Elder Queen

The fierceness of these creatures was is known throughout the forest. A mixed breed of corrupted man and elf, creatures born of horror and torment. Elves that have long since lost the power of reason, instead relying on their own lust for power and sheer will to spread suffering. These are Blood Elves and they should be removed from this plane of existence.

Of course, that is only a small matter. A group of simple wizards with keen eyes can clear the feral breed from the forest without sustaining any casualties, however, it is getting the permission to do so from the Elder Queen that is the problem. That is a process that can incur casualties if done incorrectly.

It is for this reason that no simple messenger can get that permission. I had to leave my tower myself and visit the elderly wizard. She is not an unpleasant person to be around, but she does speak in riddles, leaving you asking more questions than getting answers to the first ones.

As I walked past her expecting guards, I pondered how to approach the situation tactfully, not to offend her, but to stand my  ground. She had a power over everyone, this much you no doubt surmised, but she had a unique power over me. A power through a bond we shared in blood. The Elder Queen was my mother.

I entered the Room of Stars, the highest room on her tower. A tower that was passed down from generation to generation. My older brother was the next in line.

“Eluy, it is good to see you,” my mother, Ertya, greeted me as she stared down at the forest below.

I joined her side and looked down with her. The many homes below were filled with the common elves. I often wondered what made her decide to let down the barrier and allow all elves to live so close to her. However, it was the right move. She only appeared more benevolent, more grounded, despite living so high.

“These people are in danger, Elder Queen,” I told her. “You know of the threat in the East. These...abominations, they grow in number and in power.”

“I know of these elves, Eluy, but you misunderstood me when I denied your crusade,” my mother replied. She turned to me, her delicate face broken by the harshness of her eyes. “These elves are still of our own kind.”

“You don’t understand, Elder Queen. If you are going to treat them as our own, they will need to die anyway.”

“With trial, Eluy.”

“With trial? You mean for us to capture their entire race?”
“They are our race, child. It is only right we go through this process.”

“How can we capture these creatures? Leave a trail of children from their caves to the prison?”

My mother scowled at me and I blushed. I felt the disappointment in her expression, but I still held under her glare.

“Mother, I know that protecting all things in this forest has been your priority and you have done that,” I told her. “I hope that you will continue to do so, however, it is not I nor my men in the guard who are the enemy. These Blood Elves mean to spread their evil, using all they come across. Even the flora dies in their wake.”

Ertya sighed and floated towards her lounging chair. Laying herself across it, she held her arm out, letting the sun grace the pale skin.

“Their deaths will mark the border of the forest with blood, Eluy,” Ertya told me.

“Then we will take their bodies elsewhere,” I told her. “Do we have your blessing?”

My forwardness seemed to annoy her, but her natural beauty kept such an expression is delicate and barely noticeable. However, she could not argue anymore. Ertya had to make the decision and she knew which one to make.

“Do what you must child, but these are still elves,” Ertya stated simple. “Offer them the same respect as any other elf.”

“I will try, but I will treat them like any other criminal first and foremost,” I replied.

I made to leave and I felt my mother’s eyes watching me as I went. I could tell she was not happy with the circumstances, but what else could be done? More and more elves were dying every day, innocents that are foolish enough to go where they should not. To go where there are no guards watching over them, protecting them.

With that in mind, it was time to free the forest of this menace.

“Eluy,” my mother called.

I paused and  turned on the spot, maintaining the formal stance and demeanour, but my mother's eyes were clouded in sadness. I felt a pang in my heart and stepped forward, my expression breaking to one of love.

“What is wrong, mother?” I asked.

Her eyes watered and she sat herself up on the edge of the chair. I could see it now, the stress weighing on her, but more than that, there was something plaguing her.

I knelt down in front of her and she fell forward, holding my close. I could feel her energy even through the thick armour.

“I miss the forest, Eluy,” my mother murmured. “I miss the peaceful life we had on the border.”

There was a weakness in her that I had never seen before. She was always so strong and when she was made the Elder Queen centuries ago, she didn’t bat an eye. Now I see that she has always been pressured.

“I...I can escort you through the forest, mother,” I told her. “Traditions should not matter to you. You have already sacrificed so much.”

“I want to leave this tower,” Ertya whispered.

“It will be so, your people will forgive.”

“An elf can forgive me, but the people cannot.”

“True, our people tend to hold a grudge,” I murmured with a smile.

My mother laughed and relaxed.

“Can you make it so, Captain?” the Elder Queen asked.

“The Elder Queen will walk amongst her people again,” I nodded, standing to attention.

After exchanging smiles, I left to collect my soldiers. There was blood to be spilt before all of this.

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