A Hancock Hillside Mystery, TINA V [best book club books txt] 📗

successor of the Elfin City. If he and this human being will be married, it will make them a lot wiser and stronger than our clan,” King Darkelfar began to speak his thoughts.

He turned to Dark Nebiolo and ordered him to capture the girl he was talking about. “Go back and make sure that you bring that girl with you,” he declared, pointing to their cave exit.

“As you wish, my King Darkelfar,” Dark Nebiolo replied. He then flapped his wings, flew out of the cave and made a squeaky sound to call the other bat-elves.

**********

The elvishes of the Elfin City assembled at the palace for a banquet. There were loud music; both their male and female could be seen dancing all over the place. Males were wearing black pants, white and green or blue buttoned shirt with a stocking cap; while females were either in a pretty light green, yellow orange or pale red and white short gown. There was a long table filled with food, drinks and colorful decorations. The place was well lighted that it looked so bright and festive.

Who might be their prince? I began to ask myself. We were standing at the entrance door feeling unnoticed by the crowd. Voltaire and Shadrach were in front of us; while Nathan was at my right and Tricia was at my left.

Suddenly, the music and dancing stopped; a loud trumpet began to sound and a voice announced, “My fellow elvishes and guests, let us welcome our King Elfemier and Prince Elcho.”

Everybody bowed down gently, rose up and clapped their hands. I noticed Nathan, Tricia and our two elvish friends were also clapping their hands. I saw an older elvish wearing a crown and a young man in an elegant outfit entered. The older one sat on the throne; then the younger one bowed down in front of him, looked straight and walked towards our direction. I was fascinated by his good looks that I felt my body went numbed again.

Then I felt Voltaire and Shadrach hold my hands and led me to walk towards the prince. I looked down at the two elvishes; they were smiling and nodding their heads. I felt my legs started walking to meet my Prince Elcho at the center. Everything seemed so quiet that even a drop of a needle can make a sound. I felt my eyes were stuck looking through his eyes, too. He took my hands; then I heard a clap and soft music started to play. He placed his hands at my hips, and I positioned my hands on his shoulders facing each other. We danced gently to the music. I felt like my whole world stopped, and there was only the two of us at that moment.

“Don’t they look lovely?” All of a sudden I heard a remark from the crowd.

I didn’t notice the time, but it seemed like hours before I began wondering, oh dear he looks familiar. At the back of my mind it was as if we have met before. On the spur of that moment I stopped, pushed him at his chest, moved back a little, and said to him, “You’re the guy riding in the horse. Oh gosh, how come I didn’t recognize you?”

He didn’t say a word, but he continued to look me straight in the eyes and smiled.

“But . . . but how come you don’t look like an elf?” I asked.

“It’s a long story, but for now, come with me and I’ll introduce you to my father King Elfemier,”

“Wait, I have my two friends with me: Nathan and Tricia,” I said pointing towards them.

Prince Elcho clapped his hands, and our two elvish friends ushered them. He squeezed gently my right hand and once in a while glanced at each other as we walked towards his father.

As we reached his throne, we bowed down together and Prince Elcho said, “My father King Elfemier, this is Shaina, the one I’m telling you to be my Princess Emerald.”

With my head still down, I thought, say what? Your Princess Emerald? Then I heard King Elfemier said, “Rise so that I may recognize you.”

Prince Elcho and I stood up; I tilted my head and looked towards their king. I didn’t know what to say; but before I fall into an embarrassing moment, I heard him whispered to us, “hhhmmm . . . my son, you have chosen a fine young lady to be your princess.”

“Thank you your highness,” I answered softly. I glanced at Prince Elcho looking at me with a smile on his face.

King Elfemier clapped his hands and declared, “My son Prince Elcho has invited his lady and her friends in our palace. Let us welcome them with delight. So let the celebration begin!”

Again, music started to play and the elvish began to dance at the center. Some elvish maidservants began to serve food and drinks. I noticed Nathan and Tricia were also dancing with an elvish partner. Prince Elcho and I had a long evening. He introduced me to his other elvish relatives and toured me in their palace. I smiled and glanced at him once in a while. I felt my face blushes every time he squeezes my hand; I hope he didn’t notice it. I took a deep breath and thought, this must be a dream fairytale.

It was almost midnight when the crowd started to disperse. Unexpectedly, I heard a commotion from the elvishes; then I saw several dark bat-elves flying around the ceiling fan, while Tricia was kicking her feet and yelling, “Let me go! Damn’t!”

“I – I think,” I mumbled. “I’ve seen something like that before.”

Then I saw the main entrance door opened, and Nathan came running towards us looking horrified. He was screaming, “Help! Somebody, please! Help us!”

The dark bat-elves were all squeaking that it filled the room with a loud tormenting noise hurting my ears.

“That’s Dark Nebiolo!” Elvish Voltaire hollered, pointing to one of the dark bat-elf.

Dark Nebiolo squealed, “Hello again my princess.” He was flapping his wings while moving back and forth towards me.

Prince Elcho shoved me with his arms moving me behind his back. He shouted in a firm voice, “Stay away from her, Dark Nebiolo!” He positioned himself and gripped his sword ready to fight. “What do you want?” he asked.

Then an army of elvishes stood in front of Prince Elcho with their armor and sword ready. I was terrified; my heart started beating fast. Nathan stood beside me, holding my arms.

“Oh c’mon! We don’t mean any harm. We want only to borrow the princess,” Dark Nebiolo answered and laughed with a shrill.

“You’re crazy! Put her down!” Prince Elcho commanded, pointing to Tricia.

Dark Nebiolo pointed at me and shrieked, “Come and save your friend or else, she’ll die! hahaha. . .!” He flapped his wings, signaled something to his troop and left.

“Wait!” I cried and spluttered. I wanted to chase them, but my body was numbed. “Tricia, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault,” I just whispered. Then I fell on my knees and blubbered, “I can’t forgive myself if something bad happened to her.” I shook my head, closed my eyes and continued to cry.

I felt somebody squeezes my hand; it was Nathan, and he too was crying. Then I heard Prince Elcho said, “Don’t worry Shaina; we’ll get Tricia back.” He held both of my shoulders, helped me stand and uttered, “I promised; we’ll get her back.”

I looked at him, nod my head and hoped everything will go back to normal.

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Imprint

Publication Date: 12-02-2011

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
This e-book is part of the Bookrix fundraising project for the benefit of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) - http://www.aspca.org/about-us/about-the-aspca.aspx .