Brownies

[celestialhost]

A series of stories I have been writing on DeviantArt. I thought I would post them here.

These Brownies are inspired by the Brownies in Stan Nicholls' Orcs Bad Blood series. This not set in Maras-Dantia (though it might be the world from which his Brownies originally came) but my generic fantasy-land, Daanelia. This race could potentially fit into quite a few fantasy settings.

I have used the few details Stan Nicholls gives- the mixed elf-goblin ancestry, their mastery of dragons, their height, and their brown clothing.


Concerning Brownies


We might have titled this study, 'Concerning Dragons and those who ride them,' for it is the Brownies ability to tame and ride dragons, both as a means of transportation and as a beast of war, that has brought them fame throughout Daanelia and beyond. The natural affinity between these creatures and dragons is of such prominence that it threatens to overshadow everything about them. Yet there are many interesting things that we might say regarding Brownies other than their mastery of the Greater Wyrms.

It is universally acknowledged that the Brownies are a mixed race, descended from both elves and goblins. There seems no doubt on this question, though some suggest that their stock is that of the hobgoblins rather than common goblins. It is regrettable that there is no doubt on the question of their ancestry, for their goblin blood has often marred the reputation of this race.

The exact origin of the Brownies is uncertain, for it is considered unthinkable for any elf to mate with a goblin. One theory holds that the Brownies are the descendants of elves taken captive by the goblins. This theory seems unlikely to us, for while it is not unknown for elves to be subjected to the most indecent assaults when in goblin captivity, such captives seldom survive long, let alone bear children. It is quite doubtful that any race could form as a result of captivity to goblins. A much more likely explanation is that the Brownies are descended from elves and goblins who were enslaved by the drow or perhaps the dark dwarves. These unfortunates, thrown together in their misery must have made their bid for freedom in distant times and settled in the mountains far above their underground masters.

Whatever the truth of their origin, the Brownies have spread through the three great mountain ranges of Daanelia. They are a people given to travel; unsurprisingly given their mastery of dragon flight. Young Brownies will often roam across distant parts in their youth, either working as hired servants or else serving as mercenaries. There are also many Brownies who have sought treasure and wealth and become adventurers or rogues. As the numbers of dragons have declined, the Brownies have become, for the most part, a more settled people, with most of them living quiet, contented lives in their mountain villages.

In appearance the Brownies have taken more from their elven than their goblin side. Their skin is a muddy brown colour, sometimes with a subtle green hue. They are typically tall, sometimes taller than elves, a trait that suggests a hobgoblin, rather than common goblin ancestry. In common with both their elven and goblin sides, they have long pointed ears. Their facial features closely resemble elves, though their sharp pointed noses makes a contrast with elves, as do their large eyes. As with all races, difference between rich and poor are apparent. The nobles of their race are usually more elven in appearance and amongst the poorer Brownies, the goblin ancestry is more apparent.

Brownies usually dress in brown clothing, though they sometimes also wear red, green or yellow clothing. Male Brownies wear loose fitting tunics and tight breeches. Female Brownies sometimes also wear tunics and breeches, but more often wear simple dresses. All Brownies of both sexes wear the floppy pointed caps sometimes worn by elves. Like both elves and goblins, Brownies often walk barefoot. They seldom wear shoes in their villages or lands, though they wear high boots when riding their dragons and sometimes wear sandals when travelling on foot.

The Brownies have no united kingdom, which is unsurprising given the geographical distance over which they are spread. Brownie villages and settlements owe fealty to their lords. In the White and Grey mountains there are a few princes who rule over larger territories, but lacking the arrogance of dwarves, they do not style themselves as kings.

The scarcity of dragons in this age means that the ability to master them is restricted to the nobles of the Brownie race. The number of mercenary dragon riders has thus become few, though they have become wealthier, since they are able to charge much greater fees for their services in war. Brownie warriors will also ride on giant eagles, like the elves, when dragons are in short supply. The vast majority of Brownies are either herdsmen who keep goats, and in the valleys and foothills, cattle. Keeping bees is not uncommon either and Brownies make delicious honey and mead, especially those who live in the forested foothills of the White Mountains. Many Brownies make their living, at least for a time, working as hired servants for both elves and humans. This is especially common among the younger Brownie women who have not married. The Brownies forge their own weapons and are as skillful at this as the elves. The study of magic is not unknown among the Brownies. While no elf mage would teach his art to a Brownie, many human wizards have taken Brownies as apprentices.

Brownies are an hardworking and practical people, which is why they are so valued as servants. They are also a people noted for their generosity and hospitality. An elf, dwarf or human will always find a warm welcome in a Brownie village, whether he desires it or not. Dwelling in mountain regions has made them a strong and hardy folk and the Brownies are also brave in war, something unsurprising given their familiarity with dragons. They do have their faults. They are typically quarrelsome, which in part accounts for the lack of political organisation among their kind. They are also somewhat inquisitive and curious, which can get travelling Brownies into trouble.

