The king's eyes
The trip

My first stopover is at a small inn near a river. There are people but not too many. I entrusted Cyrano to the groom. The small bedroom is simple and adequate. I was afraid that I would replace myself in a dormitory with drunks who snored and smelled of beer.

After having washed and changed, I go down to the ground floor for dinner. A charming young woman comes to serve me, welcoming me.

They don’t know it but my elven side influences them. They want to please me, and they are charmed by my person. It’s a real chance to always be able to make a good impression.

I dine quietly thinking about the next stages of the journey, when I feel observed, even... Sounded? I look for the source of this feeling... Then I see a pair of eyes at the back of the room... A little girl. She must be 8 or 9 years old at the most. She recognized me as her fellow... There is elvish in her. She seems troubled. I try to reassure her. I smile at her and gently nod my head... As if to say: Yes my darling, we look alike, you’re not alone.

But she tenses up and runs off.

This poor little girl is completely lost in her nature and her identity. Her mother certainly hides from everyone, including her little one, her true origin. So there are still elves in the kingdom... This news warms my heart. But they are risking their lives by staying on these lands.

I finish my meal and go up to my room.

A few minutes later I hear a knock on my door. It’s the little one.

“Come in, my little sugar.” She slowly opens the door and looks at me with her big blue eyes.

“My name is Iris, and I would very much like to know your name."

She keeps watching me, puzzled. "Jenny..."

I try to make a soft atmosphere "It’s nice to meet you, Jenny. Sit down. I know you have a lot of questions. I’m ready to answer it.”

She sits down but remains silent for now. Her mother will not jump for joy when she realizes that her daughter has been informed of her origins. But it is totally useless to lie or steal information from an elven being. Besides, she’s already disturbed enough as it is. I feel that she suffered from not knowing what makes her different from other children.

“You are like me..." She said.

"Yes, we look alike, you’re right. Jenny, do you know both of your parents?" I asked.

"Nope. My mother is not my real mother. She didn’t want to tell me... But I knew it. When I asked her where my real parents were, she said she didn’t know. She found me at the edge of the forest.”

Her story upsets me immediately, and she feels that I am very sensitive to her story.

“Please tell me where I’m from... My mother doesn’t have any answers for me...I need to know..”

She has tears in her eyes... Growing up without knowing who you are, it must be a daily suffering.

“Of course, my sweet. First of all, know that what makes you different is exceptional wealth. You have a gift. And it will benefit you all your life. It will never be a disadvantage even if you are convinced today.

You are a magical being. One of your parents is human, and the other is an elf..."

".. An elf... But it’s forbidden!" She said, shocked. I explain.

"Do you think it’s normal to forbid two people to love each other? Unfortunately, we live in difficult times where it is frowned upon to love a person from another species, especially if it is a banished species. But our king himself was against this banishment. It never officially entered into force.

Today the species that were removed from the kingdom at the time of the great battle have remained there for their safety, but have every right to return, it is their land too, even if it is very risky. ...

People are suspicious and afraid of what they don’t know. Shezaar has managed to stir up trouble for almost an entire decade... It’s worth fighting for, don’t you think?

We have the right to exist and do no harm to anyone. We cannot reject our deep nature to satisfy such absurd ideas.

Jenny... You’re still very young and you have to protect yourself for now, it’s going to be difficult at times. But when you will be an adult, you will have the right to fight for acceptance of who you really are.

I don’t know if they are still alive but never forget that your parents represent the union between two species, you are the symbol of peace and harmony between us all. We should rejoice in all that nature gives us. I fight a little for that cause, in my own way.

Don’t blame your mother who is certainly afraid for your safety. I hope that the world will change soon and that you will be able to meet other magical creatures and other elves who will teach you to familiarize yourself with your abilities. I hope it happens and I want you to believe it too.”

In the meantime, I will try to shed some light on these gray areas so that she understands who she is. I don’t want to drown her in information otherwise she won’t remember anything.

So I mainly talk to her about the basics. Awareness of one’s environment, her influence on the emotions of others and the surrounding emotional atmosphere which acts as a purifier, and one’s connection with nature and the elements.

She left my room a little dazed, but grateful. The next morning I found a breakfast tray outside my door, along with a bouquet of lilacs. I dare to hope that Jenny is a little more at peace with herself.

I leave quietly for the rest of my trip to the castle, with a little more warmth in my heart.