The Fate of the Elves 1: The Ironclad Warriors

But…” Hazel began.

The queen did not hear him. She stood in her saddle and yelled: “Everyone, hear me! We have to flee. You will have to sneak quietly through the forest on your own. Then you will stand a greater chance of slipping past the Steel Fists, and…”

“No!” Daisy yelled, as loudly as she could. “Listen to me. We will not run away!”

Queen Veronica looked at her daughter with surprise. The Elves started whispering and looked at each other with uncertainty. Were they to obey the queen or the princess

But…” Hazel began.

The queen did not hear him. She stood in her saddle and yelled: “Everyone, hear me! We have to flee. You will have to sneak quietly through the forest on your own. Then you will stand a greater chance of slipping past the Steel Fists, and…”

“No!” Daisy yelled, as loudly as she could. “Listen to me. We will not run away!”

Queen Veronica looked at her daughter with surprise. The Elves started whispering and looked at each other with uncertainty. Were they to obey the queen or the princess

Daisy recognized one of them, a young knight with whom she had spoken frequently.

Someone groaned again. She followed the sound.

In the shades, she found a severely wounded warrior.

A bloody sword was lying by his side. His helmet had fallen off. It was one of the Steel Fists.

Rage bubbled up inside Daisy. She drew her sword and stood over him.

“This is revenge for my dead friends!” she hissed, lifting her sword to thrust it into his throat.

But she lowered it again. She could not bring herself to murder a defenseless man

By all means,” said Humulus. He carried his spear over his shoulder.

They followed a narrow path through the forest. The weather was hot and humid, the sky was overcast and the flies buzzed around them. The earth was still muddy after the rainfall the night before.

They were both tense and alert. The enemy might appear at any moment. They listened to everything that rustled in the trees.

Suddenly, something came rushing out of the bushes right in front of Daisy.

She screeched and stepped backwards, and

By all means,” said Humulus. He carried his spear over his shoulder.

They followed a narrow path through the forest. The weather was hot and humid, the sky was overcast and the flies buzzed around them. The earth was still muddy after the rainfall the night before.

They were both tense and alert. The enemy might appear at any moment. They listened to everything that rustled in the trees.

Suddenly, something came rushing out of

By all means,” said Humulus. He carried his spear over his shoulder.

They followed a narrow path through the forest. The weather was hot and humid, the sky was overcast and the flies buzzed around them. The earth was still muddy after the rainfall the night before.

They were both tense and alert. The enemy might appear at any moment. They listened to everything that rustled in the trees.

Suddenly, something came rushing out of

If they could hold firm through peril and darkness, so can we.”

“Do you think we will win?” Bramble asked.

“No one knows,” Hazel replied. “I don’t either. But I know we will never give up.”

“Never?” Bramble asked.

“No, absolutely never,” his mother said and put her arms around him.

The Elves now faced a rough time. Large gangs of Steel Fists roamed the forest attempting to track them down. Time and time again, the Elves had to find a new hiding place

“My name is Silktongue;” said the woman.

What are you doing here?” the queen asked.

“My name is Silktongue;” said the woman. “I come from King Vainglorious. It is his army you see over there. They strike like fists of steel, and for that reason, they are known as the Steel Fists. King Vainglorious is the ruler of this world. None can resist his power. If you are wise, you will surrender to him. Then you may serve him and share in his power and wealth. It is he who has given me these heavy chains I bear.”

Queen Veronica looked at her icily, and said: “This is the land of the Elves. Your king has no business being

“He looks like someone bearing important news,” said Hazel.

The Elf leapt from his horse and ran over to the queen.

“Disaster has struck the Elves!” he gasped. “The enemy is in our land.