They reached the top to find a great palace, it was grand with great stone windows, tall and beautiful with great stained glass windows and many pinnacles and statues of heroes. And atop that was a great tower, rising out of the center of the palace, and it looked over all the city and region. They stepped through the great doors of the palace and entered into a wide hall with a great cathedral ceiling. Inside many Kokiri walked busily around and others stood about conversing with each other. Alagbor lead the way through many halls until at last they walked down the hall into a large room designed almost like a small stadium. It had a small central area surrounded by a few rows of seats that circled the area. In actuality the room was not all that large, seating for a hundred at best.
In there were gathered many nobles of the Arcora including a beautiful blonde haired girl dressed in a green and gold embroidered tunic. She had a strong but weary look to her as she leaned over a table looking exhausted. She had though, a somewhat devious look as if she had a higher authority than the others. Alagbor approached with a straight confident look on his face.
As they entered the room The girl stood straight and looked startled at Alagbor. He knelt down before her in a bow briefly and then rose back up, all the nobles who had been loudly debating were now quiet. As Saria followed behind the others, Nilalkar suddenly stopped her.
“Saria, you are the Sage, that is the highest political position other than the king himself. You are held in high reverence, so be careful what you say”, he warned.
Saria stared at him queerly, “What you mean?” She asked.
Nilalkar’s eyes averted to the entrance to the room, “They may not approve of a thirty year old holding high office as the sage, act distinguished” He said quietly then entered the room. It became clear to Saria then that Alagbor and his companions wanted her to hold reign as the sage. She was too simple to be a major political figure, and as Nilalkar had just said, too young. She shook off the thought and entered the room. Upon her entrance there were some gasps and all the members of the council stood and then knelt down humbly. Saria motioned for them to rise, then Alagbor spoke.
“As you can see my liege, the sage has been found. Unfortunately the ring has not been destroyed, for that we must travel to Mordor, but the ring does lie in the hands of the most powerful of Kokiri”, he began.
Ellumiael shook her head, “We know your fate leads to Mordor, that is why this war is beginning. But let us begin where we enter the war”, she responded.
Alagbor stepped forward to address the entire council, “In seven days the enemy host will reach our city. It is a force reported to be over eighteen thousand strong”, he began. There were some gasps and whispers among the nobles.
“The host’s dispatch groups have reached as far as the plains. One group hunted and ambushed my companions in the valley of Anglon and claimed the lives of two of my friends”, he continued. Duradar bowed his head and sighed.
Elegbor, who was seated with some other nobles from the Ohta Cora, stood up.
Alagbor turned around and recognized him, “Alagbor, I believe Aganhim’s servants have reached farther even than the plains. An assassin is embedded somewhere in the city, the lives of three nobles have been claimed already in the last week” He said. Alanol sat next to Elegbor and looked up him thoughtfully, then looked down at the floor.
“An Assassin? Brother, whose’ lives have been claimed by this murderer?” Asked Alagbor in disgust.
Elegbor spoke sorrowfully, “Narawen daughter of Naroth, Farith son of Paetad, and Carander son of Carandril”
Lossenisel looked surprised, “As if there wasn’t enough burden on our backs, now we have a head-hunter”, he complained.
“The worm has been throttling them in their sleep, there’s no telling who will be next and we have no leads”, complained Nurburien standing up next to Elegbor.
Ellumiael looked at Saria, “What have you to say My Lady?” Saria was taken back at first to be addressed with such dignity but she kept a straight face and thought a moment.
“Aganhim is a cunning Sorcerer, he will corrupt those who are gullible and naïve. This assassin is likely of our own kin”, She explained. There were many whispers and gasps in the council as Saria said this.
“They could strike anytime”, said Ellumiael nervously.
“Anywhere”, added another noble.
