A few nights have passed since all the tests and trials. Everyone is buzzing with the news. Some animals bring small offerings for the new king like bushels of berries, some fruits and smaller game such as bunnies and squirrels to eat. Birds would bring seeds, feathers, shiny stones and seashells. Some of the elves would bring homemade items such as jewelry, wood carvings, clothes, and toys. A few of the elves took hide and made beautiful paintings while others would make blankets. Nobody knew how long Willo would be with them but everyday was cause for celebration. Several of the clans had some of their hunters looking for the best game like elk, deer, wild boar, fish, quail, etc. All the kitchen servants are busy. They have thousands to feed after all. As for the maids and those who will serve the food and drinks get the great hall set up with tables and chairs. Some gather wild flowers to put as center pieces while others hunt for some nuts and antlers to add to the flowers. A couple of the younger servants gather candles for the tables as well. This is a gathering to bring everyone together to eat, drink, and to be merry. Not all of the elves will join at the great hall. A lot of them will have their own celebrations since some of them view the animals as family and only eat fruits, veggies, and berries. Like native Americans, elves believe that everything comes from the earth and everything should be returned to the earth. They believe that if you kill an elk or a deer that everything from that creature is to be used from the hides to their bones. They thank the animal for their sacrifice and thank the gods for making the animals to be used. It's custom that an elf's first kill, they get blooded. They say their prayer over the animal they had killed and take some of that animals blood and smear it on their face. It's a sign of respect and acknowledgment to the creature. As the hunters bring in their big game and fish, others bring in fruits, berries, and honey to make into drinks such as wine, mead, and other fruit drinks for those who are not old enough.
The night of the feast everyone who would fill the great hall along with the Elders have gathered around Mother Tree. Turambil walks out with Mayla carrying the infant king. Mayla hasn't left since the night of the royal trials. She is an orphan in the Wild Elf Clan so Leaph as clan leader gave permission for her to live with Turambil and care for Willo. Turambil believed that it wouldn't do any good to try and have her leave Willo. They have been inseparable since that night Willo touched her face. Turambil speaks. "I would like to thank all of you for this joyous occasion. Before our feast, I would like for us to say a prayer as we have gathered under Mother Tree. If you wouldn't mind, hold the hands of those around you, close your eyes and I will begin."
Praise to the fire
Of soothing warmth and burning flame
Both respected and feared
I beseech you
Veneration to the wind
Of gentle breeze and howling gale
The life giving breath
I beseech you
Reverence to the water
Of nourishing deliverance and fathomless depths
From faerie spring to Mother Sea
I beseech you
Honor to the earth
Of the womb of birth and the cradle of death
Giver of sustenance
I beseech you
Oh spirits of the great forest
Guardians of nature, divinities of the scared circle
Hear my prayers and give me strength
When Turambil stops speaking there's a silence for a few minutes. "Now that the prayer is finished, to the great hall for food, drink, and merriment." All the elves clap and walk toward the great hall. Mayla is still next to Mother Tree with Willo in her arms. She slowly sits down on the ground. A small squirrel comes down the tree and climbs on top of Willo. "Hey there, don't wake him up." The squirrel looks to Mayla. Turambil walks up with a smile while light laughing. "I don't think that was the creatures intentions. I think he just wants to be close to him." The squirrel slowly closes its eyes and drifts off to sleep. "I know as elves we have a close relationship with nature. We respect it and it respects us, but I have never before seen this before. Like how the animals bow and bring gifts and how nature itself seems to be healthier." Mayla speaks. Turambil looks at them. "I will give you 10 minutes to stay out here but no more then that. There is a feast inside and an infant to celebrate." Turambil turns and walks to the great hall as he leaves Mayla and Willo under the protection and cover of Mother Tree.
True to her word, after the ten minutes of laying under Mother Tree, Mayla stands up and starts to walk to the great hall. "Wake up Willo." She says while lightly brushing his cheek. "There's a big feast for you and it would be rude if you showed up sleeping." She continues. With a big yawn, Willo opens his eyes and smiles at Mayla. "There you go. Look at those beautiful eyes." Willo reaches for Mayla's face. She bends down a bit so he can touch her cheeks. Mayla walks into the great hall. She sees that everyone is having a great time. There's singing, dancing, eating, drinking, and the children are running around playing. When she walks in and heads to Turambil, the room quiets down. Mayla looks around, "I didn't mean for you to stop the merriment." She looks to Turambil. He stands and addresses the room. All the elves stand form their seats. They place down their utensils and their cups and kneel before their long awaited king. "Now that the infant king has arrived, I would like to say a few words. It has been centuries since we have someone with royal blood to rule over us. I have tried my best to fill that spot. It hasn't been easy with the waters drying up and the forest dying. The animals leaving and Mother Tree withering away. I couldn't believe the energy I sensed and then Arwyn telling me of her visions. I am so grateful that I was able to bring him to this world and with his arrival the healing of the land. We will continue to run as it was before. When Willo comes of age if he so chooses he may take the throne. I know that we all want to keep him here and raise him the elven way, but there is a family out there that needs him just as much as he needs them. Now with that being said. Continue with the merriment." Before anyone makes a sound or stands up, Willo starts to babble and mumble. I'm sure it was something important that he wanted to share with his people. When he finished he smacked his hands together. Everyone in the room stood and cheered. Finally, everything was getting better and they didn't have anyone to thank but the gods and Willo himself.
