Elvish history: PLEASE REVIEW!

[Lodoss]

Well, not exactly, more of a back story.

Part one - Origins
Calurin looked out at the devastation that had been wreaked on his home, a tear sliding down his cheek. A lone figure stood in the middle of it all, her blonde hair flowing with the wind. She turned to face him, a strange look on her face.
“Nienna…” he whispered, breath catching in his throat.

“I watched them die, Calurin,” she said, her voice unwavering. “I watched them die and did nothing.”
Calurin ran to her, and held her close.
“This is not your fault,” he said, stroking her hair.
“I…was afraid for myself, and for you…I couldn’t let them hurt you…”
“I’m fine, Nienna, there was nothing to worry about.”
“I made sure…”

Releasing her, Calurin took a step back, examining his wife.
“Nienna, what are you talking about?”
“They came for you…I couldn’t let them get to you.”
“Who did? The Princes?”
Nienna nodded, gesturing to the bodies around her. Calurin’s eyes widened as she continued.
“Their guards attacked, but Tarin stopped them. The army came…and they…they killed everyone…”
“Tarin? Where is he?”
Nienna pointed over by the well to a bleeding man.

Calurin rushed over, taking out his waterskin to clear his wounds. The man looked at him weakly.
“Cal…” he groaned, blood seeping from his lips. “You’re alive…”
“I’m fine, Nienna told me what happened. We have to get you to a Cleric.”
“No, I’m beyond saving…what did that witch tell you?”
“About the Princes, they came to take me…”
“They came, but not to take you…they…came for the harvest. Nienna never agreed with them on that. Wouldn’t let them take it…said it was repayment for Celundir…”
Calurin winced at the name of his son. “Said it wasn’t far to take so much…They…went to get it anyway…and she killed them…”
“Where did she get that kind of power?” Calurin gasped, “None of us have the power to kill one Prince, let alone all of them!”
“Said…something about…a demon…vengeance for…Cel…undir…” Tarin’s last breath rolled out of his mouth, staining Calurin’s thoughts.

He turned to Nienna, who had wandered off. He found her near their old home, cradling a small child.
“Nienna,” he whispered, feeling slightly afraid. She looked at him with blank eyes.
“Look Calurin,” she said in a strange monotone. “Look what he gave to me.”
“Who? You have to tell me.”
“Tzaron…the earth demon. He promised me, and he did it.”
“You…made a deal…with a demon?!”
“After Celundir…I couldn’t carry on…I needed a child!” she cried, her eyes going wide. “Our child Calurin, we can raise her together!”
“That is not my child! And you are not my wife! You are not the woman I fell in love with, you are someone…something else…”

A flicker of red appeared in Nienna’s eyes for a moment, but did nothing. Instead, she looked at the child.
“You didn’t close the circle, did you?” Calurin asked, his face falling.
“I tried,” she said, frowning. “I couldn’t. He wouldn’t let me.”
Calurin’s expression changed from upset to one of anger.
“You fool!” he cried, taking her arms and shaking her. “You’re not strong enough to control a demon like that!”
“You’re wrong! I can do anything I like! You’re pathetic, you don’t know my limits!”
Calurin’s eyes softened.
“You’re right…here, let me hold the child. If I am to raise her, I would like to give her a name.”
Nienna looked apprehensive for a moment, before handing him the bundle in her arms. Calurin looked at the floor for a moment.
“Nienna…” he said sadly,” I love you…” with that, he plunged his sword into her chest. Her face fell, her body wracked with pain.
“I…love you too…”

---

AN: Well, that took a while to write, and I'm still not entirely happy with the way some of the emotions ended up being portrayed, but this will do for now. I've no idea when part two will be coming, but that's not important. In part two, I'll explain further about Celundir and maybe even Tzaron. Or I could confuse you completely and put parts up in no particualr order. Which, to be honest is more likely.

[Lodoss]

I don't normally condone double posting, but I decided it'll be alright in fiction if a story or part hasn't been reviewed. Hint. Details about the part below. Sorry for the length, it was a brain spew. But look, Tári's vulnerable! lol

---

A little elven girl followed her father around the village like a lost puppy.
"Where are we going?" she asked, trying to keep up with his stride.
"I told you earlier, Tári, I have to see...what they brought back," he replied, frowning and taking her hand.
"Is it scary?"
"No," he said, although there was a visible glint of fear in his eye.

Deciding not to press the matter any further, Tári continued to follow her father until they reached a group of guards.
"Is he up there?" Calurin asked, pointing up the hill. A guard nodded.
"Caged as you requested, sir."

