The book in many parts was indeed sad, since back then, there were many tribes of Lost Elves scattered around everywhere, and due to the fact that the remnants of the few tribes left came together to form one tribe, many old and sacred traditions could not be completed, like the gathering, where many of the strongest tribes would form together to become stronger, and reunite with other tribes. It was like a large family gathering from all corners of the planet. He hated reading about the purge, and how many tribes and secrets were lost to time. There were so many more things he wanted to know, but the information was limited, and only helped so much. "There were moments in the books that were hard to read, mainly because of how ruthless and full of hate the people seemed to be when it came to my kind..."
GM
Anastasia looked at him as he spoke, saying it was hard to read a points. She could only imagine that it would be. She felt like it would be hard for her to read, despite the fact that she wasn't even part of the Lost Elves race. She couldn't even start to think how it would feel to know you are part of this race that is dying out. After a bit of time, she smiled at him, "Well, I'm sorry for my kind... That they ever thought that it was the right thing to do."
She looked up at Eric as he came into the room and placed food in front of them. She wondered if he had seen them come in, since neither of them had gone to him to request food. She thanked him and lifted her fork, prodding the food slightly, "It is a shame... That people thought it was okay to do that... I mean... You may be different," she glanced at him, "A good foot different," she smiled, pointing out the drastic height difference between the two of them, "But that doesn't give either of us the right to mistreat each other. Just like the royals and lords and ladies have no right to mistreat those poorer and worse of than them."
She started to eat her food, "This book irritates me though... It calls anyone who doesn't have some kind of title commonfolk," She smirked at him, remembering how just the other day he had used the same term, "They teach you how to rule well... but it treats seventy five percent of the population like pawns in a chess game. In the end... Only the king matters..."
She looked up at Eric as he came into the room and placed food in front of them. She wondered if he had seen them come in, since neither of them had gone to him to request food. She thanked him and lifted her fork, prodding the food slightly, "It is a shame... That people thought it was okay to do that... I mean... You may be different," she glanced at him, "A good foot different," she smiled, pointing out the drastic height difference between the two of them, "But that doesn't give either of us the right to mistreat each other. Just like the royals and lords and ladies have no right to mistreat those poorer and worse of than them."
She started to eat her food, "This book irritates me though... It calls anyone who doesn't have some kind of title commonfolk," She smirked at him, remembering how just the other day he had used the same term, "They teach you how to rule well... but it treats seventy five percent of the population like pawns in a chess game. In the end... Only the king matters..."
He understood what she meant. The book was written by people who saw like that. A person who thought that only the king mattered and everyone that didn't have either money or royal blood was a pawn. He could see how the royals believed such a thing, but in the real world, he pawns were the real people who got things done. He remembered her saying that it was just her kind. From what he read, the Lost Elves were strong enough to battle the High Elves in ways such as magic, and could easily face off various Human races in weapon based combat. Many races feared them and created an uneasy alliance to bring down people whom they considered too powerful, and a large threat. It was wrong. The Lost Elves rarely ever tried to fight off anyone else, other than the few times when other races tried to claim their land. It was disgusting to read about.
He had ignored Eric when he came in with food, deciding that he wasn't hungry just yet and would wait until then. He nodded at Anastasia and looked at her. "That is how the Royals see the world. It's a cruel fact of life, but We cannot do anything about it..."
He had ignored Eric when he came in with food, deciding that he wasn't hungry just yet and would wait until then. He nodded at Anastasia and looked at her. "That is how the Royals see the world. It's a cruel fact of life, but We cannot do anything about it..."
GM
Anastasia looked at him when he told her that it would not be possible for them to change anything about the way the royals saw things. She shook her head, "Well... One day... If I end up out living my mother... I'll become Queen... And then I can break the cycle. It may take a few generations but... One day this," she lifted the book, "Won't be the book that young heirs recieve. We won't feast while people starve, people will read and write even if they don't come from wealth and.... Greenspring will be better off."
