Elvish Love - Tumblr Posts

Characters:

Halynesra (Nesra) Caifir = Hall-ee-ness-rah (Ness-rah) Caee-feer

Otaehryn (Ryn) Venkalyn = Oh-tay-rin (Rin) Ven-kall-yin

Lenna Caifir = Leen-nah Caee-feer

Ehlark Cairfir = Eh-lark Caee-feer

Nen = Neh-nn

Rilitar (Aran) Venkalyn = Ree-le-tarr (Ah-rahn) Ven-kall-yin

Myriani (Erain) Venkalyn = Mee-ree-ah-nee (Eh-ray-een) Ven-kall-yin

The Beginning

   “‘But Nesra I can not wait for the future! I want you now.’ I only laughed at the boy who I had grown to love in a day. ‘What else are we to do Rin? We are too young to do anything but wait.’ I stopped running and faced the boy I was talking to. His face is obscure, of all detail but I know he is handsome. From his long and pointy ears to his dashingly long white hair. His clothes are far nicer than any fabrics I have come to see in my young life. They even fit him way better than my own. ‘What if I marry you?’ I look up to the sky and think a bit, making him groan in worry. ‘Well, I don’t know? You haven't asked me to marry you, so how could I answer that question?’ ‘Fine, only for you Nesra.’ He took one large step to stand in front of me and held my hands in his. I smiled at his face as he stood so close to me. ‘Halynesra of Caifir, will you bless my life for however long it may be. To live with me as mine for however long you see fit?’ ‘Yes! I want to be yours!’ We both smiled widely as he squished me into his body. He let go enough to look at my face and tried to give me a kiss. I stopped him by covering his mouth with my hand. ‘No kisses til the wedding Ryn. You don’t want to spoil me now.’ He pulled me back into him with a squeeze and began to drag me away. We both laughed along as he took me away from the fields and into the thick woods. ‘Ryn? Where are you taking me?’ ‘To marry you obviously.’ ‘And how will we do that with no Elen House?’ ‘Patience, my bride.’ We talked, giggled, and kissed each other's cheeks as he led me further into the woods. ‘We’re here.’ I looked up at his words and found an old Elen House. It had vines and holes in the walls, but the open roof was still held high. The old intricate design of the metal work showed it’s shadow onto the ground. With my new found excitement I squeezed the boy's hand and pulled him further in the grand old building to the platform. We faced each other on top of the platform with smiling faces. ‘Now. I am Oteahryn Venkalyn, and I stand before Elen to grant me the blessing of marrying Halynesra. Give your power to honor me in making Halynesra of Caifir, Halynesra of Venkalyn.’ As he spoke he tied our interlocking hands together with our palms facing one another. ‘I am Halynesra and I stand before Elen to bless me with being one with my love, Oteahryn of Venkalyn. I shed our blood, for you to show us if this union is true.’ At my words I take one of my hair pins and unfold it to reveal a knife. I sliced both our wrists and watched as we bled onto the broken concrete.”

“Nesra! Are you sleeping?”

“No, I’m awake.”

   I think often of that day. Mostly about how I never saw him again, and how my mother had cut my hair that day. My hair I was once so proud of was taken from me. It has been twenty years since that day and my life has not gotten any easier. My mother had made it her goal for me to feel as ashamed as she is for having me. Though it’s not my fault I’m a ‘half breed’. You see, humans are a lowly race that had once roamed an entire continent. But because of their arrogance they practically wiped themselves out. They began moving and roaming the world for a new home. Unfortunately, everything they saw they thought was theirs to take. Somewhere during this time a member of my mom's family had mated with a human and brought into our family line human genes. Fortunately, I did not have a short life span. I did get the shortness of their body, and the rusty color of the hair they had. Even my eyes reflect the color of dirt. I am what my mother hates.

“You know if you keep zoning out like that you’ll be late.”

“I know, but no matter what mom will be mad. Thank you for looking out for me though.”

