Fight For The Throne-Title page

The Elves and the Humans

The thicket crashed and the prey jumped out, followed closely by its predator. The wolf growled as the deer passed within its grasp and somehow got away. The deer paused and the wolf snatched her in its jaws. Just then, a song, drifiting high over the hilltops rang out sweetly. The deer laid down and rested her head on the green grass. The wolf slunk away as an elf parted the bushes. She glared at the wolf and it took off running through the thicket.

“Very fine work.”

The elf whirled to her right and another elf met her. “It is only you.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Why did you sneak up on me?” Her soft voice held a note of demanding.

“I was here the whole time. Are you going to let this deer free?”

“Free? What do you mean?”

“You cast a spell of some sort on her.”

“Oh yes. I will.” She bent over the deer and touched her lips to its forehead. She jumped back as the deer shivered, standing up shakily. “Shh, nothing is going to harm you.” The deer looked at her, then galloped off into the thicket.”

But instead of looking pleased, the other elf was glowering at her. She bent her head in shame. “Teacher, what is it I have done this time?”

“It is not what you have done, it is what you are?”

“What I am? I am an elf, just like you.”

“I know that, but you’re not only that. You’re…well…” he spun on his heel and without a sound was gone.

“I hate it when he is so quiet.” She muttered. Then she turned towards her home, a little hut far from the home of the elves, (called Elvenroe), humming a song until finally, the words burst from her, startling birds from their nests.

“Layeline!” A voice called.

“Yes? Oh, teacher, it is you again.”

“It is. We have work to do this evening. You are available, right?”

She stopped, looking at her teacher. “No I’m not.”

“What are you doing then?”

“I’m leaving.”

“Leaving? Why?”

“It is my past that worries me. If I stay here much longer, the wizard will …” she shuddered, “…never mind.”

“I will go with you.”

“But, why?”

“I’m not about to let the only elf I love go off into the world before she’s fully matured.”

“We’ll get to that subject later.” She said, flushing. “And I must go now.”

“And I’ll go with you now.”

Layeline looked at him for a minute, then threw her arms around his neck. “I…thank you, I didn’t want to go alone.”

“Nor did I want you to have to.”

“You knew I was leaving?”

“I guessed you were up to something.”

“You did? How?”

“I have ways.” He grinned and winked. “Let’s get our horses saddled.”

The male elf, Lajhorn, took his horse out of the stall. The completely white horse, save for a black star in the middle of its forehead and his black mane and tail, stamped its foot and snorted. He was called Brightspar. Lajhorn tied the horse to the post and disappeared into the hut. Layeline led her horse, Shadow, who was all black except for a white star in the middle of her forehead and a white mane and tail, out of the stall. She tossed her saddle onto her horse and cinched it up.