Tԋҽ Eʅϝ Kιɳɠ.

chapter 2

♡Astrid

The journey to Alfeim is bumpy in the horse drawn carriage.  Yes , we are in the modern world . But we are elves and more connected with the earth . I know humans have different types of machines, transportation, electrical devices, that they use. But we do not have these things in Agarth . We have horses, carriages , Wagons , boats , we have electricity for cooking and lights but we do not use any types of entertainment devices . We do learn about the way the humans live in school here.

I know they have such things as cars ,and planes and televisions, phones ,computers.  We think the humans rely too much on technology. Such as cell phones , and internet , computers . We do not want to lose our connection with the Earth. So we still do most things the way we have always done them .

After what feels like hours . The carriage stops.  The guard announced that we have arrived at Alfeim Palace . I grab the bag I packed with my belongings, and step out of the carriage.  This is the first time I have traveled so far from Nysa . I have never seen Alfeim city or Alfeim palace.  I have never even set eyes on king Jarith . The village of Nysa is very small. Looking around at Alfeim city scape it is more beautiful then I could imagine . It's so much bigger then I thought it would be .

Just the Palace alone looks like it's bigger then my whole village . There are beautiful gardens and bodies of water surrounding the stone and marble Palace . It's breath taking . I have never seen it's equal in beauty.

The head guard looks at me and  chuckles .

Head Gaurd: " It's a lot different from the village life you are use to isn't it ? "

Astrid: " Yes it is ." I answer . 

Head Gaurd Artimis: " My name is Artamis . I am the the commander of the kings guard. "

He introduces himself . He looks so young to be the commander of the whole guard.  He can't be more then mid 20s .

Artimis walks me to the servant quarters showing me my room and introduces me to some of the other staff I will be working with.

A cute redheaded elf smiles at me taking my hand .

Ember: "My names Ember . My room is right across the hall from yours . Don't be nervous.  It's nice to have another girl my age around . I will teach you everything you need to know and I believe we will become great friends Astrid . "

Her words are very soothing . The fear and dread I have felt all day lessen some .

To already meet such a warm elf . Is a big relief .

Head guard Artimis: "I will leave you in the hands of Ember. I have to report to king Jarith . Ember will finish showing you around exsplain your duties and schedules and help you get settled in. "

He places his hand on my shoulder giving it a tiny squeeze.  Don't worry you will do fine here . Then he let's his hand drop and turns to leave .

Ember: "I actually already brought your schedule , a map of Alfiem palace  and documents detailing your duties here . I placed them in your room Astrid and we can go over them all . So you can see what your day to day will consist of . Alfiem palace is so large it's like a city of it's own.  It would be easy to get lost here . The map will help you get around . Of course I will still show you around . And most of the time we work in at least pairs rarely alone so you will most likely always have someone around to guide you if you can't find what or where you are looking for .
It's been so long since we have had new servants come in most of us have been here for years or born here . So we know our way around pretty well. "

Astrid: "born here? "

Ember: "yes like me . My parents are servants here and so were their parents . I was born here and choose to serve the castle . We get to live in the castle the work is not horrible and my familys been doing it for so long it's what we know . We are pretty good at it.  A lot of the familys here are like us . Born into the palace . We dedicate our lives to serving Alfiem palace and king Jarith . Let me help you get your stuff put away and show you around your room so you can see where you will be staying ."

Astrid: "Thank you for being so welcoming Ember . So you mean you choose to stay and serve the castle ? You are aloud to leave?"

Ember :" yes if I chose to go I can . I have visited other cities on trips but I prefer this life . No matter where i live i would have to work . I like it here. My family and friends are here. "

Astrid: "I thought everyone would be like me . Sent here with no choice . I have to admit I have heard things that scared me about coming here. It does make me feel a lot better that their are elves choosing to be here by their own free will. Maybe this place is not as bad as I have imagined it ."

Stepping inside my room It is small but functional.  A bed with a fluffy white quilt and pillows sits in one corner, a closet and a desk with a chair sits in the opposite corner . The walls are a light grey color . The floors a darker grey stoned pattern. It is a very plane room but very clean and livable .

Looking on the desk in the room I see the documents map and schedule Ember brought in for me . Ember stays with me to help me unpack my bag and hang my clothing and put away my belongings.

Ember explains that there is a shared bathroom at the end of the hallway outside my door. She takes me to it . It has a door inside that leads to the commode and on the other side sit showers for multiple people and a stone bath that can fit up to 4 people. She let me know that this hall we stay on is only for girls and the males live on another hall so only females use this bathroom. Married couples and families with younger kids live together in rooms set up for families that have separate sleeping quarters inside the room and it's own separate bathroom for the family . Only the single people stay in the small rooms and use the shared bathrooms .

Ember: "I will be working with you starting tomorrow. Since we are young our duties are mostly cleaning all around the palace and garden work . Since it is a lot of walking . Kitchen work cooking and dishes is reserved for older elves so they do not have to walk all over the palace everyday ."

We continue to chat as Ember walks me to the kitchen for a meal . The day has been filled by me traveling and unpacking. Ember showed me around and gave me a great deal of information on my upcoming duties . We are going to eat before I settle in for the night . It has been a long emotional day . It's going to feel nice to get some rest before starting my first day of work in the palace .

The kitchen is filled with busy elves cooking food cleaning dishes sweeping floors . Ember walks me over to a large wooden table with 5 or 6 elves sitting down to it dishing out food.

Ember:" Mom Dad this is Astrid . She is our new elf the guards brought in today ."

Astrid:
Two red headed elves looking to be around mid to late 40s greet me. Along with some of the other elves sitting at the table .

Embers mom Poney:" please Astrid dear sit down and have some food . I know you must have had a very long day dear . It's great to have you join us here at Alfiem palace . Most of our young elves have gone to travel or school we only have a handful of elves that are your age right now . Will be nice to have another young capable elf around to help out . "

Astrid:
The food smells amazing. They dish me out a steaming bowl of vegetable and fish stew, with a fresh baked slice of buttered bread . It's delicious.  Though my nerves have the best of me all the emotions swirling around inside of me has really squashed my apatite. Everyone is chatting away . They ask about my family and where I'm from . The other servants are all very kind and welcoming just like Ember . But still I can't help but wonder . Why would they choose to stay here with a king like Jarith ? Not being able to stand the thought any more I ask . "What is king Jarith like ?"