Chapter I: The Chosen
"From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king."
- J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings)
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king."
- J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings)
The sky was fiery over Alicante and the sun was setting. Bathed in red light, the throne room returned a dreadful feel, especially with the demonic soldiers that lined its walls. Things had changed in the capital city, now the seat of a different power than it once was. She brought that change, sweeping through the kingdom like a plague with her armies, leaving little besides death and destruction in her wake. She had it all; the throne, the kingdom, the wealth and the influence. And she had the person who was kneeling before her, as well.
"Rise." said the Sorceress, her voice tired but determined.
The white-haired shadow elf woman clad in green, gold-trimmed armour rose to her feet as commanded. "Forgive me, but there is yet more..." she began, respectfully.
"No." the Sorceress interrupted her, standing up from the throne. She wore her usual robes, dark red with golden runes embroidered into the material. "I am not interested in more. I have had enough of this wretched kingdom's problems for today."
"As you wish." replied the other woman, obviously waiting to be dismissed.
"As I wish." she slowly repeated, for a moment lost in thoughts. She looked nothing like a tyrant, nothing like a cruel invader who had forced an entire kingdom into submission. She was just a girl, too young and beautiful to possibly be anything of the kind. The last light of day painted her blonde hair golden. She looked back at the she-elf, studying her for a few seconds, and then began walking towards her, speaking as she went. "Tell me, Niara," for that was her name, "Am I not your mistress?"
There was a glint of anxiousness in Niara's eyes as she answered. "You are the only mistress that I have. That I would ever want to have."
Even though the answer was predictable, the Sorceress felt so pleased that she couldn't hold back the wide, honest smile that appeared on her lips. She was now standing right in front of the elf maiden and had to look slightly up for the difference in height. Looking into Niara's grey eyes, she asked: "And do you not love me?"
The question left Niara bewildered. She nearly stammered as she rushed to reassure her mistress. "I love you with all my heart and soul."
"And you would do anything for me, wouldn't you?"
The she-elf's heart started beating faster. Shivers ran along her spine. "Anything." she said, realizing she'd been holding her breath. "I would do anything for you."
"Convince me." said the Sorceress as she took one final step towards her, until there was barely anything between them. "Say my name, Niara."
Trembling, she did. "Ilhirel."
Her lips still drawn into a smile, Ilhirel leaned in and kissed her. It was a slow, passionate kiss. The kind that has the power to take you to far, far off places.
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