Upon entering the grand hall the Mer royals, Ingwe, Voronwe, Alatariel, and Elemmire were greeted by the other members of the Seelie council. The room was very large and grand. The dinner was more like a ball. There were many Fae nobles present. Prince Aearion looked in awe at the grand gathering. He thought that this size of gathering would be fitting for the Festival of Unity that would take place in a day or so. However he was not made aware that such a large gathering would take place on the night of arrival.
Merilwen turned to Alatariel and whispered, âIâll have to ask you to excuse our surprised reactions. This is somewhat shocking for us because it is contrary to our customs.â
âOh, How so Princess?â Alatariel responded inquisitively.
âGenerally Merpeople when hosting guests hold a quiet dinner with a small few and the guest on the guests first day of arrival. The next day usually has a bigger celebration if one is required. So this grand party on our first night is just slightly overwhelming. SorryâŠâ Merilwen explained calmly.
âAh⊠I see what you mean. Our apologies, we should have looked into that a bit more cautiously. I hope you arenât too put off by this grand fiasco?â Alatariel apologized.
âOh⊠itâs quite alright! You all went through such the trouble for us and we appreciate this! It is simply cultural exchange and that is always most wonderful.â Merilwen reassured Alatariel.
Ingwe Laralonde turned to the group and announced the Three Mer Royals. They all bowed and lifted there glasses of Champaign in a toast to their Royal guests. He then turned to the Mer Royals and asked, âWould you, my dear guests, follow me a bit? Fore I much desire for you to meet with a few councilmen of importance.â
âBut of course, Lord Ingwe.â Prince Aearion responded with a smile. He looked over to his companions and beckoned, âAranhil, Merilwen, come. There are people of importance to meet.â Then he proceeded to float as if swimming above the ground behind Ingwe.
The group approached an elf of exceeding grace and elegance. He wore shining lightweight silver armor over his lean body. He looked very youthful and kind. Ingwe patted him on the shoulder to gain his attention and then turned to Aearion, Aranhil, and Merilwen and spoke with a great smile of excitement. âFriends, this is Councilman RĂșmil NĂ©nharma!â (OOC: Elvish name meaning- fair Warrior)
Rumil smiled and greeted the Mer Royals, âHow do you do? It is indeed a pleasure to meet the son of the Great Sea King Vehiron, Prince Aearion, Aranhil Rinion Duke of Ilaria the Western Sea, and Merilwen Vanamarilla, the Pearl Princess of Airemana, the Eastern Sea. Welcome!â He was cheery and genuinely very much anticipating the treaty signing.
âI see you are every well informed Lord Rumil. It is a pleasure to meet you as well.â Aearion replied with a bow of respect.
âMay the heavens grant us divine favor in our upcoming negotiations.â Rumil responded with a polite smile.
âIndeed.â Aearion responded. The Merpeople had slightly different systems of belief than those who lived on the land. The Fae were heeding to gods and goddesses while the Merpeople were heeding to the spirits of the oceans and water. It was the spirit of the Sea the lives in the Merpeople and allows them the blessing of the sea. Tidus was an average ocean dwellerâs sovereign deity, and it was from him that all of the royal family descended.
Ingwe next pulled over another elf of great distinction. He was pale and had long curly blonde locks of hair. He held a golden cane that was purely decorative rather than a necessity. He wore a grand creamy gold colored coat that was adorned with many tassels and frills. He was quite stuffy in demeanor. âAh, it is the distinguished guests. I am Maeglin Felagund, itâs an honor to make your acquaintance.â Maeglin spoke with a very distinguished demeanor. (OOC: Elvish name meaning- Vain Noble) The Mer Royals bowed in respect and made a little small talk. Maeglin was very polite but not vey interpersonal. He seemed to adhere to formality first and foremost above all else. This was much in contrast to Rumil, who was more so friendly.
Ingwe introduced the group to the next councilman. LĂłlindir FĂ«falas (OOC: Elvish name meaning- Dark Monk) was one of the older Fae of the Seelie. He was deathly pale and of long raven black hair. His dark eyebrows were of a specific and sharp shaping. His face and nose was long and his stare quite intense. He wore a dark purple robe with black double tier shoulder armor, with edges lined with bronze elvish trimmings. His body was quite defined with muscles hugged by his robe. After Ingweâs introduction the elf spoke.
âLolindir Fefalas, a pleasure to lay eyes on the reclusive royals of the Mer-kingdoms. You must all be exhausted with all of this pomp and measure. I myself would rather attend to business rather than all of these meaningless pleasantries. However, Ingwe is quite fond of a circus.â Lolindir commented snidely.
Aranhil picked up a very strong magical presence from Lolindir. This Elf was well versed in the magic of a darker variety. âSometimes itâs good to celebrate our future successes, Lord Lolindir.â Aranhil responded.
Lolindir grinned. He then looked at Voronwe who stood at Aranhilâs side. âI see celebration is indeed in order, seeing as âAran the Bewitcherâ has shifted Lord Voronweâs mind from his loss of wife and child. This is indeed some enchantment ability you possess Duke of Ilaria!â Lolindir mocked smugly.
