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
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
"It is good to see the daughter of Nildrian visiting her father's home, and the Emenasari region rejoices to be visited by our High King and Queen," The Elven priest in the pale-blue robe bowed low.Heads turned to look at Niamh, then at Lorcan. "Please tell me you all have heard of my father and his homeland!" Niamh whispered over her shoulder to her company reproachfully. A few warriors looked away in shame.Lorcan stepped forward, "Who are you?""My name is Kharis Traeliorn," the priest placed a hand on his heart and dipped his head. "High Priest of the Emenasari Mountain Temple.""What happened here, Priest?" Lorcan looked at the sword in the elf-priest's hand. "Who attacked you?"Kharis looked slightly confused, "Attacked us? Oh, My king, it is not a long story and you shouldn't worry. Those who live here are not as helpless as we look, we have the light of the Elves within us."Lorcan was now standing, stone-faced, before the priest."Who busted down your gates to get in here? W
Niamh's heart fell when Tigherneach asked about her falcon."General Konnyr struck him with his war bow," she answered tearfully. "We don't know if Fergal will survive."Eithne took Niamh's hand and squeezed it gently."Are you able to travel?" Lorcan came to stand by Niamh's side, dismissing the others behind him.Lord Tigherneach looked doubtful, but Lady Enid spoke quickly."He was beaten severely, your Majesty," she said firmly. "The priests and priestesses had to work long and hard to keep him with us.""We do recommend he stay another day or two to recover fully," Kharis spoke softly from the doorway.Lorcan nodded respectfully to the priest who had healed the loyal half-elf."I can travel as soon as you need me to," Lord Tigherneach insisted.The elven king waved his hand as if to clear the air."We can travel when you are ready. You will need your strength," Lorcan gave Tigherneach a knowing look.Tigherneach looked back, "You've caught them? Breathnach and his general? What of
Lorcan and Niamh turned to see Kharis, the Emenasari High Priest, walking smoothly towards them. "The waters have been known to cleanse weary souls that have become so full of bitterness and regret, among other things, allowing the soul to shine through.""Why didn't you tell us at the very beginning?" Niamh asked breathlessly, a little annoyed at the bravery of this priest. Kharis replied with a shrug, "Would you have tasted the water? Many who need to drink don't, as they are reluctant to change, to cleanse themselves of the emotions that are holding them back."Lorcan had remained silent, but now, as Niamh watched, a tear filled his turbulent, blue eyes, then run down his thoughtful face. Naimh cast a worried glance at Kharis, but he smiled gently and motioned with his hand to let the King be. "A meal has been prepared. Come and eat when you are ready," the Priest then bowed to the Elven King and Queen and left."Lorcan went to the wall and leaned against it heavily and sliding
The mountain wind was refreshing, and the sun was warm, as the company of Elves left the Emenasari Temple. The journey back to the heart of the realms was uneventful, even after Lorcan stopped in village after village to do a quick search for General Konnyr. "Perhaps we have heard the last from that traitorous elflord," muttered Lorcan after one empty-handed search.Tigherneach and his family rode in their traveling box until they reached the palace and Niamh found it wonderful to be around her family again. While Lord Tigherneach rested, Niamh received a message stating her falcon, Fergal, was being tended to in the palace aviary. She dashed down halls and up stairs to finally step foot in the aviary, Fergal called out as soon as he laid eyes on Niamh and she tried not to burst into tears.Niamh carefully scooped up the falcon in her arms, "Fergal! Oh my darling!"The falcon tried to flap his wings with excitement"Oh, hold on my friend," Niamh stroked Fergal's head to calm him. "Don
The King of the Elves looked sternly around the room."I was summoned to a meeting and I doubt it was about my clothes. What is the meaning of this sudden gathering?" Lorcan leaned on the table, his gaze never wavering.Trajyr gave a dry look to Tormil and spoke, "While you and the Queen traveled to find Lord Tigherneach and his family, the council sent riders and scouts out through the villages and forests, but we cannot find General Konnyr. We do not know where he is hiding. The council recommends you and Queen Niamh stay close to the palace and have guards until he is found."Lorcan rolled his eyes, "I'm sure we will continue to be as careful as possible, but we will not be contained to the palace. Eventually, Konnyr will show himself.""Could he be dead?" Wynbalar questioned.General Aengus stepped forward, "That is highly unlikely. The Queen saw him escape with her own eyes."There were harsh mumblings from around the council table. "The only injuries he had were inflicted by Fer
The ride to Shandalar's village was as pleasant as any ride could be when traveling through the Elven realms. Sunlight filtered through the dark green leaves onto the forest paths, and a gentle breeze blew across the few small clearings. Streams ran lazily along, adding their song to the forest's. Birds lifted their joyful songs to the air as the group rode beneath. It was easy to forget the troubles stirring in the realms. Niamh rode quietly beside Lorcan, listening to the forest and letting its energy soothe her worried soul. They arrived at Shandalar's village and were greeted warmly. Elves came running to throw flowers along the path. The village itself looked refreshed, and the forest around it, renewed. The village leaders were eager to show the King and Queen around, describing how fast the forest responded to the ancient Elven songs. When they reached the freshly-repaired King's Pub, they were met with a familiar face."Your Majesties," Lord Beluar rose from his seat and bowe