Deep in the mountains, the rider finally arrived at a secluded hall. The buildings were modest, even by the standards of the Elves, and when he knocked, it was answered not by a servant, but by the very elf he had come to seek, though not in the mood he had hoped

"Who disturbs me now?" cried the elf, his hand rainsing to the sword slung over his shoulder, "Now, of all times! I must have focus to properly practise the Eagle Form!"

The elf's hand closed on the hilt, and he began to draw the sword, a trace of golden blade visible, but before it was even a few inches drawn, he stopped, and with a visible effprt, quelled his fury.

"I am sorry," he said, with a deep Elven bow, "Forgive my outburst. Since the death of my father, I have had manymore responsibilities, and they begin to wear me thin over the years. And now, with the Altrin threat..."

"It is of the Altrin that I come to speak" siad the messenger, eager to do his duty and be gone, "Daniel the Sixth, King of Men, would make use of your services, Swordsmaster Skilganon. He bids you come with all haste, that you can arrive before they attack"

Rage flared in Skilganon again, but he calmed it. "I will come," he told the messenger, "It will do me good, perhaps to be away from this hall for a while. Tell Daniel of Men that I will come with all the speed I can muster"

Three days later, Skilganon rode form the moutains, heading for Dresha

Arri had followed Eiravel's orders and slept. He stood guard, watching and listening for anything that could potentially harm them. Thankfully, the night was uneventful.

When Arri woke the sun had risen, and she saw Eiravel in the same position that he had been the night before. The pair gathered their things and rode off on their horses towards the castle. The journey was a quiet one, neither Elf saying a word, and instead just looking at the beautiful country side.

After a few hours they had arrived at gates of Dresha.

"We've finally arrived." Said Arri calmly.

Open the gates! yells a guard on the wall.

The old gates slowly open, creaking under age and weather distress, several guards are standing in a row, waiting for the Elf princesses entrance to the castle.

A man in robes steps to the pair a wide smile on his face, "welcome to the King's castle princess, whom may be your personal guard?" he asks politely, his smile seeming more forced by the second.

Arri frowned slightly when the man addressed her as the princess. It seemed as though everywhere she went no one called her by her name. They just called her princess.

Shaking off whatever feelings of dissappointment she had Arri spoke back to the man dressed in robes. " His name is Eiravel Cyredrahel. He is a respected Elf and should be treated as so."

Stepping off of her mare, Shan, Arri walked to the guards, who seemed to be ready to strike at any second.

Do they really see me as a threat?

Making his way through the drizzle, Korgan soon arrived at the castle, the the path afforded by Snaga making his journey quick (for a Dwarf) and painless. Walking onwards, he saw that the gates were already open. Korgan strode towards the Gate Captain and fished the letter from his belt pouch, handing it to the man.

"I've received summons from the King and respectfully request an audience. If you could direct me to a Mr LeRoue, that should be sufficient."

Although he had no real like or dislike for humans, he was still about to enter the presence of a King and would afford him the respect demanded by his status. Korgan's warrior principles would not let him show any disrespect to the descendant of the man who had ceased the warring between the races. The Captain looked down at the letter and nodded, looking back up and eyeing Korgan with suspicion before returning the letter to him and beckoning a young human soldier over.

"This appears to be in order, Sammael here will take you to the Lord LeRoue."

Korgan nodded at the Captain and eyed the soldier. He was young, maybe twenty or so, and was dressed in a mail hauberk with a polished breastplate and steel greaves. A well-made longsword was strapped to his waist and he carried a well-crafted shield. His head was mostly covered by his chainmail coif and Spangenhelm, but Korgan could clearly make out his facial features and a few tufts of dark hair that fell onto his brow. He seemed reasonably competent, for a human. Korgan nodded at him.

"Lead the way."

Sammael nodded in return and turned.

"Please, follow me."

Korgan followed the soldier into the central courtyard, focusing on the small of Sammael's back and following him into the castle interior.

"Where did that guard take him?" Fredrick asks himself looking around a corridor as the main door opens.

Sammael steps in with a dwarf trailing him.

"Who's that Sammael?" he asks staring at the man semi interested.

One of the...guests according to the captain sir, he answers, his voice quaking.

He turns to the dwarf, that is Lord LeRoue, he mumbles before turning to leave.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Come with me please, says the Greeter, holding his arm to another door from where the dwarf went in.

