So a bit of a flash-forward here guys and gals but i hope it is satisfying. As always R&R because everyone knows authors love the feedback.
It had been 98 years since the fateful day when knowledge was unconsciously ripped from every living thing in existence. It had been 98 years since she had been given the news that her father had died. It had been 98 years since Oromis and Glaedr-elda had suffered invalidating wounds. In other words, 98 years ago, turmoil in the land of Alagaesia had reached all new heights.
All this Elainæ reflected upon whilst performing the second set of pre-battle movements known as the Rimgar. "Focus on the steadiness of your breath and the depth each inhalation." Oromis' voice, laced with tender indifference floated through Elainæ's head as she moved to another stance. "Place your foot a little further back" Oromis continued as she took her stance.
The past 100 years had seen a sharp depression in the amount of children conceived as political tension between the races had risen exponentially and the intra-racial tension of the elves had also soared after the banishing of names. It was at this time then, that all children were taught extensively in the arts of the mind and body, more specifically, those to do with war. Hence the reason Elainæ was now situated on the Crags of Tal'naier, undergoing parts of the rider training that excluded dragons or secretive magic. "Come" Oromis announced suddenly, swiftly sliding a wooden cane behind Elainæ's knee. Reeling backwards, Elainæ plummeted to the ground, sprawling in the dirt and glancing up to see a rare smile grace the corners of her masters face.
Finding her sword placed in front of her face, Elainæ staggered back as her sixth sense alerted her to danger coming from above as Oromis' sword swung down and buried itself in the earth not 1 foot from her face. "Have at you Elainæ Rhunönsdaughter!" Her master exclaimed drawing Naegling from the ground in a magically enhanced eruption of earth.
Slicing at her head, Oromis attempted to cleave her head from her shoulders. Elainæ ducked with swiftness only and elf could muster and replied with a series of slices and jabs. met by an impervious block when she was about to slip through a gap in his defences, Elainæ recoiled instantaneously but was overwhelmed when she found the gold hue gem of Naegling firmly planted on her throat. Elainæ tapped out and was ready to face another bout of the onslaught when she was attacked mentally by her ebrithel.
Oromis' mind took the form of a winter brush fox as Elainæ's mental defences took the form of the impenetrable canopy of Du Weldenvarden. Darting in and out of the trees, Oromis began to work his way through her mind, but to no avail. Elainæ's thoughts, memories and feelings were cunningly sealed inside the trunks of the trees; the more important and secretive were hidden inside the swelling trunk of the Menoa Tree. Oromis' voice sounded in her mind, "your defences are cunning and well constructed, and the illusion of an easily accessible mind is preceded in merit only by the swelling mass of energy inside the trunk of the Menoa Tree, which, anyone who has travelled to Ellesmera will think is just a mental probe of your surroundings."
Oromis' rarely heard appraisal warmed Elainæ as she suddenly realized how tired she was. "Thank you Ebrithel" Elainæ stuttered in exhaustion, "what is next?"
"Return to your abode and rest. On the anniversary of your father's demise and with the agaeti blödhren fast approaching we do not want fatigue to deter your thoughts from where they should be." Oromis' voice repeating what she had felt.
"Thank you Ebrithel."
It was the night of the Agaeti Blödhren, and still preparations were being conducted. Those who chose sang to special flowers, others dedicated themselves to finishing their poems or philosophical lines. Elves set up great stretches of tables and chairs for the coming nights of celebration.
As Elainæ stared at her work a sense of utter pride gripped her. "It is beautiful, majestic and practical" she thought to herself, "yes, I am truly proud."
Spinning in confusion as a door opened behind her, Elainæ was stunned to see her mother dressed in an outfit that was unsuitable for the forge. "Going somewhere?" she asked mockingly as she remembered the reason why she was dressed so.
"Not by my choice" Her mother replied bitterly "but who am I to question the will of Arya Drottningu?" she continued in a sour tone.
"I think you look splendid" Elainæ continued, barely biting back a giggle.
"Hmmm we will see." she said storming out of the room.
Hours passed as pleasantries were conducted, the feast was set out and the elves and visitors of Ellesmera presented their creations in honour of the Agaeti Blödhren. "Elainæ Rhunönsdaughter" a voice rose above the crowd and conversations of the last presentations ceased.
Stepping up before the crowd of elves, dwarves, the Shur'tugal and Saphira Brightscales, Elainæ cleared her throat so as to project her voice clearly. "Greetings to all on this special night. I, Elainæ Rhunönsdaughter wish to present to you my creation" she stated holding a covered item over her forearm. "This is a battle jerkin made of metal infused vine" she started as she took the cover off and with a few words of the ancient language, suspended the jerkin upright in mid air. "Originally, I was singing to the vine at the base of a willow when my idea struck. The idea of this jerkin is to incorporate superior stability into an otherwise flimsy material. As I began to sing to the vines, I slowly fed some wire-weaved steel mesh into the body of the vine. As I sung, the vines began to weave themselves into a tight fitting body brace that I have discovered will mould itself to any body shape. As I was nearly finished with the creation, I sang into a loose an open end of the vine and made it so the jerkin carries restorative and healing elements. Upon testing these improvements I discovered that while being sliced it will re-bind itself and -using its own energy- repair the wounds suffered by the wearer. I enchanted the vines to forever draw their strength from the moisture and heat of the air around them, therefore not allowing them to take energy from the wearer directly but by the perspiration and body temperature of them." pausing for a response, Elainæ was reprieved of silence when the great congregation of elves have her a standing ovation and wished to see the piece in physical demonstration. "Very well" Elainæ then continued with confidence. "Oromis-Ebrithel, if you would?"
"With my greatest pleasure" he replied. Striding onto the platform and muttering a few words into the ancient language the jerkin began to expand as if filled from the inside with a stocky figure. Oromis strode forward as the crowd's attention grew to outstanding heights and with a blindingly fast downward slice Naegling cleanly cutting the jerkin in two. It hung there in two separate pieces as if clinging to the invisible body as it sent tendrils of metal infused vine towards one another until finally weaving themselves into full harmony once again. With a thunderous applause, Elainæ walking off stage with her head held high.
"I could not be prouder." Rhunön spoke within her mind. "You are truly my best creation." Her mother's rarely shown affection flooded Elainæ's emotions as the out of character words were obvious signs of too much Faelnirv.
"Thank you mother." replied Elainæ graciously. "It is growing late and I wish to retire for this evening. Goodnight"
"Rest well my precious" Rhunön replied pouring love trough the mental bond. "I shall see you tomorrow." and with that the connection severed, leaving Elainæ left to roam her way to her tree house and plunge into the dream-state that was the sleep of the elves. As she slipped into her dream state she thought she heard the back of her mind whisper "my gift is fast approaching, rest well my darling Elly".
On a sidenote. Any constructive criticism as the the timing of my events or the validity of the events within the story feel free to pm me or just post your opinion in reviews.
Thanks for reading my fanfic, I love writing for you all and some new chapters will be on their way soon.