‘Hmm, maybe – but, I’ll have to worry about that later, right now I’m trying to find an entire population of elves. I think it’s time for me to unfurl my wings and take to the air again, so I know where I am: we’re not in the royal city, that’s for sure’ I answered, unfurling my wings as I spoke, and in eight swift beats I was high above the tree tops with a view of everything within a ten-mile radius.
It seemed, after consulting the map in my memory, that I was at the beginning of The Eastern Village known to the elves as Torlah; to the north was Kèvar; to the west Täjorin; to the south Doanir, and, at the centre…
‘Oh, wow.’
The palace of Feldar in the capital, Yrandes, was nestled at the centre of more than a dozen tree-houses three times larger than the ones below me. It was every bit as beautiful as the picture in my book: several stories high and made of a shiny, yet organic material with panes of glass – both large, and small – the same colour as the tree-houses surrounding it but, like the tree-houses, the palace’s exterior looked old and faded, despite its beauty.
Looking down at my hands after staring at the main city and palace for a few more seconds, I suddenly had an idea. Opening both my hands, poured all the hope, and love I could into my palms and fingertips, until the shimmering particles emerged from them and, without closing my eyes I willed my sixth gift to flow out of my hands and cover the whole of the old, still beautiful, elfin kingdom of Feldar.
The People of Feldar
After I had healed – or rather restored – the tree-houses and palace to their former glory (which hadn’t taken as long as I’d expected) I landed beside Yrandes Palace I decided to take a closer look around, and see if I could find the entrance to some hidden place the kingdom’s forgotten occupants might have retreated into, had they been attacked or overwhelmed by visitors all those years ago.
I tried inside the palace’s spacious stable block, as there might have been a lever disguised as a broom, or a torch bracket, that you pulled to reveal a secret passageway; pressing alternative bricks on the castle walls to see if they might open a flight of steps descending into a series of catacombs designed to house many people, and even a few of the boulders scattered about outside – but, with no luck.
Nearly an hour later, I was just about ready to give up and head home, when I heard a soft knicker behind me as I sat on a large slab of rock just beyond the palace, head in my hands. I turned to see a pure white unicorn, glittering with a hundred colours wonderfully in the sunlight – it was now past dawn – with bright, and kind, blue eyes trotting towards me.
Standing up, I waited patiently for the unicorn to stop in front of me, and then lifted my hand to stroke its velvety nose.
‘Where did you come from? What’s your name?’ I asked out-loud, rubbing his – or her – muzzle affectionately.
I cannot tell you from whence I came, but I can tell you that my name is Rosanthia. You are searching for the Feldarien Royal Family and their people, are you not? A female voice answered inside my head.
I blinked at her in surprise, y-yes, I am – but how did you know that?
Come and get on my back; I shall take you to them she replied, ignoring my question, and bending down on her front legs so I could climb on, as she spoke.
So how do you know where Feldar’s occupants are? I asked as she trotted into one of four forests growing around the palace and the kingdom’s capital.
We unicorns know many thing, my child, but never reveal our secrets to anyone except each other she replied, laughter in her voice as she answered.
We soon came to a particularly sparse part of the forest, where a tall wide, white-brick wall stood, stretching for miles and miles on either side, but it wasn’t until she was right in front of the wall, that Rosanthia slowed to a stop.
As she lowered her horn to the wall, a sort of...mark glowed brightly on a large brick in front of us that I hadn’t noticed before, and when the tip of Rosanthia’s horn touched this mark, the wall – from the brick outward in all directions – slowly faded away to reveal a path bordered by yet more trees, only these appeared to be Cherry-Blossom trees: the pink, tear-drop shaped petals fluttering gently in the soft breeze passing through this Cherry-Blossom forest as Rosanthia trotted down the wide path cutting through the trees, whose long branches bowed across the path creating an arch, as we walked beneath them.
‘Rosanthia, where are we? Are we still in Feldar?’
