The Eldars

30

"Right, now that we've gotten that out of the way, on to business." Montani says jumping up out of her seat and breaking the silence that had fallen on the room.

Her words break the others out of the contemplative states. The group moves over to the large table that is surrounded by chairs that sits in the middle of the room. Montani takes a seat and Mant sits next to her. The others sit not too far from them, but in ways that they can easily see one another.

"You obviously have something you want accomplished Montani. Instead of wasting time why don't you just tell us what you want us to do?" The elven queen says sighing softly.

Montani gives her a brilliant smile. She hands the queen a paper with everything she wants done and the terms of the accord between the Eldar and Elves. The queen and king look over the document. It is only one sheet and not very long. 

"This is everything you wish from us?" The queen says after reading it and looking up.

"This isn't the same as the great war. We don't have the numbers we had then and, truth to tell there are vastly more evil ones than there were then, I believe. I don't have the proof, yet, but we won't survive this time. Not if we fight apart. The Eldar will have to leave Malinor, the elves will have to abandon their homes as well. We will all have to fight to save each other. It won't just be humans the vacar will be fighting for."

Montani hands Teondae a paper as well, "You can read Eldar right?"

Teondae nods even as he begins reading. "You want the spells that protect our homes to be used on Malinor and the elven lands?" He says as he looks up shocked.

"The only way the Eldar and Elves will leave their homes is if there is a chance of them coming back to them like your people will be doing. Malinor is the last of the Eldar cities, the strong hold of the Eldar. It won't be easy convincing them to leave her shining walls.

"Just as it won't be easy convincing the Elves to do the same. But if their homes are protected so the evil ones won't be able to destroy them, then they might be willing to join together." The royals are nodding at Montani's words. Indeed, unless there is such protection in place, their people would rather die than leave. Even with the protections it will be difficult to convince them to leave.

"Montani, that's all well and nice and all, but there is no way you're going to get the Eldar to leave Malinor. The people love you, but hate humans in general. Actually, I don't think they've ever seen you as human. There is no way that they will give up Malinor and fight by the humans and elves. And if they hated the Vacar enough to erase generations of history with them, there is no way they will work with them now." Mant declares, he reads copies of what Montani has given both the elves and vacar.

Montani smiles her sweetest smile, but the steel is there as well, "They don't have a choice, not this time."

Montani looks around the room, "Mant was captured a little over five years ago by the evil men that work hand in hand with the evil ones. After being tortured for five years and being left for dead Mant managed to escape. More dead than alive he managed to return to Malinor. The time it took to prepare our wedding, he was healing and giving reports. Mant, tell them what you came across while coming home."

"I had to hide often from patrols of evil ones and men. If all the Eldar, elves and humans manage to unite we'd still be outnumbered two or three hundred to one. Separate there is no chance. Whittling their forces like we've been doing," Mant shakes his head, "it's nothing more than entertainment for them. We've killed hundreds, I'm sure the elves have too, but they have reserves that we don't. In the end we will be overrun and destroyed if we fight alone. It is inevitable. Even with Montani's suggestion, it is highly doubtful that any of us will survive."

Silence meets his words. Montani is once more the one to break it. "My work isn't done yet. You and the humans are but the first I am to contact. The eagles made an accord with Mauntie ten years ago and haven't kept it up, they are my next stop. I need to know if I should go or would I just be wasting my time?"

Teondae nods his head, "The spells will be placed if the Elves and Eldar are willing to join the fight. We can do that much for them."

The royals talk among themselves before coming to an accord. The king speaks, "Ever since Leear brought you into Arbolan, there has been something about you that spoke of power not yet reached. You have now reached that power, yet, I don't think you have found your full potential. You have shown from years ago that you are better than the humans and to our shame us elves as well. You speak wisdom that defies that of the elves that have lived for centuries. 

"With the willingness of the Vacar to protect our homes we will evacuate to the human lands and help in defense. We will place ourselves under the Vacar guidance, trusting in you Montani, that they will not betray us. No offense is meant Teondae, it's just that we know Montani." The king concludes.

"And all you know of us are stories of horror. Your trust is not misplaced, we won't shame Montani. With my people's return tonight we will start the spells that will protect your lands. I would hope that you will go with me to meet up with the humans." Teondae says giving them a faint smile. Now he just has to convince his people that the elves aren't going to kill them on sight.

"We will be leaving in the morning, I wish to take Leear with me for further negotiations," Montani cuts through the awkward silence.

"No, the crown prince must stay and help with the evacuation of our people. He has the most contact with and best relations with the humans and will be needed."The King negates the idea.

"But his son, he should do as an emissary should he not?" The queen asks.

"His son has yet to hit adulthood." Montani says flatly, definitely not pleased with the turn of things. "If the emissary isn't an adult his words won't be taken seriously. Not even if it is the crown prince's son."

"My son reached majority two moons ago." Leear says in the heavy silence.

"Has it truly been so long," Montani whispers.

Leear smiles at her, "Time waits for no one. You aren't the only one that grew up in that ten years. He had his hundredth birthday two moons ago. But what about you? You were adopted into the Eldar, you have not reached the age of maturity among the Eldar."

Mant is the one to reply, "There are many exceptions made when it comes to Montani. They allow her to keep the human failings even as they honor her for her strengths."

Montani looks at Mant's innocent smile. "Thanks, you know with friends like you I don't need enemies." Mant pretends that her words wound him and slumps on the table. His actions bring a lighter atmosphere to the table as they laugh at the antics of the newlyweds.

"She has ways of making anyone listen to her. She won't force them to do what she wants, but Montani will get them to listen, no matter who she is talking to." Mant says in all seriousness. It's likely that Montani won't live long enough to reach the age of maturity of an Eldar. He doesn't like thinking about the future.

They finish making plans before breaking for more food.

Montani plays with her food more than anything. She had tried to avoid thinking about what was to come, but she can't avoid things either. The thought of the future is depressing, very little hope for any of them.

"Montani, might I have a word with you and Mant?" Teondae asks softly once the meal is finished and they break for the night. Montani nods and grabs Mant attention. 

They bid their host's goodnight and return to the quarters that they've been given.