Hilbert and his companions were at the Elven Palace of Shadows, in a big warehouse where the weapons and armor were stored. They were analyzing the armors and other weapons, as Hilbert and Matilda's armors were almost destroyed.
Gödel scanned the swords displayed in an attempt to find one that resembled the ones he used.
A tall, very strong elf wearing gloves and a blacksmith's apron over his black clothes waited sitting on a wooden chair.
Apart from Elwin, none of the other elves knew about King Filanwin's obscure plan. The elf looked at Hilbert's shield.
“Pale human child with the eyes resembling grey diamonds. Can I see that shield you carry?” Asks the low-voiced elf.
Hilbert approaches and hands the shield to the elf, who is studying it meticulously. “This shield has its own aura. I remember when I forged it a thousand years ago. The wizard Yegannoril filled it with this aura resistant to elemental magic. It was probably a gift given to your father.” the elf hands the shield back to Hilbert.
“I think that a thousand years ago, my father was not born! We humans don't live that long." Says Hilbert, smiling. “This shield has been in my family for generations.”
“I forgot about that important detail! Humans are generations of a hundred not a thousand years like the Dwarves.” the elf looked with a puzzled face.
“The armor that is here was forged by me. I was able to learn to use the enchantment that fills them with a magical aura. If you wear these armor or magic weapons you will be unbeatable against the children of darkness.” everyone looks at the elf with surprise.
“Hey, Sir elf!” Gödel says looking at the strong elf. “Doesn't it have any kind of sword with bristles that resemble prey?”
“You can call me Galadror! I can forge weapons and armor if you want, but it would be impossible to efficiently repair those cracked armors that you are wearing.” the elf crosses his arms and looks at Gödel.
“Mister Galadror! I would like to see the methods you use to forge if you will allow me to,” says Matilda.
“Do you also master the art of metal shaping, human child?” says Galadror looking at Matilda.
“It's one of my brigade's specialties! I forged my axe and armor by myself!” replies Matilda.
“I understand! You can observe my procedures. These armors were made for the elvish bodies. I don't think they would fit properly for you. Follow me to my place of work!” the elf gets up and goes to an adjacent room that contained all the equipment and materials he used to forge.
Matilda had been impressed by the size of the room and all the materials that were available.
“I need to observe your bodies and take the correct measurements. I haven't forged anything for humans in a long time!” Galadror replies looking towards the three companions that looked at each other with shame.
They were silent for a while.
“What are you waiting for?” asks the elf without understanding the situation.
“I think you better do this with each of us separately!” says Hilbert with embarrassment.
“There is no problem with that.” answers the elf. “Let's start with the brown-skinned human then!” Galadror looked at Gödel while the other companions left the room.
Gödel removes his leather armor and is naked before the elf that was beginning to take measurements of his body. Hilbert talks to Matilda in the weapons room.
“It's okay for you to be naked before the male elf, Matilda. They have no interest in humans!” says Hilbert blushing.
“I also don't think we will be interested in each other's bodies, I presume. This is the most efficient way to obtain armor that fits our bodies, Hilbert,” says Matilda, who was visibly ashamed.
Gödel enters the warehouse and asks Hilbert to come in. Hilbert proceeds to the forge room.
“How was it inside, Gödel?” Matilda asks.
“He takes a rope with some scratches and measures the body, then writes it down on a piece of parchment,” says Gödel calmly.
“This elf is very cold! I don't think he will be impressed by your beautiful body.”
“What do you mean by that?” Matilda asks suspiciously. Gödel was starting to sweat cold.
“That you're a woman and maybe that's a problem, don't you think?” Gödel gives a half-hearted laugh.
“It won't be a problem for me. I don't like men, let alone elves,” says Matilda.
“So I think everything is solved!” Gödel says with his hand on his head and with a forced smile.
Hilbert enters the room and asks Matilda to enter the forge room.
“Hey, Hilbert! Will everything be okay?” Gödel asks worriedly.
“Don't worry, Gödel, elves are rarely interested in humans! Most of them see us as children, animals, or most of the time, as inferior beings!” says Hilbert confidently.
In the forge room, Matilda stood before Galadror and began to strip off her armor.
The elf showed no reaction to Matilda's beautiful body. Galadror approached with the tape and started taking measurements.
