The Fey Bride of Elfland
Chapter Sixteen
The Distance of Desires

The little man wished us a good day as he left early in the morning. The ground at the bottom of the gorge was rocky and I guess near the water table, as my bedroll began to get damp from my weight pressing it into the soil next to the stream. I thus was awake softly complaining about the lack of comfort when I heard the little man tell me that he wished us well as he strode down the gorge.

The Fey Bride of Elfland
Chapter Fifteen – Part Two
The Wealth of a Changing Land

Once his panting reduced to normal breaths, Chamorrick moved to the edge of the gorge while saying, “Trolls are filthy creatures, but if there is water down there it might be best to go on down.”

We both turned with shock to hear the voice of the small man say, “Of course there is water down there. Water does not bother trolls, and they usually lair where others will come to them.

The Fey Bride of Elfland
Chapter Fifteen – Part One
The Wealth of a Changing Land

The land was increasing in height, but not in any regular fashion. I got the definite impression of traveling over an ancient lava flow from the cuts into the land. The higher we moved up with the terrain, the more we began fearing the drops often hidden by thick growths of plants.

The Fey Bride of Elfland
Chapter Fourteen
Assurance of the Quality of Advice

That evening Queen Titania basically supported Chamorrick’s statement of going south. He spoke of knowing about the volcano, but not how to approach to gain proper recognition from the pure fey. Queen Titania gave him advice along with a feathery cloak that had me grinning as it looked similar to the one my half-brother tried to have me wear.

The Fey Bride of Elfland
Chapter Thirteen – Part Two
A Visit with Queen Titania

All I had seen were marble stones, but coming around to the front definitely presented the construction as a wonderful proclamation of it being the home of an important person. Thin columns to the sides of ivory covered doors broke one’s concentration on elaborate reliefs showing the creatures and items of famous love stories. Hearts abounded, but there were flowers, cups, weapons piercing the vital areas of monsters, and other such images in the stone.

Only Fools Complain
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Family

Aden’s father had a rather comfortable camp established. Mersidda was driving the wagon, and I knew better than to try and direct her against the directions of the soldiers. I simply dropped from the wagon to stand and examine the placement of tents, items, and fires. Aden’s father noticed me, and rode over to ask a question while still sitting on his horse.

“You have a problem?”

“Yes. You have been here a while.”

Only Fools Complain
Chapter Twenty-Six
Dealing with a Dragon

Only Fools Complain
Chapter Twenty-Five
And the Wall Came Tumbling Down

My two wives tried to get excited about finally getting to see my home, but found me not willing to join in the speculation with them. My only satisfaction was that they did not argue with me when I told them to head to Mersidda’s home and wait for me should things get desperate. Feeling that my wives would remain safe, I worried about what I speculated about conditions outside the wall.

Only Fools Complain
Chapter Twenty-Four
Success Could Come

Only Fools Complain
Chapter Twenty-Three
Meaningless Preparations

Aden turned from the door that the baron slammed shut behind him to say, “My lord, I really don’t understand.”

I moved to wrap my arms around her while saying, “I don’t understand either. Sometimes you hope for understanding after making a connection, but most of the time you simply have to be satisfied that you made the connection.”