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Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 49

The following day Seileach made quiet arrangements to have the throne moved back to the old throne room, now the meal hall, in readiness for the events taking place in the morning.  In the late afternoon while the Keep was at its quietest the Council Elder with the aid of three guards used their magic to lift the ornate chair over the fifth floor railing and slowly lowered it onto a cart in the middle of the Vestibule, then went down to the cart and rolled it in to the Grand Eating Hall.  The throne was repositioned back into the exact location where Erlenkönig had last seen it, directly in front of the stained glass window that he had commissioned so long ago.  Seileach used the faint outline of its original location to position it correctly and measured it against the elevation of the smaller Queen's throne to be sure its height was correct.  When he was finally satisfied he released the guards who wheeled the cart out.  He sat down in one of the chairs near the throne and contemplated tomorrow's events.  He hoped all would be civil but he had his questions.  Rian would surely take this as a betrayal, and if he tried to end his life once before, then it is only reasonable to think that he would try again.  He had to be on his guard tomorrow and decided it would be safest for him to discreetly employ his own Forest Elves around the hall when the Council convened at dawn.  He also thought of something he had not until now.  If the half elf proved himself son of Erlenkönig and was voted to be the next king by the Council, what would become of the Council?  He and the Forest Clan had always respected Erlenkönig, but when he created the Council he had not only gained their respect, but had also gained favor in the eyes of the Forest Elves.  His Clan paid little notice of the Elf Kings.  There had been debate amongst them for centuries as to whether the Dark Elves were dark by nature or whether they were made to be that way by the total control that the Elf King claimed as his birthright.  If all elves were equal, what need do they have of a king.  He felt that the Council was a small step toward true equality for all elves and Erlenkönig was the first king to be brave enough to embrace that vision.  Now, a new king was claiming his heritage.  Perhaps if he does become the ruler of the Elfin Kingdoms, he will share some of his father's wisdom and insight and keep the Council intact.  The old elf stood and made his way back to his suite.  The morning would come soon and he would need all of his strength if the worst happened.  He felt his stomach growl as he ascended the stairs.   I wonder if DynDoeth and Ceridfen might invite me for evening meal, for real, when this is all over, he thought to himself.  That was an exceptional stuffed mushroom that she prepared for him.
He smiled at the thought of it.

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