For the King and Elven Empire

By M.A. Abraham

Elendil, Gabriel, Eden, and their children are accompanying King Elrohir and his bride to the High Elven Kingdom, by invitation of his father, King Silas. What started off as a simple trip turns into a nightmare, as the children disappear while working in the forest. Eden and Gabriel are frantic. Where are their children? Why can’t they touch their life forces? They join their talents and go on a search, calling in every resource they can, but get no results. They reach out to the Empire for help, but that is quickly brought under control when Lothrariel arrives. Unfortunately, he didn’t get there quickly enough.

At Gabriel's command, the Kings and Queens lead their armies into the High Elven Kingdom, but it is not Gabriel who will take command; it is Lothrariel. He has regained his ancient powers and searches for answers, but a power as ancient as his has hidden the answers. Who has done this? Why?
With their parents away, the children of the Light Elven Kingdom work behind the scenes to regain the freedom of their friends. There is only one Elf who can reach the children where they are; S’Larea. When they are finished, will the High Elven Kingdom be the same?

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.A. Abraham
• Release date: Jun 16, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311207555

M.A. Abraham

I don’t really know what to say about myself.I have been writing books since before I became a teenager. Most are still hidden in the closet. I used to make up my own stories as a child, everyone used to act them out while we were playing outside. As a teenager someone issued me a challenge. I told her that her stories stunk, she told me to do better.My job growing up was to play guardian to my little brother, keep him safe. That meant I ended up getting into more fights than enough – makes sense now that I write about warriors.My family will try to tell you that I’m not innocent, I have a personality that keeps them on their toes. Over my lifetime and theirs I have earn several nicknames – The Godmother, The Evil Christmas Elf (comes from making my nieces wrap their own Christmas presents), Mistress of Ambush. My favorite response to them when they try to get me into trouble is just to look at them with a wide doe eyed expression and say “Moi?????”I have a seal point Siamese cat named Snoop, named after my favorite cartoon character and hobby. I have a “healthy” but small collection of Snoopy memorabilia. He is a character alright; never met a cat who can talk back like he does. He expects daily dosages of adoration on his schedule when he wants it – not when it’s convenient for me and he HATES snow.I come from a very large family (mostly brothers) and I could outrun the whole works of them (I’m the shortest!). It was called survival.This book has been in the making for a long time now. Over a half a year to write it, about the same amount of time to edit it, and probably about the same amount of time to get the art work and website! I have learned you can’t control the timelines of other people – Murphy likes to step in.So for now I am setting up good luck charms everywhere... didn’t know I had that many stuffed Snoopy’s. *Fingers, legs, toes, eyes and anything else I can crossed*

Book preview

CHAPTER I

Our visitors are about to arrive. The old King of the High Elves announced.

Surrounded by members of the Kingdom’s advisory counsel, he watched in awe as the trees began to bud. Spring, it seemed, was coming early this year. Some of the fruit trees burst into bloom and his smile widened at the expressions that crossed the counselors’ faces. None of them had ever seen anything like this happen before, and he knew the reason why nature was acting as it was now. He had invited the Eagle Claw family for a visit and they were on their way. In fact, they were almost on their doorstep. It was time to prepare a place for their guests to stay, as well as tell the counsel members what was about to happen.

I want the house by the lake prepared to receive special guests. The forest is sending us messages, telling us to get ready for them. They will be arriving shortly, so we need to make haste. The old King ordered.

But that is King Elrohir’s house. One of the advisors exclaimed.

He is to be moved into the house on the Island. He will want to be alone with his bride for a while. The old King smiled as he continued to get things organized so his plans would go through smoothly.

The advisors shot questioning looks at the old King and each other as they watched him prance around in excitement. The gleam in his eyes spoke of trouble and the advisors knew him well enough to be concerned. They wondered what he was up to this time. He had changed since he stepped down from the throne and they wondered if his age was affecting his mind; there were few Elves that got to live past the age of twenty thousand years.

The old King knew what they were thinking and he couldn’t blame them, just as he knew they would reconsider the matter and change their minds after mulling it over for a while longer. That was the way of High Elves. They had to have time to weigh all the pros and cons and debate the matter before deciding what to believe. He realized they thought he had been acting strangely since the first visit Lothrariel and Rothliel had made, and it was easy to see why. The repeated visits from the two ancients had made his actions more suspicious to his counselors, but it wasn’t for them to question the ways of Royalty. They wondered if the ancients had bewitched him and if it was possible? He let them question the matter, because the knowledge of the ancients was not something they were familiar with, yet. In the meantime, their confusion gave him time to act without anyone approaching him directly on his actions. He was finding that stepping down from the throne was giving him the freedom to act in ways he never suspected, and he was enjoying the experience.

