Gabriel: Book 1 of the Elven Chronicles

GABRIEL

M.A. Abraham

GABRIEL

BOOK 1 OF THE ELVEN CHRONICLES

Copyright © 2012 by M.A. ABRAHAM

www.maabraham.com

Acknowledgements…

I would like to take this time to thank my editing team, Eniko, Fran, Candice and Tanya for their continued support and efforts in correcting my poor grammar and literary efforts. Without them my books would be unfit for reading. A good backup team is priceless and I hope to one day be able to find a way to repay each of you for your support… and Becca… what can we say, you continue to be my foremost reason for being out in the public eye, your talents are endless. And, last but definitely not least, I would like to thank Cora Graphics for the wonderful job she did on my cover. A good cover is priceless and you have made this one as masterpiece. Also, a special thank you to Betty Olsen for going over it, one more time, just to be sure.

GABRIEL

The High Lord General Gabriel Eagle Claw could hardly believe he had spent the better part of the morning inspecting every aspect of a clearing deep within the heart of his homeland.  It made no sense that he should do so, but old habits died hard.  He knew the wars were over, he knew he was in Elven territories, in a place where no other people had ever trod without invitation, but he was still what he was and needed to make sure that this place was secure.

In true Elven fashion the scenery that surrounded the clearing where they were to meet was spectacular.  The fragrances of flowers, trees, and fauna mingled and wafted over him on a slight breeze.  It was in this breathtaking clearing that he had been ordered to meet with his King. It was a common enough occurrence in his life, though the setting was a slight bit unusual.  The King's custom, however, was more in line with getting him travel to his chambers, so they could speak in private there.  Of course, that had been in times of war.

For half of his life Gabriel had been surrounded by the horrors of battle.  He had had no time for anything else, and after five hundred years of doing little other than directing the Elven forces he was having trouble fitting back into life as he knew it was meant to be lived.  It was a state of being that some of his friends and family often teased him about. He understood both their reasoning, as well as his own, unfortunately none of it seemed to make this easier.

Gabriel found it difficult to trust anything. Even the atmosphere within his home was suspect.  The grace and beauty of his house felt alien to him, even though he tried to hold on to the reality of it. But, after five hundred years of living through the horrors that had surrounded him, serenity was unfathomable. Sure, he had celebrated the end of the battles as much as any other red-blooded male of his species.  Women had flocked to his side, drawn by the handsome, virile, hero of their people, and he had enjoyed the novelty for a very brief period of time. This novelty soon paled and he found himself searching for more than momentary gratification.  Something was missing in his life and it was not the war.  He knew, however, that he needed something or someone to ground him, to help make him secure in the new life he found himself thrust into.

Lord Gabriel, King Daroth greeted him jovially as he entered the clearing.  My most trusted and respected friend.

Your majesty, Gabriel replied as he bowed. He was always pleased to meet with his King and friend.

That will never do, King Daroth replied as he greeted his friend with an embrace.  You look so uncomfortable, so out of your element, almost as if you expect someone to jump out of the shrubbery at any moment.  You know that you need not worry about the safety of the Elven territories.  You have seen to this personally.  All those that dwell in our lands are safe within the heart of our Empire.

Gabriel returned his King's greeting, then pushed back with another grin, and another nervous gesture.  All in the service of our King and the people he loves.

You do us all great honor, Daroth returned.

Daroth watched Gabriel as his eyes once more scanned the area. He knew the trouble his great General was having adjusting to the peace of their times. He also knew that custom dictated that he not interfere with his future in any way this was exactly what he intended to do, though it would be done while also servicing the welfare of his people.

Daroth considered how much alike yet how different they were. Both had lived for a millennium, and both were considered in the prime of their lives, in that way they were alike. He had the classic build and coloring of most Elves, being slight of form, with green eyes and light brown hair, and that was where their differences began. Gabriel was just as tall as Daroth, but working with the weapons of war had made him heavier, his body had been honed by years of training. His hair was light blond, streaked almost platinum in some areas from exposure to the sun and elements. His eyes were silver blue, rare amongst his people, but not unheard of, and there were times when they looked almost completely silver in color. He could have easily been a favorite with the ladies, but he preferred his own company.

Gabriel turned his attention back to his king and tossed back his long hair with a flip of his hand. My apologies. I thought I heard something. No insult or disrespect intended your majesty; however, I have learned only too well to trust solely in my own instincts. It is proving to be a hard habit to lose.

