Before The Night

John, Malpa, and Vannil all were making their way to the city’s center. Malpa and Vannil had put on veils to cover their appearance as dark elves were uncommon however unbeknownst to them no one would pay them any mind even if they showed their appearance because they were with John. As they made their way through many of the elven warriors bowed their head to John. John acknowledged each one but just wanted to get to the castle quick because he couldn’t hide the limping much longer. Sure enough they were able to get to the castle doors within another couple minutes using some of the short cuts Malpa seemingly knew from stealing food.

At the doors two guards stood and as the trio made their way up the guards acknowledged John’s presence and opened the doors. John felt an eerily familiar sense of danger as suddenly a butter knife landed and stuck in the floor boards between John’s feet. Looking in the direction it came from John immediately saw who threw it. It was Idril who was sitting on the throne with a scary smile.

“Whoops I guess my knife slipped out of my hand oh my. John darling please pick that up for me and while you’re at it… (Her eyes flared at John) …tell me why you planned a whole feast and celebration for yourself but not for our wedding!?” John wasn’t sure if this was just an act like before because he honestly felt his life was in danger.

Suddenly Malpa spoke from behind John and her veil. “Sorry maybe this isn’t a good time I suppose we’ll head back.” Malpa then grabbed Vannil’s arm to try to pull her. Vannil didn’t budge. Vannil suddenly shook off her mothers arm and stepped forward and pointed at Idril. Vannil pushed her veil aside with her other hand “Listen here I don’t care if you are John’s wife or the queen! John is my best friend and I don’t like you talking to him like that. He should be allowed to do whatever he wants because he is a free spirit. I’ll marry him if you don’t because I trust him to make the right decisions!”

Malpa was dumbfounded as was Idril who was the one being berated. Malpa spoke immediately flipping her veil over her face. “Idril please forgive my insolent daughter as a fellow queen please she is all I have. We came here with John and I know he is only your remarriage partner which puts him below you but I hoped that you would be able to shelter us. Please at least spare my daughter and John.” Malpa got on her knees. This was very demeaning for a queen to do but she did it anyways to protect her daughter and for some reason to protect John. Why would she want to protect John? She wondered to herself and found that thoughts of him brought thoughts of trust only her deceased husband had brought before. When Malpa thought of John even though she knew he was married and they barely knew each other she would trust him with her life. Again this was something she only entrusted to her husband before. She didn’t know for certain if she loved John or just trusted him to such a high degree her emotions were uncertain.

John didn’t know that dark elves and elves in general value trust much higher than other races. The one you trust the most is your husband or wife and that is maintained through loyalty. Malpa felt like she trusted John like a husband and yet felt her loyalty to him is like that she would hold for a stranger (which the two of them just about are). This was only the second time she has trusted someone so highly and thus she didn’t want anything to happen to him.

Idril who was still shocked from being told off by someone claiming to be John’s best friend hardly processed Malpa’s words. More importantly to her John had finally brought some friends to introduce her to. John actually trusted her enough to bring friends over not just any friends possibly his best friend and her mother. Joy reached from within her she now understood why he had left her for almost the entire day. She had waited and waited for him she didn’t want to be lonely without her husband but she felt she always needed him there. He was just so important to her. She knew he would be leaving soon but she hoped he would return quickly. Then reality dawned on her. She had just yelled at her husband in front of his best friend and possibly her mother. The only thing Idril could think of is how angry John probably was with her. She made him look like a fool and she already got berated by John’s best friend. Idril felt like she was being such a failure to John who was everything to her.

Idril jumped off the throne which caused Vannil to step back even though they were fairly distanced. Then Idril dropped to the floor pressing her nose to it. “I’m sorry please, please forgive me I was so rude when my gracious husband brought over two lovely guests! I’m sorry!” She then looked up and across the room finally seeing her guests faces since she was so focused on John previously. Idril knew exactly who they were. “M-Malpa is that y-you??” Idril’s voice began cracking as tears began welling in her eyes. Though they clearly weren’t tears of sadness. “I-I thought the worst when I heard the news of your kingdom. I’m so, so glad you’re okay. Then John’s friend must be…” She then turned her head and saw the younger dark elf and knew right away that she must be Malpa’s daughter.

Malpa who had raised her head when she heard Idril get off the throne earlier just stared at Idril. Tears began forming in her eyes as well knowing that Idril recognised her. The truth was Malpa and Idril met a long time ago when they were kids and played together everyday for a couple years. However as things got testier between the two elven (dark and forest) nations the distance between them grew. Eventually they stopped contacting each other and only heard the news of one another becoming queens. Idril honestly thought Malpa had died when The Chapel deemed the dark elves dangerous and The Empire purged their kingdom.

Idril got up and ran to Malpa picking her up and embracing her into a hug. She then looked towards John and Vannil while still not knowing her name. “You two come join us so it’s not so awkward.”

John and Vannil looked at each other and shrugged. They approached the already embrace pair of queens and found their own spots. John without really thinking touched both Idril and Malpa. John immediately saw Idril’s eternal struggle with loneliness when he was gone just for most of the day he couldn’t imagine how she would when he leaves on an adventure. While on the flip side with Malpa she worries about losing the person she trusts most that being John. He finally got to see just how important he had become to Malpa by just making her trust him. He figured she really mustn’t have trusted people in the past. These two women were innocent of any wrong doing to him and others and deserved to always be happy. John then decided his next course of action pretty radically. Making quick work to push bi-curiosity into both of their sexualities and a standard trust and affection into both Malpa and Idril. It was nothing too crazy and would be up to them to grow it however, Ohn then added for Idril to seek a sapphic relationship she could be dominate in (all the while teaching the pleasures of John) while pushing for Malpa to seek a sapphic relationship she could be submissive in. With Malpa hopefully becoming a maid in the castle John figured it was a sure shot.

When the hug finally broke John didn’t notice any change but that was expected. Idril immediately smiled her tears having stopped. “So what brings you two here? Other than John of course? It doesn’t really matter to me but everyone has their reasons. I’m just happy to see you.” She said addressing Vannil and Malpa. John barely noticed Idril’s eyes wandering over Malpa for an extra second.

Both Malpa and Vannil seemed out of their element and couldn’t muster a response. John spoke for them “They don’t have much reason other than me inviting them. I couldn’t leave a struggling mother and daughter in the middle of the forest. I took note of their skills and decided to invite them to be maids in the castle to help them. I already made the decision so please take care of treat them kindly.”

Idril sighed “Well I want them taken care of as well and if you already made your decision I won’t argue. Malpa you and your daughter are welcome to stay here as long as you need. Please take care of my husband and I.” Now John noticed for sure as Idril’s eyes lingered on Malpa for extra long.

Suddenly a loud horn blared from the outskirts of the castle. It was the signal that the feast was prepared. Idril glared at John before lightening her stare she mouthed the words ‘Save some stamina for tonight’ she then winked.

Malpa and Vannil had actually been startled by the horn and John calmed them down. He invited them to the feast but they both politely declined saying they wanted to get settled in. Idril looked to John again. “I guess I’ll show them to their rooms besides this feast is for your return not mine. Don’t have too much fun you hear!” Idril then escorted Malpa and Vannil towards the living quarters. She happened to stay perhaps a little too close to Malpa.

John turned towards the doors to go back to the courtyard and prepared himself. It was time for a night of food and sex. He smiled to himself.

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Thanks to Lawless for the ideas of this chapter.