[gremlin]

Judith had returned to the capital, her home. Due to her brother's passing and being the only living child in her family she was sent home. The other Light Elves, her neighbours and friends, were silent as she stepped into the capital. They had heard of her brother's death, they watched silently wondering how much pain Judith was in. Though really Judith didn't mourn Brishen at all, it was best not to let anyone know that of course. She would keep how she truly felt to herself and accept their condolences. Judith had brought the horse that Kane had given her home with her, needing it to bring back all of her belongings. In her hands she held her brother's sword. Judith felt sick holding it, how much blood had he shed with it? Rhyldrin's blood had once been on it. She stopped by her home and strapped the horse to the fence. "Stay here," she whispered softly.

When Judith entered her home she was not greeted, she heard someone stir in the living room. They stood from a seat and she heard their boots against the ground. Her ears dropped as she saw her father. She wasn't too sure how he would react to her being home, their eyes met and Judith extended her arms. He looked down at the sword in her trembling hands, then he took a step forward and gently took it from his hands. Judith looked up at him nervously, she didn't know what he was thinking. His face was expressionless, he seemed to be just a shell of a man. She didn't remember if he even smiled when she was a child, all she remembered was him yelling at her.

He stepped over to the kitchen table and laid the sword on it. A sudden realisation overcame Judith, where was her mother? She opened her mouth to speak but closed it as her father approached her. He lifted a hand to her face and brushed a few strands of hair from her face. "Judith," he breathed out heavily then wrapped his arms around her hugging her tightly. "My baby girl, you're finally home." she flinched from the sudden hug. Though she accepted his embrace, it had been something that she craved as a child. "Father, where is mother?" she asked then look up at him. For the first time she saw her father display an emotion, he wrinkled his brow and frowned, a horrible sadness filled his eyes. "What is it?" she cried, his ears dropped and his face was twisted with pain. "Your mother was a strong woman-" her ears dropped, sudden tears rushed from her eyes. "What are you saying? Where is she?" she screamed, she tried to pull away from him but he held her close. "She's no longer with us." his voice cracked, her heart sank. "What happened?" she sounded as if she as begging him, why had she not known? "Judith..." she slammed her fists against his chest. "Tell me!" she screamed at him. She was overwhelmed by so many emotions, she felt confused and she breathed heavily between uncontrollable sobs. "She was killed by Dark Elves." he whispered. Judith stumbled backwards, she sank to the ground and her father did too still holding her. "I'm sorry Judith, I'm so sorry." he rocked her back and forth in his arms.

It had taken some time for her father to convince her to go to her room. Judith held back her tears and swallowed her sobs. Judith went into her room, she closed her door behind her and slid a bar across it. She didn't want to be bothered, she didn't want to hear people give her their condolences for her brother. She didn't want to even talk to her father despite how loving he was. She went to her window and opened it, she breathed in though her nose was stuffed from her crying. She went to her bed and crawled on to it. Her body sank into it's comfort and she buried his face into her pillow.

She jumped a little when she felt weight being added to the bed, her ears perked up when she heard a familiar chirp. Judith lifted her head from her pillow and her eyes fell on the little dragon. "How did you get out here?" she watched him for a moment then turned over on to her back. She lifted herself from her bed sitting up and rubbed her sore eyes. The little dragon crawled into her nap and looked up at her. Judith looked over at her window and became lost in her thoughts. Was Rhyldrin here? No, the little dragon had just followed her scent that's all. She fell back on her bed and brought one hand to the little dragon. He cooed happily as she scratched under his chin and behind his ears. She closed her eyes, she wanted Rhyldrin to be here. She wanted him to hold her and comfort her. She stopped scratching the little dragon, he pawed at her hand and looked up at her. Judith had fallen asleep, he snorted then laid his head on her hand.

--------

Guards escorted the messenger to the castle. They told any nosey villagers to mind their own business and to continue with their lives. If anyone where to attempt anyone they would not hesitate to strike them down. Any news of peace was good, the guards were thrilled when the messenger arrived and told them what he had to say. They stormed into the castle bringing the Dark Elf with them, he was out of breath from his travels but there was no time to rest. This message had to be delivered. They would take care of him after then allow him to be on his way.

Bryon, the king, was speaking to a Light Elf princess from another land. He looked up from her as the doors to his room swung open. He stood, an expression of anger washed over his face though it became twisted with confusion as he saw a Dark Elf with them. He opened his mouth to spoke though the guard interrupted him to explain themselves. "The Dark Elf queen sire!" Bryon's face lit up, was this good news? "She wishes to speak to you, you must send her a message back immediately!" Bryon looked over at his guest. "Please forgive this interruption, I must ask you to leave now." the woman stood, she seemed a bit irritated though she smiled sweetly at him, bowed then left. He brought his attention back to the Dark Elf. "Tell the queen that she is welcomed here, I wish to speak to her as well. It's about time that this war comes to a end."