LOGINShare
The Princess of the Shadows
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Propping herself on her elbow, Aelanor looked out to her sleeping companions. The horses were snoring peacefully in a makeshift stable, and Nimuel was curled up in a thick blanket; but Haz'th didn't seem to need one. He was sleeping on a pile of straws he had fashioned into a bed, and overrode all their objections saying that he is not able to feel the touch of dry grass, thereby, it didn't matter to him where he sleeps. Smiling slightly, Aelanor fell asleep in a comfortable sleep.
The crowing of the rooster woke Aelanor up. She could hear the cutlery clicking against the pots and pans, and the smell of fried egg wafting towards her and knew that Haz'th was already awake. She wondered how the rooster knew it was morning since there was no sun in the sky.
She wondered a while about the kid. He was the first and still the only humanoid they had met in this strange land, and the land itself was strange. According to Haz'th, people were scared of the ruler, but why would t
Related chapters
The Elven Princess Ally
A cold sweep of air passed through as the she-creature sat on the throne, looking down at the group, her face devoid of expressions. Wondering if any of it is a threat, Aelanor and Nimuel looked at each other. "We understand that, Princess," Haz'th addressed her. "Yes, we do," Aelanor looked at her, "and we can ship gold, or jewels, from our lands." "I have no use for gold, Princess Aelanor," Princess Saayan replied, her voice devoid of emotions. She looked at the trio in a appraising manner before continuing, "But I do need a personal favour." "But, we will come back to that later. First, tell me, Princess, what is it that you need, and have travelled all the way to this notorious land for?" Aelanor looked at Nimuel, who gave her a nod. "Princess, you must be well aware of the curse that is going on around the Immortal Lands, hurting and destroying the immortal beings." Princess Saayan nodded. "My own mothe
The Elven Princess The Ceremony
"I cannot take these, no!" Aelanor said, "And where did you even get these dresses from? I thought shadow creatures don't need clothes?""I am a vessel for the worlds- the reason why I can change into a solid being, like yourselves, or shadow at will- which, I was sure you would have guessed if you were as clever as you look, Princess."Aelanor had had enough. Curling the black dress into her fists and quite forgetting that she was a Princess, she threw the lot at Haz'th, who ducked."Aren't Elves supposed to be fast?" he laughed.Nimuel entered the cottage to find Haz'th dodging objects in the room with apparent ease, as Aelanor ran behind him like a bull shown red. As Haz'th reached Nimuel, she put a protective hand on him and pulled him behind her, as Aelanor tried to grab the kid out of her hold."Stand aside, Nimuel. This midget...""No, sister. Step back. He's a child," she pushed her gently, still laughing."This child is
The Elven Princess The Plan
”So, if I understand this correctly,” Saayan was saying, “this supposed sister of yours could be the carrier of maladies to the Palace, and your father closed the door to the outside to stop it from entering the Palace? It seems to me that common sense might not be your father’s strong suit.”Saayan was sitting on the dinner table with her guests just for company, but Aelanor noticed that she did seem to look at their food with something of a longing expression.“Mother believes that father was hoodwinked by Moraen’s magic, and that rendered his judgement erroneous,” she replied.“Yes, banishing his only daughter to face death all those years ago certainly seems like the judgement of a man in possession of his mental faculties," Nimuel scoffed.Aelanor shoot her a look, and Nimuel went on to concentrate on her bowl of beef stew, intending to whisper something to Haz'th. To her slight surprise, she saw Haz'th look at Saayan with something like anger, and perhaps sadness too. The latter
The Elven Princess Forward
Spoons hanging in air, the females at the table stayed still for a second, which seemed like an eternity to Aleanor. Even though everyone had already started feigning an indifference to the apparent fact that their new friend was the Princess' offspring, Aleanor felt that the slight moment that had passed between the two seemed indecent. She was unable to look at the child, though every inch of her being wanted to. And it was not about the fact that Haz'th seemed to be a bit resentful towards his mother, or even that she now knew what the wheelbarrow in front of his house was for. She just knew."So, what do you suppose our next stop should be? Should we continue towards the Misty Mountains of the Dream Isles, as my mother suggested?" Nimuel asked."I see no other alternative. I would visit the place, if I must." She sighed."What is wrong with the Misty Mountains? I thought it is a good place, my mother said that so," Nimuel asked."I am not sure how good the place is," the Princess
