Crown of Frost & shadows

Chapter 14 - Lirien

"Alarielle," a familiar voice called out, and she turned to see Edna approaching, accompanied by another elf leading a beautiful white horse. The horse's coat gleamed in the morning sunlight, its mane catching the light and giving off a soft, iridescent shimmer that almost resembled a rainbow. The sight was mesmerizing, and for a moment, Alarielle couldn't help but stare.

Edna smiled as she neared, her expression warm but a little sad. "Ralkov told me that you don't have a horse. I heard that the one you came on got spooked during the chaos last night and ran off. We couldn't find it anywhere."

Alarielle glanced at the white horse, her heart softening. It was a stunning creature, its elegant stance and gentle eyes making it look almost ethereal.

"I had suggested Ravareth give you his horse and take Lirien here," Edna continued, gesturing toward the white horse. "But he likes his horse too much. The one he has belonged to his Nonna, Jeraldine."

She paused, her gaze turning fond as she looked at the white horse. "This was Mavrick's horse. Lirien has been with the family for many years, and she's gentle, but she's strong. We thought it would be fitting if you took her, at least for now."

Alarielle blinked, taken aback by the gesture. "I… I don't know what to say," she stammered, feeling a mix of gratitude and hesitance. "Are you sure it's alright? She was Mavrick's…"

Edna nodded, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Yes, and I think Mavrick would have wanted it this way. Lirien deserves to be with someone who will care for her, and I think she'll be a good companion for you."

The other elf stepped forward, guiding Lirien closer so Alarielle could reach out and touch her. The horse lowered her head slightly, as if acknowledging Alarielle, and she tentatively stroked Lirien's mane, the soft strands slipping through her fingers like silk.

"Thank you," Alarielle said, her voice thick with emotion. "I'll take care of her. I promise."

Edna's smile widened, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I know you will," she said quietly. "And she'll take care of you too."

As Lirien nuzzled Alarielle's hand, a warmth spread through her chest, but it was accompanied by a pang of confusion and vulnerability. She looked up at Edna, her eyes burning with unspoken emotions. "Why… why would you be so kind to someone you don't even know?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly, as if she couldn't quite understand or accept the gesture.

Edna's smile softened, and she stepped closer, her expression gentle and full of understanding. "It's usually me who has to ask that question," she said quietly, a hint of amusement mingling with the sadness in her eyes. "I've asked it many times to my brother and his mate. They both wouldn't have done the same, but it doesn't change what kindness is."

She paused, taking a slow breath, as if gathering her thoughts. "Kindness doesn't cost a thing, Alarielle. It's something we can give freely, and sometimes, it's the only thing we have left to offer." Her voice wavered, and tears glistened in her eyes, but she continued to smile. "You showed kindness last night, even when you didn't have to. And this is just… a way to show you that you're not alone. That there are still those who want to offer a hand, even if it's just a small one."

Alarielle's throat tightened, and she felt tears welling up, threatening to spill over. It had been so long since someone had been kind to her without expecting anything in return, and the sheer simplicity of it felt overwhelming. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I don't… I don't know how to repay this."

Edna shook her head, her own tears shimmering as she reached out and gently touched Alarielle's arm. "There's nothing to repay, child. Just take Lirien, and let her guide you, as you've guided others."

The moment felt fragile, like a thread connecting them, born from shared grief and unexpected kindness. Alarielle let the tears fall, and for once, she didn't try to hide them. She stroked Lirien's mane again, the horse's calm presence grounding her, reminding her that there was still hope, still light to be found, even in the darkest of times.

Edna squeezed her arm gently before stepping back. "Take care of her, and yourself," she said softly. "That's all the thanks I need."

Once they were all mounted on their horses, Ravareth guided his steed next to Alarielle's and nudged her playfully. "You cried because Eddie gave you a horse?" he teased, a grin spreading across his face. "Lirien is pretty, sure, but crying over her? You'd inflate her ego."

Alarielle managed a small, bittersweet smile, but her eyes were distant, her thoughts still lingering on the earlier exchange. "When you've lived your whole life running," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rhythmic sound of the horses' hooves, "you find that kindness is hard to come by."

Ravareth's grin faded, and he turned his head slightly to look at her, his eyes softening. He hadn't expected her answer, and for a moment, he was silent, letting her words sink in. "I still have yet to know you better," he said quietly, his tone gentle and sincere. "But I believe what Mal says about you. And I think… you'd never have to run from anything alone. Again."

