Setting: Forest Path

Characters: Parn, Deedlit, Liara

Parn and his friends have been traveling three days, since the incident at his and Liara's hometown. The trio heads towards Valis to leave Liara in the care of their friends there. It is dusk and getting dark quickly.

Parn: (slowing his horse) Whooaaa! Lets stop for a rest here.

Liara: (sighing, she is not used to traveling so long on horses) Ohh..... I need a rest. (she gets off of her horse and walks to the forest edge)

Deedlit: (hopping off her horse and sitting beneath a near by tree) We should be about another three day ride away from Valis. (she smiles) It will be nice to see our friends again. Huh? (she turns to Liara who is picking plants and flowers from the path and placing them in a pouch she is carrying on her belt) What are you doing?

Liara: (looking to Deedlit. Parn has gotten off his horse and looks at her with a confused expression on his face as well) What, this? (she smiles) One of the village elders taught me about how when you mix certain plants and other things together you can make certain medicines and potions. These plants here, (she shows them the plants in her pouch), when mixed correctly help relieve aching muscles.

Parn: Wow, I didn't know that you could do that.

Liara: I started learning shortly after you left. I can still only create basic things. (she goes to her pack strapped to the horse's saddle and pulls out some containers) This one contains a powdery substance that, when you add water, creates a cloud of thick red smoke that can be used to help you escape. This one is a paste that help relieve burns. The rest are medicines of different types. (she holds up each container accordingly)

Deedlit: That is a good skill to have, especially since Etoh, Slayn and Lelia aren't here to help if we are injured. (she looks up and some of the fairies in the tree come out and dart around her, she laughs)

They set up a camp for the night, Parn is scouting the area and Deedlit helps Liara mix some of her potions. Liara finishes four potions and places them in her saddle bag. Deedlit sits against a fallen log and listens to the sounds of the forest. .

Liara: (looks to Deedlit) I was wondering Deedlit, (Deedlit looks up), I pretty much know why everyone went with Parn. Etoh was his friend, Slayn and Ghim went to help them since they were older and more experienced, but what about you? Parn said that you appeared to warn him and Etoh of the goblin attack, but you appeared again later, why?

Deedlit: (looks down, smiling, then back up) I don't really know why I started to stick around at first. I warned them of the village to save lives, then I saw Parn and the others start out and followed them out of curiosity. Then there was the attack by the Marmo so I stayed to help. Then after some time I started to realize that I had deeper feelings for Parn than just friendship or companionship and that has been enough for me to stick by him all this time. (she smiles as she recalls the memories)

Liara: I see. ( she returns to her potions)

They both look up as Parn returns and sits at the fire next to Deedlit. He puts his sword down and removes his gloves. They remove some food from their packs and eat a small meal. Later they settle down to rest. .

Setting: A royal court within a palace concealed within a mountain. (the mountain is visible from where Parn and the others are camped, but they can not see it over the trees)

The court is lavishly decorated with banners of deep green and gold each with a symbol representing different crests of past monarchs and beneath them their family crest. The last four are all from the same clan. A lion's head and miniature oaks mark the family insignia. The time is roughly a short time after Parn and the others fall asleep. At the far side of the room from the great doors is a slightly raised platform upon which are three ornamented chairs. In the middle chair is an elfin king (he has long hair and looks about 40, to his right is his queen (she has long blond hair that is held up a bit by a decorative headpiece topped with a gold crown, looks younger than her husband) and on his left the seat is empty. There are guards positioned at points around the room. From the adjourning room an elf guard enters and kneels before the king. .

Elf Guard: King Tesan, we have located her.

King Tesan: (looks at the guard with a strait, unrevealing face) Where is she?

Elf Guard: (looks up) Three miles away, your highness. She is camped in the forest.

King Tesan: Take a group of soldiers and bring her here.

Elf Guard: (bows his head again) We shall depart at first light, my lord.

King Tesan: Very well. (the guard leaves and King Tesan looks to his wife) She will be returned to us soon. (she smiles at him and he smiles back at her)

Early the next morning, Deedlit wakes up and starts a fire to make breakfast, she wakes Parn to tend it and heads to the river to bath. After she returns Parn and Liara take turns making trips to the river. Liara is the last to return and they sit down to breakfast. .

Parn: (cleaning up the remaining food items and other items from their camp) Liara, get the horses ready while Deed and I get the rest of our supplies. (Liara nods and starts to walk to the horses)

Parn and Deedlit continue to clean up. Liara is walking to the horses when she hears a rustling. She looks to where the sound is coming from and screams when an elf dressed in red and holding a sword jumps out in front of her. Parn and Deedlit look up as eight more appear from the tree tops. .

