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The Return of Starlight - Novella Part 2

posted August 10, 2009 - 5:15am
The Return of Starlight - Novella Part 2

 

The Return of Starlight
 
The Dedication(s):
To: Gail Baudino, (and the Elves of Malvern): Thanks for the Inspiration to get me writing again, and your book’s help and healing, “Alanae ea yolisi, Elthia!”
 
This is also for Mimi “Mouse” Stewart, who needs a little bit of help and healing too. To her beloved memory, as she passed from Cancer this year. (1956-2009)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
            A cold wind whipped as the steady snowfall of winter settled upon the region known as Adria, a valley region between through the Aleser Mountains that surrounds the fertile valley and meadows from the northern sea to the lands in the south. The time of change as the new season comes to this land, and one the Elves would call the Day of Completion as old is discarded and falls, making way for the new.
 
            The very place where Rijiin L’Thiejiev managed to make his way along the road, walking through the barren canopy of Malvern Forest he once knew and coming home to this place after a full century and a quarter of being away. He had wandered from the year thirteen hundred and fifty two to now, in the year fifteen forty, where one hundred and forty years has elapsed. The elf has been a literal prisoner of time bearing witness of many events in history in the world, as he has traveled the world over.
 
            During that time, the elf had seen his share of death and carnage, where he was unable to change these events as they unfolded. He had seen many shifts of power during this time too, many coronations of many Kings and Queens. In addition to those coronations, he had seen the toll of the Black Death, Inquisition burnings, and turmoil that rampaged across the land too, and where the Elf had fought in along side martyrs, crusaders and warriors such as Olivier de Clisson, Henry of Lancaster, Earl of Nevers, William Wallace, Earl of Bruce and Joan of Arc.
 
            The elf had seen their rise to power, and later would see their destiny, neither able to change history nor save them from their brutal deaths.  It had been where the elf had been a part of many events in history, the last one being outside Europe when Christopher Columbus had discovered the Americas and together had explored them. However his adventures had started far before that when he had arrived in Adria one hundred and forty years ago, stepping through a massive doorway in a shop somewhere in the future and into the wind of time itself.  
 
            As Rijiin walked the forest road, he looked up from his reminisces, and glanced up at the sky to the billowing black clouds above him. He sensed a storm coming, a cold one at that and turned to scan the surrounding forest with his gray eyes.  The elf had been traveling many hours now, coming from the northern sea after the ship he had chartered to bring him home and had dropped him at the thriving port of Maris, a northern most city found in Adria. Here the elf had walked through the gate, passing through the massive arch as it lead him to the inner city. He did so openly, traveling the streets clad in the green and gray of his people, carrying the Elvish blade at his side and his hair drawn back to reveal his ears on his fair features.  He had no fear of the Inquisition and he was ready, his fear tempered like the steel at his side; but he was also respectful to the people who stared at him in astonishment. The elf sensed their conditioned hatred, conditioned by the Inquisition who had persecuted his people for centuries to their very extinction.
 
            “Blessings,” The elf said simply, passing the people who walked toward him and his cold gray eyes meeting those stares, who would look away from him.
            The elf kept his hand resting on the blade that stuck out from his cloak, at his side as he passed guards and the clergy who watched him, and despite his sense of their disapproval, fear, and hatred of heretics and Elves they did not call out the guards.  Rijiin had slain many Inquisition soldiers and even a few clergy in the past, even now the persecution carrying on by the Inquisition. It had not changed at all, even one hundred and forty years.
 
            When he had reached Hypperex, he turned southwest, entering the branchless, cold canopy of Beldon Forest, skirting the capital city, crossing Roger of Aureville’s lands, as he traveled to the south.  Now almost to Saint Brigid, he found himself in an oncoming winter storm and glanced up repeatedly to the billowing black clouds above.
 
            “I’d better seek shelter, or freeze to death.” He thought, glancing at the clouds, as they became darker, He knew of many a winter like this one where it was best to be indoors than traveling in it.  
 
            His last encounter with such a storm had been a few months after returning to Adria with Natil. It had been after their trip, using Elven Magic to jump the wind of time and together had jumped into the future to repay a long lost debt and help a good friend of Rijiin’s. It had been the trip where Rijiin had found himself, understanding his purpose as an Elf, and the scrap of soul that had once made human fading fully from his very essence and leaving fully Elven. He understood the power of the Elves now, and the need for helping and healing in the world; one that had saved his life on a mid summer’s day when he had been found and healed by the Elves of Malvern. He had arrived in Adria stepping what he thought was the games in the Mall, but unknowingly had stepped through a portal bringing him the twelfth century. He had fought one battle and realized suddenly that it was real when the point of a sword pierced his body. Escaping to the woods, he had found the clearing and collapsed and had been barely conscious when Mirya and Terrill, Natil’s kinfolk had found him.
 
            Rijiin shook his head at the harsh memories, clearing them as he walked on, glancing up to the snow covered branches and the light snow that fell on him. The elf focused inwardly, staring at the images of his past and had not been paying much attention to his surroundings, busy reminiscing. He thought of the blizzard when the caravan had found him half-frozen and they had healed him, spiriting him to a far off land. Rijiin thought of the many adventures in Adria he had taken and to the many people who lived in Saint Brigid. The elf thought of the many good times he had shared with Natil in Adria, and how he had fallen for her as he had a few months before his stepping through the portal to bring him to this place. He managed a smile at the pleasant thoughts and their trips to the Aleser Mountains.
 
            “And despite it all, a great cost for losing humanity.” He thought, “But with many gains.”
 
            When Rijiin rounded the corner of the road, he managed to look up and stared at the remains of a village, somewhere that remotely resembled civilization. He had no idea where he was, or of the conspiracy and battles, Adria had been through in the last fifty years. Adria had been invaded by the foreign armies after he had disappeared and the Elves helped quell the violence, stopping a war machine from gaining control of the free towns, even Adria entirely. Again, this small village had once again become a battlefield and he had not known of the forest fire set by the enemy and the fate of Terrill and Mirya who had given their powers to stop it. 
 
            Quickly Rijiin scanned the surroundings several times, standing in the center in the remains of a square, in the midst of a cold blustery winter’s day. He stared at the overgrown silent streets as large flakes pelted his cloak that fluttered in the wind as he panned to each pile of the buildings. Something in them had made his head turn, and he had gasped aloud, when he saw what it was. A large bit of hand carved panel had caught his eye, gasping when he realize that it was one of four panels that that had been carved by the wood smith, David, in Saint Brigid and the panels that had hung in the main chamber of the church.  His head immediately scanned the rest of the debris and he realized that he had made it to his destination.
 
            “I’m home.” Rijiin exclaimed, turning to stare at the remains of the Kay’s house, the church, turning to scan the rest of the village. His gray eyes quickly found the pile that made up the remains of the blacksmith’s house.
 
            “It’s Saint Brigid…” He stared incredulously at the overgrown street, astonished to see and think of this place as a deserted pile of ruins, and abandoned by the good folk who lived here.
 
             “What happened here?” Rijiin asked himself. Quickly he shook his head.
 
             The elf had not expected it to be abandoned and yet it appeared to have been deserted for a very long time. He stood staring for several minutes at the debris and remains of the village he had called his home before looking up at the sunset that appeared through the breaking clouds. A ray of sunlight struck his cheek as the elf thought of Terrill, Mirya, Varden, Charity, Roxanne, Talla and even his beloved Natil. He also thought of Francis, Hester, and Andrew, or perhaps David. They were all gone now, and all he had now was memories.  He elf never thought for an instant they would ever, even with probably their children’s children would have abandoned such rich soil.
 
            “Perhaps it was the Inquisition.” Rijiin thought, but somehow just could not see the occupants of this place being taken away, tortured and burned as he had seen Joan of Arc; for that matter, anyone else he had met through his travels in time. He closed his eyes standing on the village square, remembering another time and when he opened them, the whole area seemed to waver. All the buildings seemed to return, as well as the people and he could see a time when the few elves remain in the world, helping and healing. 
 
 
            “Another time and place.” thought the Elf and warmly smiled at his reminisces. He wished he could return to that time, to this place and in that era of when everything for him made sense. When Rijiin’s eyes blinked, the solemn scene had reappeared and again he was alone, his gaze abruptly had fallen onto the forest where overgrown paths led into it.
 
            “I wonder if the paths are there.” He thought, “Perhaps the elves spirited them away into hiding if it was indeed the Inquisition.”
 
             The Elf turned and walked quickly toward the forest’s edge, his footsteps semi-silent in the falling sleet and rain mix that pelted the land. He crossed through the remains of the gate and wall, turning to enter the forest beyond. Rijiin with incredible stamina and speed disappeared into the forest and felt the familiar scents of home wash over him when his booted feet touched the ancient path. His intent gaze was ahead as he followed the pathway, taking it took him to the familiar first clearing on the way to the Elves encampment, turning he found the other path and followed the other path quickly.
 
Abruptly they suddenly disappeared and three unfamiliar pathways appeared in the forest in three different directions. The elf, walking ahead, quickened his pace as he almost ran through the forest only a few feet and came to an abrupt halt. He stood amongst a strange forest, one that he did not know and had perished because of a fire long ago. Despite his discomfort, the elf closed his eyes as he walked off the paths of men, deep into the forest for several meters, far away main paths, past the place where the path ended into the unknown wild overgrown forest. Fifteen minutes the Elf stood alone, listening to the wilds of this new Malvern, his eyes closed trying to see the starlight that had guided him here and hoping to find the past where his life had once made sense. Only the unfamiliar sounds of the forest echoed around him, the sound of wind among the cold branches and a starless black of his inner soul. After fifteen minutes had elapsed, Rijiin’s eyes opened, scanning the forest for any landmarks. 
 
            “You helped me, once.” He said, “I am a kinsman of these lands, guide me now.”
 
            Only the sound of the hushed whisper of the falling snow replied. The power of the Lady had gone from this realm, and he could not feel her presence neither her power to guide him here. Walking ahead, he came to unfamiliar clearing and for an hour, the Elf sat under a thick pine tree, making camp in the pine needles, sitting alone and staring at the crackling flames of his campfire. 
 
            “The Elves would not have perished so easily, despite they were fading even when I arrived.” Rijiin murmured, and now really began to wonder about the fates of his friends and his kinfolk. He thought of Varden, Mirya and Terrill. He thought of the young Elven woman, the Harper named Natil that he had fallen for a century and a quarter ago.
 
            His eyes found the deep red sunset filling the western horizon, as the day ended, the clouds parting to allow the sunlight to shine brightly upon the white frozen landscape. 
 
            Rijiin sat watching the sunset for several more minutes, the light fading and watched the first stars appeared over the forest. Looking up as he had a century and a quarter ago, he stared up at the stars twinkling brightly above him, staring at the infinite light of space and the thousands of stars in their patterns. He searched in vain for Mirya’s star, and it was not where it should be. Slowly he closed his eyes and the star patterns that he should have seen there had long since faded, leaving only blackness. Rijiin wished and longed to go to the woman, robed in blue and silver, their goddess for her advice, healing and perhaps her love. The elf, however, knew he could not do that now, those days and that power long since gone. As he sat in his camp for a few minutes, the Elf thought back to the first time he had met Mirya and Terrill, laying in the forest, a young human who was dying of a major wound and had walked unknowingly through the portal that brought him to the past.
 
            “That was a long ago indeed.” Thought Rijiin, shaking his head as his reminisces faded away and once again, he was in his camp. He turned his head as the wilds of Malvern’s nightlife echoed across the forest, and even in the dim light of his campfire that some animals had come and sat around the fire with him.
 
            “Blessings upon you rabbit, deer and fox.” Rijiin said, and they just watched him. They sensed he was different and they did not attack, and neither in the Elf’s presence they fought among themselves. He fed them some scraps he had. Even a wolf came to watch him and as it sat there, it seemed to smile. The elf reached out, patting the fox rabbit and even the wolf’s head.
 
            “Thank you for being my company my friends.” Rijiin said, “Especially on a very cold, blustery night such as this.” He grinned at the cluster of animals.
 
            Later, Rijiin did something that Elves never did in his time or their entire existence. He slept. The elf slept and dreamed of the past and the future. Somewhere in the night sky, however, high above him somewhere was a large 767 that flew overhead in the night. The animals were his protectors and they watched him sleep as he  dreamed, seeing the visions as Natil had who had precariously wandered the world too, traveling though time, and sent forward to the future.           As he slept was also touched by the power of the elves, and by a strange power of Elven Magic washed over him and he vanished in an aura of white light, disappearing from this realm and appearing in another time and place.
 
            When the Elf awoke the next morning, he was unaware of a time shift that had happened, and only aware that it was very cold, the ground was covered in a layer of new snow. The animals that had been his company were gone, far behind him in the past, and by the strange power of starlight that had guided the elves once, Rijiin awoke in the future, in a place far before his discovery of the ship in the mall, far before his jump in time and before he had become an elf.  He was now in a snow-covered wood that looked like Adria, and brought forward through time into the twentieth century.
 
            As he looked up, tending the fire, he scanned the surroundings at a large set of woods that surrounded the Elf. Rijiin nibbled on the rations he had in his pouch as he listened to the unfamiliar sounds of the woods around him and quickly took in a breath of the frosty, crisp air. Rising, the elf stretched and knelt to clean up his camp and put out the fire. Donning the gray cloak about him and turning, he glanced once at the makeshift camp before he set out to the west. Yards away from his camp the Elf had been expected to find the road that connected the north and south of Adria, also the remains of Saint Brigid but when he arrived, he only found forest.
 
            “Where is the road?” Rijiin thought, as he stood in the middle of the forest, turning three hundred and sixty degrees a couple of time before he walked to the south fifteen paces. In those few steps, he found what appeared to be the road, and quickly nodded.
 
            “Back to Saint Brigid,” Thought the Elf, and turning he walked through the canopy of trees, following it, not realizing this road ran east and west rather than north and south.  As he followed it, he expected it to return to the remains of Saint Brigid but when Rijiin turned the corner, the road abruptly ended and the elf gasped when he stared at a sea of white as a large field appeared before him. 
 
            “By our lady,” Murmured the Elf, “This is not Adria.”
 
            Rijiin quickly crouched next to a nearby tree keeping hidden in the leafless thicket as he scanned the unfamiliar surroundings, his hand on the handle of the sword at his side. He turned his head as he scanned the surroundings and when he saw the glare of a sunlight reflected from a car on a nearby road, it gave him the one clue that told him where he was, that he was not in the twelfth century but the twentieth century. Looking up he also saw a jet streaking high above in the partially clear sky.
 
            “Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle,” He declared, “I’m in the future. Now this is a switch and how did I get here? Perhaps I am asleep… and I am dreaming.”
 
            The elf quickly realized he had forgotten a lot of things what it was to live in the twentieth century, a part of him died when he had changed into an immortal, at this time, five and a quarter centuries ago. Still crouched next to a cold trunk of a frozen, branchless, tree the elf watched his surroundings for a long time before he decided to move. Many times Rijiin’s solemn gray eyes examined the backboard quickly and he barely hid his surprise when he recognized it as a baseball diamond. His eyes found the chain link fence nearby and beyond he examined a practice field, then to the track and football field adjacent to it. From here, he peered off into the distance at a cluster of buildings and to the service road that lie between them. The area seemed too familiar to the elf, making him frown.
 
            “I wonder where I am,” He murmured, “Other than being in the twentieth century again this place seems a bit familiar.”
 
             Slowly he made his way across the field, his footsteps a quiet padding in the snow, as he headed toward the buildings and across the snow swept landscape. His face seemed to acknowledge this place, as a vague look of recognition appeared on his face, when he got closer toward the buildings. He had been deep in thought, distracted by the surroundings, trying to remember, and had not seen the fence that separated the field and road. Rijiin ran full force into it and found himself flung back, sitting on his ass in the snow.
 
            “Terrific.” Rijiin murmured, as he picked himself up, brushing the snow from his cloak and clothes, “I’d better watch where the heck I am going.”
 
            Feeling foolish, he turned his head to an opening, a break in the fence five feet away, and rolled his eyes when he saw it. He walked toward it and he passed through it to the roadway beyond, onto an icy sidewalk.  Here the elf felt his feet give way, briefly sliding and stumbled for a moment before quickly recovering his footing. Standing next to the road that ended here behind the smaller building to the right, his eyes moved slowly, tracing it, the other direction as it went across the snow-covered slope toward the cleared parking lot one hundred yards from his position. Beyond the parking lot, he clearly saw the major highway beyond where earlier he had seen the car moving across it. 
 
            “Something is familiar about this place.” Rijiin thought, turning his head to the larger building on his left and the other on the right.   Signs were all around him that there was something familiar about this place, something that he had not seen in now centuries, even as a human had been at least a couple of decades. The elf padded through the snow, keeping of the road in the center, and walked toward the lot ahead. Large flakes of a steady had snow begun to fall on him, dropping visibility and the elf did not notice the face in the window on his right.
 
He had been seen by a young student in one of the classrooms. Her reaction had been one of astonishment as she stared at the cloaked figure, and had motioned to her friends and classmates who promptly joined her. They all watched Rijiin as he crossed and turned to walk toward the large gym of what they knew as the gym belonging to the High School that was built next door. As the elf disappeared around the corner, there was a great murmur in the several classrooms that had seen the elf, and they commented on the strange garb that he wore.
 
            As for Rijiin, when he reached the large gym, he turned to the sidewalk that ran across the front, near a large glass entry and when he reached the other side, he got the abrupt blunt answer to his question. He stood blinking in the daylight, before the glass entrance of the larger building and staring at a familiar mascot that was perched on the building roof next to it; A great Golden Eagle was perched there, its claws mounted in the roof as if it would carry the building away. He gasped when he saw it, his mind quickly finding the name of this place.
 
            “Bellbrook?” Rijiin breathed under his breath in alarm, staring at the mascot made of fiberglass, gold paint and metal.
 
            The elf quickly pulled back the hood of his cloak, staring bewildered and in silent astonishment at the sight before him, unable to believe what he was seeing. Quickly he became aware of his surroundings and glanced at the windows into the classrooms where students sat in their seats. The elf knew he was visible, and knew in a few seconds that he would be seen but he just did not care. He was astonished being here again, in a place that once upon a time had been as a human, a long time ago.  He shook his head dislodging the snow that pelted his skin and had caught in his long brown hair.
 
            “Oh my Creatrix, my Lady, what have you done?” The Elf said, staring up at the mascot, “Why have you brought me to this place?” He stared for a long time at the mascot, at its beady eyes as a light snow starting to bead up on his hair, falling around him.
 
