Hamertia: The Elven Folly

“Since when do elves read so much?” Xander groaned.

Athtar, Rydel, Onvyr, and Rania had all entered the library within a few moments of each other.

“Do you have any more gnomes on books, Xander? I mean books on gnomes!” Athtar laughed. “Gnomes on books, could you imagine? But I guess gnomes could sit on books if they really wanted to! But they’re too busy gardening! Anyway, do you have any?”

“I can see you’re back to your insufferable old self,” Xander remarked, pulling a book from the shelf. “I suppose the hemlock really does work.”

“It sure does!” Athtar replied. “Speaking of hemlock, Rydel said Leofrick is out researching! How long before he gets back?”

“How does hemlock have anything to do with…” Xander began, a perplexed, disturbed look on his face. “Whatever. And I don’t know. He said it was very thorough research and therefore could take a while.”

“Well thanks for the book!” Athtar exclaimed as he and the others turned toward the door. “See you later!”

“Dear gods I hope not,” Xander muttered under his breath as his visitors left.

“Thanks for getting the book for me, Athtar,” Onvyr said. “Ever since I read that first book I’ve been dying to learn more. And we’re still gonna go visit the gnomes later, right?”

“Of course!” Athtar replied. “I know how much you’ve been wanting to meet them!”

“Are you coming too?” Rydel asked Rania, who appeared a bit distracted.

“I’d love to,” she replied. “But I have duties with him today. I should probably get there before I start running late…”

“Didn’t you hear?” Athtar blurted out. “The troll is dead! You don’t have to worry about that anymore!”

Onvyr and Rania’s faces dropped in shock.

“Are…are you serious?” Rania murmured after a long moment.

“Yeah!” Athtar replied enthusiastically. “Ellie and Folwin killed him! No more working for some mean old troll!”

Rania jumped into Onvyr’s arms, huge smiles spreading across both of their faces. Rydel, however, looked just as distraught as he had the night before. Athtar moved in to comfort him.

“See how happy everybody is now, Ry?” he said softly. “We can all live in paradise now.”

“I hope you’re right, Ath. And really…you probably are,” Rydel replied, a genuine smile on his face for the first time since he got the news. “I really would have liked to see it done more peacefully, but at least everyone will be happy now.”

Athtar pulled him into a hug and Rydel returned the embrace. “It’s already been done, Ry. And now we can really live in peace.”

“Well, well, what have we here?” Connak said as Jastra approached, a sinister grin on his face. His mood became sour, however, when he noticed her companions. “What are those high-borns doing with you, Jastra? You know their kind aren’t allowed down here.”

“I’m a high-born as well,” Jastra smirked in reply. “And don’t you forget that. Just because I hang around down here doesn’t make me one of you.”

“Pfff, whatever you say Jastra,” he sneered. “And what is this? Another dead high-born for us? How thoughtful.”

“It’s a troll,” she replied. “Can you take care of it?”

“An opportunity to burn a dead body; how could I resist? There’s nothing a fire mage enjoys more.”

“What do you mean another?” Elluin interrupted.

“Just the other night we burned some poor red-headed bastard,” Druin responded. “Found his body outside the library.”

Elluin and Folwin exchanged a look of grave concern. Jastra opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by Elluin.

“What did he look like exactly? Are you sure he was high-born?”

Druin sighed. “Tall, spiky red hair, a ridiculous gauby outfit on…”

“The word is gaudy,” Jharyn corrected. “Gau-dy.”

“I swear I will burn your face off,” Druin scoffed under his breath.

“Alright,” Elluin said quickly, bringing the conversation back into focus. “Red hair, fancy clothes. And you know he was a high-born?”

“Why else would he be outside the library?” Druin replied impatiently. “Besides, I ain’t never seen him around before, so he was obviously high-born.”

“Leofrick,” Elluin muttered.

“Leofrick is out researching,” Folwin said. “You must be mistaken.”

“If by researching you mean researching what happens to an elf when he takes a knife to the back, then yeah,” Connak replied. “Now do you want us to take care of this body or not?”

