Chapter 2
Return to the Forest
Disclaimer: I don't own them :D
A/N: Well I appreciate the few reviews :) I figured this story wouldn't get too many- it's sad not many people know about this anime! It's great!!! It's in my top ten at least!!! Oh well- here's the second chapter for all you who want it. Enjoy
-
Again Parn rushed into battle without thinking things over. If he had, he would have seen the pointed ears of the figures and known these elves posed no threat to his sleeping companion.
As he charged, the two quickly stepped aside and uttered incantations. Vines from trees grew and wrapped around the valiant knight. Struggling with all his might, but it proved futile, Parn was stuck.
He yelled and roared as he fought back as the best he could until a familiar voice called out.
"Stop it this instant!" Said a now wide awake Deed. She threw off the covers and stood up.
"I demand to know what is going on here!"
"Deed!" Parn said as he caught her eyes.
"Release him NOW!" She commanded.
"But your majesty…" An elf started.
"I order you to release him!" She replied sternly.
"Yes highness."
Deed went to Parn's side as he was dropped by the branches.
"Deed…" He groaned. "What's going on here? Who are they?" He asked re-griping his sword.
"Parn, it's alright. They are not here to hurt us…" Turning to the two elves she spoke sternly. "Exactly why did you come? And at dawn no less?" Deedlit asked.
The two elves finally were totally visible. They were dressed in royal elf military garb. Their armor looked light and their cloaks similar to Deed's.
"we have strict orders to escort you to your father." One said.
"My father." Deed scoffed angrily. "And what does he want?"
"We know not, but we were under orders to see you there immediately." The other elf spoke.
"Deed?" Parn said seeing her legs wobble a little. He was at her side to steady her.
She looked at him with worry in her ancient eyes.
"Deedlit… is something wrong?" He asked.
"But our journeys aren't over." She mumbled as she closed her eyes to hide the sadness in them. She had a good guess as to the reason for this meeting.
"We must leave now if we're to make it to the forest by nightfall." The tow elves said.
"I will go- only on one condition." Deedlit decided.
"What is that?"
"If Parn can accompany me there."
"What?" The two elves questioned.
Deed looked back up to Parn. There was a faint blush on his cheeks. He was so easy to get him to blush.
"Parn… will you come with me?"
"I have nothing better to do… yes, I will Deed." He smiled.
The elves returned to their horses as Deed and Parn mounted their steed.
The group neared the entrance to the forest as the sun began it's nightly decent into the horizon.
The entire way Deed had not spoken much, usually there was always laughter and conversation between the two. It was beginning to worry Parn. He didn't know whether it was because of her injuries or this sudden homecoming.
Parn forgot his thoughts as the forest opened up to the riders.
"Deed… about entering again…"
"You are my guest- you don't have anything to fear this time." She said in a voice but a whisper as she held on to him. Their horse followed the others into the mass of trees and nature.
The trees grew more majestic and deep-rooted as they entered a clearing that led to a large village. The houses seemed to be made in the trees themselves.
Elves and various sprites bustled about like any ordinary human city. Off sitting by itself at the top of a large waterfall laid a splendid palace. Compared to the cold stone of Flaim and Valis this was a pure paradise of living plants and flora. All around the village flowers bloomed, and streams of the clearest waters flowed freely through the town. A system of well crafted bridges connected pathways over the waters that flowed like veins of the forest.
"It's beautiful." Parn breathed. Deed could only smile.
"it is… I've missed it." she said quietly.
At hearing this his heart saddened. He was keeping her away from the place she truly belonged. Deedlit's kind were not meant to be out suffering in the human realm. She belonged with the trees in her homeland, with… her kind.
Fate was cruel, Parn thought. King Kashue offered him anything his heart desired. It did not include the one thing Parn yearned for however: Deedlit's heart.
The group dismounted before the palace. Their horses were out in a stable as they were ushered inside.
Parn's eyes went wide at the precious treasures and ornaments that where arranged on the living walls.
Before them a large hall opened up. Facing them where two large thrones sitting for all to see, occupied by the royalty of the elves.
The two elves walked forward proudly as Deedlit and Parn came behind them.
"Your majesties…" One elf started but was cut off by the queen standing. She was dressed in an elegant, yet simple green dress. Before the elf could finish his introduction properly, the ancient being ran towards Deedlit with open arms.
Even Parn's small brain could recognize the older woman to be Deed's mother. They shared many of the same qualities, yet Deedlit was ultimately more beautiful in Parn's mind. Deed was engulfed by her mother's long arms as tears rushed out her eyes.
"Oh my baby!" The queen cried. Seemingly forgetting the usual stoic elf front, she assaulted her only daughter with kisses and hugs.
"Mother." Deedlit said in response to the affection.
Soon the show of motherly affection was over and Deedlit straightened her garments.
