King Ellinder

King Ellinder looked out of the castle windows over the fields below. He could see the figures of the people, he could see children running and although he couldn't hear it, he knew that they would be shrieking with laughter. It was the same scene that he looked upon every day, so long as the weather held. But today, he didn't look upon it with a smile.

He had received word from a messenger just the day before, one that was unexpected. The messenger was from the nearby kingdom of Uloradon and he welcomed the rider with a smile. But the look was grim upon the man, and once he had given the note to the king, he turned around and rode back without a word. This mannerism troubled the king, but not as much as what the message read.

"War." King Ellinder spoke aloud, and he felt his throat catch. He didn't expect anything of the sort for his kingdom during his reign, during any reign. The people of Gondoleu had never done anything to a soul, except trade with them fairly. But apparently this was nothing to Uloradon, who Kind Ellinder had once considered their ally.

"Yes." A voice behind him said, and the Kind turned around slowly. Normally, he would be startled by any voice behind him, but this was the voice of Mirilia - the only voice that could ever sooth him.

"War is upon us." Her violet eyes stared deeply into his charcoal ones and for a moment there were no words. Just feelings passed between the souls of these old friends. They had been together almost every day for all of Kind Ellinder's ages, and many of Mirilia's.

"Why?" He asked her, as if she would know. But even though Mirilia had the power of many people, and the wisdom of the magic that she possessed, this she could not answer. She simply took the King's hand and didn't lose contact with his eyes.

"That, we will find out soon enough. But we cannot wait for the answer before we take action." She lost contact with his gaze only when he let down his lids, desperate to gain control over his emotions. The King was scared. But he couldn't let anyone but Mirilia know this. He nodded solomnly to her statement.

"Has the word been spread about my address?" He asked and Mirilia nodded.

"Yes, I have told many and I made sure that everyone should come. I'm going to make one more round just before to make sure that everyone is there. We need everyone to hear exactly what you say. Otherwise the story will grow and become even more monsterous than it already is." She then put her hands on the man's shoulders and gave him a light kiss on the forehead. She did her best to give him a shakey smile and then left him to his thoughts as she went to go make the last round. It pained her to see him like that as much as it pained her to know that war was coming. He was like a son to her, and she couldn't have asked for one better.

As she left the room, King Ellinder felt his nerves start to get the better of him. While her tender kiss had made him feel better on the outside, in his heart he still felt the weight pulling him down. He patted his clammy hands on the side of his tunic. He had taken off his cloak and laid the staff by the door. Today, he would speak to his people without the adornments of a King. He would speak to them as a citizen, just as much affected as they were. He would speak to them as the soldier he would have to become.

King Ellinder took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then, without a moments hesitation he left the room and aimed his way toward the center of the village, where he would address his people.

====

It didn't take long for the King to say what he had to. After all, how much could he elaborate when all he had was the little slip of parchment that declared war? He couldn't answer the questions of the frightened villagers and it pained his heart to see them like that.

When the shock settled in slightly for them, a young man that the King knew from his random escapades raised his hand with a question.

"When will we start preparing to fight?" The young man named Daemas asked. The King looked down into his awaiting eyes and told the awaiting people what the preparations would be. All the men who were capable of fighting, and were over the age of 17 were expected to fight. He could see the young Daemas squirm as he mentioned the age limit. He couldn't be a day over 15.

King Ellinder remembered the looks on the faces of the villages as she spoke of preparations. Even though the village had been peaceful they were not completely unprepared. There were stores of weapons in the castle, bows, swords, daggers...things that could be used in the war. But what they lacked was skill.

The King informed them that they would begin training immediately, at day break tomorrow. All the men were asked to arrive as soon as possible. He then asked that the women begin cooking and sewing. The men would need clothes and food. They were asked to search for extra blankets and anything that could be spared.

"We will need everything for this war. I know know how long it will last, or how far away it will be. All I know is that I will not let the enemy strike our village. We will ride out to meet them, so that those here will not be harmed. But that will mean getting supplies will be difficult." King Ellinder had looked upon his people and they stared silently back at him without objections. He felt his chest swell with a sort of pride. This people were willing to fight for their cause and their life, they weren't about to give up.

Finally, after the King had said that was needed he ended with one final statement. "Some might be wondering why we fight. Why we do not surrender. I have not even considered that option, because we are being attacked unjustly. They think that because we are peaceful we will just lay down and let them take over our lives. Let's give them a surprise."

There was no cheer and no applause. The King stepped down from the podium and went back into his castle. The sun was setting and he had to speak with a few key people before he retired. Then, the day would break and the training would begin.

=====

King Ellinder woke to gentle hands on his chest.

"Time to rise." The soceress said, peering down at him. He groggily opened his eyes and did his best to match the sad smile that Mirilia had upon her lips.

It had been five days since he made the announcement to his people and the tense strain that hung over the village was about to break. He could feel it and he knew that today was going to be the day. There were reports yesterday from messengers miles out that something appeared to be congregating. Oh, if only it weren't so.

"I've already packed the bag for your horse, you are all ready...as far as materials go." She looked deep into his eyes and he knew what she meant just by her tone of voice. Being the soceress that she was, she saw certain things and knew what was coming today. She was worried for him, and he was worried for himself.

