River Horse

Chapter Thirteen

A BRIEF NOTE:

So from now on, I'm probably going to keep on writing in both Hans' and Alicia's POVs. Thanks for all of your support, and sorry it took so long (once again) for me to update! I'll try to be a bit quicker next time :) By the way, if any of you are into art, would you mind making any fanart for the story? I'm curious to see what you guys can come up with :D If you do decide to make some, please send it to me at storiesorlies36@gmail.com

Anyway, enjoy!!

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HANS:

The Elvish Halls were beautiful. Tall columns made of smooth, golden wood soared up to the high ceiling, which was made of woven twigs and vines. Small trees grew straight from the ground, which was covered by a carpet of red and gold leaves that rustled with every foot step. Fairies fluttered through the air, their gossamer wings shimmering.

Elves with unusual shades of skin and hair provided splashes of color throughout the space. They wore very little. Male elves were clad in vests or tunics, with knee-high breeches. The women wore short, sleeveless, flowing dresses or a single long scarf wrapped around their body. All had small pieces of jewelry with the symbol of their clan on it. As we walked by, surrounded by the Knights, they began to whisper and stare.

"This is incredible," Gareth murmured. I nodded, a too awestruck to say anything.

"Ultherorl!" A young girl sprinted forward, her face delighted. About five feet away from us, she slipped on the leaves and began to fall, her arms windmilling desperately. I winced, waiting for the thump. But it never came.

Faster than I could blink, Ultherorl darted forward and caught her before setting her gently on her feet.

"Nòi, how many times must you be told not to run?" he admonished her, brushing leaves from her dress. The gentleness of the gesture surprised me.

She beamed at him and said in a cheeky voice, "Well, you caught me, so it's ok!" She leaned around him and stood on tip toe, eyeing Gareth and I. "Who are they?" she asked.

"They are..." Ultherorl paused, then continued. "They are visitors. You have heard of hunters, little one?"

She nodded, her eyes growing round with wonder as she stared at us.

Ultherorl tousled her hair and said, "Now, we have some business to attend to. Why don't you go and watch the trainees practice riding?" He turned and called, "Hio!"

A female fairy with dark green hair and pale skin zoomed over.

"Take her to the riding grounds," he told her in a commanding voice. "If they give her any trouble, tell them that I gave her permission.

The fairy saluted and fluttered over to sit on the girl's shoulder. "Let's be off, little lady," she said in a voice like bird song. The girl walked away, weaving around groups of elves with the ease of practice.

I frowned as I watched her. She was pretty, but did not have the natural elegance and grace that all elves possessed. Her face was round, her hair honey blonde, her eyes a light shade of blue gray. Blue gray. Elves didn't have blue eyes. They always had green. She was.... Human?

I went cold. A changeling. A mortal baby, stolen from the cradle and replaced by a weak or sick elvish infant. An infant who would soon die, leaving the parents in despair while the elves would raise their child. The practice was forbidden by law, had been forbidden for centuries.

Gareth must have noticed me tense, because he gave me a questioning look.

"Changeling," I muttered, trying to control my fury. I had known parents whose child had been taken and replaced by another. The elvish children, unable to digest most human foods and prone to sickness when far from the woods, would die at an early age. It was a disgusting thing to do.