            “It has been five hundred years, and I have made a full circle.” He murmured.
 
            Sitting in the classroom, Jeanine Dorn sat in Ms. Zerkle’s class, and she busily took part in the assignment given for the class. She had only glanced up once to the outside at the falling snow, atypical to the region in the height of a cold February,  and her gaze briefly falling upon Rijiin who now stood outside before she returned her gaze to the paper in front of her. It had been only a moment before she had gasp, and her head turned sharply to stare at the window in astonishment, staring at the unfamiliar garbed Rijiin who stood outside. 
 
            The young woman’s eyes widened at his fair features and something inside her jumped when she saw him. The young woman saw his ridiculously young face, and his strange garb. The young woman had smiled after watching him for several minutes before whispering to her friend.  
 
            “Amy!” Janine whispered and her classmate looked up when her friend had pointed to the window.
 
             The young woman, her classmate, glanced to the window, and her eyes focused and transfixed upon the young man. Next to her, her friend had stood up from her desk and stood beside the window. She glanced at her friend, meeting her questioning gaze and had only managed a shrug. Everyone in the class had turned when they saw Janine standing by the window, and all had turned to the window.
 
            They had all started to notice the stranger now, and all attention had become focused on the elf. Several snickers, sparse bursts of laughter and curious murmurs rippled through the room. Like the other rooms, curiosity swept through the classes as they stared at the fair features of the Elf, and the garb he wore.  They saw he was staring at the mascot, standing on the roof of the building and wondered why. Rijiin finally realizing he was on display had felt their gazes burning into him and had not turned his head at first to meet the curious onlookers.
 
When he did, finally turning his head to meet the many faces in three windows of the classrooms, including the astonished teachers, his eyes focused upon Janine first, his jaw twitching when he recognized her from his past and if their gazes could have sparked, it would have caused fire. The elf, despite the strange plight, handled it smoothly, smiling as he recovered quickly from his surprise. As for the students who stared at the elf, there were many mixed reactions and they all, even Janine, had ever seen such solemn gray eyes, or handsome features of anyone like him before. The young woman, however, also felt a strange déjà-vu seeing him. Amy had felt a strange shudder of anxiety from him, and Miss Z who also stared at the stranger wearing the gray cloak around him felt a strange shudder too. There were smiles when the Elf finally acknowledged their presence, smiling, raising his hand to touch his forehead, and managing a slight bow.  His hand rested on the pommel and handle of the blade at his side. His attention turned to the other building and his surroundings before it turned back to the mascot.
 
            “Find your stars.” The elf silently thought, hearing the words of Varden and Terrill. “This time does not hold you.” Rijiin inside had been stunned that he found himself in a place that he should not be, jumping time to find himself among people he had not seen in years, and had known a long time ago. Inside the classrooms, a low murmur still rippled throughout the room.
 
            “Who is that?” Ms. Z asked, “Why and what is he doing outside? Have any of you seen him before?”
 
            “I don’t know Ms. Z.” A voice replied.
 
            “He’s very handsome, that’s for sure.” Ms. Z said, “Is he a student? Why is he looking at the Eagle like that?” 
 
            “I don’t know.”
 
            “That’s one hell of a costume though.” Another student commented, “Right down to the sword at his side.”
           
            “Sword?” Ms Z asked, and she looked again, gasping to realize indeed, there was a sword visible from his cloak. An ivory dragon-handled sword appeared from inside the cloak.           Janine’s gaze fell upon the handsome features of Rijiin and something told her there was something more to this person and something quite familiar about him.
 
            “You know he is kind of cute.” A voice said and there was suppressed laughter by another one of he fellow classmates.
 
            “You mean familiar.” Janine said, “I have a strange feeling that I have seen this person or met him before.” Here she shook her head. Her friend chuckled and turned to return her gaze upon the stare at the Elf.
 
            Janine felt the deja vu clearly inside, wondering as she stared at the stranger.
 
            “Perhaps he’s a visitor.” A student said, “Or a new student. He looks like he has a purpose here.”
 
            “You know, you may be right, but well, we’ll see.” Ms. Z said, “OK… Let’s get back on the task please and take your seats.” She headed for the door. 
 
            Rijiin turned to the doorway, as he saw Ms. Z heading for the door of her room. He knew in a second she would be out here and this situation would be out of control. The elf knew remembered her as one of the tougher staff members at this institution of learning and stepping forward, three steps he entered the door of the Gym in front of him.
 
As the students all retook their seats, Janine watched him for a moment, before her gaze focused back to her work. The Elf stepped inside the Gymnasium and as he entered the large interior, he smiled panning a long gaze at the interior surroundings.  
 
            Rijiin was immediately astonished by the interior, and had managed a laugh.
 
“Some things never change.” He thought and shook his head, panning a cautious look around the large cavernous interior.  It is the same as he remembered when had attended here, the interior large, open and airy, the same large steel girder beams, and large spotlights above. Large bleachers, facing the basketball court make up the one side of the room, and the other side was the stage. He noted the stairways on either side of the bleachers and stage, recognizing the stairwells leading into the locker rooms and storage areas. A large wooden floor made up the basketball court and walking on it he moved to the center where a large purple spot marked the court. There in gold black and white was the familiar logo of the mascot of this place, a Golden Eagle. The Elf stood beside it, kneeling beside it, letting his fingers brush across the purple and gold surface. 
 
            “So it’s true.” Rijiin murmured, “I am really here, but when.”
 
            Standing up, he turned his head when he heard voices behind the stage curtain. Spinning on his heel the Elf made haste, walking with semi-silent footsteps through the nearby door and into the hallway. Behind him, students appeared after a workout on the stage where he knew that wrestling mats had been placed. The Elf watched them head for the locker room. At this point, Rijiin turned and let eyes move within the long hallway, glancing at the doors and the walkway where a few minutes he had just been.
 
            Quickly Rijiin traversed the hallway, passing the doors of the Art and Music Departments, soon to come to the first of the cross hallways running length and width of this building. Standing near the edge of the wall, Rijiin stood away from the center of the hallway, adjusting his bearings. He peered down the hallway at the far end, crossing width wise of the building, and at another set of doors and outside light visible there. His head turned to peer down the hallway toward the front of the building where he knew the office to be and then turned to the double doors entering the library.
                       
            Rijiin stared at the short hallway and he recognized this place too, making him smile as he recognized the familiar voices that echoed from within the classrooms.
 
            “Ms. Long.” He murmured, “Ms. Bender, no way.”
 
            The elf had to make a big effort not to look in on the classrooms and remained near the edge of the wall, the cloak making him blend into the darkness and providing him some concealment. As he stood beside the wall, he let out a sharp silent inhale as a student passed him by, and even a staff member. The elf watched as they continued on their way and he grinned when realizing he had been holding his breath.
 
            Quickly, when the hall cleared, that the elf walked passed the first cross in the hallway, into a brightly lit section beyond, and near the counseling office where a blank wall and a few lockers lined the hall. Several windows allowed the light to spill in here, making it almost too bright to see. He noted the alcove, stepping into it and it allowed him to remain concealed than be in the hallway.  
 
            “Okay, this is the sophomore hallway.” The Elf thought, remembering back, “Down that way is the freshman hall, the hallways parallel to the front to the Junior and Senior hallway. I am near the counseling office.”
 
            His gaze scanned the tiled white walls and the lockers of the freshman hall beyond as he stood in the alcove peeking out into the hallway. Sure enough, he saw the doorway of the counseling office. As he continued to watch, his gray eyes studied the surroundings in silence as many memories of a place he had forgotten washed over him, where once upon a time had been a part.
 
            “This is so strange.” Rijiin murmured, and his eyes beheld something even more familiar to him. He smiled and walked up to his old locker and his fingers brushed the metal surface. The elf had been so engrossed in his nostalgia that he did not sense the two people who had appeared from the doorway across from him making up the counseling offices.
 
             Behind him, Maryanne Martin, one of the councilors here, had appeared at the door with a student, and as both of them stepped out of the hall they had not sensed the elf that had been standing there.  When they finally saw him, the student had seen the elf first and had let out a startled exhale and the staff member turned her head, her eyebrows rising in surprise. Both of them stared at the elf in silent surprise, glancing at each other first.
 
            “That’s a cool costume.” The student murmured and the councilor had slowly nodded. Silently, both the councilor and the student stared at the elf, examining the costume with their eyes and in wondering at the authenticity of the garb.
 
“Who is that, do you know?” Martin asked and glancing at the student, a freshman she shrugged. Rijiin, when he sensed them, instinctively reached for his unconcealed blade under his cloak. 
 
            “WOW.” She said, walking toward Rijiin, studying his fair features. His hand relaxed on the blade and he quickly closed the cloak, recognizing familiar face.
 
            “That is a great costume… Did you make it?”
           
            Rijiin stared at the face, his mind searched for a name.
 
            “Maryanne Martin, Councilor.” He murmured and nodded silently to the staff member.
 
            Beside her, the young student had heard him speak and she had raised her eyebrows as a surprised look appeared on her face when hearing the inflection in his voice. The young woman had let out a silent breath. She had realized that something was amiss and the stranger did not belong here.
 
            “But how does he know the Ms. Martin.” She asked, and shook her head.
 
            Rijiin forced himself to relax but kept himself loose and ready, his reflex ready to spring at a moments notice. The student noted his stance and his readiness.
 
            “Come here for a moment please.” She said, motioning to him to follow. Rijiin walked confidently with her in the hallway, and the freshman studied him, her eyes moving from his boots to his face and his garb.
 
            “Look at this fantastic costume Jane.” Chortled Martin, pointing at Rijiin to the secretary he knew as Ms. Sparrows of the Counseling section. The woman looked up and gasped. Beside her, the freshman, one of the class members of ninety-two smiled.
 
            “Now that’s a costume don’t you think?” Councilor Martin asked and the secretary managed a slight nod.
 
            “Wow that’s really well done.” The young woman replied, nodding her head in agreement, “You will win the costume contest hands down.”
 
            “What are you supposed to be?”
 
             She had addressed the elf and he met her piercing stare. Rijiin considered a moment, the question he had been asked by the Secretary. He grinned in spite of himself.
 
            “I am a folklore legend, an Elf.” He said, his accented voice echoing in the room. Everyone showed equal surprise when they heard the inflection his voice, and the realistic, thick accent. 
           
            “That is a wonderful accent.” The secretary complimented.
 
             Suddenly there was a shift as they felt something was amiss about this stranger.
 
           Rijiin bowed slightly at the waist. “My thanks,”
 
            The expression on her face made the Elf smile, knowing that she had asked the question in her head and seeing her reaction when he had answered her.
 
            An uncomfortable shift rippled through the office.
           
            “OH! You that foreign exchange student we were expecting!” Martin gasped, “I am so sorry, I totally forgot.”
 
            Rijiin with that nodded his head.  
 
            “It is something like that.” Rijiin thought, but aloud had replied, “Aye, it is so, here I am,”
 
             “Oh yes, we have been expecting you, uhm…” Martin began and Rijiin sensing her question had helped her finish her thought.
 
            “Rijiin, Rijiin L’Thiejiev at your service,” The elf prompted and quickly he bowed slightly.  There were grins at the unusual custom and like many had reminded them of Robin Hood with Errol Flynn.
 
            “Oh yes, Rijiin, Welcome….”  She stammered, “Welcome to Bellbrook.”
           
            “I appreciate the welcome.” The elf replied, and glanced at the other doors as the other councilor appeared at the door.   He fought to remember the names, and quickly it came to him.
 
            “Yux...” His mind told him quickly. The councilor stepped forward and he returned the handshake from the Elf.  He turned his head as Martin stepped forward.  
 
            “And this is Ms. Sparrows.”
 
            “A pleasure…” He replied and shook her hand warmly.
 
            “May I?” The councilor asked and she pulled aside the cloak, staring at the green and gray clothing. “Is that real leather and wool for the clothes and cloak?”
 
             The elf nodded in silence. She and the three staff members did not comment on the dagger that was on his belt and did not notice the sword he had hidden under the baggy cloak.
 
            “Did you make the costume? It looks hand stitched.” Sparrows asked, and Rijiin shook his head. “Sana… Roxanne, my sister made it.” He said, “She is a weaver and a seamstress.”
 
            “It is fantastic work.” The secretary told the elf, and he managed a grin.
 
            “I shall tell her.” He replied without thinking and his grin suddenly fading to a pained expression when he remembered where he was and remembered he could not. Roxanne and the others had been gone for over five hundred years now, and he suddenly was reminded that he was all alone. The elf casually ran a hand across his face and the expression cleared.
 
             “Anyway, Rijiin… Where do you need to be now?” Martin asked, “Please get your stuff and go there.”
 
            “Aye, I was in the process and shall.” Rijiin replied, “Be at peace.”
 
            He stepped away from them, and without turning, he paused. “May the hand of the lady, be upon you.”
 
            There was astonishment by his statement and a suppressed laugher that followed. Rijiin withdrew the alcove across from the old locker unobserved. He breathed out in silence.
 
            “That was too close.” He thought, “Why was I not found out and questioned more?” He grumbled, “That made no sense.” 
 
            The elf scanned the notice he had taken from the board next to the office door. 
 
            “October 31st, 1989.” A notice said, and the Elf nodded in understanding.
 
            “Almost a year after I left but it still says nothing of why I have arrived at this place. At least it tells me when, however.” He thought, quickly folding it and placing it into the pouch at his side. Rijiin withdrew a bit further into the alcove when he heard the bell, unaware it had been so close to the changing of classes by the students. He managed a smile, quickly shaking his head when he realized he had forgotten all about that. As he waited, he saw many familiar faces pass him and many were in costume and saw faces that he had not seen in a long time.
 
            “Ah yes its Halloween.” He murmured, “I will fit right in…” With that, he glanced down at his costume; he one he had worn for a long time, when he traveled the world.
 
            Rijiin scanned the hallway and smiled at the students who were in full form of the Halloween spirit and many memories flashed in his brain of faces of those he now gazed upon and had not seen in a long time. As they passed the Elf flashed a grin as he recognized them, knowing a few by name and others not. The hall filled further and students who had dressed up the day began to notice him.            A low murmur rippled like before in the hallway as they stared in confusion at the Elf.
 
            Upper classman had also seen the Elf, and they grimaced at the sight of him, staring at the green and gray garb and the fair features of the Elf. They decided to play a prank, part of the trick portion of this day and threw eggs at the elf. Rijiin had had his back partially to them when he sensed the incoming food and had pivoted slightly, letting it splatter on the wall. There had been a pause as they glanced at each other, and they had thrown a couple more. Rijiin this time in a leisurely maneuver had moved and his hand caught the egg without breaking it and he threw it back at them. It hit them on the forehead and another in the face. The elf turned back as the angered upperclassman approached him and took two steps toward him. 
 
            Rijiin had not been interested in a fight with anyone, but it seemed to come to him anyway, as the first sense of a fist moved toward him. The elf with little effort pivoted once, letting the hand expel into the air, another hitting the wall. A yelp followed, as it hit the wall covered by egg that the wall ran down to the floor. He dodged again, as another punch moved in. Rijiin pivoted, a third time and this time to block it, pivoting to grab his assailant and slammed the young human’s face into the wall. There was a gasp as Rijiin held him there. He stepped back as others moved in to help and he swept the knee from under the student, knocking him down onto the floor. The others who had ran into to join the fight had thrown punches too.
 
Rijiin with confidence stepped in as his hand flashing with amazing speed, catching it in mid-flight with a strong grip. There was a gasp and the hall was still as Rijiin held him effortlessly with one hand. The fight had ended abruptly as it had started, the elf’s face showing annoyance as three jumped in to help their friend. They abruptly stopped as the elf held their friend and stared at the strange sight before them.
 
Rijiin held the struggling human, squeezing his hand and inflicting great pain on his wrist.  
 
The student screamed and glanced at his friends.
 
“What are you waiting for, hit him! Hit hi…AAAGH.”
 
            “Enough.” The elf muttered, and a low murmur echoed from the gathered crowd as he met each one’s gaze. All showed astonishment at a flash of starlight that had twinkled brightly from his eyes. Everyone who had been present had backed off when they saw the flash and Rijiin turned his head to the melee of upper classman who stood around him.
 
            “I would suggest you move along.” Rijiin said, coldly, “Before you get in over your head.” 
 
            With that, he pushed the student back and the human rubbed his hand, cradling it as they slowly moved away. Reluctantly others backed off, the elf standing his ground and mixed applause and mutterings followed.  
 
            “Are you alright?” A voice asked.
 
Rijiin turned as Katie Lehman approached from the crowd, and the elf smiled, staring at her familiar, youthful features. 
 
            “Are you new here?” She asked, “Do you have a name?”
 
 Rijiin recognize many of the familiar faces as they clustered around him. 
 
            The elf stepped back into the alcove as another sea of people crowded by him, who glanced at him before passing him by. For many, there was intrigue by all, wondering who it was behind the costume and what they thought was makeup. The elf had not hurt the human, able to break his hand if he chose to, but he was a healer and it was not for him to cause pain. He could heal once and had done so many centuries ago. 
 
            “My name is Rijiin.” He told her, and she smiled at the voice, glancing at the others.
 
“Katie,” She said, turning to a few of her friends and even fellow classmates who had seen the fight.
 
“Good to meet you.”
 
“So where are you from?”
 
Rijiin’s gaze had moved back and forth to the hallway as a young woman walked toward him, and a face he recognize as Emily Montgomery. Others saw the look of alarm show upon his face, before flashing a smile. The young woman met his look with no sign of recognition, nodding to the stranger who wore a unique costume thought for the day.
 
            The Elf touched his forehead as he silently nodded his head at the young woman. Rijiin suddenly sensed he was being noticed now and he turned his head to meet the curious glances of everyone present. Stephanie Riner, standing nearby had seen the motion and smiled. Janine Dorn had been walking the hallway to her locker, and had turned the corner to see the stranger. She had immediately realized the figure standing here had been the same person in front of the school a bit ago, dressed in the fantastic, but strange costume. Angie had been here with Steven Herries and even Mark Alsobrook, all three watching the entire event’s action.
 
            “Oh my god he was real!” Janine thought, her expression showing surprise. It had been no dream.
 
            More people had started to notice the Elf now, Reggie Wax, Doug Woolard and many others that Rijiin knew well in another lifetime, another dance. The elf was unnerved to see them again and had heard the quiet murmurs about his old-fashioned costume as they approached. Emily had been the first to walk up to him, and as she approached, Rijiin drew back into the alcove, letting others pass him.
 