They are a pious folk. The Brownies worship all the elven pantheon, though they offer particular devotion to Tamezzka, the goddess of dragons. They also show reverance to house spirits and various other elemental forces. Perhaps this trait has made them a little superstitious, but none can dispute their piety.

The Brownies are open-hearted and generous towards all races, though they have not typically been the recipients of such kindness from others. The goblins are indifferent towards their mixed cousins and would happily slaughter a Brownie as readily as an elf or dwarf. Their elven cousins regard the Brownies as mongrels. Nevertheless, they valued the hard-working nature of this folk and for a long time Brownies were the most common race to be enslaved by the elves. It was a Brownie, Prince Imgladen, who ensured that the Treaty of Irongorge resulted in the elves abandoning slavery. Despite this history, many Brownies continue to work as hired servants for the elves. They are valued for their work and skill, but never treated as equals.

The dwarves hate all goblinkind and the goblin ancestry of the Brownies is a cause of suspicion and resentment. The elven side of the Brownies does not help much either, for dwarves have fought wars against elves as well. However, the dwarves of the northern part of the White Mountains have had to defend their homes constantly against goblins, orcs, dark dwarves and drow. This has forced them to make alliances with other races and ensured that the Brownies earned their respect.

In contrast to elves and dwarves, the humans of the eastern part of Daanelia are generally fond of the Brownies. To a large extent, they are more familiar with them than with either elves or goblins and so have little prejudice on account of their origin. Humans tend to judge by appearance and the Brownies look more like graceful elves than hideous goblins. The hard-working and generous nature of Brownies, as well as their usefulness in battle has earned this race friendship with mankind.

Brownies have played their part in the history of Daanelia. We have mentioned Prince Imgladen's influence on the Treaty of Irongorge. We might also mention Mortenassil, a Brownie who slew the great serpent of Ansarkell and the role of Brownie dragon riders in the defeat of the Drow incursions and the terrible Necromancer. While the dragons grow fewer in number as the centuries pass, we need not doubt that in any future conflict that threatens Daanelia, the Brownie dragon riders will yet again take up arms in her defence.

 

[celestialhost]

Elf Princess and Brownie Lady Pt1

Elf Princess and Brownie Lady Pt1

Venatriel knew her father trusted her. That was why he was sending her to represent the interests of the elven kingdom. Years of training in the art of diplomacy had prepared her for this mission.

Yet for all that trust, her father the king had made this demand of her. She knew it made sense. While she would have preferred to have travelled to Dun-Vabaldim by carriage, riding on a dragon would get her there much more speedily, allowing her more time for preparing the elves case for revision of the Treaty of Irongorge.

There was also another reason. Only brownies could ride dragons, which meant the princess would be arriving at the Dwarfhold in the company of a brownie. This held considerable political capital.

"It will show that elves and brownies are now friends," her father had explained. "It sends the clearest possible message that the days of our enslaving brownies are past and the enmity between our peoples is over. Our harsh treatment of brownies in the past put us in a position of weakness when the Treaty of Irongorge was drawn. Now that we are friends with the brownies, we are in a better position to demand new terms."

Venatriel felt uncomfortable in her leather tunic, breeches and high boots. She wished she was wearing a dress, but she knew she would be cold riding through the air.

A great white dragon had landed in the palace ground. It was truly an impressive looking beast.

A figure dismounted from the dragon and knelt before the princess. The brownie was tall, like all her people. She was as graceful as an elf and her features had the same delicacy. Yet her goblin ancestry was betrayed by her very un-elven long pointed nose and green-brown skin. To a human, the brownie would have appeared far more like an elf than a goblin, but Venatriel felt a sense of disgust at the brownie. Were the elves really supposed to be friends with these goblinoids?

The brownie was dressed in practical clothes; a red tunic and brown breeches tucked into high boots. Like all brownies, she wore a floppy pointed cap on her head. Her dark hair was worn in a long braid that fell to her waist.

"Greetings, your royal highness," said the brownie. "I bring compliments from Prince Galvinead, my liege lord and cousin. I am Lady Melkanen of Redfeather Mountain. I offer you my service for the journey and the duration of the conference."

"Rise, my noble friend. Your service is accepted," said the princess. Had she been speaking to an elf noblewoman in her service, she would have called her 'noble sister.' This mongrel creature presumed to call herself a lady, a noblewoman? In her opinion, a common-born human had a better claim to nobility than this goblinoid wench.

A servant carried Venatriel's bags to the dragon. Melkanen assisted the servant in strapping the bags to the dragon's large saddle. During the conference at Dun-Vabaldim, the brownie was to act as the princess' maidservant. Many elf noblewomen had brownie maidservants, a reminder of a time when the elves had kept brownies as slaves. Venatriel had never had a brownie maid. The last thing she wanted was somebody with goblin blood in her bedchamber, messing with her clothes and her hair. All of her maids were noble elf maidens. Now she had finally had a brownie maid forced upon her. The long-nosed bitch had better do a good job of arranging her hair, or she was going to get the thrashing of her life, Venatriel told herself. Melkanen might be cousin to a brownie prince, but she was daughter of the elven king. Brownie titles meant nothing.

