Elnauhir turned to them with a smile. “Everyone, come and meet our guest. Her name is Makilien. She is from the village of Reylaun and has traveled here with Halandor and Torick.” He turned back to Makilien. “Makilien, this is my wife, Lorelyn, my son, Elandir, and my daughter, Vonawyn.”
They each greeted and warmly welcomed Makilien to Elimar. Though she felt a little shy, their kind welcome made her feel right at home.
After the greetings, Elnauhir asked Halandor, “Have you had anything for lunch?”
“We had some jents from our packs along the way.”
“I’ll have a proper meal prepared for you, and you can eat once everyone’s settled in.” Elnauhir turned to his daughter. “Vonawyn, will you show Makilien to a room and see to her needs?”
“Yes, Father.” Turning to Makilien, the Elf smiled sweetly. “Come with me.”
Makilien followed her out of the living room and through the halls. Along the way, she stared in awe. It seemed right when she thought she couldn’t see anything more beautiful, she did.
Vonawyn glanced over her shoulder, curiosity in her hazel eyes. “There aren’t any houses like this in Reylaun, are there?”
“No,” Makilien answered. “I’ll probably get lost here.”
Vonawyn laughed lightly. “You wouldn’t be the first, but don’t worry, I will show you around.”
“Thank you.”
Soon, the two of them arrived in a most beautiful room, which was more than four times the size of Makilien’s bedroom at home.
“This will be your room,” Vonawyn informed her.
“All this for me?” Makilien asked in amazement.
Vonawyn smiled and gave her a nod. “Now, since you traveled so far, would you like a bath to wash up?”
“That would be very nice. Thank you.”
“I’ll have someone bring a tub and some water, and I’ll get you some fresh clothes to change into once you’re finished.”
When Vonawyn left her alone, Makilien walked into the middle of the room and turned slowly in a circle to take it all in. She hadn’t known such luxury existed. She stopped at the foot of the large bed. How good it was going to feel not to sleep on the ground that night!
Vonawyn returned with several other Elf women—some carrying a tub and others carrying water.
“Halandor told me about your arm,” Vonawyn she said to Makilien. “When you’re finished with your bath, I’ll bandage your wounds with fresh bandages.”
“All right.” Having thought of Antiro just before Vonawyn walked in, Makilien went on to ask, “What about our horses? Torick and I left them tied up.”
“They are being looked after,” Vonawyn assured her. “My brothers will see that they are comfortable too.”
After several trips, the Elves finished filling the tub with steaming water and some fragrant oils that filled the whole room with a flowery scent.
“I will be back in a little while to see if you’re done,” Vonawyn said. “Then I’ll bandage your arm and show you to the dining room.”
After she had left, Makilien got into the bath. Only now did she realize how dirty she and her clothes had become over the last several days of travel. The bath was just as heavenly as she had anticipated it to be, and at first, she simply sat and enjoyed it as the scent of the oils drifted around her with the steam. Finally, she picked up a bar of soap to wash.
Some time later, Makilien left the tub and put on a dress Vonawyn had left for her. She was amazed by how comfortable it was. The bodice and skirt were made of a light blue satin, and the flowing sleeves and sash were white. Makilien had never seen a dress made of such material.
Just as she finished tying the sash, a light knock sounded at her door, and she went to open it. Vonawyn stood on the other side with a pleasant smile. Makilien opened the door wider, and the Elf walked in with a handful of medical supplies. As she took a seat in a chair, Makilien pulled up her sleeve. By now, the wounds were healing nicely, and soon she wouldn’t need a bandage at all. Vonawyn applied an ointment to the still visible bite marks and bandaged Makilien’s arm lightly.
“Are you hungry?” Vonawyn asked as she was finishing.
“Yes, I am.” Though the jents had been filling, traveling had increased her appetite.
“Good. The food is ready and everyone was just starting to gather in the dining room.”
Makilien stood and followed. On the way to the dining room, Vonawyn pointed out different rooms, and Makilien tried to remember them, but she knew it would take more than one time to remember all of them.
