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[Sunny Silverunicorn]: 48.Runaway
Rating: 0.00 Uploaded by: Created: 2005-05-10 08:53:09 Keywords: Chapter One: Life ChangesGenre:BiographicalStyle:novelRunaway
Chapter one: Life Changes
Elexa was sitting on a bench in the great study room, where other half-orcs were having two and two combats. It was everyone’s duty to spend at least 5 hours a day studying and practicing the art of fighting. Elexa spent even more hours than anyone else; that was why she was a master of sword fighting between her tribe. That was the reason she now had her own name, why they called her Elexa Swiftblade. Her fathers’ half-orc blood running through her veins made her as strong as any other of her kind, and her mothers’ elven wisdom and brains gave her the sense of strategy, and the good use of tactical moves and sneak attacks. She would hunt, go on adventures and join battles even though she was the daughter of kings’ wise advisor. Her father was a very close friend of their king too, which made them among highly noble people and king himself was so fund of Elexa that he had given her complete freedom.
Yet still, with all elements to make her a happy life, she was very alone. Her only close friend was a young half-orc, Uno, whom she had grown up with. They were with each other most of the time, and the only thing that showed they were not brother and sister was Elexas’ elven looks and Unos’ harsh nearly orc-like features. Uno was one of king Ultgas’ many sons, but since he was not one of Queen Ziba, he was not to take after the throne.
That day Prince Uno had gone on an investigation about some trades man selling false potions of strength and other to the fighters in some bar, and was not present for his morning exercise with Elexa. So Elexa was sharpening her blades instead of fighting, and somehow killed her time until Uno would come back.
She was nearly finished with attending to her sword and was putting it carefully in its scabbard when the great doors to the study room opened and Uno walked in. His long black hair loose around his face and his shoulders, making his oval face seem even longer. His black eyes shined and he smiled when he saw Elexa, and he started towards her saying, “Good morning Master Swiftblade. How many men you defeated today?”
Elexa looked up and seeing him she said, “I lacked one good opponent today, so there was no real person to fight with!”
They greeted each other by the tradition of their tribe, making a knot by clinging their hands to the other ones hand. “How did the investigation go?”, asked Elexa.
“The old trader had thought he could get away with it. He had used some herb which probably had a short effect on the muscles and made them tougher, not strong, but slower in detecting pain…so one who got wounded would not feel it immediately and they would think they had become stronger…anywa
“By the way, happy birthday…How long are you going to live? A thousand years?”, continued Uno.
“No. Having an elven mother doesn’t mean I will live as long as real elves do. My age could reach a maximum of six to seven hundred years if I’m lucky...and thanks for remembering my birthday.” said Elexa.
“How can I forget with my own only a week after yours!” said Uno looking at a bunch of kids playing with their wooden swords, so he continued, “You have made quite an influence among our people, even the children who used to play with wooden horses have now turned to playing with wooden swords. Father has done a good job putting you as the head of the training group of our youngsters. He likes you a lot. I dare say if he had a daughter of his own he couldn’t have loved her more.”
“King Ultga is a great man. I like and respect him like my father. I hope I’ll always be like he wants me to be. After all he has done for me I don’t want to make any mistakes to disappoint him.” , said Elexa moving away a lock of white blond hair to the side of her face.
“Don’t worry, you won’t. You’re only too perfect to disappoint anyone.”, said Uno teasingly.
“Stop that! You just can’t listen to me without finding a way to tease me! Anyway…My father wanted to see us both. I wonder what he has in mind for us this time. I just hope it’s not another of those ‘Hunt those goblins and bring that heirloom back’ jobs! I want a real adventure this time, something different.”, said Elexa while they passed the width of the great hall to it’s east wing where her fathers office was located.
Stopping behind an oak door with carvings all over it, with a sign on it reading in gold ‘Wise Advisor Eaglewings’, Uno said, “Don’t worry, I’ve heard our missions are apart this time, and they’re no adventures.”
