Chapter Nine: The Way of Elves
Tranith Argan: Book 1
After meeting Alessa and her family who rule over the elves, Felanar spends a most peaceful night of slumber.
The next morning, Felanar was awakened by Dalonír. He and Alessa were going for a morning walk and wondered if Felanar would join them. Felanar glanced over at Bren who was still sleeping soundly with his left arm lying across his forehead. Ravesfel seemed restless in his sleep and turned and mumbled softly and then began snoring again.
“It will be all right, Felanar,” said Alessa softly as she now approached and stood by her brother’s side. “They will not mind you joining us. Father said he had business with them this morning so they will be quite busy enough without needing to entertain you.”
Felanar quietly got up and followed the two of them down a hallway to an opening in the wooden floor. He saw ropes stationed there and Dalonír indicated that Felanar was to use them to descend. As the boy did so, clinging tightly, Alessa and Dalonír deftly scampered down the trunk of the tree itself. They were waiting for him when he finally made it to the ground, Dalonír whispering to Alessa about clumsy men and Alessa giving him a sharp look. But both smiled warmly at Felanar when he looked over at them inquisitively.
They beckoned him to follow as they strolled away from the base of the tree. It was early morning and the sun peeked through the canopy of leaves overhead. Birds chirped cheerily and flitted about from branch to branch. Foxes and hedgehogs rambled over the roots and through the bushes without any sign of fear of the passing elves. The air had a scent as if a rainstorm had just ended, though no rain had fallen recently. Dalonír walked with a bounce in his step as one who was glad to be alive and in those surroundings. Alessa walked with a quiet calmness and fluidity and, Felanar noticed, made absolutely no sound whatsoever, no matter which terrain they encountered. Try as he might, he could not duplicate this feat except on the softest mossy ground, and even then a stray twig would give him away.
In other respects also Felanar noticed the difference between men and elves. They could easily identify any mixture of scents in the air, even when a sudden puffy gust of breeze brought with it a kaleidoscope of new scents. Also sounds that were too faint for Felanar’s ears were picked up by the brother and sister.
“Alessa,” began Felanar, for he was beginning to feel very comfortable with her now and dared to ask anything that came to his mind, “how different are elves from men? You look almost the same but I see so many differences. Well, little differences, if you know what I mean.”
“Like the way you tramp around the forest scaring the birds?” Dalonír interrupted with a smile.
“Well, yes, even like that. I mean, you can walk and not make a sound. How is that possible?”
Alessa stopped walking and turned to the boy. “Felanar, don’t let my brother discourage you. You are doing very well in not making sounds despite his rude remarks.”
“Very well indeed, for a man.” Dalonír seemed to take delight in reminding Felanar that he was not an elf.
“Yes, brother, for a man he is exceptional, I think you mean to say.” Her face showed annoyance while her brother’s showed mirth, but not for long. With a withering gaze from his sister, Dalonír backed down. “I mean nothing but humor, Felanar, do not take offense.”
“I do not take offense, Dalonír. I am aware of my limitations compared with elves, and I will have a lot to tell my sister when I get back. But I would like to know why you are so different.” This last he addressed to the more sympathetic Alessa. She smiled and answered his question.
“Please do not be offended by what I say, for it is the truth, or so I have been told. I know little of men other than what I am told by Findára and they often tell what they tell in order to prove a point.” She glanced over at her brother in saying this last remark. Turning back to the boy she continued.
“Felanar, we, that is the Findára, were the first to arrive in the world, save the animals. As a result, elves had no one to associate with, other than nature, and so we became friends with nature. It is a distinct advantage we hold over all other kinds. Indeed, it is no secret, but we rarely find those who wish to learn the ways of the elves. Dwarves proved too interested in the ways of the mountains and cared little for what the elves hold so dear, the green hills and trees and water. Men then came along and seemed only interested in holding power over other men, or animals.”
With that she stopped and her brows furrowed. Seeing Felanar wondering at Alessa’s reaction, Dalonír said, “Do not worry, she just feels anger toward those who would harm nature for she carries from our kind the love of the world and in her it is deep.”
Alessa smiled again.
