The Princess of Light and Dark

Aladan

Aladan

I watched from the vegetable patch as Thuria sat under the oak tree reading the books I had instructed her to read, spells and incantations, written by Elladan, my twin, it was one of the only things I had left of him, a few books he had written while he was under Tharia’s influence. I couldn’t help but watch her face, so young and fresh, nothing like I ever imagined her, when she was in my mind, I had always pictured her as an old crone, wrinkled and covered in warts, white whispy hair that clung to her head in matted clumps. But the young elf I had found was, just that, a young elf.

It had taken me at least a month to fully realise that this wasn’t a trick, that she was indeed powerless, and apparently good. Countless mornings I woke up to the smell of burnt food as she learned to cook breakfast for us, she’d taken to dusting and sweeping while I worked or went to the village for supplies, even going as far as tending to the garden outside. In the evenings, it rattled me to see her in her night dresses, sitting cross legged on the floor by the fire reading my books, a cup of hot tea next to her. She mainly kept to herself, only talking when necessary, her way of making sure she is not in my way, I haven’t found it in me to forgive her yet, I don’t think I ever will. Hoof beats startle me out of my thoughts, and I refocus my vision on her, to realise she has gone, I look around and find her entering the cottage, smart girl. Hide from however is coming.

The horses were the first thing that warned me of the potential danger coming, black as night and covered in silver armour, their riders big and menacing. 4 in total, stopped right outside the cottage.

“We seek a young girl” The leader spoke, his voice thick and deep.

“Don’t we all?” I asked, unable to contain the joke

“Don’t test my patience little man, we look for a red-haired girl with purple eyes.” He growled at me in anger

“Not seen her, I don’t think you will find her here, the humans in the village would have already sold her off if they had found her. “ I spoke the truth, the humans in the local village were ruthless, I was surprised all they did was bury Thuria.

“If you find her, send word to the Lord under the Mountain and keep her here, she belongs to him.”

They all turned in sync and rode off, leaving me pondering what exactly had happened to Thuria and Elvira.

I turned too and ran to the cottage, Thuria was curled into a ball at the darkest corner of the room, her fear and despair vibrating inn the room like a current of power.

“They have gone girl. Calm yourself down.” I muttered as I reached for her.

“They’re looking for her, aren’t they?” Her voice barely above a whisper

“Yes, they said she belongs to the Lord under the mountain. Know any thing about that?”

She nodded her head and sighed, she stood slowly and head to the fire in the kitchen, “I’ll make us a tea and then I suppose I better tell you how I ended up here with you.”

**

Hours later we sat on the small sofa, Thuria’s head leaning on my shoulder as she softly snored. Exhausted after all the things she told me and all the questions I asked. I realised as she told me of the horrors she was forced to commit on behalf of this mad elf, that maybe, she was telling the truth when she said she was cursed to be evil. It was in that moment I decided that I needed to help her with her powers, because if Elvira is out there, alone and powerless, and those riders find her, this Sarnarel is likely to torture her and kill her when he learns the truth.