Henrikson, a serf of the Spellguard tower in Chingford, took another sweeping glance over the Lord's chambers. He had been instructed to clear the room in preparation for the new Lord of Esi House Spellguard, Raymour Spellguard. He could scarcely believe that Terran was dead once and for all, many a time had he fallen in battle only to return to the tower, but these were dark times and it was time for the House to move on.
Picking up his broom, he decided to begin by clearing out the draws of Terran's desk. As he began to open the top most draw, he noticed a shimmering glass bottle on the top, glowing with a soothing green light and containing what looked like a conker.
"Curious" he said to himself. "I wonder what Lord Terran was working on with this item."
With his orders from the Grand Masters of the order, he reached his hand out to take the glass canter from atop the desk to give to his masters, when suddenly a hawk flew through the window and landed on the desk by the glass canter. The hawk shifted into the shape of a Wood Elf draped in a green robe and holding a wooden staff adorned by a large, emerald crystal atop it.
"Greetings Henrikson" he said to the serf, reaching out and grabbing the canter. "Don't mind if I take this seed now do you? I've left it long enough and I'm sure the tree spirits would be very upset if I left this task any longer."
As all serfs in the tower, Henrikson had basic training with small arms and carried a knife with him always. Without hesitation, he unsheathed his dagger and thrusted towards the Elf, but before the blade could pierce the Elf's skin, he shifted back into a hawk and glided down to the ground. Upon looking down at the town of Chingford, he saw nought but a lone wolf running out of view.
"How did that Elf know my name?" Henrikson asked himself. "Come to think of it, was that staff not the Earth Servant? I must report this to Lord Raymour..."
Insuring that no tracks were left, Barkskin made his way through the woodlands on Braintree with the recently acquired glass canter, a bag of seeds he received from Carla, a scroll sealed with the royal seal and a large waterskin. His newly acquired senses allowed him to feel the forests he passed through in ways he never could before, his navigation had vastly improved.
After a long, tiresome journey, he eventually came to a clearing in the middle of the woodlands. "This will do nicely" he thought to himself, laying his items on the floor.
In the centre of the clearing, Barkskin dug a hole and poured the contents of the canter, seed and water in all, in and began to shovel the dirt back atop the seed. The seed seemed to pulsate with a calm green light as if appeased. Afterwards, he began to scatter a portion of Carla's seeds around where the enchanted seed was buried and watered the plantations from his waterskin until emptied of it's contents.
After furfilling the promise he had made to Carla, he sat at the edge on the clearing, his staff seemingly intune with what he had achieved, and sighed a sigh of relief at the work he had put into the beginnings of the grove. The Brain Tree seed had finally been planted in it's rightful home.
"Now to watch over this grove, and the seed, until I can be assured of it's safety" He thought to himself.
OOC: Josh has said to me that the King has agreed to sign a warrant allowing Barkskin to plant the Brain Tree in Braintree to avoid any political problems the people of Braintree may have, however, he has no internet to confirm this himself.
"Mae Govaenan Barkskin"
said Vhal, knowing full well that Barkskin knew little of the ways of Elves.
He was sorry about his predicament, but he knew Barkskin mean't well, but what was strange was the several significant factors of his garb which looked like Terran, if this eladrin was Terran, he had not performed a very impeccable task of transcending from his previous life into the new, nay, the smell of Terran was still on him, he carried his old staff, he wore his old garb, and infact carried his old sword, hell he even had the old trinkets Terran used to wear devoting himself to Tasmina.
"Now that was a tricky one"
said Vhal, in Elvish, inside his mind. To 'worship' Tasmina, was like to chew on thorns for an eternity, Gil'Asvhal'dr wondered how anyone could possibly worship such an un-cooperative, difficult and temperamental being which claimed god-hood, the lack of satisfaction over such a treacherous entity rooted deep in Vhal's mind, he wanted nothing to do with her, real Deity's of Nature were like the 'Great Oak' or the Tree of Yggdrassil, they lacked the childish humanity Vhal saw in Tasmina, even further Vhal pondered how they had even got into power in Midgard....
"How dissapointing"
He said to himself, and realised his mind, in the brief glimpse of this fleeting moment had side tracked.
"I have many questions, but i'll save those for the future, but for now, I'll simply ask - How art thou?"
Just then as the two elves were talking Count Pagent Merryfellow stepped from the trees. " Well sisnt this nice . Two elves in my forest .Ok you two , would you mind explaining what you are doing hear ? "
( oc. Josh hasnt said anything about this , so Pagent doesnt know you have a warrent )
"Oh, Mae Govaenan Pagen Merryfellow."
"I've been wandering, and looking for Barkskin mostly.
I'm here, like all reasons, for a purpose, to offer a gift of kinship to Barkskin, he's been quite difficult to find, its took me quite some time, well, in Human terms."
Vhalkan smiled pleasently as he pulled his horse closer and started to un-pack the various items of worth he brought.
