The Legend of the Seven

To the mountains

Making camp took most of the afternoon, settling around the fire the five chatted, joked, and laughed among themselves. Arcaena turned the conversation "So what do we do once we reach Hagarum?" she asked. Theoden looked up "We'll meet with the dwarvish king and queen, ask for the right to pass through their lands, and for supplies." he answered. Arcaena raised an eyebrow "You seem to know a lot about what we need to do, and where we need to go. Almost as though you've done it before." she said in a questioning tone. Wyn spoke "Our father was a traveling merchant, to travel to the other elvish cities he often had to pass through the mountain route. He even brought us a few time!" he said with excitement. Celaena grabbed Theoden's hand "Was?" she asked. Theoden looked down "He took a fall two years back, he lingered for some time, but was gone before the first snow that year." a sigh left his lips as he finished. The conversation died down after that, and the fire was waining Theoden stood pouring water on what was left. He sighed "I'm going to bed, as should the rest of you." he said as he walked away. Celaena rose to join him, the others followed suit, knowing what was ahead of them the next day.

Morning came far too soon for the five, standing at the base of the mountain staring up at the daunting task ahead. Theoden sighed "Well let's get started." with that he began climbing the sharp incline of the mountain side. Midday came quickly as the five made it to a small cliff "We should rest here for a little while." Celaena said. Arcaena called up "I agree, it's a good idea." the five settled in for an hour before starting the accent again. Together the five climbed through the day, the sun was beginning to set as they reached the top. As they crested Mount Oseran the sprawling dwarvish city of Hagarum was before them. The houses were made of the white stone as the mountain, dug into the walls with great arched entrances', snow dusted the roofs of each house. The red stone path lead in one direction through the entire city, first leading to the grand entrance of the dwarvish mines, masterfully carved standing a thousand feet tall and decorated with carvings in the dwarf's language with vines and daisies going from top to bottom. Celaena looked to Theoden "What does it say?" she asked. Theoden looked from her back to the grand arch "My dwarvish is a little rusty, but if I'm correct it says 'Beware all who enter here, the spirits judge harshly' whatever that means." he said with a shrug. Arcaena put a hand on her sister's shoulder "We should keep moving." she said. Just then the five saw a group of dwarf's exiting the mine, a male and female pair walking side by side, standing no taller than a human child the female was a few inches shorter than the male.

Having never been outside of Asisari, the girls couldn't help but stare. All dwarfs have yellow eyes, but Celaena noticed the female's resembled the sun in color, whereas the male's looked more like shining gold. Celaena took it upon herself to approach the dwarven couple "Hello, my name is Celaena, and these are my friends. I deeply apologize for starting, it's just, well we've never seen dwarfs before." she said. The female laughed kindly "Oh don't you fret sweet girl, I am Arnura, and this is my husband Thurdren." Arnura introduced herself and her husband. Celaena smiled "Would you mind showing us the way to the castle? We wish to meet with your king and queen." she asked. Thurdren less friendly than his wife raised an eyebrow "What for?" he asked shortly, Arnura elbowed him in the side and gave him a dirty look.

Celaena giggled slightly "We wish to ask permission to pass through your kingdom l, we don't want to break any of your laws." she said. Arnura smiled "Don't fret little elf, we will help you. Just follow us this way." she said leading the five elves further down the red stone path. In just a few moments the five elves and two dwarves were standing before a beautiful, pure white, giant castle that loomed over the landscape. Awe washed over the five young elves having never seen a structure so massive before, the dwarves laughed. Together they walked through the giant marble arch entrance into the castle, the outside may have been beautiful but it did not hold a candle to what awaited inside. The floor was made of the same red stone as outside, but was polished and shined far brighter, carvings of flowers and tree, scenes of battle and daily life lined the tall long hallways.

Soon they reached an arch to rival the entrance, inside laid the throne room "This is where we leave you." said Arnura, her husband nodded "The king and queen await you inside. Goodbye." he said turning away. Arnura said "Sorry about him!" and ran off after her husband leaving the five standing alone before the arch. They all exchanged a nervous look, Arcaena raised an eyebrow "So, what do we do now?" she asked. Theoden looked around at the others "I think you and I should do the talking, we are the leaders of the group after all." he said, Celaena nodded "I agree, it also shows a united front." she added. Wyn jumped in "I think that settles that, now we just need to enter the room." they all turned back towards the arch. Theoden and Arcaena entered side by side, with Celaena just behind them, and Wyn and Shael in the back. As they entered all eyes turned to them, they fell to their knees upon reaching the thrones. Two dwarves sat upon the obsidian chairs, the male seemed at least three inches taller than every other dwarf the elves had seen, his eyes were a dark almost orange gold color, and his hair was as black as coal. The female sat next to him had hair that seemed to burn with hellfire itself, and eyes of honey yellow. They were the most regal couple the young elves had ever laid eyes on.

The male c****d his head to the side "Rise." he said in a deep booming voice, the elves did as told. The female spoke in a soft, almost sing-song voice "I am queen Kaitnora, this is king Balthran. Who are you and what is your business here?" she asked. Arcaena spoke first introducing herself and her companions, Theoden spoke next "We are here because Asisari was attacked three weeks ago, we escaped with nothing but what you see here, we wish to ask to pass through your lands, and if possible for supplies for the long journey ahead." the king and queen listened intently before asking "Where is it you plan to go?" boomed the king. Theoden answered "To Naellin, to the elvish queen." Arcaena began to add something but a sharp look from Theoden stopped her. The king rose from his throne "We will discuss your proposition and come back to you with an answer." he said leaving the throne room with his queen just behind him, followed by what appeared to be nobles. Leaving the five alone in the giant room, a deafening silence took hold as the room emptied. They waited for what seemed like hours, as everyone filed back into the room the five bowed as the king and queen took their places on their thrones. As they rose the king began to speak "We have agreed to let you pass safely, and give you enough supplies to get to Naellin, but you must leave at once." he finished. Theoden nodded "We agree to your terms." he said. upon exiting the castle the elves found the promised supplies.