The Elf and the King of Reinhold

The princess chuckled lightly to the comment that Ellie made about not speaking much. She smirked slightly to the woman her eyes curious as she listened to her. “Well, you’re in the limelight now, like it or not.” A chuckle came over her lips. “I’m no different from anyone else, Ellie, I’m not quite sure what would cause you to have a hard time talking to me.” She seemed puzzled by the idea. The princess furrowed her brows slightly and let out a sigh. She gripped onto the bannister as Ellie spoke of the dream of the kingdoms uniting. “That’s the trouble isn’t it…that I cannot be the only one to build it. Artus would have built it with me…I believe…but…” She shook her head. “Unfortunately I fear that proving my innocence may be more difficult than even using the artifact for such a feat. Lilian may blame my witch magic.” She rolled her eyes slightly. “That woman…never treated me as if I belonged. She poked and prodded at me the entire time that I was in Reinhold….”

Lyrei thought for a long moment her expression flattened. “She’d tell me, ‘oh no you can’t do it that way, that’s not the way that we do things here in this kingdom’.” The princess fell quiet a bit of a scoff came over her lips. “I should have known that she would be the one to do anything to drive me out. She always seemed…” She paused a moment and looked to the skies, thinking of the word. “Disgusted…by my ears…by the color of my eyes…by…everything that I am…” She shuddered slightly and shook her head.

After that the princess tilted her head to Ellie’s comment about how the Rauka’s eyes would mesmerize someone that looked to deeply into them. A chuckle came over her lips then and she smirked slightly. “I could see it. They are quite alluring. Though, I’m not certain if that is my curiosity peaking once again.” She smiled to Ellie a genuine smile then, wider than she had since she had returned to the kingdom. “Perhaps getting lost like that is not such a terrible idea, hm?”

Lyrei perked up even more as Ellie agreed to go to the temple with her, without any objection at all. “A chimera?” Her brows raised, once again curiosity came over her expression. “Oh wow…I…didn’t even know those existed anymore. I thought that many of the magical monsters had vanished with the War of Tyr…dragons did at least.” She pondered the idea. “Fire-Lions…I can’t say I have heard of.” She chuckled lightly. “But it certainly doesn’t sound like a creature that I would like to run into any time soon…at least…alone.” She smirked to Ellie before she gazed to the sky once again, the sun was beginning to dip down toward the horizon. “We do not have much daylight left…it takes roughly 6 hours of climbing to reach the temple…then I do not know how long it will take to search…it has been sealed…so that will pose a problem as well…”

The princess seemed to fall into deep thought, her eyes gazed into the koi pond. A soft smile upon her lips. “I say…that we get that book about the temple and we leave just before dawn. That should give us plenty of time. I will have the stable hand ready our horses for the morning and pack the saddle bags with items that we are likely to need.” Lyrei smiled to Ellie then, “Thank you for this…you do not doubt me…it is…” She gazed into Ellie’s eyes once again. “Quite refreshing.” Her eyes stayed there for a moment looking into the swirling galaxy of colors. Her expression softened slightly. She then drew in a breath. “I’m not certain how long we have until the soldiers from Reinhold arrive…” She bit her lip slightly as she looked away. “I imagine we only have a few days before they have reached the city…” The princess held a troubled look about her eyes once more. "I do not wish to see my people die...nor do I wish to see the soldiers of Reinhold fall...not over the hatred of their previous queen...I..." She drew in a long breath. "I am their queen and I must protect them and find a way to steer them away from this..." She fell quiet as she gazed into the koi pond once again. The princess was holding more of the responsibility of this situation upon her shoulders than she was able to control, but the look in her eyes was determined...

Lyrei turned her head to look to Ellie, as the compliments seemed to rush out of the woman. Lyrei’s jaw loosened slightly, a deep blush rushed across her cheeks. “Oh…um…” She didn’t seem to know what to say to the compliments. “Thank you…um…I…” She finally tore her eyes away from Ellie and drew in a deep breath. “You’re more poetic with your words than you realize…you know?” A chuckle came over her lips then.