In a manner of speaking she replied, as she emerged from the tree-lined path...and into a clearing large enough to fit at least four large detached houses from the human world, inside it.
Several paths led away from the clearing in all directions – the one from which we had just come must be the main route, as it was wider than the others from where I was sitting – and there, scattered around the grassy clearing in this wonderful place Rosanthia had brought me to, were hundreds if not thousands of elves. Men, women and children, were sitting or standing together reading or conversing.
Amongst them, were four crown-adorned heads.
Part Four: Harry
Unexpected Guests
Oraelia’s mother paced Thäro’s study more than five hours after I had discovered the note explaining where she’d gone, having thought with panic at first, upon finding her room empty when I went to invite her down to dinner with me, that she had been kidnapped again by some new villain, and had handed it over to her father.
‘I am really starting to worry about Oraelia - what if she got lost trying to find Feldar?’ she asked worriedly.
Thäro and Pheonala had both told me to call them by their names, none of this “Your Majesty” or “Your Highness” nonsense. I had become like a son to them and would be soon enough, Thäro had told me the day after the defeat of the Uaea Kiana, once I had taken his daughter’s hand in marriage. These final words in particular, had made me blush.
‘Trust her darling. You know how smart she is, she’ll be fine’ Thäro replied, looking up from the book Oraelia had left beneath her note, before returning his attention to the page he was reading.
I was about to agree with Thäro’s words, when the door to his study burst open, and Jaron and Kenton ran in looking both relieved and shocked at the same time.
‘Oraelia’s been spotted in the air near the oak tree. She’s not alone’ Kenton informed us, before his brother could open his mouth.
Pheonala, Thäro, and I looked at each other at the same time before following them out of the study, along the corridor, and up a winding flight of steps to one of the palaces watch towers. When we emerged from the stairwell, Thäro went straight for a tall dark-haired guard with a stubbly beard and addressed him.
‘Garrin, how far is Oraelia from the city?’
‘Not far now, Your Majesty.’
Thäro nodded, ‘Kenton said she isn’t alone when he and Jaron came to get us. Do you have any idea who – or what – is following her on the ground?’
Garrin nodded, but it was a few minutes before the answered verbally.
‘One of the scouts from Jaron’s squad told us it was a lot of people on horseback, and at the front of the group on either side of six people, two knights each holding a pole at their side, flags attached to them. Baring Feldar’s crest.’
Pheonala’s eyes widened. She placed a hand over her heart, a tear appearing in her eye, ‘Oraelia found them. Our little girl actually found Feldar’s people!’
Thäro smiled and wrapped his arm around her. ‘What a smart daughter we have. Garrin, would you please round up the rest of the knights and guards? Our guests should receive a warm welcome, wouldn’t you agree?’ he enquired, returning his attention back to the guard.
‘Right you are King Thäro. Come on Melcior, Danloe’ Garrin replied, bowing to him and Pheonala before taking his leave, followed by the other two who also bowed as they passed, to “rally the troops”, as it were.
‘Well then, shall the three of us make ourselves presentable? Comb our hair and suc
h?’
Pheonala and I concurred, and the three of us headed back downstairs.
A little while later the four of us (we met Aiolos on the way down) arrived at the palace gates as they were opened to Oraelia; now on the ground with her wings still out but tucked against her back so she wouldn’t hit anyone, and Ledoran’s unannounced but very welcome guests.
What with them being her parents and brother I allowed Thäro, Pheonala, and Aiolos, to welcome Oraelia back with hugs and praises for rediscovering Feldar and its people first, and then Thäro jerked his head in my direction before he and the other two headed over to formally introduce themselves to and welcome their guests.
Oraelia was smiling as she ran over to me, taking my hands in hers.
‘What do you think?’ she asked, staring up at me with those gorgeous violet-grey eyes of hers.
‘I think you are a smart, sneaky, courageous, and kind princess whose rediscovery of Feldar and its people will have landed her in the history books and may well be featured in the updated book of Feldar’s history once the author or their descendants hear about it’ I replied with a grin.
