Alíenor 60

60
We told her of our discovery, and she followed every word- writing it down on a scrap of parchment. As expected, it was unlikely that they would be able to help, but she would file it, and do the best she could.
Now, if only the best was better.
We had done what we had set out to do, and my story was over. The elves- the wisest of the peoples of the Three Isles- knew of the dilemma, and they would try to help. There was no more use for Aneira and me, and no way we could go back to Lashar. Perhaps we could make ourselves of use to the Nameless One, now that we knew his secret, or move to some small town somewhere. Whatever we decided to do, it was the end of one (rather short) chapter: but the beginning of another.

Alíenor 59

59
"Alíenor. Aneira. Welcome back. You wished to talk about some discoveries you had made in Llyn Idwal- correct?"
We murmured our agreement.
"Before we delve too deep into this, know that there is little we would be able to do. The Elves of Ice hold a strong hand over us, and even if proven correct, my people are peaceful."
I bit my lip. This could be a problem.

Alíenor 58

58
At some point late at night, a messenger arrived. She (yes- a female. This would be scandalous in Lashar!) announced that the queen would see us then and only then. We hastily dressed and walked briskly to the hall.
Elvadriandel sat at the front, brooding. The room was empty now, without even a guard.

Alíenor 57

57
I woke up at dusk. I hadn't meant to sleep this long; it was a miracle Elvadriandel hadn't summoned us already.
Aneira sat at the wall loom, working it expertly. The rhythmic thumps emanated from  it as the cloth grew taller and taller. She hadn't noticed me yet, and I allowed myself the luxury of becoming hypnotized for a few seconds. The loom, like everything else in the city, was a functional sculpture, with curved edges and delicate intersections. I envied Aneira for being the first to use it.

Alíenor 56

56
He led us down the stairs, and into the city. My eyes grew accustomed to the camouflage faster than I thought they would, and I could actually ignore the grumblings of our guide.
We came to a stop in front of a mossy grey-rock cottage not unlike the others. The elf muttered something barely comprehensible- about how everything was stocked and we would stay here- and stomped off. Aneira couldn't stop staring at the small building, and (once we'd stepped in) the furnishings. I couldn't blame her- before I had become a lady, I would have been amazed at our accommodations. Never mind the fact that the High Elves had more luxurious quarters: I would have taken this over that any day.
It was a run-of-the-mill cottage, except for the fact that everything was a work of art. I couldn't help wondering if all elf things were like this, and, as I fell asleep, I became increasingly excited for our time here.

Alíenor 55

55
I hesitated. Had I been too straightforward? Had the queen heard all? Would she even grant us our request?
The various petty worries were rising up in my mind, and causing my panic to rise. But it turns out, I had no reason to fear.
"Very well," she murmured. "I have met many untrustworthy people, and many of the opposite- you are of the latter. Laríen will attend to your needs-" A haughty-looking elf stood abruptly, and opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off. "-as I am sure you are tired and hungry. I shall summon you when possible."

Writer in the West

I'm going to be going on a road trip out to Oregon with my family this summer, and stopping as several national monuments/parks. I want to document this, as I did with my Hong Kong trip two years ago, and will do so with another blog. The trip will start sometime in July, but I'm starting it now.
writerinthewest.blogspot.com

Alíenor 54

54
She stood. "Welcome, foreigners. It is my pleasure to see those from so far in our halls once more."
I flushed, nervous for once- I may have rehearsed what I was going to say, but would I be able to execute it now?
"My-my queen." I stuttered, stumbling over a usually-flawless curtsy. "We have not traveled all the way from Llyn Idwal for nothing. Grant us a private meeting with the High Elves and, of course, yourself, so that we may talk over some, ah, rather startling developments in the matter of current events. We feel that this certainly concerns the elves, as well as the people of Iona, Lashar, and very possibly, Anabru."

Alíenor 53

53
It was farther than I thought. The small building at the top of the supposedly seven-meter tree became a typical Great Hall perched on a thirty-meter tree. I was breathing heavily by the time I reached the top, only to have my breath taken away.
The structure was wood, with the furnishings grown out of the same tree. The trunk broke through in two areas: the area from which the staircase was grown out of, and the throne, on which Elvadriandel sat.
She was radiant, wearing a gown of green-and brown silk. Her chestnut hair was loose but for a braided crown on which a silver diadem sat.

Alíenor 52

52
Once we stepped into the city, I was instantly amazed. It was no ordinary elf-city (if elf-cities were ordinary)- it was a forest, a city, and a work of art all in one. The buildings were hard to see, and if you did not look hard, blended in with the land. The main hall was the only building actually in a tree- reachable only by a narrow staircase spiraling around the tree. We headed towards it.

Alíenor 51

51
And somehow we found ourselves at a river. I was told it was the river Aielin. Iölan was on the other side.
We let the horses go, assured that they'd be fine, and crossed the wood bridge. I ran my finger over the railing, marveling at how smooth and beautiful it was. I was dragged forward, immediately, though.

Alíenor 50

50
At last- Finally!- we arrived at the trees. Our journey would go much faster, now that we were in the elves' domain: or so I hoped. Our surroundings did not change, and at times I wondered if we were going in circles.

*I cannot guarantee posts for a few days- sorry! 

Alíenor 49

49
Every day we passed towns and mountains  but never forest. They said that we would be arriving any day now, and I watched, yet it never came.

Alíenor 48

48

The first day was long, and slow. As we were not running for our lives this time, we were not thinking about really anything, and there was no deadline. All we could do was wait, and ride, and think about various random things. Certainly my favorite form of entertainment, right?

