Lymlok collapsed into a chair with a heavy sigh, tossing his bow on the table and reaching for an ornamental cup of warm tea. He was tired, but far from exhausted; sipping on the liquid and proudly gazing upon all the training dummies that looked like double-sided pin cushions by how many arrows were stuck in them.

No arrow stuck from the wall behind the dummies or from the ground, a testament to the elven prince's progress in honing his skill as a marksman and a mage. The prince felt proud of his progress, feeling a bit foolish for not working on improving himself much earlier.

He blew on the tea to cool it down before taking a sip, watching his breath fog with every exhale. Winter had arrived in full swing, but for the Vatur elves nestled in the Silver Forest, whose branches were so thickly interwoven that barely a single snowflake could pass through the treetops and touch the grass, that meant very little aside for putting on another layer of clothing during the day and thicker bed sheets at night.

Lymlok put the cup down, feeling refreshed and warmed up enough to continue his training. Without looking, he reached for his bow, only to feel someone's hand gently fall across his own. The prince turned and, when noticing who it was, pulled his hand back quickly as if pulling it back from an open flame. "Lady Aurelia, my apologies, I did not hear you sit down."

The high elf smiled softly, wrapping her fingers slowly around the bow and moving it from the table so she could pour herself a cup of tea. "My, my, such a perfect example of determined youth you are, Prince."

"Thank you, Lady Aurelia. I am certain this is nothing compared to you." He stumbled over his words, not used to seeing the High Elf look so gentle or being alone in a room with her. Lymlok swallowed a lump that was forming in his throat while trying to compose himself.

"Modesty truly is a virtue many royals should have. Glad to see it has not eluded you. Come, sit. I wish to speak with you, and I am sure that those training dummies would not mind a slightly longer pause from being struck by arrows." Her shining eyes never left his, as she poured him a cup as well, motioning towards his seat.

"Yes, Lady Aurelia. Apologies, I must've gotten carried away with my training." Her offer was not one he would dare refuse, moving quickly and sitting down, keeping his hands on the table and his posture poised.

"I would not say that, but you have been absent from the war room for the last few days. Worry has crept into my mind, so I decided to pay you a visit." With her index finger, Aurelia gently pushed his cup closer to him.

"Thank you, Lady Aurelia." Lymlok took it in both hands and raised it to his lips. "May I ask, what is it you wish to speak about?"

"Have you been keeping up with the news from lands beyond your own, Lymlok?"

He looked at her with a confused expression, trying to think if the question was somehow a test or if it had a hidden meaning. "No, Lady Aurelia. I am afraid I have been engrossed in my studies and training and had little time to catch up on the news from afar."

To his surprise, her expression did not change to disapproval or anger, something Lymlok had fully expected. Aurelia simply nodded once, softly, before sipping her tea. "I understand."

There was a long pause, trepidation keeping Lymlok from asking if something had happened in some far corner of the world that he should've known about.

"The three-headed horn sounded off a few days ago. Dwarves of the Southern Mountains have reclaimed their home from the trolls." The high elf said nonchalantly, acting like she truly was there just to have a conversation over a cup of tea.

"I see. That does sound like good news, no race should suffer the terror of such foul creatures." The prince responded, daring to speak a bit bolder for a moment. "Though I am far too concerned with the matters taking place in our part of the world to interest myself with the dealings of dwarves."

Aurelia showed no reaction to his boldness, simply agreeing with him once more. "They had help. An elven mage travelling with her party through a town in that region mentioned coming across a strange man. A human with a metal arm."

Prince Lymlok nearly choked on his tea, eyes shooting up to meet Aurelia's gaze, which was now cold and piercing. His stomach turned at the mention of the one-armed human, his eyes wide and burning with unbridled rage. The high elf knew she struck a nerve and that Lymlok had not, even for a day, let go of his revenge. "I assume it is his face you imagine while you loose arrow after arrow into these training dummies."

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"Yes. Was he the one who helped the dwarves?" He asked.

"I would assume so. The Southern Mountain dwarves did have dealings with those humans when they first arrived. He could be trying to build alliances with them." She let go of her cup and intertwined her fingers. "And you've transported him where during your battle?"

"The Great Desert of Al'Kramul. I hoped the beasts or the heat would."

With a slow raise of her hand, Aurelia stopped Lymlok mid-sentence. "You hoped he would meet his end there."

"Yes, Lady Aurelia." Lymlok lowered his gaze, feeling the familiar burn of shame colour his cheeks.