She beamed at me, face glowing, and stood on the tips of her toes to kiss me – only to be interrupted by her father.
‘Come on you two, we’re going to treat King Caldorin and his family to some Síosan tea and biscuits’ he said as he made his way up the steps back into the palace, followed by Pheonala, Aiolos, and six others dressed in shimmering silver blended with white and a mossy green near the hem, compared to the grey of those they’d arrived with.
Oraelia stepped away from me – but, not before giving me a quick peck on the cheek – and tugged gently on my hand, pulling me back towards the palace. It was at that moment, as we headed back inside, that something fast and small flew down from the sky and landed on Oraelia’s right shoulder.
She didn’t seem to mind this and spoke to what I could now see was a Humming Bird, which was now perched close to her ear, and addressed it by name.
‘Flicker! I was wondering where you’d gotten to’ she smiled.
The bird chirped a reply as we walked up the steps and Oraelia pulled in her wings, and I stared longingly at him/her, wishing I could understand what they were saying.
You have your own gifts Zachary.
Said a voice inside my mind. Not wanting to alarm Oraelia, I kept a straight face.
My name isn’t Zachary, it’s Harry.
Harry is the name you were given when you were sent to the human world. It is derived from your given name, Zachary.
And what makes you think that? Who are you?
Your father.
A Royal Decree
My father? He’s back in the human world, with my mum.
The two people you lived with are from Elandrea, from the court into which you were born. They were your guardians, and returned a few days ago.
If what you’re saying is true, why was I sent to the human world as a baby? I asked him as everyone entered onto the patio looking out at the gardens.
Everything will become clear in time. We will meet soon, just be patient.
Alright.
Good man, I’ll see you soon.
While we waited for the hot drinks and biscuits, along with a few cupcakes, to arrive Oraelia recounted her discovery of Feldar and its four villages in disrepair and near ruin, and how,after discovering her final gift and bringing the entire kingdom back to its former glory, a unicorn had found her feeling dejected, and asked her to ride on her back.
The unicorn had then taken her away from the palace to a long high stone wall and stopped in front of it; bowing her head and touching a symbol that magically appeared with the tip of her horn, and to Oraelia’s surprise part of the wall had disappeared to reveal a tree-lined path leading out into a massive clearing that had paths going off in several directions.
‘...And that’s where I met Caldorin and his family, and their people’ she finished.
‘We were surprised to see her at first. We had not seen, nor spoken to anyone but each other, since the day we retreated into our sanctuary, Sábhuilt, several hundred years ago.’
‘But Caldorin, why did you distance yourselves from the rest of us? What made your people retreat into Sábhuilt for all these years?’ Thäro asked, his tone gentle as he addressed the elfin king, who subsequently launched into an explanation.
‘I see, so you felt so overwhelmed by the number of visitors both with permission and unannounced, that you needed time away from it all and moved into Sábhuilt, until those who had once come to the wondrous kingdom thought you had moved elsewhere, and your kingdom had faded from their minds – and stayed there even then. That’s why there aren’t any more books on Feldar, or its history’ Aiolos summed up fifteen minutes later, once Caldorin had finished explaining why he and his people had disappeared for so long.
Caldorin nodded, ‘we shouldn’t have any more trouble with unexpected visitors though. Your lovely, kind-hearted daughter told us that she would have a royal decree written up, to be pinned onto the notice boards of the capitals, and each village and town of Orfedil and her uncles’ kingdoms. The decree will ask that anyone who wishes to visit our kingdom send a request through the palace and wait for a reply. Oraelia has also offered to act as the ambassador between our two kingdoms’
‘She did?’ Thäro and Pheonala asked, eyes widening in surprise.
‘Are you mad?’Oraelia asked them.
