Part 1; Chapter 5

At a half hour to midnight, Ataras slipped down the hallway to Ervyn’s room.

He knocked softly at the door. There was a pause before he heard a loud yawn and in sleepy Human, “Who is there?”

Ataras whispered loudly in Elvish, “It’s me, Ataras. Let me in, we need to talk.”

A bolt thudded open, and the door swung open, revealing a fully dressed and fully conscious Ervyn. Ataras yawned obnoxiously loud and grinned.

Ervyn looked sheepish. “Yes, yes, I know it was stupid, but it was better than right off yelling, “Who is it? What would people think? I don’t sleep?”

Ataras strolled into the room and closed the door behind him. “I see you’re still planning to go through with it?”

Ervyn walked over to his bag. He spoke in a strained voice. “Yes. You’ve seen how the king has treated her. He tries to hide everything, but you must have noticed the welt on her face?”

“Yes, Ervyn. And don’t worry about me. I suppose you could say I’ve been taken in by the princess as well. You’re not alone.” Ervyn reached over and squeezed Ataras’ shoulder once, smiling his gratitude.

“Is there anything I can do to help you? Sidetrack a soldier? Disarm a duke? Now that I’m officially against the king, I want to assist in any way possible.”

Ervyn thought for a moment, his eye drifting over the intricately carved wood on the mantle of the monstrous fireplace. “I am not sure. I plan on hiding her in a rented room or house, but to do that I may need to stay away from the meeting for a few days.’

“Do you think you could provide an alibi for me? If you tried to throw the pursuit off her, you will only be connected with her disappearance. There’s no point to that. But if we can stay disconnected, she may have a chance of staying hidden without the rest of us becoming compromised.”

“Yes, I can see the sense in all that. You do have a way with words. I’d simply say, ‘Tell them I’m sick so they won’t think I did it.’”

Ervyn laughed and shook his head a little ruefully. “All that comes from a lifetime in a library. You don’t learn much of life, but much of words. I just hope for Lynna’s sake I can manage with my limited experience.”

At five minutes after midnight, Ervyn reached the river and stood behind tree and looked for Lynna. He hoped she did not get scared and retreat back to the castle. It had taken longer than he expected to sneak past the sentries patrolling outside the gates and to slip from tree to tree, avoiding the moonlight.

Ervyn shut his eyes tightly for a moment. Staring into the shadows under the trees, pure black against the glowing brush and white glinting water, strained his eyes. He had waited more than ten minutes. Lynna was no where to be seen.

“Lynna, where are you?” He whispered under his breath. Giving one more glance before retracing his steps to the castle, Ervyn noticed a slight rustling in a bush no farther than five or six feet from where he stood.

He stiffened. The peace of night returned, but Ervyn had no comfort in its smooth sounds of burbling water rushing past stones on its way to the sea.

Someone hid in the bushes. Too close.

Ervyn cupped his mouth and tried to make a sound like an owl, though he sounded more like a dying crow. “What am I doing?” he asked himself, shaking his head as he listened to the echoes of his strange bird-call reverberate in the air above the water.

The echoes died away soon, and Ervyn wondered at his stalker. Would he show himself? The noise he made would have put a sleeping cow on guard let alone one of the king’s seasoned soldiers.

He strained his ears and peered into the night. Something touched his elbow. He froze. “Lynna?”

“Yes, I’m sorry I scared you. Have you waited very long?”

Ervyn let out his breath in a long hiss.

Part 1; Chapter 4

A burning liquid forced its way into Ervyn’s mouth.

Sputtering, he opened his eyes. Concerned Elven faces leaned over him. The back of his head felt as if it’d been smashed by a rock.

“What happened, and what am I doing on the floor?”

His lifelong friend, Ataras, held the flask of wine. His lean face leaned over him frowned-abnormally grave; his piercing blue eyes -troubled. “Don’t you remember? You picked a fight with the king. He shoved you into the wall and ran out. We’re a bit upset with you, starting a fight with the king of all people. But,” He glances around at the rest of the traders, “we all think you were in the right.”

“Well that’s a relief, anyway. Now, help me up.” Grabbed around his arms, he was pulled to his feet. The ache in his head doubled, and Ataras quickly shoved the flask up to Ervyn’s pale face once more.

“Thanks,” he replied weakly, holding his head. “Well now what are we supposed to do? Go back to our supper and wait until King Cestan’s temper improves?”