Seeing no sign of Barkskin Pagent said farewell to Val and returned to his Manor
Stepping from the woods after Pagent's departure, Barkskin spoke to Vhal as if a little bewildered by the sudden company he kept.
"I know your face, Vhal was it not? I am fine, the trees provide a certain blanket of security that stone cities once held for me. I am truely not entirely used to my new form."
His appearance from the wilderness took Vhal back, but without losing face Vhal kept peaceful, and made sure he didn't react to natural instinct in defending ones self.
"Ah Barkskin, greetings indeed. Sorry about that, you see, my Elven Steed and I are quite easy to track, anyone with magic sense can usually pick me up a mile off, bearing in mind this is my "physical form manifest" I am but a fraction of my stature in comparison to being in tranquility in Alfheim, but this discussion we will save for another time.
So, I'm quite certain Pagent Merryfellow could feel my presence a mile off, and found his way here... Ti's a flaw that I cannot mask my Majesty.
I'm sorry to hear you aren't used to your new condition, but I promise you Terran... I mean, Barkskin that you look different already, your body is shedding weight very fast, your features on your face has really started to take shape, I can see your bone structure much more now, and your eyes hold a more captivating sense of mysticism, you surely have joined the Eladrin race.
You are growing quite handsome by the weeks Barkskin.
It will take you some time to grow 'into' being who you are, you must remember, we elves reach true Adulthood at around our first century, so effectively you will be going through elven "Puberty" for the next five decades, don't worry about it, this is not in the physical sense, but rather in the mental sense and getting used to your form."
Barkskin is taken back a notch from this revelation that Val had brought before him. He could vaguely recall his own puberty in Human form, though the memories were fading fast in his new body, and this was nothing like he remembered. Was Val speaking the truth or was the process hitting complications because of the Reincarnation spell?
In anycase, Val did indeed speak true. Barkskin could see his physical form changing by the day, his ears grew as the weeks went by and his weight was becoming leaner, if still bulky for an Elf. It was true that the change from Human to Elf din't happen in it's entirety immediatly.
Barkskin gave an acknowledging smile and nods to Val. "My thanks for your words friend, but I wonder how an Elf from the legendary Alfheim differs to a Wood Elf biologically. My physical... nay, magical manifestation is not quite to your level Val." He pauses for a moment to think. "It is true, my body changes by the day, I realise this in my reflection from the drinking pools of Braintree. I feel far more comfortable in the woods that surround me now than stone towers of Spellguard."
Barkskin chews his lips in thought and reluctantly turns to Val, confused and looking for answers. "Prehaps..." He says, slightly hestantly. "Prehaps you would teach me the ways of being an Elf. I had no Elven parents, I do not know what to expect..."
"There are many questions, but I'm afraid I can't answer them all Barkskin."
"As to my lineage, as you see me, I am a perception, a physical spirit given manifest, I am not of this world you see, so when I am seen in true form, my physical presence is quite different, my hair does not sit but moves and flows, in essence Barkskin, this is my "mortal form" in Alfheim, all entities are essentially spirits, magic is strong there, islands of land fly in the Horizon with great forests upon them, and the world is almost inhabited by a "song" this eurphoric sound as wisps and elemental air energies flow from one province to the next. At the heart of this, The God of all Sentient Tree's sits and waits, it is the Mother and Father of the Brain Tree you speak of I suspect."
"There are many questions, but I'm afraid I can't answer them all Barkskin."
"As to my lineage, as you see me, I am a perception, a physical spirit given manifest, I am not of this world you see, so when I am seen in true form, my physical presence is quite different, my hair does not sit but moves and flows, in essence Barkskin, this is my "mortal form" in Alfheim, all entities are essentially spirits, magic is strong there, islands of land fly in the Horizon with great forests upon them, and the world is almost inhabited by a "song" this eurphoric sound as wisps and elemental air energies flow from one province to the next. At the heart of this, The God of all Sentient Tree's sits and waits, it is the Mother and Father of the Brain Tree you speak of I suspect."
Vhal goes on and clears his throat
"The Ever Song to put it in common tongue, is the sound of all things, the choir of the universe, the more magically attuned that plane of existence is, the greater the sound, and it often is percieved or made to the sound of the realm, so the fire realm's one would be quite different to Alfheim, and Helheim's is a sound of sorrow, wind, and dreams unforfilled.
It is hard to listen to Middle Earth's 'song' as it changes ever so much, so many influences from other worlds, conduits to other planes, and yet all tied up in this 'Mortal Package' means this "Ever Song" here if anything, comes and goes like the winds, or the sea so to speak, when the moon gets closer, the sea changes, so to does different forms of magic, so a new song begins, during day time another flows.
To put it bluntly, Midgard, or Middle Earth is a land teeming with different life, full of chaos and change, yet however there is an 'order' to this change like the Equinox's, it is essentially for magic, mortal and immortal, a land of oppertunity, with a thousand different drums playing a different tune, with all songs fighting for supremecy."
