elffire

ELFFIRE

A child will be born into the first warm summer's light and the last springs chill,

Born to break the curse on the gates of power

To bring a king back to the throne

To find the ruling power within

To make the choice that comes within,

The child will be born at first and last

Beginning and End,

Born to mortal maiden,

Yet son of fathers kin,

Elvin prince to an empty throne,

A prophecy to up hold and keep,

Danger lies at his feet,

To ladies death is secrete be told,

Gift a curse this is the child true fate unfold,

Mortal maiden on more daughter of witchfire,

To witchfire to elf fire,

This is what fate has told heed his coming when …...

Prologue

In the smallest upstairs bedroom of the "The maidens girdle"

Lay the woman that had shown up at the Inn crying between pains of child birth for a room "just for the night".

Now she lay there hair wet from labor and in a clean white gown,

But close to death even with the Inn keeper wife rushing about trying to keep this beautiful young girl not knowing were she came or who she was there was not much to tell only that she paid is gold coins.

Her son in her arms she whispered a lullaby,

Then she called over the Inn keeper,

He rushed over to her bedside she ask him to help her take off the locket that was fasten around her neck,

Once the necklace was off she put it around the infants head.

Then she called the Inn keeper and his wife and said to them,

"Here I die but I ask you as a last request bring up this child as your own or find a good will to raise him here do not send him away keep him here so he can grow strong and when then time his come tell him of this secrete 'He is a child of magic he is a child Elvin kin and the beloved son of the daughters of flame': let him know this that in hope when he learn of his power of flame he will not fall in into fear."

Then she took one last look at her son and said "Ware this locket in hope that one day you will understand the burden of your fate"

She took one last breath and said "I love you my Little Kale"

Then handing the child to the Inn keeper's wife she died.

Kale woke up in small inn room in the "the maidens girdle" Kale found that his hand was around locket his mother had given him on her deathbed, Then he sighed asking him self 'why this' he had wonder why his mother had come to this place to die leaving him here to be a blacksmith apprentices but knew that he had to stop sulking and get up to do his chores.

Kale sat and walk outside to the small privy to relive him self,

Coming inside he walking over to the water basin washed his hands and face then he walk out the front door stepping over the drunken slops that filled the inn every night.

Standing out side the felt the cool air flood his lungs,

Heading toward the blacksmiths house, once there he started his daily chores, lighting the coal, taking the water keg to be refilled.

Since he was the youngest kale only had to this he was free the rest of the day he would either sit or watch them make the horse shoes of the swords he had never made one but knew how to use one quite well as he was a elf,

He also love write and read which he loved above all things he even wrote short tales of adventure and heroics that yearned for, for the children.

It had been along day he had been asked to help out for to set up for grand party.

A lord of high elves had come to inn travel on journey to a northern city ((( )))).

Now he dressed in robes he was be the personal inn servant who joke this had he did not know,

He went down stair and waited for the lord arrival a servant had been sent ahead on horse back to bring new of guest arrival.

he herd the approach of carriage wheels he headed outside ready to be there to greet the lord he, the carriage stopped a servant came and opened the door a hand reached out he almost gasped it was not the hand of a man but a feminine hand the servant help her out she walk over to door he bowed low then said "my lady I am kale adopted son the host and hostess of establishment, I will see to any thing you might need while you here my lady"

She looked at "adopted what you mean are my hosts not of elven blood as you are"

I looked at her she had noticed my ears "my lady there are human, I am not of there blood I was brought here when I was a infant by my mother"

she nodded then started to walk forward as she passed she looked at me smile "we shall speak later of these matters I would like to know more of you but I am hungry and tired and need rest" I nodded then said shall show to your parlor and have tea and fruit soup and vegetable stir fry "she nodded and smiled I walk her down the main hall to the grandest parlor,

As settled in I called to kitchen girl to have the ladies food brought.

The food was brought in I helped set tables and pour the fine wine that brought up from the cellar,

She at after I had and told me to bring a chair and sit down next to her so we could talk I did so,

She waved her hand for her personal guard and servants to they left she turned to me "kale it strange that you are here and was adopted by kin I looked her "my lady speak freely and may I tell you a story of what was told me when I was young"

" you speak as free as you wish for we kin and we do not need to pretend that you are any other station below my name is alara high lady of elves of (( )))) and you may call me alara"

I looked at her in surprise "then I looked at her "20 years ago a human women was here she was about to give birth they gave her room this room for matter of fact for she paid in gold coins my adopted mother help give birth but a few hours later she died her only request was to put a locket on me and to ask that raised me as there own son.

"May I ask what of your father" she said with low tone

The only father I have ever known he your host as long as you are here'

She only looked at her feet then looked at me "may I see the locket?"

