Star Fate

Alanna Rokanth stared out of her bedroom window and sighed deeply, and with great regret. She was a prisoner again, because of that annoying little Meridell who just always had to...never mind. Why was she thinking like this? She was one of the elves the fair folk that men admired for their great beauty, wisdom and calm, and she was always expected to be prefect. She knew why she was so un-elf like. Her father was a mortal. She was only half-elf. In fact, that was what had started the argument with her little sister, Meridell. Her sister believed that they should be grateful that they had a mortal father; it made them closer to the humans and forged allies. Alanna strongly disagreed with this. She believed it made them strange hybrids for people to point and stare at, and she never liked being the center of attention.

Because of the argument, she had of course lost her temper, her mortal temper, and started to call Meridell names. If there was one thing that Alanna was good at, it was insulting others. But of course, this was strongly discouraged in her home, as it should be everywhere. That was the reason for her imprisonment. As soon as her father heard bickering in his study he opened the door, marched down the hall and grabbed Alanna. "What are you thinking? You know you shouldn't tease your little sister!" and without letting Alanna respond he marched her into her room, shut and locked the door. And that was that.

So, here she was and here she had been for two hours, according to her sundial. Now, however, she brought out her moon dial, as the sun had just set and tonight was a full moon. She looked out her large window, edged with silver and raped with flowing silk curtains, and gazed up at the sky, her deep brown eyes wide, searching for the most familiar sight in the world to her. Almost in an instant her hungry eyes found it, the star that Alanna had remembered to be there as long as was recorded in the musty old records she liked to thumb thought. The Queen's Light, as it was called, and it meant safety and comfort to the young woman gazing out of her window with an expression of pure rapture and delight on her face.

This particular star was like no other; it shone and glimmered with light that never seemed to dim and some recalled hearing sweet music emanating from it and seeing it dance. This star was very special indeed. This was the life force that gave the elf queen her strength to carry on. Every month on the full moon night, the beautiful queen and her favored attendants rode up to the Sky Palace on a chariot made of pure silver ad horses made of diamonds. The Sky Palace was a gorgeous castle made of ivory and clouds that were right next to the Queen's Light. It was a place for the servants to wait for the queen, currently Queen Lonettae, to come back from the star, and then for the queen to rest afterwards.

With the look of one in pure bliss, Alanna stared at the star for what seemed hours, but was only a few minutes, knowing that tonight, at midnight, the queen would make that magical trip up to the star, Then something peculiar happened. The Queen's Light dimmed, as if a bag were thrown over it and she distinctly heard a soft, triumphant chuckle. Almost immediately, there was a sharp rap on her door. Alanna jumped and knocked over her water jug with a loud clang. "Quickly, come to the open hall! We must talk with you!"

This was the voice of Alanna's mother, Eonette, one of the elven nobles. She was fair and graceful, and a full-blooded elf to boot. Usually her voice was a soft, ringing tone, but now it quavered with and anxiety and....fear? Her mother feared nothing! Assuming she was to be lectured about her conduct this afternoon, Alanna gloomily slipped on a dress over her nightgown and brushed her hair, thinking it would be better to appear well dressed in front of her parents. She softly stepped down the staircase, not wanting to rouse her five brothers and sisters. She crossed the marble hall and came to the beautiful platform that was open to the weather. It was ornately decorated with past great deeds and, appropriately named, The Weather Pavilion. "Alanna, thank goodness," her father's sharp voice cut into her fantasies. "The Queen's Light has been stolen," her mother whispered softly, before her father could speak again.

"W-what? The Queen's Light? But how will the queen carry on? She'll die won't she? Are we going to do anything? When was it stolen?" the questions poured out of Alanna even as she went numb, and the one thought that her panic-stricken brain could manage was "What is going to happen to us? To the elves?" She heard this repeated over and over in her mind until she could bear it no more. Her mother cut smoothly into the salvo of questions streaming out of her mouth by reassuring her that everything would turn out right in the end. "The council of the elders has already begun to work on the problem. The best seers are searching deeply for the answer in their mirror pools. It won't be long before they find the answer, Alanna. Do not be frightened." Oh, if only Eonette of the Noble Elves could know how wrong she truly was.

