The Cruel Prince's Captive

Chapter 2

The elven hunters rowed the boat down the water with ease; the water was calm and glistened as sunlight hit it through the gaps in the canopy of the forest. Another beautiful sight to behold before she learned her fate. The elves came to a part of the river where Morthil stood and moved his arms in a strange motion muttering an incantation in elven and some bushes parted at his command revealing a narrow extension of the river of which they would turn down. Tolanda wanted to question how he had done that but she knew she would get no answer. It was clear that it was a secret ritual known only to the elven kind. This part of the forest seemed darkened and she looked all around her and noticed more elves within the trees and spread through the forest. They appeared to be working, some collecting wood, and some collecting fruit that appeared to hold an unnatural shine. Others prepared boats, more hunters by the looks of their bows. Some of these elves stopped to watch their boat go by and she could feel many eyes on her in particular. There were some elven women at the edge of the stream who appeared to be washing clothes. One woman stood and hurried over to them as they climbed from the boat.

“What’s happened? Where are you taking him?” she demanded.

“Out of the way, Gerenil!” Morthil barked.

“Mother, please do not make it worse,” Iefyr said to the beautiful older elf.

“No, what is this? A human?” she asked looking at Tolanda. “What have you done, Iefyr?” she asked and clasped a hand over her mouth, tears forming in her kind eyes.

“I am sorry, mother,” he said and he was pulled away from her. Tolanda turned as they were dragged away and she saw Iefyr’s mother drop to her knees in despair. What was the punishment for breaking the first law? What had Iefyr risked in saving her? Tolanda looked back to the handsome elven man and his expression was of brief sorrow but this soon returned to his stoic unreadable face.

                                                                                        ~~

She was being led down a forest path and soon she noticed small huts and what appeared to be civilisation. Elven civilisation but they looked somewhat impoverished here. Some small children even ran up to the hunters and appeared to beg for food but they were swiftly pushed aside by Morthil and his men.

“Iefyr, what did you do now?” one small boy shouted over to him.

“You know me, Drelin, can’t seem to keep out of trouble,” Iefyr shouted back but was pushed forwards by one of the arresting elves marching him to his fate, of which Tolanda had a bad feeling about. They were soon led through a market-place and then to a part of the elven home which appeared far richer. There was a palace in the distance and here within this clearing were armed guards and some noble looking elves dressed in fine clothes. She was led into an open space, Iefyr at her side, both remained bound and as prisoners. Her heart was pounding in her chest; she had gone from one danger to another and with this one, she could not even predict what might happen. Within this open space, they were brought before a woman sat upon a throne holding what appeared to be a staff, her throne was positioned on an elevated platform and she had guards either side of her. Her hair was incredibly long and hung in strands of silver shining as the light caught it. Tolanda and Iefyr were sent before her. She looked down her nose at Tolanda and then rose to address the one known as Morthil.

“You tell me now, young Morthil, why is my hunter bound? And why have you brought a human female into our home?” she demanded. Morthil immediately stood forwards and presented himself upon one knee.

“Forgive me, my Queen, Iefyr rescued the girl from attackers, he was about to let her loose after revealing himself to her. Thus he is bound. The girl… Iefyr was about to let me kill him to kill her, this I was not willing to do. It was not for me to judge him. The girl is a gift, your majesty; I thought perhaps you could use her as your personal servant rather than kill her.” Morthil explained and the Queen’s lip curled and her eyes moved from him to Tolanda.

“She is a beauty, isn’t she?” The Queen said and moved down from her throne. “What wonderful hair,” she noted, “the colour of rose gold such an interesting shade and your eyes… so blue. Such a beauty,” she was moving closer and soon was right in Tolanda’s face. One hand raised and softly stroked her cheek. Tolanda fought the urge to recoil at her touch, instead lowered her eyes, it was almost too much gazing into the eyes of this being, they were so cold.

“I will give her to my son,” she said.

“No, my Queen!” Iefyr spoke and received a hard back hand across the face from the Queen. It was so hard it caused his head to crack to the side and him to stumble a little. He turned his head back to the Queen, his eyes were burning but then he dropped to one knee mimicking the same respectful and submissive actions of Morthil. The strike was surprising since Iefyr looked strong and the Queen was only small of frame.

“You dare question me?” the Queen bellowed. “You are in no position to do so!” she reminded.

“Forgive me, my queen, I forget myself. I beg you to spare this girl, she is innocent and she has been through enough.” He said. Tolanda feared this Queen but judging from Iefyr’s reaction the prince was more to be feared.

“What do you think my son will put her through?”

“With all due respect… it is well known how your son treats his slaves and a human girl will fare worse,”

“Humans murdered my husband, your king many years ago; I expect he will give her all the treatment her kind deserves,”

“She is innocent. Not all humans are cruel but your son… has a cruel streak, my Queen. I know I am to be executed, that is for my crime I will use my last words to plead for mercy for this girl,”

“Executed?” Tolanda asked. “For saving my life? For saving me from rape? What kind of a race are you that you condemn a hero?” she found herself boldly asking. The Queens icy eyes met hers once more.

“My son does have appetites of a certain nature that is true. He is known among our people as The Cruel Prince,” The Queen smiled at her and Tolanda felt her body shudder. She looked back to Iefyr who was pulled to his feet and dragged away.

“No…” Tolanda muttered and his eyes held hers as he was dragged possibly to his death and her to her own fate with The Cruel Prince.