The Goddess's Chosen

Elven Royalty

The flight took about 10 hours due to having to stop once for refueling. It was super uneventful, but so exhausting, as California was 4 hours behind, so though we left at around 1:30 Atlantic standard time, we arrived at the airport at 7:30 Pacific standard time, and the jet lag was real. We got off the plane and were greeted by chauffeurs that Alpha Jonas had arranged to have us picked up. I called and thanked the alpha and luna for everything, and he told me that he had arranged a meeting with Artowynn tomorrow morning at 11:30 sharp. The Elven folk were very strict about timeliness and punctuality. The chauffer drove us to the Hollywood Hotel. It was a beautiful hotel, with lots of greenery, an outdoor pool, and lots of lounge areas. We rented three rooms. Clara and Camden wanted their own room, and Ava and Rachelle would share a room, so that left me and Gabe in a room together. I wasn’t displeased, but it would make not being distracted a lot more difficult. Luckily, the room that we got had two beds in it. We all decided to go to the rooms, set up some protection spells, just in case, then shower and sleep. Ava and I performed the spells for each room while Rachelle showered in her room, Clara and Camden I assumed showered together, and Gabe was showering in our room. Luckily Ava helped me, because though I am a high priestess, spells were not my strong suit. By the time we had finished, Gabe and Rachelle were done, and it was mine and Ava’s turn to shower in our rooms. When I came out, Gabe was already fast asleep in the bed closest to the door. Though I was exhausted, I did not think I could sleep, so I went out on the balcony that was attached to the room. It was nice and warm here, not like Nova Scotia, here I could comfortably wear shorts and a tank top and be happy about it, it was about 65 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the perfect temperature, in my opinion. I sat out on the balcony for a couple hours, just taking in my surroundings. I had never been to California before, and it figures that my first time I would not really be able to enjoy it. Making a mental note to visit once this is all said and done, I get up and go inside to lie down and try to get some sleep before tomorrow's meeting with Art.  

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The next morning, we all got up around 8 in the morning and decided to do some clothes shopping for our meeting with the elven council. Ava was super excited because it was, and I quote “...my time to shine, I have to polish you all up so we can be presentable before the elven king...” She said it while walking back and forth with her hands behind her back like a drill sergeant talking to new recruits. So, we let her take us out and give us all a wardrobe make over. “I swear, this is humiliating.” Camden said as he came out of a dressing room in a form fitting blue button up collared shirt and a pair of fitted navy blue slacks and black dress shoes. “You are still sexy as hell, babe.” Clara said, going to him and molesting his muscles through the shirt. “You’re next, Clara, let’s go.” Ava said, shoving Clara into a dressing room stall and handing her some clothes. Clara’s hair was styled into a wavy pixie cut and a lovely golden color. Her eyes were bright, shining blue and she had a lovely tan complexion from always being in her garden, so when she came out in a pale blue dress, to match Camden’s shirt, and white pumps. She looked radiant. The dress was a skater style with half cap sleeves. It looked very vintage, and she rocked it. Ava’s next victim was Gabe. I couldn’t help but wonder what colors she would choose for him. His style was similar to mine, in that he usually wore dark colors and dark boots, he didn’t seem to wear bright colors. His eyes were a dark greyish blue color, and his hair is shaggy and black. He has a light complexion, so I hoped she didn’t choose bright colors for him, it would make him look washed out. Luckily, Ava knows what she is doing. He had on a fitted dark grey button up collared shirt with fitted black dress pants and black dress shoes. He wasn’t overly buff, like Camden, but had enough that it made me mentally drool. Rachelle took out a comb and some hair gel she made and slicked Gabe’s hair back, nearly making me drool for real, especially because he hadn’t shaved in a few days, so he had a beard coming in, and damn. That is the only word to say. Rachelle refused to let her twin dress her like a barbie doll, so it was my turn. I was nervous and hoped she did not choose anything so bright and colorful for me. I walked into the dressing room like I was walking the plank. Ok, so I am being a tad dramatic, but still. I got in and she thrust a pile of clothes in my hands, luckily, I saw no bright colors. The clothes she picked out were not quite my style, but then I suppose that meeting elven royalty, my style would be out of place. She had three different dresses, one was a knee length dark blue dress with an empire waist, that looked like the kind of dress one would wear to a funeral. The next one was a dark red mid-thigh cocktail dress, but the red did not look flattering on me. The last dress