Elluin simply stared at the ground in front of him, a look of shock and confusion on his face. Folwin gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

“We’ll worry about it later, El. Let’s just get rid of the troll now, alright?”

After a long moment, Elluin finally responded. “Alright,” he said, snapping out of his daze. “Let’s get rid of this old bastard’s body.”

The fire mages smiled as Dakath stepped forward and took hold of the troll’s ankles. He dragged it to the center of the wide path they were standing along and carelessly dropped the body on the ground. The group then proceeded to form a circle around it.

“You’re just gonna do it here?” Folwin asked. “Right out in the open? What if someone sees?”

“Sees what?” Druin replied curtly. “Fire mages doing what fire mages do?” He shook his head.

Folwin shrugged and decided not to press the matter any further. He, Elluin, and Jastra then stepped back several feet, giving the fire mages all the room they needed. Without hesitation, the cremation ceremony began.

“By the power of the flame,” Connak said with great authority. “I condemn this troll to ashes. May the spirit of fire envelop his entire being that he shall be no more.”

With the formal words spoken, Connak conjured a blue flame on the tip of his finger, which quickly turned to a ball of blue fire in his palm when he flipped his hand. He projected the fire forward, striking the dead body directly in its center, setting it alight in mystic blue flames. Druin proceeded to do the same, albeit with a steady stream of yellow-red fire. Dakath held his hand out, palm facing upward, and conjured a swirling ball of fire. He projected it upward, straight into the air. Jharyn now put his hand up and quickly swung it down. The ball of flames, obeying his motions, came falling from the sky and struck the body with great force. The fireball erupted when it hit its mark, causing flames to shoot upwards and out in all directions. After a moment, the flames dissipated and the aftermath became visible. All that remained of the body was a pile of white ash.

Connak ended the ceremony by breaking out in victorious laughter. “Nothing better than burning bodies!” he exclaimed. “That’s the one thing you high-borns are good for.”

Although he should be happy that closure had finally been granted, the only thing on Elluin’s mind was Leofrick and what had happened to him.

“So…Jastra.” Druin said. “Have any plans for the day? How about hanging out here with us?”

“Not now Druin,” she replied, the slightest bit of annoyance evident in her voice. “I better accompany these two back to the northern forest to make sure they don’t do anything stupid.”

“I won’t be doing anything stupid!” Elluin snapped. “I’ll be doing the smartest thing I’ve done since killing that troll.”

“And what is that?” Jastra asked.

“Sticking my blade in Xander’s throat.”

Rydel, Athtar, Onvyr, and Rania had spent the morning sitting atop the stone bridge reading their new gnome book. Athtar, as eager as ever, was ready to take his friends to visit the gnomes.

“So are you guys ready to go see the gnomes now? I bet you are, Onvyr! Just don’t mention their flower poisoning me, I don’t want them to be upset!”

“It’s about time you asked!” Onvyr laughed. “I’ve been wanting to meet them for forever!”

“Awesome! Let’s go!”

The group of elves followed Athtar to the gnomes’ garden. As always, they were more than happy to see him.

“Athtar!” one of the gnomes shouted. “We haven’t seen you in a while. Want another flower?”

“Uh…no thanks,” Athtar replied. “I brought Onvyr with me today! He’s been wanting to meet you!”

Onvyr shyly stepped forward. “Hi guys, this is a really nice garden you have here.”

“We know it is,” the gnome replied. “It’s what we do. Not like those boggarts who stole our land. All they ever do is…well, nevermind. I’m sure you’re not interested in hearing me go on about that.”

“I’m interested in anything you have to say,” he grinned. “You gnomes are absolutely fascinating creatures.”

“Indeed,” the gnome responded, broadening his shoulders as much as a gnome could. “We usually like to keep to ourselves, but if you’re a friend of Athtar’s, I suppose you’re alright. And this is your girlfriend, I presume?”

Rania blushed. “Yes, I’m his girlfriend,” she said timidly.

“Well then I suppose you’re alright as well,” the gnome replied. “Feel free to look around, but I must get back to my work.”

The gnome excused himself and retrieved his miniature shovel. He moved to an empty plot and began digging a hole.

