Hunters of Hywel

ow is the time.” whispered a female dark elf. Her deep lavender eyes and wry smile evidently showed assurance that the prophecy was looming. For as the days passed on the dark underworld of Azzumaehun, day after day she felt the presence of the Serpent’s Heart mounting. The dark elves referred her as Lady Keshizzara, who now stood as their mysterious leader. A dark elf who frequently was beside Celandine from the time of Vibac’s rebellion. From the time of Amarash’s downfall, a long time ago, Lady Keshizzara was among the remnants of the dark elf race. There were just a few of them who survived from the Great War of Neriwonda and since then they secretly hid in caves. And as decades passed, they grew in number and discreetly established a city under the caves of Amarash and called it the City of Azzumaehun.
   Lady Keshizzara spent most of the decades trying to learn the dark magic of the three rings of Celandine, and gained knowledge of the Serpent’s Heart.
   “She is exactly a she, as I anticipated, Serlaek.” she said to her dark elf companion.
   “Is she from what race?” Serlaek responded.
   “From a human, and that makes her more vulnerable.”
   “Do you suspect that the aderyns knew about this, Lady Keshizzara?” he inquired.
   “Randgríðr believe that they killed the child. And Reginleif knew of it too.” the lady dark elf’s countenance then shifted to a grim one, as if she comprehended something. “Only the elves of Vennashan might stand on our way. They are more attuned to the prophecies, and if they gained knowledge of the Serpent’s Heart’s existence, they will surely do something about it.”
   “Without a doubt, they will inform Firolwen about it.” Serlaek added.
   It gave the lady dark elf something to brood over, and she quickly whispered. “Go find the Serpent’s Heart, and bring her to me. Alive!”

   The old and small hut Aruniel and Dourofeek found was abandoned. Although it was a little bit messed up, still it is more fitting place to lessen the cold breeze and the fact that the hut has an old fireplace. Somewhat it took them an hour or so to produce fire that as soon as the fire started, they both fell into a deep sleep from their journey’s exhaustion.
   The next day, they got up late, about ten in the morning. It was then that Aruniel realized how stupid her plan was, for they only had two breads and no single idea how long will be their journey ahead. They tried to see if somehow there were fish in the pond but they found no luck and the trees all over were not fruit bearing trees.
   They continued their travel heading towards the northern mountains eating half a bread as they walk.
   “We have a serious problem here, Douro.” Aruniel said.
   “Aye, I know what ye thinkin’.” the dwarf replied. “We have only have half a b’ead afte’ this.”
   “Bah, why haven’t I thought ’bout this earlier.” She muttered. “I guess we should escape a meal and save this for dinner. Or worst for the next night. I have no idea when we’re going to find food on the road.”
   The road continued to ascend although they were still far from the northern mountains. Soon, the woods became eerie for the trees were bulk and uncanny and that the suns were sinking.
   Slowly the moon came up of the horizon and the stars started to spark, the two of them stopped by on a big tree to spend the night when they heard a long vague sound of howl.
   “What was that P’incez ’Euniel?” Dourofeek inquired frightfully.
   “I’m afraid those are what they called wolves.” she answered.
   “The big bad dogs?” Dourofeek said.
   “Aye, I’ve seen a dead one from the hunters o’ Hollow Hill.” Aruniel replied, who can’t stay still from sitting as the howl came again, and that time it sounds as if it was nearer.
   “Will they eat us?” Dourofeek asked seriously and a little afraid.
   Aruniel smiled at the serious question of her dwarf friend and said “I hope not, Douro.” And just as Princess Aruniel replied, a howl resonate again which was longer and a nearer one. And at the sound of it, it was just an arrow shoot away or two.
   “I guess this is an unlucky night,” she said, “We should be going now, Douro. They’re coming nearer.”
   They quickly got up and continued on the road but only a minute or so as they stride, three pairs of gleaming eyes peered a stone throw away in front of them.
   “Run Douro!” Aruniel cried.
   They ran in panic not knowing where to go on the shadowy woods and they were both shocked when they knock down and rolled violently falling from a ridge.  

