Setting: Roid, Capital city of Valas, forest grove wedding site

Characters: Deedlit / Parn, Slayn / Princess Fiona

With the death of Karla and the spell on Deedlit removed, Parn and his friends prepare for the joyous celebration of his and Deedlit's wedding.

The sun shines through the tree tops and casts shadows on the four members of the small group. The grove is set up with an alter raised up a few inches above the forest floor. The alter is richly decorated with silk cloths that are lined along the border in violet. Parn and Deedlit look in awe at the site's decoration. Slayn and Princess Fiona sit to the side on the grove smiling at the young couple.

Deedlit: (overjoyed) Oh Parn. It's perfect. The alter the trees, its so beautiful. (Parn nods in agreement)

Slayn: (smiling and turning to Fiona) It appears that they approve.

Princess Fiona: Yes.

Deedlit moves a few feet from Parn and spins, taking in the sensations that surround her. She lets her cape and hair encircle her body nearly masking it from view. Parn stands and watches her, and his eyes reflect his feelings. Princess Fiona motions for Slayn to leave them alone together and they both slip away back towards the castle. Parn sits himself beneath a tree opposite the alter, watching Deedlit as she moves to inspect the alter closer. Parn sighs and, as if suddenly hit by an invisible blow, his face darkens with sadness. Deedlit turns to him and sees his expression, her face takes on a hint of confusion.

Deedlit: (moving back to Parn) Hey Parn what's wrong, huh?

Parn: (turning away) N..nothing.

Deedlit: (concerned) So why are you so sad? Our wedding is set in two weeks, we are together, and we have all our loved ones here, so what's wrong?

Parn: (looking right into Deedlit's eyes) I... I'm afraid.

Deedlit: Afraid? Of what?

Parn: (turning away) Deed, ever since the day we met, all that has ever happened is that some how you are placed in some kind of danger. No matter where we are, when ever you are with me some how for some reason you always end up in danger. And I don't want that to happen.

King Tesan: (entering from the forest) I agree.

Parn: (looking with surprise) King Tesan!?

Deedlit: (equally surprised) Father?

King Tesan: Deedlit, Parn has stated one of my worst fears. I am well aware of the results that have occurred from the paths he chooses, and I do not wish for you to be hurt in any way because of them.

Deedlit: (getting upset) Father-

King Tesan: (holding up his hand to silence her) Let me finish. I have also heard, from the many people that have accompanied you on your many journeys, to what extents you are willing to go to keep my daughter from harm, even if it causes you to risk your life. I tell you this; there are two things that I want for my daughter, I wish her to be safe and I wish her to be happy. With you I believe that both of my wishes will be granted, because I know you will do anything in your power to keep her from harm, and I know that being with you will bring her happiness.

Parn: (in disbelief) Your Majesty.....

King Tesan: (putting his hand on Parn's shoulder) Parn, promise me that you will grant my wishes.

Parn: (awed) I will.

Deedlit watches as this exchange takes place and her eyes radiate with happiness. The sun seems to focus on the three people as a bond is formed between the two men.

Castle in Roid

Shiris: (swinging her sword) Now parry!

Liara: Uhh! (she meets the blow and deflects it)

Shiris: Good. Again. (she repeats the action)

Liara: Gah! (again she deflects the sword, and spies an opening, she goes for it and finds herself suddenly staring at Shiris's sword point from the ground) Uhhh. (Liara drops her sword and looks up at Shiris)

Shiris: (smiling) Not bad, but you left yourself too open on that lunge. Next time, make sure your opponent is off guard before you attempt to do something like that. Understand?

Liara nods and Orson comes out from where he was watching on the side lines. He helps Liara up and she brushes herself off.

Orson: You are doing much better then when you started out, but I think a sword like this (he picks up the heavy sword, which, although small for a broad sword, is still just that) is too much for you. (he reaches behind his back and removes a large dagger, much like the one Woodchuck has but smaller) Here, take this one instead. It’s a bit heavier then a rapier, but more manageable than a broad sword.

Liara: (taking the sword and unsheathing it) Thank you Orson.

Shiris: I think we have done enough for today, lets go inside.