“You ask how we can walk and not make a sound. It is because there is no sound to make. We are nature and nature exists in us. We do not walk on ground but become the ground as we walk. I could make a noise when I walk but I would do so only for the joy of hearing sound. Unless you can learn to understand the world as the world understands itself, you can never equal the ways of an elf. Therein lies our power.” Her eyes seemed to focus far away and in barely a whisper she added, “and our weakness.”
“Come, let us continue our walk for it is a fine morning.” Dalonír seeing the look in his sister’s eyes beckoned them to continue. As they strolled onward, Dalonír turned to Felanar and said, “All that Alessa said is true, but to answer your other question, there really is not much of a difference between elf and man, despite my teasing. We live far longer, and we understand the world and live in harmony with it and it with us. We have a longer memory, but alas it is most used for happier times and wistful wishes. Sometimes I admire men, to be honest.”
“You do?” asked Felanar in wonder. “What do you admire?”
“Their energy, Felanar. Shorter life seems to energize your race and put urgency in your step. Would that it was so among our peoples, but alas erendwr, merendwr as it is said in our tongue – ‘old water, old pool’. It is hard to make an aged person see the need to flow in new directions.”
As Felanar pondered this, his eye caught movement above his head and he watched in amazement as a hawk flew down from a clearing in the trees and settled upon Alessa’s outstretched arm. Instead of surprise, her face showed recognition and delight. She turned her head to face the bird and began speaking to it quietly in what sounded to Felanar as nothing more than bird calls. The hawk cocked its head, as if it were trying to catch every word, then squawked back and flew up toward the clearing and sailed off into the morning air.
Alessa turned to Felanar. “He likes you.”
“Who likes me? The hawk?”
“Yes, of course the hawk: Tassair, a good friend of mine. He saw us walking along and wanted to know who the stranger is. I explained, and he said you have a good look and that he approved of my friendship with you. That is high praise from Tassair for he tends to withhold judgment until he is sure of someone.”
Ignoring the compliment, Felanar asked the one thing that interested him. “You can speak with birds? Ravesfel said elves could.”
“Of course we can,” answered Dalonír. “Hasn’t Bren taught you this yet?”
“No, he has said nothing about it until our journey here. I want to learn how.”
“Then we shall have to teach you,” laughed Alessa, “for never let it be said the Findára are stingy with their gifts. Come, here is a fox in our path. Let us meet him.”
She gestured toward a nearby tree where a reddish-brown fox was sniffing around the base of the trunk. He raised his head as Alessa appeared and his tail straightened. As she began speaking to him he cocked his ears and peered intently. After a moment Alessa turned toward Felanar and said, “I’ve told him that you are a friend of elves, or else he would not deal with you. Men have not dealt kindly with foxes, I’m afraid. I’ve assured him that you are different for I’ve seen in your eyes that you are kindly towards all, even the smallest of creatures.”
“Does catching fish count as being bad toward animals?” asked Felanar with a worried look on his face.
Alessa smiled and answered, “No, although an elf would not do such a thing, an animal understands the need for food and does not hold that against another. If you were to ask, you would find this fox has caught his share of birds in his time and would think you sensible to catch fish for your supper. No, it is cruelty to animals that turns them against a man. Your kind likes to torment the smaller creatures and that is what this fox finds objectionable.”
“Oh, well tell him that I’m not cruel to any animal.”
“Why not tell him yourself, Felanar?”
“Me? I don’t know how.”
“It is not just a matter of knowing. The secret to speaking with animals is feeling. Once you feel as does the fox, and your emotions focus in that way, he will pick up your meaning well enough. It is best to speak their language, ‘tis true, as you have seen me do with Tassair and this fox. It is not necessary, however, and your tongue will do well enough if you just put yourself in the right frame of mind. Animals are smarter than men give them credit. Go ahead, tell him what kind of man you are. Just think as would a fox, picture it in your mind.”
Not quite knowing what he was doing, Felanar closed his eyes and thought about what it would be like to be a fox. He pictured himself at that height, viewing the world from that perspective. He pictured himself, Alessa and Dalonír towering overhead, their heads in the trees. He felt the hunger that would drive him to seek out a bird to catch and kill. He felt the fear of capture when a group of men crashed through the forest. Finally he spoke and said, “I am not cruel to animals. I am a friend.”