Melkanen helped the princess into the saddle. It felt very uncomfortable to the elf to be so high. This was quite different to sitting on horseback.

"The dragon's name is Jezek'shazarra," explained the brownie, as she sat herself in the saddle and took the reins. Venatriel really didn't care what the dragon's name was. As far as she was concerned, any creature that allowed itself to be ridden by a brownie was a pretty dumb beast.

As the dragon rose into the air, the princess closed her eyes and tried not to shriek.

 

[celestialhost]

Elf Princess and Brownie Lady Pt2

As terrifying as the dragonflight was to Princess Venatriel, it was not an entirely new experience. She had once flown on a giant eagle and thus had once before seen the sight of the elven kingdom's meadows and forests far below her.

It was bitterly cold in the air, and she was glad of her flying leathers, as uncomfortable and unstylish as they were.

Venatriel could not fail to be impressed as the vast peaks of the White Mountains rose up before her. Nevertheless, they felt alien and cold. Venatriel was a creature of the meadows and orchards of her homeland, not a rock-thumping dwarf or a mountain-loving brownie.

It was not long before the towers and turrets of Dun-Vabaldim, the great dwarfhold appeared below them. The dragon descended and landed near the gates of the dwarfhold.

Lady Melkanen helped the princess to dismount.

"We shall leave Jezek'shazarra to hunt, your highness. He shall return when I blow my horn," explained the brownie.

After announcing themselves at the gates, the pair were welcomed by the dwarf king Trumgrad. His servants gave them both a fine meal of goat meat stew.

"Dwarves are not herdsmen," said King Trumgrad, turning to the brownie noblewoman. "This goat meat was from the finest flocks of your own people."

On hearing the origin of the meat, Venatriel made a sour face. Were brownies going to taint this entire trip?

After eating, the princess and the brownie were shown to their suite. Venatriel was pleased to note that the brownie immediately removed her boots on entering the suite, before helping the princess to remove hers. So the goblinoid recognised the value of cleanliness at least. It had certainly been a relief to be free of those riding boots. The elf had spent most of her life going barefoot on the soft grass of her homeland and the high boots had felt very restrictive.

Venatriel found the stone halls of Dun-Vabaldim bleak and dull, but she could not deny that the suite was perfectly comfortable. It had a sitting room, a large bedroom with an huge bed, a bathroom and a small bedchamber for Melkanen to sleep in. Venatriel was relieved to see she would not need to sleep in the same room as the brownie.

The journey had tired the princess and she retired for the night, after Melkanen helped to undress her. Venatriel had been uncomfortable at being touched by her green-brown hands, but she was reassured by the brownie's soft and gentle touch. The princess had not once winced in pain as the brownie brushed out the fair hair that fell to her knees. No wonder that so many of her fellow elf maidens had brownies to serve them as maids.

 

[Copperfox]

This is the first time I've seen "Brownies" being envisioned as LARGE people. Your "anthropological" scholarship is impressive!

 

[celestialhost]

Thanks!

The idea of tall dragon-riding brownies is Stan Nicholls idea, not mine. His brownies don't feature much in his Orc novels, so I thought I would use them rather more heavily in my paint-by-numbers fantasy world.

 

[celestialhost]

Elf Princess and Brownie Lady Pt3

The next day, Princess Venatriel had the Lady Melkanen dress her in a dark blue gown. She felt the dark colour reflected the gravity and solemnity of the conference. In the elven palace the princess would have gone barefoot, but she suspected this would not impress the human delegates, so she had Melkanen fetch some jeweled sandals from her bag.

The brownie noble had put on a green dress, though she still wore her floppy pointed cap, which amused Venatriel. She wore a sword at her side. The brownie opted to remain barefoot. If the humans thought her uncivilized, it did not bother Venatriel.

Melkanen accompanied the elf princess throughout the negotiations. Not only did the elf princess require the brownie noble as an attendant lady-in-waiting, but she had instructions that Melkanen would convey a report of proceedings to Prince Galvinead. The brownie had a political role, savage goblinoid though she was.

The conference mostly concerned the taxation of trade routes across the White Mountains. Her father the king believed that the elven kingdom had received a raw deal at the Treaty of Irongorge. The questions involved were deeply complex.

Among the other delegates were no less than seven dwarf kings. Dwarfs might not squabble like brownie princes, but they had an habit of multiplying kingdoms. Any dwarf who controlled a mine and a small settlement was liable to style himself as 'king.' Also present were ambassadors from the three kingdoms of men, Nalbia, Brassenmark and Nordenmark. Humans made far more of an art of diplomacy than dwarves or elves. Their kings left it to highly trained specialists. Also present at the table was the king of the gnomes. The brownies had no official presence; their principalities were considered too small for any to act as representative of all. To Venatriel's mind, this division only proved their savage nature.

By mid-day the negotiations remained incomplete and the King Trumgrad insisted on a recess until the next day. This seemed absurd to the princess, but she suspected the dwarf was too worn out already.

