The ~Pirate~ and the ~Warrior~

The Elven Warrior

It was a cold night, only 2 weeks into September when we meet our first hero.

It's always important to start at birth so we can understand who our story is about.

A new elf was born. They looked the same as any other elf born that night - or ever.

But this elf had an important family, As most heroes do.

This elf was the daughter of the late Meteor - a great Knight - and their wife, Inarie.

Meteor was very close with the royal family. They attended school along with the Prince. When the Prince was made King, they appointed Meteor as a Knight of the Royal Family.

Inarie also worked in the castle. They were a part of the guards that defended the castle itself.

Sadly, their lives were cut short by the war. It broke out while they were young and didn't seem to let up. Meteor was sent off to battle alongside the King. Although only the King returned...

Meteor's body was never found.

The then-pregnant Inarie was in the hospital being monitored. The news of their partner's death sent them spiralling.

Inarie passed not long after the birth of their daughter.

The king, owing to their late friend, took in the elf. They were named Mirior after their father.

Mirior lived a peaceful enough life. They grew up in the castle, attended school and grew to be a Knight like their parents. They were told great tales of their parents and was always compared to them.

Mirior was set to marry Amoralus, a childhood friend and a Prince. Life was wonderfully perfect.

But now we find our Elven hero, only 32 years of age, sitting in their grand bedroom reading. Amoralus walks in.

"Oh, my darling! There you are! I've been looking all over this godforsaken Palace for you. What have you been up to, dearest?"

"I've been reading," Mirior sighed, "all about this war that's happening"

"oohh it's all about the war for you! Is that all that matters in your pretty little head?"

They stroked Mirior's hot pink hair.

"Did you cut your hair again? I told you not to. You look so beautiful with long hair"

"I prefer short hair." They turned to the mirror to return their hair to its slicked-back position. "That's not the point anyway. My request to join the war front has been denied. Again."

"My my Mirri, what will we do with you? All you can think about is that damned fight. It's not my fault my uncle won't let you leave. They just don't want you to turn out like your father!"

Mirior sulked back into the chair.

"I'm not blaming you because I can't go. But... I owe it to my father to win the war, don't I? My parents died so I could live. Shouldn't I-"

"Mirior, Mirior. Darling dearest. You don't need to go to the fight. You can stay here with me in the castle and live a wondrous life! Think about how I would feel if you got captured and killed in a dungeon by some dirty rat of a human."

Amoralus leaned over the back of the chair Mirior sat on. Mirior's book was slammed shut and discarded on the table.

"Humans... Can't be all bad, right? I mean- the war started because the Human king said he had a vision of a higher entity. A 'god' he called it. He said that this God would 'save' people who followed him, leaving the rest of us to be punished... What if humans aren't bad? Just brainwashed or manipulated?"

"There you go again with your little 'theories'! Humans are evil. They've killed us by the thousand. They are dangerous to us. Don't even try to find good in them because there is none!"

At this point, there was shouting. Amoralus' voice rang off the walls of the large room. Mirior - in slight shock - stood up, put on their boots and cloak and left the room.

They paced through the hallways of the castle. Their footsteps echoed through the empty halls. Arriving at large, dark, wooden doors; they knocked.

The doors were pulled open by the king themself, Welcoming Mirior in.

"Young Mirri, hello! What brings you here? Come, sit. Has my nephew permitted you to join the war yet?"

"No. They won't let me. We had an argument so I wanted to come talk to somebody about it..."

"Oh... Another? You've had an awful lot of fights recently..."

King Vimistus pulled Mirior into the study and sat them down. They poured some tea and sat opposite their Knight.

"Yes. I suppose we have been arguing a lot... Its not their fault, though. It's probably just stress from the war and because I've barely left home recently"

The King nodded along while they listened. They gave a sigh and placed their hand on Mirior's shoulder.

"Well... I know I shouldn't be doing this. As it's against Amor's wishes but, just for you..."

They stepped over to the desk and picked up a pen. They scratched something out on some paper and gave it to Mirior with a handshake.

"Its not much but I've signed you off to be a scout. Its not much real fighting but you can take Leo out for a fly and help us out."

Mirior took the slip and a breath.

"Th-thank you, sir... I-... Thank you."

They gave a bow while the king chuckled and pat them on the back.

"Make us proud. You start tomorrow and I'll deal with Amoralus"

With a wink the King dismissed their Knight. Mirior tucked the slip of permission into their cloak.

Upon returning to their room, Amoralus was gone. 'out hunting' thought Mirior.

They changed and tucked themselves into bed. Tomorrow will be a much better day, right?