The Running Elf

Chapter 1

Buepa pushed his warm muzzle into the crook of Callysta’s neck. She groaned and rolled over in her bed roll, pushing him away.

“Not now Buepa, five more minutes.” She muttered into the blanket.

The horse drew back his head in displeasure. He was intelligent for a horse. Once again he shoved his muzzle into the nape of her neck and blew a huge raspberry. His mottled dun overo hide flew across her vision as he stepped away. Callysta shot up, glaring at him.

“Fine!” She growled and got out of her bed roll, her deep purple eyes – a result of her strange heritage of mixed blood – still glaring at Buepa.

After eating a meagre breakfast from her depleted stores Callysta mounted Buepa and they set of at a steady gallop towards Mirkwood. There she hoped to acquire supplies and if she was lucky, a place to stay the night.

They galloped over grassy plain lands for hours until the sun started to go down. The palace of Mirkwood lay only a league ahead, towering above the tops of the trees around it. She looked on, thinking that there she would either receive aid… or degradation. Best be cautious in her approach.

She urged Buepa into and slow canter and they entered the small line of trees surrounding the palace. Once they were concealed in a particularly dense patch of shrub, Callysta dismounted and turned to her horse.

“Esta sinome mellonamin. Amin nowe pel rato.” [Rest here my friend. I will return soon.]

Buepa did not need to be tethered, he would stay put until his rider returned. Pulling her hood up, the half-elf stepped out of the brush and snuck around to the path to the front gate. Her worn leather boots never made a sound and she almost glided across the forest floor, no twigs breaking. There were two guard standing watch, their beady eyes scanning the forest for signs of a threat. Callysta thought she would try the polite approach first, rather than run the even greater risk of getting herself killed.

She stepped out onto the path behind a crook in the path where they wouldn’t be able to see her, and then strolled into view. The guards instantly raised their halberds.

“Who goes there?” One of them commanded.

Callysta walked a little closer and stopped. “I am Callysta of Ilcoron. I have been travelling for many days and seek shelter here.” She stated.

Her bow and quiver were slung tightly over her back and the fiery maroon mesh that covered her upper torso glinted in the sunlight that poured from the roof of the forest. She took another step forwards.

“Lower your hood.” The other guard ordered.

“I would like to keep it up thank you.” Callysta wanted them to see as little of her red hair as possible. Her purple eyes would almost certainly give away her identity.

“You must take it down or you may not enter the Elven King’s Halls!” The first one said again forcefully.

She had no choice, reluctantly she pulled down her hood and stepped closer to the men. Each one blinked in astonishment at the sight of her long crimson hair. Her violet eyes stared at them questioningly.

“Well? May I pass?” She asked in an annoyed tone.

“Very well. Isundir will take you to the king’s audience room.”

The other man nodded and banged on the door. The sound echoed around them like it was trying to escape. The click of a door handle and the gate was opened. Two more elves dressed in the same clothing as the guards stood on the other side.

“I am taking this woman to the king’s audience room. Halith, take my watch.” Isundir told one of the guards.

All four cold eyes were now on Callysta and she crossed her arms defensively.