Of the great wars in Alem and the battles fought in Gorias, this tale doesn’t tell. Instead, it speaks of a great man known for his incredible modesty, and estimable personality. However, this was not always the case, for there was a time when he pridefully desired only power, the great sin of Baelor, and the curse upon kings. Of then, this tale tells:
In the lands of Airde there was the great and noble city of Gorias, a chief city of the Faeries of Ainechta. The Faerie Duke of Gorias bore the name Fionmed, and his son was Elgon. Elgon was given the lands northeast of Gorias to rule, and the lands were named Annywyn by the Faeries of Gorias. He ruled with great strength and the peoples of the land admired him greatly, for he did much to impress them.
Elgon would often travel about in the valley of Annywyn, and perchance ventured too far into the misty dark forests that patterned the flat terrain. One day, he decided to take a ride on his noble horse into the dark woods of Annywyn, and he chased the deer about in the wood, killing them with his golden bow of jewels. The forest was black and filled with shadowy paths and misty glades, nevertheless, Elgon rode, taking no notice.
One deer he noticed hopped about through the forest like an enchanting maiden, and its soft fur was seamlessly brown and white. The deer’s gait was playful, yet quick, for it proved difficult for Elgon to follow the deer farther. Soon, however, he came close enough to aim his bow, and he pulled back the ivory silk string as he aimed deftly at the deer’s head, and spoke, “Only a fool would spare a fallen foe.”
However, as he was about to allow the arrow to spring forth, a quick hand snatched him swiftly from his horse onto the ground. He was quickly pulled onto the back of another horse, on which rode a man clad in silver armor and a green cape.
“Who are you who has snatched me from my horse, and thwarted my kill, for do you not know that I am ruler of these lands?”
The man turned his head, revealing a face that was a glowing sunset, and chestnut hair that flowed like liquid chocolate oceans through the wind. “You speak with authority, but you are before the true king of Annywyn, for I rule these lands from the humble city of Annwymar,” Quoth the man, with a deep and powerful voice that echoed in Elgon’s ears.
“Would you give your name then, for I know of no city by the name of Annwymar?” Elgon asked.
“I am Brëofas, son of Eoman, and I rule the lands of Annywyn with a first of iron,” Brëofas explained.
“You must be mistaken, for I rule the humble valley of Man Annywyn, and I have seen naught a city named Annwymar.”
“I shall take you to the city itself, for you have chased with a desire to kill a deer that is close to my heart, for it is a pet of my own, and you shall find little pardon for your prideful acts upon my wood,” stated Brëofas as his horse swiftly began its gallop forward.
“But what of my horse; what of my peoples and my kingdom? I am the son of the Duke of Gorias, and he shall respond with a wrathful attack on your people if you do not release me from your bondage,” Elgon yelled as he squirmed about. He could not escape, for in their earlier discourse, Brëofas had already bonded his wrists and legs to the saddle of the great stallion they rode upon.
The horse pulled to a stop as Brëofas pulled back on the reigns, “There is one thing that could make up for your deeds. A small favor that you could do.”
“What would that be? Speak thereof.” Elgon Commanded.
“If you could defeat my treacherous rival, Sethor of Valis Annywyn. He rules the west side of my kingdom and threatens attacks times uncountable. We seldom fight, but the time has come that we must again brawl upon the hill in the center glade. I fought him that day one year ago and upon the hill, he lay at my feet and cried, ‘Take my life for you should not pity my deeds!’ And so I struck my sword through his heart with intent of killing him. However, using an evil spell he used the blow as a means of healing, for he was an evil conjurer. He made a spell that repaired his body when a blade struck his heart. The spell caught me off guard, for me thinking him dead rode off only to hear his vengeful cries as he rose again in the distance. I have grown weaker since then, and him stronger. I fear I shall fail this next fight,” Quoth Brëofas
“And so this means you wish for my hand in battle?” Elgon asked.
“I am afraid not, for the real reason I am going to be absent for the battle is because I am needed in the lands south, for I owe a druid of Angor a large sum, and if I cannot forsake my piling debt in time, it is only inevitable that he shall turn me and my people to something… unnatural,” uttered Brëofas with a sigh.
“How shall I rule your kingdom when you are away without them asking of your absence?”
“I shall use a spell to swap our bodies, for I have learned many skills in sorcery, the art of swapping bodies being one I am most deft in.”
Elgon smiled as he raised his back straight, “If I am to defeat Sethor, as I shall, I would like the peoples of my own land to know of this great deed, as to show my heroism.”
“You can have all the credit you desire,” insisted Brëofas, “As long as you accept the mission. Albeit, you have little choice, for otherwise I shall lock you in our prison for chasing a deer of Annywyn.”
