Chapter 25 Dark Elf

Lady Sylvia had been most eager to join her husband to venture to other lands. She had looked hungrily at each port only to be denied. Sometimes her husband told her it was too dangerous for a lady, even a pirate's wife. Sometimes he told her the 2 of them had better things to do, and would sneak her away somewhere private. She knew he wanted to protect her. She wasn't sure if it was from bodily harm or the eager eyes of foreign men. She felt she had nothing to fear if he accompanied her, and little to fear if he didn't. What man would dare strike a lady? Now they are at a Magic Kingdom of all things. Sylvia resolved to not ask this time. She playfully announced to her dear pirate of a man that she would be venturing off the ship this afternoon - alone. Of course he had laughed, thinking it a good joke. She let that be. When she came up missing, he would know what she had done. Now she need not fear the ship leave without her. Lady Sylvia walked quickly, driven by curiosity. She wanted to see as much as she could before her husband found her missing and caught up with her. Escaping for the whole afternoon seemed too much to hope for. She didn't plan to stop at any one place. This bit of caution she hoped would appease her husband later. Sylvia was absorbed in her surroundings, her eyes taking in the trees and homes. She was therefore quite surprised when a man blocked her path.

What little the man wore had holes. His hair was a mess. And he was very dirty. "What be you needing from the likes of me?" He asked this question in such a way that Sylvia wasn't certain if he was being friendly or threatening.

Sylvia bubbled nervously, "I am Lady Sylvia of Grunwald. I am with a party from Grunwald. We came on a ship..."

The dark man just briefly had gazed past her. She was quite obviously alone.

Sylvia was just noticing the man had pointed ears when he suddenly drew closer, baring his teeth like a wild thing. "And I am a dark elf. Most call me the Goblin, but that is not my name." He did not offer his name and Sylvia did not ask it.

He lunged at Sylvia, stopping just short of touching her. "I am most pleased to meet you," he sneered. "You are a pretty young thing aren't you? Pity."

He raised both his arms. To hold her or strike her she knew not which.

Sylvia gasped. She turned away as she took a step back. The dark elf laughed. Sylvia didn't know what to do. Her husband had been right. She wished now she had listened to him. She wished she was safe aboard the ship. She wished he was with her right now. A somewhat gruff voice spoke from behind her. "Goblin! It smells like the fish is done." The Goblin finished his laugh then turned as if he had planned to. He went over a bridge, presumably to his fish. The man's voice gentled then.

"I see you have met the dark elf. I trust you came out unscathed?" Lady Sylvia turned toward an unusual man. It wasn't just that his clothes were different. His skin is paler than Sylvia's white skin, and his hair of deepest black. It was a striking combination.

"Yes...thank you." Sylvia remembered her manners and politely introduced herself.

"I am Lord Smeagol Dwarf."

Sylvia found this a bit odd. It wasn't just that she had thought dwarves were only stories. It was also that she had thought dwarves were small little men. She would later compare notes with her friend the Gypsy Queen, who would tell her the White dwarves are also not short, but they are not pale as Smeagol is.

As a small thank you, Lady Sylvia taught Lord Smeagol her husband's pirate game. As she brought out the little leather ball and explained how to play her nerves steadied. She quite forgot herself, playing into the early evening before saying her goodbyes.

Sylvia had a feeling she had something to do with her husband's influence when it was announced they were headed for home. Sylvia knew she ought to feel bad. Instead she only felt relieved.