“Of course, bye Nesra.”

“Bye.”

   She had already run off before I spoke. Adjusting my basket in the crook of my elbow I flip my hood onto my head. The hood and cape that was gifted to me from my father. He had bought it when my mother cut my hair. His original plan was for me to hide my hair in the hood so I wouldn’t be embarrassed, but since mother keeps it so short I hide it so others won’t think I am a slave from another town.

“Nesra! Nesra, Honey! Come here!”

   The older woman came to me, almost making me drop my basket. She looked worried but also excited. I was confused as her shipment of clothes had already come in this week.

“What is it, Nona?”

“Royal guards. From our kingdom and another are on the way to your house!”

   My eyes widened. Mother will kill me if we have guests when I’m not there. I hand Nona my basket and run off into the fields to find the path in the woods I had made to make going home faster. With my loose garments held I picked up my speed and cuddled Nen closer to me. Coming up to the town bridge I see our kingdom's guard’s horses and others with colors and flags I do not recognize. A few men spot me running under the bridge and out the other side. I send a little wave as I pass but do not slow down. Taking the right path I had made so I will be behind my house by the time they arrive at my home. Hopefully by doing this it will seem that I was already home. Upon seeing my home I see my father getting off his horse. With happiness I skip by my back garden and race to my father. 

“Papa!”

“My Diamond!”

   With a smile my father caught me in his arms and brought me up twirling us both. We laugh as he slows and places me back on the ground. Looking at me with so much love he holds my face in his hands. 

“Oh my only girl, how beautiful you grow everyday.”

“And how strong you become since training with the King’s men.”

   Papa laughs and I take his horse’s reins and take the strong animal to the barn as father enters the home to greet mother. Before I could take the animal inside the barn the guards I had passed came running down my way. Getting closer they split and ran on either side of me. This makes my fathers horse nearly kick me as it bucked and tried to get away from the intimidating stallions. They stopped too close to me and the horse as I tried to calm him. 

“A bit jumpy the old mare is?”

“No, you scared her.”

“My apologies, Nesra.”

   A younger guard got off his horse and approached me. I remembered his face but not his name. We met when my father was invited to a guards dinner and brought me and mother along. 

“Please, forgive her nature and dress. Her father raised her to be a fighter, a strong woman. As for the hood she simply likes the style as she is too beautiful to be seen.”

   I blushed and tried to hide behind fathers horse. A few of the other guards laugh, whether or not it’s in mockery I do not know. Looking back up I try to apologize for snapping at guardsmen, but I was interrupted by a man still on his horse. 

“My apologies, Lady. We still have some young guards in training. They had gotten anxious with no activity, so I am apologizing for their thoughtlessness and your fear,”

“There is no need for an apology, except from me. I should not have been so quick with my tongue to such noblemen.”

“Your reaction was only necessary because of our mistake. Please allow one of us to finish your chore as we walk with you back to your home.”

   Before I could reply a younger unfamiliar guard wearing an insignia I don’t recognize gets off his horse. He gave me a small smile that held a sorrowful feeling as he gently took the reins. I stood there in surprise as he walked with the horse to the barn. When I looked at the other men I noticed that the ones closest to me had gotten off their horses to walk with me to my home. I began walking in silence as the guards fell into step with me. It was a short walk but it felt like I was walking on glass. Opening the front gate wider, since only my father passed through it I waited for the men to tie up the horses. I fix my hood and pet Nen as he pokes out his head. The front door had opened to reveal my mother inside. Seeing her I put my head down and listen as she greets the guards. 

“Welcome to our home. Who is it, we have the honor of hosting at our humble home.”

“Lady of Caifir?”

“Yes, that is me.”

“We have come a long way to find your family. We are guards of the Lovelui Dor Kingdom in the Land of Sidh.”

   There was a moment of pause in awe. The Land of Sidh was a strong and rich country. Their people rarely left the land for anything. The silence is broken when my father speaks up. 

