“Elvish singing is not a thing to miss” - Some Short Guy

  11th month, 27th day, 967

  Victor

  Well, that was a relatively easy trip and before we knew it we'd arrived in Tor Anaura. We only had to camp once, at the entrance of the mountain pass, because it was getting dark and I didn't really wanna go through an unfamiliar mountain road without daylight. Traversing the mountains was made significantly less frustrating thanks to Sylfie sheathing the car in a flame shield, which allowed us to plow right through the accumulated snow. Believe me, I made a note of that spell too; actually we needed to have another strategy meeting as soon as we were ready to tackle more guild jobs together. There was one side trip we took and that was to visit this gorgeous lake that shone like a mirror - a bit like Crater Lake in Oregon, actually - and that had added a couple of hours. But it was totally worth it - of all of us only Mal had been there already, with Archmage Merlinda; I wondered how many other outta the way places he'd been to.

  After crossing the mountains we cut down south along the forest's edge, past an elf town with a quarry - ah, the place they get the rock aggregate for whitestone no doubt; in case you didn't recall, whitestone is kind of like Roman concrete but it uses a special magic quartz in place of volcanic ash. Inevitably, much as I think that word is overused by delusional bad guys, we hit the "east road" and hanged a right. From there? It wasn't even time to start prepping dinner by the time we got to the palace.

  Of course we announced ourselves and were escorted inside; rather than meeting his majesty in his audience chamber we were brought to a part of the place I'd never been: the lounge. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, then again I never knew what to expect from elves - they do things so differently, and since they live so long they can afford to build extremely elaborate things. Like everywhere else in Tor Anaura it was bathed in this sort of mystical light, everything about the walls was intricately decorated; the wood pillars and trim contrasting with the whitestone were carved to appear as though vines were traced upon them.

  There was a painting of some sort of paradisical valley with a stream; this was an artist's conception of Valyr, the place elves go when they die or get so bored they go there physically - wait a sec-

  “Illiana,” I said, “Does the name Valyrian mean something like son of heaven or something?”

  She nodded, “Aye, that is close enough of a translation. Valyr plus -ian meaning son or boy; one who is heaven-sent or blessed by the divines. It can also be read as Valyri-an, or, brother of the Valyri. Oh, those are higher order celestial beings that serve as Elianora’s messengers and attendants.”

  So just like how Christopher is entomologically linked to Christ, meaning Christ bearer. Reading it the other way, it’s like naming a boy Angel. I had to wonder how many names in this world were linked to their religion in some capacity. The more you know, as they say. Huh? Wait, does the existence of St. Luca imply that there’s a kid named Lucario out there? Well, moving on.

  There were of course comfortable chairs, chaises, loungers of various sorts, a shelf full of books, little tables, and even a fully-stocked liquor cabinet - it relatively toasty despite there being wide open windows overlooking the palace gardens, the raging fire in the hearth and the little orbs of heat that dangled from the ceiling helped matters a great deal. Right now the ground outside had a thin veneer of snow; it was winter after all.

  At length, the king showed up along with Prince Illorien, Nenewyn, and two elf women that I had never seen before. Actually, wait, I had seen them once, months ago, in passing; yes, indeed, Illiana and Sylfie's two older sisters though regrettably I didn't recall their names. They seemed far more courtly, like the image one might conjure when imagining an elven princess. I did however remember their otherworldly gazes, I had thought them intimidating at first but then after spending so much time with Nenewyn I realized that there was kindness behind those eyes. Sylfie and Illiana hugged their sisters, and also Nenewyn. After being prompted by their younger sisters, the two older princesses approached me and Mal, tipping their heads lightly.

  "I am Iylestra, first princess." She had long silver hair, like her father and older brother, plus eyes like white-gray diamonds

  "I am Vardrina, second princess" She had golden hair like Illiana but it was longer, and her eyes were like pale blue sapphires.

  Their voices were very melodic; so fey and mysterious. Far different from Sylfie and Illiana but just by looking at them you could tell that they were sisters.

  Scratching the back of my head I said, "Ah, delighted to make your acquaintance your highnesses. As you may know, I am Victor Alexander Kirkland."

  They nodded, and Vardrina said, "Indeed, our sister has spoken of your valor at length."

  Then Iylestra said, "We wish to offer our sincerest thanks for having protected her."

  "Ah you're very welcome, and Illiana's been a big help too."

