The Elven Powers

Chapter seventeen: Defeated (Morgel)

The feast wore on for hour after hour. The warm camp fires and general hubbub of chatter sent various sensations up your nose. It was certainly enough to distract me from any troubles for the time being. I generally got on well with the army's leaders. Well that would be how it seemed from the point of view of the oblivious observers. From my view, my interactions were merely calculating. The Queen had given me explicit instructions to gain their trust. It reminded me of blond vengeance's' reaction to my crowning. If she thought I had become a sour, unlikable person it was up to me to convince dignitaries otherwise. However, my quarrel only extended to her, the object of hatred.

It was then I spotted her, twirling around with yet another glass of pungent smelling liquid. I enjoyed the sensation that came with her making a fool of herself and felt a smile touch my lips. It was much less than she deserved. I turned away, feeling another surge of that repugnant memory surfacing. I decided I would look for Elrohir. It had been a long time since we had last spoken. Last time I had caught him staring at HER. it had plagued me ever since, the reason for the look and his expression when I caught him. It was almost like he was pushing me away.

I wanted to enjoy myself with him and not have to think about HER.

I caught sight of him and made my way over. Me and Elrohir had always been good friends. It was he who refused to let me be when we were kids. We both lived in the second realm palace. I had shunned everyone who approached, but no matter what it was beyond my abilities to be rid of him. I soon gave up. From that point on we had done everything together. We would play together and when we were older, sneak off to the tavern. I could remember many fun nights drinking and hitting on the women. Then one day I was shipped off to complete my training under the watchful eyes of the Queen.

I approached hailing him in earnest. He smiled at me but a faint grimace lingered on his features. Well, I also felt a similar one when faced with the dignitaries. We fell to eagerly talking about it. We spoke of the pompous manner they put on. It was a reoccurring experience to find them mentioning something of themselves. We both thought it a very selfish endeavour. Soon we each had a glass in hand, our eyes twinkling merrily either side of our rather rosy noses.

" You know Morgel, it we rather lonely being a hero without you." He mused chuckling and clapping me on the shoulder. " All the maidens watching me train, and swooning when I won the graces tournament"

" I received your letter" I countered giving him a sarcastic smirk. " You finally won the tournament you've been trying for... Well ever since you met me." I winked, both of us remembering his ambition to finally wrest the title from me.

Amidst our chuckling he managed to get out. " how about it then? Champion on champion."

"you're on." I laughed.

" alright. We will put on a show tomorrow! " He winked. I accepted his offered toast in agreement.

Suddenly a piercing scream rang out across the camp. I started nearly spilling my drink. Before I could think it was an attack of some sort a huge chorus of laughter followed it.

Elrohir immediately wrote off my concerned expression " drunk prank." he followed his comment up with a gulp of his drink.

However, the screams didn't die down and I realised they were cries for help. Specifically, female.

"Galandria" with that I ran towards the commotion as fast as I could. I had no idea what I was doing just an overwriting feeling... I had to help! I had to! I rounded the bend into the clearing of the campfire, not stopping as I saw what the commotion was about. Galandria was being dragged off by a huge bulking brute. His intention was clear and I was disgusted no-one thought to help her. I careened strait into the brute as the thoughts whipped around in my brain.

I had him on the ground throwing punch after punch across his face not caring where he had dropped Galandria. I was just disgusted with him. With a bellow he grabbed both of my fists, dragging us both to our feet as he regained his footing. He swung me around forcing me to grit my teeth with pain, as my arms threatened to tear off. Then with a satisfied grunt he threw me, sprawling into a ten. The pole cracked against my ribs, and the hard ground came up to meet my head leaving me dazed.

I finally lifted my head, grunting with the pain, in time to see Elrohir throw the hulk of a man to the floor like he weighed nothing. I was about to congratulate him. But he turned away from me. In my confused mind I couldn't make sense of this until he walked over to a dainty figure crumpled on the ground. A heard a few gasps and whispers as he lifted the inert figure to his chest and set off from the clearing. Head and ribs pounding in unyielding pain I lifted myself from the ground. I checked myself over, ignoring the offers of help. I cared not for their pity. Unbroken but badly bruised I set off after Elrohir. I wanted to make sure that he and what must have been Galandria were OK.

I caught up later to see them swing into his tent. I was about to go in when I thought against it. I had charged a huge destroyer of a man without thought. Why? Galandria asked for help and I gave it to her. I guess I just can't ignore her. I remembered then. An old memory from long ago. I had made a pact with her. I told her I would always be there to save her if she got in trouble. I had done so with any damsel in distress. I had said it in character as we were playing, but deep down I had always felt it. I couldn't back down on the promise even though she didn't know I had made one. It would be dishonourable.

In the midst's of my thoughts I caught their whispered conversation."Elrohir I'm-"

"I can see your bruises and obvious pain at movement. I love you too much not to notice. Besides, although you would object to it I must deprive myself of you, to punish myself for my carelessness. Just sleep for now, I will be here when you wake."

"but we will make an impression on the army-"

"I care not. I must keep you safe. I cannot bear to see another man try to gain your affections so I must stake my claim on you. From now on they shall have to prize you from my cold dead fingers if they want you. I promise."

" I wish I could give you something in return."

"Just stay with me tonight."

"Agreed"

I retreated. So he was in love with blond vengeance. Fine he can have her. More maidens for me. He clearly chose her over everyone after all. It was just appallingly selfish of him. Well I stand defeated so she can have him, but he'll learn of his mistake in trusting her just like I did.