“We may not have a lot of room inside but my daughter has quite the garden in the back.”

“That sounds lovely, Master Caifir, but we are only here to confirm and collect.”

“Oh and what do you plan on collecting from here?”

“Not what, my Lady, but who.”

“Well let us not waste your time then, follow me please.”

   Only the men who had gotten off the horses followed my father as me and mother followed. Going through the house I stop in the kitchen to pick up two big empty serving platters and two pitchers with a few cups. I walked in the back garden seeing my mom sitting in our garden chairs while my father was showing some of the men the garden. I continue my work as father brags about my vegetables and fruits. With both empty pitchers I move over to our well and begin to fill them both. I listen to the sloshing of water and the straining of the rope. The sound that has always calmed me while doing my chores.

“Does the Lady mind some help?”

   The guard from before had scared me, causing me to jump. Holding my hand to my heart I look up and smile kindly. He approached closer to stand on the other side of the well from me. 

“I only want to help.”

“You can help if you’d like, but I can do it on my own.”

“I do not doubt you, my Lady.”

“Please, call me Nesra. Everyone else does.”

“My rank does not allow me to address you any other way, but I will apologize for making you uncomfortable.”

   I nod as I pull up the first pitcher and set it on the edge of the well. I untie the pitcher and retie the rope to the second pitcher. As I lower the pitcher down in the well I speak to the guard. 

“I meant no disrespect to your heritage, I am just not used to such a title. It is one though I think I could get used to.”

“I suppose anyone could, yes. Speaking of heritage, may I ask about yours.”

   His question made me stop for a moment. I continued my work and tried to hide my surprise. 

“My apologies. I know your people have some views on certain types of your race.”

“No, you are fine. You are right. Some of us care about what or where we are from, or even what we have done.”

“Do you not?”

“No. My father taught me to be better than those who would look down on me.”

“Not that anyone would.”

   Father interrupted stepping up from behind the guard. I blushed at my fathers comment. He has always treated me like I was his most prized possession. A precious gem even. His diamond. My father asked if we had met each other properly. I only shook my head. 

“Well we can’t have that now. Nesra, this handsome guard is Venkalyn. Venkalyn, this is my only child Nesra.”

   I keep my head down as I give the man a small bow. I did not expect him to return it. 

“Let me carry a pitcher for you, surely your arm must be tired.”

   I blink out of my surprise and notice how long I had been holding the pitcher in its place, waiting to be untied. I only nodded shyly as he pulled the pitcher to his side of the well. Father had walked away to sit with mother and the other guards. Looking over I noticed that one of the guards had filled a platter with my fruits and vegetables as I had planned to do. When Venkalyn had untied the pitcher he moved to walk beside me as we both made our way to the group.

“Please forgive my men, they are used to not allowing women to serve them.”

“Because women are gifts.”

“How did you know?”

“Oh it, I was told that by an old friend of mine. He was very kind. I wish he could have stayed.”

“Were you close?”

“You could say that.”

   I smiled as we approached the group. Another guard stepped up to me and gently took the pitcher from my arms. I watched as he brought it to the front yard, most likely to the other guards. That is probably where my other platter had gone. My father cleared his throat bringing me out of my head. When I looked over and saw a few eyes on me making me blush.

“I was just telling these men about how talented of a gardener you are.”

“It’s not much.”

“It means more than you know.”

   I blush at Venkalyn’s words. Father and Nona had really been the only ones to give me compliments. I was not used to strangers giving me such kind words. 

“I would like to get down to business, Caifir.”

   Father looked at me and gestured to his hair. He wanted me to take off my hood. I could see my mother avoiding the area I stood as I tried to prepare myself. I did not like taking off my hood in front of others. They always treated me differently, like I was someone who had done wrong by the law and made a slave to others. Even if they had known me since childhood. Slowly I brought my hands to the rim of my hood and just as slowly pulled my hood back to lay on my back. Nen was still in my hood and hid in my hair that rested on my shoulders. I kept my eyes down as no doubt all eyes were on me, except for my mothers. 

