Sothoryos XI: The Home of the Elves
Jon expected many things upon arriving at his next destination: the land of the elves, or also known on his map as the land of eternal spring. There were times when he imagined fields of flowers with sweet aromas and trees with delicious fruits, comfortable houses and beautiful buildings. Even a great castle. He was not prepared to see the real thing, which was much, much more beautiful and surprising.
The first thing he saw before arriving was a huge tree. No, huge was a word that did not show the true size of the tree. It was in the center of what looked like a crater of gigantic proportions. Its trunk was anchored to the ground, with roots coming out of the ground, where he could see white and gold buildings. The branches up high were certainly larger than a hundred dragons. Jon thought that even a thousand dragons one after the other did not do it justice.
At the very top, almost right behind the tree, the sun stood high above everything and everyone, almost like a shining guardian watching over everything from the very top of the world. And the leaves, the leaves were simply beautiful. They were as if they were made of pure gold.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Jarod commented with a smile, looking at the tree, as did Jon.
"It... It's... the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
Jarod nodded proudly.
"The world tree is our greatest pride. We've protected it, just as it protects us. At its feet, all kinds of flowers and fruits constantly grow. Its roots have allowed us to build the most important and safe places, while its light keeps us in peace and tranquility."
"I've never seen anything like this."
"I don't think there's anything else like the world tree, Jon," Jarod commented before gently nudging Silverfang forward. Two elves, a human, and two white tigers, advanced along the top of the crater, where a waterfall fell. The sound of water filled Jon's ears as they descended a path in the walls of the crater where the elves' home was located. It was a path wide enough for five people to climb up and down without problems.
Jon noticed that the path ended further down the waterfall, where they passed behind it and then entered a cave. He was filled with curiosity and wonder at the things he saw. The inside of the cave was not lit, but was slightly visible in the sunlight. They all descended a path that turned to one side, almost in a circle. Little by little, they descended until they reached an exit, where the waterfall ended. They exited through one side, and Jon almost choked.
The normal, green grass seemed to shine in the sunlight. The flowers on one side of the small lake that formed the water of the waterfall, seemed to dance in a soft and loving breeze. The trees seemed strong and firm, but loaded with fruit. But after all, the world tree was still the most amazing thing. From the top, it looked huge. Now, from his current position, it felt even more enormous. The sun's rays passed through its large leaves and gigantic branches, forming what almost looked like an aurora.
It was just too beautiful.
The whole place made him feel at peace. It was like when he sank into that lake a while ago, but amplified by so much.
"How do you feel?"
"At peace. Almost rejuvenated," Jon replied. "It's like all my tiredness has vanished."
Jarod nodded.
"That's good. It means you're not being rejected by pure nature."
"Rejected?"
"Yes. Nature can sense, Jon. For that reason, those abominable stinking men, don't come here. They've tried, but they always fail."
"If they are rejected, why do they send people out?"
"We protect nature. We are part of it. Nature gives us things, and we protect it in return. Our duty is to keep the forests as peaceful as possible. And those people, they harm nature. They only bring death and decay."
"I see..." Jon murmured, understanding better.
"Look, Jon. We're coming," Saynna said, pointing ahead. Jon leaned in a little, so he could see what Jarod was covering with his body. It was a wall made of stone, covered in certain places by nature: flowers and vines. The entrance, were two large pillars joined in an arch at the top with open wooden doors. On either side, there were elves standing, with swords sheathed at their waists. They had silver-colored armor, decorated with what looked like vine carvings on their legs, arms, and shoulders. There were also animals that looked like tigers, but with upper fangs protruding from their mouths.
"Those animals are called Sabres. And they are part of the Sun Guard, protecting our home during the day. While at night, the Moon Guard does their work."
"Are they... men?" Jon asked, a little hesitant as he looked at the elves. There were some with golden hair, others with green hair. There were also two with blue hair.
"Yes. The Sun Guard, they are all men."
"And the Night's Watch are women?"
"Correct."
"What about the rangers?"
"We are men and women, working to preserve nature inside and outside our home. We check the outside, restoring or improving nature. We also hunt animals."
