Asmerad

Chapter 1. A Loss, And A Song

CHAPTER 1. A Loss, And A Song

Elves have always been calm in nature, never known to randomly kill or massacre, like Orcs or other chaotic races. However, when they are angered, they can be dangerous, and ferocious, blocking the sun with a rain of arrows that fall upon their enemies. Never mess with an elf, unless you wish for an early death. (Elven Records- Celrin Holdien, Green Scholar, 247 E.Y)

Gwindolyn looked up into the pale, pink morning sky, and breathed in the cold air. It caught in her throat and made her cough, and her eyes began to water. Yes, Grey-Season was falling upon them, upon Ridin. During Sun-Season and Browning-Season, they had grown and stored crops, so they would not starve during the many months of cold and bitter winds. The people, elves if you will, of Ridin were an agricultural people, they grew crops in the fertile Fields of Ridin, which had given them food for many Fort-Years.

Gwindolyn smiled at the sky, soon, the snow would fall, and the little ones would be out and about playing in it, while the mothers and fathers stayed in the house, watching the children from a distance. She hugged her shawl tight around her, and sighed, her breath billowing out in white vapor. She heard the voices of the winds whispering in her ear, telling her that Grey-Season was coming. She decided to head back home, the winds were becoming colder and she was now shivering.

As she approached her home, she saw an elf knocking at her door, she wondered who it could be. As she drew closer, she saw it was Ellian, captain of the South Guard. Ellian was a handsome elf, tall and well built, and with the silver hair of the Royal Elves. What business did such an important elf have here, in the small town of Ridin? Maybe he was collecting taxes, that made Gwindolyn frown alright, she hated tax collectors with all that was inside of her, they were sniveling cheaters that deserved to be burned on the stake. She'd just have to go and ask him herself.

"Ellian!" She said as she got closer, "what business have you with us?" She spoke rather harshly, but if he was here for money she'd be furious. Ellian turned to her and his face was sad and reserved, and his eyes were filled with sorrow.

"Gwindolyn, you look splendid today" he said softly, "Ellian? What's the matter, has someone died?" Ellian looked at her,

"there's no use beating around the bush any longer. Gwindolyn, your father was killed in an Orc raid two days ago." Gwindolyn gasped and covered her mouth with her hands, she felt warm tears sliding down her face.

"As soon as I heard the news I mounted my horse and rode hard here, i figured I'd tell your mother so she'd tell you..." Gwindolyn was already sobbing like a child,and she fell into Ellians chest, and he patted her head just like any caring person would.

"There there Gwindolyn, your father was an invaluable soldier to The Guard, and he died bravely, his blade was stained with Orc blood, he served well".

"I don't care! Some Orc's blade is stained with his blood! He shouldn't have died, maybe if he listened to mother and stayed home-" Ellian took her by the shoulders and looked her in the eye,

"your father died honorably serving his people, he will have inspired us to fight with more honor and pride. Your father used to talk about you and your mother every time we settled down for camp in the evening, until every soldier knew everything about you. He loved you that much". Ellian's words were like cool water on a burn, they soothed her heart, but not her restless mind. How would she explain to mother when she returned later this evening?

Maybe Ellian could do it for her? No. It was her father, and she'd do the explaining. "Ellian, thank you for comforting me, and safe travels back to camp."

"Yes, thank you, and if you need anything send me message by SenderHawk"

"I shall, if I need anything" she smiled, and Ellian smiled back. She watched him mount his horse and ride off, full speed back to The Guard's main camp. Now she was alone again, and she felt more alone than ever. She entered the house and sat down hard on the cushioned oak seats. Her mother will surely be devastated when she hears the news, and there really was no way to put it softly without lying, and she could not desecrate her fathers memory by doing that.

She was stirred from her thoughts when the door opened and in stepped her mother, she was humming a river song, which were songs the women hummed who worked along the river to pass time. Gwindolyn's mother worked by the river, dying the clothes that were to be sold in the markets in other towns. She was humming "Come Down To Asmerad" a sad song, one usually sang it when they were mourning. Strange, why should she be mourning, yet? Gwindolyn hadn't even told her that her father had passed, unless one of the river workers told her. They'd always gossip to much down at the river.

"Mother, why do you sing a mourning song?" Her mother looked at her with sad eyes "I sing because our Kingdom is falling to despair". Despair? Surely a few Orc raids here and then weren't despair, could she really know about her husbands death? "Mother, I have dreadful news" Gwindolyn steeled herself and took a deep breath "Mother, do you remember how father was out supporting The Guard? He... He was killed in an Orc attack..." Gwindolyn swallowed, and she put a hand to her chest, her heart was pounding faster than Calamere's War Drums. Her mother was silent, and Gwindolyn's breath was loud and ragged.

"Mother?" How could she be so quiet, so serene? She'd expected her to collapse to her knees and cry, but she simply stood and watched Gwindolyn with her green eyes. "Gwindolyn, I knew of your fathers death long ago" "long ago? Mother, how could you have known long ago?" Gwindolyn's mother looked deep into her eyes, and smiled softly

"a simple twist of fate, a string that was strung by the fates above" she began to sing, and Gwindolyn could only listen "by fore star and evening light a guide shall guide to a beautiful sight. Come down to Asmerad, where weeping is no more, come down to Asmerad, and stand by the shore. Out of the sea you shall see all that is important to thee. Tarry not to Asmerad, for she moves like the wind, she moves as she passes. By fore star and evening light, you shall see all that is right. Tarry not to Asmerad, for it calls you. Oh! Asmerad the place of rest! Oh! Asmerad the place of peace! Yes, tarry not restless soul, for nowhere else can you find rest". Gwindolyn was in awe, never before had she heard her mother sing so beautifully.

"Mother, why did you sing that song?" Gwindolyn's mother stepped forward and hugged her ever so tightly "Because I love you and your father dearly. And I helped him on his way to Asmerad". Gwindolyn began to cry gently, and so did the skies, and a light powder snow fell upon Ridin.