It'd been so long. She could barely remember what the city was like before. Only snippets of scenes were conjured up when she recognized certain landmarks. Smelled certain aromas. Heard familiar sounds. She remembered the uncomfortable feeling of it. The rushing. Urgency. Business. Their short lives seemed to force them into a state of perpetual motion. Stopping only to sleep and eat.
Rivenguard slowly passed by like moving pictures through the carriage window. Organized chaos. Mixed structures of wooden and brick buildings. Thatched or slated rooves. Double or triple stories. It was apparent that structures had duel purposes. Business and residences. Sometimes there were sidewalks, sometimes doors led straight into the street. Placards hung above doors to display what business was inside. The busiest were the Inns. Humans seemed to congregate outside their doors. Some were happily chatting. Others smoking pipes. A rare few with hands held out or hats cupped in their palms were obviously begging. Some obliged and tossed a coin at them. Every so often, they'd pass a vendor yelling out their wares for sale.
The consistent, muffled pattern of hooves hitting the asphalt paved streets was slightly aggregating. She much preferred quiet of jaguar pulled carriages. The sound just added to the feeling of congestion. It made her look forward to isolating herself in their guest quarters when they reached the castle. The addition of rushing water had her sitting up to get a better look. Deep canals where beginning to appear. They cut through and under streets. Their waters were murky and muddy. She knew they were close to their destination. In eagerness she kept an eye out for the moat.
“I have not seen one plant, Gledora.” She sighed in her native language.
Her handmaid shifted in her periphery. She glanced over to look at her. Long drawn out ears perked as her glowing white eyes peered out the window. Slender pointed face was both sharp and serious. Deeply saturated purple hair cut short echoed of her military days. It stopped at her chin and sharply angled up to the back of her head in clean cut. Her grayish formal robes fit tastefully over her curves. Stiff, high collar made her neck look shorter than it actually was. The wide sash that wrapped around her upper waist nearly matched her hair color. Secured beneath it was her dagger. The hilt of it peeking out. She knew it's twin was on other side of her ribs.
“I have been told humans prefer to cultivate outside city limits. They are not prone to natural aesthetics,” She flatly commented, “I doubt it will be the same within the castle walls.”
“All I can remember of the castle on my last visit was the courtyard. It left much to be desired.”
“Times have changed, L'Lea. Already I see a marked difference from our last visit.”
“I wish I could recall.”
“I would not expect you too. The War of Great Divide was all consuming for you.”
She felt a reminiscent tingle of stress under her sternum.
“This is true. Those visions are difficult to forget,” She went back to looking out the window, “There is another war coming, I can already sense it.”
“We shall see.”
“The Lesser Seers have been disturbed. From what little they can grasp, it has given them a grave impression.”
“Do you suppose it will be with the Duro Clan once again?”
Her shoulders sunk as she let out a thoughtful sigh.
“With whom else could it be? Truces and peace never last. There is always restless ambition that grows beneath our feet.”
“So history repeats itself.” Gledora grunted.
“Indeed.” She softly replied.
The moat appeared. Even with the water's brownish color, the crests of it's rippling caught the afternoon sun. Change in the sound underneath the carriage wheels told her they were going over a wooden bridge. The view as they crossed was repeatedly blocked by more carriages heading in the opposite direction. She could barely make out the decorative iron work that lined the bridge's brick walls. Another change of ambiance and a slight bump.
They slowed down to a crawl. She could only guess that they were waiting inline to disembark. Leaning backwards she rested her head on the leather back rest. Closing her eyes she willed herself to be patient. Three days of traveling in the a confined space of a carriage made her feel like there was compounded energy in her bones. She much preferred the openness of the ship that had ferried them to the continent. At least she could stretch her legs whenever she so pleased.
“See if it is unremarkable now.” Gledora's voice was pleasantly amused.