He opened his eyes and looked at the fox. The small animal looked first confused, then gradually melted into mirth. The fox turned toward Alessa and chattered away for a moment. Alessa laughed and faced Felanar and said, “At first he found your message confusing, Felanar, for he wondered why you were calling yourself a horrid klaubyn, let me see, I think “monster” would be the word in your tongue. Then he gradually realized that you were saying you weren’t horrid toward monsters, deduced that you must have meant him by saying ‘monster’, and told me that if anyone was a monster it was you towering above him! However, he understood ‘friend’ well enough and said to tell you that he believes you to be friendly, though you are a bit clumsy in the forest. I apologize on his behalf for that last bit, but it is truly what he told me.”
Felanar laughed at this translation and said, “So it is true, he could understand me, or at least a little. But why can I not understand him?”
“The answer is simple enough. As a fox, he has spent his life listening to others in the forest. With large creatures such as us, it is good to pay attention to their words for one can learn much of their intentions, evil or no. Although he cannot understand much of what we say, he has practiced enough that when a sympathetic person comes along he is ready to translate. Men, on the other hand, do not think to listen to foxes or other animals, for they think there is nothing of value in their conversation. In other words, Felanar, he has practiced more than you have. Fear not, understanding his speech will come in time as you practice thinking as a fox.”
Felanar beamed with pride at his newfound skill, rudimentary though it was. What news he would have to bring back to Kara! He bowed toward the fox and said goodbye, which merely caused the fox to make a sound that appeared to be the fox equivalent of a chuckle and nod his head as he went back to sniffing around the tree trunk. They continued their walk as they slowly arced back toward Llarand’s tree and by the time they arrived, Felanar was hungry for breakfast.
They enjoyed it together and afterward Felanar met with Llarand and Ravesfel. Ravesfel told Llarand all about Felanar’s training and the elf ruler listened carefully and gazed at the boy and nodded his head whenever praise was given. He especially asked Felanar about the skills he was learning and was pleased to hear that he used an elven bow.
“You do well to have such a weapon, Felanar, for it will never fail you in a moment of need. An elven bow will actually help you in time of trouble, as your hand wavers from fear, and will compensate for such movement. Has Bren warned you not to let others use your bow?”
“Yes, sir, he has.”
Llarand raised one of his white bushy eyebrows at Ravesfel and the old man sighed and said, “Yes, yes, I know, I’ve told him about that but men are so regimented and put in their place that it’s a wonder they know when to sneeze without offending. Felanar, there is no need to ‘sir’ Llarand, for he does not demand the respect craved by men.”
Felanar blushed and said to Llarand, “I did not mean to offend, but it is how I’ve been trained since childhood. When a High Man is in our village we all defer to him. So when I’m before you, someone as old as the Straits– “
“As old as what?” interrupted Llarand with a laugh. “Who has been telling you this?”
“Oh, it was an expression I used with the boy, Llarand, but it would seem he took it literally.” Ravesfel turned toward Felanar and continued, “He is not literally that old, boy. Elves are not immortal, after all, and though they live for thousands of years, they do leave this world eventually. I recall Llarand’s father, for instance, when I first arrived. Erastan was his name, and as noble a Llaráin as I’ve ever known. A warrior was he, and leader of men. He inspired courage in those around him. It was a sad day when he passed on.”
Llarand picked up the narrative, “So you see, Felanar, we may live long but we do not live longer than the Straits. That was here when my father arrived and it will be here when I am long gone and Dalonír is ruling in my place.”
They talked all morning until Heléste interrupted with news of lunch and they all strolled over to the banquet table where Dalonír, Alessa, and Bren were already seated. Llafáris was not there, Felanar noticed, but another elf was. Like Dalonír, he was blond with blue eyes, slender in form and feature, though not as tall. Both Alessa and Dalonír were as tall as their father and almost as tall as Bren. This new elf was introduced as Aren, another Knight of the Order of Findára, and a friend to Alessa.
