Chapter 5
A/N: Hello- sorry it's been a while since the last post. But oh well- I hope you forgive me and haven't given up on me. Lots more to come… I just need to type things first. We'll see how motivated I am after the reviews come in ;) Just kidding. I'd write without reviews- but they are appreciated.
Anyway- hope everyone is enjoying their summer- Mine is going by well, summer session starts the 15th so I'm hoping to finish writing this fic before then… we'll see what happens
-
Disclaimer: I don't own it- do you?
-
Deed's heart raced. She had just found out the reasons fro this sudden arranged marriage… but who would do such a thing?
Then it hit her… the balance? That was what Karla was after. Could Karla have returned? But Woodchuck… where was he?
Deed quickly opened the door- hoping to find her friend in the room, but instead the king of the Dark Elves stood near the balcony.
"Ah, lovely to see you again my dear." The dark toned Elf smiled as he walked closer to the door. "Can I help you with something? You look a little lost, and your complexion is quite pale. Are you feeling ill child?"
"No.. I'm fine. I just thought that I heard another voice in here…but I must have been mistaken." Deed said as she looked suspiciously at the tall and slender Elf.
Before more words could be exchanged between the two, Deed's father and the prince of the Dark Elves entered the room.
"It is good to see you dear friend. This is such a historic and momentous occasion for both of our kingdoms." The Dark Elf said to their once enemy, now friend. Trying to hide his uneasiness from Deed's questions, he continued to talk to the High Elf King.
"Indeed my new ally. Deedlit, I am glad you have come to your senses." Her father said as he turned to his daughter.
The wise looking Elf took his daughter's hand. She looked into his eyes as he squeezed her small hand. His eyes almost seemed sympathetic, but Deed could not stand to look at him. She lowered her head. The person who she had grown up with, the father she loved, the teacher and the leader she knew- was no longer this man. She wanted to hate him for what he was doing. She felt empty as he guided her over to where the Dark Elf father and son stood. Closing her eyes she allowed her hand to be raised.
"As King of the High Elves, I give you the hand of my only daughter in hopes our clans will be united once again." he extended both his and Deed's hands towards the Dark Elves. "Once they are wedded our houses will finally obtain the peace we both had dreamed for."
Deed's stomach felt sickened as the Dark Elves hands reached for hers.
"NO WAIT!" Came a voice from the opposite side of the room. Deed couldn't believe it when she saw Parn run towards them. "Please your majesty. By Elven traditions, I wish to challenge the Dark Elf Price for Deedlit." Standing confidently and tall, Parn awaited a response. Deed blinked, trying to wake herself up from the dream that was happening.
'This isn't a dream…' She thought. 'This was really happening.'
"You? A human?" The Dark Elf Prince said looking particularly angered. His father seemed similarly displeased with the intrusion.
"This in unheard of… a human invoking Elven traditions?" The Dark Elf King stated.
"I must agree," the High Elf King replied. "On what grounds does one such as yourself come before us?"
"Your majesty. I humbly request to embark on the journey of becoming a friend of the forest. Sire please, then I will be seen as worthy to challenge the prince." Parn said. Deed and the others were shocked at Parn's knowledge of their customs. To Deed, Parn seemed rather in awe of the Elven customs she had described, he was always contented to watch, but never get involved like this.
"Do you understand what that all entails young one?" Deed's father asked of the mortal before them.
"To be honest your majesty, I do not. But I am willing to do what ever it takes." Parn said as he stood up after kneeling. His determined eyes met Deed's beautiful orbs. There was a spark of her usual shimmer coming back as hope began to well within.
"I am also in need of a guide, am I not?" Parn continued.
"That you are sir knight." Deed's father said as he stroked his beard in thought.
"That is absurd! He is an outsider." The prince spoke up. "You cannot allow him to!"
"The order of friend of the forest is for all outsiders is it not?" The wise High Elf said still thinking. "If they truly care for the forest and all it's creations, one can be called brother to all Elves."
