Journey of the Half-Elf - Book 1

Chapter II - Preparing For the Banquet

Outside Guinvaera Manor, the afternoon summer sun shone brightly, passing through every window below it and illuminating the many lavish rooms within the Manor.
Across it's tall, Elf-built stone walls, hung long lines of flower-bundles and banners in celebration of the Princess' 16th birthday. And all while birds merrily chirped, and Elf children partook in games and danced to music, the mouthwatering aroma of the Manor kitchens had made it's way throughout the entire building, putting even the exhausted cooks at ease.

And yet, that pleasant smell of roasting chicken and bread in the oven, could not soothe the young woman's pain.

"Ah- ow! Be gentle, Mother!" Guinevere commanded her, clutching her red hair to free it from her mother's grip.

"I would not have to be so hard if you actually brushed your hair every day, rather," She untangled a stubborn knot, causing her daughter to wince and curl her bare toes, "Than just tie it up. You spend more time with your books than making yourself look presentable. You are a Princess, for Gwynblaidd's sake. The nominated Heir after me."

"Mother.... it's my birthday, why can I not just stay in my room and read? What is the issue with that? I hate this." The frustrated 16-year old asked.

"As I just said, you are a Princess. You need to look like one. That means hair, earrings, makeup, heels. You are not a peasant living beyond the Manor walls. You are a Royal.

Every day, you should make yourself look appropriate, but for today of all days, it is especially important."

Once Aeledwyn had finished brushing out all the knots and tangles in Guinevere's ginger hair, she began braiding it.

"Even though you are not a full Elf, you are still my daughter, which means that when the time comes for you to undergo the Erd'athal, and pass it, I will die, and you will become the new Queen of this Manor. That is how I did it with my mother, and that is how she did it with hers. It is nothing to fear, it is just our way of life, Gwinna."

"I am not afraid, Mother. I know I have to become Queen eventually. But..." The girl paused, stuck in thought, pondering all the possible reasons for her being so apprehensive.

"But what, dear? What's wrong?" Aeledwyn's naturally high concern for her child had grown.

"I just... I do not think I will make a good Queen. Besides, it is as you say Mother, I am not a full Elf. Father is a human, which makes me a... Halfbreed."

Aeledwyn quickly let go of her daughter's hair to correct her.

"Hey. NEVER call yourself that. You are not some laboratory experiment. Gastan and I are both your parents, and we both love you with every fiber of our being. You are the single greatest gift we could ever hope to receive."

She resumed making the braids.

"Have those girls been bullying you again? I'll be having words with Guincilla. This has gone on for too long."

"Mother no, I... let it be. Today is my birthday, right? It is a big day. I need to act like a proper Princess, which means no causing trouble. Let them say what they want, I will not let their words affect me, no matter how unkind they are."

Despite being furious with the widowed Guincilla and her cruel twin daughters, Guinevere's response made her smile with admiration, at her own child showing greater strength than her.

"And you still think you will make a bad Queen. Hmph, a bad Queen would have let her bullies get to her. How many times have I said, you are far stronger than you think?"

"Too many, Mother," the young girl laughingly replied.

"The braids are done. Now we do your makeup, your earrings, and then we decide what you will wear. Sound good?" She asked her daughter.