I realize that my friend and you need not apologize, Daroth assured Gabriel. You have earned the right to exercise your insecurities. We do hope that with the right set of circumstances, and over time, things will put themselves back to right.

Not being one to beat around the bush, especially when he knew Daroth was apt to do under the right circumstances, Gabriel got right down to business. They could visit later if the issue his King was about to bring to his attention was not too grave. You had me meet you here with a specific purpose, what could that be?

I have given this matter a lot of thought and have decided that it is time to gather our people and bring them home. By this I mean those who now live in the hidden valleys. It is time for our people to heal, time for us to gather to give thanks to the power that make us who we are. It is time to embrace our heritage. We need the healing that comes from rejoicing in the safety of the peace we have so painstakingly earned. We need to celebrate the joy of living again. Daroth noted Gabriel’s expression and how he cocked an eyebrow in thought, then added. Do you believe I am right?

Yes, in so far as to what you have said, but I sense there is more to it than that, Gabriel answered.

When is there ever not more, my friend? Daroth asked. Since the war, we had the time to take a good look at our people, they need to mix with other bloodlines to make us stronger.

And? Gabriel sensed even more to what he was being told.

Daroth shocked him by adding. And now that we are a nation at peace it is time for me to send for my Queen.

Your Queen? Now this was news to Gabriel, he had never heard that Daroth had a wife.

Aye, Daroth explained. I have only ever seen her in visions. It is time she came home, time for our bond to be completed.

Probably overdue, Gabriel agreed. Although, I think I can understand the reasons for that better than most. Many have wondered why you never chose a mate when you could have had your pick from any of the Elven maidens, I now know the answer.

The same could be said for and about you my celibate friend, Daroth replied. Such a choice would have been wrong for us though and we both know why. Our true hearts await us and it is up to us to lead the changing times.

What do you mean by us? Gabriel caught the word.

Just an expression, Daroth dismissed both question and answer, but I do need to form my bond as soon as possible. As you said, it is past time.

With concern Gabriel turned his attention to his King’s immediate problem. You would trust me with the name and the person who is to be your Queen? It was an honor beyond reckoning in Gabriel’s mind. There was power in a name, especially when the person involved was in attendance, even more so when she was to be the Elven Queen.

I would trust you with anything, Daroth admitted, even as he confided. She is beautiful Gabriel, beyond beautiful. In that the gods have been kind. She is like the sun shining upon calm waters. Beautiful. Gentle. Kind. Loving. She has lived protected by all those who love her. You will find her hidden within a pocket of power, alone, and vulnerable only to our peoples. She will be expecting you to come for her and she will follow, though she will be worried about the rest of her family. Her name is C’Liandra. You will meet with different members of her family during your journey and you will find them special, though why eludes me at this time.

Probably irrelevant, Gabriel replied with a careless shrug.  After all Daroth's visions often left gaps that could be open to interpretation.  That was just the way it was.  Also, in this case, as there was no danger involved, what did it matter?  So when do you want me to leave and just how extensive is this exercise supposed to be?

I want you to collect and bring all those you find that have Elven blood and their families, though I might exercise a little common sense when detecting those of little or no Elven blood at all.  You will know what I mean when faced with the problem.

Another Elf joined them and waited by the edge of the clearing until Daroth waved him over.  You remember your nephew, now known as Lord Marious Eagle Claw, Gabriel?

Vaguely, yes. Gabriel replied, though he had to admit he did not know him well.

He fought on a different front than you did, and not near as long. Daroth added. He knew that the war had kept them from getting close, it was unfortunate, but that had been just the way it was. War often kept brothers from getting to know the other, never mind their offspring.

Knowing my brother, it was probably for the best.  Lorenth always did think I was too hard on my men, he would have hated to have had his son serve under me. Gabriel replied with a smug grin in a small show of what would have been taken for light sibling rivalry. That conclusion wouldn’t have been far from the truth either. As a much younger brother Gabriel had taken pride in the fact that he had outranked his brother.

Not quite right uncle, Marious replied with a cocky grin.  Father thought you were meticulous, cold, brutal and brilliant.  He was proud of the fact that your losses were smaller than anyone else, while causing the enemy the greatest defeats in the worst possible conditions.  He just said that he wanted his sons beside him.

I should make time to see him someday, was Gabriel's only comment.  He had always thought his older brother disapproved of him and had kept his distance from him because of it.  It took a slight load off his shoulders and it made him feel better somehow to hear this was not the actual case.