The Elven Powers

Chapter five: Freedom and imprisonment (Galandria)

Before I could protest the necklace of the Guardian was placed around my neck and the clearing erupted with applause. I wanted to tell Queen Esmeralda that there must be some mistake but she was smiling and shaking numerous dignities hand's. I didn't understand why this was so final? I didn't want to be a Guardian, besides shouldn't Travain have known that? In all it's wisdom I wondered why It didn't take my choice into account. I turned and tried to speak to Faowin, but before I could say a thing she placed a finger on my lips and smiled sadly. At least she empathised with my plight. Morgel wouldn't look at me. I don't blame him, who knew what his fate was to be as runner up? I hoped at least he did not envy me. I would gladly give this "honor" to him instead. The Queen did say neither of us would see our parents ever again didn't she? My heart felt torn at the thought, not only out of pity for Morgel. 

I snapped into action. As fast as I could, I ran for my parents. Tears welled and confused the edges of my vision. My heart contorted with pain as I drew closer and closer. I desperately wanted them to take me in my arms and tell me I didn't have to leave them. We could go back to the way they were. We were a family and the orders of a spirit, even a divine one, was not about to change that. My parents stared back at me, no emotion in their eyes. I skidded to a halt. Did they not care? I gasped. But they are my parents aren't they? I am their child? We are a family!

Two thick arms ripped me from my thoughts. I thrashed and kicked with all my might. Despite my efforts, the arms snaked around mine and tightened on them like two iron vices. I cried out in pain, both physical and mental. I could not see. Tears ran as waterfalls down my face. As the Queen escorted me to a carriage to take me God knows where, it seems she and her benign rituals were ripping everything id ever known out of my chest, Burning my childhood into ashes. 

I sat in a splendid coach, richly decorated with the royal purple. I felt empty. I looked without seeing. I listened without hearing. I was lost in the nothingness that had become my new life. I begged for purpose and comfort. What do you do when you have nothing? How do you carry on when the first years of your life were a lie? My cheeks stung but I had no more tears to give. I glared at the Queen. It was her fault. 

"It seems I must explain" said the Queen.

" Well if it's just more lies about my life I suppose I have nothing left to lose" I spat at her. I gave her my best infuriated look.

" Please do not blame me. I apologize that it had to be you, but I was just following the ancient prophecy. The tree would have forced you to be a guardian without any ceremony. I know this because I was runner up to the last Guardian. " I looked at her in surprise. I no longer hated her, but admired her for continuing with her life after being torn away from her parents.

" You see both of us are orphans. Each of us are born of the tree. Every few thousand years two children are found under the tree. They are bought up by foster parents and undergo the ceremony. That way we are bought up as innocents. The tree demands a pure guardian so that they will protect the realm and the powers disregarding all vain ambition that makes adults impure. Do not forsake your parents though. They will probably sire a new child but know they still loved you as one of their own. They figured if they pretended not to care it would be easier for you to leave your previous life behind. " She paused seemingly finding the words to say what she had to say next. 

"The prophecy that has been entrusted to the chosen Guardians is this.

Two babes will be born of purity,

To save sacred animal, jewel or tree,

One will become guardian of the realm,

Defending with sword shield and helm.

One day darkness will come,

To destroy the spirits and extinguish the sun,

the nine realms shall become eight,

and the darkness a lord of power shall take.

Unless eight guardians should rise,

To defend Land, sea and skies,

This shall lead to Ardeth's demise."

" So you see you must help us to protect our realm from being the one that is taken. Otherwise everything we know will be lost and the world will slip into darkness. I am not forcing you anymore. I am begging you. Only you have the power to save us. " She looked up from her knees.

I answered " I do not know who I am anymore. However that does not mean all my happiest memories of this world were untrue. The trees the breezes. Also at least the people I've met were always who they said. And I love my people. Just because my life is uncertain does not mean I would allow families to suffer death at the hands of an unknown evil. I will give my life to defend this land. " I no longer hated my parents. I knew what I had to do. I would defend the land I loved till my last breath because at least her beauty and people had never deceived me. 

The carriage rolled on. I would become a great warrior. I was determined to never let anyone down. I was ready to be a Guardian.