            “Hello.” She said, smiling at the Elf. Rijiin in turn had managed a slight grin, staring at the face he had not seen in a long time.
 
            “Blessings,” He said, bowing slightly. The young woman grinned when she saw the motion, touching his forehead first. Her face had shown some surprise at the accent, as everyone else.
                       
            “Nice costume.” She said, “Who are you… Are you from the Senior Class? Who are you under all that makeup?” Rijiin only managed a grin, and shook his head in silent reply.
 
            “It is with my thanks.” Rijiin replied, as the others stepped forward, clustering about him. “I am not from a class here, I am a…” 
 
            With that, he paused, contemplating his answer. He had almost slipped and had said an Elf of Malvern, and had caught himself. Rijiin knew, however that it would not have been out of line to say it, as there was no bigotry, racism or persecution here. His only crime would have been their doubts of his identity.
 
            “I am a friend… We met long ago and you may not remember me.” He continued, slowly panning to meet the smiling faces of those clustered around him.
 
            “A friend,” She replied, “It must have been a while ago.”
 
            “It is so.” Rijiin replied, remembering someone else who had said the exact same thing, “A long time ago I did not look like I do now.”
           
            “Oh… Well, I’m Emily.” She said, and the Elf took up her hand, kissing it gently as he bowed. The young woman blushed at the old-fashioned custom, and grinned.
 
            “A great honor,” Rijiin said, “To meet, and make your acquaintance. All of you.”
 
            Although Emily and the others present did not hear him say it, they had heard the word ‘again’ muttered a moment after he had said it. Rijiin turned slightly, turning the blade at his side away from them, hidden under his cloak as he nodded to each one of them. His words hung there a long few seconds before he turned and met each of their faces.
 
            “Alas, they are young.” Rijiin thought, “So young.”
 
            “You were the one in front a while ago weren’t you?” Janine asked, as the rest of the group walked up to stand beside him. Rijiin slowly met the familiar faces of Katie, Steph, Angie, Jen and now Reggie. The elf felt uncomfortable, he felt old now and only nodded his head positively to the young woman.
 
            “Aye,” He said, and her face showed surprise, “I was.” 
 
            “Why were you looking at the eagle like that?” Asked Janine and Amy had explained quickly to the others of when she had seen him out front. “And what is with the sword you are wearing.”
 
            “That mascot reminded me of something very old, from my past long ago.” He said, “I was not sure if it were true or not, if I really been here before.”
 
            “The sword, from where I am from is a necessary evil.” He said, after contemplating the answer he would give. The elf had given a guarded, and deliberate cryptic response.
 
            “Huh?” Emily asked, and he shook his head.
 
            “It is well, I am here.” Rijiin told them and grinned. “Be at peace.”
 
            There were smiles and some surprise when they heard the inflection in his voice. Like something had jumped inside of them.
 
            “You are so strange… I have a feeling I know you from somewhere…” Janine said and the elf had managed a quiet chuckle. Others present had nodded in agreement.
 
            “You must be a student here, but your costume looks real.” 
 
            “It is.” He said, and met the surprised, but dubious expressions on their faces.
 
            “I told you I am from far away, across the Atlantic Ocean.”
 
“You wear that?”
 
            “Aye where I am from this is almost as you say a native garb, commonly found.” Rijiin said, and he had spoken the truth for the costume would have been one found in the twelfth century, over five hundred years ago.
 
            “So what brings you here?” Emily asked, curious by the stranger.
 
            He glanced up to reply, contemplating his answer, but said nothing at first.
 
            “I am just visiting, a traveler as you will, coming on a whim.” The elf finally told them. 
           
             He suddenly felt something amiss, as if a cloak of doom seemed to be coming over the whole area. Stephanie noticed the elf wince several times, with the look of alarm that had crossed his face and quickly the elf shook his head as he dismissed it. 
 
            Janine had seen him wince this time and had exchanged a look with Stephanie, and even Angie who had been standing across from her. They saw him grimace as astonishment appeared on his face. He quickly waved a hand over his face and his expression seemed to recover for a moment. His head turned again and he slowly examined the surroundings. The inner sight of instinct kicked in and he felt that something sinister approached. He felt a sense that he had not encountered in these last one and a quarter centuries. One of the shifts in power that had happened in history and he had fought against it. The result was something that would follow him for many years.
 
            “Are you alright Rijiin?” Stephanie asked, his head turned sharply, and they gasped as he pushed back his cloak and revealed the scabbard of a sword that he wore at his side. The Elf backed up and readied himself for a fight. It was here. People in the hallway and around him had gasped seeing the weapon in hand.
           
            “Katie, Steph, Emily. Get out!” He shouted and he drew the blade. It seemed to ring sharply as it emerged from the scabbard. They saw him step forward. There were gasps throughout the hall and murmurs as he circled three hundred and sixty degrees. The elf held the blade cross the body in front of him, and as he turned slowly, the blade seemed to flash in the light, and carried a magical aura about it. He sensed a great evil approaching, looking up in surprise when he felt it near and knew what it was right away. The feeling had been the same thing the elf had encountered what could be considered a lifetime ago, and on a continent far away.
 
            Quickly his eyes darted through the hallway as he stepped forward and careful to move cautiously into the open hallway. People backed away, and some laughed as the elf continued to turn slowly, his blade at ready for instant action. Rijiin heard a gasp, sensing the form appear behind him in a bright flash and had already ducked and rolled, hearing a blade whistle over his head. A loud clang happened as the blade of Tantras’ bladed staff wedged in the metal of the nearby locker. The elf had dodged and rolled onto his feet, holding the blade at ready.
 
            Rijiin’s eyebrows climbed in surprise when he stared at the man who stood before him. It was someone that the Elf had not seen in centuries and thought was dead. The elf had fought the person in front of him in Europe a long time ago as he wandered from place to place. He had at first joined him and fought as his side until he saw the evil side from which he disagreed with the murder and slaughter that he had performed on many. Rijiin had thought it dead, like the Elves, starlight, green and gray garb, gray cloaks and magic. There was a clang of steel as they exchanged shots and sparks flew out through the hallway. The elf dodged and pivoted, driving his foot into his chest.
 
            “Tantras!” Rijiin breathed, finally remembering the name of the evil wizard, clad in familiar red robes that stood before him. Rijiin held up his blade at his side, and stared at Tantras, at his leathery face.
 
            “It has not changed.” He thought grimacing, “Still twisted and evil.”
 
              Rijiin started into his glowing albino eyes, the same as the elf remembered and with his long white hair and beard. He wore a bright red robe that seemed to spark with an aura of pure evil energy. Rijiin raised his blade when the wizard drove in with his blade. Their blades sparked as they struck and easily the elf parried. They exchanged steel for several minutes, and there was gasps and astonishment around the entire hall. Staff ran from all directions toward them, and flashes of light appeared in the bright sparks.  Rijiin’s blade flashed as it cut through the air with a loud swipe and he came up turning to stand ready for action.
 
            “Rijiin,” His voice said, his voice a mere growl and he turned to glance at the crowd of onlookers. “You have not changed in these many years, still the pathetic good for humans. It was because of you I would have been absolute ruler.”
 
            There were murmurs as the people gathered here heard the cloaked figure in red. They glanced at the wizard and back to the Elf who held his blade at ready as the evil wizard moved in. In the hall, Rijiin and Tantras circled, going at full speed exchanging shots of steel. Rijiin pivoted and he lanced out, continually trading steel and backing away. Clashes of metal from the lockers nearby clashed through the hallway. There were many comments as the shots rang out in the hall. 
 
             Rijiin parried the next blow as he tried to focus the starlight, relying solely on skill and deftness of foot as he backed away. Before when the Elves fought, they used the power of starlight to help them and warn them of the motions that would be happening in a battle. The starlight just seemed like it was not connecting to help him and Rijiin after, pivoted away and let the wizard’s strike expel into the open air and with glancing blows blocked the Wizard’s strike as he lashed out at the people around him.
 
            A crowd had gathered now, and the pair backed down the hall, others watched the fight from afar. They had moved through the door and to the outside. Staff from the counseling office ran out and the Elf saw the wizard cut at them. Quickly Rijiin spun in, and he expertly blocked the blade. He glanced at the staff members who had arrived and who immediately charged Tantras and toward him. He grimaced and pushed them back.
 
            “Get back.” Rijiin snarled and there were yelps at the traded shots. Especially the one that nearly had taken Maryanne Martin’s head off, the blade coming within inches of the councilor’s head and a look of fear in her eyes appeared there when had Rijiin blocked the blade. The elf grimaced, pushing her clear without moving and thrust a fist forward to strike Tantras’ jaw that made him back again only a few steps.
 
            “Please Maryanne, keep the students back, and the staff needs to stay back too. They will die this day if they interfere.” Growled the Elf, “This is my fight, and I cannot allow anyone to lose their lives if they try to stop him.”
 
            “But…”
 
            “Tantras of Thay is a known killer, he has killed before and has no pity, remorse, or mercy, and is plain evil. He cannot harm me. I will get him out of here leave that to me. I did not mean to bring him here, as he has pursued me for a long time, trying to kill me.”
 
            “But…!”
 
            “Maryanne, Please,” Rijiin said, his voice showing urgency. The elf stepped forward, bravely and brought the blade up to block and sparks appeared. It had startled the councilor to hear her first name, as if they were friends for years, and she did not stop him from stepping forward toward the figure cloaked in red. 
 
            “Why is it your fight?”
 
            “He has come for me.” The elf replied coldly, “Something that happened over two centuries ago.”
 
            “What!” gasped the councilor, a look of surprise on her face, “T-that’s c-crazy, that’s impossible!”
 
            “Not if you are an elf, and immortal.” Rijiin said, as he turned to Tantras, grimacing. “I am Rijiin L’Thiejiev; I was borne at the beginning of the world. I am an immortal elf and cannot die. It is my fight.” He paused turning toward the wizard and pointing the blade at him, “Come wizard take me if you can.” 
 
            There was surprise by the staff member, and the students who had heard him. Rijiin stepped forward, trading steel and he cut the wizard on his shoulder. They saw the bloody slash, and his blood splattering onto the floor. Students watched in silence, or gasped when blood was spilled.
 
            “First blood,” Rijiin challenged, “Don’t bother to yield.” He spun up and held his blade at the ready,
           
            Tantras snarled, quietly cursing before he moved in, trying to hit the dodging elf with flashes of magic that he cast upon him. As Rijiin backed, he moved from side to side, letting the blade expel into the empty air. Students and staff moved aside in all directions as they fought. The elf motioned for the wizard to follow, drew him back, and led him toward the alcove on the far side of the hall. Other staff members had come into the action, and the elf parried to move back, standing between them and the wizard.
 
            “What the heck is going on?” A shout asked as many others had come from all directions.
 
            All eyes had turned, watching the sword battle and the flashes of energy from Tantras. Rijiin traded steel as he backed down the hall and students scattered, to stay clear of this fight. The Elf had sense and headed for the door, taking the fight outside. Sparks lanced out from the blades as they struck in the cold air. The whistling death of steel clashing in the air and Rijiin had led him to the open field outside to square off with the evil wizard. Emily staying close had distracted the Elf long enough for the wizard to cut his arm. People had followed from all directions.
 
            The staff also followed the crowd of people who had gathered outside in the snow. They let out a gasp as they saw blood spill into the snow and cover the tunic. People had run to the office, and reported the action outside that someone was fighting with a sword outside. Outside, Rijiin and Tantras continued to fight and trade steel. There were many comments about them seeing too much of the Highlander Movie that had been released not long ago. The elf moved quickly, pivoting and bending almost in half as the blade moved across him, then spun in place pivoting to block the blade.
 
            “You still are as good as you were centuries ago.” The Mage grumbled, “But you are still weaker than I and are still weak for keeping the wrong company, we pathetic humans killed your people a long time ago and yet you still care for them.” Rijiin listened carefully to the statement.
 
            “You are dead.” The wizard said, and a strange aura surrounded Tantras.
 
            “It has been tried before and that failed, come and take me if you can, wizard.” Rijiin challenged.
 
            Tantras snarled and leapt in, the Elf barely dodged the reckless move that would have severely damaged him. The two circled and Rijiin slipped in and he cut Tantras again, his blade slicing cleanly on his throat. A scream echoed the field from the spectators and blood spilled from the wound. Grimacing, the evil wizard’s face showed rage.
 
            “Hurt?” Rijiin taunted, thinking of something else and he grinned.
 
            “Die Elf!” Tantras coughed, and Rijiin grinned, thinking again of a movie of long ago.     
 
            “My cut has improved your voice.” Rijiin sarcastically said, and he smiled again before ducking the blade as it whistled over his head. The elf had just barely moved the blade in the parry. His blade flicked out and cut Rijiin’s arm again, before the point found home in the Elf’s chest. The elf had only let out a sharp grunt, and staggered falling to his knees as the wizard was tackled. He heard the scream and heard voices from the group now gathered and others ran toward the Elf.
 
            “Leave him alone!” A voice shouted, as six people tackled Tantras.
 
            “MISHEAR!” Tantras’ voice thundered and a moment later, he saw the six people who had tackled Tantras, thrown back ten feet. The Elf heard a curse, as Janine tackled the wizard, and he watched as Katie followed suit. The wizard drew a dagger and without a word, he cut Janine’s throat. Blood spurted, as she did not even have the chance to cry out, Rijiin thrust his dagger in Katie’s chest. Others were on him. They fell. Others squared off, standing their ground in front of the wizard. A ball of energy appeared over is head as he cast a spell.
 
            “Poran cir argos!” Tantras snarled as the energy thrust out, throwing them back. Many dodged but in the path of the fire and three were not so fortunate. There was a loud scream as the three burned.
 
            More students and staff squared off before the wizard, much more cautious now as a few of the students tried to help the wounded. He saw Katie’s friends holding something against the wound in her chest. 
 
            “Rijiin,” A voice said, and the Elf turned his head. There was no one there.
 
            “Get up Rijiin.” Her voice commanded, echoing in his head. “You must help them.”
 
            “I am finished, my lady, let me fade.” Rijiin replied, “Let me join the others as the last.”
 
            “Get up Rijiin!” other voices echoed and his head to hear the voices of Terrill Mirya, Talla, Cara, Varden and Sana.
 
            The elf turned his head and thought he saw them standing nearby. Rijiin lay back and closed his eyes. He gasped when he saw something he had not seen in five hundred years, he saw the starlight grow brightly, burning clear and cold in the darkness. He let the starlight flow, something that he had not done in centuries and as it filled in, it burst in completely as flash of light.  Slowly the Elf sat up, startling the one person who sat over him, thy watched him as he stood up and putting out his hand the sword carried away by one of the students flew from their hand and landed into Rijiin’s hand.  
 
            Startled the student turned, seeing Rijiin standing again. They had seen him fall from a wound to the chest. There had been fear. Rijiin walked toward the wizard and he did not glance on either side to the others who had knelt beside the bodies of several people that had been murdered before their eyes. There were tears and sobs, as they stood helpless around those cut down.
 
            “Oh my god!” A voice said, and all attention focused upon the Elf.  Time seemed to stand still as the elf began to glow; an aura of starlight energy coursed around him and seemed to fade.
 
            “What the f…” A voice exclaimed, but was cut off as no one moved, the other students who had surrounded Tantras had stopped and turned when seeing the elf, standing, alive and well. Tantras himself had also turned, seeing the Elf standing there, his jaw dropping open at first, but recovering himself quickly, his mouth twitched slightly.
 
            “No.” the elf said, “I cannot allow this, this is a time that has never known battle and should remain as it is. It shall remain unsheathed without bloodshed. Come and fight me wizard.” Challenged the elf and he pointed the blade at him, “If you dare. Because Lord Tantras, you have chosen the wrong timeline and focal point!”
 
Another shift in time seemed to happen.
 
“You now have two troubles Lord Wizard.” He challenged coldly, the inflection strong in his voice and full of starlight, “Elven Magic and Swords.”
 
            They heard the Elf’s words, the cold starlight energy that filled his voice, and he kept the blade pointed at the wizard. Staff and humans looked on as he walked between the bodies of Katie and Janine. He let the power of starlight flow over him and the wizard did not move for a long moment until Rijiin stood before him. Tantras roared as he jumped in at Rijiin, thrusting his weapon toward him.
 
            The elf had already connected to the stars when the Wizard had lunged and he had brought up his blade in one motion to block his blade. Quickly the elf felt the power surge from within the starlight flowing through fluidly over him. Rijiin moved in easily, and connected already to the stars he saw the motions of the battle and knew what the wizard planned even before Tantras himself knew. The blade of the Elf flashed, as dodged, parried and blocked the motion of Tantras as they traded steel. Shot for shot, the elf did not budge, letting most of wizard’s powerful strikes expend cleanly into the air or parrying them. Tantras swung his staff across the body and lurched back, about breaking his neck to avoid the Elf’s blade slicing toward his neck. The elf lanced out with a spinning in kick hitting the wizard in his sternum and he flew backwards five feet sitting in the snow.
 
Tantras sitting there dazed, felt warmth on his neck and the dribble of his blood there. Putting his hand on his throat, he touched his throat and stared at his own blood on his hand. The elf had cut him.
 
            “First blood, do not bother to yield.” Rijiin challenged.
 
            The wizard stood there grimacing and he muttered a curse.
 
            “Koron en' naur” He shouted, and a large ball of flame appeared from thin air and there was a scream. The ball lanced out at the elf as people dodged. They peered at Rijiin, who they thought would be seared, but the elf pivoted slightly letting the ball pass by him and strike the ground. Tantras’ face showed frustration, and again he tried to cast magic and the bladed staff whistled as he lashed out.  Rijiin danced away as Tantras moved in and lifted his leg, the elf drove his knee in his sternum. The Wizard turned and again their blades sparked as they clashed.
 
            “This shall end now.” Rijiin murmured, and each time he dodged Tantra’s arcane magic. Their blades clashed loudly and echoed, as thunder seemed to resound over the field.  
           
            “ELTHIA!” The Elf’s voice rang out clear and cold. Students and staff had heard the voice of the elf to look up as he parried the bladed staff of the wizard. Rijiin stood his ground his blade at ready. Tantras charged in toward the Elf a second later. Rijiin saw the opening and pivoted on one foot as his blade lanced out, slicing the wizard across his throat. The elf followed through and pivoting in behind and his blade flashed as it sliced again.  The wizard staggered forward as a gray expression appeared on his face. Around him, time seemed to stop, no one moved for several seconds as they stared at the Wizard and then the Elf. Slowly the head of the wizard, as if in slow motion, slid from his body from the neck. A scream sounded across the field as Tantras’ head rolled three times, and the body fell behind it. It was over. The elf knelt beside the wizard’s body.
 
