Rising Storm in the Elven Realms

The birds stopped singing.The silence echoed down through the empty skies into the deep, green forest below. It spread across the long, winding river that ran eternally through the Elven land, and continued onto the hill-covered plains of a neighboring kingdom.It was this silence that caused a slim, fire-haired Elf to turn her face away from the river to the sky, and listen. She cautiously scanned the riverbank from where she sat. There was no wind, no rustling of leaves. There was only the sound of the rushing river."What is it, Niamh?" her honey-blond companion asked, pulling her hand out of the water, slight concern in her sapphire-blue eyes.The sky began to dim as clouds began to form.Niamh frowned, sniffed, and slowly stood up. She raised a finger to silence the noble elfmaiden beside her.Three dark riders appeared at the top of the far hill, and a threatening rumbling began rolling on behind them. The three figures sat silent and still, swiftly surveying the field, trees, a

The doors opened and the dark hall began to empty.King Lorcan turned, meeting Niamh's gaze, "I'll see you at the evening meal."To Niamh's surprise, her heart skipped a beat.Eithne slipped her hand into Niamh's, and Lady Enid came up beside them."Oh, Niamh," the Lady shed some tears. Lady Enid wrapped her arms around the young elf maiden and held her tight. "Let's collect your things," she sniffed.Lord Tigherneach blocked their way."Niamh Aidhne," He swallowed hard. "My heart is so grateful, but also heavy. There are no words that will comfort me now at your leaving. I promised your father those years ago I would keep you safe. How can I when you are so far away?"Niamh smiled, "We both knew this day would come, but don't worry. I will be Queen, and I will be able to visit you whenever I want."Lord Tigherneach smiled weakly, then left the hall. The three elf maidens made their way to Niamh's room and found servants already packing clothes."I've heard he has a violent temper,"

The group continued through the village without any more trouble and returned to the main road. They pushed their horses into a quick but steady trot and made it to the castle by the late afternoon.Niamh did not see much of the king after dismounting at the elegant castle by an evergreen forest. Lorcan was rushed into the castle by the scar-faced general as soon as he dismounted. Captain Aengus calmly introduced Niamh to two servants, Maeval and Moidrin, her new personal servants. He left them to show Niamh to her chambers to unpack and get comfortable.She didn't feel much like talking, and the servants did the unpacking, so Niamh went out on her balcony. The dark green of the forest was soothing, reminding her of the Tigherneach Keep. As she watched, she saw King Lorcan, the general, Captain Aengus, and a host of elves with scrolls and tired faces come out into the yard below. One elflord, richly dressed in a clean, red robe, was gesturing grandly. Lorcan simply nodded. The red-robe

"I'm being summoned to a council meeting.""On your wedding day?" Captain Aengus asked quietly."Shall I come with you?" Niamh stepped forward.Loran nodded at the messenger and sent him away."I was summoned to the council, not you."Niamh went silent. The king was no longer smiling and began walking back to the palace. He did not wait for his bride, but strode so purposefully that Niamh had to push herself to keep a close distance between them. Captain Aengus looked like he had done this many times before, and kept up with little trouble.King Lorcan paused at the top of the path."Don't make me late," he snapped.An angry screech came from the sky.The new queen jumped, and looked up at Fergal. The captain caught her glance and motioned with his arm. Niamh imitated the action and called the falcon's name. For a moment, Fergal circled slowly, then dove to his new master's arm. Walking with the bird of prey on her arm was a little difficult, but Niamh adapted quickly, earning a fleeti

The storm still roared throughout the night and into the morning hours. Niamh watched the rain run down the etched glass of her balcony doors as she prepared for the day. Her thoughts dwelled on the poor elves with the King out in this weather.Moidrin came in with an expression of one forced to take the bitterest of medicine. Niamh looked at her questioningly."You are requested to be at the council meeting this morning," Moidrin said in a level voice. "We need to get you dressed before Boru arrives."Niamh loved the flowers, "Boru?"Maeval smiled and nodded, "Roedrian Boru. He is on the council, and if I may say, one of the more open-minded members.""Oh, yes," Niamh nodded, remembering the elf in the red robe from her wedding day. With a heavy sigh, the future Elven queen pulled herself away from the windows.Boru arrived at the Queen's door a few minutes later and escorted Niamh to the council chambers where six, tall, slender elflords in long, dark robes, sat stone-faced around