Aerith Malthen

Venali Malthen

Idril Malthen

Aerith was the 3rd child of Ruven and Arryn Malthen. She had an elder sister Idril aged 50 and an older brother Venali aged 150.

Aerith was a beautiful and even tempered child with pale silver hair and bright blue eyes. Her skin was a pale gold and she had a high tinkling laugh like tiny bells. On her upper right arm she had a strange mark in a deeper gold colour that formed a starburst shape. The local elven clerics told her parents this was a sign she had been touched by the angels of light and that she was a particularly special child.

Aerith was very much the beloved baby of the family and was the centre of attention. Venali was much older and intent on his dream of becoming a Palladin. He spent most of his time practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard or being coached by his father in the arts of diplomacy and introduced to the powerful nobles of Parnos. Idril was a loner with unruly red hair and fierce independence and intelligence. She preferred to spend her time in the gardens with her books or in the forests with the rangers practicing with her bow. Although she loved her younger baby sister she had little patience with the younger elf who could not yet join in with her fun.

Aerith had both parents wrapped around her little finger and was easily able to get her own way. At the age of 30 she had a kitten of her own and was dressed entirely in dresses in gold and silver. Both Idril and Venali were a little frustrated at the blind spot their parents had for Aerith but knew better than to voice those feelings too loudly!

One day in the summer of Aerith’s 50th year she wanted to play in the gardens at the court of Parnos. She had pestered her parents about visiting the court for several weeks. Ruven had an appointment at the court and was taking Venali to meet the Dwarven ambassador and the Prince of Parnos. Arryn was to accompany the visit and take the husband of the Dwarven ambassador to see the sights of the city, particularly the smiths. Although Idril planned to go hunting in the forest she was told to come along too and take Aerith to the parkland gardens of the court.

Idril was furious that her plans were once again put on hold in order to babysit her younger sister while her whims were indulged. Idril was sure that once in the gardens Aerith would quickly become bored and want entertainment,  meaning Idril would neither get to hunt nor read in peace.

The family set off by carriage across Parnos to the palace grounds early in the morning, dressed in their finery. Idril looked uncomfortable in her formal robes and her hair was escaping the complex formal braided style it had taken several hours for their maid to do. Ruven expressed his frustration and disappointment in her, comparing her to Aerith who was sitting comfortably in a golden robe with beautiful silver hair looking ethereal; almost radiating an inner light.

At the palace the family was welcomed by the Royal courtiers and taken to the ambassadorial function. Idril skulked along behind with her book while the courtiers fawned over Aerith and she basked in their adoration.

Idril took Aerith outside to the gardens of the Royal Court. These were public gardens, for the enjoyment of the people of Parnos. She found a shady bench and settled down to read her book. Aerith was happily playing on the grass with some bubbles and laughing her beautiful bell-like laugh as the rainbow bubbles floated over the park.

At some time, a chapter or so into her book, Idril became aware that it was quieter than before and looked to where Aerith had been playing. A large bubble was sitting on the grass - poised, but not burst, but the small elven child was nowhere to be seen.

With panic rising rapidly in her chest Idril called out for her sister, expecting to see her any minute come laughing from her hiding place, but there was no sound and no sign of her sister anywhere. Idril ran back to the palace but her mother was still out in the city and her father was in his meeting. Knowing there was no choice, Idril entered the meeting room and saw a brief flare of hatred across her father’s face that he covered expertly saying, ‘Idrill, my child, what can we do for you?’ Idril told the story of the morning in a rapid torrent, without stopping, trying to ignore the deeping anger in her father’s face.

A search party was immediately raised and scoured the parks and the city, but no sign of the Aerith, the elf child from the angels, was ever found.