Orlando wearily ran a hand through his long, blond hair, smoothing it back behind his pointed ears, then rubbed at his dark violet eyes. The leader of the Elven King’s Guard was exhausted. He and his men had been away from the Elven City for nearly a month, patrolling the southern borders in search of the Orc party that had kidnapped and killed six Elven maidens over the past year and a half. Finally the Orcs had been found and slaughtered, and now the guard was returning with their heads to present to the King.

Orlando was glad to be home. These past few weeks had been difficult for so many reasons. He had had to deal with the anger of his Elven brothers, the constant danger of bandits and rogues as well as the enemy they sought...not to mention the constant internal turmoil he faced -- love. And yet, they had persevered, and home was growing closer and closer, and so was the sight of the one he loved. The one he could never tell his feelings to. The King’s son. Shelley.

He spurred his horse to a gallop, his heart pounding in time with the hoofbeats as he neared the walled city and the castle beyond the gate. He called out to the elves protecting the wall, and the gates were opened for them. The citizens of the Elven City swarmed around them, demanding news...then celebrating as their triumph was revealed. Orlando saw the gratitude in the faces of his people, but he did not swell with pride. He was only doing his job, protecting them.

Not lost on him either were the coy looks that many Elven maidens cast forth. He knew he was the most eligible bachelor in the Kingdom. He also knew that soon enough the King would start to force him to choose a bride. Even the King saw through his friendship with Shelley, saw through his devotion. The only one who didn’t know how much Orlando loved Shelley was Shelley himself. Orlando liked Elven maidens well enough, but he knew deep down inside that he could never care for a female as he did for Shelley.

They were the best of friends. Orlando was a little older, not much, but still he had crossed the line into maturity before Shelley, who was still a lad. They had done their schooling together, learned to fight together, Shelley ahead of his age. And at some point, the friendship had changed into something else for Orlando. He wondered sometimes if this wasn’t why the King had chosen him as Captain of the Guard. This role put him constantly in danger of being killed. And yet, Orlando was very good at what he did. His skill with the bow and sword were currently unsurpassed, though he expected that Shelley would pass him in skill when he reached the height of his potential.

Orlando blushed as he recalled his mother’s words of caution soon after his infatuation with the young prince became apparent. The King had gone to her, rather than speaking to Orlando directly, warning her that her son had best never reveal his feelings to Shelley, or face the monarch’s wrath. She had forced him to swear never to take advantage of Shelley, or try to seduce him. She had made him fear for his life, from the King.

As he thought of her, his mother appeared by the stairs of the castle. She looked distraught, and Orlando presumed it was with worry for him. He broke out in an easy grin, and slid off of his horse fluidly. He bent and embraced her. Orlando had grown much taller than his mother, taller than most elves, reaching just over six feet. She clung to him tightly, then spoke low into his ear.

“I am glad you are home, my son. But there is news, bad news...and I would not like you to hear it from any other but myself.”

“We’ve slain the Orcs, Mother. The King will surely be pleased -- and awaiting my report. But, what is it?”

“Shelley’s been banished.”

Orlando felt as if he’d been punched in the stomach. He staggered, nearly falling, but his mother was a strong woman and held him upright, not revealing his reaction to his troops.

“What has he done?” he whispered.

“Send the others away, my son. You will not take it well. You must pull yourself together, Orlando. Decorum, always.”

It took everything in him to let go of his mother’s embrace as if it were a natural, almost casual greeting. He turned to his second in command.

“Go to the King. Bring him the heads of the Orcs. I will be along shortly.”

They didn’t dare question him and he knew it. The other elves continued the triumphant processional into the castle, and Orlando allowed his mother to draw him into a private corridor.

“Shelley fell in love with a satyr,” she told him without preamble, without trying to make it easier. “It was a very fast affair, and they were discovered. The satyr was killed and the prince was banished. His father showed him mercy.”

Orlando just nodded, his head spinning. He leaned heavily against the wall. Then his eyes blazed with passion as he made up his mind.

“I will find him. I will convince the King to let him return! His own son--”

“Orlando, you will only put yourself out of favor.”

“The only favor I ever cared for was Shelley’s,” he hissed angrily. His mother looked hurt, and immediately he felt badly, but she merely nodded.

“You cannot find him. He has been sent not merely out of the City of Elves, but out of our world. It was a magical banishment.”

“But those are reserved only for the worst crimes!”

“This was how our King wished it.”

“Is love a crime, Mother?” Orlando demanded, a bitter taste in his mouth.

“Orlando--”

“There is only one sorceress who has the power to perform such a banishment, Mother,” he said. His tone was sharp and accusatory. Fire blazed in his mother’s deep violet eyes, eyes that his own mirrored completely.

“I do as my king commands -- as should you, Orlando.”

“I do as my heart commands, Mother. I am going after him.”

“You are a fool, Orlando.”

“Will you help me?”

“If I do, you will never be allowed to return, do you understand that, my son.”

“Yes, Mother. I do understand that. Now...will you help me?”

Him litle answerd th'angry Elfin knight;
He neuer meant with words, but swords to plead his right.