Chapter 2

After landing on the east coast of the massive island Haldir looked around, most of those in the coastal village were human, but a few where peoples he'd never seen before. He wandered the streets for a while before noticing people were whispering about him, they stared and a few followed. Mostly he heard comments like, 'another?' or 'is he related to Lord Navarre', but mostly he just noticed the stares.

Stopping a moment he smelled something he hadn't smelled before so he walked over to a stand that had a pot with a grate over it, on the grate were pieces of meat, "What is this?"

"It's called Satay. You want one?" The small woman smiled, "You are an Elf, yes?"

"Yes." He took the food from her.

"You might like it with the sauce." She put a small amount so he could sample it. When his eyes widen she smiled, "Here, you put more on yourself." She waved off any type of payment. "You will be heading for Avalon, to see Lord Navarre?"

"Yes, and possibly your queen."

"I thought so, consider that a welcome gift. You can find a horse at the stables, two streets in and down to the left."

"I have no need of a horse." His stoic demeanor remained unchanged.

The woman laughed lightly, "It's faster and far more practical. Lord Navarre would never walk if he had a necessary meeting."

"How do you know I don't mean harm to your queen?"

The woman's back was to him, "It would never be allowed. If her guards didn't stop you the people in town would."

Haldir's position changed slightly, his face bore a slight bit of surprise. "Why did you offer to help?"

"What happened in the tower is not a secret. I assume you to be a friend of the lady Elf, Queen Alya met." She smiled when Haldir nodded. "Then, as she did not harm our ruler, nor will you."

"Thank you." He turned and left, heading for the stables as he was directed. More and more people smiled and nodded or bowed towards him; he was pleasantly surprised by how this world was run, and how its people interacted with strangers. The homes were very close and stood higher than a single story; very compact and where nature came through it was very well kept which made the long haired Elf stop for a moment to admire it.

"She put through a law saying we should use no more than we need." A man spoke; his attire showed he was a blacksmith. "It was difficult for some, but it's the law and she gave good reason."

"Really? She gave reason?"

"With every law she does, and she listens to people who don't agree. She explains that one or two benefitting is not all our people. So we must sometimes sacrifice to gain future rewards. Besides she is not like most of the previous rulers, she doesn't require as much and allows the money to go to what we need, rather than in her pocket." The man winked.

Haldir nodded, "The stables."

"Around there."

"Thank you." Haldir walked forward and around one final building revealing a large barn and stables. He peered inside and heard the sound of hammering. "I was told you had horses for sale or hire?" Haldir walked in looking at the horses in each stall.

"Yes, sir. Where are you heading?" The man walked out, seeing who Haldir was he laughed slightly, "Guess you're heading for Avalon?" Haldir nodded, the man walked out of the stall, whipping his hands on a cloth, "You plan on leaving now or tomorrow?"

"I can leave on either day." Haldir's face turned questioning.

"Well I have to take some of the saddles and leather work to market, so if you help out and ride with me, I'll just count your company as payment."

Haldir thought it strange, but couldn't argue the price, he agreed and told the man he'd come back at sun up to help him load before making his way to an inn who's people were happy to have his business and his gold pieces; an item given to him in Minas Tirith.

City of Avalon

Alya watched as 2 legions marched out of the city, she wished she was going with them, but knew it was better if she did not go; at some point they would have to do for themselves and have someone else to rely on. She sighed heavily, but heard Aron walk up behind her, "Yes, Aron."

"It's an Elf?"

"Sorry?" She turned, just her head at first, then her body. She wore pants as normal with a long silk tunic, a long robe-like trench jacket over it, held closed by a leather belt tied in the center over the criss-cross.

"The one who came, the one I sensed, the…" He appeared frustrated.

"The one you spoke of to Navarre and myself?"

"Yes, M'Lady" The look of frustration diminished. "He's here."

"A male?" Alya expected another, why she couldn't say. "You're certain?"

"Yes, M'Lady."

"Send riders out to find him and bring him here." She went back to looking at her men marching into battle. 'They know their enemy; they know what they're in for. Let them do what they do best and pray for none to die.'

