Chapter 16
Gilthanas knew something was amiss when he woke. The sound of sword and shield being donned were clear through his window. He slipped from his bed to see. In the courtyard, just on the edge of his field of view, the Kights of the Keep with the Lady Arlena at their head were preparing for battle. Or so it seamed.
He narrowed his gaze, looking beyond the walls of the keep into the surrounding areas. He couldn't see any dangers close enough to warrant such activity.
Turning from the window he dressed quickly, taking the time only to brush his hair back under his leather band and to grab his weapons.
Leth had slept in that morning, or so it seemed, and Gilthanas entered the courtyard unchallenged and unhindered.
"Lady Arlena."
She didn't even glance up at the sound of him voice, simply continued to put her armor on as he approached.
"Lady Arlena?"
She finally looked up. "Yes, my lord?"
He almost flinched, but dropped into a bow instead. "May I inquire as to the nature of your outing?"
"You may. You may not like the answer."
His smile was faint. "It's not the concern of elves. Correct?"
She inclined her head, motioning for her horse to be brought. "You are correct."
"Perhaps I can join you on your outing today if you have need of a sharp-eyed scout? Few humans are so observant and though it may not be a concern of the elves, I would like to help in any capacity I may while I am your guest."
She met his gaze. "As our guest, I cannot stop you if you'd like to accompany us. However, your help is not necessary or required."
That stung. Instead of letting his smile fade, he dropped into another bow. "I would be flattered to be allowed to accompany such a noble army. Are we searching for something particular today, milady?"
"The blue has been sighted a ways from here."
Gilthanas' smile finally faded. "I beg of you not to challenge him, lady. He has no interest in you or this area."
Her eyes were intense on his. "How do you know this?"
"May I speak with you privately, Lady Arlena? It's a matter of some delicacy."
She looked around at the men and women who were preparing around her. "Quickly, Elf lord, for we march soon."
He followed as she stepped into the nearest barracks, commandeering the commander's office for her own. She shut the door behind them with a snap. "Say your piece."
"Did Lethagas tell you anything of our time before our... reappearance?"
She shook her head once. "Leth has been a doting suitor, however, has not broken silence regarding your previous whereabouts. You have told me some, but not the whole story it would appear."
Gilthanas sighed. "It is a matter of some delicacy, however, it is time that you know. I was Skie's prisoner before you found me. For many, many years."
He heard her swift intake of breath, but couldn't look at her. Instead he kept his eyes on his hands, gently rubbing the scars and marks of age he shouldn't yet be showing. His journey had been longer in terms of mental and physical hardships than anything he'd ever experienced. "There is more to this story, Lady. More than I can tell you, but certain pieces are now essential for you to know. Skie and I made a deal. He would not search for you, beyond finding you for me, if I returned to him the only female he'd ever considered his equal."
"You didn't."
He swallowed hard, looking up, the raw pain in his gaze making her take a step back. "How could I not? I have spent a century looking for you, Arlena. More, if you measure time in minutes and not years. Khellendros gave me a hope I hadn't had in a long time. I knew you would not die before I found you; not of age or by mortal hand. You could die by another like yourself and that terrified me. The blue and I struck a bargain. I studied the new magics and, under his tutelage, became proficient. He would provide me with a vessel in which to put the soul of the Blue Lady, and supply me with your location. In return, I would not seek him out, and you would be safe. He has no interest in growing larger; the Red isn't powerful enough to harm him yet."
"You allowed Kitiara to return to Krynn?"
He nodded once, tilting his chin at a stubborn angle. "He has no desires beyond her. Not for power, or strength or even wealth. I chose to help because I was desperate, Lady. I will not going to tell you all of my story, not yet; I want your love, not your pity. If I go with you to chase the Blue, I will have broken my word and your life will be forfeit. I did not find you only to lose you to his power."
"You don't think I can win."
His smile was faint, full of wry humor. "I have no doubt you'd put up a spectacular fight. It runs in your blood. I fear what runs in his is different and would eventually overcome even your strength."
"You're wrong."
He was silent at her soft declaration.
She began to pace. "I fled, as all my kind have fled, for fear of death. I almost went searching for it once, but a dear friend brought me to my senses. I have not, and will not, fight the Blue. I could not stand against him alone."
"I think you are wrong, Lady." His voice mirrored hers in pitch. "You are kin to the Silver Dragon the human Huma loved and fought with. Greatness runs in your veins. The color of your blood does not matter. You have strength that few can match, do not sell yourself short."
