Alomendros and Isildria
As was ordained in the Prophecies of Calamitus the seer the world was torn asunder and the great kingdoms of the world ended in fire and fury.
Thus four hundred and fifty cycles of Surtur had passed and the mighty kingdoms of elf, dwarf, and man had crumbled to dust in the lands of the north. Of the lands of the south their passes and roads were sealed from their brethren, and were allowed to follow their own fate.
The great shield wall of friends had fallen and from the deepest holds came forth the doom of man. Bred with the hate of all; worshippers of Talronan the dark god, the Sworgan crawled from their holes.
Bursting from their bounds the armies of darkness brought forth Death and slaughter to the races of Aerbor.
This was the hour of the orc as they were so named by the elves. It was the time of fell things that hunted the dark roads of the earth and those who walked them.
All hope was not lost though, not all valor and honor of men had perished when the great kingdoms of magic fell. Of the many men that escaped the doom of magic it fell to the lords of the Imordeen and Valos to Sheppard the folk during the dark days of Aerbor.
These men of the old days had journeyed forth with others and away from the followers of madness, creating small realms in the way of the old kings.
It was during the days of the Sworgs as men called them, that the race of men had lost their valor and the glory of their fathers. Hubris had been the chain that bowed them low, and it was man of all the races the suffered most for their crimes of power.
It was price of men to witness in their folly the watch tower of Enveinos the all seeing pinnacle of Lemurians the high city of Hysoril sink into the sea. They knew the curse had come, and there end was near.
Men fell from the grace of the Imortalis and into shadow and their stature which was once great lessened, becoming as they had been before the coming of Alros rune bearer; afraid of magic and thing that seemed strange to them.
As the men of old slipped into shadow the Imordeen and the Valos held aloft the beacons of ages past to those who remembered the ways of the Imortalis and their great magic. Small were the kingdoms man, and they could not match the strength of the Sworgan. But patient and learned were the elders of man who knew that the world ever twisted and what once was might be again.
Of this it is said one Valos in truth held the light of the Imortalis greater than any living man, and he made his home in one of the kingdoms of the south bordering Floral'lanthus the great wood.
Even to this day the lords sing of his triumphs and victories; so high he in the stood in the grace of the gods. The elves named him Belnost Sowinder;whisper of the wind. The dwarves honored him with the title of Kelvost Grumbender; the hammer that cracks the stone. To men he was named Alomendros Vedeoria; the light of man.
So great was his honor and deeds of valor that there was no captain greater than he, no lord that stood higher, even being one of common birth. Most called him by the name Vedeoria, but other knew him as the light for all knew his heart beat for the calling of the Imortalis and especially the goddess of love Silani Althan. Many flocked to his banner and great was the band that followed him. Thus in year anon they would be called the Illuminated Blades.
Alomendros spent most of his days away from Castul, his home preferring the wild forest of Floranthus. There was no other place he felt more comfortable hunting sworgs and listening to the sounds of the night birds that flitted to and fro amongst the tall branches of the wood. Here most of all he fell into happiness, feeling as one with green earth.
In the day of yore in the time of shadow when the wood was young Floralanthus had not yet seen the rise of power that would come when all of elvendom would live in its boroughs. The green wood was still in thralldom of the orc master known as Galegroth Toothfang, and his minions.
The lord of the sworgs was a hateful creature that found pleasure slaying all things mortal. His blood grew, when the sheen of the moon full and fat cast its rays down upon his company, and the call to hunt was sounded through bone horns. Thus ran the steeds of orcs. War boars bred for battle and toughened for grievous hits would carry the sworgan host into the merry hunt; there they would slate their blood thirst upon whatever victim they would find.
Alomendros this night slept in the embrace of the wood. His eyes fluttered as if he was seeing dream, as he was caught in the magic of the forest. The warrior could here the nightingale sing to him in the bright light of the moon. He swooned beneath the cover of night, and when he awoke from his slumber he heard a melody sweeter than any song he had ever heard.
Fearing to wake his companions Alomendros stole away into the wilds and followed the soft chorus that seemed to pull at his heart, like no other power before. It was as if the doors to his soul had been torn asunder by the call.
