章 5: Chance for Redemption
Arwen looked at the lifeless body of the bandit leader falling to the ground. Even until now, Arwen couldn't accept the things that had happened today. First, they were attacked by the bandits, and then he was made to walk on the edge of death. Then, the mysterious young human's appearance as he killed those bandits... Everything seemed like a nightmare and a dream to him. Not only Arwen, but Amaryll also shared the same thoughts.
"Who... who are you, human?" Arwen questioned tiredly.
"Before that," Don dodged the question and started to point one of his knives at Amaryll. He then controlled the knife to cut the ropes that were tied around her hands. Amaryll was slightly relieved to get her hands free. "Free the others," Don said to her as she already began to cut the ropes on the other elves.
Arwen couldn't stand straight because of the injuries. He had, but he couldn't stand down either because he knew if the human in front of him made a move against the elves, they wouldn't stand a chance. As such, he kept his guard up at all times as Amaryll did her work.
The elves stood up and looked at Don while Amaryll slowly walked towards her brother. She threw his brother's arms around her neck and supported him in standing.
"I know you have a lot of questions, but first you should see to the others," said Don.
"Knight, I think you've seen enough. Right now, bring the elves you rescued," Don said to Knight telepathically.
Amaryll and Arwen didn't know what he meant by seeing to the others, but they found out soon enough as a majestic lion with wings flew down from the skies. They saw a bubble beside the lion which carried a group of elven children, some elven women, and men.
"Look up there! It's Edrahil! My son, Edrahil!" one elf woman shouted as she ran towards the newly-arrived group.
"My husband! My husband is alive!" another elf shouted.
Many elves shouted as soon as they saw their kin. Of course, some elves were looking and foraging desperately for their relatives as the Lion and the bubble-carrying elves descended onto the ground.
Arwen and Amaryll let out a long sigh of relief after seeing that their tribe members were safe and sound. Everyone was hugging and crying out in happiness as they held onto their kin, but Amaryll was looking at the Human who saved them and the majestic beast beside him.
As a girl who grew up in the woods, Amaryll has knowledge about many magical beasts, but nothing about this creature in front of her. It looked like a lion, but it had a set of wings and gold-colored fur. It was shining even in the light of the fire around them. Besides the winged lion, the mysterious man looked at everyone like a king looking at his subjects. As an elf, she felt more connected to nature and living beings in the forest, so she couldn't help but study the magical beast in front of her.
Just when she was wondering and studying the Lion, she heard a majestic voice, "Haven't you seen a divine beast before, lady?"
Amaryll was startled and tried searching for the source of the voice. Just as she noticed that Arwen heard the voice as well, she realized that he was looking at the lion with shock.
"Did you just speak?" Amaryll asked glancing at the lion.
"Yes, I'm talking to you," Knight said.
Knight was also studying and glancing at the elves. That was why he had seen Amaryll checking on him. For Knight who was born in another realm, he had not seen other races such as elves. When he first saw the elves, he was shocked that they had long pointy ears. He had seen blonde people before, but he had never seen such golden and silver hair that the elves had. They were taller than the average human, and every elven woman was as beautiful as a full moon in the dark sky. But when he saw the bandits ravaging and hurting this beautiful race, Knight almost went berserk. He was a being who valued lives. He only killed when he needed it, and he would never hurt those that didn't deserve it.
All the elves paused at what they were doing and focused on the beast who could communicate like a human. Unlike other elves, Arwen was more concerned about the human who could defeat a peak-level master mage in a mere instant. Don was also aware of the concerns that Arwen had.
"Don't worry, I won't harm you or your people. I'm here to offer you a chance to get back your former elven glory."
Arwen's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. Arwen had always dreamt of getting back their honor and glory, but he was unable to do so. But now, he was given the option to do precisely what he had fantasized about for so long. But Arwen alone couldn't make this decision. He didn't know anything about the human offering the choice or what the reason was behind such an offer. He only knew that this young man was a powerful slaughtering machine who didn't even flinch an eye as he exterminated fellow members of his own race.
"If we desired to harm you, we wouldn't have opposed the bandits," Knight said, overlooking the elves.
"You can accept my offer and swear allegiance to me to get back what you have lost, or decline and remain living like tools to humans hiding and dreading," Don stated in a cold tone.
The elves were rational beings. They knew that if he wanted to kill or capture them to sell as slaves, he could have easily done so by now. There was no need for him to offer them any choices.
Arwen stared at Don for a moment, "Who are you? What-what do you want from us?"
Arwen spoke slowly. Clearly, he hadn't fully healed from the thrashing he received from the bandit leader. His face was still swollen, and blood still dripped from his nose and head. His silver hair was almost dyed dirty red because of all the blood.
"I am Don, and this here is my brother Knight," Don point at Knight beside him.
Arwen didn't respond. This time, it was Amaryll who did.
"What do you mean by swearing allegiance to you? Are you a human prince? Why did you choose us?" Amaryll's questions were also the questions in many of the elves' minds.
"I am not a prince. The reason I chose you is that you were all in danger. As for the allegiance..." Don paused for a moment and closed his eyes for a second, "I made a promise to someone that I'll unify all the races scattered around the outer lands and lead them to a prosperous life without fear."
Amaryll noticed that there was a trace of sadness in Don's eyes when he mentioned his promise to someone.
"But how can we trust you? What would stop you from doing what those humans and bandits intended to do?" she questioned again.
"You're right. You have no reason to give me your trust. But what have you got to lose? As you've overheard from the bandits, someone powerful enough to hurt all of you has already made their move. Sooner or later, you're all going to encounter them. Do you all possess the strength to defeat them?" Don asked Amaryll. But before she can respond, he continued. "I know the elves are once a proud race and won't swear their allegiances to other than their own king. But do you have a king? Do you still have the means to be proud?"
Each question was like a needle that penetrated their hearts.
The elves were standing there in silence. Nobody let out a sound. After a moment, an elf boy came forward to face Don and Knight. Don looked at the elf boy and remembered him to be the brave elf kid who defended his friends from the bandits.
The boy looked at him with tearful eyes, "T-today, I lost my mama and papa... If I follow you, can you give me your word that nobody will lose their mama and papa?"
Looking at the boy, Don's heart started to feel the pain. He knew very well how painful it was to lose someone you loved. He knelt down to face the kid before placing his hand on the kid's shoulder, "I promise that nobody will become an orphan if they follow me."
Don very well knew that if they declined his offer, sooner or later, they will face a disaster. He didn't want them to suffer that, but he also knew he can't protect the people that didn't trust him.
Suddenly, a spark of resolve emerged in the kid's eyes. He looked like he had gone from the kid stage to a young adult in a single day.
"Then I, Elrond, son of Elaran, swear my allegiance to you."
He made a deep bow which was halted by Don midway.
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