"Good morning, Windhollow students." The Headmaster calls at the head of the Assembly Hall. The high ceiling building allowing his voice to carry throughout the building however his white magic on his hands, twisting magically in the room allows the students and staff to hear. I sit in the front row for First Year students, eyes casted to the Headmaster, head held high and I feel all the stares on me, burning through my skull.

"Today we are blessed to have our youngest Princess Aerin Arondir to attend our Elite Academy. Please rise for her Highness."

With this, I stand from my chair and make my way to the podium, eyes forward. I know who I am, I know how to play these things, how to get people on my side politicly. But this is different. I'm on a playing field of spoilt rich kids with magic. Immature children who have no idea how to control their powers and spin stories to ruin others.

I stand next to the Headmaster and smile softy. "Hello, everyone, I am Aerin Arondir. A student here at Windhollow Acadmey and wish to proceed as such. Please treat me as a such. As of today I will be working towards Council President so do not fear to ask questions, advice and concerns. I will try my best to help." I take a step back, waiting for the Headmasters thanks as a dismiss to sit back into my seat.

The Hall was silent, no one moved or said anything. I watched the bodies of the students, none but one making eye contact. The blonde from last night. She was sitting amongst the third years, smirking in my direction, pearly white teeth and brilliant green eyes hiding secrets.

"Thank you Aerin." I move away from her and turn to the Headmaster, nodding before walking back to my seat. The girl next to me, red messy hair and rounded glasses leans over slightly. In my lessons, my sisters gave me a list of people who would be coming to the Academy as first years. This must be Romona Killian, daughter of a Priest.

"Nice speech, Your Highness. Was that scripted?" Her tone was filled with sarcasm, noting that she wasn't meaning to be kind. I smile sweetly.

"Thank you." I reply, remembering rule number one. No matter who it is, kill someone with kindness. "Your glasses a cute, they frame your round face nicely." She looks at me this time, mouth wide open. I smile again and look forward and listening to the Headmaster.

"Let me remind you, curfew is 7pm, no going outside of the protective ward unless escorted and remember to be diligent in your studies."

There then was a murmur of agreement throughout the Hall. When the Headmaster left the podium, the First Year Hall leader took the stand and told us that our schedules are outside with the Student Council. I walked behind the other first years, finding three students with the student council badge on their uniform underneath the Academy crest. Two male, one female.

Being patient, I waited my turn and soon enough I was at the table, three pairs of eyes staring down at me. These three are Arwen, Cardon and Baelin. My sisters told me that the current student council is these three, and two others, the Vice Presidents Ergon and Talliah. The previously student council was Finley who graduated last year, and the position wasn't filled. Ergon and Talliah refused to take the position for some reason.

"Good day, Princess Aerin," The blonde boy, Baelin said, bowing his head, the other two copying. "This is your schedule." He said, passing over a sheet of paper.

"Thank you kindly." I reply, looking down at it and frowned when I see most of my classes are blank. "Why do I have no classes other than the basics?"

Baelin smiled, "You need to come to the student council room for evaluation before you go to any classes for magic users."

My frown was squashed in understanding. That's right, as far as the school is aware, I have no magic. So I need to be evaluated. Good, I am glad that the Headmaster agreed to treated me like everyone else.

"When is my presence required?" I ask softly, chin held up. I could feel the glare of students behind me, impatiently waiting for me to move. Some muttering curse words.

"Now would be fine. Arwen, can you please show Aerin the way to the council room please?" Baelin student instructs.

I turn to the girl and smile politely to which she returns. "This way." She waves her hand into the direction of the student council. I say my thanks to Baelin and follow Arwen.

She walks quietly beside me, waving a greeting to those who pass us. She was very pretty, her long luscious brown hair casted over her shoulders, curving around her pointed ears. Blue eyes and a button nose, dotted with freckles.

"What year are you in, Miss Arwen?" I ask, breaking the silence. She looks at me and giggles softly, shaking her head. I frown, confused. What did I say to enact that?

"Please, drop the formalities. Were all equal here. To answer your question, I am in second year."

"Is anyone else in student council in second year?" Arwen shakes her head and gives me a sad smile.

"No unfortunately. Students were afraid of the third- and fourth-year council members. I was the only one willing to apply in my year. And now you, this year." I frown, I didn't apply because I was intimidated by the third and fourth years, only on the jurisdiction of my family. Be the best.

"Right so its just you five right?" Arwen nods.