Alarielle's eyes widened slightly, and she turned to meet his gaze, surprised by the warmth and kindness she saw there. It wasn't the teasing, playful Ravareth she was used to, but something deeper, more genuine.

Alarielle sniffled, her eyes glistening as she tried to hold back the wave of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. She hadn't expected such gentle sincerity from Ravareth, and it touched something deep inside her, a place that had been closed off for so long. She nodded, her throat tight, and managed a small, grateful smile.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the steady rhythm of the horses' hooves.

Ravareth's lips curled into a small, crooked grin, the familiar playfulness returning, but it was gentler this time, more careful. "Besides," he added, his tone lightening, "I'm pretty sure Malrek would have my head if I let you run off alone again. So you're stuck with us."

Alarielle laughed, a quiet, shaky sound, but genuine. "I guess I'll just have to get used to it," she said, her smile widening a bit more.

"Good," Ravareth replied, his eyes sparkling. "Because I'm not letting you out of my sight."

They continued riding, the morning sun warming their faces, and for the first time in a long while, Alarielle felt a flicker of hope. Maybe she didn't have to run anymore.

"so , Magra's real name is Magrath?" she asked once they got into a steady pace throught the forest

Ravareth let out a laugh "thats all you gathered from that conversation? and yes. thats her name"

"oh i gathered a lot of things , like magra and Zār have a history that Magra is not over but Zār seemed to have forgotten" she said

Ravareth laughed again. " yeah. but it wasnt a thing, i believe. one drunken night they slept together i think. and margra basically thought they were going to get married or something. i remeber she told everyone he was her mate. Zār didnt even acknowlege it"

Alarielle raised an eyebrow, surprised but not entirely shocked. “That must have been… awkward,” she mused, glancing over at where Zār was riding ahead, his usual stoic composure giving nothing away.

“Oh, it was,” Ravareth replied, a grin spreading across his face. “Magra was furious, but she couldn’t get Zār to react. He just… carried on like nothing happened, which, knowing him, makes sense.”

Alarielle thought about it for a moment, the pieces of the puzzle starting to fit together. “That explains a lot,” she said softly, glancing back at Ravareth. “It’s why she kept looking at him earlier, isn’t it? Like she was expecting him to… I don’t know, care?”

“Yep,” Ravareth said, his grin softening. “But Zār is… complicated. He doesn’t do things just because someone expects him to. And if Magra thought she could force him into acknowledging something he never agreed to, well, she was always going to be disappointed.”

Alarielle nodded, her thoughts drifting. “I can see that,” she said, her voice thoughtful. “He’s… hard to read.”

Ravareth’s smile turned a little wry. “That’s an understatement. But once you get to know him, you realize that he’s always been honest—maybe too honest. If he doesn’t feel something, he won’t pretend he does. And that’s both his strength and his flaw.”

Alarielle absorbed that, her eyes following the path ahead. The forest was thick and green, the sunlight filtering through the leaves, creating dappled patterns on the ground.

"We're going to Illianthor, right? Ralkov mentioned it earlier," Alarielle asked, her curiosity piqued. "How many kingdoms are there in this realm?"

Ravareth nodded, adjusting his reins as they continued their steady pace through the forest. "Yeah, we're headed to Illianthor. It's one of the main territories in the demon realm, and it's more stable than most, at least for now."

He paused, as if gathering his thoughts. "There are five main kingdoms you need to know about. Illianthor is where we're going. Then there's Eldoria, to the west, mostly forests and mountains—ancient werewolf clans who keep to themselves. Tharimor lies to the north, rugged lands known for their druid warriors and ruled by Vampires. Lysara, to the south, is all deserts and underground cities, a place where deals are made, both good and bad."

He hesitated before continuing. "And then, there's Nyxvelyn. Or, there was."

Alarielle's ears perked up at the name, feeling a chill run through her. "Nyxvelyn?" she repeated.

Ravareth's expression darkened slightly. "It was once the heart of both the Fae and demon realms, right where the Demon Emperor Drakon and the Fae Queen Deliah ruled together. When the demon empire fell, the balance shifted, and the then Fae King altered the veil between the realms, turning Nyxvelyn into a Fae kingdom. It was ruled by the Thornbrior family after the Fae realm was divided."