"If they die then it is meant to be." Aron winced knowing she hated when he read her thoughts. She turned to him, a frown on her face. "Apologies, M'Lady, I know, I just believe that if you heard the comment it might settle your thoughts." He fumbled for excuses.

She nodded and walked away back inside, but turned back to him, making him stop in an instant, his eyes widened. "Since I know you can, and if you try to only do it when the thought is a "scream" at you, then make sure you give your thoughts, no matter what. Swear it."

"M'Lady."

"Because I never want you to take my thoughts out of context. Also, you may offer an idea no one else had thought." She turned again and made her way downstairs. "Now, since you broke an order, you get to ride along and meet this Elf."

Aron bowed and rushed off, following her orders to the letter.

"Was that to get him out of your hair?" A small woman peeked from around a corner, looking up at Alya, "My most revered Queen." She chuckled when Alya rolled her eyes, and then walking out anyone could see the immense height difference. "He's annoying."

"And you're not?" Alya made her way to the library again.

"But…he's useful."

"Same could be said for anyone. And don't call me that."

"Yes, M'Lady." The woman bowed.

Her hair was short and jagged in cut and her eyes were bright green, but when you looked at her at first you could only see dirt. She swore it was special, but their were times Alya had to wonder. "Jora, are you going to follow me?"

"I was planning on it." She smiled.

Alya shook her head, "I could order you not to."

"But then what would I do?"

"I don't know. It just seems that whenever you show up, something happens…usually not something good."

"Not true." She pouted.

Alya made her way up a ladder in the library, pulling a large leather bound book from the shelf near the top before dropping it down to Jora's awaiting arms. "Put that on the table."

Jora did as asked and then looked at the chess board, "He's got you beat."

"Oh really."

"Admit it. The board doesn't allow for lies."

Alya looked at the board, knowing Jora was right, she studied it and then moved a piece, "At least I can put off my doom." Then she moved to the book, opening it up to the place that had a ribbon in it.

"What's this?" Jora sat, cross legged on the table, looking at the words printed. "The creatures in the West. They are many."

"That's why they need to be removed. They are eating people." Alya smiled, "Now do we know how many?"

"I'll try to find out." Jora hopped down and sulked out of the room; she could only find out by projecting her spirit to the area. The creatures didn't ever catch her and Jora doubted they had the ability; most peoples didn't.

Alya turned her attention back to the book, reading up on the creatures who were once human, who were once beloved members of the world. That was before they had been changed by the Evil, give teeth that almost seemed serrated by the bodies that could be recovered, their flesh at points seeming sawed. Alya shivered as she read, thinking back to the fact that they never found women and every time she thought about the reasons for that she felt sick to her stomach.

"You still want the roast beef for dinner?" Maeve smiled wiping her hands on a towel.

"Yes, for that I will forget all the evil in the world. We may have a guest soon."

"Rumor is the guest might be an Elf.

Alya nodded, smiling. "Funny, you hear all the rumors and I hear none."

Maeve shrugged, "People tell me everything."

"Ah…well that's why I have you. They tell you, you tell me. Right?"

"Of course, my Queen." Maeve curtseyed and went back towards her kitchen.

Alya shook her head, smiling, brushing her hair away from her face as she went back to the book, finger running along under the words. She squinted and scooped up the book moving to a large map that was set up on another table, it was quite a detailed map and held separate regions. Alya picked up a flag and placed it in four spots, before stepping back to look at the book again, her eyes moving back to the location of each flag. "Taen?"

"Yes M'Lady." A man appeared at the entrance.

"Can you have General Lored come here?"

"Yes M'Lady, right away." He bowed and left quickly.

Alya turned away, reading further, she took a deep breath before closing her eyes and tilting her head back.

"M'Lady?" An older man stood in the doorway, wearing lose fitting garments, covering in a robe-like coat.

"Lored. Good, come in here, I want a learned opinion." She waved him in. "Have you ever read about the creatures in the West, or do you know enough about them?"

"To be honest, I wish I didn't, but yes I know a few things?" He moved in.

"Then tell me what you believe is the best course of action if we wanted to annihilate them?"

The man smiled, "Of course M'Lady." He moved toward the map. "If I were to take men into this, it would be at least a legion. We'd surround the area that they…" He studied the map, frowning, "Is this certain, M'Lady?"