            “NO. I will not heal you.” He said with a voice filled with cold starlight, but with no hatred, “This and your life line will end now.”  
 
            Students and staff present had heard him, and they turned, eyebrows raised. The elf’s voice had been hard, without mercy and yet tempered and again their glances went from Rijiin to the wizard and back again. The elf sheathed the blade, turning to walk toward the bodies of those fallen, toward the humans who had gathered around the bodies of their friends who lay in the snow. Rijiin glanced once to the emergency vehicles that had arrived, at the police and fire. He walked silently toward the people charging from all directions.   They stopped, when they heard the maniacal laughter that thundered in the air. The elf turned and the body had vanished.
 
            “By our lady,” The Elf murmured, “It was not real.”  
 
            He remembered the last time that he had faced the wizard and remembering that Tantras was known for deception. The elf sighed before he turned and walked to the first two bodies and here he knelt beside Janine first. Rijiin glanced up at the people who had knelt beside her and they met his look. The elf knew that the evil wizard would return but he did not know when and where.
 
            “What are you?” A voice asked, “Who was that? Why did you kill him?”
 
            Rijiin said nothing, and a hard look appeared on his face, as an incandescent aura seemed to flow from his hands. It seemed to shift, surrounding the Elf as he began to glow brightly. They jumped back as the elf let the starlight flow through him and was silent as the aura surrounding him grew larger and healing energy flowed through him.
 
            “HEY what are you doing?” A voice asked and Rijiin turned to see Mark Alsobrook standing over him as well as Val and others. Many of the young women were weeping over the forms of dead who were there. A white flash what they thought sunlight and a glow seemed to surround the person who knelt over the bodies.
 
            “I am and Elf and healer.” Rijiin replied, “I can help and heal. A talent, I shall lend to repair this madness.” He said, matter-of-factly looking up and meeting each expression of sorrow.
 
            “But they are dead.” Val said, and Rijiin shook his head.
 
            “You humans give up too easily.” He murmured, “It is so, Val, but death is only a short condition that can be reversed.” Rijiin pushed back the hair behind the ears that showed clearly.
 
            “What does that… uh… mean?”
 
            The young man had been startled to hear his name and like several others had never told the elf who they were. The elf had already known, as once he had been a human and had been a part of these people’s lives. They had stared aghast at the energy now swirling in a sphere around the elf and their fallen friends. Rijiin focused the starlight, seeing the wound closing up before his eyes and he felt the young woman’s presence once more beside him.
 
            Turning he let the incandesce strike Katie and healing energy poured over her. He sensed them both here and living again. Rijiin allowed himself to smile, as time seemed to freeze and he could almost hear the Hymn of the Lady, and Natil’s voice. He looked down at the young woman named Janine Dorn who lay in the snow, and he knew she could feel healing warmth coursing through her body. Slowly she opened her eyes and turning her head she stared at the face of the elf.
 
            “W-where am I?” She whispered, “What happened?”
 
            Janine tried to sit up but Rijiin gently pushed her back. The young woman had a surprised look on her face. 
 
            “Just lay there a moment and relax, until you gain your strength again.” The elf said, and turned his head to regard Katie who had opened her eyes too. They remembered the last images as a dagger flashed.
 
            “What’s going on?”
           
            People started to notice something was amiss and there were astonished looks before there was a yelp and people clustered around her.
 
            “Oh my god she’s alive! Look!” A shout said and everyone else ran toward Janine and Katie. Janine turned her head. “What’s wrong what happened, why are you all staring at me?”
 
            Katie had the same question on her face and they turned to regard Rijiin. They heard the shouts and people clustered about the two young women. Their eyes never left the elf still kneeling over them.
 
            “You were dead.” Rijiin whispered, “It is well, I brought you back.”
 
            “I was dead?” Katie asked, glancing at Janine, but both did remember the flash of silver of a dagger and a brief pain as they had been mortally cut.
 
            “But…h-how can you be alive, we saw you stabbed in the chest!” Katie stammered, staring incredibly at the elf, “You should be dead! I saw the wound!”
 
            “Be at peace, it is very difficult to kill an Elf.” Rijiin replied, “Ta nae seasamin. Lle anta est.”
 
Rijiin spoke Elvish to them, as fluently as he had centuries ago. There were cheers, yelps of joy, shouts echoing around them as Janine and Katie sat up. The elf stood up, walking to the others who had been helped up. The two peered about in the snow where they lie minutes ago, wincing at the blood, their blood that had stained the snow.
 
            Confused they stood there, staring at the people gathered about them. Echoes of laughter and crying echoed across the field. They tried to explain to them that they had been dead for fifteen minutes. Katie glanced down at her short, seeing the hole and blood on her shirt. Her mouth was open as she pulled the shirt at the top and peered down at the sound flesh that was there.
 
            “There is no wound!” Katie exclaimed to herself and peered at the sound flesh. Her gaze fell upon the elf that had walked a distance to the others who had fallen here on this day. The Elf stood beside what had been many others fallen. 
 
            Rijiin knelt beside what had been Emily and Stephanie, and one other who had felt the fiery energy of Tantras. Without another word, reached into his pouch to withdraw and hold up a stone. The sphere of energy seemed to be sucked into the stone and as he stood there, it began glowing brightly. People who had turned to ask questions and thank him had drawn back when they saw it.
 
            “Oh my god!” Janine and Katie exclaimed, their smiles fading when they saw the glowing stone. Rijiin sensed their fear and all eyes had turned. The Elf heard the harp music somewhere, and the hymn, as he remembered the story of Varden and Charity.
 
            “What is he doing?”
 
            “Be at peace.” Rijiin declared, pitching his voice loud enough for them to hear, “I shall deal with the others who perished here this day.” Closing his eyes, the elf let the starlight flow over him. The orb began to glow dully.
There were murmurs of question, yet no one moved, they were just aghast, staring at the strange energy that surrounded the Elf.
 
            The elf suddenly realized, as he let the energy flow, that this would be the second time the elves had used their power this way, and the amber stone glowed brightly. Murmuring, he recited the words that belonged to the hymn of the Lady. The aura grew white hot and he turned to regards the faces of the people around him as he held the now incandescent white orb. He was ready.
 
            “Arae ea Circa.” Rijiin said, “Let it come forth. Let time restore to what it was this day.”
 
            “HEY! What is…?” A voice shouted and there was silence as the Elf turned his head and flashed a smile. There was a scream as Rijiin stretched up and as he threw down the orb.
 
            A white-hot energy was thrown outward from the center in a great explosion, surrounding the bodies of those slain by Tantras, and others who stood around them. It blinded everyone as swirled brightly in a large flash. Rijiin had done the same as Varden long ago, handing the same orb to the Leather Woman, who threw it down and Charity had been borne. 
 
            On the other side of the large gym, in the building next door, a loud explosion could be heard and it literally shook the ground. The Students of the Junior High next door and staff had ran to the windows and saw a wave of energy appear in a mushroom cloud. This wave of energy shook the ground as it literally roll across the buildings in a clap of thunder and as the hot energy flew outward, it surrounded the two buildings. When it struck the buildings, there was a flash and silence. Rijiin was standing there when the flash cleared, waiting for the effects to wear off and staring hard at the snow. Time had shifted slightly and everything had seemed different. The elf looked upon the empty ground at the white snow, and looking up he saw Emily and Stephanie standing nearby. 
 
            “By our lady.” The elf thought, “Natil! They’re here!” His mind had shouted out in relief as he had stood watching them. Their expressions had been of surprise.
 
            The two women had been staring at each other in bewildered silence, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Their last memories had been their attacking Tantras, and a flash, then nothing else. Slowly they turned their heads, peering in astonishment at Rijiin who stood there, with Janine, Katie and many others student and staff who stood in the snow.  Blood still stained the snow where Janine, Steph and several others had fallen and a cold wind whipped around them fluttering Rijiin’s gray cloak. Around them, the large flakes of a steady snow began to fall from the clouds above. Time had been changed back, reverting to what was and what the wizard had done only a faint memory. There was surprise from inside as Rijiin glanced at the faces behind him.  
 
            “W-what happened?” Emily had whispered, “What and the heck did you do?”
 
            “I was able to help and heal, change time and space and pull back time to what was. I saved you from death and changed the history timeline that we had traversed.” Rijiin murmured, “You have been restored to what you were. I brought you back. You had died in this place, by a man who had come for me.”
 
             The elf glanced at the same confused expression of Stephanie who had turned her head, hearing Rijiin’s explanation. They had remembered the Tantras stabbing Rijiin and watched him fall, and they had tackled him. There was a bright flash and nothing else. Other students had clustered about the Elf and the two young women when they saw them. The last memory was their falling charred into the snow. He stood by them and he turned to Janine, Katie and countless others who had perished here and who on this day had saved their lives.  There had been a puzzled expression as everyone stood here and behind them the witness of many who had seen nothing short of magic and healing in a time that had none. The harsh reality was the blood that stained the snow.
 
            “It is a minor change and renewal.” Rijiin whispered to her, “Be at peace beloved, you are safe, and I must leave. The time stream has been restored to what it was and the evil that happened here is no more.”
 
            “H-how did you do that?”
 
            The elf sighed. “Humans,” He said, and grinned. “You were healed. Be at peace.” 
 
            “Thank you, I think.” Emily said, as she tried to embrace the elf but her hands passed right through him.
 
            “What the…” Stephanie gasped. A Cheshire grin appeared the Elf’s face as he felt the winds of time pulling him and Emily put out her hand. 
 
            “Fear not. You shall see me again. If you desire to do so and you can see me in your dreams.” Rijiin said, “Remember and the time we had a year ago. Never forget, I am with you always. Seek a high place in the west.” In a flash of light, he disappeared.
 
            Lying in the camp the Elf stirred from his sleep and slowly, his eyes opened. Rijiin sat up and panned a long astonished look to the familiar trees and forest around him. Slowly he stood up, quickly cleaning up his camp. The elf walked perhaps twenty-five paces and he found himself remembering the strange images and the battle. He had been asleep, something Elves never did, and he had dreamed of the future. Rijjin felt the same strange compelling urge to be drawn to a far off time and place.
 
            “That had been so real.” The elf thought, “Was it?”
 
            The Elf did not know and could not be sure. When he returned to Saint Brigid’s remains, he stood in the falling sleet and rain as she stared again at the remains of the village. He bowed slightly, touching his forehead.
 
            “I must go.” Rijiin said, “It is here that I say goodbye and I shall never forget you all.” With that, the Elf turned and he turned, as Natil had said goodbye and moved off to the northeast. Rijiin now followed his beloved Harper’s steps, saying goodbye to this place as she had one hundred years ago, walking alone through the falling snow and sleet down the road. He walked the road that led toward the north and the city of Furze, through the fields and meadows and an hour later, he walked toward the gate of Furze. When he arrived at the bridge leading into the city, he threw the penny toll into the basket, before crossing the bridge. Furze was old and he passed through the crowded streets unnoticed, bringing no attention to himself as he walked alone. He turned at the crossroads, onto the eastern road and through the gate to leave this town and his home forever. As he walked on the road, he passed Soldiers and Dominican Friars. They eyed him suspiciously and when they looked, again the Elf was gone.
 
             The Elf found himself far from Adria, on the road to the East where he would travel for a full day before he camped. He managed to make it this far without incident. Here Rijiin would camp and rest, sitting alone beside the fire. He stared into the fire, the flames licking the wood as it sat there, he stared into the darkness, wishing to fade, or see the starlight as he had before. It had been two centuries since his arrival here, and memories of the past, of a future he had given up, had faded away.  Rijiin L’Thiejiev, the last of his people, the Elves, now had rightly faded. They no longer existed in the world of men.
 
            The elf traveled through time for next century with no incident, and many lifetimes past, a part of many events of time for the next hundred years. Although he tried, many times to remove his presence, from the world, staying clear of historical events that he traveled regularly. The elf had not succeeded, having fought along side of martyrs and champions. He had fought for a cause or had been forced to fight and then ha had wandered on his journey across the world. He had traveled the Americas, as well as seen much of the world. He had been well traveled, as Natil had been the same way. Rijiin had seen many parts of the west, through the Mexican held California territory, and had explored many parts of the world. The Elf had seen the many things in history, the French Revolution, Black Death, seen many kingdoms rise and fall. There was no question who and what he was as he lived alone through the centuries. He retired to the deepest forests and here he made a cabin. Here, Rijiin lived alone for a long time, sitting outside at night and gazed up at the stars, that twinkling in the clear sky, listening to the sounds of the forest at night where he lived.
 
            The Elf listened to the sounds of the forest, as he remembered back to a different time, a long time ago that he sat in a place similar to this and he listened to Natil’s Harp. He had been with his friends after he had given help and healing to them. The Elf managed a smile as he remembered these images, the now summer breeze blowing in his face and he stared up at the twinkling stars, searching in vain for Mirya where she should be only to see that her star had long since gone.
 
            Rijiin realized he was alone, with only his memories to another time and place that made sense a few years ago, a protected place where safety was a scarce word in a hostile land like Adria. Elven Magic had helped him, to traverse time and help his friends, helping them bring them to him to visit. The same journey that he had helped and healed and the scrap of soul he knew to be human perished. He missed his friends he wanted to go home and he sat many times gazing up at the stars, watching for a sign that would tell him if a day he would fade to join his friends. A day, for centuries he had wished for, but it would never come for the Elf as he carried on.
 
            However, at the same moment, in a truck, but in a different time, bound for Colorado that Becky and Mimi drove together on a whim, heading and drawn to a place far away to the east from their home in California. Together Becky and Mouse had been transformed by Elven Magic a few months ago. By a strange fate both of the young women had been bound and drawn by a strange twist of fate, finding themselves drawn by an irresistible urge to travel east. Becky had brought her husband along and all three had packed their stuff, traveling together on their great adventure. It had been a while since they had gone to visit Rijiin, traveling through the portal that would take them to the past in the same shop in a mall in their hometown, and recently find the portal was no longer there. They did not know of the fate of the Elves or Rijiin only to know they had to travel east. The trio had had no idea why, or where they were going, neither did they know it was to a place where the other Elves had gathered, nor the name of a place called Elven Home in the Rocky Mountains.
 
            John her husband had driven a lot of the way and they rolled through the desolation of Utah, across the Salt flats around Bonneville and standing together at the rest stop on the border of Nevada and Utah. Here they could see the desert ahead and not far, more than an hour, they soon came to the Salt Lake City, and there continued to the Rockies that loomed on the horizon.             They drove for the next few hours, and their sleep dwindling as twilight came and nightfall. Mimi and Becky both dreamed of starlight, and they both thought back to the time they had strange visitors dressed in strange garb.
 
            Becky remembered back when she first lay eyes upon Natil and Rijiin who had entered the Lounge of DeAnza College. It was on a cold winter’s morning in California, and everyone who had been there had looked up at the doorway to stare at them. Becky like her friends, old and new sat at the familiar table that Rijiin knew well, and they showed surprise by the entrance of the two strangers, the room falling into a stunned, hushed silence. 
 
            The room was silent and Becky had turned her head to glance at Mimi who sat almost next to her, Dave sitting on her immediate right and then Mouse at the table. Becky had grimaced as Mimi had turned her head, sitting in her chair and stared at the strange garb of the Elves and their hooded faces. Behind them, many others who had been walking in the Foyer had followed them to the door of the Fireside and they stood their curiously wondering bout the costumes and these strangers. Becky’s eyes lit up when two hands had appeared from the cloak and Rijiin had drawn back the hood of the cloak, as he stood beside Mimi’s wheelchair.
 
            Becky saw Mouse swallow hard as her face paled and it carried a surprised, astonished expression when she saw his fair features. Her eyes narrowed as she examined his unfamiliar fair and handsome face, his long brown hair, streaked and sprinkled with gray, and his solemn gray eyes. The younger woman, like Mouse had heard the murmurs had surrounded the table; a couple of low snickers and choked laughs echo the room.
 
            Ms. Stack gaped seeing the garb underneath, the gray and green leather armor that the young man wore, and his cloak. The young woman remembered recognizing his garb from Wicca training she had been learning from John and one she had recognized from a religion long ago that perished five hundred years ago. 
 
            “Oh my god, this is weird!” thought the young heavy-set woman. However, even with her knowledge of Wicca, Becky was unsure exactly whom or what she was seeing. The elves garb, the young woman knew had not been around perhaps in five centuries, neither cloaks, pendants, green and gray garb, nor swords. Her eyes glanced at the speechless Mimi in her wheelchair.
 
             As for Mouse, the middle-aged woman was in the same boat as she sat in her chair and intently stared at the face of Rijiin. She too had been intently looking upon the Elf’s face, but it was not his fair features and ghostly familiar face that startled her, it had been the garb. Mimi had remembered the hallucination she thought she was having a day or so ago, when she found herself spinning in a vortex and her journey had ended up with appearing in a clear sky as if she were a bird, flying high above a great forest, and landing in a forest clearing. Here the middle-aged woman had seen two people like this young man and woman who now stood before her. Around the neck of Rijiin, the pendant of a crescent moon, and interlocked, rayed star hung there. Mouse was aghast, staring at the familiar pendant that seemed to twinkle in the light.
 
            “And all hell broke loose after.” Becky thought, remembering the harp and the healing powers of Rijiin and Natil. She remembered the change she had endured, after they had healed Mimi.
 
            A half hour Natil had played her harp, helping Rijiin healing the one known as Mimi Stewart and Rijiin, formerly a human of her time, letting his new powers of healing flow over his friend. The Elf was unaware that his power spilled out onto the group and his healing power great as it touched each one of them. Robert looked on, in a mad jealousy, and despite people shushing him continued to make rude comments.
 
            Becky had been astonished by the power she saw before him
 
            She had watched Natil let her hands abruptly drop from the harp strings, and the room fell abruptly quiet. She hugged the harp, and watched as the swirling energy faded away to vanished completely. The only sound in the room is that of murmured astonishment by the humans who had seen them help and heal today. Scattered applause had rippled the group and thundered in the room. Natil smiled when she heard it, nodding slightly to the group and appreciation of her music. Her next reaction had been to turn, glancing at Rijiin and gasping quietly.  Becky gasped aloud when she saw him shaking her head.
 
