Reveal what you have learned

The King leads you to a small room detached from the throne room. Filled with books, papers, a few curious knickknacks, and even a harp, it seems to be a private study of his, a quiet space away from the heavy burdens of leadership. Inside, against a large ornate window, is a small but comfortable couch, that you sit on either side of. Timid in the face of royalty, you are still and quiet as a mouse, not speaking until spoken to.

"I know that it has already been said, but I do not believe that it can be said enough. Thank you, young one, for everything that you have done. You not only saved my life, but saved the kingdom from great strife. I had not seen it for my own eyes, but it pains me to imagine what I've been told, that our own kin was preparing to squabble and even commit **** against each other. Such despair and animosity, I hadn't thought possible."

"You are too kind, Your Majesty" You make a slight bow of the head "It is not particularly surprising to me to have found things in such a state."

"Is that so?" Yalph raises his arm up and rests his head against it "You are quite a curious creature, miss Fiana. I am curious to hear your perception on the matter."

"Certainly." You begin "The simplest explanation is that we are not that far removed from the other sentient beings of this world. We all experience the same things, and we all feel the same things. The only difference is frequency and severity. I think that we tend to bury our feelings, make it appear as though we are always being of regal pragmatism. Losing your leader is very impactful on any society, especially when there is no clarity as who would replace them."

The King smiles and nods gingerly "You are wise beyond your years, and I suspect that you largely speak the truth. It is because of that lack of expression that caused you to leave us, is it not?"

"It is Your Majesty" You agree "At least, part of it. There was never one specific reason for leaving, but that frustration was a large part of it. There was also the fact the simple fact that there is just so much out there beyond our own forests. Even in an elves lifetime, it would be impossible to see it all, and I felt that I had to at least try."

"We all benefit from your curious nature. Had you not left, you wouldn't have had the people and the knowledge necessary that you bring with you on your return," The king shifts in his seat on the couch, looking out the window for a moment "I regret that I had not been more open minded in the past, but between you and my daughter, it saved my life. I should think though that it is not sufficient reason not to change."

"Your Majesty?" You ask for clarification "Your daughter? I'm afraid that I don't understand. She had ventured off long ago, and nobody had seen or heard from her in years."

The King smiles gently "Only because everyone still expected her to be a noble princess, and not the harbinger of the return of an ancient Goddess. You've met her, in fact."

"Wait, what?" Your face wears your clear shock "Stravaria is your daughter?"

"Yes." He replied simply "In my ****, I experienced visions. I saw her, in the city of Krakorum, leading a very different life than what I could have imagined for her," You swallow hard, wondering just how much he knows about that 'different life'. "She was as lovely and headstrong as ever, and fulfilling a great purpose. In my visions, I saw the two of you together. Although I couldn't express it at the time, when I saw your face earlier, I knew the visions were real, and that my precious Stravaria was closer than I ever suspected. It is because of her that you are on your current mission, which brought you here."

"Yes Your Majesty" You reply gently, letting him continue "We are retrieving a book for her." The king laughs slightly

"She always had a penchant for reading. It is good that she is well. I had spent so long fearing that I had lost the three women of my life."

"I believe I know who the other two are, if I may Your Majesty."

"I believe you're correct, please go on."

"The second woman was your wife, the late Queen, who succumbed to illness when your daughter was very young, leaving you to raise her on your own for most of her life. The other would be Marowyn, your early love before you were King."

Yalpha takes a deep sigh with closed eyes "Yes. I still think about her every day, and what I could have done differently to save her."

Your courtly respect begins to fade away "I'm sure her spirit would have wanted to know that, given the shallow grave she's been laid in for over a century and a half."

"I know" He replies quietly, taking another deep breath, his eyes wandering the room. "For her being my first love, my _true _love, I have done nothing but fail her, both in life and ****. She would be the Banshee that tried to take my life?"

"Correct" You reply shortly

"A part of me believes she deserved to kill me." He says in a morose mood "I never deserved someone like her, and I was wracked in guilt and shame to try amend myself. All I could do is push the humans responsible for destroying her home away, to prevent another tragedy. Deep down though, I know that she would never seek to kill me. That wasn't really her, it was the distorted manifestation of lingering sorrow of a soul that should have departed the world long ago. When I see her again in the next world, she will great me with open arms."

"Well, Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, you need not wait so long for the other woman of your life. Stravaria is just nearby in Krakorum. You should let her know that she's welcome home."

The King juggles the thought in his mind "She wouldn't come, she would say that her holy duties to Veserae are too important, and I have cause to believe her. I wouldn't dare interfere, not with her stubborn nature."

"Be that as it may" you counter "You could still at least go see her. Thank her for what she did for you, indirectly. Let her know how you feel."

"An Elven King visiting her would bring a great deal of attention to someone trying to not be noticed, but I suppose you're correct. It would do my heart good to hear her voice again."

With some effort, the King stands from the couch "The more I spend with you Fiana, the more I have to thank you for."

You stand with him "Before I depart, Your Majesty, I have something for you."

"Really? You've given me my life back. What more possibly could you give this humbled old king?" Without a word, you reach into your pocket and retrieve Marowyn's pendant and present it to him. Yalph stares at it for a long while, his hand grasping near his chest. With his other hand, he takes the pendant gingerly.

"This means more to me than you know, Fiana Windblossom. I don't know that I can ever repay you, or your human friends, for all that you have done for this kingdom, and for me personally. If you permit me some time, I would like to at least try to fashion a suitable reward. Would you and your friends care to stay here a little while longer?"

"That is most gracious Your Majesty" You reply with a slight bow, and a sense of humor more akin your human compatriots "Though you'll have to apologize to your daughter for her book arriving late."

The King laughs heartily "Yes, I suppose you're correct. There's a list of things we'll have to discuss I'm sure, but that's for another day. For Today, let us recognize you and the humans as the noble heros that you are."