Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 14: The Elf Race’s Extinction

Mhir nodded. “Yes.” She answered, her voice lowered. The wind blew and made the flowers bend upon them. Mhir’s bushy hair shook, momentarily covering her solemn face. “No one knew how humans came upon witchcraft. They only know that it is sinister. Their hate towards the human race started there.” She explained and knelt beside the flower that was uprooted.

Tinum saw the weak flower and waved his hand. The flower slowly became alive. Its roots moved and planted itself in the soil. Leui saw it and looked at Mhir. “How did the Great War happen?” he asked.

“The war has always been there. But, it reached its peak five hundred years ago, when Lord Loheiruchel joined the war representing the human race.” She said, “It was the very first but also the last time humans joined the war. It was the last, since the war ended after that, and the humans won.” She looked at Leui.

Leui pondered. “He really did it alone?” he asked.

Mhir smiled. “Actually, Lord Loheiruchel wasn’t alone.” She said, “There was a human named Filur on his side, and – “ she said and looked at Tinum. “ – an elf.” She muttered.

Leui was shocked. “An elf?!” he exclaimed and looked at Tinum.

Tinum frowned. “What?” he coldly asked Leui.

Leui shook his head. He turned to Mhir. "So, this Filur and this elf are his friends?” he asked. Mhir nodded, then shook her head. Leui was puzzled. “Which is it?” he asked.

“Filur is King Khander’s ancestor, and is Lord Loheiruchel’s friend.” Mhir said. “But, the elf – “ she subconsciously looked at Tinum. “ – he’s Lord Loheiruchel’s wife.” She muttered, her voice almost inaudible.

Leui froze and he felt Tinum’s hand he’s holding stiffened. “Wife…” he muttered under his breath.

Mhir nodded. “They are the first couple of different races.” She said,

“Wife…” Leui muttered, still shocked. His grip on Tinum’s hand tightened.

Tinum felt Leui’s hand and he glared at him. “Let go!” he told Leui.

Leui finally returned from his daze. He turned to Tinum, his eyes sparkling. “Do you think we’ll be like them?” he asked, obviously referring to Loheiruchel and his elf wife.

Tinum’s eyes widened and his face became red. “Shut up!” he said and the rope tying their wrists snapped. He sighed in relief as he was finally freed from Leui.

Leui pouted his lips, feeling wronged. He turned to Mhir who was looking at them in shock. “Mhir?” he called. “If Loheiruchel’s wife is an elf, then how did the elves become extinct?” he asked.

Mhir blinked her eyes. “Oh.” She said, “It was exactly because his wife is an elf that the elves became extinct.” She answered.

Leui frowned upon hearing this. “Is it because of the male-male relationships?” he asked.

Mhir shook her head. “No.” she said. “It was because – “ she took a deep breath and continued. “ – the elves became friendly with the humans because of Loheiruchel’s relationship with his wife, the other races also targeted the elves.” She explained.

Leui felt his heart become cold. He tightened his grip, only to feel Tinum already withdrew his hand. Leui’s hand grabbed the air, feeling empty. “So it was that…'' he muttered and lowered his head.

Mhir nodded and sadly smiled. “The elves are the second weakest next to the humans.” She said, “But, their reproductive ability is inferior to humans. Thus, even the humans reproduced, but the elves can’t reproduce as fast as them.” She explained. “Added to the fact that the male-male relationships started…” she didn’t continue since it can be guessed what will happen next.

Leui also fell silent. “Why are the elves isn’t good with reproduction?” he asked after a while.

“The elves love nature. They treat it as sacred.” Mhir answered. “But, they see reproduction as a violation to nature.” She explained.

“Why?” Leui is puzzled.

“Because the more the number, the more will consume nature. The forests, the rivers…” Tinum spoke. He raised his head and looked at Leui. “The elves only reproduce when their number reaches the lowest.” He said, then paused. “Thus, even if there is only one member left in their race, as long as nature can be taken care of by that member, then they remain relieved.” He explained.

Mhir stared at Tinum. For the first time, her gaze didn’t contain hostility. “Are you, perhaps, the only remaining elf in the continent?” she asked.

Tinum looked at her. For the first time, Tinum’s dull eyes shone. “I don’t know.” He answered.

“Why?” Mhir asked.

“Because I lost my memory.” Tinum answered. There was no fluctuation in his voice. It's as if he was talking about a trivial matter.

Mhir and Leui were shocked. Actually, Leui already had noticed something strange with Tinum. The elf is sometimes stupid (though it doesn’t show on his face), and sometimes he looks like in a daze. Leui thought that the elf was sheltered, but he never expected that the elf would have an amnesia.

“What?!” Mhir said as she walked towards Tinum. Her hostility towards the elf disappeared and was replaced with sympathy. “How did this happen? When did you lose your memory? Do you remember your family? What about your home?” she asked, worry filled her eyes.

Expectedly, Tinum shook his head, indicating he couldn’t remember. Mhir gasped and covered her mouth as she stepped away from Tinum. Her eyes watered and she looked away to, obviously, cry. Women… Leui thought as he looked at Tinum while listening to Mhir crying in the background. “You don’t remember anything?” he asked him.

Tinum shook his head. “Only bits and pieces.” He answered. “Some information about the elves or the species was there. But, mostly, as for my identity, they’re all gone.” He explained, his heart feeling uneasy. He held his head, only for his fingers to brush the flower on his hair. For some reason, the discomforting feeling in his heart disappeared. He looked at Leui, only to see Leui looking at him with his never-have-seen serious gaze.