“Your body is different from those other two. You are a female! I didn't know that human females had taller and had more muscles than the males.” says Galadror innocently noting the measures.
Matilda flushed as she began to put on her broken armor again.
“I'm going to start forging the armor. Please, ask the other humans to come here. I do need to know specifically what their combat style is like.”
The three companions were in the room and Galadror was sitting on the floor with a piece of parchment, an inkwell and a quill. He asked for details about how the warriors fought.
“I prefer light armor that does not hinder my movement. I take advantage of the agility to dodge and attack at the same time! My swords could simulate a wolf's bite!” said Gödel while the elf took notes.
“I wear heavy and resistant armor. When I'm surrounded by enemies, my armor doesn't let me get hit easily. My focus is to attack using a lot of strength and long-range melee from my two-handed axe.” says Matilda.
“I prefer to attack with the long sword and defend with the shield. My armor is not so resistant nor so heavy or protective, and I am not as agile as Gödel or as strong as Matilda. I can use some attack and defense spells and also enchantments in battle.” says Hilbert.
Galadror had finished taking notes.
“I'll get the armor ready for tonight, in a few hours! The sword and this axe are much worn. I have something that can serve you better. And for the brown child, I shall forge others that will be much more effective!” says the elf getting up.
“Thank you, strong ancient elf with metallic luster!” jokes Gödel and then laughs.
Galadror did not understand what the fuss was about and got up collecting the materials to start working. Matilda and Hilbert laugh at the comment.
“Galadror, if you wish, you can call us Gödel, Hilbert, and Matilda! We would feel more comfortable that way,” says Hilbert, pointing respectively after speaking the names.
“As you wish pale… Correcting… Hilbert.” the elf looked at the companions and then went back to making his preparations.
A beautiful young elf maiden with long silver hair enters the room in her white and almost transparent silk robes and announces that she has prepared a bath and that dinner would be served in a couple of hours.
Hilbert and Gödel leave with the elf for the bathroom. Matilda says she would go later because she wanted to observe Galadror's procedures. The huge bathroom was all made of whitish stones. The bathtub was on the floor.
A hot spring fountain fell into the bathtub by a cylinder carved into the rock on the wall. There were many plants not only in pots, but also spread on the walls. Upon entering the bathroom the two friends are faced with several naked female elves standing by.
Hilbert and Gödel are surprised and flushed to see the scene.
“They will help you with your bath, boys!” says the silver-haired elf.
“When I'm with you this kind of thing always happens, you bloody pervert!” Gödel says staring at the beautiful body of the elves.
“And what blame do I have this time, you jester?” says Hilbert covering his eyes and blushing.
“You are a magnet for that kind of thing! Your aura must exude some kind of curse that takes women's clothes off!” Gödel says, still looking at the beautiful elves in awe.
“Don't say such nonsense! We will kindly ask them to leave!” says Hilbert taking a peek at the naked elves.
“I won't ask for anything! Unlike you, I don't think I would have another opportunity like this!” Gödel starts to laugh.
“Then go ahead! I'll wait outside! Who's the pervert now?” Hilbert turns and leaves the bathroom.
After a while, the elves come out of the room dressed and Hilbert enters the place. Gödel was still in his armor looking at the floor.
“I couldn't get undressed near them, Hilbert! They look so innocent!” Gödel says flushed and crestfallen. Hilbert laughed at his friend's face.
“Forget it, buddy! Let's bathe.”
Hilbert and Gödel take off their armor and enter the huge hot tub. They start to wash and relax in that hot water with medicinal properties. After a while Hilbert says:
“Gödel! Don't you think it's strange that we were being expected by the king?
“Now that you mention it, I really think it's suspicious. If they were waiting for us to arrive here, it would be better if they met us at the forest entrance. That would make things easier and Fenriz would not have died, and Timo would still be able to walk.” Gödel says thoughtfully and puts his hand on his chin.
“Exactly! I suspect that, for some reason, the elven king wanted us to get here, but with even fewer members in our fellowship,” says Hilbert thoughtfully, and contemplating the walls’ plants.
“Perhaps you are right. Do you think they are our enemies? I really don’t sense any sign of threat coming from any of them.” Gödel stares at Hilbert and then leans his head back.
“If they all had us as enemies, they would have attacked us already. Galadror and the others are very transparent in their intentions and emotions. I don't think they are a threat.” says Hilbert thoughtfully.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“We should watch out for the king when we meet him!” Gödel says looking seriously at Hilbert.
