Ipswitch has other plans by Lady Vixen ©

Part 2: Ipswitch has other plans.

Ipswitch has other plans. He wants to bring the elves of all of his 5 forests, together for a showdown in Rivital. But when will they be ready?
Time has passed and Ipswitch is growing more and more impatient. He calls a formal meeting of all the elves and gathers them together in the Valley Disunder. Leaping upon a large tree stump, he shouts at his flock: "To all of the residents of Netherwood, Riversend, Timber Glen, Auberdale, and Woodsdale: Hear this:"
I have pondered the progress that we have been making with our armies and the structures built to house our weapons. I have overseen the work you have done and I am not pleased!" Our pace is much too slow, we must speed up our work to finish before the next full moon. As you know the Garus will not participate with the Black Midgeons on their Moonfest, and will be absent from Rivital for 4 days during the festival. If we speed up our pace we will then be able to take Rivital in the battle and we will then rule the most powerful forest of all. If all goes as planned we will merge all of our forests with Rivital and our Kingdom will be plentiful forever. We will have all the riches we could ever desire. Our new Kingdom will be called The Kingdom of Ipswitch."
With this announcement the elves gasped. "Oh sire, why?"
"We are not ready!" "We cannot conquer Rivital with what we have prepared thus far. We must wait until we are fully prepared before we go into war with Rivital!" said Twi-Tow. (Twi-Tow was one of Tari's former followers who was left behind when she fled.)
"Twi-Tow, that is enough from you!" Ipswitch growled. "We needn't hear of your mumblings".

With that, the meeting was adjourned and the elves wandered around discussing the new plan. "The Moonfest is near, we haven't much time, let us work harder" said Mimarack.

Days and nights passed with much hard work, and many weary elves. The days seemed to drag on forever, with night duty being reversed back and forth between the elves so that everyone worked most of the time. Meals were quick, sleep was fast and hard. But work outlined the day! 3 days before the Moonfest, Ipswitch called a meeting once again in the Valley Disunder. Standing high on the stump, Ipswitch announced "Fellow citizens, you have done well. You shall be rewarded there will be no work tonight. We have prepared a large feast for you, with singing and dancing. Follow me now, to the Swallowfare clearing and we shall celebrate!"

The elves danced with glee. It was a most unusual surprise. Some wondered if there was something more to it, but most just were delighted to attend. The feast was grand, the food was superb, and they danced and sang into the night, until finally they were too exhausted to continue, and many fell asleep in Swallowfare clearing. However, there were a few elves that never trusted Ipswitch, and set out unattended to Rivital. Among them were Twi-tow, Suri, Boben,Mimarack, and Natala. These Elves were once beloved friends and faithful to Tari. They felt as if Ipswitch had gone mad, and that he was leading them into a death of their race. They must find out more about Rivital before letting their brethren go into battle. If only they had known what lie ahead.

Part 3 Arriving in Rivital

OR
Neverwhere

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