The High Elf's Love: Don't Leave Me Alone!

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When it came, it was like the popping of huge and painful blister. The pressure that had been building up was released so suddenly that the Forest almost seemed to shake. The Darkness was released flowing away somewhere far away beyond reach of this world, leaving the whole of the Forest clean, but bare and raw.

Then there was light, like an herbal salve smeared over the wound. This seemed to sting within the hearts of the Forest creatures, as the poison that had infected them was cleaned and healed. It hurt, oh Marfa, it hurt, but it was good hurt, a necessary hurt, and strength began to grow in all of them again. Shadows faded, light flourished. The Forest began to live again, its decay halted.

And the light enveloped them like gauze, and it really was all better. After the split second of pain and healing that followed the Darkness' destruction, it was as if everything had been reborn. The Forest's silent song began to whisper again, as Sylph and Zephyr returned to their play. The undines laughed in the streams. The gnomes returned to their work, and the few salamanders crackled and smoked.

The elves looked about them in amazement, and they joined the Forest in its song, for elves are as much creatures of song as they are of light, and they were very, very glad to be alive.

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One elf laughed with joy as she rose to her feet. He did it! she exclaimed. He did it!

Her brother stared at his sister and wondered if he had misjudged the human warrior. The air felt sweet, and he could somehow believe that this was all the work of the human with deep blue eyes.

Deedlit danced about in a quick circle before running for the door. I knew he could! she half-shouted, half-sang. She began to run towards the house of Lady Deirolya.

Melinar and his parents exchanged glances for a moment and began to run after her. They ran more slowly though, wanting to give her the chance to be the first to greet the human warrior that had saved their Forest. At the same time, they wanted to see him, to thank him, and in Melinar's case to briefly apologize to him.

The leaves of the Forest seemed to shine from within, and for Deedlit those few moments were sweet beyond words. Her laughter broke only when she entered Lady Deirolya's house and saw the unconscious Shrouded One and no sign of Parn. Only then did she realize that something was wrong.

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Melinar asked the weeping elven girl who cradled the Shrouded One in her lap.

Deedit shook slightly, but didn't answer.

he repeated. What's wrong?

I don't know, she whispered. But something is wrong. Something's happened to Parn.

Then Lady Deirolya straightened, apparently conscious once more. I can tell you what happened to him.

Deedlit stared at the cowled figure in silence. Where is he? There was a pleading tone in her voice.

The Grey Witch took him, Deirolya answered. She had been using me as her tool, but an elven body was too weak to heal the Forest. She explained this to him, and he accepted it as the price.

The Grey Witch? Melinar inquired. Who's she?

Deedlit answered coldly, Karla. She's a survivor of the Kingdom of Sorcery. She committed her soul to a circlet. She possesses whoever wears it, so she can continue to control what happens in Lodoss. She acts to prevent any one group from gaining too much power. She was responsible for the War of Heroes.

Melinar stared at the two women, suddenly understanding what the human had done. Melinar felt the need to ask. Why would he give himself up to that?

Lady Deirolya's voice was almost amused, as she pointed at Deedlit. For her. He did it for her.

Melinar forced his eyes to remain on the Shrouded One. He did not turn to Deedlit for fear of what he would see on her face. Somehow, he knew there would be more pain in her eyes than he could comprehend. He heard her make a brief strangled sound. Moments passed in silence.

Abruptly, she stood. Which way did he . . . she . . . they go?

Deirolya answered.

I'm going after them. Deedlit turned.

Melinar hesitated, then followed her. I'll help you.

Deedlit's face held a mixture of shock and confusion. I know you hate humans.

Maybe I was wrong, Melinar admitted, hating to bend his pride, yet knowing that the truth was more important. He saved our Forest and our lives. Maybe he is more worthy than I was willing to admit.

Fine. You may come with me.

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The two elves dashed through the Forest, following a slight trail. Neither spoke a word. Both were too busy listening to the Forest's spirits that surrounded them. With only a little concentration, they could hear every word the spirits said, and the spirits were not averse to revealing which direction the human man had gone through the Forest.

He had passed that way not ten minutes before, at a steady pace. They were sure that they could gain on him. They knew the Forest well enough to go with considerable speed, leaping over roots and branches and sprinting across the dark green moss.

Melinar stole occasional glances at his sister. He had never seen her look so grim. He wondered what the human had been to her that it hurt her so much to lose him. He thought about the sincerity in the human's eyes and the resolution in his face when he had sworn to save the Forest. He might have been human, but he wasn't just human. There had been something about him, and now Melinar felt that he had to follow, and show at least as much bravery as that human had.