   Slowly Aruniel’s sight returned and saw a blurred form in front of her, and then she screamed for she felt a hand holding hers. She swiftly sat as her vision came into full view. She was inside a tent and a person was in front of her who seemed surprised from her scream.   
   “Easy, I’m a friend… I was…”
   “Who are ye!?” Aruniel said in a threatening tone trying to stay away from the person in front of her.
   “Just be calm, I’m Adrei of Hywel.” he said. “We found you and your friend last night. You were attacked by wolves, and fell from a ridge.”
    Aruniel was speechless that she didn’t understand what Adrei was saying, for it gave her an impression that the person before her was the same race as her—a human. She looked at his smooth face, he was without beard, and that’s what she quickly noticed. His hair was blonde and gentle eyes of grey and a few inches taller than her.  
   “Are you alright? Lady…” he said.
   Aruniel came to her senses and said “Oh! Who are ye?! Don’t ye ever come near me!” she came again in a threatening tone as she stood.
   “Who are, what?” he replied, “You sounds like a dwarf, except of course that you are not a dwarf. I’m a friend. As I said we found you last night, you and your friend were attacked by wolves and fell from a ridge.”
   Her heart was beating loud, she was sure that he was a human, and she finally found a kin of her. She stood in front of him without a word until Adrei waved his hand and said “Are you sure you’re alright?”
   “Oh, aye, aye! I’m sorry…” she said uncomfortably for she realized that she was staring at Adrei for a long time. “I… I’m Aruniel.”
   “Nice to meet you Aruniel.” He said and offered his hand for a shake.
   “I’m sorry if I screamed,” she said and shook his hand, “It’s because ye… ye’re…”
   “I’m holding your hand?” Adrei butted in. “I’m sorry, I thought that I’ve seen wounds in your palm I checked it and glad that it wasn’t. Are those marks?”
   “Aye.” she answered, still uncomfortable and she can’t look at Adrei anymore.
   “Aye?” Adrei replied. “Are you from Duin Hall?”
   “Nay, oh aye!” she abruptly changed her answer, “Aye, we’re from Duin Hall. Do ye know that there are humans livin’ in there among dwarves?”
   “Yes…” Adrei replied, wondering why Aruniel had to clarify that there were humans living in Duin Hall. “And you’re from there?”
   “Aye, that’s why I have a strong dwarven accent. By the way, where is me friend?”
   “Oh the boy.” Adrei said and then pointed out Dourofeek, who was asleep far behind her.
   “Good heavens, is he alright?” she quickly went beside the dwarf and sat.
   “I guess he hit his head badly. But I’m sure he will be fine.” replied he.
   Aruniel whispered, “We’re lucky that he is a beardless dwarf, they thought he’s a boy.”
   “Pardon me?” Adrei said.
   Aruniel stood realizing that Adrei overheard her, “Oh, nay, I said… I said… Thank ye for savin’ us.”
   Adrei smiled and said, “You’re welcome! Well, is it alright if I ask what the two of you are doing in the forest?”
   Quickly Aruniel made an alibi and luckily to think one at once. “Ahhm, we got lost.”
   “From Duin Hall all the way here?” Adrei answered in a suspicious tone.
   “Nay nay!” Aruniel said, “We went to the Halls of Hollow-hill with King Hilran.”
   “King Hilran is a good friend of mine. Are ye familiar with the dwarves in south?” She continued.
   “Yes, but then how did the two of you got lost?” he said.
   “We, we’re attacked…” she replied.
   “Attacked? By?”
   “Attacked, attacked by… by monsters!” she replied. “Aye, by monsters.”
   “Monsters?” Adrei replied in a more doubtful tone. “Do you mean the wolves?”
   “Aye, ye’re right! We’re attacked by the wolves.”
   “And… and what happened to King Hilran?”
   “I don’t know, ahhmm… I hope they’re fine.” she said, “Didn’t ye see 'em when ye found us? I… I hope they’re fine.”
   “No, we haven’t seen even a single dwarf.” Adrei replied. “Anyway, we’ll accompany you to Duin Hall if you want.”
    “Thank ye so much. How about ye, what are ye doin’ in the forest, an’ where are we now?”
    Adrei then opened the tent’s door to let Aruniel see where they were, “We’re still in the forest, we came here to hunt and this is our third and last day. Don’t worry we’re going to stay in a more comfortable place tonight, we’re heading to Anklamoria’s Inn.”
   “I guess you’re hungry by now.” Adrei continued, “Come and we’ll get you food, and I’ll introduce you to my company.”
   “Alright, but are ye sure Dourofeek is alright?”
   “Oh, the boy’s name is Dourofeek?” Adrei said. “I’m sure he’ll be fine, we’ll ask my friend to stand by him.”
  