Elrohir isn’t going to like having his possessions removed without his consent. One of the advisors warned.

Leave my son to me. I know what I am doing. The old King replied.

Silas, are you sure about this? The old King’s closest friend asked.

I told you. I want grandchildren to spoil before my time to walk into the Myst comes. It is also time things started to change in this Kingdom. We have become staid and dull. Silas insisted.

Why now? The old King’s friend wanted to know.

Why anytime? It has to begin sometime. A friend of mine explained it in a few shocking words, and after thinking about them, I have to agree. In case you think I rushed into the actions I have taken, I will admit it took me a while to come to the same conclusion he did. I believe he is right. Those who refuse to bow to change are doomed to remain stuck in the past; if they are rulers, they eventually cause their Kingdom to fade into the Myst. I want to move forward with the rest of the Empire, and I definitely don’t want the High Kingdom to become a thing of the past. King Silas pointed out.

As King Silas spoke, a small group of children walked past. Each child was dressed in the same manner and every one had a book tucked under an arm as they headed for the study hall. It wasn’t time for lessons, but they were off to learn about philosophy. There was something seriously wrong with their children when they would rather read about ancient thought than play. They needed to run and enjoy their youth while they could, like other children in the Empire. None of the young Elves in the High Kingdom laughed and that told him they were not happy. They were raised to be miniature versions of their parents and he had decided that was boring. Yes, he concluded, it was definitely time for his people to change.

We have been around longer than any other Kingdom in the Empire, Silas. I doubt if we will disappear overnight. The old King’s friend pointed out.

And if we did, who would miss us? Who amongst us can honestly say that we have enjoyed our lives, that we had fun as children? Look at our offspring, not one smile amidst the lot. They are miserable and don’t realize it because we haven’t shown them anything different. I am not saying we are totally lost in our misery. There are some who are open to change and have a streak of mischief in their soul, but that is rare. We need to move ahead, the High Kingdom needs a shaking up. Silas was adamant in his decision.

You have done something, Silas. What is it? The old King’s friend wanted to know.

Silas smiled smugly, but didn’t say another word. He watched as the meeting broke up and the advisors left the area before he turned to his friend to confide in him. He wanted to make sure there was no one around to hear his answer.

Angureir, I sent for the Eagle Claw family and they are on their way. In fact, they are almost here. I can feel them coming and so can everyone else and don’t tell me you can’t, because I know better.

Angureir gave a pained groan as he answered. Please don’t tell me Marious is coming back. Not him. It took us over seven years to get over his last visit.

Not Marious and Tamarak. They did what they could but we need a more powerful couple. We need Elves who are looked up to and respected, Elves who are considered legends. The pitiful increase of population in the High Kingdom we had when Marious and Tamarak visited was more than we had experienced in a long time, and it helped with our problem, but we need a massive influx of children. Silas declared.

What have you done? Angureir’s eyes rounded in horror.

I invited Gabriel Eagle Claw and his entire family and you know he is every bit the Elf our stories claim. Silas replied with a smug grin.

I met Eden once and she is a force I wouldn’t want to butt heads with. I can admire that, even respect her for her being the way she is, but their children are considered uncontrollable. Angureir warned.

Silas smiled widely as he chuckled. I heard the same thing, and if it is true, all I can say is that it is past time we were woken up from our state of deep sleep. I haven’t told anyone because I don’t want this news spread all over the Kingdom. I am telling you now because I believe you can keep a secret. If I hear differently, I will be very disappointed.

Angureir didn’t need to be told what his friend was talking about and he would keep quiet, but he had the definite feeling Silas had bitten off more than he could chew. Gabriel and Eden’s brood were considered wild and unruly, even in Daroth’s Kingdom. What were they going to do with them here? Another thought struck right after the first. Gabriel and Eden, here together? That means Silas had asked a boon from Daroth and it had been granted. The great general and his Tratchar Life Mate had come to perform their fertility spell.

