Arpious of the Planes

Chapter 559 Elven King and Queen

At the far end of the room, atop a magnificent dais, sat the elven throne itself. Carved from a single colossal tree trunk, it was a work of artistry beyond compare. The throne's backrest rose high above, its design reminiscent of a cascading waterfall, with intricate patterns of leaves and vines cascading down its surface.

The throne's seat was cushioned with plush moss and adorned with silken pillows, providing a comfortable and regal perch for the ruler of the elves. On either side of the throne, two towering trees had been artfully shaped and trained to form living sentinels, their branches intertwined with the throne's structure.

The throne room was bathed in a soft, ethereal light that filtered through the canopy of leaves overhead. Sunlight streamed in through stained glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the marble floors. The air was scented with the delicate fragrance of blooming flowers and the earthy aroma of the forest.

Elven nobles and courtiers moved gracefully through the room, their attire a blend of natural colors and fine fabrics that flowed like waterfalls. Their jeweled ornaments and intricate tiaras caught the dappled light, adding to the room's enchanting ambiance.

The atmosphere in the throne room was one of serene majesty, a place where time seemed to slow, and the weight of the world lifted. It was a space where the elves gathered to discuss matters of the realm, celebrate their heritage, and pay homage to their rulers. In this breathtaking chamber, the elves found solace and inspiration, a testament to the beauty of their civilization and their enduring connection to the world around them… but I was here for one thing and one thing only. 

"Hey, you old bastards! LISTEN THE FUCK UP BECAUSE I WILL ONLY SAY THIS ONCE!" 

…

Despite his glaring incompetence, King Thandorion possessed an appearance that, at first glance, might have conveyed an aura of regal authority. He was tall and lean, with the graceful bearing characteristic of the Elves. His once-magnificent silver hair cascaded down to his shoulders, framing his face with an air of wisdom and experience, though those who knew him best would argue that it was merely a facade.

Thandorion's eyes, once sharp and piercing in his youth, had faded with age and neglect. They were a striking shade of emerald green, which should have exuded a sense of majesty, but instead appeared perpetually distant and vacant. His pointed Elven ears, though a symbol of his heritage, now seemed more like ornaments to a figurehead than instruments of a wise ruler.

He was often adorned in lavish, regal attire that befitted his station. His robes were a rich tapestry of deep forest greens and royal blues, adorned with intricate golden embroidery that was intended to signify his status as king. However, as his reign continued, these opulent garments began to show signs of wear and neglect, mirroring the decay of his plane.

King Thandorion's most distinctive feature was his long, flowing silver beard, which he took great pride in. It was meticulously groomed and adorned with golden clasps and gemstone ornaments. To his subjects, it became a symbol of his vanity, a stark contrast to the destitution that plagued Eldoria.

Despite his outward appearance, which seemed to hold the promise of a wise and capable ruler, Thandorion's demeanor often betrayed his true nature. His countenance was marked by a perpetually befuddled expression, as though he were in a perpetual state of confusion. His movements were slow and deliberate, lacking the sharpness and decisiveness one might expect from a king.

In the eyes of many, Thandorion's appearance only served to underscore the tragedy of his reign. He had all the trappings of a great leader but none of the qualities necessary to fulfill that role. His once-impressive exterior had become a facade for a ruler who was, in reality, terrible at his job, a fact that was painfully evident to his suffering subjects.

His reign was marked by a litany of missteps, each more bewildering than the last. His military campaigns, which were meant to protect Eldoria's borders and expand its influence, were characterized by poor planning and disastrous outcomes. In one infamous incident, he ordered a full-scale invasion of a neighboring Elven forest plane, convinced that it would be a swift victory. However, his ill-prepared army was routed, leading to a costly defeat and the loss of valuable Elven lives. It was said that Thandorion had relied on the advice of his pet parrot more than his military strategists.