"Yes and maybe now you, depending on how your evaluation goes. Do you understand what happens during your evaluation?" She asks, looking at me before stopping at a door.

"Yes. I put my hand on a crystal ball and if it brightens up and glows, depending how bright it, is how powerful I am. Then It will give a name to my power and give me a level."

"Great! Well come on in, Ergon and Talliah is waiting for you." She gives me a wink and thumbs up before pushing the door open for me.

I walk in and find a table in the middle of room, two students standing in front of it. Ergon and Talliah.

"Welcome, Aerin." Ergon says, ushering me closer. "Please place your hand on the ball."

I do as instruct, walking into the room and placing my hand on the cool crystal ball. The room was silent until a humming began moving around the room, the temperature getting colder. Goosebumps climbed up my skin as I held onto the ball, however my heart was hammering in my chest and my body felt hot. Voices could be heard but it was not Ergon and Talliah, no it was in my head. Muttering things that I couldn't understand. Then the crystal ball glowed, so bright that I had to close my eyes. Then all of a sudden the light went blank. I opened my eyes and found the two student council members eyes looking at me, wide open.

I removed my hand from the ball, suddenly feeling lightheaded. Talliah beat me to it and moved me to a cushioned chair, her hands soft as she handled me. I murmured a light thank you, furrowing my brows.

"Aerin... Has your father ever mentioned your powers?" Ergon asked, looking at me with strange eyes. I shake my head, fixing the stray hairs that made it on my forehead.

"No. Not really, other than the fact that I'm a late bloomer and that my powers should activate when around more magic users. Can I ask why?"

"Did you hear talking in your head?" He asks, crouching to my level. I nod, remembering the loud, muttering banging against my head. "You have a vigil on you. Not being able to use your powers until you touched the magic ball."

"That isn't all." Talliah replies, her face in a frown, looking at Ergon then make at me. "You don't have Light powers."

I shake my head, disbelief running over my face. I don't have Light powers? What does that even mean? Of course I have Light powers, my father is the King of Light.

"I don't understand." I stand, finally getting over the dizziness. Ergon purses his lips and looks at Talliah. She nods her head at him.

"Aerin. You have Dark powers, you have no signs of Light in you, you're a Dark Elf."

I couldn't breathe, my eyes switched to both of them, confused, worried, overwhelmed. "What?" Is all that I could manage to get out. And why do they look sad? Shouldn't they be scared? If I am what they think I am, Dark Elves are dangerous...mean... unkind.

"It's okay, Aerin. We suspected it once we first saw you enter the protective barrier. We won't harm you." Talliah said, reading my thoughts. They sensed it? How? Arwen continues, as if she can read my mind. "Yes, we control the flow of power in the protective ward. We are student council remember."

"Plus... we aren't of Light powers either. None of us are." Ergon says, smiling.

"What do you mean?" I ask, backing away, putting a hand to my head. The buzzing in my head came back and the warmth at my fingertips were spreading.

"Aerin, please just calm down and let us explain?" Ergon asked. I nodded slowly and found that cushioned seat, needing the soft pillows to hug me.

"We have been looking for someone for eighteen years and suddenly a year ago, we got a buzz here at the academy about this person."

Eighteen years they've been looking for someone? That's. long time... these guys aren't as old as they seem are they? After you turn 21, you stop aging... they don't look older than 18.

"Who are you looking for?" I ask, wanting to know who it is. Curious killed the cat and unfortunately, I'm on that road.

"Princess Aeriniah Seraphina Laela of the Dark Realm." There was a long pause and no one spoke, afraid that I would snap or quack like a duck. I shook my head.

"The Dark Realm has been dormant for a long time. No one has heard of anyone inside for centuries. As far as anyone is concerned, there isn't many Dark Elves around. Nor a princess." Talliah grins, crossing her arms. Before I knew it, like a wave, her appearance changes. She was wearing a glamor. The blonde hair and tan skin, now pale and dark. Her eyes glittering darkness and teeth sharper. I jolt in my seat staring at her with wide eyes.

"My stars..." I whisper, my eyes never wavering from her.

"Here, in the flesh. I should reintroduce myself." Talliah bows to her knee. "Your highness, Talliah Bonson Boysen."

Ergon cleared his throat, shaking his head at Talliah. I now had to look at him twice, now realising he too had a glamour. "I am Ergon Calathiel Boysen." He too now bowing on his knee, eyes looking at me with a twinkle in his eye. "Your Highness, we have been waiting for you." 

.....

Getting pretty mysterious!

Please tell me what you think of our characters so far :).