She continued to push her food around, she felt silly. She had been here three days and was already trying to change the way people had thought for years. She didn't mind though, she knew she wouldn't see it in her time but if she could just start the chage... someday someone would. She smiled softly, "I think that is what my mother wants... it may not be the reason she sent me away but... things will be different and I think she'll like that."
She continued to push her food around, she felt silly. She had been here three days and was already trying to change the way people had thought for years. She didn't mind though, she knew she wouldn't see it in her time but if she could just start the chage... someday someone would. She smiled softly, "I think that is what my mother wants... it may not be the reason she sent me away but... things will be different and I think she'll like that."
"One day..." He repeated almost silently, in a voice so quiet that even his own race would have a hard time hearing it. That 'one day' would be sooner than expected, and he only hoped that the Princess was ready to become a queen.. He was happy that she had such ambitions to make the country a better place, and he wanted them to become a reality somewhat soon. It might happen, but he still wasn't sure when the change to a better world would occur. They could create more jobs, possibly teachers to instruct the young, people who build the houses where they would be taught, and people to make the things required to teach them. it would be a great start, but Greenspring couldn't just be an academic country. If another war were to arise, then they'd have to be ready, need more smiths for weapons and armor, more recruits, and more people to train those recruits. The ideas flew through his mind as he sat there silently, wondering if Anastasia had known or been told about the visions given during birth. He was tempted to ask her, but he was going to save it for another time.
GM
Anastasia went back to eating as Samsul seemed to get lost in his thought, thinking about one thing or another. He seemed to be bothered by something. She really hoped that he didn't think this was all some kind of attack on him. He was after all living, in certain areas, like royalty. She didn't want him to think that she was silently judging him. She hoped that wasn't what he thought. She kept eating her food in silence, glancing at him once and again. Finally, no longer wanting to worry about what he thinking about and if it was with any kind of malice towards her... She looked at him and cocked her head, "Penny for your thoughts."
He took a moment to gather his thoughts into a correct format before presenting them to Anastasia, as Samsul knew that she wasn't ready to hear some things just yet. Finally speaking up, the Lost Elf looked at her. "A few thoughts, actually. A few about the growth of the country in many ways, in both academic and militaristic, and also about something I am unsure if you know of or not." He paused and glanced around before returning his gaze to her. "It is about the reason your mother sent you away so soon after birth." He paused once more to let the information to sink in. "When mothers give birth, they are given a vision about the future of their child, so that the parents will be able to assist their children in making the best of the future. Your mother was given a vision, telling her to send you away until the war calmed down like it has now."
GM
Anastasia's eyebrows knitted together when he mentioned he was thinking about something she may or may not know. She was even more confused when he looked around the area. When he mentioned the reason her mother gave her to Mama and Papa, she leaned closer. She listened to him as he explained it to her before she leaned back in her seat. That didn't explain much... In fact, she couldn't find much of a reason for him to be so secretive. The visions were common knowledge, with every woman who had children having them and she maybe could have figured out that the vision was part of the reason her mother had sent her away, if she had dwelled on that thought once she had figured out that her mother didn't want to actually give her away. She started to bit on her lip losing herself in thought. She couldn't help wonder what her mother had actually seen when she gave birth to her. Anastasia sat there a moment before she looked at Samsul. She gave him a very shy look, she had hardly spent time with her mother and of course, it was because she was a busy woman but she couldn't help but want to see and speak with the woman who had given birth to her. Anastasia pursed her lips, "Do you think... that... I could.... um... Spend time with... my mother?" After she said it she sighed, knowing it was ridiculous to ask. She shook her head, "No... Never mind... She's too busy after all..."
Samsul was honestly confused as to why she took back her question about seeing her mother. The Lost Elf knew almost certainly that the Queen would try to make time to see her only daughter, and if it helped with keeping her mind off of the book about ruling, then he was all for it. "I do not see why you wouldn't be able to see her. She isn't just the queen, she's your mother as well, and she'd do anything to see more of you. If you would like, we can go to see her as soon as you want. I'm sure she'd be happy to spend some time with you." He knew that it was all that Elana wanted to do for the time being, and although she didn't say or do anything about it, she wanted to be with her daughter for as long as possible until the day came where she'd have to leave and force her daughter to take the throne.