She stopped. "My sister's strength came from the devotion and conviction of Huma's love. I do not have that."
Gilthanas bowed his head at the sharp words, hearing the 'not anymore' she hadn't spoken. "Forgive me." He murmured softly, knowing he'd deserved that.
She didn't appear to hear him. "We will go out to search for the Blue's raiding party to see if he has encroached on our land, Prince. It is my duty, no matter what oath you swore, to protect these people. If the Blue has kept his word, I will not actively seek him out. Good day to you."
He didn't stop her as she left, instead chose to stay where he was, silently berating himself for revealing as much as he had. He hadn't intended to tell her about his captivity and time as a slave. He wanted her to accept him as he was, as who he had become, not pity and coddle him for his hardships.
His smile was wry as he lifted his head and turned to follow. He would go with her; she did not pity him and never would. He's caused her too much pain for her to fell that towards him anymore.
He threw open the door and went to join her with sure strides.
"I will travel with you Lady, for it is always wise to have a sharp eyed lookout, no matter the obstacles."
She was already mounted, her horse whinnying as she jerked the reins. "Very well. Mount up, my Lord, and be quick about it. We have no time to loose."
He saluted her, accepting the horse someone had thoughtfully prepared for him, and mounted with a fluidity no human could match. Kicking the horse into a trot, he headed to the front of the assembled column.
Once in place, the Lady Plata gave the order and the Knights moved out into the countryside to search for evil creatures which would threaten their people.
Arlene rode near the front as Gilthanas and the other 2 scouts headed off, her eyes on his back. His story of prison hadn't been unexpected; the results were. She thought back to the War of the Lance and her smile became grim. With the Blue Lady resurrected their forces would have to be more careful than before.
Few of the Highlords were as brilliant, or ruthless, as the Blue Lady.
The day was uneventful. They column of Knights traveled until near sun set before making camp outside one of the villages in the hills. They had seen no signs of the Blue dragon, but they'd found disturbing signs that another, smaller dragon may have entered the area recently.
The Lady Plata cautioned her Knights to be watchful even as they set up camp and to keep their swords close at hand.
Gilthanas watched as the human party prepared a camp for the night, shaking his head as they built a small stockade fence and posted look outs. He would never understand how humans couldn't feel comfortable in the trees of a forest. Though, it wasn't much of a forest, more of a small patch of trees. Enough to make him feel at home.
"My lord."
He turned at the sound of a cracking voice, seeing one of the squires holding out a glass of something to him. "May I offer you something to eat?"
He accepted the cup with a grateful nod. "Thank you. It has been a long day."
The squire bowed before darting off to tend to his Knight again. Gilthanas followed the boy with his eyes, noting that many of the Knights were looking at him with obvious respect and nodding. He returned the nods, feeling a sense of belonging, even if it was only a little, and was grateful for it. He raised the cup to the Knight the squire served and took a sip of the hot brew.
He almost sighed as it warmed his stomach. He must have been hungrier than he'd thought. Turning away, he scanned the area, noting the easiest approached for attacking the camp and nodding as he saw the Knights were obviously not novices. His smile, wry and bitter, returned. How could they be novices with such an experienced Lady guiding them? The answer was, obviously, that they couldn't. She would never allow them to be.
And yet he'd tossed away her wisdom and love as if it hadn't mattered. All around him was an example of the respect these men showed their commander. They deferred to her, but weren't afraid to question her, or offer opinions. They valued her knowledge and experience in a fashion he'd never been able to show.
He'd thrown away the chance to keep it to himself and now he had to find a way to make himself invaluable to her, to get back into her good graces, so that he could regain her trust. So that he could have the opportunity to prove that he valued her more than the men she chose to lead.
It wouldn't be easy, but he had to try.
He tossed back the rest of the soup before returning the cup to the squire, thanking him, and his Knight, for the kind gesture. The Knight shook his hand and offered to share his campfire with the elf, ruffling the squire's hair even as he did.
"Thank you, Sir. I would be honored."
The Knight grinned. "As would I, Elf Lord. My father fought with you in the War of the Lance. It's not often one gets to meet the man who led his grandfather's battalion to victory."
"Dragon rider?" Gilthanas' voice was soft.
The man nodded. "Indeed. Gold too, but he said your tactics and leadership were nearly flawless."