"I will be ready. Do not fret." He said and did his best to look convincing. Mirilia's sad smile widened just slightly with real humor, for it was blatently obvious that he was saying that just for her sake.

"Thank you, Ellin." She said, talking to him only as she could. She smoothed out his hair and then left him to ready for the day in privacy.

It didn't take long and soon the King was outside of the castle and tasting the scent of the morning. It was still early, but it was time to go. Mirilia had already went around to the homes and notified that the departure would begin. There were to be many tears today, and for many days to come.

It didn't take long for the "soldiers" to start arriving. The King looked upon the hodge podge of farmers and citizens that walked to the meeting place, laden with swords, an assortment of bags, blankets, and anything else they thought to bring. Horses that were able to be spared from the families were brought as well.

"We will be traveling to Settipun's Peak to make camp. It is far enough away from the village for our families to be safe, and Uloradon will have to travel around from the back to attack us. We shall be safe there." For now. He nodded to those there and then started moving forward, passing close to Mirilia. There were no words spoken and for an instant the King desperetely wished that the socercess were coming along. But he knew that she could not.

She will be here, helping the woman make and take supplies to us. He thought and continued moving forward. He tried his best to look brave and determined but he knew in his heart that the odds were slim. The prospect was dim.

====

They reached Settipun's Peak long after the sun had set that night. Immediately, the King turned to his three captains and told them to set up camp. Organization was not key for this night, they would rearrange in the morning. King Ellinder the went to great the scout who had been waiting for him. The news had not become any more cheerful.

"It is obvious that troops are coming our way, Lord." He said with regret. King Ellinder was not surprised though and kept his face masked.

"How many?"

The messenger looked around at the group the King had brought. "At least this by three. Maybe four." No reaction from the King.

"Trained?"

"Well, they walk in lines and all carry swords. Many are calvary." He hesitated and the King urged him to go on with his eyes. "They were led by Pendatha."

King Ellinder nodded. "Thank you, you have brought me the information that I needed. Please, go find your captain and set up camp." The messenger bowed and led his horse over to one of the designated men. The felt himself go weary. He looked over the group that he had brought. Four times that amount? Despair set in at his heart. Maybe it was the wrong decision to fight.

Quickly, the King shook his head and straightened up. Why did he even think like that? Surrendering was not an option - not because of his will and selfishness but because the note given to him by the village of Uloradon said so. They did not want a village full of people, they wanted only the land. If they did not fight, they would be slaughtered in their homes.

King Ellinder turned on his heel and went to the tent that had been set up for him and the captains, on the way he was stopped though by a regular participant.

"Sir," He stammered and looked behind him. "We have, uh...well, you might just want to come take a look."

The King willingly followed and soon found himself standing before a young woman, restrained by two older men. She struggled to get out of their grip but they held her steady. King Ellinder lifted his hand and the two released her.

"Aeaven?" He asked, recognizing her as the daughter of a woman who lived in the castle. "What in blessed God's name are you doing?"

The young woman, who could only be the age of 20 flipped her long, brown hair over her face and stood up tall - anger flashing in her amber eyes. "Lord, I am fighting in this war, female or not." She stated defiently. The two men behind her snorted with laughter. The King gave them a sharp look.

"You two, what are your names?" He asked and they looked up, startled.

"My name is Larad," One man said, a greasy lock of hair falling in his eyes. He talked without a formal address and the King prickled slightly. "And he is Thydon. We were only attempting to restain this hostile...woman." He sneered at the last word and the King nodded.

"Thank you for your assistance, you make leave now." He stated and looked at them seriously. Larad bristled and then gave a slight nod of departure. Thydon looked down at his feet and then bowed - looking truthfully apologetic. The King then quietly dismissed the other and was left with Aeaven.

"Why is it that you want to fight Aeaven?" He asked, and at first she didn't respond. For a moment she looked at the ground and then she raised her eyes. He was surprised to see a pain there.

"The exact reasoning is my own. King, I would just like the opportunity to help my people." She looked into his eyes, almost daring him to say no. "You cannot stop me, even if I don't live in the camp, I will fight."

The King didn't question her resolve, he just wondered deep in his heart why she chose this path. "I thank you for wanting to help your people. But I do fear for where you will sleep, you cannot be with the soldiers. You may house with those helping with the injuries." He pointed to a tent that was larger than the others and Aeavan hesitated.

"Please. You do not have to assist them, you may just sleep in the tent. You will find other females in there." Then, without waiting for her response he turned and headed back to his place to rest. And wait for the next day.

====

"Forward!" The voice cried out above the rain and the King looked out across his people. He had given them a long talk not long ago, and they all had looks of determination on their faces. Cold, hard, expressions. He hated to see them like that. Of course, he hated a lot of things right about now.

It had been two days ever since they made camp at Settipun's Peak, and finally there was an attack. Why Pendatha wanted to battle to early in the morning during a storm was beyond him, but then again the whole idea of the war was beyond him.