A noble of the Arcora stood up, “This is a problem we could of dealt with had we not declared Military Crisis!” She protested. A few of the military leaders stood up and began arguing loudly with the other nobles. Ellumiael looked more exhausted than ever now, she leaned over the table her face buried in her face.
“Every time this happens”, she muttered.
Alagbor stood in the center of the room, “Silence! Calm Yourselves!” he called in vain.
Surprisingly everyone complied, Alagbor spoke to all the council, "My brothers and sisters! Why must we quarrel among ourselves? Whether by the sword or by crested eagle (1), this is our final war. In these dark days much blood shall be spilt over our destiny, yet if an eternity of this nonsense awaits us when we reach I would happily die now", everyones' eyes followed Alagbor as he paced the floor, "I asked my father once, Why do we fight for the glory of the Mal Nor? He reponded bluntly, There is no better thing in life or death worth fighting for, than to see the Golden Land in all its beauty. While you quarrel among yourselves with your blames and regrets, I have a dream. I will return home, or die trying with all my will. Now whether you like it or not, that army will be her in a matter of days. For your own good, I would prepare to fight it, like a noble Kokiri ought to", Alagbor finished and left the room.
“This meeting is adjourned!” Declared Nilalkar. A few of the nobles began to leave but most were still standing speechless.
Alagbor walked to Nilalkar with a disgusted look on his face, “Nilalkar we must have this meeting”, he said waving his hand around the room.
“The Arcora will only interfere, this should be discussed with Ohta Cora alone”, responded Nilalkar knowingly.
Alagbor sighed, “Perhaps you’re right. Many of them were not here today anyhow”, he said looking around.
Haelyon approached Ellumiael, “My Lady, you look terrible”, he said.
“Stressful times”, she responded, not looking up.
“You ought to rest, you can’t handle all of these problems right now. The Ohta Cora has issued I and my brother, Hallimacil, to serve as your guards. You have the Kokiris’ finest after the Assassin and the Ohta Cora is seeing about the impending war”, He explained. Ellumiael smiled at him, and he bowed his head and walked over to his other companions.
“That wasn’t very productive”, complained Lossenisel as they left the room.
“Ellumiael is young, she doesn’t know as well as her father as to how to run these councils”, responded Duradar as they walked.
“What happened to the Aran?” Asked Saria.
“The king? Nothing, he is just very busy, and he is growing weak. He is ailing, and it would seem impossible for us of immortal kind to be ill, yet he is. More poison of our enemies”, explained Duradar.
Alagbor walked at a fast pace down one of the great halls of the Palace. On the left side the hall was lined with giant windows that looked out over the city and beyond. The hall was empty aside from himself, and his footsteps echoed into the great arched ceiling. There plants also, along the right wall. Alagbor was a bit frustrated on the lack of decision making on the nobles’ part; they would not see anything for which they needed to act. He heard footsteps behind him but did not turn around as he saw the reflection of the figure in a window. He knew that stride, that beautiful blonde hair…
She spoke, her words soft and friendly, “Alagbor, son of Alanor… Our greatest leader, shows himself back in his city for the first time in…” Alagbor stopped.
“Two years and one-hundred and forty-seven days… Alunial, daughter of Thilinad”, he said turning around. Alunial smiled at him and walked over. They embraced and exchanged a kiss. Walking alongside each other they proceeded down the hallway. Alunial was what you would consider beautiful. She had bright blue eyes, flowing blonde hair, and the most lovely face as ever there was. But it is probably her personality that would make her so attractive. She is sweet and charming yet ambitious; she can manipulate anyone to see things to her way.
“I missed you at the meeting Alunial, where were you?” Asked Alagbor.
“I though that the meeting was more or less intended for your generals, not us celebrity nobles”, she said smiling.
Alagbor nodded, “I think you are right”, he said.
“Why, what happened?” She said her eyes suddenly excited with curiosity.
Alagbor looked into those pretty eyes and smiled, “Nothing”, he said.
