The First Elven Queen

The Hunt

Gasping, a girl laying on her back across her bed sat up to look around. Her eyes landed on a partially opened book next to her and she summarized she must have drifted to sleep. Grabbing the book, violet eyes scanned the page, her bottom lip between her teeth as she tried to find where she was on the page, but she let her thoughts go back to what startled her out of her sleep.

For as long as she could remember, she would have the strangest dream. A figure, male by the shape and sound of his voice, would come and kiss her forehead and tell her softly, ‘Wait for me.’ It didn’t scare her, only making her heart race, but she wondered if it was real or just part of her imagination.

Shaking her head, she dogeared the page, saving her place before closing it to place on the nightstand next to her.

Climbing out of her small bed, she went over to a wobbly and tarnished wardrobe, and plucked out a thin white canvas blouse and dark red skirt. After dressing, she topped it with a wrapped belt and sash, completing her outfit. The material was scratchy, but after a while, she could ignore it.

Letting out a soft sigh, Ayla looked herself over in the mirror. She thought she was rather pretty and was often told that she was by the patrons of the Inn she worked at.

She was of average height for a female, though she would’ve liked to be a couple inches taller, but she made up for it in other ways. Her body was only slightly fleshy, but in a healthy way, giving her a decent sized bust and hips. She had long blue-black hair that was silky soft and fell down her back in waves. Her skin was pale, soft to the touch and seemed to have a natural illumination, making her features striking. What was the most unique about her features was her pointed ears and violet eyes.  Violet eyes for a human would normally point to albinism, but for her, it showed her elven heritage. 

Well, half-elf of it by her assumption. Elves were known for having exotic features, their faces regal and pointed. She had some regal looks, but elven hair was typically straight and very thin. Her belief was that her softer parts came from a human side.

Stepping in front of the mirror, she grabbed a leather tie before brushing her fingers through her hair to style it into a duel braided bun. Once she was satisfied, she made sure to tuck her pointed ears into her hair, hiding them from sight. 

The human kingdom was not very accepting of other species and while there were other races of creatures within the human kingdom, they kept their heads low too.

A soft knock on the door drew her eyes from the cracked mirror in front of her, “Yes?”

“I need you to drop this off to the tailor on your way to the Inn, Ayla.” An old woman with greying brown hair came in with folded clothing, “If you wouldn’t mind.”

“Of course, Ada.” Ayla motioned to the bed, “Set them there and I’ll grab them before I leave.”

“Thank you, sweet girl.” She praised her, setting the clothing as directed on the bed, before leaving the room again.

Ayla’s eyes lingered on where the old woman, Ada, once stood. Ada wasn’t her biological mother, but she took her in when she was an infant, so she was almost like one to her.

Ada was a small human woman, her skin wrinkled, and her back hunched a little. Her eyes were hazel colored and over them were thin gold framed spectacles. She always wore layered dresses, telling Ayla that the old woman had thin blood.

When Ayla asked Ada who her real mother and father were, Ada would become distressed, telling Ayla that she wished she would’ve inquired more, but the woman who delivered Ayla to Ada was very secretive. The only thing Ada said she noticed was that the woman was elven and when she handed Ayla over as an infant, she handed her a large sack of gold.

Was the elven woman my mother or just a messenger?

Patting down her outfit, she gathered the clothing, her apron, and left her room and the tiny hut she shared with the old woman.

“Be careful, sweet girl,” She heard Ada call.

Looking towards the woman, she watched as she pulled weeds from her small garden, “Do not overwork yourself, Ada.”

“You worry over this old woman too much,” She stood and wiped her hands on the apron on the front of her dress, “You better get a hurry on.”

Giving her a smile, Ayla lifted a hand in farewell before starting down the dirt path to the main road. Her home was within the forest, located about an hour walk outside the main walls of the Human Kingdom of Celyra.

Reaching the village right outside of the main gate, she delivered the clothes to the tailor, who barely gave her a glance before writing down on the tab, dismissing her entirely. Ayla tried to think the woman was just overworked and that was why she was so hateful.

Walking through the colossal gate that led to the inner part of the Celyrain Kingdom, I looked up to the black stone that made up the castle in the distance. Four short, yet thick, square towers lined with arrow slits and cannons showed its defensive power. The windows were crude and scattered all along the walls with seemingly no pattern, yet it still looked elegant.

