Disclaimer: As before
No one has the power to make you feel inferior without your consent- Eleanor Roosevelt
' Please help me' the small owner of the voice begged. Sitting in a ditch beside the road was a young human boy. He was small, dark and shivering with the cold. Esmerelda pulled her mare to a standstill and hopped to the ground. 'What's the matter? ' she asked kneeling in the wet grass beside him. 'They burned the village to the ground' he sniveled clutching at a small teddy bear. 'Where are your parents?' The small boy looked at her with startling blue tear filled eyes.' Dead', he whispered. Esmerelda felt her heart break, she too knew what it was like to lose both parents. She glanced up at the sky. The sun was beginning rise-sending shots of pink and red into the dark velvet sky. Realizing that time was running out and sensing somewhere in the back of her mind that Legolas was close she made a snap decision.' Come' she said hoisting the small boy to his feet and guiding him towards Cherrie.' I'll take you to the Kingdom of Dalewood we'll find help there.' Stunned the young boy asked no questions. Before she set out again Esmerelda pointed her finger at the road behind her. She screwed up her face in concentration, and watched in satisfaction as a stream of fire shot from her finger setting up a barrier of flames along the path.' Don't question my actions', she informed the young boy who was staring at her in wonder. She mounted the horse slowly and set off at a slow canter so as to lull the boy to sleep.
Aragon cursed. Before the three companions was a huge wall of fire.
' What do we do?' Gimli questioned. Aragon shrugged, 'We must return to the stream we encountered not five minutes ago'. Legolas nodded, he knew that this was yet another distraction brought around by Esmerelda. The galloped at full speed to the stream. There by the babbling waters stood a small wooden bucket. The tall elf leapt from his stallion and grabbed it. He ran across the pebbles to the water and filled the bucket to the brim. They returned to the fire at a slow pace, taking care not to spill any water. ' Amazing', Gimli breathed, as the water hit the flames. The fire evaporated and was replaced by field of lilies that traveled as far as the eye could see.' That's the most beautiful piece of trickery I've ever seen'. Gimli informed them. Legolas growled in frustration,' It is nothing more than a distraction' he spat,' we must hurry'. The three companions remounted and galloped onwards through the white lilies.
'Lunasa?' The young elfish princess looked up. She was sitting in her tower bedroom, poring eagerly over the letter she had received from her love. At her bedroom door was her father, brow furrowed, stroking his beard thoughtfully.' My dear you have grown up so much '. He strolled across the beautifully embroidered carpet and perched awkwardly on her four poster bed.' Have you ever thought of marriage?' he questioned, plucking nervously at the gold tassels on her quilt.
' Marriage?' she cried incredulously.' To whom?' She prayed fervently that her father had not found out about Erkath, for she was sure her father would have him killed. ' I have been in discussion', her father began,' With the King of Mirkwood, we have agreed on a marriage arrangement that would unite our two kingdoms, Lunasa you will marry Prince Legolas Greenleaf a week from Monday'. Lunasa quelled the anger that had begun to boil in her stomach,' But father do I not reserve the right to choose who I will spend the rest of my entire lifetime with'. The king shook his head and laughed cruelly. 'My dear you live in a world of your own'. He stood up as though to leave.
' What if I refuse?' Lunasa challenged bravely. Her father spun around and grabbed her by the wrist,' You will not refuse', he spat twisting her arm savagely. Lunasa cried out in pain. The king then stormed out of the room slamming the door behind him. The young princess threw herself onto her pillows and began to cry. Esmerelda had been there for the whole exchange. All the anger that had boiled in Lunasa' stomach now burned in her own, and a plan began to form.
