Thread: The Fall of An Era [ Father x Fruit ]

It was not unreasonable that he was recognized. There was something to leadership that transcended the casual pomp and circumstance of the would be ruler. Very few leaders were gifted with it, many of them had to train to even have a hint of what a man such as Aelius was given by birth. It was not to their detriment that he was naturally inclined, but it was a honed inclination that shone from him like a well polished blade being held forth from the scabbard. His people had a phrase for it, noblesse oblige...nobility obligates. It was far more than the mere power that was given to him by his people, far more than the skill which he made decisions, and much further than the practiced swing of his sword. It was the inherent ability to not only be noble but to conduct himself nobly and in the doing to have a responsibility to his people. That responsibility had led him to make the decision to come with Alvin...that in the doing he placed himself in danger and that his words here could mean his very life would be taken. That resolve had permeated the trip with Alvin, for Aelius had said nothing on their travels to the elven encampment and he said nothing now as he watched others milling about. No, as they walked he thought long and hard about what he had given to this cause and the cause of his people and coming to terms with what those decisions had meant. He had lived a lonely life, though he had never drawn attention to that fact, the rigid and cold military life having left no room for the love many others had found and enjoyed. He had always considered it his duty to provide a world where that love could flourish even if it was not his won and as such he had fought time and again against the enemies of the state. For now he stilled himself to come to terms with his own mortality and that loss, keeping his eyes straight ahead on their destination. His purpose was not to impress or engage the Elven High Command for in his mind he had already done so on the field of battle. Even if he had lost. Finally though he approached the tent of the Princess and was seen inside, his eyes widening as he saw her. It was one of the only motions that could be seen in the face kept studiously blank of emotion, for he wanted to give his enemies no weapon to be used against him. Yet there was something there, something in the way he glanced at her, something shown in that one moment as he saw her fully for the first time. She was wondrous. There was something inherently savage in her, something frighteningly tribal and he had little doubt that she was a capable warrior even if he had not seen her on the field of battle itself. Perhaps her people had demanded she not engage for fear of her safety, whatever the reason, she was formidable and he felt it in her presence...that keen intellect and will that drove her. He could not have pointed to what drew him, what made her so much more than any woman he had met before...yet she was. Whether he compared her to royalty, priestess, diplomat, or merchant's wife...she outshone them all merely in the meeting and he wondered if he had made the right choice in coming to beseech her for compassion. Finally he found himself, moving forward in the tent to be stopped by the attending guardsman. Spears moved to block his path, shielding their Princess and he raised his hands just slightly to show no intention of harm as he sought her eyes. His voice was calm, collected, no fear within the man even though his very life and the life of his empire hung in the balance. He simply said. I'm come to beg mercy for my people, Princess. There was pride in his words, stoicism that was not impeded by ego, and he slowly went to one knee in a show of obeisance...even though his head did not lower in the act.