Journeying from Paravia...
Boreas, that fearful north-west wind,which in the spring and autumn stirs up the lowest depths of the Davinear Ocean, and is then so dangerous to vessels, was howling through the woods, and tossing the branches of the old knotty oaks in the Paravian Mountains when a party of five riders, who surrounded a litter drawn by a pair of elvyn steeds,turned into a forest path, which offered some protection from the weather and allowed the travellers in some degree to recover their breath. It was already evening and bitterly hot. A tall old gentleman of aristocratic appearance, rode at the head of the troop. This was the Master of the Ramoshi Knights. Next to him rode a fine young man of Sidhe blood;he wore a broad brimmed hat with hanging feathers, the leather collaar,the wide riding-boots----in short, the travelling dress of a proper castellan of Folcuth. The features of the young man had much about them that was open and friendly, as well as of some mind;but the expression was more that of dreamy and sensitive softness then of youthful daring, although no one could deny that he possessed much of unearthly beauty.
As the cavalcade turned into the oak wood the young man road up to the litter and chatted with the ladies who were seated within. Two of these--and to them his conversation was principally addressed---were of royal birth and of dazzling beauty. Their hair flowed in natural waves round the fine ovals of their faces,out of which beamed pairs of star-like eyes,full of genius,lively fancy and mischief, and a certain degree of archness.
The girls seemed to attend but carelessly to the speech of their admirer; who made many kind inquiries as to how they felt themselves during the journey,which had been attended by many difficulties: they always answered him very shortly,almost contemptuously, and at length remarked,that if it had nae been for their father's, the Ard Rhi,objections, they would hath long ago requested the guards to take their places in their horrid cage of a litter,for,to judge by his remarks,he seemed put out by the weather;and they would so much rather be mounted on the spirited steeds, and face wind and storm and heat,then be mewed up there,dragged up and o'er the hills, and mope to death with ennui.
The Ard Rhi's daughters' words and still more, the half-contemptuous tones in which they art uttered, appeared to make the most painful impression on the young elf;he made no reply to their comments;but the absent air with which he attended to the kindly-intended remarks of the other women in the litter, showed how much he was disconcerted.
"Twould appear dearest Serae and Senar that hardships of the Road from Paravia have affected yea both more than yea wilt acknowledge. Generally, so kind to others,yea both hath been very often out of humour during the journey and particularly with regard to yea cousins and servants, who would gladly bear a double or triple share of discomforts, if they could save yea from the smallest of them."
The Princesses showed by a look that they were about to reply with some bitter jibe, when the Ramoshi Commander was heard calling for the guards and the men-at-arms,and the young elvyn admirer galloped off at a sound.
"I should like to scold yea both well,Princesses---"said their companion sharply,"for always plaguing yea admirers in such shameful way! He loves yea both truly, and who, whatever yea say, wilt likely be yea husband!"
"Our husband!"replied the Ard Rhi's daughtrs angrily. "We must either alter our minds and ideas, or he his whole self ere that shall e'er take place!!NAY! We know our father's wishes and that tis nae one of them. And we donna deny the good qualities our admirer may have, since we see yea making a face; but to marry an effiminate elf?! NEVER!"
"Effiminate! Yea do him great injustice---just because instead of going off to those damnable wars in Selenia, where little honour wast to be had or gained, he attended to his family's advice and stayed at home."