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The Galactic Explorations Office, Missions Division, requests you go on a mission of exploration to planet designated 18-24-63 of galaxy 78690-3, sun designated as class IV yellow star, plane position III. You are to make notes on the intelligent life on this planet. You may not interfere with the inhabitant's affairs unless both you and the inhabitants deem the affair to be bad for them. Then you may remedy the situation with the help of the inhabitants. Otherwise you are to keep a low profile. You may report back to the Queen when ready.
The Queen has sent me on this mission. I am to explore this planet and make observations. I have almost unlimited time to spend here. I find the mandate pretty open, and I intend to use its openness fully.
After several years of exploration on this planet, I am ready to return. My report is simple: The only intelligent inhabitants (those who have obtained a class VI-6 high level speech) are very self-centered. I mean not from person to person, but as a group. The refuse to believe the existence of other form of intelligent life. A few enlightened scientists and others have tried to talk about intelligent creatures, such as dolphins, monkeys, apes, dwarves, elves -
Something just came through on my telepathic frequency. It was there for a moment, then it was drowned out in some type of static. Supehl Selp, help us please, was the message. Humans do not have telepathic powers yet, so there must be more intelligent life on this planet. It wants help. I shall go to its source.
I have teleported to an underground dungeon-workshop on the northern pole of the planet. It is filled with Elves. They are busy making what appears to be toys for humans. But why would they do that? Humans do not believe in Elves, as the Elves are underground and are not in human sight. The humans mention Elves only in fiction.
These Elves are the fairest creatures I have seen in trans-universal travels. They have long blond hair, pointed ears, a short stature, mild faces and dispositions, and large brown eyes that express a hostility that is foreign to their race. Why is there hostility among such a peaceful people?
Who sent that call for help?
No answer. Their minds show surprise. Call for help? They have all looked for help at one time or another. But nobody has sent out a call for several months. Their calls go unanswered.
Do you need help?
Yes, please. Help.
The answers come from all directions. They do need help.
Stop this confusion! I can help you if you give me clear answers. Who is in charge here?
Who? We have no leader now. Fenoras was our leader but he was ... His son! Mel-Fenoras, rehwoy? Son of Fenoras, where are you?
I am here, comes a voice from the back of the room. It belongs to a tall and youthful Elf. Fren-íáre, he says, keep your minds on your job as well as the alien! Can you not hear the master? He comes! Get back to work! Alien, it would be best to disappear for a few moments.
Do not worry, Mel-Fenoras. I can make myself invisible.
A bolt moves on the heavy oak door at the top of a stone staircase. It opens. A heavily built man with a long white beard and mustache appears. All the Elves are hard at work. The man speaks in a deep voice.
An alarm went off! There is an intruder in here! Who knows where it is?
Silence. None of the Elves make a move to speak.
As usual, says the man. Nobody knows a thing. Dinner will not be served tonight!
He turns and closes the door. The bolt is put back into place.
The minds of the Elves show fear. The slowly turn to me with a longing expression on their faces. They yearn for something. What do they yearn for?
Are you slaves here?
All the Elves recoil. Greater fear registers. I have out the question bluntly, but I was not prepared for this kind of a response. Then Mel-Fenoras recovers and steps forward. He addresses me telepathically.
Please do not speak out loud, or the man will hear us. Yes, we are slaves. The man holds us here against our wills. We have been here for almost five hundred years. Could you make yourself visible? We prefer talking to people we can see.
I'm sorry.
Mel-Fenoras looks at me, with a quizzical expression on his face.
You look like a human, but you're not. Who are you, and where are you from?
My name is Nari, and I come from the planet Narov. I am here to observe, and to help those who need help. I have been changed to look like a human, so I can mingle with them. I am not able to change into Elven form, or I would.
We know not all humans are bad.
You have asked for help. Why do you need help?
Please sit and I shall tell you our story.
All the Elves sit. I find a place to sit down and I try to make myself comfortable. Mel-Fenoras begins his story.