I pulled the locket out of my tunic and pulled off my maybe she could explain the mysteries of my past,

I gave she turn over in hand then looked closely at the to the emblem on the front she gasped with look of awe,

"Do you what crest this is "

"No I do not know what it is"

she looked deep into my eyes"there are only three that exist there where given to the three sons of the king of high court"

I didn't know how to respond

"Now it mine turn to tell you a story"

I just looked not understanding why it had been given to me

she started " 130 years three son born to the kings of elves ,triples all had birth right to rule as they grew two became great warriors one became a scholar at one time the two brothers went to there to ask who would rule when time came his father told that time come when the chosen would come forth on his own covered in the blood of war" her eyes sadden this brought times of blood, the two brought war upon each grew army to destroy each other the younger went and disappeared rumor heard it he went to daughters of the flame to hide after nothing was known of him the brothers both die in a duel to the death, the war lasted 110 years the king still alive in good health but the last son had returned even after 10 years he still did not return not many have thought him to be dead both of lockets of warring brothers are kept in the hall of warriors, the locket is out there is this one I wonder how your mother came to have "

She gave back to me I didn't know if I should give it to her or put back "keep you need on your journey"

I looked "what journey? " I looked puzzle "if alright with your parents I want to go with I travel to the oracle she will help you with your and perhaps the key to your connection with the locket"

I nodded "you attend to your duties or go bed if you wish I just ask parents to come and speak with before they go to bed'

I nodded "I went to the kitchen where they eating there nightly meal"

"Mother and father the alara would like to speak to you before you go to bed"

The both at me "I hope you have not offended her in any way''

"I do not think so''

I sat down and eat then went to bed in middle of night I woke up my body was on fire, rainbow colored flames rose every part of my body"

I screamed people came one took a bucket and doused me with it.

Alara had been one people in door way gasped looked at "what happen?"

"I don't know I work to my body on fire"

My parents looked each other "it time" mother said to my father

She went to Alara "may we gather in room for meeting my lady"

"I think we should all four of us"

We went to her parlor she closed door behind all four of us,

She looked at my parents "I think it time that all we sit for his fate needs to be his to decide now"

I looked them my mother came over to me " my dear son I have raised the best I know and have been best a mother could ask for I hope taught you to wise and strong but now I have to tell some that was told to me day of your birth"

She cried "your was not a not just a great lady as we had thought at first she was daughter of flame she was a carrier of witch fire"

I did not understand "what is witch fire?"

Alara jumped in "witch fire a magical fire that burns in veins of daughters of flames, only female of that tribe of humans carried it till now"

I looked at her "why do I have it"

She looked deep into my eyes "think kale, mother daughter of flame having the locket of one of lost princes that was last heard to living with them"

I pulled out the locket and pulled it off,

I remembering asking my self what did the symbol on the locket mean was there more to me then I even knew why was here ,why had mother left me here and not with her own kin or my fathers kin.

she looked at my parents "I think it is time for him to leave you and come me to oracle she can help him to what path he is destine to travel I believe that on our way we need to stop and visit the daughters of flame they are only ones that understand the power that he holds and he is there kin he will be welcome there"

With tires in there eyes they both nodded,

Alara looked at all of us "lets get rest the me and kale will pack and be to leave tomorrow afternoon that will kale time to say good bye to all those he has called kin and friend"

I nodded "thank you Alara for everything you have done" I turned and walk out not waiting for answer and went to my room the bed was burnt all my sheets as well I walked out and went closet and got blanks and a wool roll I walked to my room and laid it on the floor and went into a deep dreamless sleep.

it was noon all my stuff was pack I had said good bye to all I head to the carriage Alara was waiting out side she got in I fallowed and sat down I never been in side a carriage and was a little nervous I sat there looking at my legs.

Are you alight kale do you want to know more of where we are going" I just nodded my head

"We are first going to go north to sisters of the flame I was not planning this trip but it will be well worth it I never met them but now I have a reason to now to visit them they are normal do not let outsider in that many people doubted that the prince was there but believe that we will received as welcomed guests it not far we arrive to as the moon rises to the sky"

She handed me a book "read it will pass the time"

I looked at the book it was an account of royal histories of the elves I read it till my head was filled with the stories of those who might be my anstors,

I lay my head to rest on side of the carriage and fell a sleep I don't how long slept but I woke to a gentle shake "where almost there I want you wake for when we arrive there I looked outside and was a lake ahead with rainbow lights, all round part of lake was lit up with the colors of rainbow we closer and it became clear that where fire that I had woken up to,

It was the most beautiful place I had ever seen the carriage stopped there movement in the forest a voice out side carriage call out "please step out come meet with me"

Alara got first I fallowed behind her getting out a human girl with long dark hair " my name is talana I am what you would call the leader of my people, I hope you with no ill will and tell me what you seek"

Alara answer "I have you a lost kin" she looked at me then looked back at talana "he has the power of flame I have seen it I brought him here hope you can solve his past he also the lost son Durais"

Talana smiled "he is a male I never know a male to carry witchfire or a half elf for that matter and how do know he is the son of lost prince for only us the daughter of flame know his fate"