Shortly, they came to the dining room with one long table sitting in its middle, which could easily accommodate many people. The room itself was large enough for a few more such tables. Places had been set for the travelers, and Elandir and Elmorhirian occupied two of them, sitting across from Halandor and Loron. Vonawyn frowned at her brothers as she and Makilien came to the table.
“What are you two doing? We’ve already had lunch.”
“That was a whole two hours ago,” Elmorhirian said dramatically.
Vonawyn shook her head and said to Makilien, “Trust my brothers to eat whenever food is present.”
Everyone chuckled, and Makilien took a seat next to Halandor while Vonawyn sat down next to Elmorhirian.
“And just what are you doing here, little sister?” Elmorhirian asked Vonawyn, raising his chin and narrowing his eyes.
“Someone has to keep an eye on you and make sure you behave.”
Makilien laughed at the comment as well as Elmorhirian’s sour expression.
A few moments later, Torick joined them, all cleaned up and in fresh clothes as well. Elmorhirian looked at him and opened his mouth wide. “Look, Elandir, he’s clean!”
Torick gave him a mock smile. “I know, shocking isn’t it?” He sat down across from Makilien and looked at her seriously. “If there’s one thing you should know about Elves, particularly these two, it’s that they have a wicked sense of humor,” he warned. “I’d watch them closely.”
“Ah, come on, Torick, you don’t have to make her wary of us,” Elandir complained. “We’re nice to guests, especially such lovely ones.”
“And they are flatterers,” Torick quickly added.
“Don’t listen to the old man,” Elmorhirian chimed in.
Torick scoffed. “Old man? I’m hardly more than half your age, you overgrown Elfling.”
“That’s true,” Elandir admitted, but he flashed a grin. “Compared to us, Torick, you’re practically a child.”
Torick rolled his eyes, and Makilien giggled. “Why don’t you two just hush for once? Honestly, I’m beginning to think you’re the ones to blame for giving Elves such a bad reputation in the stories told outside of Eldor.”
“Now, Torick, you can’t possibly pin that on us,” Elmorhirian pouted. “We can’t take all the credit.”
By now, Makilien was laughing so hard she could hardly take a decent breath. She wondered if life in Elimar was this interesting every day.
Elandir turned his gaze to her. “Seriously, we’re not as bad as Torick makes us out to be. We just like to have a little fun with him sometimes. You might not know it now, but trust me—Torick’s sense of humor is just as wicked as ours.”
This time, Torick smiled genuinely, and Makilien knew Elandir must be telling the truth.
“Yes, you should hear some of the stuff he’s pulled on us!” Elmorhirian was quick to add.
Makilien’s eyes turned to Torick who shrugged. “What can I say? Someone’s got to teach you two a lesson sometimes.”
Everyone laughed again. Makilien had never had so much fun. She wished so much her family and Aedan were here with her. Aedan and Leiya would have especially loved it.
In just a few minutes, Elves brought food to the table. Makilien’s stomach growled as soon as the aroma reached her nose. She couldn’t wait to fill her plate and begin eating the food, which was sure to be delicious.
Elnauhir and Lorelyn also j
oined them at the table. As soon as the hungry travelers were served, they began telling of their journey. Makilien told them much about life in Reylaun and recounted the events leading up to her escape. Torick told of his escape from the Shaikes, and they all helped tell the story of rescuing Antiro and being attacked by the mountain wolves. It certainly had been an eventful time.
Once everything had been gone over thoroughly, Makilien chose a moment to pose a question she’d been pondering since Elandir and Elmorhirian had been joking with Torick.
“So, is it true then that Elves live forever?”
Elnauhir looked at her with a smile and shook his head. “No, that is one of the uncountable myths about Elves, but it is understandable. We Elves do live longer than Humans.”
“How long?” Makilien wished to know.
“Around two-hundred years, twice as long as a Human,” Elnauhir told her. “Another contribution to the myth is that Elves don’t age quite the same way as Humans. We don’t necessarily look very old when we die.”
