Seeing Red

Chapter Six

Chapter 6

 It turns out the king had found the time to make the mansion an exact replica of his real home. There were statues everywhere. Most of them were different impressions of their gods. But others were of humans and Elves alike

 “Why are there statues of other races here?” I asked Oryth.

“We make a statue of all the important people that played a role in our lives. We will probably make one of you and Zevvran.” He smiled cheerfully.

 “Wow! that’s amazing!” I said. The dwarf merely snorted and led us into a huge room.

 “This,” he said, “is the Hall of Love. Are you familiar with this story?” the dwarf asked.

  “Yes,” I said. Oryth seemed taken aback by this knowledge but made no comment.

     “It’s best we all stay at the edges. The moment someone goes into the centre he has invited any woman to come join him. You don’t want to step forward at all,” he told me. I nodded my head.

“Zevvran do you-” I began to say. But that’s when I noticed he wasn’t by my side anymore.  Instead he had moved into the centre of the room, where he stood nervously.

 “God's spittle!” Oryth swore.

“Great Garzola! My maker! I am lonely in this world without a love!” Zevvran shouted. Everyone was staring at him now. Thankfully, no Dwarven maid stepped forth while I gawked at Zevvran.  When Garzola cleared his throat I snapped my mouth shut and glanced at him, my eyes wide.

“What do I say?” I asked, trembling.

  “Nothing, just walk to him”. And so I did. I walked into the centre of the room and took his hands.

  “Thank you god” Zevvran cried out. And suddenly we were bathed in a warm light. This light made me incredibly happy. I was only half aware that our feet weren’t on the ground anymore.

“BEHOLD MY SON! YOU HAVE BEEN GIFTED A WOMAN! MAY YOUR LOVE BE FOREVER BLESSED!” The words came from a great disembodied voice, the words echoed across the chamber. Then, as quickly as it came, the light was gone, yet the surreal happiness remained.   I fell to the floor with Zevvran in my arms, the sound of our breathing loud in the now silent hall.

 “I love you,” Zevvran reminded me. I looked around shyly at the opened mouth Dwarves, the lot of them spellbound by the blessing they had all witnessed.  They stared at me and Zevvran as if we were gods ourselves, then one Dwarf began to clap his hands, slowly.   Suddenly I was deafened by the cheers of a thousand impressed Dwarfs.  I blushed and held Zevvran's hand as we walked through the throng back to Oryth, who was also still staring open mouthed at us.

 “You! - The gods! - holy tree hugging whiskey balls!” he said, “We have to go see the King!”

 “What about the tour?” I teased mercilessly

  “No more touring for you two!” he said, pulling on his beard in concentration as he herded us back towards to the King’s chambers.

   We had just arrived in front of the king’s door when it opened, startling a gasp from me.

  “Chosen, I have been expecting you!” the king boomed, “Please do come in” I walked in, still clinging to Zevvran's hand.

“Your majesty, I-” Oryth began, only to be interrupted.

 “Yes Oryth, I heard. What happened in the Hall of Love was something that has never happened before in all of our history! The God of Dwarves Himself claimed you as his son, an elf!” he said to Zevvran, his eyes wide. “And he spoke to the people and blessed your love forever!” He paused, his face filled with the wonder of it.   “I don’t think there was a Dwarf in the mansion that didn’t hear him speak!”