Fire and Crown

The Doorstep

"How does it feel when someone you have lived with since you were born asks you to go with someone else? How? Is letting go that easy?"

A cool Breeze swept through the valley of elves , "Spring is near" said the old lady sitting on the doorstep of her old house to children gathered nearby, "yes old lady" replied one of the elf kid , "what story are you going to tell us today" , "Gather close my dear" she beckoned, "Let me tell you a tale" , They gathered in a semicircle, and the lady stood up, her gown flowing down as she began to hum.

"The Lord of Love created the earth, 
Mountains high, rivers shining. 
The Lady of Life breathed life into nature, 
Her laughter echoing with each bird's chirp."

*Her voice deepened as she turned to one of the elf children.*
"She battled darkness and sealed it away in doom, 
Where light did not dare and hope seemed lost. 
But in the depths, he did not lose;
he forged a sword to free his bound hands,
yet he lost."

*She moved behind another child, her expression deepening and scaring them.*
"The lady slept forever after hiding it."

An elf child asked, "Where is it now?"

"Shh," she said, placing her white finger on his lips.

"Lost in the ocean or buried deep, a secret still remains unknown.
But hope still dances in the air"

The elf children exchanged glances and one off them said "What will happen if he find the sword?"
The lady came closer to them and put hands on her face and said "pfft!" While removing the hands and made a scary face , she added "darkness will rise! Darkness will rule!".
"Stop scaring them!":a voice came from behind, as she turned there was a young women standing in flowing white gown , A golden scarf cascaded around her perfect neck. She was 'Eloie' . As soon as Eloie stepped out of doorway , a figure appeared before them sitting over his elven horse ( pure white, horns like deer ) was the 'Elven King' of 'Glowender' . He had an ego that radiates from his face , he wore a crown made of starlight gems , he had dense brows , and youthful visage .
As soon as he dismounted from his majestic seed , the children standing near the doorstep rushed of in excitement to spread the NEWS. There laughter echoed through the valley , drawing the attention of everyone.
The ladies seated near at a beautiful table beneath the branches of the grand tree , started the conversation "The great elven king seldom visits our humble valley." Said one lady , taking sip of her coffee "it is a rare occasion indeed"
"Why did he came now?" Asked another as she absentmindedly curled a strand of her hair
"Surely it is because how breathtaking beautiful Eloie is, there is no need for such a question", replies the third lady taking a sip of her frangnant tea . "Her milky white skin , rosy cheeks , blue eye Aah! are the stuff of dreams" , "Stop it!" Interjected another "you are making it sound as she is some kind of angel!"
"Well well well! " Another chimed in "the poor lady's kids run away and she needs to take care of Eloie alone poor lady!" Her voice laced with sarcasm. " Her children didn't run away they went out for some sort of adventure and never returned maybe they are lost" replied another with a knowing smile . She was sky, Eloie's next door neighbour. "Adventures are what boys do afterall"
"You don't know anything sky!" replied her "Eloie isn't her daughter though I don't know much . Some say she is a gift! While some say the elven king himself brought her upon the old lady's house , maybe goodwill or a debt to repay and there are those who claim that one morning a tiny bundle left on the doorstep , wrapped in blanked kept on the doorstep!"
While like them you all must be wondering what happened at the old lady's house.
The air was thick as elven king stepped through the threshold, the old lady looked at him and said "you haven't aged a day! Oh! My king!" He smiled as he entered her house.
"Eloie has grown up now!" Said the elven king "It's a pleasure to meet you!" Replied eloie with a big smile on her face
The elven king reached in his pockets and produced two coins , he gave them to Eloie  and asked her to buy some fruits, while Eloie assured him there are enough in the kitchen " I want fresh!" He replied with a little anger on his face.
Once she left , the atmosphere shifted. Inside the room , the elven king and old lady were sitting near an open window. They shared a moment of silence. The only voice was of the distant chirpping of birds, they smoked a pipe making perfect rings from the smoke.
After a while, the lady broke the silence, "why have you come now , My Majesty!"
"I have come to take what is mine" replied the king in commanding voice, his words hung in air , heavy , as if they carried the weigh of thousands unspoken truth .
