Post by Lady Elestirne on Apr 19, 2007 14:48:38 GMT -5
Starbrow
Light from the pale new moon faintly illuminated the land; dimly reflecting off the still waters of a quiet river. In contrast to the pale moonlight the stars shone brighter, far brighter; blazing in the heavens like unquenchable silver fires.
All was silent-unusually so even for the late hour. It seemed as though there was a sense of expectancy in the air, as if all the land were waiting; holding its breath for something as yet unknown. For, on the night of the summer solstice as this was- a night of strong magic, strange happenings, and omens-anything might be expected to occur, and could.
Through this night, silent as the surrounding land, two figures moved. One was male, the other, female. After a moment a thin shaft of moonlight illuminated the pair, revealing them to be elves. By this faint light it was also seen that the elf-woman was heavy with child; very close to due. The two elves followed the quiet river north towards the woods that grew around and by a white city whose walls shone faintly despite the night's darkness. After a few minutes the pair turned; heading into the forest. Here the elf-woman began to stumble-less agile in her pregnancy than she otherwise would have been. The other steadied her each time; his concern evident. "Are you sure of this? You should have stayed behind Amaurea." The elf's low voice sounded out of place in the unusually still and silent night.
There was a faint shimmer of gold as the elf-woman shook her head and answered; her soft, fatigued voice sounding equally out-of-place. " I would not have mine-our- child born in a city of cold stone. I am a sylvan child, daughter of the forests. I was born in the woods, as was my mother before me, and her mother before her, and so shall my child be born."
"It was not always cold stone. Once it was full of beauty, of life and light. Long ago." The elf sighed and his voice dropped lower. "Before the feud. Then you would have been proud to bear our child there."
"It was not the fault of your kindred that the friendship waned, nor of mine." Now the elf-woman sighed; her melodic voice taking on a wistful, sad tone. "Nor ours though I had hoped our love would heal that ancient rift, would restore peace between our two kindreds and return your family to their rightful place on the throne." A pause, then she continued, almost urgently. "You have the gift of foresight Elentirmo. What have you seen-for our child or otherwise. Have you seen evil omens? Good?"
"Elentirmo has seen nothing," said a new voice before the dark-haired elf could answer, "but the child you carry shall not come to evil Amaurea." A third elf stepped out from where he had been standing in the shadows. Swiftly, Elentirmo unsheathed his sword and stepped protectively in front of the golden-haired elf-woman. A few tense moments passed by, then Elentirmo lowered and sheathed his sword; respect and what could have been relief in his voice as he spoke. "Galion."
The other nodded and bowed ceremoniously; silver hair and white robes lending a mysterious effect as they shimmered in the moonlight. "Suilad Elentirmo, scion of House Nolimon and you also Amaurea, rightly named 'the Golden' among your own people." The elf paused and looked to the sky. "A new moon and a sky ablaze with stars," he murmured, as if to himself, "and to come, a starry-eyed child; born on Midsummer's Eve, Solstice night. Omens of great good both." Raising his voice, he suddenly addressed the two. "Come. We must make haste. It is on this night that your child shall come into this world.
"Amaurea know this. She has sensed it. It is why she insisted on leaving the city so close to her time, though she does not rightly know why. It is because more than the birth of your child, your firstborn and only, shall occur on this night."
"What else?" Elentirmo inquired of the aged seer as he and Amaurea made their way through the forest; following him. Galion did not answer immedientally but continued to lead the way through the forest. After several minutes they came to a moonlit clearing open to the skies and stars. Now Galion did halt; raising his face to the sky then turning to level Elentirmo with an uncannily direct stare that sent a shiver up the dark-haired elf's spine.
"The beginning of a prophecy."
Elentirmo started to speak again; fully intending to ask the seer just what he had meant by that cryptic statement but a cry of pain from Amaurea both interrupted and distracted him. He and Galion turned to see the elf-woman double over; falling to her knees. Quickly Elentirmo and the seer realized that she was beginning to go into labor and both moved to help her lay down and be as comfortable as possible.
The labor was long and the birth difficult, but eventually, with help, the child-a girl-was delivered safely and brought living and healthy into the world. The strange words spoken by Galion forgotten-and indeed, the seer himself well nigh forgotten as well-Elentirmo knelt at his wife's side as she cradled the newborn in her arms. She was exhausted but her fair face glowed with happiness. In wonderment Elentirmo looked at the child, their daughter. Never before had he seen anything so tiny and perfectly formed. With a faint smile, he wondered if all new parents felt the same when seeing their children for the first time.
Galion touched his shoulder lightly and, startled, the dark-haired elf turned to face him, The seer beckoned and Elentirmo followed-albeit with great reluctance. "Amaurea and the child…,"he began;worry tingeing his voice.
"Will be fine," finished Galion without even a backwards glance. "No harm will be done them. Amaurea is a sylvan daughter, at home in the forests, and the young one is the child of a prophecy. They shall be fine. Do not worry about them. Come, there are things we must speak of."