The King ordered me to take you to him first when you arrive... he says answering the unasked question of why.

Turning his head, Korgan watched Sammael leave. With the soldier gone, he turned his head back to LeRoue, taking the man in with a degree of suspicion.

He looks like he's being haunted by a Deep Cavern abomination...

Korgan stepped forward, locking eyes with the man.

"So, you telling me why I was brought here or what?"

"I'd be lying if I said I knew what the hell is going on," Fredrick glances down the hall.

"In fact, you probably know more than I do, I've no clue what the messengers were to tell you..."

"I guess all shall be told when the others return..."

Eiravel dismounted his horse and handed the reigns over to an eager looking stable boy,

"If this horse is miss treated i will bring your short life to an even more abrupt end." The boy flushed white as Eiravel walked over to the Princess's side.

"We have an audience waiting of the outmost importance. Princess Arri we must make haste. I want to get out of this disgusting kingdom as fast as i can and be on our way back home."

He followed the appointed guard into the castle, stopping just outside of an open portal that spilled into a room occupied by a human and a Dwarf

"LeRouge i presume?" He said offering a hand shake over the Drawf's head. "I am Princess Arri's body guard, Eiravel Crydrehal, and we are here on behalf of the Elf King." he said with an official, if unenthusiastic, voice.

Arri followed behind Eiravel quietly. She looked at the different artwork in the halls. It was so much different than the Elven art, but it intruiged her.

Upon arriving in the room Eiravel introduced himself and Arri did so after him. "Hello everyone", Arri said joyfully. "My name is Arri Ausra Galadriel. Its very nice to meet all of you."

Arri bowed to show her respect for everyone in the room. Scanning over the strangers faces Arri smiled.

I am glad that I'm getting to meet all of these different races. Despite what Eiravel saids, I quite like this kingdom.

"Should you have not went to the King? He likes to meet royalty upon arrival usually..." he trails off catching sight of the princess.

Her beauty held his sight for a few long seconds before a twinge in Eiravel's tightening grip snapped his eyes away. They break their handshake as Korgan clears his throat.

Fredrick turns to Arri as she introduces herself, "it's a pleasure to meet you Princess," he smiles and gives a deep respectful bow to her, "my name is Fredrick LeRoue, and I presume I shall be acting as everyone's guide in the preceding few days...but for now may I suggest going to meet the King as he shall be eager to meet such a noble princess."

"Well Mr. LeRouge If you would guide us to the King's meeting hall we would be glad to get the formalities taken care of" He stepped closer to her side and gave him a threatening look as if to say Keep your dirty human hands away from the Princess

He let his glance fall over the Dwarf in attendance. He almost laughed at his braided hair and beard, dress a mountain rat all you want it will remain a mountain rat. In his opinion he was barely better than a troll, an orc, an ogre, hell the only difference between Them and the Altrin was the fact that Eiravel respected the Altrin's fighting ability.

He almost laughed again at the surly little man.

Grabbing Sammael as he walks by Fredrick instructs him to take Korgan to the rooms that should have been prepared for him.

"Now if you'll just follow me," he yawns slightly, "sorry about that, I'll take you to the King so you can...'get the formalities taken care of' as you eloquently but it."

He begins to move off, feeling the elves follow him. I think he may be a bit...overprotective of the Princess, Fredrick thinks biting his lip as he moves up the hall.

Arri followed Frederick, somewhat oblivious to the tension in the room between him and Eiravel. After a few awkward moments of silence Arri moved from Eiravel's side to Fredrick's.

"Please, call me Arri." Arri looked up at Fredrick and smiled. "And don't take Eiravel too serious. He is a kind man once you get to know him. Our families have known each other for centuries."

"It is a nice name," he hesitates, "Arri," he says with a smile, "and please call me Fredrick."

"He seems like a brother to you, and I hope that I get along with him," he smiles thinly, "in all truth, usually I find elves more tolerable than anyone else in this world."

They pass a banner depicting a battle between dwarves and a troll clan, several bodies scattered near the blood red bottom of the banner.

Elves have good ears, damned good ears. The humans probably forgot that simple fact, Eiravel was sure that Fredrick had forgotten this simple fact. He picked up every hint of the conversation, every inflection. His gloved hands curled into a tight fist, You have but forty years to live, she has not even seen a century. Wish all you want simple man you will not have the Elf Princess' hand.

