Chapter 17

Tohru stood in the kitchen, waiting silently to be told what to do. Mine scurried around the kitchen, holding an elfling in her arms. The child looked at Tohru curiously, poking his head around the woman to look at her. Tohru smiled as best she could for the child, but she was still so tired from the events of yesterday that it hurt to smile. Mine looked at the child in her arms, placing the fidgeting toddler on the ground. The elfling clutched onto Mine's skirt, smiling at Tohru."What is it's name?"asked Tohru, kneeling on the ground. Mine looked at her, a smile creeping onto her lips." Noor Amir Altair, the third." said Mine, kneeling down on the floor."or Nora for short" Tohru giggled, looking at the child, his giant forest green eyes staring at her."Hello Nora, how are you?"asked Tohru, ruffling his lala blond hair. The young elf, hid his face behind Mine."Welo, thanko."said Nora, clutching to Mine. She gently patted his head, kissing his forehead. "He means thank."said Mine, standing from the floor.

Alex stood in the court, his head bowed, and his icy blues closed. The entire room was silent, waiting for the creature to speak."If you do not help the humans, we will all die."said Alex, opening his eyes to face the crowd. The crowd spoke loudly, against themselves, arguing over the matter at hand. Kagura met his piercing gaze, standing to her feet, holding her arms in the air to silence the court."Do you think only of yourselves? Think of the young ones, the rare and most perious gifts we receive." said Kagura, stand next to Alex. Ayame looked over his people, frowning deeply."What does the king say?"asked one of the elders, looking in Ayame's direction. Ayame looked over the crowd, standing to his feet, his golden eyes scrutinizing each elfen lord with great care."How long has it been since the last elfling has died of this plague?"asked Ayame, his eyes filled with remorse. Each member of council looked at the floor, not meeting their king's eyes."Do you remember the funeral?The look on the faces of the people?" asked Ayame, his eyes watering.

Kagura stared at the king, as he spoke to the people of his council, his emotions showing clearly to the members."He's doing much better."Kagura whispered, to Alex, her eyes on Ayame. He held his head high, his sharp golden gaze bearing down on the people in front of him. Alex nodded, as the silence echoed across the room. Hatori stood by Ayame's side, leading his friend carefully back to his throne. "We must act now, and destroy this human before he corrupts the rest of the realm."said Hatori, his voice strong. The crowd stiffened, looking at the man in front of them."How do you think we will do that, Hatori?"came a question from the very back of the room. Everyone turned, stunned expressions on their faces, as the young elf walked through the center of the room, his black rooted and snowy topped hair giving him attentation."We promised years ago after the last war we would never interfere with the humans unless it was harmful to us."said the elf, standing in the front row. Hatori looked at the teen, his eyes scanning the young teen."They are harming us."said Alex, stepping forward. The teen looked up at the older man, his eyes looking over his face."It is not our place to say whether they are harming us or not, that is what was the prince's duty, not ours!" the teen said, his voice rising to be heard. Everyone whispered silently to themselves, either agreeing with the elf or agruing over his point."We need to take action, he left, now it is nolonger his responsbilities, Hatsuharu." Shigure cut in, walking to the young elf. Haru looked up at him, his head high in the air."He is still alive, he has been seen by the Kado of Akyo, we know he lives."said Haru, heatedly.

Tohru stood on the balcony, over-looking the lush elven forest. Uo stood next to her, smiling as they watched the forest creatures played with the elflings. Tohru sighed stepping away from the rails, and leaning leisurely against the tree wall."I think I can do it."said Tohru, her eyes staring far in front of her. Uo looked at her friend, her eyes enlargening."You don't have to, if you don't want to."said Uo, her gaze piercing her friend's fragile soul. Tohru's large eyes filled with tears, as she fell to her knees, clasping the necklace that lay on her neck. Uo, knelt at her friend's side, taking the crying girl in her arms."I have to Uo, not just for these people but, for my mother."Tohru sobbed, burying her head into Uo's chest. Uo stroked Tohru's shoulder length hair, whispering silent encouragement to her friend."I will be always at your side, Tohru, not matter what. Through death and life I will not leave you."said Uo, holding her friend tightly.

Mine watched the two, her eyes looking at the them with new amusement."Now princess Kado, we will see if you are truly the one the prince was talking about." Mine said to herself, holding Noor close."We will see, I am I right Noor?"asked Mine, kissing the child on the forehead. Noor snuggled close, giving her a sloppy kiss.
"Yeth mama."said Noor.