"The child of a prophecy?" asked Elentirmo, stopping. "What do you speak of old one?"
Galion sighed, but also stopped. "Know you the prophecy?"
"Of course." Elentirmo had been told it as a young child-all those of the royal family had since it had become known. It foretold one to come who would heal the ancient feud, unite the elven-kindreds and sit the throne. The prophecy also mentioned that the child to come would be of royal blood and, curiously, born of both kindreds. Beyond that though, the dark-haired elf knew little, next to nothing. Elentirmo thought it a great irony that he was a seer, yet did not understand the prophecy. "What are you implying?"
The seer turned to face him; fixing him with that uncannily piercing gaze that seers seemed so oft to have and one which Elentirmo admitted he himself had at times. "Have you not already guessed? -that your child is the one prophesied,the one born to unite the two kindreds." Startled, Elentirmo glanced swiftly to his wife and new-born child-both of whom appeared to be sleeping-before asking, "How do you know this?"
"By the signs and the prophecy itself!,"hissed the ancient seer,in what sounded like a triumphant whisper, but one low enough not to wake Amaurea and the babe. "The moon is new, symbolizing a new beginning or a new life. The stars are brighter than any I have seen in all my years walking this earth and it is Midsummer's Eve, the night of the summer solstice; a night of great magic. All the signs point to a great event. What event greater than the birth of the one destined to heal the feud and unite the kindreds?"
"But,"started Elentirmo in protest, "the prophecy said it would be a child of royal blood, born of both kindreds.." He ceased speaking as it slowly began to dawn on him.
"Precisely!" This time Galion's voice was clearly triumphant-and slightly exasperated-but still low. "You Elentirmo, are of royal blood-nay do not shake your head at me. Your family may not have sat the throne in centuries due to the feud-which I am old enough to remember well-but a descendant of kings you are and a king in your own right. And Amaurea too, hails of noble blood; being the daughter of a prince of the woodfolk. Have you forgotten that? So, as for being born of both kindreds, your child is. You yourself are of the high elves and Amaurea, as I have just said, is of the silvan elves. There is no doubt that your child, your daughter, is the one prophesied. And the prophecy does say the child would be born at Solstice Elentirmo."
For a long moment Elentirmo did not speak; his face unreadable while this sank in. When it did he turned to Galion with an unreadable look and a long, weary sigh. "I had hoped for this,"the dark-haired elf breathed, "as had my family and ancestors for centuries. But now that it has come to pass I would fain rather that it be I rather than my child to bear this burden."
"No one can live the fate destined for another, though they may wish to,"said the ancient seer, almost gently. "It has to be your child Elentirmo. It can be no one else. Only she is born of both kindreds. Never fear. She shall be strong enough for the destiny given her Elentirmo. It would not have chosen her else."
Elentirmo bowed his head in a gesture of acceptance. "What shall I do?"
"You must tell no one save Mardil the child is the one prophesied- no one. It is too dangerous. There are those who do not want the prophecy to come true, those who hate the royal family and would seek to end the line-indeed,wish it-to harm and kill her as they have already tried with you." Elentirmo shuddered; flinching, but Galion continued as though he had not noticed. "The prophecy will reveal her in its own time, when it deems best. You must not attempt to meddle with it. Your child shall face difficulties and hardships enough without you trying to hasten the fulfillment of the prophecy, obstacles to be conquered, but she will persevere."
The seer's eyes took on a distant look. "Dangers and adventures lay ahead of her, as well as loss and betrayal. But she will have help and find friends along the way. Also, you must not tell her of her destiny, or that she is royal-born and meant to be queen-she will learn all in her own time, when she is ready and the time is fit for her to. Come, my lord and king, let us return to your wife and new-born daughter, your heir."
Amaurea stirred and woke as Elentirmo and Galion returned. The throneless king knelt and tenderly raised his wife to a sitting position. She looked weary, but rested. She smiled up at him. Her golden hair gleamed faintly in the moonlight as he bent to whisper to her. "It has happened my beloved. What we have hoped for has come to be: our child shall be the one to unite the kindreds. She is the one long prophesied. Galion said so."
Amaurea's warm blue-green eyes glowed with joy and her fair face, though weary, lit with happiness at this news. "Then the name I have chosen for her is fitting indeed my love,"the elf-woman whispered in turn as she looked fondly upon the sleeping babe in her arms, speaking softly. "Riniel. My little crowned daughter." The babe stirred and Amaurea, after another fond glance, passed her carefully to Elentirmo, who, after taking the baby gingerly,looked on her with pride. He saw that the little one already displayed hints of hair that promised to be as midnight-black as his own-save that it seemed to shimmer with a faint silver sheen, as though the light of the brilliant stars above had somehow been infused into it. The points of her tiny ears were almost nonexistent, but undeniably there.
