The Romance of Efion and Aricin

[Elladan]

Here is the account of The Romance of Efion and Aricin

The white city of Avalbane shone across the distance with hope to weary travelers on weary paths, and the Lord of Avalbane always curtiously accomidated them. It was a beautiful city, with flowering courts, fruitful orchirds, enchanting forests, and a magnificent citadel built of white stone. The curtious lord was himself a beautiful man; kind, just, and caring to all, but he was flawed with sorrow and regret. His heart was never fair to him. His youthful spirit let him first love a maid who would betray him in the end. She bore him a son only to take it away in her shame and anger. This was Seremidal Yvis, whom would be his first and last love.

Seremidal had always been manipulative with him, always trying to have her way. His royal title intimidated her. He thought it would have worn away, but it seemed that her heart remained with her true racial background. She was bound by it, and no love could break it, even the love that he offered her. No, it wasn't enough. She wanted it laced in secrecy. It is there that her heart remains, there the lies take root, and there that she left him and his love.

A while after Seremidal had left Aricin met another, and this is their story:

"Come, come, we won't make by nightfall if you don't hurry up." Fionan shouted, eager to reach the city of Avalbane of which he had heard wonderful stories about. They had just awoken in tavern of "Atale-Avele" and Efion, his sister, was taking far to long letting her horse drink.

"Fionan. If he doesn't drink we'll be walking until we find a stream later."

The man put his gallent plumed hat on and mounted his chestnut. "If he drinks any more I'm sure he'll burst."

Efion shook her head, lifting her palamino's head and mounting him.

They were a pair from Feoras, the sea-city. Efion had never been so far inland that you could not smell the ocean. Fionan traveled frequently, but he had never visited Avalbane. He was always asking his sister to come along on his expeditions, and this time she did. He was the older brother, protective and kind, but she always seemed to exceed him in maturity.

It was a while after nightfall when they first caught a glimpse of the city. The moon cast pale icy beams upon the white stone, lighting the high towers with a magnificent aura. It was spring, a season known for bringing love and life. Winter still claimed the night and clung to the dawn, unwilling to let go. Fionan exhaled a large puff of icy breath upon site of Avalbane. Efion simply marveled, eyes soaking in it's magnificence.

"Beautiful, isn't it? I've heard so much, but nothing is like seeing it with your own eyes."
She said nothing.
"Efion?"
"Hush!"

Fionan turned, wide eyes darting about the surrounding. There was another presence, and though neither of them could see him, they could feel him.

"Show yourself!" Fionan shouted, unsheathing a dagger.

"Relax, m'lord," said a new voice said. Looking to his left, Fionan found a rather tall figure, hand raised, face hidden in a draping crimson cloak.

"Who are you?" Fionan spat out, dagger taking rest on the new intruders shoulder.

"Fionan!" Efion shouted, scolding him.

The intruder swallowed, gazing at the blade from the corner of his eye, then stood taller, eyes focusing on Fionan's with a harsh glare.

"I am Aricin, Lord of Avalbane. Do you still wish to contend with me?" he declared, hand pushing the blade carefully away from his neck.

"M'lord! Wait... What would the Lord of Avalbane be doing outside of his borders?"

"That, sir, is none of your business. I am who I claim to be. Look at me. Who else would appear so royal underneath the shadow of a cloak?" Aricin pushed the crimson cloth from his shoulders and pulled the hood away from his head. The moon shone brightly against his lavish attire, pale face reflecting the blue beams. He carried a sword jeweled with moonstones and diamonds. A silver circlet adorned his brow, a mark of royalty. This was obviously no commonor. Either the lord himself or the cheif of theives, but surely a cheif of theives would have craftily slayed them both or avoided them completely. Then again...

"Avalbane is mine as your head is your own. It is a part of me, and I a part of it. Now, who are you? You are on the eves of my city, and I have every right to know."

Fionan was utterly baffled by his speech. This was definately no scum of the earth. He was highly educated in the ways of speech and convincing gestures. Surely a man of high status and experience.