The old lady leaned back , "What is that you seek , my majesty?" She asked
"Don't tell me you don't know! STOP ACTING DUMB!"the elven king roared. He stood up , casting a long shadow over the lady , and leaned towards her . The old lady could see  the anger on his face  , the expression for seeking the girl , the girl who is her everything . As the elven king came back , the old lady straightened herself . With a heavy heart she said " Don't tell me you've came to take her" The king replied with a smirk , his eyes flickering the window where sunset spilled into room . "Don't tell me you've grown possessive of her ? she was never yours to begin with"
The lady 's expression hardened "YOU TOOK MY SONS, NOW YOU WANT TO TAKE HER TOO. WHAT WOULD I DO ALONE? THIS EMPTINESS WILL CONSUME ME. THAT DAY YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE WHO TOOK MY LOVELY CHILDREN ,WEREN'T YOU?" the old lady started coughing ,"where are they? where? You couldn't find them could you? "
The king faced her with arrogance on his face " I don't know and I DON'T WANT to know!" He placed bundle of coins on the table between them , the clicking of sound echoing  like a mocking laughter in the silence, the old lady swept the coins aside , her hands shaking with anger , " you took my children right? Now I am not letting you take her !" She sat on the chair "you think you could buy her? Talking to you is waste of time!" She said with trembling voice.
" She was never yours I am your king and it's my order!" The king roared but the lady didn't replied anything "if you don't give her to me I will take her with force!" Again lady didn't replied anything, silence filled the room, just then the minister entered the hallway "oh! My majesty, the great elven king", he said calmly, though his back was slightly hunched from the weigh of the years he carried , He looked at the old lady , and added "you look more beautiful oh! Old lady! Than you did before , what's the matter?" The lady's gaze felt to the floor. The elven king sensed the tension in the air,  he first looked at the lady than at his minister and then he said " perhaps I should let you both talk in private" and firmly placed a reassuring hand on the minister's shoulder.
Once the king was gone , the minister's went towards the lady  "Why don't you help me collect the fallen coins?" He asked politely Together they began collecting the coins. "Oh! Old lady , you haven't aged a day" he said "why don't you let her go?". "What about me?" She replied, her voice trembling as she picked up a particular gold coin.
The minister nodded "I understand , my lady " As they continued together collecting coins , the minister's voice softened , "Why don't you you yourself go and find your sons , I heard they went towards the "whispering woods".
"I won't " the lady replied , as she sat placed  the conis on the table. While handing coins to the lady which minister picked from the floor , he said " you value Eloie more than your sons?, These coins may help you throughout your journey "
The old lady agreed as she loved her kids but she was wise , she said " I need a horse and a warrior to help me throughout the journey !"
The minister agreed "I will arrange them for you!"
"And what if I didn't find them" the lady questioned
"Then search them until you do" the minister replied firmly and step outside, with relaxed expression he approached the king " My Majesty!  The old lady is ready to let her go! " He said
"I knew only you could convience her," he replied , relief washing over her face , "What took you so long to appear ?" He added
"There was some unfinished business My Majesty" the minister replied bowing slightly.
The king frowned "Do you have any idea of the situation here?, What unfinished business you were talking about?" The minister asked as he  faced him.  " My majesty!" The minister began , just then Eloie appeared with fruits in her hands " My Majesty, I apologize; it is almost night, and I have kept you waiting!"
The minister took the fruits from her hand and a gentle smile on his face "pack you bags , Eloie , you are coming with us" he said
"Wait! WHAT ? " Eloie questioned , her eyes widened and Then she rushed inside the house, She saw old lady hurriedly packing bags "Eloie!" The old lady turned to face "My dear you are back!" She said softly, "You are leaving with the Elven king"
"Why? " Eloie questioned , "Well I am going somewhere so I can't just leave you alone so you are going with the king!" Replied the old lady
"Where are you going ?" Eloie pressed as she sat on the couch
"You will soon know" the old lady said , her eyes filled with sorrow , Eloie nodded and she quickly gathered her belongings and went outside , she sat on a horse without saying anything.