Arubtly, the baby opened her eyes and Elentirmo well-nigh dropped her in shock as he turned those eyes to rest upon him in a uncannily direct stare-all the more uncanny in coming from one so young, but barely born. But that was not the only thing that had shocked him. Rather than the clouded or smoky blue he had heard most newborn's eyes were, this one had eyes of grey! A moment of panic seized Elentirmo before he realized, with great relief, that his daughter was not blind-for those grey eyes roved and focused.
Beside the dark-haired elf, Galion gave a start as he too, saw the newborn's eyes. The ancient seer fell back; murmuring to himself, "The final sign. The starry-eyed child born on Solstice night…" For the tiny elf-girl did indeed have eyes of a bright clear grey that seemed to catch and reflect the light of the stars themselves. Realizing arubtly that the child's naming was due and that he needed to name her, Elentirmo experienced another moment of panic as he cast about for a suitable name to give her. He thought for a moment about calling the little one 'Stargaze', for her eyes, but it did not sound right, nor did it seem to fit her.
Then, all at once, as if they had been put into his head at that very moment, Elentirmo remembered the last two lines of the prophecy and, at the same time, caught a brief glimpse of silver light that flickered briefly on his newborn daughter's brow. The name then, leapt unbidden to his lips and he felt the power of foresight come upon him as he spoke. "I give you the name long foretold for you little daughter, the one that all shall know and call you by, yet not know the true meaning of. I name you Elestirne."
Galion nodded; smiling as though he knew something the others did not, some secret known only to a select few. As indeed he did, for the name was very ancient and forgotten now, never used. Only the elven-seers and sages-and even then only those of great age or wisdom,or both-even knew the meaning of it. 'Elestirne', derived from 'elentire'-a word now long forgotten in the elven-tongues. "Elestirne". Starbrow.
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Fourth chapter
The little elf-child ran through the lush grass, stopping every so often to pick some flowers. Her delighted, childish laughter easily carried back to where two older, adult elves waited; watching. A soft chuckle came from one as the little one started chasing a group of brightly colored butterflies-never getting anywhere near them of course, but quite obviously enjoying the chase. "Come here my little one." The elf's call carried easily to the little child, now engrossed in watching a hummingbird flitting from one bright flower to another. Hearing the call, the little elfling instantly turned and came running back to the two adults; coming to a halt before the one who had called her, who bent to stroke her head lightly.
"For you Ada." The elf-child's voice was high and sweet, like birdsong. She held out the bunch of flowers she had gathered to the elf; standing on the very tips of her toes. Only about the size of a mortal child of four, nay, closer to five, though actually some decades older, she barely stood taller than the waist of the almost seven-foot elf in front of her, who took the proffered flowers with a gracious smile.
"Hannen lle my little one, but pick no more. You must leave some for the earth and its creatures to enjoy."
The little elf-child nodded solemnly; grey eyes shining, then scampered off again. Her black hair seemed to reflect back glints of silver as it fluttered in the breeze. The elf watched her for a moment, then handed the little bunch of flowers to his companion, a tall elf-woman with hair of stunning gold and eyes of warm blue-green. "These, I think, are better suited to you my dear."
His companion smiled as she accepted the flowers from him; her eyes following the little elf-child. "You cannot always call her your little one my love. She is growing."
"It shall be some decades more yet, as mortals count time, before she is grown," the elf responded, "and even then she shall always be my little one. As she is our only." There was a wistful tone to his voice. "Others our age have a second-or sometimes even third or fourth elfling, as some I have heard of do- by now. Why is it that we have only her? I would have another, a son, perhaps, or, if not a son, another daughter-to be as a playmate and companion for her, so that she need not be alone."
"Perhaps she is meant to be our only,"replied the elf-woman. "You, yourself, my love, were the only child of your parents."
"I do not wish the same of her. It is lonely, to be the only child." His voice dropped. "And it is a terrible feeling, to be the last of your line, last of your family. I would spare her that. She will have enough of a burden on her shoulders, when she is older, without adding the additional burden of being the last of her family to it. What is something should happen to her? She is more than just a child- and our only at that. She is….the hope of us all. What becomes of the prophecy without her Amaurea?"
"Peace," chided Amaurea. "Have you no faith love? You remember the words of Galion to us on that night as well as I do myself Elentirmo: no harm shall come to our child, though she shall have hardships and dangers to endure, obstacles to overcome. Yes, my beloved. I heard what Galion said to you that night-for I was not so deeply asleep as you thought me to be."
Elentirmo looked profoundly stunned by this revelation as Amaurea continued. "But I would have suspected it e'en without hearing. Those chosen or marked with such a high destiny must prove themselves worthy of it. How else to prove oneself worthy than by enduring danger and hardships and overcoming obstacles?" Elentirmo had to admit the logic in that reasoning.
Amaurea paused, watching the happy child playing contently in the meadow; obvlious that she was being talked about. "I would spare her that. I do not want to see her become marked by cares, to know sorrow, or hardship, or loss. I would have her remain pure and innocent. But if it is fated so must it be. At least I have solace in knowing that Galion also said she would have help and find friends."