Makilien could hardly imagine what it would be like to live so long. She looked at Vonawyn. “How old are you?”
“This year I will be seventy-two.”
Makilien tried not to look so stunned, but Vonawyn only smiled at her. “I know, if you have not grown up around Elves, it is a little strange and shocking.”
“Yes, just think, we were around when little cousin Halandor was born,” Elmorhirian threw in. “Vonawyn used to change his diapers!”
This remark sent everyone into waves of laughter, particularly the two Elf brothers. Once Makilien had regained her composure, she looked at Halandor questioningly.
“Cousin?”
Halandor nodded in confirmation. “Yes, it is true. I am their younger cousin.”
“But how? You’re not an Elf.”
“My mother was. I am Half-Elf.”
Makilien was shocked by this sudden discovery. “Really?”
Halandor nodded again.
“Do you have any Elven abilities?” Makilien asked.
“In some ways. My senses are a little more acute, but not nearly as much as an Elf’s.”
“Will you live longer?”
“Yes, but not as long as an Elf.”
“Do you mind me asking how old you are now?”
“Fifty-eight,” Halandor answered with a smile. “Actually, Torick and I are the same age.”
Makilien looked between the two of them, amazed by the difference in appearance. She marveled over all the things she was discovering about life and beings outside of Reylaun.
Immediately after their meal, Makilien was given a grand tour of Elimar by Vonawyn and her brothers. They began inside the house and eventually made their way outside to tour the city. Makilien enjoyed every moment spent with the three Elf siblings. They had countless stories to tell, which made her laugh so hard at times her stomach hurt. How she loved it here already. It was such a stark contrast from the village she’d grown up in.
The tour lasted throughout the afternoon. Even though the Elven city wasn’t really that large, there was so much to see. Many times Makilien felt the urge to get her sketchbook and draw what she saw. It was something she determined to do sometime during their stay.
When finally they returned to Lord Elnauhir’s house, they received word that supper was about to be served. Elandir and Elmorhirian literally raced off to the dining room, pushing each other along the way as if the last one there wouldn’t get as much to eat. Makilien and Vonawyn followed more slowly, chuckling at the antics of her brothers.
Once again in the dining room, Makilien sat down happily with her new friends and watched in delight as the food was brought to the table. This meal was much bigger than the one they’d enjoyed earlier. It was practically a feast. I suppose with Elandir and Elmorhirian this much food is necessary, Makilien thought, grinning to herself.
After everyone had filled their plates, Makilien heard Elnauhir mention prayer and everyone around the table bowed their heads. Makilien slowly did the same, still feeling awkward with the unfamiliar practice though her traveling companions had always prayed before meals.
“Elohim, our Creator and Lord,” Elnauhir began with deep sincerity and reverence. “Thank You for this time we are able to share in each other’s company and enjoy the food and comfort You have so generously provided for us. We thank You also for our guest, Makilien, and the opportunity for us to share our home and time with her. We ask that You guide and protect her and each one of us in this uncertain time in which we are besieged by our enemy. Help us to always be looking toward You for strength and guidance. Amen.”
Amen was repeated around the table and everyone happily began the meal. However, Makilien was quiet at first. She’d never heard anyone pray for her before, unaware that Halandor and Torick had been doing it for days. It was nice to hear herself mentioned in a prayer, but, still uncertain of where she stood on the subject of Elohim, Makilien was also a bit uncomfortable. The discomfort did not last long though. She enjoyed being with everyone too much to let it affect her happiness.
Chapter Ten
Messenger
“Don’t forget to keep your heels down,” Vonawyn instructed.
Makilien made a few adjustments as Antiro cantered around the corral. She thoroughly enjoyed learning the basics of riding. It was now their third full day in Elimar and Makilien’s third such riding lesson.
“Good, now bring him toward the center and change directions,” Vonawyn said from the middle of the corral.
