Unknown L (Book 1)

~~~ Explain Yourself ~~~

L frowned and crossed her arms and waited for Emilia to go on. She wasn't sure what the difference between them and ordinary Elves was, but she wanted to know.

Emilia took a deep breath. She stood up and walked over to the fireplace, picking up a photo.

"We told you before how we were expected to act a certain way and how the Elf population would never banish us for some of the things we did. Well, that is because Brycathlen and I are royalty, the prince and princess, to be exact. Our parents hold the throne and will pass it down one day. I am the oldest, but I will never choose that life. I have already publicly refused, and so Brycathlen will one day become king. He refuses to accept this eventuality and works for the Council whenever possible so he can stay away from his royal duties.

"Maybe now you can understand a little more about him. With you surfacing as a Keeper, all of the species will soon be rallying together again, and his duties will become more serious. I don't want to burden you about your coming role, but you have to see that your future is also intertwined with those around you. Especially Brycathlen... although most of the time, he chooses to escape important issues until he's ready to deal with them."

L felt bowled over with the information, and she slumped down onto a nearby chair. Bryce was a prince and heir to the Elven throne? No wonder he liked to keep a low profile by wearing hats all the time- it made so much sense now. And to hear that he ran away when things got too much was oddly comforting.

L was still angry at him, but she did understand more now. Whatever reason he had for leaving, she knew she'd done similar things in the past. It was no excuse, and she wanted to punch him for it, but she could at least empathise with it.

Emilia arched a brow and smiled softly over at her, "Are you alright? I didn't mean to overwhelm you again. You seem to be getting that a lot lately."

L snorted and sat up straight, "It's okay, I'll be fine, but why didn't he mention it? And why wouldn't you take the throne?"

Emilia's smile faded, and she turned around, holding the photo in front of her.

"Something terrible happened once, a long time ago that changed my way of life. The Elven Elders, a group that is led by my parents, sent a contingent of soldiers out to dispose of a horde of Demons. It was supposed to be a routine and simple mission, or so I was told... but they were just being used as a diversion so a bigger force could get through to secure an Elven building. That's what the official reports say, but really, they were a sacrifice, and in the smaller group was my husband, Illiana's father, Darvan.

"My parents didn't approve of the marriage. They thought him beneath me and my status as heir to the throne. I loved him with all of my heart, but that didn't matter to them. I have always had my suspicions about what really happened that day. So I washed my hands of them all. They still keep up pretenses for the sake of tradition and still tend to Illiana's needs. But that's as far as I will let them be involved.

"Brycathlen hates what they did, and I had to persuade him not to abdicate on multiple occasions. The Elf who would succeed him is a horrible, snivelling little whelp. He would run our kingdom into the ground... and so, Brycathlen is obligated in more ways than one."

She fell silent, and L was horrified. She had seen first hand how amazing and fierce Elves were, but she never imagined they could do such terrible things.

When she spoke her thoughts aloud to Emilia, she laughed humourlessly. "They do cruel things like that all of the time, claiming it's for the greater good and the needs of the masses, and all of that jargon, but it is a lie. Every life should be of value no matter their stature, and none should be sacrificed for their own means. It makes me so furi-" 

She was suddenly cut off by a loud crashing that reverberated through the room. Illiana rushed in and ran straight to her mother.

"Mummy! It happened again. I didn't mean to, but I couldn't stop it. Can you help me clean it up, please?"

L blinked in surprise. She watched Emilia's expression instantly change from scorn to amusement.

"Of course I will. L, I'm sorry, but this won't take a moment."

L shook her head and stood up, "Don't apologise, I should be going now anyway. I'm sorry about what happened, all of it." She emphasised her words and knew Emilia understood. She nodded gratefully, and L followed them outside.

L saw the problem immediately. Illiana had somehow managed to bring an entire tree crumbling down onto the path in front of the house. L watched in shock when Emilia laughed. She walked up to the garden gate and raised her arms. The tree slowly began to rise and was soon back in its original place, roots and all.

Apart from the scattering of fallen leaves on the ground, there was nothing to show that anything had even happened. Emilia acted like it was perfectly natural, and it made L smile as she said her goodbye's. So much magic in one little girl and L was supposedly going to become stronger than that?

She couldn't make herself believe it and tried to distract her thoughts while she walked. She'd been on a rollercoaster of emotions already that day, and she was hoping to go back to her cottage for a nap. Luckily, there was nobody standing outside waiting for her and nobody inside either.

She walked into the kitchen to warm up the burgers Maeve had brought her and locked the front door. She grabbed her food and headed upstairs. She jumped into bed to eat, and seconds after finishing, she was fast asleep.

It was light when L woke, and she quickly realised she'd slept right through to the next day; she stretched out in bed and sighed at having slept in her clothes again. She got up to wash and change; looking at the wall clock once she was downstairs to see it was eight thirty-five in the morning.

She sat at the kitchen table with a drink of juice and tried to think about what she might do that day. She really needed to visit the Worcesters and then see about moving them into her cottage. She was about to get ready to leave when there was a knock on the door. She walked closer, expecting to see Matilda or Maeve through the little window.

What she found was a total stranger, a Were-Creature of some kind, and he was waiting expectantly when she opened the door.

"Greetings. Vadim has requested you in the Council Hall in ten minutes. He asks that you bring only yourself, leave all belongings behind and he will explain himself when you arrive."

L was about to question him when he turned and walked off.

"Thanks for the summons!" She called out angrily and kicked the door shut.

So she wasn't going to visit the Worcesters just yet. She wondered if this meeting would have anything to do with the consequences Vadim had said wouldn't be happening.

She pulled on her boots and, this time, left the note and photo hidden away. She didn't like the idea of leaving them, but if something happened, she didn't want them to get ruined.

She didn't pass anyone on her way to the Council Hall and realised most of the community would be just waking up. She almost wished she'd slept longer, but the curiosity was getting the best of her as she arrived at the huge double doors.

She made her way down the corridor and into the meeting room. It was as magnificent as the last time she'd seen it. The whole Council was assembled, but L felt less intimidated when she stood before them this time. She avoided eye contact with Walter and looked at Vadim, who was smiling widely. Apparently, she wasn't in trouble.

He stood up, and his staff appeared in his hand, "You must be wondering why we summoned you here so early?"

L wanted to say 'duh', but she knew that would be rude. Instead, she nodded and waited for him to explain.

"After reviewing everything that happened on your unauthorised mission, we've collectively decided that you should begin training your Keeper abilities immediately. Each of us on the Council will train you in our species' crafts, abilities, powers, magic, and any other form you may or may not need. You will begin today."