“Yes, but let's try to act naturally.”
In the forge room, Matilda watched closely as Galadror proceeded to forge.
The elf fused an alloy of metals into a forge that emanated a bluish flame. The metal quickly melted into the fire.
When the elf put the molten metal in the shapes he put a metallic powder that emanated a luminous aura, while he repeated incantations in the elven tongue and the metal began to light up.
Galadror molded the metal with a hammer that emanated a golden aura and was very precise and attentive to measurements.
“This metallic powder that you could see is made of an enchanted jewel that stores a lot of magical aurae, even if crushed it does not lose its effect!” says Galadror hitting the hammer on a piece of armor.
"I will try to replicate the details of the animals on which they were based upon! I'll add a little more refinement to the details.”
“I think I was able to understand the fundamentals of your art.” Says Matilda with an expression of amazement.
“Worry not! I shall give you the book I’ve been writing, for it contains all the details in the human language. The celestial fire of Ignis Pyro's flame, the bellows of Ignis Helius's celestial wind, and the metallic hammer of Atmos, which emanates the elemental aura of the earth, are fundamental pieces in the acceleration of the process that you could observe. They are not celestial items, but carry the names of the gods. These tools can be enchanted by celestial magic. If you get these crystals with aura, which are abundant in our caves, the magic words must contain the names of the gods and their respective elements!” says the elf still focused on the armor.
“The precise element or the others ramifications will do the trick?” asks Matilda in wonder.
“Just the main element shall be enough!” Replies Galadror and Matilda stays there watching him for a little more time.
Matilda watched the elf for some time and began to better understand the secrets of the elven forge.
“I'm going, Galadror! Thanks for sharing these details! I need some time to let the information set in my mind.” Matilda says smiling and the elf nods.
Matilda leaves that place and finds the silver-haired elf who takes her to the bathroom.
Hilbert and Gödel were wearing the elves' robes that basically consisted of togas with very symmetrical geometric cuts. Matilda tries to keep from laughing which only provokes a burst of laughter. Hilbert and Gödel are embarrassed by the situation.
“Matilda, you prick! Stop laughing at our face,” says Gödel angrily.
“Excuse me!” says Matilda trying to control herself, but still laughing. “I don't know what happened.” the laughter was beginning to subside.
“Let's leave Matilda to bathe, Gödel! I hope that the clothes that the elves have prepared suit you very well Matilda!” says Hilbert with an irritated countenance.
The friends leave in embarrassment while Matilda tried, in vain, to keep from laughing.
Matilda removes her armor and enters the water while watching the silver-haired elf undressing and entering the bathtub as well.
The elf innocently approaches and begins to wash Matilda's body with a special soap with a sweet fragrance. Matilda watched with admiration the beautiful body of the elf.
“You do not have to do this,” says Matilda flushed, gently holding the beautiful elf's hand.
“I want to! I could hear your conversation with that handsome man. I also don't like male elves or men!” the elf kisses Matilda's mouth with great passion.
The two beautiful young ladies stayed there, caressing and kissing until their bodies were satisfied.
In the dining hall of the elven palace, Hilbert and Gödel were seated being served by the elves.
There was a great deal of food on the large solid white marble table. Elvish foods were entirely vegetarian. The friends start to eat the food because the hunger was very great after so many confrontations and adverse situations. Gödel ate like an animal and Hilbert tried to stick to the rules of etiquette.
The elves looked at that pair so bizarre and out of sync, at least as far as things that were not related to combat were concerned. Gödel begins to be irritated by Hilbert's manner, who on the other hand was irritated by his friend's lack of education.
The angry looks intensified as they continued to dine. The elves looked at each other and thought that humans, unlike their race, were very heterogeneous people.
Matilda enters the dining room with the silver-haired elf and they were holding hands. The robes she wore could not disguise the size of the bust. Gödel and Hilbert stop eating and look at each other in amazement.
They looked like they were frozen, for they could not afford to get aroused with those robes. The waterfall scene comes back to them and the two begin to blush a lot.
Matilda, without knowing the reason for that bizarre behavior, sits at the table next to the beautiful silver-haired elf.
“That faces again! What happened to you?” says Matilda, remembering that day in the hideout.