Deedlit's thought were simpler that her brother's. She wanted to find Parn, save him, and destroy Karla forever. Then . . . then she wanted to apologize to Parn for not telling him how sick she was. She wanted to tell him lots of things. Not the least of which was that she loved him, even if he was a reckless, hopelessly heroic, infuriating human.

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When they finally caught sight of him, they put on a final burst of speed and caught up with the witch-inhabited warrior. Karla turned around to look at them, and Deedlit drew in a breath.

He didn't look any different. Same handsome boyish features. Same slightly-messy dark hair. Same incredibly blue eyes. There was nothing of Karla about him, except the circlet on his brow and a slightly cool expression that she wouldn't have expected to see on Parn's face.

On second thought, he looked completely different. Parn was hot-headed and passionate, seeming to be animated with an inner flame. It was one of the things she loved about him. Now that was gone, replaced by something that was cool and impersonal. Not cold like ice, just cool like water from a very deep well.

What do you wish? Karla asked, the voice Parn's but the accent and wording vastly different.

You did what you needed to do, Karla, Deedlit stated firmly. Release him now.

The human warrior's face showed a certain ironic humor. And when I release him, what will become of me, elven girl? You have little enough reason to love me. I have no reason to believe that I would ever be permitted to find another body. I cannot allow that, as you know. I have tasks yet to complete.

He's hardly an ideal body for you, Deedlit pointed out.

Karla laughed. No, though you are right. I probably won't keep him much longer. I'll leave him somewhere for you to find in a few days once I've found a more suitable body. I'll put him under a spell so he can't tell you where I went, as that foolish elf Deirolya did.

Deedlit placed her hands on her hips. That's not good enough.

It's the best you'll get.

You need a body to take you from this Forest, but please, not Parn's. Deedlit stared at the Grey Witch, her meaning clear.

You're offering yourself? Karla's amusement grew. I am no fool. In your body I would have no peace. He would hound me. I would never have the time to find a new body and leave you somewhere. He's a stubborn little thing. She paused. Perhaps I like this body. I do normally prefer a woman's body, but it's been many years since I had the body of a warrior. It has possibilities.

Melinar spoke then. Release him! Find another host, you parasite!

Why do you care? She loves him, so her ridiculous behavior is understandable. Why are you here? Karla turned her attention to the young elven man.

He saved our Forest!

He did not, Karla replied. I saved your Forest. He merely gave me his body to do it with.

There's nothing mere about that, Melinar stated. Give him back to my sister.

I already told you why that was not an option, Karla responded calmly.

Take my body! Melinar snapped. I won't be less brave than him!

Karla stared at Melinar for a moment. It might do. She came closer, examining the elf. A warrior really would be useful just now. And an elf, as well. I wouldn't need to find another host so soon. Very well. He sacrificed himself for his own love, you sacrifice yourself for theirs. How heroic of all of you. She stood directly before him and reached up to remove the circlet from Parn's forehead. Melinar held still, awaiting what he knew was coming.

Neither the elf nor the witch saw Deedlit, her eyes narrowed, step closer. Yes, she wanted Parn back and safe, but the hell she was going to let her little brother become Karla. The circlet was between the two men now. She struck, bringing the thin blade of her sword down on the circlet, knocking it from Karla's hands. I've had enough of you, Karla!

The circlet fell through Melinar's fingers. He didn't try to grasp it. Deedlit brought her foot down hard on the elegant piece of jewelry. She heard something crack and she stomped on it again. An image of Ghim flashed through her mind's eye, then Parn, and finally Melinar. No more! No more, witch! You won't take away anyone else I care for!

Melinar stared at her. For a moment he was angry with her for taking away the value of his sacrifice, then he smiled, realizing how right it was that she be the one to save the human warrior. It hadn't been his sacrifice to make. he told her. It's enough now.

Deedlit looked down at the mangled circlet. The gold was bent and even broken in places. Some of the jewels had popped out. She shook her head. No, it's not. She stepped back. Gnomes, creatures of the earth, salamanders, born of fire, by the heat at the earth's depths destroy this object before me!

Fire streamed from her hands. A purple shadow seemed to rush up from it, and the metal was left only a small molten puddle scattered with a few small gems.

she gasped. Now it's enough. Then she turned to Parn.

He stared at her a moment out of those wonderful eyes of his, his expression wholly his own and the fire within him once more. he said softly and took a hesitant step towards her. He almost fell and she steadied him, taking most of his weight. His arms were around her, and hers around him.

Neither could ever remember which of them said it, but what matters was that it was said. I love you.

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Done! And just wait till you see what I've got planned next for Lodoss! I'll give you a hint: I'm co-writing it with my best friend rothwyn, and I expect it to be lots of fun!