The three of them leave the courtyard and head inside. As they walk through the halls, they see Etoh standing at a window.

Liara: Etoh!

Etoh: (turning) Finished for the day?

Shiris: Yep. What are you doing?

Etoh: (pointing) Slayn and Princess Fiona are returning with the soldiers from the clearing. But I don't see Parn and Deedlit, guess they are looking over the decorations.

The four watch as the gates open and the cadre of soldiers enter the castle walls. The gates, though usually open, recently have been locked due to the presence of King Kashu, and the Elfin Royalty. The guards continue on their way to the barracks and Princess Fiona and Slayn enter the castle.

Shiris: Hey, lets go see what the happy couple are doing.

The four of them travel to the main hall where they see the princess and Slayn already in the company of Lalia and King Kashu.

Lalia: (smiling) So they were really pleased with it?

Slayn: (nodding) The drapes and banners that you, Liara, and Deedlit selected looked splendid. Even Deedlit was surprised at how well it turned out.

Lalia: I'm glad.

King Kashu: Speaking of whom where are Parn and Deedlit?

Princess Fiona: We left them back at the clearing.

Lalia: We should go and get them, the banquet is tonight.

Liara: Banquet?

Princess Fiona: Yes, I arranged a large banquet for them in celebration.

Shiris: Sort of a precelebration celebration eh?

Lelia: Yes something like that, and they have to begin to get ready for it.

Etoh: I'll go with Liara and Wood to get them. The rest of you should start to get ready.

Liara: Where is Wood anyway?

From down the hall a crash is heard and as the group looks down to where it came from, they see a door burst open and Woodchuck fly out and land on his face. He gets up quickly and runs down the hall, from the door comes a large older woman with a large spoon in her hand.

Old woman: (yelling and shaking the spoon) ...and if I ever catch you trying to steal from the kitchen again, I'll give you worse then a sore hand! (she goes back into the doorway and slams the door)

Woodchuck: (collapsing just in front of the group who stare in half confusion and half amusement) Old nag! Heh. (he pulls out a small cake he had managed to take before the woman had caught him and smacked his hand with her spoon) Well it's not a total loss. (he becomes aware that the group is behind him, and Etoh and Princess Fiona are giving him dirty looks, while the rest try to contain their laughter)

After a quick, haphazard excuse and apology, Wood, Liara, and Etoh head out on horse back to the clearing.

Etoh: (still a bit angry at Wood) How could you steal from the cook? That cake was for the party tonight.

Woodchuck: Take it easy Etoh. I was hungry, I couldn't wait. Besides it's not like they are going to miss one cake. (Liara starts to chuckle, she then sees Parn and Deedlit walking to them with King Tesan just behind)

Liara: (Pointing ) There they are.

Parn: Etoh, Wood, Liara where are you going?

Liara: We came to get you. If you don't hurry you will be late for your own banquet.

Deedlit: (exasperated) All right we are coming.

The group return to the castle just as the sun is beginning its descent. The gates close and the sky darkens to a black sheet, dotted by random specs of light that shine through the darkness. Inside the castle the preparations have been completed, the guests have arrived and music fills the air. Princess Fiona sits at the seat of honor with King Kashu at her right and King Tesan and Queen Rashia on her left, respectively. Parn and Deedlit stand together at the foot of the stairs that lead to the upper entrance. Parn is dressed in a white tunic with a deep red outline inside and a gold strip outlining that on the outside end. Deedlit looks every bit a princess, with a pure white dress and elbow length gloves, her hair up and fan in hand. In her hair she wears the tiara that had been given to her in the Elfin castle. Shiris is seated in a corner. She is wearing a fancy dress, that she apparently does not like. Orson stands next to her wearing a dress outfit similar to Parn's, but with his green sash draped over it. He is transfixed on Shiris. Slayn and Lelia are out on the floor dancing, Slayn is wearing a white robe outlined at the edges with gold, and Lelia wears a full gown laced with frills along the neck and sleeves, in her hair she has placed her wooden hair comb given to her by Ghim. Even Wood is dressed up for the occasion wearing a red shirt and dress pants held up by a dark red belt. He seems even more uncomfortable than Shiris.

