The Elvish Princess

Prologue

The two armies stood across the valley from one another, rain pelting each one of them mercilessly. If it weren't for the bright red tent lying below them, they would've surely attacked one another by now. But their kings forbid it, for this was treaty country now.

The Elven King, Ryelorn, sat across from the mortal king in a high oak chair. His long black hair, wet from the rain, was braided away from his face which allowed his very sharp features more light. His pointed ears were the first sign he was of pure elf origin, high cheekbones, pale skin and piercing blue eyes were the next. He was tall, even for an elf, and that was also easy to tell just by the size of the chair he was sitting in. King Ryelorns eyes were trained on the human king, his hand folded and clenched in his lap.

King Ruben sat similar, yet looking very weary. His once blond hair was now streaked with gray, his handsome face showing the signs of old age and stress from the long war, and his once tall stature seemed almost crushed by the weight of the world. Though his steel gray eyes held a fire in them like no other, trained on the elfish king. Leaning forward, he placed his forearms on the long oak table that sat between the two of them and clasped his hands together, clearing his throat he spoke, "What do you suppose we do King Ryelorn? To stop this long and bloody war, how do you suppose we end this?"

"The way wars have been ended for thousands of years, an alliance between the two kingdoms," King Ryelorn said, his voice steady and deep, "We end this war with a marriage alliance."

Ruben went pale, his eyes widening just a trace before he stood abruptly, slamming his hands on the table, "You cannot be serious! A marriage alliance between my daughter and your...your son!" she spot the last two words like poison from his mouth, "No, this is not the way to end this war."

Ryelorn barely batted an eyelash at the kings outburst, "It is either this way, or we continue to fight."

Rubens chest heaved in and out, anger clouding his eyes and facial features as he stared at the king across from him. This couldn't be happening, they couldn't take his daughter, his only child, away from him. No, they would figure out another way to end this war, his daughter wouldn't be going to live with these elves, she would not bear half breed children.

"If you do not agree to these terms," Ryelorn said, standing from his seat at the table, his two centuries stepping backwards a pace, "Then I'm afraid the war will continue, for we both know, however much we each hate this, an alliance between our two kingdoms is the only way this war will come to an end. And have no fear King Ruben, your daughter will be well taken care of."