At Dawn's Light

Chapter 9: An Unexpected Visit

The sounds of rushing servants, and orders being yelled from the hall below, caused Rowan to rise early and call for Lea.

The half-elf rushed into the room, and Rowan stood quickly with the question on her lips.

“What is it, Lea," she looked toward the door.

“My lady, your uncle is riding out with some soldiers. There has been some sort of skirmish with Elves by the river."

Immediately, Rowan thought of Elduine. Frowning, she quickly dressed and went to find her uncle. She heard his gruff voice from the side yard and found him already mounted.

He saw her and pointed, “Rowan, you stay here! Understand. Captain Phalen will be here. Do your lessons...stay safe."

“I will, Uncle," She replied firmly. Rowan dodged a couple of horses to get closer to the king.

“What happened? Where are you going?"

The King was agitated, “Elves attacked a small group of my river patrols, again. They will be sorry this time."

“Why did they attack?" Rowan asked,

“They don't give reasons!" The King snapped, “Rowan, do as I say. Stay here, and out of trouble."

The King nodded and rode off with General Tarik. Soon the yard was empty, and the birds began to sing in the early dawn.

Going back to her chambers, Rowan reunited with Lea.

“I don't understand why the Elves and Humans keep fighting," Rowan confided in Lea, as the half-elf placed some books on her lady's lap. “Even half-elves are treated poorly. He says I can't trust you, but you are the only one I trust here."

Placing one of her slender hands on Rowan's shoulder, Lea squeezed gently and sat down to sew. Rowan read for a few minutes, then suddenly closed the book. She looked at her servant.

“Lea," the handmaiden looked up from the sewing. “Do Elves treat half-elves any differently than my uncle?"

“I think that may be the only thing Elves and Humans have in common," Lea tilted her head slightly. “We've never been recognized by either race or as a race ourselves."

“It just doesn't seem fair," Rowan reopened her book and continued to read. “Somehow I will get through to my uncle. Someday, I will stop this nonsense."

Lea looked at her lady reluctantly studying as her uncle requested, and never doubting the truth behind Rowan's words.

“Lea," Rowan closed her book a while later. “If I am going to make a difference, there is one thing I need to learn. Teach me to speak Elven."

Lea raised her eyebrows and came to sit beside the young woman.

Rowan had never been so keen on learning anything else in her life.

By the time the midday sun and shone through Rowan's window, Rowan had learned how to greet Elven nobility and ask for sweets.

“Those are the most important things anyway," laughed Rowan.

Lea agreed and asked what Rowan had on her list to do next.

The auburn-haired beauty raised an eyebrow and said, “Interesting question."

She dramatically tapped her lip imitating her uncle, “I think I should go get more arrows since my dear uncle helped me lose some of my recent acquirements."

Lea stifled a laugh, “From the city blacksmith, I assume. Your uncle said you aren't to ride out alone?"

By riding out alone, Rowan knew she meant riding to Elduine's forge.

“I need to get the same quality arrows," she said, collecting money from a small, dark grey box. “If you don't tell anyone which forge I went to, I'll bring you with me to watch the general train the recruits."

Lea blushed slightly but smiled. Rowan had seen General Tarik and Lea walking the gardens and corridors a few times and personally was happy for them both.

"Sounds like a good plan," Lea winked.

Rowan gave a quick hug and grabbed a riding cloak.

“Now, I'm off."

Dunvelli trotted briskly down the path to the blacksmith's, the pounding of his hammer echoing in the forest. This time the gate was already open and Rowan rode right up to the forge. Tying Dunny to the ring, she knocked on the forge door. The hammering continued, so she opened the door and went inside.

The blacksmith was concentrating on shaping a shield, adjusting the force of the hammer each blow. In the middle of a swing, he caught her reflection in the window.

“Rowan," he said. “My lady, one minute please."

Elduine finished in three blows and set the shield aside. He came to stand in front of Rowan and bowed his head.

“I didn't expect to see you again, so soon," a slight smile played at the corners of the elven lips. “What can I do for you."

Rowan sighed and felt her cheeks grow warm, “I need to buy more arrows if you have them."

“More?" Elduine's forehead wrinkled. “Are you planning an invasion?"

He smiled and began untying his apron.

Rowan laughed, trying not to notice the blacksmith's muscular arms, “No. I'm embarrassed to say I lost a few arrows during practice."

Elduine turned and regarded her with surprise.

“You lost the arrows? I thought you were practicing in a training area."

“Well, I was," Rowan became defensive. “They are somewhere in the barnyard...or in the barn roof."

The Elven blacksmith laughed, like the rolling of faraway thunder. He motioned for her to follow him and opened the forge door.

“I don't have any made right now, but I will give you some of mine."

Rowan halted in the doorway, “Oh no, blacksmith. I couldn't take your arrows."

It was then, Rowan realized how very close they were in the doorway. She could feel the heat from the blacksmith's body, and see the details in the string along his open collar. Looking up, her eyes met his, and both paused.

A horse snorted loudly, causing the blacksmith and lady to look to the road.

Three Elves in hunting attire stood in the gateway of Elduine's home.

“Taking a break from the forge, General?" The one with the scar asked.