Aznr ran down the hill to the edge of the cliff. fallen trees scattered the ground and there was no sign of life. Aznr's hair blew back in the wind and memories of the past filled his head...

*Flashback*

Aznr heard a scream that rang through the forest.
Airellion! he thought, immediately recognizing his voice.
'Aznr! LightWater!' he heard the scream again.
This time he ran through the forest towards him. Aznr burst into the clearing and saw Airellion. He had an arrow in his throat and one in his arm. He was surrounded by an army of goblins, all heavily armed.
'Airellion!' called Aznr.
Aznr raised his sword and stabbed a goblin in the back. he ran to Airellion and stood protectively in front of his friend.
'I didn't think you would come,' said Airellion.
'Of course I came,' replied Aznr. 'When you and LightWater were born I swore to protect you, even if it cost me my life.'

Aznr stared up at the sky and a tear rolled down his cheek. He thought of Airune, how childish he used to be, and how He used to need someone to take care of him. He thought of Airellion and LightWater and how they had never abandoned him. Last of all he thought of his parents. he remembered his father would always get mad at him and his mother, and how his father would hurt him. He remembered his mother telling him to leave the house and trying so hard to protect Aznr from his father.
Aznr stepped closer to the edge. If only he could get the courage to jump it would all be over. He could see his mother in Senfinelin Forest, yet he would also be leaving Airune behind.
'Aznr,' he heard a voice behind him.
Aznr spun around. Airune stood there, his deep, black eyes shimmered in the moonlight.
'Aznr, selinnin ina isen,' he spoke in the ancient elvish language, one that few know. 'Aznr, I still need you.'
'No,' said Aznr, 'you don't need me. You can take care of yourself now. I want to see my mother.'
'I want to see my family. They're all dead and I'm not going to kill myself. Aznr, I still love you. Please don't go.'
'Airune, you need to let me go,' Aznr told him. 'You don't want me to be sad.'
Aznr stepped backwards off the cliff. he heard a cry from Airune and he realized Airune would not live on after this and, just before he hit the ground, he regretted jumping.
Airune felt a strong pain, deep inside of him. He fell back, crying out in pain. Aznr's ring shattered and Airune knew he was dead. Then he felt an odd pain inside of him and his vision blurred. He was dying, for his life force had been destroyed.

Brillindier was in an uproar ever since Airune's death. Rumors spread of why he had disappeared, some even said that he had left Brillindier.
'He was never the best king,' said an ilina*. 'He was insane.'
The ilina felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw a young erwiya** staring down at him.
'I think he was a wonderful king,' she said. 'He had a cute accent. I wish he hadn't left.'
'He didn't leave,' said her friend. 'He died.'
'Kirinenna,' said the erwiya, 'LightWater is looking at us.'
'Just ignore him, Firahan,' said Kirinenna, 'he won't bother us. He has a boyfriend.'
'Where'd you hear that?' asked Firahan.
Kirinenna nodded her head towards LightWater. He was talking to a young half-elf and hugging him. The half-elf kissed him and LightWater blushed. The
erwiyas could hardly hear what they were saying, yet they could hear some of it.
'Jasper,' said LightWater, 'Taliliah promised to return soon. I'm sure he'll be here by nightfall.'
'You said that yesterday,' said Jasper. 'He should be home by now. I fear the worst.'



*male elf
**female elf