Hamertia: The Elven Folly

“Well, look at these cute little things,” one of the strange figures said once they approached the group. “What are elves doing up here, hmmm?”

They were a group of bald old men with long, droopy noses three times the average size. Standing hunched over, they appeared no taller than the young elves. Thick fur coats protected their old, brittle bodies from the harsh climate of the northern lands. Their grotesque appearance would strike both fear and disgust into the heart of any adventurer.

“We…,” Folwin began, unable to look at the thing talking to him. “We’re looking for hemlock.”

“Hemlock?” another one of them exclaimed. “What would you be needing with a plant like that?”

“Hemlock is only deadly to us trolls,” the first speaker replied. “Still, I don’t know what a bunch of little elves would want with it.”

“Please,” Elluin interjected, staring at the ground. “We need it for our friend. Just tell us where to find it and we’ll be on our way.”

The four trolls exchanged looks. “Very well,” he announced. “You can collect your hemlock and then leave this place immediately.”

Elluin and Folwin quickly nodded their heads as the trolls turned around and began walking back in the direction they had come in. The elves waited for some distance to grow between them before they began following.

“Why are you guys acting so weird?” Rychell asked. “I mean they’re not that ugly.”

“Now is when you should be thankful you’re a low-born, Rychell,” Elluin replied solemnly. “You guys don’t have to worry about…him.”

“Who’s him?” the boy asked eagerly, not liking to be kept out of the loop.

“A troll, apparently,” Folwin said. “Let’s just get this plant and get out of here.”

They walked for a little while longer until they came upon the first plant life they had seen since leaving the forest. The trolls pointed at the small patch of green penetrating the layer of white stuff that covered the ground, not daring to go anywhere near it.

“There’s your hemlock,” the troll said plainly. “Take it and leave.”

The elves approached the hemlock plant as the trolls continued staring at them, monitoring their every move. What they found was a plant with a green stem, small leaves, and a flower the same color as the stuff that coated the ground.

“That’s it?” Elluin remarked. “That’s hemlock?”

“Well what did you expect?” Rychell asked, a big smile on his face. “I think it’s beautiful!”

“I just hope it can help Ath,” Rydel said, carefully rubbing the flower with his fingertips. “Let’s pick it and get back to him.”

Folwin pulled a dagger from his waistband and cut the stems off at the base, not bothering to check if the trolls reacted to the sight of his weapon.

“Whoa!” Elluin exclaimed. “Where did you get that?

“What? The dagger?” Folwin replied, gathering the freshly cut hemlock in his hand. “Had it for a long time.”

“You’ll have to get me one,” Elluin smiled.

“Sure thing, bud,” Folwin laughed. “But for now, let’s just get this hemlock back home.”

Elluin, Folwin, Rydel, and Rychell arrived back home the following day, the hemlock still in Folwin’s hands. They immediately went to the library expecting to find Leofrick, the only elf who would know how to properly make use of the plant.

“Xander?” Elluin exclaimed as he stepped inside. “What are you doing here?”

Xander slammed his book down in front of him. “I swear I’m going to make disturbances in my library punishable by death! Make it quick, and keep that low-born friend of yours outside.”

“What do you mean your library?” Folwin asked suspiciously. “Where’s Leofrick?”

“He’s out doing research,” Xander sighed. “I’ll ask one more time, what do you cretins want?”

“We need Leofrick to tell us how to administer hemlock,” Rydel replied. “Please Xander, it’s really important. Can you tell us where he is?”

“I already told you, he’s out doing research,” Xander responded. “I don’t know where he is or when he’ll be back. But I think I could help you with your little hemlock problem…”

“You know what we need to do with it?” Rydel asked hopefully.

“Indeed I do,” Xander said with a sinister grin. “Of course, I’ll require something in return.”

“I’ll do anything,” Rydel pleaded. “I just need to help Ath…”

“Rydel, don’t give into anything he tells you,” Folwin said. “He’s not worth it. I’m sure we could figure out what to do with the hemlock ourselves.”

“All I want you to do is admit something,” Xander continued, ignoring Folwin. “All of you. You all need to tell me that I am in fact an educated elitist. I’ve been cramped up in this library for days doing nothing but reading. You have nothing against my claim anymore. Go on, say it!”

Elluin, Folwin and Rydel exchanged a series of confused looks. Xander said not another word, but simply continued staring them down.

“Fine,” Elluin said after a long awkward pause. “Xander, you are an educated elitist, the best elf in all the forest…Can you please tell us what to do with the hemlock?”

“Not quite yet,” Xander smiled, relishing in his victory over Elluin. “Folwin has to say it as well. Go on then.”

Folwin glared at his adversary, not saying a word.

“Folwin, please just say it,” Rydel whispered. “It’s to save Ath.”

