CHAPTER SIXTEEN:TWILIGHT IN THE ELVEN FOREST

  Even though the day was ending, signified by the sun beginning to go down over her forest kingdom, Elf Queen Ilsa Lightshower continued to try to pay attention to the outside news and tedious matters brought to her attention by the elders. It wasn’t until Leti came through the doors of the throne room that Queen Lightshower perked up. Seeing her sister, the captain of The Royal Archer Brigade, for the first time in more than a few days gave Ilsa hope that the day would truly end on a high note.

  Seeing that her sister was still holding meetings, Leti stood off to the side and began inspecting her bow, now that she had finally returned from her journey to The Cloud Shroud Mountain.

  “Thank you. Thank you, Salifir,” spoke Queen Lightshower politely, but cutting off the old elf speaking.

  What it was Salifir was taking about Ilsa didn’t know, her mind having drifted to the old days, when she was a powerful sorceress only and not the reluctant leader of her people. Still, Queen Lightshower ruled as she felt was best.

  “That is all for today, Salifir,” continued Queen Lightshower, scratching one of her pointed ears.

  Taken aback by the interruption and the fact that he still had much more to say, Salifir cleared his throat. “My queen. If you would but let me finish. With the dwarves battling Lord Grimdall, and if our spies say that he will need help, then King Brock will undoubtedly assist him. That said, the council between the good races of Danaria must be pushed back, unless of course…” The old elf cleared his throat again and tried to finish. “You go to…”

  “That can wait,” announced Queen Lightshower with a stern look. Then she looked at Leti.

  When Salifir and the other elders looked over at the captain of the Royal Archer Brigade, Queen Lightshower looked from her sister back to the elders. “We will pick this up tomorrow. My sister has returned. I would like some time alone with her. I have not seen her for days.”

  Hearing the familiar tone of finality from the sorceress queen, Salifir slightly bowed. “Of course. Please enjoy the time with your sister.” Then he and the other elders left the throne room, all of them nodding at Leti as they left.

  When the doors finally closed behind the elders, Queen Lightshower stood up from her throne and walked toward her sister. After the two sisters met in the middle of the throne room, they embraced each other strongly.

  “I thank you again that you let me check for myself the news of the demise of the dragon Firebaugh. As you do, I trust our spies…” began Leti.

  “But you wanted to get away from this place,” smiled Queen Lightshower. She touched the bow that hung over Leti’s shoulder. “And perhaps keep an eye out for someone as you traveled to and from the old dwarven kingdom?”

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  Knowing full well what her sister meant. Leti fixed her bow. “Yes. Sadly, as you can see, Cerelene is not with me.” After a second of silence and a caring smile between the two, Leti continued. “Firebaugh did not show himself, and the top of The Cloud Shroud Mountain has crumbled. You can ask Luminan to pray for a sign, but it is quite clear that the final sovereign dragon that did not return to his homeland is indeed no more. The only question now is who defeated the great beast and how?”

  “Perhaps that is what Luminan should pray about. As high priest of the elven kingdom, perhaps Elion will grant him the answer we seek,” said Queen Lightshower quietly, as she continued to ponder the mystery. Then she smiled. “However, knowing Luminan he will most likely tell us just to be happy that there are only the lesser dragons now. And thankfully they are becoming rarer and rarer.”

  Suddenly the throne room doors opened and two elf lords walked through quickly. When they reached Ilsa and Leti, they bowed. “My queen. Captain. I am sorry to interrupt you,” replied one of the elf lords.

  “And after you have just sent others away,” continued the other.

  “It seems urgent. Please, Remar. What brings you and Adriel here in such haste,” spoke Queen Lightshower, looking at the almost identical brothers that commanded The Forest Guard.

  The elf lords looked so much alike that Adriel always wore his long blonde hair in a braid while Remar let his hair fall naturally down his back. And in doing so they alleviated any confusion and separated themselves from one another.

  “My queen. Something is going on with the goblins. They raid the roads and lands near their cavern kingdom, but not as much as before. Almost as if they are saving their strength and numbers for something,” spoke Remar, his voice full of suspicion. Then he looked at his brother.

  “And the spies say they are breaking a hole through the top of one of their biggest caves,” added Adriel. “It is odd.” Then after Adriel looked at Remar, he looked back at Queen Ilsa and Leti. “Gilvanoss says he cannot say for sure that they will attack soon…”

  “But?” asked Leti, her voice worried as Remar and Adriel looked again at each other. “What else does our spy master say!?”

  Adriel steadied his voice. “It may be nothing, but keep your archers ready, as we will keep The Forest Guard on alert.”

  Suddenly there were deafening screeches in the distance and the alarm bells at the Woodland Gate began to ring.

  Hearing the screeches, mixed with the yelling of goblins and screaming of elves, Remar and Adriel looked at each other wide eyed then ran to join The Forest Guard.

  “Leti! Get to the Woodland Gate!” shouted Queen Lightshower after grabbing her sister by the shoulder. Then she watched as Remar and Ariel exited her throne room.

  Looking at her sister with concern, Leti pulled her bow from her shoulder. “Ilsa….”

  Acknowledging the concern in her eyes, Queen Lightshower pushed her sister. “Go! As your queen I command it!”

  After quickly kissing her sister on the cheek, Leti Lightshower, captain of The Royal Archer Brigade took a few steps. Then she turned around, backed away quickly and opened her mouth to speak.

  Queen Lightshower gripped her staff tightly as she watched her sister grab an arrow from her quiver.

  “Do not worry, sister,” spoke Leti. Then she checked the dagger at her side. “We will handle this. Whatever this is.” As she ran off, Queen Lightshower walked to the window that faced the Woodland Gate.

  Upon reaching the window, Queen Lightshower gasped at what she saw. Instantly she was reminded of Adriel’s words. Of the breaking apart of a cave.

  King Taudridor had found something deep in his caverns and now they were flying her way.