Meanwhile, in the Atherian kingdom, King Nolick paced the marble floors of the Meeting Hall. His son, Lewan, was sitting patiently in the chair at the far end of the Table, sipping from a goblet of mead. They waited for news that the Lethorian Prince had successfully escorted the princess.
"Surely they would have arrived there by now?" The High King muttered.
"Relax father, I'm sure Lethoria is in celebrations, The Princess who will one day be their future Queen has just arrived. They are just delayed in sending word, that's all." The young Atherian Prince encouraged.
"Ahhh You're probably right my son." Nolick conceded…still unable to shake the feeling that something was wrong…"But it just feels like there is something wrong…"
The light footsteps of a woman could be heard coming closer to the Meeting Hall, stopping before the large wooden door. The door itself was nearly 20 ft tall and decorated with intricate elven carvings. The knock that came was light but echoed dramatically through the large room. "Your highness? An owl has delivered a sealed message for you" The feminine voice called.
"Come in Rhya" the prince called. He stood to meet the young woman.
A faint blush crossed her cheeks as she held the letter to her chest and gave the prince a light bow, before handing over the sealed letter. Lewan took the letter from her, smiling at her gently. Winking at her before he turned around. He could hear her giggle under her breath as she left the room. And a smile crossed his face.
His watchful father raised a brow, not missing the encounter, before he inquisitively asked, "Lewan, do you fancy Miss Rhya?"
The prince smiled to himself.
"I may have noticed her a time or two" he said, running his hands through his mid-length brown hair. His deep fiery eyes looking back at the doorway she had walked out of.
The king, deciding to play matchmaker, offered "Did you know she is of Noble birth?" The prince rolled his eyes at his father, catching his father's intentions, and a humored grin spread across his face. "Yes father, I know…she was one of Amora's ladies in waiting…now that Amora is gone, she serves mother." Looking up at his father he could see the wheels turning in the High King's mind. He was practically planning the Ceremony. Chucking under his breath he spoke, "Father, calm down before you give yourself a fit" Lewan shook his head. Nolick looked his son in the face, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
The Mischievous old elf King walked toward the end of the table where his son had rested the envelope. The seal of Lethoria was pressed into the red wax. "I see your sister finally made it, he chuckled" he picked up the letter to take it with him to his study. "I'm glad that's over. Now I must go speak with your mother. I know she will want to know about this Miss Rhya subject, since you have been so calloused to all the other females we have tried to bring to your attentions." His father turned to the door , waving the letter over his head as he walked out, "You know your mother is desperate so see you Married and Happy while sitting upon the throne, as soon as we finish with the dark kingdoms, we will speak of this again." Nolick's voice trailed off as he left the large room.
"Yes father." Lewan laughed, sitting back down into the ornate chair to sip his mead. He wondered how his sister was going to enjoy being the future Queen of Lethoria…The city was famed for its massive Gold and White, marble Tri-Towers, which sat in the shape of a triangle. The Roof of the entire palace within, was made of Shimmering stained Glass which could be seen for miles. Lethoria was a Beautiful Kingdom…it deserved a beautiful Queen. He only hoped that Torwynn was capable of keeping her safe. His stomach dropped at the thought.
Lewan had always been able to best Torwynn when they sparred…he knew that he was impulsive and would become predictable in the middle of a fight and was quick to become winded. The Lethorian has also never killed before…Lewan doesn't know if the other prince would be capable of it yet. However, Torwynn's skill, in practice, and in the Tournaments was better than the other princes, far better. His abilities with a spear superseded some of the most practiced war masters. But still Lewan knew he, himself was far better, he never competed in the Tournaments, he found them boring and full of politics.
Upstairs the Queen greeted her husband. "Nolick my love, have we received any word on Amora?" The king waved the unopened letter. Laying it on the Queens Vanity. "Just got the message a while ago…"
"Oh Good" The Queen smiled as she stood from her bench, to greet her husband. Her long black hair loosely flowing around her, reaching the curve of her bottom. She was only a couple of years younger than Nolick. But for a human to look at either one of them, they wouldn't have looked over thirty. Her black eyes, looked tenderly at Nolick as he removed his boots, and his Dress Robes.
"Amarha, I believe it's about time we think about a betrothal for Lewan." Shock plastered the Queen's pale face. "I thought we were going to wait until after he was crowned to let him pick a bride?" She rebutted. "Oh, trust me….I think he already has. That boy has never once shown favor to a lady. But I saw him do so today."
The Queen wore a face that had pure disbelief written all over it. Her Lewan, had shown favor to a female? He hated all of the girls they had presented him with. What had changed that? Better yet, WHO had changed that… "Who is this girl you wish to marry him to?" The queen asked while absent mindedly grabbing the letter. Running her Ivory fingers over the Lethorian wax seal. "Oh, you will never guess my love." The king chuckled… Her majesty smiled wide, her son had possibly found the most precious thing in all the realms…and the rarest. She began to open the letter pausing to ask, "Is it someone I know?"
King Nolick walked over behind her. Wrapping his arms around her "Well…It is someone who you see daily now…" Amarha's brow's furrowed deep in thought. She absentmindedly opened the letter while trying to think of who this mystery woman would possibly be. "Nolick, I have no Idea" She chuckled…The smile leaving her face as she read the words scribbled Hastily upon the parchment. Her body going limp, as she fainted, Nolick grabbing the letter "NO! Nooooo!!!" He Roared, the letter read:
ROYAL PROCLAMATION FROM THE KINGDOM OF LETHORIA
Let it be known,
The Prince of Lethoria, Torwynn, has been beheaded and his royal entourage were Ambushed and slaughtered. The location of The Grand Princess Amora, of the Kingdom of Atheria is currently unknown.
-King Taresys
His daughter and the Lethorian Prince had been ambushed…The prince decapitated, and his precious daughter, his Amora…was nowhere to be found…He had sent his daughter right into the arms of the enemy.
Nolick's head began to spin. His heart felt as if it was being crushed…Prince Lewan burst into the room, taking in the sight of his grief-stricken father, and his unconscious mother. He grabbed the letter from his father's hand. His face paled, as the blood drained from it. "…No…." He whispered…