            The elf had sprawled on the table, having succeeded in his task to help and heal his friend. He had unthinkably changing the patterns making up the woman known as Mimi Stewart and she feared the worst that he may have given himself too much and given his life for Mimi’s. She had seen the Harper’s eyes narrowed in concern as swallowed hard when her attention had turned to a now different Mimi Stewart. A healed woman, changed by the patterns to her very soul, manipulated as if he were an expert, wielding a power he did not understand and managing to make the very changes.
 
            The Harper had frowned, putting her hand upon her beloved and nudged him. Fear washed over her when he did not move when she touched him and in concern putting her hand on his broad shoulder. No one noticed at first what had happened.
 
            “Rijiin,” Natil whispered, and with no response.
 
            “Oh by our Lady,” She had heard the Harper murmur, “RIJIIN!” Tears formed in Natil’s eyes as she nudged him hard.
 
            “What’s the matter with him?” A question asked and everyone turned to Rijiin who was slumped forward.
 
            “Rijiin?” the Elven Harper said in askance, “A’mael... Beloved…?”
 
            After a moment, Becky saw him open his eyes, and slowly sat up to meet Natil’s alarmed, also very concerned expression. She let out a sigh of relief as she embraced him.
 
            “Aye Natili.” replied the Elf. She heard the change in his voice, thick with the very strong inflection in his voice like her kinfolk. “I’m alright.”
 
            Becky’s reminisces faded when she felt a hand on her shoulder and she opened her eyes, focusing on the lights as they came down off the hill and before them was Denver on the horizon.  John had interrupted, by placing his hand on her shoulder and she looked up at him curiously.
 
            “Becky.” John whispered, “Mouse. We’re here.”
 
            Both of them had opened their eyes, they had not been sleeping but had staring into the darkness at the starlight. All staggered into the room and took up their beds.  They saw the sign and they smiled.
 
            “So we’re at Denver, what are we looking for, do you think this is it?” Mouse asked. 
 
            Becky turned her head to reply and only grimaced to manage a shrug.
 
             “So far I have a good feeling by this place. I don’t know what we’re looking for though.”
 
            “I guess others like us.” Mouse said, “They Lady said we shall know them as they are our brothers and sisters.”
 
            John glanced sideways at her and sighed as he lay back. They did not sleep, Elves rarely slept, and they saw the starlight, the flash of blue and silver. The next morning they were awake, eating a hearty breakfast and together they panned a gaze about the streets of Denver, shadowed by the Rocky Mountains. Each one stared at shops around the area, looking for a sign that would be for what they sought here in Denver. A sign did catch their eye, however one that read Waterston’s New Age Emporium.
 
            As they walked toward the shop, they exchanged a glance before they entered the cluttered spacious interior, stocked with the many things associated with Wicca. John managed to nod his head at the pair as they separated, walking through the shop. John went to the counter and spoke with the storeowner. A few minutes passed as Mimi and Becky soon came back together. Both had looked through the stuff on the shelves and through several books.
 
            “Find anything Mouse?” Becky asked and Mimi shook her head.
 
            “But I have.” A voice said, and both young women turned to regard John who had walked up beside them. They noted his silent footsteps.
 
            “So did you find anyone that remotely seems like who we are searching for?”
 
            Mouse shook her head, “Nothing here.” She said, “I don’t see exactly the signs we are searching for.”
 
            “Well this is certainly not the place.” John declared, “He is interested in nothing more than sex and the greed of Wicca. However he put me on a couple of leads.”
 
            “What kind of leads?” Mouse asked, feeling something jumping inside by his statement.
 
            “Well he put us to Kingsley, where two students currently attend.” He said, describing two beautiful young women whom the shopkeeper described, a redhead, and a blond-haired witch searching for books on casting and Wicca based information about the religion. 
“The classes they offer here too are a joke, a farce…” John muttered, “He is a petty little man and a traitor who should call himself a Warlock.”
 
            “Then let us leave.” Mimi suggested, “Perhaps we can find them elsewhere.”
 
            As they walked to the door, Mimi paused, bowing slightly to the shopkeeper. Together they returned to their vehicle, and piled in, driving to the city of Denver. They saw the sign that would put them on the right path to get to Kingsley College where they unknowingly knew Natil was groundskeeper. John got off the highway and soon arrived at the college, pulling into the parking lot.
 
            “Okay, if we can find them, we should be able to get some information on where we need to go and see.”
 
            Nearby Natil had not been paying attention, working on a row of flowers in the planters as head gardener of Kingsley College. She had her floppy straw hat on, it being in mid summer, she worked about the flowers packing the earth about them. Natil suddenly felt strangely and looked up in alarm at the narrow walkway nearby, waiting and watching. She suddenly felt a strange presence, one sense she had never known to have before. Looking down she finished her work and glancing up she stared at the campus that sprawled out around her. At first, Natil saw nothing. The Harper turned and had her crew take the empty flower carts to her shed and pick up fresh ones for another area on campus. The elf had not seen the trio who had arrived, her friends and kinfolk whom Natil and Rijiin healed, appear around the corner of the nearby building.
 
            As the Harper worked, she began to reminisce back to the past, where well over five hundred years ago she had been in Malvern and thought of Rijiin, her beloved who had come from this time. A name she had not thought of in centuries, and the one who had loved her. Natil’s beloved who had on a cold morning five hundred years ago had vanished in the forest, helping, healing, and claimed by the elements of a blizzard. He had saved a young child from the cold, and sacrificed himself for another. 
 
            “Wow, I have not thought of that name in a while.” Natil thought, and she peered at the trio who moved along the building. Standing slowly, she took off her hat and her long red hair, streaked with silver glistened in the light. Her face showed astonishment as she stared at them. Becky walked with John and Mimi followed, their curious gazes moving to the surroundings and Mimi’s head turned when she felt the presence of Natil, her sharp eyes falling upon the Harper.
 
            Several minutes elapsed as she stared at the red haired woman, and finally she recognized her, she identified as Natil, the one who had helped and healed them all.
 
            “It cannot be…” Mimi gasped, and they others stopped turning and they too found their breath whisked away as they beheld the Harper.
 
            “Oh my lady, it’s N-Natil.” Mimi breathed, walking toward the Harper who had spied the trio and who had dropped her hat. Natil had been startled when she had spied the trio, her heart leaping upward into her throat when she recognized Mouse who walked toward her, followed by Becky and John. Mimi soon stood before the young elf maiden and the Harper gazing upon a beautiful young woman and ghosts of her past whom Rijiin had transformed with little knowledge of his power.
 
            “You dropped your hat mistress.” John said, grabbing her hat and handed it to her. A long pause followed.
 
            “Natili, Na ta lle?” Mimi asked, “Ya ae lle atara?”
 
            Mouse met the startled face of the Harper.
 
“It is. I have a mother and I am she.” Natil replied, echoing her words used centuries ago when she stood before Paul Del Mari’s soldiers who had been displaced from Shrinerock Castle. The Elf maiden had gasped aloud at the words. She narrowed her eyes trying to place names with the faces in front of her.
 
            “Mimi? Becky John? Natil stammered, “How on Earth did you get here.”
 
            “We’re here!” She said, all three embracing the Harper.
 
            “How did you know to come here to Denver?”
 
            “I don’t know, something told us to come here.” Mimi said.
 
            “Strange, this has been as it has always for the Elves.” Natil thought as and her blue eyes examined Mimi, Becky and John, all transformed by the power of starlight from long ago.”
 
            “Where is Rijiin?” Becky asked, and Mimi glanced at her.
 
            “I… I do not know.” Natil replied, “He vanished a few months, into the forest when we returned to Adria, he risked venturing a blizzard to save another, a young child. He perished that night, and never returned, something must have happened, although there is hope that it is not true and he lives, as it is very difficult to kill an elf.”
 
            They bowed their heads in silence, stunned by the news.
 
            “Come, we have a lot to catch up on and it is five o’clock and I shall take you to a place, a sanctuary where you are safe.”
 
            “Will Talla and the others be there?”
 
            “They have faded centuries ago…” Natil said, bowing her head, a look of pain on her face, “I am the last.”
 
            She forced a smile, staring at them, people whom she had traveled the winds of time to help and heal, whom Natil had got to know well enough and had almost become family to her.
 
            “They are gone, and they have all faded, except me.” Natil said, “However, in light of that there is a new chance for the Elves, and have gathered here. They are new, changed by the awakening of the old ways and blood.”
 
            “You mean Elves are returning to the world?” Asked Mouse, and met the slight nod of Natil.
 
            “They know not of what we have been through centuries ago, and only now are learning of the lady.” Natil said, “I have been fortunate to find them here.”
 
            “Can you take us there?”
 
            “We have a truck over there.” Becky added, “We can give you a lift if you like.”
 
            “It is greatly appreciated.” Natil replied, as she hugged each one. She was startled by their presence here, and wondered if this was a sign by the Goddess. The Harper also wondered if somehow Rijiin was alive and well somewhere, if not in the original time of the twelfth century. She had no idea that Rijiin wandered still but he was on his way, just as she had before coming to Elven Home.  As they walked toward the vehicle, they all began to chat amongst themselves, laughing and carrying on, glad to see the Harper and she in turn was glad to see them too.
           
            Many events and destiny were looking up for the trio, finding Natil. They were about to discover a new secret in the mountains of Colorado and John drove with Natil down Highway 6, leading them toward the mountains.
 
            “Turn here.” Natil directed and John complied.
 
            “There is no road here.” Becky said as the truck disappeared into the forest and through the woods. It went up the hill a ways and there in the trees that Elven Home appeared before them, like a fairy tale castle in the woods.
 
            “By the lady,” Mimi murmured, staring at the home, astonished by the almost fairy tale castle in the wood, “It is fantastic!”
 
            “I think we’re home.” Becky murmured, she too amazed by this sight.
 
            Natil got out of the truck, John Becky, and Mimi followed. At the door Ash, Hadden, Fox, Raven, Dell, Laurie, even Sana was there. They were all there.
 
            They were greeted with open arms, greeted as relatives who had come home, and welcomed without question. Natil and the others had sat together and they talked, laughed and cried as they shed the woes of the world. Mimi dreamed starlight, this place a haven for them as Elves once again returned to the world of men.
 
            Natil and the others sat together in Elven Home. Mimi sat looking out the window at the spectacular scenery, thinking of Rijiin.
           
            Behind them, the truck bearing their belongings was unloaded and some stored. They were lead inside as a rain began to fall.
 
            “Where are you Rijiin?” Mouse thought, grimacing as the steady rain fell from the dark clouds above the Rocky Mountains. 
 
            Even through time itself, Rijiin had managed to stay alive, and wandered Earth, living the forests of Europe and hopping through the zeal of time itself. The elf had built a cabin after he had come home from his journey with Chris Columbus from America, and here he had resided for a hundred years, well into the sixteen hundreds. He had seen a lot of time now and the many events that came to this world. He saw many births and deaths, many battles and time seemed to march on. Rijiin wanted to fade, more and more, and as he had lived through time and seeing the futility of not being able to change or help the world to be better.  
 
            Rijiin had literally jumped time ending up in the future and looking up to see the signs of the future before him in the form of a 747 streaking across the blue skies. The elf stayed hidden from the world, a recluse from the world, the shifts of powers and wars that had been fought upon the lands. He awoke once more, and stepped outside, and the sounds of war had come again to his door. War ravaged the land as Germany had invaded countries, engulfed men women and children in the crematoriums of evil that sprung up around him. Starlight was gone now in the hundreds of years that he had been here had not seen anymore of the power of the Elves that once had been through his very soul.
           
            World War II had been upon the world he knew and walking into the forests and had hidden himself from the armies who had fought through them. He had long since found caves and lived far below the Earth, and there remained so. Rijiin remained well supplied throughout the centuries, living in a hostile world of men. It had been rare on his walks to find anyone about, as a war-torn land befell him. However, it was in the midst of the forest that he saw lights and almost invisible that he had found one of the famed camps of Nazi Germany. Rijiin sensed death there, and saw bodies of those who had died here. They lay strewn on the ground, unburied, and half-starved. Rijiin sensed disease ran rampant here, and through it all, he knew he could not help them, as he had been able to before.
 
            The elf, carrying his sword at his side walked toward the gates, and when he saw the prisoners and bodies, he let out a moan. The elf closed his eyes seeing only darkness. 
 
He heard shouts and men running toward him in uniform when they saw him. The men held nasty looking weapons, shouting at him in German.   Rijiin stood his ground as they approached and he held his blade ready to draw. When a soldier had came too close, he drew and beheaded him. Rijiin stood staring at them in the dim light and he their fingers on the trigger of their weapons.  He saw a flash of starlight, and gasped when he had seen it.
 
            “Alas, why now during confrontation that starlight comes.” He wondered, “Perhaps it is the lady looking out for me as she did before.”
 
            Remembering the soldiers, he turned his head, and with eye’s flashing, he knew what to do and he must do as he had centuries ago. Holding the blade, he pointed the blade at the soldiers who fired, and the bullets struck him. Rijiin was knocked down, but unharmed and he sat up, grasping his blade in hand. Fear came over the soldiers as he silently stood up, and faced them. They fired again with the same result, and he stood up, making them glance down at their weapons. Moving his hand he pointed to the gate and it opened behind the soldiers.
 
            The elf, charging the soldiers who ran toward him, pivoted as they tried to strike him. Without a word, he moved the blade in and without a word beheaded two nearest to him. He pointed the blade at the soldiers who saw death in his eyes and he charged again, the blade striking the weapons to cleanly cut through them. 
 
The prisoners watched as the Elf charged the soldiers who ran away and with neither remorse nor mercy killed each one. Rijiin turned his attention to the remaining soldiers and he walked toward the nearest gate and toward the barracks. The elf had no idea who was here, and how many countless people had perished here. He was a healer, and he felt the starlight power coursing through his veins.
 
            “Elthia!” His voice rang out as the cold steel cut a soldier down.
 
            People looked up as the Elf’s voice rang out and more soldiers died. Rijiin continued his onslaught, leaving dead Nazi soldiers in his wake. Others watched in horror as the elf cleanly killed them, no matter they were armed or unarmed. He slew them anyway for the sheer sport of slaying them, knowing the evil they represented. It was the same way as the soldiers long ago who were part of the Inquisition, the same slaughter and revenge he enacted upon the soldiers here.
 
            Rijiin kicked open the first door of the barracks and he peered in at the ghostly, startled faces that stared back at them. The Elf’s hands began to glow and he closed his eyes, letting the starlight flow. He felt a tug on his arm and he turned. He knelt down to the young girl who had been here, perhaps thirteen years old and he let the healing energy cascade over her.
 
            “Are you American or the British?” The voice asked, Rijiin cocked his head, and he shook his head. 
           
            “I am not. But be at peace, the war is over for you.” Rijiin said, letting the healing touch flow over her. “…and for you all!”
 
Rijiin frowned when he did not hear a cheer, only seeing the abuse, the haunted looks and hollow stares. The young girl gasped as she felt warmth as if starlight touched her very soul. The disease and sickness, and starvation vanished. Rijiin turned to another, and he let the power flow freely.
 
             “Come be healed and we shall leave this terrible place.”
 
            Rijiin kicked open another barracks, and walked among the nude females who squealed in terror as they saw him enter, holding his blade ready and in hand. Rijiin sheathed the blade as he spoke to them and in their native language. In his travels, he was able to learn their languages quickly.
 
            “Come, be healed, and be whole.” Rijiin murmured as he went to each bed, examining those who had lay on them sick or dying. The Elf let the power of healing flow and he healed them, the glow of starlight flowing through him. He cared for the sick and dying as Mirya had centuries ago, or even perhaps Natil who would harp for them. He wished the young Harper was here with him, as he fought to ignore the horrors around him, caused by the needless persecution of another culture and race, all based on hatred.
 
“By our lady there is so many.” He thought, “Natil and I together could heal quickly if this was the twelfth century.”  
 
He grimaced as he turned and continued his task of healing. As Rijiin healed, he also did not recognize two young women, who lay sick and dying on the bed before him, unaware that it was Margot and Anne Frank who lay unconscious on the beds and he was in Bergen Belsen, the famed camp where she would die. The elf he let the healing powers flow over them unaware of their identity and when he was finished had nodded to Anne whose eyes fluttered to open. He picked up Margot, her sister, walking to the door carrying her with such care and the elf stood before the soldiers with the young woman in his arms.
 
            “It is not right that life’s blood, being precious, be spilled this day and you have committed acts of treason to your own people.” He said, feeling the starlight grow and a glow appearing around him. Rijiin drew his blade as the soldiers opened up on the elf. Bullets seemed to go right through him. He stood there facing them with the power of Starlight strong in his eyes. The elf raised his blade and pointed it at the soldiers. They looked down at their weapons as he approached them.
 
            “It is enough.” Rijiin said his voice filled with the starlight and with no mercy or remorse as he cut the soldier down in cold blood. A few of them cowered in fear.
Rijiin felt their terror and he slew one that had stepped toward him with a bayonet, and he died without a sound or a cry, a low gasp echoed through others as he continued to slaughter them. When he was done, their bodies lay at their feet. With one swipe, he cleaned the blade on their uniforms. He knelt beside Margot, her motionless form as he glanced at the younger sister. Everyone’s attention was focused upon the single man who stood in the camp. He continued to glow, and continued his onslaught.
 
            The elf had not spared any of the soldiers and the young girl watched as the Elf continued to help and heal everyone still living.
 
            “Why did you kill them?”
 
            “Be at peace.” He said, “Revenge for persecution. As it was with my people once, it is with yours. We share a common goal my lady and for your sister.”
 
            The prisoners showed surprise when he spoke to them in German and glanced at each other.
 
             “How did you know that Margot was my sister?”
 
            Rijiin’s face showed alarm and his head turned, his eyes peering upon the dark olive face and dark shaved hair that she had. The dark eyes and the almost seamless features that now stood before her. His head turned to the place around him and the other prisoners watched as he sheathed the blade. Turning he peered into those eyes.
 
            “Anna Frank?” He said, and he pointed to Margot who lay motionless on the ground.
 
            “Margot?” He asked, and he turned to see her nod. 
 
            “By our lady,” He muttered, gasping as he knelt beside the form of the young woman.
 
            She moaned and her eyes fluttered. Rijiin gasped, as he had already realized that he had changed history and in a place that she would die of Typhus, as would many others. He had helped and healed, the only good thing out of this had been that he had saved lives, and had given them another chance at life. Rijiin helped Anne’s older sister to a sitting position and he nodded to her when she looked up into his gray eyes. 
 
