6 Chapter VI

"Father...I have written a letter to this prince of humans. Though I may not be in agreement...I do wish to know him better. I must know if our goals are the same." Elora gently placed the letter in front of her father and kissed his cheek.

The King glanced at the letter and considered reading it, but, he also knew his daughter regardless of her feelings was a respectable lady. He placed her letter to the side and began writing his own, in response to his fellow king.

To King Alistair & The Human Nations,

I hope this letter finds you well, it has been a hectic progression of events. I am surprised to hear this is your first knowledge of King Azu and our kind aligning. This is common knowledge for any lord in our kingdoms. The alliance though sort proved effective, if this darkness you speak of is from eons before, then the alliance may be a better idea than we first believed. We have various records of this time and everything before and after in Cylarius. Lord Alisanna holds the records, I will be sure to ask her to bring them once we have the chance to meet.

On that note, Lord Uluc of the wood elves has informed me that the building of your wall and the commonplace for the meeting is progressing fairly well. His son Strolvac is overseeing the operation, the boy is very understanding. And unlike many who don't agree with this treaty, he has made peace with it and seen the best outcome. He has stated that the wall shouldn't take much longer and that the building is nearly finished.

While I am on the subject of the meeting, all four lords of the land will be attending. Though they hold resentment they understand the necessity of this treaty and only wish to ease their minds and questions. There is no need for apologies, for the resentment is fair and understood from the sides. Though I hope one day they will come around.

My daughter has made no personal comment on your son's appearance. But my eldest daughter says Elora finds no fault in his features. Assuming my daughter would be too embarrassed to say herself. I do not know what you mean by standards of beauty but we find no fault in scars. Scars are merely a part of life, I must say plenty of men in this country including myself carry them. Treating them as badges of honors gives the most respect, not merely as unattractive as you think. In regards to your son, my daughter has sent him a letter. I am not aware of its contents for I value her privacy, she is a respectable lady and would not state anything to offend you or your family.

Best regards to the Human nation and families

King Blaric and the Elven Nations

~

To Prince Lennox

I hope this letter fairs you well. We have not formally met, but, I am Elora Lyn Blaric. The youngest daughter of the Nothern Elven Kingdom, and your betrothed. I will honestly admit to you that I was not pleased with the hearing of this arrangement. I had little choice in the matter...But, if it will keep my people out of harm I am willing. I do not hate your people, but I hold discontent. As I am sure you do as well, I only hope that we may overcome this by at least becoming friends.

I was told that you have a scar over your face...This must be a quite touchy subject considering how you may have gotten it. But I do not think a scar makes you any less attractive. Not that I'm saying you're attractive.

Ignore my prior sentence, I was writing without thinking clearly. Regardless I am writing to get to know you. I would be grateful if you might tell me some things about yourself.

In best regards,

Your Bethrothed, Princess Elora Blaric

The Captain drank from his waterskin, relishing the cool liquid sliding down his throat to reinvigorate his energy. He wiped the remains from his lips, placing the cap back on top to secure its contents. Those stationed along the southern border were watching the Elves on the other side. The Soldiers that held no problem showing their xenophobia were letting their tongues wag, hoping to provoke the Woodland Elves as they worked on constructing their wall and building an infrastructure of sorts. Whenever one of his underlings got too close to the workers, the Captain would order them back or send them to clean out the toiletry stations. He was given explicit orders to not disturb the Elves, despite his own dislike of the magical folk.

One of the Archers watched from the guard's post built in the tree line, he had no qualms with the Elves, in fact, he was with the humans who were for the peace. The Archer was the last of his name and he only joined the Delafontaine Army to get close enough to the border in order to exchange letters with his beloved. Halflings have always existed, though there were fewer in current times after the wall was built. He looked down at the photo grasped in his fingers, a photo of his Elf Maiden posing with their son in a happy fashion. He couldn't join them yet, and when the peace would be sealed he knew he wanted to live with his family on the other side.

Tucking the photo back into his breast pocket, he retook his post and sent a friendly wave to the Elves who spared a glance his way. The Archer was lucky to still be alive, to be living in a monumental time.

Back at the Delafontaine Castle, the King was writing a letter of his own to address the Elven King. Alistair advised he get acquainted with their new allies on the North of the border, they were about to get extra cozy in the days to come. But, he just couldn't bring himself to place ink to the parchment paper, his Quill dripped it in splats. When he finally put a sentence down, it was only the title of addressing this Blaric. When his messenger came in, he placed the quill down, finding it the perfect excuse to get away from a blank piece of parchment staring back at him.

