The Alterra Histories: The Fire King Read Online Free

at her, gazing at the silken mahogany of her hair, the tawny glow of her skin, and those eyes…he was lost in them forever. No Elf could deny the Perception, though Aincor had always thought to avoid it. Now his heart was given. He smiled back at Faelani, knowing that, even if her gentle heart desired it, she could not serve in his warrior-ranks. His heart was given forever, and she would be his Queen. The missing piece of his spirit that he had tried to fill with bravado and accomplishment had been found at last. He would never allow her to risk herself in battle.
     
    ~~
     
    Elves will only beget children of their perceived life-mates, and Faelani bore to Aincor two sons: Asgar and Dardis. The eldest, Asgar, took after his father. Fearless before his enemies, strong and tall, he loved the thrill of battle. He mastered nearly every form of weaponry, especially the heavy two-handed sword his father favored. None could stand before Asgar for long.
    Dardis, on the other hand, had no love for the sword. Gentle- natured like his mother, his passions were for learning and creating. Dardis was most at home in the Halls of Learning, but even more he wanted to invent things and explore the magical ways of the Asari. His impressive talents soon earned him a place as Léiras’ apprentice, though Aincor considered him a bit of a disappointment.
    Aincor cared for both his sons, but he held a much greater understanding of Asgar. It was understood that Asgar would succeed Aincor as King, a fact which Dardis thankfully accepted. In truth, no one really understood Dardis, but no Elf has ever been more beloved by those who knew him. It was not the arrival of his sons that brought the greatest change upon Aincor, however, but the influence of Faelani herself. She alone could cool the fire of Aincor’s anger, and she alone could arouse compassion in him. He had always viewed mercy as a trait of the weak; Faelani convinced him that only the truly strong are merciful. She led him to see through the eyes of others, a skill which had always eluded him. Once he began to feel the pain of those around him, he became more considerate and less quick to judge. After a time, the people began to recognize that their King could be wise as well as strong. The Asari, who had never been able to break through the wall of Aincor’s stubbornness, smiled in approval.
    There was, however, a price to be paid for this enlightenment. As soon as Aincor realized that Faelani had completed him, that she had filled the emptiness in his heart, he knew fear at last. He spent many years denying it, but an ever-present dread lay deep within him. Aincor was afraid of losing Faelani, of losing his sons…of being alone. Throughout much of his long life, he had only himself for company, ruling his kingdom not out of caring, but because of his own self- importance. He had justified this with the notion that no one was worthy of him, but he had secretly longed to end his isolation, though he had no idea of how to do so. His pride, both enormous and genuine, had never been his friend. Now he feared a return to the days of abject loneliness, days in which he had only himself to think about.
    The only thing worse than being afraid was the threat of someone’s discovering it.
     

Part Two
     
    The long days of midsummer were beginning to fade when Wrothgar, Lord of the Underworld, sent forth his emissaries to Tal- elathas. They told Aincor and the Council that Wrothgar was weary of the constant harassing of his followers by Aincor’s forces, and he wanted to make peace with the Lord of the Èolar. He invited Aincor, together with a force numbering no more than one hundred, to meet him upon a raised, flat formation of rock the Dwarves had named “Fior’s Anvil”. This great rock lay between Wrothgar’s northern fortress and Tal-elathas, surrounded by gentle plains that could not conceal an army. With proper scouting, neither side would be able to mount a surprise attack upon