Chapter 3 - In the Court of the King
Chapter 3 - In the Court of the King
King Farfar was taller than any other elf in his kingdom, though old age had doubled his frame over in time. His once blond hair had now mostly gone to white but would still shine gold if the light hit it just right. He kept it shorter than most of his subjects but managed to grow a fine beard when the mood suited him. He was well known and beloved for his bushy mustache, which grew down past his beard and drooped at the ends. While at court he dressed the same as many of the elven nobles in large robes with oversized sleeves. His royal robes were emblazoned with a golden stag across the back and woven to look like the forest canopy.
He took his tea in his chambers most days. It began as an excuse to escape the noise and stress of the court while it was in session, but quickly formed into a habit as the old man aged. Now every afternoon he retreated up into the boughs of his arboreal palace and reflected on the morning’s proceedings. King Farfar stood there now, looking out through one of the tall crystalline windows as an advisor recounted news from around the kingdom.
“Another sea giant was seen passing through the outskirts of the forest, your Majesty. That makes a total of six in half as many months. If Jotunheim is planning to strike out against us they are forming up quite an army,” the short, pixie-like advisor reported. He was dressed in much the same fashion as the king, though his robes were of a simple green with little embroidery work. The advisor’s ears were much shorter than the King’s, though the large round eyeglasses he wore dwarfed all other aspects of his face.
“Come now, Juniper. If the giants meant for a war, they wouldn’t bother with skirting around our lands to travel to Jotunheim,” the old king said with a scoff, not bothering to turn away from the window.
“It could be a ruse, your Majesty,” the advisor offered.
The king turned to look at his advisor, one large bushy eyebrow raised in disbelief. “Juniper, have you ever met a giant? Subtlety is not one of their natural talents.” He held out an empty glazed earthenware teacup. Juniper lifted the iron forged tea pot from where it sat on a nearby table and refilled his King’s cup. The King blew on the steaming green liquid and turned his attention back to the world outside the large crystal window. “What of reports of Troll activity? Mara seemed rather concerned when last she gave her report.”
“Yes, our dear First Ranger seemed very concerned. I’ve little more to substantiate the rumors though. It’s mostly just frightened woodland creatures,” Juniper said with only a hint of resentment. The Lord Steward felt his time was better spent looking into real threats rather than imaginary ones. “Our wardens have not reported anything out of the usual. The occasional raiding party will skirmish along the border but our warriors have easily turned them away every time. Lord Vakt assures me they are of no concern.”
“Do you know the difference between a raiding party and a scouting party?”
“My Lord?”
“How quickly they turn and run, Juniper. Let us hope First Warden Vakt can spot the difference between the two.” Something far down below caught Farfar’s eye. “And what news do you have of the Prince being spotted once more in the forest?” he said, sipping on his tea.
Juniper shuffled through the papers he carried in a polished wooden binder awkwardly, seeking an answer he knew full well wasn’t there. “Er, no, your Majesty. I’m afraid no one has seen the Prince since the Queen spirited him away.”
King Farfar sighed and finished his cup of tea. “Come along then, Juniper. It’s time we returned to the council chambers. I expect we will have guests awaiting us with news.” He returned the cup to its designated spot alongside the teapot and reached for the gnarled ash root which served as his cane. The Lords and Ministers had attempted on several occasions to offer King Farfar something more becoming an elf of his stature, but the old man always insisted on the polished gnarled bit of ash. Farfar always reassured them that the cane was only temporary and there was no need to fuss with something more ornamental. Juniper gathered up his paperwork and followed behind the King. The two of them made their way through the heavy wooden doors and down the long corridor that would take them from the King’s private chambers down the stairs and back towards the throne room.
Eliza rode behind Mara as they approached the towering wooden gates of the elves’ capitol city just as the lowering sun cast a golden light over the forest. The walls were comprised of the same tall trees as the one the hedgehogs lived under, but these were grown together so tightly there didn’t appear to be any space between their trunks. In fact, Eliza had trouble telling where one of the trees ended and the next began. They passed underneath a woven arch grown naturally from the boughs of several trees along with a few other travelers entering the elven city, some on foot and others aboard wagons pulled by several different beasts of burden.
“Did your people build these?” Eliza asked, leaning sideways in the saddle trying to feel the wall-trees. They had slowed considerably as they drew up to the elven gate and Mara now rode Poro alongside Eliza and her reindeer.
Mara pulled Eliza back into the saddle by the collar of her jacket. “No, we grew it,” she said matter-of-factly. “Stay close to me, Eliza. Elves are generally a friendly people, but they are naturally suspicious of outsiders. Even more so with recent events. Let me do the talking until we get before the King. Then you can tell him your story and we can get help escorting you home again. King Farfar is a kind and just ruler, he’ll know exactly what it is we need to do.”