"But none know him to sponsor his joining of your clan. And surely none of ours will welcome him." The Dark Elf King said.
"That is not so, dear king." Came Deedlit's voice. "As a High Elf, I will guide Sir Parn through his trials."
"Deed…" Parn smiled thanking her.
"But you are a princess. It's far to dangerous." The evil Elf cried as he saw his pans slipping through his grasp with the annoying human's request.
"Am I not an Elf first?" Deedlit questioned kneeling at her father's feet. She addressed her king, not as his daughter, but as an Elf.
"I am fully willing to guide this one through the tests ahead. I ask for the blessing and consent of his majesty. If found worthy, will Sir Parn be fully welcomed by the forest dwellers and their king?"
"Good Elf, I do bestow upon you my consent. May the forest show you the path you both seek." The king said after much thought.
"I thank you." She said as she rose. "Now, if you would excuse us, there is much to prepare before the quest is undertaken." Deed said as she grabbed Parn's wrist and led him out of the great hall.
The moment the door closed Deedlit threw her arms around Parn's neck.
"Parn." She cried onto his shoulder. His arms went protectively around her.
"Deed, I would never leave you to such a fate." He whispered into her long ears as he pulled her close. His breath in her sensitive ears caused her to laugh.
"That tickles." She said as they looked at each other in the eyes. After a time of just staring into his eyes, Deed sobered up to the fact that he had no clue what was ahead. Being such a young Elf, herself, she too only had a basic knowledge of what to expect.
"Parn… with these trials, if… I mean when we finish them and then challenge the prince… you know that we'll… we'll be…"
"Intended for each other. Yes Deedlit, I know that much. And yes, I want to go through with what ever it entails." He blushed.
Her serious face left and a smile returned. "I had hoped you would." She sighed happily.
"Um…. Deed?"
"Yes?"
"When does this set of trials begin? Not that I mind this… but um."
Deed giggled and kissed his cheek. "Do all humans blush as much as you do?" She asked, but got no answer.
"At first light we head out for our journey. Come, we'll get supplies. Usually we wear specially decorated armor during the quest, but since you're much bigger in stature than most Elves, your father's armor will be fine."
"What will this quest entail? Not that it would change my mind, but still…"
"It will be more of a mental trial, than a physical one. That's really all I can tell you right now… Parn, if it means anything to you… I know you'll do fine. You always have before and I'll be there…"
"Then I know I will succeed." He smiled.
-
The remainder of the day was spent gathering the necessary supplies. Deedlit and Parn never heard the continuous protests of the Dark Elves.
"What now father?" The Dark Elf prince asked.
"They must not return, our Lord told me about that boy- we must not underestimate him. Especially with his devotion to that High Elf wench."
"Then what?" "We wait. Let them go on their quest. More than likely they will succeed. But they will be tired and weak afterwards. We will strike. If we kill him, the humans will suffer and not the Elves. You shall have your bride and we will have our power."
-
The breaking of dawn came without incident. Saying her goodbyes to her mother, Deed went before the King.
"We shall return with a new Elven ally my lord." She said bowing.
"I trust you to do so, for you are a skilled Elf warrior and specially gifted with the spirits."
With that Deed took her share of the previsions on her back and motioned for Parn to follow her out of the city.
Neither of them spoke as they walked deeper and deeper into the forest.
Deed stopped when they came upon a secluded glen. A small pond glistened with the sun's reflected rays as the trees and brush enclosed the surrounding area.
"Deed?" "This is where we shall camp for the night."
"But it's not mush past noon. Camp already?"
"We have much to do Parn before we even think of sleep.
"Then what now?"
"We begin by getting you to unlearn some of the things you humans have instilled on each other over the centuries." She told him setting their things out.
Shedding her usual chest plates and shoulder armor on the ground, Deed sat and began to remove she shoes.
"What are you doing?" Parn asked as she took off her sword belt.