Pendatha used to be his friend, a companion and trusted woman to trade with. Her and her husband ruled Uloradon well, similar to his village. But not long ago, her husband died of Scarlet Fever...maybe that was the reason for the change. Either way, the woman stood across the field, high on her horse, waiting for the battle to begin.

King Ellinder guided his horse through the driving rain as he followed the walking troops. They moved cautiously forward, and the King could see on the far end of the other field, the other army was coming forward in a similar manner.

As they neared eachother, thousands of thoughts rolled through the King's mind. Who would be the first to strike? Who would be the first to die? Who would be the first to retreat? He wanted desperetely for those questions to be all answered by saying "Uloradon" but he could never know until it happens.

Suddenly, as the front lines drew dreadfully close to one another, they stopped without a command. For moments there was no sound except for the rolling of thunder through the stormy grey sky. No one moved, until the King broke the still.

"Pendatha!" He cried as he rode up from the sides of his troops. All of the eyes followed him as he went to the front, standing in the middle of the row, aligning himself with the Uloradon leader. "This doesn't have to happen. We don't have to have a war." He cried, lightning crackling just as he ended his sentence, seemingly punctuating it. Pendatha wasn't shaken however.

"I have made my decision Ellinder! Nothing will cause me to turn back now!" She yelled back over the empty space and King Ellinder could only shake his head at her statement.

"You have decided, it's all you! What did your people want? Did they want to kill for not reason?" He asked, feeling the anger rising within him.

Pendatha grinned at his comment. "Why don't you ask them?" She asked, and then turned to her troops. "Did you want to fight, my people?" She asked and instantly, each and everyone responded.

"Yes, Queen Pendatha."

King Ellinder audibly gasped as he looked over each of her troops, for the first time seeing them individually, not as a mass bigger than his own. He could see their their eyes looked forward, that there was no being to them. Instantly, he knew what was happening.

"Scorcery." He whispered and looked at Pendatha with a whole new light. Of course, he knew that there was something different. She had grown, she was much taller - the taller a scorceress is the greater the strength. This magic wasn't the kind of Mirilia, it was darker and it was being used for the worst possible reason. King Ellinder knew now what they were up against, and he knew that she would not back down.

The King looked over to his side and gave a look at the captain. "We will fight." The captain gave a solomn nod. Then Ellinder looked back to Pendatha. "You have chosen then path for your people and for my people Pendatha. But hear this - you will not succeed."

This comment only caused her grin to become wider. She then raised up one hand and every sword on the other side came out of it's shealth. "Charge!"

=====

The first battle wasn't brutal, it was as if Pendatha was just teasing them, giving them a taste of what they would be expecting in the battles to come. It also wasn't a long battle, before Pendatha started pulling back, letting the Gondoleu troops advance forward.

Eventually, the King told his own troops to pull back, as Pendatha retreated back to where ever they were camped out. There was a sick sort of energy as the troops came back - the high of all those who were walking unharmed that they were still alive and that they would be around to see the next day.

King Ellinder waited until the last of the walking troops had moved back and moved his eyes over the ones that lay in the field. Soon, those helping with the injured would find those still living. Thankfully, there weren't many felled. He slowly crossed himself and gave a little thank you for those who already lost their lives in the honor of Gondoleu, and for Uloradon. He knew now that they knew not what they did, and that sickened him. Then, solomnly, he rode back to camp.

As he came back to the camp he thought about how the magic was being used in evil. It was reasons like this that he appreciated Mirilia that much more. She had always used everything for good - even though she could have done anything that she wanted. He wished that she was here now, he could only imagine all that she could do to assist them in defeating Uloradon. But he had already spoken with Mirilia and he knew she would never help.

She had said that she could never use her powers to help - even if it was for good. It simply wasn't fair, it wasn't right. She couldn't use her magic like that. But as King Ellinder thought about it, would she still have the same words now? If the magic was already being used in such a way, wouldn't it make sense to protect with the same magic? But the King didn't dare to metion the thought to any of those around him. Mirilia would help if she decided that she could, he knew that in his heart.

But he was doing too much thinking, all he needed to do was prepare, and prepare his troops. They were no longer waiting, and they couldn't just sit there like logs and wait for another attack. They had to be on the offence too - and that was going to be the hardest part. It isn't easy to sneak up on a scorceress.

He quickly found a main scout and asked if he had found anything. As of right now, they didn't know where Uloradon was camping out. The King nodded, that meant that they were fairly safe where they were for the moment. But they needed to find where their army was, and the King didn't think that would be too hard. One good thing about them attacking was that everything was on the King's land, they knew the territory. One faint light of hope in the black.

====

The next day there was no battle. It was hard to describe the feeling in the camp from the soldiers, as now King Ellinder referred to them as. They may not have been trained, but they had seen war and they were now soldiers. He, himself, was now a soldier.

Many of them didn't know how to react, wasn't quite sure what was the right thing to do. Many just went about their business with little talk or display or emotion. King Ellinder couldn't blame them, after all he wasn't setting much of an example.

He visited the tent where they were keeping the wounded. There weren't many. It seemed that most of the time, if someone was struck, the blade was aimed true and they weren't left to recover.

To Be Continued...