Winding down several streets and paths, she finally saw her destination showing a large tavern with a swaying sign hanging off it with ‘Stonebane Tavern’ in elegant iron design.

Pushing open the door, she gasped sharply when she was nearly toppled over by a frantically cleaning man, “My god, Joshua, what has you so worked up?”

Joshua was a lean man, only slightly taller than Ayla, with short brown hair that was slicked back. His eyes were a light blue that looked soft against his tanned skin. Even with his hastiness, he looked well put together wearing a crisp blue dress tunic with dark trousers and black dress shoes.

He was the son of the owner of the Inn. Ada often hoped they would become a couple, but Ayla knew that would never happen. He was a little overbearing sometimes.

His eyes squinted her way before returning to his cleaning, “The Heir of Celyra, Prince Elias, has his Initiation Hunt today and it has always been tradition that the heir return to this Inn to drink to his success.” He then gestured across the room where a large group of the tavern wenches were adjusting their bodices, “I am sure he will be broken in here as well.”

A rosy flush rose to her nose at the suggestion as Ayla looked towards the women he pointed at, “Oh,” She watched as one of the women’s breasts popped out of her top and she instantly diverted her eyes back to Joshua, “I just hope his entourage isn’t as handsy as his soldiers.”

At age 20, the Initiation Hunt was the recognition of manhood for the human royal house. They go outside the walls and hunt until the boy gets his kill, which must be a stag, then he is deemed a man that can provide for a family and take over the throne if his father steps down or dies of natural or unnatural causes. 

He will also be in the market to find his future bride…

“That isn’t what the problem is.” He grunted as he started cleaning the tables more aggressively, “We have received word that party is already on the way.”

“That quick?” Her lips parted slightly in awe.

“They say he is a prodigy child.” He shrugged, but she could sense the jealousy, “Of course he would be. He has everything at his disposal.”

“I don’t think it is quite as simple as that, Joshua.” She reprimanded, though she really couldn’t understand why she cared to defend, “Someone can teach you something, but it is up to you whether or not you learn it.”

“Well said, Miss.” A low, husky voice muttered into her ear from behind.

Spinning around quickly, she stumbled, but hands on her waist steadied her. Placing her own hands over the hands that held her and looked up, only to wonder if she, in reality, fell and went unconscious.

Before her was a man who easily stood a good head length over her, making her feel smaller than ever. His medium length hair was a deep rusty brown color, styled in a wavy pompadour that was coming loose in several spots to hang around his face. He had a strong jawline that had a five o’clock shadow on it and his skin complemented it with its fair, yet sun kissed skin. His eyes were a bold royal blue, giving him the look of anything but a human.

She had seen posters of him, but they did not do him real justice.

“Prince Elias!” Her voice sounded a bit breathy from the spin, “Welcome to Stonebane Tavern and Inn.” She tore her eyes from him to look down and step back, his hands finally releasing her, “Congratulations on your Hunt, my Prince.”

He shrugged off his travel robe to show a white silk tunic and black traveling trousers that were tucked into boots, “Thank you.” 

He handed off his robe to her and she motioned to the tables, “Anywhere in particular, sir?”

“What table do you serve?” He asked, not removing his attention from her form.

“I don’t serve tables, my Prince,” Ayla rubbed the front of her skirt with her hands to try and soak up some of the clamminess.

He gave her an inquisitive look, “What do you do here, Ms…?”

“Ayla.” She filled in for him before clearing her throat, “I cook, sir.”

“Such a shame that a beauty like you would be stuck in the kitchen.” He looked around the room, eyeing the tables before looking back at her, “As long as I am able to see those very unique eyes of yours at least one more time tonight, anywhere will be fine.” 

Her teeth found purchase on her bottom lip again as she wondered if he was giving her a real compliment or was trying to woo her into his bed later that night, “If that is what you wish, my Prince.”

“I wish for much more, but I admit I look forward to your meal.” He teased, earning himself flushed cheeks on her face, “Your best table, please.”

She blinked for a moment, pleasantly surprised at how polite he was, before leading him over to a table in front of the entertainment stage. As we got closer, the women ogled him, waiting for me to leave so they could compete for his attention and coin.

He pulled out the chair before she could, so she retracted slightly, “Can I send your drink order in before I head into the kitchen?”