“He was right, you are an amazing mix between Human and Elf.”

   I picked up my head in shock, seeing also that my father had done the same. Clearing his throat, father tried to speak calmly but could not hide his shock. 

“I thought you said you were looking for your Prince’s bride.”

“We are, the Prince is my brother. He is the only one able to succeed to the throne considering his marriage.”

“If it is his bride you are looking for then why in Elen are you looking here?”

   Normally I would be hurt by my mothers disregard for me but I was too shocked. Another kingdom coming all this way to look for their Prince’s wife. In such a peaceful manner too, well despite the scare earlier. 

“Lady Caifir, I believe it is your daughter that has married my young brother.”

“Impossible! This has to be a joke! She has never left our home I would know.”

“Indeed she never did, they married here. On sacred grounds in front of Elen themselves.”

   Quickly my mother stood up, knocking over the chair and standing in front of me. Before I could apologize she hit and shoved me away. As I landed onto the ground a small squeak sounded. Nen had also fallen and landed a few inches from me. Quickly I picked him up and sat up to cradle him. 

“What have you done behind my back! For how long had you been married, lying to us! How shameful are you, child!”

   Without thinking I held onto Nen closer to me but also gently, and then ran. I ran along the path leading into the woods. Running down the way I came, I ignored the shout and calls of my name. Feeling the tears fall from my face I reach the fork in the path and take the one I avoided when coming home. Along the path never stopping my pace I think about why my mother did what she did. She had never laid a hand on me in front of others. Always prided herself on her self control. After running for so long I found myself in the very place that was the reason for my mothers reaction. More vines and plants had grown in new places, and more pieces of stone had chipped away. The metal along with it’s beautiful designs had rusted and turned green with age. One day it will all fall down, becoming one with the planet as it once had been. This fact does not keep me from treating it with care. This place is special, and now I know my memories to be true. I find myself sitting in the middle upon the platform. This can’t be real. We were only kids, there is no way he actually thought we were married. Perhaps he simply wanted to see what the young girl he once knew had become. I sigh as I look down and check over Nen. Making sure his tiny legs could still move or if they hurt. Checking over to see if his skinny long body had been cut or bruised. Seeing that he was fine I cried again. 

“Oh Nen, I am so sorry. If you had been hurt I don’t know what I would have done.”

   He looked up at me as I held him close to my face. With quiet squeaks he licked away a tear and cuddled into my cheek. I smile sadly and set him down beside me so he could wander around. As he scurried away he would turn around every few feet to see me waiting for him. I watched as he ran around and under rocks. He fell dramatically in a small puddle and ran into a bush rolling around trying to dry off. His action made me giggle, making him look over at me. He sniffed in the air and walked around a corner I could not see. Before I could grow worried from his absence he came back trying to run with a bushel of berries he was dragging. I laughed at him as he did his best to make it back to me. He dropped the fruit at my feet and crawled up my feet sitting upon my lap. I scratched behind his ears and under his chin making him lean into my hand. When he was satisfied he crawled deeper into my lap as I picked up the fruit. I laid back on the stone platform and set the berries beside my chest so I could see Nen eat.

“You can have them, Nen. My mood for food has vanished completely.”

   After watching me lay down without eating a berry, Nen took one in his mouth, pulled it off the bushel and tried to put the berry in my mouth. Accepting his offer I gently take the berry in my hand and eat what was given to me. Satisfied he ate some himself. Once full he slowly walked over and cuddled into my neck. I yawned at this action and relaxed. A nap could not hurt.

When you were seven, you held a fake wedding by the swings with a kid you met at the park. You never saw your childhood “spouse” again after that day. Today you received a letter summoning you to a foreign country… where your wedding to the heir to the throne twenty years ago is seen as valid.