Amidst the thick fog that enveloped the sea, a fleet of 15 elven ships stood anchored, their crews tense with anticipation. The air was heavy with moisture, and the only sound was the gentle lapping of water against the hulls. The lead ship, larger and more ornate than the rest, positioned itself between two towering ancient pillars that rose from the depths like silent sentinels. The pillars, weathered and colossal, dwarfed even the largest of the vessels, casting an eerie shadow over the elven sailors below.
On the deck of the lead ship, the elder mage stood at the forefront, her staff adorned with intricate artifacts that hummed with latent power. Behind her, a circle of robed mages joined hands, eyes closed in deep concentration as they chanted in unison. The air around them vibrated with the energy of their incantations, and the arcane symbols etched into the elder's staff began to glow faintly.
With a deep breath, the elder mage raised her staff high, the artifacts at its tip clinking together as if alive. She chanted, her voice steady and filled with purpose, echoing across the silent sea.
"Oh, great one! I beseech thee to open the gateway to another realm, that we may seek aid from a distant land. Our people face a grave peril, and only through your power can we reach those who might save us."
The robed mages behind her intensified their chanting, their voices merging into a single resonant hum. The fog around the pillars began to swirl, drawn inward as if by an unseen force.
"This nation, unlike any before, must hear our plea. We seek the strength of their arms, the might of their machines, for the fate of our kingdom hangs in the balance. Grant us passage, so that we may speak with them."
A low rumble echoed through the sea as the pillars began to shimmer with a strange light. The mist thickened, obscuring everything but the elder mage and her circle of mages. The energy crackling in the air reached a crescendo as the elder mage spoke the final words with fervor.
"This nation is called the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!"
At that moment, a blinding light erupted between the pillars, tearing through the mist. The sea roared as the portal opened, revealing a shimmering gateway that pulsed with energy. The elder mage and her companions stood unwavering, their eyes locked on the gateway. The path was open, and beyond it lay the hope of salvation for their kingdom.
As the mists swirled and the energy crackled around the fleet, the elder mage and her circle of mages slowly opened their eyes, revealing a sight of profound astonishment. The portal had seemingly failed, leaving nothing but the endless fog and the uneasy murmurs of the sailors. Confusion and disappointment spread among the mages as they exchanged worried glances, questioning what might have gone wrong.
The elder mage, feeling the weight of her failure, began to rise with a heavy heart. Suddenly, a violent tremor shook the fleet, causing panic among the sailors and mages alike. Weapons were drawn in anticipation of a possible sea monster attack. The elder, however, remained calm and turned her gaze toward the ancient pillars.
To her amazement, the pillars began to shift and extend, moving apart as if guided by some unseen force. The once solid columns of stone seemed to unfold, creating a widening gap. A bright, blinding flash erupted between them, illuminating the surrounding mist with a fierce, otherworldly light.
As the light gradually subsided, the sailors and mages blinked against the brightness, their awe growing with each passing moment. Before them lay a majestic and unfamiliar sight: a grand gateway, pulsing with energy, leading to a realm beyond their own.
The elder mage's heart swelled with relief and triumph. She turned to the captain, who stood beside her, equally awestruck by the sight. The captain, eyes wide, could only manage a stunned question.
"What... what are we seeing?"
The elder mage, her smile reflecting the wonder of the moment, replied, her voice filled with reverence.
"What you are witnessing, Captain, is the gateway to the nation we sought—the United States of America. This is the realm we have longed to reach."
The scene before them was nothing short of extraordinary, an unprecedented glimpse into a world of towering skyscrapers and advanced marvels. The portal had indeed opened, granting them access to a powerful ally that could provide the aid their kingdom so desperately needed.
-----------------------------------------
The royal throne of Elijah.
3 days ago.
August 12th, 678 AD.
As the capital's walls buzzed with the hurried movements of fleeing townsfolk and the clamor of enlisting soldiers, Queen Galadriel convened a crucial meeting with her high-ranking officials. The room was filled with a mix of anxiety and determination, with each official dressed in their distinct uniforms, representing the various branches of their military. The atmosphere was tense but respectful, as everyone awaited their queen's address.
Galadriel took a deep breath, her gaze sweeping over the gathered officials. The room fell silent as she began to speak.
"My generals, high-ranking officials, and esteemed council members, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your presence at this critical juncture. Your dedication to our kingdom is more vital than ever."
A polite round of applause followed her words, and the maidens in attendance joined in, their clapping echoing softly. Galadriel's voice grew more resolute as she continued.
"Our kingdom stands on the edge of a precipice. The tide of war has turned against us, and many of our allies have faltered. The threat of a full-scale invasion looms ever larger. Reports indicate that the forces now advancing against us are those who have already conquered Gallimard, and it is only a matter of time before they turn their sights upon us."