"We need no weapons for this part of the trials. You will be confronted by your mind and body's desires, fears and hopes. You must overcome past, present and future to totally be at peace with nature around you."
"And then I'm this friend of the forest?"
"Not quite dear Parn… you must then face your fears in the forest and prove to the spirits you are truly a worthy ally for the forest. If it would ever be in danger, you would be expected to come to its aid with your Elven brethren."
"Alright. Then let's begin." Parn said confidently as ever. Deed nodded and walked into the calm water to her waist.
"You have no need for your armor now." She smiled. Parn discarded his father's armor and joined Deed in the water. "Water is, of course, a necessary part of life. Thus the water spirits become the life blood of the forest." She told him. Cupping her hands in the cool water she lifted her hands up over Parn's head and let the water trickle down his head.
Guiding him on his back, she aided him to float with her hands.
"You need to relax Parn. Let the waters and your body become one. Feel the spirits as they surround you… let all your troubles and human burdens escape… You need to otherwise they will weigh you down." Parn did as she said; her voice always did calm him. Suddenly a rush of peace rippled over his soul as he closed his eyes.
When Parn awoke from the deep state he had been in it was already dark outside. He was no longer lying in the water, as he was when the day began. Opening his eyes, he awoke to find himself resting on the banks of the pond and his head comfortably cradled in Deed's lap. She was stroking his hair and humming a smoothing melody. Her eyes were closed and her hair swayed in the gentle breeze.
"You made it through." She said as she felt him move.
"What happened? I remember… being in the water.. The images flashed in my mind… I…"
"Sh. Rest. You passed the first test. Remember those images you saw for the final trial will make you test whether you truly learned something."
"Why do I feel so tired and sore?" Parn asked as he tried to sit up.
"No- lay still. You are not aware of it now- but you used your inner spirit to communicate with the spirits and sprites of the water. Many humans are not able to do this, but Elves are creatures of the forest and we are born with that link. You have created the beginning of that bond. You used that connection for the first time. Parn, you must rest now." For once Parn did not argue- he was tired. A little while later Deed brought him food and warmed him with a blanket. "You need to sleep now Parn. We have more trials tomorrow." She told him.
"Deed… there's something you're not telling me… I can tell." Parn reached up and took her hand before she could get away. "You're watching for something- what?"
Deed looked at Parn. If she told him about the Dark Elves and her suspicions of Karla's influence- it would cause Parn to worry and jeopardize his ability to keep himself safe and alive during the trials, because when it came down to the final test she could not help him.
"Deed- I need to know what's wrong if I'm going to help you get through it." Parn implored her.
"Parn, ever since we came back to the forest… there's this presence all around the Dark Elves."
"Deedlit, you're not making sense."
"Parn, the arranged marriage with the Dark Elves… they were following orders from something that sounded a lot like…" Deed hesitated but decided Parn had every right to know, because his life was being used as a pawn again by Karla's dark ways. "I wasn't able to see it, but it sounded like Karla."
"Karla?" Parn mouthed out as he sat up- only to feel his tired muscles cry out in pain.
"Parn, please you need sleep." Deed said as she forced him to lie down next to where she sat. Stroking his hair, she tried to calm him down as she pleaded for him to rest.
"Deed… why? Why would Karla want a merge of the Elves like this?" "To keep us apart."
"What?"
"Our… relationship would cause a more powerful alliance between our kinds. That would upset the balance in Lodoss…"
"But why?"
"Our paths have not yet determined our positions in life… I'm sure Karla has the ability to see things we cannot." Deed said. "But Parn, whatever happens… know that you alone have my heart."
"Deedlit… I promise you my life. If I happen to fail, know I wanted to do this. I… I love you Deedlit."
"Oh Parn." Deed said as she quickly pressed her lips to his.
The moment was perfect. The stars where out and the sounds of nature in the background added to the moment of passion and true love.
Settling down in Parn's arms Deedlit went to sleep happy. Parn followed soon, feeling more content and confident they would overcome all obstacles than worried about the knowledge of Karla's presence.
