1 The Story

A castle with crystal accents and trees made of the most beautiful red and orange fruit. Glistening colors dance as the children enter the sacred area. It's quiet except for the small voices intermingling. It was the morning after the Spirit Feast after all. That was a time that only graced those blessed with magic. It was a great time to ask all their questions to the future king himself.

"Rilien, it is time to teach the children." The boys brother Maeron interrupts Rilien painting of the 3 elven dressed in the most elegant of attire in front of him.

"I am busy." He says fiercely.

"You are just scared, you both act the same when your scared." Maeron reads him like a book.

"Don't compare us. I am not scared. They never listen to my wisdom." He scoffs messing up on his painting to which he gets frustrated and then takes a deep breath.

"Then don't make them listen to your 43 year old wisdom, make them listen to a story. Kids love stories." Maeron advises him.

"A story? I am the future king. I have never even heard a story. Why can't you tell it?" He rolls his eyes.

"Because I am not the future king. It is your duty. If you don't know of a story, tell yours." He smiles.

"Mine?" Rilien is now slightly intrigued.

"You could mention her." Maeron suggests.

"Why mention the disgrace?" He scrunches up his eyebrows and looks away.

"Every story needs a good guy and a bad guy." Maeron smiles.

"Did not think of that. Good work." Rilien nods his head with a small smile. The two walk out towards the elegant garden blessed with fountains that disobeyed the laws of physics.

"Today, I am going to tell the story of how a boy became a king." He tells as he realizes that first line drew the children in.

"Did he have to fight?" One of the male elvens ask.

"Of course, he had to prove his worth." Rilien nods as he too gets captured in the past in order to tell his story

"But beware," shares Rilien as the children's eyes grow wide. "This story lies within the kingdoms borders."

He takes a deep breath and begins.

"The girls name is Fanella. Since she was an elven born of royal blood, she had a title of the princess and was supposed to be the future kings royal advisor when he became king. But not only did she look like a human she acted like a backstabbing human as well. She never did any of her royal duties and took nothing seriously."

Maeron knowing the truth of the story could no longer hold it in.

"She believed if she was seen by her people they would not love her and in turn not respect the future king like they should. You see guys, she had a curse that was placed on the royal family thousands of years ago. The royal family was forced to bow to the worst of humans or they would have a magic caster place a spell on them. They told the humans to do their worst, but they would never bow. The magic caster cursed the royal family. The most pure of heart would have the appearance of whom they dreaded the most, humans." Maeron stops as he sees Rilien glaring at him. Rilien knew Maeron had a soft spot for their sister, but to go as far to make him look like a fool in front of the children? His eye twitched. The children look back at him to finish the story.

"Though it seemed with Fanella, the curse drove deeper than appearance, it would this time corrupt the pure of heart and the brave future king had to save his Kingdom from her." Rilien rescues the story.

"There is no way to be able to see if that was true!"Maeron yells.

"I think I will finish the story Maeron, you are excused." Rilien squints towards him. Maeron sighs and bows before leaving the gardens.

"So what happened?" Asks a little girl in the back.

"What is your name?" Rilien asks.

"Maielle" The girl smiles.

"Well Maielle, the future king did as all heros did. He found each bad thing she did and used that to save his kingdom. Once she stole a Crystal Ring from her mother and so the future king locked her away for four days. He then gave her another chance to live the elven way. If he could save her from acting like human he would." Rilien smiles as the sun reflects off the border creating ripples of the magic from the night prior.