During the afternoon, the delegates were given a tour of the great halls. This was after all, the largest dwarfhold of Daanelia. The citadel clearly contained quite a large population. Here in the southern part of the vast White Mountains, the dwarves thrived. Further to the north, many of their ancient dwarfholds had been lost in the many wars against goblins, orcs and dark elves. Ventariel was offered a visit to the mines below Dun-Vabaldim, but this she declined. Visiting grim stone halls was one thing, but traversing dark tunnels was too much for an elf. It would also have required a change of clothing, something for which she was in no mood at all.

In the evening, Melkanen offered the princess a foot massage, which she eagerly accepted. This proved to be thoroughly soothing to her. Venatriel decided to engage the brownie in conversation.

"You were sent here by your prince. How did you feel on being given this task?" she asked.

"It is of great pleasure for me to serve the fairest princess of elvendom, your Royal highness," replied Melkanen.

Venatriel smiled at this compliment.

"I know there are some elven ladies who would think it beneath them to be my servants," said the princess. "I have often been told that brownies love nothing better than to work hard and prove themselves useful and now I see this is true." Venatriel had to admit this, but it still did not alter the fact that the wretched creatures had goblin blood and ugly noses.

"That is the way of my people, your highness."

"It is unfortunate for your people that you have no representation at this conference," said Venatriel. "Is it not time that your people formed themselves into a united kingdom?" Of course, a united kingdom of brownies was the last thing the princess wanted to see, but she was interested to see how Melkanen saw the question.

"Perhaps it is, your highness. But we brownies like to argue among ourselves. I doubt we could ever agree on who should be king. Besides, I fear that if we became a kingdom, we would lose our liberty."

"Liberty is a word like any other," replied Venatriel. "I rather doubt your people know how to use their liberty properly."

"I cannot say, your highness. We love to travel, we love our mountain homes, we love our flocks of goats and we love to live in peace. I am not sure we need a king to enjoy these things."

Venatriel smiled.

"It must be so wonderful to live a life so simple and free from the complexities of politics," said the princess. "Tell me, noble friend, do you not feel anger against my people for enslaving your own folk?"

"Such anger would accomplish nothing, your highness. Your people no longer keep slaves. That satisfies us. That your people now pay wages to so many brownie servants can only be good for us."

Once Melkanen had finished rubbing her feet, the princess retired to the soft bed. She had always imagined the dwarves to be an hardy folk who cared little comfort, but the softness of the mattress suggested that dwarves loved a gentle night's sleep as much as any people.

 

[celestialhost]

Elf Princess and Brownie Lady Pt4

The next day's negotiations were an antagonistic nightmare for Princess Venatriel. The dwarves were a tight-fisted lot and they were convinced that the proposed changes to the treaty would leave them out of pocket. The humans were happy to accept most of the changes she wanted, but the ambassadors from Nalbia, Brassenmark and Nordenmark were shrewd and canny. They were determined to wring major concessions from the elves in return for their support. The gnomes were completely unaffected by her proposal, but their king seemed determined to thwart any change whatsoever.

By the end of the day's negotiations, Venatriel was quite exhausted. She had at least seen a little softening in the attitude of the dwarf kings towards the end of the afternoon. She could only hope that the next day would bring some agreement.


As Venatriel was returning to her suite, in the company of Lady Melkanen, she saw a black shape moving rapidly through the stone corridor. It suddenly advanced towards her and she found herself falling back against the wall. She heard the brownie give a piercing cry and saw steel flash before her eyes. The next thing she saw, before passing out, was Melkanen standing before a body, her bloodstained sword in her hand.


"Your Highness, are you alright?" she heard Melkanen ask. A dwarf passed the princess a goblet of wine. She tasted it and found it was spiced.

"What happened?" asked the princess.

"A dark elf assassin almost robbed us of your presence, your Highness."

"You killed him," said Venatriel softly.

"I did. We brownies have faced dark elves many a time," said Melkanen.


The next day negotiations went rather more smoothly and by the end of the day, the various parties had reached agreement. Venatriel suspected that the dishonour of having a dark elf assassin penetrate the greatest dwarf citadel made the dwarf kings a little more ready to concede to the elf princess.

All through the last day of negotiations, Venatriel could not stop thinking about what had happened the previous day. A dark elf had tried to kill her! Would they try again? She knew the dark elves were determined and resolute in their hatred of true elves. Melkanen had saved her life that time, but the brownie would not be around next time. The princess found herself looking at the brownie frequently. Though she was not quite conscious of it, every time she saw the brownie's long pointed nose, it looked a little less ugly.


That evening, Venatriel had a proposition for Melkanen.

"Lady Melkanen, when we return to the palace, would you be willing to stay? Given that the dark elves seem to have designs on my death, I could really use a champion and bodyguard. You saved my life yesterday and I should hate for you not to be around if they try again," she said.

"Your Royal Highness, it would be a pleasure to continue to serve you. I know Prince Gavinead would very much approve of that. I just have one condition, and that is that you listen to what I'm about to say," Melkanen replied.

"Your higness, you are quite right I saved your life and if the dark elves try again you are going to wish I'm around to save your elven neck," said the brownie.