A/N: Hello- sorry it's been a while since the last post. But oh well- I hope you forgive me and haven't given up on me. Lots more to come… I just need to type things first. We'll see how motivated I am after the reviews come in ;) Just kidding. I'd write without reviews- but they are appreciated.
Anyway- hope everyone is enjoying their summer- Mine is going by well, summer session starts the 15th so I'm hoping to finish writing this fic before then… we'll see what happens
-
Disclaimer: I don't own it- do you?
-
Deed's heart raced. She had just found out the reasons fro this sudden arranged marriage… but who would do such a thing?
Then it hit her… the balance? That was what Karla was after. Could Karla have returned? But Woodchuck… where was he?
Deed quickly opened the door- hoping to find her friend in the room, but instead the king of the Dark Elves stood near the balcony.
"Ah, lovely to see you again my dear." The dark toned Elf smiled as he walked closer to the door. "Can I help you with something? You look a little lost, and your complexion is quite pale. Are you feeling ill child?"
"No.. I'm fine. I just thought that I heard another voice in here…but I must have been mistaken." Deed said as she looked suspiciously at the tall and slender Elf.
Before more words could be exchanged between the two, Deed's father and the prince of the Dark Elves entered the room.
"It is good to see you dear friend. This is such a historic and momentous occasion for both of our kingdoms." The Dark Elf said to their once enemy, now friend. Trying to hide his uneasiness from Deed's questions, he continued to talk to the High Elf King.
"Indeed my new ally. Deedlit, I am glad you have come to your senses." Her father said as he turned to his daughter.
The wise looking Elf took his daughter's hand. She looked into his eyes as he squeezed her small hand. His eyes almost seemed sympathetic, but Deed could not stand to look at him. She lowered her head. The person who she had grown up with, the father she loved, the teacher and the leader she knew- was no longer this man. She wanted to hate him for what he was doing. She felt empty as he guided her over to where the Dark Elf father and son stood. Closing her eyes she allowed her hand to be raised.
"As King of the High Elves, I give you the hand of my only daughter in hopes our clans will be united once again." he extended both his and Deed's hands towards the Dark Elves. "Once they are wedded our houses will finally obtain the peace we both had dreamed for."
Deed's stomach felt sickened as the Dark Elves hands reached for hers.
"NO WAIT!" Came a voice from the opposite side of the room. Deed couldn't believe it when she saw Parn run towards them. "Please your majesty. By Elven traditions, I wish to challenge the Dark Elf Price for Deedlit." Standing confidently and tall, Parn awaited a response. Deed blinked, trying to wake herself up from the dream that was happening.
'This isn't a dream…' She thought. 'This was really happening.'
"You? A human?" The Dark Elf Prince said looking particularly angered. His father seemed similarly displeased with the intrusion.
"This in unheard of… a human invoking Elven traditions?" The Dark Elf King stated.
"I must agree," the High Elf King replied. "On what grounds does one such as yourself come before us?"
"Your majesty. I humbly request to embark on the journey of becoming a friend of the forest. Sire please, then I will be seen as worthy to challenge the prince." Parn said. Deed and the others were shocked at Parn's knowledge of their customs. To Deed, Parn seemed rather in awe of the Elven customs she had described, he was always contented to watch, but never get involved like this.
"Do you understand what that all entails young one?" Deed's father asked of the mortal before them.
"To be honest your majesty, I do not. But I am willing to do what ever it takes." Parn said as he stood up after kneeling. His determined eyes met Deed's beautiful orbs. There was a spark of her usual shimmer coming back as hope began to well within.
"I am also in need of a guide, am I not?" Parn continued.
"That you are sir knight." Deed's father said as he stroked his beard in thought.
"That is absurd! He is an outsider." The prince spoke up. "You cannot allow him to!"
"The order of friend of the forest is for all outsiders is it not?" The wise High Elf said still thinking. "If they truly care for the forest and all it's creations, one can be called brother to all Elves."
