Snippet #2459466

Lolindir Fefalas and Vala the Morning Star

Now there's an interesting word.....business. Yes it is business that brings me to you, and it is you, and consequently your lover, that I wish to do it with. But come, these halls have eyes and ears that are too annoying for me to waste time on. Perhaps you would feel more at ease in your own home. " The strange man said.

Lolindir’s gaze zeroed in on the crimson stranger. “So he knows of Vala and my relationship. What sort of supernatural insight does this man possess?” Lolindir thought to himself. Before Lolindir could say anything, the stranger then waved his hand, as if drawing a curtain, then, the world changed.

It looked and felt as if the two hadn't moved at all, yet the scenery swirled with colors and motion, until not even a moment later, they were standing in Lolindir's study. Lolindir looked about in amazement. They now stood in his own home. “This man must possess strong magic.” Lolindir thought. “Even Vala’s teleportation abilities aren’t on this grand a scale.” With every display of ability the stranger gave Lolindir became further apprehensive.

"There we are, now......you know what." The stranger said with a pause looking about. "You must think me incredibly rude, coming into your house uninvited, come lets away to a place that is owned by no one, therefore none can be offended." Then, the Stranger did as before and the world changed again.

This time, they were on top of a cloud. Not a particularly large cloud, but big enough. It was high in the sky, looking over the land. what land was uncertain. Suddenly, columns and awnings morphed out of the cloud and formed a sort of half circle room around the two, the front opening leaving a breath taking view. A table then materialized with four chairs. The table and chairs both looked to be made out of a white wood of unknown origin.

"There we are," The Stranger said. "Much better. Now, down to business." He sat down across from Lolindir, hands in a pyramid. He motioned for Lolindir to sit.

Lolindir took in his surroundings once more. He was completely unsure of where this location was or how it was possible for them to stand in the sky, on a cloud. However this seemed to be the tip of the iceberg for he had bigger things to focus on. He then sat down as instructed. “What is all this about? How do you know of my connection to Vala or of me?” Lolindir asked. He desperately wanted answers.

"Now, Master Fefalas, I know a lot about you. I know you bear the Star Rune and were banished from your homeland and condemned to the Land of Mages where you could be properly contained.” The stranger began. Lolindir felt a pain in his heart upon hearing words ‘properly contained.’ It brought back memories of being locked away in one of the mages’ towers upon his arrival at Dunmarr and simply giving star readings and astrology reports for the Dunmarr magistrates. It was truly a sorrowful time for Lolindir then.

The stranger continued, “I know, you've found a somewhat life in this land, but you always feel.....distant. You have friends and colleagues but you do not feel like you belong. In fact, you have never had that feeling, even with....No, especially with the Elves. But.....you have found something, in Vala Nonda, a Chooser of the Dead. To which I give my blessings onto, it's beautiful."

Lolindir replied calmly, “I see you indeed well informed. However, you must understand that Vala does not choose who is to die but he is a liaison for the next realm. He meansthe world to me.” Lolindir paused a moment and smiled. “I’ve never been able to speak to anyone about him before now and to be able to admit how dear he is to me aloud to another... It’s such a relief honestly.” Lolindir felt a bit of relief in the thought of Vala, the only person Lolindir could draw strength from.

The Stranger then shifted in his seat. "Unfortunately, your relationship might not survive the coming days. You see......I am very familiar with Vala's kind. I actually know his forebear personally. Though, he and Vala's kin are not of this world, nor am I. Vala is alone here. And, in this world, few die. Even when they should, it seems a force here keeps death balanced. Which is why Vala has such a prominent personality and kind heart, he can afford to. But, in the comings days, war will be upon this world. War like none have ever seen. Lines will be drawn, sides will be taken and blood of all colors and creeds spilled. Vala will change. Slowly at first, he will get frustrated at the senseless death, then sadness, then, he will become tired. It always happens. And the war will go on and on and on and on and on for generations. No stop in sight......unless. Unless his heart is shielded. I can do this for you for a price. Or...with your help, I can perhaps end the war in few days. All I need......with your permission....”

As the stranger spoke of Vala’s supposed fate, Lolindir’s heart was flooded with visions. He saw Vala descend from a cloudy gray sky, beams of sunlight punctured through the thick clouds. The angel was landing over a warzone. Being from all over, fighting and dying. Vala embraced an elf who’d been run through with a spear, left for dead. A warm light consumed the crying elf warrior as Vala embraced him and the elf faded into sparkles of light. Vala looked heavy laden for the elf’s time was sooner than it should have been.

