Page 124 of The War of Four Winters

I nodded. "Those who embrace this change willingly will find the crown generous in its assistance. Those who resist will find us equally firm in our enforcement."

Lord Longclaw stood next, his ancient face lined with disapproval. "And what of tradition? For millennia, our society has maintained certain... natural hierarchies. Humans have served as property since before the First Dynasty. Would you undo all of history on a youthful whim?"

"Not all traditions deserve preservation, Lord Longclaw," I replied, meeting his gaze without flinching. "Some must be examined in the clear light of justice and discarded when found wanting. This is such a tradition."

I stepped forward, addressing the full Assembly. "But if you require practical reasons beyond basic morality, consider this: King Michail's forces grow stronger each day. His zealots burn our villages and slaughter our people. We cannot fight this threat while divided against ourselves."

The mention of Michail shifted the atmosphere. Fear replaced indignation as representatives remembered the reports from Homeshore, the tales of entire elven communities exterminated.

"This brings us to our third decree," I continued, capitalizing on their attention. "All clans will call their banners immediately. Every warrior, every battle mage, every archer and healer capable of service must prepare for war. King Michail's crusade threatens not just our way of life but our very existence as a people. This is no longer about politics or succession; it is about survival."

I gestured toward the massive map on the chamber's eastern wall, where markers showed King Michail's advancing forces. "The winter snow already begins to melt. When spring arrives fully, we march on Homeshore with the largest army ever assembled under a single elven banner. We will end King Michail's invasion and secure peace for generations to come."

The representatives fell silent, weighing the enormity of what I proposed. Three momentous changes in a single session: recognition of Yeutish sovereignty, abolition of slavery, and preparation for all-out war against a human threat. Any one would have caused controversy; together, they represented the most significant shift in elven governance in centuries.

"Your Majesty," Representative Seagrave of House Craiggybottom stood. "House Craiggybottom stands ready. Our ships are at your disposal."

One by one, other representatives rose to pledge support, some enthusiastically, others with clear reluctance but with recognition of necessity. By the time the sun began to set beyond the Assembly's ancient windows, we had secured commitments from all twelve clans, setting in motion the greatest mobilization in elven history.

As the formal session concluded, I caught Elindir's eye in the gallery. His face shone with pride, one arm around each of our sons. Whatever came next, whatever price we paid for these changes, that moment made it worthwhile. The world our boys would inherit would be different, better than the one that had placed collars around their necks.

That night, celebrations filled D'thallanar's streets. Music drifted from taverns and public squares. Elves, humans, and half-elves mingled freely, the news of abolition spreading like wildfire through the city's districts. Not everyone celebrated, of course. In the shadows of grand houses, traditionalists plotted resistance. In alleyways and hidden rooms, those who had profited from slavery nursed resentment. But for one night, at least, hope outshone fear.

I watched from the palace balcony, marking both the celebrations and the pockets of sullen resistance. Change would not come easily or without cost. But it would come.

"Father!" Torsten's excited voice broke through my thoughts as small arms wrapped around my waist from behind. I turned to find my younger son beaming up at me, his wild curls escaping the careful styling someone had attempted for the evening's celebration. "You're missing everything! Tariq's dragon did a flip and breathed blue fire! And there's cake shaped like the Assembly building!"

I couldn't help but smile as he tugged insistently at my formal robes, his enthusiasm pulling me back from the weight of royal responsibilities to the simple joy of the moment.

"Cake shaped like the Assembly? Now that I must see," I said, allowing him to pull me toward the feasting hall.

Elindir appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with a smile that warmed something deep within me. "I was about to send a royal search party," he said. "Though it seems our most effective agent found you first."

"The most persistent, certainly," I agreed, ruffling Torsten's hair as he continued pulling me forward.

"Everyone's waiting," Elindir said, falling into step beside us. "Tariq has already told three inappropriate stories that had Leif asking questions I wasn't prepared to answer."

I laughed. "Perhaps we should rescue our older son from Tariq's questionable influence."

"Too late," Elindir said with a mock sigh. "They're already conspiring about sailing lessons. I believe the word 'adventure' was used several times."

Torsten finally released my robes as we reached the grand dining hall, running ahead to announce my arrival with all the ceremony an eight-year-old could muster.

The doors opened to reveal a scene that would have been unimaginable mere months ago. Around the massive feasting table sat not just nobles and clan representatives, but a true family forged through struggle and unlikely bonds.

An empty seat awaited me at the head of the table, with Elindir's place of honor to my right. Tariq occupied the chair beside Elindir's, gesturing animatedly while Bash snatched morsels from his plate when he wasn't looking. Leif and Torsten quickly scrambled back to their seats.

Katyr and Niro sat close together. Katyr laughed at something Aryn said, while Daraith looked over at Aryn with the barest hint of a smile.

Taelyn and Captain Yisra occupied seats of honor, their heads bent together over what appeared to be a detailed map, though their clasped hands beneath the table told a different story. Ieduin and Khulan dominated one end of the table, the Yeutish prince's booming laugh carrying over the general conversation as he described some northern tradition that had everyone around him in stitches.

Representatives from all twelve clans mingled freely, old rivalries temporarily forgotten in the warmth of celebration. Even the more traditional houses had sent envoys, recognizing that regardless of their feelings about my reforms, this was a historic moment that could not be ignored.

Most remarkable of all were the humans and elves seated alongside one another without collars or chains to separate them. Former slaves now sat as honored guests, their voices equal in the conversation, their presence no longer an aberration but a glimpse of the future we were building.

As we took our seats, Elindir leaned close, his voice soft against my ear. "I love you. In this moment and all that follow."

I turned to him, propriety forgotten in the warmth of celebration, and pressed my lips gently to his. "And I love you. Today and always."

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