Thread: Scales, Ears, & Eyes (butterfly0408 & Greeneyed23)

Ynvar and Tessala stared after in the humans in shocked horror. They could not grasp it. Brewellyn and Ellowe did however. She said yes hatchling. You will have to honor your oath no matter the cost He nodded. I know. And I shall Good. Will you fight? I will die to protect my people She nodded then growled. Wake up longears. We must prepare for war. Ynvar started to turn. But the peace. The peace was ever the human lie for their lack of cause. Now they will have war. Send envoys to orcs and dwarves. And the hybrids. And all the races of this earth. Urge them to at least remain neutral. A war between Elves, Dragons and humans will be lengthy and costly. Tessala nodded. She is right my love.... Ellowe...are you ready? He bowed. I serve my people. ------------- Within a day elves stood before the orcs, knowing they would be ignored for their disdain for the orc religions, but still begging the den mothers for peace, or at least neutrality from the mighty orc nations. They spoke to the catmen, the wolfmasters, the gator hides, and all the other beings that had been merged, magically or otherwise with creatures of nature. These meetings went far better. The humans treated these beings with fear and hate and refused to treat or trade with them, while the elves were eager to learn from these beings and traded with them happily. They refused to fight, they did not have the numbers, but they also refused to take sides and would maintain their neutrality. With the dwarves the elves had to be much more careful. They by far the most independent race, and they did not trust the elves because of the Dragons, but they despised humans, their bandits always stealing their ore and wealth, charging them far too much to sell too little, and refusing to acknowledge the dwarf rulers, especially the current Queen, Queen Azrah, a truly beautiful lady, of slightly taller than average height, the darkest black hair, and a keen and cunning mind to rival even the Dragons themselves. As a gesture of good will Ellowe himself was sent, along with Brewellyn who allowed herself to be muzzled according to dwarf tradition, so they might be heard. Ellowe, though young, was a High Elf Prince had had been trained as such even before he could crawl. Now he knelt then bowed low laying his palms and face upon the smooth polished marble of Azrah's throne chamber. She smirked to see the elf bow. You may speak. She did not let him rise though. She would enjoy this while she could. Ellowe was not flustered. He turned his head and spoke. High Queen Azrah, Lady of the thirteen clans, Mistress of the nine Dwarven Kingdoms, Empress of the Mines and Mountains, Queen under the mountain, I have to ask a boon of your most gracious and glorious Majesty. Like all dwarves she was vulnerable to flattery. She grinned at her many titles and his fine manners. Rise Young Elf. Speak your request and we shall consider it. He stood and bowed to her again then spoke. Your most stunning Grace I have but one request. Lock your doors. She blinked. What?! Do you threaten me? He shook his head. Never Lady of Wealth Unimagined. I merely ask you do not involve yourself with the petty affairs of we the surfacers. She grinned wickedly at that. Her dismissal of all things surface was well known. She herself had never once stepped within a thousand feet of the surface and had never even seen the sun or moon. She nodded. Go on... He bowed again. 'Your most resplendent Highness. I do not dare ask for the might of the dwarven armies. None can surpass them in battle. What need have they to bother with we? She nodded. She liked this elf. I do not ask for your wealth. It is yours and we have no claim for it. Besides our trees would make poor homes for such glories as your folk make so well. He gestured at the many treasures laid about. This delighted Azrah. She loved to be reminded how superior her race was above all others. I do not even ask for use of your mountains or halls, nor even the legendary Mountain Streams to travel. They are sacred and meant solely for the dwarvenkin. Her nobles and the many priests nodded agreeing warmly. Such places were not meant for elves, Dragons, and certainly not humans. He bowed once more. Your most omnipotent magnificence I merely humbly ask that you lock your doors. Do not give aid or hindrance to either side. I would be sore wounded were even a single drop of dwarven blood lost in this petty war. I ask only this Your Grace. She studied him for a long moment, then looked at the silent Muzzled Dragon who was also bowing to her. She considered then smiled. Very well. you have your boon. We shall not aid either side, not even to allow them to journey through our realm. We also shall not hinder them save to protect tour realm. But be warned