Liara: (still screaming) Parn! Help me!

Parn: (drawing his sword) Ha ah! (he knocks Liara's assailant aside and pulls her over to where Deedlit is, her sword is drawn but she has a worried expression with a hint of recognition) What do you want with us!?

Elf Guard: (the one we saw earlier moves out of the forest into the open) Put away your sword human we are not here to fight you. As long as you cooperate we will not have to harm you. (he tries to look convincing by flashing them a reassuring smile)

Deedlit: (anger seeping into her expression and voice) He asked you a question. 'What do you want with us?'

Elf Guard: (looking down) You should realize why we are here, princess. (he looks right at her) We have come to take you home.

Parn: (looking at Deedlit) Deed what is going on? What does he mean, 'Take you home?'

Deedlit: (giving Parn a sad look) These are the Elfin kingdom's royal guards they take orders from the high elf king, my father, King Tesan.

Parn: (looking more confused) Wha... what? Your father?

Deedlit: Yes, I...I have to go. (she drops her head)

Parn: (straitening out his face) Fine then, we'll go.

Elf Guard: (looking to Parn) Your presence is not required, human. Only the princess need come, her bodyguard is now free from his duties. (his voice betrays a show of superiority)

Parn: Bo...Bodyguard? (he gives the guard a look) I am not her bodyguard.

Elf Guard: Why else would an elf princess travel with mere humans?

Parn starts to say something but is cut off by Deedlit. .

Deedlit: (looking to the guards) These are two of my friends they come with me, understood?

Elf Guard: Very well, your highness. (he bows)

They are lead through the forest to the base of the mountain with Parn, Deedlit and Liara on horses and the elf guards on foot. When they reach the base the head elf presses in a certain stone and a hidden panel opens. They are led through the torch lighted passage that is lined with doors. The passage stops at a door and they are led inside. The interior is lavishly decorated and light filters in through windows hidden in the mountain side. Parn and Liara are stunned while Deedlit stares fixedly strait ahead. .

Elf Guard: (turning to them and dismissing the other guards) Please follow me. (he goes strait ahead. passes through a set of doors and they find themselves in a small chamber outside the throne room) Wait here please. (he enters the throne room)

Parn: (he and Liara turn to Deedlit) Deed what is happening? Why were we brought here?

Deedlit: (looks to Parn) Parn, I have told you of my being a high elf, but what I didn't tell you is that I am a high elf princess. (she looks away from him) I didn't tell you because my father and mother are very distrustful of humans and I was afraid that you would think badly of them and me. (she looks him in the eyes) No matter what though Parn, my feelings for you will never change no matter what my father and mother say.

Parn: Deed....( he is stopped by movement in the doorway)

The elf guard comes out and motions them inside. They enter and the elf leaves them and closes the doors. Parn, Deedlit and Liara are looking directly at the thrones across from them, and sitting there are Deedlit's parents. All three move forward, and with proper respect kneel before them. .

King Tesan: (looks to his daughter and secretly smiles, he then looks at her companions and frowns) Welcome home my daughter. (he, and the queen have a look of joy mixed with relief at the presence of their daughter)

Deedlit: (smiling weakly) Thank you Father, Mother.

King Tesan: (looking distastefully towards Parn and Liara, before sitting down) And who are your two.....companions.

Deedlit: (rising) This is Liara, we met recently and are taking her to Valis. And this... is Parn, Knight of Lodoss, ....my betrothed.

King Tesan: (his eyes go wide with shock as do the queen's) Wha...What? My only daughter, betrothed to a human? That is unthinkable! I will not stand for it! You are the next in line for the throne! A marriage of this type could jeopardize the stability of our kingdom! I do not know what has happened to you, what might of happened to you to make you lose your sense of judgment but, so help me, I will set you strait. (his features tense up as he tries to contain his anger)

Deedlit: (she moves to Parn who takes hold of her hand) Father! This is my choice! Parn and I will be married with or without your consent. (she looks a little shocked at her own words, but regains her composure quickly)

King Tesan: How dare you! (he is extremely angry and the queen has taken his arm to try to calm him down) Such a marriage will not be allowed! (Deedlit looks at him defiantly and squeezes Parn's hand. he looks at her and gives her hand a reassuring squeeze) What I do now I do for my people and for you. Guards! (the guards in the room come forward and gab Parn, Deedlit, and Liara before they can react) Take the princess to her chamber and keep her there. Take the boy's armor and weapons and put him in a cell! And as for the girl... (he stops to think for a moment) you are free to go, but if I see you here again you will be locked up with your other human friend.