During lunch Felanar asked about the Knighthood, and what purpose a military unit served in this land.
“In this land, nothing,” said Dalonír, “for we have no enemies here.”
Aren spoke up, “That is so, but our borders need watching. It is in the Elven Plain where our services are most needed. We have a truce in place with the western men, but they are untrustworthy souls and would attack our land if given the chance. Thus it is that long ago it was said that no man may walk on the Elven Plain and live, save he be a friend of the Llaráin. It is the Knights who see to it that this rule lives on.”
“You mean if I was alone on this trip, without Ravesfel and Bren, you would have killed me when I reached the Plain?” Felanar seemed concerned to find that some of his and Kara’s fears about the ruthlessness of elves were not unfounded rumors.
“Yes, young master, it is even so. We would have to slay you in your tracks.” In so saying, Aren’s face seemed fierce, until his mouth slowly turned upward into a grin.
Alessa broke in. “What sort of impression would you give our guest! That the Findára are a cruel, bloodthirsty people?” She turned toward the boy. “Felanar, pay them no heed. You would not have been killed, for even a Knight can tell the difference between an innocent boy of Brindledown and a western man intent on evil. You would have been escorted safely to Elaria where your story could have been told. And this was before we came to know you. I think it safe to say you are a friend of the elves now and can pass through our lands as you will.”
Llarand nodded his head and said, “Yes, Felanar, I do grant you this status and I name you Friend of the Llaráin. You are free to come and go in all our realms and turn to us in time of need. Let not Aren’s harsh words scare you, for he is merely showing off his new duties. He is young and impetuous and had only just been made a Knight of the Order and it sometimes impresses him overmuch.”
Felanar didn’t notice Aren’s face turning red for he was still marveling at what Llarand had just said. He was a friend of the elves! What would Kara say to this? He enjoyed the thought and felt truly at ease in Llarand’s home. He smiled at Alessa, enjoying the way she looked after him.
A few more days were spent in Elaria. Other elves were introduced to Felanar, and he spoke more with Llarand about his life and family and training and goals. Much of his time was spent with Llarand’s children, mostly with Alessa, for Dalonír had to meet with a contingent of Knights that had arrived up from patrolling the Plain. That suited Felanar for he enjoyed his time with Alessa, and he spent much of it practicing his animal tongues. By the time they were to depart, he could actually make himself reasonably well understood to a few animals, and even thought he caught the meaning in one of Tassair’s squawks, but he wasn’t sure.
One afternoon, toward the end of the visit, Felanar and Alessa were strolling through the forest. Felanar was teaching her the ways of Brindledown and the lake. As he was talking, a sound reached his ear and he paused in mid-sentence. Seeing this, Alessa said, “Ah, you have caught the composers on the wind, have you? What do you think of their music?”
Straining to hear, Felanar responded, “I can barely make it out, Alessa. You have much better hearing than I have. Can we go closer so I can hear whatever it is?”
Alessa led him to a nearby thicket of trees. Peering through the mass of trunks, they could make out a gathering of elves in a small clearing. They were seated in a circle facing each other, ten in all. The sound Felanar had heard was their voices lifted in song. As Felanar watched, each elf would join into the chorus and add to the overall musical theme. The sound was strange to him, as though he couldn’t make out the notes. When all ten voices were singing at once it tended to muddle up the notes in his head. They watched for a few more minutes and then Alessa led him away quietly so as not to disturb the singers.
At a distance, Alessa asked, “What do you think, Felanar, was that an enjoyable theme?”
“To be honest, I had a hard time following their voices. It sounded as if they were all singing something different.”
Alessa smiled. “It can seem that way, especially to those unaccustomed to elf song. I assure you, however, that the harmony was there, but it was a complex harmony. They were composing a canon, Felanar. They took a single theme and each singer, in turn, sang back a copy of that theme. Some of them paused until they began with the same theme in a delayed time. Some varied the pitch, overlapping the others in a different key. A couple were varying the speed, singing twice as quickly, or twice as slowly. One was inverting the theme, playing opposite to the others. Finally, one was singing the theme backward in time. There were ten of them singing, and they were composing a ten-part canon. The same musical theme sung back in ten different, though harmonious, ways. It can be hard to differentiate the voices unless you are used to such compositions.”
