Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Lathanos's Great Journey ❯ Etheros - Not so Evil? ( Chapter 11 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

By: Pika189

Title: Lathanos's Great Journey

Author: the ultimate SoBe Master

Chapter 11: Etheros - Not so Evil?

Email: mightysobe745_8@yahoo.com, sobe_rocks@hotmail.com

Category: Fantasy

Romona's head rolled to one side and her hands folded on her stomach as she slept. Waking slowly, her hand came to her head as she moaned softly. Suddenly, her memories flooded back to her in a flash. Leaning forward, her wings folding around her, she looked at her prison. However, what she saw was not what she had expected.

She was lying in a four poster bed made of oak. It had a dark blue comforter too. The wood was stained to a dark cherry finish, as was a dresser in the corner of the room, which was next to the door. A long mirror accented the wall to the left of her, and to her right was a beautiful painting of a waterfall. `What is this place…?' She wondered, shaking her head.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the door creaked open. A kindly-looking woman entered. She had chestnut hair and sapphire eyes, and was smiled sweetly. She was wearing what appeared to a maid's uniform and an apron. I'm glad you're finally awake; you took quite a hit to the head! There are some dresses in the dresser, and the door to your right leads to the bathroom, where you can freshen up and change,” She said sweetly. “After that, you are free to roam.”

Turning slightly, Romona noticed a door next to the bed. Nodding contently, she spoke quietly, “Thank you, ma'am.” The kindly woman had already disappeared, however, and she was left to her thoughts. Deciding quickly, she entered the bathroom to clean up and change before she would wander and try to find an escape.

Sighing heavily, she took a bath and dried her hair with a towel she found resting upon the sink. Glancing up into the mirror, her almond-shaped eyes stared out at her amongst milky white skin. Hands shaking, she held them up. Frowning, she gripped the sink and tried to steady herself. She was a prisoner here, a prisoner, but she was treated like a guest: she just didn't understand.

Walking back into the room, she went to the dresser and pulled out a white dress. Glancing at it, she concluded that Etheros had good taste in the least. It was beautiful, with gold embroidery on the full length, flared sleeves, and on the deep V neckline. It was also a floor length gown. Pulling it on with indifference, she realized that the material was silk, and that it also fit perfectly. It even had space for her wings since it was cut low in the back.

After brushing her hair down and letting it dry, she decided to leave it down, flipping it over shoulders so it was out of the way. Then, looking towards the door, she opened it with a firm resolve.

Entering the hallway, she glanced around warily at her surroundings. It was a simple hallway, but a few paintings covered the otherwise scant walls. A small chandelier hung on the ceiling about every five feet. Glancing at them closely, she realized there were candles inside the glass compartments.

Small thuds came from her walking along the corridor, and the sounds an old house made had her flinching. When she got to the end of the hallway, she decided to open a door. Turning to her right, she gripped the brass handle and pushed the door open, slipping inside afterwards.

Finally managing to look at the room, she was amazed to find that it was a huge library. She gaped openly and, walking close to the bookcases, stared at the titles. They came from every language and, reading a page or two from some of them, she realized that they had been copied in the language of all the countries; a book could be copied over twenty times and it still wouldn't be enough. Then, observing the titles further, she realized that they were all about war, about strategies.

Running her hands over the cracked spines and folded pages, she sighed, thinking, `How can he read this much…?' Walking along the bookcases, she came across a small, hardback book; it couldn't have been more than 20 pages or so. Curious, she didn't see any other books like it; it had not been copied. Finally, she read the title: Tales for Bedtime. This was not of war; it did not belong.

Sliding the book gently off the bookshelf, she was shocked to see the shelf sway. She had jumped almost a foot high. Placing the book she held on a table behind her, she began to move forward.

The new corridor was lit with torches held by metal brackets; the walls were stone and cold, and as she stepped inside she felt the air tingle with electricity. Her conscious warned her not to go on, but curiosity got the better of her as she moved inside the tunnel. Her shadow reflected on the wall as her wings moved in and out of view.

Walking for about thirty minutes, she finally came to a small room. It was lit with torches and round, with five doors leading off in different directions. Suddenly, the cold, unyielding floor began to shift. Gaining speed, it moved in a circle, and when it stopped, Romona could not tell where she had entered. Moving forward, she picked a door without hope and opened it, entering the darkness.

A young man stood in the room over a large map. The map had a 3D affect as the rivers and mountains were slightly higher than the rest of the land. She watched him curiously, observing his long, dark brown hair and his midnight eyes. He also had a sharp nose that made him look slightly like a hawk. Her first impression of him was that he was handsome and a sharp dresser, for he wore a shiny, black dress robe that was tucked into his pants, which were also black. He, however, did not wear shoes.

Before she could say anything, he suddenly looked up to find her in the room. He frowned slightly. Then, pulling back his hand, traced through his hair as he said, “I see that you have awakened, Lady Romona,”

Startled by the fact that he knew her name, she answered in an emotionless voice, “Yes sir, but now I find that you know my name, yet I haven't the slightest clue as to what your's is,”

The man chuckled and swayed on his feet as he moved over to her. “You know my name…just not the face…for I am different when I do battle. My figure becomes like that of a demon, thus my words and actions are different, but I am still merely mortal…”

Romona had been backing away from him as he spoke those words when her back bumped the wall. Etheros only glanced at her calmly, and then turned back to the map he had been studying so intently. He ran his hand over a mountain as he said, “I am not as evil as you might think, Romona. To bring the nations together under one rule; that would put an end to all war, and the deaths that they bring!”

He turned to her quickly, his eyes turning a deep crimson as he said, “What do you know of war? Huh?! You are but a mere child in elven standards, and would not understand these kinds of things!”

Pushing her luck, Romona moved close to him and the map. Gesturing to the map with her hand, she said, “I may be young, but I have had enough trials to understand how the world works. This will destroy the world; this will bring Armageddon upon us all!”

Etheros snapped, and his hand flew and hit her cheek, knocking her into the wall. Romona gasped, her wings crushing under the sudden weight. Moving to stand almost above her, he practically shouted, “YOU INSOLENT CHILD!! You do not understand…!”

Romona only glared at him, answering, “I understand enough…”

Etheros seemingly stalked out of the room, leaving her alone. Managing to stand, she approached the map slowly. It was beautiful - the mountains rose magnificently and the rivers seemed to be alive. Even the forest looked real. Small figures were here and there; they looked like toy soldiers, except their arms were at their sides and their feet together.

Spotting a table behind the map, she saw that many papers covered the surface. Most were incomplete, but feathered pens and ink also lied there. Picking up a short note, she read it slowly, trying to comprehend what it meant.

My Liege,

We have captured the southern half of the continent. The elves are next in line in the east, and we have troops ready to go. Conner is attempting to make a deal. I shall talk to him and see if we can prevent a deal from being made.

Your loyal servant,

General Iro

Placing it back down on the table, she whispered, “Please hurry, Lathanos!” She then folded her wings around herself for comfort, though they didn't help much.

Lathanos awoke in a soft bed. He was looking up at a teenage girl with black hair and green eyes. “Mother, he has awakened!” She called to the door.

A/N: Well, it's been awhile, but I got it! I don't really know when I shall be getting chapter 12 up, so please try and be patient! Anyway, I look forward to reading your reviews! Later!