Angureir controlled a sudden urge to laugh as he considered what the effects of that spell would mean to his people. There would be an increase of High Elves like the Kingdom hadn’t seen in centuries, which was definitely needed if they were to continue to have any status in the Empire. The sudden changes would probably leave their people in a state of shock, but Silas was right, it was needed. He thought of his own childless children and wondered if Gabriel and Eden could really help them as they had the Grey Elves. They had worked wonders in Ingwër’s Kingdom. He thought of his three bonded children; none of them had produced offspring. Their hopes and wishes for babies to make their lives complete had gone unanswered; perhaps this was the answer to their prayers.

Silas watched his friend think the matter through and smiled as he noted the shudder. He reached over and patted Angureir on the shoulder and spoke words of assurance.

Things will work out, you will see. I haven’t had a vision telling me exactly how, but what I saw told me the results and they were heartening.

Angureir looked at Silas in indecision for a while as he pondered the situation. He wondered if he should ask what he considered the most obvious question. He was almost afraid to hear the answer, but he needed to know, just as they all would.

What did you see, Silas?

Children. Lots of children and they were having fun, laughing, playing and smiling. Their eyes were shining with happiness and so were those of their parents. I saw a prosperous Kingdom filled with life and hope for the future, not one that looks worn and ready to disappear into the Myst. You had grandchildren in that vision and so did I. We were dangling little girls and boys from our knees and they were giggling. I want that vision for myself as well as for my people. I am choosing life for my Kingdom, not a slow death seeped in stagnation and gloom. Silas admitted.

Well, Angureir admitted, the idea did sound very appealing.

Angureir did want grandchildren to sit upon his knees. He couldn’t imagine what life would be like as Silas described it, but it had merit. He looked at the signs of spring that surrounded them, it was everywhere, like a time of rebirth, it was a good omen. He smiled as the thought struck him that nature was sending them a message. Life was about to come into their world and perhaps it would rejuvenate those who were already living on the land. He would see what would come of that thought and the dream it held.

As for the early spring, it hadn’t come that much sooner than usual, only a few weeks and that had happened before in the past, though the timing was very fortuitous when looked at in a visionary’s standpoint. Silas was a canny Elf and he knew what this meant.

Maybe the children won’t be the horrors rumor makes them out to be. Angureir decided.

From the little I have been told, they are full of life and energy as children should be, but they are not bad. I have also been told that Gabriel and Eden are capable of keeping them relatively in order. They have been well trained. Silas informed his friend.

Well trained at what? Angureir wanted to know.

What are all Eagle Claw children good at? Silas asked.

Military strategy and sword play. Angureir admitted.

Add that to the fact that four of them are strong Tratchars and you could have your answer for why we are having an early spring this year. Silas pointed out.

A Tratchar is powerful, but I haven’t read anything about the talent that would lead me to believe that they can control the weather. Angureir noted.

Neither have I, but they can influence the state of the plants and trees. Look around us. I would say our forest is feeling the effect of their presence already. The trees look healthier than they have in a long, long time. Silas replied.

You have more than just having Gabriel and Eden’s power to influence their spell in mind, don’t you? What devious plan is running though that brain of yours? Angureir wondered.

Silas smiled as he considered telling his friend what he had in mind, before deciding it didn’t really matter if he knew or not. They had nothing to lose by his telling his thoughts to the Elf.

"I am hoping that by having the family here, we can find some way to manipulate the powers that make us what we are into influencing one of the children into returning one day to stay. We need new blood in our lineage, why not an Eagle Claw Tratchar?

It will never work. The Eagle Claws are bound to Daroth for some reason and that is something they take very seriously. Angureir commented.

There are six children, perhaps one will find a Life Mate amongst ours. Silas spoke his wish aloud.

A Life Mate for one of those boys won’t be born for a hundred years or more yet and, as I hear, the older girl has already been recognized as a future Life Mate by King Garoldth’s youngest son, Endiku. Angureir pointed out.

That still leaves the younger girl and from what I hear she has talents from both sides of the family. Silas acknowledged.

You are hoping for a miracle. Angureir stated.

With the way things have been going, that could be what it will take to make the High Elven Kingdom powerful once more. The wars have taken a heavier toll on our people than anyone will admit and ,if we don’t change our ways, we will cease to exist. These children could bring us life and a different outlook about how we live. At this point, I am willing to accept anything I can get for my people, even if it is no more than a wish and a hope. Silas admitted.

