There was once a time where the only noise Erdudvyl would hear as she awoke, would be the sound of the birds whistling or the wind humming and the trees creaking. Now, as she opened her eyes from hours of sleep, all that could be heard was the repeated banging from a vast number of carpenters working around the Ravenscourt castle.

The noise was an irritant, but one she was thankful to hear. It was not so long ago since she last closed her eyes with the lingering fear that she would never reopen them again.

Many moons had passed since she last stepped foot outside this cramped room with only a physician, Ethelston or that strange barbarian known as Aryya, as company. Erdudvyl wondered why Aryya felt it necessary to visit frequently. She never spoke; she just sat and watched as Erdudvyl struggled to recover from her life-threatening wounds.

Erdudvyl wanted to bombard her with questions, to identify the reasons for her loitering. Still, even if she had been fully fit, the dark-skinned Aryya had an unnaturally intimidating physique. One which made Erdudvyl feel like a dwarf in comparison.

So the two sat in silence. Erdudvyl with her eyes closed, Aryya with her eyes fixated on the Elf.

The physician was not much better. He repeatedly complained when she tried to move and then claimed how it was a miracle that Erdudvyl was alive. Well, if he understood the capabilities of a Sorceress, it would not be so much of a miracle.

Erdudvyl carefully rubbed her abdomen, her hand caressing the scar that had developed in place of the mark left by the dagger. Who was she kidding? It was a miracle that she was alive. The elf had used every ounce of energy she had left to hang on to the tiny thread of life within the first few days. If it had not also been the physician's constant care, however primitive his knowledge was, she would not have opened her eyes at this very moment.

Erdudvyl owed him her life. Not that she could ever admit owing her life to a human.

Except one. The man who captured her heart. A small smile gleamed on her face as the thought of Ethelston entered her mind. Erdudvyl carefully caressed her lips as the thought of their first kiss forced itself to the forefront of her memory.

How could she feel this way for anyone? Especially a human. One that was arrogant, foolhardy and brash, traits that were never seen in an elf. Yet it was him that had spent every hour of every day, when not arranging the defence of the city, by her side. Erdudvyl had her eyes closed, but she knew he was there, caressing her hair, reading city reports or sleeping like a drunken aardvark on a stool.

For everything he did that frustrated her, he would surprise her, or make her laugh in equal measure. When she wasn't thinking about saving the world or healing her injury, she thought of Lord Ethelston Darke. She was utterly besotted with him.

Climbing out of bed for the first time in many moons, her body ached as equally as her heart did. If she had not already been banished from elven society, to fall in love with someone so primitive would have sealed the deal.

Not that elven society cared or believed in love.

Her muscles screamed at Erdudvyl as she pushed herself to her feet and clambered her way to the door. Opening it ever so slightly, the two guards standing attentively by her door carefully eased their heads around to see the blue eye and shapely elven nose hidden behind the oak wood.

"Please fetch me someone to make me presentable," she asked. Smiling once again, Erdudvyl realised just how polite she had become around these simplistic people. For everything she had been told about humans, she felt more at home with them than she had ever done at Gryffinfall. Yes, they were primitive, yes they were destructive. Still, their compassion, their passion and their comradery gave Erdudvyl a purpose to a life that had only known servitude to the Deayitora Dominion.

Despite being slap bang in the middle of chaos, she felt totally at peace.

As the warm sun mixed with the cold breeze on her face, Erdudvyl encouraged a small smile to appear on her face once more. It had felt like an eternity had passed since she had felt the fresh air, and it was something she welcomed wholeheartedly.

Stepping through the open corridors of Ravenscourt, Erdudvyl was greeted with the sound of wood and hammers sparring with each other. Looking up to the towers, men could be seen working away to restore one of the catapults, chipping away at its deformities and replacing its rotten wood with sturdy fresh oak.

"Milady." an elderly gentleman said, nodding his head and raising his hand to his brow in respect.

Erdudvyl smiled and nodded back, and as the next man who saw her did the same, she could feel a glow deep within her. Never had she felt such appreciation or respect.

The grunting of hard-working men, followed by the chanting of the soldiers in the courtyard was something she had never seen or heard before, and as Erdudvyl looked closer towards the square, seeing the local peasants take up arms for their city brought a pride that she had rarely felt in over three hundred winters.

Ethelston had been busy; he had set the city to task in preparation for the Lionmane army.

"Twelve hundred men? With just over half having military training!" Erdudvyl could hear the gruff painstaking voice of Knight Inquisitor Ithelred as she edged closer to the Ravenscourt war room.

"As the Emperor deemed it necessary to take our men to war, twelve hundred is the best we can muster," Ethelston replied.

