The Battle For Ikriam

CHAPTER ONE

"Sage, darling” King Gadwalader whispers. “I need you to be strong. You will be the new ruler of Ikriam and…”

“No Father!” she yelled “I will not be Queen because you will not die! You will be healthy and strong again Father. Strong enough to take your rightfull place as King of Ikriam once again. The fairies need your assurance. The Elders need your wisdom. I need my Father.” Sage sobbed.

Gadwalader looked into his daughter’s eyes. Big golden starlike eyes. Oh, but she is gorgeous! Gold and brown hair that fall onto her perfectly formed calves. A fine pointy nose,full lips the colour of a pink rosebud and high cheekbones. Tall and thin but still she has the perfect body. Gracefull like her mother.

“Sacha-Gailia, my beloved wife. How I long for you. In my last hour, my love, I will think of only you”

Sage, not knowing of the sorrow in her father’s heart, holding his hand and silently sobbing. She couldn’t loose her father. The only family she’ll have left is her sister, Saira. Her brother Takvor although she doesn’t know where he is. He dissapeared a year ago and still no sign of him. Her father has dedicated his last year to find him but with no results. And of course, her stepmother, Vappu. She can’t stand that woman. Nobody can.

Sage got up and started walking up and down. Frustrated because she knows once her Father has passed on, Vappu is still young enough to reign as Queen of Ikriam. Although Sage is the rightfull heir to the Crown, she knows Vappu will do anything to stay in control. Sage knows that woman has alliances with the Dark Elves.

As a Light Elf, Sage feels it is quite inappropriate for Her Majesty, Vappu, Consort of King Gadwalader and future ruler of the Kingdom of Ikriam to have relations of any sort with those underground pests. Oh, she knows what will happen.

Quivering with dread for her kingdom and fellow elves, Sage turns to see her sickly father sleeping peacefully.

Oh Father. If only you could see past Vappu’s great beauty. Then you will see what she is. A traitor to you and to our kingdom. Sage tried once to inform her father what she suspected about Vappu’s doings. He was beside himself with rage. He had never yelled at Sage before or even got upset with her. But he loved Vappu and if he had to chase his own daughter away, he would do it.

“My Lady” Annora said softly while entering the bedchamber “I’m sorry to bother you but Daegmund wishes to speak with you in the Library.”

“Of course” Sage replied. Annora was her father’s personal servant and a lovely elf. Sage bent down and planted a soft kiss on her father’s damp brow and left the cambers.

She walked down the palace passageway, her striking ivory dress moving with the breeze coming though the windows. Sage was know throughout the kingdom for her elegant sense of style. The dress was low cut with luminous crystals on the hem and top of the gown. The train of the dress was embroided with their family coat of arms. A white lily encircled with stars. The lily represents the pureness of the heart and the stars the unison of the royal family.

Entering the library, she noticed Daegmund sitting shoulders drooping forward at the oak desk.

“Oh Daegmund! What is the matter? Are you ill?” Sage gasped and hurried towards her friend. With her hand on his shoulder, Daegumund looked into her eyes and sighed.

“My lady, I am troubled. Your father is not well at all and I can see our adored kingdom slipping out of the family’s hands and into Vappu’s evil claws. She will destroy us all. We both know she tricked your father into marrying her. Her only reason being to gain control of Ikriam. She knew he was not well. She knew he was heartbroken when your dear mother Sacha-Gailia passed on. Vappu knew the right moment to pounce.”

Daegmund looked older than his 130 years. Sage glanced at him and swiftly looked away, afraid that he might see the tears in her golden eyes.”Mother, how I miss you. All those years we had and know you are gone. Could it really be four years? I still feel so raw inside. Like a wound that is trying to heal but can’t. Sage wiped away a wandering tear and took a deep breath. After regaining control of her emotions, she walked to the gold framed window.

Looking outside she felt a shooting pain going through her body. Pain from seeing her kingdom about to be handed over to the worst possible elf. Not even a royal one. Vappu was born to Cadence and Pala from the country of Evarsce. Her parents were disturbed to say the least. Cadence was a Gnome-slayer and a barbarian. He abused Pala and she took it out on Vappu. Sage felt great pity for Vappu because of her childhood but she still had the choice to make something of her life. She chose the dark way. Pala eventually got tired of her husband’s aggressive manner and one night, she murdered him in his sleep. Pala was executed because of the horrid laws in Evarsce. It is against the law to execute criminals in Ikriam.

The Elves here respect all living creatures, good or evil. Vappu was found hungry and ill by a old elf couple traveling through Evarsce to Ikriam. They adopted her and she grew into a stunning elf. She has ankle-length jet black hair with sparkling green eyes with specks of silver colour lost in them. The only thing that would ever make you think she’s not as wholesome as she pretends to be is her mouth. A thin line of blood red lips. No smile present whatsoever. And if she smiles, she looks menacing. Like she knows something you don’t.

She met King Gadwalader at a royal feast while she was working in the kitchen and he was struck by her unusual beauty and charm. She literally made every possible plan to keep bumping into him. And two years ago her father announced he was to be married to Vappu.

Because she is not of royal blood, her title is Her Majesty, Vappu, Consort of King Gadwalader. Before Sage’s mother was married to Gadwalader she was known as Lady Sacha-Gailia of Parisria, a distant country. After the wedding her title changed to Queen Sacha-Gailia of Ikriam, Royal Highness and Mother Elf. As Takvor was the first born son he was known as His Royal Highness, Crown Prince of Ikriam but after his disappearance he could no longer be the Crown heir. As Sage is the second eldest she is now known as Her Royal highness Sage-Maeva, crown princess of Ikriam. Her little sister is known as Princess Saira of Ikriam.

At that moment Saira burst into the library “Sage! Father is asking for you. I think he is going to d…” Saire burst into tears and fell into Sage’s arms. “Oh Sage! Must he go? Must he leave us alone?” she whimpered.

“Come Saira. We must be with him! Daegmund, will you join us please?” Sage asked.

“Of course Your highness” he replied. They ran down the corridor and entered the royal chambers. Vappu was sitting next to the king on the bed, holding his hand. She got up and glared at them.

“I wish to be with my husband alone.” she growled.

“There will be no such thing, Vappu. He is our father and we shall do as we please. Now move woman before I set the guards on you!” Sage said and with that she sat next to her father.

“Father? Are you awake?” The king opened his eyes and focused on Sage’s beautiful face.

”Don’t be sad my dear. I have lived my life…my life was complete.” He looked as Saira and said ”Daughter, come here.”

Saira sat on his other side and took his limp hand in hers.”Saira dear. You are so beautiful…you look like my mother.Same…same rose red eyes and hair. The same voice…” he stuggled to speak.”Be go…good to our family and marry well…for…for you are so exceptional.I do love you” Saira whimpered and said ”Father, you are my heart.”

The king turned to Daegmund”My dearest friend and confidant…use your wisdom to bring Ikriam glory” Daegmund couldn’t speak.

“Vappu my dearest wife. Thank…thank you for my last wonderful years filled with you.” Vappu looked blank and had to force a painfull expression.

To finish he looked at Sage and a tear rolled down his white cheek.”Sage-maeva. Daughter beloved. You will one day be…the greatest ruler Ikriam has ever had. You, your sister and your mother…will always be my favourite girls. Precious in my heart…and memories.When you find Takvor…oh takvor my son… I love you…”

King Gadwalader breathed his last breath and with that gave full power to the most horrid elf in the kingdom and leaving his daughters Sage and Saira to try and save Ikriam.

And that turned out to be the most difficult thing they ever could imagine doing.