Aliel

Chapter 3

A month passed with no news about the war, but a decree had gone forth about the lowering of taxes, which was cause for much celebration in and of itself. Now everyone could afford everything they needed without scrimping and saving, or going without something else.

Business was booming at the bakery, and Renai and I were quite well taken care of. Renai waited anxiously for news of her husband, and I waited along with her.

I felt a little sorry for myself at times. After all, I had no one to wait for. No one who would be looking forward to seeing me. But Renai had enough enthusiasm for the both of us, and it was very hard to be sad when she was so happy.

Another month passed, and still no news. But the jovial spirits could not be cast down so easily. The war had gone on for more than twenty years, what was a few months compared to that?

I was again coming back from the mill, a giant sack of flour over my shoulder, and I marveled at the difference between this morning and the one two months ago when that blessed Cryer boy had delivered that message.

Before there were people huddled in their coats, not speaking, trudging along. Now people were getting out their best outfits and showing them off. They still hurried off to work, but seemed to enjoy the walk and the fresh air. There was shouting and laughing. Most of the mud had even dried up, leaving actual steady ground to walk on. Spring was upon us, and along with the war ending, it seemed we were indeed in for a wonderful year.

The only thing that remained the same from this morning and the morning two months back was that no one noticed me as I walked down the street with my load. Oh, they didn't bump into me or block my path.

But I didn't hear anyone shout my name, didn't feel a friendly hand on my shoulder, didn't see any familiar, smiling faces turn my way and ask how I was. I had no one in the world, and I was feeling acutely aware of it that morning.

Yes, I had Renai, but her husband would be returning soon, and of course I would take second seat to him. I wasn't angry about that. It was only natural.

Just then a voice shouted above the now happy conversations.

"The soldiers have come back, and the elves are with them!"

It was the Cryer boy, Eldric. Just like before the crowd parted for him.

"Come and see, they're going down Main Street!"

It seemed that there wasn't a message, but a call to gather. Almost everyone turned and headed towards Main Street, but this time they went much faster, so fast that I, with my heavy sack of flour, could not keep up.

People ran past me while I struggled down the street. I heard ahead of me a fanfare of trumpets, probably announcing the elves. I felt my curiosity perk up.

No one had seen the elves in the flesh since before the war with Feveral had begun. It seemed strange that only now they should reveal themselves, and to help us win said war, no less. I was interested to see if they really were as tall and graceful as all the tales say, and if they really had pointed ears.

I tried to hurry as best I could, and wished that I could just abandon the cumbersome sack and go on without it. But that would be neglecting my duties, and the sack could be gone by the time I got back. Splethantown was a fairly good city, but there were still thieves and robbers just like anywhere else. No, I couldn't leave it.

Finally, I rounded the corner and saw a giant crowd ahead. As I came closer I could see the tops of banners and flags over the heads of the gathered people. It must be quite a procession.

The crowd was too big and I was too diminutive to see anything but the brightly colored pieces of cloth waving by. I was also too polite to go pushing and shoving my way to the front, like all the children did. I actually saw a bunch of children crowded on top of the Cryer station across the street where Eldric had delivered the news two months back, and a few were hanging off the ladder.

I looked around for something I myself could use to help me get a look at what was happening. There was a house to my left, and I thought the front steps would make me suitably tall. I walked over to them and swung the sack of flour onto the bottom step. Then, straightening with a chorus of protesting cracks and pops from my back, I hurried to the top and looked out. I'm sure that I had a look of wonder and amazement on my face as I watched.

The elves were beautiful, and just as tall and graceful as the tales said, perhaps more. They rode on horses of every shade and color, four abreast down Main Street. All were wearing bright green clothing, their silvery hair flowing longer than I had ever seen. They were a sharp contrast to the people gathered to watch them.

Then I noticed that some people were walking beside the mounted elves, and all of them wore faded gray uniforms. It was the soldiers come back from the war. Every once in a while a few of the soldiers would leave the procession and dive into the crowd, where loved ones enveloped them in teary eyed embraces. I caught a glimpse of Renai and a man I assumed was her husband, Adeem, clinging to each other, but soon lost sight of them as the crowd grew bigger as more and more soldiers joined it. I was so happy for her, but it also reminded me that I would not see a familiar face running towards me in a gray uniform. I was only an observer, not a participant.

So I returned to watching, seeing the people celebrating the fact that friends and families were safe and together at last. The crowd soon swelled back from the main road and I was glad I had a safe place to watch from, where I wouldn't be swept away.

I saw the elves go by four at a time atop their horses, themselves watching the results of their aid in the war. I knew that we could never hope to repay them for what they had done. We would forever be in their debt, and we would do our best to show our gratitude.

I saw a few people come forward, grasping the hands of our allies. Some gave them food, others coins, which the elves declined good naturedly. Suddenly I wished that I had something to give as well, but I only had that sack of flour. I wondered if they would even accept such a humble gift.

I returned my attention to the procession, and realized with a start that one of the elves that I had been staring at was looking directly back at me. 

To be continued...