The princess gazed into the koi pond as she listened to Ellie speak of the monsters of the world. “They just sound so incredible…such magnificent creatures. I mean…could you imagine looking up into the sky to see a dragon?” She grinned in an excited manner. “It is a shame that their kind fell with the wars of our past. So many things have been lost from this world because of the selfishness of the creatures upon it…it pains me to think of it…perhaps that is the healer in me?” She smirked slightly. “Mother…always said that if I could mend the world I would…bit by bit if I can, I will.” She smiled to Ellie finally looking back to her once again.

When Ellie asked if she intended on telling anyone a chuckle came over her lips. “Of course. Mother may not be very pleased with me…and I am certain father will put his foot down. But that has never stopped me in the past. I actually made a trek to the temple before about….” She thought a moment. “5 years ago. To pay my respects. I did not enter the temple. But I took a special plant. “It’s a very special flower, one of the only ones that can survive the snow and the altitude that the temple is at. They are called Winter Lilies. Perhaps you have seen them before? The bloom is absolutely stunning.” She smiled and gazed into Ellie’s eyes once again, falling quiet a moment as she took in the swirling of the hues. “They are bright red at the base that slowly fades into a yellow that matching nothing other than that of the sun…quite a special flower. We will be able to see it from a way away if it truly has survived.” She chuckled lightly then.

“I know…that my blood roots are here. But, I do not want to abandon the people of Reinhold either.” She nodded. “It is difficult to explain. I know that it was only a month of my life…but…” She shook her head slightly, “I am their Queen. I must pull them from these dark times as well. Hopefully with the held of Artus…” She bit her lip slightly in thought. She hoped that Lilian would not discover that he sent a letter to her to warn her of the approaching troops.

An amused look came over the princess’ expression then. “Did you just invite me to a tavern?” She questioned; her smile widened as she took a few quick steps to catch up with Ellie. “I’ve never had an ale.” She admitted and a chuckle came over her lips. “Wine, but not ale.” She glanced to Ellie. “I also can’t say that I have been to a tavern before.” She laughed lightly, “But, I can make an exception…perhaps I should change? I….am afraid I may not fit in with the common folk of town dressed like this.” She glanced to Ellie then with questioning eyes.

Lyrei raised a brow slightly and pondered the thought of something discrete. She wasn’t entirely sure what to wear, but she imagined she would have something in her closet to dress in. “No, taverns are not a place for a princess...at least that is what my mother would say.” She chuckled lightly as she followed along. She grinned when Ellie grinned, almost like a reaction to the woman’s smile. Though her smile turned to a frown as well when Ellie mentioned the assassin. “I suppose that you are right, we should not risk anything especially because we are not entirely certain what to expect. Artus’ letter didn’t mention anything about the assassin. Lilian could have other tricks up her sleeve...” The princess sighed softly, “Maybe when this all is over...you and I can go to a tavern.” She chuckled lightly.

Lyrei fell quiet as she listened to Ellie request for Yavon and Enri to come to the lounge. She’d also never been in the lounge. It was where most of the guard hung out. It might as well have been a tavern within the castle. It was a stepping stone for her at least. As they came to her room Lyrei stepped over to her wardrobe and thumbed through her dresses. She glanced to Ellie as she looked to the sketch that sat upon her dresser. “Oh? I’m certain my room is not much different than anyone else’s...” She commented with a smile as she grasped a beautiful black and blue dress from her wardrobe and she disappeared behind the changing curtain. She reached behind her back to undo the corset of her dress carefully and as she changed she listened to Ellie speak. “Hm...” She hummed lightly as she stepped out. The dress had a beautiful flow to it, but it wasn’t nearly as extravagant as her previous dress.

The princess gazed to Ellie as she spoke of how she felt as though she belonged...yet she didn’t all at the same time. She gave a gentle smile her crystal hues looked over the woman. “Well...” She spoke as she stepped across the room. She paused as Ellie fixed her sleeve. Her eyes looked to it and she blushed slightly as the woman’s fingertips brushed against her skin. “Oh...I’m...um not used to having to make sure my dresses are adjusted. Thank you.” She giggled lightly. “You want to know something, Ellie?” Lyrei gazed into her eyes a long moment. “As a child, I stood at that very balcony, looking over the city...and I watched the children play in the very orphanage that you came from...” She drew in a breath. “I watched the children run through the streets of the city, I watched them play tag….play hide and seek...I watched them laugh...and laugh and laugh...” Her expression softened slightly. “I would have given anything to have been down on those streets laughing and playing...but I could not. It was not allowed...I am a princess...I am not to leave the castle grounds...it’s too dangerous.”

