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Chapter 38: Changes for the Good
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Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 39: The Approaching Storm
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
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 40: The Calm Before the Storm
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
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 41: Thwarting an Assassin
As Lord Beluar raised his arm, Niamh ducked instinctively. There was a flash of silver and a metallic sound as the Elflord deflected the item with his bracer. Lord Beluar twisted and grabbed the Queen's arm, and keeping her behind him, backed out of the doors they had just entered. "Beware, my King!" he bellowed. "Traitors are among us!"Something flew past Niamh's face. Lord Beluar kicked one of the heavy palace doors, and as it swung shut, an arrow embedded itself into the wood. "Niamh!" Lorcan's face paled and his eyes found Niamh's. The King lunged towards his trembling Queen.Before she could call back to Lorcan, Beluar shoved her to the side. An arrow shot through a window high on the palace wall and narrowly missed Niamh, grazing her arm and causing her to cry out. "Niamh!" There was fear in Lorcan's voice. "Get her out of there!"Lord Beluar wasted no time in lifting Niamh to her feet and covering her with his body as they made their way to the King, blood flowing down the
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 42: The Offer
Niamh stared at the Elflord beside her.Lord Beluar didn't even blink. He looked at her seriously and calmly as she stared back at him in surprise. The young queen could not believe what Lord Dafiel Beluar had just asked her to do."What?" Niamh whispered hoarsely. "What did you say?""Leave with me tonight. Be my queen. Leave King Lorcan to destroy himself."She turned to look at Lord Beluar fully. He stood still and confident in the evening air."I am giving you another chance at happiness my Queen," Beluar stepped closer. "I have fought your King, and won. I saw how he spoke to you today, at the feast and at the palace. I have heard how he treated you when you first married. No King does that… no good Elven King."Niamh's mind was racing. Lord Beluar was not wrong, Lorcan did treat her poorly at the beginning, but she felt he was desperately trying to change. She thought about the reasons Lorcan had revealed to her over time, and how he had apologized. Was Beluar correct, though, wo
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 43: Council of Traitors
King, Queen, General, and noble Elf stood still while the young Elven council member continued to tremble under the unwavering gaze of King Lorcan in the early hours of the night."Answer the King," General Aengus nudged Wynbalar. "Where is Tormil?"Wynbalar looked at Queen Niamh, who gave him a sympathetic smile and nodded. "Tormil, and those who agree with him, disappeared into the night shortly after the end of the meeting." The Elflord looked down at the ground. "They became afraid… I do not know where they went but they couldn't have gone far."General Aengus sighed loudly in frustration and glared as Wynbalar stood sheepishly"Why didn't you come to me right away?" Lorcan questioned. "Perhaps he feared for his own life," Niamh gently placed a hand on her husband's arm, "He came to us now. I am glad he came to us at all, we can still act."Wynbalar exhaled gratefully. Lorcan paused, then lifted his head and said, "That is true."There was sudden activity in the courtyard outsid
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 44: When Traitors Come Together
A heart-wrenching wail escaped Niamh's very soul."Why?" She cried. "Why are they attacking everything dear to me?"Lorcan took his queen immediately into his arms."When you say 'they,' do you mean the council?"General Aengus swallowed and slowly nodded, "They have joined up with the treacherous General Konnyr."Niamh broke away from Lorcan's arms, fury dripping from her voice, "But why my home? Why not a more strategic target?""Because you are strong," Lorcan stepped closer to Niamh to stand at her side. "You fought to bring me back, your father was powerful, your adoptive father is loyal, and your falcon listens to you alone. You are more of a threat than I am."The Queen thought of Fergal. Niamh had spent little time with the falcon since they returned from the temple, but he had always kept himself near. She raised her arm and waited."Call for Lord Tigherneach. He will be resting with the Lady Enid in their chambers," she ordered. "They must know."As the Tigherneachs were summ
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 45: Gathering Clouds
Niamh's sadness at Lorcan's leaving disappeared momentarily at the sight of the old horsemaster from her youth. Paying no heed to status or etiquette, she ran through the courtyard and wrapped her arms around Horsemaster Asamar Taron. Smiles spread quickly across both their faces.Tears of happiness mixed with tears of grief as the old horsemaster and the young queen welcomed more Tigherneach Keep refugees. Niamh took her place with others helping hand out blankets and food to the exhausted travelers. Seeing the familiar faces, and hearing their heartbreaking stories of how they were put under siege with flaming arrows and balls of fire, and having to run for their lives, made a dark fire burn in Niamh's usually gracious and kind heart."I feel like this is my fault," Niamh took a heavy breath. "Could I have stopped this somehow?"Taron shook his head and sighed, "It's not your fault at all, my Queen. Trouble was coming for a long time."Niamh frowned, "How do you know?"This time the
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 46: The Plains of Kren Ennore
Niamh stared at the pub owner in the front courtyard. Shandalar tried to calm his fractious horse, but the scared beast continued to spin nervously. Shandalar ended up jumping off the horse, and approaching the Queen.Ithril leaped in front of Niamh and Shandalar stopped, glaring and the warrior."I need to speak to the Queen, the King and his company are in danger!""Stand back, Ithril," Niamh said with a wave of her hand. "Let him speak."Shandalar wiped the mud from his face and tried to catch his breath, "The King rode through my village with a small company, when I inquired if he needed refreshments, he only asked for provisions for his warriors. Just a few hours ago, a large army rode through my village headed in the same direction as the King."There were nervous whispers behind Niamh and she turned to see the Great Hall's doors open. The Elves inside were curious to hear what the owner of The King's Pub had to say. Worried faces peered out into the early morning.Niamh began w
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