"I do hope Terran this will help give a little more understanding, as you too are a Druid, I am sure when you are in your 'grove' or place which is important to you, the 'realm' almost screams out to you, the colours are more vibrant, and there is almost an aura of song to it, if you understand this, then of course you will understand the Magical essence which is understood by few, listened by even fewer, and harnessed by even less.
This my dear friend, is where all higher magics begin, to understand higher magic, you must understand the principles of the worlds we live on, and the Celestial and significant signs, sounds, and aura's which embody it"
"Such a waste." Barkskin says, sorrowfully. "Nature, the very beings that make this 'Midgar', or Middle Earth as you called it, are meant to play a different tune that works in harmony, like a gentle flute complimenting a soulful harp, they work together making different sounds. But these forces disrupt that peaceful melody, it's as if they are the centre of battle now, rather than the bringers of peace. Light, dark, in the end what does it matter when the very thing that is fought over is ruined afterwards? What kind of madness does this war bring?"
Barkskin chews his lip and looks over his shoulder as if he had just mentioned a taboo, a thought that should never have come into existance. His voice hushens slightly as he continues. "I do hear that melody, but rather than a soulful melody, it's turned into a harsh beating of drum, screaming with pain and torment this world, this... Middle Earth has sustained." Retaining his composure, and standing more confidently, he continues. "It's a sad truth that this war must continue, for if we give in to the dark forces, we stand to lose everything and peace as we know it will cease to be. This is why I fight in the name of the light, but I do so in my own way, with my own code. If I didn't, then I would be stating a moot point."
The Wood Elf walks over to the point where he buried the seed, the ground now slightly disrupted, the tree had obviously began it's growth. Staring at the ground, Barkskin continues talking to Val, only as if in thought. "I brought the Braintree here, not only to serve nature, but in the hope it will contain the answers we need to stop this war once and for all, or at least lessen it's damage on this world..."
"I dont think Middle Earth will ever play song of Harmony Barkskin, for it in all purpose is a world of many cultures, many ideals and suckles from the boon of chaos itself. There may have been a time when this was different, but Middle Earth is the battle ground for many peoples lives, many dimensions all look towards what happens here, for if this falls, all hope is lost.
For now Barkskin, the lives of many elves which serve the cosmic good, is tied to mortal life, our alliance with the Humans is more important than ever, and the Dwarves have gone missing for the most part of these battles, lesser in number are they than us, and very few wish to tangle in the affairs of things which are outside there strongholds.
The goblins and there folk are stagnating, if anything they are reversing from having what small knowledge they had before, then they will become barbaric warmongering green hided monsters with hob goblin masters. In essence while some "evolve" they may be seen as devolving.
We the Elves have been fighting wars across planes of time, sands of many realms for longer than many care to remember, and it is now why more than ever we must look to the Humans, and Ancients like the Asgardians to honour allegiances and work towards the good fight.
You see Barkskin, what happens here is but one grain of sand which is happening in many other places, due to being of the Ljosfalar, our existence means we can be in many places at the same time, I am here now, but I am also several centuries in the future, but I am also currently in another dimension fighting for an entity known as 'Ranjid Sing'.
Essentially Barkskin, ones concept of space and time is dependant on age, wisdom, blood, magical power and understanding, I have only met two so far in this world who I know for certain share similar, and this is the High Queen and Phaurun, Others are aware of there conciousness being in several places at the same time, but do not know how to manipulate it, and other collective consciousnesses are utterly aware, completely capable, have taken the first loss in this great cataclysmic, never ending battle. One of the most notable is Neuryu Darkspring, his death will be hard felt, and more importantly harder felt on all Neuryu Darksprings.
I'm sorry, this is all rather dragging on a bit, I think its best I stop, but the best advice I can give you Barkskin, is to stay patient, and learn, you've got centuries of life to understand this and comprehend this, start now and if you are lucky within a century you might be as lucky as The High Queen."
"Indeed." Barkskin replies to his fellow Elf solomnly. "But I am sure you did not come to see me for idol chit chat, I'm sure you came to see me for a much more important reason. So I ask, friend, what was it you came here for?"
"I came for many a reason, but worry not Barkskin."
"My role was simple, to welcome you to the race of the Eladrin, and allow you to begin your journey with new weapons and armours of our people.
Your past as a Human is gone, it will never return, but accept it humbly as the powers that be have given you the opportunity to be something greater, cherish your past, but shed your old skin, and wear the gifts of Alfheim."
"I am aware of this, friend." Barkskin replied without even a hint of regret. "Already my memories of my Human life fade as if but a memory, this is my life now. I remember dimly my father, Aldor Spellguard, his death, my training in both the arcane and nature and my immense hatred for that which killed my father, but not much else."
Barkskin looks to Vhal's side, noticing a beautifully crafted chest, intricate in design and obviously not commonly obtainable. He was surprised that he did not notice it's presence before, though prehaps it was magical in nature. Though it did make him wonder how his magical attunement wasn't able to detect it's appearance if so.
"By gifts, would you mean the contents of this chest? I was imagining something less... literal by your words. Though I am honoured and humbled by your generosity if that is not the case, but I would not like to assume."