The little boy snuggled into the warmth of the elf behind him. They had been riding for many hours. He vaguely recalled that dawn had been breaking when he first mounted the horse, and by now the sky had turned a dusty pink indicating nightfall.' Esmerelda?' the elf behind him seemed to be in a daze.' Esmerelda' he poked his elbow in her ribs. The young woman snapped to attention' Yes Alfie?' She gazed in wonder at the little boy perched on the saddle in front of her, he had a sweet button nose with a bridge of freckles running straight across both cheeks.' Is it time to stop yet?' The elf considered her options. She could try and use her magic to protect them both and give them a good night's rest, but that would require them to travel at full speed for the rest of the next day. Alfie yawned, stretching so much he almost toppled from the stallions back to the bed of lilies below. What she had just seen registered slowly with Esmerelda.' Alfie how long have the lilies been there?' The small boy smiled' 'Twas like magic Esmerlda' He informed her breathlessly.' Not more than an hour ago they came rushing towards us like water and have been following us ever since.' The fugitive sighed to herself. Those following her had already reached the wall of fire, and thanks to her daydreaming her warning sign had gone unnoticed.' Alfie if you ever notice anything strange and I don't will you kindly inform me of it?' she asked pulling Cherrie into a fast gallop. With a careless wave of her hand she stopped the trail of lilies from following them. No need to make finding her easier than it already was.
' The flowers end here ' Gimli observed, he was indeed right. For the first time in what seemed like days the troop were not ploughing through waves of lilies. ' The trail however does not end'; Legolas informed them pointing towards the soft ground in front of them. There, embedded in the muck were a set of hoofprints that continued as far as the eye could see.' Due North', Aragon spoke, 'No attempt to hide her trail, she's rushing for some reason'. Without another word the three began to race off towards the sunset, leaving the cover of the forest trail behind.
Erkath sat impatiently on a tree stump, waiting for Esmerelda to appear. After about five minutes of gazing around the forest, he heard a rustling from the undergrowth. 'Esmerelda?' he called hopping to his feet. She emerged into the clearing and embraced Erkath warmly. 'I miss you so when we part', Erkath informed her between kisses.
' If I asked you to run away with me would you?' she questioned; desperately hoping his answer would be yes. Erkath pulled away from her and looked her in the eye. He slowly knelt down on the forest floor. Pine needles digging painfully into his knees he rummaged around in the pocket of his tunic. From there he produced a beautifully crafted silver ring, shaped like a sun. The light shining through the leafy forest roof set ablaze the cluster of garnets in the center.
' I would die for you my love ', he informed her rising to his feet and placing the ring on her marriage finger.' As I for you', Esmerelda replied, raising the ring to her lips and kissing it softly.
They remained together for many hours planning their route of escape, neither aware that two other people were present. Both Lunasa and her father.
Dawn was breaking when Esmerelda and Alfie rode into town. Dalewood was exactly as Esmerelda remembered it to be. The village consisted still of many ramshackle cottages and taverns. Not a soul was stirring in the dawn light. Before her stood the castle. It loomed dark and ominous. She looked down at the little boy, he was asleep and looked so peaceful that it bothered Esmerelda to stir him. She followed the well-traveled route towards the forest. She stopped beside the tallest oak for fifty leagues. Her energy was drained, from lack of sleep and food for at least three days, but still she continued. Her magic had rekindled its old energy so she required little strength to open the door in the oaks' bark. There they would remain until she was ready. Until she was ready to confront her uncle again.
' I feel no pity for the girl'. Lunasa stood paralyzed outside her fathers' study. He was conducting a conversation between his wife, her stepmother.' As you should not Lafter, the child is not of your body.' She assured him. Lunasa listened intently.' Your sister promised herself to a human, she left this world by his side and deposited a young child in your care. If you can be rid of the child to your own benefit then so be it.' Lunasas' stepmother paused. 'Our son will be king of Dalewood, he will rule with the same iron fist as you have. With the iron fist Esmerelda could never have used.'
Legolas, Gimli and Aragon rode into the kingdom of Dalewood not an hour after Esmerelda had. The village was already bustling with people. Blissfully unaware of the havoc the Princess was about to unleash.
