A Matter Of Love And Misery

Prologue

"Ah, my beautiful nevan."

An elven women cooed as she picked up her baby, swaying and humming around the room. The baby cried out in joy, enjoying her Mother's warmth. Tiny hands were mesmerized  by the locks of silver that wisped around her field of vision. The elven woman smiled, running her graceful fingers over the curls that framed her baby's face, tucking them neatly back into her swath. It was a beautiful moment of closeness.

All ruined when the door to the nursery was slammed open, the door hitting the wall.

"High Priestess! We must leave!"

The elven woman scrunched up her nose. "Why are you yelling and acting so frantic? Do you wish to scare my daughter? I-"

"My Lady please! Orcs have broken down the barrier and have made their way into the temple. I need you to gather your things so we can flee!"

Panic started to settle as she passed her baby off to the young knight. She gathered what she could and shoved the items into a satchel. In her mind she knew that there was a chance she may be separated and never see her child again. To pack necessities or heirlooms? She didn't care if her child would never known their world. All that mattered was that she lived.

Stomping could be heard coming down the hall. The knight returned the baby and slammed the door shut, pushing the closet and bassinet in front of the door. 

"There is a passageway out." The priestess whispered as she stepped on the hatch with her foot, making the stone wall move in response. They both quickly enter, their eyes quickly adjusting to the darkness. The burst of splintering wood echoed, meaning the ravaging orcs had made it through the door and the dresser. One could be heard barking orders.

"They've made it inside my lady, I will fend them off."

"Bu-"

"Please. Do not let my sacrifice be in vain. Our whole lives were meant to protect you. I took an oath. Let me fulfill my duty."

The priestess begin to argue but held her tongue. Paladins were sworn by blood and no amount of words would ever sway their oath. Her husband, the leader of the Paladins was probably already dead, defending this home of theirs until blood pooled in his armor. Her eldest son more than likely followed his brother into battle, disregarding his father's orders to retreat. The babe in her arms was all she had left, and she would protect her with her life.

She ran. Even when the sharp edges of stone cut into her soft skinned feet, the priestess ran. She kept her hand at the back of her baby's head, trying to muffle the babies cries into her chest, hoping that her wailing wasn't carrying through the halls. Hope filled her breast as she could see the open way at the end of the passage. 

All of the hope was lost in the darkness as the tunnel twisted around her.

The priestess reached for her baby as she flew from her arms. Looking back to see the green skinned orc, grinning in the dark as his hands tore through her gown. She kicked, screaming curses to repel her foe of the darkness but it had no affect. It was no normal orc. Shadows twisted it's features, its face in a state of decay.

"How dare you undead creatures defile my home!?" She screeched. A new spell found it's way to her lips but where one undead stood, two more took it's place. The priestess fought until she felt the limits of her energy, and pushed beyond her limits - the wailing of the life behind her the only thing keeping her going.

The priestess approached her baby, the child flailing and screaming on the cold ground. Picking up her child, the elf sang a quiet lullaby to quiet to her upset infant. 

"I am afraid I cannot be with you much longer my little star." Tears lined her eyes. The baby looked at her mother confusion written into her soft features. The Mother let out a sob as she went to touch her baby's face a final time, carful to not let any of the tainted blood touch her skin.

"This world was supposed to be safe for you. I have failed you and our goddess. You are my greatest treasure. I want you to hear it at least once, even if you never remember my voice. You will always find my voice in the winds and in the leaves, the rivers and the earth."

The gurgling sounds of more undead foes echoed down the tunnel, capturing the attention of the priestess. She looked back to her baby and cast her asleep. 

"May Gwynharwyf guide your sword to slay your enemies so that you may emerge victorious in all of your battles. May Faerinaal defend your body and mind from those who wish to do you harm, and may he shield you from the evils that plague this land." 

She waded into the running river, enchanting the blanket so the water couldn't permeate it so her young one could make it down the river safely. 

"Morwel, Queen of the Stars, please watch over my little one. She is but a small babe in a world of evils. Guide her to loving hands and protect her from those who seek her harm. This is my final request as your daughter." 

Blood splattered on the soft complexion of the baby as a spear erupted through the chest of the priestess. 

"I love you."

The baby fell into the water, whisked away by the stars that littered the sky - the daughter of the elf wailing to the night for arms to embrace her but shall never come.