Ataras spoke up again. “I’m sure the princess will be able to handle him from what the king let slip. He sounded like was getting back at the princess for something. She must be capable.”

Ervyn groaned. “What have I done? I’ve got to find Lynna. Her father would have…” grimacing, he brushed off the supporting hands on his shoulders. “Let go of me! I have to find her! Do you know what he might have done to her!? Get off me!”

Ervyn fought his way out of the room, and ran down the hallway. A few Elves shook their heads. The hit on the head must have done some damage. Only Ataras was concerned, watching the figure of his friend run unsteadily down the hallway.

After several wrong turns, and many rests in the stairwell (for his head continually throbbed, and occasionally a red flash blinded him with pain), Ervyn found the princess’ chamber.

He rushed into the room without knocking. “Lynna, it is me, Ervyn. Where is your father? Are you alright?” He asked in choppy Human, quite out of breath and holding his aching skull.

A soft voice spoke from the balcony. “He’s gone.”

Ervyn walked out to the princess sitting on the stony ledge. A handkerchief was gripped in her right hand.

Looking closely, Ervyn saw her eyes were puffy and red. A long red welt crossed her left cheek. She sniffled occasionally into her handkerchief.

Ervyn sucked in his breath. “What happened, Lynna?”

“I’m fine. Father’s left, I don’t know where.”

“But Lynna, your face! What did he do to you?”

“He…he hit me. His ring-” She gestured with her hand. A flood of tears followed her statement. “It isn’t so much tha-that he hit me, but that he hates me! I could tell. The way his eyes looked at me. They were like ice. I can’t take it anymore! I’ll go mad!” She shuddered and gasped with her tears and couldn’t continue.

Ervyn held her. Rocking back and forth, he whispered soothingly and her tears slowed.

“Is there anything you need to tell me also?” Lynna seemed to be under control once again, but Ervyn wouldn’t leave her now.

“I-I’m afraid of him,” she whispered, “ever since I was a child. He would get drunk. Or he would ignore us. “I preferred his anger more. At least it appeared he cared for us. But now I see he couldn’t stand us, not after mother died. His heart froze. Now with Megalem gone, he doesn’t even pretend to have any feelings for me.”

Ervyn wanted to tell her she was wrong, that she was overreacting, but he couldn’t. He had heard the way Cestan spoke about his own daughter. There was no love there.

“I am sorry, Lynna. I truly am sorry.”

“And now he wishes me to marry his spy, Kaerf Amardet. This is his way of keeping an eye on me without my staying at the center of politics. And also to spite me. He knows how I abhor Amardet and his fish eyes!”

Ervyn scraped his brain for a solution. There had to be a way to keep Lynna safe from her father, at least while he was still unstable from grief. He needed to think…

“I am going to get some water to clean your face. Just stay here, I will be back soon. Your face is bleeding. I should have cared for the cut earlier.” He frowned. What kind of a man could hurt his daughter like that?

Walking back into Lynna’s chamber, he spied around until he found the water basin. He took his time walking over and wetting a towel. “There must be some way to save her!” he whispered. His father would know what to do, Ervyn felt sure of that.

Ervyn almost dropped the towel. The solution was so obvious! “Lynna,” he cried and ran out of the room, “I know how to save you from your father!”

While he cleaned her wound, Ervyn told her the plan.

“Once I bring you from your father’s reach, you will be safe. I can negotiate. We can do nothing else. Tonight, I want you to pack only things you need. Meet me by the river at midnight.”

Lynna nodded. Pale, but resolved. Ervyn’s plan was the only thing they could do; it couldn’t, mustn’t, go wrong.

<*>

Someone knocked on his door; Ervyn stiffened in the process of packing. “Who is there?” He asked in Human. He stood in front of the bag in a bad effort to conceal it.

The door creaked open. Ataras’ head peered around the opening. His green eyes widened. “What are you doing?” He asked in Elvish.

There was no sense in denying the obvious. “I’m packing.”

“Yes, I see that, but why?”

Ervyn shifted his feet. “Why do you ask?”
“Isn’t it obvious? First you scream at the king and -”

“I didn’t scream.”

“-then you consort with the kings daughter. Some of us are getting worried about you jeopardizing our mission. And then I find you packing. Are you running away?”

The patronizing tone stung. “No!”

“Well some of us feel you are taking unnecessary risks…”

Jaw clenched, Ervyn waved his arm at the room. “Do you want me to tell you what I’m really doing?”