"We were so worried about you." The queen said holding Deed's hand.
"I'm fine mother." Deedlit then turned towards the elf who had remained seated through all of the commotion.
The king's white beard wasn't that long, but it did show that the elf had weathered many a century upon the soil. His eyes were not as filled with joy as Deed's mother's were.
"Father." Deed said as she nodded, acknowledging his authority. "Mother, Father, may I introduce Sir Parn, Knight of Lodoss."
Parn bowed towards the king and queen.
"Oh good sir knight, we thank you for bringing out Deedlit back to us safely." The queen smiled.
"Your majesties it wasn't…"
"Parn was the one who saved Lodoss from the darkness of Marmo's evil. He also saved me from Wagnard and Ashram's sorcery." Deed lit spoke up before Parn could be modest and belittle himself.
"He was also the cause of your endangerment and it was because of him and those other mortals that you got involved with the mess on the outside!" The king finally spoke.
"Father?!" A shocked Deedlit gasped. Parn couldn't help but lower his head. The king was right…
"I left to better my skills as a high elf and fighter- Parn had nothing to do with that… I got involved because we elves were already involved! If the mortals had failed the forest would also fall! It was my decision and solely my fault for everything that happened to me."
"I agree you are partly responsible. Our kingdom needs it's princess, not another head strong warrior to protect it!" The king basically growled.
"You acted very selfish Deedlit. Siding so quickly with their cause- you didn't see the repercussions of your actions." He continued.
"Father I had little choice in the matter. I was attacked and by a dark elf no less! I had to fight back."
"Be that as it may- I am still your father and I am still the king! What I am about to do now will seem terrible at first, but it is for your own good as well as the kingdom's. We have finally negotiated a final and lasting peace agreement with the dark elves…"
"Father… NO… you can't mean…" Deedlit's eyes filled with tears. "Anything but that father! Please…" She cried as she knelt at her father's feet. Looking to her mother with questioning eyes she repeated her plea. "Mother? He's not…"
"Hush child." Her mother said stroking Deedlit's hair as she buried her face into her mother's skirt.
Parn stood confused. He had seen no reason for Deed's reaction. But apparently something was wrong.
"Deed?" Parn said concerned. Seeing her weeping like this made his heart wrench in pain.
"I will never do it father! Ever!" Deed told the king as she stood and ran from the room.
Parn stood in the silence, still not understanding what fully had transpired.
Return to the Forest
Disclaimer: I don't own them :D
A/N: Well I appreciate the few reviews :) I figured this story wouldn't get too many- it's sad not many people know about this anime! It's great!!! It's in my top ten at least!!! Oh well- here's the second chapter for all you who want it. Enjoy
-
Again Parn rushed into battle without thinking things over. If he had, he would have seen the pointed ears of the figures and known these elves posed no threat to his sleeping companion.
As he charged, the two quickly stepped aside and uttered incantations. Vines from trees grew and wrapped around the valiant knight. Struggling with all his might, but it proved futile, Parn was stuck.
He yelled and roared as he fought back as the best he could until a familiar voice called out.
"Stop it this instant!" Said a now wide awake Deed. She threw off the covers and stood up.
"I demand to know what is going on here!"
"Deed!" Parn said as he caught her eyes.
"Release him NOW!" She commanded.
"But your majesty…" An elf started.
"I order you to release him!" She replied sternly.
"Yes highness."
Deed went to Parn's side as he was dropped by the branches.
"Deed…" He groaned. "What's going on here? Who are they?" He asked re-griping his sword.
"Parn, it's alright. They are not here to hurt us…" Turning to the two elves she spoke sternly. "Exactly why did you come? And at dawn no less?" Deedlit asked.
The two elves finally were totally visible. They were dressed in royal elf military garb. Their armor looked light and their cloaks similar to Deed's.
"we have strict orders to escort you to your father." One said.
"My father." Deed scoffed angrily. "And what does he want?"
"We know not, but we were under orders to see you there immediately." The other elf spoke.
"Deed?" Parn said seeing her legs wobble a little. He was at her side to steady her.
She looked at him with worry in her ancient eyes.
"Deedlit… is something wrong?" He asked.
"But our journeys aren't over." She mumbled as she closed her eyes to hide the sadness in them. She had a good guess as to the reason for this meeting.
"We must leave now if we're to make it to the forest by nightfall." The tow elves said.
"I will go- only on one condition." Deedlit decided.
"What is that?"
"If Parn can accompany me there."
"What?" The two elves questioned.
Deed looked back up to Parn. There was a faint blush on his cheeks. He was so easy to get him to blush.
"Parn… will you come with me?"
"I have nothing better to do… yes, I will Deed." He smiled.
The elves returned to their horses as Deed and Parn mounted their steed.