‘No darling, of course not! We’re pleased you’re putting your new found personal power to good use’ Pheonala replied, Thäro nodding in agreement before adding to what his wife had already said, ‘though as an ambassador, you’ll have to spend time away from Ledoran every so often. I hope you are prepared for that.’
Oraelia nodded firmly. ‘I am.’
He smiled at her. ‘Good girl, now go and get some rest, I can see how tired you are.’
Oraelia, who looked visibly tired but had been trying to hide it, stood from the table, and kissed her father gently on the cheek, before politely excusing herself, and heading back inside.
There was a lengthy silence after she left, everyone drinking their tea or hot chocolate and eating biscuits taken from the plate at the centre of the cloth covered table, until I spoke up.
‘Excuse me, King Caldorin, I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced, I’m Harry, Oraelia’s suitor.’ I hoped I wasn’t being rude by speaking to him while his attention was focused on his tea and biscuits -at the same time feeling a little silly saying “suitor” - but to my surprise, he smiled kindly at me and set down his tea cup.
‘Ah yes, Oraelia mentioned you when she told us about her life in the human world. If I’m being truly honest I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. It is indeed a pleasure to meet you, young man’ he replied, and held out his hand.
‘P-pleasure to meet you too’ I stammered, shaking it.
‘Now, I do not believe you have been properly introduced to the rest of my family, so allow me to do so now.’
He went on to introduce his family, going from from left to right. His family consisted of his three sons Aeodin, Killian and Döhnir (Aeodin being the eldest), his daughter Eila, and his wife Liana.
‘It’s a pleasure to meet you all.’ I smiled with a bow of my head to each of them. Three of them had silvery blond hair (Aeodin, Eila and Liana) while the other two shared the jet-black of Caldorin’s.
‘Caldorin, we’re throwing a ball tomorrow tonight to celebrate the defeat of the Uaea Kiana and would be honoured if you stayed for it. Only our family and close friends are invited, so you needn’t worry about it being too crowded – and I know Oraelia would be thrilled if you attended it’ suggested Thäro.
King Caldorin looked at his family, back at us, and then grinned broadly.
‘Thank you, we would love to attend your ball.’
A little while later everyone was leaving the patio, having filled their tummies with Herian’s biscuits, and tea or hot choco
late, when I called out to Thäro as he walked ahead of me, and he doubled back so we were walking side-by-side.
‘What is it Harry? You seem nervous.’
‘Yes, I um…’
Gathering all my courage I then voiced what was on my mind. ‘Thäro, there is something I wish to ask of you.’
Lord of Emohn
The following evening, after I’d dressed for the ball in the new garments Thäro kindly had made for me by his personal tailor especially for balls and events, so I wouldn’t have to keep borrowing his old clothes, I was heading down the hall to Oraelia’s bedroom and upon reaching her door, heard a small argument going on inside.
‘I am not wearing them. I can’t wear heals that high, I’ll fall over!’ Oraelia protested, a note of frustration in her voice.
‘Oh, but Your Highness, won’t it make it easier for you to kiss your sweetheart - if it’s not too bold to say?’
I felt my cheeks flush instantly at this, but smiled as I heard Oraelia’s reply.
‘I-I’m able to kiss him just fine, thank you.’
Waiting a few seconds, I knocked and entered her quarters. Oraelia wore a long-sleeve, shimmering mint coloured dress that flowed down to her ankles, and was at this precise moment trying to fend off her ladies-in-waiting, who were attempting to get her into a pair of black, very high stilettos.
‘Harry! Will you please tell them that I can’t walk in high heels?’ Oraelia exclaimed, running over to me barefoot and clutching at my right arm with a desperate look in her eyes.
Instead of replying, I inclined my head and pressed my lips to hers in a gentle kiss, and when I pulled away I turned my attention to the two ladies, who stared at me in surprise as I let a wide grin spread across my face.
‘You see? I can kiss her perfectly fine at the height she is – and, she really can’t walk in heels that high’ I smirked, causing all three women to blush as they realised I had heard their conversation from the other side of the door.
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