Angureir could see his friend was right but knew better than to place his faith in hopes and dreams. Until now, he had thought Silas shared that thought. He would sit back and watch, like his friend, and together they would see what happened.

CHAPTER II

Galador leaned slightly closer to Gildren as he nudged his horse closer to his brother to whisper.

Did you see how that High Elf is holding his sword?

I noticed. Gildren answered.

They weren’t the only ones who had watched the High Elven Warriors as their group rode through the forest on the way to the small city that made up the bulk of the High Elven Kingdom. The whole Eagle Claw family had noticed, some more diplomatically than others. Ennacas had giggled, Eärwen had looked at the young class of warrior with open-mouthed disbelief, before rolling her eyes and the boys had snickered amongst themselves. It was just now, now that they were past the field and out of range of the wrong set of ears hearing what they thought, that they felt safe enough to speak. It was only between themselves in the softest of whispers, but it was enough.

Dad would have had us running laps of the practice field for doing something that stupid. Jerrol commented.

I think I saw dad’s ears twitch, that means he can hear us. Eärwen warned.

Six sets of young Elven eyes swung to meet the sharp glance of their father before exchanging looks of dismay. Eärwen was right. Gabriel had heard them, and that meant they were dead Elves, for if he had heard them he had noticed their earlier actions as they had passed the field of young warriors. Would he let them get away with this? Gabriel’s comment confirmed their worst fears.

You know what you did wrong. You also realize that you could be running laps of that practice field now. What do you think? Should we show them how well Eagle Claw children can run?

Not one word escaped from Gabriel’s children’s lips and although he didn’t show any signs of what he was thinking, he was inwardly proud of their control. He had seen the same mistakes his children had noted, and where they had condemned the young warrior,s he had been tempted to take the High Elven Instructor to task over his lax teachings. Didn’t that Elf realize he would have better warriors if the basics were taught correctly from the beginning? It wasn’t his homeland, nor was it his place to judge. This was a time of peace and, in that regard, he no longer thought of himself as the High Lord General of the combined forces.

Gabriel continued to watch his children as they rode towards the High Elven city. He could tell the little hellions weren’t sorry they said what they did, nor did they care what the others thought about them. As far as they were concerned, they had made the right call. What bothered them was that they had gotten caught while voicing their opinions too loudly. If he hadn’t been paying attention they would have gotten away with their actions. It was not an attitude he wanted to cultivate in his children.

Tomorrow at dawn I will meet you on that field for practice, bring your weapons.

Yes sir. All six children replied.

The moment Gabriel turned his attention back to the trail they were following, Eden turned her head to look at the children as she tossed them a conspiratorial smile, along with a wink. Gabriel caught that as well.

Eden, don’t give then any more encouragement than you have to. They are already crossing lines they know better than to push.

Eden grinned as she leaned across the space between their horses and whispered something into Gabriel’s ear that made him turn so red his ear tips glowed and forced him to cough. She then turned to the children to give another wink, which he caught again. She knew her children would behave; she had had this talk with them before they had embarked on the trip. She had made it clear that their honor was at stake, and they had a reputation to maintain based on a tradition handed down through the generations. Gabriel didn’t know about that and she didn’t tell him, he had enough on his mind.

We will take care of your behavior later, after we have had time to settle and rest from the trip. Gabriel promised Eden.

Eden’s laughter could be heard ringing through the forest as she taunted Gabriel back. You better save your energy for the spell, your getting old and beginning to lose your touch.

I will show you how much touch I have lost when that time comes. Gabriel gave a mock growl along with a smug grin.

Spell? Six sets of young Elven ears picked up the hidden meaning behind their mother’s taunt immediately. They knew what the results of that spell would be, even if they didn’t know the details involved. They did get the message that this spell would mean that both of their parents would feature largely in the execution of it though, which meant they would be otherwise occupied. Talk about an open window of opportunity, and they knew how to use those, even if it often did lead to trouble.

The six children looked around to check out the terrain with bright shining eyes brimming with curiosity and speculation. Yes, there were definitely places that held possibilities for mischief and exploration in this land. It was mountainous, which meant there were bound to be both wolves, as well as larger feline species, living in the deeper parts of the forest. They wondered if the children here knew how to play ball, or ride well enough to engage in the game. If not, they could always learn. First, they would have to gather the mounts needed to participate. Would they find kindred spirits to help them gather what was needed? There would be other things that could be checked into as well, but first they had jobs to do, for they could feel the summons coming from the Great Guardian of the High Elven Kingdom. It was time to focus on more serious matters.

