Mithrindril

The sun was shining, the dew drops on the grass slowly dried. The sound of a waterfall could be heard nearby, the roar of its power faint from such a long distance. A figure stood on the balcony, it was Queen Isadora. Although she prefered just Isadora but the other elves wouldn't hear of it. She leaned back slightly, taking the weight of her growing stomach off of her back. She looked down to her hand splayed over her stomach, a smile appeared on her face. A new life would come in a few months, she could hardly wait. She then looked back up to the sun that was rising.

King Fenian cupped his hands, taking some water from the fountain that stood below the balcony. He then proceeded to sprinkle it on some seeds that he had just planted. Leaves and stems began to spurt slowly from the ground, a smile moved over his face. He looked to the newly sprouting trees, before looking up to the balcony to see his beautiful wife. It was true in a few short months another new life would sprout, he would have a daughter or a son, it didn't matter much to him like it did human kings.

Isadora looked down at her husband, smiling at him. She watched as he sprinkled water over the seeds. He had a way with the wilderness that she even didn't fully understand. She felt something rub the back of her leg, she turned to see a large white tiger. He purred gently and looked up at her, he was larger than a normal tiger. She reached down and rubbed his ears before looking back down to her husband.

He wiped his hands against each other, getting the dirt and water from them. His eyes then moved to the white tiger with a warm smile. He trusted the beast to take care of his wife when he wasn't around, which wasn't very often if truth be told. The only time that he had left her side for a long duration was the battle against the dwarves near 800 years ago. He shook his head at the memory.
There was a lot of loss on both sides during that war. It lasted for 10 years. The other races were drawn into it. The goblins being used as infantry by the devious dwarf king along with several humans. The lycans and vampires having kept well out of it. Some of the humans had allied themselves with the Elves as well.
It had been a long drawn out war but the end was profitable for both. The Elves got to keep their nature kingdom whereas the dwarves got control of the entire underground of Magna.

Isadora walked back into their chambers, easing herself onto the bed. She didn''t like to lay down and do nothing but Fenian made sure she did. She did reluctantly but knew he was doing it for her and their child. They had been pestered more than once why there wasn't an heir, not that it mattered for the elves lived a very long time. Yet, they needed someone to take over in case they died.

Fenian smiled lightly as he walked back into the palace. He was greeted by the various elves that worked within it. He greeted them back politely. He moved up the stairs, pushing the doors to their chamber open, before closing them behind him. "How are you feeling, my love?" he inquired as sat on the edge of the bed, taking her hand into his.

Isadora smiled and stroked his hand gently. "I am feeling good, the baby kicks here and there." She said, placing his hand on her stomach. She smiled again, feeling the baby kick just to prove its point. The tiger rumbled gently as he approached, rubbing his head against Fenian's leg before laying down at his feet.

Fenian smiled lightly as he felt the baby kick. His eyes then looked to the tiger, stroking it lightly with his other hand. "Do you still want to go off into the forest.. on your own?" he questioned, his face stricken with worry as he frowned. He stroked under the tigers chin, his other hand remaining on her stomach. "At least take him with you?" he said gesturing to the tiger. "So I know you're safe."

Isadora smiled softly and nodded her head. "I will take him with. I shouldn't be gone long though." She said, slowly rising into a sitting position. The tiger purred softly and got up, he wanted to go and enjoyed being outside as much as the King and Queen. But, the least he could do was protect Isadora. For she hand raised him when his mother was killed.

He smiled to her lightly. He leaned over and kissed her gently. "Thank you." he whispered to her. He patted the tigers head lightly. "I'll escort you out of the city at least.. seeing as you wont let me come with you." he said with a light power before laughing lightly. "When are you wanting to go?" he asked with raised eyebrows, hoping that he'd changed her mind.

Isadora smiled and kissed him back, then got up from the bed. "I was hoping to go right now, that way I will be back before dark." She said, hoping to ease his worry. "Don't worry, Fenian, I will be fine." She said, patting his arm gently. Then she gently took his arm and lead him to the stables. Walking was starting to get a little hard now. She lead a young, grey colored stallion out of his stall, whispering quietly to him as she put a saddle on him. The tiger remained outside, waiting for Isadora.

Fenian wiped a hand over his face. A frown moved over his lips. "Well that's.. good. I suppose." he said clearing his throat lightly. "I know you will be.. I just worry, my love." he said as he kissed her cheek lightly. He followed her to the stables, keeping hold of her as he escorted her. He watched her saddle the horse, helping her onto it steadily. He then took hold of the reigns and lead the horse from the stables.
He patted his leg lightly for the tiger to follow as he lead the horse from the stables.