Venatriel's eyes widened.

"I can save you as many times as you like, but know this- I've seen the way you look at me," continued the brownie. "I know you think I'm a goblin bitch, but I've as much elven blood in my veins, if not more. If you keep giving me that look, I'm going back to the mountains and you are never seeing me again. The dark elves can take you for all I care."

Venatriel had never been spoken to like this in her life.

"You liked my foot massage, didn't you? Great, but I know what you were thinking, your Highness. You were thinking 'This is great, but that's all that brownies are good for.' Now I've saved your life and you're thinking "So that brownie bitch is handy with a sword too.' I think I want a bit more respect than that. And how about dropping that 'noble friend' crap and calling me 'noble sister' like you would call your elf girlfriends? Yes, I do know all about elven etiquette. Prince Gavinead is my cousin. I know you don't think brownie princes count, but I know you'd never say that to his face, so maybe you can spare some of the proper courtesy for me."

Venatriel went white. She had not realised how transparent her contempt had been.

"I think your terms are acceptable, noble sister," said Venatriel meekly.

"It will be a pleasure to serve you, your Highness," replied Lady Melkanen.

 

[celestialhost]

A Brownie in Elfprincessland ch1

"Ouch! You stupid girl!" howled Princess Venatriel as the hairbrush snagged on her long golden hair. "That brownie over there is more gentle than you. I should get her to do it," she told her maid, pointing to Lady Melkanen.

"You mean, 'your noble sister over there,'" said Melkanen. "Your Highness, I'm your bodyguard not your maid. I can't defend you with my sword when I'm messing with a hairbrush."

Venatriel frowned. Her elven maid continued brushing her golden hair. Venatriel's tresses fell to her knees. Melkanen sometimes wondered if her own waist length hair was a little impractical, but here in the elven city of Parvinead it was just about shorter than average. There were very few elves, male or female, who did not have at least waist length hair and some let their hair grow even longer than Venatriel's.

Venatriel frequently screamed at her elven maids, but she never raised her voice to Melkanen. Since the brownie had saved her from death at the hands of a dark elf assassin, the princess was starting to overcome her prejudice against the brownies, with their mixed elf-goblin ancestry. Melkanen still found it difficult to like the princess, however.

The only daughter of the elven king, the princess had grown up spoiled and pampered. She expected everything to revolve around her. Nevertheless, Melkanen had realised that if she could cope with serving a Venatriel who was prejudiced against her race, she could cope with a Venatriel who was bad-tempered and self-centered. At least after two weeks of living in the palace of Parvinead, she still thought so.

"How is it that you are so much gentler than these elf maidens?" asked Venatriel.

"Perhaps its something we learned from riding dragons?" suggested Melkanen with as smile.

Melkanen missed her dragon. It wouldn't do to have it around here in the elven lands, so she had allowed it to return to the mountains. The elves had given her a fine horse to ride when she rode with the princess. Venatriel had her own pet unicorn that she was terribly fond of. She fed him every day on sweets imported specially from the southern islands. Apparently unicorns only allowed themselves to be ridden by virgins. Melkanen had absolutely no idea how the unicorn was supposed to know whether an elf was a virgin or not, but the princess had passed its chastity test.

"Perhaps I should send my maids to serve in your Prince Galvinead's court," suggested Venatriel. "Perhaps they could learn a thing or two from brownies."

The maid looked horrified at the suggestion of serving a brownie prince.

"Yes and then I would have to brush your hair and put your clothes on for you, Your Highness. A fine idea that would be," replied Melkanen.

 

[celestialhost]

A Brownie in Elfprincessland ch2

As a bodyguard, Lady Melkanen was expected to spend almost all her time in the presence of Princess Venatriel. This was not an arrangement the brownie relished, but it did at least mean staying in bed a good deal longer than she was accustomed to at Redfeather Mountain. Venatriel liked to rise very late in the morning and Melkanen was encouraged to do the same.

As was the case in so many royal households, the court always had breakfast in their nightgowns. It was a serious breach of etiquette to attend the breakfast table after having dressed. Most mornings, the elven court had snail soup for breakfast. Melkanen enjoyed this, but she missed breakfasting on a slice of fried goat and goat's cheese.

Lady Melkanen had been assigned a brownie maid to attend upon her. Most elf noblewomen had brownie maids and as a lady of court, she would be expected to have one. Melkanen was not given to fussing about her appearance. She simply washed, had her maid plait her dark, waistlength hair and get some clothes out for her.

On her arrival at the palace, Venatriel had insisted on inspecting the brownie noble's wardrobe. The dresses she wore had been spun in her home village. They had not passed muster.

"No, these simply will not suit the dignity of our court," Venatriel had said. "How can I be accompanied by a bodyguard who is so shabbily dressed? No, you must have a new wardrobe, my noble sister."

Princess Venatriel had taken her out to the finest tailors of Parvinead and personally selected the dresses for Melkanen. The brownie had found it an odd experience. Brownies were seldom fussy about their appearance, beyond a liking for dwarf jewelry.

