The Secret Kingdom

The Negotiations

Elia strode into the council hall the next morning, a bright smile on her face, with her council following behind her. While she was still a bit out of sorts, she would not allow anyone sense anything other than confidence in her now.

Arthur stood and walked over, offering her his arm. While some of his council had the decency to stand, others remained seated, watching the elves through narrowed eyes.

Elia lifted her chin slightly, staring down at them, her dark blue velvet dress swishing around her. One way or another, she'd win over this damn council

Arthur led her to a chair next to his as her council sat in the various open chairs at the table. Once he was seated, he looked around and cleared his throat.

"Let us begin," he said. "It is understood that the elves wish to open trade with Camelot."

He looked over at Elia.

"Yes," she said. "As you have all been made aware, we do have rather fine wines. We also offer a variety of herbs that are not grown here that have many uses-"

"How can we trust such concoctions? They are potions! Magic!" Alrich shouted.

"I assure you, they are not," Elia said evenly, glancing down the table towards Agravaine, who was silent from where he sat on the other side of Arthur.

"We do not make potions," Elidren added. "As said before, we are not sorcerers. We cannot conjure things or mutter spells to make things move or what have you. We make use of the plants that grow within The Willows for their healing properties."

"But you are magical beings," another of Arthur's council shouted.

"Yes, but that does not mean that we use it in the same ways as others," Elidren said, looking as though he were already bored with talking about this particular subject.

He reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"It gives us immortality and the ability to heal. But that is all," Elia said, looking around the table and fixing each of the dissenters in stern gaze.

It was a partial lie, of course, but none of the mortals would know. The elves had agreed that it was best not to mention their gift of foresight. It could be rather unreliable at times and even the elders struggled to interpret what they saw half the time.

Not to mention, not every elf had this particular gift.

"Must we continue discussing this topic?" Elidren said. "Each time it is brought up, our response does not change. You do not need to fear us."

"Now, I do believe there are several areas of trade that would benefit both parties," Elia said, attempting to move the conversation along.

"Absolutely not," Alrich said. "We cannot trust the quality of your goods."

"You've been drinking their wine this whole time and have had no complaints thus far," Arthur said, narrowing his eyes at him. "In fact, didn't you say just last night that it was the finest wine you had ever tasted?"

"That was... I was intoxicated!" Alrich stuttered, losing some of his bluster.

Arthur started smiling as he looked around the other members of his council.

"In fact, I overheard many of you commenting as such," Arthur continued. "Lord Rickard, did not your wife take an interest in the silks that the elven company brought?"

"She did not," Rickard said, his face turning red.

"She expressed an interest in purchasing some to me," Elia said, smiling. "Complimented the craftsmanship of my gowns as well."