Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 18
When he reached the courtyard DynDoeth stepped from the shadows and greeted him. One by one each of the Elders also stepped forward. Erlenkönig greeted each in turn. There were only six of them when the greetings were completed.
“Erlenkönig, I regret that I could convince no more to join us.
Some I'm afraid still have doubts about the joining of elves and humans,
some have felt the power of the magic and are simply scared.
I have also discovered the presence of humans massing on the far side of the bridge. I presume they are cohorts of the elves that wish to do you and your new bride harm, and it was not difficult to tie Reginn to this event. His ears were long for the unruly crowd of humans at the wedding yesterday.”
Looking at DynDoeth, Erlenkönig smiled confidently and said,
“You have done well my friend. They intentionally did not hide their strength with the hope of scaring away as many of us as they could. I thought I felt Reginn's magic mixed in this.”
He looked at each elf in front of him.
“If any of you wish to bow out of our little escapade I will understand and it will not be held against you. What we are facing at this moment is my doing,
and I must accept the consequences of my actions, but you do not; however,
I must insist that you leave now if you wish to go.”
He awaited comments or at least the quiet departure of at least some of the elders, but they all stood quietly unmoving.
Only a few moments passed before he gathered his band together
and started to relay to them the plans he had made during
the morning meal. Luckily for him, the elves that answered his call
were some of the strongest of their craft in the Village, and perhaps
in all six of the Kingdoms. He had to adjust his strategy on the fly
to account for the news about the humans. He would not wait for the attack.
He intended to go on the offensive. First they had to nullify the threat
posed by the humans. He gave the destruction of the bridge to Andghul and
DynDoeth. Andghul was the eldest of the Elders and perhaps the strongest of the elemental elves to ever live. DynDoeth would watch over him and keep him safe as he eliminated the humans access to the Village.
This would be dangerous because they would have to remain inside of the Keep so Reginn's group would be unaware of what the
remaining Elders were up to. The remaining three Elders, Obrynith, Gwaldon
and Bréagán, would quietly make their way out into the Village
where they would attempt to counteract the magic flowing into the Keep.
All three of them were well known for their ability to counter other's elfin magic. Erlenkönig would wait inside for any conspirator elf to enter
and would deal with each in turn. Of all of the Elves in the Village
Erlenkönig's magic was undisputedly the most powerful.
He was reluctant to use it because of its, sometimes, unpredictable nature
so no elf truly knew the power he controlled. He hoped that Reginn was one of these because he also knew that he would likely have to confront him
and possibly others before the day was through.
A light whistle interrupted Erlenkönig as he finalized the plans.
He looked up to the second story corridor that passed along the edge
of the courtyard. Reaching between the balustrades he saw Aisling
with Ceridfen peeking from behind.
“I thought you might need this,” she said, tossing down a tightly wrapped bundle.
He knew immediately what it was as he caught it in his right hand.
It was his staff. He thought he would have to do battle without it,
and he was happy to see it. It did not strengthen his magic but
it did help him to focus it through the shaft and crystal which
gave it more impact when using it offensively.
“NydeligEn, my love, we've been joined for but a moment.
Please, take care to not make me a widow in the near 'bouts.”
She smiled trying to alleviate some of his tension.
Then pulling Ceridfen up beside her she looked at DynDoeth.
“Think of the business at hand DynDoeth and don't ya be worrin'.
We'll be taken good care of each t'other and waitin' for both of ya
when this nastiness is done.”
They hurried off before anymore could be said.
Erlenkönig looked at DynDoeth and whispered to him,
“If I don't make it...,” when DynDoeth cut him off.
“If you will do the same for me, my King.”
Erlenkönig nodded. He knew the love that DynDoeth shared
with the petite but fiery elf, Ceridfen.
He could not imagine anyone who could share deeper feelings for
each other than he and Aisling, but his friends' certainly rivaled it.
Copyright © James Inman | Year Posted 2021
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