Chapter 2: Decisions in the Dark Hall

Lady Enid whispered, looking Niamh directly in the eyes.

"Go get my daughter."

Niamh hurried down the now silent halls to Eithne's chambers.

She found the young elfmaiden looking at a selection of dresses laid out on her bed.

Eithne turned at the sound of the door opening.

"Oh Niamh," she sighed gratefully. "Please help me choose a dress."

Niamh stood in the doorway, "King Lorcan is coming."

Eithne gasped, but Niamh softly waved a hand.

"He's already here," she said casually.

Niamh controlled her nerves and calmly helped Eithne dress. Then there was a knock on the door.

"Lady Eithne, Lady Niamh," a mild-spoken servant nodded. "Your presence is requested by Lord Tigherneach in the Great Hall."

With a mixture of interest and dread, Niamh and Eithne made their way through the Keep. Niamh looked down at her dress, wishing she had the time to change. Her blue dress hid the dirt well, however, she could still smell the smoke from the burning forest still clinging to her.

Two guards were standing strong and alert by the big doors, and as the elfmaidens approached they swung the doors wide, calling out Niamh's and Eithne's titles.

Eithne quickly reached over and squeezed Niamh's hand. Niamh returned the squeeze.

Then they were inside the hall and the door closed behind them. There was an instant coldness in the room. There were few torches lit, leaving those in the room in semi-darkness.

Lord Tigherneach was speaking, steadily and clearly.

"I will say again, Your Majesty, Breathnatch did not have my permission to cross my land and I was in no way part of this."

"You noticed movement, yet you didn't try to stop him?"

The voice was low and accusing.

"My King," Lord Tigherneach replied. "I received word both he and you were crossing my land with armed men …I…"

"I was accompanying my men as we have had our share of unpleasant situations in the recent months." The voice went even colder. "I… am… the King."

From the end of the hall, Niamh could only see the backs of the guests. Seven elven soldiers in muddy, yet intimidating, black armor stood motionless in front of Eithne's father. Lady Enid was swaying ever so slightly beside him, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

Lord Tigherneach was standing by his broad, intricately-carved chair used for handling matters of the Keep. He saw the young elf maidens standing at the back of the hall and waved them forward.

The group parted to make way for the newcomers. As Niamh and Eithne approached Lady Enid motioned with her hand for them to join her as she stood at her husband's side.

The guests all turned to watch the elf maidens take their place and Niamh couldn't help but notice the one elflord who didn't turn until the last second.

King Lorcan.

He was just as intimidating off his horse. The king was tall, with broad shoulders and strong hands. His muscles were noticeable, but the elflord was not stocky or bulky. King Lorcan turned with eyes the color of midnight blue, and they were angry. The anger flickered only slightly when he saw Niamh.

Lord Tigherneach took a deep, silent breath, "I did not know his plans. It's harvest time here and my attention was elsewhere."

King Lorcan's skeptical stare silenced the kind Lord of the Keep.

"Ah, your family," King Lorcan turned his head to look at the elf maiden standing to the side. "Introduce me."

There was something in his tone that grated on Niamh's nerves. Was it arrogance? Niamh didn't smile.

"This is my wife, the Lady Enid," Lord Tigherneach began proudly. He held out his hand to his daughter, "Lady Eithne, Lady Niamh."

"No sons?" The King asked almost socially.

"No," Tigherneach replied, a slight frown forming on his already concerned face.

"No wonder you are so brave," the King raised an eyebrow, "You must be good at negotiating."

Niamh found a smile playing on her lips, surprising her. Lord Tigherneach had often joked, himself, that living with three elfmaidens made him better at negotiating, but he didn't seem to find it humorous coming from the King.

The moment was over, and the king turned his attention back to the matter for which he came.

"I don't think staying neutral is beneficial to any of us, anymore, Lord Tigherneach."

Niamh saw Lady Enid inhale sharply.

"My King," Lord Tigherneach said bravely. "I have stayed neutral to both sides for…"

"No longer," King Lorcan roared. "I have protected your little piece of land long enough without asking for anything in return. War is brewing, little Lord. You have choice land you are protecting with your family while others struggle and die."

The hall fell silent. The few torches flickered, casting ghastly, shadowy forms onto the walls of the dim hall.

"Whether you choose sides or not, battles and armies will come to your land," the King continued. "I want to know that I don't have a Tigherneach sword pointed at my back."

"Never," stated Lord Tigherneach, with a stern shake of his head.

"Prove it," the king blinked.

Lord Tigherneach looked down at his hands, then his family.

When his eyes fell on Niamh, his gaze lingered.

"Let us discuss a marriage," Lord Tigherneach said quickly, and called for his personal scribe.

King Lorcan looked down at his bracer thoughtfully and flicked off some dirt.

He nodded, "A marriage of your daughter and I would both improve your standing and ensure you have protection. I agree."

This time, Lady Enid gasped audibly. Her mouth dropped open and she stared at her husband with wide eyes.

Niamh knew Eithne was already set to marry a neighboring Lord's son, a plan that had been set for over a year. Eithne and the young Lord were already deeply in love and a better situation couldn't be possible.

"My King," Lord Tigherneach bowed low. "I present Niamh to be your bride. She is fully elven-born, after all. She is the daughter of the warrior Nildrian."

King Lorcan's eyebrows raised briefly.

Lady Enid stared. Eithne broke down into sobs. Lord Tigherneach glanced at Niamh.

She saw the turmoil in his eyes, and stepped forward.

"If your Majesty accepts, I am willing."

Lord Tigherneach stared, then looked at Lady Enid, who was biting her lip.

"What is your name, again?" King Lorcan asked, his head tilted with interest.

"Lady Niamh Aidhne Tigherneach," Niamh curtseyed low and sincerely.

"Niamh," Lord Tigherneach muttered in concern.

"It's alright," Niamh replied quietly, kindly, but firmly.

"I have no choice," Lord Tigherneach whispered to his charge. Tears filled his eyes.

Niamh gave her head a slight shake. Niamh sent the elflord who was her second father a look of love.

Reluctantly, Lord Tigherneach waved his scribe forward. He held out his hand to Niamh.

The scribe sat down at the nearby table and began to write. The hall remained silent as the initial draft was completed. King Lorcan signed first, followed by Lord Tigherneach.

Lady Enid came up beside Niamh and took her hand. Niamh felt Enid trembling, and heard her sniff quietly.

Lord Tigherneach lifted his arm as if it were weighted, hand out to Niamh.

"Lady Niamh."

She looked neither left nor right but walked straight to the chair that sat in front of the document.

"Sign here," Lord Tigherneach said gently, pointing at an empty spot near the bottom of the page.

Niamh felt his hand on her back as she signed, just like he did when trying to reassure her after her youthful nightmares.

When she had signed and moved to stand up, Niamh found herself looking straight into King Lorcan's eyes.

She didn't lower her gaze.