After thanking the man, the elder turned to the young child.
"I want you to go home now, Tári, alright?"
"But I want to see!"
"No. Be told. Go home and wait for me there, I have business to do."
Scowling, the little girl said nothing. Her father smiled.
"Good girl. Head back and when I return, I'll tell you what's up there."
She nodded, and he began the ascent.

Tári looked at the guards, who smiled at her.
"Don't look at me like that!" she cried. I'm not a kid.
Annoyed, she turned and headed for home. When out of the guards' sight, she looked around and set about trying to find a way to get up the hill unnoticed. Spying a section that was unguarded, she checked she was not being watched and snuck up the hill. What is it that has everyone in such a fluster? she wondered. Father said it wasn't scary, I don't think he was telling the truth.

Once a the top, she crouched behind a rock. A woven cage sat in the middle of a circle, surrounded by a circle of stones seats. All of the elders were present, something had to be wrong.
"He was found by the well," a particularly old elf stated, gesturing at the cage. "He was trying to pull the bucket up when he was spotted and brought here."
Calurin gave a nod and walked over to the makeshift prison.
"Who sent you here?" he asked, leaning forward.
"No-one," a voice replied, as the cage's occupant stood. Standing, the person was just over half of Calurin's height.

Being as quiet as possible, Tári edged closer, hiding in a long patch of grass. The elders' attention was on the cage, and she probably wouldn't have been seen had she wished to get closer, but she was in no mood to be shouted at when her father returned home. He had been stern with her before, not that it had made much difference. She was a stubborn child and did as she pleased. Calurin had seldom stopped her, and when he did, he would shout and that would be the end of it. He made very little effort as a parent, and as a result would never win their arguments. He would begin sentences and never finish them.

Calurin waved a hand at the other elders.
"I wish to speak with him alone," he said. Looks of shock spread through the circle.
"Do you think that wise?"
"I am your leader, I know what I am doing. Please, leave."
The others bowed and filed off. Calurin said nothing further until they had all left. Tári crept still closer, now that most of the danger had subsided. She knelt behind one of the stone chairs and peered around it at the cage, able to see its captive for the first time. Her breath caught in her throat. It was a boy, not much older than himself. He was of elven blood, that much was sure, but his skin had a grey tinge to it, and his eyes were a deep crimson. His dark hair seemed to have a life of its own, sticking up on end despite its length. He smiled at her, and she dodged back behind the chair, hoping her father had not seen it.

"What are you doing here?" Calurin asked the child. Apparantly, he had not noticed.
"I needed water," was the simple reply.
"Do not lie to me, who sent you?"
"I told you, I came of my own accord. I don't need anyone to tell me what to do."
"You expect me to believe you have no supervision at your age?"
"Believe what you want, I know for myself."
"Where are your parents?"
"Dead. Father killed mother, your people killed father because of the colour of his skin. He was Drow."
"The colour of skin has nothing to do with his death, I assure you. If we killed because of that, you yourself would now be dead."
"Fine. He was killed by your people because he was not given a chance."
"He killed your mother! You said so yourself. He was evil!"
"Then those who killed him are evil, are they to be killed too?"
Calurin's fist shook.
"Bah!" he cried, turning quickly and leaving, his robes flowing in his wake.

The boy returned his attention to Tári.
"You can come out, he's gone," he said, sitting back down.
Reluctantly, the young girl stood and approached the cage, stopping a few meters from it.
"What's the matter, are you scared too?"
"Father says the Drow are evil, and I shouldn't talk to them," she replied, feigning innocence.
"Ah, I see. Do you always do what your father tells you?" he asked, smirking. Tári shook her head and took a few steps forward. His smirk faded slightly. "I'm only part Drow, so I can't be all evil, can I? Besides, if I was going to hurt you, I would have done it already. What's your name?"
"Táriana. But my friends call me Tári."
"Tári? Well, nice to meet you, my name is Glaedr, half Drow, half Light-Elf." Tári opened her mouth, but was silenced when he spoke. "It's best not to ask."
"Why are you locked up?"
"They're scared of me. They've never seen a half breed before. They think I'll kill everyone given the chance."
"Would you? You have the motive. They locked you up for no reason."
"Perhaps you are too trusting," he said, grabbing her arm and pulling her up to the bars of his prison. "Perhaps I will kill everyone, starting with you. Give me one good reason not to kill you right now."
"You are clearly exausted, and have no weapon. In killing me, you would probably kill yourself."
"You are smarter than you look," he said, not letting go. "But, that doesn't mean I'll let go. No offence, but you don't look very strong, and you'd probably make a decent hostage. You might just be my ticket out of here."
"I'm-"
"Studying Wizardry, yes, I know, I could tell just by looking at you. Trust me, this cage allows no magic use insde, and, well, seeing as I have your arm, you won't be doing anything, will you?"
"You're smarter than you look." Glaedr inclined his head.
"Thank you. Do you have any water? I was on my way to get some when I was taken here."
Tári handed him her waterskin with her free hand. He grabbed the arm as soon as it was near the bars.
"On second thoughts, maybe you aren't so bright after all."
Tári scowled and tried to free herself from his grip. "Let me go!" she warned.
"Or what? You'll shout me to death? I know as well as you do that you shouldn't be here, otherwise you wouldn't have been hiding. Shouting at me probably wouldn't be a good idea."