Felanar looked at Alessa in wonder. He was used to simple songs with simple music, such as were sung at the inn or while working. He had never heard anything as complex as this before. He told Alessa this and also said that he would try to learn to appreciate such music. At that, Alessa smiled again, but not as broadly and with a hint of having something else on her mind.
“You are kind to compliment them, Felanar. I enjoy such music and it satisfies my soul at times. Yet I wish my people were known for more than their love of music and languages and nature. There was a time . . .” Her voice trailed off and her eyes seemed to look far off. For a few minutes they both stood there in a silence broken only by the faint sound of the singers slowly rising and falling on the wind. Alessa’s thoughts finally returned to the present and they slowly walked back home.
“What is it, Alessa?” asked Felanar. “There have been several moments when you have talked about the past like that. What bothers you?”
“What do you know of the history of my people?” Alessa responded.
“Very little, I’m afraid. I’ve read books of history, but they were written by men and now that I see Elaria with my own eyes I can see that much of what they wrote was simplified, or even wrong.”
“Do you know of the battles fought by the elves?”
“I’ve heard of them, yes.”
“Recently?”
“No, always long ago it seems.”
“That’s correct. My people were ever ready to lend a hand to anyone in need, and to fight for what is just, whatever the cost. We would not hesitate to send troops into battle even in the far eastern realm of the dwarves, if needed. But look at us now, withdrawn, rarely straying from our island home. We sing about the past, but we do not act like our past. Ever since the breaking of the throne in Tranith Argan, our people have fallen back and now increasingly live in the past, not the present, nor look to the future with confidence.”
“Why?” asked Felanar. “I would think an army of elves would fear no one.”
“We would not,” answered Alessa, “but numbers can overwhelm even the bravest of warriors. Our people are long-lived, but not numerous. We focus inwardly, on the world and all that is in it. Men focus outwardly, on numbers and they multiply beyond reason – I’m sorry, Felanar, I do not mean to insult.”
“It’s all right, but what do you mean?”
“We are beset on all sides, Felanar. The autarch of the tri-cities of Shakaart raises ever larger armies. Vélakk grows stronger in his land. The elves cannot hold back these forces forever, and many of my people no longer even wish to try, but would rather withdraw completely into our island home and shut out the events of the world. The world that once was ours alone, along with the animals.”
Felanar did not know what to say to this, for he felt himself ignorant of much of what Alessa was saying. Finally, he just said, “Not all men are to be feared.”
Alessa laughed and said, “Quite right, my friend, as you have clearly shown me. I am sorry to spread my gloom to you, but you asked what was on my mind and there it is. But do not despair. Never let it be said that Alessa is a rude host. Come let me show you more of my home.” They spent the rest of that day exploring the forest.
The day of their departure soon arrived. Llafáris reappeared, for he would escort them back across the Plain. He was impressed at Felanar’s new skills and thought he would get along much better with his horse on the return trip. He told Felanar that this skill also worked with horses that hadn’t been around elves, though they tended to be quite surprised at first at any man that made the attempt, so Felanar was not to get discouraged if his regular horse looked at him strangely.
Llarand and Heléste wished Felanar well and hoped he had a safe journey. Heléste told him, “You are a very well-behaved young man, Felanar, and we would be honored to have your presence back with us again.” Felanar bowed deeply toward her and thanked her for her kind hospitality.
Dalonír shook his hand in the manner of men and said he was a good Man and was glad to have met him. Felanar bowed toward him as well and said he was honored to know such a noble elf. He then turned toward Alessa and was about to bow toward her when she interrupted him and said, “Never mind the bow or I shall think we have not become the friends we are. Here, I wish to give this to you.”
She handed Felanar a small package, wrapped in a large green leaf and tied together with a thin vine. “In this package you will find a small, carved horn. It is not an ordinary horn, however. When you blow it, you will not hear a thing, nor will your companions or your enemies. An elf will hear it, though, and will hear it at a great distance. Any elf hearing this will respond instantly, for he will recognize the ancient horn of our peoples and will know that an elf (or friend of elves) is in trouble.”