The officials nodded solemnly, some shifting uneasily as they absorbed the gravity of the situation. Galadriel's eyes met theirs, reflecting the seriousness of her message.
"Despite our best efforts to support Gallimard, our assistance was in vain, and their defeat has left us isolated. We cannot rely on forces from allied kingdoms that have not demonstrated their commitment to our cause. Our own troops are stretched thin, and we face the stark reality that an invasion could strike at any moment."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. Galadriel paused, letting the weight of her words settle before continuing with a note of optimism.
"However, there is hope. The elder mage has presented us with a potential solution to our predicament."
The room quieted further, anticipation hanging in the air. Galadriel gestured toward the elder mage, who stepped forward with a look of quiet confidence.
"Tell us what you have discovered," Galadriel urged.
The elder mage nodded and addressed the assembly, her tone carrying the gravity of her words.
"Your Majesty, esteemed generals, and council members, the situation is indeed dire, but we have found a glimmer of hope. The ancient texts and our recent explorations have led us to a powerful ally in a distant realm. This realm, known as the United States of America, possesses advanced technology and military might that could turn the tide of this conflict."
A stunned silence fell over the assembly as the officials absorbed the implications of the mage's revelation. Galadriel seized the moment to provide further details.
"The mage has established contact with this nation and has discovered that they have the capability to assist us. Their technology surpasses anything we have encountered, and their military strength could provide us with the support we need to fend off the impending invasion."
The room erupted into a buzz of conversation as the officials processed this new information. Galadriel raised her hand for silence.
"This is our chance to secure the aid we desperately need. We must act swiftly and decisively to forge an alliance with this powerful nation. I call upon each of you to lend your expertise and support as we navigate this new path."
With her call to action, the meeting shifted from apprehension to a focused determination. The officials began to discuss strategies and preparations, ready to embrace this unexpected opportunity. As the queen looked on, she felt a renewed sense of hope, knowing that this alliance could be the key to saving her kingdom from the looming threat.
As the room's tension mounted, Lillian Bell, the elder mage, stood her ground. The portal she had conjured continued to display the vibrant and unfamiliar cityscape of San Francisco, its towering skyscrapers shimmering in the light. The officials and generals were a mix of awe, skepticism, and frustration, the latter intensifying as a particularly vocal general voiced his concerns.
"Elder! Our kingdom is on the brink of invasion! We cannot afford distractions or false hopes! Your magical display is impressive, but we need concrete strategies and immediate solutions, not visions of distant lands!"
The general's outburst resonated through the room, stirring murmurs of agreement from some of the more pragmatic officials. The queen, feeling the weight of the room's discontent, took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"General, I understand your frustration, but this is not the time for dismissing potential solutions. We are exploring every avenue to ensure our survival and victory. Elder Bell, please, continue."
Lillian, unfazed by the interruption, addressed the room with renewed determination.
"Your Majesty, esteemed officials, I understand the urgency of our situation. The nation I have shown you is indeed technologically advanced and possesses a military might that surpasses our own. Their aid could be pivotal in turning the tide of this war."
She gestured toward the portal, her staff glowing faintly as the image stabilized.
"This is not merely a spectacle; it is a tangible opportunity. The United States of America is a nation that values freedom and has developed technologies and military strategies far beyond our own. Their assistance could provide us with the strength we need to counter the impending threat."
A young officer, previously silent, stood up and addressed the general and the room.
"General, while it is natural to be skeptical, we must consider all possible allies. Our current situation demands that we explore every option. The technology and military support from this nation could give us a significant advantage."
The general, though still visibly tense, seemed to waver slightly, his posture relaxing as he considered the officer's words. Lillian seized the moment to elaborate further.
"To provide reassurance, we have initiated contact with this nation and have received indications of their willingness to assist. However, we must act swiftly to formalize this alliance. The portal we opened is a gateway to their world, but it will not remain open indefinitely."
The room fell into thoughtful silence. Galadriel, sensing the need for decisive action, addressed her council.
"We cannot afford to waste time. If the elder mage's information is accurate, this alliance could be our best chance for survival. I urge you all to consider the potential benefits and support this initiative."
The general, though still cautious, nodded reluctantly.
"Very well, Your Majesty. If there is a real possibility of gaining this nation's support, I will cooperate. But we need a concrete plan for how to proceed."
Lillian nodded in agreement, her expression one of relief and determination.
"Rest assured, we will draft a detailed plan and coordinate with the United States to secure their assistance. I am confident that, with their support, we can turn this war around."
Galadriel took a moment to let the words sink in before giving a final address.
"Thank you all for your patience and understanding. Let us move forward with renewed hope and a clear purpose. Our kingdom's fate depends on our ability to adapt and seize every opportunity."
With that, the room began to buzz with activity as officials and generals discussed the next steps. The queen, though still anxious about the impending war, felt a glimmer of hope as the plan to secure aid from the distant nation took shape.
