The Cave to Kingdom Merobolis ✔

16. THE CONFRONTATION

After changing into something appropriate, I ran out of my bedroom to the hall, which was surprisingly empty.

People might be on high alert after what happened last night. As far as I've heard, the elven folks has the uptight security of them all. And not to mention the castle.

I ran around the familiar passage. I was running to the Aran's chambers. I had to ask him.

I wanted to ask him why he hadn't talked about it to me. Why he acted so oblivious about such a serious matter. Why he really wanted to throw us to the Duldruz. Why he acted he cared when he really didn't.

I stood in front of the chamber door. I saw Daemeon and Airen and the other guards at the front gate. So Faeranduil is in here alone. Well with Lady Lavinia.

I knocked at the door. Twice. The door opened by itself. Ah.... right. That was simple.

I got in cautiously.

'Ah... Josephine darling...' said Faeranduil gracefully. From the corner of my eyes I saw a silver robe fluttering away.

'I wanted to talk to you, your majesty' I said curtsying. He bowed and pointed at the floating white cushion that appeared out of nowhere, next to me. 'Sit' he said.

I did not move. He raised his thick eyebrows. 'So it's urgent, is it my love?' he asked.

'Yes. Yes it is' I said politely, gritting my teeth.

He stood upright, rod straight. And looked at me with same white piercing stare as Daemeon. 'What is it my lady?' he asked yet again politely.

"Aran... Whui did cin gweri- ammen? Nin Mellon a in trast cin. Whui sha cin gweri- Averinia. Im am cín híril blas in shale ways, am I ù...?" I said confidently.

TRANSLATION: Aran why did you betray us? My friend and I trusted you. Why would you betray Averinia. I am your Lady's blood in some ways, am I not..?"

The shocked disbelief face of Faerunduil's face was only momentary. He walked to a bookshelf and stared at the books. And said slowly " Ah Averinia.... Cin garuni a piece o ozzulp... How ristruci"

TRANSLATION: "Ah Averinia... You figured out a piece of the puzzle... How intriguing..."

'I did' I said calmly. But something inside me churned. Boiling rage. Revengeful wrath.

I couldn't control anything anymore. I ran towards him and slapped him hard across his youthful ancient face, hopping it would crumple at my force.

His face burned red but it vanished immediately.

He looked back at me calmly. I don't know why but his calmness was really terrifying.

I backed away from him.

He stared at me silently with his petrifying white eyes and then he broke the cold silence saying 'That was when I knew not your existence of your powers'.

I scoffed and said 'What powers do you mean exactly?'.

He touched the spot on his cheek where I had slapped and said 'Strength'.

I shook my head and tried my best not to feel pity. It was really rude of me to slap him. I mean he had only said of throwing us to Duldruz'. But he never mentioned or acted in that word.

I asked 'Why would you try to give us to an orc kingdom...? Why? What have we done to you?'. I was trying my best to hold my tears.

'Nothing yet. But soon... The orcs shall arrive here to escort you and your friend from here. And they shall not do so simply. Our Kingdom shall be laid waste once more. I shall not let that happen...again' he said staring at me.

'But why do they need us...' I asked more forced, my throat hurting due to the suppressed sadness.

'They do not require your friend... They want you. But as your friend is a human. Daughter of man. They will want her too. But you... You are the person they need' he said pointing his long graceful finger at me. 'Do you know why?'.

'Because I am the blood of Lady Lavinia, I am Averinia' I said balling my fist.

'Yes... You are' he said softly, in the same voice as he had talked when we had first came to the kingdom.

He came close and wiped my cheek which was now teary.

'I would have never dreamt of throwing you to them. And never will. Because I saw my wife in you. But if I do not, they would destroy my Home. My ancestors home. My people's home. You do not understand. You were not present in the times of war. I've seen too much. Too much bloodshed. Too much deaths. Too much wailing and tears. I- I do not want to see that again...' he said.

I saw the sincerity in his cold eyes. He was right, I couldn't understand his pain. Not unless I saw it myself.

Saw it myself.... Yes...

I reached my hands and touched Faerunduil's head. My fingers interlinking the silky smooth, fine strands of his silver hair. I pulled his head and our foreheads met.

The air turned icy cold. I could feel The Aran struggling to stand on his feet. So I bent down on my knees, pulling him with me. He held onto my shoulders for support.

I took a deep breath. And I pushed myself to the brink of insanity. My fingers pressing at the Aran's head.

I felt vast wisdom, both forbidden and beautiful, pain of the past and future, magnificence of the truth and lies, elegance of structure and words cannot describe...

I was in the deepest core of the Elven King's memories....