Vala was next to embrace a wicked mage of Liridale who had been dealt a mortal wound in a wizards duel on the battlefield. Vala stood over the dying wizard yet his warm light turned a grim and pale blue color. “You have not atoned for your many depravities and sins sewn into this world by your hands. I Vala, the angel of death, punishment, and atonement, offer you wicked one, one final chance at atonement. Should you repent from the heart now, you can receive death’s warm embrace and be renewed with light in the next realm. What say you? Repent and atone.” Vala spoke with an ominous disposition, the vision frightened Lolindir as he had never seen Vala in such a manner.

The mage replied, “Never, I’m proud to have left my wicked mark of this pitiful world. I’ll be a king in the next!!!” The wicked mage cackled in a painful manner as he was dying.

Vala looked fiercely at the wicked dying mage and frowned. “So be it.” Vala replied and swooped down and grasped the mage tightly. The mage screamed horridly and promptly turned to ash in Vala’s arms. Vala turned toward Lolindir and tears welled up in his eyes. He held his hands outstretched. “Lolindir… help me. Why must the light of love turn to ash in my hands? I’m tired of death and sorrow. Please…” Lolindir’s vision ended and he let out a deep sigh. Vala would indeed be in peril should the war come to pass. He’s do anything to protect Vala to protect his love, his heart.

The strange crimson continued, “Have access to the Star Rune. Not take it, of course, just grant me but access to it, limit the number of times, if you wish. I need your strength to stop this, together we can save both Vala and this world.....and to you, there is no difference is there?" The Stranger then stood and appeared behind Lolindir.

"Or I could do a more direct favor for you.....such as, I don't know. Help you gain revenge. The Elven Elders that banished you still yet live. As do their spawn. In fact......the Princess is out and about right now, playing in the fields and dreaming of true love. She feels so alone, even though she is surrounded by love. Think of me as a tool. I have no thing within as a heart or morality, I am not mortal or of this world. Whatever you desire, I can give it you. Revenge, Immortality, Divinity, Peace, Knowledge, offspring of your own. I can make it happen. Just help me stop a war and give me access to the Star Rune, even if it only be once. I believe it's a good deal."

He then faced him fully. "What do you say, is it a deal? You don't have to answer now, but I'll need an anwser soon." The Stranger extended a hand to Lolindir.

Lolindir was filled with many emotions. There was much to consider. However he snapped to his senses as he thought about the offers and the wager, the Star Rune. Lolindir needed to be careful. This man offered no information about himself and now he was asking for use of a powerful tool. Lolindir remembered that he needed to be careful. He regained his composure. “Just a moment sir. I am much concerned with the wellbeing of Vala, I love him. However, I must trust that he can handle the responsibility bestowed upon him. I want to protect him, but I must also adhere to my responsibility and that is to guard the Star Rune. What do you intend to do with the Star Rune? How can it prevent the war that both you and I have foreseen? If you would forgive my apprehension, however, what is your exact meaning of saving the world? I believe it could mean different things for different people.” Lolindir wanted so badly to give in to desire, he would love to live happily and peacefully, with a child and his love Vala but things were most never picture perfect. A sad reality but Lolindir was a man well acquainted with grief and sorrows.

Vala Nonda

Vala had flown into the territory of Dunmarr and hovered above the kingdom looking down on Lolindir’s home. He happened to reach his love’s abode just minutes after Lolindir and the mysterious crimson stranger disappeared into the clouds. He lowered down to the ground and knocked on Lolindir’s door. There was no answer. Vala turned the doorknob and stepped inside, a curious look on his face. “Lolindir are you here? Tis Vala.” Vala could see that Lolindir was not there yet he felt even more unsettled. “The energy here is off. The atmosphere is quite unsettled. Where are you Lolindir, what happened?” Vala said to himself as he stood in Lolindir’s home.

Faramir the Unicorn Keeper

"Ah, Indeed, I do, How nice it is to see you again." Nieve said. "I will call Council in regards to the Kingdoms matter but as for the human, the portals. It seems they have opened up again. You have an Other Worlder in your company." She said and nodded her head toward the girl with the ability to speak with the animals.

Faramir raised an eyebrown as he looked toward Roxy. He looked at the young woman with curiosity. He had not noticed that she was not of this world. He was most sure that he would have picked up on such a thing yet he had not. He turned toward Roxy and observed her silently. He was sure he had seen enough to know that he was of no harm to the unicorn forest. Therefore there was no need for him to go on the defensive. “So she is of the other world… Quite interesting. I thought she was a bit aloof of this world’s ways.” Faramir said in a thought filled manner.

"Faramir, you are more than welcome to stay and assist in our investigation of this portal matter if you like. I will need this to be handled before we move on to the matter of the Kingdoms." She said calmly.

Faramir nodded in agreement. “I understand and agree. I shall assist in investigating the matter. I can trust the Unicorn Forest in the care of the other keepers for now. I have not met the boy that has appeared in our world long ago. I should speak with him. I’d like to know more about him.” Faramir replied.