Folwin took a deep breath. “Xander, you are the most educated, elite elf in all the forest. No one could dare question your claim to that title.”

Xander had never smiled so immensely in his life. In fact, this may be the first time he smiled at all.

“They did it, Xander. Now just tell us how to use the hemlock,” Rydel begged.

Xander was elated, the validation he felt overwhelming him. He quickly grabbed a book from his pile and flipped it open, instantly finding the correct page.

“Here it is,” he said. “Just rub the flower a bit to release the oils and hold it up to his nose.”

“Thank you,” Rydel whispered after the others had walked out in silence immediately after the information was given to them. He moved quickly to catch up with them.

Xander leaned back on his seat, the smug look of satisfaction never having left his face.

The boys hurried toward the dwelling where Athtar still slept. Rychell was the first to speak up when they reached the base of the tree.

“Can I come up there with you guys?” he asked.

“Of course,” Rydel answered before the others could say anything. “You helped us get the hemlock. You’re one of us now as far as I see it.”

Rychell beamed with joy as he ran up the ramp leading to the higher branches. Elluin and Folwin exchanged a look of concern before shaking it off and following him and Rydel. They entered their home and quickly made their way to Athtar’s room. Just as they expected, he was still lying there in bed.

Rydel stood at the bedside while Folwin prepared the hemlock by rubbing the white flowers, just as Xander had instructed. Everyone watched with anticipation as he held the plant below Athtar’s nose. After only a few seconds, although it felt like an eternity to those in the room, particularly Rydel, Athtar slowly opened his eyes.

“Wha…,” he started saying as he gradually came to. “Ry, are we still going to pick out a book?”

Unable to say anything, Rydel wrapped his arms around Athtar, tightly gripping the back of his shirt. He buried his face in his shoulder, tears of joy streaming down his face.

“I love you, Ath,” he said as soon he was able to form the words.

“I love you too, Ry,” Athtar replied, still confused as to what was going on.

“We’ll just leave you too alone,” Folwin said, leaving the room with the others.

“Ry…What happened?” Athtar asked, still sounding a bit drowsy.

“Well, that flower you ate kinda knocked you out,” he explained, taking a seat on the bed next to him. “An Athtar flower, named after you by the way.”

“That’s awesome!” Athtar exclaimed, already returning to his old self. “What happened next?”

“I went with Elluin, Folwin, and this new kid Rychell up north to get hemlock, which we just used to wake you up,” Rydel continued. “How do you feel now?”

“I feel fine,” he replied. “Can we still go to the library?”

“I think we should wait a little bit to do that,” Rydel said, not wanting to burden him with the less pleasant details of their journey, such as the situation with Xander and the things that reside north of the tree wall. “We can just hang out in here for a bit. I’m so glad to have you back, Ath.”

“I never went anywhere, Ry,” Athtar smiled. “I’ll always be here with you.

“Rychell,” Elluin began. “You were great helping us find the hemlock and everything, and I know Rydel said you could hang around up here, but I’m not so sure it’s a good idea.”

The young elf, who had just previously been gleaming with joy taking in all of his new surroundings, suddenly took on a more melancholic demeanor.

“Why?” he stuttered after a long pause. “I thought we were all friends now…”

“And we are,” Folwin said, trying to sound as reassuring as possible. “But you know how it is…Low-borns just don’t come up here. We can still visit each other, it’ll just have to be on the forest floor.”

“Oh,” was all Rychell managed to say before slowly making his way to the exit, his head hung low.

“You don’t think that was too harsh?” Elluin asked once Rychell was gone.

Folwin shook his head. “He’s a great kid, but you know as well as anybody that low-borns can’t be up here. It’s nothing personal against him, it’s just the way things are.”

“I guess you’re right,” Elluin replied. “Anyway, you wanna go hang out in your room for a bit? We can have some of that honey blossom nectar you keep stashed under your bed.”

“Yeah,” Folwin laughed. “I need to get the bad taste from our little encounter with Xander out of my mouth.”

In the southern forest, Rychell found his old friend sitting on a log and decided to join him, hoping he could offer some comfort. Jorie was one of the youngest elves in the forest, second only to Rychell. In the matter of appearance, the two were quite different. Jorie had noticeably smaller, yet equally pointy ears. His hair was an exceedingly odd color, so odd in fact that no other elf shared this trait. The one exception to these differences, however, were their wide, brilliant blue eyes; a common feature among the innocent and kindhearted elves of the forest.

“I don’t get it, Jorie,” Rychell sighed. “I helped those guys save their friend and now they don’t even want me around.”