“OK.” Eliza noticed how Mara seemed to smile when talking about the king which put the girl at ease. She looked about and marveled as they made their way up the wide main thoroughfare of the capital. The street they rode the reindeer down was paved with large, perfectly flat stones. It appeared as if it was the primary artery of the city, going in nearly a straight line towards the city center where largest tree Eliza had ever seen sprouted up towards the sun. The wide street was lined by vendors selling everything from books of pressed wildflowers to boysenberry pies. The stalls were only broken up by the occasional side street, usually equally lined with merchants. Everywhere Eliza looked she saw elves and animals and other creatures of every size, shape, and color walking about with baskets and bags filled. It reminded her of a fairytale picture book she had loved as a young girl and made her smile. The buildings that sat behind the stalls were created out of trees that sprouted in between rocks and boulders that lined the street. The way each tree grew gave each building a unique shape. It was as if the city itself formed and grew long before anyone actually lived here.
Mara must have noticed the girl’s eyes wide like saucers. “We call the city Gryning in our own tongue,” the warrior maiden said. “Though most folks nowadays just refer to the city as Alfheim. It’s said that when the first elves awoke in the forest, the trees themselves grew to give them shelter from the outside world.”
Eliza continued staring at the buildings as the reindeer picked their way through the crowded streets. One would have half its front made of a boulder leaning against a tree as wide as the lighthouse, the next seemed to be completely carved out of a giant puffball mushroom! Everywhere she looked people were living inside, around, and on top of plants that could only be described as magical. What thrilled Eliza the most, though, was how much life there was in the city. The buildings of Alfheim were alive and still growing. All around her were shades of green and gold and grey as leaf and wood and stone joined together to form the city.
“Your city is amazing, Miss Mara!” Eliza finally managed to squeak out as they were halfway up the small slope that rose towards the heart of the city.
For the first time all afternoon, Mara laughed. “Yes, I suppose it is. You get used to its wonder though when you grow up here. If you think the lower levels are this impressive, wait until we get up to the Palace.” Mara nodded her head towards the towering tree that rose up before them and blocked out the sun, basking the entire city in a sort of radiant twilight. “You can call me Mara by the way, Eliza. The formalities are not necessary and I’m not your superior, nor do I have any jurisdiction over you. So, Mara will do.”
Eliza looked over at the elf woman. This morning she had looked very intense and somewhat frightening, but after a full day of riding and talking the girl could see that was just the soldier part of Mara. She really wasn’t so bad, maybe even nice! And she really liked food...
Mara had eaten her spare biscuit not an hour after they had set out from the Hedgehogs’. By noon, her stomach was rumbling loud enough that Eliza could hear it over the sounds of the forest. As the sun hung right above them in the sky, Mara had steered them off of the road a little ways towards a wide but rather shallow river.
“The reindeer need to take a break,” the elf woman had said as she dismounted and took her short spear from its straps alongside the saddle. Poro looked at her with knowing eyes, but didn’t seem to mind a little snack himself and was soon wandering down the riverbank, munching at weeds. Eliza followed suit and allowed her deer to chase after Poro as Mara waded out into the water, spear held aloft. It wasn’t long before they had a fire going and were roasting fish for lunch. Mara surprised Eliza when, from one of the larger saddle bags that hung from Poro’s side, the elf woman produced a very ornate and very well stocked supply of spices. “Never know when you’ll need that little something extra when you’re out in the wild,” she had said with a wink. “Also, most of these have some medicinal purposes, so it’s not like they’re just for cooking.” Mara had sounded somewhat defensive about her spices.
“Eliza? Eliza, we’re here,” Mara said, trying to get the girl’s attention. Eliza realized she’d been daydreaming. They had ridden all the way to the base of the colossal tree. The palace courtyard was ornately decorated like a fairytale garden. Wild flowers and sprouting vines painted every surface with color, bathing the air with subtle fragrances. Along the walls stood formidable looking guards with tall shields and shining metal armor. They looked very much out of place amongst the natural beauty of the garden. A short clerk hurried down the long steps from the base of the tree and spoke quickly with Mara before turning on his heels and running back up the stairs. “We’d better hurry,” Mara said. “Sounds like they’re expecting us.”
Mara and Eliza were quickly admitted into the throne room of King Farfar. It was the job of the Rangers to constantly patrol the forest, looking for threats and helping all people within the elven kingdom. They very seldom arrived at court, and when they did it was almost always for very important reasons. Palace guards swiftly confirmed Mara’s identity and ushered the First Ranger and Eliza in to see the king.
The throne room of King Farfar was like a greenhouse. The carpet was the softest, greenest moss, and the floor seemed to be crafted all from a single piece of wood, naturally smooth and shining like polished stone. All along the walls bright beautiful flowers like orchids hung in little alcoves. A few of these had large round pods hanging below them that gave off a bright and organic light. They reminded Eliza of giant firefly thoraxes hanging off the wall.