Man started appearing. In the great celestial formula of birth, life, and death, there was a flaw. No one knows where the first man came from. But he did arrive, thirsting for control of the Earth and that connected with it. He called the control of animals "domestication." He called the ruination of Nature "farming." For years he overlooked the Fren-íáre. We should have taken the opportunity to hide, but we stayed. Man discovered us, and enslaved us.
Fren-íáre were chained, beaten, starved, and humiliated into submission. When I said we were immortal, I meant that we did not die from natural causes. But torture, starvation, and murder will kill us just the same as it does humans. There was not much we could do. Elves do not understand death, and the humans used this to keep us under their control.
Fren-íáre are peaceful, although in certain situations it is a fault. If we were fighting types, we would have revolted long before we did. However, it was a thousand years before we fought against slavery. It was a mass, world-wide uprising. The humans were stunned. But after their initial shock, they reacted mercilessly. Our leader, Fenoras, was captured by the humans. Out of sheer cruelty and revenge they tortured him. The rebellion almost stopped when we heard him cry out:
Farewell! I am dying! But thy cause dieth not! I am going on to another world, to which all Fren-íáre shall go in the end! But victory for thy cause is in sight! Do not despair, but that mine death be an insight for further victory! Póyniwú! Thou shalt win! Póyniwú!
Thus was the passing of Fenoras. We have venerated him since. But Fren-íáre the world over began to get insights into the war. They would awake in the morning with another plan to win. These plans would work. It was rumored that Fenoras spoke to them in their sleep. However our leaders got their ideas, they would use them and win. The great walls and doors containing the Elves were broken, and we escaped into the underground.
Some of the Fren-íáre did not make it. Some, like us, lingered too long on the surface of the Earth, taking a long look at it and the outdoors we loved so much and had not seen in a thousand years. But then a harsh human voice broke our reverie.
Halt, Elves! it said. Some have escaped me, but I have you still! Come, and you shall live. Stay and try to fight and you shall die!
We did not have our weapons. We could not fight. The Man herded us like cattle into another dark dungeon area. As we were going into the dungeon, a small Elf cried out:
I see Fenoras! It is the Ghost of Fenoras, come to help! O Fenoras, pleh-ew won ní-mít ewen fó-dén! Help us now in our time of need!
Then a voice, like that of Fenoras, but with more certainty and power than any Elf could ever give, said:
O Fren-íáre of the Host of Teas, I wish I could help thee now. But I cannot see any help arriving for five hundred years. Be brave, O Elves! In the five hundredth year a redeemer shall come and help thee in thy cause. And never forget: Póyniwú! Thou shalt win! Póyniwú!
Then he was gone. The doors on the dungeon closed. Few of us have ever been outside those doors, and they have never returned. There are beasts outside from the earliest days of creation, bred into foul monsters that will kill any Elf that tries to escape. We are prisoners here, and no Elf from the outside can penetrate those monsters and walls. Some have tried, but they have failed. The last words of Fenoras on the Night of the Last Return have kept us in hope.
Oh, how we wish to return to the surface of the Earth, to dwell once again under the sun and the stars, free and uninhibited from Man. These are our thoughts as we work. Now it appears that the Prophecy of Fenoras has come true! You have arrived, and it is to you that we entrust our fate.
Some of you younger Fren-íáre have not heard the full story of the Rebellion. You have heard it now. Please go back to your work while I talk to the Alien.
The Elves return to their chores. Mel-Fenoras turns back to me and speaks.
Do you have any questions? he asks.
One. How many humans are there here?
There are two. There are Mr. Claus and his wife Mary. You saw Mr. Claus earlier. He is the one who keeps us prisoner. His wife is good. She cannot help us escape, as she cannot control the creatures. But she does help us by giving us extra rations in our meager meals, and by helping us stay fit and healthy. She is worthy of praise.
