The twins Elyas and Elwisia

When do fairy tales start? On a good day or on a bad day? In this case it makes no difference since where we will start turns out to be both.

Elyas (El-Ee-As) and Elwisia (El-Wee-Sia) might have been brothers and sisters, twins in fact, but they could not be more different from one another. Where Elyas was strong, brash and charismatic, Elwisia was scrawny, feeble and closed-mouthed. On the other hand she was honest, kind and pure of heart, where her brother was conniving, opportunistic and short tempered.

Not only is today their birthday, coming of age means new responsibilities. During the evenings banquet, Elyas will learn which fiefdom he will rule for the next five cycles to sharpen his kingly skills. He could not wait. For her part, Elwisia will learn who her parents have chosen to be her future husband. She could wait for a long time.

As the guests were arriving for the festivities, Ulrena was giving last minute advice to her daughter, "now that you've come of age, a real princess must show poise in all situations. For example, when you meet your husband-"

"Future husband." "Ok, this is a perfect example. Never correct the person talking to you." "Even when they are wrong?" "Especially when they are wrong. During the next few days, you can always send a short note stating how you were wrong and wanted to share what you have learned." "That is laughable. Who would be so idiotic to do this?" As she stormed out of the room, the queen said, "Traditions have been upheld for hundreds of cycles and.." The door closed behind her.

Before Elwisia could run after her mother to apologize, the alarm at the gates resonated. Intruders in the castle. She opened the door slightly seeing three large men covered in furs, spears in hand, rushing past. As she closed the door, her mothers scream echoed throughout the corridor. Before she knew what she was doing, she was standing in the middle of the hallway screaming.

Being chased by the barbarians, Elwisia used her knowledge of the castle to escape through secret passageways. She heard in the adjoining room a voice that stopped her cold, "Unhand me you ruffian! Do you know who I am?" Once her heart started beating again, she willed her legs into motion. Bursting through the doors, she came face to face to a bearded behemoth, bloody knife in hand. Peaking around him, she saw two others carrying her unconscious brother. The only word that came to mind, leaped from her throat. "Parálè!" Elwisia was knocked over the head in response.

The twins woke up tied up on the deck of a ship flowing down river. Surrounded by their captors, they watched in silence their home burn to ashes in the evening night. It took days to reach the mountains. The spoils of the kingdom were loaded on horses and donkeys, the kids tied behind the animals. They were left alone for the most part. Given stale bread and water once a day. Taking advantage of their negligence, Elwisia palmed a jagged rock and started to cut her binds when unobserved. She heard the waterfall long before it came into view. She knew she only had moments if only her brother could stop sobbing. As the road winded closer to the river, she finished cutting her rope and untied her brothers. Once freed, she took her brother's hand and ran towards the water. At the edge, Elyas gave her a quizzical look, not comprehending. She pushed him in and dove. Sweet freedom. Only as the water went over the top of the waterfall did she realize that none of her captors had even moved a single finger to re-capture them. All they did was look and laugh.

"I will make them pay for how they treated me. Mark my words sister, I will have my revenge." Easier said than done, she thought. They were on the other side of the most colossal mountain chain, in unknown territory, far from home. How are the people doing? After some arguments as to what had to be done, it was agreed that getting back home had to be first. With that decided, they walked in the forest.

After walking all day, just as the sun disappeared over the horizon, they heard laughter and merriment. Apprehensively approaching the clearing, they encountered a theater troupe having a meal around a small fire. Brainimir, the troupe leader, invited them to share food and warmth. The next day, Elwisia approached Brainimir and explained in detail who they were and all that happened in the last few days. Within the hour the twins were given a change of clothes, two horses and food for a few days. Elyas jumped on his steed, revenge in his heart, and rushed away leaving his sister to give thanks to the troupe for their generosity. Brainimir gave a locket holding the image of Drashra, goddess of unification.

Elwisia had trouble catching up to her brother. No matter how fast she was riding, Elyas always seemed to be faster still. Before she knew it, luscious grass became dried earth, and that became sand. Before she completely understood where she was, it was too late to change course. The only reason why she caught up to Elyas was because his horse fell over exhausted. Her's was not looking much better. All three ambled aimlessly in the desert for one day and one night. Exhausted and dehydrated, Elwisia was struggling to continue forward. Just as darkness consumes her, she feels strong hands grab her from behind.

The voice of her brother woke her. He was boasting about how he would have his revenge. As she entered the room, she was greeted by the daughter of the tribe leader, Berline, who guided her to the tea room for some refreshments. For two days Elwisia took in all the culture and habits of the desert people, especially their folklore. While Elyas was making deals, she was learning how, once upon a time, this land was lush and vibrant until an agreement between her people and their neighbors to the east, which angered their gods. On the third day, Elwisia awoke to find her brother gone leaving her behind. Embarrassed, she gave her apologies on behalf of her brother, and presented to her new friend the only item of value, her locket and received a bracelet to seal their friendship, to the astonishment of the tribe's leader.

Out on her own, Elwisia hurried as much as she could to join her brother. As she approached the border to the west, she made a small detour to see if her brother had come that way. Arriving in the large town, she is brought in front of the leader. After she explained her ordeals of the last days, she learned how her brother had conducted himself, demanding that a group accompany him on his quest for revenge. Flustered, she stammered her apologies and asked for her leave to join her brother. As an offering of remorse, she offered her bracelet.

Elya was sitting dejected looking out in the distance at the enemy's army. Feeling sorry for himself, he didn't hear his sister approaching. She sat next to him in silence. "I failed sis. Nobody was willing to fight by my side." Before he could continue, the sound of hooves started to be heard behind them. In an instant Elya was on his feet. "Finally!" A large group of men on horseback arrived and separated themselves in three columns. One man per column dismounted, approached the twins and knelt before Elwisia offered their weapons. Brainimir was one of the three and he said, "Not since Ulrena, many cycles ago, did we feel the warmth and care of the throne. You, my young Elwisia, have reminded us," he gestured towards the other two men, the leader of the sand people and the leader of the water people, "how we used to be one kingdom, one people full of hope, joy and dreams. We offer you our fealty. Command us and with pleasure will we liberate the throne for you."

The war was swift and decisive. Within one cycle, the mountain men were banished from the land and the new castle was almost finished. The newly appointed queen Elwisia appreciated all the hard work being done. She was also hard at work visiting large cities and small villages alike throughout the kingdom to better know her subject. The account of how Queen Elwisia's humility, kindness and wisdom united the kingdom has been regaled far and wide.

PROPHECY:
The one
After the man in the mountain attacks.
After the kingdom has been laid to waist.
Restoration will stand on the one's shoulders.
Only if the one has royal blood.
Only if the one travels far and wide.
Only if the one can assemble that was discarded.
If the one fails, all is doomed.