they, too, grew fond of her and her loving daughter.
As for the village, elves journeyed there to see it. Seasons passed, and more elves came, some to visit, but there were others who stayed. And soon, they came to trade. Man and elf formed a tenuous relationship. And that small village grew to become something more... the wondrous city of Faylanor.
GNOMISH PERSUASION
She opened her eyes, noticing she was nude, hanging from a pole by her wrists and ankles. Lady Yahrin could not move or speak; all she could do is take advantage of what her eyes could see. She was an elf: specifically a lesser fay or sprite: shorter than a woman with sharper features and sloped brows. The limbs were long and her torso small, but in her eyes was a wisdom gained only through centuries of existence. Her complexion was olive, marking her as a member of the Unseelie Court... a dark elf. She had wielded magic and slain many of the enemy. But now, she was carried around like the spoils of a hunt.
From her vantage point, the elf could see one of her captors. She discerned that he was shorter than her, with a stocky build. His eyes danced across her naked flesh, and she could feel nausea come over her as the nature of her captors became clear. Gnomes!
Irritation began to gnaw at her from the inside. She thought, I am the prisoner of gnomes: confounded little tricksters; the bane of all existence. Curse the destiny that would leave me at their tender mercies. Suddenly, she felt cold against her bare backside.
The elf glared at the gnome. He grinned, hoisting her up in the air again. "Sorry, Lady Cold Bottom."
She could hear the other one chuckling. Lady Yahrin seethed, They did that on purpose. The dark elf struggled to move, but to no avail. She surmised They are using some magical means of restraining me. How...
wise.
Soon, she was brought into a room unlike any she had ever seen. The ceiling was high, and the walls were lined with various whips, clamps, chains and other instruments of torture. However, the lighting in the room was soft and the colors were cheerful. She was placed on a flat surface, and her wrists and ankles were unfastened. Then, they were stretched out and secured to the ends of what appeared to be a table. Soon, she was able to speak. "Where have you taken me?"
One of the gnomes chuckled. The other remarked, "Lady Ice Bottom, you are in the questioning room, and the first thing you uttered was a question."
Once again able to move, she turned her head so that she could see both of her captors. "Your interrogation will not succeed. I am a soldier of the Unseelie Court. I will tell you nothing."
"Nothing? You just told us you are a soldier of the Unseelie Court! Darby will have little difficulty with you."
"Darby? Is that the name of my inquisitor?"
The other gnome answered. "Is Lady Frozen Rear asking us another question?"
She pouted. They were mocking her! "You fear to discuss the person of my interrogator. With such trepidation, it is a wonder that you gnomes are related to dwarves at all."
"Do not worry Lady Freezing Buttocks, Darby will be here soon."
"I would request that you cease calling me that."
"Really? What should I call you?"
"Something else."
"Lady Gooseflesh?"
The other piped in, "Lady Frosted Bottom?"
Frustrated, she responded. "Yahrin. Lady Yahrin."
They grinned at her.
"And what will happen when your Darby gets here?"
"Questions. She will be asking them of you."
"And if I refuse to answer?"
The other gnome assured, "You will not refuse. You will cooperate freely." The door shut, and Lady Yahrin was left to contemplate those words.
Sometime later, the door opened and a female gnome came into view. "Welcome. Welcome to my questioning room."
"You must be the 'Darby' they touted." She observed the gnome. "I am not impressed."
