Melenthia stared openly at her surroundings. Elves stood in doorways watching her pass, and children laughed and skittered around her while she meandered down the lane. The city was not like anything she’d ever seen. Simply constructed houses, most with thatched roofs, and gardens with flowers abundantly flourishing on the properties and lining the dirt pathways. Some houses were situated in the tall ancient trees with bridge paths leading to and fro. Some of the houses had smoke billowing from the chimney stacks, some had doors and windows opened wide to let in the cool but comfortable night air. She could smell good things cooking from somewhere close, and the sound of music she heard earlier was growing louder the further into the city they went.
After traveling for at least ten minutes, they turned down another path, this one lined with small trees on either side, and instead of dirt, there was some kind of bark pressed together to keep the path free from mud. There was a large but simple house looming in front of her now, and the windows were lit with a soft yellow light. There were two guards standing on the bottom step of the entrance. They nodded to the visitors as they passed.
They entered the house, and the escorts stopped and opened a set of double doors, motioning them to step inside. Once they had, the doors closed behind them, the escorts gone. Tomaz went forward and motioned Sol and Melenthia to do the same.
Another elf sat on a large chair on the top of a three stepped dais. He had a long thick black braid of hair running down his back, and his eyes were the color of emeralds, with crinkles in the corners every time he smiled. He looked down on them with kindness; she felt the same peace inside she had felt when she first met Tomaz, warm and friendly. The elf had on a robe of white, with silver sparkles that shimmered every time the light hit it just right, and a simple crown of silver on his head.
Tomaz genuflected on one knee, head bowed; Sol followed. Melenthia looked at both of them, then back at the elf on the dais and did the same. She suddenly realized this must be the king.
After they had knelt for only moments, he spoke. “Arise, my friends, we have anxiously awaited your arrival.”
The three of them stood, and Tomaz went forward up the stairs. The older man lifted his hand revealing a ring with a simple milky white gem in it. Tomaz leaned down and kissed the ring. “The road was long but fortunately we had no trouble, Grandfather.”
Melenthia blinked at that. Tomaz was not only the highest ranking warrior in the city, but also the grandson of its king.
“A blessing to be sure, but perhaps more due to the adept sorcery of your traveling companion.”
Sol bowed to the king. “You flatter me, Your Majesty. I do what I can.”
“Your humility is wasted on me, Sol. I know better than anyone, except perhaps Pyramus, just how worthy you are of the title Sorcerer Master.”
Sol smiled and Tomaz laughed. “Let me introduce you to Melenthia Eyrn, Grandfather, Princess of Aaralyn, daughter of His Majesty, King Randor Breslin.”
“Approach my child. Let me look at you closer.”
She looked at Sol who nodded her forward. She went up the stairs and stood in front of the old elf, whose green eyes were twinkling at her in the rooms light. He took her hands in his and smiled up at her. His hands were soft, and she felt a wave of warmth wash over her entire being. She felt safe and calm.
“You are just as lovely as I’ve been told and just as feisty, I would imagine as well.”
She blushed slightly, but said nothing.
“You do not need to worry about anything while you are here. This is a day we have waited for for more than five hundred years. Here you will be safe. Protected by the spells that have kept Vallis hidden from outsiders for thousands of years. Tomaz will train you well, and you will fulfill your destiny before the year has come to a close. This is the beginning for you, of your life to come. What you make of it is up to you.”
She looked deep into his kind eyes and wanted to speak, but something held her back. This was the king of the oldest race of beings this world had ever seen, and he was probably much older than he looked. She felt respect and therefore a loss for words.
“I was very saddened when I heard the news about your father, Melenthia. Your father was a good king, and a good man. I have no doubts that your brother Kevaan will rule Aaralyn with the same just hand, but Randors death is a loss to the kingdom nevertheless.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Your respect for my father is appreciated, and your willingness to ally your people with King Dainard is also a great honor.”
“This is a difficult time for everyone. People are suffering greatly at the hand of the evil one. The only way to vanquish him will be to stand together and fight as one, with you at the lead.”