"The Lion Still Has Their Claws.."
Chapter One: The Capture Of An Elf.
The Kingdom of Edareweth was absolutely beautiful to anyone who was lucky enough to behold it with their eyes. It was always such a happy and welcoming place, the elves who resided their welcomed any passing by traveler with much hospitality. The elves would provide their honored guests with food, drink and comfort. Though their kindness was soon taken for granted by a group of traveling humans, they stole everything they could get their hands on, there was too much greed in their hearts to even think of the kindness dealt to them. So the elves closed off their Kingdom to everyone, the Kingdom of Edareweth became hidden from the eyes of men and the elves were believed to be gone along with the White Walkers. The elves were now just a mere tale that was told to children by their Septa's just as the tales of the White Walkers and Giants.
Though they weren't just a tale, there were still nine Elven Kings all over the realm and all of them were very much alive, along with their families. The third Elven King was the leader of Edareweth and he went by the name of King Cedric though the only family he had was his daughter, Princess Alanna, she was an elf of such beauty she had long blonde hair, and bright blue eyes. The rest of their family had perished during their war with the Targaryen's. King Cedric knew very well of the dragon's wrath and ruin, his wife and son had faced the fiery serpents rage causing King Cedric to be quite protective over his youngest daughter. Though Princess Alanna was quite a wild one, she loved adventures and shooting her bow in the woods.
What bothered Princess Alanna the most was never being let outside the Kingdom, it was her dream to go on an adventure on her own, meeting new creatures and seeing the humans for herself. Even though the humans were enemies in her father's eyes, she still wanted to meet them…just to see for herself. Then one sunny day Alanna packed her satchel full of food and books, and prepared her bow she had told her father she was taking a walk up to the falls within their Kingdom, but in reality Alanna was going to sneak out of the Kingdom, she was getting tired of her father's never ending cautiousness.
As Alanna was running towards the kingdom gates she noticed she was being followed. She let out a soft sigh as she looked over her shoulder, it was her dear friend Lasdir, he had been in love with her for as long as she could remember, but Alanna did not return the feelings. He was a handsome man, he had long brown hair, right blue eyes, and he stood at six foot tall. Though she only found love for him as if he were her brother.
"Why may I ask are you following me, Lasdir?" she sighed as she looked over to him.
"I merely thought you could use some company to the falls, your father told me where you were going." Lasdir said with a small smile.
Alanna let out a sigh as she rolled her eyes, of course her father told Lasdir where she was going. Her father had been so adamant on them marrying but Alanna would refuse every time.
"I would actually like sometime to myself, if that is alright with you." Alanna said politely as she gave him a small, heart melting smile.
Lasdir sighed as he nodded, eyeing her bow curiously. He knew she was up to something, but he rather not press the matter any further. Once Lasdir took his leave Alanna quickly made her way to the Kingdom gates. Getting past the guards wasn't going to be a problem for her, she already knew a way to slip out and in without being noticed. There was a small hole in the great gates, so Alanna easily slipped through it and was on her way.
Once Alanna was out in the forest for the first time a smile appeared upon her full lips as she looked around in amazement. It was absolutely beautiful, in her opinion. She then began on her way, though she hadn't realized how far she had been walking until she realized she was in the middle of the Kingswood. Alanna then remembered from her studies her father said the Kingswoods was the most dangerous place to be, so Alanna then quickly began to find a way out. As she walked she stumbled upon a road, though before she could find her way back into the woods she heard the loud voice of men. So Alanna quickly pulled up the hood of her cloak and kept her head down.
"You there!" the man shouted. "Girl!"
Alanna was frozen in one spot, she felt as if she couldn't move. She could not believe she was so close to a human, her kinds enemy. Then before she could do anything she felt a strong hand on her shoulder, spinning her around to face the human. She then realized he was some sort of guard, perhaps for the human king? The man then paused as he looked at her curiously, a smirk then appeared upon his thin lips.
"My, you're a pretty one aren't you?" he smirked.
"I best be going, ser." Alanna whispered as she turned to leave, but the man pulled her back causing her hood to fall from her head, revealing her pointed ears. The man then stumbled backwards as he gaped at her.
"Y-you're an elf!" he stammered as he gaped at her.
Alanna bit her lip as she looked at the man with her nervous blue eyes, now that this man knew what she was she didn't know what he would do to her. The man then reached out and grabbed her wrist tightly, pulling her closer to him.