Alunial sighed, “As usual, at least your Ohta Cora is competent to make decisions”, she said.
“Yes… well I really should set up a meeting for that then, there is no time to waste”, Alagbor said. He kissed her then proceeded back towards the main hall of the palace.
Saria, Duradar and Lossenisel stepped out into the Street. The two boys were explaining Saria the sights and places in the city.
Lossenisel waved his hand off to the right, “One of the most amazing roads loops down the edge of the city. Its all walls and trees on one side, but on the other are breathtaking views out over the valley, very nice when you need some time to yourself”, He explained.
“Yes, and the Great Deku Trees and the academy are down that way”, said Duradar pointing down towards a great canopy of trees a few blocks away.
Saria stopped suddenly and frowned, “What is that thudding sound?” She asked. Duradar said nothing but turned around smiling. Saria turned slowly to find herself looking at what seemed to be a great wooden man, over twenty feet tall. It had short stubby legs with many long blades on them, a broad chest and long, thick arms covered with great hands bearing numerous crossbows of some sort. Many ropes ran along the body to numerous joints where a normal person would have them; all the joints led to a mount where the head would be. There sitting behind a system of ropes and levers was a Kokiri, whom Saria recognized as Hallimacil. The strange mechanism that he controlled seemed very flexible as he worked with the ropes and levers literally putting it in a jaunty walking motion, moving it around in many positions.
Saria’s eyes were wide and startled, “What… is…that?” She asked, her eyes fixed on the giant mechanism.
Duradar stepped in front of her and waved his hand over at the great wooden thing, “That, Saria… Is what is going to win us this war. We simply call them Great Warriors, because they are big. They are the most advanced weapons of the time, and can fire thirty bolts in forty seconds and with a full maintenance groups present can reload in as little as eighty”, he explained. Hallimacil had stepped down from the engine now and approached.
“Curious about the Alta Ohtars Saria?” He asked. Saria nodded looking for the first time away from it.
“They’re manned completely with strength, though it is significantly reduced for the pilot because of those gears you see in the joints that the ropes run through. The wood is a special type that is flexible and can carry a lot of weight, though is very light. In the mount there where I sit I can release a crossbow bolt by pulling a string that triggers the bow string in the hand. Using this same device I can pull those levers up there to move joints and limbs in the Alta to move it like a normal upright being. It takes a great amount of training to and effort to pilot one of these but they have in the past literally turned around armies after a single volley”, Hallimacil explained.
“How many of these are there?” Saria asked looking back over at the Alta Ohtar.
“They’re very hard to build, and take a lot of resources. We have fifteen in our service. And, I might add, it is all we have ever needed”, Said Hallimacil proudly.
Duradar shook his head, “My friend, we are going to be faced with a massive army. It will be a dance with death even with these mechanical wonders”, he said.
“Well, with a pilot as gifted as young Hallimacil here, I should think that the Altas will contribute monumentally in this war”, said Lossenisel.
Duradar nodded, “Hallimacil is our best Alta warrior, no doubt. He’s and excellent shot. This battle will a lot of siege weapons and archery. We are preparing catapults, many of them”, he explained.
“Actually we have been prepared, since we built this city, now we are making the final touches. We have huge stockpiles of resources. Nearly every inhabitant of this city is a trained warrior. Tis part of their education”, Explained Lossenisel.
“Saria, we should visit the Academy, there are few young Kokiri these days, but you can see how we educate our younger kin these days”, said Duradar beckoning her toward the Academy.
“Will you join us Hallimacil?” Asked Saria as they began to walk away.
Hallimacil pointed over his shoulder back to his Alta, “I have to make some preparations with the rest of the Alta Warriors. I am their captain”, he said, and at that he climbed back up onto his war machine and walked off down the road towards the lower areas of the city.
Note 1: By the sword: Struck down or defeated (Kokiri common term)
Double crested Eagle: or double eagle, Kokiri symbol for victory
