Aliel

Chapter 16

Right on schedule, we reached Reebal. The capitol of Halet, the city was a giant fortress, with tall stone walls and numerous battlements. There was hardly any room within its walls for the people who lived there, and the land around it too barren to support them. Reebal acquired all of its goods from other cities, like Splethantown. But it was said that there were immense stores of grain and other stockpiles of supplies, so that if the capitol was ever under siege, they could last much longer than any attacking army.

The elven trumpets sounded, announcing our arrival, and were blown periodically as we made our way through the narrow streets to the castle. People crowded along the streets just like when the elves had come to Splethantown. Unlike in Splethantown, the people didn't wear rough woolen clothing, but fine silks and other expensive attire. Reebal was always home to most of the nobles of Halet. Apparently, being nearer to the seat of power made you richer. That, or only the wealthy could afford to live in a place where everything was outrageously expensive because it had to be brought in from all over the country.

We came to a halt in a giant stone courtyard near the center of the city, and a set of menacing iron gates opened creakily soon after we arrived. A man strode out from between the gates, arrayed in a sweeping red cape, and a thick golden crown resting on top of his head. King Larus. He was followed by a giant crowd of his own.

"Welcome, Elves of the East!" he shouted, raising his arms.

"We thank you, King Larus," Chataya said, dismounting his pure white horse and coming to stand before the monarch. "We have come to fulfill the terms of our pact, and give into your custody the soldiers of Feveral which we have captured."

"And now I thank you, General Chataya, for your continued support in our cause." Then was the exchanging of charge over the prisoners, and they were all led away. I wondered what would happen to them now, but reminded myself that they deserved whatever they got. They had threatened my home, after all.

All of the elves, and myself of course, got down off our horses, and were ushered through the gates after the king and his entourage. On the other side of the gates attendants came and took all of the horses away to the stables. We were going to be staying in the castle. The outside looked much like the rest of the buildings in the city, dull gray stone with the occasional flag for decoration, but the inside was as luxurious as it could get. And it was enormous. Lorien kept a grip on my hand while we were led through numerous passages and corridors.

"I don't want you to get lost," he said playfully.

"I think it is a safe bet that I will get lost at least once while we're here," I replied.

"This place is much like a labyrinth," Varen said as she walked behind us, ever mindful of her duties as shapar. As we made our way through the castle, we came to a long hallway with multiple doors lining each wall. Two servants were standing in front of each door. We were told that two elves would share each room, and each of those elves would have an attendant to look after their needs during our stay. King Larus was pulling out all the stops, it seemed. Varen and I took a room, and I fell into one of the giant beds, grateful to rest my aching body. I had never traveled by horseback before, and it had taken quite a bit out of me.

The room was lavishly furnished, with velvet curtains, polished wooden chairs, wardrobes, desks, and twinkling crystal vases. Varen seemed unimpressed, and just sat down on her bed and began unpacking her small rucksack. The two servants had followed us into the room, and asked us if we needed anything. After we told them no, we were informed that there would be a feast that night to celebrate our arrival and the end of the war. Then they withdrew.

That night we were led into a huge ballroom- everything in this castle was huge- and laid out before us were tables upon tables of food. I stuffed myself to the brim, then went back to our room and had a rejuvenating night of sleep.

The next morning Varen asked her attendant to take her to the stables so she could see to her horse. The girl assured Varen that all of the horses were well taken care of, but Varen insisted. So I was left to my own devices for an hour or two, until there was a sudden knock on the door. I opened it, and there stood Lorien, that wide smile on his face.

"I've set up an audience with the king tomorrow morning," he said, rushing into the room excitedly. "And I thought that we could go over what I'm supposed to say? I'm just so nervous, I'm afraid that I will forget something." He did look nervous, shifting his weight from one foot to the other and clasping his hands together in front of him. "Is it 'I ask permission for her hand in marriage', or is it 'will you give me her hand in marriage'?"

"Either will do, Lorien. There's no set thing you have to say, you just have to ask."

"I just don't want to mess it up, like I did last time."

"You won't," I said, coming forward and taking his hands. I was caught in his green and gold eyes yet again, and I realized that I had stopped trying to escape. I gazed deeply into them, these eyes that I had high hopes of looking into every day for the rest of my life. He looked back at me, a soft smile on his face, then suddenly looked up and searched the room.

"Where is Varen?" he said. I froze. Varen, our shapar, who was supposed to be present whenever we were together. We were breaking the rules being in here alone.

"You have to go, now!" I exclaimed, pulling him towards the door. I threw it open and practically shoved him out into the hallway.

"What, are you afraid to be alone with me?" he asked mischievously.

"No, I'm afraid of what Varen would do if she found out!" His expression turned serious at once.

"You're right. From now on I'll ask if Varen is here before I come in."

"I think that would be best."

"Well then, I'll see you later?" he asked, taking my hand in the elven farewell.

"Yes." He smiled at me, then turned and walked away down the long corridor. When Varen came back from the stables I tried to act as if we hadn't just broken the rules, but I think she could tell that something had happened. She didn't say anything, but she kept giving me odd looks.

To be continued...