“Whenever a gnome digs a hole,” he said, addressing the group of elves. “He puts a seed or plant in it. He doesn’t just leave it be like those damn boggarts…”

“If the boggarts just want to dig holes, why not just let them?” Rydel asked. “It doesn’t affect what you’re doing here.”

“They stole our land!” the gnome yelled, becoming agitated. “We were forced to move here! The northern forest isn’t entirely bad…but it’s not our land! And even if it wasn’t our land that they stole, digging holes solely for the purpose of digging holes is ridiculous! It makes no sense! They don’t even grow anything in them! They just dig hole after hole after hole!”

“Well you live here now,” Rydel said, attempting to calm the enraged gnome. “From what I hear, the northern forest is a lot nicer than your old land, anyway. Can’t you just put it behind you and try to be happy?”

“I will hear no more of this!” the gnome shouted. “I should have never brought it up! Elves will never understand the plight of the gnome! Now if you would be so kind, I’d like to return to my plants.”

The gnome wobbled away to tend to a different plot. Once he was out of earshot, Rania gently tugged on Onvyr’s shirt.

“Maybe we should come back a different time,” she whispered. “Give him a chance to calm down.”

“Alright,” Onvyr sighed. “I just wish Rydel didn’t have to get him worked up like that.”

“It wasn’t Ry’s fault,” Athtar said sympathetically. “The gnomes just really don’t like the boggarts. And they kinda have a point. Anyway, Ry didn’t mean to upset him like that.”

“I was just trying to show him that he doesn’t have to be so bitter,” Rydel explained. “Maybe you and Ath can come back later to see them again. I’m sure he’ll be calmed down by then.”

“I know, Rydel,” Onvyr told him. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just hoping that my first time meeting the gnomes would go more smoothly I guess. It’s alright.”

“We’ll come back later and see them again,” Athtar assured him. “He’ll be all better after he does some gardening.”

“Sounds good,” Onvyr replied, smiling.

The elves made their way back to the stone bridge to continue reading their book together. They all took a mental note never to mention boggarts around the gnomes again.

Xander’s alone time at the library was interrupted yet again. This time, however, it was not by passive elves looking for a book, but rather by a dagger at his throat.

“We know you killed Leofrick!” Elluin shouted, pressing the blade against the underside of Xander’s chin.

“I told you, he’s out researching,” he replied, his body shaking. “Now get your damn dagger away from me!”

“We all know that isn’t true,” Elluin said, applying more pressure with the weapon, nearly breaking skin. “And now you’re going to suffer the same fate.”

“El, wait,” Folwin intervened as calmly as possible. “We can’t just start killing each other.”

“Well what should we do then?” he yelled. “Just let the murderer go?”

“Jastra, can you please try to talk some sense into him?” Folwin sighed.

“This isn’t my business, he can do what he wants,” she replied nonchalantly. “If it were me, though, he’d have been dead by now.”

“Listen, El,” Folwin continued, accepting that Jastra would be of no help. “I know something has to be done with him, but we’re not going down this path.”

“Well then what should we do, Folwin?” Elluin asked, losing his patience. “Give me another option in the next two seconds or I’m shoving my blade through him!”

“Banishment!”

“Huh?”

“Banishment. We’ll throw him out of the forest, let him fend for himself beyond the tree wall. It’ll be a punishment just as bad as death and we’ll never see him again.”

Elluin glanced back at Xander. The elite elf could no longer conceal the look of terror on his face.

“Just do what you want with me,” he said, not bothering to fight back the tears. “But just pray that I never cross your path again.”

“Fine,” Elluin said, slowly lowering his dagger. “Banishment it is. We’ll toss him beyond the southern forest tree wall. Maybe he’ll be trampled to death by the centaurs.”

“Or get thrown into one of the boggarts’ holes!” a newcomer said.

Everyone turned to the door to see Athtar and Rydel walking in.

“Boggarts live outside the southern forest tree wall too! Did you guys know that? Wait…what’s going on?”

“Xander’s been sentenced to banishment,” Elluin told him. “He killed Leofrick.”

“What?” Rydel said, shocked. “Do we have proof of that?”