Alanna rubbed her eyes and yawned loudly. Her eyes were bloodshot, her hair was mussed and limp, and her clothes were wrinkled. She had been up all night with her father, her mother and her eldest brother, Gierdorn, waiting to her from the council of elders or the seers and their scrying pools. The family messenger had brought back the news that the council still did not know what to do. "Alanna, please cover your mouth when you yawn," chided her father sharply. "O, Kirelle, don't be too hard on her. She is tired, as we all are." Alanna looked gratefully at her mother, who had just made this statement. Eonette was sitting silently and solemnly on one of the many cushioned chairs that surrounded the small table. What is she thinking? mused Alanna. How does she sit so still, and yet, show no signs of weariness? The thoughts churning in her head suddenly sopped in mid-turn when her tall, fair, noble-looking brother Gierdorn stated simply "The messenger approaches."

Alanna suddenly sat at full attention and waited for the messenger to climb the stairs up the side of the cliff and reach the Weather Pavilion.

"The Family Rokanth," addressed the messenger in a loud voice, "A message from the elders." Because Eonette was one of the Noble elves, they received messages directly from Loriack, the head elder himself. "We are very sorry, but the elders don't know what to do about the Queen's Light. We are trying very hard to receive an answer." The messenger bowed to each of the beings on the Weather Pavilion and started to climb down the rocky stairs. "When are they going to find out!?" cried the distraught Alanna. Her frowned and her mother sighed. "The are working hard, as the said. Do not despair, Alanna," her brother Gierdorn comforted.

Just then the youngest member of the family padded down the stairs on feet quiet as a cat's. Her name was Ciciliae, called Cici for short. She was a beautiful child with golden blonde hair and plump little strawberry colored lips. Her eyes were a deep, piercing green. She ran across the hall to Alanna, who took the child in her lap. "What's wrong, Cici? Nightmares or couldn't get to the privy in time?" That was funny. Distraught to the edge of a nervous breakdown, Alanna was trying to comfort an infant. Cici shook her head and said in a voice as soft as the whisper of a spring breeze, "I was looking' fow de staw you towd me 'bout (little Cici's voice blurred by sleep coupled with the fact that she could not pronounce her R's made for interesting pronunciation). "An' it wan't theywr!" "I know Cici," replied Alanna. Looking into the eyes of the baby sister sitting in her lap, she decided something in her heart.

"Mother, Father, Gierdorn, Cici, I am going on a quest. I will seek the wretched thief and make him return the star, or I shall hill him and take it from his corpse." An utter, impenetrable silence followed this proclamation. "All right, my dear Alanna. If you must," was her mother's quiet reply. Alanna was now the one stunned into silence. She had expected cries of "No! Don't leave us!" and "Stay in safety," followed by "Shirramila!" which was a holy phrase meaning "Gods Bless!" Total acceptance on behalf of her mother was startling enough. Her father then got up and crossed the room to where she was sitting. Holding his hand over her head, he offered his blessing in a low voice. For a few moments she was dumbfounded. Then her mother spoke, "Don't be so surprised my dear. It is time someone did something about this miserable act, and you are the perfect one to carry out the task."

What? What is she talking about? A half-elf is not for quests, thought Alanna. "Mother, what are you talking about? Why did you say that I was the perfect one for the quest? I am just a half-elf. What can I do?" Eonette regarded her daughter coolly with an even eye. "My dear, you love the star more than your life, correct? And anyone who loves something that much is perfect to save it." "Oh. Well, then I guess I should get some sleep so I'll be rested for the search." "No," cut in her father, "You must leave now, while the queen is still alive. There is indeed no time to waste." "B-b-but father, I'm tired. Surely it is not a good idea to start a quest when one is tried." "Ahh, but is it also not wise to start a quest too late?" retorted Kirelle. Alanna shrugged her shoulders as though this meant nothing to her, but inside she was a nervous wreck. "All right, if I'm not to go to sleep, I had better saddle my horse, and gather some provisions," Alanna stated wearily.