"But none know him to sponsor his joining of your clan. And surely none of ours will welcome him." The Dark Elf King said.
"That is not so, dear king." Came Deedlit's voice. "As a High Elf, I will guide Sir Parn through his trials."
"Deed…" Parn smiled thanking her.
"But you are a princess. It's far to dangerous." The evil Elf cried as he saw his pans slipping through his grasp with the annoying human's request.
"Am I not an Elf first?" Deedlit questioned kneeling at her father's feet. She addressed her king, not as his daughter, but as an Elf.
"I am fully willing to guide this one through the tests ahead. I ask for the blessing and consent of his majesty. If found worthy, will Sir Parn be fully welcomed by the forest dwellers and their king?"
"Good Elf, I do bestow upon you my consent. May the forest show you the path you both seek." The king said after much thought.
"I thank you." She said as she rose. "Now, if you would excuse us, there is much to prepare before the quest is undertaken." Deed said as she grabbed Parn's wrist and led him out of the great hall.
The moment the door closed Deedlit threw her arms around Parn's neck.
"Parn." She cried onto his shoulder. His arms went protectively around her.
"Deed, I would never leave you to such a fate." He whispered into her long ears as he pulled her close. His breath in her sensitive ears caused her to laugh.
"That tickles." She said as they looked at each other in the eyes. After a time of just staring into his eyes, Deed sobered up to the fact that he had no clue what was ahead. Being such a young Elf, herself, she too only had a basic knowledge of what to expect.
"Parn… with these trials, if… I mean when we finish them and then challenge the prince… you know that we'll… we'll be…"
"Intended for each other. Yes Deedlit, I know that much. And yes, I want to go through with what ever it entails." He blushed.
Her serious face left and a smile returned. "I had hoped you would." She sighed happily.
"Um…. Deed?"
"Yes?"
"When does this set of trials begin? Not that I mind this… but um."
Deed giggled and kissed his cheek. "Do all humans blush as much as you do?" She asked, but got no answer.
"At first light we head out for our journey. Come, we'll get supplies. Usually we wear specially decorated armor during the quest, but since you're much bigger in stature than most Elves, your father's armor will be fine."
"What will this quest entail? Not that it would change my mind, but still…"
"It will be more of a mental trial, than a physical one. That's really all I can tell you right now… Parn, if it means anything to you… I know you'll do fine. You always have before and I'll be there…"
"Then I know I will succeed." He smiled.
-
The remainder of the day was spent gathering the necessary supplies. Deedlit and Parn never heard the continuous protests of the Dark Elves.
"What now father?" The Dark Elf prince asked.
"They must not return, our Lord told me about that boy- we must not underestimate him. Especially with his devotion to that High Elf wench."
"Then what?" "We wait. Let them go on their quest. More than likely they will succeed. But they will be tired and weak afterwards. We will strike. If we kill him, the humans will suffer and not the Elves. You shall have your bride and we will have our power."
-
The breaking of dawn came without incident. Saying her goodbyes to her mother, Deed went before the King.
"We shall return with a new Elven ally my lord." She said bowing.
"I trust you to do so, for you are a skilled Elf warrior and specially gifted with the spirits."
With that Deed took her share of the previsions on her back and motioned for Parn to follow her out of the city.
Neither of them spoke as they walked deeper and deeper into the forest.
Deed stopped when they came upon a secluded glen. A small pond glistened with the sun's reflected rays as the trees and brush enclosed the surrounding area.
"Deed?" "This is where we shall camp for the night."
"But it's not mush past noon. Camp already?"
"We have much to do Parn before we even think of sleep.
"Then what now?"
"We begin by getting you to unlearn some of the things you humans have instilled on each other over the centuries." She told him setting their things out.
Shedding her usual chest plates and shoulder armor on the ground, Deed sat and began to remove she shoes.
"What are you doing?" Parn asked as she took off her sword belt.
"We need no weapons for this part of the trials. You will be confronted by your mind and body's desires, fears and hopes. You must overcome past, present and future to totally be at peace with nature around you."