"I am..." he was hesitant to say. "I am Fionan, and this is Efion. We are residents of Feoras, where our father, Idrais, is a capitan.

"M'lady," he mumbled, giving a bow of the head, eyes searching around for the new aquaintance. She walked out from the shadows, sheathing the dirk she grabbed from the sack upon her horse's back. Thus he beheld Efion of Feoras for the first time. The moon bathed her porclain face. She was dressed in a simple, but elegant combination of sea green and cream. Around her neck was a silver chain, upon which was a charm of pearlecent abalone. Her large eyes fell suddenly and she curtsied.

"M'lord." she said softy. like waves lapping against the shore. She reminded him of everything he thought the sea might look like. Aricin had never been to the ocean, and suddenly obtained the desire to go.

Fionan lifted his brow.

"Ahem, yes, m'lord, I..."

"Nay," he winced, realizing the title, "Call me Lord Aricin, if you would. Come, both of you. I'll show you a shortcut."

The lord lead them and their steeds into the forest, and eventually to a hidden opening entering the courts of Avalbane. The courts were laden with the fresh, fragile white blooms of the surrounding trees. They glowed in the darkness, stark white against the soft, mossy ground. Efion gasped softly at the sight. A river ran nearby, and fountains flowed elsewhere. Intricately chizzled stone benches outlined the path here and there. It seemed surreal, yet here she stood in the White Orchid, and she never wanted to leave.

"The citadel is welcome to all who wish to stay. I will show you to the guest's quarters, for I know the best rooms."

" 'Tis a gorgeous place you keep. Lord Aricin." Fionan commented.

"I would have it no other way."

The path bent this way and that and came out to a wider path, which lead to an alternate entrance to the citadel. Two guards nodded to Aricin as he walked past, abolishing any of Fionan's previous doubts.

"Take the horses to the stables, if you would."

"Yes sir" one replied, and both obeyed instantly. Fionan found this impressive.

"There is plenty of food and drink left from dinner if you are hungry. Don't hesitate to call for anything. Just ask one of the servants deployed randomly throughout the building. One of them will surely be roaming about." said Aricin, glancing over at them. Fionan was admiring ceiling, mouth gaping up. Aricin chuckled softly. As they traveled to the guest's quarters the lord continued to inform them on the rules and privileges of Avalbane, knowing them all by heart. Eventually he paused at two rooms connected by a balcony outside. It was the only of it's kind in the whole castle, draped with a magnificent sheer white cloth that neither Efion nor Fionan had ever seen before.

On the inside each room was different. They entered right room first. A looking glass, basin, and a simple wardrobe were to the left, and a bed to the right. The room was spacious and open freely to the balcony, though heavier cloth could be pulled lengthwise to block out the light, making it appear enclosed.

Second was the room to the left. A magnificent woven mural of a battle scene ran across the left wall, facing the bed on the opposite side. Beside the mural to the far right there was a wardrobe identical to the other, and a basin and looking glass opposite of it. It too was open freely to the balcony and could be closed off with a separate curtain.

Both awed the rooms.

"Well, I must go. I'll expect you two at breakfast. M'lady" he nodded, catching her gaze, then left.

[Elladan]

Efion rose early the next morning, walking out to the courts to admire the beauty of Avalbane and to catch the sunrise. It was still chilly, and only a few golden rays lit the turqouise sky from under the horizon. A single star was still visible, shining bright against the azure background. This is how Aricin found her, gazing up at the solitary star in the sky, musing upon the serenity and surreal beauty of it all.

He simply observed her. Her cheeks were rosy from the soft breath of winter's chill. Her eyes were silver, like the crest of a breaking wave, reflecting the brilliant colors peeking over the horizon. Her golden hair waved in the slight, icy breezes that combed the lands beyond. He found her just as pleasing as she found Avalbane too be.

The sun now came completely into view, radiating all of it's brilliance. The vibrant neons and soft pastels blended harmonously into a spectacular show that lit all of Avalbane with a pure white light, and all of the frost on the ground sparkled with magnificence.

"'Morning, M'lady," he beckoned softly. She whipped around in suprise. "May I accomidate you to breakfast. It has all been prepared," he said with a smile.