Gilthanas inclined his head with the praise. "I'm afraid the credit goes to my soulmate, Silvara. She was the tactical one. I simply held the flag."
The Knight laughed, slapping him on the shoulder. "Modesty, elf Lord? You're a pleasant surprise. You'll always be welcome at this fire."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Wistan." the man's smile was faint. "Adam Wistan. This is my boy, Arthur."
Gilthanas shook hands with the Knight and his son. "The honor is mine, Sir Wistan. I assume you are related to Gunther Uth Wistan on some level as well?"
Adam smiled. "My father's cousin. A word of advice, my Lord."
"You may call me Gilthanas."
"Gilthanas, then. If the Lady Arlena offers you a place at her table this evening, you'd do well to take it. She knows things that men and elves have long forgotten. Her wisdom is unmatched."
Gilthanas chuckled. "I've already learned that, Sir Wistan. But thank you, you are very generous. Good day to you, Sir Wistan and to you, young Master Wistan. I have no doubt you will make your father very proud on day."
Arthur fairly beamed under the compliment as Gilthanas took his leave. The elf Lord walked away from the campsite, a ache in his belly. He'd wasted so much time. It was possible for Sil- Arlena to bear his children. Unlikely, but possible, and yet he'd wasted the time between them with jealousies and hatreds he'd since learned to outgrow. Could he convince her? Did he really need to? Would she let him?
"My Lord?"
He turned, drawn from his reflections for a second time, and arched an eyebrow at the colors on the runner. "Yes?"
"The Lady Arlena has asked if you would join her for the evening meal."
He thought about it but shook his head. "Not this night. Please convey my regrets to the Lady. There is something I must do."
The runner blinked. "Your... regrets my Lord?" He'd never had to return to his lady to offer regrets. How would she react?
Gilthanas smiled faintly, "My sincerest regrets. It pains me not to spend the evening with such an enchanting conversationalist as your Lady. My heritage calls. I will return in the morning to assist once again with the search for the Blue."
The runner looked as if he was going to protest but stopped, nodded, and bowed to the Elf. "As you wish, my Lord." He cast a last, confused look at Gilthanas before darting off towards the main tent in the encampment.
Gilthanas shook his head and shouldered his bow. This night he felt the need to return to nature, to remember the very reasons he fell for the wilder elf on Ergoth, to feel the passion they'd touched their first night together. Perhaps she would follow, perhaps not. Either way, he needed to remember, to hold those memories dear. He needed to feel the hope and love of those nights so long ago.
Innocence had been forgotten, but not what they had shared. Tonight, with the single moon hanging high in the sky, he would search again for the magic of that long ago evening. Perhaps it would hold some clue as to how to win her back.
Arlena Plata frowned as her runner brought back news of the elf lord's refusal. "Thank you. you may go."
The messenger bowed, leaving the lady to her privacy, and wondering how she would address the situation. Yet, he knew it was not his business and he knew the story of the elf lord and the Silver dragon well enough that he wasn't terribly amazed at the elf lord's refusal. Why would an elf dine with such a fine lady when he was searching for his own?
Arlena turned from the tent entrance. Why would Gilthanas turn down her invitation? Surely he'd not given up that he could win her back, not after all they'd already spoken about. Not after she'd told him he'd need to work to win her back. Surely he wouldn't simply give up?
She collapsed onto the bed of rushes, lying back and thinking as to the way her page had phrased the refusal.
"He needed to respond to the call of his people, to be with wilderness this night. He sends his regrets."
The call of his people? She shook her head. Gilthanas was not a typical elf, and had not been, for many, many years. True, he'd had many of their prejudices, but he'd outgrown their reach. OR so she'd thought. Maybe he hadn't changed all that much and was still, fundamentally, a true elf at heart. But what made a true elf?
She grimaced. She didn't need to be thinking about this, yet her mind wouldn't release it. She was worried he was turning back to his childhood memories and experiences to base the new ones on. Yet she had no proof? Could she follow him into the wilderness? Follow him so that she might speak with him, observe him, and get to know him as only she could? Or would her courage fail?
She pushed herself off the bed with a single heave and planted her feet firmly. She would search him out, if for no other reason than she needed to speak with him. She needed to know what else had happened to him in their time apart, to know how and why he'd grown, before her heart could ever fully accept what he offered. If she didn't know, she would have to turn him away and that was something she wasn't sure she could do.
My apologies for making you all wait so long.
Thank you for sticking with this. Happy reading!
JadeMax