“You know how it is, Rychell,” Jorie replied. “High-borns feel they’re above low-borns. Not to mention it’s even worse for us since we don’t fit in down here either. Nobody wants to be around me cos of my green hair and you’re way too…friendly. It seems we’re not meant to be anywhere…”

“At least we have each other,” Rychell said, forcing a weak smile. “But really, this whole system is stupid. If I would fit in better with the high-borns, I should just be able to live with them. We had a great time on our adventure and I get along with them a lot better than anyone down here…except for you of course. It’s all just so stupid…”

“I’m not saying you’re wrong,” Jorie replied sympathetically, putting his arm around Rychell. “But there’s really not much we can do. We just have to make the best of our situation and be here for each other.”

They sat together on the log for quite some time. Although no further words were spoken, simply being with a fellow misfit provided a special kind of comfort.

“So how about that dagger?” Elluin asked, sitting next to Folwin on his bed.

“You really want one that bad?” Folwin laughed. “What do you plan on using it for?”

“You never know…,” he replied. “So, do you have one or not?”

Folwin stood from the bed and walked casually over to his dresser, sliding a drawer open. He rummaged through its contents before pulling something out. The item was covered in a black silky cloth. Carefully uncovering it, he revealed a five-inch curved blade with an elaborately decorated ivory handle.

Elluin slowly stood from the bed and walked over to get a closer look. He took the piece of weaponry in his hands to admire it, his eyes filled with awe.

“Where did you get something so beautiful?” Elluin asked in a hushed tone.

“Awhile back some traders came passing through the forest,” Folwin reminisced. “And you know how I like collecting…things of this nature. Not that I would ever have a use for it, of course, I just admire the craftsmanship.”

“So…can I have it?” Elluin asked, unable to remove his eyes from the dagger.

“Why else would I have gotten it out?” Folwin grinned. “It’s the best one I’ve got, but I want you to have it, seeing as you admire it as much as I do.

“Thanks, Folwin,” Elluin replied. “You would really give me your favorite dagger?”

“Of course, El. You’re my best friend,” he said, patting him on the back. “Besides, I have enough weird stuff around here. It’s all yours.”

The two sat back down on the bed. Folwin poured himself another cup of honey blossom nectar while Elluin continued staring at his new weapon, turning it around in his hands. The handle was carved with an elaborate array of swirls and symbols. While not having any narrative significance, it was beautiful and mesmerizing nonetheless.

“Hey Folwin?” Elluin said after a long moment of sitting in silence.

“Yeah El?” the other elf replied.

“You still have some of that hemlock?”

“Yeah…,” Folwin answered, feeling for the flowers he had stuffed in his pocked earlier. “Why?”

“Those trolls said it was poisonous…to them anyway. I thought we might use it to…you know.”

Folwin grinned, unable to help himself. “Well it’s pretty obvious that thing we have here is one of them. And it would be much cleaner than using the dagger. Not to mention it would be a terrible shame to dull your new blade.”

A grin now appeared on Elluin’s face as well. “So, you’re really with me on this?”

“I told you before that I was,” Folwin replied. “And now we’ve found the best way to do it. But how do you suppose we actually go about it?”

“I have my duties with…him tonight,” Elluin said, a shiver running down his spine. “I can slip it into his drink. He’ll be dead before morning.”

“Turns out we didn’t need Leofrick’s help after all,” Folwin smiled. “Come to me as soon as it’s taken care of. I’ll help take care of the…remains.”

Nightfall finally arrived and Elluin was due in the troll’s quarters. With great apprehension, he grasped the outside of his pocket which held the hemlock and approached the door. He reached his hand out, took a deep breath, and turned the wooden doorknob.

“There you are!” the old troll yelled as Elluin stepped inside. “I swear you little bastards are getting a bit too comfortable with being late. Perhaps I’ve been too generous with the freedoms I’ve granted you… Well, no matter, you’re here now. Let’s get things started.”

The grotesque creature spoke in a voice so gruff one might think he had smoked a pound of dried oak leaves every day for the past fifty years; if oak trees grew in the forest, that is. He looked just like the gnomes Elluin and his friends had encountered in the northern land, the lack of a heavy fur coat being the only exception.

“What would you have me do, kind sir?” Elluin asked, still not making eye contact.

“Drop the act and fetch me a drink!” he barked. “I know none of you actually respect me, no need to put on a façade.”

Elluin walked over to the serving station located along the right side of the room, opposite the troll’s bed where he was presently lying.

“So, how did someone like yourself come to our forest, anyway?” he asked, not concerning himself much with offending the troll, as he didn’t expect him to be alive much longer. “I would think you’d prefer a colder climate.”

“Bah!” the troll shouted. “What would you know about colder climates? How dare you ask me such a question! Consider yourself lucky I don’t beat the life out of you. I need as many of you little varmints alive as possible. Now shut up and fetch me that drink!”

Deciding to take the troll’s advice, Elluin said nothing more as he poured a cup of nectar from the provided pitcher. His back turned to his soon-to-be victim, he gingerly reached his hands into his pockets and removed the hemlock flowers. Holding his clenched fist over the cup, he squeezed them as hard as he could until all the oil had been extracted. He quickly replaced the crushed flowers into his pocket and spun around, swirling the concoction as he walked over to its recipient.