Isadora smiled lightly. "And I appreciate it. No outsider has ever been to the city. I will be fine." She said assuringly as he lead her out of the stables. The tiger followed them, he kept his distance form the horse so he wouldn't spook it. Despite the fact they are trained to remain calm under any situation. "I will be back before nightfall." Isadora said again.

Fenian smiled to her lightly. "Which is why I wish you'd stay within the city.." he said as he lead her to the edge of the city. He patted the horse lightly, leaning up and kissing her lightly. "Make sure that you are." he said with a light smile. "I love you." he said lightly as he handed her the reigns. He looked to the tiger, directing it to follow the horse with his eyes. "Make sure nothing happens to her, my friend." he said as he leant down and scratched behind the tigers ear.
"Good bye, my love." he said to Isadora as he stood up.

Isadora smiled and returned the kiss. "I love you too." She said before urging the horse onward. The tiger seemed to understand and nodded his head before walking off after the Queen. Isadora turned and gave one last wave before she disappeared within the forest. Once out of sight, she tightened her grip on the reigns. "Time for some fun." She said with a laugh whistled. Instantly, the young stallion burst into a gallop.

Fenian sighed heavily as he watched his wife disappear. His eyes followed the tiger with a light frown. He knew that there was no danger in the forest these days, since the dwarf's had gone under ground. But he still worried about her. Deeply. He turned back to the palace and walked up slowly. His hair blowing in the sudden breeze. He entered the palace and went straight for the balcony. Making himself comfortable as he anticipated his wife's return.

Isadora laughed lightly as she sped through the forest, the stallion's hooves barely touching the ground as they went. The tiger was right along side the horse, in case Isadora fell. Isadora looked down at the tiger. "Come on! I'll race you!" She said and urged the horse to go faster. The tiger rumbled and matched pace. Isadora laughed again as they continued, she soon reined the horse to a stop. Allowing the animals to catch their breath, she took the time to look around. A nervous feeling came over her, she did not recognize this place at all.

The yellow eyes shone through the darkness of the trees. An arrow set on fire flew through the air, hitting the ground behind the horse. A wall of fire spread it, blocking off the way it came. Goblins the emerged from their front, swords, axes, hammers, clubs, bows and arrows at the ready. Zmetk pointed his short sword towards Isadora. "Welcome to hell." he laughed, the other goblins joining in.

The grey stallion reared, letting out a loud whinny. Isadora patted his neck, trying to soothe him. Her eyes darting from the fire to the goblins, searching for a way out. "I demand that you let me pass." She said, her tone cold and firm. The tiger growled and pinned his ears back, his large fangs bared. Warning any goblin that if he should come close, they would get a bite from him.

As soon as she spoke Zmetk stopped laughing, the other goblins stopping instantly. "You have no authority here tree hugger!" he retorted to her. There were a few sniggers throughout the troop. His eyes narrowed at the tiger. "Shut up kitty! Or I be forced to release.. Zob." there was a few gasps and whispers through the ranks as Zmetk smirked.

Isadora eyed the goblins. "What do you want?" She demanded. Her horse pranced lightly beneath her. The tiger let out another growl but remained at Isadora's side. "He is more kitty than you could ever handle." She snapped, her eyes flashed. She took note to the gasps and whispers of the others at this apparent Zob.

Zmetk snarled at her slightly. "We wants want the king be wanting!" he spat to her. "If the kitty no shut up, Zob stabby stab him until he dead!" he said as he pointed his sword to the tiger. He signalled into the horde and 4 goblins carried out a metal cage, in it was a fierce looking goblin. He swung his sword and spiked club around as his eyes landed on the tiger. "Stab! Kill! Bash!" he shouted.

Isadora scowled and looked down at the tiger, silencing him. She then turned her attention back to the goblin. "And what does your king want?" She asked, her tone the same. Firm and cold, she had no tolerance for goblins. Disgusting creatures, always wanting something that didn't belong to them. Thinking they were so smart, the way they talked proved otherwise.

Zmetk scowled to her lightly. "His royal heinyness be wanting you.." he said his voice then going cold. "In his bed." he said before laughing, the other goblins shrieking with laughter as well. Zob's eyes never leaving the tiger. As soon as that cage opened he was going to have a tiger skin to keep him warm in the winter.

Isadora stiffened and glared at the goblin. "I don't think so." She said with a strange calmness. The horse flicked his ears and pranced a little. Instantly, Isadora's thoughts went to her unborn child. What would happen if they got the chance? No, she wouldn't allow it. The tiger rumbled deeply, watching the goblin within the cage.