Elexa knocked on the door for two times and looking at Uno she said in a low voice, “What do you mean?”
A faint voice from the inside gave them permission to enter.
Uno lowered her voice too and nearly whispered in Elexa’s ear, “It’s not really anything about me…In fact you’re the only one who should enter. I just came to give you a hint because…You’re going to get married!”
“WHAT?!” said Prince Zaca as he stood up suddenly from his place around the royal dinner table.
Queen Ziba looked at his son with a startled look on her face and said, “And what does that’s supposed to mean?”
“Can’t you see mother? I like Elexa and now father tells us he has promised her to marry our allies son?” said Zaca trying to keep his tone polite.
“You’re telling me you wanted to choose that half elven girl as your future queen?” said queen Ziba putting down the fork in her hand and looking straight at him.
Before Zaca could retort a positive answer king Ultga said in a gentle voice, “My dear, I really don’t like it when you talk like that behind Elexa’s back. She’s a very talented and deserving girl, and I’m really fond of particularly her elven part, because that’s what makes her especial in our tribe. Please be more thoughtful of her place in my heart when you talk about her next time.”
“You talk like she’s your daughter Ultga!” said queen Ziba unbelievably.
“It seems like you had never known before that I like her just like a daughter, maybe even more, my dear. And as for you son, I didn’t knew you had feelings for Elexa, and even If I did I couldn’t have broken the promise I made to our ally, cause it was made right on the day she was born. I can’t even break it if Elexa herself does not like it. It has been clearly set between me and King Orrin Redralle.”, said king Ultga.
At this point Zaca saw it wiser not to continue the talk and sat down still frowning on the thought of what his father had done.
Zaca was walking fast towards Elexa’s room after leaving the dinner table when Uno reached him from a corner and stopped him, “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Let go of me. You know where I’m heading. I want to talk to her.”, said Zaca trying to free his hand from Uno’s grip.
“She won’t see anyone. It’s been a great shock to her. She won’t even talk to me.”, said Uno shaking his head sadly.
“She must speak with me. I’m her prince.”, said Zaca trying to pass Uno.
Uno still blocking his way said, “I won’t let you disturb her. She must have some time to think the matter over. And being the first prince does not make you the only one. I’m one too, and more, I’m her closest friend. When she won’t talk to me, she wouldn’t even want you to disturb her for it. Besides…I don’t think this is the best time to go recalling her of your love for her. She does not want you and you don’t deserve her.”
“Watch your words Uno. I’m your brother, but an older one. And I’m the one deciding if I deserve her or not…I’ll give her the life she should have, and will make her my queen and…wait a minute…are you trying to tell me you’re in love with her also…and that you’ll be better for her than I am?”, said Zaca, now standing face to face with Uno.
“No…I do love her but only like a brother, and close friend. And I’m sure you could make her happy, but she has to choose for herself, you would not want her to be forced into marrying you, would you? It won’t be much different from marrying that ally prince if she does not want to.”, said Uno trying to convince Zaca.
“I guess you’re right, but maybe she’ll change her mind. I know she will not choose that ally prince over me. Would she?”, said Zaca questionably.
“No I guess not, but her actions are not always predictable…sh
Zaca took a deep breath and like he wanted to say something opened up his mouth, but then only shook his head and patting Uno’s shoulder, turned away and walked towards his own chambers.
Elexa was sitting at the foot of her bed, her head in her hands, her blond hair a mess. Her father was walking in the room slowly; His old face seemed more wrinkled than ever.
“Father…Did you knew about this before? Cause If you did I’d never…”, said Elexa after a long time of silence. Her father cut her words and said, “I swear my dear child...I never knew, If I did, I wouldn’t have let you stay in this place…I wouldn’t want you to have an end like your mothers’.”
