Below the mighty edifice of ice, in the frozen wastes of the Arctic of Kelewan, was a forest. Moreover, it was a forest like none upon Kelewan, and Pugs heart raced as he beheld mighty oaks and elms, ash and pine. Dirt, not ice, lay under his boots, and all around a soft, gentle light was diffused by the green branches and bowers. Pug’s guide pointed toward a path and again took the lead. Deep in the forest they came to a large clearing. Pug had never seen the like of the sight before him, but he knew there was another place, a far distant place, that looked much as this did. In the center of the clearing, gigantic trees rose, with mighty platforms erected amid them, connected by roads upon the backs of branches. Silver, white, gold, and green leaves all seemed to glow with mystic light.
Pug’s guide raised his hands to his hood and slowly lowered it. Pug’s eyes widened in wonder, for before him stood a creature unmistakable to one reared upon Midkemia. Pug’s expression was one of open disbelief and he was nearly speechless. Before him stood an old elf, who with a slight smile said, “Welcome to Elvardein, Milamber of the Assembly. Or would you prefer to be called Pug of Crydee? We have been expecting you.”
“I prefer Pug,” he half whispered. He was able to muster up only a shred of his composure, so shocked was he to find Midkemia’s second most ancient race living among this impossible forest, deep in the ice of an alien planet. “What is this place? Who are you, and how did you know I was coming here?”
“We know many things, son of Crydee. You are here because it is time for you to face that greatest of terrors, what you call the Enemy. You are here to learn. We are here to teach.”
“Who are you?”
The elf motioned Pug toward a gigantic platform. “There is much you must learn. A year shall you abide with us, and when you leave, you will come to power and understanding you only glimpse now. Without that teaching, you will not be able to survive the coming battle. With it, you may save two worlds.” Nodding as Pug moved forward, the elf fell in beside him. “We are a race of elvenkind long vanished from Midkemia. We are the eldest race of that world, servants to the Valheru, those whom men called the Dragon Lords. Long ago did we come to this world, and for reasons you shall learn we chose to abide here. We watch for the return of that which has brought you to us. We prepare against the day we see the return of the Enemy. We are the eldar.”
Stunned by this, Pug could only wonder. Silently he entered the twin of the city of elves, Elvandar, the place deep in the ice that the eldar had called Elvardein.
Arutha strode down the hall. Lyam walked at his side. Behind them hurried Volney, Father Nathan, and Father Tully. Fannon, Gardan and Kasumi, Jimmy and Martin, Roald and Dominic, Laurie and Carline all followed in a pack. The Prince still had on the stained and tattered travel clothing he had worn on the ship from Crydee. They had had a fast, and blessedly uneventful, journey.
Two guards still waited without the room Pug had ensorcelled. Arutha motioned for them to open the door. When it was open, he waved them aside, and with the hilt of his sword, he smashed the seal as Pug had instructed.
The Prince and the two priests hurried to the Princess’s bedside. Lyam and Volney kept the rest outside. Nathan opened the vial containing the curative fashioned by the elven Spellweavers. As instructed, he poured a drop upon Anita’s lips. For a moment nothing happened, then the Princess’s lips flickered. Her mouth moved, and she licked the drop from her lips. Tully and Arutha held her up; Nathan raised the vial to her mouth and poured. She drank it all.
Before their eyes color returned to Anita’s cheeks. As Arutha knelt at her side, her eyes fluttered and opened. She turned her head slightly, and said, “Arutha,” in almost a silent whisper. Her hand gently came and touched his cheek as tears of thanks ran unashamedly down his face. He took her hand and kissed it.
Then Lyam and the others were in the room. Father Nathan rose and Tully barked, “Only a minute, now! She has to rest.”
Lyam laughed, his loud happy laugh. “Listen to him. Tully, I’m still the King.”
Tully said, “They may make you Emperor of Kesh, King of Queg, and Grand Master of the Brothers of the Shield of Dala as well, for all I care. To me you’ll always be one of my less-gifted students. A moment, then out you go.” He turned away, but as with the others, his face was wet.
The Princess Anita looked around at all the smiling faces and said, “What happened?” She sat up and with a wince said, “Oh, I hurt,” then smiled an embarrassed smile. “Arutha, what did happen? All I remember was turning to you at the wedding . . .”
“I’ll explain later. You rest, and I’ll see you again soon.”
She smiled and yawned, covering her mouth. “Excuse me. But I am sleepy.” She snuggled down and was soon asleep.
Tully began shooing them from the room. Outside, Lyam said, “Father, how soon before we can finish this wedding?”
“In a few days,” said Tully. “The restorative powers of that mixture are phenomenal.”
“Two weddings,” said Carline.
Lyam said, “I was going to wait until we returned to Rillanon.”
“Not on your best horse’s rump,” snapped Carline. “I’m taking no chances.”
“Well, Your Grace,” said the King to Laurie, “I guess it’s been decided.”
Laurie said, “ “Your Grace’?”
With a laugh and a wave, as he walked away, Lyam said, “Of course, didn’t she tell you? I can’t have my sister married to a commoner. I’m naming you Duke of Salador.”