"And also that she would be strong enough for the fate ordained her,"said Elentirmo reassuringly; putting a arm around his wife, "for it would not have chosen her else. You have nothing to fear dearest."
Just then, the little child came up to them. Her joyous smile faded as she looked at her parents and took in their solemn faces. "What's wrong? Ama? Ada? Did I do something bad?" The smiling face became solemn and the clear, grey eyes-so bright and laughing but a moment ago-darkened arubtly.
Oh those eyes! So bright and clear, like stars. But the starry light was gone; extinguished by the worry in the child's face. Elentirmo bent; lifting his daughter in one effortless, swift motion. "Naught that you need trouble yourself with elenke nin,"he said, using his special nickname for her. "Your mother is just worried little one." The child looked up at him with knowing grey eyes that seemed much too old for such a young face. He held her a moment, then set her down with a kiss to her forehead.
Immedientally, she scampered to her mother's side; tugging at her sleeves. She pressed close to the elf-woman's skirts; looking up at her mother anxiously. "Ama, don't be worried, don't be worried Ama. I'm here. I'll make everything all right. Don't worry."
Elentirmo blinked; thoroughly startled. The words had sounded much too sincere and confident to just be the simple, naïve statement of a child seeking to comfort her mother. An image-and almost instantly he recognized it as a vision-began to grow before his eyes. He saw a graceful, lithe elf-woman, young and beautiful. She had long flowing night-dark hair and startlingly piercing grey eyes that saw everything. There was great wisdom and kindness in her eyes and face, but beneath that Elentirmo sensed a great sadness. She was being crowned in front of a cheering crowd which consisted of high elves and wood-elves, even- he thought he saw-a few wild elves. If that wasn't enough to tell Elentirmo whom this vision was supposed to be of,then the starbright flicker of light on the elf-woman's brow; shining even through the intricate, woven silver circlet she wore, most definitely was. The elven-woman was his daughter, but full-grown and nearly an adult. Elentirmo shook his head slightly and the vision disappeared.
Still startled, he looked at his daughter keenly, focusing. Yes, on her brow was the starry flicker of light that was her namesake. He concentrated harder; focusing on his daughter's aura.
Startled before, he was now promptly shocked. Feeling his amazement, Amaurea touched his thoughts silently. What is it?
She has the sight Amaurea, she just unknowingly prophesied! I saw! She has the foresight my love. And so young!
His wife gave no inclination as to either what or how she felt about this. Instead, she knelt and hugged the child back; stroking her night-dark hair softly and tenderly. "I have faith that you will my little one, my Riniel."
"Ama not worried anymore?" Wide, worried grey eyes searched her mother's face.
"No Elestirne, little one I am not. I have you."
Despite the shock he felt for his discovery, Elentirmo smiled at the statement; realizing and recognizing the truth of it as he looked at his wife and daughter. Yes, they had Elestirne. What did it matter if they had no other children? Little Eles would be enough for him-and for Amaurea also, he knew. To see her grow and mature, to become who she was born and destined to e, to see her triumphs and her mishaps, to protect, guide and love her-that would bring him more pride and joy than anything else he could ever posses or ask for. The elf was wise enough to realize that he and Amaurea had been blessed-given a chance many would die for.
Their child was not meant to be a normal elf. She was marked by fate with a high destiny, a child of prophecy. Given the chance Elentirmo would rather have one child destined to stand out than two or three who would just be ordinary-even though they would be wonderful children in their own right.
It would be a long road for little Elestirne though, and lonely-Elentirmo had only wanted a sibling for her, someone for companionship so that she would not be lonely-but perhaps it was better she had none. A sibling might sense she was fate-marked, different, and resent her-maybe even be jealous of her for it. Thus, Elentirmo concluded reluctantly, it was better that she was the only child and had no siblings.
All the same Elentirmo hoped that she found friends and companions eventually-if not in her childhood,then another point in her life-for it would be a terrible thing to go through life and not have a friend in all that time. Elentirmo did not wish that upon his daughter, or anyone. Wherever Fate leads her, whatever path, may she find friends on the road, he prayed silently,and may she find someone to share her life with. Elentirmo paused a moment, then added another wish to his prayer. And, though Fate has chosen what she must be-lady and Queen of a realm, the hope of her people though she does not know it-may she be given the freedom to choose who she wants to be and may she choose wisely and find happiness and contentment in the life and role Fate chose for her. And may she be a good queen, a better ruler than I have been, and her own person- independent, strong, able to make her own decisions and be herself though others may seek to change and mold her to their liking. And above all, he added. Whatever happens to Amaurea and I, may she achieve and become all she is meant to and live long in happiness and peace.
No answer he received to his prayer, but the elven-seer felt, somewhere, that his prayer had been heard and that his child would be watched over. He could ask for nothing more than that. No father-or parent-could ask for more than to have their child be watched over and grow up happy.