Melkanen felt quite privileged to wear such gorgeous dresses, but much of the time she felt a little overdressed. Brownies always wore earthy colours- brown, red, green and yellow. Wearing white, blue and violet dresses felt very strange. She was not sure they suited her green-brown skin. She had insisted on wearing her floppy, pointed cap. The princess had teased her about this.

"Are you still wearing that cap?" Venatriel had laughed.

"We brownies always wear our caps. I've seen plenty of elves wear similar caps," she had replied.

"Elf children and elves who are travelling wear them," said Venatriel. "But wearing a cap with a dress looks silly."

"Not to a brownie like me, it doesn't. I'd feel silly without my cap."

Like most of the elves in the city, Melkanen went barefoot nearly all the time. Human cities had cobbled streets, but Parvinead was littered with meadows, gardens and parks. There was more grass than stone in the city, so its inhabitants tended to go barefoot, even the court. Apparently Venatriel had lived for over a century before trying on her first pair of shoes. While brownies often went barefoot in their villages, Melkanen had been given her first pair of riding boots at an early age and had been given instruction in how to ride dragons and giant eagles as a small child. The two noblewomen had lived such different lives.

No matter how fine her gowns, Melkanen always wore her sword belt. She had saved the princess' life once in the dwarf city of Dun-Vabaldim and she knew the dark elves might make another attempt on her life.

 

[celestialhost]

A Brownie in Elfprincessland ch3

After she had breakfasted and dressed, and usually after shouting and raging at her ladies in waiting, Princess Venatriel would typically go on a walk in the palace gardens with two or three elven ladies, accompanied of course, by her faithful new bodyguard, Lady Melkanen.

Seeing the vast palace gardens at Parvinead was an awe-inspiring sight for Melkanen. Back at her castle at Redfeather Mountain, she had a little garden where she grew herbs and vegetables, but it was dwarfed by the complex of lawns, orchards, flowerbeds and follies attached to the elven palace. As Melkanen walked barefoot with the elven ladies across the soft grass of the garden, she was struck by how little greenery she had experienced in contrast to these elves. She had her garden and there were pine forests in the mountains and foothills, but brownies were more used to rock and rubble, and the rough, dull grass on which they kept their goat herds.

These walks in the garden seemed tediously long to Melkanen. Venatriel and her ladies would not just walk and talk, but they would stop and examine the foliage, and sometimes even the insects that lived in the garden. Typically, the elves would spend whole hours just meditating on the beauty of flowers. The brownie found it impossible to understand. A flower was a flower. What more could one think about it?

Sometimes their walks would take them outside the palace gardens and into the city. It would not be correct to say that Parvinead was a city with many parks and gardens; rather it was difficult to tell where the streets ended and where the gardens began. Once or twice, Melkanen found herself pining for the dreary rock and mud of her village square.

Melkanen observed that whenever the elves went past trees, they would sing a particular song. She also noticed that they had a song for when they looked at stars and rainbows. For convenience, she christened them the Tree Song, the Star Song and the Rainbow Song. Out of politeness, she decided that she had better join in and hastily made the effort to learn the lyrics of the Tree Song and other numbers. She had to admit her singing voice was not what she would have liked it to be. She felt quite envious when she heard the magnificent singing of Venatriel and her ladies. It didn't help that some of the elven ladies were keen to hear some of her brownie songs. Those were mostly ballads about the adventures of various heroic brownies. She had been terrified when asked to sing these in front of the sophisticated elven ladies. Eventually, she had started declining requests.

"I'm a bodyguard, not a bard," she began insisting.

 

[celestialhost]

A Brownie in Elfprincessland ch4

This chapter is a bit socio-political.


Princess Venatriel would sometimes begin her day by going to the palace chapel to offer prayers to the elven pantheon. Lady Melkanen had no problem joining her mistress in her devotions. Brownies were a pious people who worshiped the same gods as the elves. Sometimes the two of them would go to the various temples in the city for more formal religious ceremonies.

Had the palace been a brownie castle, the inhabitants would be supplicating the house spirits as well as the elven gods, but the elves did not revere house spirits in the way brownies did. Melkanen offered a reverent prayer to whatever spirits might be dwelling in the elven palace.

As a brownie, Melkanen particularly revered Tamezzka, the goddess of dragons. She took every opportunity to attend Tamezzka's temple in Parvinead. At this temple, she met a lot of brownies living in the elven lands, but only a handful of elves. Tamezzka was not a popular goddess among elves. During the war against the dragon-riding brownies, the elves had become very adept at using their magic to kill dragons. This, together with all of the awkward political issues raised by the elves shared history with brownies made the cult of Tamezzka extremely unpopular.

The temple of Tamezzka had effectively become a social club for brownie expatriates.Melkanen found this extremely pleasant. When she was at the temple, she could forget the world of self-important elves and enjoy the good company of her mountain-dwelling compatriots. They were able to talk about dragons, how much they missed the mountains, the most effective ways to kill goblins and orcs, who their princes were likely to marry and where the best goat's meat could be found in Parvinead.