His boot steps echoed down the hall from a gait he adopted to fit his roll. People must be aware of his presence in the castle, his constant vigilance and armor were to deter enemies of the King more than his sword was. The look, the act, the walk, it was all calculated to impose a sense of fear on any who would try to step out of line. He could easily walk with out the loud steps but then the effect would be ruined.

He inspected the guards they passed, not impressed in the least, How any one could consider this stone obstruction a secure strong hold was beyond him. The guards were boys! No matter how long they trained they would never gain the understanding an elf was able to master. Eiravel spent a century honing his ability and he still knew he had not perfected his art form, he could be more precise, more frightening, but these guards? They almost made him laugh.

A large ring of smoke emerged from Bombur's pipe, he admired it for a moment before talking to his father. The two were talking in the sitting room of his fathers house, smoking pipes and drinking ale,

"To be honest, I feel I have no other choice here father, sure it is the King of the blasted humans, but a king nonetheless!" Bombur threw his hands into the air and took another puff of his pipe, "I really am in a bind here, but nothing like a good adventure old grandfather used to say eh?"

"Pah!" spattered the old Dwarf, his face was wrinkled and his beard was a shining gray, he was getting near the age of two-hundred, but was not worried about death, he had lived a good, hearty Dwarf life after all, "This just all seems very suspicious, why would a Human King request the presence of you? Sure you are well known amongst the dwarfs but to a royal human? Pah I say PAH!"

"Now now father, I would be able to handle myself no matter the situation, and perhaps I am needed fro a royal task and our name would be forever known!" Bombur encouraged the idea to his father and took a chug of ale, "But no matter you thoughts, I am going, and so I must be packing. So long for now father, I shall see you when I get back."

Bombur bowed to his father and began to walk out the door,

"Well then good luck my son, and remember the words of your great-grandfather Thorin Ironforger" the old Dwarf paused for effect, "Never trust anyone over the height of 3'6, especially one who wields a bow and dances in the trees!

By this time Bombur was out the door, a few moments later he was in his own home and began packing a sack with essentials for a long journey. He put his armor on after the bad was packed and began to head out the door when he suddenly stopped,

"BAH!" exclaimed Bombur smacking himself in the forehead, "I almost forgot the most important part of my trip!"

He spent the next hour making up sandwiches for his trip, good hearty amounts of meats, cheese and bread were needed for Bombur's famous sandwiches. He pack them away in his bag(all 10 of them for a 4 hour trip) and promptly headed out the door and toward the castle for which he had been summoned.

Alexia stared up to a seemingly hand-woven banner depicting a battle between dwarves, she thought because of the beards, and trolls. She was waiting for the man that had carelessly dumped her here after escorting her into the castle, thought that was understandable. She looked, for Humans anyway, still very much like a child. And any child that came with the claim that it had been summoned would have been handled without care. Still, people ought to have known that Oktra would arrive.

She heard footsteps behind her and turned around. A human towered in front of her, taking strides almost twice as big as hers. Behind him, or next to him, moved two of the most exotic people she had ever seen. They were fair beyond anything she had ever seen, and magic almost floated around them. The male looked stern though, and looked at the humans he passed with discontent. An aura of authority seemed to surround him, making surrounding people look diminished somehow. Alexia wasn't sure this was not an enchantment. She swallowed once and stepped towards the human.

"E-excuse me sir." She said with a slight stutter and higher-pitched voice than usual.

"Could you...tell me where I need to go? I got this note.." She said and held up the note she had recieved from the messager-hawk with two fingers.

"I hope so too." Arri said calmly. She had hoped that Fredrick's statement would come true, but looking back at Eiravel she began to doubt that that would ever happen.

"In all truth, usually I find elves more tolerable than anyone else in this world."

Arri frowned slightly at Fredrick's comment. "I'm not sure about that. Our kingdom is a proud one, but there are always certain..Elves who think they are above everyone else. I hope that one day everyone can get along, but my wishes are somewhat childish."

Arri went back to the group and next to Eiravel. "Something is bothering you. What is it?"

Eiravel looked down at the Oktra that tried to grab LaRoue's attention. He almost had a gleam in his eye, Almost. His index finger twitched signaling her to fall in behind him. He looked up at Arri.
"These human couldn't hold this castle against a child. They are so . . . ill prepared. You are older than most the guards, and probably have double there training. I . . . i don't like putting your life in there hands. Hell, the youngest kid in the kingdom wouldn't live long enough to see you form your first wrinkle yet they get to lead the nations into battle? All they know they get from books not experience." He checked a hallway mirror to see that the child like Oktra was following behind him.

