Note: This chapter will hopefully explain the point of the War, along with Isabel's feelings.
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The Ballad of war
-Isabel-
Isabel entered the darkened chamber just past midnight. She glanced up at the massive stained glass portrait and how is cast it's image onto the crystalline floor with the help of the moonlight. She stepped in the reflected image of the white rose that rested on the ground. Now looking up at the white rose stain glass window, the moon blinded her and caused her to shaft away. She had never seen the rose at night before when it was white. She had only seen it in the day, when it was fiery red on the floor. Isabel rarely came beneath the palace barracks but when she did it was normally to talk to Iraphar. Iraphar didn't like to be seen talking with the Royal Family in broad daylight. Isabel sat down on the image of the white rose and relaxed herself, waiting for Iraphar to come. She knew she was early. She looked at the massive ceiling and it's mural that told it's story. It's pictures told of the Dawn War. The Dawn War was the war that separated the Humans from the Elves. Isabel was very tired and had almost began to slumber in this room until she heard far away, faint and heavy footsteps.
She got slightly nervous. The footsteps she heard were heavy and loud, and she was not aloud to be out of the palace corridors at this time. Isabel was certain that it was a passing guard that would escort her back to her own chambers if she was seen. Isabel ran behind a large column on the side of the room, peeking her head out to see who was walking in. Once she could see the person's shadow approaching, she didn't reveal herself anymore. She remained completely hidden. She started to sweat and breath deeply. She need to talk to Iraphar and if she was caught she would never get her chance. She stopped breathing and waited. At last she heard a familiar voice, "Princess Isabel?" the voice asked not knowing where she was. Isabel knew the large voice, as it belonged to Iraphar! She now walked out from behind the large column and spoke, "good morning, Sir Iraphar." Isabel said attractively. Although it was just past midnight, Isabel considered this time morning, not night.
"Good morning, Your highness." Iraphar said bowing down to her. This seventeen-year-old knight was confused as to why he was wanted here at this time. Isabel noticed that Iraphar was wearing his armor, and that is why his steps were so loud.
"Why are you clad in your battle raiment?" Isabel asked confused. "You need not concern yourself with this fight." She finished. This fourteen-year-old princess did not want Iraphar fighting. She felt deeply for him and could not stand the idea of him getting hurt. She was here tonight to try to talk him out of fighting.
Iraphar stood up. "Yes, I must concern myself. Is that why you brought me here? The elves will be striking at dawn again and I cannot sit and watch them kill the people Valendew." Iraphar put his hand to his heart, showing the signal of the rose. He carried the tradition of the rose at all times. He believed that the rose was the sign of his honor, just like many other members of the army.
"You don't have to watch them," Isabel replied hopefully, "Please, use the horses in our stables and ride! Ride clear over to Ashenvale, where you will be safe.
"What about Delphin, Tyru, and Maylin?" Iraphar asked out confidently.
"Bring them with you!" Isabel replied. "They can come with you as well to safety." Isabel was ready to get down her knees to beg Iraphar not to fight. She had tried unsuccessfully for many days now to try and bring him out of fighting.
"You highness," Iraphar said bowing down to her, "Them and I, we are all in this battle together. Me as infantry, and Maylin as an archer" He paused to see if Isabel would respond, which she did not. "Tyru as a magician and Delphin as a minor!" He stood back up to his feet, clanking around in his bright red armor. "We all have our own roles to play here." He put his fist to his heart again.
Isabel strongly disliked Iraphar's decision. "So you are not going to change your mind?" Isabel asked coming closer to him.
Iraphar shook his head to make clear that his mind was set. "We deserve to win," Iraphar answered.
"Then may the blessings of the Divines shine on you in battle," she finished. Tears surfaced in her eyes, as she elegantly left the room. Iraphar left the room in the opposite direction as well, not even acknowledging Isabel's absence. Isabel returned to her chamber and began to undress, preparing herself to sleep. She put on more comfortable clothing and looked deeply into the gold trimmed mirror in her room. "We deserve to win?" she asked herself quoting Iraphar. She began to think about why this war had even come to be.
Isabel crawled into her own bed, still hammered by this question. "Do we deserve to win?" Isabel thought to herself. She tried to fall asleep but the pondering of this question kept her to wired to fall asleep. "No," She spoke in the solitude of her chambers, "We don't deserve to win the war."She knew that Iraphar had said that out of honor, virtue, and valor. He didn't say it because he meant it. "Why did this war start?" Isabel asked herself. She began looking through her thoughts and her knowledge of the history behind it.
After about ten minutes or so, she had remembered more than she thought she could. She remembered that the war had started because the humans stole the land that belonged to the elves long, long ago. On the land they built and constructed Valendew, the holy city of the rose. This city was built for the worship of the Divines. Because of this city, the elves were pushed back into the outlands, where nobody belonged. Now, the elves wanted their own land back. Isabel had realized the Humans did not deserve to win at all! They were fighting to protect what they stole long ago. The elves just wanted something back, and were willing to fight for it.
Isabel now looked differently upon the war. She wanted to Humans to be victorious, just out of loyalty. Other than loyalty she really had no other reasons that she knew she wanted the Humans to prevail. But still she did not support the Elves. Isabel came to her own conclusion; This fighting was senseless. There was no need whatsoever to be at war when Humans and Elves live by the same life styles, breath the same air, and grow under the same blue sky. The Humans and Elves could easily live together harmoniously, although the thrust for power and victory drove both sides to fighting. After this, Isabel fell asleep with her final solid conclusion. This fighting never had to happen. There could have been ways around it. "War is just a competition with pride and death as a reward," Isabel whispered to herself.
Isabel watched the fighting at the Natilalia Highlands from the high tower the next day. She still thought it was a waste of time and lives. She didn't support the war anymore, although she never did. Her feelings about Iraphar remained the same, but never again did they speak about that night in the below barracks.
Isabel now believed that everyone can live together. War will prove nothing but strength, strategy, and the drive to kill. In war, nobody wins.