Light from the pale new moon faintly illuminated the land; dimly reflecting off the still waters of a quiet river. In contrast to the pale moonlight the stars shone brighter, far brighter; blazing in the heavens like unquenchable silver fires.
All was silent-unusually so even for the late hour. It seemed as though there was a sense of expectancy in the air, as if all the land were waiting; holding its breath for something as yet unknown. For, on the night of the summer solstice as this was- a night of strong magic, strange happenings, and omens-anything might be expected to occur, and could.
Through this night, silent as the surrounding land, two figures moved. One was male, the other, female. After a moment a thin shaft of moonlight illuminated the pair, revealing them to be elves. By this faint light it was also seen that the elf-woman was heavy with child; very close to due. The two elves followed the quiet river north towards the woods that grew around and by a white city whose walls shone faintly despite the night's darkness. After a few minutes the pair turned; heading into the forest. Here the elf-woman began to stumble-less agile in her pregnancy than she otherwise would have been. The other steadied her each time; his concern evident. "Are you sure of this? You should have stayed behind Amaurea." The elf's low voice sounded out of place in the unusually still and silent night.
There was a faint shimmer of gold as the elf-woman shook her head and answered; her soft, fatigued voice sounding equally out-of-place. " I would not have mine-our- child born in a city of cold stone. I am a sylvan child, daughter of the forests. I was born in the woods, as was my mother before me, and her mother before her, and so shall my child be born."
"It was not always cold stone. Once it was full of beauty, of life and light. Long ago." The elf sighed and his voice dropped lower. "Before the feud. Then you would have been proud to bear our child there."
"It was not the fault of your kindred that the friendship waned, nor of mine." Now the elf-woman sighed; her melodic voice taking on a wistful, sad tone. "Nor ours though I had hoped our love would heal that ancient rift, would restore peace between our two kindreds and return your family to their rightful place on the throne." A pause, then she continued, almost urgently. "You have the gift of foresight Elentirmo. What have you seen-for our child or otherwise. Have you seen evil omens? Good?"
"Elentirmo has seen nothing," said a new voice before the dark-haired elf could answer, "but the child you carry shall not come to evil Amaurea." A third elf stepped out from where he had been standing in the shadows. Swiftly, Elentirmo unsheathed his sword and stepped protectively in front of the golden-haired elf-woman. A few tense moments passed by, then Elentirmo lowered and sheathed his sword; respect and what could have been relief in his voice as he spoke. "Galion."
The other nodded and bowed ceremoniously; silver hair and white robes lending a mysterious effect as they shimmered in the moonlight. "Suilad Elentirmo, scion of House Nolimon and you also Amaurea, rightly named 'the Golden' among your own people." The elf paused and looked to the sky. "A new moon and a sky ablaze with stars," he murmured, as if to himself, "and to come, a starry-eyed child; born on Midsummer's Eve, Solstice night. Omens of great good both." Raising his voice, he suddenly addressed the two. "Come. We must make haste. It is on this night that your child shall come into this world.
"Amaurea know this. She has sensed it. It is why she insisted on leaving the city so close to her time, though she does not rightly know why. It is because more than the birth of your child, your firstborn and only, shall occur on this night."
"What else?" Elentirmo inquired of the aged seer as he and Amaurea made their way through the forest; following him. Galion did not answer immedientally but continued to lead the way through the forest. After several minutes they came to a moonlit clearing open to the skies and stars. Now Galion did halt; raising his face to the sky then turning to level Elentirmo with an uncannily direct stare that sent a shiver up the dark-haired elf's spine.
"The beginning of a prophecy."
Elentirmo started to speak again; fully intending to ask the seer just what he had meant by that cryptic statement but a cry of pain from Amaurea both interrupted and distracted him. He and Galion turned to see the elf-woman double over; falling to her knees. Quickly Elentirmo and the seer realized that she was beginning to go into labor and both moved to help her lay down and be as comfortable as possible.
The labor was long and the birth difficult, but eventually, with help, the child-a girl-was delivered safely and brought living and healthy into the world. The strange words spoken by Galion forgotten-and indeed, the seer himself well nigh forgotten as well-Elentirmo knelt at his wife's side as she cradled the newborn in her arms. She was exhausted but her fair face glowed with happiness. In wonderment Elentirmo looked at the child, their daughter. Never before had he seen anything so tiny and perfectly formed. With a faint smile, he wondered if all new parents felt the same when seeing their children for the first time.
Galion touched his shoulder lightly and, startled, the dark-haired elf turned to face him, The seer beckoned and Elentirmo followed-albeit with great reluctance. "Amaurea and the child…,"he began;worry tingeing his voice.
"Will be fine," finished Galion without even a backwards glance. "No harm will be done them. Amaurea is a sylvan daughter, at home in the forests, and the young one is the child of a prophecy. They shall be fine. Do not worry about them. Come, there are things we must speak of."