"I believe so."

He sighed, "It's larger than I imagined." He looked more at it. "I'd say 2 legion, surround it and move inward, as the area closes the men fall in behind each other, strengthening the force."

"Good" Alya smiled. "Kill everything within."

"Yes M'Lady. Everything and everyone. They stand out, their size, shape, etc. They are stronger and more agile. Plus they know the terrain. We'd lose people, but I can't estimate how many." He turned to Alya, who was nodding, her face no longer showing a smile.

From Calais to Avalon

"Does everyone act the same way, Master Tobes?" Haldir rode beside the stable master, a large stable of horses behind them.

"What way? Oh and Master Tobes is funny. Just Tobes if you please, Sir." He was a mostly simple man, scruffy without being unkempt. His appearance was that of a man who'd worked hard all his life, but he wasn't someone who left himself or his family wanting.

Haldir smiled and looked into the horizon, "How long before we reach Avalon?"

"Bout 5 more days, but Avalon is more than just the main city, it's several farms on the outskirts, so about 2 or 3 more days after the first farm." He looked over at Haldir, "It's a large country, Sir."

"I had no doubt".

"May I ask what your business is?"

"You heard about the meeting of your queen and My Lady."

"The female Elf? Yes, no one hear is unaware of their meeting. Might I ask her name?"

"Galadriel, Lady of the Light."

"Impressive. Our Queen always fights her title." He chuckled. Haldir just looked at him strangely. Tobes looked over again and laughed again, "I know, she fights being a ruler. She doesn't mind being a leader, but she was raised in a family where she wasn't pampered, in fact, she was a soldier."

"It's not normal for a woman, in the world of Men, to be a soldier."

"You have people like us where you're from?"

"They have cities, several large and impressive cities." They rode a bit longer, as the sun started to set.

"Time to rest the horses for the night, young man."

Haldir laughed, "I'm certain I'm older than you."

"Yes." He laughed a bit "I forget sometimes. Navarre, I think is several hundred. So how old are you?"

"I don't really keep track, but older than you, my new friend." He dismounted and began to unsaddle his horse. "Have you always worked in this profession?"

"Do you know what profession I am?" Haldir shook his head, "I breed these superior animals, a mixture of Arabians and Andalusians. I make certain I only use the best. Then I train them and sell them."

"Impressive." Haldir stroked the horse between down the nose. "The Queen ever purchase any?"

"No, she got several in the last world we were in they brought her Akhal Teke's. Magnificent horses that I should have bought some of. I can just hope that if I get an audience with the Queen or her advisor that I can take one of hers."

"Why so magnificent?"

"They supposedly rode 2600 miles in 84 days, 255 of those miles were across open desert." Haldir stood surprised at the distances. "I know, hard to believe."

"No, but it's difficult to conceive."

Tobes laughed again, "I know, but beyond that they have a metallic sheen to their coats. Quite beautiful. When you see them you'll understand."

"I'll make certain I pay attention." Haldir finally settled and relaxed, his bow, arrows and sword next to him. "It's quite beautiful here. The skies alone are impressive."

"Yeah. I'd never thought of it before." Tobes relaxed and looked up into the sky.

Avalon

Sitting at the oversized dining table, Alya made sure she never ate alone by having the kitchen staff, and other staff within the palace join her. She made certain any remaining food was given to the temple, something she started to be proud of since they went back to the traditional ideas of faith. The conversation was light and happy, but Alya was still bothered by some of what had to be done.

"Child, relax, you can do nothing now. Just enjoy the company." Maeve leaned over.

"M'Lady, I have some more sketches for you to approve." A middle aged woman leaned over.

"Leora, I need no new clothing. There is far more to do."

"But with a new world in the East you will have to welcome visitors and play the Queen." She smiled slyly.

"Unfair. Fine, but you remember my rules."

"Of course, I also have several from outside seamstresses and tailors." Leora sat back, smiling, having won as she had in the past. "I think you'll like many of them."

"If they're dresses I doubt it."

Leora laughed. "As usual."

Alya wiped her mouth and pushed away from the table, "I'm going back to the library, do what you need to with the remaining food, please Maeve." She nodded to the rest and made her way back to her planning room. She entered it, closing the door tightly and putting her attention back on the maps and books she'd removed from the shelves. She moved back, keeping an open book in her arm and moving her hand over the map.