Her eyes slightly widened, but eventually adopted an expression of content.

"Certainly."

He extended an arm, and she took it tentatively, but was not afraid of him, which he was delighted to observe.

Efion now took her moment to notice Aricin, the Lord of Avalbane, who happened to be standing next to her. He wore simple attire: a combination of silver, dark grey, and white. His deep oculars shone with awe as he gazed at the horizon, lips parted, brows elegantly arched upon his forhead. Veiled deep behind his expression there was a mysterious fog of hidden sorrow that few could percieve, but Efion saw through it, being the daughter of a capitan and a sister to Fionan.

Chemistry, as some would call it, was forming between them, but they saw it as the beginning of an everlasting love. It was, in fact, the beginning of a tragedy, though none knew it yet.

"I hope I wasn't intruding upon your meanderings, Lord Aricin."

"No, no, you didn't. I was out for a bit of air. The same sights become dull, anyways."

"Avalbane dull? I cannot imagine."

They entered the Dining Hall though an elegant archway, and Aricin lead her to the front of the table, where he sat her to his left.

Fionan entered a bit later, obviously just waking up. His dark eyes were only slightly open, and he walked lathargically towards the effigy of Efion that his brain seemed to make out in the blur, half dragging his feet. He wore black breeches and a long green tunic, rugged, wrinkled, and untucked as if he had just slept in them. His dark brunette hair was loose and unkempt, but Efion didn't seem to mind. If he showed up in that sort of garb for an elegant breakfast, well, that was just Fionan.

"Good morning, brother."

He only glared at her sleepily, taking a seat to her left, eyes closing upon impact.

"Has the long journey hit you, my friend?" Aricin commented, amused.

Aricin looked down the table and stood suddenly, eyes scanning around, bemused expression still curving his face. A wave of silence followed.

" Today I watched the sunrise, and today I found new hope. It is a certainly a new day. Let everyone enjoy their meal, for I will postpone you no longer."

With that, everyone dug in. Fionan tried desprately to reach a biscuit without having to sit up. Efion laughed and handed him one. He took it without looking, as if he had found his teddy bear and was content once again.

Aricin finished his breif conversation with the Capitan of the Guard and turned to Efion, "You have said you father is a capitan. What ship does he sail?"

Fionan perked up suddenly, seemingly from a dead sleep, "The Avare Rose," he replied with dignity, then fell back into his trance, swallowing a grape and nibbling slightly at his biscuit.

Aricin quirked his brow. Efion smiled.

[Elladan]

* * *


They did not meet again until the evening, when the air inside the citadel was thick with the smell of hearty soups, fresh bread, and slow-cooking roasts. Wine, rum and fruit was being prepared and set, and a dancing floor was cleaned and ready. An instument could be heard from time to time rehearsing familiar songs, old and new. Most of the city was randomly dispersed throughout the citadel, though some had already come to the dining hall. A light, gay mood reflected the radiant sunset befalling the sky outside. Many youth in training were still outside perfecting their shot out in the golden orchards. The apples made perfect targets, if not for a wonderful snack. Everyone was accumulating an appetite in their own way.

Aricin stood at the hearth in his quarters, arm resting on the shelf above. The amber light flickered upon his brow, highlighting his furrowed expression. The curtains were drawn, shattering the golden light to various places in the room. An arrow was gripped lightly in his hand, the point worn and soiled with old blood. He was thinking, lost in a grey and faded world of his own. A fantasy world that was not to be:

Then Seremidal saw him, just as he had been in her vision; upon his knees on the ground, hand over the arrow wound, cloak, tunic, and face bloodied. Naturally, she did not recognize Aricin, as she had never seen him before. All she saw was a possibly mortally injured Elf, and she quickly dashed to his rescue... (Written by Alex Eash)


He inadvertantly reached up to his left shoulder, fingers breifing the old scar underneath his tunic.

A small hand tugged at the rim of his shirt. It would be Dima...
"Daddy?"
"Yes, son?"
"Why do you keep that arrow?"
He smiled as silence took him for a while...