Aranhil blushed in embarrassment. He hoped he hoped his power had not manifested unwillingly again. Voronwe calmly placed his hand on Aranhilâs shoulder and said, âNo worries my young Duke. This councilman always entertains many a mean spirit in his humor. Much of it should best be ignored for to pay it too much mind with ruin your chances at peace.â Aranhil felt relieved at Voronweâs reassurance and the group wrapped up their conversation with Lolindir.
The group was then whisked away by Ingwe so they could meet the next councilman. He was tall and very muscular. He also had a long face of an almost bronze complexion and sharply pointy elvish ears. His eyes were almost seemingly pupil-less and of a golden color. He had course shoulder length blonde hair. He was half elf and half Uruk-hai/ Orc. He wore golden bronze armor the molded to his muscular figure perfectly. He carried a very sharp look that would scare the timid of heart.
He introduced himself, âI am Mablung Tasartir. (OOC: Elvish name meaning- Bronze Orc) I am looking forward to setting the wheels of change in motion for Arcadia in our negotiations. I do hope you are willing to cooperate with this change, young Prince Aearion.â Mablungâs voice was deep and hard hitting.
âI hope to renew our treaty with the Seelie council. This was my fatherâs primary concern.â Aearion replied. He was confused by Mablungâs true meaning of the âSetting the wheels of change.â Comment.
Mablung simply gave a swift smirk with a huff. He then turned and walked away without any further words. The group looked on in confusion. Elimmire the Dryad rubbed her arms. âMy my⊠that Fae gives my petals the chills. One touch from him would send dear me to a frost!â She commented. Merilwen rubbed her arm in a playful attempt to warm Elemmire up.
The next councilman to address the group was an aged elf. He was the oldest of the Seelie Council. He wore heavy black armor with silver lining. His skin was tanned and slightly wrinkled. His hair was silky and white. He wore a grand red cape with a fluffy white fur the fit across the shoulders. He carried a large sword and shield, He was no doubt a proud warrior. âAh⊠I have not laid eyes on you since you were a child at Vehironâs side! Hello Prince Aearion and fellow Ocean Royals! These old bones are Amroth TelrĂșnya! Itâs indeed an honor to meet you.â Amroth greeted the group pleasantly. (OOC: Elvish name meaning- Tradition Keeper)
âSo you are personally acquainted with my father?â Aearion asked with a smile.
âYes indeed! We were quite a team in the war against humanity many years ago when it was at itâs beginnings. You were but a young merboy flailing in the brine. My have you indeed grown strong! I would love to challenge you to a duel someday soon, to see if you are as tough as your father.â Amroth chuckled gladly.
âI would gladly and respectfully give you a run for your money my dear elf lord.â Aearion chuckled. He liked Amroth because he reminded him of his father.
âGood to know youâre confident! And just to make it fair, Iâll even let the Duke and Pearl Princess lend you a hand. Youâll need them. I can tell you all work best as a team. Never doubt this old warriorsâ eyes, as keen as the day I was born I tell you.â Amroth replied gleefully.
Another younger elf approached the group. He had long dark hair and wore silver chest armor and a red cloak. He wore a thin elvish crown across his forehead. His face was handsome. He was on a wise and relaxed disposition. âI see Amroth is on a roll again. He canât put that sword and shield away for at least one party⊠Good evening, Iâm CĂrdan Singollo. I hope you all arenât too tired after travelling all this way.â Cirdan spoke kindly. He was smiling at the group. (OOC: Elvish name meaning- Raven Night)
âDoes one leave his arm at home Cirdan? I donât think so. So I shall bring my sword and shield. Warriors habit.â Amroth huffed in reply.
Cirdan refocused his attention to the Mer Royals, âI heard that we should be expecting Ahnaliese Catherine Nicolette, Countess of Deva. She should be here by this hour I suppose.â Cirdan pondered aloud.
âMy father had not made me aware that the Dragon people would have a representative present. This will be most interesting. I did not often see them in the past. I suppose he is truly testing my diplomatic abilities. Well I look forward to meeting this Countess of Deva.â Aearion spoke confidently.
âIt is to my understanding that the Merpeople and the Dragon race have a history of being on good terms with one another. Both groups tend to stay out of the lime light it seems. So in my many years, Iâve never really been able to confirm the existence of an actual alliance between the two.â Cirdan inquired kindly. He generally was interested in race relations between all Arcadian races.
âYes. My father used to play Poker with one of the Dragon nobles regularly when I was young. He still will venture off to the shore to have a game or two nowadays.â Aearion replied.
âI suppose I should go out and check for Countess of Deva. If youâll excuse me.â Cirdan addressed the three Mer Royals and headed out of the Grand hall.
The night sky was illuminated with stars. Cirdan looked around the courtyard for the Countess. He checked the entry passage to Spire Rock and down below was the Countess and her travel party. He activated the elevation passage using the magic chant and the three were finally atop Rock.
âGreetings Ahnaliese Catherine Nicolette, Countess of Deva. It is truly an honor to have you here at Spire Rock. I am Cirdan Singollo, a high councilman of the Seelie. Please follow me to the Grand Hall.â Cirdan spoke pleasantly as he motioned for her to follow him.