Lyrei sighed softly, “When I remember you.” She spoke a bit of a smirk curved up her lips. “I remember watching you spar with Enri...” She chuckled lightly. “We...are so close in age...hm...” She shook her head slightly. “I would have been your friend Ellie...I would have given anything to have a friend.” She then drew in a breath as Ellie made her next comment.

“To drink and socialize for fun?” She chuckled and shook her head. “Ellie, I’m not certain I am capable of doing such things.” She grinned, a playful smile about her face. She handled Ellie poking fun of her quite well, almost as if it was something that she’d missed out on her entire life. The princess followed her through the castle and into the guards quarters where the lounge was. She looked about the dimly lit room and she gave a gentle smile to Yavon. When he complimented her and kissed the back of her hand she gave a polite smile, “Thank you captain.” She spoke as she took her seat. She glanced to Ellie, the way that Yavon treated her. She’d never been treated in such a way. Everyone always treated her as a princess...never as a friend….just the royalty to be respected. Even as a child.

Lyrei glanced to the captain as he questioned her of the wine in Reinhold. She reached forward and lifted the wine glass. She swirled it slightly and took in the smell of the wine. “They certainly have a different taste in wine. I cannot say that it is bad….I enjoyed it quite a bit. The humans prefer a bit more of a….young wine...perhaps because they do not age like we do.” She smiled slightly. That was a realization that she had yet to put together. Artus would never live to be the age that she would. He would be but a blip in her long life. Perhaps that was something that the humans envied of elves?

The door opened and Enri walked in she glanced to Ellie and grinned. She stepped to her and hugged her, “It’s so good to have you back.” She spoke before she then stepped to Yavon and hugged him. Her eyes then fell upon Lyrei. “Princess...what a surprise. Forgive me.” She bowed her head.

Lyrei chuckled from where she sat, “No apologies needed. I am in your domain am I not?” She spoke with a smile. “Oh you need a glass.” She spoke as she set her own glass down to pour a glass for Enri.

The lieutenant looked to the princess with almost shocked eyes. It was not custom for the royals to drink with the guards, much less for a princess to serve up a drink. “Thank you princess.” She bowed her head again before she sat down. She took a sip from the wine. “Ohhhh Yavon!” She exclaimed. “Is this the wine the king gave you? Tell me it is!” She chuckled as she reached up to remove her helmet. It was very rare that Enri removed any of her armor, but she was off duty. She had beautiful blonde locks that were braided to one side in an intricate elven braid. Her eyes were a striking emerald color. She had several freckles upon her cheeks from the days she’d spend in the sunlight. She gaze to Ellie and smiled as she looked to her. “You know Ellie you have to give us some of your monster slaying Rauka tales.” She grinned then. She then looked to the princess, almost as if she was afraid that the nobility at the table would not want to hear such stories. But Lyrei had nodded and turned her attention to Ellie as well, curious as ever.

Lieutenant Enri (without her helmet)

Enri sipped upon her wine and her striking emerald hues caught Ellie’s hues. A bit of a smirk curved up her lips as she looked to the woman. For a knight, she held a feminine complexion. If one were to see her outside of her armor they would most likely not suspect it to be Enri at all. She pulled her eyes from Ellie to look to the swords upon the table. She used to use a sword, years ago. But she had grown quite fond of the pole arm. She was quick with it, any foe she had faced up against did not stand a chance against Enri. “Bolvar?” She lifted her eyes to look to Ellie, a huge grin upon her lips. Of course Enri had heard of the legend.

“You’ve heard of him?” The princess questioned, she had a puzzled expression as her eyes fell upon Enri.