   They exited the tent and there were twelve more tents outside, a bond of humans was evidently having some fun, laughing out loud, but their laughs was slowly hushed down as they saw Aruniel and Adrei coming.
   “Good to see that the lady is now awake, Prince Adrei.” One hunter said. It did surprised Aruniel from hearing the word “Prince” as she glanced at Adrei walking abreast her.
   “Yes, Hedril.” Adrei replied. “I’d like to introduce Aruniel of Duin Hall.”
   “Oh, so she is a dwarven lady, a beautiful dwarven lady!” Another hunter said in a manner of a joke and everyone laugh.
   Aruniel smiled and said, “Nice to meet ye all an’ thank ye for savin’ me an’ me friend.” Aruniel said, and the hunters all nod their heads as a reply.
   “Philip, can you gave her something to eat, I guess our dwarven princess here is hungry.” Adrei said and then glanced at Aruniel.
   Although Adrei and the hunters were just having fun, it gave Aruniel a fright, for the joke was in fact not a joke at all. But Aruniel hid it from her countenance.
   “Ye didn’t told me that ye’re the prince of Hywel.” she said. “So I should call ye Prince Adrei.”
   “No, you don’t need to, you’re not from Hywel.” He said.
   “Nay, a prince is a prince!” said she.
   “So Prince Adrei then!” Adrei said.  

   As soon as Aruniel finished eating she went back in the tent where Dourofeek was, for she has to make sure that her dwarf friend knows what to answer if questioned by Prince Adrei and the hunters of Hywel. And just as when it was about noon, Dourofeek was awakened.
   “Douro, are ye alright?” Aruniel said to the dwarf.
   Dourofeek didn’t answered at once and just stared blankly at her.
   “Douro? Hey, my friend this is me, Aruniel.”
   “P’incez ’Euniel?” Dourofeek said in a hushed voice.
   “Oh, P’incez ’Euniel!” the dwarf then shouted as if he came to his full senses, but Aruniel quickly put his hand on the dwarf’s mouth to shut him up.
    “Shhh… Be quiet Douro.” Aruniel then had a quick look outside to see if anybody was near the tent, “From now on ye have to call me Aruniel, just Aruniel no ‘princess’, understood?”
   “But why?” Dourofeek asked.
   “Can ye still remember what happened when we’re attacked by the wolves?” Aruniel replied. “We fell on a ridge, an’ a bond of hunters from Hywel found us. I told ’em that we’re from Duin Hall. So right now we are from Duin Hall not from Hollow-hill, alright?”
   The young dwarf just nod as a reply.
    “Remember everythin’ I’m sayin’ here Douro.” Aruniel warned the dwarf and continued, “I am Aruniel, we’re from Duin Hall, we went in Hollow-hill with King Hilran, King Hilran is our friend, when we’re headin’ back to Duin Hall we’re attacked by wolves an’ we’re separated with the dwarves from Duin Hall.”
   “Is that clear, Douro?”
   “Aye, P’incez Euniel.” the dwarf answered.
   “Douro!” Aruniel said. “Aruniel, just Aruniel, no ‘princess’.”
   The dwarf quickly put his hand on his mouth. “Sowee! P’in… ’Euniel…”
   “Now, we are from?” Aruniel asked.
   “F’wom Duin Hall.” Dourofeek replied.
   “Good, an’ then?” she continued.
   “An’ then, we got sepa’waited f’wom King Hil’ian.” Dourofeek answered. “An’… an’ we got attacked by big bad dogs, an’ we fell on ’widge, an’… an’ ye a’ ‘Euniel, an’… an…”
   “An’ ye are?” Aruniel butted in.
   “An’ I am a boy!” Dourofeek shouted.
   “Good Douro, remember that!” Aruniel said and smiled. “Come on, I’ll introduce ye to the hunters of Hywel and to Prince Adrei.”
   Just as Aruniel was about to stand she felt a tremendous pain coming from her right hand.
   “A’ ye alw’ight ‘Euniel?” Dourofeek said in a worried tone. “Is it the mawk’s again?”
   “Aye Douro…” she answered, holding her painful right hand with the left. “Douro, I’m afraid.”