Elgon smiled and replied, “Yes, I accept. Is the method in which we swap bodies one that shall cause much pain?”
As Elgon said this, Brëofas smiled as he moved his hands about Elgon and spoke words of little meaning to him with a voice of soft conjuring. A yellow glaring light emanated from Brëofas and Elgon as they soon began to warp, and their faces blurred, and in the next second, Elgon could see that he was staring straight into his own face.
Brëofas rode off back to Annywyn on Elgons’ horse, and Elgon rode to Annwymar on Brëofas’ horse. Little did they know that Sethor himself had been hiding in the bushes and rode after Brëofas. The steed's incredible speed and strength impressed Elgon. When he reached Annwymar, the pearl-white city gleamed in the sunlight struck him with awe, and the many tall towers sliced through the air like knives on butter.
He halted his horse at the gates and stood with his jaw gaping at the tall gatehouse and polished steel. The guards escorted him to the keep of Annwymar, inside were many people eager to speak with Elgon, thinking him Brëofas. However, Elgon turned them down saying he was tired from hunting, and went into an empty dining room alone where he examined the city from a top window. The room rumble of people downstairs, and the silence of the usually bustling room, soothed Elgon as he was left to his thoughts.
Soon, however, he was no longer alone, for a man who addressed himself as Armain came with an urgent desire to speak with Brëofas, a smile creaked up his face like a slithery snake.
“What is it?” Elgon asked, speaking with authority.
Armain laughed, “I know who you are. You claim to be Brëofas, but it is clear that he has used his cloaking spell on you.”
“How did you know?” Elgon asked in a slight whisper.
“I have already told you, and besides, I have no problem with you, for I know who you are. You are Elgon, Earl of Annywyn, and prince of Gorias, and you have been captured by Brëofas to do his bidding.”
“But why is it that you say this to me? Have the people figured out?”
“Nay, for they are arrogant of their king. I however know ways I can help you,” said Armain, as a smile again creeped up his devious face.
“And what is that?” Elgon asked.
“I can give you something you desire… power. You should have already known that you had this great opportunity for the kingship of your own city. If you allied with Sethor, the king of Annywyn, then you could together take down this leaderless city.”
Elgon’s mind was rushing as he examined the situation. This man was perchance tricking him, but what to do, Elgon did not know. However, in anger, he decided to throw a plate at the man rejecting his offer. The plate was simply broken by Armain’s sword as he quickly slashed it away.
“Well then, if you reject the offer, you shall fight Sethor yourself!” the man cried as he jumped up and slashed his sword at Elgon.
Elgon deftly slashed his sword in defense as Sethor’s blade nearly sliced his stomach open. He flung Sethor away with his sword as he jumped backward, to get himself room. Sethor flung a dagger at Elgon, who barely parried it with his sword, sending it flying into the wall.
Elgon charged at Sethor with his sword pointed at his chest, and lunged towards him. Sethor simply sliced at Elgon’s sword, knocking it away into the window.
Sethor laughed, “With Annwymar leaderless, I shall secure myself a sure victory over the realm of Annywyn, for I have defeated Brëofas who lies dead in your body in the woods near your kingdom. You were foolish not to check whether a simple Sethor was not watching your conversation the whole time! But don’t worry, I shall go back to Gorias and tell your people that you were there to watch me do it, only tied up of course.”
In anger, Elgon kicked Sethor away and swiped his sword out the window. Sethor and Elgon brawled with fists and kicks as they tried to pin each other down. Sethor grabbed a table and flipped it over toward Elgon, who had barely rolled away in time.
Elgon was losing energy as he fought with the strong Sethor, and was only barely keeping himself away from the dangerous blows and flying chairs. As Elgon fought, he noticed he was being slowly pinned to the window, and soon his back was against the barred opening. Sethor flew his hand at Elgon’s face for a punch, but just in time, Elgon ducked, letting Sethor punch through the window. Elgon laughed as he pinned Sethor over the window, his head hanging out chest up and only being held by the hips.
“Why don’t you finish me with a nice stab through the heart?” Sethor asked, “That would make your people proud.”
“No,” told Elgon as he smiled, “I will not follow Brëofas’ mistake.”
And so Elgon simply tied Sethor down as he came down the mountain. He traveled back to the wood where Brëofas lay bonded and untied him.
“Thank you, for your great deeds will echo throughout history,” Thanked Brëofas.
“Nay, for they shall remember you doing it, as I was in your body. There is no need to explain my deeds, for I desire no praise,” Elgon spoke with a smile.