Role

Chapter 8

As far as arranged marriages went, Lathaleril could imagine worse. His wife,
eminent within the Darsylonian political establishment, was a perfect match.
At least by the judgment of his parents. In truth, she was a lovely,
traditional lady of the high elven court, both flawless and gracious and as
beautiful as the evening stars. Conversations with her were like forging deep
rivers full of depth, challenge and rang with the force of her convictions.
In years past Lathaleril would be inclined to agree with his parents, Layanna
was perfect in many ways. But his years fighting for the Light had changed
him in a way that created subtle differences between them. Where she was
chiefly concerned with the current affairs of high elven kind, Lathaleril's
duty with the Holy Brigade presented him with the awareness of far greater
reaching dangers that he worried about. Where she preferred they spent their
time together in Darsylon in courtly affairs, Lathaleril preferred what
little time he allowed himself away from the Fortress to be spent walking
among the starlit Ironwood trees and streams of Arendyl. The union wasn't one
of sadness, but it was one founded on rational mutual respect rather than on
love. Perhaps that was to be cherished, if not as superior, at least as
sufficient.

The union resulted eventually with offspring. As Lathlaeril held his son and
named him Arenorandanarias he felt the senseless father's pride in having
achieved an act of propagation that seemingly all living creatures were apt
at. Still his reason couldn't diminish his unreasonable sense of joy and
accomplishment. He held the little creature and smiled, seeing for the first
time clearly what Purity and innocence under the Light truly meant. He
promised himself, that he would do all he could to have his son live the
peaceful life without the threat of darkness looming from every shadow. And
failing that, he would give his son a worthy legacy, a clean way set by
example of what it means to be a high elven lord, a protector inclusive of
all the Light's creatures, a true son of Elorinathas.