His voice, deep but soothing, brought a feeling of longing to Erdudvyl. Pushing her way into the war room, that longing would soon be met.

"Aye, yes, " Ithelred replied, "but some of these have not even grown fur on their faces. Meer children against ten thousand seasoned warriors."

As Erdudvyl entered, she was greeted by the calming but mischievous smile of the Duke of Ravenscourt. "My lady, it's good to see you in good health."

She did not reply; instead, her calm blue eyes focused on his before switching to the disgruntled, angry features of the Knight Inquisitor.

"While I'm happy to see you up and about, my lady, I do not see why you have entered this room at this time," Ithelred commented harshly.

Ethelston quickly turned to his elder. "The lady Erdudvyl is welcome to roam around the city as she pleases, plus her knowledge and wisdom may be of value at this time."

"This is highly irregular!" Ithelred scoffed, "A woman knows nothing of battle and has no need of being in these discussions."

"A woman I am, " Erdudvyl smiled, "and no, I do not know of battle, yet it was my blood that was spilt to give you the news of the oncoming army."

"And how is it you survived from such injuries I wonder?" Ithelred responded sceptically.

"I am a Sorceress of the Elements; I trust you know of the immense power that we are capable of."

Ithelred turned to Ethelston, his face full of surprise and shock. Realising the ability of the small woman in front of him, he immediately responded, "My lady, I must apologise." he bowed his head slightly.

Erdudvyl swang around to the table in the centre of the room where the two men hovered. "Apology accepted; however, I control the sphere of life. I feel that my power is perhaps not of much use in the battle ahead. I will, however, request to arrange healing centres, perhaps my skills will be of great need within them."

"Granted, " Ethelston responded before turning towards the table once more; a map of Ravenscourt draped over it. "Sir Bradajois leads the army that's on its way here. I remember fighting him in a couple of melees in the past. Fearless and aggressive, I don't believe we can expect a siege."

Ithelred nodded, "Agreed. Sir Bradajois is a very astute commander and prefers offence over defence. With the winters slowly creeping on us, it's not in his army's best interest to start a long siege."

"Which is just as well, as the city's food supply is only enough for a few months, " Ethelston responded bitterly. "So, we can expect an assault as soon as his catapults or trebuchets are in position. Having examined the outer walls, I would expect him to bombard our eastern wall, for they appear to be the weakest. On breaching the wall, he would likely send the vanguard to control the outer part of the city."

"Agreed, this would force us into the inner city, and with our numbers, we would struggle to contain them. How many catapults do we have?" asked Ithelred.

"Five, with the promise of one or two more to be fixed before their arrival," Ethelston explained.

"Seven? Ravenscourt has over two dozen!" Ithelred's voice bled with frustration.

"My uncle did not leave me with much of an inheritance." Ethelston scoffed.

Pointing towards the map, Ithelred raised his hand over the green patch to the northeast of the city, "The woodland here would suggest that he will build trebuchets, for that's what I would do. They may still exceed the range of our catapults despite their position on the towers. It's best to use them for infantry only."

"Which means we can expect a short siege for the build of the trebuchets followed by perpetual bombardment until the outer wall falls." explained Ethelston, "Which means we must sabotage and endure. With Loldirr raising forces in the north, we will need to hold out as long as we can until help arrives. Once the outer wall crumbles, our forces hit them with everything we have got until one of our armies are no more."

"How can you be sure that this Loldirr will bring an army?" Ithelred replied.

Erdudvyl chuckled, "Loldirr will bring an army if you had met her and seen how resilient she is, you would certainly not ask the question."

Ethelston echoed Erdudvyl's laughter. "Aye, she is!" as his laughter subsided, he then turned once more to the map. "Yet it will all depend on how long we can survive!"

"Then, with your permission, my Lord, I request to prepare the defences for this strategy," Ithelred responded.

"Granted, and thank you, Lord Ithelred, your experience and expertise are greatly welcome at this dark time." Ethelston placed his fist on his chest as the Knight Inquisitor responded likewise. As he headed for the exit, he nodded towards Erdudvyl, quickly glancing away before she could react similarly.

She smiled as only she and Ethelston remained. "I fear he does not like me."

"The Knight Inquisitor does not like anyone, so do not take it to heart," Ethelston replied.

"How do you tolerate him?" Erdudvyl asked.

"I have to. He's one of the most influential men in the realm, an excellent tactician and fearless warrior. The tales that father told to me of their battles side by side, is the stuff of legend."

Ethelston turned towards Erdudvyl, his face softened, and his smile grew. "How have you healed so quickly? I've never known Elves to heal like such?

The two of them took their leave of the war room eagerly walking towards the walls of the keep to face the bitter cold autumn winds.