Jon nodded, understanding the elven race a little better. Although, he wondered what the job of both guards was like, since there didn't seem to be any danger around. Jon snapped out of his thoughts when they arrived right in front of the gates.
"I am Ranger Jarod Bluewater. I have returned with my partner Saynna Featherbow, from a rescue and reconnaissance mission."
A golden-haired elf nodded before speaking in the elven language. Jon thought it was the true language that Jarod mentioned days ago. The two spoke for a few moments, while he received some curious glances.
"Jaehaerys Targaryen, right?" Jon blinked when the Sun Guard called out to him.
"Ah, yes. That's me."
"Fine. We'll allow you in, but we need to ask a few things. Can you answer honestly?"
"I can do that. Though I can't answer what I don't know."
"Indeed, Jaehaerys Targaryen. My name is Hammon Goldenleaf, by the way."
Jon nodded and waved respectfully from Silverfang's back. From there, he had to answer certain questions. He was asked where he came from, how he got to Sothoryos, how long he had been traveling, and several other things.
"Thank you for your cooperation. Jarod will help you for the moment, but I'm sure that before long, they'll call for you to speak to the elders. This is the first time a human has been seen in these parts, so they'll definitely want to know more about you. I ask that you be respectful of our kind."
Jon nodded with a small smile, "Thank you for allowing me to enter. And of course, I will be respectful. I have no intention of causing any trouble for you."
Hammon Goldenleaf nodded and extended his hand toward the entrance, indicating that they could enter.
"I suppose we'll have to prepare you, Jon. Your clothing is not suitable. And you stink."
"Uh... ".
"Ha, ha, ha. Don't worry, I'll help you!" Jarod laughed happily.
Jon was about to ask who the elders were. He had heard it from Jarod and Saynna. And now, he did so from Hammon Goldenleaf. But, when he saw the city within the walls, he looked surprised, once again.
The roads were dirt, but there were no holes or puddles. There were buildings on the sides. Pillars on four corners and roofs, leaving them open. Huge trees stood with stairs and houses on their trunks. In the distance, in the huge roots of the world tree, there were larger buildings with walls. Some resembled beautiful and dazzling temples.
"Jarod, do you have a hierarchy?"
"Well, we have the gods above us. There are the elders, who make certain important decisions and... that's it. There are no distinctions between our people. We all live in peace. And when there are important problems or arguments, they are settled with conversations in front of the elders. Or on rare occasions, fights."
"There are no thefts or attacks?"
"No."
"So... what are the two Guards in charge of?"
"We have enemies. In fact...", Jarod turned and looked at him a little strangely. "Didn't you meet the Wyverns?"
"No. Thank all the gods."
Jarod nodded and looked back ahead: "Wyverns are a problem that tend to get too close. They are beasts that don't understand. Always attacking everything they see, there are even cases where they devour each other's own kind."
"Cannibalism."
"Exactly."
"There are also problems that come from further east, in Ulthos."
"Ulthos? That is an even more mysterious place for the people where I come from. In Sothoryos, there are some mapped islands and certain descriptions of some dangerous things. But Ulthos? No one knows anything in Westeros."
"Ulthos is...", Jarod hesitated a little. He let out a sigh before speaking slowly. "Ulthos is a continent attached to Sothoryos. Where there is nature here; forests, jungle and animals of all kinds, there are huge mountains with dark trees. Dragons nest in mountains and are a great danger. There is also another race that lives there. We are currently enemies with them."
Jon's eyes widened at that.
"Dragons?! There really are dragons in Ulthos?"
"There are. A lot of them. Aren't there in Westeros?"
"No... no... they've disappeared. The Targaryen family had dragonriders long ago. They lived on the Valyrian peninsula, until it was destroyed by a cataclysm. It is said that a woman, Daenys Targaryen, saw the destruction of Valyria in a dream. She then told her father, who took some of his wealth while selling others, and then they traveled to Westeros, where they settled. A couple of families followed them as well."
"There was a man, Aegon Targaryen, who conquered the seven kingdoms of Westeros thanks to the power of three powerful dragons. Although... after hundreds of years, the Targaryen family has greatly diminished. A great turmoil happened before he was born. It was said that the crown prince kidnapped a woman and raped her. Then, the betrothed rose in rebellion."