The Elven Princess Elgarest
A path of light shining above them, the crew started their journey to the mysterious land of Misty Mountains. Since Saayan and Haz'th could move without any physical fatigue, and Khoral and Nexus had rested well, so their journey forward was smoother than they could have hoped.After a few days journey, they came across a bend in the road that was enveloped with lush trees from all sides. The clearing was so thick that the base of the mountains was not visible until they had come close enough to climb them. The journey upward took a few more days, but their ration and energy still felt full.The Misty Mountains of the Dream Isles was unlike any other mountain they had ever seen. It was white, and the rocks on the mountains was entirely marble. It stood in contrast with the other mountains around it. After five days, they reached the capital city of Elgarest. It wasn't like the rest of the Dream Isles at all.A sprawling castle could be seen from about 2.5 km from outside the city itse
The Elven Princess The Helper of All
Pylaieus lead through a castle made entirely of blue ice, and Aelanor shuddered. She hated the cold winds in these high mountains, albeit it was considerably lesser than what one would expect at such height. There was some magic working in whole of the Dream Isles that kept the frozen water warm enough to walk even barefoot. The group made it to the Queen's chambers . The huge silver door opened to a ballroom, at the end of which were two giant claws of white ice, each two feet wide . And in between was a sparkling chandelier made of ice, with shards poking out every which way. Beneath the chandelier that was entirely made of icicles, was Queen Elektra. The Queen's azure eyes travelled over to the group, and her lips relaxed into a smile. She got up from her throne and approached the party. She was draped in a periwinkle dress; her silver hair flowing behind her and radiating an unearthly glow. Her pale skin looked translucent in the bright lights of the court. She held out a h
The Elven Princess Betrayal
The adornments around the icy hall took away the breath of every creature that beheld it. Towering blue icicles running down from the ceiling to the floor giving off a bright golden glow constituted the numerous pillars inside. The hall didn't look anything like its name- it was essentially a cave. Silver, blue and white- uneven walls and passages made it eerily charming and almost too easy to get lost inside the giant hall. There were thousands of stalagmites and stalactites around the hall, and the guests had to keep a very sure feet to make sure they didn't stumble on any of them.It was a relief when the chief part of the hall came into view. It was a stretch of sparkling blue ice, with tables and chairs made of same. The dishes too were made of ice, but the food was not cold, nor were anything else. A wall of blue satin waterfall poured forth from the wall of a cave at the far end of the hall. The lights bouncing off it looked like silver silk threads embedded.Elektra was standi
The Elven Princess The Cave
Elektra was crouching beside the Shaman, trying to terminate the flow of his soul or something from his body with her fingers. Her face was turned away from the group, for whom the world had stopped moving. Their eyes were on the immobile form of the child, small in death. Somewhere, Nimuel was gasping for breathe, her voice struggling to find a scream that should eventually rise the dead. Saayan was whispering something, something in the language of the Shadow Realm, and Aelanor could not make out anything. There was some sort of cushion being pushed over the eardrums of her ear, and the world around her was trying to fade. However, her objective was clear: to clear out of the Nightmare's Isles without any further casualty. One look at Nimuel and Aelanor ran towards her. "You bitc-" Nimuel's words were muffled as Aelanor's palms covered her mouth and dragged her away. "Aelanor-" "Shh, Nimuel, listen-" "Aelanor, Haz'th-" Nimuel's eyes sparkled with tears and hatred for the witch,
Latest chapter
The Elven Princess The Utopia