As graceful as any elf or animal the Valos came across a large glade which opened to a celestial canopy that showed the moon and the belt of Io that shined deep in the sky,
His eyes gazed once, twice, as the shaft of light showered the earth in glint like rain. As spectacular as the evening sky might have been it was the visage that stole his heart and spelled his doom.
It was the highest gift the Imortalis could ever bequeath, as well as a curse for it was called love by men, and elor in the elf tongue. It was also named the doom of things by all the races of chalice.
Alomendros's grey eyes beheld the only sight he would ever wish to see. There in the middle of the glade was a pool; in the pool was water that was unmoving, yet motion still played as it reflected the moonlight like the shine of a well polished shield. There he saw his future. In the embrace of the moonlight stood and elf maiden of such beauty the very forces of the world bowed to her. Tears flowed down from his eyes at her visage.
Her hair was spun of solid moonbeams, thin and long. Her skin was pale, in the waxing light of the moon, not unlike the porcelain statues of Alomendros's fore fathers.
His heart sang for her. He wished to join her night-song and to embrace her in his arms. His soul was ensnared by the wonderment of her eyes for it has always been said that that the Flaisar held time and the stars in the stare of their eyes as given the gift of the Imortalis to the first born. Alomendros saw the veil of the world in her eyes and the crown of stars that circled about those deep blue orbs of wisdom and knowledge. Tall she stood in the pool for of the elder races they stood amongst men in height and at time greater.
Alomendros's heart choked back and his mind wandered from the firmament in which he stood, thus he was ensnared in the hands of Isildria the high queen of all the Flaisar of chalice, a sight no mortal man had seen since the breaking of magic four hundred and fifty year prior.
Of all Elfdom none was more loved than Isildria the queen of quicksilver, for her name meant the beauty of silver in their tongue. She was the mother of the silversheen the river in which she bathed every eve.
Alomendros had heard stories of her from many of the elf lord he had encountered or had come to Castul, yet he never fathomed such a spirit of beauty burned so brightly in the light of darkness. Like himself Isildria burned with the fires of the Imortalis and she was beloved by them.
Alomendros heart ached for the sight of her. He was not afraid of death. The Valos had heard she held great and vast powers of the old magic. It would be his honor to fall to her only to gaze at her sight one more time.
It was then that the great queen of all elves gazed upon the man through the hidden trees of the wood, for no sapling, leaf, or trunk could obscure her vision. Her song ended and to Alomendros it was as if the all life had stopped. To his wonder she did not hither away or gather her garments and gear, nor did her lips part but the power of her words ignited in his mind like fire, and he was compelled forward.
'Come forward man of Valor' the voice was soft, yet thunder could be felt underneath. 'Be at ease and be not fearful of me. You will not find hurt, nor captivity, nor will there be any enticement of your soul through craft.' She walked from the water and the wetness clung to her supple curved shape. To Alomendros it was as if the water droplets had formed clothing to garb her.
Alomendros shivered, not from fear but for the heartfelt feelings of love that pounded within his breast, as he came closer to her. He bowed before her taking a knee, and lowering his head, and allowing his blind hair to fall past his shoulder upon his chainmail.
'Forgive me oh fair queen of the evening stars. Forgive me my trespass of thy form. That my eyes beheld such beauty forever more, blind I would go' he whispered.
Of Great mirth was Isildria as she draped her form in a shimmer gown of elven silk and cloth. A whimsical smile formed upon her full lips.
'So unlike your breathern are the thoughts of Alomendros son of Vedeoria;, Kelvost Grumbender; Nenost Sowinder. So unlike the humans that walk the world who would seek to bind me to their net or covet the power within me; much like your fathers of old who have made the world thus.'
Alomendros stammered, 'I wish nothing of you great queen, nothing in which would give me greater pleasure than the gift of what burns within me.
'Oh? And what pleasure would that be great fire of man?' She snickered.
'It is the only treasure I will ever love, till the rest of my days. The treasure I shall tell no one about lest it be taken or made fool of. It is the love of an elf queen my eye fell upon this very eve!'
