literature

The Prince of Elves

Deviation Actions

darkangelragosan's avatar
Published:
1.3K Views

Literature Text

                “Do you really think this path will lead us through the forest?” asked Morago shifting in his horse’s saddle. No matter how many times he rode one he couldn’t get used to it.
“I believe so,” said Akotomo peering beneath his green hair at Morago uneasily. “Call it dejavou, but I think I’ve been on this path before.”
Morago’s cat ears twitched beneath his raven hair and he looked at Akotomo quizzically. “Maybe you saw it in one of your dreams?” he suggested.
This only seemed to make Akotomo more uneasy and their horses plodded along in a heavy silence.
Morago shifted again in his saddle, his emerald eyes tracing the dimmed sunbeams as they touched the ground. He was uneasy in the silence and his mind wandered down dark corridors where he sparred with the demons of his past. He saw his fathers figure giving him to those wishing to inflict pain upon him like tossing scraps to starving dogs. His back prickled with remembered pain and he locked the door tight on this memory.
He came to another door, grotesque in appearance like the memories inside. Chains and shackles hung from the bloodstained, once gold, border of the door. Black spines and the cracks of millions of blows scarred its surface. The figure of a memory trying to escape was embedded in stone, its mouth open in a final silent scream.
Morago shivered in his saddle as his glazed eyes peered into his memories corridor. He need not open this door to see the horrid memories. They seeped through hidden cracks, screaming their stories of torment and pain.
This door was a scar the Lord of Demons had left upon his old toy. The one commanded to commit sins, to destroy dreams. The one he would pamper when things were done right yet throw against the wall when he was displeased. He searched for this toy now, upset at it’s loose.
This was why Tomo was taking them through this forest path, to run away from the acidic claws of the Demon Lord.
“We’re being followed.” said Akotomo quietly.
Morago snapped back into reality and was stunned by fear.
“Followed?” Morago breathed. He shuddered helplessly and tried to compose himself. “Could they be His followers?”
Akotomo listened intently for a moment and then turned to Morago. “Too quiet for demons.” he replied.
“Then who?” he asked trying to compose his shaking voice.
Noticing Morago’s worry, Akotomo gave a smile that glittered in his violet eyes. “I’m not sure yet Rago, but I don’t think they’re planning to hurt us. They just want us out of their forest.”
“They? Sounds like you have an idea of what’s out there.”
“I might.” said Akotomo spurring his horse into a gallop.
Morago was momentarily taken aback by his friend’s sudden speed, but was urged into motion by the flurry of arrows that lodged themselves into the tree next to him.
“Elves?” cried Morago spurring his horse that reared as the arrows continued after them.

