Dark One Rising(147)
She suddenly felt uncomfortable under those piercing green eyes. “I still think that your faith in me is premature. I have only just found out about who I am; I’m not even sure I can accomplish the fate that has befallen me.”
“You do not yet understand your importance or your strength. In time you will. That is why you are here. Together, we will make you believe in who you are.”
She did not answer again. He smiled at her and squeezed her hands gently. “You must be tired. Tonight there will be no talk of evil or of what lie before you. We will feast and dance and make merry. Tomorrow you will rest and explore the city which will be your home for an indefinite period of time. I want you to feel comfortable here, Melenthia, and think of us as your family. We will care for you just as if you were our own, and we will protect you. There will be nothing you shall need or want while you are here. Trust us.”
His smile was infectious, and she found herself smiling back. He winked at her, and she became totally enamored with him. The cares and worry she felt on the trip here melted away.
“That’s better. Now, if my grandson will be so kind as to show you where you will be staying, I would appreciate it.”
“Of course, Grandfather.” He bowed and then discreetly nodded to Sol to head out, that he’d be close behind. When Sol and Melenthia were out of hearing distance, he turned back to the king. “She has already been burdened so much. I am afraid it will be too much for her to handle. Perhaps telling her about her past should wait until we feel she is more ready.”
“I do not plan on revealing anything just yet, but it is more than time she find out about her heritage. Randor was a good man. I would not have allowed things to happen if he was not, but he should have told her things sooner. He did not trust enough to see that she was mature enough to handle it. Now the news will be more painful. Let us give her a chance to get settled and become more aware of her strength. Once she is secure in the fact that she is indeed the Chosen One and can handle what is to come, then we will tell her who she really is.”
“You are wise, Grandfather, and I will trust in your judgment. I will train her well.” He bowed again to his grandfather and king, then left the house to catch up with his two companions.
***
The morning after she arrived in Vallis, she awoke to the sun streaming through the canopy of trees which made the ceiling of her temporary home. She felt the warmth of the rays on her face, and the breeze that never seemed to change temperature, blow through her hair. She opened her eyes and sat up in bed and stretched. She felt sleepy, but not so in a hazy way. Despite the ceremony of their arrival, the many hours spent being introduced to the elders, and the grand feast, her mind was surprisingly sharp and clear. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and padded her way to the small washstand at the back of the room. There was a bowl there, made from half a giant clam shell, and the water came from a never ending cascade piped through hollowed out tree limbs. The theory of it amazed her, along with many other impressive sights she witnessed throughout the peaceful city. She decided she would not try to understand how anything worked but instead only accept it as it was. She splashed some water on her face and rinsed her dry mouth.
When she was refreshed and awake, she went back to her bedroom and opened the clothing chest. It was full of simple, easy to move in clothes, spun from natural fibers. The colors were exquisite, as well as the tailoring. She ran a hand over the soft cloth and pondered how you made dye of such rich colors from nothing but plants. After she was dressed for the day, she climbed down the ladder and followed the path toward the eating hut, where there would be lively conversation and good smells.
When she entered the hut, she saw Tomaz sitting cross legged on the floor, a female elf sitting beside him. She was thin and sinewy, with long blond hair that was tucked behind her pointed ears. She was wearing pants and tunic of simple homespun material, just like all the elves she had seen, but she had what looked like a glass bauble hanging from a cord around her neck. The light that came in from the canopy of the hut shined down on it, and when it caught the light just right, it glowed. Tomaz saw Melenthia approach and looked up at her, smiling a greeting. He stood up and the female elf followed. Tomaz placed his hand on her shoulder.
“This is Melenthia, and the next few days, she will be your charge.”
The female bowed to her; when she stood erect again, she smiled. Her green eyes were bright, her beauty unmatched by any woman Melenthia had ever seen. She had an aura about her that was almost surreal.
Tomaz looked at Melenthia. “This is Dallen. She will be your companion while you are here. She will show you around the entire city and teach you things, but mostly be here to help you with anything you need.”