“He stabbed him in the back and threw the body outside for the fire mages,” Folwin responded. “He’s been in the library ever since Leofrick disappeared. It’s obvious what happened.”

“Maybe it’s just a coincidence,” Rydel insisted. “We can’t banish someone over speculation…”

“Oh, shut up Rydel!” Xander shouted. “Of course I did it! No point in denying it. At least when I get thrown outside the tree wall, I won’t have to deal with your nonsense anymore! The only thing I hate more than everyone else not respecting me is you being so nice to me! Nobody likes a weak little elf who bends over for everybody!”

Rydel remained silent as Elluin, Folwin, and Jastra grabbed Xander’s arms and escorted him out of the library. A moment passed before Athtar broke the silence.

“He really was a jerk, Ry. Besides, they’re just kicking him out of the forest. It’s not like they’re killing him or anything, he’ll probably be fine. He shouldn’t be here if he killed Leofrick, anyway…”

Rydel sighed. “Come on, Ath. Let’s go see how Onvyr and Rania are doing.”

Onvyr and Rania were sitting together on the stone bridge enjoying their book when Athtar and Rydel arrived. After bearing witness to the scene at the library, Rydel now regretted ever wandering off with Athtar to give the couple some private time.

“Hey Onvyr!” Athtar called out. “The gnomes should be calm by now! Wanna go back to see them again?”

“Sure!” he exclaimed, closing his book. “Are you guys coming?” he asked, addressing Rania and Rydel.

“You go on head, Onvyr,” Rania replied. “I’m just gonna stay here a bit longer.”

“Yeah, I think I’ll hang back too,” Rydel said. “I don’t think the gnomes would want to see me again anyway.”

“They’ll forget the whole thing before you know it!” Athtar assured him. “But yeah…you should probably give it a couple days.”

“You two have fun,” Rydel smiled. “Rania and I will be right here when you get back.”

Onvyr handed Rania his book and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before Athtar grabbed his hand and led him back toward the gnome garden. Rydel made his way onto the bridge and took a seat next to Rania.

“We have really great boyfriends, don’t we Rydel?” she said, smiling.

“Wait...wha…boyfriends?”

“Oh!” she said quickly, her cheeks blushing. “I just thought…Sorry…I…”

“Well, I mean…uh…we’re…friends, but…”

“It’s fine…you don’t have to…it’s fine. I’m sorry…”

They sat there in silence for a long moment, Rania looking as embarrassed as an elf could be.

“So…um,” she said finally. “What do you think about the troll being gone? Pretty awesome, huh?”

Rydel sighed. “I don’t know. I mean I’m glad that no one will be forced to serve him anymore, but I wish they hadn’t resorted to violence. I don’t want to see us going down that path. And now Leofrick’s dead, but I guess that happened before the troll. I don’t…”

“What?” she blurted out, cutting him off. “Leofrick’s dead? I thought he was out researching.”

Rydel solemnly shook his head. “Xander killed him. He even admitted to it. Now Elluin, Folwin, and Jastra are banishing him.”

“I know Xander was a bit off,” she murmured, still in shock. “But I never thought he’d do something like that.”

“Well he did,” Rydel said. “I just hope this is the last of the violence…”

“It won’t be,” said a voice coming from the bushes. Kellam stepped out into the clearing along the water’s edge. “Violence leads to more violence. If I were you, I’d consider joining me and Puff for a life deep in the forest. You won’t want to be here when things get really bad.”

“You may think that they made a mistake by choosing to get rid of the troll,” Rania responded. “But it can’t possibly get that bad. The troll was evil and they killed it. And Xander was never like the rest of us anyway. We’ll never be as bad as him or use violence on anyone else.”

“Violence leads to violence and mistakes lead to more mistakes,” Kellam said curtly. “It’s the natural order of things. Whatever happens, I wish you the best.”

With that, Kellam disappeared back into the brush.

“What a little creep,” Rania remarked after she was sure he was out of earshot. “And please don’t tell me you believe him, Rydel.”

“I don’t want to,” Rydel replied. “And I really don’t think I do. I just hope that everyone else agrees we should put all this behind us.”