GM
Anastasia couldn't help but smile softly when Samsul said he believed her mother wouldn't mind spending time with her at all. She nodded, "I would like that..."
For years, she had thought her mother had never wanted her. That she was a mistake and as much as Mama and Papa tried, they just weren't able to fill that small gap in her heart or that nagging in her head that she was unwanted. Knowing now, that she was a plan, that her parents had wanted her and wanted to love her. That it was some vision of her own future that caused her to be sent away... It melded things in her that she never thought would be fixed. She finished off her meal in silence before she looked at Samsul again, "Do you think we could go once you are done your breakfast? That should leave us plenty of daylight to get my dress from the seamstress and be back for my lessons with Gerald."
For years, she had thought her mother had never wanted her. That she was a mistake and as much as Mama and Papa tried, they just weren't able to fill that small gap in her heart or that nagging in her head that she was unwanted. Knowing now, that she was a plan, that her parents had wanted her and wanted to love her. That it was some vision of her own future that caused her to be sent away... It melded things in her that she never thought would be fixed. She finished off her meal in silence before she looked at Samsul again, "Do you think we could go once you are done your breakfast? That should leave us plenty of daylight to get my dress from the seamstress and be back for my lessons with Gerald."
Samsul nodded. It was a good plan for the day, and he was happy to see that she had made that plan as fast as she did. He ate his breakfast with moderate speed and called for Eric to take his plate. Her days would be filled up in the near future, and he hoped that she would be able to handle it all. He saw the look of peace and serenity that she had on her face, assuming that she was piecing something together in her mind. Samsul stood up and looked at Anastasia. "We can go now, if you want." He spoke calmly.
GM
Anastasia looked at him when he said they could go if she wished to. She nodded her head and stood, thanking Eric for the meal. Then with Samsul they walked to the Queen's office. Anastasia stood outside the door and stared at it for a little while. She still wasn't sure if the Queen would be able to spend time with her. Samsul had said that she would want to but she couldn't bring herself to think that she had time. After a moment staring at the door, she decided that Mama and Papa were busy in their own way and always made time for her. She hoped the Queen would be the same. She bit her lip as she reached out and knocked lightly on the door. A knight who stood in the room with the Queen opened it and stepped aside once he saw her. Anastasia walked in and looked at her mother, the shy look returning to her face. She held her hands tightly together, wringing them slightly, "I... was wondering if... you wanted to spend sometime together.... We haven't had much time since I got here.... And I know that you are really busy... So I'd understand if you can't... I just have.... so many questions...."
As Eric approached the table, he was thanked for the meal. He was happy to hear that the princess liked his cooking so much, and knew that he would continue to cook there for as long as he lived. The Chef quickly took Samsul's bare plate and headed back to the kitchen to clean up the plate for later use.
Samsul thanked Eric as well and silently followed Anastasia. When they reached the door, he noticed that the was hesitant on opening it. He didn't say anything still and waiting until she knocked on the door. The Lost Elf nodded to the knight who was at the door and stayed at Anastasia side, his eyes moving to Elana, who was stationed at her grand desk with a few papers scattered around. She looked up from her work and smiled sweetly at her daughter, happy to see her again. After hearing her question about spending some time together, the Queen's smile grew and she quickly left her seat. "Of course my daughter!" She said happily. "You can ask me whatever you want, and I'll be sure to give you an answer to the best of my abilities." The woman turned to Samsul and her smile returned to normal. "I'm sure that you would join us, Samsul. After all, the future head of the guard should feel elated to have been picked to watch me and Anastasia."
Samsul thanked Eric as well and silently followed Anastasia. When they reached the door, he noticed that the was hesitant on opening it. He didn't say anything still and waiting until she knocked on the door. The Lost Elf nodded to the knight who was at the door and stayed at Anastasia side, his eyes moving to Elana, who was stationed at her grand desk with a few papers scattered around. She looked up from her work and smiled sweetly at her daughter, happy to see her again. After hearing her question about spending some time together, the Queen's smile grew and she quickly left her seat. "Of course my daughter!" She said happily. "You can ask me whatever you want, and I'll be sure to give you an answer to the best of my abilities." The woman turned to Samsul and her smile returned to normal. "I'm sure that you would join us, Samsul. After all, the future head of the guard should feel elated to have been picked to watch me and Anastasia."