No, no, It was all a dream, all faded grey.

“What will you tell the child about his father?” he asked, eyes pleading again.
“I will tell him or her that Father is dead.”
With that, she turned, but suddenly seemed to think better of it, and turned back. Reaching up, she cupped the back of his neck in one of her hands. A gentle caress moved from her lips to his willing ones before she pulled back again, whispering now.
“Come back to me with a changed mind, my love...” And then, she left her own house, disappearing into the forest, leaving him to show himself the way out.
Despite her words, he could not help but think to himself the opposite. No, my Seremidal. May you return to me with a changed heart... (written by Alex Eash)

Suddenly the door creaked open and a tentative voice beckoned his attention from behind.

"Pardon me, sir, but dinner is ready. They'll be expecting you soon."

"Alright, thank you." He responded. The other left, eager to join his companions in the hall. Aricin set the arrow carefully above the hearth and walked over to the basin, rinsing his hands with fresh water. He was dressed in a grey, white, and black, much like his earlier apperance at breakfast, though usually he would wear a robe of some sort to dinner. Today he planned to dance, and so he wore a tunic and breeches, which he did sparingly to excite the crowd. They would need a lot of rum around tonight.

Efion stood beside the basin in the quarter she had been given, gazing judgingly at the dress she wore in the looking glass. It was an ivory color with tiny shells jingling at the end of the wide sleeves. Intricate patterns swirled throughout the cloth, adding elegant detail. The dress was finished off by a long belt that draped like a curtain to the floor. Her mother had given it to her long ago when she was a child, though she could not fit it it at such a young age. It sat in a chest for the longest time, collecting dust. She would try it on once and a while, but never had any occasion to wear it. Something told her Avalbane would give it an opportunity, being in such a fantasized town, so she packed it with her simple, ordinary clothing.

Fionan wore a something fancy, though not as elaborate as Efion's garb. He wore a silken black tunic, black breeches, and a belt of dark crimson. His dark hair was pulled back, though some short strands refused to stay in place. Her brother had always been a handsome lad, and it had not gone unnoticed during their stay in Avalbane.

They arrived a few minutes late to the dinner, and when they arrived they found two seats waiting for them beside Aricin's chair, though he was currently absent. He was off ordering the servants to bring in a few bottles of Avalbane's rum, the strongest brew known.
When he returned he simply raised his eyebrows, then softened his expression with a pleased smile.

The soup was a perfectly light, filling meal that completmented the exhasting dancing that would come next. They exchanged tales while they ate, talking of humorous mishaps and interesting subjects to brighten eachother's hearts even more so than before. Fionan noticed Aricin's joy in catching Efion's gaze, then letting her eyes fall elsewhere. She eventually adopted a laugh, and he a comic look before taking in a spoonful of soup. Fionan shook his head and smiled, looking around for a friendly eyes towards his direction, for the dancing would begin soon, and he had no partner.

Aricin suddenly sprung from the table and slid in a gracefully, energetic movement towards the dance floor, eyebrows darkening in a playful gaze. The hall fell silent with excited anticipation.

"I call for a dance!" he announced. Everyone shouted it agreement, then quieted down for a reply.

"How about..." he scanned the crowd under his dark eyebrows with a smile pulling at the left corner of his lips, " A warm-up. Something festive, but not too quick. My orchestra, have you anything for us?"

The small band silently whispered for a moment, and the violinist replied, "We do! Something foot fancy, but not quick. A moderate tempo, maybe a slow spin or two for romantic twist, but definately considerate. What say you?"

"I say I am well pleased. What does the rest of Avalbane say?

They roared more agreements.

"Good! On your feet, then!"

A few couragious pairs floated onto the floor, waiting hand in hand. A loud voice counted of the small contada and the beat took life, as did the dancers, whose grace was beyond outstanding. Aricin did not yet begin with them, though, for he had a minor proposal to ask the lady he admired.

"Efion, would you have this dance with me?" he asked in a cordail manner when he returned to the table. Efion flushed, nodded, and stood, letting him lead her away to the floor.