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Chapter 26: Return to the Throne
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Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 27: Lessons to Learn
Their adventure started happily enough. The sun shone brightly, the horses were fresh, and Lorcan and Niamh were enjoying each other's company with cheerful conversation. Fergal balanced easily on the Queen's arm as she rode. As the remaining two villages were not far away, the king and queen took a small company, including Boru and Aengus, with them.The first village was deep within the oldest part of the forest, with roads wound around trees, and small but elegant homes were often found within the massive trunks. Sunlight still shone through the leaves, and there were clearings where crops were grown. Niamh looked around in wonder. "You have never been this deep into the Kingdom, my Queen?" King Lorcan noticed.The young Elven Queen shook her head, "No, never. I have heard about Imnenora, and the homes in the trees, but I didn't know…"Her voice trailed off as their presence was becoming known. Elves were coming in from the fields and out of their tree homes. A rather tall Elflord,
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 28: A Proper Coronation
It was from that gentle kiss on the forehead, that things were different between Niamh and Lorcan. He led Niamh back around to the village center where a small crowd still lingered. "We must leave you now. I need to plan a proper coronation for your Queen. Will you all come?"There was the briefest of pauses, but cheers went up and clapping began. Lorcan was not done, however, "This day marks a new beginning. It is a new beginning between you…and between the Elven crown. Let us move forward together."There were murmurs and nods, followed once again by cheers and clapping. "It's a new day, " Lorcan said softly to his Queen. "Let's go home."General Aengus glanced at the King and Queen and raised an eyebrow. He and Boru exchanged a look, then both shrugged and rode back to the palace with the company. The general and advisor watched the King and Queen ride side by side, falcon on the Queen's arm. "A fresh wind blows," General Aengus mentioned quietly. Boru gave a short laugh and
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 29: Missing Guests
"They didn't come," Niamh whispered sadly. "I thought for sure my family would come."Lorcan embraced his queen gently, wrapping his arms around her slender shoulders."There must be a good reason. Perhaps we haven't seen them. Come, let's look."Lorcan hailed his General."Can you find out if Lord Tigherneach has arrived?"For Niamh, seconds seemed like minutes, and minutes seemed like hours. She began to pace slowly back and forth. Her eyes searching for any familiar face, as Lorcan watched her with concern.General Aengus nodded and disappeared into the crowd. He appeared a short time later and simply shook his head. "Not yet," Aengus said. "I told the guards to notify the Queen immediately if Tigherneach shows up.""Thank you, General," Lorcan nodded.Niamh could barely hide her tears, but her heart was still hopeful that her family would arrive.The celebration continued until sunset. Niamh entered the King's chambers and took off her crown. Lorcan waved away Maeval and Moidrin a
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 30: A Queen in Armor
"Taken?" Niamh heard herself whisper.General Aengus looked at the table, "Last report from our outriders was that it was burning."Queen Niamh gasped, stood up, and gripped the table until her knuckles turned white. "Then we must take it back!"Fergal screamed at the seated elves, spreading his wings."My Queen…" Boru began."No!" Niamh snapped. Turning to King Lorcan, she insisted, "I won't let my family's home fall to a traitor who betrayed both of us."The council looked at the King, who silently regarded his Queen."We will take back Tigherneach, Queen Niamh," Lorcan said low and rough. "First, we must see what we are up against, find the traitors, and your family. Then, we will rebuild Tigherneach."Niamh's soul screamed for her family, and for instant action, but she knew she should trust Lorcan's military experience this time.The King could see the queen fighting within, and took her hand. "We will find your family. We will take back their home."With that steady assurance,
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 31: Gathering of the Elven Army
The royal guard rode out of the heart of the Elven realms and thundered through the darkness, their own eternal selves creating a soft, white, ethereal light as they glided along. Niamh followed Lorcan closely, for although she could see well, the queen had no idea where they were headed. The King would often look back to make sure she was near. Through the woods of twisted trees and gently sloping glades, the King and Queen of the Elves rode with purpose. Fergal came to perch on Niamh's shoulder, gripping tightly, and seemed to be the only one enjoying the ride. Niamh's hair seemed to glow in the night, and when the moon's light shone upon it, her hair resembled embers of an undying fire against her armor.The answer to the question of their destination was answered eventually when the company rode into Shandalar's village. The owner of the King's Pub was mounted, and as the royal guard continued through the village, Shandalar and many other Elves appeared from between houses and tre
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 32: Breathnach's Folly
The Elven King looked at the Elven Lord.Niamh realized suddenly, this was the first time the two had met since they fought on the battlefield.There was a horrible silence."You want me to sacrifice my warriors for you? You fought with Breathnach to overthrow your King!" Lorcan hissed. Niamh opened her mouth, but Lorcan raised a finger for her to hold her tongue."Lord Breathnach offered troops to back my claim to these lands. You had made an unrightful claim. I heard you fell…I didn't know he took you!" Beluar shouted, looking back at his weary warriors on the bridge. "Your Queen and I made an alliance. I will not live in the past, and I will not stand here while my warriors suffer!"Lorcan looked at Niamh, sitting bravely in her armor. What was just a moment, seemed like an eternity. "I agree. We shall step forward together," the Elven King said. "Shall we teach this pitiful Elf what it means to go against the Realm?"Lord Beluar looked at the King and nodded, "I would love to, ho
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 33: Breaking Breathnach
General Konnyr laughed harshly.Stepping over the still form of Fergal, the general ran off into the forest on the other side of the clearing with the rest of his loyal followers. Niamh stood silent, and numb, her breath coming quick and shallow. "Lorcan!" she called, finally able to form words.As she kneeled by her falcon, a loud, ripping sob escaped from her shaking body. "Fergal!" she cried. "Oh no, no… no."The falcon was limp, but blinked his eyes as Niamh scooped him up. She cradled the injured falcon as she heard her name being called from behind her. General Aengus came leaping through the forest like a deer, followed closely by the intimidating form of King Lorcan Broinar."Nimah! Niamh!" Lorcan took the sobbing Queen in his arms. "Are you hurt?"He ran his hands through her hair, cupping her chin and looking desperately into her eyes. Niamh shook her head, sniffed and tried to speak, but was only able to hold out the brave Fergal."What happened?" General Aengus kneeled
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 34: The Emenasari Mountains
Niamh looked at her gasping advisor."Where? Where is Lord Tigherneach?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.Roedrian Boru gave his head a shake, and looking at Lorcan in disbelief, "They were sent to the Emenasari Mountains.""Did he say where in the mountains?" Lorcan asked. "It will take us an eternity to find them if we have to search the entire range."Niamh's heart pounded in her chest, she felt a lump in her throat.In the distance the mountains were a dull, gray border between the sky and the ground. Clouds and snow covered the very tops, and pale green grass grew around the bottom. Icy-blue flowers were sprinkled throughout the mountains, but nothing grew near the peaks, except what the priests and priestesses nurtured at the temple. There was a slender, fast-flowing river that ran past the temple grounds and flowed throughout the mountains until it reached the waterways of the riverlands. The Temple, although made of black rock, blended in to the side of the mountain, allo
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