GM
Anastasia was relieved when her mother stood up so quickly. Despite what Samsul had said about her surely wanting to spend time with her, a part of her was worried she'd reject her. She smiled happily and nodded when said she could ask anything. She stepped back slightly when she looked at Samsul and invited him along. Although, she felt as though it were a sneaky order, ordering him but making it seem like it was his decision. She looked up at her mother and soon after the three of them headed toward garden making mostly small talk. When they reached it, Anastasia looked at her mother, "What was my father like?"
Elana walked with her daughter to the gardens while Samsul followed them, noting how smoothly Elana had ordered him to stay with them. She knew that he would be noble enough to leave the two of them alone, but even as the queen, she had to have some fun every once and a while. He didn't say or do anything when she ordered him, but Elana knew that he was shifting uncomfortably in his mental state.
Elana looked at Anastasia calmly when being asked about her father. It wasn't an easy subject, even over the years she was still uneasy about talking about him, but she needed to stay strong, just a little while longer. "Your father..." She faded off, trying to hold back the flood of memories with the man. "He was amazing. Strong, compassionate about everything, but just a little stubborn and noble in some cases. I loved the man with all my heart. He came from a smaller noble family, while my own line was primarily in this castle." She smiled, remembering a fond memory about how they met. "We met at a party. I asked him if we could talk away from the party, and he was far to noble and humble to even think that he was honorable enough to talk to me. It took a little, but I passed his social barrier and saw the amazing person that he was..." She was trying her hardest not to tear up in front of her daughter. "He put everything in front of him, his people, his duties, and myself. He'd only think about his own well being when I told him to.. but he was an amazing man, and would have been proud to see you now."
Elana looked at Anastasia calmly when being asked about her father. It wasn't an easy subject, even over the years she was still uneasy about talking about him, but she needed to stay strong, just a little while longer. "Your father..." She faded off, trying to hold back the flood of memories with the man. "He was amazing. Strong, compassionate about everything, but just a little stubborn and noble in some cases. I loved the man with all my heart. He came from a smaller noble family, while my own line was primarily in this castle." She smiled, remembering a fond memory about how they met. "We met at a party. I asked him if we could talk away from the party, and he was far to noble and humble to even think that he was honorable enough to talk to me. It took a little, but I passed his social barrier and saw the amazing person that he was..." She was trying her hardest not to tear up in front of her daughter. "He put everything in front of him, his people, his duties, and myself. He'd only think about his own well being when I told him to.. but he was an amazing man, and would have been proud to see you now."
GM
Anastasia listened as he mother spoke about her father and smiled softly. It was nice to actually hear about him, instead of the attempt that Samsul made to speak of him. She looked at her mother and saw that she was struggling slightly. She could imagine it was hard for her, losing him. They were in love, it definitely didn't sound anything like an arranged marriage. She pressed her lips together before she reached out and took her mother's hand, "He sounds... great... I wish I got the chance to meet him..."
She squeezed her mother's hand gently, but didn't let go as they walked. When she was younger, her and Mama would walk through fields together like that. She figured it would be nice for her mother, as that was something that she missed out on. She missed out on a lot, both of them did but at least Ana had parents, the Queen didn't have another child. She looked at her, "My first wordwas silly. I don't know why... Normally it is mama or dada but I guess I wanted to be different," she laughed a little, "I was riding before I could walk... Of course, Papa held me but I've lived in a saddle. Although, the last few years, it is only because I was helping with the stallions. But I was walking a month after I turned one."
She squeezed her mother's hand gently, but didn't let go as they walked. When she was younger, her and Mama would walk through fields together like that. She figured it would be nice for her mother, as that was something that she missed out on. She missed out on a lot, both of them did but at least Ana had parents, the Queen didn't have another child. She looked at her, "My first wordwas silly. I don't know why... Normally it is mama or dada but I guess I wanted to be different," she laughed a little, "I was riding before I could walk... Of course, Papa held me but I've lived in a saddle. Although, the last few years, it is only because I was helping with the stallions. But I was walking a month after I turned one."
