Chapter 1
5 years earlier
Nuada walked through the halls of Bethmoora, just wondering like he tended to find himself doing from time to time. The light came in from the skylights in the ceiling, lighting a path for him. He admired his home, the well sculpted structures, statues, almost every wall had delicate engravings of images and words transposed into them. Everything having its own mean or reason of being, it told the history of this city, of those who had gone before him and had its hidden secrets that even the smartest of his father's historians were still trying to decode. He smiled to himself in his admiration, his people had been a peace ever since his father had taken over after his grandfathers death. His father the King of Elfland had been able to maintain the peace over the land between humans and magical beings, but it was slipping. The humans were being said to conquer one of their cities after another, gaining more and more of their land. The King did not send his army out to fend them off only the closest of his advisors, in return the humans would stop their assaults but not till their hunger for more would return and another city fell victim to their greed.
Nuada shook the thoughts from his head, he hated the humans with a passion. They didn't understand the value of the earth, they just used the earth as recourse and once the resources where gone, they moved on. They had no knowledge, Nuada thought at the time, of how to use the land to the advantage. The humans to him were just gatherers and once it was gone, it was gone. The hall before him twisted and turned before it reached a stair case that lead to the upper most part of his home. He had been searching for his father since he had awoken and had been told by many of his father's advisors that he was going to be busy all day and not to bother him. Nuada scolded them for their insolence, telling him that he the prince of Elfland did not have to leave his father the king alone, it was frustrating to him. The respect among his people had changed, it was still there, just less evident. Nuada had recalled how every time he was passed in the hall no matter who, what, rank or title, he got a greeting from them. Now it was rare, the worriers that wondered the hall would always deem their respect to him, but that's taught and enforced by their Lieutenants.
Nuada soon found himself standing outside his father's study, where his father spent most of his time keeping the peace. Pushing open the two overly large doors he walked in and the doors were closed by two servants standing on either side of the door. The King's study was simple but, elegant. Everything was a tint of red, the drapes, any of the furniture fabrics, even the wood of his tables and desk where tinted red. It was of course the King's color. In the center of the almost too overly large room was a long rectangular table that could sit all the higher council members, and his higher generals and captains. There were always two seats that sat on either side of his father for himself and his sister. Today the table was full, everyone was there, the captains and generals, and even his sister sat and listened in on the decisions of the kingdom being made every moment. Everyone turned and watched his movement, those of military formality had the courtesy to stand as it used to be custom to stand for your superiors when they entered the room, Nuada guessed it didn't apply to council men anymore.
Nuada walked to his father and greeted him formally, the King could only smile and motioned for his son to sit. Nuada thanked the members of his father's military with a nodded and they all took their seats. His father began talking to the council men about what he had thought of when he was wondering the halls, the humans and their raiding and capturing of cities and resources. The King turned to the council and chain of command for suggestions and everything from treaty's to full out war with the humans was suggested and the King wouldn't have it, war at least. Nuada reclined in his chair, he wouldn't mind full on war, he had the fullest confidence in his people, and there was no way that the humans had advanced in their technology enough to defeat his father's forces. He had no idea from that point on how long they discussed a plan to keep the peace and from what he was letting his ears hear a representative of the royal family would act as an ambassador and speak personally with the leader of the humans, make a treaty to keep the peace. He groaned on the inside, "I wonder who that will be" he said sarcastically to himself knowing all too well that his father was going to send him. The King wanted just his son to go alone on this journey, not that Nuada minded, he liked missions alone but the chain of command wasn't going to let it happen, it was to beg of a risk for one of the royal family to travel alone. Insisting on a small escort party to the human city was what they had requested and what the King soon agreed upon. Nuada objected to the party complaining that they would get in his way and his pace. "It would only take longer for him to get to the human city and for his too get this treaty done with." He thought as he stood, looking down at his father.
While Nuada begged his father to let him go alone, he paid no attention to the chamber doors open and a single individual make their way to the head General's side. The General acknowledged the person, and they had a brief conversation before he dismissed them. The King held up his hand to stop the Nuada's rampage and turned to the General. A party was being assembled of some of the Kings finest and would be ready in the morning. Nuada scowled and left the room, storming off to his room, he pushed people out of his way, once to his room he slammed the door. Looking around he thought for a moment and took a deep breath. He had no choice and his attitude today was going to get him in trouble with his father later. He decided he would pack his things and rest till the morning came.
Nuada awoke as light flickered across his face, it was time he figured, getting up he bathed and dressed, in his father colors, before making his way to the courtyard. He had heard that one simple fact from the General last night. He made his way down the many staircases and halls till the courtyard came into view where he saw the small group, there had been no more than five of them from what he could see. "Small enough group for me" he concluded it would be a relatively easy journey, he hoped. He walked into the light of the courtyard and was recognized. The head General walked over, greeted him and began to inform him of what the initial plan was.
"Lieutenant Silverstar will be here soon, she was just finishing up some last minute requirements before she joins us." Nuada nodded, "wait?"
"She?" The General nodded and gave a big smile, he was proud of his decision.
"Yes Sire, a female will be second to you on this trip, I hope you don't mind." Nuada was furious, "it not enough that I have to deal with a party escorting me in the first place but now I have a woman that would most like slow things down a bit." That's all Nuada thought as he began to speak.
"You don't have a male Lieutenant, General, who can augment her, I don't was this journey to be too hard on her." The General smiled again.
"It won't be hard on her Sire, she's one of our best and will not slow you down I assure you, plus she is very knowledgeable of the human race." That small fact made Nuada reconsider for a second, he still didn't like the whole idea of a woman being a part of this journey in the first place, but he would suck it up for now. They waited and discussed their first point they were traveling too till the Lieutenant finally arrived.
"Sorry I'm late General, they seemed to find one thing after another for me to do, and you know how Captain Stem is." The General laughed at her comment.
"Of course I do Lieutenant." He looked over at the Prince and cleared his throat. "Sire this is Lieutenant Silverstar." The Lieutenant gave a respectful bow in acknowledgement, and he bowed his head to her. She didn't appear like the military type, her hair was longer than most, and her face was narrow but one thing was different from her that he noticed, her eyes were not the golden color of everyone else's eyes but a light shade of blue, it made her stand out from her comrades. "Well this is where I leave you, I wish you all luck in your journey, bring us good news." The General spoke to the group and left the courtyard. It was silent for a moment, a very awkward moment, before the Lieutenant spoke up.
"Well I guess we should get going, everyone has what they need?" She got nods from all her sentry's and she looked to the Prince who nodded as well. "Well then let's get a move on, I would like to make it pass the mountain passes before nightfall."
"That's a big goal for a female.", Nuada thought to himself as she lead the way down the winding paths towards the mountains. He was curious, why was she so different and how did she know more about the humans in the first place to have her assigned to lead this group. He would wait till he absolutely needs someone to talk to, he had made the decision to ignore, everyone unless he was really needed.
A/N: Im finding it hard to find any facts about Prince Nuada and his hom before the Golden Army was stored there, I want to try to be as acurate as possible but I'm finding it hard. Well what do you think so far? Thanks for reading! Reviews make more chpaters! Thanks
