The Elf Princess

[rvplymates]

Sebeen turned in her sleep and almost woke up for a nightmare had crossed her dreams. She shivered in the night but did not wake. Her dreams returned to Ashton Drake who she had healed. Pleasant dreams of great friendship now filled her sleep.

 

[dragonrazor]

The king considered Ashton's words. Ashram was a demon the king had read of in his youth. A warrior of great power, skilled with the sword, but evil beyond comprehension. He looked at the young man, thinking carefully. "You are a very lucky young man, to have survived an encounter with Ashram. One of the maids mentioned a sword that seemed to speak to her. Made by the old masters?"

Ashton shrugged, then nodded. "Made in ancient times. Named Stormbringer. I know nothing more about it than that though, except he's a loudmouth." At this, the king laughed. It was odd for someone to refer to a sword as a he, let alone call it a loudmouth, but it seemed to fit in with what he had heard. He decided to ask the young man a question.

"What do you think of my daughter? To be honest, it's about time she wed." At the mention of Sebeen, Ashton blushed, looking at the floor.

 

[rvplymates]

Sebeen suddenly woke up, another nightmare had crossed her dreams and left her shaken. She pushed the sheet back and went into the bathroom to place cold water on her sweaty body. She should take a bath and relax she knew but instead she went back to bed and pulled the sheet back over her nude body. She couldn't remember thd dream and maybe that was a good thing. She lay with her eyes open until her eyes shut and fell back to sleep once more.

 

[dragonrazor]

The king grinned with the impish delight of a man half or less his age. He could see the look on the young man in front of him, and knew it for what it was. He also could tell that the young man was different from other humans. He sensed magical presence within him, which made him think he was either mageborn, or not human at all. The king knew the princess wouldn't like any of the elves in the kingdom. Most of them were concerned only with station, so he didn't blame her. The thought of pairing her off with a human warrior was appealling, especially considering the seal worn on the young man's left hand. He couldn't see it closely from where the young man stood, but it was definitely the mark of a lord or a prince. He smiled, then stood up, and walked over to the young man, putting one arm around his shoulder. "Come, let us discuss matters of state."

 

[rvplymates]

After a long restless night of nightmares and broken sleep, Sebeen opened her eyes to the sun shining on her face. She was tired and decided maybe a few more winks would not hurt.

Suddenly, her favorite lady came running in the room, Sebeen refused to call her servants that, so they were always her ladies. She looked at her surprised.

"What is the matter Chian"

The servant was out of breath as she looked nervously at Sebeen. As she caught her breath she took some time before answering.

"Mi Lady, your Father, the King wants your right away"

Sebeen frowned, it was like her Father to hurry her out of bed, something must be wrong. She threw back the sheet and stood up. Her nude body did not surprise her servant as all elves slept this way. Sebeen made her way to her closet and chose a mauve dress to put on. She slipped it over her head and left her bed chamber.

Making her way to the throne room she thought of all kind of things that could be the matter but never in her wildest imaginating could she know what her Father had in store for her.

She walked in the room and saw her Father sitting on his throne, odd, this was not like him at all. At this time of the morning they would usually be having breakfast. She walked gracefully to her Father, clasped her hands and let her arms hang casually in front of her.

"What is the matter, Father"

 

[dragonrazor]

The king smiled, then motioned her close. He spoke calmly, without any hint of emotion. "I met your human friend. Most interesting lad. Did you know he survived a demon attack? He also finds you attractive. I had the scholars look up the crest on his ring. It's from Tyris Lei, the old city that once was a haven for societies."

 

[rvplymates]

Sebeen moved closer to her Father as he spoke of Ashton Drake. She nodded when he spoke of things she knew about him. When her Father spoke of his ring she shook her head no. It was not uncommon for her Father to keep talking to her without waiting for a verbal response. She was use to his ways but she did wonder what this was leading to.

 

[dragonrazor]

The king smiled, seeing her just nodding and shaking her head at certain points during the conversation. He considered his words carefully, then smiled. "As you know, it's about time you wed, dear daughter. So what I have to ask you is this. Do you have any particular man in mind?"

 

[rvplymates]

Her Father's words so shocked her that her eyes opened wide and her mouth dropped open. She shook her head no and finally found her words.

"But Daddy, you said I didn't have to marry when Mother died. I could stay with you always"

The King knew his daughter was scared of the prospect of marriage and she proved it by calling him Daddy. She reverted to it in times of stress.

 

[dragonrazor]

The king smiled, then looked at her. "Marriage doesn't have to be a problem. Look at it this way, he needs a place to call his own, and you wouldn't mind him staying around, would you?"