The king's courtroom was a circus of incompetence and absurdity. His courtiers and advisors were chosen not for their wisdom or expertise but for their ability to stroke his fragile ego. Wise counselors who dared to speak truth to power were quickly banished from his presence, leaving the court filled with flatterers and opportunists. This environment of unchecked sycophancy only served to amplify the king's ineptitude, as he was rarely exposed to sound advice or constructive criticism.

Eldoria's relations with other planes suffered greatly during Thandorion's rule. His erratic and often offensive behavior in diplomatic matters caused tensions to flare with neighboring kingdoms. In one notable incident, he sent an insulting letter to the Dwarven King of Stonehold, resulting in a trade embargo that crippled Eldoria's economy even further. His clumsy attempts at forging alliances or negotiating peace treaties were equally disastrous, earning him the disdain of foreign rulers who viewed him as a liability to be avoided.

The state of Eldoria's infrastructure also deteriorated under King Thandorion's leadership. Roads fell into disrepair, bridges crumbled, and essential services languished. Yet, rather than addressing these pressing issues, the king preferred to squander the kingdom's resources on extravagant pet projects, like building a massive statue of himself in the center of the capital city. This monument to his vanity became a symbol of his misrule, a towering reminder of the king's priorities in the face of his people's suffering.

The plight of the common Elves worsened with each passing year. Poverty and discontent spread like wildfire, as families struggled to make ends meet under the burden of heavy taxation. Protests and revolts became increasingly common, with many openly calling for King Thandorion's removal. It seemed that the only ones who benefited from his rule were the corrupt tax collectors and the merchants who catered to the king's extravagant tastes.

In the annals of Elven history, King Thandorion the Inept would be remembered not for his noble lineage or regal appearance but as a cautionary tale of a ruler who squandered his kingdom's wealth, prestige, and potential through sheer incompetence and narcissism. His reign was a dark chapter in Eldoria's history, one that took generations to recover from as the Elves worked tirelessly to undo the damage inflicted by their terrible king.

Then there was Queen Lysandra. She possessed a striking and ethereal beauty that was often described as otherworldly. Her appearance was the stuff of Elven legends, capturing the essence of grace and elegance that defined her people.

She stood at a moderate height for an Elf, with a willowy and slender frame that seemed to move with a natural, almost dancer-like grace. Her complexion was fair, with a flawless, porcelain-like skin that seemed to emit a subtle, enchanting glow, even in the softest candlelight. Her features were delicate, with high cheekbones, a gently sloping nose, and full, expressive lips that wore a perpetual hint of a serene smile.

Lysandra's most captivating feature was her eyes. They were an enchanting shade of deep, forest green, like the leaves of an ancient, sacred tree. Her eyes sparkled with intelligence, compassion, and a hint of mystery, drawing people in and making them feel as though they were peering into the depths of a hidden forest.

Her hair was a cascade of shimmering silver that flowed down her back in loose, natural waves. It was rumored that her hair had a silvery sheen even before she reached adulthood, a rare and mesmerizing trait among the Elves. She often wore it pinned up in elaborate, yet tasteful, Elven styles, with delicate, ornate hairpins and jeweled combs that only added to her regal presence.

Queen Lysandra's attire was equally enchanting. She favored flowing, elegant gowns made of the finest Elven silk and adorned with intricate embroidery. The colors of her dresses ranged from soft pastels to deep forest greens and royal blues, always chosen to complement her natural beauty and evoke a sense of harmony with the natural world. She often wore jewelry made from precious gems and intricate silver or mithril designs, further enhancing her majestic appearance.

Overall, Queen Lysandra's appearance was a perfect reflection of her inner character: regal, compassionate, and timeless. Her beauty was not just skin deep; it emanated from her very being, leaving all who beheld her in awe of her grace and radiance. She was a living embodiment of the ancient and mystical allure of the Elven race.

Her presence in the court of Eldoria, while not openly adversarial, was nonetheless a source of tension and intrigue. Her reputation as a compassionate and wise figure clashed starkly with King Thandorion's incompetence, and this juxtaposition only fueled the discontent within the kingdom.