  They turned to Mal, and looked as though they were gazing into his soul. They both thanked him kindly as well, and returned to stand by the king's side. Mal looked like he'd just taken a massive bong rip or something.

  Once that was done, the king coughed and said, "My son Valyrian reports that you have succeeded in ending the Mastermind's threat though he did not offer many details, of course, as is his wont he simply used some colorful metaphors and hailed the great victory."

  Illiana and Sylfie chuckled at that, and so did I.

  Illiana said, "Father, we actually have some very important things to tell you and Hanzorian about the Black Order's goals, and the true nature of the Mastermind!"

  The king nodded, “Lady Nenewyn has already delivered the documents you gave her to Hanzorian, and he assures me he’ll have a preliminary report soon. But as to the Mastermind’s true nature, I have heard naught.”

  Nenewyn said, “I wished to relay what I heard from her highness and Victor, but Hanzorian wanted to hear their eyewitness accounts personally. That is simply his way.”

  Sylfaena nodded, "I should like more information myself. My sister's been pretty tight-lipped about it the whole trip, since her lips have been otherwise occupied."

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  "Yeah," Illiana said, wistfully, blushing, then after a double take she cried, "Hey wait!"

  That’s right, they have been occupied. To be fair we still weren’t sure what to make of what the hell we learned in the Mastermind’s lair and hadn’t had a chance to really discuss it seriously. But I smiled - the time had come.

  "Your majesty!" I said, in a confident and commanding voice. Casting off my duster and removing my hat I knelt before the father of the woman I loved, and said "Illiana has professed her love for me and I return it ten times over. I seek your royal blessing to ask her to marry me. Though I am but a humble adventurer, a human of common birth, I love Illiana with every fiber of my being and would give my life for hers if necessary."

  Nenewyn and Sylfie were blushing at that, the other princesses seemed to have better control of their - oh wait, their eyes were sparkling subtly - smaller sparks than their younger sisters but more of them, harder to notice but it was there. Mal produced a visual-only illusion: the words "Good show, old boy" floated above his head. I felt the king's left hand on my shoulder, when I looked up he had his other finger held up.

  "My boy, you didn't need to ask permission from me," he said, suddenly smiling, "But of course you have it all the same. I can think of no better husband for my Illiana: thou art brave, kind, and cunning. As my wayward Valyrian would say, you're not bad for a human."

  I smiled back at the king, who held his hand to me, and I shook it, "Thanks, your majesty. Or should I start callin' ya pops?"

  The king laughed, "After the wedding, not a second before."

  Illiana embraced me, and said, "We should hold off on that until my mother's done with her pilgrimage."

  "Take your time," the king said, "Ah yes, but that needn't apply to the process of providing me with grandchildren to spoil!"

  Oh he was laughing but I was nervously chuckling. Illiana was blushing for multiple reasons, and Sylfie only sighed.

  "Father," she said, "Valyrian has beaten these two in that particular race. Recall, do you, that journey you made to Daz Grund? His recklessness led to the birth of an admittedly competent swordsman - he was among the team that went after Snacqua, actually."

  The king's face lit up, "Oh my! Well well, I'll have to speak with this fellow then. Hmm, I believe that his party is in the city somewhere - yes, they arrived a day or two ago. Is that not so, Hanzorian?"

  I looked around, expecting someone to pop out of the shadows but instead I realized that the king was glancing at the door where a pale elf with long black hair and topaz eyes was standing. This was Hanzorian, a regular elf Batman; he's the head of the king's secret service, the Shadar'kethal - there's a glottal stop between Shadar and Kethal and don't forget it! I call him Hanzo for obvious reasons. Back whenever I first met him he was so uptight and few of words that Illiana used to call him "Ser Taciturn", but he got better.

  Hanzo nodded, with his usual thoughtful pose, "the White Wolves are all lodging at the Dancing Sabers Inn. Rayna Fire-Hair, and Sir Guy Leonheart have been patrolling the forest in search of threats, while Selafyn Blade has joined his highness Prince Valyrian in hunting additional food for the celebration." He sighed, "incidentally, your majesty, I was beginning to suspect what Princess Sylfaena just confirmed and, I suppose that means further investigation would be folly."

  We all had a laugh at that, and then just two days later - it was on!

