The Elf King Read Online Free

know of my
troubles, Oan? Are you a king with no prince?”
    Wilt’s face tightened. “How
long have you come to me and how many times have I failed you? Yet,
you dismiss me as if nothing I say has any ground.”
    The King stiffened. “Have
I? Was it not you who insisted in this peace talk? What more would
you have me do, Oan?”
    “ Look elsewhere. I have met
with the Forest Elves and I do not believe that they have your son.
Listen to reason, my Lord.”
    Turyn Andelline was too
tired for another confrontation. “Wilt, I have been informed
otherwise, as you already know. I will meet with Estrial, and if he
is wiser than he’s been, my son will be joining us
home!”
    “ Don’t be a fool!” Wilt’s
eyes were flush with anger. He stepped closer to the King. “They
will destroy you. Estrial has sent for a sorcerer to accompany him
tomorrow. If you—”
    “ Enough!” Turyn seemed to
tower over Oan. “We have been friends for countless years and I
have heard your pleas. If Lord Estrial does not bring forth the
whereabouts of my son then all of my kingdom shall fall upon
him!”
    Sadness crept into Wilt’s
eyes. He waited a moment before saying, “Then shall fall your
kingdom.”
    “ You would fare better
advising Lord Estrial if you wish to keep peace. Now go to your
home, kiss your son’s head goodnight, and be grateful he’s alive.”
The King stared into Wilt’s eyes with a burning sorrow. “Breathe in
his scent deep, for when he’s gone, it will haunt you like a shroud
of death. You will catch a small piece of it in the air and your
stomach will churn and ache in ways you didn’t think possible! As
his face will haunt your sleep, his memories will flee from you!
Endless scenarios of what is happening to him, of what has happened
to him, will run your thoughts tirelessly! You will wait the nights
in his empty room for his return, when he is not coming
home!”
    Turyn Andelline grabbed Oan
by his collar and brought him in close, his heavy breathing filling
Wilt’s lungs. His voice was raspy and low, filled with anger and
something far more dangerous. “Do you know what it feels like for
your spirit to die before your body?”
    Wilt Oan trembled in his
boots, feeling a look burn into his eyes that he had never seen
before. Before he could manage a response, the King released his
grasp and swiftly walked away. Wilt slumped against the cool stone
wall still trembling. Moments later a shadow passed by. Wilt jumped
in response, turning in time to see a scarlet robe disappearing in
the shadows.
    A few turns and a few
hundred footfalls later, King Andelline came to the end of the
corridor. Pressing his hand against a secret lever along the stone
wall, a door swung silently in. Without pausing, he stepped through
into his bed chamber. Once in, the door closed quietly behind, the
lock configuring back into place.
    The room was large with two
wood-framed windows and wall-length curtains. A terrace lay beyond
the windows, overlooking the courtyard several hundred feet below.
Portraits decorated each wall, and a few large candles burned at a
small sitting table near the door. Before undressing, Turyn walked
over to an open window and stared out into the night, allowing the
cool air to embrace him. From high above the courtyard, he stared
without seeing. His mind set on his son, and of what dawn could
bring.
    His mind drifted in and out
of old memories, of people he knew and places he’d been, of things
he accomplished and the ache of his losses. He sighed deeply. He
would gladly give up all his glories and victories, if it were to
bring his son home.
    Staring into the night, he
said softly, “I am too old to be fighting wars. This is not how it
should be.”
    He made his way to his bed
and disrobed, slipping under the sheets and adjusting his head to
the pillow. Sienna’s scent was in the room, he noticed. Gone before
he had time to tell her how much he did love her, and that he would
do anything to make things