"And then I'm this friend of the forest?"
"Not quite dear Parn… you must then face your fears in the forest and prove to the spirits you are truly a worthy ally for the forest. If it would ever be in danger, you would be expected to come to its aid with your Elven brethren."
"Alright. Then let's begin." Parn said confidently as ever. Deed nodded and walked into the calm water to her waist.
"You have no need for your armor now." She smiled. Parn discarded his father's armor and joined Deed in the water. "Water is, of course, a necessary part of life. Thus the water spirits become the life blood of the forest." She told him. Cupping her hands in the cool water she lifted her hands up over Parn's head and let the water trickle down his head.
Guiding him on his back, she aided him to float with her hands.
"You need to relax Parn. Let the waters and your body become one. Feel the spirits as they surround you… let all your troubles and human burdens escape… You need to otherwise they will weigh you down." Parn did as she said; her voice always did calm him. Suddenly a rush of peace rippled over his soul as he closed his eyes.
When Parn awoke from the deep state he had been in it was already dark outside. He was no longer lying in the water, as he was when the day began. Opening his eyes, he awoke to find himself resting on the banks of the pond and his head comfortably cradled in Deed's lap. She was stroking his hair and humming a smoothing melody. Her eyes were closed and her hair swayed in the gentle breeze.
"You made it through." She said as she felt him move.
"What happened? I remember… being in the water.. The images flashed in my mind… I…"
"Sh. Rest. You passed the first test. Remember those images you saw for the final trial will make you test whether you truly learned something."
"Why do I feel so tired and sore?" Parn asked as he tried to sit up.
"No- lay still. You are not aware of it now- but you used your inner spirit to communicate with the spirits and sprites of the water. Many humans are not able to do this, but Elves are creatures of the forest and we are born with that link. You have created the beginning of that bond. You used that connection for the first time. Parn, you must rest now." For once Parn did not argue- he was tired. A little while later Deed brought him food and warmed him with a blanket. "You need to sleep now Parn. We have more trials tomorrow." She told him.
"Deed… there's something you're not telling me… I can tell." Parn reached up and took her hand before she could get away. "You're watching for something- what?"
Deed looked at Parn. If she told him about the Dark Elves and her suspicions of Karla's influence- it would cause Parn to worry and jeopardize his ability to keep himself safe and alive during the trials, because when it came down to the final test she could not help him.
"Deed- I need to know what's wrong if I'm going to help you get through it." Parn implored her.
"Parn, ever since we came back to the forest… there's this presence all around the Dark Elves."
"Deedlit, you're not making sense."
"Parn, the arranged marriage with the Dark Elves… they were following orders from something that sounded a lot like…" Deed hesitated but decided Parn had every right to know, because his life was being used as a pawn again by Karla's dark ways. "I wasn't able to see it, but it sounded like Karla."
"Karla?" Parn mouthed out as he sat up- only to feel his tired muscles cry out in pain.
"Parn, please you need sleep." Deed said as she forced him to lie down next to where she sat. Stroking his hair, she tried to calm him down as she pleaded for him to rest.
"Deed… why? Why would Karla want a merge of the Elves like this?" "To keep us apart."
"What?"
"Our… relationship would cause a more powerful alliance between our kinds. That would upset the balance in Lodoss…"
"But why?"
"Our paths have not yet determined our positions in life… I'm sure Karla has the ability to see things we cannot." Deed said. "But Parn, whatever happens… know that you alone have my heart."
"Deedlit… I promise you my life. If I happen to fail, know I wanted to do this. I… I love you Deedlit."
"Oh Parn." Deed said as she quickly pressed her lips to his.
The moment was perfect. The stars where out and the sounds of nature in the background added to the moment of passion and true love.
Settling down in Parn's arms Deedlit went to sleep happy. Parn followed soon, feeling more content and confident they would overcome all obstacles than worried about the knowledge of Karla's presence.