“Oh yes of course! Any true warrior knows his name. He took on three Chimeras at once by himself. He left that fight without a scratch on his body.” She grinned and gazed to the princess. “Um…” She bit at her lip slightly. “It would be like…” She furrowed her brows. “The magi…that you studied. Hm?”

Lyrei drew in a breath and offered a playful smile. “He sounds much more interesting than any of the magi that I studied.” She chuckled lightly before her eyes looked back to Ellie. “Continue, apologies.” She sipped on her wine, her hues focused in on the Rauka. The princess had a worried look in her eyes as Ellie spoke of the empty caravan that was left without a trace of fowl play. “You barged in?” She exclaimed her eyes wide. “You’re far more brave than I am.” A chuckle came over her lips. She was nearly through her glass of wine on an empty stomach.

Enri was leaning forward in her chair, an entranced crooked grin upon her lips as Ellie spoke of the adventure. As she spoke of the changeling the lieutenant nodded before she took a sip of her wine. “I would have never guessed it to be a Changeling. But then again, I am not a Rauka. I’m only trained to defend our kingdom and our….princess…” She smirked and then look to Lyrei whom seemed quite fascinated by the feather.

“Oh…? Um…yes I do not know how to fight…” Lyrei spoke as she took the feather into her hands. She turned it over and looked to the beautiful glow of the phoenix feather. “But I could heal you if you were hurt you know.” She glanced to Enri. Her cheeks were a shade of rose and her royal tone had slipped away. “I have just not been allowed on an adventure.” She smirked and let out a slight giggle. The princess then turned her attention back to the feather. “This is incredible…I…did not know that the phoenix still existed…” She shook her head and gazed to Ellie. “To think you’ve done such incredible things and yet here you are sitting before me.” She handed the feather back to Ellie. “You will be known as a hero one day. I’m sure of it. A better legend even than your master.” The princess finished off her glass of wine.

Enri had an amused grin upon her lips as she sipped her wine. “Do you need a refill on that wine, princess?” She asked as she leaned forward.

“Yes, please that would be quite excellent.” Lyrei smiled as she held her glass up toward Enri who had stood and stepped forward to pour the princess another glass of wine.

Enri glanced to Ellie with a smirk before she returned to her seat. “Well, I can’t say that I am nearly as polished as a monster hunter as you are, Ellie.” She gazed to the woman a long moment taking in her expression before she cleared her throat slightly and looked back to the princess whom seemed perfectly content. “Don’t drink that too quickly, princess.” She commented.

Lyrei looked to the glass and then she smiled a crooked goofy smile, not the normal perfected smile that the princess had been taught. “I promise I will not over do it.” She nodded. “I have had wine you know?” She commented.

Enri had relaxed quite a bit as the princess had also relaxed. “Of course, of course.” She chuckled and then looked to Ellie. “I um…and the head trainer now for our guard.” She spoke, “All those years sparring with you.” She winked. “Yavon decided to turn me loose on the new recruits. Most of them hate me. But they will earn a respect of me.” She smirked before her eyes looked to the princess.

Lyrei reached forward and grasped one of the swords. Her expression was captivated. She tilted her head to the side as she ran her fingertips over the inscriptions that were carefully made upon the hilt of the blade. She rubbed her thumb over the jewel that was expertly cut and placed into the metal. She turned the blade over as she examined it closely. “This is beautiful.” She spoke as her crystal hues turned to Ellie. She gave another crooked smile before she set the blade back down on the table. “Apologies…” She spoke as she realized she had not asked permission to touch the blade. She knew that the knights were very particular about their blades so she imagined that picking up Ellie’s blade like that might have caused a bit of an upset.

Lyrei drew in a breath as she looked to the feather once again. She turned it around in her fingertips to look at the beautiful glow as Ellie told her the story of how she had come upon such a rare item. “You saved the phoenix.” She spoke, a smile upon her lips. She sipped from her wine idly as she listened to the story. When Ellie spoke that she could keep the feather the princess’ eyes lit with excitement. “Keep it? Are you certain?” She searched Ellie’s eyes. She gasped slightly and then giggled with delight. “I will cherish it.” She nodded as she then took another sip of her wine. “I’ll have to put it in a special place to keep it as well as you have.”