  Illiana

  11th month, 29th day, 967

  Tor Anaura was looking even brighter than ever. Oh, not just because of the fact that there were festive floating orbs of orange light decorating the city in addition to the moons in the sky, and not just because there were children running around with little dwarf sparklers. It certainly wasn't because of all the live stage performances going on all at once in several different places, nor the music, the wine that was flowing freely, nor the freshly cooked meat being carved up and served by the plate. For me the city was especially bright and beautiful for a completely different reason.

  The Mastermind, a monster who had caused untold pain and suffering, who had also involved my family in a plot to cause chaos and suffering in a world-ending plot, was no more. The man responsible for today's celebration was holding my hand, and I was leaning in closely as we strolled together along the festival grounds. I wasn't wearing my usual adventuring garb today, no, today required a more relaxed traditional elvish gown - the sorts we wear for feasts and general lounging. Sir Victor, the man I'd fallen in love with, the hero torn from the heavens who destroyed the Mastermind utterly, wasn't wearing his usual gear either. Nay, he had on a pair of soft plaid pants he called PJ Bottoms, casual leather shoes he'd bought in town, and a most unusual shirt; it was somewhat cross-shaped and upon it was some unusual typography: "Iron Maiden". Sir Victor explained that they were a troupe of bards from his world, ah, how silly of me, he had just been playing their music in the car not too long ago.

  We'd spent so much time during the last couple of days helping to prepare for the festival that we barely had any time to spend alone - tonight was different, for tonight Sir Victor allowed himself to go completely off-duty. Not that we didn't spend any time together at all, in fact, I had actually been visiting him at his house each morning to bring him some traditional elvish honey biscuits. Then we'd walk together to where the celebration was being set up and he seemed to really enjoy building things like festival stands and temporary stages. Of course he'd kiss me any chance he got, and I'd do the same - he can be so handsy, but then again so can I, hehe.

  Somehow without even any research he'd figured out that my ears are my weakness - gah! Then again this is the selfsame man who thwarted so many schemes and came up with so many of his own clever strategies so why ought I be surprised? We hadn't um, you know, yet; we cuddled all night on the road, but I had slept in my palace chamber every night since we got here. I was too afraid to ask if Sir Victor wanted me to spend the night, and I think he might have been too nervous to invite me in. Ha, he's being too much of a gentleman and it's actually kind of cute. Frustrating, but cute. Logically, I know there isn't much of a difference between a bed at the inn and a bed at a house but, yeah, something about the fact that it's a house that he owns makes it feel different.

  By the time we reached the dining area inside of a large canvas fence, the light show was starting; we had some talented illusionists putting on a dazzling display of dancing green and blue butterflies. The entire court was in attendance as were several prominent merchants, nobles, and a surprising amount of foreign dignitaries and leaders. The kings of Daz Grund, Hylaria, and Andalon, along with the princes of Bravand, Balero, and Toread, and then there was - oh!

  "Ah!" I started. "Sir Victor, look!"

  Sir Victor followed my finger and said "Huh, I'll be darned."

  Sitting up on a raised dais was my father together with my eldest sisters and none other than Queen Arabelle and her daughter Felicia! I'd heard that she'd been invited way back when Valyrian first suggested the celebration but I never thought she'd make it! Well she was busy there and, quite frankly, I just wanted Sir Victor all to myself so I didn’t even consider going up there to say hello. Can you blame me?

  Oh, there were my brothers having drinks at one of the tables, Selafyn and Guy were with them too - ah I supposed they were swapping adventure stories. Illorien had changed so much over the course of the past several months, for the better. In the two hundred I’ve been alive we’d never been very close, but now he was making an effort to know me better and had even asked if I could teach him some healing magic. Moreover he’d been training really hard with Valyrian, so much so that he was a match for Sir Victor. I knew my father was to give a speech soon so we would eventually need to join them at some point.

  Sylfie was busy flinging compound spells into the air letting fireballs explode in the sky and conjuring dazzling displays of lightning and Malcolm was helping her create even more special effects - once done with that show, they'd likely disperse into the crowd and start enjoying the festival.

  I didn't see Rayna or Meli anywhere though and I guessed that Nenewyn was probably reading a book somewhere - oh nevermind, there they are, looking more dressed up than usual; oh had Meli been helping them with their outfits? Were it not for the pince-nez specs I’d almost never have recognized Nenewyn!

  The atmosphere was so wonderful, so magical and enchanting - I couldn't hold back any longer and pulled Sir Victor in for a kiss. Oh my, we'd drawn a lot of attention that way. I didn't care.

  You may stare all you want, but he's mine.