Woodchuck: (pulling at the shirt) Man, why did they force me into this get-up? I can hardly breath in this.

Shiris: (looking at him) Hey! If I have to wear this "get-up" then you can get along in that. (Orson smiles)

Deedlit: (moving closer to Parn) I don't see Etoh or Liara here.

Parn: (looking down at her) They'll be here, Etoh is helping her get ready.

The doors at the top of the stairs open and the room looks up. Liara walks into the room, she looks radiant. Her gown catches the light and it reflects its pinkish color, the borrowed necklace sparkles and her hair is styled in such a way that her face is outlined in it. She descends the stairs with Etoh at her side, and stops when she reaches Parn and Deedlit who are stunned.

Liara: (nervously) Well? How do I look?

Parn: (still amazed)You... I mean...I... wow.

Etoh: (smiling)You look beautiful Liara.

Deedlit: You certainly look alot different then the girl I met a few weeks ago.

Liara: (blushing) Thank you.

The party continues and Liara finds herself swarmed with male admirers. Parn and Deedlit take to the dance floor and begin to sway and lose themselves in the music and each other's eyes. Even Shiris and Orson make an appearance on the dance floor together. Wood is at the table where all the food is sitting. Etoh is pulled back onto the dance floor by Princess Fiona who laughs at his uncomfortableness.

Parn: (feeling a tap on his shoulder) Huh?

King Tesan: May I?

Parn: (respectfully) Of course. (Deedlit begins to dance with her father and Queen Rashia soon appears and dances with Parn)

Meanwhile, Liara is speaking with six young men whose eyes she has caught, each trying to win her favor, when she feels a tap on her shoulder.

Liara: (turning expecting another courter) Yes? (a look of surprise and joy crosses her face) Father!

Mayor: (smiling) Liara, is that my little girl?

Liara: (embarrassed) Father, when did you get here.

Mayor: A short time ago, a messenger came to our town and gave me an invitation to this banquet. And when your presence is requested by the kingdom of Valas you don't turn it down. (he does a half bow) Gentlemen, I hope you will not mind if I take my daughter away for a few moments. (he takes her and leads her away)

Deedlit: (looking out to the night sky) It's a lovely party, but it's nice to step away for a moment. (Liara nods not knowing what to say) Parn told me that you played a large part in retrieving the counter spell for me. (Liara has a surprised look on her face)

Liara: (mentally) 'Parn must not have mentioned that I asked him not to go, and risk his life for her.' Not really, I helped a bit.

Deedlit: Well, even so, I just wanted to say thanks. It takes alot to go up against Karla. (her expression suddenly changes and she lets out a sigh)

Liara: What's wrong?

Deedlit: Just thinking. It was on this balcony that I really began to take a hard look at myself. It was during a war rally, I had dressed up so nicely, and convinced Parn to escort me down the stairs, hoping that I could get him to notice me. It almost worked, I forced him to dance and tried to keep his attention the whole time, but then he began to speak with King Kashu and I lost him to his desire to become a knight. So I came out here, ready to cry, feeling completely depressed. (she smiles) The only one who seemed to understand what I was going through was the one person I got along with the least. To my surprise he attempted to console me in his own gruff way. (another sigh) He would have loved to see this wedding.

Liara: You mean Ghim? The dwarf who died against Karla? (calling to mind the story that she had heard on the trip to the lake)

Deedlit: Yes. Well, come on they will be wondering where we have disappeared to. (she walks back inside)

Liara: (amazed) No wonder Parn loves her so much. (she also returns to the party)

The night continues with no interruption until King Kashu stands and signals for the musicians to halt their playing.

King Kashu: (holding up his hands) May I please have everyone's attention? (the room quiets as all eyes train on him) First, I wish to offer a toast to the two people that we honor with this celebration. (he raises his wine goblet) To Parn and Deedlit, may your lives together be long and happy! (a cheer goes up from the crowd) And the second thing, well I shall let it speak for itself.

The party continues and Princess Fiona graces the dance floor with King Kashu, along with as Parn and Deedlit. It is a rare mixture of human and elves, who very rarely intermix. And as the party ends, for the first time in a long while, Parn and his friends sleep with out the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Castle courtyard

Deedlit: Good morning.