"The child of a prophecy?" asked Elentirmo, stopping. "What do you speak of old one?"
Galion sighed, but also stopped. "Know you the prophecy?"
"Of course." Elentirmo had been told it as a young child-all those of the royal family had since it had become known. It foretold one to come who would heal the ancient feud, unite the elven-kindreds and sit the throne. The prophecy also mentioned that the child to come would be of royal blood and, curiously, born of both kindreds. Beyond that though, the dark-haired elf knew little, next to nothing. Elentirmo thought it a great irony that he was a seer, yet did not understand the prophecy. "What are you implying?"
The seer turned to face him; fixing him with that uncannily piercing gaze that seers seemed so oft to have and one which Elentirmo admitted he himself had at times. "Have you not already guessed? -that your child is the one prophesied,the one born to unite the two kindreds." Startled, Elentirmo glanced swiftly to his wife and new-born child-both of whom appeared to be sleeping-before asking, "How do you know this?"
"By the signs and the prophecy itself!,"hissed the ancient seer,in what sounded like a triumphant whisper, but one low enough not to wake Amaurea and the babe. "The moon is new, symbolizing a new beginning or a new life. The stars are brighter than any I have seen in all my years walking this earth and it is Midsummer's Eve, the night of the summer solstice; a night of great magic. All the signs point to a great event. What event greater than the birth of the one destined to heal the feud and unite the kindreds?"
"But,"started Elentirmo in protest, "the prophecy said it would be a child of royal blood, born of both kindreds.." He ceased speaking as it slowly began to dawn on him.
"Precisely!" This time Galion's voice was clearly triumphant-and slightly exasperated-but still low. "You Elentirmo, are of royal blood-nay do not shake your head at me. Your family may not have sat the throne in centuries due to the feud-which I am old enough to remember well-but a descendant of kings you are and a king in your own right. And Amaurea too, hails of noble blood; being the daughter of a prince of the woodfolk. Have you forgotten that? So, as for being born of both kindreds, your child is. You yourself are of the high elves and Amaurea, as I have just said, is of the silvan elves. There is no doubt that your child, your daughter, is the one prophesied. And the prophecy does say the child would be born at Solstice Elentirmo."
For a long moment Elentirmo did not speak; his face unreadable while this sank in. When it did he turned to Galion with an unreadable look and a long, weary sigh. "I had hoped for this,"the dark-haired elf breathed, "as had my family and ancestors for centuries. But now that it has come to pass I would fain rather that it be I rather than my child to bear this burden."
"No one can live the fate destined for another, though they may wish to,"said the ancient seer, almost gently. "It has to be your child Elentirmo. It can be no one else. Only she is born of both kindreds. Never fear. She shall be strong enough for the destiny given her Elentirmo. It would not have chosen her else."
Elentirmo bowed his head in a gesture of acceptance. "What shall I do?"
"You must tell no one save Mardil the child is the one prophesied- no one. It is too dangerous. There are those who do not want the prophecy to come true, those who hate the royal family and would seek to end the line-indeed,wish it-to harm and kill her as they have already tried with you." Elentirmo shuddered; flinching, but Galion continued as though he had not noticed. "The prophecy will reveal her in its own time, when it deems best. You must not attempt to meddle with it. Your child shall face difficulties and hardships enough without you trying to hasten the fulfillment of the prophecy, obstacles to be conquered, but she will persevere."
The seer's eyes took on a distant look. "Dangers and adventures lay ahead of her, as well as loss and betrayal. But she will have help and find friends along the way. Also, you must not tell her of her destiny, or that she is royal-born and meant to be queen-she will learn all in her own time, when she is ready and the time is fit for her to. Come, my lord and king, let us return to your wife and new-born daughter, your heir."
Amaurea stirred and woke as Elentirmo and Galion returned. The throneless king knelt and tenderly raised his wife to a sitting position. She looked weary, but rested. She smiled up at him. Her golden hair gleamed faintly in the moonlight as he bent to whisper to her. "It has happened my beloved. What we have hoped for has come to be: our child shall be the one to unite the kindreds. She is the one long prophesied. Galion said so."
Amaurea's warm blue-green eyes glowed with joy and her fair face, though weary, lit with happiness at this news. "Then the name I have chosen for her is fitting indeed my love,"the elf-woman whispered in turn as she looked fondly upon the sleeping babe in her arms, speaking softly. "Riniel. My little crowned daughter." The babe stirred and Amaurea, after another fond glance, passed her carefully to Elentirmo, who, after taking the baby gingerly,looked on her with pride. He saw that the little one already displayed hints of hair that promised to be as midnight-black as his own-save that it seemed to shimmer with a faint silver sheen, as though the light of the brilliant stars above had somehow been infused into it. The points of her tiny ears were almost nonexistent, but undeniably there.