The group neared the entrance to the forest as the sun began it's nightly decent into the horizon.
The entire way Deed had not spoken much, usually there was always laughter and conversation between the two. It was beginning to worry Parn. He didn't know whether it was because of her injuries or this sudden homecoming.
Parn forgot his thoughts as the forest opened up to the riders.
"Deed… about entering again…"
"You are my guest- you don't have anything to fear this time." She said in a voice but a whisper as she held on to him. Their horse followed the others into the mass of trees and nature.
The trees grew more majestic and deep-rooted as they entered a clearing that led to a large village. The houses seemed to be made in the trees themselves.
Elves and various sprites bustled about like any ordinary human city. Off sitting by itself at the top of a large waterfall laid a splendid palace. Compared to the cold stone of Flaim and Valis this was a pure paradise of living plants and flora. All around the village flowers bloomed, and streams of the clearest waters flowed freely through the town. A system of well crafted bridges connected pathways over the waters that flowed like veins of the forest.
"It's beautiful." Parn breathed. Deed could only smile.
"it is… I've missed it." she said quietly.
At hearing this his heart saddened. He was keeping her away from the place she truly belonged. Deedlit's kind were not meant to be out suffering in the human realm. She belonged with the trees in her homeland, with… her kind.
Fate was cruel, Parn thought. King Kashue offered him anything his heart desired. It did not include the one thing Parn yearned for however: Deedlit's heart.
The group dismounted before the palace. Their horses were out in a stable as they were ushered inside.
Parn's eyes went wide at the precious treasures and ornaments that where arranged on the living walls.
Before them a large hall opened up. Facing them where two large thrones sitting for all to see, occupied by the royalty of the elves.
The two elves walked forward proudly as Deedlit and Parn came behind them.
"Your majesties…" One elf started but was cut off by the queen standing. She was dressed in an elegant, yet simple green dress. Before the elf could finish his introduction properly, the ancient being ran towards Deedlit with open arms.
Even Parn's small brain could recognize the older woman to be Deed's mother. They shared many of the same qualities, yet Deedlit was ultimately more beautiful in Parn's mind. Deed was engulfed by her mother's long arms as tears rushed out her eyes.
"Oh my baby!" The queen cried. Seemingly forgetting the usual stoic elf front, she assaulted her only daughter with kisses and hugs.
"Mother." Deedlit said in response to the affection.
Soon the show of motherly affection was over and Deedlit straightened her garments.
"We were so worried about you." The queen said holding Deed's hand.
"I'm fine mother." Deedlit then turned towards the elf who had remained seated through all of the commotion.
The king's white beard wasn't that long, but it did show that the elf had weathered many a century upon the soil. His eyes were not as filled with joy as Deed's mother's were.
"Father." Deed said as she nodded, acknowledging his authority. "Mother, Father, may I introduce Sir Parn, Knight of Lodoss."
Parn bowed towards the king and queen.
"Oh good sir knight, we thank you for bringing out Deedlit back to us safely." The queen smiled.
"Your majesties it wasn't…"
"Parn was the one who saved Lodoss from the darkness of Marmo's evil. He also saved me from Wagnard and Ashram's sorcery." Deed lit spoke up before Parn could be modest and belittle himself.
"He was also the cause of your endangerment and it was because of him and those other mortals that you got involved with the mess on the outside!" The king finally spoke.
"Father?!" A shocked Deedlit gasped. Parn couldn't help but lower his head. The king was right…
"I left to better my skills as a high elf and fighter- Parn had nothing to do with that… I got involved because we elves were already involved! If the mortals had failed the forest would also fall! It was my decision and solely my fault for everything that happened to me."
"I agree you are partly responsible. Our kingdom needs it's princess, not another head strong warrior to protect it!" The king basically growled.
"You acted very selfish Deedlit. Siding so quickly with their cause- you didn't see the repercussions of your actions." He continued.
"Father I had little choice in the matter. I was attacked and by a dark elf no less! I had to fight back."
"Be that as it may- I am still your father and I am still the king! What I am about to do now will seem terrible at first, but it is for your own good as well as the kingdom's. We have finally negotiated a final and lasting peace agreement with the dark elves…"
"Father… NO… you can't mean…" Deedlit's eyes filled with tears. "Anything but that father! Please…" She cried as she knelt at her father's feet. Looking to her mother with questioning eyes she repeated her plea. "Mother? He's not…"
"Hush child." Her mother said stroking Deedlit's hair as she buried her face into her mother's skirt.
Parn stood confused. He had seen no reason for Deed's reaction. But apparently something was wrong.
"Deed?" Parn said concerned. Seeing her weeping like this made his heart wrench in pain.
"I will never do it father! Ever!" Deed told the king as she stood and ran from the room.
Parn stood in the silence, still not understanding what fully had transpired.