" And i don't like how they have been starring at you." he said quieter than before. His hand clenched into a fist and he adverted his gaze quickly. "I- I mean you are the future Queen." he said with renewed determination, "These commoners should not be eyeing you, especially not Human commoners" He seemed to get that cold resonance back into his voice.

Korgan gazed at the Elf who had been so foolish as to mock him, his thumb running up the edge of Snaga's blade, watching as he strode out of the hall with his wench. As they left, an evil grin spread across his face, giving a calm, sinister front to the roiling anger inside him.

Typical arrogant tree-fucker, obviously never been on the wrong end of a Dwarven axe.

Korgan closed his eyes and smiled as he recalled one of the times that a group of Elven renegades had launched an attack on his patrol near the caverns of Baranzibar. Typical Elvish arrogance had led them to incorrectly believe that the Dwarves would be easy pickings. His hand tightening around Snaga's haft, Korgan savoured the memory, feeling the jolt up his arm and the spray of warm blood as he backhanded one of the attackers in the stomach. Opening his eyes, he stared at the Elf's back.

Any good parent would have told you never to give a Dwarf cause to hold a grudge. Your time will come, tree-man, your time will come, and that fancy armour's not going to hold against Dwarven Gromril.

Glancing upwards as Sammael tapped him on the shoulder, Korgan grunted. Hefting Snaga onto his shoulder, he spat on the floor to ward off evil and curse his enemies, still staring at the Elf-man's back, and turned, following Sammael to his quarters.

Arri hadn't paid attention to the Oktra, instead she tried to reassure Eiravel that they were ok. She spoke quietly, so that only his Elven ears could pick up what she was saying.

"I know that you worry about my safety Eiravel, and I'm thankful to have you by my side, but you need to try and be open minded. These humans are short lived. They make due with what little time they have and I think thats what causes many of them to make rash and sometimes aggressive decisions. But they are highly intelligent and very adaptable. Please, for me, try and be a little more kind."

"And i don't like how they have been starring at you."

Arri's face turned slightly red with embarrassment when the words left Eiravel's mouth. She noticed Eiravel clench his hand tightly. Reaching down she grabbed his hand and smiled thinly.

"You worry too much Eiravel. I'm sure that they are just looking at me because I am an Elf."

Looking over her shoulder Arri noticed the Dwarf, his presence made her uneasy. She could tell that he didn't like her or Eiravel.

Eiravel tightened slightly as he felt her hand grab his. He reclaimed his well practiced demeanor and continued to stroll down the hall.

"Trust me, it's not your race that they covet " He looked in another ornate mirror and saw the out of place Oktra.

"Well, do tell us your name." He said still looking foreword, "It is rude to be in the company of Royalty with out a proper introduction." He looked back at the Oktra with uncharacteristically welcoming eyes. His eyes quickly turned sour as he noticed the cold stair from the Dwarf.

"Hmm, so they are here..." pondered Lucidas as he perked up, "... not all of them but they have an Oktra... and Elves... important Elves. There may be more people but they arent as inherently magical as the Oktra or Elves."

Lucidas stood and continued "Something is certainly going on...", he put his gloves on and pulled them tight, looked at the guard and said "... Calliga... Levis... its time.". Placing his right hand on the bars the guard yelled "What are you doing?! Get back!" as the bars melted and the pool of molten metal spread toward the guard.

"You dont want to touch that... it burns." chuckled Lucidas as he stepped out of his cell and walked toward the stairs out of the dungeon, the guard yelling but unable to stop him as the molten metal had blocked him off.

Lucidas opened the door at the top of the stairs and came out in a bland hallway, to his left was what appeared to be the guards barracks and to the right was the dining hall. Lucidas turned to the left and then said in realisation "Lef... wait no, thats not a good idea. Right it is.", he crept into the dining hall and saw no signs of life other than a large table that had been set.

"Well, looks like they will be heading here soon... I shall wait." he thought as he sat down at the table, putting his gloves back in his pocket and casting a quick spell to cause visual misdirection until he was ready to be found.

Arri had let go of Eiravel's hand and looked curiously around the castle as they group continued to walk. They passed what seemed like an inconspicuous dining hall, but something caught Arri's attention, though she dismissed it as nothing.

I wonder whats in there...