Aelanor's eyes opened with the clamour of bustling businesses coming from the open window. Her companions slept through the din, except Saayan who was nowhere to be seen around the room. She walked up to the window and looked down. Her homeland might be called Utopia, but as she looked down at the cobbled street with all kinds of races, haggling and laughing and helping each other carry weights of marine life from the ships, she realised that the real utopia was here. Here, every creature was welcome. No one was looked down upon by others- except that female orc in the tavern- she thought resentfully. Here, creatures would not fight for power, and here, no one would be banished by their fathers for the supposed crime of falling in love with someone of another race.Aelanor looked at her sleeping companions. She didn't want to wake them up. She knew they all have been tortured in their nightly visions, possibly even Saayan, who, Aelanor didn't know, could sleep or not. Barely making an
The Elven Princess The Mug and the Mead
The after effects of the food made all of them a little lethargic, and they pressed a few coins in the hand of the barkeep to save a room for the four of them for the night. The sun was still on the horizon, and the grief and shock of the day was on them, each lost in their thoughts, so sleep was out of question. Not even consulting each other about their next move, they exited the tavern, and the bell tinkled again over the sign, "The Mug and The Mead".Their feet carried them towards the beautiful scenery in front of them. The sun's warm orange glow cast a gentle light upon the bustling dockside. Boats and ships of all sizes bobbed gently in the water, their sails and rigging a tangled web of ropes and canvas. Barrows and carts, laden with an abundance of fruits, ales and wines, and exotic spices, rumbled across the worn wooden planks, as merchants and traders hurried to secure their daily hauls. The air was thick with the sweet scent of fresh fruit and the sound of laughter and ha
The Elven Princess The Golden Barrows
"Where are we headed?" Nimuel asked as the phoenixes finally seemed to lose elevation after hours."The Golden Barrows," Pylaeius told her."What creatures live there?" Aelanor asked."All of them," Aidan said from the front, "all the creatures in the Golden Barrows live together in harmony.""Together? This has to be a sham. Creatures cannot live together; there would be fight for power and survival. Most likely this place is in chaos." Aelanor remarked."You are talking about our home," Surya said, stung. "As for chaos," Seraphim's feet touched down the cobbled streets and Aelanor landed beside him, hard, "see for yourself."Aelanor and Nimuel's face showed nothing but awe. The street in front of them was in chaos, yet it couldn't have been farther than what Aelanor had imagined this place to be. Multiple storied houses with thatched roofs stood on the sides of the street they walked, with flowers and bushes all over the doors and windows. Vendors pushed carts and barrows of apples
The Elven Princess Escape
Pylaieus moved silently towards the panel, and Aleanor followed. She could see carvings on the panel, but they were not in any language she understood. Pylaieus however, traced them with his fingers, and seemed to glean something. He stopped, head downcast, and then looked up and shaked his head slightly, as if to shake a fly away. He turned to Aelanor. "We were taught of a poem as a pledge when we joined the ranks of Dream Isles Guard. It was not, however, the usual kind of pledge, that I had believed. The inscription here," he motioned to the panel, "proclaims that the final call for the life as we know it is in the answer to the defense of the same.""Pylaieus..." Nimuel began with a apologetic tone, but Pylaieus held out of hand to stop her. "I am going to recite it now. I have never really understood the meaning, so you should take an attempt.As I spread my wings to the widening chasm belowWith the crimson and maroon plumage scattering low,It burst forth, and molten gold ope
The Elven Princess Pylaieus