“At last!” the troll bellowed, his mood still not improving. “You just may be the slowest of them all! Perhaps there’s not much point to keeping you around…” He shook the thought from his head. “Never mind, just bring it here.”

Elluin handed the drink over. The troll swirled the cup around before holding it up to his abnormally elongated nose. Luckily for Elluin, he didn’t seem to find anything suspicious and began drinking it. A moment passed before he emptied the cup.

“Hmm,” the troll began in a quieter voice than usual. “I wasn’t expecting to be tired so early in the night. All the better, though. I’m sure you would prove yourself unbearable company. Go stand in the corner and dance! I don’t want any dream demons invading my head.”

Elluin made it only halfway across the room before the troll began heaving uncontrollably. His eyes, which were yellow just a moment ago, were now blood red. He continued heaving; throbbing on his bed as if he were having a seizure.

“You little bastard!” he shouted. “You killed me! But I swear my last act in this world will be killing you!”

The troll, now in an absolute rage, jumped from his bed and charged at Elluin. The young elf managed to dodge the attack, sending his assailant crashing into the wall.

“I’ll get you! You little bastard! I’ll get you!”

The troll quickly recovered from his fall, running on pure adrenaline. Elluin ran over in front of the window, which was only a hole cut into the wall, lacking any glass or other material. He pulled his dagger from his waistband, preparing for the worst.

Once again, the troll charged at him. Waiting until the last possible moment, Elluin jumped out of the way, sending his opponent falling right through the window. After what felt like a very long moment, he heard a thud on the ground outside. The elven dwellings were built so high into the trees, it would be impossible for anyone to survive such a fall.

Fully regaining his composure and processing exactly what had just happened, a huge smile spread across Elluin’s face. While not the quick and easy assassination he had hoped the hemlock would provide, he was ultimately successful in his mission. The troll was dead. He was dead.

“Please, Ry. It’ll just be for a minute,” Athtar begged. “I’ve been in here for days! Just let me step outside for a little.

“Ath, it’s nighttime now,” Rydel replied. “You know you can’t go outside after dark.”

“Just out in the halls then!” he pleaded. “I’ll go crazy just sitting in here!”

“Alright,” Rydel smiled. “Don’t be too long. You know I’m just looking out for you.”

“I know,” Athtar said, giving Rydel a hug. “You sure you don’t want to come?”

“I’ve had enough adventure to last me awhile. I just want to cozy up in here for now.”

“Alright, Ry. I’ll be back in just a little bit. Love you.”

“Love you too, Ath,” Rydel said as his friend left the room.

Athtar was about to walk around a corner, but paused when he heard voices, as it was rather unusual for anyone to be out and about at this hour. He quickly recognized them as belonging to Elluin and Folwin.

“How did that happen?” Folwin asked, “I thought you were just gonna slip him the hemlock.”

“I did,” Elluin replied. “Then he went ballistic and charged at me. I dodged him and he fell out the window. Who cares? He’s dead!”

“We’re gonna have to go down there now and take care of the body.”

“Yeah, we’ll take care of it after we put it on display for everyone to see!” Elluin rebutted. “They have to know that we’re all free now.”

“I don’t think that would be a good idea, El,” Folwin told him. “We need to discreetly get rid of the body and just tell everyone that he’s gone without mentioning why. They’ll eventually forget about him and everything can go on as normal. There’s no need to make a scene out of it.”

“Fine,” Elluin sighed. “I’m just glad he’s finally dead and it’s all over. Can you believe it Folwin? We actually did it!”

“We did, El,” Folwin smiled. “Now let’s just go finish it up by getting rid of the body…”

It was at this point that Athtar finally rounded the corner. Not believing that what he heard could be true, he decided he had to see for himself.

“What are you guys talking about?” he asked, a look of concern in his eyes. “Ellie, did you kill someone?”

“Athtar, what are you doing out here?” Elluin asked calmly as Folwin threw his head back in frustration. “Shouldn’t you be in bed?”

“I’ve been in bed for the past three days!” he replied. “Now what are you guys talking about?”

“Remember when I told you I was gonna see to it that he never made us do anything ever again?” Elluin asked, to which Athtar replied by nodding his head. “Well I kept my promise. The troll is dead now. We’re free.”

Athtar shook his head in confusion, still not fully believing what he was being told. “But…I never thought you meant you’d kill anyone. Isn’t that like the worst thing you could do?”

“Not when it’s someone evil like that,” Elluin assured him. “We saved every elf in the forest today, Athtar. Now why don’t you go back to your room and get some rest?”

“Ry isn’t gonna be happy about this,” he whispered.