King Tesan: (flatly) You haven't told him, have you?

Deedlit: (confusion) Told who what?

King Tesan: (flatly) The Dagroth Emblem. (Deedlit's face goes dark, and she turns from him) Why didn't you tell him?

Deedlit: (quietly) I wasn't planning to go.

King Tesan: (disappointed) I see. You would ignore centuries of tradition?

Deedlit: I will go after the wedding.

King Tesan: By then it will be too late, the spirits will not recognize your children.

Deedlit: But if our children are human?

King Tesan: They will still bear elfin blood, would you deny them this?

Deedlit: (hurt) no. It's just.... (she looks into her father's eyes, and behind his passive shield there is a glimmer of something else)

King Tesan: Tell him. This is a decision that shall affect you both. (as he turns to leave she realizes it, concern, not just for her but for Parn and their children)

The day fully awakens the castle as the early morning servants begin their daily chores. Parn is dressed in his father's armor, strolling in the gardens he holds out his new sword and inspects it. It has become a daily task for him. He recalls what happened when he returned to the castle with it.

<Flashback>

King Kashu: (holding the sword) It appears to be masterfully forged. Light, yet extremely strong. (he makes a slash with it)

Princess Fiona: And according to the story you told us, it possesses vast mystical powers as well.

Parn: Yes. The melding of the two swords seems to have made this one all the more powerful.

King Kashu: As such, it deserves a name befitting of it. Both of its predecessors, were used in the slaying of foul demons, and enemies, it is worthy of the name.........

<Reality>

Parn: (whispering) Demon Slayer. Hmp.(the name seemed a bit too melodramatic to him)

Deedlit: (she appears from behind a tree in the court yard) Parn?

Parn: (smiling when she sees her but is then troubled when he sees her expression) Yes Deed?

Deedlit: I have to leave. (she struggled with the words, she didn't want this)

Parn: Deed?

Deedlit: I have to leave, and just this once, please don't ask to follow.

Parn: (going to her, trying to take her hand, she pulls away) Deed, what is it? Where do you have to go? And why don't you want me to go with you?

Deedlit: (taking a few steps away from him) All living things are connected to the spirits of nature. Elves, especially high elves, are more strongly connected then humans are. We can speak to them in ways no human sorcerer can, we call on their power and they respond out of a bond that is established before we are even given life.

Parn: I....I don't get it. What does this have to do with you leaving?

Deedlit: At the northern shore of Lodoss, with in the ruling lands of Raidon, is a shrine. The shrine is located on Half Crest Mountain.

Parn: (confused) 'Half Crest Mountain'?

Deedlit: (she focuses past the castle walls to the north) When Lodoss split from Alacrast, there was a mountain that lay over the break. That mountain, was split into two parts. The legends that have been passed claim that when they split, the crest of a king that was carved in the rock was split in half. The spirits that exist on Lodoss long ago claimed a cave on the mount where, each generation of elves must go to pass on their high elf abilities to their children.

Parn: I see. How long is this journey?

Deedlit: (turning back to him) I'm not sure. But I have to go. I must prove to the spirits of the land that our children will be worthy of them.

Parn: (upset, but trying to hide it) Why don't you want me to go?

Deedlit: To prove that our children will be worthy of calling upon the spirits, I must wage a battle with them and win, then make my request at the Dagroth Emblem.

Parn: (force returning to his voice) I am going with you then. (Deedlit turns to him) This fight is not yours alone.

Deedlit: Parn you don't have to.....

Parn: (stepping up to her) Try and stop me.

Deedlit looks up at him and sees the strength and determination in his eyes. She buries her head into his chest, and a tear of joy appears at her eye. Parn wraps his arms around her. They take a horse and exit before the rest of the castle is awakened.

Deep in the castle dungeons, another figure stirs, Pirotess, locked away in the depths. The dark elf sleeps on a hard bench, when the door to her cell opens. She gets up and looks around outside. The guard is asleep and the castle guards are no where to be seen. The opportunity has arisen and Pirotess takes full advantage. As she races out of the castle by way of the walls, a dark presence watches.