No one has the power to make you feel inferior without your consent- Eleanor Roosevelt
' Please help me' the small owner of the voice begged. Sitting in a ditch beside the road was a young human boy. He was small, dark and shivering with the cold. Esmerelda pulled her mare to a standstill and hopped to the ground. 'What's the matter? ' she asked kneeling in the wet grass beside him. 'They burned the village to the ground' he sniveled clutching at a small teddy bear. 'Where are your parents?' The small boy looked at her with startling blue tear filled eyes.' Dead', he whispered. Esmerelda felt her heart break, she too knew what it was like to lose both parents. She glanced up at the sky. The sun was beginning rise-sending shots of pink and red into the dark velvet sky. Realizing that time was running out and sensing somewhere in the back of her mind that Legolas was close she made a snap decision.' Come' she said hoisting the small boy to his feet and guiding him towards Cherrie.' I'll take you to the Kingdom of Dalewood we'll find help there.' Stunned the young boy asked no questions. Before she set out again Esmerelda pointed her finger at the road behind her. She screwed up her face in concentration, and watched in satisfaction as a stream of fire shot from her finger setting up a barrier of flames along the path.' Don't question my actions', she informed the young boy who was staring at her in wonder. She mounted the horse slowly and set off at a slow canter so as to lull the boy to sleep.
Aragon cursed. Before the three companions was a huge wall of fire.
' What do we do?' Gimli questioned. Aragon shrugged, 'We must return to the stream we encountered not five minutes ago'. Legolas nodded, he knew that this was yet another distraction brought around by Esmerelda. The galloped at full speed to the stream. There by the babbling waters stood a small wooden bucket. The tall elf leapt from his stallion and grabbed it. He ran across the pebbles to the water and filled the bucket to the brim. They returned to the fire at a slow pace, taking care not to spill any water. ' Amazing', Gimli breathed, as the water hit the flames. The fire evaporated and was replaced by field of lilies that traveled as far as the eye could see.' That's the most beautiful piece of trickery I've ever seen'. Gimli informed them. Legolas growled in frustration,' It is nothing more than a distraction' he spat,' we must hurry'. The three companions remounted and galloped onwards through the white lilies.
'Lunasa?' The young elfish princess looked up. She was sitting in her tower bedroom, poring eagerly over the letter she had received from her love. At her bedroom door was her father, brow furrowed, stroking his beard thoughtfully.' My dear you have grown up so much '. He strolled across the beautifully embroidered carpet and perched awkwardly on her four poster bed.' Have you ever thought of marriage?' he questioned, plucking nervously at the gold tassels on her quilt.
' Marriage?' she cried incredulously.' To whom?' She prayed fervently that her father had not found out about Erkath, for she was sure her father would have him killed. ' I have been in discussion', her father began,' With the King of Mirkwood, we have agreed on a marriage arrangement that would unite our two kingdoms, Lunasa you will marry Prince Legolas Greenleaf a week from Monday'. Lunasa quelled the anger that had begun to boil in her stomach,' But father do I not reserve the right to choose who I will spend the rest of my entire lifetime with'. The king shook his head and laughed cruelly. 'My dear you live in a world of your own'. He stood up as though to leave.
' What if I refuse?' Lunasa challenged bravely. Her father spun around and grabbed her by the wrist,' You will not refuse', he spat twisting her arm savagely. Lunasa cried out in pain. The king then stormed out of the room slamming the door behind him. The young princess threw herself onto her pillows and began to cry. Esmerelda had been there for the whole exchange. All the anger that had boiled in Lunasa' stomach now burned in her own, and a plan began to form.