Ataras merely nodded, and sat at the foot of the bed.

“I’m taking the princess away. Her father beat her. She’s not safe here anymore. I’ll hide her in one of the smaller villages.”

“Do you think that is safe?? You are taking her situation too personally, and she is taking advantage of your kindness.”

“She is not taking advantage of me. I put her up to this because I have to. To leave would be…cruel.”

“How do you know she has put a veil over your eyes; are you bewitched? Perhaps she is greedy for two kingdoms. Perhaps Megalem’s death was not an accident. He was an excellent rider; have you asked Lynna what really happened?”

“Get out,” Ervyn said softly.

Ataras looked at him, surprised. “What was that?”

“I said GET OUT!” Ervyn pulled Ataras up by his arms and pushed him at the door. “Never speak ill of Lynna. She is the victim here, not her brother. Get out!”

“You’ve got it bad, haven’t you?”

Ervyn paused in middle of attempting to throw Ataras into the hallway by the seat of his pants. “What?!”

Ataras only laughed mockingly at Ervyn’s suddenly crimson features and strutted out of the room. An angry door slammed behind him.

Part 1; Chapter 3

“Oh, Ervyn! I am so glad you are dining with us.” Lynna approached him in the courtyard, inadvertently snubbing several guests as they waited for dinner to be announced.

She floated over the shining blue tiles, her simple black dress accenting her elegantly styled hair. Braids and coils wrapped around her head, like a dark crown.

Ervyn bowed in greeting. “I am pleased to dine with you, also.”

“It will be such a comfort to have a friendly face at the table.”

Raising an eyebrow, Ervyn asked, “Why? Will your family not be there?”

“Family is regrettably the enemy. I simply am not brave enough to face my father alone.”

“I do not understand. You are brave! Very brave. I have never seen you afraid.”

She took his arm whispering, “Then you do not see far enough. My father has changed. I no longer feel safe in his presence.”

She threw a smile on her face, and looking straight ahead, added quietly, “Say nothing more, we’re going into dinner now.”

Despite the princess’ glowing face as she greeted the traders and her father’s guests-mostly politicians- her arm quivered as she clung to Ervyn.

King Cestan led the miniature procession to the dining room adjacent to the castle’s courtyard.

Inside, the guests forsake the fresh green plants, and moonlight for a dingy dark hall.

The long wooden table, filled with somberly dressed diners, seemed to fill the stuffy room, until even the most comfortable man felt claustrophobic.

The torches, in years uncountable, had scorched the once white and cheery paint black. The table and chairs worn and scratched.

Despite the heat, and full table, the room retained a heavy silence. Elves whispered quietly in their native tongues, while the men attending respected their king’s silence. The men, most of them respected politicians, waited to see how their leader fared under this sudden tragedy.

If they felt he had lost his strength, they would withdraw support and find a new king.

As the dinner progressed, they simply took in the proceedings, a silent nod or mocking smile the only indication they cared one way or the other.

The king, seated at the head of the long table, scowled darker than his mourning clothes.

The meal, elegant arrangements of ripened berries and vegetables and aromatic breads, contained no meat since flesh was considered by the humans to be a crude dish following a death.

Throughout the feast, the king gulped his potent wine, until, before they had eaten half of the many courses, he began blustering drunkenly.

His red beard, wet from dribbled wine, flapped. The mild-tempered Elves-disgusted. The politicians-amused.

Ervyn, seated towards the king, his role as interpreter earning his high placement concentrated on his fruity meal. Until of course, the one sided conversation hiccoughed its way to the topic of Princess Lynna.

The ungracious mouth of the drunken king spilled his secret hopes over the entire company. “Lynna is old enough to be wed. Old enough to have brats! Squalling brats like her brother. I need an heir, Lynna!’

“Kaerf Amardet! He is a reliable man! He would follow my wishes.

“Kaerf!”

The skinny man raised his bulbous and watery blue eyes. Middle aged, with a thinning hairline, he appeared freakish sitting alongside the perfect forms of the elves.

While with a stooped back, his large skull contained cunning which had won him a seat at his king’s side.

“Kaerf, my friend. How would you like to bed my daughter?”

The loud scrape of two wooden chairs sliding across the stone floor broke the shocked silence. Lynna, twin spots of dark red on her high cheekbones, threw a murderous glare at her drunkard father before running from the room.

Ervyn jumped to his feet, spat on the floor, and followed the princess.

