The Path of the Faendryl
VII. The Leavetaking and the Shattered Hope
The Faendryl did not leave in bitterness or despair, for they knew that their actions were right and justified. The decision was made to return to Maelshyve, to the place known as Rhoska-Tor. It was at that place that their old lives with the Empire ended, so it would be that place in which they would forge their new lives. They knew it would not be easy, but their will, and their magic, was strong. They would survive.
Millennia passed, and the Faendryl became even more powerful. They continued to study the aspects of al’Amayl’Ari that would allow them to overcome any foe, as the harsh conditions at Rhoska-Tor demanded it. Their magic was unparalleled by any on Elanthia and they knew that none could stand against them.
In time, they once again looked to their ancient home, and saw that the Elves they had once so loved and protected had not risen to a new dawn, as their ancestors hoped, but had sunk into a deeper night. The bickering of the other Houses had completely shattered the Empire, and those Elves had diminished, becoming more like the lesser races.
Still, they could be returned to the Way and once again regain what they had lost. Seeing the weakness of the other Houses, some counseled war, but others wanted to try a more peaceful solution. After some discussion, all agreed that the most logical course would be to try peace. To this end, Patriarch Rythwier Faendryl, Patriarch XXXVII, offered a wedding alliance between his daughter, Chesylcha Sukari Faendryl, and a prince of House Ashrim.
Instead of wedded alliance, it is believed that the Ashrim, with the help of a Nalfein assassin, plotted and carried out the murder of Chesylca. The Faendryl were outraged. Not only had the Ashrim shown their utter lack of honor, but in attacking Chesylca they had attacked the Patriarch himself. It was the highest crime, and would not go unpunished. All of House Faendryl called for Orlihd, Matriarch of the Ashrim, to stand trial for the crime. Such was the intent, as the Faendryl fleet met with the Ashrim to discuss her surrender, but an attack by the Ashrim forced the hand of the Faendryl.
Although the magic of the Faendryl was unmatched, they were not prepared to sail the seas and the Ashrim overwhelmed the Faendryl fleet. Many Faendryl were lost, yet the goal to reach the palace to take Orlihd into custody was won. Although only three ships of the fleet survived, the Spellweavers of those ships were able to make their way to the Palace of the Ashrim. The intent was to take Orlihd, and by some stoke of luck her son, who had also been captured, into Faendryl custody, leaving the Isles as little harmed as possible.
The sheer number of Ashrim mages working against the Faendryl Spellweavers holding Orlihd and the prince prevented the safe return of those on the island. Those trapped, long holding their full power in check, struck out in the only way left to them, and summoned the full force of their magics. They had been loath to do so, for the intent was not to destroy the Ashrim, only to seek justice. Left with no other choice, all of Ta’Ashrim paid the price for lack of honor shown by Orlihd and her son.
Ta’Ashrim was destroyed. Such was the power unleashed that day that the very form of the land was altered, destroyed, and so it remains to this day. Yet this victory was also a defeat. It marked the first time in history that Elf fought against Elf. How had it come to this? It was not by Faendryl intent or desire. The Faendryl had reached forth in an attempting to forge anew the shattered remnants of the Empire, but the children still could not see wisdom.
The Faendryl wept for those lost, both Faendryl and Ashrim, for the death of the dream of renewal, and for the loss to all of the Elven people. The Spirit of the Elven people would remain shattered.
It was at this time that the other Elves began calling the Faendryl Dark Elves. It is also the time in which the Faendryl understood that the other Elves were truly lost, for their fear of the Faendryl was still strong, and as long as they refused to grow into wisdom any attempt to return them to the Way would, as with the Ashrim, lead to their destruction.