— Chapter Twelve —
A New Era
Iadrawyn leaned back against the side of a hill, its carpet of grass warmed by the afternoon sun. The village of the Light Elves sprawled before her, composed of mud huts and hollowed-out hills. The former Earth Elves preferred the latter. The Quenya’s familiar tingle danced on her skin, its presence a constant hum in the background of her thoughts.
She knew she wasn’t like the others. Everyone else needed to be close to the Quenya to commune with it. For her, the Quenya was everywhere, not simply as a lodestone of connection, but an intimately familiar presence that could be tapped.
She even suspected those frequent pulls of intuition she had felt throughout her previous life had been the stirrings of the Quenya. It had silently prompted her even before she had known it existed. Now her connection with it flourished, and time and space seemed no obstacle. She was often gifted with visions of the past and possible future. Some were clear and easy to interpret, while others she was forced to file away and hope she would be able to intuit their meaning over time.
It set her apart. She knew that unlike the Wood Elves, who had held her uniqueness in fearful disdain, the Light Elves considered her with high regard, which often bordered on awe. Still, it amounted to the same thing.
She watched the people of the village while they were unaware of her scrutiny. Elves of varying tribal backgrounds, who had all undergone the transformation of the Quenya, went about their daily chores. Even though they now shared the same golden skin, she could pick out who had come from what tribe based on their other features and the tasks they performed.
The Earth Elves went in and out of their holes dug in the sides of the hills, often with armloads of whatever fuel they could find to feed their forges. The Wild Elves could be identified by their savage appearance in furs and face paint. Their movements were furtive and wary. The Sea Elves would often sigh and look westward toward the sea and their island home, which couldn’t be seen from this distance. Several pored over star charts. Some Wood Elves could be seen here and there among the others, usually tending flowers and plants since there were no trees in sight.
Was this commingling what it had been like when the elves had first come into being before they had gone their separate ways?
Iadrawyn was saddened so few of her former tribe-mates had made the journey. Although many who had come to make a new life as Light Elves did so unasked, several of the new Light Elves had taken it upon themselves to travel among the tribes as heralds to tell them what had come to pass and invite them to Vila Eadros. They had made several trips to the Wood Elves with limited success. Every time a new group arrived and was taken to the Quenya, Iadrawyn looked for any Wood Elves, but they were few and far between. None of her family were among those who decided to come. She wondered if she should make the journey to her childhood home herself, but she feared the story of the Quenya coming from her would do more harm than good.
Iadrawyn pulled herself away from such unhappy thoughts and turned her gaze to Valanandir, who sat outside a hut not far from her own. He was talking animatedly with Raswyn and Sinmalia, his aunt and uncle, who had raised him. It wasn’t hard to spot the family resemblance between Valanandir and Raswyn, who was his mother’s sister. They had the same eyes and quiet strength. She and Sinmalia had made the journey as soon as they had heard their nephew was alive and well on the mainland. Numril sat nearby like a faithful hound. Now that he was clean and recovered from his journey, and had undergone the change of the Quenya, his white braids and golden skin gleamed in the sun. His pale blue eyes watched Valanandir with a quiet happiness.
Iadrawyn felt a pang of envy. Valanandir was surrounded by people he loved, who had journeyed across the sea just to be with him. Although they were unfailingly kind to her, it wasn’t the same as having a family of her own. Valanandir seemed to sense her gaze upon them and looked up, giving her a smile. This triggered a different sort of pang in Iadrawyn’s chest. She smiled back and forced herself to look away. Although they had yet to speak of it, their connection had only deepened since they had first felt the touch of the Quenya. But as the leaders of this new, united tribe of elves, they never seemed to get the chance to spend any time alone. Even if they ever did get the opportunity, she wasn’t sure what she would say.