"Some will be lost, you cannot control everything." Jora popped out from behind a tapestry that covered the window.

Alya jumped slightly and took a deep breath. "I know, but I can develop a plan that might lessen the losses."

"And you plan to join the army. Not wise." Alya turned to her, scowling. "Well it isn't. You must survive for all."

"And you think I'll die by joining my military on a large campaign?"

"No, no, no, I would never say that, but you cannot control everything." Jora smiled.

Alya closed her book, "When was it decided that when Navarre is not here, you become my advisor."

"When Navarre and I discussed it. You think like a soldier, too much. You are more than a soldier here. The people, as a whole, need you." Jora could see the logic had defeated Alya; it drained her in fact, though the Queen would never admit to it.

Alya turned around and moved out of the library, stunted by the comments she'd heard, "Taen?" The man stood from his seat. "Have the General come here for breakfast, please, they know the time."

"Yes M'Lady." He bowed.

"Now go on, you've had enough and I'm retiring." She watched him bow again before she made her way up the back stairs and toward her chamber. The long hallway overlooked the inner courtyard; the fountains gave off a soothing sound which relaxed her. She passed two guards, a request of Navarre, who bowed as she entered her grand bedroom. The floor was granite, cool and smooth to her feet as she took her shoes off, she smiled at the cold against her skin. The rest was rich colors and silks, most gifts from traders in the East of the last world, they said they were honored by her sacrifices and could do little more to show their thanks; something she wished she could argue, but she knew not to offend. She changed into her bed clothes, leaving the clothes she'd worn all day on a bench near the wardrobe, she then slipped into the large bed which she'd become so accustomed to. With the sounds of the water out her one window and the sounds of her people out the other she found she drifted quickly, it was a sleep she wasn't afforded when the Evil was around, because it wouldn't have allowed it.

Road to War

Navarre and the two legions moved along the route, knowing the enemy would be just over the rise. They'd sent to groups of men ahead to scout, and the returned response was about what Navarre had expected, he smiled knowing the enemy wasn't much for strategy and their attack was based solely off of fear and intimidation. His long black brown hair blew in the breeze and he could smell the enemy in the near distance, he smiled knowing they were better off with the breeze blowing in this direction. He looked to the Generals and nodded, sending them in the planned directions; they rode out to either side of Navarre and made ready to attack, still moving forward toward the attack point. As they crested the hill they began the attack, ferociously killing all of the enemy as they came up to them; swinging blades connected with heads, arms, bodies and a few hit steel. The enemy attempted to fight back, weakly; the attack did as they had planned, it took them off guard, and it allowed the battle to go of for less time.

When the attack ended, a few of those from the legions were injured, some had possible fatal ends, but only time would tell in that instance. They gathered up the wounded, made sure they'd left none of the enemy alive and moved out over the hill again to the designated triage.

"It took less time then I'd thought, almost too easy?" General Farouq commented.

Navarre nodded, "Take half a legion, split them in two and go further, see if any more are left. Tell them to be discrete; the less the enemy knows about us the better." The General nodded and moved off to follow the orders, sending his two best to lead the groups.

"Sir, there are two men; they can't be saved, unfortunately. The wounds they received are too deep." A man walked up wiping blood from his hands onto what looked like a butcher's apron.

"Make certain a messenger goes back with their names; have him talk with the Queen directly." Navarre ordered yet again.

The doctor nodded and moved toward a messenger, who in turn rushed, mounted a horse and raced back towards Avalon.

Navarre looked out into the horizon; the land was lit up slightly by the moon, 'Home'. He smiled, taking in a deep breath. "Levane, once we have word from the men who went on the hunt it will determine what our next move is; be ready to either march in further or to head home."

"Can I pray for home?"

"Of course." Navarre laughed, have guards on the ready, and then have the others get some rest. He watched Levane walk away before retiring into his own tent; it was sparsely furnished, with little more than a bed in the center of it. He set his weapons in the stand to the left of his bed and sat on the edge of it, he wasn't tired and was uncertain of why he chose to enter, but he laid back and closed his eyes allowing sleep to find him.