She flashed open her eyes. Gledora's straight smile was running across her face. With a quick scoot forward on her seat, she looked out the window once again. The view brought a lightness to her mood. A large circular and shallow pool lay at the center of the courtyard. The white marble made the water was crystal clear. A dancing fountain reflected the sun like dancing sparkles. Beyond the cobble stone walkway that encompassed the fountain, sprung a wall of foliage. Trees, flowers, shrubs, vines, herbs. It was all molded together in a fashion of tamed wildness. The fall colors were warming the branches. It was as if the sunset itself had painted the colors on the leaves. She drank in all the beautiful hues.
“It is beautiful!” She gasped.
Gledora let out a chuckle of satisfaction.
At last, a tiny jerk, and they pulled to a stop. Gledora shifted to the door. It clicked open. A human butler held out his hand. Gledora took it with a nod and a smile. She watched her step out. The hand reappeared, and she took her turn. Being precise with her footing, she stepped down. Happy smile of the butler had her smiling back. At last she felt relaxed. Legs fully extended, she looked around her. Their carriage was already being unloaded. From each one on either side, members of the royal Elven family were disembarking. Just a glimpse across the courtyard and she could see Nissé arriving as well.
Their tiny statures put most only just above her knee caps. Scraggly bodies reminded her of twiggy saplings. Long arms, spindly fingers, and hooked noses. Their pointed ears imitated her Elven ones. Skin tones and hair came in as much variety as Human's. Faces were exceptionally sweet and jolly. Very rarely had she seen one frown. The males were all dressed in either twill or pinstriped suites. Females in ruffled lacy dresses and silk gloves. For being so small, they all looked highly sophisticated.
“Please follow me, Elder Willowheart…”
The butler's warm voice speaking to her in Proto re-centered her focus.
“…Rivenguard royalty has arranged a personal greeting for you. The Princes are eager to receive you”
She sweetened her smile for him.
“Of course. Please lead the way, Good sir,” She responded in his native tongue.
He released her hand. He turned and started towards an archway. Both she and Gledora fell in step behind him. Her brain tickled with faint memories of the welcome hall. She didn't remember it being as grand as it was now. It was wide, almost enough to be a ballroom. Glorious looking statues lined the walls. It impressed grandeur on her from either side. They were of past kings. Stoic faces and powerful poses. Flags of each Human Providence hung from an arched ceiling. Their colors and symbols were bold. At the very end hung the largest Flag of all. A golden crest symbolizing the human Kingdom on a Midnight blue back drop. The long carpet of the same color had gold tassels at it edges. At the very end of it stood two men. She immediately knew they were royalty. Their semi-formal clothing had them in stark contrast from those around them. Hussar jackets buttoned half way to reveal cotton shirts. Pressed breeches and riding boots.
The Princes looked nothing alike. The only similar trait they shared was clean shaven jaws, handsome faces, and near matching attire. The taller of two was exceptionally masculine. His frame was almost triangular. Broad shoulders above a slimming waist line to square hips. His short, wavy, dirty blonde hair was swept back and to the side. Emerald eyes were flicking on a square face with a strong jawline. His had a gentle smile as he spoke to his brother. Light skin was obviously darkened by exposure to the sun.
The shorter of the two had a smile playfully dancing on his lips. He almost looked mischievous. He immediately reminded her of King Tovlo and Prince Thaddeus. Having seen them in passing through the palace on rare occasions, there was no mistaking his heritage. She supposed the taller brother took after their mother. Having never set eyes on the reclusive Queen, that was her best guesstimate. His lighter features made him the odd one out.
As they approached, the young men both straightened and stood at attention. She watched their eyes travel between her and Gledora. The taller one's gaze seemed to be analyzing. The other's was flicking and bright. Stopping an arms length way, they both bowed. They both curtsied back. The tallest reached out and took her hand. She offered him a sweet smile. He gently smiled back as he bowed low again.
“Welcome to Rivenguard, Elder L'Lea Willowheart. I'm Prince John. My father and older brother send their apologizes. They regret being unable to personally greet you. In their stead, I will say it is an honor to meet you.” His voice was rich and had an air of comfort to it.
She nodded as he kissed her knuckles.
A snap and warping time. She was sucked into another world.