"Message from Lady Blackburn, my Lord." The Older male presented the message on a literal silver platter.

He plucked it off the platter, thanked the boy, and dismissed him from his study. Once the door closed behind him, Delafontaine cut open the letter, reading it with an intense sense of alarm. Lady Blackburn's own son had fallen ill with a mysterious plague after coming from the Haunted Forest. This would only be one problem that would grow into a mountain over the next few days.

—​

Alistair had his fisted hand resting beneath his chin, looking over the new letter from King Blaric. He had a minor lock box to place the letters in, likely for his own safekeeping and to go in the history books – should they ever need them. The new day was met with stranger reports and headaches coming from different ends of his Kingdom. The Haunted Forest was being guarded with the dispatched Knights of Gaia—an order formed under King Azu's reign—tasked with keeping civilians out and to keep the Darkness out. He murmured a small prayer to the Goddess before opening his eyes and grabbed his quill to start, another response;

In response to the Elven Empire's Humble King,

I shan't lie, seeing messages have attributed to the immense headache that refuses to leave. In regard to yours, I find it quite well among the other parchments awaiting my response. Yes, it was a bit of a shock that only grew the further I delved into the archives involving this darkness. I do not know why it was struck from the records in the first place, but I assume it's because of the major war that was happening at the time. King Azu, forgive me, held the most resentment towards your kind. From my own ranks, there was a temporary order of Knights formed – from both realms – to seal away this, "Shades of Orcus." Does this name hold any meaning to you? I've dispatched Agents in the task of finding any Knights or descendants from said Knights. Turns out the order never died out, there are those who still practiced it in secrecy. I re-established the order as of this morning and had some of the Knights, willing enough, to guard the Haunted Forest. There's more that I've found, I shall bring them as well.

As I've been informed by King Delafontaine. His soldiers remain on the outskirts of the border, I guess his distrust is as transparent as I'd hoped it'd be and understandable. I'll leave the rest up to you. If any of my soldiers fall out of line, report it to me ASAP and I'll handle it on the spot.

I, too, wish to see my own nobles to recognize your people as equals. Though time will tell if this treaty will be upheld. I cannot hide my eagerness to meet your Lords, they sound strong mentally. I will not fault any of them for holding resentment for my kind.

Aha! That's good! I feel we are growing more accustomed to one another in writing. I hope we have more similarities. What do you think? As is commending of you, like over here we value privacy and free-will. Whether she wishes to state anything offensive to my family or I, is understanding. I can only assume she didn't find herself a wedding so soon. A day has gone and my son has found time to respond to your daughter's letter. I propose we just let them send letters until the Summit is to be held.

Which brings me to ask again, what did you think of the title I chose; The Summit of Gaia. Is it too much? Do you oppose it?

To Prosperity and peace,

King Lennox & The Human Nations.

He placed his quill down and overlooked it for any mistakes. He fetched his messenger in to go after Archie's letter. The young heir should've been done by now.

The Messenger dispatched from the Castle, running across the Kingdom towards the barracks. He's nearly breathless by the time he reaches the front gate and calls for Archie. He's met with his best friend, Rolant, who escorts him into the barracks and guides him through the corridors. The door opens to see Archie leaning back lazily in his wooden chair, the parchment is folded into a bird and he sends it flying right in between the boy's eyes, nicking him in the forehead. The bird shape lands in his hands. Rolant gives a playful smirk as he claps his large hand over the boy's shoulder, "Best you head back to his Majesty's Castle now."

The boy nods furiously and goes zooming down the corridors. He had a keen eye for directions and soon found himself outside of the smelly barracks and back towards the castle. Rolant, on the other hand, looks to Archie and wiggles his thick brows at him.

"What will your fair, elven maiden say to your poetically romantic side?" He jested.

He cracked a smile, "I don't know if Elora is one for romance novels, she seems…strong-headed in her letter. Oh, and my father sent her a photo of me. I haven't taken many photos, but I sent her a more accurate one of me. I might've mentioned you as the thorn in my side."

"We'll see before the summit, aye?" Rolant retorts, "Are you up for some night sparring?"

Archie gets off his chair, sending it sliding into his bed, and is already halfway down the corridor. Rolant closes the door and laughs, running after him after Archie provoked him with a bet.