Eonette got up and majestically walked to her second oldest daughter. "Alanna Mirake Rokanth, take this amulet as a token of the love we have for you, and may it provide you with protection when you are in dire need of help. It was crafted by Nondurath, the greatest silversmith to ever live." So saying, she reached into her robe and brought out a beautiful amulet that looked exactly like the Queen's Light, and was so shiny Alanna could see the whole pavilion reflected in the metal. "Thank you," Alanna managed to whisper before she set Cici on the floor, gave her a hug and rushed from the room.

Alanna fumble with the straps on her horse's bridle and guiltily thought of her family. She had left around three o'clock in the morning and ridden until her house was just a speck on the hill. In her mind, she could still hear little Cici's voice as she cried out to her older sister. She could picture Cici sobbing and clutching the rag doll Alanna had clumsily made in her sewing class. It hurt her deep inside to think of this, so she turned away from the dark, indistinct blob that was her home. Still, tears welled up insider her chocolate brown eyes. She pressed her face against her trusty mare's neck and tried to stop the flow of sadness. When she had dried her tears, Alanna mounted the horse, gave her a pat and galloped off in the direction of her friend Goalgoth's house. Alanna would need reinforcements, this she knew. She hoped that Goalgoth would be willing to leave his silver smithy for a long time to face certain peril.

Goalgoth had been her friend ever since she was eight. He seemed much older than her, but he was only fifteen. He was tall, at six foot, three inches, and slender, with a willowy bone frame. Goalgoth had soft blonde hair that he kept back in a ponytail and the clearest blue eyes. She adored him, for Goalgoth was a silversmith who made the most beautiful items. He teased her, and she loved him like a not-much-older brother. Hopefully, he would love her enough to agree to go on this quest with her.

"And why should I go?" questioned Goalgoth. "The queen has warriors and such to do her bidding. Why should I, a simple silversmith help her glorious majesty?" Alanna had reached his home and found him taking a break from work in his Air Room. She had detected a bit of teasing in his baritone voice, but she was still ruffled. "Well," she said, trying to be patient, "The queen will die if we do not act soon, and the warriors don't take action without the permission of the elders, who by the way are not doing anything to help." And I need a friend reminded her subconscious. "Hmmmm, I don't know. It will be very dangerous, correct?" "Yes," she replied cautiously. "And there will be many fierce creatures afoot?" "Possible," she replied. "But Goalgoth, haven't you always said you want adventure? This is the perfect time to have that escapade!" "You are right. I'll go." "Thank you a million times, Goalgoth, I shall not forget this." "Yes, yes, I've heard it before. Now, when do we leave?" "Right now, and quickly." Alanna brushed her hair behind her ears and smoothed her bodice. "All right," was his brusque reply. "But first, come to the armory. We shall need a few, ah, tools."

The twosome traveled through the bowels of the sliver smithy until they came to a room that looked like it was ready to outfit an entire army. Goalgoth chuckled when he saw Alanna's eyes widen as she struggled to take in the massive room. "Wheat did you expect? I don't just make pretty baubles and trinkets." He began sifting through piles and piles of weapons, armor, and the occasional shield. "Aha! There you are, you little bugger." Goalgoth lifted a beautiful sword from the pile and came over to Alanna. "I thought you should be properly armed if we are to travel though harsh lands. Here you are little one. This s the first sword I crafted, so don't get any Alanna blood on it," he chuckled. "Oh, it's beautiful!" breathed Alanna. And indeed, it truly was. The young girl tucked the scabbard into her belt and gave her friend a big hug. "Now, we can leave. Come Alanna, let us begin our search!" shouted Goalgoth.

They traveled as quickly as they could, sometimes even marching on through the night. Whenever they stopped, it was a short-lived break before Alanna would rise and insist they go on for the sake of the queen. Goalgoth became very irked at this. One stormy night, the two travelers had to find shelter. "It was either that, or get blown away," remarked Alanna later. They were beginning to get desperate as the night got older and older. Finally, Goalgoth spotted a little shack, or so it appeared. The puny pile of rotting boards turned out to be the most popular inn in the village they were searching. Goalgoth cast a look at Alanna who shrugged and went inside. As the soaked voyagers entered the grimy, second-rate inn, they pulled off their cloaks and looked cautiously around. All that the young girl could make out in the gloom was a card table with some kind of beings sitting around it, making lots of noise and drinking lots of wine. The creatures sting at the noisy table were grawks.