She looked at me "show her the locket of your father"

I pulled it out of my tunic "my lady this was given to me by my mother at birth it only have to on of the past of real parents

We where hoping that you could help me if I could may I tell you a story"

talana nodded " last night I woken up with fire it burned with every color of the rainbow and in between it burned everything around me but it did not burned me I woke up in fear I do not understand what power I hold but if it is something teach me to control it I beg you to help me"

She looked deep into my eyes "you do not lie but this can not be you shall through the awakening if you survive it will revel

If have witch fire then you will taught to use it, come to the village you welcome as guest as was your father"

Alara would you like join us in carriage for rest of the way talana"

"Yes I will join you"

I got in first then the ladies fallowed in suite,

We road into the village the women talked of what was happening in the city when we got there talana got first then alara,

Talana addressed the village "these are friends one is a lady from the great elven city the other is son to the beloved prince Durais"

The gasps and awes from crowed

"Tomorrow he takes the trials for he has claimed that he possessed witchfire he told and I can tell that he did not lie so he will take the trials and we shall see for now both are honored guest"

She bowed to both of us we returned her bow she walked into crowed,

a women came up to me " we loved your father you are welcome to walk among us freely as father once did, come you must be hungry and tired from your journey come this way I will new clothing and food"

I fallowed her to a wooden building we went down from the main room she took me to a door

"This room was the former room of prince Durais I hope you like I will go fetch clothing and then I hope you join the fest of the evening"

She left I open door slowly and went in I looked around it a large room with a bed and bathing room,

The book case with many books there desk with leather bound book there was a bed with silk sheets and lot of pillows,

I went sat down it was soft and comfortable nothing like bed of inn,

I went desk and picked up the book it was a journal with writings of my father,

First day

' I have because come to believe that the war that my two brothers have started a war that destroyed them both of them I will not be part of there war I wanting nothing to do with the throne I don't want to be king I want peace to read my books and to study that what have here they adopted as one there own because I crave only knowledge and they appreciate that so they have let use as place to call home many are still getting use to me but one a girl has been helping me she interested with the knowledge I have and teach about there culture we have very good friends it is nice have that I can talk to or it would be very lonely here"

As I stopped reading I hear a knock on the door,

"Come in"

The female that brought me here walked in

"I have brought you clothing, I hope you feel at home here I know father did"

"Thank you ...um..."

"Oh sorry my name is kalia"

"My name is kale"

"Well I shall leave you to change you rest as well I wake you when feast is ready"

she left I pick clothing there was a tunic and robe both where silk, the robe was green with red trim, the tunic was with gold trim I went to the bathing and filled tub the water that came forth from the spout was warm and sweet smelling,

I bathed then put on the clothing they felt soft next to my skin I went laid down and closed my eyes as slept I heard voices calling my name in the darkness ,

'Kale do not be afraid......." "Kale the path before it is yours if you take it...."

Then a womens voice that I knew but didn't it was the voice of my mother "I love my little kale"

I herd a knocked on door I called out "come in"

Kalia walked in "I you rested I hoped you slept well the feast is ready"

I stood "then let's go me ready"

we walked into the main hall table where set out and laid eat to eat many people where seated a group of youthful women where in robes as me I gusted that these where same they take there trials soon I went sat with them I want not draw any praise for my self I want be one of them just as my father was"

alara came I wish you sit me as guest but I see that you have a place where believe you belong I am happy that feel as your father did that you want to part of people not just a visitor even if you chose to go to oracle I hope you even if you do not pass your trials because there many thing still learn here if you have questions of fathers life ask me anytime during stay here I would be happy to answer any your questions but now I must start the feast" she bowed and left.

She walk to the end of the tables clapped her three times all went quite,

"I would like welcome our the lady Alara and young prince kale" I winced at this the name I had not yet thought my self a prince, "let begin the meal"

Food was pasted around people started to talk one turned to me "prince kale I heard you are to go through the trials"

Shook my head "sorry I just found out I am prince can u just call me kale"

She smiled "then can call me caya kale"

"I am going to go into my trials''

she looked at in awe " you are the first male to ever go into the trials if you make it and train you will make a new history for our people" she smiled and laughed " Tomorrow you will be first to and face your trials "

She started to eat again this left me to think what it be like would be painless.

As feast ended I went back to my room and slept.

I woke up it was noon I had slept till noon since I was I felt completely rested,

I went wash and was face then head to main there was no one there I ventured out side there where many people doing many different task I walked around many bowed before me I felt odd I gone from being no one of importance to a prince every thing I knew was changing, who was , what I knew.

Alara came over to me "are you ready kale"

"I think so"

She smiled "it will be alright you will make it I have seen your power there is no way that you will fail I believe in you."

I gave her a smile back,

"Let's go eat some thing I am guessing you just woke up and hungry"

We went market and bought fruit and bread and raw vegetables we went lack and there and ate,

I looked at her "thank you alara for bring me and showing me who I am"