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Chapter 16: Village Talk
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Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 17: Plans, Paintings, and Good Meals
The disbelief, anger, and shock in the exclamations in the council chambers made Fergal screech anxiously. Niamh walked away from the table with the bird on her arm, smoothing his feathers and shielding him from the chaos with her body. Several council members blurted out their thoughts."That's impossible. Valun Breathnach is a loyal supporter of the king!""Loyal! There is nothing loyal about him, except his forces.""Just because a noble Elf refused entry to a stranger doesn't mean he is hiding the King.""We can't just march up to Breathnach's gate and demand our King when we don't know if he's there or not.""No," Trajyr reasoned. "We cannot simply march in, but may I recommend paying Breathnach a visit, My Queen?""He'd be less likely to refuse to let you in," Aengus nodded. Pelleas Wynbalar tapped his chin with his finger, "A visit wouldn't hurt, but he will wonder about the sudden interest in his home.""I will visit on the pretense that I am the new queen and I am getting to
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 18: A Knock on the Gate
Niamh couldn't help but smile as she took in the sight of Shandalar taking charge of the food for the journey.She stopped General Aengus as he walked by."I see you convinced him to come," Niamh said. "I was sure he'd say no."Aengus shook his head, "He said yes before I was even finished asking."The General crossed his arms and looked at the Queen."Although he has no love for the King, Shandalar says he owes his queen. It seems his youngest son and his daughter were playing near the palace recently, and a kind elfmaiden with "fire hair" threw them apples from her balcony. The only balcony on that side of the palace is the King's… and yours."Niamh jumped, startled at the connection Those little elflings outside the palace walls that one night were Shandalar's children."He says he owes you many thanks. Food was very scarce for weeks, and their elflings were hungry," Aengus bowed and continued on his way.Niamh stood blinking tears from her eyes, a smoldering fire warmed her heart.
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 19: A Surprise Visit
The half-elven Lord could read the look in his adoptive daughter's eyes."Let's start by going inside, " Lord Tigherneach raised a hand towards the Keep's Great Hall. "You can rest while we talk… it is good to see you."Niamh nodded and smiled eagerly. Horsemaster Taron was already taking care of her group's many horses, and Shandalar was already talking to the Keep's kitchen workers. She looked up, and seeing her falcon circling overhead, she raised her arm. Every Elf looked skyward and watched the elegant bird of prey soar gracefully to Niamh's waiting arm. "Now, we can go," Niamh said to Captain Shobryne, who led the way.As she entered the hall, Niamh noticed her steps sounded strange on the familiar floors. "Have I been away that long? Have I changed that much?" she asked herself. Lord Tigherneach, Captain Shobryne, General Aengus, Roedrian Boru, Lady Enid, and Eithne all sat in the small room used for settling disagreements. "Should I include anyone else?" Lord Tigerneach as
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 20: Follow the Falcon
Fergal let out a loud screech before swooping down to land on Niamh's arm. Breathnach looked at her in surprise."You have an Ohta Fion," he observed.Niamh reached back in her mind to her training in the ancient tongue of the Elves. He called Fergal a "War Hawk." She turned to General Aengus. "I was told he was a falcon," she said quietly.Lord Breathnach raised an eyebrow, "It is a name we give to the most honored of Birds of War. Having such a bird is only suitable for such a Queen."He bowed reverently, and Niamh glanced at her general. She caught Aengus quickly rolling his eyes. Quickly she dipped her head to kiss Fergal's head so she could hide her smile.Breathnach seemed to know how to flatter an elfmaiden, or at least win over a Queen. Any other Elven Queen may have been won over by the noble Elflord's charms, but Niamh was focused on her mission. The noble elf had impeccable manners, and his speech was clear and precise."This is a wonderful surprise," he said amiably. "Let
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 21: Into the Darkness
"Where is King Lorcan?" demanded Niamh."Why do you think he's here?" questioned Breathnach."You foolish Queen," snapped Naero. "You are accusing us of having that tyrant of a King within these walls with a piece of cloth as proof.""You are the fools," replied Niamh. "To think it would be easy to hide this from your Queen. Lord Beluar had a report from an outrider of your strange behavior. You never showed me you had a dungeon, and now we find this?""What kind of Queen needs to see the dungeon?" Breathnach questioned loudly. "Are you crazy?"Naero shook his head laughing."If you have nothing to hide, then show me," Niamh stood firm."No," Breathnach refused. Fergal lifted his wings and flapped aggressively. Breathnach shifted uneasily. General Aengus scanned the walls carefully with his elven eyes."Take me to the dungeon!" Niamh began to lose the kind tone in her voice. "No.""You are saying no to your Queen," said an agitated General Aengus.General Naero took a step towards Ni
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 22: Return to Life
After Niamh called out, the dungeon came alive. Fergal had stayed with Shandalar at the front of the dungeon, where he took it upon himself to scream and flap at every elf who tried to enter. Aengus had to drag an exhausted Queen back to the daylight as the elves lucky enough to make it past Fergal took care of the King. Niamh was shaking from the cold, damp air and unsavory conditions of the dark dungeon, and the emotion of the moment had taken the last of her strength. "You can see him again when we get outside," the general promised. "You must make sure we get the rest of the King's loyal, fighting elves out of there too," Niamh coughed, and then fell to her knees. Aengus called to Shandalar, "The dungeon is too cold for the Queen, let Fergal fly while you help with the Queen."At those words, Naimh drifted off into a deep sleep. She felt strong arms loop under hers and lift her up, then she felt herself being carried across uneven ground. The last she heard before the deep slee
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 23: More than Wounds to Heal
The falcon's cry tore Niamh from King Lorcan's bedside."Mind the King," she called to the caretakers as she ran outside. Lord Tigherneach was up on the Keep's wall, looking out over the main gates. Niamh joined him, almost smiling because she had never been allowed to stand on the walls when trouble was near, but now, no one in Tigherneach Keep could make her stay down. As she took her place between General Aengus and her adoptive father, she felt Lord Tigherneach's eyes rest on her. "Your falcon has a keen eye," he said. "Thanks to him we are ready to welcome a small force from the capital."Niamh watched as Elven soldiers approached the modest Keep. They wore the armor of the King. "They've come to escort their king home," General Aengus informed her. "Some will stay at Breathnach's stronghold until after the trial.""Trial?" Niamh asked."Lord Breathnach's and his general's trial," Tigherneach explained. "The King's first sentence when he regained consciousness was to capture th
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 24: A New Beginning
Tears filled Niamh's eyes, but she fought them bravely. "I didn't know if he had you!" she blurted.Lorcan flinched in surprise at the force of her words."I didn't want him to kill you, me, or anyone else. I wanted to put an end to all these wars, all these petty arguments and forced respect. I had to put an end to pointless suffering."Niamh took a breath."Did you know all Lord Beluar wanted was his family's land? So, yes… I did negotiate. Now Lord Beluar has his lands and you have full access to the Tamneath bridge and Wynather River."King Lorcan opened his mouth, but Queen Niamh was not done."You, unfairly, left your new bride on her wedding night to run a kingdom. I did the best I could, and will continue to do so when I am needed."Lorcan's jaw tightened and he came so close to Niamh, their faces were mere inches apart. He was breathing heavily. "I am King of the Elven Realms, not Niamh Aidhne Tigherneach! I make the decisions as to what is best for the kingdom."A single
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