The princess gazed to Yavon as he stood to offer her more wine. She smiled with her rosy cheeks and lifted her wine glass upward to him. Lyrei scoffed with a chuckle as she looked to Ellie. “I’ve had plenty of wine.” She spoke and narrowed her eyes in a playful manner.



“Yes, perhaps you have.” Enri grinned as she saw this new side of the princess that she’d never seen before. The woman was quite a bit more playful and she smiled more than Enri had ever seen. Perhaps this was the princess deep down and she kept her emotions in check because that is what she was taught to do? Enri then nodded to Ellie in response, “Maybe you can beat me now.” She winked. “Doubtful, but you can try.” Her grin spread over her lips as she gazed into Ellie’s eyes. “But, I can imagine you’ve learned quite a bit of tricks from your master. But I’ll warn you, just because you have been gone that doesn’t mean that I have not been gaining in my skills. I haven’t become rusty just because I am the lead training officer.” She chuckled lightly.



Lyrei looked back and forth between the two, an amused smile upon her lips. “I’ll buy whomever wins a bottle of fine wine to celebrate the occasion.” She offered as she finished her glass. When Ellie moved to sit next to her the princess looked to their legs that were pressed against one another. Her eyes stayed there a moment only to be torn away by Ellie’s voice. Her cheeks had flushed pink, her crystal hues gazed to Ellie, the same crooked smile curved up her lips. She gazed to the blade as Ellie showed it to her, she reached out and gingerly touched one of the runes curiously. “The craftsmanship is incredible…the attention to detail…” She shook her head slightly, she didn’t know what to say.



The princess hesitated a moment as Ellie offered her the blade. “Are you certain?” She had questioned before she took it carefully. Her hands pulled down from the weight but she held it up. She gripped onto it with both hands as her eyes looked over the blue blade. As she held it she felt something that she’d never felt before. “Ellie…” She furrowed her brows. The runes upon this blade slowly began to glow a beautiful white. Her eyes shimmered with her magic as it reacted to the blade. She moved the blade about in her hands gingerly and glanced to Ellie, “I can feel the blade…every bit of it…” She stared back to the glowing runes.



Enri tilted her head slightly, “How interesting for it to react to you…what does that mean Ellie?” She questioned then her voice peaked with curiosity. As Enri asked this the princess' eyes began to take on the same white glow that the runes upon the blade had, a reaction of her magic to the blade.

Lyrei gazed to the blade with a look of awe in her eyes. As Ellie took it the flow slowly disappeared from her eyes and the beautiful crystal color became visible once again. She gazed to the darkness that surrounded the blade as Ellie held it, her brows pulled together slightly as she observed it. “It reacts to the soul?” She questioned her expression full of confusion. As she watched the blade refuse to react to Yavon. Then once again the black shadows appeared. “I...I am not so powerful Ellie...this must be a mistake...” Lyrei gave a slight laugh, her cheeks still warm from the wine.

Enri on the other hand was staring to the Princess. Her eyes look to Ellie and she bit her lip slightly. As if the lieutenant had something to say, but she held her words. “You’ve been charged with protecting her hm?” She spoke after a moment of silence a chuckle followed. “You’re in good hands princess.” The Lieutenant stood and placed her helmet back over her head. “I will see you after dinner for sparring then. Princess.” She bowed. “I hope you may join.” Enri then took her leave from the room.

Lyrei’s eyes still looked to the swords on Ellie’s back, she was fascinated. “Dinner sounds quite nice. It will be lovely to see you spar against Enri. I’ve always enjoyed watching her perform in the tournament. She can defeat most any challenger.” The princess stood then. The alcohol threw off the princess’ balance however and she stumbled slightly. In reaction to this her arms wrapped quickly around Ellie as she nearly fell into her. “Oh....dear....apologies...” She spoke, her forehead had pressed into Ellie’s collarbone for a brief moment. As she steadied herself she took a step back, her cheeks her brightly blushed. “That wine....was a bit strong.....I am realizing...” she giggled lightly, the goofy smile upon her lips once again.