            “I don’t understand. Who are you? What are you?” She asked, and Rijiin managed a slight grin. 
 
            “My name is Rijiin.” He told them, speaking to them in German, as he helped them to their feet.
 
 
            “Are you an angel? Are we dead?”
 
            “No.” Rijiin replied absently, “I am an elf; I am from the winds of time, coming from your past well over five hundred years, a traveler. Like you I am a prisoner, but not with walls of fence but a prisoner of time.”
 
            There was a low gasp as they stared at the elf.
 
            “What does that mean?”
 
            "It is my error that has changed the future, from which there is no balance and way out. You will live again and conduct yourselves with a new chance at life. You shall both have a long life and a new future.”
 
            “I don’t understand.”
 
            “You died in this place, and because of my knowledge, my disrespect for history you and your sister, have been granted a second chance.”
 
            “What?” Gasped the young women and they glanced at each other, “W-we died?”
 
            Rijiin met their curious looks, and saw them glanced at each other.
 
            “Aye, but be at peace, you now have a whole life ahead of you.” 
           
            “Time has changed, enjoy your time and life now.” He said, “Guard it well, as you shall be liberated within two weeks now.”
 
            “H-how do you know that?”
 
            “It is how history fell and it will read.” Rijiin said, “However, what we knew of you both will never be produced by your future and history. It will not read the same.”
 
            “You will return home, and return to the family you have left.” He said, “Be at peace, and remember you have only one life.”
 
            There was a pause as Rijiin stood and with his blade in hand, waited, and watched. He turned to face them.
 
            “Come my friends, let us journey and return you to your homes.”
 
            The elf stood up and taking them by the hand, he led them to the forest as the allies approached, taking and liberating those in the camp. Rijiin spirited the two women away and they rest in his home before he donned the green and gray garb of the Elves for the journey to return them home. Rijiin led the sisters to the red cross of the allied forces and later, escorting Anne and Margot to the train station to wait for their father. 
 
During that time they learned of their mother’s death, the Van Daan’s, Mr. Dussel, and even Peter Van Daan’s death. 
 
Rijiin as he stood with the sisters wondered how this change would affect the world; the diary no doubt would not be published in the same way with the same moral outrage as it had previously because of her untimely and unthinkable death. It was a cloudy future for them both and even Rijiin could not see what would be shadowed for the next sixty years.
 
Again, the elf clad in the gray and green garb, clad in the dark cloak with his sword concealed under it, watched as Anne and Margot stood with him. They all watched and saw Otto Frank her father stepped off the train saw their emotional greeting. The elf saw them turn and he touched his forehead and bowed slightly. He saw their happiness, and their relief that the horror was over and he wished that such happiness would be for him somewhere.
 
“Please wait.” Anne said, making Rijiin half turn.
 
            “Mistress, you have a need?” He asked, and they nodded. Margot approached too and both embraced the Elf.
 
            “Please find happiness.” She said, and he peered into her dark eyes.
 
            “Alanea ea Yolisi, Elthia, sii’ naa ten’oio.” He murmured, “Namaarie Annai, namarrie Margotti.”
 
            Rijiin gave himself to the starlight, burning clear and cold in the darkness and like a shadow, he vanished into the very fabric of time, fading from view, as again he traveled once more through time. The elf was thrown through the rest of history, and he found himself withdrawn from it, showing little interest into the events to come. He stayed under cover and out of sight as the years passed, forever an observer of time.
 
            Back at Elven home, Mimi stared out the window, sitting in the many alcoves of Elven Home and stared at the window to the freezing rain that fell outside, mixed with sleet.  A typical winter in the Rockies, and as she sat there, the mirth, laughing, crying and chatter of the other elves filled the living room of Elven Home, as it had every weekend where all the Elves of Denver gathered at the home, minus two.
 
            Mimi sat alone, immersed in her thoughts, thinking of the Rijiin and the past when she had been healed, and with Becky by an insatiable urge that seemed to come over them had drawn them here to the east. Here they had found Elven Home and the other Elves just as Natil had before them. Now it was here turn, and with Becky and John had found this place too, a place of freedom and freedom from the human world.
 
            “Perhaps it is Elven home that affects me like this.” Mimi thought, seeing her reflection of beauty in the windowpane and managed a smile. The house was very large, built in wings and had several bedrooms and sitting rooms. It appeared and resembled many a castle Mimi, Becky and John had visited with Rijiin and Natil not long ago.  
 
            Mimi turned when she heard someone at the entry to the alcove and turning, her eyes fell upon a different Becky Mc Gough, not the same as she had been before. The Magic had surely changed her as it had changed them all. She met Becky’s gaze and her smile.  
            “Becky.” Mimi said, “What is wrong.”
 
            “Nothing, it is lunch.” She said, smiling at Mouse. 
 
            Mouse rose to her feet, grinning slightly, still not used to being able to walk again on her own power. She had been healed by Rijiin and Natil who had come to her rescue, who had healed of her affliction of Cerebal Palsy, having tested the winds of time to come to her and help her.
 
            Mouse and her new friends sat with the others, as she listened to the woes of the world, the trials of the other Elves who worked in Denver. They ate together, laughed, cried and talked. Mouse got up, walking to the kitchen, and as she entered it, she looked around the open space, staring at the cheerful pots and pans before walking to the nearby sink. Mimi felt strange as is washed over her and around her unseen that time again seemed to shift. Staggering slightly, she reached out and steadied herself against the counter, recovering her balance. She shook her head.
 
“What the heck was that?” Mouse thought, as she placed the plate in the sink nearby to quickly wash, tending the dishes she had used.  Mimi as she busily worked there, she glanced out into the darkening sky, at the steady falling rain. A flash she had thought to be lightning had been not far from the house and a moment later heard the echo across the trees. A silhouette had caught her eyes however as among the trees a flash of flash of green and gray appeared as did a lone figure appeared about a hundred yards from the window.  
 
            “Oh my…” Mimi had gasped, staring through the window at the figure for at least five minutes.  The figure slumped and fell to his knees.
 
            “Becky! HADDEN! JOHN! ASH,” Mimi shouted, “Good lord, Natil! Come quickly.”
 
            She turned as Rebecca ran in, followed by Natil and even John and several others.
 
            “What’s going on?” asked Becky, glancing at Natil. Mimi had her eyes closed, pointing to the window. She let the starlight calm her before she opened her eyes to look with the other at the sight before them. Natil and Rebecca peered out of the window, as did John and all saw the green and gray clad figure, sitting on a rock and peering out over a cliff. The dark cloak he had was red, the unmistakable color they recognized as blood.
 
            “What on Earth?” Becky gasped.
 
            “Who is that?’ Ash asked, and she glanced at Hadden who shrugged.
 
            “By the Lady…” Natil said, grimacing at the unmistakable scene of blood.
 
            “Ash, come quickly.” Natil said, “I think we need a healer.” With that the young Harper had ran out into the falling rain and toward the cloaked figure. She did not care it was raining, or she was getting soaked. She did not care that her thin shirt was revealing more than she wanted to show. She was first on the cloaked stranger and when examining him, had gasped loudly.
 
            The garb was something she had not worn long ago herself, and something she had not seen in five hundred years. She examined the cloaked figure even closer, staring at the woolen cloak and clothing. Gently Natil had pulled back the hood, revealing the leathered weather beaten and blood covered fair face of Rijiin, shaking her head as she examined it wonder. Her fingers traced his jaw, his cheek and her shaking hand found his neck, searching for a pulse.
 
            “Who is it?” Ash asked, and glanced at Natil, seeing her alarm.
 
            “By our Lady... I-It cannot be.” The Harper replied, as she shook her head, “It is Rijiin, my… beloved who disappeared over five hundred years ago. There were looks by the other residents of Elven Home. They had never known about Rijiin, or Natil even had mentioned him. There were a few smiles between them.
           
            Becky narrowed her eyes at the unconscious figure.
 
            “Rijiin?” Mimi gasped, joining Natil at her side.
 
            “Is he dead?” A voice asked, and they watched Ash kneel beside this stranger, examining him quickly. After a moment, she shook her head.
 
            “No, he lives still, but barely.” She announced, “We will need to get him inside and he will require healing.” 
 
            The Elf maiden named Ash managed a slow nodded to the others who had gathered around him. The elf lay pale and unconscious as Dell, TK, Hadden, Fox and even Marsh carried him into Elven Home. Ash healed him and put him in one of the many bedrooms where Hadden and the other watched, looking after him in shifts. They were astonished thoroughly by his presence and had seen the sword, weather beaten and well used as they had stored it in the room’s closet.
 
            “Where the hell has he been?” Becky gasped, staring at the face, the scars on his hard muscular body, old scars that had not faded after and during the times that he had not been protected by starlight.
 
            “I have no idea, but look at his jaw, it clenches even in an unconscious state.” Mouse observed, “He must have gone through hell.”
 
            “Oh my beloved,” Natil murmured, “Where have you been?”
 
            Sana smiled, as she saw Natil exit for a moment and returned with her harp, hugging it before sitting down in a chair brought to his side. Her hands rippled across the bronze strings and she played for an hour, as he felt the healing energies swirl about him. When her hands fell silent on the strings she peered at him, and frowned. His wounds had been healed, and yet the young elf remained in an unconscious state.
 
            “Rijiin.” She murmured, as she felt small hands on her shoulders. Turning her head, she met the pensive look of Sana.
 
            Everyone stepped out of the room and Rijiin lay in the bed with Natil sitting beside him. It was like this for almost two days and nights as Sana came in a few hours to watch over him.  There was great discussion in the other room about him and many questions about Rijiin. The elf continued to stay in his unconscious state for four days, but the healing power had helped him, just as it had helped Laurie, Rag’s bloody paws and even Terry Angel. Natil and Sana both had done an extraordinary job to see to his health, hoping he would soon awake.  
 
            “Rijiin, can you hear me beloved.” She asked, her tone showing the worry in her voice.  “Please come back from wherever you are.”
 
            “Natil you need to eat.” A voice said. The Harper looked up turned to see Laurie standing at the doorway and she forced a grin. Sana stood with her.
 
            “He will be alright.” Sana said, grinning when she saw the young Harper nod slightly.
 
            “I’ll mind him and call you if anything changes.”
 
            “Thanks.” 
 
            “Just one thing,” Sana asked, “Why didn’t you tell us you had a young man? Are you holding out on us again Natil?”
 
            “Oh no,” Natil replied quickly, “He is someone who came to us, and was changed by the old blood, as all of you were now. But his circumstances are different as his was changed by healing and magic from long ago.”  
           
            Rijiin, on the other hand, stood on the green meadow beside the Goddess, the Lady who had been guiding him to this place called Elven home.
 
            “My lady, it feels good to be held in your arms again, and be in your presence.” Rijiin said, “I was afraid and you guided me through the world, despite the violence and evil I have seen.”
 
            “I know Rijiin.” She said, “Be at peace, you are home now, and someone special awaits you to return to her.”
 
            “How can I face her?” Asked the Elf, “I changed history, I have rewritten the future from which I was once a part. I slew with exact precision and took life. I thought I was supposed to help and heal. I am just a killer, a slayer and taker of human life.”
 
            “You are supposed to help and heal, but under the circumstances, you had no choice. It was that or be slain by another’s hand. You have done well despite the circumstances.”  She said, “Margot and Anne will always be grateful as they did not want to die, not that way and you gave them the opportunity to live, by just changed the circumstances of when for their own fate.”
 
            “You followed your heart and did what you tried to do, help heal comfort and aid.” She said, “You are very wise, despite the times to risk yourself and gave yourself even more than you ever did in Malvern. I am blessed for your wisdom.”
 
            “Fear not, the world will not be destroyed by your changing history where people who were supposed to die and weren’t” She told him, “The world will welcome them home, as if they are returning, as they were family or perhaps a long journey. They will be grateful for your second chance.”
 
            Rijiin smiled, and he looked up meeting the expression of the Lady.” He saw the twinkle of starlight in her eyes.
 
            “Did I gain anything my Lady?” He asked, “I watched many other people die and was not able to help them. Did I gain anything by my wandering the world?”
 
            “You did your best, always remember that, and yes, you gained knowledge and gained compassion. Now you have gained someone who loves you, and you have joined your people again. You will love again. Someone special to you awaits your return Rijiin. You have come home and you have done well. Go to her.”
 
            Rijiin nodded slightly and he rose and bowed to the Lady, kissing her hand gently. “You have my thanks, me’ lady.”
 
            “Always Rijiin, if you need me I am here.”
           
            A moment later, Rijiin found himself again in darkness but his eyes fluttered to open and his eyes focused upon the white ceiling of a warm room, feeling the comforter placed over him. He sensed the young woman beside him and he turned his head, his eyes falling upon her. The young woman gasped when she had heard him stir and turned her head to meet his troubled look. Sana managed, despite her astonishment, to nod slightly in greeting to him. She wore an uneasy grin on her face.
           
            The elf realized that he was lying in a plush bed, meeting an unfamiliar face in silence for many minutes, and managing a puzzled frown, figuring out how once again he was somewhere he might not need to be. He also was puzzled by the almost familiar, but unrecognized face of the young woman who sat beside him. His eyes turned to examine the room, trailing the plush Spartan bedroom, suddenly reminded of Saint Brigid and one of the many rooms in Kay’s house. Rijiin at first thought he was dreaming, but realized that it had been Mirya, than this beautiful woman who had been at his side the first time. He stared at the long blond hair and blue eyes, reminded of someone else a long time ago.
 
            “Charity?” He asked, “Where’s Mirya.” The young woman frowned, shaking her head.
 
            “Who?” Sana replied, confused by the name and she frowned slightly.
 
            “Who are you then?”
           
            “Sana.” She replied and he frowned slightly, staring at the blue eyes of the young woman.
 
            “Roxanne then?” He asked, and she shook her head again.
 
            “Sandy. Sana Joy,”
 
            Confused and uncomfortable, Rijiin panned a quick glance to his surroundings before he sat up. The elf swayed back and forth before he fell back into the bed, nausea washing over him. Closing his eyes, he focused on the twinkling starlight, relieved they were still there after centuries of silence, letting them steadying him from his disorientation.
 
            “You should rest.” Sana instructed, “You have been through a lot.”
 
            Opening his eyes, he met Sana’s blue eyes that twinkled slightly, reminding him of someone else. Her thick blond hair falling around her shoulders in thick curls.
 
            “You don’t know the half of it Ms. Joy.” Rijiin thought, and he saw her frown.
 
             “Where’s Kay?” He said, “Is this Saint Brigid? Is this a dream again?”
 
            “There is no one named Kay here.” She told him and he frowned again, “You are safe, you are at Elven home.”
 
            “Elvenhome?” Rijiin asked seeing her nodded.
 
            “Elvenhome.” The young woman repeated.
 
            “Where are we, and what year is it?” He asked and Sana’s eyebrow climbed, clearly surprised by his question.
 
            “Elven Home is a haven for people like your self.” She replied, “Elves, who have returned after so many centuries of silence. It is the year of the blessed Goddess, nineteen ninety and we are a few miles outside Denver.”
 
            He let out a sharp exhale, closing his eyes to let the starlight comfort him.
 
            “Oh, back into the future eh?” He thought, grimacing as he sat there, examining the surroundings carefully. She did not stop him as he sat up turning to a sitting position on the edge of the bed. Rijiin quickly glanced down at himself, relieved to seem to be in one piece.
           
            “So how did I get here?” He asked.
 
            “We brought you here when we found you on the ground in the rain and forest from the house.” Sana explained. “You were wounded. Your cloak and everything were covered in blood. We were concerned for you.”
 
            “I was healed?”
 
            “Yes, by Ash, she has that talent among us.” Sana replied, smiling and managing a nod. He wanted to ask her who Ash was, but refrained. The young woman smiled when she heard his question.
 
            “Are you one of us?”
 
            “I am.” He said, “Rijiin L’Thiejiev the Just at your service.” With that, he touched his forehead and bowed slightly.
 
            “Where did you come from?”
 
            “I…” Rijiin said, and suddenly stopped, contemplating his answer. “I am from all over.”
 
            “Are you Natil’s mate?” Sana said and he gasped hearing the name, a name that he had not heard of in a few centuries. The young maiden had guessed by his expression that she had asked something a bit too personal. His expression had been one of surprise and recognition.
 
            “That is the first time I have heard that in a long time, but to answer your question, I… I was once, but have not been with her in a long time.” He replied, “Is she here?”
 
            “She is.” Sana replied, “And worried as we all are about you.”
 
            Rijiin could see that Sana seemed to understand.
 
            “Do you want to go see her?”
 
            “I am free to wander this place, Elven home and this sanctuary?”
           
            “Of course you are you are not under arrest here.” She said, “Come I shall lead you. You are welcome here.”
 
            Rijiin managed to stagger to his feet and he grasped the rather tall blonde elf’s shoulder. He could feel the radiate of energy flowing through her body. Sana repeatedly glanced at him as she helped him through the door, and they managed to navigate the stairs. The beautiful blond woman stood, still holding him, steadying as she helped him downstairs. At the bottom of the stairs, they passed a few nooks, other bedrooms and sitting rooms. A large kitchen with large copper pots, open and airy greeted him.
 
Rijiin stood perched on Sana’s shoulder and he reached over to steady himself on the counter of the kitchen. He stood there until they were all looking at him. There had been a low gasp as they slowly stood and stared at him in acknowledgement just as they had with Natil. He panned a long sweeping gaze to the plush sitting room where they had all gathered.  
 
            Natil had been in the alcove across the room when he had appeared and sensing something, sensing Rijiin, she turned. The young Harper had walked the entry and behind her Mimi had followed. Both gasped, meeting the glances of the other elves. Natil’s eyes found her young man, and she could not say she was wrong whom and what she was seeing. She also was extremely pleased to see him.

 

            “I claim hearthright.” He said, bending down as he touched the carpeted floor and staggered to one side.  
 
            Sana had gasped as she saw him stagger and turned to catch him. The Harper was on him like a flash, and she remembered the similar happening with Mirya that night she had come to the encampment to ask for help for a midwife who had helped her heal.
 
            “Well said.” Natil murmured, and she nodded to Sana who held him.
 
            “It is not necessary for family to claim hearthright.” Natil replied, “Your errand is complete Rijiin, Welcome home.”
 