They resembled humans, yet they were terribly cruel and had no faces. They would kill their own family if someone would pay the, for they loved money. The grawks were the perfects assassins, being able to blend into the shadows and were experts with a blade. Goalgoth had described the creatures to Alanna when he discovered they had entered grawk territory.

Alanna shuddered and turned to see what her accomplice was doing. He was not behind her, and he had not moved forward into the room. She called his name, half expecting the horrors sitting in front of her to come for her and silence her for eternity. However, they didn't even move. Alanna tried to locate her friend again, and then a third time. But all she heard was the noisy betting of the grawks. The young woman became panicky and started to tremble.

Suddenly, another human being stepped into the room. It was a young girl, probably not much past ten. She was dressed in a simple gown with a bandana on her head. Alanna was distraught to see that she was covered in bruises and looked thin, as though she had never eaten. The girl carried a tray and began to serve the grawks their drinks. When the child felt Alanna's gaze upon her, she turned and walked toward the startled adventurer. "What is it that you require, mistress?" said the girl with a low curtsy. "May I have your name?" responded Alanna. "My name is Ritorwe. I come from the Eastern Mountains. I serve all who enter this inn." Alanna was astounded. This girl, who was younger than herself, had to serve the terrible grawks and their horrible company.

"Is there anything you want, ma'am? Perhaps some dinner, or a room for the night?" the young girl offered. "I would just like to know if you have seen my friend, Goalgoth. He is not anywhere I can see!" As Alanna hurriedly described her traveling partner to the inn girl, loud raucous laughter sounded in the room. "Is that him over there, miss?" inquired Ritorwe. An unconscious young man's body was dragged onto the card table and all crowded around, laughing and drinking. "Hey, pretty lassie, d'you have a kiss for me?" This question was directed at Alanna and came from a particularly ugly, smelly grawk. Alanna stared for a moment, and then drew her sword. "Why, I would rather kiss a pig. It would certainly smell better," she retorted coldly. "Also, allow me to suggest an alternate way for me to retrieve my friend." She knew that the grawks were so greedy they had captured her friend and were going to make her pay to have him back. However, she didn't have enough money. So she had thought of this plan. "Well, les' 'ear it then. Wus' in yo' 'ead, noble lady?" Alanna took a deep breath and in a firm voice said, "I propose a bet. If we play cards and I loose, you may demand a ransom. If I win, not only do I get my partner, but Ritorwe as well." For a second, the mouths of the grawks hung open in disbelief. This was the first human to suggest this in several centuries. Finally, what appeared to be the leader of the horrible clan sauntered forward and in an evil voice hissed, "Agreed."

A half hour later, the two beings (Alanna and the tribal leader of the grawks) were seated at the shabby playing table, deep in the game of Mermank, which was a favorite of the grawks. Alanna had luckily been taught the fundamentals of the game by a visiting Aunt, and though she had never much appreciated that lesson, Alanna was grateful now. The game consisted mainly of putting down the higher card and smacking the pile first. It was surprisingly easy to learn, and Alanna would have enjoyed herself had this not been a very important game. However, she was winning by a long shot, which the grawks could not understand (they are essentially simple minded creatures, however cruel they were).

Alanna nervously laid down her last playing card and made ready to slap the pile. The leader of the grawks was considered wise among the clan, but he was no match for Alanna, who anticipated what he was doing. Gingerly she put her hand on the pile of cards while he was still thinking about doing so and said in a soft, but determined voice, "I win." The grawks all argued and shouted, but they couldn't find a way to prove that she had cheated. At last they admitted defeat and forced Ritorwe to show Alanna where her friend was laid. When the young traveler reached the room where Goalgoth's body had been stored, she rushed to his side. "You have to pay more attention," she said to him as tears spilled down her face. He caressed her face and whispered, "I will, lass." They pulled each other into a tight embrace and sat together for a few minutes.