"Quiet down general! You are shouting in front of your majesty!"
The room fell silent, the authoritative command from Queen Galadriel cutting through the noise with piercing clarity. The tension in the air was palpable as the assembled officials and generals straightened up, their previous arguments stilled by the queen's intervention.
Galadriel, taking a deep breath to steady herself, addressed the assembly with a composed and firm tone.
"Thank you for your attention. I understand that the proposal before us is both unconventional and bold. However, given the gravity of our situation, we must consider every potential solution with the seriousness it deserves."
She gestured towards Lillian Bell, who stood beside her, the mage's expression one of cautious optimism.
"Elder Bell has presented a unique opportunity for us to seek assistance from a powerful and technologically advanced nation. The proposal involves using ancient mana pillars to open a stable portal to the United States of America, a nation that could provide us with the military support we desperately need."
The queen's gaze swept over the room, meeting the eyes of various officials and generals.
"Let us deliberate on this proposal with the respect it warrants. We are facing a dire threat, and our options are limited. I urge you all to consider the potential benefits of this alliance and how it might turn the tide of this war."
The general who had previously objected, now calmer, stood up and addressed the queen and the elder mage.
"Your Majesty, I apologize for my earlier outburst. This situation is indeed dire, and while I still have reservations, I recognize the need to explore every possible avenue for our survival. If we are to proceed with this plan, we must ensure that our forces are prepared and that the operation is executed with precision."
A senior military strategist nodded in agreement, adding his voice to the discussion.
"I concur with the general. We should consider a detailed plan for the deployment of the expeditionary force and ensure that our defenses are not compromised while this operation is underway. We must also prepare for the possibility of failure and have contingency plans in place."
The room, now more focused, began to buzz with productive discussion. Officials and military leaders gathered in smaller groups to discuss logistics, strategies, and preparations. Lillian Bell and Queen Galadriel observed the scene, hopeful that the council would come to a consensus.
As the discussions progressed, Galadriel looked at Lillian with a reassuring smile.
"We will move forward with your proposal, Elder Bell. I trust that your expertise will guide us through this endeavor. Let us prepare for the next steps and ensure that we make the most of this opportunity."
Lillian nodded gratefully, her staff still glowing faintly from the earlier display.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. We will ensure that everything is in place for a successful mission."
With the room now engaged in constructive planning, the atmosphere shifted from one of discord to one of determination. The queen's intervention had refocused the council's efforts on finding a way forward, and the prospect of gaining aid from the United States of America became a beacon of hope in their challenging times.
Having many saying they're sorry, Galadriel could only smile from the sight with her immediately lowering her hand as a sight for all to sit down, have all been a sitten, Galadriel asked the officials for any opinions or suggestions for this operation.
"The idea of the elder mage isn't something we can miss, having our nation be in the blink of an invasion we should ask this nation for their aid of support! Having said I request for anyone to voice out this suggestion"
Quiet at first, as she waited for a while immediately after, among the crowded people sitting one stood up wearing a dark yellow uniform.
"Your majesty, for all due respect but in my humble opinion, this idea is something, not a good idea as our low manpower and this nation we haven't even contacted before could give us some problems… I get this feeling that this country your mages plan to seek could be a nation that plans to defeat our enemy while having a new territory there… Who knows what those people you call Americans would do to us!"
Scepticism would be brought, as she expected for the elder ones brought the idea of the Americans being a potential threat.
"Even so your majesty, this nation who you say had endless victories my chances that they will attend to what we asked wouldn't function… As a nation whose building reaches the sky, I get this feeling that it's not here because of us, but a new world that will soon take over!"
"Your majesty! Please reconsider this. Our nation requires the proper alliance we have, as we don't have the materials to do this expedition! Neither have the fortune for paying these americans!"
Having said that in front of Galadriel and the elder, Galadriel begins to rethink about this American expedition planned out so far, she thinks through the official suggestion, as her mind soon divides her into either stopping or continuing this expedition. A quick gaze at the elder and seeing her face not wanting to give up shows that she was confident that the new worlders they plan to seek would be needed in this world. Even so, the elder looked back at the crowd as she expected more. And immediately after one stood up to query about her ideas.
"Elder… I thank you for this intention but chances are that we are not able to pull this off… you had shown off what this nation capital looks like without giving us a bigger picture, we have no idea of what part of their capital we can land on as you haven't provided us with a map of what their landmass is, the only thing I had seen was their tall towers without any vegetation. And considering that we have only 30,000 readies for combat, I don't want to spend HALF of my men in this new world!"
Immediately after, the general sat down gazing back at the elder seeing that his point was given, having said that the elder after looking back at Galadriel replied to the general of her actual intention.