Lyrei chuckled lightly as she was balanced. She smirked a bit to Ellie. “Eyes on the tiles…okay…” She spoke as she seemed to focus as they began to walk forward. “That was a strong drink.” She laughed and shook her head slightly, clearly embarrassed. She turned her gaze and stumbled slightly but caught herself as she listened to Ellie. “Oh…I couldn’t imagine doing such a thing…” She giggled lightly. “Could you imagine me trying to defend myself? In the wilds? Like this?” She smirked once again. This was a whole different side of the princess that few had seen, if any. She hummed slightly in thought and then laughed once again. “I cannot even defend myself against an assassin…” She muttered. “I was not raised to fight like you.” She looked to Ellie again her crystal hues curious.

She was quiet, her hand upon the counter as they had entered the kitchen. Her eyes moved about as she took in the scent of the cooking food. She watched the movements of the servants, a soft smile upon her lips. Servants bowed their heads to her as they moved about. She then turned her attention to Ellie as she was beckoned to follow. She walked into the dining hall, her heels clicked loudly against the tiling. She sat down heavily and drew in a long breath. “Oh I’ve never had a hang over.” She spoke. “I’ve heard it is a terrible thing.” Another laugh came over her lips as she sipped from her water before she lifted her utensils.

As Ellie began to speak about the impending war Lyrei’s expression softened. She set down her utensils as she pressed her lips together, her brows furrowed slightly. Here she was, all of the weight of the world felt as though it was upon her shoulders. Everyone looked up to her to take the lead. Everyone believed that she would lead them to the future that had been imagined. After a long moment of silence the princess nodded. “I…appreciate the compliment Ellie.” She spoke, her words came from her mouth slowly. “I imagine that you and Enri will fight well together…I am thankful that you have returned to the kingdom at such a time…though it is not the most ideal time for our kingdom…but fate tends to work in strange ways doesn’t it?” The princess sipped from her water and set the glass down as she stared across the room to a wall that held a large painting of the royal family.

She drew in a long breath, “I can only hope that we will find what we need within the temple before it is too late. I hope that we are able to find help there…” She shook her head slightly, her expression focused. “I fear that we may not find what we are looking for, but without trying…we will never know.” She gave a bit of a smile at the end. “We will be swift. I’ve studied the old relics and languages enough as I grew up…it shouldn’t be much trouble.” She returned her attention to her food as she took another bite. The princess was quiet as she ate her meal, her expression of deep contemplation.

Lyrei eventually finished her water and she gave a smile to Ellie, she was feeling more stable now that she had food in her stomach. The doors to the dining hall pushed open and Bellaluna came walking in. The queen stepped over to the two. “Lieutenant Enri told me I would find you two here.” She spoke with a smile upon her lips as she came to her daughter’s side. “So…Lyrei when are you planning to go to the temple?” She questioned as she watched her carefully.

The princess looked up to her mother as she’d come into the room, her crystal hues focused in on the woman. When the question was posed of her she smiled slightly. “Tomorrow morning. We must get the artifact before the soldiers from Reinhold are upon us….we can only hope that I find what I am looking for there.”

The queen gave a nod as she glanced to Ellie. “I assume you are going to go with her…please keep my daughter safe, Ellie.” Her voice almost pleaded. She looked to Lyrei as she stood. The queen stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace. “I know you will do well my sweet daughter. You are the strongest person I know.” She kissed her daughter’s cheek as she released her.

Lyrei gave a gentle smile to her mother as she was released. “Thank you mother. It means more than you know that you are supporting this.”

“Did I have a choice?” The queen questioned with a chuckle only to see her daughter shake her head. “I’ve already asked the stable hands to ready your horses. Please, be safe.” She hugged her once again. The queen then stepped to Ellie. “Ah Ellie.” She hugged her. “It is so good to have you home. It’s been too long dear.” She released the hug after a moment. “I will see you two when you return.” The queen spoke before she stepped from the room.

Lyrei watched as the woman stepped from the room. She drew in a long breath as she watched the door close. A grin split her lips finally as she looked to Ellie. “We won’t fail.” She nodded. “Now don’t you have to spar?” She chuckled as she walked to leave the room. “Or are you afraid the Enri is going to beat you?” A smirk curved up her lips as she made her way to leave the dining hall.