            Rijiin heard Natil’s voice, and turned his head to peer into the blue eyes that seemed to waver and twinkle with starlight. He straightened as she embraced him and both peered into each other’s eyes. Natil’s hand reached up to touch his cheek and he flinched before he felt her touch.  She smiled broadly, putting her hands on his shoulders, and her eyes were wet with tears.
 
Likewise, Rijiin had a surprised look on his face, as he stared in wonder at her familiar fair features, her long red hair, bound in a long braid, and realized she had not changed in the time he had been away from Adria.
 
            He abruptly drew her in to a passionate embrace, kissing her passionately as he held her in the embrace. She felt his centuries of loneliness fall away as he held her, as lovers reunited after centuries apart.  As Becky and Mouse watched them, as did the others, smiles and chuckles rounded the room.
 
            “Oooooh! They’re kissing!” The Elfling chimed in and there was laughter in the room. Rijiin and Natil tried to hold it in, but both had started giggling. Both of them broke from their passionate kiss both blushing slightly. Mimi found she was slightly jealous of this couple as Rijiin stood there, beside the young Harper.
 
            “Nae saian luume'” He muttered, “Amin sal mela lle.”
 
            Natil gasped, hearing him speak Elvish, just as he had centuries ago.
 
            “By our Lady,” Natil gasped as she held Rijiin who wept, not caring who he was and who was watching. He had been a man that had lost everything, and had been forced to witness the horrors of time and wandering without a home. 
 
            Rijiin peered into the Harper’s blue eyes, his hand found her cheek.
 
            “You have not forgotten.” She said, “After the centuries I never thought I would see you again…”
 
            “Aye, I have not, and amin ele- astael.” He said, “I had almost lost faith, until now.”
 
            Natil heard the words that meant starlight, and she nodded, kissing him passionately. She withdrew and held him as Becky, John, Mouse gathered around them, as well as others. He glanced at Mimi Becky and John. He flashed a grin, recognizing them immediately. The elf pointed at them and motioned to them, embracing Mimi, Becky and placing his hand on her husband John’s shoulder. Chatter filled the room.
 
            “Welcome home Rijiin.” Becky said.
           
            The others clustered about him and there was loud chatter in the room as introductions were made and laughter by the trio who knew Rijiin best. The others listened with great amusement at the stories, and at his expense making him blush slightly, and surprisingly enough, made Natil blush too.
 
            “Thanks for the warm welcome.” Rijiin told them, “I am very happy to be home.”
 
            He paused, as he panned a slow look around Elven home and to the others.
 
            “So Natil, are you going to hand fast with me or what?”
           
            A sharp gasp echoed the room. There was a long silence as they all peered at Rijiin in complete astonishment. Natil was just as surprised as everyone was, if not more. She had not replied at first, until he turned to kneel before her, taking up her strong hands. She smiled, as she nodded.
 
            “Yes Rijiin, I will.” She said, and he rose to embrace her.
 
Around them, everyone cheered. He kissed her, putting her arm around her as they sat together, and Rijiin told them the stories of the four hundred years when he traveled across the world and of the evil, seen in his wandering across the Earth. He mentioned the many famous people he had met, witness to their demise and the frustration of the many that perished with no way to help them. He also mentioned Adria and the many adventures of the Elves, his adventures, as he explored the region with Natil and her kinfolk.
 
            When Monday came, the others left for their jobs in Denver, and Rijiin was free to wander the property and the home. He donned his long gray cloak, as he held his blade to disappear into the forest. He explored the many mountains, standing on a high peak that overlooked the western horizon. He was reminded of Adria, when he brought Natil to a similar place. He drew the blade easily as he practiced the forms from his training in martial arts, and the fighting dance of the elves. He moved easily, the same as he had centuries ago, slashing, dodging and blocking. The motions seemed to come easy for him, and he felt the energy flowing through him freely. Hours passed quickly and Natil arrived at the home first, to find he was missing. The Harper went into the woods to search and found him easily, seeing him sitting on a flat rock with his legs crossed, his eyes closed as he focused upon the stars he saw in the darkness.
 
            “Rijiin?” She said and opening his eyes, he turned his head, smiling at the young Harper that he loved very much. She had a worried expression on her face, and the elf embraced her.
 
            “Natil…”
           
            “You were missed at Elvenhome, I was just checking up on you.” She said, “Are you alright? What are you doing out here?”
 
            “Just enjoying the view..." He replied pointing to the view in front of him as it overlooked the western horizon. There the sun began to set making an array of deep red, mauve and gold colors.  
 
            Natil managed a quiet laugh, as she took a seat beside him, and he put his arms around her. She kissed him and together they sat watching the sunset.
           
            “Just like we did before in Adria,” He remarked, “A different era and time, but the same glorious sunset. Remember?”
           
            Natil managed another laugh, “I do indeed.” She replied, “It is glorious.”
 
She smiled at his comment, remembering back when they sat in the Aleser Mountains, overlooking the forest below and together they sat watching the sunset on the horizon, well over five hundred years ago.  A cool wind whipped across the ledge, blowing from the snow capped mountains above them in the higher altitudes.
            “The Rockies hardly are anything like Aleser.” Rijiin thought, and he smiled, glancing at young Harper.
 
            When the sun went down, they returned to Elven Home and there Mimi and the others gathered. As the pair approached, they were greeted warmly. Rijiin led the Harper inside and they one of the many alcoves together, watching the stars through the skylight.  The first stars of night twinkled above them and this the first nights together as it had once been a long time ago.
 
            A week later, Rijiin and Natil prepared for a wedding, their wedding that would be for them, the first steps of their bound love for each other. He designed the cards by hand and in a strong hand of calligraphy, he wrote in the card the announcement of the engagement, using current day methods for an old custom.
 
            No’ i’- otsoea asta, i’- ratsea re, e’ i’- yen en’ i’- aman arwen, nertenen randa nae nertenen, sinomed, kam- i’- canwae i’- Natili Carnesir en Denveri nae Rijiini Singollo of Mavernai.
 
Lye aldarion meneldur lle a’ saragon e’ i’- gal-, no’ i’- toltoea asta, ratsea re, e’ i’- yen en’ i’- aman arwen, nertenen randa nae nertenen ae’ Treestari e’ Deverai Coloradai.”
 
 
Under it, he put the translation in a strong hand.
 
            “On the seventh month, the twelfth day, in the year of the Blessed Lady, nineteen hundred and ninety, hereby make the announcement of Natil Summerson of Denver and Rijiin L’Thejiev of Malvern’s engagement and wedding. We cordially invite you to share in the celebration, on the eighth month, twelfth day, in the year of the Blessed Lady nineteen ninety at Treestar in Denver Colorado.”
 
            Natil’s eyes scanned the card when he showed it to her, and he saw a smile on her face. She embraced him, with tears in her eyes.
 
            “It is perfect beloved.” She said, “As good as your work to find something special that describes us so well.”
 
            A month later, people from far away had gathered in Denver, people who had returned the card, attended a wedding, at the dismay of their parents and even the school they were attending. They had all come over to Denver, to Tree Star where a great celebration now took place. Rijiin, clad in the familiar green and gray walked out from the building and toward the party, greeted by the other elves and many people in his travels he had touched their lives somehow. As he approached, his sharp eyes had caught the familiar faces of Jen, Omar, Chris, Cathy, Patrick and Steve, and he walked toward them, embracing Jen and nodding a friendly greeting each one of them. Mimi stood beside them dressed in a long flowing gown with Becky and flashed a smile at him.
 
            Their friends had been astonished to see Mimi, and could not believe how she had turned out, into a beautiful young woman, hard to believe to see her standing rather in her wheelchair.
 
            The elf stared in surprise at Mimi and even Becky as he peered at the gowns they wore, made of silk, long and flowing to the ground.  The gowns seemed to flattering their formidable curves after enduring, what he knew was still along of changes into becoming immortal elves. Both had long flowing hair, hanging freely to their mid back and both wore makeup.             Beside them, Rijiin saw the other people he had recognized from other places, who had come to this celebration. He met the faces, the smiles and nods by his friends, formerly of or currently part of Bellbrook. Emily, Stephanie, Janine, Katie, Angie and countless others he had met again as he was hurled through time and had fought to protect from Tantras. All were surprised to see Rijiin as he paused to shake their hands and embraced the young women present. 
 
            “Thank you for coming.” He told them, and moved on to stand before two older Ladies, with middle-aged people beside them whom he introduced them to others as Anne Frank and Margot. He had told the elves of that one day when had found his way to a sickening camp where he helped, healed and slew the Nazis with exact precision that sadly reminded him of long ago when he has been in Adria, slaying the soldiers of the Inquisition. He had changed time and space, helping and healing to save many lives who had died in that terrible place and changed the known history that still read the same but without the terrible consequences of their deaths.
 
            Turning he crossed the threshold to the altar where Lady Elthia herself stood clad in the familiar blue and silver robe and in her hands, she held a book written in Elvish, her dark hair was long and braided, streaked with silver and her calm eyes met Rijiin’s gaze as he approached. He stood before her, drawing his sword to hold it up in salute, the Lady in turn nodded in reply to the motion.
 
            “You do me honor Rijiin.” She told him and he bowed slightly before sheathing it in the scabbard at his side.
 
            Turning Rijiin exhaled when he heard the music start, and with Marsh Blues on the Guitar, TK on the Sax and Sana Joy on the Harp he grimaced. Sana sang a hymn in Elvish, carefully enunciating the words as she sang.
 
            “Oh by the Lady, it is time already?” He thought and gasp again as Natil appeared with Hadden a moment later, a low murmur rippling through the audience and elves alike. Respectfully they stood as Hadden and Natil moved along the aisle, the Elfling Kelly leading as they approached the altar.
 
            Rijiin had let out a breath when he had turned and his eyes first beheld the beautiful young Harper who appeared with Hadden. She wore a long flowing blue gown, a flower wreath in her red hair, tied up in a bun and held a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Everyone in the audience murmured as they passed and the Harper was smiles as she walked the aisle, with Hadden to stand beside Rijiin.  He faced her, smiling broadly and nodded to Hadden who took up his place on the other side of them.
 
            Both Elves had turned toward the altar and knelt before the Elthia who blessed them, and in Elvish, read holy words from the book she held. She nodded and both opened their eyes to flash a grin at each other, and then to meet the smile of Goddess Elthia.
 
            “Arise thy son, arise thy daughter of Earth.” The Lady said and she met the others who watched her intently. They had never seen her, but they all knew who she was. Rijiin and Natil stood and they stood facing each other.  The audience with a shuffle took their seats.
 
            “You are beautiful.” He told her, “Even more so when I first met you.”
Natil blushed slightly, as he kissed her hands. They turned to the woman robed in blue and silver.
 
            “Know now before you go further, that since your lives have crossed in this life you have formed ties between each other. As you seek to enter this state of matrimony, you should strive to make real, the ideals that give meaning to both this ceremony. Also the institution of marriage,” intoned the Lady. Here she paused and nodded a couple of times.
 
“With full awareness, know that within this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be hand fasted before your friends and family, but you speak that intent also to your creative higher powers.”

 

            “The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union; they will cross the years and lives of each soul’s growth.” She continued, and here she paused to glance at Rijiin and Natil.
            “Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?”

            “Yes, we seek to enter.” Natil and Rijiin both replied together.

 

            “In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the cardinal directions; East, South, West and North.” explained the Lady, “It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony.”
 
            She put her hand on the book she held and closed her eyes.
 
            “Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East; Communication of the heart, mind, and body, fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun and the knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.”
 
            “Blessed be, this union with the gifts of the South; Warmth of hearth and home, the heat of the heart’s passion, the light created by both, and to lighten the darkest of times.”

            “Blessed be, this union with the gifts of the West; The deep commitments of the lake, the swift excitement of the river, the refreshing cleansing of the rain, and the all encompassing passion of the sea.”

            “Blessed be, this union with the gifts of the North; Firm foundation on which to build Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives, and a stable home to which you may always return.”

            The Lady caught her breath, the starlight flashing around her.

 
            “Each of these blessings from the four cardinal directions emphasizes those things which will help you build a happy and successful union. Yet they are only tools. Tools which you must use together in order to create what you seek in this union.” She paused as she glanced to the couple who held each other’s hands.

 

            “I bid thee to look into each others eyes.” She instructed, and Natil and Rijiin, both turned to peer lovingly into each other’s eyes.

 

 
            “Rijiin L’Theijiev, Will you cause her pain?” asked the Goddess, as she turned to face him.

 

            “I may.”
            “Is that your intent?”
            “Nay me Lady,” Rijiin replied.
            “Natil Summerson, Will you cause him pain?” asked the Goddess, turning to face her.
 
            “I may.”
            “Is that your intent? “

 

            “No my Lady,” Natil told her, and both Rijiin and the Harper turned flashing a smile at each other.
            “Will you share each other’s pain and seek to ease it?” The goddess asked, standing between Natil and Rijiin who stood beside her.                     

 

            “Aye,” 

            “And so the binding is made.” The Lady said solemnly, “Join thee hands.”

 
            The woman, robed in blue and silver, withdrew the first cord and she draped it across Rijiin and Natil’s hands. The cord was heavily woven and it was colored a red, blended with a gold hint to it.
            “Natil Summerson, Harper of Elven Home, and of Malvern. Will you share his laughter?” Asked the Lady and Natil glanced at Rijiin, smiling before she nodded her head.
             
            “Aye,” Natil replied, “With all my heart.”

 

            “Rijiin L’Thejiev, Elf of Elven Home, Will you share her laughter?” Asked the Goddess, turning to him and she paused as Rijiin met the young Harper’s look silently. He smiled, and a moment later, he too nodded his head.
 
            “Aye,” Rijiin intoned, “Till thee part at the end of time.”
 
            The Goddess turned her head from Natil to Rijiin who met her fair features, looking into her starlit eyes. 
            “Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?”

 

            “Aye we shall.” Replied the couple together.
            “And so the binding is made.”

 

            The Goddess draped a second cord across their hands. The cord was this time was blue with a gold hint to it. Both turned their heads to the Lady who stood waiting.
 
            “Natil Summerson, Harper of Elven Home and of Malvern, Will you burden him?”

 

            “I may.”
 
            “Is that your intent?”
            “No, my lady,” The Harper replied.
 
            “Rijiin L’Thiejiev, Elf of Elven Home, Traveler of Earth. Will you burden her?”

 

            “I may.”
 
            “Is that your intent?”
            “No, my lady,” Rijiin replied,
            Again, the Goddess turned to face them both and she held another cord in her hands. The cord was brown with a gold hint to it this time. She placed the cord across their hands. Looking down the couple stared at the cords for a moment. Both shared a reality check.
 
            “Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union? “
 
            “Aye,” Rijiin and Natil replied together.
            “And so the binding is made.”
 
            With that, The Goddess draped the third cord across their hands.
 
            “Natil Summerson, Harper of Elven Home and of Malvern, will you share his dreams?”

 

            “Yes.”
           
            “Rijiin L’Thiejiev, Elf of Elven Home, will you share her dreams?” intoned the Goddess.
 
            “Aye, me Lady,” Rijiin replied.
 
            Again, the Lady faced them both. 

 

            “Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes,” asked the Goddess.

 

            “Aye, we shall.” Natil and Rijiin both replied together. They managed a quiet chuckle between them as they glanced at each other.
            “And so the binding is made.” Intoned the Goddess, and she withdrew a forth cord, draping it across their hands. The cord was white and gold interwoven. All four were heavy and multicolored.
 
            “Rijiin L’Theijiev, Elf of Elven Home, will you cause her anger?
           
            “I may.”
 
            “Is that your intent?”
 
            “Nay,” He replied, “It is not.”
            “Natil Summerson, Harper of Elven Home, will you cause him anger?”

 

            “I may.”
 
            “Is that your intent?”
 
            “No, my Goddess,”
           
            Again, the woman clad in blue and Silver turned to them, her eyes flashing as they met them and with a solemn look on her face.
            “Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?”

 

            “We will.” replied the couple together. 

            “And so the binding is made.”

            This time the Goddess withdrew a bright silver cord, heavily woven and it seemed to glisten in the light. She lay it across Rijiin and Natil’s hands and the couple managed to gasp at the almost luminance of the cord.
            “Natil Summerson, Harper of Elven Home, Will you honor him?”

 

            “I will.”

            Rijiin L’Thiejiev, Elf of Elven Home, Will you honor her?”

 

            “I will.”

            The Lady met their looks, turning to both several times.

 
            “Will you seek to never give cause to break that honor?”

 

            “We shall never do so.” The couple intoned together and they heard a gasp by all.

            “And so the binding is made.”

 
            Finally, the Goddess draped a light blue cord across their hands. It was the same woven and it seemed to glow with a strange luminescence.
            The Lady took up both ends and handed them to Rijiin and Natil.
 
            “The knots of this binding are not formed by these cords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the cords, for as always you hold in your own hands the making of breaking of this union.”
 
            “There are no objections?” The Lady asked, turning her head to the crowd. She paused and she waited. She then turned as she helped them tie the cords. They made the knot quickly and letting go she paused. A smile appeared on the Lady’s face and she embraced them both.
 
            “You come here on this day to be hand fasted, both of you showing your unbounded love for each other.” With that, she removed the knotted cord and she placed it on the small pedestal beside her. “I now declare you bound, as husband and wife.”
 
            “You may kiss the bride!” Marsh had shouted, “And make sure it’s a good one!”
 
            There was sprinkles of laughter from all, human and Elves alike. Natil and Rijiin laughed and he drew her into his arms and kissed her passionately.
 
            A cheer resounded through the open air as it echoed around them.        A louder cheer as Natil and Rijiin embraced, kissing passionately before them. When they broke their kiss, Rijiin chuckled when he saw Natil was blushing and sarcastically fanned her face. There was a ripple of laughter through the crowd.  He flashed a smile and turned to the goddess who stood there with them. 
 
            “Thank you Lad…” Rijiin told her but his thought was interrupted by a voice that rang out over the cheers.
 
            “I Object!” A screechy voice said, and turning Rijiin grimaced, as he peered out to the guests. Everyone had turned as he spied a short dwarf, and a taller young man.
 
            “Robert...” Dave began, “I think you better take it easy and had better do this with tact.”
 
            “Shut up Dave.” Robert grumbled as he lumbered forward.  “I OBJECT!”
 
            The loud cheer ceased as everyone turned and a low murmur rippled through the guests. Rijiin turned his head to the interruption. He met the face of Robert and Dave.
 