Tári sighed in defeat and relaxed her arms.
"My father won't be impressed."
"I don't doubt it."
"Good."
After an hour of glaring at each other, Glaedr released his grip, his expression not changing. Tári rubbed her sore wristes and got to her feet. Glaedr laughed.
"You shouldn't get distracted when trying to stare someone down. It might cost you your life one day."
Shaking her head. Tári started for home, knowing a lecture would be waiting for her.
"Thanks for the water!" Glaedr shouted after her. "Feel free to bring me some more

---

I've wanted to write this scene for a while, so I did, regardless of the last part. I will be writing more about Nienna and Celundir, maybe even Tarin at some point, but I just think Glaedr is such an awesome character. I've put up a few details about him in Tári's post, along with a picture. It anyone wants to play him in the RP, pm, email or IM me and I'll send you his profile and pic I'm that nice. And just so you know, the elves are probably right to be scared of him.

[Lodoss]

Jeez, this has been a long time coming…Still, it’s here now, and as usual, you’ll get a proper rant at the end.

---

Part Three
“Uncertainty is like opening your eyes in the dark, you see nothing. You reach out blindly in the hope that you will find what you’re looking for, the answer to your question.”
“Answers are not something that you can grasp, to find them, you have to think logically.”
Glaedr laughed.
“And is this always possible, Tári? Think about it. If, for instance, your mother died, you would be uncertain of where to turn next. You would not be able to think logically. That is what uncertainty is, it strips you of logical thought.”
“My mother is already dead, I never knew her,” Tári said, looking away. Glaedr smirked while she wasn’t looking. Letting out a feigned sigh of sympathy, he reached out and took her chin, turning her face to him.
“We are the same. Perhaps it is time I told you of my religion, the teachings may bring you comfort in times of need.” The Cleric sat on the rough floor of his cage, and gestured for her to do the same. “When a person dies, it is not the end, merely a stepping stone to a higher level. I do not speak of a place in the sky where you remain for eternity, merely the next step to your rightful place. Think of it as another life, filled with the same kinds of tests as this one. You prove yourself to the Lord, and you are taken up, each level of existence better than the last. Eventually, you reach the place where you want to stay, or you cannot go any further. Either way, you go where you need to go.”
“It sounds very nice. Not very befitting of someone who enjoys killing.”
“Quite the contrary, my friend, I see it as helping people on their way to the next level. It is me doing my part.”
“I would prefer helping a deity to be less macabre.”
“A common view amongst surfacers.”
“This is coming from a drow who has never been to the Underdark.”
“That is neither here nor there; I simply have not had the time. Father was banished, and I was captured before I could track down an entrance.”
“Even I know where the nearest entrance is, Imaste.”
“You were not raised in the woods with fear for your life.”

The two fell silent for a while.
“Has anything developed in the main city?” Glaedr eventually said. Tári shook her head.
“More and more are flocking here. Father says the more people we have, the better we will be to defend ourselves. I don’t agree with him, most of them are weak, easy targets. They wouldn’t be able to last five minutes in serious combat.”
“Neither would you. You rely too much on your arcane power, all else you have to protect yourself is a stick!”
“My choice of weapon is not your concern.”
“Ah, I suppose you’re right. But still, what would you do if you ran out of prepared spells in a battle? Run? Hit them with your stick? Or have that obnoxious dragon of yours eat them?”
Tári laughed and waved a hand.
“I would call for you, of course.”
“While I’m locked up? I’m sure that would do you a lot of good, what would I do, breathe in their general direction until they died?”
"Your breath is bad enough!" Tári laughed, standing.
"Come now, I'm barely given enough to eat and you expect me to be clean? No, they throw a bucket of water on me once a month, and that does them."
"No wonder you always smell so...wonderful," she giggled nervously, seeing his glare. She put up a hand in defence, lowering it when he let out a wide grin.
"Don't take things so seriously, I can't get you remember. Or am I really that intimidating?" he asked, standing to his full height and pushing his shoulders back. Tári laughed.
"Oh yes, you're so intimidating being the same height as I am. If you were let out, you'd get laughed at for being short. I get it myself sometimes."
"Then it's good for the laughers that I'm not. And besides, I can't help being what I am. Drow males are shorter than the females..."
"And weaker, and..I'll...stop now."
"Good surfacer," Glaedr said, patting her on the head and laughing. "See, you know I can't get to you and you're still terrified.
“If I was, would I be here?”
“Ah, but you’re on the other side of the bars.”
“Well…it’s nice to see that you’ve still got your sense of humour after all this time.”
“If I couldn’t laugh at my situation, I would’ve gone insane. Or left.”
“You can’t leave, you’re locked up.”
“You really think I’m here because I can’t get out. Believe me, I found a way out years ago. I just chose not to use it.”
“I don’t believe you, that thing is practically air proof there’s that many spells on it.”

