The Antagonist's Full Moon

5. Insurgencies

An hour ago, in the palace meeting room, there was an oval table and nine velvet-lined chairs. All nine seats were occupied by the king and eight Elvenar, the title of nobleman in the Kingdom of Legolas.

The Elvenars were members of the royal council and were tasked with advising and strategizing with the king in important decision-making. However, this time it was not the king they were advising, but a prince named Haldir.

When King Aelfric died suddenly without any children, the political situation of the Kingdom of Legolas became in an uproar. However, the king's younger brother Leis suddenly brought a young man named Haldir into the midst of the Elvenars. Leis said that Haldir was the king's son from a woman other than the queen.

Of course, the situation of the kingdom became more and more chaotic. Haldir's existence in the middle of the empty throne seat, means cancelling the Elvenars to appoint their respective children as candidates for the king.

In Legolas tradition, when the king has no successor, then the children of Elvenar members are entitled to be candidates for the next king. Each Elvenar can nominate a child, provided that they have reached the age of twenty years and a maximum of 25 years.

If an Elvenar had no descendants to be nominated, then he could recommend someone from among the common people. Then, the eight candidates will undergo a trial period for a year according to tradition.

Haldir's existence as a descendant of King Aelfric cannot be doubted, after he was confirmed by the royal physician that the blood of Legolas flowed within him. Although the mother's origin is doubtful, it is clear that Haldir has full rights to be a single king candidate.

Prince Haldir's probation to become a future king still takes six months. Now, the prince is busy dealing with various problems that occur in his kingdom.

"Your Majesty, regarding the matter of the rebellion in the southern part of the country, is it necessary to send troops there?" An Elvenar asked Haldir. The prince seemed to think for a moment before finally asking, "Which regions are affected?"

"Farm lands in Corrid Village and Anenfel Village were looted and burned."

"The Corrid Village goes into the area of Nygaard City, while Anenfel Village in the Tranum region, right?" Haldir confirmed and confirmed by the Elvenars.

"Then, Mr. Nygaard and Mr. Tranum, unify the residents who live in both villages. You can build a temporary settlement, hitchhiking in another village in your town." Haldir made a decision, which was immediately recorded by the minutes of the meeting.

"Then, Mr. Themaris," Haldir took a breath, before he continued. "because your city is one territory with them, accommodate the residents of both villages if any of them choose to go to the territory of Themaris."

"Okay, Your Honor," said Olrun Themaris. After a small fight with his eldest daughter, Olrun still had time to attend a meeting at night. At least, the mind that had once led to someone who would not want to be considered a princess, was immediately distracted thanks to focusing on meeting in plain sight.

"Do you find it difficult to prevent an attack by the rebels, Mr Tranum?" ask Haldir. He learned that the rebels were from Tranum for the first time.

Mr. Tranum shook his head. "Until now things can still be controlled. However, the food supply in our region is running low due to the burning of the rebels."

"alright. From the capital will send reinforcements in the form of troops, medicine, and food to the Tranum and Nygaard regions. Hopefully, other regions can help to donate some of your supplies to those two regions."

"Prepare to do it, Your Majesty," the Elvenars replied almost simultaneously.

"Oh, off-topic, do you know why there was a rebel suddenly, after so long a peace was present in Legolas?" Prince Haldir asked, but no one answered.

Suddenly, a person with a thick, burly red bearded curl stood up from the chair. He is Eddar Eetelbum, the leader of the Eetelbum region which is around the coast. Eetelbum was also the first defensive shield in the event of an attack on Legolas Kingdom from the sea.

"Mr Eetelbum, you better speak more carefully. It's Legolas's good name!"

"I'm just stating the facts. What's wrong with that?" Eetelbum defend themselves. The statement was defended by Lukas Hartvig, the city leader of Hartvig located next to Eetelbum.

"What Mr. Eetelbum says is true. For over a hundred years, the descendants of the Legolas have ruled us as kings and queens under their names. When King Aelfric is gone, we are prepared to change the name of the kingdom in case one of Elvenar's candidates ascends the throne. However, without any wind and rain, suddenly His Highness the Prince came to the surface." Lukas Hartvig's words made everything in the room quiet.

"We Elvenars and other palace members might understand, but what about the people? They need time to understand the situation. So naturally, if some of them carry out a rebellion. They clearly do not understand the origin of His Holiness, especially whether His Majesty was born into a marriage bond or not" Hartvig said.

"Mr Hartvig, watch your talk! All of us who are here have proven that Legolas' blood flows within His Highness Prince Haldir, how dare it be now you--"

"Enough!" Suddenly Haldir got up and shouted. The debate of the Elvenars came to a halt instantly.

"I respect all your opinions as part of this royal council. Thanks for that. Then, regarding these rebels," said Prince Haldir, then took a breath, "I will think of a way for them to understand my situation."

"alright. Because I think time is too late, then tonight's meeting is enough to get here. Thank you to those of you who took the time to attend." Haldir provides closure, before exiting the last meeting room. Soon he returned to the room to remove all the royal attributes attached to his body, namely the coat, badges, and robes. The servants helped Haldir to release all the burdens.

At a time like this, Haldir longs to be someone who has no title or rank. In the past, he admired whenever there were nobles passing through the small streets of the village where he lived for inspection.

Now, when his position was even higher than that of a noble, he instead wanted to return to being a plain little boy and live in the village. Play in the forest, collect firewood and fruits, also cut livestock for winter preparation. Haldir missed everything he did while still a commoner.

Haldir moved closer to the window of his room located on the second floor of the palace. The window faces the back area, which is the view of Moonlite Lake which became an icon of Legolas Kingdom.

The lake is very crowded during the day, but very quiet at night, except on the day of the Moon Festival held in the middle of the year. During the festival, all the people of Legolas gather by the lake and worship Goddess Lileath.

Once, in the village where Haldir lived, there was also a lake. However, it was not as big as this Moonlite. He often sat on the edge of the lake to look for fresh air and relieve fatigue and annoyance after being scolded by his uncle and aunt for something. Haldir often throws pebbles over the surface of the water.

Tonight, Haldir missed all that. The coat that had been hanging was grabbed back. Rushing he ran downstairs, towards the backyard. When the guards offered to guard, the prince refused. "I just went to the shores of Moonlite Lake. You don't have to escort me, I want to be alone."

Before long, the view of the lake water was immediately visible, surrounded by shady trees on the opposite edge. Mountains that became the border of Legolas Kingdom with neighboring countries were also seen in the distance. The surface of the lake water looked luminous, exposed to the bouncing full moonlight.

Haldir spread his gaze around. He thought he was alone here, but he wasn't. Haldir saw someone was plunging both feet into the water of the lake, then began to walk slowly to the middle, until half of his body began to sink.

.... What is he doing?! Haldir gasped, then immediately ran towards the person, to prevent anything that would be done by him.

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