Deedlit is pulled from Parn and dragged off. Parn tries to get free but the guards hold him fast. After Deedlit has been taken through the side doors, Parn is dragged through another set toward the cells. Liara is left where she is until one of the guards (one that had taken Deedlit comes to escort her to the entrance. The king and queen look at each other. Liara is given all of her supplies and her horse and is sent on her way. She rides out about a mile and stops. .

Liara: (looking to the mountain) (mentally) 'There has to be a way to get them out of there.' (she looks in her pouch and is relieved to see the vials are still intact)

Setting: Interior castle, prison area

Parn is being dragged to the prison. His face is bruised and dirty and his sword and armor have been stripped from him. He is being dragged by the guards to an empty cell, three other cells are lined up along the same wall. The guards throw him in his cell. .

Elf Guard #1: (smirking) In here human. Enjoy your stay. (he and the other guard laugh)

Parn: (working to his feet) You bastards. (he tries to jump at them, but is struck down by the second guard)

Elf Guard#2: (taking on an attitude of superiority) Know your place, human. You can not hope to beat an elfin knight. (he smiles)

The guards lock his cell and depart. Parn gets up and looks around. There are three other cells, two of them have elf prisoners. Next to him are two dark elves wearing Marmo uniforms, and in the cell furthest from him he hears someone moving around out of sight. .

In another part of the castle, Deedlit is locked in her room dressed in a yellow dress that drags behind her. The room is large with a lavish bed, a solid oak writing desk, and other pieces of furniture used for cloths. At the edge of the bed is a pillar with a gold tiara a top a red velvet pillow, Deedlit looks at this with disgust. She looks out the window, and sees that she is high up in the wall of a cliff. Realizing that there is no way out for now, she goes to the bed, sits down and tears form at her eyes. .

Elf Guard: (enters the room and bows) Princess, your presence is requested by your mother Queen Rashia. (Ra-she'-a)

Deedlit: (drying her eyes and looking to the guard) Very well. (she rises and is escorted to a room that would resemble a study or library)

Queen Rashia: (rising from her seat) Thank you for coming. (she motions for Deedlit to have a seat and dismisses the guard with a wave of her hand)

Deedlit: (looking blankly at her mother) What do you want?

Queen Rashia: (her face displays the hurt from her daughter's cold remark) You cut me to the quick my daughter. I wish only to speak with you. You disappeared over a year ago, and your father and I were very concerned for you. Why did you leave?

Deedlit: (looking away) I am not sure why I left at first, maybe I just wanted to get away for a while. Away from this palace, my 'royal responsibilities', you two. (she looks back to her mother and begins her tale) I needed to get out I felt trapped, I felt I had no control in my life. I tried to get as far away as I could. I stopped near a village and was staying there for a rest when I saw a platoon of goblins heading for the village. Two young men had gone to the goblin's cave to try and stop them before they could attack. I knew, however, that the goblins had already set off for the town. I warned them of the attack and after the fighting was done I followed them and two men, a wizard named Slayn, and a dwarf named Ghim. The young men I had met were Etoh, a priest of Falis, and Parn a would be knight. After following them for a while I introduced myself to Parn, just in time to fight a group of kobolts and be arrested by Alanian soldiers. A series of attacks by the Marmo, lead to the five of us and a thief named Woodchuck to the kingdom of Valis. We were then asked to go to see the Great Sage Wort for information on the Marmo's ally Karla, the Gray Witch. Parn, Wood, and I returned with this information to King Faun, who asked us to fight along side him in the war beside himself and King Kashue. We saw him die in his final battle. We were then told by Wort that to bring peace to Lodoss we had to destroy Karla. This proved to be a greater challenge then we had expected. (she casts a glance at her mother and sees that see is listening intently) You see Karla was inhabiting the body of Ghim's friend Lelia. With his last ounce of strength Ghim, who had been badly hurt in the battle with her, hurled his ax knocking the circlet containing Karla's soul off of Lelia's forehead. As we mourned Ghim's death, Karla took control of Woodchuck, and we were unable to help him. There was then our battle against Shooting Star where the Marmo wizard Wagnard came into possession of the Scepter of Domination. He had been chosen to revive the dark goddess, and came after me for my powers as a high elf. Parn fought with everything he had to prevent him from taking me, but with the power of Kardis Wagnard almost killed him. He and our friends then led an invasion of Marmo to save me and prevent the resurrection of Kardis. Parn, bearing the Holy Sword, fought his way to the ritual site and battled for my life. The new leader of Marmo, Ashrum, who we thought had been killed, fought first with, then against Parn. Wagnard and Ashrum each destroyed each other and Parn, thinking that it was too late to save me took both the Holy Sword and Demon Sword and jumped into the heart of Kardis with me. He was willing to die with me, and I would have done the same for him.