"We'll just see what the king will have us do with you." he said he was obviously still a little nervous but he put on a brave face as he put her in irons. He then helped Alanna mount his horse as he mounted up behind her.
It didn't take long for them to arrive to King's Landing, once the were inside Alanna quickly hid her face, afraid of what the other humans would do when they seen her the man then took her out of her irons but kept a firm grip on her arm. She then began to think of her father, he must have been worried sick by now and he probably had half his men out searching for her.
Before Alanna knew it she was being dragged forcefully into the Red Keep, as nervousness washed over her. What if this king was not just and kind as her father? What if he was cruel, greedy and hateful just she was told all humans were? Alanna then slowly peaked out from behind her hood and noticed a young boy, around the age of seventeen sitting on the throne. That struck her as odd, she never heard of a mere boy ruling a Kingdom.
"What is it Ser Brandon?" Joffrey asked in a dull tone as he slouched in his throne, his crown falling crooked on his golden head.
The man known as Ser Brandon smirk as he pushed Alanna to her knees, then pulled the hood off her head, revealing her beautiful long golden hair and her pointed ears causing gasps and whispers to erupt from the court.
"I have found an elf, your grace." he said quite proudly as if he found some sort of wondrous prize.
Joffrey arched his eyebrow as he leaned forward in his throne, eyeing Alanna with his bright blue eyes causing her to shiver. His eyes looked as if they were filled with malice and hate, she didn't like it at all.
"An elf you say? Though I thought all the elves were gone." Joffrey said simply as he sat back in his throne.
"And here I am right in front of you, your grace." Alanna said as she slowly looked up at the boy king.
As Alanna looked around she noticed an older looking man, he seemed to be The Hand of the king, by the pin he wore. What made her so curious was the fact that his face looked as if he had seen some sort of ghost. Was it her causing such a reaction in that man?
" The elves have been gone for thousands of years, your grace." The older man said simply.
"Then what do you call this thing before me, grandfather? Do you think Ser Brandon is proving me a fool?" Joffrey asked with venom in his voice.
Tywin sighed as he rolled his blue eyes slightly, not even daring to look back at Alanna. Seeing her hurt too much, she looked just as Joanna had before she had passed. They could have been related really, the elf had the same hair, the same eyes, Tywin couldn't stand to look at her long. He then turned his attention back to his grandson and let out a sigh.
"Of course not, your grace." he said simply. "I just simply do no believe this foolish little fable Ser Brandon is presenting you." he said.
"And how do you pray tell we prove this girl for being what she truly is?" Joffrey asked as he sat up a bit straighter than before.
Alanna listened to the men converse carefully, if they wanted proof she would give them poof. Though she noticed the fact that the older man refused to look at her bothered her, she didn't understand why he would refuse to look at her, had she offended him in some way? Alanna then slowly got to her feet causing the Kingsgaurd to place their hands cautiously on the hilt of their swords.
"If it pleases you, I can prove my heritage to you, your grace." Alanna said as polite as she could.
Joffrey arched his eyebrow as a wicked smirk appeared upon his lips, Alanna could sense the evil and foulness radiating off him, he was not a good king at all, nothing like her father. So she kept in mind to behave herself in front of this boy.
"And what would you do to prove it to me, elf?" Joffrey asked curiously.
"Well, if it pleases you, you may touch my ears. Surely I cannot fake something like that, your grace." she said softly, she usually hated it when people touched her but if this meant the boy king would spare her life, then so be it.
Joffrey considered the girls offer for a moment, as he stroked his chin deep in thought. He then nodded as he motioned for her to approach him.
"Very well, you may approach me." he said simply.
Alanna nodded as she slowly made her way to the steps, as she did she could feel everyone's eyes on her. Once she was standing in front of the king she knelt down and bent her head, she knew she was much taller than the boy, tallness was a trait in elves. Joffrey then slowly reached out to touch her ear, though strangely he touch her with such gentleness something she didn't deem this boy capable of. After a few moments Joffrey withdrew his hand and eyed her.
"Stand." he commanded as Alanna did as she was told. "You speak the truth, you are what you say you are." he said with a nod.
Alanna let out a sigh of relief as she gave the king one of her sweet smiles, as she brushed a strand of her long blonde hair behind her pointed ear.
"I would never lie, your grace." Alanna said softly.
"Of course you wouldn't." Joffrey smirked as he eyed her once more. "Tell me, can you speak the language? What do they call it? Elvish?" he asked.