Iadrawyn’s wandering gaze found Daroandir watching from the entrance of his hillside home, across from her hut. He gave her a nod of acknowledgement. Now there was someone who understood her need to be treated like a normal elf. He was relaxed and open in her presence, and provided quiet, unwavering support of her decisions. Out of the corner of her eye, Iadrawyn also noticed Lodariel in the shadows, leaning on her spear and standing subtle guard over both her and Valanandir. It was Lodariel who had instituted and trained a home guard to stand watch over the borders of Vila Eadros at all times. Although she clearly held Valanandir and Iadrawyn in high regard, often taking personal responsibility to guard them, she had no problem speaking her mind in their presence with her sharp tongue.
Her proud, acerbic nature was a complete contrast to Daroandir’s quiet loyalty, yet somehow they had become inseparable. Theirs was not a romantic relationship, but an unlikely connection of mutual respect that somehow ran deeper than mere friendship. They sometimes found themselves finishing each other’s thoughts, which made their conversations difficult to follow. Iadrawyn guessed the Quenya had a hand in the strange bond.
Another elf dressed in the mottled green of the home guard seemed to separate from the grassy background to whisper something in Lodariel’s ear. A worried frown flickered across her features at the other elf’s words. She gave the guard instructions in a voice too low for Iadrawyn to hear before dismissing him.
Lodariel’s gaze met Iadrawyn’s. Iadrawyn could sense the other elf’s emotions stirring beneath the surface. There was anger, concern, and most disturbing of all, an undercurrent of fear. As far as Iadrawyn knew, the former Wild Elf wasn’t afraid of anything. Whatever the guard had said, the news must be dire. A tingle of warning traveled down her spine.
Lodariel straightened her shoulders, visibly steeling herself before walking over to where Iadrawyn sat. Both Daroandir and Valanandir took notice and rose to join them. Valanandir said something to excuse himself from his guests, who nodded and went on their way, but Numril trailed after him like a shadow.
“What is it?” Iadrawyn asked.
Lodariel’s green eyes darted, taking in the casual watchers and passersby. “Perhaps we should go inside.”
Iadrawyn’s stomach dropped at the seemingly casual suggestion. A swell of dread rose inside her. She stepped aside and gestured for the others to enter her hut. Once inside, they sat in a circle in the front room on embroidered pillows. The shaded interior was simply decorated with plants as the only ornament. A shaft of afternoon light fell on the center of the floor from the window. When everyone was settled, Iadrawyn looked to Lodariel and gestured for her to speak.
Lodariel took a moment to compose herself before starting. “We know in the years since we arrived here, there have been rumors gathered by the heralds to the Goladar tribes telling of mysterious disappearances.” She used the term that had come to encompass the remaining elves from the various tribes that had not journeyed to Vila Eadros to become Light Elves. It meant Shadow Elves.
At the nods of the others, Lodariel continued. “We have always suspected the drakhalu, since the disappearances occur during the dark hours, and it’s unlikely any elf would harm another.”
Valanandir’s eyes met Iadrawyn’s. She knew he was thinking of her people and how they had turned against them at the word of a drakhal. Iadrawyn gave a slight shake of her head. Despite what they had experienced, she didn’t believe this was the work of her former tribe. She sensed something more sinister at work.
“Are we certain the elves didn’t vanish of their own accord?” Daroandir asked in his quiet voice.
Lodariel shook her head. “No. Since we first hear
d of this problem, I asked all heralds to keep their eyes open and ask whatever discrete questions they could. There is no sign the elves who have disappeared had reason to do so.”
“So what is the news? Have more elves vanished?” Numril frowned.
“That’s the problem. More elves have vanished. From here.” Lodariel looked at each of them in turn, waiting for the meaning of her words to sink in. They hit Iadrawyn like a blow, her hidden fears realized.
“What?” Valanandir spluttered, his golden eyes wide. “How can this be? We have patrols on the perimeter at all times!”
“Yet two elves have gone missing without warning, and one of my guards recites his words as if by rote when asked to report what he saw during his patrol last night,” Lodariel said. “When asked to focus on specific details, he can’t remember anything. His mind goes blank, as though his memories have been wiped clean, or hidden so deeply he cannot find them. I believe he has been ensorcelled.”