Arubtly, the baby opened her eyes and Elentirmo well-nigh dropped her in shock as he turned those eyes to rest upon him in a uncannily direct stare-all the more uncanny in coming from one so young, but barely born. But that was not the only thing that had shocked him. Rather than the clouded or smoky blue he had heard most newborn's eyes were, this one had eyes of grey! A moment of panic seized Elentirmo before he realized, with great relief, that his daughter was not blind-for those grey eyes roved and focused.
Beside the dark-haired elf, Galion gave a start as he too, saw the newborn's eyes. The ancient seer fell back; murmuring to himself, "The final sign. The starry-eyed child born on Solstice night…" For the tiny elf-girl did indeed have eyes of a bright clear grey that seemed to catch and reflect the light of the stars themselves. Realizing arubtly that the child's naming was due and that he needed to name her, Elentirmo experienced another moment of panic as he cast about for a suitable name to give her. He thought for a moment about calling the little one 'Stargaze', for her eyes, but it did not sound right, nor did it seem to fit her.
Then, all at once, as if they had been put into his head at that very moment, Elentirmo remembered the last two lines of the prophecy and, at the same time, caught a brief glimpse of silver light that flickered briefly on his newborn daughter's brow. The name then, leapt unbidden to his lips and he felt the power of foresight come upon him as he spoke. "I give you the name long foretold for you little daughter, the one that all shall know and call you by, yet not know the true meaning of. I name you Elestirne."
Galion nodded; smiling as though he knew something the others did not, some secret known only to a select few. As indeed he did, for the name was very ancient and forgotten now, never used. Only the elven-seers and sages-and even then only those of great age or wisdom,or both-even knew the meaning of it. 'Elestirne', derived from 'elentire'-a word now long forgotten in the elven-tongues. "Elestirne". Starbrow.
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Fourth chapter
The little elf-child ran through the lush grass, stopping every so often to pick some flowers. Her delighted, childish laughter easily carried back to where two older, adult elves waited; watching. A soft chuckle came from one as the little one started chasing a group of brightly colored butterflies-never getting anywhere near them of course, but quite obviously enjoying the chase. "Come here my little one." The elf's call carried easily to the little child, now engrossed in watching a hummingbird flitting from one bright flower to another. Hearing the call, the little elfling instantly turned and came running back to the two adults; coming to a halt before the one who had called her, who bent to stroke her head lightly.
"For you Ada." The elf-child's voice was high and sweet, like birdsong. She held out the bunch of flowers she had gathered to the elf; standing on the very tips of her toes. Only about the size of a mortal child of four, nay, closer to five, though actually some decades older, she barely stood taller than the waist of the almost seven-foot elf in front of her, who took the proffered flowers with a gracious smile.
"Hannen lle my little one, but pick no more. You must leave some for the earth and its creatures to enjoy."
The little elf-child nodded solemnly; grey eyes shining, then scampered off again. Her black hair seemed to reflect back glints of silver as it fluttered in the breeze. The elf watched her for a moment, then handed the little bunch of flowers to his companion, a tall elf-woman with hair of stunning gold and eyes of warm blue-green. "These, I think, are better suited to you my dear."
His companion smiled as she accepted the flowers from him; her eyes following the little elf-child. "You cannot always call her your little one my love. She is growing."
"It shall be some decades more yet, as mortals count time, before she is grown," the elf responded, "and even then she shall always be my little one. As she is our only." There was a wistful tone to his voice. "Others our age have a second-or sometimes even third or fourth elfling, as some I have heard of do- by now. Why is it that we have only her? I would have another, a son, perhaps, or, if not a son, another daughter-to be as a playmate and companion for her, so that she need not be alone."
"Perhaps she is meant to be our only,"replied the elf-woman. "You, yourself, my love, were the only child of your parents."
"I do not wish the same of her. It is lonely, to be the only child." His voice dropped. "And it is a terrible feeling, to be the last of your line, last of your family. I would spare her that. She will have enough of a burden on her shoulders, when she is older, without adding the additional burden of being the last of her family to it. What is something should happen to her? She is more than just a child- and our only at that. She is….the hope of us all. What becomes of the prophecy without her Amaurea?"
"Peace," chided Amaurea. "Have you no faith love? You remember the words of Galion to us on that night as well as I do myself Elentirmo: no harm shall come to our child, though she shall have hardships and dangers to endure, obstacles to overcome. Yes, my beloved. I heard what Galion said to you that night-for I was not so deeply asleep as you thought me to be."
Elentirmo looked profoundly stunned by this revelation as Amaurea continued. "But I would have suspected it e'en without hearing. Those chosen or marked with such a high destiny must prove themselves worthy of it. How else to prove oneself worthy than by enduring danger and hardships and overcoming obstacles?" Elentirmo had to admit the logic in that reasoning.
Amaurea paused, watching the happy child playing contently in the meadow; obvlious that she was being talked about. "I would spare her that. I do not want to see her become marked by cares, to know sorrow, or hardship, or loss. I would have her remain pure and innocent. But if it is fated so must it be. At least I have solace in knowing that Galion also said she would have help and find friends."