It wasn’t that the old talisman was ill, or under attack, or duress, but it could feel the strength of the approaching band of Tratchars and could use the extra boost of power only they could give. The Eagle Claw children could tell the moment their mother felt the Great Guardian’s touch because she suddenly went on alert. If there was one thing she had drilled into her children, it was to listen closely to what the talisman had to say. They also knew that before they went to see anyone, they would be stopping to pay homage to the Great Guardian. They were looking forward to that, even those amongst them who didn’t have any Tratchar powers.

As they finished getting to their destination, those who had ridden from Daroth’s lands to the High Elven Kingdom dismounted. They were in a small forest clearing where only three Elven Elders stood before an ancient tree, the Great Guardian of the High Elven Kingdom. It was the oldest living member of the Empire and it’s gnarled branches stretched wide as well as high into the sky. Gabriel and Eden’s children crowded around their mother, as they formed a family unit and tried not to stare at the majestic tree. They knew what was about to happen, as well as how to wait their turn when needed. This was serious stuff and needed to be dealt with in the proper manner.

The moment the Unicorns were released, they disappeared into the surrounding forest. They would return when they were needed. The Pegasus horses spread their wings and flew off to return to their herds, and the old King smiled as he took a moment to admire their grace and beauty. He then turned to greet his son, Elrohir, who was leading his bride forward for his blessing. The sight of the couple made his smile widen further and his face light with happiness for them. He extended his arms to them both in welcome.

My vision has come true, you have brought a bright light back from Daroth’s lands to guide us.

Elrohir and Sherl were embraced, each in their turn, then they went onto their knees to receive the old King’s blessings. They didn’t rise as everyone expected when he was finished. They remained on their knees and waited for the next phase of the ceremony.

The old King motioned Gabriel and Eden forward, along with their children. He didn’t say a word as he bowed then moved away from the Great Guardian. He took the other two elders with him and together they stood by the side of the area that would immediately circle the Talisman. It was a signal he was sure Eden, if no one else, would understand. This was an ancient ritual of blessing the union of a High Elven King that hadn’t been practiced in eons. The Great Guardian would guide her actions as well as give her the words needed for the ceremony. It was one of the rites she was expected to perform in her position as the Master Tratchar.

No one needed to tell Eden, or her children, what was needed from them. They followed the words of the Great Guardian as it guided them and filed the ritual to memory for future use, for this was a ritual older than most of the other Talisman in the Empire. There was a vast amount of knowledge and memory stored in the roots and soul of this ancient being. As Eden and her Tratchar children formed a circle around the tree, they began to sing. The rest of the family joined them to boost the power they generated and together they bowed low before the Great Guardian of the High Elven Kingdom in tribute to its longevity and service to its people. Each of the Tratchars offered a lone tear, which they pressed against the bark of the tree trunk. When the tears disappeared, they began to change the cadence of the song from one of greeting to one of an open chant.

As the sound of Tratchar song flowed through the surrounding territory, High Elves began to come from the forest. They formed rings around the chanting Tratchars, and as Eden reached to take the hands of her children, as well as Gabriel’s and their warrior sons, Elrohir and Sherl joined with them to complete the inner circle. Soon there were other High Elves who followed their example, fifteen circles of High Elven Tree Elves formed rings around them, followed by healers and other talents. They were all accounted for, each talent coming in to play in their own time. Together they sang an ancient tune none had ever heard before, yet not one word was missed in the ritual they performed. In song, they gave their blessings, and that of the Great Guardian, to their King and his bride as they also bound the nation to their essences as one to give it strength. In doing this, they renewed the spirit of their Talisman. The forest rang with the power of Elven voices and magic, until it was all tied together as one by the song of the Tratchar and joined with the life force of the Great Guardian by the connection she shared with that entity.

As suddenly as the ritual had started it ended and Eden went to her knees before the Talisman. Her children followed her lead as each formed another tear to bury at the base of the tree. When the singing died, the sound of the ensuing silence was overpowering; even the birds were quiet in the aftermath of what had happened. Those who could see them looked at Eden and her family with awe, but no one moved. They watched as the Tratchars remained kneeling on