Makilien followed her instructions, Antiro smoothly obeying every command. She was already quite comfortable cantering in wide circles around the enclosure. She’d come a long way from the day before when she’d fallen off the first time she had tried.
A couple successful laps later, Makilien slowed Antiro to a trot and then a walk. She’d only lost her balance once during the exercise, and she was pleased. Now she halted Antiro at the fence where Halandor had joined Vonawyn. He smiled proudly at her.
“Your skills are improving. I haven’t seen many take to a horse as quickly as you have.”
Makilien’s face radiated with excitement and pleasure. “I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed myself as much as I have the last couple of days.”
Vonawyn walked up and laid her hand on Antiro’s neck as she looked at Makilien. “Do you want to keep riding or stop for the day?”
Makilien would have loved to go on riding for the rest of the afternoon, but, until she’d started her lessons, she’d never realized how much energy it took to ride and by now she was tired and sore.
“I guess we’ll call it quits for today,” Makilien said reluctantly.
She dismounted and led Antiro toward the stable. Vonawyn and Halandor followed and lent a hand in removing Antiro’s tack and brushing his sweaty coat.
On their way back to Elnauhir’s house after the horse had been let out to graze, Makilien, Halandor, and Vonawyn were interrupted from their conversation by a sudden loud screech. At first, it sounded like an eagle, but Makilien realized it was deeper, almost a roar, yet still birdlike.
“What was that?” she asked, looking between her companions in alarm.
Vonawyn grinned. “It’s Arphen.”
“Who?”
“He’s a messenger.”
“But then what is he?” Makilien couldn’t imagine what had made the strange and rather frightening sound.
“He’s another of the creatures you’ve probably heard about in stories,” Vonawyn answered. “You’ll get to meet him as soon as we reach the house.”
Makilien was filled with curiosity but also a bit apprehensive. Whatever had made that noise sounded quite big.
They increased their pace. Along the way, Halandor said, “If Arphen is here from Minarald, he must have news from Lord Darand.”
Vonawyn agreed.
When they came around the corner of Lord Elnauhir’s house, Makilien stopped abruptly. There, in the midst of her group of frie
nds, stood a most amazing creature. It had the body of a dark coated lion, but its head was that of an eagle. On the sides of its head, however, were feathered, but catlike ears and stretching out from its shoulders were huge wings like those of a giant eagle.
“What is he?” Makilien asked in awe.
“A griffon,” Halandor answered, enjoying her reaction.
“A griffon,” Makilien murmured to herself. She had indeed heard of them in stories, but they’d never been described as the stunning and majestic creature that stood before her.
His keen eyes picked her out immediately. “Well now, who is this?” Arphen spoke from his beaked mouth in a clear and most friendly voice.
Makilien gasped. “You can speak!”
The corners of the griffon’s mouth turned up in a smile.
“Indeed, I can,” Arphen replied in amusement.
“Arphen, this is Makilien,” Halandor made introductions, explaining how she had come to be here.
“My dear, it is an honor to have you among us,” Arphen said to Makilien, dipping his head politely.
Despite feeling a little intimidated, Makilien smiled. She liked him very much already. “And I cannot tell you what an honor it is for me to meet such an amazing creature as you.”
Arphen’s smile grew larger. “Good, then we shall be friends.”
Makilien nodded eagerly.
Once their introduction had concluded, Elnauhir spoke to Halandor.
“Arphen has news from Lord Darand.”
“Ah, yes, the news,” Arphen said, getting back to the business at hand. “Two days ago, a man arrived in Minarald claiming to be a captain under the command of Zirtan. He swears he has turned against Zirtan and wishes to assist us.”
“Does he have information concerning Zirtan and his plans?” Elnauhir questioned.
“Some, yes. He told Lord Darand that Zirtan’s army is not as large as we believe it to be. He insists Zirtan only wants us to think we are vastly outnumbered, but we really stand a good chance of victory, even without assistance from Beldon.”
Halandor looked thoughtfully at him. “Does Lord Darand trust what he says?”