"And also that she would be strong enough for the fate ordained her,"said Elentirmo reassuringly; putting a arm around his wife, "for it would not have chosen her else. You have nothing to fear dearest."
Just then, the little child came up to them. Her joyous smile faded as she looked at her parents and took in their solemn faces. "What's wrong? Ama? Ada? Did I do something bad?" The smiling face became solemn and the clear, grey eyes-so bright and laughing but a moment ago-darkened arubtly.
Oh those eyes! So bright and clear, like stars. But the starry light was gone; extinguished by the worry in the child's face. Elentirmo bent; lifting his daughter in one effortless, swift motion. "Naught that you need trouble yourself with elenke nin,"he said, using his special nickname for her. "Your mother is just worried little one." The child looked up at him with knowing grey eyes that seemed much too old for such a young face. He held her a moment, then set her down with a kiss to her forehead.
Immedientally, she scampered to her mother's side; tugging at her sleeves. She pressed close to the elf-woman's skirts; looking up at her mother anxiously. "Ama, don't be worried, don't be worried Ama. I'm here. I'll make everything all right. Don't worry."
Elentirmo blinked; thoroughly startled. The words had sounded much too sincere and confident to just be the simple, naïve statement of a child seeking to comfort her mother. An image-and almost instantly he recognized it as a vision-began to grow before his eyes. He saw a graceful, lithe elf-woman, young and beautiful. She had long flowing night-dark hair and startlingly piercing grey eyes that saw everything. There was great wisdom and kindness in her eyes and face, but beneath that Elentirmo sensed a great sadness. She was being crowned in front of a cheering crowd which consisted of high elves and wood-elves, even- he thought he saw-a few wild elves. If that wasn't enough to tell Elentirmo whom this vision was supposed to be of,then the starbright flicker of light on the elf-woman's brow; shining even through the intricate, woven silver circlet she wore, most definitely was. The elven-woman was his daughter, but full-grown and nearly an adult. Elentirmo shook his head slightly and the vision disappeared.
Still startled, he looked at his daughter keenly, focusing. Yes, on her brow was the starry flicker of light that was her namesake. He concentrated harder; focusing on his daughter's aura.
Startled before, he was now promptly shocked. Feeling his amazement, Amaurea touched his thoughts silently. What is it?
She has the sight Amaurea, she just unknowingly prophesied! I saw! She has the foresight my love. And so young!
His wife gave no inclination as to either what or how she felt about this. Instead, she knelt and hugged the child back; stroking her night-dark hair softly and tenderly. "I have faith that you will my little one, my Riniel."
"Ama not worried anymore?" Wide, worried grey eyes searched her mother's face.
"No Elestirne, little one I am not. I have you."
Despite the shock he felt for his discovery, Elentirmo smiled at the statement; realizing and recognizing the truth of it as he looked at his wife and daughter. Yes, they had Elestirne. What did it matter if they had no other children? Little Eles would be enough for him-and for Amaurea also, he knew. To see her grow and mature, to become who she was born and destined to e, to see her triumphs and her mishaps, to protect, guide and love her-that would bring him more pride and joy than anything else he could ever posses or ask for. The elf was wise enough to realize that he and Amaurea had been blessed-given a chance many would die for.
Their child was not meant to be a normal elf. She was marked by fate with a high destiny, a child of prophecy. Given the chance Elentirmo would rather have one child destined to stand out than two or three who would just be ordinary-even though they would be wonderful children in their own right.
It would be a long road for little Elestirne though, and lonely-Elentirmo had only wanted a sibling for her, someone for companionship so that she would not be lonely-but perhaps it was better she had none. A sibling might sense she was fate-marked, different, and resent her-maybe even be jealous of her for it. Thus, Elentirmo concluded reluctantly, it was better that she was the only child and had no siblings.
All the same Elentirmo hoped that she found friends and companions eventually-if not in her childhood,then another point in her life-for it would be a terrible thing to go through life and not have a friend in all that time. Elentirmo did not wish that upon his daughter, or anyone. Wherever Fate leads her, whatever path, may she find friends on the road, he prayed silently,and may she find someone to share her life with. Elentirmo paused a moment, then added another wish to his prayer. And, though Fate has chosen what she must be-lady and Queen of a realm, the hope of her people though she does not know it-may she be given the freedom to choose who she wants to be and may she choose wisely and find happiness and contentment in the life and role Fate chose for her. And may she be a good queen, a better ruler than I have been, and her own person- independent, strong, able to make her own decisions and be herself though others may seek to change and mold her to their liking. And above all, he added. Whatever happens to Amaurea and I, may she achieve and become all she is meant to and live long in happiness and peace.
No answer he received to his prayer, but the elven-seer felt, somewhere, that his prayer had been heard and that his child would be watched over. He could ask for nothing more than that. No father-or parent-could ask for more than to have their child be watched over and grow up happy.