Queen Rashia is amazed by the tail that she was just told by her daughter. Deedlit looks at a wall covered with books and her thoughts drift to Parn. .

Night has fallen, and Deedlit is at her window, still imprisoned in her room. Below her she sees a shape moving, she is so high up though she can't see what it is. The shape moves into the moonlight and Deedlit recognizes Liara. Liara keeps moving not knowing that Deedlit is right above her. Deedlit grabs a sheet from her bed and waves it out the window to get Liara's attention. Liara sees the blanket and recognizes Deedlit. Deedlit hurries to her writing desk and drafts two letters. She ties them, and tosses them to Liara. She reads them and waves to Deedlit. She turns and leaves. .

Down in the cells, Parn is trying to sleep. Finding that he can't he gets up and walks to the doorway of the cell. .

Dark elf: So this is the human who is betrothed to the princess of the elves? Hmph. I was expecting the princess to have some taste, but then again, it is a human.

Parn: (unable to see his tormentor his eyes flash with anger) What do you mean by that? Where are you?

Dark elf: Go to your bars, you will see me in the cell next to yours.

Parn walks to his bars on the opposite side of the cell next to his, he looks next to him and sees one of the other prisoners. He is dressed in a torn and battered Marmo uniform, he has the traditional features of one of the elf kingdom, with the exception that his skin is dark and his hair is pure white. He has a scar on his arm and possesses a very disapproving look when he sees Parn. .

Parn: (returning his cold look) What do you want? Say it now and then be quiet!

Dark Elf: What I want right now is out. But for right now I am finding it very amusing to torment you. So how is it that one who, hmp, saved Lodoss from Marmo find himself imprisoned here?

Parn: (surprised) How… How did you know about that?

Dark Elf: We heard it from our commander before we were capture two weeks ago. In fact just about all of the remaining Marmo troops know about that.

As Parn considers what this might mean if he gets out of the cell, the door to the cell opens and an elfin guard comes in. .

Elf Guard: (taking the keys and unlocking Parn's cell) Your presence is demanded by the King and Queen.

Parn: Why? (he looks very confused)

Dark Elf: (smirking) Maybe its time for your execution, hmm?

Elf Guard: Shut up, traitor!

Parn is taken back up though the passages that lead to the throne room. As he enters he sees King Tesan sitting at his throne. The guards hold Parn by the arms to prevent escape. King Tesan looks upon him with disgust and has the look of someone doing something against their wishes. Parn looks defiantly forward. The main doors behind Parn open and Parn turns to see Deedlit and Queen Rashia enter. Parn's eyes light up as he sees Deedlit and hers do the same. .

Parn: Deed!

Deedlit: Parn! (she and Parn try to go to each other but the guards hold Parn fast and two more prevent Deedlit from going to Parn.)

King Tesan: (looking to Deedlit) Sit by my side, my daughter and I will tell you why I have summoned the two of you here. (Deedlit looks at Parn and as her eyes tear she slowly moves to the throne, her eyes and Parn's never leave each other) Now I have heard of your many adventures from your mother. Some of the story I find very….difficult to believe, but from what I hear you, (points to Parn) and your friends risked your lives to save my daughter's. (the look of discomfort returns to his face) In light of that I have decided to allow you to leave.

Parn and Deedlit are both shocked by this announcement and each has look of confused joy. The guards release Parn but stay close to him.

Parn: You…You mean we may leave? We are free to go?

King Tesan: (stern look on his face) No. You may go, but my original decision stands firm. The princess of the Elf Kingdom can not and will not wed a human!

Parn: (his face becomes void of expression) Your majesty, if I can not leave with Deedlit then I will not leave. As you said, I risked my life to save her, because with out Deed, I have no life to live.

Deedlit: (has a look of adoration in her face with her eyes sparkling) Oh…Parn.

King Tesan: (his anger rising) How. Dare. You. You will not speak to me that way you trivial human. If you will not leave of your own will you shall be dragged out back to your cell. I will not tolerate such disrespect from a mere human!

Parn: (sternly) I mean no disrespect, but I will not leave with out her.

King Tesan: Guards! Return him to his cell. (looks back to Parn) You shall not have such an opportunity again.

The guards return Parn to the cells and Deedlit looks after them and begins to cry. Queen Rashia looks to her daughter with concern. .

Meanwhile; Liara is riding as fast as possible nonstop. Deedlit's letter is concealed within her pouch as she rides as quickly as she can to her destination. Will she be able to find help for her friends? And what is written in Deedlit's letter? .

Fan Fic list