Alíenor 47

47
And off we went. We had stayed at the elf-isle one night, and now got to be ferried across the bay, ride through potentially unfriendly territory, and make impossible requests that would likely get us killed.
Lovely.

Alíenor 46

46
Aneira and I returned rather quickly that day, but not before we knew what would happen.
We had to leave immediatly, in the company of several elf men and women, to start the land trek to Iolän. We needed fresh clothing, as well as provisions and horses- all being provided by Lady Eilidh. 

Sorry

Double tomorrow! Sorry, will explain

Alíenor 45

45
Eilidh had made her decision, and at our next meeting she did not hesitate to announce it.
"You will go to Iolän."
I had never heard of the place, and neither had Aneira. "I'm sorry?" she asked, to which the elf replied "The elvish capital. You must meet with Elvadriandel- our queen- and tell her what you have learned."

Alíenor 44

44
If possible, the elves are both obstinate and lenient. It was easy for us to schedule a meeting with Eilidh, the elf Lady who ruled the isle, but it was difficult to convince her. However, elves have an uncanny ability to tell truth from untruth, and she did, in the end.
It was enough to worry her, and we had soon planned several more meetings to talk, and decide what to do next.

Alíenor 43

43
We soon found an inn, and put down our things. Everything could wait for tomorrow- I was not anxious for a tail of angry elves.
Speaking of them, you could tell it was an elf island. Aside from the port, you could hardly tell it was a village, and the trees were far older than normal. I still couldn't believe we were here- unscathed.

Alíenor 42

42
A light rain fell as we sailed towards the port. It soaked me as I stood at the rail, but I didn't mind. I kept my eye on the shore, which grew ever closer at an impossibly irritating pace. My feelings didn't match the weather, though. I loved rain like this, and I felt obligated to experience the renewal it gave.
I strained my eyes to view the port, and soon was barely able to see the buildings.

Alíenor 41

41
We still had several hours before land was reached, and that granted plenty of time to plan. It was an elf-island, which would ensure that we were heard out. Even I could tell that success was unlikely. The elves were unpredictable, and answered to no one, but they were wise and powerful.

Alíenor 40

40
The clouds were slow to part, and by the time it was clear night had fallen. It was decided that we would wait for dawn to sail. As I lay in bed that night, I wondered how we would be recieved. It hadn't occured to me until now that they might not believe me. They might think me an imposter sent by the Nameless One to trick them. Who knew?
Because of these thoughts, it makes sense that I didn't sleep that night.

Alíenor 39

39
It seemed as if the storm would never stop. I couldn't tell if we had drifted; clouds and waves combined concealed the land. We had no choice but to wait it out, and hope for the best.
It was truly a blessing when the rain slowed and the clouds broke. 

Alíenor 38

38
Our luck did not hold out, and we soon found ourselves tossed on grey waves. The deck was awash with sailors and water, yet I did not go down. The waves rocked us harder than ever, and for once I was glad not to be in my normal place. I hugged the mast, and would not let go. The anchor was dropped, and the sails lowered, and still I did not let go. It was not said (if it was, it was lost in the howling wind), but all of us knew we'd be lucky to survive it. Even if we were, we'd likely be lost, far from the green stripe that once seemed so close.

Alíenor 37

37
The sailors had already spotted it. I rush to tell Aneira, but the poor girl is too seasick.
The only thing grounding my excitement is the dark clouds that hover ominously ahead. We'll be onshore in a few hours, but it's impossible to tell when the storm would erupt. 

Alíenor 36

36
Several weeks into our travels, I spotted it- a hazy stripe of grey-green, one bit darker than the rest. I was so excited that I nearly fell out of the basket. Scrambling down the ropes, I could barely hold on. I had to tell the others!

*sniff*

Some background: There's a university high school in the town that I live in, and a few months ago many of my friends got in.
So, not only is today the last day of my best year of school, but also the last day I'll be in school with those friends.
And, because we have a field trip today, I won't be in class with them.
And the majority are on a team that is not going on the field trip with us.
It's easy to see why I might at least be a little sad- and having my little sister bouncing around the house does not help at all.
Next year will be one boring year indeed. I only knew them all for two years. TWO YEARS, for heaven's sake, and some less-than. Ugh…

Alíenor 35

35
It felt as if the sea was endless. I had stopped looking for ships, and now for land.
I was tired of the ocean, and we were not even halfway through.

Alíenor 34

(this actully supposed to be before the last. sorry!!)
34
At last we reached the port. The inn tried to take us in, but I, I'm sorry to say, acted rather rudely.
Instead, we looked for the man Mother had mentioned: Erik Gundersson. We found him in a tavern, and told him our need.
Within an hour, we sailed from the port.

Alíenor 33

33
The rocking of the boat did nothing to calm my nerves. We had to get to Iona, else it might be destroyed. The rebels had a far bigger enemy than a man with a loyalty to his country like metal.
Aneira, the poor child, was constantly below deck, seasick. I much preferred to spend my days at the top of the mast, searching the horizon until my eyes watered. Of course the rocking was much worse up here, but I wasn't sick- just panicked when it swung. At some points, I feared I would fall, and clung to the ropes tighter thn ever.

…

will post when possible, unknown when possible. :(

Alíenor 32

32
Aneira and I were exhausted. We could barely sit up in the saddle, and yet we had to go through the night. Our absence would have been noted, and a search party sent out.
We wouldn't stand a chance, unless we were already halfway across the ocean by then. The thought spurred me on- just not my poor horse.