When they broke apart, Alanna snuffled and wiped her eyes. "I thought they would sell you as a slave and it would be all my fault because I forced you to go on this horrid trip. Let's go home." He looked at her and took her hands in his. "Do you really think I would let you quit now, after you practically dragged me all the way here? Not on your life." Alanna offered him a small smile, and, spotting Ritorwe, stood. "I'm so foolish! Goalgoth, this is Ritorwe. Ritorwe, this is Goalgoth." Goalgoth stood as well and shook hands with the small girl from the Eastern Mountains. "It's a pleasure to have you join our quest," he declared.

The threesome left the inn very shortly. They continued to search all over the lands for anyone who might have an idea where the star was now. While they traveled, Ritorwe related the story of her capture and how she was taken from her family and friends and forced to serve the grawks at that small inn. Alanna and Goalgoth shuddered when Ritorwe told of how she was beaten often. However, the travelers got on very well, and they covered hundreds of miles in a few weeks.

One evening, Ritorwe had the first watch at camp, so Alanna and Goalgoth stayed under a tree and talked quietly. "So, after we get the star back to the Queen, what do you think you'll do?" Asked Goalgoth lazily. "Well, I don't know," Alanna replied, trying not to catch his eye. "Because, um, well, you see I, uh kind of like you a bit, enough to court you even...." Goalgoth said this very quickly and quietly, but Alanna got the idea. "I'd like that a lot," she replied warmly. "Really? Do you mean that? Because it would be a great second adventure," he stated excitedly. "Well, yes," replied Alanna. Just then, Ritorwe came back from her watch and fell into her sleeping pallet. Allan and Goalgoth shared a secret smile before Alanna went to her sentry post.

A few days after that frank exchange of feelings, the adventurers stood at the beginning of a very dark, smelly swamp. "Well, we had better check this place out," said Goalgoth, breaking the silence. Alanna and Ritorwe just nodded slightly. Bravely, Goalgoth trudged forward into the swamp. A few minutes later, after Alanna had fallen in the smelly water twice, Ritorwe three times, and Goalgoth once, Ritorwe suddenly piped up with an idea. "What if we swung on those vines growing above our heads? They look sturdy enough, and if we did, there would be less chance of falling in." The two older travelers agreed to try the idea, because they really smelled foul now, and didn't want to think of what they would smell like if they fell in an additional time. The idea worked well, and soon even Alanna was getting the hang of this swinging. As dusk fell, they stopped to make camp. Alanna and Goalgoth had another serious talk, and then went to bed. The next morning they swung through the surprisingly small swamp and ended up at what looked like the edge of a vast plain.

As always, Alanna insisted they go on. The weary adventurers got through this land in a week, as they had to stop and nurse Goalgoth when he broke his leg, for the plain they had just raveled through was not just a plain, but a cleverly disguised trap field. The place was covered in twelve- foot deep holes that were covered with mats that blended exactly with the pale brown earth. It was a treacherous path, but a necessary one. However, they had found no one who even had heard of the Queen's Light, which Goalgoth was quick to pint out. They had now been traveling for six weeks, and Alanna knew the queen could only last for two months without her star.

As they traveled on, they grew more depressed. Thoughts of what would happen if they failed to get back the star kept crossing Alanna's weary mind as she trudge on. On a bright side, Alanna and Ritorwe were becoming good friends. Alanna even said that she would to get her mother to adopt sweet little Ritorwe.

Five more days passed, and Alanna's worries only doubled. She was so preoccupied, that she missed a step and tumbled down a hill until she came to a deserted, misty moor. Her friends ran to her, to make sure she was all right. Alanna brushed them off, and straightened her gown, hurriedly assuring her companions that she was all right. "Well, um, nice moor," said Goalgoth, in an attempt to be cheerful. That night, the threesome made camp in a cave on the moor. At midnight, Alanna was on guard. She was thinking longingly of her sleeping pallet, and wished it would hurry up and be one o'clock already. She yawned widely and rubbed her worn out eyes. "Why won't time just hurry up, I'm exhausted!"