“We were talking about Gödel's lack of memory!” Hilbert answers anticipating the reply of his friend.
“ Were we even talking?” asks Gödel thoughtfully.
“That must be grave! He could barely remember what you were talking about just a moment ago,” says Matilda worriedly, as the elf started to laugh.
“I don't think I introduced myself to you both before. I am Galandrawin Alael, the princess of this kingdom!” Says the beautiful elf. Hilbert and Gödel bow their heads. “I hope you enjoy your stay at the palace! I only ask that you do not die of boredom at the company of my fellow kin!”
“I thought you were more arrogant, but I think you are quite normal!” Gödel speaks with a mouthful of food. The princess laughs at the comment and behavior.
“The isolation and longevity of my people are responsible for creating these most interesting personalities, but arrogance is part of this set,” says Galandrawin, as she started to help herself.
“What I like most about humans is that they live their lives intensely. The brief moment you spend in this world makes you more intense.” Galandrawin looks at Matilda with a smile. Matilda runs her hand through the silver hair of the elven princess.
“I don't think we are that distinct anymore,” says Hilbert in a soft tone. “The brief moment I have been with you, I realized that the particularities of your people are very exaggerated by humans.”
“Is that you always meet with wizards or academics who, whatever the race, are always more eccentric than most of the commoners. Don’t you agree?” asks Galandrawin looking at Gödel and Hilbert. The two nod in the affirmative.
“I never thought I'd meet an elf before,” says Matilda, smiling at Galandrawin.
“I hope we made a good impression, Matilda!” says the elf, kissing Matilda's hand.
“The best impression I ever had! You can be sure of that!” Matilda replies with a smile on her face.
Hilbert had noticed what was going on there, but Gödel, as usual, had not noticed the subtle mood.
“You have already become best friends! And treat each other very well, apparently. No insults or brutality, no making fun of each other for silly reasons. Hey, Hilbert! I think we could learn a lot from their friendship!” Gödel smiled innocently.
“And I think we would not like to learn that friendship that you just mentioned, Gödel!” says Hilbert staring at his clueless friend.
The elf and Matilda laugh at their faces.
“See! That's what I'm talking about! My beloved folk does not share those moments. Few of us can read thoughts. For that reason we are taught to restrain our feelings and thoughts in order to avoid trouble.” says Galandrawin.
“If you were with them, you would always witness these moments, Galandrawin!” says Matilda smiling and complements:
"But don't be fooled by this nonsense, as you are in front of two of the strongest and most skilled patrolmen and warriors in the entire Whitecastle Kingdom! And their combined skills equal the strength of an army!” Matilda looked with admiration at her friends who were shocked and embarrassed by the comment.
“You have little time from our perspective, many different personalities and so much determination and power. This is impressive in humans.” says the silver-haired elf.
“We have been together in battles and adventures for a long time! I don't think I can imagine how many times we fought side by side. If it wasn’t for Gödel, I would never have joined the Royal Guard and probably would not be here now.” Hilbert looked at Gödel with nostalgia.
“It's true, Hilbert! You wanted to be strong and you really achieved it. I don't think I could count the sad and happy moments we shared. I am very grateful to have met you… and Fenriz.”
Gödel says the name of his fallen friend with a sad expression. The companions' hearts are saddened, but Hilbert did not want his friends to be sad.
“And I am very grateful that you showered today! I can finally eat without feeling nauseous,” says Hilbert, taking the spoon in his mouth and sighing.
Matilda and the elven princess laugh at Gödel's angry face.
“And I am very grateful for this baked potato that is in my hand!”
Gödel tosses a potato on Hilbert's forehead, which smashes into the prince's face that outlined a late reaction to avoid being hit. Matilda and Galandrawin laughed at the face Hilbert made when hit by the potato.
“Stop this rubbish and let's finish our dinner!” says Matilda still laughing at the situation.
Everyone was talking over dinner and the night was quietly taking place in the world. While the hearts of Matilda, Hilbert, and Gödel were filled with joy, their stomachs were filled with food.
At the end of their supper, Galadror announces that everything was ready and asks the three of them to accompany them to the warehouse.
He had left the armors standing on frames. The armors were silver-colored with golden details and were very well made with much more perfection than the previous ones. They could see that the armor emanated a kind of aura as if they were alive.