King Cestan, meanwhile, after hitting his most honored politician (and spy) over the head to knock the stupid smile off his drooping lips, lumbered to his feet, and gave chase.

The Elves merely frowned to one another. “Crazy Humans,” they agreed.

<*>

In the hall, Ervyn fought to remember where the princess’s rooms were.

A voice growled behind him. “Leave my daughter alone, Elf.”

Ervyn swerved. His slight frame no match against the bulk of the king. Frowning, he kept his mouth shut.

“You think you can stay in my home, in my land, and cavort with my daughter?”

“What?!”

“I know what you’re doing.” The king took a menacing step towards Ervyn.

“You’re going to help her take my throne. Those were false tears. She is a meddling witch!"

“Do not say that. She has sadness as much as you.”

“Now you’re sticking up for that worthless girl??”

“She’s not worthless!! The reason you think she is worthless is because you do not give her peace! You would not like it if someone ordered all things all day long. You would not like them to tell you to be perfect while drinking their self stupid?!”

“Are you calling me a drunk?” Cestan’s eyes flashed.

“Not exactly, I call you a worthless father. Even though you lost one of your children you are too selfish in grief to realize you have one left!”

Ervyn went too far. Cestan marched forward enraged. “How dare you speak to me about Megalem? You impudent, stupid, treacherous FOOL!” With that, Cestan smashed his fist into Ervyn’s jaw, sending him reeling into the wall behind him.

Cestan stormed out from the hallway, slamming the door to the hall, causing a portrait of his late wife to fall from the wall.

Part 1; Chapter 2

Strange to think, the prince would never blink. Never breathe. Never speak. Never wake again. How fragile these humans were. Yesterday, alive. Today, dead.

Strange. And pathetic.

Yet for a moment, as Ervyn gazed down at the cold features of the dead prince, jealousy pricked the inner-most chamber of his heart. His heart which knew it shall never stop. That he would never experience an end.

That he would never die.

Strange how the gods should chose him to live on and on, and allow a prince to die in youth.

The elf hesitated to wake the princess. The dark room, peaceful now the struggle had ended, seemed reluctant to relinquish its dead.

Fortunately, the King reentered the chamber. Giving his sleeping daughter a brief glance, he asked in a low voice, “Any changes?”

“Well.”

“Don’t feel you must spare me, Elf. I watched my wife bleed to death. Seen men lose their minds from the pain as their mutilated limbs were being hewn off. Speak!”

Ervyn broke the news haltingly, for the princess had awoken and sat up, staring. “Sire, your son…is dead.”

Ervyn knew, though he looked away, that the princess wept. King Cestan, ignoring her, stumbled across the room and paused next to the bed, opposite of Ervyn.

“Farewell, my son.” He said, before thrusting the edge of the sheet over Megalem’s lifeless face. Ervyn watched as the king swept past his shocked daughter.

A few moments went by. The princess cried silently in her chair by the door. When she ceased to shake with sobs, Ervyn moved to stand by her.

“Princess? Princess Lynna, it is late; you must leave.”

She blinked, looked up into Ervyn’s face, then at his slim hand resting on her shoulder. Drawing away instantly, Ervyn remarked, “I am sorry about your brother. It is sad for you. I wish I could have helped more.”

“It’s alright; you did your best. I’m-” Lynna sighed. She gave a last sad and hopeless look at the figure on the bed before slipping in the hallway.

Ervyn turned towards the bed. He whispered a blessing in soothing Elvish, and extinguished the candle on the bed-stand.

A bit of moonlight leaked through the clouds and shone through the tiny glass window of the infirmary, landing on the white sheet. Tales of ghosts surfaced in Ervyn’s head. He shivered and left the cold death chamber.

He bumped into something warm in the dark hallway. “Ahh!” He yelled, jumping back.

“I’m so sorry,” a high voice whispered. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. I did not want to walk to my chambers alone and so I waited for you. Please don’t be angry.”

Ervyn could barely see the outline of the princess’s pale face. “I’m not angry. I was not expecting you. That is all. Why are there no lights?”

“We believe when a man dies, the living should not distract his soul with lights so he will rise straight into the heavens and stars.” Princess Lynna explained calmly.

“I understand now. I have never dealt with death before. But come,” he said, changing the subject, “where are your rooms, highness? It is too late. You must sleep. Today was a difficult day.”

“I’ll lead you.” She took his arm. “Please, don’t be formal with me. I couldn’t bear it. Especially tonight and after all you’ve done for us.”

