Chapter 2

The air itself seemed to still as her words echoed inside their minds, but the youngest member of her council looked at their queen with confusion and asked," Why is it that black blood frightens all of you?"

"Analdur… Have you not participated in your studies? Black blood reveals that necromancy had taken part in these horrid creatures… These monstrosities were already dead, and were decaying from the inside, but had not spread into the skin. This is the only reason why we have not noticed from the beginning, that these were the living dead."

Once again silence fell heavily in the room as they all thought over the grim information. No one spoke for many long moments when Belorfilad spoke his thoughts quietly aloud,"

All tore their gazes away from him except for their queen who looked into his sorrowful eyes calmly," You are right… But we cannot leave this place… There are no other places in the wood that can shelter the amount of people we hold, and the only place that has room to keep all our people safe is already inhabited by our cousins, the Grugach Elves… Even though we are in several ways, kin to them, they would slaughter us in sight, and I do not wish to turn to the human race for this…"

"None of us do Aniviel. If we request for help, they will only destroy our culture and twist our lives to benefit their needs. I would rather die then have to live my life like the ways of those foul barbaric creatures," added Glonduil, shaking his head as memories of the past raged in his mind's eye.

Everyone murmured their agreements and looked at the head of the table with eyes filled with longing, as their very lives seemed to fade before them, and she gazed back at them knowing the pain and emotions stirring in their hearts. Standing up proudly she announced," Then we shan't stay here any longer and wait for them to kill us all!"

"And what shall we fight then… You might as well start slashing at the air we breathe! We have no inclination for where these beasts roam!" shouted Glonduil, of her wisest council members.

"So do you suppose that we stand here and do nothing? Or go to the humans and live among them, only to have our religions and cultures suppressed?" Aniviel cried while tears slowly sprung up in the corners of her eyes as she saw the sorrow and misery this would most likely bring to her people.

"I-I apologize… I spoke when I should have held my tongue…"

"And… so do I, for losing my composure." she replied with a sorrowful bow, "I must be going… I need to let my mind settle and embody all the choices I may have to take… Thank you all for your assistance, Is there anything any of you might wish to include before I depart?"

"Yes there is…" murmured Belorfilad with his usual smile broadening on his lively face," Smile and enjoy what life we have. It will help you think and settle your troubled thoughts, love."

She glared at him with piercing emerald green eyes, but grinned at his remark, while trying to scold him," I thought I told you not to call me such personal lies!"

"Sorry love… Well, we all must be going and we all must abide to your will. You have some thinking to do so farewell, till the morning comes, love!"

She gapped at him while he walked out the door, when suddenly a mischievous smile played on her lips as the other men laughed merrily at Belorfilad's relentless teasing.

"Goodbye Fili! I hope you rest well! Oh, did I just call you Fili? My sincerest apologies…"

While the laughter grew exceedingly louder, so did both their smiles as they retreated back to their rooms and took rest for the morning that was to break in a few hours hence.