I have been thrust into an interesting situation. I came down here to observe, and now I have been appointed saviour to a group of Elves! But -
Nari, Nari, where are you? We have been monitoring your trip, and we have some information to offer you. But to make our hypothesis true, we must know the location of these Elves. Also - this is a long shot - what is the first name of Mr. Claus?
It is the Intergalactic Explorations Office calling me from my home planet Narov. Before I can answer, however, Mel-Fenoras interrupts with the reply to the IEO's inquiry.
We are situated at ninety degrees north latitude on the planet. The first name of Mr. Claus is Santa.
Right, Mel-Fenoras, we have your reply. Nari's information is being forwarded.
Mel-Fenoras, I must think about a plan to help you. Please give me time.
I fade into invisibility and think.
The expression on the Elves' faces changes to surprise, then to astonishment. They have not seen or heard outside Elves for many years. Then comes the voice of Mel-Hinara.
We have not heard your calls because of Santa's telepathic jamming devices. The Alien heard Haremya's call only because of a few seconds' power failure. Nari was in range to receive the call. Truly this is the work of Fenoras. But now, we have work to do. Nari, what is the time?
2400 hours, on 24 December.
Good. Santa is gone. I can feel Mary coming to the door.
The bolt moves on the heavy oak door. Mary looks in.
Quietly, Elves. Quietly and quickly! Make your way out of here, and do not linger to look at the stars! Come, this way! she calls.
But the beasts and monsters - what about them?
We have set up a time warp around the walls and you. The monsters cannot penetrate it, but you can. They cannot touch you, because they are living one second different than you. You cannot go into the warp without causing it to disintegrate, but you can leave it. Do not go back! You will free the monsters if you do!
The Elves go orderly out the door. The beasts lunge at them, although they cannot touch them. The Elves push on, although frightened.
Fren-íáre ! This way! cries Mel-Hinara. Come!
It is freezing cold outside. the raw wind whips at the Elves. They plod on, but they cannot help but see a long shape coming from the south.
Elves! Hide! He returns! He can set right the time warp that has helped you escape! Look out!
There is a blinding flash of light as the time warp is set correct upon Santa's entering it. Then come the sounds of beasts crying and baying. Long, black, hideous shapes race toward the paralyzed Elves. But Mel-Fenoras jumps up and throws back his long cloak. He draws a sword!
Halt, monsters of Bel-Elog! he calls. Come no further, for this is the sword of my father, which was forged from the fires of creation! It is called Réïms fó-Stábrýl, the Smiter of Beasts! Many in the past have felt its edge, and none are alive today to tell the tale. Come, and you shall die!
The monsters stop. But these are new breeds, unafraid of old swords and tales. One beast moves forward, the sword flashes, and the beast falls to the ground. But another beast jumps from behind. The aurora black out, leaving only pinpoints of stars against the black velvet of the sky as Mel-Fenoras falls. There is a sharp and piercing cry. A well-aimed Elven sword has entered the black body of the beast. Only now do what appear to be the last words of Mel-Fenoras reach the ears of the Elves.
Fenoras! Pleh ew won ní-mít ewýn fó-dén! Fenoras!
Suddenly another cry, from Mel-Hinara, comes from another direction.
Eroh fó-Esu! Host of the Water! Pleh Fren-íáre fó-Teas ot yrotciv yethýlým! Help the Host of the Woods to their victory!
The battle cry of the Elves, from the last words of Fenoras, rings over the frozen north.
Póyniwú! Thou shalt win! Póyniwú!
I must now play my hand.
At my command the blackness of the northern night vanishes. The monsters of Bel-Elog give a hideous cry, then turn and flee toward the pole. Haremya runs to Mel-Fenoras, picks up his sword, and throws it after the monsters. At the pole it catches the beasts, flares red among their black bodies, then all rise upward and vanish. The darkness descends again, leaving an ordinary sword lying in the snow at the pole.
The entire host of Elves, both of Esu and Teas, turn and look in wonderment at Haremya. There are tears in his large brown eyes.