As they began , Eloie spotted her next door neighbour and friend - Xanthia and her mother Sky , "Where are you going ?" Exclaimed Xanthia, her mother bowed as a gesture to greet Elven king . Eloie dismounted, "it all happened so fast, I didn't get the time to tell you all" Eloie replied
"Where are you going? " Asked Xanthia
"Glowender , I suppose" answered Eloie
"GLOWENDER" exclaimed Xanthia "THE ELF KINGDOM!" She said impatiently "I would too like to come"
The elven king , on his great elven horse , raised his eyes with a firm tone he said "Not all are allowed there!"
Eloie exchanged worried glances , with xanthia and the elven king, just then Xanthia's mother stepped in with a warm voice she "Eloie , why don't you go and pick up the freshly baked cookies I prepared ? It's a small farewell gift from us!" Eloie turned towards king , seeking his approval. He blinked , as an indication of yes. As she made her way out , Sky bowed her demeanor shifting "I heard everything, my Majesty"
"What is that you heard ?" The minister replied immediately
"Everything, and I don't you would like it if Eloie knows that all" sky replied with a smirk on her face
The elven king interjected " Are you blackmailing me"
The Elves behind him pulled out their bows in perfect unsion , a breath taking display, a beautiful sight to view , let me tell you , the elegance of elven warriors in a war was nothing short of mesmerizing, they truly were incredible.
The lady sensed the rising tension and stepped forward .
"NO BLOOD MUST BE SHED IN THE VALLEY OF ELVES , IN SHRAUFF" she said firmly , "Especially not mine" she mummer , "And I assure you " she continued," I will not divulge anything " , the minister stepped forward and said "What assurance have we?"
"If it will ease the situation, why not take my daughter as well , if you hear me utter a word , she is yours to command!" Replied sky
"That's what"as the minister was about to begin the elven king made a hand gesture, signalling him to stop.

The king regarded sky with a knowing smile. "I see your cleverness, you wish for me to take your daughter. How desperate you must be."
Eloie returned just in time, the king then looked at her and back at Sky . "What do you say Eloie should we allow her daughter to come with us?" He laughed. The elven warriors than put down their bows.
"Yes my majesty!" Eloie hesitated
Sky came up with the belongings of Xanthia , She kissed both of them on their head and wished them goodbye.
They both mounted the horse that awaited them , the elven king leading the way followed closely by the minister , with Eloie just riding behind , then elven warriors behind then each carrying a lit wooden staff.

Sky watched them depart , a heavy sigh escaping her lips , as she turned to make way home , she felt a hand upon her shoulder, starled she spun around , her heart racing, only to find old lady there.
"You starled me",sky said with trembling voice.
"You should be"the old lady replied, "you did wrong , Sky ,you should not have let her go". Confused Sky asked "what did I do wrong? Is it not right to send my daughter with the great Elven king when you send your own".
The old lady went and sat on the doorstep, sky followed her , "I did not sent her ." Old lady replied
"Then who did?" Sky asked
"You won't understand dear! You won't , Elven king may seem noble and wise, Glowender may seem a paradise, yet dark secrets lie hidden from us". Sky felt a shiver run down her spine. "W-what are you trying to say." Sky asked
Old lady stood up and said "The chapter of our Children's departure is closed , How about a tea?"
With this they went inside her house and the door closed

Author's note:
English is not my first language, so there might be some mistakes. I apologize for any errors and appreciate your understanding! 📝🌟