Ervyn frowned in the darkness as they walked through the hallways. Each silent as the night.

They passed a dizzying amount of locked doors and hallways in the blind night before reaching Lynna’s chambers. “Thank you for accompanying me. I am sure you must be weary.”

Ervyn suppressed a yawn. “It is my pleasure. Is there nothing more I can do for you?”

“Not now. Thank you, Ervyn.” She smiled serenely in the bright moonlight spilling through her half opened door. Her black hair dissolved into the blackness like the never-ending darkness between stars. Her tired glinting eyes captured Ervyn’s. He gaped, taken back by her stunning beauty.

“Despite my brother’s faults and cruelties inherited from our father, I loved him dearly. But- I suppose it is for the best.” Lynna sighed and backed into her room.

Ervyn tried to detain her. “Highness… Lynna,” she paused in the doorway, “I am truly sorry. Please, if you need something, come to me. I want so badly to help.”

“Yes, of course. Thank you.”

“Sleep well.”

“Goodnight.” Lynna whispered shutting the door and cutting off the light, leaving a very thoughtful Ervyn to retreat down the black hallway alone.

Part 1; Chapter 1

“Explain yourself immediately, Lynna." The gruff voiced snapped, all other conversation ceased in an instant. "Trade meetings are strictly forbidden to women. What are you doing here? ”

“Father, Megalem is hurt. I am afraid…” Tears welled up in the young woman’s eyes. Brushing them aside, she took a deep breath and continued. “I am afraid his fall may have been fatal.”

Hardly noticeable, King Cestan blanched beneath his scruffy red beard. He recovered instantly.

“What happened?!”

“He was thrown from his horse, my lord.”

“You have fetched him help?”

“Yes, I immediately rode to the commons and ordered the servants there to fetch Megalem. Then, I came to inform you myself.”

“You did well.” Turning to the two dozen staring eyes, Cestan told them “This meeting is temporarily postponed until further notice. You are dismissed.”

King Cestan stalked out of the dim council chamber followed by the trade representatives. All respectfully lowered their eyes as they passed the king’s daughter, except the last to leave. An Elf.

Kind, grey eyes searched Lynna’s face as he stood tall before her.

The Elf spoke first, slowly, choppy and with a soft, lisping accent. “My name is Ervyn. I am sorry to hear of this accident. I have been trained somewhat in medicine. I offer my services to your brother.”

“Thank you, sir. I only hope…” Biting her lip, Lynna looked away and tried to blink away the salty tears slipping down her flushed cheek.

A slim hand rested on her shoulder for an instant. Strength and comfort seemed to radiate from the Elf’s touch. “I will do all I am able to help him. You have my word, highness.”

Lynna sighed and nodded her thanks. The hand slid away; the door opened and closed once again. The princess slid against the wall to the blackened wood floor, unable to stand any longer. Finally, she allowed herself to cry.

Late that night in the infirmary, the Elf, called Ervyn, assembled the remainder of the royal family. Without Megalem, there was only the king and his daughter.

Ervyn spoke quietly. “Megalem is unconscious now, he may wake again. I am afraid to say that my efforts to heal him have done nothing, except perhaps save him some pain. I do not feel the end is far off.”

They had dreaded such news all day. The color drained from Lynna’s face. King Cestan frowned and placed an awkward hand on his daughter’s shoulder.

Ervyn sighed. After offering the simple wood backed chair to the family, the only furniture in the room besides the bed and a small table for a candle, he sat and kept vigil. The prince remained unconcious. His face, gruesomly pale in the candle-light twitched as the blood soaked bandage ceased to hide the growing bruise along his temple. Ervyn's eyes fixed to the dying visage. Around him, the world seemed empty. Still. Silent.

As if the whole village held its breath for its prince.

Something changed. Easing himself off the chair, Ervyn moved to the bedside. An early morning chill had settled into the room; the stone floor scraped loudly beneath his boots in the silence. In the corner, the princess had fallen asleep on a extra chair brought in after midnight. Her black hair sheilded her face as she slept fitfully. The king had dissapeared some ten minutes earlier.

Ervyn stooped over the prince. Megalem remained pale, but he lay too still. The expression too fixed.

Placing a hand above Megalem’s mouth, Ervyn felt for a breath. There was none. Ervyn placed a hand upon the forehead. It was cool and dry to the touch. The Prince Megalem, heir to the throne of Humans, was dead.