"My healing is not because I'm an Elf, but because I'm a Sorceress. Though, I did fear I would not reach you in time. Aethelflaed may not appear to be much, but she got me here exceptionally quickly." Erdudvyl smiled as they walked up the stairs to the battlements.

"Aethelflaed?"

"My horse."

Ethelston's laugh echoed through the air like a foghorn. "That working horse? You named her?"

A coy smile slipped onto Erdudvyl's pale features, "She may be a working horse, but it was her determination that got me here. She deserves a name, and the honour that's bestowed to it."

"I apologise my lady. Aethelflaed will receive the honour she deserves. It's just I find naming a horse can bring an attachment which has been hazardous in my line of work."

As they both strolled along the battlements, the stunning view was pleasant for them both to admire. The city with all its greys and browns had never been so alive. Most of the plebs had remained in the city and were preparing for a siege; they scurried around like ants doing all they could to protect their homes.

Beyond the city, the golden and orange trees covered the northern sea that sat behind the forests, while the green of the eastern hills beyond the city looked at peace, despite the knowledge that the battle would begin their soon.

As Ethelston watched his elven counterpart glide across the Ravenscourt stone, he wanted this moment never to end. As Erdudvyl leant against the stone and watched over the horizon, he leant next to her; his eyes focused on her every move, admiring how everything she did looked so effortless.

"I wish to apologise to you for taking advantage of you in your vulnerable state," Ethelston commented.

Erdudvyl flicked her head around. Her face was not one of anger but instead appeared somewhat mischievous. "You do not take advantage of someone like me, Duke of Ravenscourt. I've lived well over three hundred winters. I have seen many men during that time; very few have had the privilege of even touching me, let alone anything else. Your question irks me; I did not want to kiss the Gentleman of Isovine. I wanted to be kissed by the Rogue of Gryffinfall, do not forget that."

Ethelston laughed, and it became evident that he relaxed as Erdurdvyl seemed to warm to the comment of the kiss. "I apologise, it appears that I find myself in unfamiliar territory."

"What? Talking of a kiss? I find that hard to believe." Erdudvyl responded slyly.

"A kiss is nothing new to me, " Ethelston responded, looking towards the horizon once again. "The meaning behind this kiss is somewhat unusual."

Erdudvyl's cheeks seemed to turn a bright shade of red. "Then, we both shall venture into the unfamiliar together."

There was a short pause before Ethelston continued, "I feel I must apologise once more, you can never return home, can you? Loldirr saw it before we left for Ravenscourt, but I was to blind to see it."

A loud sigh forced its way out of Erdudvyl's lips. She initially looked away, but then seemed to force herself to look directly at Ethelston once more. "No, I can not. I have been exiled from my people and will remain a nomad for the rest of my winters."

"But why?" Ethelston asked.

"Elves have no interest in other races, your imperfections, your chaos, your anger; we believe it inferior and inappropriate," Erdudvyl replied bluntly.

"Harsh!"

"Is it?" Erdudvyl chuckled, "I haven't even been in the world of human's for one winter, and yet we are already preparing for a siege. The last war elves were involved in was before I was even born, over four hundred winters ago, and that was against war-loving orcs. Yet despite all of  your imperfections, there is so much else that you bring, your passion, your hunger, your drive, your love."

Ethelston looked towards the soft glowing features of the beautiful woman next to him and how her smile seemed to warm him up in the chilling temperature. "Do you regret it, turning your back on you people?"

Turning towards him, Erdudvyl placed her hand on his cheek, allowing him to nuzzle into it effortlessly. "Absolutely, " she replied before placing her lips carefully onto his, "and at the same time, a resounding no."

Never before had Erdudvyl seen such a smile on Ethelston's face, but it did not take long to disappear as something else caught the corner of his eye.

Turning her head, Erdudvyl could see it too. A rider was approaching Ravenscourt gates at great haste.

Before the rider had reached the gate, a rumbling sound in the distance could be heard, initially faint, but it gradually crescendoed at each horrifying moment. The sound was initially like the pattering of rain in the far distance, yet it was uniform, echoing over the hills forcefully. As the sound of rain started to turn into a sound of thunder, the shouts and cries of orders being bellowed to the vast army that began to appear over the horizon brought the fear of dread to anyone that could hear or see it.

The bells of the towers started clanging and ringing furiously across the city as the horizon turned black as the army of thousands marched over it. Their banners flew high; their steps were in unison, their voices cried out in high spirits, the army was fully geared for an intense and dreadful war.

Ethelston's face grew dark; his teeth gritted uncomfortably. Just taking one look at the emerging army, he growled angrily, "We better hope Loldirr gets here soon, for there is no way we'll be able to defeat an army of that size."