 

[rvplymates]

Sebeen looked at her Father, it was even obvious to her that he for some reason wished to marry her off. She was really scared now as her Father's will was law and she knew it. She would not be able to fight him as her respect for him was great. She was an Elf and would obey her Father. She could tell he was trying to make things easier for her but a bit of rebellion sprang forth from her.

"Couldn't he stay without marriage, Father, it is true he is a nice man and he is also a warrior. He could fight for you without a marriage, make him a captain in your guard"

Her eyes dropped as she saw the look in her Father's eyes.

 

[dragonrazor]

Her father raised an eyebrow, then smiled. "Can I ask you something, and get an honest answer? What do you think of him?"

 

[rvplymates]

Sebeen was trapped now as her Father wanted an honest answer to his question. She inhaled deeply before she spoke.

I think Ashton Drake is a very handsome human. He has a very muscular body, and is much bigger in the body then our elfin men. He is friendly and polite and at times has a sense of humor. He does not care that we are elfs so I think he is broadminded unlike some humans. Even badly hurt he had strength you could feel it about him. I like him, but I am not ready for marriage.

She threw the last sentence in just hoping her Father would change his plans for her.

 

[dragonrazor]

The king smiled again, then thought for a moment. "Would you mind taking care of him while he is here? After all, he's in a strange place to him, and could use a guide and friend." Ashton himself was sitting in the kitchen, eating a sandwich made by one of the cooks.

 

[rvplymates]

Sebeen didn't realize how cleverly her Father had worded his request. Of course she would take care of Ashton Drake. She had from the start so what would it matter a few more days to make sure he was quite well to travel.

"No Father, I don't mind taking care of him. I should make sure he is fully healed before he either leaves or becomes a part of your army"

She smiled for the first time during this interview, thinking her Father had decided to let her stay unmarried.

 

[dragonrazor]

The king smiled, then nodded. "He's in the kitchen now, I think. He got hungry, so I had the chef make him a sandwich. He also grabbed a book to read. You know, if you want...He's skilled with a sword, or he wouldn't have survived Ashram. Perhaps he could be your personal guard."

 

[rvplymates]

Sebeen smiled and thought for a moment. She had body guards already but she was unfamiliar with the term personal guard.

"Father what is the difference between my body guards and a personal guard, I have never heard that term before"

Sebeen had tilted her head looking at her Father for an answer.

 

[dragonrazor]

The king smiled, then pointed to a statue of a skilled swordsman that once protected him. "A personal guard is someone who is always with you, no matter what the circumstances. Our guards can only be so close to you."

 

[rvplymates]

Sebeen thought for a moment.

"You mean all through the day, that would be nice, Father. To have someone to talk too. You know sometimes I get lonely as the body guards seem afraid to offend me. I think that would be a fine idea but what of Ashton Drake to be forced to be with a girl all the time. For a warrior I think that would be boring. Our warriors practice their skills all the time Father, dont you think he would miss that"

 

[dragonrazor]

The king nodded, then smiled. "I'm sure he will find time to train himself. He may even decide to train you." The king was satisfied, and turned his attention back to his list of activities for the day.

Ashton wandered back into the room he was in that night, deciding to take a nap.

 

[rvplymates]

Sebeen knew the conversation was over when her Father looked at his things to do list. She smiled and walked quietly out of the room and towards her room. She was tired but before she took a nap she would see if Ashton Drake was alright. She walked to his room and opened the door silently. She quietly walked into the room and saw him lying on his bed. She walked to the side of the bed and placed her hand upon his forehead. He seemed cool enough but to make sure she touched his cheek closer to her and then reached over and checked the other cheek. Her hand was on his cheek as he opened his eyes.

"I am sorry Ashton Drake I did not want to wake you"

 

[dragonrazor]

Ashton shook his head, then smiled. "Morning, beautiful...er, Your Highness." He sat up slowly, and stretched. Then he looked at her, wondering why she looked happier.

 

[rvplymates]

As he sat up, Sebeen stepped back abit. When he called her beautiful she smiled. His energy level was high and that made Sebeen happy.

"It seems you are feeling really well Ashton Drake. I can feel your energies, they are really high. I think that you do not need anymore healing"

Sebeen smiled at him.

 

[dragonrazor]

Ashton smiled, then stretched again. "I'm fine, and just call me Ashton." He looked at her, then reached for a glass of water.

 

[rvplymates]

Sebeen looked at him, it was not usual for a maiden to call a man by his first name. That was usually reserved for those that were married by he afterall was a human and probably first names were permissable in his world.

"Ashton, it seems strange to say one name to me. In my world a maiden must say a males full name, only a married woman can call a male by one name. But I will bend to your will in the matter. My Father suggests that I ask you to be my personal guard but I dont think a man such as yourself, a warrior would wish to be around a female elf all the time. I am right arent I"