“Oh, father. Mother was fortunate that the guy she was made to marry was you. She never regretted it even for one second, and you know that.” said Elexa knowing her father still felt guilty because of her mothers’ death. Her mother, Rula Rivarvien of an elven kingdom, was married to Elexa’s father, because of an ally contract between the two races, many years ago. Although the marriage was not wanted from the either sides at first, but gradually they fell in love and that was when Elexa was born. Yet still the depression which had gotten hold of Rula because of the marriage, never left her completely, and finally caused to her fierce illness, and death.
Elexa let the sentence linger for a bit and then continued, “But how will I ever be able to marry a person I have never even seen! At least mother knew you before the marriage…what about me? I don’t even know which of the allies’ sons I’ll have to start my life with. I doubt it’s from the north, where the elves live?”
“I guess not my dear. King Ultga has never been on good terms with elves, I doubt he could have promised you to them. It must be our southern ally, the half-orc tribe of white feathers, King Ultga had been talking about a new bound between the two tribes recently, but I could never find out, and he was acting to secretive, even to myself, he wouldn’t slip a clear word.”
“Father…I don’t think we can escape this knot, can we?”, said Elexa disappointedly
“No my dear…It won’t be easy to act against King Ultga’s words…Unless…”
Elexa looked up saying, “Unless what father?”
Eldeon sat beside her and said, “You know you could change all this if you accepted Prince Zaca’a hand in marriage.”
Now it was Elexa’s turn to get up, “Oh, please! I can’t…It’s just that…I can’t. He’s not even near my type…I have known him since ever, he’s as near as a brother to me as Uno is! Besides…If I even did, I don’t think King Ultga would be any happier. A promise is something a king would never bear to break…its useless father, this is my fate…and it’s inevitable.”
Days went by quickly, now even the few people living outside the city walls knew that Elexa was against the imposed marriage she was going to face. After a week of resisting eating anything except water, Elexa was not far from being malnourished. She wouldn’t see anyone now, even her own father or Uno. Zaca passed by her room every hour to get a chance to talk to her but she refused to let him enter.
Finally he was so desperate to talk to her that he went to see Eldeon in his office. He walked inside to find the old man sitting in his chair lost in thought. Zaca cleared his throat and said, “Wise Eldeon, I’ve come to seek your advice and help.”
Eldeon who was now back to real world stood up and said, “Ah…My dear prince Zaca…Please take a seat, It’s an honor to be able to help you my prince.”
“Please Eldeon, I’m no more than an ordinary man, and I’m no wiser than you are…It’d be easier if you talked with me as you would have talked with a son, if ever having one.”
“That would be done if you ask for it Prince Zaca. What do you need my council for?”
“I’ve come to talk about Elexa. I know I had avoided talking to you about it, cause I knew your mind was enough occupied with your own thoughts about the matter, but I’ve come to a point I can no longer go without talking to you. The thing is that Elexa wouldn’t talk to me…I know she doesn’t talk to anyone anymore…but I could help her…I know she will not accept me, but I could try my last chance… and since I’ve been thinking about this a lot, I’ve decided on a plan. I know how you feel about this matter, and that you are in disagreement with the matter as much as Elexa or me or even Uno. The only one who is happy of the marriage is my father…who thinks is doing the best for everyone. If you find a way that I could talk to Elexa, anyway that I can tell her of my desire for her…I swear I won’t think about making her my bride for another second If she refuses me, and further more, I’ll help her escape this loyal prison my father has made for her.”
Eldeon who had listened attentively said slowly, “You’re planning to make her run…”
“Yes. That’s exactly what I have in mind. That’s the least I can do for her. If I can’t make her happy by living beside me, I can make sure she lives it free, and that she makes her own future, under no ones imposing.”
Eldeon shook his head, his eyes full of tears now, and he said, “You are one true man my son. I hope Elexa would choose you…if she does, I don’t think King Ultga would mind the empty place of you both. After all he has many sons to take after the throne, if you value elexa more than a loyal name.”
“I wish that will happen Eldeon. Elexa will be out of this city walls by tonight, either with me, or on her own. The only thing you’ll have to do is to make a chance so I could talk to her.”