Elana was a little surprised at her daughter's gesture, but smiled at their joined hands. She nodded with a soft smile when Anastasia said that she would have liked to have met him. To her, it was comforting to have her daughter right there. It only made her feel even worse about the events to come, though, and knew that despite not wanting to leave her daughter so soon after the reunion, it had to happen for the good of everyone. She had missed out on so many things in her daughter's life, and as much as she didn't want to miss any more, she would have to be going soon..
Her smile faltered for only a split second as she looked around, hoping that Anastasia didn't catch it. "I assume that Samsul has shown you the horses already, and they're all for your use if you ever want to ride them around. You truly are an amazing daughter. It is a shame that I couldn't see you grow up though..." She squeezed Anastasia's hand a little and looked at her with a small smile.
Her smile faltered for only a split second as she looked around, hoping that Anastasia didn't catch it. "I assume that Samsul has shown you the horses already, and they're all for your use if you ever want to ride them around. You truly are an amazing daughter. It is a shame that I couldn't see you grow up though..." She squeezed Anastasia's hand a little and looked at her with a small smile.
GM
Anastasia nodded and smiled at her mother, "Yes... He showed them to me yesterday when we went into town. I wanted to see the city. Coming here was the first time I've left home... It's all really strange... The fact that I'm a princess isn't making it anymore normal," she laughed a little, "But I also wanted to see the people... They all see really nice. A little boy even hugged me."
She looked at her mother and bit her lip, "Why did you... send me away," she glanced at Samsul, "Samsul said it was something about the vision you were given when you had me... But what did you see that made you send away your only child... Was it that scary?"
She looked at her mother and bit her lip, "Why did you... send me away," she glanced at Samsul, "Samsul said it was something about the vision you were given when you had me... But what did you see that made you send away your only child... Was it that scary?"
"The vision.." Elana looked down at the ground and was forced to remember it as if she received the vision just moments before. Slowly, she looked up and looked at her daughter as she felt her emotions flooding through her body. It was a horrifying image that she saw in front of her eyes and she could feel her legs giving away. "The vision was of you, your father and myself... We were riding away on a horse. You were in my arms, only hours after birth... all of a sudden... A large group of men on horses surrounded us... They stabbed the horse, we landed on the ground and they... took your father.. He died right in front of me... They then took you from my arms... And... And..." She couldn't finish the tale. It was only a vision, but it was so real. "I sent you away in the other direction, so that the men couldn't capture you... You weren't even alive an hour when it happened, wrapped in some of the finest and softest blankets to keep you safe and warm..."
GM
Anastasia looked at her mother as she spoke and swallowed. She didn't have a connect or relationship with her dad and hardly had one with the woman in front of her. But she felt a stinging at the corner of her eye as she looked at her mother. She practically threw herself at her as she hugged her, burying her face in her chest. She stood there just hugging her mother. Her entire life was spent with questions about what her real family was like. Her father was apparently amazing and her mother... she was great and brave and so strong. After a moment, Anastasia sniffled and looked up the woman and smiled softly, "I don't think in all of my years of imaging you and my father... I made up two people that are as wonderful as you are. And not because you are a Queen... but just because... I don't know if I could have done it.... If I could have handle doing what you did and making those choices... Being alone and knowing exactly where I was..."
She rested her head on the woman's chest again, "I.... love you."
Anastasia didn't know where the words came from. She hadn't even know the woman a week. She could hardly bring herself to actually think of her as any less than the Queen. But the words just tumbled out of her mouth without her even thinking. She smiled softly, did that mean she meant them. She spoke quietly, "I love you...."
She rested her head on the woman's chest again, "I.... love you."
Anastasia didn't know where the words came from. She hadn't even know the woman a week. She could hardly bring herself to actually think of her as any less than the Queen. But the words just tumbled out of her mouth without her even thinking. She smiled softly, did that mean she meant them. She spoke quietly, "I love you...."
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