“My King,” Mara said as she saluted King Farfar before dropping to one knee in a bow. Eliza followed the First Ranger’s example, but did not attempt the elf’s salute. King Farfar coughed and motioned for the two of them to rise with the wave of his hand.
“Yes, yes First Ranger. Please, tell me, what news do you bring us? Who is this guest of yours that you’ve brought to court?” The old king spoke formally from atop his throned dais. His voice echoed throughout the hall with authority, before cracking a wry smile. “Skip all the rubbish and frivolities dear Mara, and get to the answers.” The king chuckled to himself, his tone suddenly familiar and friendly.
“At once your majesty,” Mara said with a warm smile. She placed her hand on the back of Eliza’s shoulder and nudged the confused girl forward towards the throne. “This is Eliza, King Farfar. She was found by the Hedgehogs last night in the storm. It would appear she is lost and would like to find her way back home.”
The old King stroked his beard and leaned forward to get a closer look at Eliza. “Yes? That seems like a good idea. Where is it that you call home, child?”
“The lighthouse,” Eliza said, before quickly adding, “Your Majesty.”
“The lighthouse? But that’s...” The King’s gaze wandered from Eliza up towards the great crystalline windows that lined the exterior wall of the long throne room. Outside the sun was nearly set, bathing everything in a red-golden fiery light. The King’s great white beard looked for a moment to return to the spun gold color that it shone when he was a much younger man.
“My Lord?” Juniper finally said from his place beside the throne.
“Yes, so, you are from the lighthouse?” King Farfar continued, snapping back to the here and now. “That would make you a human. Are you not a human then, Eliza?”
“Yes, your highness. I’m staying there with my Mama and Grandpa. Will you be able to help me get back home? I would have been in serious trouble last night if not for the help of the Prince.” From all throughout the throne room there came an audible gasp as everyone present sucked in air at the same time. It was followed by a cacophony of whispers. The Lord Steward had to have the guards stamp their spears on the hard floor to quiet everyone down.
Mara stepped in front of Eliza and addressed the King quickly. “The girl is mistaken!”
“No I’m not, that’s what Mrs. Daisy called-” Before Eliza could continue Mara had covered her mouth with her hand. She smiled wide, knowing that in her haste to quiet Eliza, Mara had made it look as if she was trying to cover something up.
“What Eliza is trying to say is that there seems to be a white stag in the forest helping out some of the more rural subjects along the edge of the Hinterlands. The people there have begun calling the stag “The Prince.” I think it gives them hope, but it’s just superstition, your Majesty. It has all been in my reports, sir.”
The King turned to look at Juniper. “Has it then?” He gave the Lord Steward a hard look, stroking his beard. Juniper shrunk behind his pile of paperwork, clearly avoiding the King’s gaze. “Well then, let us look at the matter at hand,” he said turning back towards Eliza. His face changed back to the friendly grandfatherly expression. “I’m afraid there is only one person who can help you get back home, Eliza, and he unfortunately no longer lives here. My son, the Prince, has his mother’s gift for magic that no one else in my kingdom possesses. He would be able to find the path you walked into my forest from and help guide you back to your world.”
“Where did he move to?” Eliza asked curiously. “If you’re his father you should know where he is, right?”
“I do,” The king said sadly. “He was taken from us by a terrible sorceress. Kidnapped during his own birthday celebration and taken to the Kingdom of the Giants, Jotunheim. He has not been returned to us, and we dare not go to war to free him for fear of what they might do to their hostage. And so, we sit, and we wait, and we hope one day he will come home.”
“Why don’t you just send someone to go and fetch him?” Eliza asked, not understanding the situation.
“Well, it’s not that simple, as few things are. The Sorceress Queen of the Giants is a very powerful seior who hates the elves. If one of my people were to travel the long road to her palace, she would most likely strike them dead with one of her spells. If the giants would come to us, maybe we could parley. But we haven’t heard a word from them since they took the Prince those many years ago.”
Eliza did not like the idea of some evil witch holding anyone hostage, especially a prince. Children shouldn’t be forced to leave their families. The thought of this sorceress holding the Prince hostage just because she hated the elves made Eliza angry. She hated bullies and this Queen sounded like the worst kind of bully. Instinctively, her fingers felt the runes carved into her slingshot.
“What if...” Eliza had just the seed of an idea beginning to sprout in her. “Well, if elves won’t go to the giants, and the giants won’t come to the elves, how is the Prince going to know to come home?” The entire court stared at the young girl, but Eliza didn’t care or really seem to notice. She was busy trying to puzzle out an answer to this riddle. There was no other way she was getting home otherwise. “Couldn’t someone go to the giants for the elves? I could do that; if you point me in the right direction. Do you have a good map I could borrow?” she said looking up at the King. “Sir,” she quickly added, not wanting to be rude.
