Chapter 71: Elven Kingdom
The two days until departure passed in a blink.
After a long discussion, Edward, Aeris, and Seraphine made their choice—they would accompany Prince Arthur on his journey to the Elven Kingdom. The prince’s face had lit up at their decision, and for the first time since arriving in the capital, Edward had seen him look genuinely relieved.
The days that followed were simple.
They prepared for the journey, though in truth none of them had much to pack—most of their belongings had been left behind in Ashenhold. For Edward, that was both a strange and sobering thought. So much had changed since then that he wasn’t even sure what "home" meant anymore.
And now came the day they would leave for the Elven Kingdom.
The very idea of elves was still strange to Edward. It sounded like something pulled from an old fantasy novel rather than something real. But everyone around him seemed so casual about it that he had no choice but to push that disbelief aside.
The group made their way to the meeting point Arthur had given them. The east gate of the capital. The streets were already busy despite the early hour. Vendors shouted from the corners, the smell of freshly baked bread and spice hung in the air, and guards marched in steady rhythm across the stone.
When they finally reached the gate, the sight that awaited them took Edward by surprise.
A massive convoy stood ready—seven large caravans, each drawn by two towering horses with thick, dark manes and steel armour around their necks. The carriages gleamed faintly in the morning light, intricate carvings of wings and vines running along their sides. Soldiers stood nearby, their armour polished and banners of the royal family fluttering in the wind.
Arthur and his sister stood by the front of the convoy, both waving as Edward, Aeris, and Seraphine approached.
"I almost thought you wouldn’t make it," Arthur said, his tone light, a teasing smile across his face.
"The capital’s streets are... busy," Edward replied dryly. He wasn’t exaggerating. At one point, they’d gotten so lost in the crowd that he was convinced they’d circled the same street twice.
Arthur chuckled, then pointed down the line of caravans. "The second from the left is yours. The journey should take about a week, give or take a day. We’ll make stops along the way, mostly near rivers or outposts. But if you need anything urgent, let your riders know. They’ll pass the message forward."
Edward nodded. "Understood."
"Well then," Arthur said, clapping his hands once. "Let’s not linger. We’ve got a long road ahead."
He turned, heading for his own caravan, the third in the line, while Edward and the girls approached the second.
When Edward stepped inside, he stopped in mild disbelief.
The interior was vast, more like a small room than a carriage. Cushioned seats lined both sides, a polished table stood in the middle, and curtains of soft blue silk covered the windows. The scent of cedarwood hung faintly in the air.
"The royal family doesn’t play around when it comes to travel," Edward muttered, running a hand along the velvet seat.
Seraphine grinned. "I could get used to this."
Aeris rolled her eyes but didn’t argue, even she was taken by surprise at how extravagant the caravan’s inside was.
They set their small bags aside and sat down. Edward took the middle seat between the two girls, though judging by the quiet tension between them, each seemed to wish the other had taken his spot.
Once seated, Edward allowed his eyes to rest, letting the rhythmic creak of the wheels and the distant clatter of hooves lull his mind into calm. For the first time in what felt like ages, he didn’t have to fight, plan, or think about survival. Just sit and breathe until they get to their next destination.
The days blurred together after that.
The journey that was supposed to take seven days stretched into eight, but none of them minded. After everything they’d endured, the slow pace felt almost like a gift. The forests rolled endlessly past their windows—sprawling plains, winding rivers, and vast green valleys that shimmered beneath the morning sun.
They stopped at small villages along the way, sometimes camping under open stars when the roads grew too narrow for the convoy. The soldiers were disciplined, efficient, and mostly quiet, but Edward noticed how they always kept their weapons close. Even in peace, caution never truly left them.
Aeris spent much of the trip gazing out the window, her silver eyes distant. Seraphine, by contrast, talked endlessly about food, travelling, and clothes she wished she could’ve bought.
Arthur would sometimes visit during their stops, bringing small updates or sharing stories of the route ahead. His sister, graceful and reserved, always stayed close to him. Edward couldn’t shake the strange unease he felt whenever her gaze lingered too long—not unkind, but... knowing, as if she saw more than she let on.
Then, on the eighth day, as the caravan rolled through a dense forest, something in the air changed.
The light dimmed as ancient trees loomed overhead, their bark etched with strange runes that glowed faintly in shades of emerald and gold. The sound of rushing water echoed in the distance. And then, through the mist and trees, it came into view.
Valendell.
A city carved into the very heart of the mountains.
Stone and sky seemed to breathe as one—waterfalls pouring from the cliffs above, their silver streams weaving between terraces of pale stone and golden wood. The sound of the cascades filled the air, soft yet endless, mingling with the whisper of leaves that shimmered under the mist.
Bridges arched across ravines like the delicate spines of ancient creatures, their railings adorned with silver vines that caught the dying light. Towers rose in perfect harmony with the cliffs, their tops open to the air, banners fluttering like threads of light.
Even the air was different here—more apparent, sharper, and tinged with the scent of pine and the sweetness of distant blooms. It wasn’t like a city at all. It almost seemed alive.
Seraphine pressed her face to the window, her eyes wide. "It’s... beautiful," she breathed.
Aeris said nothing, but her awe mirrored Edward’s. Even she, the usually composed one, looked like she’d stepped into a dream.
Edward could only stare, his mind struggling to keep up with the sight before him. No movie, no story, no game... nothing he had seen on Earth could’ve come close to this.
And as they descended the winding path into the city’s heart, he realised something else—there was no noise of hammer or forge, no shouting markets, no chaos. Only the sound of wind and water, like the city itself, was humming a quiet song.
When the convoy finally rolled into the main square, the wheels slowed, and the soldiers ahead dismounted.
Edward leaned slightly out of the window, his gaze tracing the elven banners rippling above the gate, silver leaves woven into circles of gold.
Moments later, the convoy came to a halt, and when it did, a deep, bell-like tone echoed across the square.
The bell’s echo faded into the mist, and at last, the Elven Kingdom awaited.