* * *

Akotomo’s horse into a canter as feathered shafts dug into bags, saddle and trees. He noticed that the arrows were becoming an increasing danger, coming closer and closer to a fatal hit as he rode. He reared his horse into a small clearing and checked the damage as he waited for Morago.
He appeared moments later, several arrows falling in the grass behind him. Both rider and horse seemed fatigued and shaken by the short ride. Akotomo felt guilty at not having warned him earlier of the elves, but there was nothing he could do about that now. Morago’s horse slowed as it neared Akotomo and stopped next to him.
“Elves?” he asked Akotomo peering up at him through his messy hair.
Akotomo nodded. “You don’t have any injuries do you?” Morago shook his head. “What about your horse?”
“He’s fine too.” He replied ruffling the animal’s fur. “What about the elves? They’ve stopped firing at us, but that’s probably because we’ve stopped moving. What are we going to do now?”
“Well, for one thing, we aren’t turning back. So we’ll…” Akotomo paused, his attention caught by a movement in the trees. Morago caught the tension and put a hand on the hilt of his sword and hoped he wouldn’t need it.
Akotomo watched the trees intently until he was sure he saw a shadow within the trees. But as soon as had an eye on it the shadow was gone. Searching for the shadow he suddenly became of a dark and light green blur dashing out from the trees. His horse reared as the blur halted before him, a feathered shaft notched to its bow. As his horse calmed Akotomo became aware of nearly a dozen more loaded bows.
Brush elves. Thought Akotomo remembering the book of mythical creatures he had read. The elves were short creatures, pale green skin covering their lithe bodies. The elves had long pale ears that protruded from the dark green hair they all had fashioned in myriad styles. All of them wore brown cloaks the covered most of their facial features and trailed down to their waists. Beneath that they became different again except that they all went barefoot.
Akotomo tensed on his horse. How are we supposed to get out of this one? We don’t stand a chance against a dozen Brush Elves.
One of the elves lowered its bow and stepped back from the others. Cupping its mouth it let loose a flurry of musical birdcalls causing another figure to appear. This figure was nearly double the height of the brush elves and when it stepped out of the shadows, turned out to be a female wood elf.
“Lady Calas.” said the brush elf kneeling before her.
“Rise, Whisper. We must speak,” said Calas as the elf rose.
The next moment they were speaking in what seemed to be bird calls, animal sounds, blowing wind and one sound that made Akotomo think of a blooming flower. He noticed that during the conversation, he and Morago were glanced at several times.
Calas turned to Morago and Akotomo when her conversation was concluded. She looked over the pair quizzically then head as if making up her mind.
“Kill them,” said Calas turning away from them. “They serve no pur-”
“Wait!” cried Akotomo stirring his horse foreword, somewhat wary of the arrows still pointed at him. “Why do you plan on killing us?” He became aware of stunned and confused looks towards him as he finished speaking.
Akotomo backed his horse up next to Morago again. He became that Morago, too, was looking at curiously.
“What is it?” he asked in a whisper. The elves had begun to chatter amongst themselves again.
Morago looked at him as if stunned by his ignorance. “You were speaking a different language. I think it was theirs,” he breathed.
“I was speaking the common language,” said Akotomo in surprise. “I know no other language.”
“Silence!” cried Calas, ending the argument. She turned to the other elves. “We’ll take them with us.” she said. “Blindfold them and lead their horses to the outskirts of Talanthas. I will meet you there.” Seeing that her orders were being carried out, she vanished into the trees.
Akotomo sat stunned upon the saddle trying to comprehend what had just happened. He would have protested to the use of a blindfold but his mind was a slur and the darkness would help him think.