Melkanen found herself feeling surprised at how many brownies lived in the elven city. She had expected the palace to be full of brownie servants and she had been assigned one to serve her own needs. These were, as she expected, mostly young unmarried brownies. What had surprised Melkanen was how many older brownies and brownie families had settled in the city of Parvinead. She had always imagined that the typical brownie maid would return to her mountain village to marry after raising some money working for elven ladies. However, it turned out that a good deal of brownies were staying put in Parvinead and raising families among the elves. A good deal of the labourers in Parvinead were brownies and many shops and small businesses seemed to have been started by brownies.

To Melkanen, it made sense that brownies could so easily find a place in elven society. Brownies were, unlike the elves, a practical people. The average elf had little taste for hard work and lacked much of a business sense. Since the end of slavery among the elves, the brownies were filling in the gaps in elven society.

As a noblewoman, Melkanen knew she could not do this. Her responsibility was to provide leadership among her people. Once she had finished serving Venatriel, she would return to Redfeather Mountain and continue to run things at the village. Nevertheless, she found herself being accorded a good deal of respect among the brownies in Parvinead. They were unused to having their nobility there and they frequently came to her for advice. While she accepted this, she was keen to be treated as much as an equal to the other brownies as she could be. She frequently pointed out that she was a servant herself, as bodyguard to the princess.

 

[celestialhost]

A Brownie in Elfprincessland ch5

A bit of political intrigue in this chapter.


Princess Venatriel would sometimes go riding in the mornings on her pet unicorn. Naturally, as her bodyguard, Lady Melkanen accompanied her. Sometimes the brownie noblewoman would watch the princess from a distance, on other occasions she would ride with the princess on the fine white horse the elves had given her. Melkanen was used to riding dragons and giant eagles, but she was surprised to find riding a land beast was a quite different experience and required somewhat different skills. Despite the differences, riding her horse still had the effect of reminding Melkanen of how much she missed her dragon. She prayed to Tamezzka that it would be safe and happy back in the mountains.


On most days, Venatriel had a private meeting with her father the king to discuss affairs of state. Melkanen was not required to accompany her mistress to these meetings. Melkanen valued the opportunity to get a break from the impatient elven princess.

The course of palace life had given Melkanen many opportunities to meet the elven king. She liked him and found him to be very mild-mannered and good humoured. On one occasion he had actually spoken to the brownie in private while Venatriel was taking her bath.

"I do apologise about my daughter," the king had said to Melkanen.

"I really don't see why you are apologising, Your Majesty," Melkanen replied.

"I think you do, my dear. You are being incredibly patient with her. She has always been a difficult child. I suppose I should have been a little stricter with her when she was younger.. No matter. She is ever a spirited girl... I commend your patience," the king had said hurriedly.


One day, the brownie was invited to attend one of the private meetings between the king and his daughter. This was a great surprise to her.

"We have had some news that is of great relevance to all brownies," said Venatriel. "As you are a noble of the brownie principality on the best terms with our kingdom, we felt it appropriate for you to attend this meeting." The princess had a slight frown as she said this, suggesting that it was her father's idea to invite the brownie and not her own.

"Pardon, Your Highness, but I would have thought this more a matter for my liege lord, Prince Galvinead," suggested Melkanen.

"We have written to your cousin, Prince Galvinead. However, we feel no risk in discussing the matter with yourself before we next meet him in person," said the king.

Melkanen nodded reverently.

"You will of course be aware of Princess Trasifen of Cornflower Pass, ruler of what is possibly the most prosperous and strongest brownie principality."

Melkanen nodded. Every brownie noble had a keen awareness of who was who in their society.

"She has announced that she will marry King Heinrich of Brassenmark."

This news startled Melkanen; intermarriage between humans and brownies was rare.

"While we offer our congratulations to the couple, we naturally have our concerns about the implications," said the king. "A union with Brassenmark would put Cornflower Pass in an highly strategic position. It is likely that other brownie principalities would look to them for leadership. I foresee the likelihood of a united brownie kingdom under the leadership of Cornflower Pass and in alliance with the humans."

"This would be unacceptable," added Venatriel. "A brownie kingdom would be a major power between us and the three human kingdoms. It would also cut up the various dwarf kingdoms from each other and form a new power in the mountain realms. And in any case, Cornflower Pass would never have been our preference for the centre of a brownie kingdom."

Venatriel had frequently spoken to Melkanen of the likelihood of a brownie kingdom forming. She had always doubted it, but this put a new perspective on the future.

"We brownies and humans have always been friends. I see that this is a real possibility," said Melkanen.

Venatriel offered an objection.

"Would the offspring of the union not be considered to be half-breeds and unfit for a brownie throne?"

"Your Highness, you are thinking as an elf would. But we brownies are a good deal less precious about matters of blood," said Melkanen with a smile.

"I dare say you are," said Venatriel, raising her eyebrow.

"Our choice for brownie king would always be your cousin, Prince Galvinead. He is himself unmarried. If we were to find an equally powerful bride for him, he might be a contender for a brownie throne," said the king.

