"Kaesar." I hear Luuvia call off in the distance.
I glance up ahead of me to see her by a wooden house. It is a cozy little cottage, something I wouldn't expect for an elven princess. Yet, when I notice she stands unwavering, I remember my duties, running up the oak steps and opening the door for her. I bow after I do so, standing in silence as she walks in her quarters.
"Follow me, and stay close this time," she says with a light chuckle.
I feel my face heat at her tone…embarrassment? I quickly straighten myself and close the door behind me, only to be faced with a brilliant room. A large pine canopy bed lay in the middle with a white top which falls down the posts like clouds. On its left is a closet where I suppose houses her wardrobe, and to the right a rather large bookcase full of novels and a large comfortable looking chair to read them in. There is also a dark pine looking door in the back which may lead to some other world. For an elf, she sure seems rather used to a simple lifestyle...and that in itself was odd.
"What do you think?" she asks, her face brightening.
I can't help connecting with her eyes, and look away: pretending to glance around the room. "It's rather different...unexpected even."
She looks away from me, walking near her bed and lightly touching her fingers on the covers. "Yes, there are certain things in our culture I've been fascinated with since childhood. I love being in the woods actually, more so than the glamorous life of the empire, but have never been beyond these walls."
Luuvia turns to me, looking deep into my eyes. "It's a world I have read about from my ancestors, riding our wolves in the fight with Finreid. Have you heard of that tale?"
I shake my head, for I had never heard of it. Yet, I watch as she walks near the closet, picking out a silk shirt and pants. They seemed very simple minded for a princess. She was interesting indeed.
"Well, Dreath (our world) is filled with various elven kingdoms. Ours is known as Eloisa, for we stand at the helm of the elven clan. Yet, we, of course, have sister clans in the north and east known as Omecie' and Uuem. Together we make up the elven race."
My mind begins to wander, feeling as if my world has been expanded. In school, we only learn of Eloisa, the Government and the helm, Illandra. I never even thought of any other beings or kingdoms out there.
Luuvia turns to me, standing ever so straight and magnificent. "You see, there are other clans which threaten our existence. And that is why we use your kind to protect us, for these creatures fear your presence. They are known as the Vlamu, those of Finreid."
I watch as the princess waves her hand in front of me, as a field of veins erupts from the floor. I feel as if I'm dreaming, not only from the story which she tells me, but the act which I just witness. Such powers…what else can these elves do?!
I hear her clothes rustle, as her dress hangs over the vines which block me from her form. "The Vlamu," she continues, "are from Yellen (the dark realm) and are beings who wish to turn Dreath into ruin. They breed hellish creatures called Umandu who ravage the land around us."
"Umandu," I say, suddenly remembering my father and brother talk about their battle long ago, "I was told they were able to kill full grown wolves. If this is so, how are the Vlamu afraid of us?"
The green vines disappear from Luuvia, showing the princess in her comfortable clothes. She looks more like a young boy, her hair back in a ponytail, but stunning nonetheless.
"Our armies, even though that we do not overpower our rivals, are very strong. We train them in the art of the elves, and thus give them an upper hand in battle. However, as the story goes, he who carries the mist is unmatched by any being in Eloisa."
My eyes connect with hers, wondering what her aim is. She smiles a bit as she lays down on top of her bed: resting her head so that she could look at me.
"You know, you can sit Kaesar. You don't have to stand all the time."
I scratch the back of my head. "Oh…ya of course," I say, walking near her bed and sitting. "So it's not wolves, but the black wolf that these other clans fear."
She yawns, "Yes, for the battle of Fenreid was won by a wolf like you. He too had black hair and a blue eye, a rarity in your kind is it not."
My eyes widen, thinking of my father. He always said that I was special, that we came from a great and powerful lineage, but he died before I could ask him any questions. My silence must have answered her, for she twists around towards me: the palms of her hands cupping her face.
"Is this why you're kind wants me in the royal court? To keep me close for battle?" I say, rather dryly.
"It is what my father wants, but I cannot deny that having you will save our people."
Your people, I think, but not ours. My silence draws her concern as she changes the topic, "So, you're eighteen? You look older to me, almost see some lines forming on your forehead."
That honestly made me smile, which was more of a wry one. I didn't think it was possibly for an elf to make jokes.
"How hilarious, as I'm sure you've been told, Im quite a handful."
She chuckles, "Yes, I've been forewarned wrinkles."
Why that little. "Psh, how old are you then, 40?"
She rolls her eyes, "Trying your luck out on a woman first hand are we? My…you should be glad I'm in a rather good mood. I'm 21 smart add."
I was surprised by that. Luuvia does not look a day older than me, yet her features show a since of maturity. "I would have never guessed that."
Luuvia smiled, "Because of my looks or how I act."
"Both." I say, being brutally honest which makes her giggle.
That is why I chose you Kaesar."
I leaned forward in my spot. "What do you mean?"
She shifts on her bed. "I know your thoughts. It's a trait of our people. I knew how you felt about me the moment we saw each another."
What?! I felt my cheeks burn…she knew…everything I thought?! How embarrassing…
Luuvia rolls back towards me, slightly tilting her head. "I have never befriended a wolf and have always wanted to. You seemed like the perfect wolf for me. You're handsome and cocky, but you shan't be too cocky in our kingdom around the others. I will teach you those things and help you control the mist, if you help me in return."
It felt hot, so hot I began to jumble my words. "Um..yes, what is it you tanw from me…I mean want of me?"
"It's simple, take me out of Eloisa."
My mouth almost widened to the floor. What?! An elf…out of Eloisa. Is she…
"Crazy?" Luuvia said in my stead, "No." she yawns, leaning her head on her pillow. "You will understand one day Kaesar, you're a smart one."
"Luuvia," I hesitate, "Why do you use wolf instead of dog when you speak of us?"
I watch her body slightly rise as she begins to sleep, "I know you dislike our race Kaesar. I know you want to bring equality to your race. I too have always disliked how you are treated. So I won't ever use such a word, even in my father's presence."
I was surprised that she did not react to the fact that I wanted to crush the very walls which she called home. Luuvia…what a trifling creature she is: beautiful but cunning none the less.
"And even knowing that, you want to help train me? You trust me enough to do that?"
"Yes," she said quietly. "Sleep now Kaesar, I will explain more tomorrow."
With that, I bow to her, and quietly leave her presence. As I close her front door, my mind continues to race. Luuvia…I do not understand her. Deep down I feel as if she, being in the Government, is trying to play a vile trick on me. Urging me to grant her wishes only in the end to take me for granted, and send me to my death in this cursed land. Yet, she seems too innocent to do such things, and there is so much I could learn from her. I exhale at my thoughts, the cool breeze in the wilderness sways my hair as I look up into the trees. The darkness of their figures blacken my soul as I feel the mist overcome me, as my wolfish form lays on the floor. Yet, my reddened eyes soften into a blue as my eyes shut amongst the cool breeze. There is so much to accomplish in Illandra, so maybe Luuvia and I can help one another.