"What happened to it?" Alarielle asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Things didn't stay peaceful for long," Ravareth said, his tone grim. "Half of Nyxvelyn, which once belonged to the demon kingdom, still remains near the veil. But the other half—what was left of the Fae part—was destroyed by Drakyrids a long time ago. Nyxvelyn became a fragmented place, haunted by its past."

Alarielle processed this, her mind racing with new information. "So… part of it is still there, near the veil?"

Ravareth nodded. "Yes, but it's not the same. The remnants of the demon empire that once stood there are shadows, lingering near the veil. Few dare to venture close because it's still dangerous. But the balance between the Fae and demon realms has always been delicate, and Nyxvelyn was a symbol of that—until everything fell apart."

Alarielle's mind spun, trying to piece together what she knew. "So when Nyxvelyn became a Fae kingdom, it was ruled by the Thornbrior family?" she asked, the name striking a chord.

"Yes," Ravareth said, glancing over at her. "The Thornbriors took over after the Fae King divided the realms, claiming Nyxvelyn as their own. But the land has always been contested, and with the Drakyrids destroying half of it, there isn't much left to fight over. It's mostly ruins now, with a part still clinging to the old power from the demon days."

Alarielle nodded slowly, trying to absorb everything. "It's strange to think of a place that was once so powerful being reduced to ruins," she said softly, her eyes distant.

"That's the way of things here," Ravareth said, his tone soft but resigned. "Power shifts, realms change, and what was once grand can become nothing more than a memory. The demon empire fell, the veil shifted, and Nyxvelyn was left caught in the middle. But those remnants still hold secrets. They're not as dead as they seem."

As they continued to ride, Alarielle's mind drifted, the name "Nyxvelyn" stirring memories she hadn't thought about in a long time. Her mother had spoken of it sometimes, in hushed, wistful tones, back when they were still held captive by the Drakyrids. Those moments were rare, but they had been a lifeline—small glimpses of a world Alarielle could only imagine.

She remembered her mother's voice, soft and sad, describing the beauty of Nyxvelyn—the way the trees would glow under the moonlight, the harmony of the Fae and demon realms that had once flourished there. But there had always been a sorrow in her words, a grief for something lost, a place that could never truly be hers again.

Alarielle blinked, trying to push back the wave of emotions that threatened to surface. She had been so young then, and her mother's stories had felt like fairy tales, a distraction from the harsh reality of their captivity. But now, hearing Ravareth speak of Nyxvelyn as a broken, divided land, she felt an ache that she hadn't realized was still there. It wasn't just a kingdom to her—it was a part of her history, a piece of her that she had never been allowed to truly understand.

She glanced at Ravareth, who was still speaking, describing the ruins near the veil with a detached, almost clinical tone. She wondered if he knew—if any of them knew—just how much Nyxvelyn had meant to her mother, and by extension, to her. But she didn't say anything, letting his words wash over her as she tried to hold on to the fragments of her mother's stories, the way she had held on to them back then.

As they moved deeper into the forest, Alarielle couldn't help but feel a strange pull, a quiet longing to see what was left of Nyxvelyn for herself. Perhaps there were still echoes of her mother's voice there, hidden among the ruins, waiting to be found.

"I want to see Nyxvelyn once," Alarielle said, not realizing she had spoken the thought aloud until the words left her lips.

Ravareth turned to her, his expression shifting slightly, a mix of curiosity and caution. "It's a volatile area," he said, his voice careful, as if weighing his words. "Under the Drakyrid kingdom's control. But since your goal is to go to the Drakyrid kingdom anyway, I guess we will eventually see it."

Alarielle's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the Drakyrids. The name alone brought back memories she had tried to bury, memories of dark, endless days and the cold, suffocating grip of fear. But there was also something else—a flicker of determination, a need to confront what she had run from for so long.

"I didn't know it was under their control," she murmured, more to herself than to Ravareth. "I thought… it was just ruins."

"It mostly is," Ravareth replied, his tone softening. "But the Drakyrids have kept a hold on it. Probably because it's close to the veil, and they want to control whatever power still lingers there. It's not a place most would willingly visit."

If she could see it, even once, maybe she could understand the place her mother had cherished so much, the kingdom that had been lost and the war Illiana spoke of. Alarielle glanced ahead, where the path wound deeper into the forest, the trees thickening around them.

"If we do see it," she said, her voice steadying, "I'd like to know more about it. About what happened there."

Ravareth nodded, his expression thoughtful.