The War of the Elves

Two elvish kingdoms are at enmity. But will something higher intervene?

“Three-thousand years ago…yet it seems like so recently,” Ifria said, sitting at a large, round table, alone. He sighed and there was a knock at the meeting chamber door, where he was.

“Enter!”

A wooden creak came as his polished oak door opened, revealing his daughter, Princess Gale in a white gown. “Father, General Titus says he has won the battle of Arameth.”

King Ifria stood. “I suppose that is a good thing. But my heart continually breaks because we war against our fellow elves.”

“Father, remember it was King Strider who began the conflict.”

“I know. But it was us who failed to protect his son, prince Darvy. We should have been more cautious.”

General Titus walked inside and bowed. “My lord, the valley of Arameth has been secured. Do you wish us to overtake Strider’s forces in the salt flats?”

Ifria looked down and ran a palm down his face. He rose and approached General Titus. “Tell the troops to wait if he retaliates.”

“My lord, I know you detest bloodshed, but we must protect our kingdom. If we defeat him in the salt flats, we will come closer to winning the war.”

Ifria rubbed his chin. “If that is so, they may be willing for peace talks. Very well. I will go with your battalion myself as a gesture of goodwill and faith. We march at dawn!”

At noon, Ifria stayed in own room pacing. There was a risk of harm to himself, but he was willing. An hour later, he went to the royal garden to relax his mind.

As he walked through the large, open-air enclosure of trees, bushes and flowers, he found a white bench to sit on. He took a deep breath and scanned the garden.

A man in white robes sat next to him and Ifria gasped. “Umm…who might you be?” said Ifria.

“I am Gabriel. I come bearing the implement of peace in the war.”

“Who are you?”

“I am called an angel. I serve God. I also come bearing the message of eternal life beyond this existence. The realm of mankind has received this message and accepted it. Now I come to you elves.”

“What is this message?”

“It is called the Gospel. It calls for you elves to know and submit to Him.”

“I’ll do anything to stop this war!”

“Very good. Close your eyes and pray with me.”

Ifria uttered a pray of repentance and faith in God and it was as if he was reborn. He opened his eyes with tears. “Now that I am redeemed, what is this implement of peace?”

Gabriel withdrew vile from his robe. Unbeknown to you, King Strider is deathly sick. This will cure him.”

Ifria took it and laughed. He turned to see Titus approaching. Ifria stood and rushed to him. “I have good news!” Ifria turned to face where Gabriel was, but he was gone.

“What were you saying?”

Ifria shook his head. “My spirit has been enlightened. And what is more, I was told King Strider is deathly sick. And I hold the cure!”

“How? From whom?”

“I will make a royal proclamation on the matter. Let us depart!”

Ifria went with the troop of soldiers and as soon they reached the salt flats, they met Strider’s line of warriors and their general, Nithose. “We will fight ‘till the end!” he said.

“I hold in my and the cure to your lord’s illness,” Ifria said as he held up the vial.

“How do you know! Have you been spying on us!”

“That’s’ not what I meant! I have this knowledge through divine word.”

“What do you mean by this, then?”

Ifria neared Nithose and held out the vial. “I come in good intent. Take it to King Strider.”

“Why are you doing this?” said Nithose.

“I want peace.”

Nithose turned and hesitantly took the vial. “Fall back to the castle, men.” Nithose addressed Ifria. “This had better work.”

General Nithose led his men back to the castle about fives miles away. Then Ifria and his troop waited.

Three hours passed in silence. Then, in the distance, an envoy of men with a carriage neared Ifria’s retinue.

When the envoy met Ifria king Strider himself exited the carriage. He was dressed in a silk robe with a scarlet cape. “Ifria, I am in your debt,” said Strider. “Let there be peace.”

Ifria neared Strider and the two embraced.

“My general told me you were ‘divinely told’ about my situation and the cure.”

“Indeed. A mysterious being called Gabriel told me and gave me the cure. I have decided to tell the matter at a royal oration from my castle balcony. Please come with me.”

“So be it,” said Strider.

Strider alone returned to Ifria’s kingdom and once there he called all citizens to assemble before the broad and long balcony with Strider by his side.

“My subjects, I come bearing good news. Through the work of a servant of the great God, I have been born anew and have found true peace. Moreover, with this revelation, I have found the secret to everlasting life beyond this one.”

A thunderous silence spread across the space.

Ifria paused. “For those who desire, I will say a prayer that you may recite with me.”

Ifria led many people in the prayer of repentance and faith.

Those who did not pray shouted and mocked.

“I will not submit to your God!” said one

“You speak fiction and lies! How pathetic!” said a man in a blue tunic.

“They have made their choice,” said Ifria.

Strider was in tears of joy after his prayer. “I will bring this word to my people. You have brought physical peace as well as spiritual peace.”

King Strider returned to his kingdom and declared the same message to his own subjects.

Hence, the realm of elves, thrived in a golden age of wealth and mental revelation that would never end.