To humans elves were neither friends nor for, they always minded their business and never got involved with the affairs of human beings but one thing was clear to the humans.
Elves hated humans, they saw them as cunning and mischievous creatures who could even hurt their own kind to get whatever they wanted.
This was the reason why the elves didn't allow humans to trespass into their territory and any human that dared them, well let's just say that wouldn't be a very fun experience.
Jude was conflicted for more than one reason, the first question in his mind was why the elves saved him, the second was why did they even bother applying treatment on his wounds and then covering them up and finally why had they brought him here, he was sure he wasn't in the elf territory.
The two elves who were standing in front of the young knight now were elf scouts who happened to be unidentical twins.
Tuchel was the first twin, a male elf who was almost the same height as Jude, he had black hair which was well trimmed with beautiful blue eyes.
Tauriel, on the other hand, was a she-elf, slightly taller than her brother, she had a nice figure and her flowing golden hair was one of the things that distinguished her from her brother but she did share the same blue eyes with him.
The twins were out that to check if the Goblins were up to their usual evil schemes when they spotted Jude fighting the group of Goblins, the duo watched Jude fight until he almost got killed and that was when they stepped in.
"You're awake," Tuchel said as he grabbed his left arm.
"Why did you bring me here, I wasn't in your territory," Jude said.
"That's correct but would you have preferred that we allowed you die there from loss of blood," Tuchel said, then he gestured to Tauriel to grab his other arm.
"I don't think this place is a healing center and besides I thought you guys had no business with humans."
"Listen." Tuchel's voice seemed to have deepened as he said this. "In as much as our people despise your race, I do not take pleasure in watching someone die whereas I could have helped. You were only trying to save yourself from those nasty goblins."
Looking at the two elves in front of him Jude knew they weren't planning on harming him, if they wanted to they would have done it before now but what he was worried about was the other elves and most especially their king, that the two elves that saved him appeared genuine didn't mean the others would.
"Where are you taking me?" Jude asked as the twins lifted him off the ground.
"The king wants to see you?" Tauriel replied.
'The king.' Jude thought, what was he planning to do to him now?
It was the king who had ordered the twins to throw him into the cellar immediately after they had applied treatment on him terming him a contagious disease.
As the twins carried Jude past the hallways where the elves lived there were murmurs among some of them that Jude could hear.
"He's a human."
"What's a human doing here?"
"The king will surely execute him."
"Greedy humans always looking for ways to take our land, they are even more greedy than the dwarfs."
Jude tried to ignore the unpleasant remarks made toward him as he was carried past the large hallway where the elves had houses on both sides.
It didn't take Jude long to discover that they were in some kind of underground city, there were fire lamps fitted on the rocky roof which provided a considerable amount of light to the whole area.
The twins carried him through the elves' home hallway to a large staircase that led up to the highest building in the city, with a large platform sticking out in the highest unit.
The twins carried him up the stairs and to the highest room where the king was sitting on his throne enjoying a glass of wine.
He was in a black robe and his face seemed to be illuminated by the lighting of the room. One thing that made Jude immediately become uncomfortable was the wry smile on the king's face.
"You are quite tall." The king said.
"I'm a human, not a dwarf," Jude said.
"I know but most of the humans I've met before were quite short but I wouldn't say they were as short as dwarves."
"Leave us." The king ordered the two dwarves who were holding him.
Tuchel and his sister didn't waste time in dropping Jude who fell on his knees as they walked out of the room.
Immediately they were gone the king stood up from his seat and walked closer to Jude.
"Why are you keeping me here? I wasn't in your territory." Jude said.
The king let out a chuckle before he said. " I wasn't the one that brought you here, you should be thanking those two for saving your life." He said.
"I've already done that, can I leave now?"
The king entered a feat of laughter as he turned his gaze to the sword which was hanging on the wall.
"You're a human." He said with a menacing voice as he pulled his face closer to Jude's. "And I believe you already know how we feel about humans.
"We may not outright attack your people because we believe it is wrong to do that but when you are in my kingdom your leaving won't be that easy."
"So what are you going to do, kill me?"
"Kill you?" The king chuckled. "Now that won't be fair considering you did nothing wrong, I won't kill you but you'll have to fight for your freedom or worse you may even lose your precious life.
"If you succeed you will be allowed to leave if you fail well let's just say the rest of your life will be spent here."
Those words had instilled the feeling of fear in Jude.
'My whole life here? Not to see my people again, my dear little sister.' His thoughts were going wild now.
"Your fight for freedom will start now."
He stretched his hands towards his throne and his long staff that was lying there came flying into his hands. Immediately the staff entered his hand he struck it on the floor which caused a red light to encompass him and Jude.
'The king is a wizard elf.' Jude thought.
But that wasn't what he had to worry about now because he was now inside an arena surrounded by thousands of elves who were making noise in the stands.
"Welcome everyone to this year's battle of beasts." He heard the king's voice resound from the highest stand in the arena, it was so loud that everyone could hear him.
"But this year we will be doing things a lot differently." The king added as the elves increased their shouting.
"Instead of beast vs beast this year we will be having man vs beast."
Immediately after those words were said the iron bars holding one of the beasts were raised down and without wasting time the beast inside it jumped.
Looking at the beast in front of him Jude swallowed really hard because what he was about to face now was a hybrid beast.
*****
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