elfling. Any who intrude upon our sacred holdings will be slain without regard. Royal, scaly, or otherwise. He bowed again. A most fitting punishment Your Grace. You have my promise no elf will come upon your lands in the cause of this war. Might we continue to trade however? Perhaps in your great city of Durnath? She considered. What would you trade? And what for? Wood, food, wine, spirits, healing potions and salves. the spoils of our war and hunts. She herself was wearing a gorgeous goose feather cape that had been made and given her by Tessala herself. We would ask for the metal ore you could spare, perhaps weapons and armor as well. For surely none can compare to the smith masters amongst the dwarvekin? They cheered at this and he bowed to the nobles. She chuckled. Very well elfling. Durnath will become the seat of the dwarf market with the elves. Anything else? I have nothing else to ask Your Grace. Perhaps I might serve you in some small way? She sniffed. Some small way? What do you mean? Surely her Majesty has little need from aid from an elf of any status. Still it would be my honor to give you a service, of any kind. She laughed. You have a silver tongue. He smiled. Her Majesty is most kind. She laughed again. Very well...Actually I do have a favor to ask. He bowed. Your will is my command Milady. She grinned. When the war starts...kill the Crunchers. He bowed even lower. I shall consider it my first mission Your Grace. Is there anything else I can do? The Crunchers were a rather large group of humans who felt that all dwarves should be killed outright. She started to shake her head when her son, a wee lad even for his race, touched her hand, then as she bent whispered into her ear. She nodded and looked at Ellowe. My son, Nizran here has a question for you. The small dwarf bounded forward and smiled up at Ellowe who bowed to him. It is an honor to meet you Prince Nizran. The dwarf grinned then pointed at Brewellyn. Can I touch her? Ellowe blinked then looked at the shocked nobles, and the stunned Queen, then back at the Prince. Of course you may My Prince. If your mother allows it. The Prince turned whining, Maaa... She huffed. Fine go on. Ellowe walked with the dwarf toward the Dragon who moved her head to look at the little fellow. Ellowe was tall for his age, even amongst his people, nearly four feet already. If Nizran was more than a foot tall it was just barely. He looked up at the Dragon but all he could see was her lower jaw and teeth. She rolled her head and neck until she was able to look him in the eye, careful to restrain the magic within. Nizran smiled at this and moved forward, nimble on his wee feet, and gently stroked her nose, giggling when she released a puff of steam at him. After a few minutes of this Nizran stepped back, bowed to the Dragon then to Ellowe, said his thanks, and was gone. Ellowe turned to Azrah. Your Grace if there is nothing else we would go. We have trod upon your hospitality long enough. She smirked. You may go. You'll be something different elf Prince. Mark my words. They'll never come up with an answer for you. Ellowe bowed once more. I should hope not Your Grace. Thank you and Farewell. He moved to Brewellyn and climbed onto her back and she walked out. Soon the muzzle was off and they were back in the skies flying home. Dwarves never go back on their word, see bribes and threats as insults, and now would likely not even meet with the humans, as indeed was true. Until the end of the war the humans received no aid from the dwarves, nor did they even seen a single dwarf, save when trading and then they were always under heavy guard in the dwarven city of Elnost on the exact opposite end of the dwarf kingdom from Durnath. That was all the only contact either side would have with the dwarves until the end of the war. Ynvar and Tessala received this news delightedly. They truly did not want and were eager to prevent the entry of even races that would have allied with them, such as the elementals, simply because of their great adoration of life in all forms. Now with the dwarves defused, the hybrids settled, the elementals and many magical races and beings pushed back into their homes, the elves began to arm themselves. They sent daily envoys of peace to the humans, trying to explain, but they also made sure they would be ready. All their cities were guarded, they had withdrawn from the market at Dawnguard, as did the dwarves and other races, leaving it little more than a ghost town. The elves and Dragons were readying for war. During all of this, while he was training at his hardest, Ellowe would often stare off toward the human capital his eyes wide and distant. He had not known it then but he was sure of it now. He loved Maia. With all he was. And woe betide all who stood in his path to reach her once again.