Sallitia: Age of War

15

The moonlit night passed in a blur as Faelyn urged Tauriel forward, her cloak whipping in the wind as the horizon brightened with the first hues of dawn. Her heart beat with a mixture of fear and determination as the outline of Rohan’s palace came into view. The towering spires glimmered faintly in the morning light, a testament to the kingdom’s strength and resilience. 

As she approached the gates, the sound of an order rang out, sharp and commanding. 

“Stop and introduce yourself!” 

Faelyn pulled Tauriel to a halt as the Rohan guards, weapons drawn, formed a barrier before her. At the center of them stood Aurelia, her sharp eyes taking in the cloaked figure with suspicion. 

“I come to help Rohan.” Faelyn declared, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. 

Aurelia’s eyes narrowed. “Why should we trust you? State your name and your purpose.” 

Before Faelyn could respond, a familiar voice rang out from the courtyard. 

“Aurelia, it’s fine! I vouch for her.” 

Sebastian strode forward, his armor gleaming, his presence commanding respect. Aurelia hesitated but eventually nodded, motioning for the soldiers to lower their weapons. 

“Very well. Let her through.” Aurelia said, stepping aside. 

Faelyn dismounted and entered the castle courtyard, pulling back the hood of her cloak to reveal her face. A collective gasp rippled through the gathered soldiers and servants as they recognized her. 

“The elf princess…” someone whispered. 

“What is she doing here?” another murmured. 

“I’m not going back to Hisidore.” Faelyn said firmly, her gaze sweeping across the astonished faces. “I’m here to help fight the orcs.” 

With Faelyn’s knowledge of strategy and her deadly precision with a bow, the defenses of Rohan were bolstered swiftly. The soldiers worked tirelessly, their morale lifted by the presence of their elven ally. 

When the orc army finally arrived, their numbers seemed endless, a dark tide of chaos and destruction. But the defenders of Rohan were ready. 

Sebastian and Aurelia led the charge, their swords cutting through the enemy ranks with unmatched ferocity. Faelyn took to the walls, her arrows finding their marks with deadly accuracy, each shot a testament to her elven heritage. Orath, though known for his skill as a stableboy, proved equally adept with a blade, cutting down orcs with a determination that inspired those around him. 

The battle raged for hours, but the defenders’ combined strength and resolve ultimately turned the tide. The orcs, realizing their defeat, began to retreat. 

Sebastian rode to Faelyn’s side, his face streaked with dirt and sweat but lit with determination. 

“They’ll regroup and attack the magical settlements nearby.” he said. 

“But, your majesty, they are our enemies.” Aurelia protested, her voice hesitant but firm. 

Sebastian shook his head. “No. Not anymore. It’s time to put our old grudges aside and unite against our common enemy. If we don’t, we will lose Sallitia forever.” 

The Rohan army marched to the nearby magical settlements, aiding elves, centaurs, and other mystical beings in repelling the orc onslaught. The alliance began to take shape, old enmities giving way to mutual respect. But as the dust of battle settled, a new threat loomed on the horizon. 

Dragons. 

Their massive forms darkened the skies as they descended, spewing fire and destruction. The combined forces of humans and magical creatures stood together, their unity tested as never before. 

“Listen to me!” Sebastian shouted over the roar of battle. “If we do not stand as one, we will fall. Sallitia will be lost! Fight with everything you have—for your families, your homes, your future!” 

The defenders rallied, their combined strength driving back the dragons. The orcs were defeated, and the remaining dragons retreated to the northern mountains. 

In the aftermath of the battle, the price of victory became clear. Aurelia lay on the ground, her armor scorched, her breathing shallow. 

“Get her inside!” Sebastian ordered as Faelyn knelt beside her. 

Using an ancient healing spell, Faelyn placed her hands on Aurelia’s wound, her voice a soft melody as the magic worked its way through the injury. 

As Aurelia’s eyes fluttered open, she looked at Faelyn with confusion and gratitude. “You… saved my life. But why?” 

Faelyn smiled gently. “Because we’re on the same side now. I’ve had enough of this conflict. Humans or magical creatures—it doesn’t matter. Sallitia is home to all of us.” 

“You’re a good person, Faelyn.” Aurelia said softly. “I see now what Sebastian sees in you.” 

A few days later, the palace of Rohan was filled with celebration as humans and magical creatures gathered for Sebastian’s coronation. 

Valter stepped forward, holding a crown of gold adorned with purple diamonds. “Today begins the days of the king. May they be blessed, and may the stars grant him wisdom.” 

As the crown was placed on Sebastian’s head, he turned to the crowd, his voice ringing with conviction. “This day belongs not to one man but to all. Let us unite to rebuild this world we share and ensure the days of peace endure.” 

Then he turned to Faelyn, who stood beside him in an elegant green gown, her beauty radiant. 

“Faelyn,” he said, dropping to one knee. “from the moment I saw you, you captured my heart. Will you do me the honor of becoming my queen?” 

Tears filled Faelyn’s eyes as she threw her arms around him. “Yes!” she exclaimed. 

The crowd erupted in cheers as Valter smiled, his gaze drifting to Amadrya, who stood apart from the others. 

“I’m leaving the Council.” she said softly. “My pack and I will live in the Crystal Forest, far from human lands. You know I’ve always preferred the company of nature.” 

Valter nodded. “Take care, my friend.” 

A month later, the royal wedding united human and elven traditions. Faelyn, resplendent in a white gown adorned with gold and forest flowers, joined Sebastian in the castle courtyard. 

“What love joins together, let no earthly being separate.” Valter declared as the couple exchanged vows and rings. 

That night, all of Sallitia celebrated. The kingdom, now united, ushered in a new era of peace and cooperation. 

Years later, the birth of princess Nyssa, a half-elf, half-human child, symbolized this unity. But tragedy struck when an orc attacked Aurelia and Orath’s home, leaving only their son, Orion, alive. 

Sebastian took the boy into the palace, where he was raised alongside Nyssa. The two children, heirs to both worlds, would one day shape the future of Sallitia, ensuring that its hard-won peace endured.