"Thank you, general. But I don't plan to do something like that as we plan to use more than 25 or 30 warships or axillary ships for this expedition, what I plan is to convince the people of the united states on a more peaceful approach as this will make us more approachable, having that said request from her majesty suggested me to bring only 50 men along from the old guard regiment as a bodyguard if things get sour…."
"Are there any cons to this?"
Having her asserted so, she waited for a response from the crowd anticipated for some time, and immediately after among in front, was an elven wearing a blue naval uniform, standing up among his peers he was known as admiral Alhambra Mullen. A high ranking admiral.
"But even so, we have only 120 warships within the fleet, grabbing 30 isn't necessary as the fleet plans to use them for the potential naval threat of this empire! Your majesty, do you attend to give them the ships they requested?"
Glancing towards the admiral sitting in front, she smiled towards him and gave her final answer.
"I do plan for the elder to have a small range of boats and have her get everything for this expedition, these Americans I have sawn for my very eyes, will help us!"
Leaving no options, the admiral sat down quietly seeing that her mind was made up and the plans for a new naval expedition would be soon allotted, with the request of 15 ships the naval officer saw it as not a problem as they left with only 105 ships within their current fleet. With the current plans concluding that they will seek the Americans, Galadriel before dismissing thanked everyone as she saw it being the conclusion of the conference.
"I humbly thank everyone within this room for joining this conference, despite being short, this lecture will have us bring this nation to our soil and help us on this war! As for everyone you may all be dismissed."
The dramatic scene in the throne room escalated quickly as Princess Murray Falledor, distraught and furious, confronted Queen Galadriel. The intensity of her accusations and the visible distress she displayed emphasized the dire state of her kingdom and the personal stakes involved.
Galadriel's calm, though strained, response reflected the harsh realities of her own situation. Her kingdom was facing its own threats, and the logistics of sending aid to Leilo were complex and limited by their current resources. The confrontation highlighted the stark contrast between the needs of the besieged Leilo and the strategic considerations of Galadriel's realm.
As the princess brandished her blade and expressed her desperation, the tension in the room reached a peak. The guards and officials, already on edge from the previous discussions, now faced a direct and immediate threat. The sight of the princess's tearful plea and her weapon on the floor underscored the gravity of her situation and the personal nature of the crisis she was enduring.
Despite the emotional weight of the princess's demands, Galadriel remained resolute, her decision not to divert forces from her own kingdom's defense clear. The queen's focus was on the broader strategic picture, acknowledging the limits of her own kingdom's capabilities and the need to prioritize their survival.
As the princess and her entourage departed, the room was left in a state of mixed emotions—relief from the immediate threat but also a heightened sense of urgency. The incident underscored the precarious balance Galadriel had to maintain between her responsibilities to her own kingdom and the desperate pleas from her allies.
Elder Lillian Bell's expression of concern as the situation unfolded reflected the broader implications of the diplomatic and military challenges faced. Her planned expedition to seek aid from the United States now carried even more weight, with the failure to assist Leilo adding to the pressure to secure the necessary support from the new world.
The encounter with Princess Murray underscored the multifaceted nature of the crisis facing Galadriel's kingdom—an intricate web of alliances, threats, and strategic decisions. The queen's resolve to proceed with the expedition and her belief in the potential of the Americans as allies remained firm, even as the situation with Leilo and the internal challenges persisted.
In the aftermath, the focus shifted back to the preparations for the expedition. The urgency to secure assistance from the United States became more critical, with the outcome of the impending mission holding the potential to reshape the course of the war and impact the fate of all involved.
As Princess Murray and her entourage departed, the tension in the throne room remained thick. Galadriel's steely resolve in the face of the princess's fury highlighted her commitment to her kingdom's survival despite strained alliances. Her decision to move forward with the elder mage's plan was unwavering, despite the emotional and political cost.
The elder mage, Lillian Bell, stood quietly as the last of the officials exited the room, leaving her alone with Galadriel. The queen's directive was clear: secure the aid of the Americans within three days. This mission was not just about diplomacy but survival. The pressure was immense, and the success of the expedition would be critical for the future of the realm.
Lillian, though concerned about the skepticism and potential complications, was motivated by the urgency of the task. Her mind raced with preparations: finalizing the details of the expedition, assembling the right team, and ensuring that all logistical needs were met. The golden gate, a symbol of hope and possibility, loomed large in her thoughts.
Galadriel, resolute, watched as the elder mage prepared to leave. Her belief in the Americans' potential to shift the balance of the war was her guiding light. She had seen their city, a beacon of power and opportunity, and hoped it would be the key to turning the tide.
As Lillian began her preparations, Galadriel's gaze followed her, a mix of hope and apprehension in her eyes. The next three days would be crucial in setting the stage for a possible turning point in the conflict. The outcome of this diplomatic mission could change everything for Galadriel's kingdom and potentially reshape the course of the war.