Chapter 27

The trek through the forest to the northern plains had taken longer than anticipated. The skunk had led his team through many unknown paths that proved to be difficult for both the farmer and the old elf. Many times he had to allow them rest while Toame and Lily help clear some of the under brush in the more difficult areas. They arrived at the meeting place just after midnight to find an uncountable number of elves loyal to Queen Bayla's reign. Amidal was standing in the center of the crowd atop a small platform. The five made their way through the elves to the platform. Amidal noticed the skunk first. "What say you skunk? Have you brought our guests with you?"

"Aye, that I have, my lady." He turned to face his followers. Toame bowed before her and stepped onto the platform.

Amidal, faced the crowd. "Behold, I present to you the son of our current king. I give you Toame, son of Tokint. He has proven his loyalty to our efforts, I bid you accept him as friend." Toame bowed to the crowd and step aside to allow room for his friends. "Behold, Master Elf himself. Banished for his loyalty to Bayla's reign, saved by Toame and the human farmer." She moved to the farmer who had barely reached the top of the platform. "Queen Bayla's human husband, I bid you treat him well." The crowd cheered at the farmer, though few had known of her marriage.

Then Lily arose to the platform. She walked to Amidal and removed her cloak's hood. She stood before the leader of the rebels leaving her stunned. "I bid you accept my humble service to your cause. My life is offered for your freedom from the current rule." Lily bowed before her in submission.

"Please rise, my queen." Amidal stated and quickly bowed to her. Amidal rose and faced the crowd once again. "I offer you Lily of the Rosebed, daughter and heir to Queen Bayla, the true at rightful queen of the elves and of the forest. Bow to her and offer your allegiance." Lily faced the crowd and watched thousands of elves kneel to offer their respects and their loyalty. Amidal placed her hand upon Lily's shoulder. "You are our queen. We are your people and we will serve you in life and in death as we have served your mother." She bowed once more as did the others on the platform. The crowd began to shout "Hail, Queen Lily!! Hail to the Queen!!" Lily felt the presence of her mother and knew she had approved.

Lily turned to Amidal and asked her to rise. "Please, we haven't much time. The forest is as full of her spies as it is yours. It won't be long before Amri knows of my presence here."

"Yes, my Queen. I shall have my captains meet with us in the eastern tent." She bowed and left the platform.

Lily turned her head to the sound of howling. "Even the wolves are restless," she noted. "They sing loudly tonight."

"Nay, my Queen; they report the presence of a human in the forest. A human they rescued from Amri." offered Jacque.

��A human? Let us go see who it is," suggested Toame.

"Tis the medicine man's son," stated Jacque.

"My son? Sevren? Wolves rescued Sevren from Amri?" Philip started down the steps for the sound of the howling. "I must see what she has done to him. I'll never forgive myself for leaving him alone if she hurt him." He began making his way through the crowd, pushing and shoving elves aside; almost running as well as a man his age could. The others caught up with him and joined him in his pursuit of the wolves.

At the tree line of the plain the foursome found themselves standing in silence as the howling had stopped. Lily cried out in a loud voice, "Wolves of Elvin Ridge, hear me. I seek that which has been found that it might not be lost."

A small she-wolf emerged from behind the trees. "Only the true Queen of the land can seek that which has been found." Upon recognizing Queen Bayla in Lily's face, the she-wolf bowed to her. "Our allegiance is given to thee, my queen." She then howled to let her pack know to bring the one they had found. Several wolves emerged from the tree line with Sevren in their midst.

Lily walked up to the short man and stood before him. "What say you son of Philip? Why have you found yourself in the charge of these wolves?"

"Amri came to the village seeking father. She was angry with him and thought I had hidden him. She destroyed our shop and burned it down. I only barely escaped. I ran as far as I could before I couldn't run anymore. I fell down at this wolf's feet and she and the others guarded me as they would have their kill. Amri believes I am dead because of their ruse. I owe them my life."

"Are you friend or foe? Whom do your loyalties belong to?" she queried.

"To whom do you mean? I am but a humble servant of my father's. My loyalties are with him." Sevren was confused at her coldness towards him. "I do not serve my sister, if that is your meaning."

"Very well. You may find refuge here among your friends for now. Your services may be needed soon. I pray you are willing when the time comes." She gave the she-wolf and icy stare as if to say she didn't trust the man. The wolf understood and nodded her agreement to keep an eye on him. Philip embraced his son and chose to stay and visit with him for a time while the others prepared their plans to confront Amri and reassume rule over the land.