            Dave had not changed since Rijiin had seen him last, with his sandy blond hair, and heavyset figure. Robert who stood with him was short, clad in shorts and a tank top, the same frizzy beard and long blondish brown hair that he had way back when Rijiin had known him as a human.
 
             Dave instantly felt dread wash through him when all eyes were focused upon him, standing next to his friend who was cursing and talking crap as they stood there. The young man, someone that Rijiin knew best from his days at DeAnza peered at the elf and the Harper standing beside an older Lady that he recognized as possibly the preacher.  He noted that Rijiin had his hand on a blade he wore at his side. A dragon-headed katana he had recognized from someone else. He saw the annoyance on the elf’s face, at the interruption.
 
            “Oh man, that’s not Becky.” Dave thought and glanced at Robert, nudging him.
 
            “Robert that’s not Becky at the altar,” He whispered, “That’s…”
 
            “Shut up…”
 
            “Oh…” thought the young man, casting an annoyed glance at Robert. Shut up Robert, Shut up, Shut up, just shut up Robert!”
 
            “Who objects,” asked the Elf, “And what business do they have here.” The elf’s voice said, a frigid tone creeping into it, as he spoke out over Robert’s tirade, “But what right does he have to speak at a wedding of strangers.” 
 
            Robert stopped speaking, a look of annoyance on his face, feeling the sudden chill in the air and there were glances among the guests. He frowned, and inhaled sharply as he felt rage welling up inside of him. A jealous range that the elf knew was for someone who did not claim him the same way as he did for her. Becky, he knew, did not love him in that way, and whom she considered him just a friend.
 
Robert being tyrant of a man had objected strenuously to her marriage to John and treated her new husband less than human. Dave grimaced, hearing the edge in Rijiin’s voice and he found himself backing up a step behind Robert.
 
            “You are not going to marry Becky, she belongs to me.” Robert said, “I am here to stop it, as I am her mate not you…” Robert squinted, expecting to see Becky at the altar and he saw the young Harper known as Natil.  
 
            “Oh.” Dave thought, “Now you’ve gone and done it.” He saw Rijiin shake his head in annoyance as the elf took one-step toward them. He also noted the elf wore a blade at his side and his hand rest on its pommel. He had listened to Robert’s tirade and heard the hatred in his voice.
 
            “Uhm, that’s not Becky next to him under the gazebo, Robert.” Dave informed him and Robert glared at him, waving his arm in annoyance.
 
            “I don’t care.” He said, “Better that we stop this stupid crap than let it go.”  Robert suddenly stopped at glanced at Dave again his face, this time, had a questioning look on it.
 
            “What do you mean that not her at the…” Robert started to say and he turned his head, scanning the crowd.
 
            “Uh Robert,” Becky called, whistling slightly and turning she raised her hand to wave slightly at him. “Over here.”
 
            Dave pursed his lips as he stepped back again and his head slowly moved to each of the faces. They were on display, by everyone, and Robert had insisted on making a scene. Even despite his request to do this tactfully. He had not listened. He had seen the invitation sent to the others, and had received one too, knowing that it was not Becky who was getting married, but the young Harper that had come to DeAnza with Rijiin one cold winter morning. The young woman who had played her harp and performed a miracle of healing in a century that knew not of Elves, Elven magic, green and gray garb, cloaks, starlight or swords.
 
            Robert grimaced when he saw Becky, clad not in a wedding dress, but in a beautiful long gown,
 
            “If Becky is over there… Who is that?” Robert thought, something in his limited mind putting the connection together. He turned to look at Natil and back at Becky several times.  She stepped forward and nodded to Dave, who took one arm and Becky taking the other. They literally dragged him out of the range of the people on both sides and retreated to the outside of the party. There was as heated discussion outside the range of people, a discussion with Robert’s loud voice carrying, but not clearly. 
 
            “Any other objections,” Intoned the Goddess and there was silence.
 
            Rijiin bowed to the Goddess, and both knelt as they both received her blessing.
 
            “Our thanks My Lady,” Rijiin said, “From both of us.”
 
            “Be at peace, you earned this Rijiin and you too Natil, may you both have great happiness.” With that, she stepped back and with a gasp, the couple glanced at each other as she faded from view.
 
            Natil managed a laugh and she embraced her new love, her husband bound, hand fasted by their love and union. Together hand in hand they turned to the applause as Becky and Robert continued to battle. Mimi joined in that discussion and things started to get out of control.
 
            Rijiin briefly closed his eyes hearing the argument, and he let the starlight calm him before opening them. Turning his head he smiled, seeing the faces of those long past, meeting the ghostly forms of Charity, Roxanne, Varden, Mirya, Terrill, Talla and many others stood there watching. He could see their smiles and Natil turned her head.
 
            “What’s wrong beloved?” She whispered and he shook his head.
 
            “Nothing is wrong.” He said, and she looked over where he had been staring. She saw nothing but open grass area. Turning he took up her arm and stepped down the steps toward the crowd, nodding to Elves and human’s alike, friends, as congratulations went all around. He shook their hands warmly and returned the embraces of Sana, Ash, and others of Elvenhome.       Rijiin cast an annoyed glance at the heated conversation that echoed across the threshold of Treestar.
 
            “By our lady, must there be battle on a day of celebration.” He grumbled, and he shook his head, drawing his dagger as he moved toward the Becky and the others who argued rather venomously.
 
            “Enough, what is your business here Ungai.” He said, “Is this how mortals respect a sovereign power?”
 
            The elf held the glowing blade in his hand that flashed in the light as he approached and the argument stopped, all to turn to meet the elf’s gray eyes that twinkled brightly. They stepped back as the Elf approached, and he nodded to Mimi and Becky.
 
            “Na- ae’ seere, Beckai, Mimitti,” He told them, “Ro va nolya nae amin cael n’umo detholea sii’. Amin cael a’ magh poldor a’ kam ho selya.”
 
            With that, he sighed, closing his eyes and he let the starlight flow briefly before meeting Robert’s hazel eyes, seeing the anger in them. Both of the young women understood and grimaced, understanding his question to Robert and what he intended to do. Rijiin held his ground as he stepped forward and to face their friend.
 
            Dave had backed off a couple of steps when he had got the meaning of his message, understanding Rijiin’s broad hint to ‘get lost’ and he found himself backing off a few steps more. Becky already knew what was coming, as did the other elves, and what was going to happen next. Mouse had grimaced when she glanced at Becky.
 
            Robert started to speak, and Rijiin bluntly cut him off.
 
            “Dina, Ungai.” The elf snapped, “Just listen, you are trespassing on a sovereign power, property that is private, and considered to be holy ground by my people. You must leave.” With that, he pushed back his hair revealing his ears, and his eyes flashed as brightly as the dagger he carried. Robert stared at Rijiin, and glanced at the others around him.
 
            “They are all freaks, outcasts.” Unga thought, but found himself unsure.
 
            “It is a public place.” Robert challenged, “F off.”
 
            Rijiin grimaced, stepping forward to Robert.
 
            “You should reconsider your position young human.” He said, “Before you end up losing yourself.”
 
            His eyes widened when he met Rijiin’s cold gray eyes and saw the starlight within them. The same starlight that seemed to be in Mimi and even Becky’s eyes, and Robert did not seem to understand this was or what he was seeing.
 
            “Then why are Becky and the others here, and all these people.” Robert demanded.
 
            “They are here to have fun Unga.” Rijiin said, “Not be made a fool of, be gone or Tree Star will call the police. It is a private party for employees and friends.
 
            “Are you threatening?”
 
            “Try promising.”
 
            Robert shook his head and turned away to Dave, who he noted had backed up at least ten feet from him. Robert turned to expect Mimi and Becky to be here but they had been spirited away by Marsh and Hadden when he had not been looking. Mimi and Becky had followed Hadden into the company’s spacious building and through to loading dock. Rijiin had seen them go and he managed a slight nod.
 
            “Thanks Marsh, Thanks Hadden.” He thought and turned to the two who had come to this place.
           
The human frowned and knew he had been tricked, allowing Mimi and Becky to be led away. He leaned back and positioned to take a swing at Rijiin and the elf had connected to the stars, sensing his motion. He saw what he planned, even before Robert, and effortlessly he blocked the punch when Robert swung at him with his crutches. Rijiin dodged, driving a hand to his sternum, striking to only knock him down and not injure him, placing his foot on his throat. 
 
“You would not listen, Ungai.” He said, “Violence will not be tolerated here and you now give me little choice. I asked you to leave, and nodding Marsh was on the phone and he summoned the authorities. The summoned authorities arrived quickly, removing Robert as the elf had promised.  The officer who stood beside Dave glanced at Rijiin as he watched him go, still shouting.  Rijiin shook his head.
 
“Just him,” He said, and the officer seemed to understand.
 
            Natil watched in amazement at the effortless motions, the ones that she knew he learned from his days in martial arts, and the ones she knew the Elves never used to fight like that. She had smiled, impressed by his handling of the whole matter.
 
            “Dave you are welcome to join this party, you were there when we helped and healed Mimi, and know what we are.” He said, “You are welcome to celebrate with us.”
 
            Later, Rijiin held Natil as they sat together at their reception and there was great celebration. There were some moments where the elf sat with Marsh and TK, jamming with them on Sax and guitar. He played fluidly easily as he made an effort to keep up and many times surprised them. He tried hard as he played a duet of some Earl Klugh with Marsh, playing songs he had heard long ago on the guitar.
 
            The young Elf also danced with Natil, far into the evening, as they all did, the drinks flowing and celebration continuing. They both sat together watching the others celebrate, drinking and socializing. He had his arms around Natil as the couple watched the others dance.  Dave watched too, sharing a dance or two with the Elves, Mimi and even Becky. He laughed at the antics and found himself smiling, so much it made his mouth hurt. 
 
            A bit later, together Natil and Rijiin had managed to slip away for a quiet moment, both watching the sun fell on the western horizon, over the shadows of the mountains. Hours had elapsed with great merriment and into the afternoon and evening. The young Harper looked up with Rijiin sitting embraced in his arms at the sky and at the star patterns, they saw together. He felt her warmth, and her love. Natil inside was a jumble of thoughts and excitement. It was hard to keep from fidgeting.
 
            “Amin mela lle, Natili.” He said, looking in her blue eyes, and holding her.
 
            “Amin mela lle, Rijiin.” She replied, “Oio vor iire omentien lle I’ yeste’ luume’.”
 
            Rijiin smiled and nodded embracing her, then glanced up at the sky.
 
            “Look…” He whispered, as he pointed to the sky. “Beloved, ta i’ entul en Mirya astael.”
 
            “Make you wonder doesn’t.” He added and she looked up skyward, staring at the patterns of starlight that brightly twinkled in the heavens. He had told her that the star for Mirya had returned, after five centuries of absence. Even for Natil and even for Rijiin, they suddenly realized that Mirya, Talla and the others would be gone over five hundred years, into the past somewhere in the waves of history. A ring on the glass made everyone stop and look up.  
             
            Hadden stood up and he held up a glass, “I want to make a toast!”
           
            There was a chant. “Toast! Toast!”
 
            “I’ll have wheat with butter and Jam!” A voice said and everyone laughed, including Hadden.
 
            “Here is to the happy couple, may they be together always, find happiness together and have rebellious children together.” 
 
Natil glanced at Rijiin who had a surprised look on his face. She winked at him.
 
            “Hear! Hear!” A voice said, and everyone raised the glasses to take a drink.
           
            “Thank you all.” Rijiin said, as he met Natil’s blue eyes and met her smile. He bowed slightly. They both turned when they heard a horse and looking over saw a red carriage, trimmed in gold, open for all to see. 
 
            “Ah, our chariot comes.” He said and he heard Natil laugh.
 
             A man dressed in black sat on the carriage top.   Rijiin saw this man, a lean man with fair skin, and long black hair. He had gray eyes. His eyes held a strange intensity. His wife a young woman, fair and beautiful sat on the front. She had long reddish gold hair spilling across her shoulders and a trim figure. Her green eyes seemed bright and laughing in the light.   
 
            “By the Lady, do you see that?’ Asked Rijiin and gasping Natil could not believe her eyes.
 
            “Mirya!” She breathed, “Terrill.”
 
            “I am named Heather, Luv.” The woman said, her voice having a thick Irish accent to it.            
 
            “I am George.” He said, “Are ye the happy couple?”
 
            “Aye,” He said, “We are. The hand of the Lady upon you,” Rijiin bowed slightly.
 
            “Not with me missus about,” Replied the driver and Rijiin nodded but cast a quick look at Natil who rolled her eyes at him. He shrugged.
 
            “Worth a shot,” He replied, and The Harper nodded.
 
            “What a funny coincidence.” She said, but could not for the life of her take her eyes off the coachman and his wife. Natil sensed something different about this couple and wondered how in time there could be people who looked like her kinfolk from the twelfth century.
 
            “Remember what Varden said about renewal beloved,” He said, “Perhaps somewhere Talla had also found that too, even Charity and Roxanne.”
 
            Natil’s face showed surprise.
 
            Rijiin walked toward the horse that seemed to nod at Rijiin as he passed the head of the coach. Hadden stood beside the mare, and he whispered to it. The horse whinnied, snorted and bared its teeth.
 
            “That is a good lad.” Hadden coached, patting the mare’s neck. Behind the carriage Del, Fox, Laurie, and Wheat put a big sign on the carriage. “Just Married --”
 
            They tied cans and shoes on the end of the carriage. Snickering they returned to the front of it as Rijiin led Natil to the carriage.
 
            Everyone threw the traditional rice as the couple departed and both climbed on, laughing and waving to the others. Natil threw the bouquet and it was caught by Mouse who gasped, blushing as she turned to hand it to Sana. Sana held the bouquet and she waved as the carriage pulled away. Rijiin grimaced as he glanced at the clanking sounds out the back of the carriage, and peeked out of the back window. He flashed a grin at Natil.
 
            Slowly they sat back laughing and giggling as they held each other. 
           
            Mimi and the others stood around at the Tree Star as they cleaned up quickly, recycling as much as the paper and everything that had been setup and they all gazed down the road at the departing carriage.
 
            “It has sure been a strange period of time.” Mimi said, “First his changing us, then his disappearance and now all of us coming to Denver.”
 
            “I don’t know.” Becky replied, as she glanced at the small group of their De Anza friends, who and come to this very special occasion. “It does not seem too different to me, just a really good ending.”
 
            Together Natil held Rijiin and they were taken to the airport to the plane they would take to Los Angeles and then the cruise ship that waited there, chartered to take them to Mexico. Life began for Rijiin and Natil as it had, and he had a second chance.
 
            “It is a time for renewal.” He murmured, and Natil turned her head when she heard him.
 
            “Beloved?”
 
            “Just thinking of what Varden said once.” Rijiin replied as he thought of the young elf that had seen the futility of the world. The same futility that Rijiin had seen in his travels not long ago, witnessing the same evil in the world, the evil and the difficulty of help and healing in a world of men. Although he knew it would be May 1 soon, he wondered if he could possibly find some renewal for the actions, he had taken for his meddling in time. This was one start.
 
            “Are you happy Natil?” He asked, and she frowned, embracing him.
 
            “I am.” She said and he held her, “I am so glad you are home. My husband,  my beloved.”
 
            “Vee’ amin Natili,” He told her, “Vee’ amin Natili.”
           
            Rijiin sat in the back of carriage that would take them to the Limo Service that would take them to the Denver Airport and in his arms, he held Natil. He held her, deep in thought as another adventure that waited for them and life, for them, was just beginning
 
Literary Notes:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Story is based on Gail Baudino’s Series Strands of Starlight, Maze of Moonlight, Shrouds of Shadow, Strands of Sunlight, and Spires of Spirit. This story is a fan fiction that takes place in 40 years between first and second book. It is dedicated to her and the Elves, because something in the story was able to touch me, and allow me a bit of healing too. It uses and features, three dialects of real Elvish tomes, based on Tolken, Gray Company and Quenya Elvish.
 
There will be two sequels to this story, between books 2 and 3 and one after book 4 in her series. This is a FICTIONAL, Fan Based story and it may or may not be accurate to the storyline. Amin hiraetha (I apologize to Ms. Baudino and the Elves, in advance)
 
Below are some phrases that were not translated in story. 
(The Elvish phrase) = (English Translation.)
===============================================================Translation guide:
 
“Natili, Na ta lle?” Mimi asked, “Ya ae lle atara?” – Natil is it you? Mimi Asked, “Who is your mother.
 
Vee’ Amin Natili. He told her Vee’ amin.” – So Am I Natil, So am I.
 
Nae saian luume'” He muttered, “Amin sal mela lle.” - Be at peace. I still love you.
 
“amin ele- astael” – I can see starlight.
 
“Alanae ea Yolisi, Elthia, sii’ naa ten’oio.” He murmured, “Namaarie Annai, nanmarrie Margoti.”
 
“The hand of the Lady be upon you, now and forever. Farewell Anne, Farewell Margot.”
 
“Beloved, ta I’ entul en Mirya Astael!” - Beloved, It is the return of Mirya’s star.
 
“Lema ed' ando en' templa.” – “Journey by gate of magic”
 
“Amin mela lle, Natili” – I love you Natil.
 
 “Amin mela lle, Rijiin.” – I love you Rijiin
 
 “Oio vor iire omentien lle I’ yeste’ luume’.” – Ever since the first time meeting you.
 
“On the seventh month, the twelfth day, in the year of the Blessed Lady, nineteen hundred and ninety, hereby make the announcement of Natil Summerson of Denver and Rijiin L’Thejiev of Malvern’s engagement and wedding.
 
            No’ i’- otsoea asta, i’- ratsea re, e’ i’- yen en’ i’- aman arwen, nertenen randa nae nertenen, sinomed, kam- i’- canwae i’- Natili Carnesir en Denveri nae Rijiini Singollo of Mavernai.
 
            “We cordially invite you to share in the celebration, on the eighth month, twelfth day, in the year of the Blessed Lady nineteen ninety at Treestar in Denver Colorado.”
 
            “Lye aldarion meneldur lle a’ saragon e’ i’- gal-, no’ i’- toltoea asta, ratsea re, e’ i’- yen en’ i’- aman arwen, nertenen randa nae nertenen ae’ Treestari e’ Deverai Coloradai.”
 
“Na- ae’ seere, Beckai, Mimitti,” = Be at peace, Becky, Mimi.
Ro va nolya nae amin cael n’umo detholea sii’. Amin cael a’ magh poldor a’ kam ho selya.” = He will not learn and I have no choice now. I have to use force to make him learn.”
===============================================================
Author: namiller
-A +A


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