"Do not despair, Prince." Her words washed over him like the first sun of spring. "You have done well to remove such a threat, at least for a time." She pointed towards the arrow-filled dummies. "And I see your hands have not been idle. Deep in your soul, you believed he would return."

"Yes. And when he does, I will not teleport him anywhere but the grave." Lymlok spoke, his words laced with hate he felt at the mere thought of the one-armed human.

"This kingdom needs a fierce leader, Prince Lymlok. I see fire in you that goes beyond just the desire to vanquish your foe and get revenge." Aurelia continued, speaking so honestly and directly that Lymlok was left without a response.

The two never shared many words, usually, the high elf spoke of plans with his sister, while he merely sat or stood in the background. Now he sat face to face with a divine woman, sharing a cup of tea as if they were friends or good neighbours. She praised him, and praise coming from someone like her was akin to a blessing in the eyes of his people.

"My sister is far more capable; she should inherit the throne after our father passes." He finally found his voice again.

"Sweet Prince, do not hold these words against me, but I fear your sister's judgment is far too clouded by rage and misery brought about by her paralysis." The way Aurelia said it, leaning forward ever so slightly, placing her hand on his and looking at him with worry and pity in her eyes, had Lymlok believing that he had the divine highborn all wrong. She truly cared, at least on the inside, when no one was around to see her without the mask of superiority.

"How could I ever hold your words against you, Lady Aurelia?" He thought, his heart skipping a beat when she pulled her hand away.

"I do understand those feelings of hers, they are not without cause. However, in these times when we are facing an enemy so vile and unknown, such feelings cloud a ruler's mind, having them play into the hands of their enemies." Aurelia said with worry, finishing her cup of tea and placing it gently on the table. "You burn with righteous fire. Your love for your sister, your people, and your desire to become strong and protect them, that is what drives you. That is the quality a ruler should have."

"Her mind is twice my own, Lady Aurelia. What good is righteous strength if it is unguided by a sharp mind?" Lymlok protested, feeling an odd sensation in the pit of his stomach at the thought of usurping his sister.

"Dear Prince, you will not be without guidance. You will have your dear sister as your advisor, your right hand." She paused intentionally, leaning forward once more and lowering her tone almost to a whisper, so Lymlok would feel like the next words said were for him and him alone. "I, too, shall guide you. My eyes see far, and my knowledge runs deep. You will have my support in moments where you may falter."

It all seemed too surreal for him to embrace without hesitation. Still, Lymlok knew that those who were divine often knew things far in advance, and a mere elf like him, even if he was nobility, had no right to question their decisions. Perhaps Aurelia truly saw the future or recognised in him the makings of a great leader. "What would you have me do, Lady Aurelia?"

"For the time being, continue as you are. Pursue strength, sharpen your skills. Your sister has not yet welcomed the bitter truth that war is upon us. I will arrange for summons; every free mage will be called to answer." She said, adjusting her posture as she sat. "Those who answer and many will, they will be yours to lead. All you must do is keep silent about it to your sister."

Lymlok still felt a pang of guilt at the thought of going behind his sister's back. However, Aurelia's will demanded he do so, so he had little say in the matter. The way she spoke to him, how she presented the idea of him as the hope for the Vatur bloodline and the kingdom in the face of abhorrent murder apes, it went to Lymlok's head, stroking the young prince's ego in a way he could not resist.

An entire force under his command, appointed by Aurelia herself, would've been a dream come true. A dream in which Lymlok proved himself to his sister and father by avenging Eothen and Claudia. The truth was, though he had a seat on the war council, his contribution was non-existent. All he did was keep other members of the council engaged in conversation while they waited for Claudia to show up. In all decisions, she had the final word, and though she consulted him before making up her mind, Lymlok wondered how much of his opinions she really took into account when finalising decisions.

With Aurelia's guidance and wisdom on his side, the once dream now felt so real that he could almost reach out to grab it. "Yes, Lady Aurelia. I will do as you say. Thank you for trusting in me."

"Prince, I would not trust in you if it wasn't warranted." The high elf rose from her seat and headed for the exit to the garden. "I have stolen enough of your time. I wish you prosperity in your training."

With that, she disappeared from his sight, her footsteps so light they barely made any noise. Lymlok downed the remaining tea in one gulp and grabbed his bow, taking a new quiver from the weapon's rack and staring down the arrow-filled dummies once more.

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