Hugs and Kisses to all you who have written to me. I may have to stay home as my Ego will no longer fit through the Door. :-)
And so, as Promised.....
Part V
Paladin's Never ceased to amaze Erin. Tall and powerfully muscled, these elite warriors were a match for any Ork in sheer mass and strength. With the magical armor and weapons they carried, as well as the powerful enchantments laid on them, a Paladin was more than a match for any 5 or 10 Orks and could even take down the dreaded Ork Berserkers single-handedly.
The day after their fight with the Ork hunters, the two boys were picked up by a group of Griffin riders led by a Paladin. When the Paladin had swooped down and asked the two their business, Erin had stepped up to him and announced himself to be the Elven Prince. The Paladin had nodded and asked calmly if his Highness would like a ride to where the Human Kink had set his Army's Camp.
Erin had agreed, and so they were on their way through the air on the back of a very large griffin.
"Why does that big guy in the Silver armor keep looking at me?" Andy asked into Erin's ear.
Erin looked back at Andy with a smile. "It's only your imagination Love." He said. "The Paladin merely looks around to keep alert for danger."
Andy Frowned. There was just something about that Paladin that Disturbed him. "Why did he just accept what you said about being the Prince?"
"You must not pay attention when I talk to you." Erin pouted. "I told you before that Elves do not lie." He tickled Andy briefly, "Besides, Paladin's can detect the Truth or Falsehood of a person. He just KNEW it was the truth."
Andy nodded, blushing slightly. Erin grinned at his love's embarrassment, and kissed him to let him know it was alright.
Andy began to get into the kiss when he noticed the Paladin looking straight at him. A look of total shock and terrible loss filled the eyes of the man's otherwise calm face. The Paladin quickly wrenched his head to face forward, and never looked around again for the rest of the trip.
They arrived at the Human's encampment just as a column of soldiers was returning from a battlefield they had passed along the way. The Paladin, who's name they had discovered to be Sir Lance, landed them in the middle of the camp, in front of the Royal Pavilion. Many whispers and suprised glances greeted their arrival, and Andy began to feel very uncomfortable. He could swear they were looking at him, and that they were talking about him. He could almost hear what they were saying...
Andy's thoughts were interrupted my the sound of hoofbeats. The lead element of the returning column entered the area.
Their leader could be nothing less than a King. Tall, with broad shoulders, he sat apon his horse as if it were a throne. His entire bearing exuded Regal authority and calm, and his eyes were full of wisdom, and the pain of his people. The Crown which adorned the open-faced helm of the King's gleaming armor was a simple circlet of gold.Andy knew this man needed no trinkets to justify his authority, He earned it.
The King dismounted, and his ground eating strike took him quickly to Sir Lance, who kneeled in the presence of his Lord.
"Arise Sir Lance." the King said. "We are given to understand that you have brought with you and illustrious guest." The King removed his helm, holding it in his right hand.
Lance stood and calmly said "Yes my Liege. I bring to you the Elven Prince E'rin, and his... Friend."
The King smiled as he turned to Erin. "Your Highness," He said " We are pleased that you were able to make....." The King's smile died on his face and his words stuck in his throat as he openly stared at Andy. He dropped his helm from his suddenly nerveless fingers.
"Ethan?" the King said, his strong voice breaking into a sob. "Oh my Ethan, how can this be?"
Lance moved over to the King and placed a hand on his shoulder. "My King, this is not.... Ethan." He said quietly
The King's attendants moved forward to take their Lord into his tent as he broke down into tears. Heart-wrenching sobs and the fallen helm were soon all that was left behind as they took him to privacy to allow him time to compose himself.
"What is going on?" Erin asked, looking at Lance. "Why did his Majesty address Andy as 'Ethan'?"
Lance's only response was to turn and follow the King into his Pavilion.
Erin was about to follow, when a young woman, obviously with child, wearing the robes of a Royal War Mage walked up to him.
"Your Highness, please allow the King a chance to recover." she said quietly. Erin noticed the moisture heavy in her eyes, and realized she was close to tears as well.
Softly he asked "Can you tell me what is going on?"
"Ethan." the lady said after a deep breath " was the King's youngest son. He was being sent to Marry YOU, your highness." She closed her eyes as she exhaled. "And as you know, he was killed by the Ork ambush. Your.... friend, looks exactly like Prince Ethan."
The Historian was taken aback by this fact. He never had personally bore witness to Prince Ethan, but he could tell from the memories of those present, and the distressing sorrow pouring from the King, that it was true.
He began to wonder what affect this would have upon the flow of History. Possible repercussions began to come to mind.... He shook his head to clear it of such thoughts. The future was not his concern, only the NOW.
The historian began to worry about his recent change, and how it might affect his duties. He was not only witnessing History, he was feeling it.
But then.... Historians were not supposed to worry either.
Ok, this one may be a little short (I can't tell). I am gonna try to get part VI out tonight too. I have suffered a recent tragedy. Tonight I came home to discover that my roommates had managed to get water into my laptop computer. All that I have worked on is on that thing, and the Motherboard is fried. I am even now, sitting at my MOTHER's computer at her house, setting this out because I wanted to get it out while I have a rare chance at some Internet access.
I can't be sure when I will get more out to you guys, but I will tell you... Ever since I have been getting emails telling me how much you all like this... It has made me love writing even more. I will do all I can to get more of this out to you all, and I hope that I can get the money to get "back in the saddle" soon.
Hugs and kisses, love you all.
Corey.