Nimuel shrieked. Saayan went silent. And Aelanor moved faster than the speed of light. She reached behind Nimuel and broke off the head of an icicle and drew it against the intruder."Your endeavor is futile, Princess, for I cannot be harmed by a shard of ice."Pylaieus moved slowly towards them, blue lights falling on his bare skin like thousands of bioluminescent planktons in water at night. His gait was steady, and so was his piercing gaze, that held the trio in a dead lifelessness.""I am warning you, Centaur..." Aelanor took an unsteady step towards him."The name is Pylaieus, and you will do well to remember that.""Pylaieus, listen, it is not what you think," Nimuel said."It is precisely what I think, and understand, Lady Saeltheriel. There is no use trying to deceive me. You are trying to destroy the Kingdom, and take down Elektra with it. But you have no path forward, none at all, getting out of here." Pylaieus said."Then do what you must," Aelanor roared, "and we will figh
The Elven Princess The Cave
Elektra was crouching beside the Shaman, trying to terminate the flow of his soul or something from his body with her fingers. Her face was turned away from the group, for whom the world had stopped moving. Their eyes were on the immobile form of the child, small in death. Somewhere, Nimuel was gasping for breathe, her voice struggling to find a scream that should eventually rise the dead. Saayan was whispering something, something in the language of the Shadow Realm, and Aelanor could not make out anything. There was some sort of cushion being pushed over the eardrums of her ear, and the world around her was trying to fade. However, her objective was clear: to clear out of the Nightmare's Isles without any further casualty. One look at Nimuel and Aelanor ran towards her. "You bitc-" Nimuel's words were muffled as Aelanor's palms covered her mouth and dragged her away. "Aelanor-" "Shh, Nimuel, listen-" "Aelanor, Haz'th-" Nimuel's eyes sparkled with tears and hatred for the witch,
The Elven Princess Betrayal
The adornments around the icy hall took away the breath of every creature that beheld it. Towering blue icicles running down from the ceiling to the floor giving off a bright golden glow constituted the numerous pillars inside. The hall didn't look anything like its name- it was essentially a cave. Silver, blue and white- uneven walls and passages made it eerily charming and almost too easy to get lost inside the giant hall. There were thousands of stalagmites and stalactites around the hall, and the guests had to keep a very sure feet to make sure they didn't stumble on any of them.It was a relief when the chief part of the hall came into view. It was a stretch of sparkling blue ice, with tables and chairs made of same. The dishes too were made of ice, but the food was not cold, nor were anything else. A wall of blue satin waterfall poured forth from the wall of a cave at the far end of the hall. The lights bouncing off it looked like silver silk threads embedded.Elektra was standi
The Elven Princess The Helper of All
Pylaieus lead through a castle made entirely of blue ice, and Aelanor shuddered. She hated the cold winds in these high mountains, albeit it was considerably lesser than what one would expect at such height. There was some magic working in whole of the Dream Isles that kept the frozen water warm enough to walk even barefoot. The group made it to the Queen's chambers . The huge silver door opened to a ballroom, at the end of which were two giant claws of white ice, each two feet wide . And in between was a sparkling chandelier made of ice, with shards poking out every which way. Beneath the chandelier that was entirely made of icicles, was Queen Elektra. The Queen's azure eyes travelled over to the group, and her lips relaxed into a smile. She got up from her throne and approached the party. She was draped in a periwinkle dress; her silver hair flowing behind her and radiating an unearthly glow. Her pale skin looked translucent in the bright lights of the court. She held out a h
The Elven Princess Elgarest
A path of light shining above them, the crew started their journey to the mysterious land of Misty Mountains. Since Saayan and Haz'th could move without any physical fatigue, and Khoral and Nexus had rested well, so their journey forward was smoother than they could have hoped.After a few days journey, they came across a bend in the road that was enveloped with lush trees from all sides. The clearing was so thick that the base of the mountains was not visible until they had come close enough to climb them. The journey upward took a few more days, but their ration and energy still felt full.The Misty Mountains of the Dream Isles was unlike any other mountain they had ever seen. It was white, and the rocks on the mountains was entirely marble. It stood in contrast with the other mountains around it. After five days, they reached the capital city of Elgarest. It wasn't like the rest of the Dream Isles at all.A sprawling castle could be seen from about 2.5 km from outside the city itse