was a dark grey, with lace overlay, fitted pencil skirt cocktail dress that came to my knees, the last 4 inches was just a dark grey lace, and there was a thin black belt around the waist. The neckline wasn’t too low but opened into a small ‘V’ to show a tasteful amount of cleavage. It was elegant, and I loved it. She paired it with a nice pair of black pumps, no heels, thank the Goddess. When I came out, all eyes were on me, especially Gabe’s. I could feel my face turning bright red. “I am so glad you picked that dress!!” Ava squealed, coming to my side wearing a light blue pencil skirt with a white camisole and white heels. Rachelle, having dressed herself, was wearing simple, yet feminine, black capri dress pants with a green silk blouse and black pumps. Though they were twins, Ava and Rachelle could not be more different in style. After our little game of dressing up, it was time to get changed and pay, then head to our meeting with Artowynn and the rest of the elven council. We paid for the clothes, then went to the restrooms to change back into our new outfits, then went outside to where the chauffer was already waiting for us. Thankfully, it was not a long drive to the corporate building where the elven council conducted their business. It was an extremely tall building, seemingly made of nothing but windows that reflected the sun. Walking in was like we had entered some sort of marble kingdom. The floors and stairs were solid white marble with a silver looking color throughout. The receptionist’s desk was marble, there was a marble fountain in the middle surrounded by marble columns and a chandelier hanging above it, it was breathtaking. I approached the receptionist, who looked like a model with her thin face and high cheek bones, her eyes were amber colored and almond shaped. She had long straight blond hair that was nearly white. She had minimal makeup on, and she did not need it. “Hello, I am here to see Artowynn...” I said nervously. “Name and appointment time?” she asked without looking up at me. “Cassandra Green, Jonas Ginnis set up the appointment for 11:30.” I replied. She typed away at her computer for a moment then looked surprised. “Oh, my, Ms. Green, I am so sorry, please, right this way.” she said, standing up to reveal her height. As she walked around the counter, I could see that she was wearing heels, but even without them she would be around 6’0”. We followed her to a not so private, private glass elevator. She swiped a key card and the elevator started moving up. It went like this for about ten minutes, no one speaking. It was an awkward and cramped elevator ride. Once we reached the top floor, the elevator dinged, and the doors opened to reveal what looked to be a throne in the middle of a forest. There were crystals shining and glowing everywhere, the floors were covered in a mist that moved as we walked through it. It did not feel as though we were still in the building. There were no windows, but the ceiling seemed to be enchanted to have a midnight blue sky with thousands of twinkling stars. There were large willow trees everywhere and the faint smell of the forest was in the air. “King Artowynn will be with you momentarily.” The receptionist said, then turned around and left the way we had come. The six of us were left standing there, in the middle of this enchanted room, waiting for Artowynn to arrive. I was mesmerized by the ceiling. It looked so real. It was a clear midnight sky, I noticed that there were two moons, and a few shooting stars. “Greetings, young ones.” A deep voice with a British accent broke my attention away from the ceiling. I turned to see a man that appeared no older than his early thirties. He was very tall, I would say about 6’8” ish, he was thin with a long thin face and high cheek bones. His eyes were almond shaped, but they were a deep blue color. He was light skinned, near porcelain complexion. He had long, straight black hair that hung down past his shoulders. He was wearing a simple silver crown that looked like vines and a long royal blue robe over black slacks and a dark purple shirt. It was almost comical in that he looked like he was playing dress up to look like a king, but I dared not laugh. “Cassandra Green.” He spoke again in his elegant accent. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance.” he said as he approached me and lifted my hand to his mouth as he placed a kiss on the back of it. I could hear Gabe shuffling in annoyance next to me. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” He asked, releasing my hand and smiling coyly at Gabe. “I have been sent by the Goddess Hecate in hopes that you would lend us your speed and agility for us to use against the hunters.” I said, standing a bit taller as I straightened my posture. The smile he had been wearing slid off his face. “The hunters, you say?” He said, now pacing around. “They have been thorns in my side for ages. I am nearly 500 years old, and they have been a constant bother my entire life.” He said, clearly getting flustered. “She gave me this, to show you.” I said, taking the talisman from around my neck and holding it out for him to see. “Alpha Jonas has already lent us his strength and stamina.” I said pointing to the glowing moon symbol on the talisman. “I see.” Art said. Handing the talisman back to me. “I shall help you, if for no other reason than to get rid of those wretched hunters.” he said, now walking to his throne and sitting down. “Before I do, you must collect something that belonged to me. The hunters have taken a healing crystal from one of my warriors, making it so that he cannot heal from the wound they have inflicted on him. We have done all we can, but without his specific crystal, I fear that he will not make it another fortnight. I believe that they intend on using it for themselves. This is unacceptable.” he said, motioning to someone to approach. Out of the mist appeared an elven warrior. He was tall and proud looking. He was relatively muscular, but not grossly so, with dark hair pulled back in braids to a half ponytail/ half bun. Normally I would think a bun on a man looked pretentious and ridiculous, but he pulled it off. He had high cheekbones and dark almond shaped eyes. I have noticed these elves all had similar features, well, the three I have seen so far, any ways. The warrior was wearing tight pants, with knee high black boots, a dark colored tunic and a bow and quiver of arrows on his back. If I had to guess, I would say he was about 6’7”. “Cassandra, this is my most trusted warrior, Varwen Ghildeval. It was his twin brother, Barwen, that was attacked by the hunters.” King Artowynn said. “They were using dark magic to trap him, then shot him with a poison afflicted arrow.” Varwen said. “We tried everything to save him, but without his crystal...” Varwen’s words died off and he hung his head low. I heard a collective gasp of horror from Ava, Clara and myself. “My mother was afflicted with a dark witch's magic, so was Cas’ father. They both died a week after they got sick.” Clara said, stepping forward. “We will retrieve his crystal and bring it back to you.” Ava said, also stepping forward, never taking her eyes off Varwen. He returned her gaze, and where sadness once filled his eyes, I now saw hope, and happiness. “I don’t know what I would do if I lost my twin.” Ava said, reaching over and grabbing Rachelle’s hand. “So, it is settled. You will go tonight, retrieve the crystal and bring it back to me. Once you have done this, we will proceed with the ceremony to lend you our speed and agility.” King Artowynn stood and clasped his hands together, while walking towards us. “Agreed.” I said, bowing my head in respect. “I will let Varwen fill you in on the details, and he shall accompany you and one other of your group. Good luck, Cassandra.” King Artowynn said. Bowing his head and walking away. “Come, we can go back to your hotel and plan there, we can prepare, and you can get some rest before we leave.” Varwen said, leading us to the elevator.  

   When we got back to the hotel, I went back to my room to change into something more comfortable. I put on a pair of black leggings with pockets on the side for a cell phone, a black hoodie and a pair of black socks. I brushed my hair, then braided it into two pig tail braids. Once I was dressed, I went to Ava and Rachelle’s room where everyone else was. I couldn’t help but notice that Ava was sitting close to Varwen on one of the beds and was clearly flirting. Goddess, help me, I groaned internally. I made the choice to not pursue something with Gabe right now, but I would not force my friends to do the same but seeing so much affection was making me slightly uncomfortable. Clara was sitting on Camden's lap in a chair near the balcony, and Rachelle was half lying on the other bed. Gabe was standing near the bathroom looking at his phone. “You ok?” I asked standing beside him. “Yeah, just trying to see if they hunters have tried contacting me, but nothing.” he said, sounding a little disappointed. He may not like what they have done but they had been the only family he had known. “Probably for the best.” He said, shutting his phone off and putting it in his pocket. We sat in the room planning with Varwen for a while. Turns out the hunters had a base of operations of sorts in Death Valley. Varwen said that he has scouted the area for a couple of days and noticed that there has not been any traffic in or out of the camp they have set up, but he can sense dark magic around its borders, but he could still get through it without visibly setting off an alarm. Ava said she can prepare a spell to allow us to see any dark magic traps, but they would not be able to disarm them. Varwen said that his elven magic allows them to manipulate light, and he can make anyone see, or not see, anything he chooses, meaning he can get us in virtually undetected. He said that there is a build science facility looking tent set up, and that is where he believes they have Barwen’s crystal. I am to use my magic to cause a distraction and draw the hunters away from the tent while he grabs the crystal. Said she will go with him because she has a spell that can disarm alarms, but she has to be in close proximity. With our plans all made out, to Gabe’s chagrin, we decided to part ways for a few hours and try to get some rest before we leave. I had a feeling that it was going to be an awfully long night.