Isildria stepped back, and her smile grew even greater.
'By the Imortalis! The love of an elf queen? You speak as if you love me mortal'¦and woe is the passing of men and elf that love. For an elf is immortal, and man his time is short and unto the dust of the world he becomes when his time has run it course. Nay thou does not love me'¦ for whenever man and elf has come upon the gifts of the Imortalis has doom ever followed. Forsake this madness.'
Alomendros lifted his head and steel found his heart and resolve. Kindled was the fires of faith, and as he stood up, his visage seemed unto the power of greatness.
'Nay my queen, that shall never be for in a moment brief as it is to an elf, I have found the one thing that gladdens my heart and brings me peace. AND that is you. Thus I can never forsake it. Thus I pledge to you my undying love to you, and the body that goes along with it.'
'Foolish man, though does not know what you do, forsake your r oath!' Isildria turned shaking, as she knew she would, as she had known all her life. For the prophecy had been told to her.
'Nay I shall not! My oath I shall keep, and by my strength it be sworn to the the Imortalis'¦ it is done.'Alomendros spirit boomed. For Isildria knew that both were doomed, for in her eyes she had beheld the great love of her life, as she had seen it years before as the Imortalis had proclaimed.
Isildria turned to speak. Both man and elf heard the trumpets and horns of the great hunt. The sworgan had come, and with their orc forged weapons they brought death.
The brush parted, and from the Thicket the great host sprang forth upon their war hog steeds. They were the enemy of man, elf and all the goodly races of chalice. The Sworgan had come forth from their hunt with a vengeance, their blood lust up and ready.
Galegroth Toothfang was their great captain. Garbed in the best chain-mail of his people, the war chief brought forth his tusker-steed, and gripped Garltooth his mighty spear.
'Ho what have we here, an Elf Wench and a young human pup.' The Sworgan snorted out a laugh that was met with his fellows.
'By Talronan, I have been blessed with great fortune this night. Look my fellows before us are the high queen of the elves, long have I wished to dip my spear in her blood.'
Alomendros blood raged, this affront would not stand. The bold young warrior's blade flashed through the night twinkling like the many stars in the sky.
'To the lower hells with you pig flesh.' He seethed. His anger dipped when he felt the gentle brush of Isildria upon his shoulder.
'Worry not my brave protector; it will not be my blood that stains that spear but his very own. Well met Galegroth, out for a midnight run?' Galegroth spat upon the ground, and gripped his spear in hate. He could feel his fellow anxious, they craved blood, and by the dark gods they would have it. 'You bandy words when you see your doom before you Elf bitch. The gods have given me my greatest dream. Pray to your elf god whore, for you will not leave this glade alive.' He cried.
"Kill them!' He commanded.
'By the gods!' Alomendros grunted as he saw the riders come forth war pigs uprooting the very ground. He tightened his grip at on his blade and whispered to his gods, HE then turned to the most beautiful yet terrifying sight he would ever remember.
There as the moon basked upon his beloved, Isildria seemed to grow and a blue nimbus of flame lit her body. Alomendros shook with the power the elf queen held to.
'Oh so rash orc scum, to send you captains to their death, a pity you will never know the folly of your ways. You were a small captain Galegroth, and your mastery of these woods is forever broken!' Her voice licked the heavens; the Sworgs in their fear saw their doom, as they tried to stop their momentum.
Isildria voice called forth the power of the Imortalis, and her voice careened with power of songs and of eldritch might. In the days of old, magic was not simply spoken but song in a weave of power.
The elf queen lifted her hands, and arcane bolts of lightening tore from them, streaking across the divide. The lances of blue white energy impacted against the Sworg riders, lancing them through their bodies illuminating their insides to the all that could be seen.
Galegroth looked upon the sight stunned, his mouth swinging open as he gazed at the power of Isildria queen of all elves. There before him his host churned in flames and fury as their bodies roasted upon power of the maiden of silver.