The King smiled down at Eliza, but Juniper let out a Hrumpf! “Sire, we can not send a child on so important a diplomatic mission.”
“No? Does that mean you’ll volunteer then, Juniper?” King Farfar said, turning to his advisor.
“Well, I am merely trying to point out the fact that-”
“The fact remains that we cannot send an elf to the giants, and the giants refuse to send an emissary to the elves.” Eliza thought the King sounded tired as he chided his advisor. It seemed as though he had made this same argument many times before. “But, if a human were to go to the giants and speak on behalf of the elves, well, perhaps she can beseech what humanity is left in the wicked Queen’s heart,” he said bitterly.
Mara looked at Eliza and then back up to the King. “Sire, you aren’t going to send a child across the kingdom alone and unescorted? It will take her at least a week to reach Skymning.”
“Do not worry Mara, I’ve no intention of sending Eliza there alone. We only need find someone-”
“I’ll go!” Mara interrupted, stepping forward to volunteer. “I’ll escort the girl into Skymning. We’ll find the Prince and return him back home safely.” There was an audible gasp from the court and King’s complexion paled. Eliza noticed that even Juniper looked as if he would leap behind the throne at any moment.
“I forbid it! We can not risk the First Ranger falling into the hands of the giants. If they were to capture you we would all be in peril,” King Farfar said, alarmed. The force of his outburst caused him to break into a spasm of coughs. As the fit passed, he leaned back into the large wooden throne. “But I will not send out the girl by herself. You will escort her to the Greenwall. Once there, you will hand her off to the Wardens who will take Eliza to Jotunheim. The Rangers watch the forest, the Wardens watch what lies beyond. That is the law of our land and it is that way for a reason. It has nothing to do with my belief in your abilities Mara, it has everything to do with our traditions. Lord Vakt’s men will bring our Prince home, of that I am sure.”
Mara’s body twitched for a moment, as if to protest, but she saluted and bowed to the old King. “Yes, my Liege. I serve, and obey.” The Ranger was taught and rigid, as if she were fighting against herself with every fiber in her body.
“I wish the both of you goodspeed and better luck on your journey. Keep your head up, girl. Your journey will be rough but rewarding.” The King sounded very faint and tired, as if he’d spent the last of his energy commanding Mara not to leave the forest.
“Thank you, your majesty,” Eliza said, doing her best mimic Mara’s motions. The tall elf woman rose and walked away towards the entrance of the hall. Eliza decided it was best to follow. As they left she could hear Juniper dismissing the court for the day saying that the King needed to rest.
When they were out of the hall, Mara punched the living wall hard, knocking loose a mushroom. The fungus crashed to the floor beside Eliza as she hurried to catch up to the elf who kept walking swiftly through the Palace. She didn’t stop until they were both out of the Palace walls and a few feet further down the street. Mara quickly turned down the first seemingly empty alley she spotted, and Eliza followed. The warrior woman looked absolutely furious as she paced up and down the narrow alleyway, her fists clenched tighter than steel traps. She kicked the various debris that littered the dirt ground, sending them sailing into the far walls.
“Um, Mara? Is something the matter?” Eliza asked gingerly, not wanting to turn the woman’s ire on her. Mara turned to look at the girl, fists clenched. She let out a primal howl in frustration and leaned back against the wood and stone wall.
“I wanted to be the one to go to Jotunheim. It was my fault he... Well, I just have unfinished business with the giants and thought I’d finally get to see them. Face to face, tell her what I really think for once.”
“Her?” Eliza walked over and sat adjacent Mara.
“Her, he, she, it, whatever! The whole lot of them,” she said, picking up a twig from the ground and snapping it into smaller and smaller pieces as she talked. “They hurt a lot of people when the Prince left. I don’t think they even realize that. I just, I want to be the one who tells them that. I want to see the looks on their faces, see if there’s even a hint of remorse there...”
They sat in the alleyway in silence, Eliza wanting to give Mara time to cool down and Mara wanting to get her thoughts sorted out before returning to the Palace. Eventually though, the elf woman stood up and held out a hand for Eliza. “Come on then, no use moping out here in an alley. I’ll figure something out. Either way, you’ll get to go home at the end of all of this, right?”
Eliza smiled and grabbed Mara’s hand. She easily pulled the girl to her feet. “Let’s go, even out here I can smell the cooks are nearly finished with supper. If we sneak in through the scullery door I bet they’ll let us taste test tonight’s meal,” Mara said with a wink. The two of them headed back towards the palace but took a side door hidden by a low wall instead of marching through the main walkway again.