In only moments, Levian and Diana were both helped off their horses and rushed into a chariot used to carry provisions to the battlefield.
Once inside, the two knights ahead mounted their horses and started the chariot into motion.
Levian sat there, head leaning back against his seat as the sounds of battle slowly faded away from him.
He closed his eyes, and for a moment, tried to think about nothing.
I've escaped... I've truly escaped my family.
He was stirred from his peace by a hand resting gently on his legs. He opened his eyes to find Diana looking at him with a tranquil look on her face.
"We made it through alive Levian." She said with a faint smile. "This is where our journey really begins."
Levian looked into her blue eyes and was suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude.
This woman had taken his word and truth and left her past life behind to follow him on a journey filled with uncertainty.
He could not say the same about anyone else.
His mind wanted to dwell on the negatives. On how his brothers had betrayed him and he had been forced to defeat them both.
But instead, he focused on the good, such as the loyalty shown to him by both Diana and Cassius.
He flashed the woman a smile of his own.
"You're right. Our journey has just begun."
---
Levian and Diana both drifted off into sleep and were later woken up by the chariot being brought to a halt, as well as the distant sound of chatter.
By the time he opened his eyes, it was already daytime outside.
Diana was asleep, resting her head on his shoulders, drooling at the mouth.
Levian chuckled to himself.
She really is beautiful...
"Lord Levian, we've arrived at Goldtree."
Levian woke Diana from her sleep, who swiftly wiped at her mouth and rubbed her eyes.
Then, the pair groggily stepped out of the chariot and joined the guards outside.
The sight that they were met with was one more glorious than they had ever seen before.
They stood on smooth stone, surrounding a tree that stretched taller than the eye could see.
The trees' wood shone gold, acting as a second sun itself. Its circumference stretched around such a large area that the tree must have been as large as a city.
The paved stone plaza around the tree was bustling with activity, horses, chariots, and elves were filtering in and out of the tree through large carved entrances.
This is the capital of the elf empire...
"Welcome to Goldtree, home to the king himself. This tree is the centre of everything sacred to the elves. It holds guilds, academies, and much more inside."
Diana's eyes went wide in admiration as she took in the greatness before her.
"This... this is incredible. It has to be the size of a city!" She cheered.
The two knights smiled at each other, proud of their sacred tree.
"You think this is cool, just wait till you see inside."
---
As the knights said, the interior of the Goldtree was even more spectacular than its exterior.
The tree was sectioned into five floors, each with a different purpose.
The first floor was for trade and diplomacy.
The second floor was for all things relating to crafting and forging.
The third floor was for living. The houses were all built equal in size, sectioned by the branches of the tree itself.
The fourth floor was for magic, enchanting and spiritual practices.
And the fifth floor was home to the Goldtree Academy, as well as the Roots of Parliament, where the council discussed politics and other matters of the world.
However, Levian and Diana were brought to a floor above even that.
A sixth, smaller floor located right above the fifth.
This was home to the King's Family.
This floor was the most glamorous of all. Once inside, it looked exactly like a grand palace; however, many of its sections protruded from the tree like balconies, giving an overlook of a jaw-dropping view below.
As they made their way through halls winding around the tree, Levian and Diana both stared off into the distance.
They saw the elven land that stretched out beneath them. Countless earthly settlements were built into trees around the land, all giving off an atmosphere of peace.
Though below, he could also see regiments of armies in green armour, travelling on horseback towards various battlefields spread across No Man's Land.
Despite the elves' peaceful nature, they still had to fight in a constant war.
Levian clenched his fists at the thought of it.
"We're here, Lord Levian." One of the knights finally spoke, as they came to a giant door made from green wood. Along its edges the golden tree branches curled around it, giving it a look of royalty.
For such an important-looking door, Levian was surprised at the lack of guards planted around it.
Were things truly that peaceful in Goldtree?
Levian nodded his head. "I'm ready."
"Okay, however, your... friend will have to wait outside." The knight explained, nodding his towards Diana. "The King has asked only to see you. In the meantime, we can take the young lady on a better tour around the city."
Levian and Diana shared a dubious glance. He wanted to have her by his side always, but also understood that it was an unrealistic expectation.
This was a king he was talking about after all.
Diana's face softened. "Don't worry about me Levian, this is your moment, not mine."
She then leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. Surprisingly, after what they had been through, it felt natural.
Levian felt his nerves wash away from him. He was now filled with courage.
"Alright, I'll make sure to come and find you afterwards."
Then, he turned to the guards with a sharp look on his face.
"I'm ready."
---
The Doors creaked open, and from the hall beyond came a great gust of wind that threatened to knock Levian off his feet.
The hall was grander than any he had seen before. Not only was it as you would expect from a King's Throne Room, but it also had a green tree growing in a garden at its centre.
There was a section carved into the roof of the building, which allowed a ray of sunlight into the garden.
The door closed behind Levian, the sound echoing through the room.
The hall seemed to be empty. No guards were stationed inside, and all that could be heard was the faint sound of a whistled lullaby played somewhere in the distance.
Levian stepped closer towards the centre of the room, and then finally, he saw it.
Sitting on a branch of the tree, a man was perched.
The man wore no clothes, putting his naked body on display for all to see. He was slender, yet muscular, and only a leaf covered his private areas.
His long hair was silky black, framing a handsome, youthful face. In one hand, the man carried a half-bitten apple, and in the other, a golden bird rested, singing a song.
The man turned his head to stare down at Levian from the branch. His onyx eyes carried a softness to them, yet seemed to pierce through him.
For a moment, Levian simply stood there, frozen.
His torn clothes were caked in blood, and his black hair was dishevelled from battle.
He didn't feel worthy to stand in the presence of a man so pristine.
And yet, the elf smiled at him.
"At last, we meet." His voice came, elegant like the birds song. "You are the true elf. The one I have been waiting for."
Levian found himself unable to speak. All he could do was look up to the man.
Then, the man shook his head gently, as if he had made a mistake.
"Ah, apologies. My excitement took over me, and I forgot to introduce myself."
The bird fluttered away, and the man placed his hand on his chest.
"I am King Gaëlf, Ruler of the Elves."
---
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