Prologue

He paced back and forth in front of the tent flap, churning the ground under his deerskin boots. Clasping his hands behind his back, he tried in vain to calm down. Attempting to distract himself from the activity inside the tent, he slowly looked at his surroundings, taking in every detail. He stood in a little glen full of brilliant colors, the most common of which was the emerald green vegetation. Everywhere little burst of reds, purples, blues, and oranges appeared in the form of flowers. Blossoms grew in the tall fruit trees and moss covered every rock and stone. Staring directly in front of him, he could see a well-used dirt path leading deep into the forest surrounding the glen. Off to the right of the trail lay a little creek bubbling and sparkling in the midnight glow of the full moon. The creek widened into a deep pool, creating a perfect spot for bathing. Walking slowly towards the pool, he stared into the mirror-like surface and saw his flawless reflection. The elf was inhumanly beautiful, standing straight and regal, with an air of power about him. His skin was as white as the white bark of the many trees around him, and his hair and eyes were as deep and black as the endless night sky above. And if anyone were to look closely at him, they would see, through the curtain of his wavy, sable hair, two pointed ears.

Sensing a presence standing only a few feet away, he turned his gaze away from the enchanting water and stared at the Captain of the Guard, his lieutenant, Bar.

"It should be soon, Bar. Have you heard anything yet?" he asked the captain, trying to keep his voice from rising.

"Nothing, sir. Rose sounds like she's in pain, though. Shrub is helping as best she can, but so far, nothing has happened."

"The moon is full, Bar, and its midnight. Why hasn't it happened yet?" He stood in thought for a moment then shook his head and started toward the tent. "Maybe Shrub won't be able to handle this, after all. My magic is stronger than hers. I'll see what I can do."

The two walked toward the tent at a generous pace. But before they could reach the tent, they heard a stinging cry, followed by a continuous wailing and an astonished gasp. The two men looked at each other, many emotions playing on their faces, and then raced to the tent, flinging the flap aside, and entering. Bar's face showed joy. The other man's heart flew into his throat, until he looked down at Rose, his wife, white faced and stone cold dead on the pallet. Just as fast as his heart had risen, it fell.

"What happened?" he whispered in anguish.

"I-I don't know! Everything was going just fine, but then…" she trailed off, looking at the bundle crying in her arms. She raised her face to the man, tears streaming down her tan, smooth skin. Shrub slowly rose from her place by the pallet and came towards the lost elf. "There was nothing I could do, Nir. It happened so s-suddenly," she sobbed. "I'm so sorry." She slowly handed the crying infant to the man, and then rushed out of the tent in tears. Bar placed his hand on the elf lord's shoulder, squeezing it gently, and then backed out of the tent after Shrub.

The elf slowly sank to his knees beside his dead wife, shaking with grief. "Rose…..Rose….Rose!" he moaned pitifully. "Please…..not you." This should have been a simple birth! he thought. The magic was simple enough. Why had this happened? Why? "No one ever had… such a wife. You are the most beautiful creature… I ever laid… my eyes on," He spoke in broken sentences like this to his motionless wife for some time before he recalled the reason for her death. He quietly sobbed over the wriggling cloth he held in his hands. "You will live on in your son. You will make him strong and brave like I could never be." He stared at his lover's face for a moment longer, torn, and then reluctantly turned his attention to his Heir.

The elf lord took the corner of the cloth and slowly unraveled the blanket from the child's face. Before the shock set in, he noticed faint wisps of curly black hair and white skin, just like his. But as he gazed down at his baby, the realization finally kicked in, which was enough to knock him back, almost dropping the bundle. In his hands, the elf King held not his son, but his daughter.