Glaedr smirked and muttered a word, appearing next to Tári, making her jump.
“Wha…? How did you do that? And not to mention, why didn’t you tell me?”
“Easy,” he replied, and whispered an incantation in her ear. “You might want to remember that if you’re ever stuck somewhere. I read it in one of those books you gave me. Didn’t you even read it yourself?”
“Not all of them…I prefer to read the legends rather than that kind of thing.”
“Well, you’d best get reading them, because when the time comes, I doubt you’ll be able to ward off an attack with a story.” He pulled her into a headlock and laughed as she struggled. “See. Defenseless.”
“Alright, alright, you’ve proved your point.”
“Good. But still. If you’re ever stuck so badly that you’re, I don’t know, about to die, I’ll come help you. I can’t say I’ll be there on time though,” he said, laughing as he received a playful hit to the stomach. “Seriously, I would help you. And if I died first, I’d wait for you. Until a better offer came along.”
“A better offer of what?” Tári laughed and finally pried herself free of his grip.

Glaedr laughed and grabbed her chin, pulling her in for a deep kiss.
“Clear enough now?”
“Still a little fuzzy…care to try again?”

---

Well, that was that. I wasn't going to let that ending stay there, but I decided, why not? Tári needs some WAFF in her life, seeing as she's now gone and done something she'll probably regret. And this also makes sense of why she's so damn pissed at the moment. So there.

[Lodoss]

Part Three…or is it four? *looks up* Four, Part Four
Tári yawned and snapped the book she was reading shut. Extinguishing the lamps with the flick of her hand, she changed into a nightdress and flopped onto her bed. A clatter in her room made her sit upright and bang her head against the intruder’s own.
“Galdor?” she asked curiously.
“Who?”
“Oh…Glaedr.”
“Exactly how many males know where your room is?”
“Only you.”
“Then…ah, never mind,” Glaedr said, smiling and kissing her in greeting.
“What are you doing here? If they go to check on you…”
“I left a projection, it’s fine.”
“But, my father is-“
“-out. Council night, remember?”
“Oh, yes, I forgot.”
“Why are you here then?”
“Because I want to be. I got bored on my own, so I thought I’d come and see you.”
“And try to get something more?”
“Never crossed my mind. But now you mention it…” The Drow smiled and kissed her again, and she obliged, but broke off after a moment.
“Seriously though, my father could be back at any moment.”
“Stop worrying, it’ll be fine.” Glaedr kissed her neck, and Tári felt herself being taken where only her dreams had taken her before. Smiling, she forgot her cares and kissed her lover, their tongues soon locked in a fierce battle, hands exploring each other. Glaedr interrupted the kiss for a moment, pausing for the air they both needed and pulled his shirt over his head, discarding it.

[scene censored. So nyer. Feel free to post your own version of what happened.]

“Your-“
“I don’t care about that either. He can think what he wants.”
“But…”
“You’re the one that’s always saying how I shouldn’t care what other people think about me.”
“True. I suppose you’re right. Still, I’d rather not face him when he finds out.”
“We’ll leave then. Tomorrow, as soon as it gets dark. We’ll go together, like we talked about.”
Glaedr nodded, smiling.
“Yeah, I like that idea.”

The next day, three strangers came to Ellyria and changed things forever.

---

A/N: Weell…that was certainly interesting to write, seeing as I did actually write that censored part, but it broke the rules, so no post…ah, what a shame. It’ll probably never surface. Ever. So don’t ask. NYEA! Wow...this chapter borders on sensible length! z0mg! *Universe breaks* Crap...eh, it was longer with the...er...'outtake'.