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Chapter 4 - There's a Fire Burning Inside of Him

"Windy," Valka motioned the red-haired Captain of the Guard to the desk for him to begin setting up his writing station.

The Captain of the Guard squeezed himself between Valka and Margoth, trotting over to the desk. In his arms he held many writing tools—pens, paper, and canisters of ink. Now Elbereth felt more awkward. Rhistel Evenwind didn't necessarily like him or at least that's what he thought. Rhistel didn't seem to like anybody. Why on earth would he agree to do this?

"Rhistel Evenwind." Elbereth nodded to him, still quite unsure what he was doing there. Elbereth and Valka weren't the only ones carrying status in the room anymore. Like Valka, Rhistel was born a noble. From what Elbereth had overheard, he knew Rhistel was born to Lady Gwyneth and Lord Kihdell, a well-known couple in Arün engaged in the military sector of Elven Guard. Beyond that, Rhistel Evenwind was a mystery to him. 

He had fiery red hair and golden eyes as if he was reincarnated as the spirit of fire, born the son of the sun. In a way, he was. His amber eyes were the sigil of Sunchildren, elves who were thought to be born of pure light. And compared to the four black-haired men and women in the room, Rhistel was like a torch burning in the dark. Elbereth was pretty sure his name meant fire. He was somewhat wrong and somewhat right at the same time. Rhistel's name meant "burning flame" according to his parents. They—mostly his father—bragged about it every chance they got.

Rhistel wore a metal cuirass and a chain shirt underneath. Over his hands, he wore thick leather gloves; the kind that dwarven miners wore. Strung across his back was a yellow cape that further matched his child of light image. Rhistel wore a normal pair of leather trousers, boots and metal greaves. He was the definition of a military personnel.

"I wish you would stop calling me that because your brother gave me that nickname," Rhistel said to King Valka, reminding him that his brother was unfortunately no longer around, "and he called me that so much that you and your father—you know, the king—started doing it, too."

Valka smiled playfully. "And I think it's very fitting."

"Brother?" Elbereth tilted his head. Valka's eyes narrowed before becoming watery. "Oh, right. Sorry..." Elbereth avoided his eyes in dishonor and regretful sadness.

Elbereth had forgotten King Valka had a younger brother. Some could say there were a lot of elves who'd forgotten about his brother by that time. Where he was at present was unknown as he certainly wasn't in the castle. He never had been. Elbereth had never met him, just seen portraits of him on the walls. Valka told him his brother had been exiled by their father when he was twenty and Valka was twenty-five for being a psychopath. Whether the prince knew his father passed and he was welcome home under his brother's reign was beyond anyone.

"It is fine." Valka placed a friendly hand on Elbereth's shoulder.

Elbereth touched the hand on his shoulder in an attempt to offer comfort. "He's still alive. I'm sure of it."

Rhistel set up his writing utensils as Margoth and a couple servants fetched extra chairs. Elbereth avoided eye contact with any of the servants who'd been in the same situation as him; working in the castle for reduced jail time. There were a lot of people who decided to take up High King Valka on his offer. Valka said his father would kill anyone who was convicted whether execution was reasonable or not so Elbereth and the others considered themselves lucky to be apprehended at a good time.

Elbereth slowly craned his head towards Rhistel then back to Valka. "Rhistel will be recording this? I thought he was a guard...you know...military muscle."

"I believe Rhistel should provide his explanation," Valka called upon Rhistel, nodding as a go ahead.

Rhistel dipped his pen in the ink and brought the tip to the page. "As a child I wanted to be a writer. My father, well you know him..." he shrugged. It was all in the past by then. He'd been set up for success in the military thanks to his father ignoring his desires as now he was the Captain of the Guard for High King Valka of Elven Guard. Not just anybody became the Captain of the Guard. Rhistel couldn't really complain. His father wouldn't have it, either way. He had a good life.