Everyone was amazed at the details crafted in the new armors. Galadror interrupts the silence and admiration of his work by talking about his work.
“This metal is very strong and flexible. It is made of an alloy with the most resistant metals that can only be found near the core of the planet thanks to the dwarves. In addition to having enormous resistance, they deflect part of the impact. And when you put these armor on it can expand and then the metal will contract to fit your bodies like a second skin. This elasticity is due to the magical aura of the water element. This metallic fabric that covers the inside and openings is very resistant as it allows the bodies to be fully covered without you losing mobility or to use clothes. Matilda's armor was made with precise cuts and this metal mesh cannot even be seen from the outside in her armor, which is totally ergonomic. These armors have a great deal of magical aura in them and are resistant even to enchantments and supreme spells. Your auras will be added to the auras of these armors, just like minor celestial items. Treat them as if they were alive, for they really are! Bring them here for repairs if you need to. In case you can't make it this far, I wrote detailed instructions in your language so that Matilda can replicate these creations and also repair them.”
Galadror looked at his creations while describing these details. The three stood before their respective armor and looked at them with astonishment and admiration. Galadror now looked at the table and talked about the items that were there.
“I covered Hilbert's shield with another layer of this rare alloy and added another amount of defense enchantments! I removed all the imperfections and redid the drawing of the eagle. The long sword on the side of the shield is made of a crystal that is more resistant than diamonds! A comet made of this material fell thousands of years ago, close to this forest. It took a few millennia before I could give a piece of that comet the shape of a sword. My luck was that this splinter already had a sword shape that is very sharp. There is a great affinity of this material with the element of light. It can amplify the enchantments of light up to a hundred times. And the celestial aura is easily channeled into that weapon.” the elf stared at the sword like a stream of thoughts of a nostalgic era.
After a brief pause, Galadror starts to speak again.
“Gödel's swords were made from the same alloy and the teeth are very thin but very sharp. I also used several jewels of aura in the making of these swords and prioritized for aerodynamics. When they come together the teeth increase in size due to a magnetism between them. They are slightly curved and sharp in the cut part. They can stretch due to the energy of the metal element's aura and the opposite polarities between swords. The back can be used as the ferocious attack of a wolf's bite.” Galadror stared at the swords, immersed in its descriptions. And then he turns to a black axe that was next to those swords. And after a pause for some air, he speaks again.
“This ax on the table is made of an unknown material, it is very resistant and can change its weight with the simple thinking of the mind, and horizontal attacks can split a mountain in half. This weapon was forged by Atmos himself for himself and then gifted to the first dwarf king, Druin the bald. This weapon contains the celestial aura. When I spent time with the dwarves, learning their art, I received this weapon as a gift, and after five thousand years it will finally have a new purpose!”
Galadror was exhausted from speaking and was beginning to become breathless. “I think this night I have said what I couldn't in nine thousand years in this world! Pick them up when you are leaving! I need to take care of some more requests made by a friend.” Hilbert stared at Galadror in surprise and asks:
“Galadror,” says Hilbert “What this celestial aura that you speak of is!?” Hilbert asks looking at the elf. Although he trusted the elf's sincerity, he inquired a little suspiciously. “Why did you trust us with all these very powerful items? Is there anything you haven't told us?”
“Yes, but at the right time, you will know about this and about the other doubts that you must have, wait for the meeting with the king. Do not worry. Leave your armor and weapons here. They will be ready for your departure.” Galadror turned and entered the forge room.
Hilbert felt that he should trust those words. The three warriors looked with admiration at the elf's careful work. After a while, Galandrawin enters the warehouse.
“My dear guests, I have prepared comfortable accommodations in a room so you may rest your bodies. They are rooms made for guests, as my people do not need to sleep for ages. I'll take you there! Please follow me.” says the Elf who turns to the exit of the warehouse.
Everyone follows Galandrawin and heads towards the room, which also contained enchanted stones that illuminated it.
The room was no different from the rest of the other rooms in the palace, except for a few stone beds with feather mattresses and pillows, silk sheets, and white comforters.
They say goodbye to Galandrawin and prepare to sleep. Gödel, Hilbert, and Matilda made themselves comfortable on the beds.
Hilbert looked at the window carved in the palace rock and was, as always, thoughtful.
Gödel and Matilda were almost asleep as soon as they had settled down. The night passed quietly.