His eyes were over on the women, his lips holding the slightest frown, before he gave her his order. As she bowed, the door burst open, and more young noble men came filing into the tavern. Once they spotted him, they were quick to seek either his or the women's’ attention.

Grateful for the distraction, she hung up his travel robe before giving Joshua his drink order and going into the kitchen.

When she entered, her assistants were all standing around the prep table, talking low, but when she rounded them, she knew why. It was tradition for the stag to be served to complete the initiation for the newly titled man. So, on the table was a monstrously sized stag with a single arrow hole into the broadside between his ribs, already skinned. She had been working in the tavern since she was 16, for two years now, but she had never seen such a sized stag.

After dressing the stag, she got to work cooking, taking her time to make sure the meal was good enough for… well, a prince. Thankfully, she only received two demands from Joshua to hurry up.

Sending an assistant to call for the serving wenches, Ayla made up the platers artistically to make the meal look as appealing as they smelled. It became distracting, though, when the women came in to grab platters, giggling and gossiping about the men in the other room. She didn’t quite approve of p**********n, but the tavern was a free establishment and they only needed to pay per customer they took in. 

And who was she to tell the women what they could and couldn’t do with their bodies?

Giving herself a small breather, eating some biscuits from the day before, she eyed the rest of the stag that she planned on using the bones for a broth. With the money the mysterious elven woman gave to her caretaker, Ada, she was sent to an all girls academy where she was taught how to cook, among other things. While there were other things she wished she could learn, she was entirely grateful Ada didn’t just pocket it and take off.

She had just finished setting the broth to cook overnight and cleaning my hands when a disheveled Joshua came in, “Prince Elias is requesting for you personally to show him to his room for the night.”

“All of the girls are busy with patrons?” She asked, surprised.

“No, only a couple are,” He snipped at her and on his way out the door again, he threw over his shoulder, “He specifically asked for you, Ayla, so finish up and get out there.”

Placing a hand over her head, she tried to calm her nerves for untying her apron and setting it on the back of a chair. Looking into a small mirror in the doorway, she made sure her elven ears were still hidden before going into the main dining room.

Looking towards his table once she stepped into the open area, she saw him seated with two other men that looked to be his age. Standing and surrounding them were the women, trying to swoon the men into their bed for the night.

What gave her a jolt was as soon as she looked at Elias, she locked eyes with him as if he was only waiting on her.

As she got closer, he stood, “Ah, Ayla, the beauty with unique eyes.” He flattered, making her cheeks burn, “I am glad you agreed to escort me to my chambers for the night. I am wishing to bathe and retire.”

While she didn’t have a choice, she couldn’t help the smile he brought to her face, “If you are ready, my Prince, I’ll take you up then.”

The other two men stood, bowing, and it seemed as if the rest of the room noticed too, also standing to bow.

He looked around the room and raised his hands, motioning them to sit again, “Please enjoy your night, my good friends. Feast and be merry! ” He came around the table and put a hand at the small of her back, giving her a small push so she could lead him, “After you, my Lady.”

Taking him to the Master Suit of the tavern, she set herself to prepare his bath, adding a few drops of scented oil to fragrant the water for him.

When she turned from the tub to go into the bedchamber to start turning down the bed, she found him standing in the doorway to the bath wearing a long silk robe, “Where did you learn to cook?”

“An academy outside of the walls, my Prince, though it is no longer there...” She turned slightly, motioning to the steaming water, “Your bath is ready for you, sir.”

Before she could comprehend, he loosened the belt of his robe and let it fall to the floor, his nude body bare to her eyes, “Will you assist me with washing?”

If he were any other species than human, he would’ve heard her stuttering breath, “That isn’t typically my job, my Prince.” She looked away from his form, her entire face flamed,  as he sauntered around her to step into the hot water, “I can go downstairs and grab one of our ladies to assist you. They would do a better job, I am sure.”

She couldn’t look at the bath, afraid of what she would see, as she heard light splashing, “That may be, but I asked for your help, not theirs.”

Taking a deep inhale of the humidity from the room, she turned the other direction to grab a sponge and some bathing supplies, “As you wish…” She pushed the stool near the tub closer and sat in it, “You’ll need to inform me if I am scrubbing too hard, my Prince.”