"Well, you see, time moves faster when you become more involved in what you're doing, so why don't you pay more attention?" Alanna spun around, expecting to see Goalgoth standing there, grinning at his wonderful teasing. On the contrary, there was no one behind her at all, just a few leaves and a small squirrel. "Halloo?? Anyone there? What are you saying?" The voice spoke again saying, "You heard me the first time, young lassie." Alanna looked down at the squirrel again and saw in surprise that it had stood up on its hind legs and was unmistakably placing its hands on it hips in indignation. "W-wh-who....what...Goalgoth!" she called without really realizing it. Goalgoth came tearing into the clearing, his hair completely messed up and his feet bare. "Who's attacking you?" he practically yelled with the voice of one who had just been woken from a sound sleep. "Goalgoth, I think I'm going mad. Is that squirrel talking to me?" With a quivering hand Alanna pointed at the small mammal. "Yes your are. Why are we playing this game in the middle of the night?" he said impatiently. "Laddie, if you want to impress this girl, you should work on your manners." This proclamation undoubtedly came from the mouth of the squirrel, and Goalgoth leaped back in terror. "A possessed squirrel! ARGH, DON'T LET IT GET ME!!!!!" and he promptly tripped over a rock and fell flat on his face. Alanna, looking disgustedly at Goalgoth, stepped over him and crouched down by the small creature. "Excuse me, but can you speak? (She wanted to seem as polite as possible)" The old squirrel surveyed the young elves before her with a shrewd eye and opened her mouth. "Yes," she said with a wise tone. "I am the All-knowing Nymph of the Moor of Blackreth. How may I help you?" Alanna stared at the small being, amazed. She had only heard stories about the All-Knowing from passing entertainers, and had dreamed of meeting her one day since she was about six. But now was not the time for the list of silly, childish questions she had wanted to ask the nymph. "Do you know where we could find the Queen's Light?" she asked tentatively. They nymph just smiled.

Less than an hour later, Alanna found herself in a small grotto at the bottom of a valley facing a cave. She, Goalgoth, Ritorwe and the All-Knowing had climbed down the precarious edges of the valley and walked until they came to this spot. On the way down, the All-Knowing had explained who lived in this cave. "We are approaching the cave of Megolach the Pimply- don't laugh! That is his name," for both Alanna and Goalgoth had doubled up with giddy laughter at hearing the first funny thing in days. "When you've resumed your maturity, I will continue. Now, this, er, being has a great fondness for shiny things. He's got an amazing collection of trinkets and baubles. He wanted to steal the Queen's Light for years, and now it seems he's finally done it." Alanna was revolted at the thought. "That filth, touching our precious star? Ick, he is going to pay." "I am touched by your fervor," interrupted the nymph, "but we haven't got time to wallow in hatred, have we? And besides, the Pimply cannot be killed by any mortal means. The real trick to killing him is to insult him about his pimples, of which he's overly self-conscious, so that he'll, well, explode." Alanna and Goalgoth both exchanged glances at this, but knew better to keep their mouths shut. Ritorwe, however, had something to say, "Well, Alanna could take care of the insulting, because I remember one time somewhere in the swamp, she and Goalgoth had a huge argument about something, and she insulted him so badly, he wouldn't even look at her for a week." Now, standing at the mouth of the cave of Megolach the Pimply, Alanna sincerely hoped, for the first time in her life, she would be the most insulting person ever.

"And, now I leave you young ones here, and will return to my home on the moor." Alanna stared in shock at the tiny squirrel that had transformed into a young maiden with daises in her hair. But it was not the metamorphous that astounded her. Alanna had fully expected the nymph to accompany them into the cave and help them defeat the Pimply, but here she was leaving them at the mouth of the cave. "Why? Aren't you going to help up?" The All-Knowing looked at her kindly. "No, my dears. This is your battle. As your lovely mother Eonette suggested, you are the perfect person for this task," so saying, The All-Knowing Nymph spun on her heel and vanished, leaving Alanna looking blankly at the spot that she had previously seen the nymph. "We had better get going then, hadn't we?" questioned Ritorwe. Alanna gave a little shiver and squared her shoulders. "Yes," she responded resolutely.