* * *

Morago felt the blindfold being tied behind his head. He also felt a presence behind him and figured it was one of the elves. A small hand rested lightly upon his shoulder as the horse began to move. He had little idea of where they were going and no idea what Akotomo had to do with the elves. He pushed the thought from his mind. That question would probably be answered when they arrived at “Talanthas”.
He let his mind wander the forest and became consumed in the sounds of the forest and the surroundings he created for them. He explored the shaded forest trails, the sunny clearings, and the edges of streams before he was awoken by a voice.
“We are nearly there,” the voice said in his ear.
Morago’s thoughts fell apart as worry shot a painful jolt through his heart. He irritably pushed those thoughts away and set himself into a thoughtless, emotionless stupor. Morago became unaware of the passing of time and barely noticed when the horses came to a halt.
He felt his blindfold loosen at the back of his head and then pulled off. He blinked in the lingering twilight and looked about the small clearing they had stopped in. He spotted Akotomo a little ways off looking about in curiosity.
“You two have quite a stir, it seems.” said the elf behind him pointing to a group of taller elves that seemed to come to investigate the newcomers. Calas was rushing towards the group speaking a fluid language. Some of those in the group spoke in answer to Calas and raised their voices in what seemed like anger.
Morago’s eyebrows knit together in confusion. I can’t understand a word their saying.
“Their arguing about whether you should be allowed to stay in the Elven city or not,” replied the elf at Morago’s expression.
“Why is it such a big deal?” Morago mused.
“You would be the first humans to enter their city since their prince left.”
Morago gave him an inquiring look, asking him to continue.
The elf gave a sigh. “It wasn’t that long ago really, nearly 28 years ago, that a knight, a dragon rider I believe, happened upon our city. The elves were skeptical about letting him in at first, but the prince requested that he be let in. The knight was badly injured and the prince said that he would sooner be gone if he could walk properly. The wood elves agreed with this logic and he was permitted to stay. What they didn’t realize was that the prince was enamored with the knight and spent much time with him. Naturally when the elves found the prince and knight in a certain situation they resolved to have the knight put to death. The prince was so disconcerted by the knight’s death that he ran away from the city and they haven’t seen him since.” the elf heaved another sigh. “Since then the wood elves have become incredulous and fear allowing any to enter their city.
“Wouldn’t an elven prince be easy to find?” asked Morago.
“When the prince left he also took with him an enchanted item to mask his appearance. I believe he had another artifact too, one that could hinder memories.”
Seeing that the elf had nothing more to say, Morago turned his attention back to the squabbling crowd. The newcomers appeared to be reluctantly agreeing with Calas. He noticed that several of the elves kept glancing over at Akotomo and him.
He sighed in misery as the crowd moved back through the trees and Calas called their group over. The horses walked over on their own seeming to have a great liking for elves.
Calas spoke to them in the common language when the horses stopped in front of her. “You will be taken to the palace where you will say and be questioned about your reasons for entering this forest.” she looked to both of them her gaze lingering on Akotomo before turning to lead the humans into the city.
Morago ducked as the horses crossed through the trees. As he looked up a gasp of awe escaped his open mouth. The sight was amazing to behold. The city was a mixture of heavenly gold dusted marble and earthly straight trees. He gasped at the elves themselves whose stunning beauty matched their dear city. They were dressed in robes, elegant gowns and even simple shirts, all made of silk threaded with thinly spun gold. Their hair shone in all shades of the forest against their pale skin.
Soon these elves were lost beyond another row of trees. They came upon a palace completely constructed and encircled by tall sturdy trees. They were lead around to the side of the building, where they dismounted their horses and ushered inside. They trekked through painting filled corridors and up delicate spiraling stairs. They stopped before a door at the top that was being unlocked for them.
Entering as the door was opened for him he found a comfortable guestroom. It had all of the necessary furniture, couches, chairs and side tables only more lavishly decorated.
“You will stay here until you are called for,” said Calas. With one final look at them she left the room.
As Akotomo explored the other room, Morago moved to the window seat. Pushing the silken screen aside he looked at the darkening sky. He dozed lightly, enamored by the beautiful city.

* * *

Having finished exploring the second room, that turned out to be a bedroom, he reentered the guestroom to find Morago dozing by the window. He was about to lie down on the couch when there was a knock on the door.
Questioning already? He thought as he opened the door to find Calas.
“Yes?” asked Akotomo of the elf.
“It is time for you to be questioned,” said Calas. “Follow me.”
“What about…” asked Akotomo gesturing to Morago.
The elf put up a hand to stop his question. “He will be questioned later. Now please, follow me.”
Akotomo closed the door lightly behind him and followed the elf down the hall. They walked in silence and Akotomo felt an uneasiness stirring within him. He had heard the whispers coming from the elves.
“He looks jut like him…”
“Do you think it’s possible?”
“…just like a twin.”
He had even seen one of the elves drop to his knees and murmur “The prince.”
The prince? It’s not entirely impossible. That would explain how I could speak the elves language. It would also explain why I don’t know any of my relatives, why I don’t remember my past. It would all make so much sense. But then again…wouldn’t I be able to remember something like this. Being the prince of an elven nation isn’t something you could forget easily.
Akotomo sighed in exasperation. Why couldn’t he lead a normal life? A thin smile pulled at his lips. Because then, life wouldn’t be any fun.
Calas turned into a room that was much like the one he had just been in, only more elaborate. Another elf sat on the couch in the middle of the room. She sat stiffly and had a regal air about her. She rose as the two entered the room and two male elves towards the back of the room stiffened. His guide left him as the regal elf gestured for him to sit as she took her own seat. Akotomo sat in the cushioned chair across from her even more curious by the fact that she looked familiar to him.
She gave a thin-lipped smile. “You are giving me quite a peculiar look.” she said
Akotomo somewhat startled covered his face and looked away. “I just got this strange feeling that I’ve been caught doing something wrong by an older sibling.” he gave her a smile. “It’s very strange.”
The elves smile slipped and she stood up before him. “That’s because you are my younger brother.”
Akotomo was aghast. “That’s impossible. I’ve never met you.”
“But you do agree that I look familiar.” she said earnestly.
Akotomo didn’t know what to say to this. Yes she did seem familiar but they couldn’t possibly be related, could they?
She smiled at his frustration. She walked over to him and placed a hand on his arm. “Stand please, Akotomo.” He did as he asked her somewhat reluctantly, standing several inches taller then her. Reaching out she brushed his hair away from his ear to see it marred with piercing. She took an interest to one of his earrings in particular, an iron tablet marked with flowing symbols.
“A memory inhibiter.” she said. “Just as I thought.”