"Of course I can, your grace." Alanna said softly.
"Show me." Joffrey commanded.
Alanna paused for a moment, thinking of something to say. Though she realize she needn't be cautious of what she said to him, if it was in her language. She was quite certain that this boy king wouldn't know how to speak Elvish, nor would the others around him.
"Lle naa haran e' nausalle." She said a small smirk playing on her lips, in the common tongue she had told the boy 'you are king in your imagination.' yes it was an insult, but what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him.
"And what did you say to me, in your language?" Joffrey asked curiously, a bit of anger flashed through his blue eyes.
"I said you are but a gracious king." Alanna lied as she gave him another one of her sweet smiles.
"Yes, I am." Joffrey smiled in approval. "Now, tell me are there others of your kind?" he asked.
"Oh yes, there are many of us, your grace." Alanna said truthfully, she knew her Kingdom would be safe since no human could see it.
"Is that so? Tell me about them, your king commands it." Joffrey said as he shifted in his seat.
At that Alanna almost laughed, he was not her king. Her father was her king, this boy was nothing he was weak and her father was strong and just. Though Alanna merely nodded and smiled.
"My father is the third of the nine Elven Kings. I am the princess of the Kingdom of Edareweth, and my father is King Cedric." Alanna explained as she looked at him with her bright blue eyes.
"The king?" Joffrey chuckled as he shook his head. "No, I'm afraid you misunderstand. I am the king your father is nothing." Joffrey said sternly.
That angered Alanna, her father was not nothing. He was the great king of Edareweth he was much more a king than this boy could ever be, Joffrey had no right to say such a thing.
"You are a king in your world, and my father is a king in his, your grace." she said bitterly, her sweet smile still upon her lips even though it was clearly fake.
"What did you just say?" Joffrey snarled as he glared up at her.
"I do believe you heard me, your grace." Alanna said softly.
"How dare you talk to me that way, I am the king!" Joffrey snapped as he stood from his throne, he was acting like such a child.
"Any man who must say 'I am the king' is no true king." Tywin said as he looked over to his grandson. "And you do best to behave yourself in front of a princess, your grace." he said simply, without even a glace Alanna's way.
Joffrey rolled his eyes he slowly took a seat, it was obvious he was quite afraid of his grandfather and that made Alanna smirk inwardly, knowing this brave 'king' is afraid of his grandfather. After a few moments of silence Joffrey looked over to Alanna and nodded his head.
"And what will you have me do with the elf, grandfather?" he asked in a bitter tone. "Shall I kill her?" he asked, a hint of a smile appearing upon his lips.
"You will do no such thing, this girl is a honored guest in your kingdom." Tywin said softly. "It is not often you get to stand in the presences of an elf, your grace."
Joffrey rolled his eyes as he looked back up at Alanna, a scowl formed on his boyish face.
"Tell me, elf…can you lead some of my men to your kingdom?" he asked curiously, it was obvious he was thinking of war.
"I'm afraid not your grace, I happen to be lost." she lied as she looked away from him, her gaze shifting over to Tywin. He still couldn't stand to look at her, she could tell…but the question was why? It was burring her up inside just thinking about it.
"Lost." Joffrey scoffed as he shook his head, he then looked over to his mother who's eyes were glued to Alanna.
"Why don't we continue this conversation later, your grace?" Cersei asked softly as she placed her hand gently on Joffrey's arm. "I'm sure our guest is quite tired from her long journey, aren't you little dove?" Cersei asked with a sweet smile.
"Yes, I am quite tried your grace." Alanna said softly, she could see the fakeness in the woman's eyes.
"Very well then, Ser Brandon see to it that Lady Alanna has a comfortable room." Tywin ordered. "We will continue this conversation after supper."
Ser Brandon nodded as he walked over to Alanna's side, giving a small bow to the king, Queen and the hand.
"Very well, my lord." he said softly as he placed his hand on Alanna's arm and pulled her towards the corridor. "Come along, my lady." he said formally.
Alanna nodded as she bowed to Joffrey and Cersei, before she left her gaze shifted over to Tywin once last time, there was something strange about that man and she was going to figure it out. She then turned on her heel and followed the guard gracefully through the corridor. As she was walking to her new chambers her thoughts flashed over to her father and to Lasdir, perhaps it was a grave mistake to leave her Kingdom, they were probably all out looking for her. Perhaps father was right, about the humans. Oh, Alanna what have you gotten yourself into? she thought as she follow closely behind the guard.