Once they had entered the cave, with Alanna clutching tightly to Goalgoth's tunic all the way, they heard a gruff voice reverberating from the back of the cave, "Leave this place now, or I will rip you to shreds!" "Not very hospitable is he?" whispered Goalgoth. However quietly Goalgoth had whispered, the being had heard and the threesome could now hear him lumbering towards them. The travelers huddled together for safety as a huge mountain troll came towards them. From what they could see of his face, he was covered in large, ready-to-burst, puss-filled pimples. His skin was so covered by pimples, he looked as thought he had a bad case of the hives. "I think they underestimated him when they called him just 'pimply' instead of horribly disfigured," said Alanna loudly. Goalgoth and Ritorwe looked at her as though she was mad, but then they both understood what she was doing and crept back into the shadows.

"Who dares speak of such in my presence?!" roared the huge being. Alanna was trembling all over with nerves and she hoped she was doing the right thing. She licked her lips and spoke again. "It looks as though he got on the wrong side of a swarm of bees, but probably not because even they wouldn't come near him for fear of seeing him!" Megolach roared and heaved a log at Alanna. As she ducked, Alanna saw with disgust that he had taken to wearing the Queen's Light on a dirty piece of string around his neck. "I can't see why he would want the star anyway, because in it's light he could accidentally catch sight of himself. Although I do understand why he's living at the bottom of a ravine. He must have been chucked down here when he was a baby by his dear old mom." Megolach gave another roar, but somehow it seemed as though he was weakening. Encouraged bye this, Alanna continued insulting him. "You know, when I first saw this great ugly brute, I thought that he just had flesh-colored squirrels living on his face. I mean, I got the size of his pimples right; it's just that I got the animal wrong. What is living on your face?" Megolach gave a soft moan and collapsed. "Quick, tie him up! We must not kill him, but give him to the queen so she can dispose of him!" Alanna had shouted these orders to her friends who had just come out of the corners of the cave.

When that was accomplished, Alanna removed the star from the neck of the unconscious Megolach. For a moment, she held it in her hands and reflected what had happened in the last two months. Two months ago, she had been a weak, timid little half-elf. Now, after her hard journey, she was a strong, brave, confident young woman who knew exactly where she belonged. Suddenly, she felt a jolt and realized that she had left the cave by means of the star's magic. Alanna looked back to see if her comrades were following her flight through the air, and there they were. Ritorwe looking subdued and Goalgoth grinning at her. Then Alanna felt a thump as she touched down at the Sky Palace.

Alanna looked around, and saw for the first time in her life, the interior of the Sky Palace. It was beautiful and breathtaking, and so stunning that it hurt her eyes. Her mother hurried up to her and gave Alanna a swift hug. "There is no time for questions, Alanna! Hurry!" she whispered. Alanna rushed after her, still in her cloak, and as they approached the queen's bedside, Alanna saw with a start that the beautiful young queen was dead.

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A few days after Alanna had witnessed all this and had been returned safely to her home, she chanced a question with her mother. "Why did the queen die? I brought her the star......" Eonette looked kindly at her daughter who was sitting in a soft chair on the weather pavilion. "My dear, you were too late to save this queen, but you have preserved the next one." Alanna still didn't quite understand, but she settled back into her chair. Later that afternoon, Goalgoth came for a visit (Ritorwe didn't need to because Eonette and Kirelle had adopted her). "Hello," he said, very quietly. She looked at him, and he stared back. They fell into each other's arms, both laughing and crying. They stayed on that balcony together for a long, long time.

Epilogue

You are probably wondering what happened in the space of time between when Alanna saw the dead queen, and when you found her sitting serenely on her patio. Here is a list of events: Alanna almost fainted but restrained herself enough to be able to gently put the star back in the sky. Then, she collapsed. Even though Queen Lonettae had not been saved, her daughter, Princess Liannethe was ready to take the throne, and Alanna, Ritorwe, and Goalgoth all received Medals of Honor.

As for what happened to Megolach, he was put to death by a bit of magic worked by the Queen's Light. Alanna and Goalgoth officially courted for two years. He proposed to her in December, and they were married the following May. They currently have four children, and are teaching all of them to be adventurers. Ritorwe became a scholar and she and all her descendents have been recording the adventures of Alanna and Goalgoth and all their descendents.

Alanna's mother, Eonette, became the queen of the elves the year after Alanna and Goalgoth were married. She has been ruling ever since.

The End