* * *

“What do you mean I can’t stay here?” said Morago irritably. He wasn’t happy with this elf, who had just come in telling him what they could and couldn’t do.
“You’re a human, only elves may stay in Talanthas,” said the dark haired elf eyeing him curiously.
“Akotomo and I weren’t planning on staying here anyway.”
“Akotomo is our prince, he can not leave. If he has to give up traveling with you then he will. said the elf standing up from his seat. “I have other matters to attend to so you must excuse Me.” he walked to the door. “You’ll tell me if you decide to leave?”
Morago made no answer and simply pondered what the elf had said. Akotomo wouldn’t let him go off on his own. It was his idea that they run away from the city. They had been through too much together to simply go their separate ways. He sighed and lied down on the couch. He would do his best to sleep and get the elves words out of his head. It didn’t take him long to drift off into a light dreamless sleep.
Morago awoke suddenly to a sharp pain in his cheek. He opened his eyes only to shut them again in the bright light.
“Get up, sleepy-head,” said the voice of Akotomo. “Or I wont stop pinching your cheek.”
“Ok I’m getting up. Just let go,” he said slapping off Akotomo’s hand.
Morago sat up on the couch and looked to Akotomo, to find that it wasn’t Akotomo. This person had long soft green hair with shades of brown and yellow running through it, along with long pointed ears. This person was an elf.
“You’re giving me the oddest look.” said the elf and he flashed a smile that was definitely Akotomo.
“What happened to you?” asked Morago leaping at Akotomo and taking his hair in his fingers. It was much softer then human hair.
“Turns out I’m a prince.” said Akotomo.
Shock jolted Morago. “Is that so?” Now he would find out if they were going to continue traveling even with him being a prince.
Akotomo nodded and smiled. “I can hardly believe it myself. Imagine that, I’m the prince of an entire elven nation. We wont have to travel now. Just stay here and we’ll be safe.”
Fear attacked him this time. It was turning out just as the elf had said. “I thought humans weren’t aloud to stay here Akotomo?”
Akotomo gave Morago a concerned look.
“And what about the Lord of Demons. He’s not going to stop looking for us just because we’re surrounded by a forest. I can’t stay here. I have to keep moving. I have to find a way to kill him.”
“But Morago, you’ll be safe here. I promise you that,” his voice sounded more pleading then reassuring.
“But you can’t promise me something like that. You can’t promise me that Demon Lord wont find a way to take his toy back. The only thing that you can promise me if you don’t leave with me is that we’ll see each other again.” he said holding up a hand with a thin pale scar running from the tip of the middle finger to his wrist.
“The Dromode…” he said looking at his own hand with a scar on it. “An eternal bonding the gods couldn’t break. It pays no heed to gender, race, religion, nothing. The only thing it cares for unfettered love.” Akotomo sigh and looked up at Morago who was waiting expectantly. “But my people…”
“Very well then. If that is what is most important to you.” He moved to the door and looked back at Akotomo. “I shall see you some time again in my lifetime.” His eyes glimmered with wetness and he was blinking quickly. “I pray that you have a smile on your face when I see you again.” He hurried out the door at his last comment, his footsteps echoing as he raced down the halls.
Look at you racing away like a blundering idiot. He irritably wiped the moisture from his eyes. And what are these tears? Running blindly he collided with someone in the hall and tumbled to the floor. Now look what you’ve done! You’ve gone and run into someone and now they’ll see you like this.
“I’m terribly sorry,” said Morago bowing his head to the person as they stood up.
“Why hello there Morago. I was just going to go see you. Are you ready to leave Talanthas?”
Morago looked up to see the elf he had been talking to the night before.