“Hmm…” He hummed in agreement.

As she wetted the sponge and lathered it up, she looked over the clear skin of his back, “Is the water to your liking?”

“It is perfect.” He answered, letting out a soft breath as she began washing him, “How is it that you came to work at this tavern?”

“Simple, really,” She swallowed as her fingertips brushed against his toned and firm skin, “I needed a job and my caregiver introduced me to the owner of the tavern after my schooling, old friends I assume.” Shrugging, sighed, “There are not many options out there for females.”

“Such a shame.” He bobbed his head, almost sleepily.

The silence was comfortable after that and Ayla thought she was doing pretty good until he lifted one leg at a time for her to clean. She was quick about it, her eyes focusing so hard on the small hairs on his legs, that she almost became dizzy.

She paused when she finished and she took a deep breath to continue cleaning him, but stopped when a hand came into view, palm up, “I will take my cleaning from here, my Lady.”

“Y-yes, sir.” She handed the sponge to him, her pruning fingertips grazing his lightly calloused hand, “I’ll go turn down your bed.”

Laying out a couple of towels for him, she went to the sleeping chambers and turned down the bed and lit the candles on each side. 

She was patting down the sheet when the Prince came out, his robe back in place, “How much do you charge for the entire night, my Lady?”

Just like that, the heat she felt around him since first seeing him turned to ice, “I do not charge anything, my Prince,” She really tried not to feel as disappointed as she was in him as she turned to face him, “I do not sell my body like the women down stairs. I can send them up for you to choose from.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, “I do not want them.” With three strides, he was in front of her, his features darker than before, “I feel… drawn to you, Ayla. I want you.”

“You expect me to risk my reputation because you feel drawn to me?” She had to keep her shaky voice calm, “Do you sleep with all the females you feel drawn to?”

“I might be a man, but I have never had any real male urges until today…” He brought a hand to skim the line of her jaw, “At least, not any I couldn’t take care of myself…”

While that brought him in a little better light, she still wasn’t willing to risk everything for a dalliance, “I’m sorry, my Prince, but that is one request you cannot make of me.”

He let his hand fall for a moment before he swept it through his still damp hair, “What if…” He looked towards the bed, “What if we only sleep and talk?”

She took in his frustrated features, “Sleeping and talking?”

“Yes.” He looked as if he was searching her face.

A normal woman would be a fool for not taking money for simply sleeping and talking, keeping her virtue intact. But this man wasn’t just any man; he was the future king and everyone was watching him and those around him. 

It was already bad enough that she had been in his room this long alone with him; she could only imagine the rumors.

“I am honored by your request,” She let her features soften, “But my reputation would be at stake if I accepted such an offer.” Stepping back further, she bowed low, “I must decline.”

“There is no way to change your mind?” He sighed.

“No.” Her voice was firm despite the shaking she felt under her skin.

“Fine then.” He also withdrew, “I will go to bed now. You are dismissed.”

She could tell he was upset, possibly not used to not getting his way, but she had to applaud him for not exerting his royal power over her and force her. 

His father had a reputation of doing just that.

“There is a bell line on the wall if you need anything.” She bowed one last time and quit his room, “Goodnight, my Prince.”

Going back down the stairs, she drew the unwanted attention of the party that had accompanied the Prince. The women of the tavern had the look of jealousy and disappointment, but thankfully she knew they wouldn’t do anything to her. Most of them were actually nice women and they knew business was business. 

If this were a lower establishment that required the prostitutes to pay off debts, she would fear a little more for her well-being.

She still didn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea.

“Ayla!” Joshua called over the loud party, motioning for her to come over and once she was next to him, he lowered his voice considerably, “Are-Are you okay?”

Her heart warmed at his concern and she gave him a small smile, “I am fine, thank you, Joshua.” 

His features didn’t lose the concerned look he had and she was sure he thought the worst had happened to her while she was in the Prince’s room, “You have tomorrow off, so rest up and I will see you the day after.”

“Thank you.” She tugged at the sash of her dress, ready to get home and get the scratchy material off, “The broth should be done by midday tomorrow for lunch.”

“I’ll let tomorrow’s cook know.” He nudged her towards the door, “Go home.”

She nodded and let her body go in the direction of his gentle push, making her way out of the tavern doors and down the path towards the main gate.