After a few more minutes Fredrick had finally led the group to their destination. The only thing that stood between the group and the human King was a wooden door. Fredrick opened the door and led the group inside.

The two elves entered the room as LaRoue moved to block the Oktra. The king sat in his regal chair underneath his overly voluptuous crown which only served to highlight the frailty of Human life. Such a short lived people and yet they spend so much time buried in their formalities and history.

Eiravel bowed deeply to the King letting the light glint off of his perfectly crafted armor before rising again.

"I was expecting the Elf King" Said the human with a trace of self importance.

"He is si-"

"Silence! I was addressing the young Princess. If i wanted the advice of a mere guard i would have called for one of my own." He shot a glance over the defiant Elf guard and rested a more practiced and diplomatic eye on the Princess.

"And how is your father?" He said with the kind of tone Nobles used among their brethren,

The silent Eiravel took this time to survey the King's chamber, and the only thing that seemed out of place was a small Oktra eating what looked like a bag of nuts. This brought a faint smile to the usually stoic Elf's face. This reminded him of the nameless female they left at the door and he turned around to see her sitting patiently just inside the door next to LaRoue who looked like he did not enjoy her company to much.

He turned his attention back to the princess and her conversation with the Human Royalty.

Bombur impatiently pounded on the great gate of the castle, his sack was out of sandwiches and he was tired from his five and a half hour travel(90 minutes were taken up by naps of course)

"By the Hammer of Thor let me in!" he roared, still pounding, "My legs are aching and my stomach sounds as though a great cat lies in its depths!"

By this time the gate slowly creaked open, Bombur jumped back in surprise for the gate almost smacked him upon the nose!

"Well what took you so long!?" he grunted as he walked past the human greeting him at the gate, "My legs ache, is there somewhere I can sit down while its explained what exactly I am doing here?"

"Erm... no not here sir." replied the man rather sheepisly, "Please follow me, the king request your presence, there will be a chair in there and all will be explain."

He smiled and began swiftly walking away, too fast for Bombur who was now trotting in his footsteps.

He wandered more until he felt the faint tingling of magic. Following its trail, he entered into a large hall, where, in the centre, was the source if it. Erir couldn't see anyone, but with the aid of a simple spell, he would see them, outlined by their magic. He sat across from the centre of the emenance. The centre of it seemed slightly lower, Erir wondered if it might not be another Oktra.

"Good evening," he said politely, staring into the heart of this source of power. If he'd learnt one thing as a mage, it was not to irritate other magical being unessecarily.

Lucidas emerged from his enchantment with a grin and went on to say "You must be fun at birthday parties... talk about ruining the surprise! I knew there were Oktras but I wasnt aware there were going to be more wizards, tell me...", Lucidas paused as he took out a blank parchment and began to write his thoughts onto it with the tip of his finger.

After a couple of minutes he realised he forgot to finish his question and hastily continued "Oh sorry, thats right... You arent here to try and cage me again are you? Because I have to say, I was not of fan of it the first time.", he then folded the parchment and placed it inside the lining pocket of his hooded cloak.

"No, I'm not one for cages myself," Erir replied, his eyes only now leaving the parchment. Not only was he a wizard but one who seemed to be not quite all there. A dangerous, yet surprisingly common occurance, one would have thought natural selection would have seen it gone.

"Mind if I ask why you were caged?" Erir asked. "And, moreover, why you decided to escape. It looks like you could've strolled out of there at any time, as you evidently did, why get captured at all?"

Lucidas smiled and replied "You know, its easier to be taken into a castle than to break in... I am sure I could have but I didnt want to kill anyone.", he leans back into his chair and recalls the other questions...

He quickly leans forward again and continues "... Oh yeah... cant you feel it? Somethings happening... and I was offended I didnt get an invite to the cross-species extravanganza that appears to be happening.", he laughs to himself then stops abruptley and quietly says "Or we are going to war." as a serious look falls upon his face.

Arri was annoyed with the 'Kings' lack of respect towards Eiravel. She bit her lip to fight back any urge to wrongfully speak to him. Instead she bowed slightly, to show her respect for the human King.

"And how is your father?"

"He is sick, your highness." Arri said coldly. "We suspect that he will not make it to see the new year. After he passes I shall be made the new ruler of the Elven Kingdom."

Arri looked to the floor then back at the King.

"Also, Eiravel is here to protect me. He should be respected, not talk down to like a dog."