Look! he cries. Mel-Fenoras! He is alive, but not for long! We cannot save him!
I can save him.
At this all the Elves turn to me.
I can save him, I repeat. However, I can interfere only if you want me to.
The Elves are about to reply, but they are interrupted by the Ghost of Fenoras, who has suddenly materialized beside the body of his son. He looks at me, then speaks.
You may save him. My son is to be the King of the Fren-íáre. He hath shewn bravery and deserveth to live. He shall be called Renyá fó-Arinýl, the King of the Stars. Revive him, O Alien. Póyniwú! Thou shalt win! Póyniwú!
He fades away.
My efforts are not needed. Mel-Fenoras has recovered, in time to see the ghost of his father disappear. He stands up and looks at the Hosts of Esu and Teas. Mel-Hinara, head of the Host of Teas, steps forward and kneels at the feet of Mel-Fenoras.
Láh ot-Renyá! he says. Renyá fó-Arinýl rehn rever!
Hail to the King! The King of the Stars reigns forever!
Mel-Fenoras stands up to his full height. The brown cloak falls off his shoulders to reveal a robe of royal black and silver, symbolic of the stars. Mel-Hinara steps forward with a crown of silver and diamond. He places the crown on the head of Mel-Fenoras. He proclaims:
I crown thee Renyá fó-Arinýl, King of the Stars. May thy rule be long, thy decision just! Vil nyol Renyá fó-Arinýl! Long live the King of the Stars!
As he finishes, the Aurora Borealis light in a celestial salute to their lord. A soft light develops on the left of King Fó-Arinýl. It is the Ghost of Fenoras on his Last Return, accompanied by a translucent host of Elves, ghosts of those who have died. The Hosts of Esu and Teas become silent. There is a moment of silence, then the Ghost speaks:
This is mine third and last visit to thee. Rule thy people well, O son. I shall depart with this advice: do as the Alien has done. He came to thy aid when thou needed it. Therefore make that thy philosophy: Help all those who need help, and they shall be grateful to thee. Únier ní-dén únier dédní - a friend in need is a friend indeed! Farewell, Renyá fó-Arinýl! Farewell, hosts of Teas and Esu! Until we meet again in my paradise! Remember: Ewniwú ní-dena! We will win in the end!
Fenoras and the other Ghosts all turn about, then march off toward the pole. They fade out as they are marching, until the last one reaches the pole and vanishes. King Fó-Arinýl thus is crowned. He turns to me, then to the assembly of Elves. It has grown larger, as the Host of Tor and the remaining Elves in the Host of Esu have joined the group for the coronation. The King of the Stars addresses them.
Fren-íáre of the Hosts assembled here! I propose that we come together under a common banner. Let us call ourselves Fren-íáre fó Renyámon-Fenoras, the Elves of the Kingdom of Fenoras. We shall live under the surface of the Earth until we can live again in peace with all the other creatures on the surface.
We shall also honour brave Haremya and the Alien for freeing the last of the Fren-íáre from the slavery of Man. We shall create for the Award of High-Saviours for their work. A medal shall be struck for each of them, bearing a single diamond on a field of black silver, symbols of the stars and the night. A rim of gold shall be placed on the outside that symbolizes eternity.
Ih-vreyes Nari must leave us now, as it is time of him to return to his home planet. But let us not forget his work among us.
A beam of blue light envelopes me. It is the transporter beam from my ship. Renyá Fó-Arinýl turns to me and says,
Fare thee well, Ih-Vreyes Nari! We shall never forget you! The philosophy of Renyámon-Fenoras shall be as he said: A friend in need is a friend indeed. We are your friends, and we were in need, and you helped us. Farewell, Ih-Vreyes Nari! Good-bye, High Saviour Nari. Ewniwú ní-dena! We will win in the end.
As I rise out of sight of the planet, I see the Elves making their way underground to a new home. The Philosophy of Renyámon-Fenoras comes back to my ears: Únier ní-dén únier dédni. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
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