"That's a story... violent and tragic, it seems."
"It is," Jon nodded, a little depressed. "It turned out that the prince had married that woman. Apparently, they loved each other. And until before he disappeared, no one knew who spread the rumor of the kidnapping and rape."
"Your home seems to be... a little chaotic," Saynna commented.
"Generally, that's how southern Westeros is," Jon sighed a little. "Noble lords arguing over nonsense. Betrayals left and right. The man who raised me, refers to the south as a nest of greedy vipers and hungry rats."
"Isn't that the case in the north of Westeros?"
"We are more direct. Lords of different families, tend to speak their minds. We respect strength and honor."
"Honor is a good thing," Saynna commented with a small smile. Jon nodded at her, with a smile of his own.
"By the way, are all those open structures shops?" Jon had seen that there were elves selling things as they walked by.
"Most of them, yes. Cloth, fruit, food of different kinds, weapons, rocks and wood, metals and jewelry."
"Tell me, Jarod. If you let me stay for a while, could I learn the true language?"
"Sure! I'm sure there are some people willing to teach you," Jarod replied immediately as they stopped. Jon looked at a large staircase leading up to a large root of the world tree. There was a stone path, with what looked like small headlights on either side, illuminating with an orange light.
"At night, the lights turn silver."
"Jon, look," Saynna called out and pointed to the side of the stairs, a little further ahead. Jon gasped a little as he saw what looked like a brown-skinned boy sitting at the edge of the stairs, gently shuffling his feet as he looked down. The boy seemed to sense their presence, as he turned his head towards them. His green eyes, slit like a cat's, showed surprise as he noticed Jon. He gave a small jump and walked over to stand next to Silverfang.
"You... How did you get here? Your kind are too far away."
"You're... a child of the forest, aren't you? This is the first time I've met someone like you. Could you tell me your name?" Jon was amazed to be talking to a child of the forest.
"Summerlocks. That's my name, seed of the first men."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Summerlocks. My name is Jaehaerys Targaryen," Jon smiled as he introduced himself, genuinely pleased with what was going on.
Summerlocks blinked his large, shiny shoulders. He tilted his head, as if he was confused by something.
"A seed of the first men, but marked by fire and blood? That is... but... then...", the child of the forest, began to murmur quietly in common tongue, then switched to true tongue. Finally, he shook his head.
"You're interesting. Can you tell me how you got here?"
"I don't know. After I went to sleep, I appeared in Sothoryos. At first, I didn't even know where I was. It was only a few days ago that I ran into Jarod and Saynna."
"I see... It seems you've had quite an adventure, Jaehaerys Targaryen. It must be disconcerting to meet me, since my brothers in your lands have almost completely disappeared."
"A little. I'm more in awe than anything else."
Summerlocks nodded before walking over to where he was sitting.
"If you're staying, come find me, seed of ice and fire. I can teach you how to use the gifts you were born with. Oh, one more thing. You should try to get me to talk to Calyb. He'll be interested."
"The Great Old One?" Jarod asked in surprise.
Summerlocks just nodded.
"Great Old One?" Jon asked.
"There are five elders in total. They make the decisions here. But, Grand Elder Caelyb, he's like an advisor. He was one of the elders a thousand years ago and before that. Now, he doesn't make decisions, but he helps the rest of the elders. He's a great source of wisdom! He's revered by everyone."
"I see... Wait a minute! You said a thousand years and before?!"
"Uh, yes."
Summerlocks chuckled lightly from his position. He turned his head to look at Jon and said, "Seed of ice and fire, Elves aren't like humans. They live a long time. A thousand years is nothing."
Jon gulped and looked at Jarod.
"How old are you?"
"Oh, I'm still young. I'm only three hundred and forty two years old."
Jon gulped a little as he paled. Then, he looked at Saynna.
"It's disrespectful to ask a woman her age, Jon."
"I'm sorry..."
"But I'll tell you. I'm two hundred and six years old."
"By all the gods."
Summerlocks laughed again.
"Go on. I think you should help the seed of ice and fire. It smells awful."
"True!" Jarod nodded, causing Jon to feel really embarrassed.
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