She paused while Felanar absorbed this idea, and then continued, “Do not think it will be less useful in your land. Though you know it not, our people are in most lands, including around your Lake Brindle – nay, do not be surprised, for it is even so. You will never see or hear an elf if we do not wish it so, and in other lands we rarely wish it so. But we are there, though not in as many numbers as on this side of the Straits, or as in the days of old. May this gift prove a remembrance of your visit to Elaria, and not a gift needed, but should the need arise, you now have the means. But I caution you not to use it casually, for an elf will respond even if it is blown in jest and will not be pleased to have been summoned by a prank.”
Despite her earlier warning, Felanar bowed deeply and said he was honored by such a gift and that he would not use it in vain. He straightened up and once again looking into her eyes he said, “You are welcome at our home and would be an honored guest.”
Alessa smiled and thanked the boy. “You will find two horns in there, Felanar, for you have often spoken of your sister Kara and the need to bring her a present back. As she seems to be an elf-lover as well, I present her with her own horn. Let her treasure it until such time as she can visit us and see the beauty of Elaria for herself, for through your eyes, wondrous though your skills of description might be, she will never know the true majesty of our world until she sees it for herself.”
Ravesfel spoke up now. “Come, let us not waste the whole day with fine words and gifts or else we shall never make our exit.”
They loaded up the horses and mounted, the four travelers ready to retrace their steps. As they rode off, Felanar looked behind him as the family receded in the distance, standing under the massive tree of their home. He saw Alessa’s long brown hair blowing in the breeze and she stared after the travelers. Even at this distance Felanar fancied he could see the inner light of her eyes, but perhaps he was imagining it. Suddenly he caught her faint words calling out to him, “Remember to practice your animal tongues! I shall send Tassair to check on your progress!”
Felanar smiled and waved back and then she was out of sight and the scent and beauty of the land surrounded him in silence, broken only by the birds. Felanar wondered what they were saying and tried to make it out but couldn’t.
They rode that day back to the tree in which they had spent their first night on Elaria, just this side of the water separating Elaria from the Elven Plain. They spent the night there and the next day crossed the Plain. Two days’ ride brought them back to their boat where Llafáris took the horses and headed back. As he turned away, Felanar distinctly heard Llafáris say "stay close" to the horses and Felanar was thrilled that he could understand.
Their return trip was uneventful and within a few days he was back home at last. His family was very excited at his stories of the elves, and Chafrar was keenly interested in anything to do with Ravesfel. Chafrar also seemed to find it significant that Llarand had asked about them.
When it was time for bed, Kara came into Felanar’s room and hugged her big brother again and told him how proud she was of him. “You’re an elf friend, Felanar!”
“It’s not only me, Kara,” Felanar said, as he pulled Alessa’s gift out from his pack. He motioned Kara closer as he gingerly unwrapped the leaf package and unveiled two small, carved horns with gold tips. On the horn was carved elven writings, though what it said he could not tell. He handed one to Kara as he told her the story and watched her eyes grow wide. When he had explained the significance of the horn, she looked at it in wonder and couldn’t stop saying to herself, “An elf horn!” over and over again.
After another hug for her brother she ran off to her bedroom, clutching the horn. Felanar kept his close too, for not only was it an elf horn, but it was a personal gift from Alessa. He wondered what would happen if he blew the horn right now. Would it bring elf friends to visit? But he remembered the purpose of blowing the horn and knew he didn’t want to use it frivolously and make the elves angry for calling them when there was no need. He quietly crept over to Kara’s bedroom and warned her solemnly not to blow the horn ever, or tell anyone about it, but to treasure it as her own and to keep it secret. She nodded seriously.
• • •
The years that followed brought more training from Bren, as well as apprenticing with his father on the fishing boat with Alak. As Felanar grew into adulthood, he and his sister made several trips to Elaria. There they made many friends and saw more wonders. Yet for Felanar no feeling of wonder ever surpassed that first visit to the elves, until the day years later when he faced the dragon.