I write this entry in my journal with much trepidation. In many ways, I should not commit to the written record what I am about to write, yet I feel obligated to do so, as if some greater being requires this…..confession.
The last time I wrote, we were preparing for our journey, almost a year ago. The twins (S'Roth and S'Rang) were to lead a group of K'Needian Elves (as per the prophecy) to the underdark to attempt to reason with our dark brethren in order to bring them back to the light.
S'Roth had excitedly found this prophecy a few years ago and was convinced that he and his brother, along with Bob (replace with A'ha's father) and Gerri (Sn'fl's parent) and G'Rth (X'ylo's father) were the chosen ones who would save our race. S'Roth kept muttering to himself – "four of the three become five".
He explained to me his theories, once. It had something to do with the lineage of the chosen ones – something to do with this group of K'Needians having a closer connection to L'Tir than the others and therefore to the Drow, also. To be truthful I was confused. I had not studied the prophecies, nor was I particularly interested in them. However, S'Roth was such a forceful and influencing speaker, it was hard not to believe all he said to be true. He was a zealot and many of us revered his words. He spoke with such passion.
I was in the group along with another healer and two rangers to help with the long trip and the dangers that would undoubtedly confront us. We traveled for many weeks, moving quickly and avoiding trouble as much as possible. We were far from our forest home. We met and sometimes fought many creatures and races we had never come across before. The twins were formidable foes, and they led us well. Using cunning, tact and from time to time brutal force to protect the group. When called upon, I used my powers to help.
S'Roth had a divining jewel with him – one that he believed would lead him to the drow - he was right. He studied the jewel and gave instructions each morning as to the direction we would go and finally at the end of the 63rd day of our travels, we came face to face with a group of our sworn enemies. We discovered a group of them camping in the wilderness - an advance scout group, I guessed. We moved right to the edge of their camp. There were only 6 of them and our group could have easily overpowered and killed them. Instead, S'Roth stood up and strode into their camp. The Drow were startled and though they reached for weapons, S'Roth convinced them they should not fight (I suspect the fact that they were outnumbered also gave them pause).
The two groups settled into an uneasy truce and S'roth gave them the message he wanted them to take back to the underdark. S'Roth wanted a meeting with the Leadership and Spiritual advisors of the Drow. The Drow were aware of the prophecies and of course, the split between the two factions and after casting a spell, I could tell that all 6 were distrustful of us and that 5 of the 6 were full of hate for our kind. Later I pointed out the one Drow who seemed less hostile than the others. S'Roth took him aside and made his requests in private also.
S'Roth asked for a meeting with the high clerics of Lloth as well as high clerics of Eilistraee. I doubted very much that we could get the two to meet with one another let alone with the K'Nee, but the Drow left agreeing to do what they could. We waited in the clearing for the arrival of the clerics.
S'Roth and S'Rang argued bitterly the next few days. S'Roth was becoming increasingly excited about the possibility of the Drow and K'Nee reuniting. S'Rang, ever the realist, was imploring S'Roth to think about the safety of the group. S'Roth, convinced of the truth of the prophecy, would hear nothing of it. He was ready to embrace the Drow back as brothers.
By the time the Drow arrived, the group was split. S'Rang was convinced the discussion would be fruitless and that there was a good chance the Drow would simply ambush us. S'Roth was convinced otherwise, to the point where he removed his weapons and sat in the clearing awaiting the arrival of his destiny.
The night before the Drow's arrival, I had a horrible dream. One where I was consumed by fire. On an impulse, I prayed to Sehanine for protection from fire for S'Roth and myself. I sat in the clearing with S'Roth, G'Rth, and the two rangers who were still taking orders from S'Roth. S'Rang and the others had taken up camp in the trees and brush surrounding the clearing and were keeping out of site.
Suddenly 6 Drow in clerics robes entered the clearing along with 4 others carrying long swords. Three of the clerics carried the symbol of Lloth; the three others carried the symbol of Eilistraee. One of the clerics of Lloth lowered his hood and held out his hands and smiled. He nodded to S'roth and said "Four of the three become Five"
One of the clerics of Eilistraee lowered her hood. Then she threw her holy symbol on the ground and cast a spell. Just as S'Roth yelled a warning, a bright flare of fire engulfed us. The pain was intense, but I did feel some protection from Sehanine. Unfortunately, our three unprotected friends fell to the ground. G'Rth was the only one of the three still alive, but he was barely still with us. The four Drow fighters ran towards us, as S'Roth picked up G'rth and retreated. I was stunned and foolishly tried to block the fighters from reaching S'roth as he made his retreat. I felt the stabbing pain of a long sword in my side and watched the flash of another being raised. I prayed to Sehanine, in what I considered my last few seconds on this world. Suddenly there was a blinding flash of lightning in front of me. Two of the four fighters fell unconscious and the other two scattered. A few seconds later another bolt killed the cleric impersonator. S'Rang, Bob and Gerri came crashing into the clearing, swords drawn.
S'Rang's sword Jadlaif sparkled with energy as he swung it wildly. The Drow converged on him. He yelled at Gerri and Bob to run – to get to the village and warn the others. They hesitated and then complied. We all made a hasty retreat leaving S'Rang to his doom.
We healed and quickly moved on. We did not head back straight to the forest. Instead we went further north, into the inhospitable wastelands. We spent several months weaving through the lands, leaving false trails, and ensuring we were not being followed. S'Roth was morose. He barely spoke and when he did, it was to give an order. The prophecy was not mentioned again that trip. S'Roth kept looking over his shoulder. I wasn't sure if he was looking for Drow or his brother. After weeks travel, we slowly started making our way back to the Fellreev. The day we entered it, we all cried with relief. The second day in, while we set up camp, we heard footsteps and branches crack as a figure entered the campsite. S'roth drew his sword just as S'Rang entered the clearing. S'Rang's clothes were ragged and torn. The hint of a mischievous smile he once possessed was gone. His eyes were cold. The two brothers looked at one another…the rest of us were silent.
"You're alive, brother!" S'Roth exclaimed. S'Rang only returned the stare.
S'Roth began to say something else, but S'Rang interrupted him by plunging Jaidlaf deep into the ground at S'Roth's feet. "No more prophecies, no more talk about peace," he yelled and then whirled and left the camp site. It would be the last time many of us saw S'Rang except for the fleeting glance we would catch as he maintained his vigil of the forest.
S'Roth, without a word, picked up Jaidlaff and stared intently at it before sheathing it at his side. Two weeks later we were back home in the village. S'Roth joined LeRoss and the others on the village council and it would be years before anyone even spoke again of the prophecy, L'Tir or the Drow.
Thus ends my story and my trip with the chosen ones to fulfill the prophecy that never was to be filled. Except for one detail that I must now mention. In the two weeks between our first encounter with the Drow and the ambush, S'Roth and S'Rang argued intensely over the best course of action. They were both distraught, much of the time. One evening, one of the twins came for my advice and comfort. We walked for a bit. I don't know if it was the thrill of adventure, the thought of fulfilling the prophecy or just loneliness, but I gave myself to him. Now I fear that neither LeRoss nor the father will not be able to accept the child that I now carry in me; the child that I will one day call El'Fross.