* * *

Akotomo stood at the open window in the guestroom his friend had fled hours before. He had seen his raven hair easily among the fair hair of most elves. He had seen him mount his horse and leave the city with an escort of brush elves. He was still expecting him to come racing back on his horse and fly up the stairs to embrace his friend. He regretted not having said anything before he left. Maybe if he had he wouldn’t have left. But he could no longer dwell in the past that he could not fix. He had a future as an Elvin prince to look forward to. Yet, the more he thought about it, the less exciting it seemed. He determined to stop thinking about it this moment and get some rest.
He marched himself away from the door and lay down on the soft bed. Closing his eyes, he was pulled into a deep sleep. The dream was not comforting though.
Akotomo stood in sleeping city of Talanthas. All was quiet right down to the last insect. Something wasn’t right. Something caught his attention and he looked into the sky to find red steal over his vision. Hordes of dragons and winged demons filled the sky above the sleeping city. They didn’t stay perched against the starlit background long before descending upon the city and consuming it with the red of fire and smoke.
Akotomo jerked awake and one thought filled his mind: The city of Talanthas was going to be destroyed. He didn’t know when in time, but the city would be scraped from the earth.
He stumbled out of his bed and rush out into the corridor heading for his sisters room.
“My sister!” he cried bursting into her room. “I must speak with you!”
“What is it Akotomo? What is wrong? You do not look well. Come sit done.” she said in a worrisome voice.
“I can not possibly sit down but I must tell you. Our city, our nation, it is going to be destroyed!”
“How do you know this?” she asked desperately.
Akotomo told her of his prophetic dream hurriedly not wasting time over details.
“We must evacuate our people from here.” he cried. “They shall all perish otherwise.”
“Nonsense, brother. We have never left our homeland and we never will.”
“But sister, our people.”
“My decision is final.”
Akotomo suddenly realized that she was never going to listen. Elves were a defiant people. Determined in all their beliefs and decisions. Just like when he tried to discern them from their decision to kill the knight, he could not discern her now.
“Very well then sister, you may stay here and die in the belief that you made the right choice in the matter. I shall keep mine and you shall keep yours. Goodbye, I hope that one day I shall see you again, and you can tell me that I was wrong and stupid, but until then I must go.”
Akotomo rushed from the room, trying to get to the stables as fast as possible.

* * *

Morago felt the blindfold loosen from his head again. He blinked in the sunlight as it was removed. He stood at the edge of the forest and down the rolling plains he could see the next stop on his journey. He thanked the elves with a bow and hurried his horse down the hill.
His mind wandered as the wind billowed his hair back in the direction of the elven city of Talanthas. How was Akotomo doing? Had he become the king of the nation yet? No matter how hard he tried he could not push these thoughts from his head. His mind continued wandering as paused by a small pond where his horse could have a drink.
He was so absorbed in thoughts that he didn’t notice the second reflection in the water for quite some time. He turned around only to be pushed bodily into the water. He gasped in surprise as he saw violet eyes peering into his own.
“Akotomo!” he cried embracing his friend in a wet hug. “Why are you here? What about your ruler ship?” Thank goodness this pond water is hiding my tears. He thought.   
“What ruler ship? I was here the whole time.” he said with a wide grin.
Morago was taken aback by the strange answer. “You know the elves, you’re their prince?”
“Did you bump your head when I knocked you down?” asked Akotomo in concern.
“What? I haven’t seen you in… We had a…” Morago gave up trying to explain as one Akotomo’s earrings blinded him with reflected sunlight. Looking away flowing symbols danced in front of his eyes.
A section from my story. It was about 12 pages on Microsoft word with .5 spacing so it's kinda long. About 4200 word :shrug: This is kinda near the middle of the beginning of my story so... I tried not to include information that would confuse anyone. And yes, there are gay people in it! But they don't do anything so chill out. I think this story fell apart in the middle but I still like it.. and I'm rambling, so without further adou, The Prince of Elves.
© 2005 - 2024 darkangelragosan
Comments20
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
DemonSpawnGirl's avatar
thanks for posting this its really good!