“What of the tracks in the area he was guarding?” Daroandir asked.
“There are tracks that appear to be three entering the village and five leaving. The elven couple was taken from their home. There are no signs of struggle. I believe they were also ensorcelled.”
“One drakhal to keep the guard under control while two others took their victims,” Valanandir mused. “I wonder if they chose the couple for a particular reason. Who knows how long the drakhalu have been watching us?”
Lodariel shook her head. “I believe their choice was more for the sake of convenience. The hut is on the southern outskirts of the village, closest to where the guard with the missing memory was standing watch. The area is closest to their territory. It would be easy for them to approach it during the night.”
“But why send three drakhalu to take two random elves?” Numril asked. “It makes no sense.”
“It was a test.” Everyone turned to look at Iadrawyn, who had been silent until this point. “They wanted to check our defenses on a small scale before they commit all their forces.”
“I agree,” Lodariel said. “They have only preyed on Shadow Elves until now. The remaining tribes are small and isolated. The drakhalu have been building up to this. We are the largest elven target, and we are united with the power of the Quenya behind us. We are their biggest threat.”
“But we have done nothing to them since we have settled here,” Numril said.
“We have done nothing yet.” Valanandir frowned. “They believe all beings think as they do. In their minds, we are uniting to rise against them. And perhaps, given time, they would be right. We are not aggressive by nature, but there is no doubt the creatures of darkness are a blight on Ralvaniar. Eventually, we might feel compelled to take action for the land to be free and the Quenya to flourish. This is most likely a preemptive strike.”
“They are forcing our hand,” Daroandir said.
“They know we aren’t ready,” Lodariel said. “And they are clearly prepared, having used these last few years to observe our ways.”
“So what do we do?” Numril asked.
“Since we aren’t ready for an offensive plan of action, we must gather our resources and focus on defense,” Valanandir said, taking charge. “Can we increase the night patrol?”
Lodariel nodded. “I can also recruit some scouts to range past the perimeter to give us advance warning of any approach.”
“Don’t forget to warn them not to make eye contact with any potential hostile,” Daroandir said. “This will be difficult in combat, but we cannot have our defensive line falling under any more enchantments.”
“Will you help me train my patrols?” Lodariel asked, looking to Daroandir. It wasn’t like her to ask for assistance, which proved how serious she considered the threat. “If they are going to increase, I will need someone to help me.”
“I will.”
“I can help as well,” Numril said, surprising everyone but Valanandir. “Although I’m not a warrior, I do know how to fight. You will need all the help you can get.”
“We also need to warn the people,” Valanandir said. “Everyone needs to be prepared. Not just here, but among the Shadow Elves as well. Perhaps this will persuade the stragglers to join us. Iadrawyn, could you use the Quenya to contact them?”
Iadrawyn shook herself from the stupor of despair that had claimed her since Lodariel had revealed the drakhal intrusion. “I can, but I don’t know whether they will listen. They are mistrustful of us and the Quenya.”
“We have to try.” Valanandir caught her gaze and held it, giving her the lifeline she needed. “If we don’t, it will be slaughter. If we can convince the Shadow Elves to come to Vila Eadros and join forces with us, so much the better.”
Iadrawyn took a deep breath and steadied herself. “I will do it now. The sooner they are warned, the better.” She rose from her seat on the floor. “It will be easier if I am in the presence of the Quenya.”
“I will go with you.” Valanandir rose without hesitation.
Iadrawyn suppressed a sigh of relief. It would be a taxing effort sending her message out to all the elves of Ralvaniar. The Quenya was extremely powerful. It was difficult not to lose herself in it sometimes. Valanandir would be the anchor she needed.
“We should meet back here at sunset to see where we stand,” Lodariel said. The others nodded their agreement.
Valanandir gave them each a steadying look in turn. “Let’s go.”