"The Queen?"Lord Beluar looked apologetically confused."I am the Queen," Niamh repeated. "Although I have only been Queen for four days. King Lorcan and I were married the day before he left to take care of… this dispute.""I am here to speak with the King," Lord Beluar interrupted, raising a hand to pause the conversation. "I have no reason to speak with his Queen.""You will have to speak with this one," General Konnyr snapped. "The King is dead."Beluar looked from general to queen."He is missing," Niamh corrected, giving the general a firm look."Explain… missing," the victorious elford frowned.Konnyr answered after looking for affirmation from the Queen, "The King was seen in battle, but now is nowhere to be found… alive or dead.""Have you taken him prisoner?" Niamh asked. "I will negotiate for his release.""What happened to Lorcan?" whispered Lord Beluar to his general in a sincere tone. "Where is he?"Beluar's general frowned nervously, "We didn't capture him… we don't hav

For a moment, Niamh could only breathe. She closed her eyes for a moment to collect herself before she answered."We had such a grand time," Niamh smiled faintly.Lord Beluar frowned and dismounted. He kneeled beside Aengus and Boru and took in the Queen's condition. He signaled to one of his elves and sent him to get a small carriage to retrieve his guest. Fergal voiced his displeasure regarding his bundling and stretched his wings joyfully when Boru released him. The falcon took to the sky. For a moment, the group watched in silence, the only sound was the distant rushing water. "Why are you here, Queen Niamh?" Beluar asked pointedly. "What brings my newest ally to my secluded woods by the rivers?""General Konnyr betrayed me," Niamh finally managed. She swallowed, letting the knowledge settle and trying not to lose control of the rage that was simmering deep down. Captain Aengus and Boru got me out of the Palace without one scratch."Beluar's gaze went quickly to Niamh's riding w

Niamh dismounted as Lord Beluar and General Aengus charged forward."No, my Queen," Aengus pointed back towards the horses. "Stay there."Niamh rolled her eyes and followed. The moment she pushed open the door, Niamh realized her general may have been right. Countless faces turned her way as the door shut behind her. The only sound was the scuffling of both Beluar and Aengus as they subdued the Elf in the general's cloak. General Aengus rolled the cloaked elflord over, and everything became still. With a sinking heart, Niamh heard Aengus say, "It's not Konnyr.""Where did you get this cloak?"Aengus demanded quietly.They released the Elf and helped him up. The Elf rubbed a shoulder and shook his head, "I got it from an elflord in the middle of the night, he traded it for some food.""Did he give his name? Do you know which way he went?" Aengus asked quickly.The elf shook his head with a short laugh, "We all know who he is. He would ride through our struggling village and never loo

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.

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