The Elven Powers

Chapter Nine: Prepare yourselves (Galandria)

I was bone tired. However I managed to remain angry with Morgel. He had been living here this whole time and never shown his face. He hadn't written to me once. I had thought he was dead. The thought faded from my mind as the Queen lead us down passageway after passageway. I began to feel confused as we headed to the door. That door was always locked. I knew every room in this palace from a young age and this one was never opened, not even by the Queen. However as always the door looked to have been used only recently as it never rusted or rotted. 

We remained standing before the door in an eerie silence. Even if this was the room how on earth were we going to get in? There was no doorknob and no lock anywhere upon the thick oaken panels. We waited longer and longer, moon beams bent around the nearby window as time went by. All of a sudden a thick shaft of moonlight pierced the centre of the door. Slowly but surely an insignia began to appear on the door. Vine like tendrils of wood began to spread out from the seal forming a large tree on the face of the door. In the centre the insignia glowed in the moonlight. 

" Galandria if you will. " I gasped as I realised it was the Queen who had spoken. She gestured to the door. Tentatively I stepped cautiously towards it. Noticing the insignia I took out my Guardian necklace. I was right. They matched. Slowly in case there was some trick in this I pressed the necklace into the seal. The glow from the seal, rapidly spread across the branches of the tree, making me jump backwards. For a few seconds the insignia glowed fiercely bright. Then the whole thing then faded and the door swung inwards on hidden hinges. I stared at the necklace wondering what other hidden powers it must possess. 

I turned around to see equally shocked faces in everyone, save the Queen. She pushed past me and lead us into the room. Words cannot describe the scene that met my eyes. The room radiated and thrummed with the energy of nature. Walls of pure white stood around me, Tangled In vines of gold. The floor was made up of every precious metal you could think of and the colours beneath the glossy surface seemed to pulsate with energy. The far wall was in fact a huge window giving us the most beautiful view of the outside world I have ever laid eyes on. There were also a few tapestries clinging to the walls. They depicted wild beasts of unbelievable magnificence roaming the countryside in all their splendour. Behind me the wall we came through was completely made up of books in huge golden shelves. Even the space above the door was occupied by books. The centre of the floor was taken up by a Table of layered white marble riddled with slithers of silver. The legs of the table melted into the floor. However, I was not to be fooled by its beauty. It was a tactical view of Ardeth that rested on the table. 

By the look on everyone else's faces I guessed they were thinking the same two things. Firstly, words cannot describe this place. Secondly, why were we here? I glanced at the Queen. She didn't stir or make a move to speak. I kept my mouth shut, uncertain whether I should wait for her to say something. She looked like she was going to cry, then she looked angry and then she would just seem to stare off into space seeing something that I couldn't. Morgel broke the silence.

" I'm in awe of this room as I'm sure your aware my Queen, However I feel we ought to press on into explanations of why we are here? " He spoke eloquently, far differently than he had to me. It was clear whatever his beef was, he didn't blame the Queen. 

The Queen lent on the tactical map and beckoned us over. I could see her problem dragging her elegant figure downwards due to sheer weight. 

" We are at war " She held her palm up forcing us to swallow our Questions. " Something happened to the third Elven realm, we have lost all contact with them. The wall of the realm Sir Elrohir originates from is still intact. However, more distressing is what I am about to tell you. We have lost contact with the Realms Guardian. "

" Nicolas! " Elrohir screamed. " What has happened? Is he captured? Is he hurt? Tell me!" He was gradually growing more and more hysterical.

" I supposed I must explain Elrohir's outburst " The Queen stated. " Lord Nicolas is Elrohir's younger brother. He was tasked to be a replacement Guardian for the third realm when the original Guardian disappeared. For the tree will not produce a new Guardian until the old one formally resigns or the tree feels their task is done. Nicolas may be dead and he may not, however three thing are now certain. Firstly, we have no hope of contacting them from where we are. Secondly, we must send an army to investigate and reclaim the realm if necessary. Lastly, the tree of the realm may be at risk, or worse dead. If that happens there is no point in retaking the lands as everything within that space will be dead and the powers reduced to eight. As you are now probably aware I wish you to lead the attack force."

I nodded. It was a lot to take in. If the realm had been claimed by an unknown enemy this would be dangerous. I had no experience of open war and neither would the rest of the army. We would just have to hope it was a particularly large Goblin army. Those were a nuisance, nevertheless they were easily handled. Whatever the danger I immediately understood my desire to go. If they had captured the third realm my realm would be at risk unless I stopped them. I was NEVER going to let that happen. 

I took the initiative " How soon can we depart? " I stated I as brave a tone as I could muster. I wanted to be the strong Guardian everyone wanted. Now was my time to prove it. 

" Your bravery is commendable however first you must see the Great apple tree of this realm. In times of distress the Powers often have gifts of power to help you on your journey. Also I have these for you and Elrohir." She stepped back to reveal two suits of armour I hadn't noticed until now.

They were looked as if they were designed for decoration rather than war. I walked over and inspected mine. It was a grey tunic and pair of leggings made out of the special Elven cloth so rather than a dull grey it looked as if strands of spiders web had been sown into it making it appear like woven silver. Brown boots rested at the bottom of the outfit, and a Emerald green cloak draped across the shoulders tied with a golden clasp of an apple. Both were trimmed with gold. But next to it was my battle chest plate. It was made out of a brown leather encasing a metal chest plate. It had two straps with shoulder plates made of layers of rectangle strips so I could move freely. Adorned on the front of the leather chest plate was a large gold tree I recognised as the symbol from the door. The symbol of Elven power. I then picked up the nearby holster and inspected the gold trimmed leather work with space for the curved knives I usually carried. I also inspected the leather gloves that were fashioned so that my thumb an half my fingers were exposed, but not my knuckles or my forearms which would be useful when drawing a bow. Elrohir's armour was similar except with greaves and bracers instead of gloves like me. He also had a holster for a hand and a half sword. 

I stepped around the outfit. Curiously there wasn't a holster for arrows. I questioned the Queen where it was.

" We are currently getting it restocked for battle and mended. Unfortunately, because it hasn't been used in a long time it is not large enough to hold all the arrows it should. This is because overtime as you know our arrows have gotten lighter therefore you are able to carry more of them then the holster can fit. I will have it for you soon. " She then addressed all of us. " This armour looks simple enough but the plates are made of Neiliure. This metal is lighter and harder than any we know of. They were a gift from the dwarves when they were charged with supplying armour for the guardians.  If a human tried to stab you, It would not affect your armour. They are master craftsmanship of the highest quality we have ever known. However do not allow yourself to get careless from the Quality of the armour. For if one day you are caught without it you will need to be as skilled as you are now. As for you Morgel you will inherit the armour of the monarch. This is equally as beautiful and skilled craftsmanship save it is in the purple colours of the monarch. These were also forged long ago when there were kings of each land. However my I am the first Queen of this realm and therefore wear a lesser armour myself. Nevertheless I cannot come with you. My skill is not lacking in mastery with a blade to put it as modestly as I can, however I am needed here. " She swept around the tactical table towards the door. Once in the door frame she turned. " You depart at the end of the week. I will prepare the army. You must prepare yourselves, as we do not know what you will find out there. " With that happy note she bade us farewell and swept off into the night.