The little boy snuggled into the warmth of the elf behind him. They had been riding for many hours. He vaguely recalled that dawn had been breaking when he first mounted the horse, and by now the sky had turned a dusty pink indicating nightfall.' Esmerelda?' the elf behind him seemed to be in a daze.' Esmerelda' he poked his elbow in her ribs. The young woman snapped to attention' Yes Alfie?' She gazed in wonder at the little boy perched on the saddle in front of her, he had a sweet button nose with a bridge of freckles running straight across both cheeks.' Is it time to stop yet?' The elf considered her options. She could try and use her magic to protect them both and give them a good night's rest, but that would require them to travel at full speed for the rest of the next day. Alfie yawned, stretching so much he almost toppled from the stallions back to the bed of lilies below. What she had just seen registered slowly with Esmerelda.' Alfie how long have the lilies been there?' The small boy smiled' 'Twas like magic Esmerlda' He informed her breathlessly.' Not more than an hour ago they came rushing towards us like water and have been following us ever since.' The fugitive sighed to herself. Those following her had already reached the wall of fire, and thanks to her daydreaming her warning sign had gone unnoticed.' Alfie if you ever notice anything strange and I don't will you kindly inform me of it?' she asked pulling Cherrie into a fast gallop. With a careless wave of her hand she stopped the trail of lilies from following them. No need to make finding her easier than it already was.
' The flowers end here ' Gimli observed, he was indeed right. For the first time in what seemed like days the troop were not ploughing through waves of lilies. ' The trail however does not end'; Legolas informed them pointing towards the soft ground in front of them. There, embedded in the muck were a set of hoofprints that continued as far as the eye could see.' Due North', Aragon spoke, 'No attempt to hide her trail, she's rushing for some reason'. Without another word the three began to race off towards the sunset, leaving the cover of the forest trail behind.
Erkath sat impatiently on a tree stump, waiting for Esmerelda to appear. After about five minutes of gazing around the forest, he heard a rustling from the undergrowth. 'Esmerelda?' he called hopping to his feet. She emerged into the clearing and embraced Erkath warmly. 'I miss you so when we part', Erkath informed her between kisses.
' If I asked you to run away with me would you?' she questioned; desperately hoping his answer would be yes. Erkath pulled away from her and looked her in the eye. He slowly knelt down on the forest floor. Pine needles digging painfully into his knees he rummaged around in the pocket of his tunic. From there he produced a beautifully crafted silver ring, shaped like a sun. The light shining through the leafy forest roof set ablaze the cluster of garnets in the center.
' I would die for you my love ', he informed her rising to his feet and placing the ring on her marriage finger.' As I for you', Esmerelda replied, raising the ring to her lips and kissing it softly.
They remained together for many hours planning their route of escape, neither aware that two other people were present. Both Lunasa and her father.
Dawn was breaking when Esmerelda and Alfie rode into town. Dalewood was exactly as Esmerelda remembered it to be. The village consisted still of many ramshackle cottages and taverns. Not a soul was stirring in the dawn light. Before her stood the castle. It loomed dark and ominous. She looked down at the little boy, he was asleep and looked so peaceful that it bothered Esmerelda to stir him. She followed the well-traveled route towards the forest. She stopped beside the tallest oak for fifty leagues. Her energy was drained, from lack of sleep and food for at least three days, but still she continued. Her magic had rekindled its old energy so she required little strength to open the door in the oaks' bark. There they would remain until she was ready. Until she was ready to confront her uncle again.
' I feel no pity for the girl'. Lunasa stood paralyzed outside her fathers' study. He was conducting a conversation between his wife, her stepmother.' As you should not Lafter, the child is not of your body.' She assured him. Lunasa listened intently.' Your sister promised herself to a human, she left this world by his side and deposited a young child in your care. If you can be rid of the child to your own benefit then so be it.' Lunasas' stepmother paused. 'Our son will be king of Dalewood, he will rule with the same iron fist as you have. With the iron fist Esmerelda could never have used.'
Legolas, Gimli and Aragon rode into the kingdom of Dalewood not an hour after Esmerelda had. The village was already bustling with people. Blissfully unaware of the havoc the Princess was about to unleash.