'Damn you whore!' he cried and launched his war pig toward her. The great hog thundered across the glade. Spent from the spell Isildria crumpled to the ground, and gazed upon the captain of the Sworgs brandishing death her way.
'Your time is at hand Orc!' Alomendros ran across the divide his sword leading the way. The war hog exploded in a rush toward him at full galloping speed. Alomendros was the smarter, as he ducked to the side and his blade found the mark underneath the creatures fore legs. The warrior blade sent the creature slamming into the ground, pitching its rider. The great beast tore up the ground careening towards the edge of the lake. Galegroth shuddered with the impacted as he was thrown off.
Alomendros moved in a flash, his cloak whipping behind him, as he landed upon the beast before it could stand up once more. He punched his blade home into the side of the creature head, deep into its brain-pan.
'Behind you!'Isildria cried as she tried to rise from the ground. Alomendros turned as his blade slid out of the dead creatures head. He felt something punch underneath his armor, and for a moment his mind couldn't register what had happened. The young warrior slumped against the carcass of the war hog as he looked down and saw Garltooth slide out of his side.
'First you die human dog, then the elf bitch. She will slake the thirst I have for her blood, when I slit her throat!' He readied for another stab, and instead, watched as Alomendros stood, hate visible upon his face.
Never would he harm the woman he loved, he would never allow her life to be taken while he lived. He had so promised and by the Imortalis and he would stay true to his word by all that was holy.
The young warrior masked out the pain with hate for the creature that stood before him. All that remained was rage, pure and cold. The warrior exploded into action and his sword hummed with each swing. The Sworg back peddled, and brought up his spear to block the young fighter strikes.
Alomendros moved like molten silver, and his sword danced, striking cobra like. Galegroth had never encountered such a skilled warrior before, and for every sword strike he blocked another cut opened his flesh, until he realized he was bleeding from several wounds.
'This can not be.' He whimpered as he tried to stop the vertical chop that came down upon him. Galegroth, Sworgan Captain of the forest brought up Garltooth in the vain hope that it would save his life one more time.
The spear shattered with the blow of Alomendros.
The blade tore into the Sworgs head, into his skull, and before Galegroth died, Alomendros spun and his blade cleaved the Sworgs head from his shoulders.
The warrior eyes misted over as the pain shook body, he looked to where he had last seen his beloved, and weakly smiled. It would be an honor for him to die in this way. More important was that the woman that had taken his soul, and replaced it with the warmth of love now would continue to live.
He slumped to his knees barely holding onto his sword. He thought for a brief moment that he could hear singing. Was it a nightingale that called him to his home away from the world? He wondered. His mind registered the sound of trickling water, as one would hear from a bubbling brook. He slumped to the cool ground his vision misting over, when he saw her face gentle, and tearful.
'Be at ease my warrior, I shall take care of thee. Oh Alomendros, you know not what you have done. You have ensnared us both.' Her tears fell upon his face, and unto his lips. Alomendros could taste the sadness within.
'It was ordained in the birthing of the world that the joining of human and elf should never be. You have sealed our doom, beloved. I knew the very moment your eyes touched mine that we were one. I have known that this day was come, and that you would slip to this glade. Silani Althan, blessed of the Imortalis and most loved spoke her words of love to me so long ago. And now here you lie before me.' Isildria's tears came to her unbidden, and washed away the hurts of Alomendros. The man gathered her small hand into his own, soft and tender.
'I shall never leave you. I promise you to the days of my life that I shall always be with you.' He smiled weakly.
Isildria heart bloomed with love for this man that she had seen in her dreams, and waited for far to long.
'Celos Elor. My love, my life.' She kissed him, and their fears and hurts were washed away in their love.
The bright sun shone upon the forest of Floral'lanthus, as the gathering of men, elf and dwarf once more came together in hope of a shared, life and dreams. A faint Felsun wind brushed twigs about the field where all stood, for the marriage of Alomendros and Isildria.
Alomendros and Isildria held each other, as the Clerics of both Helia Crowngold and Corellian Lareithan blessed their union. When all words were done Alomendros and Isildria kissed long and deep, for they knew their love was Eternal'¦.
The End