"I do not care to discuss that topic again," said Venatriel. It was clear that there was some disagreement between father and daughter that had already been fought out before Melkanen's arrival.

"We must discuss these matters further and I hope that Prince Galvinead will soon be able to join us. We shall also hear from the dwarfs at some point. They will be far more readily affected by the matter and perhaps more vocal in their concerns," said the king, concluding the discussion.

 

[CORIN THUNDERFIST II]

Most intriguing! Your Brownies are totally different to my perceptions of the race. To me, Brownies are like those in the film and book, 'Willow', where they are very small, even compared with dwarves, and whilst definitely not evil, possess a certain maliciousness especially towards humanity. According to Fin Raziel, the good sorceress in the world of Willow, Brownies were ambassadors from the Fairies to humanity, an arrangement which humanity had no say in!

 

[celestialhost]

A bit different from the Girls' Organisation then!

The names of fantasy creatures are just names; fantasy writers all put their own take on them. The folklore from which these things are taken was often pretty vague. Folklore lacks our modern capacity for categorisation, so their was often no rigid distinction between elves and dwarfs or brownies and fairies.

My brownies are inspired by the brownies in Stan Nicholls' Orcs First Blood novels. Though I have introduced them in my own paint-by-numbers fantasy world and given them some additional characteristics of my own imagination.

Thanks for reading.

 

[CORIN THUNDERFIST II]

A bit different from the Girls' Organisation then!

The names of fantasy creatures are just names; fantasy writers all put their own take on them. The folklore from which these things are taken was often pretty vague. Folklore lacks our modern capacity for categorisation, so their was often no rigid distinction between elves and dwarfs or brownies and fairies.

A very good point! I think we all have our preconceptions as to what elves, dwarves, brownies, fairies etc 'ought' to be like, depending on the films we have seen and the fantasy books we have read.

 

[TheWarriorSatyr]

I enjoyed this story and hope to see more in the future! Looking forward to what will happen next!

 

[celestialhost]

Thank you!

 

[celestialhost]

A Brownie in Elfprincessland ch6

Princess Venatriel spent much time in the company of her friends, who were maidens from the highborn nobility of the elven kingdom. They would walk together, eat together, go shopping together and attend frequent parties and dances.

Venatriel's highborn friends had some difficulty accepting Lady Melkanen. Most of them had brownie maids, but Melkanen was a bodyguard and constant companion to the princess. Furthermore, Venatriel addressed her as 'noble sister' and thus affirmed the brownie's status as a noblewoman. The young elven maidens did their best to be polite to the brownie, but Melkanen knew there was a reluctance to their offered friendship.

There were, however, two of the elven girls who warmly welcomed Melkanen to their circle. These were Venatriel's cousins and closest friends.

The first was Princess Niarthiel. She was about the same age as Venatriel, but a little taller. She had silver hair that fell almost to her bare feet. She had simpler tastes than her cousin and tended to wear dresses that were a little plainer than those worn by the other highborn girls.

Niarthiel had something of a mystic tendency and was deeply religious. She would sometimes spend whole days kneeling in the various temples of Parvinead. While elves would often spend a long time looking at flowers and meditating on them, Niarthiel would often stare at a flower for hours on end, as if seeing some incredible significance in the petals and stem. Melkanen had absolutely no idea what the princess saw in them. To the brownie, a flower was a flower. Niarthiel also wrote lots of poetry. Melkanen had read some of it and found it incredibly dull.

Knowing the pious nature of brownies, Niarthiel had instantly welcomed Melkanen.

"You brownies are so devout in the worship of our gods," Niarthiel had said. "I think most brownies I have met put elves to shame in their attendance at the temples."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Melkanen replied. "Of course, we love Tamezzka most, the great goddess of all dragons and scaly creatures."

Niarthiel nodded enthusiastically.

"I have often thought that we elves have neglected the cult of Tamezzka. Dragons are among the oldest creatures in the world. There is a great wisdom in dragons that can only be gained by the discerning. You brownies are a most privilged race," said Niarthiel in ponderous tones.

Melkanen was not quite sure what wisdom Niarthiel was referring to. As a dragon-rider, she found dragons useful for flying and fighting on, but she saw no mystical significance in them.


Venatriel's other cousin, Niarthiel's sister, was a quite different character. Princess Telliwen was younger than the two other elven girls and a good deal shorter. She had fiery red hair that she always wore plaited in one or two braids. She liked to dispense with gowns and dresses and wear a tunic and leggings whenever decorum permitted it.

Princess Telliwen hated palace life. She preferred riding, either on unicorn, horse or giant eagle and she loved exploring the wilder places of the elven kingdom of West Daanelia. While her sister wrote poems about the beauty of stars and trees, Telliwen wrote stories about the adventures she dreamed of.

Telliwen fancied herself as a warrior maiden. She was in utter awe of Lady Melkanen. The brownie noblewoman was everything that Telliwen dreamed of being. Melkanen had ridden on dragons, lived in the wild mountains and had fought against all kinds of monsters or evil creatures.

"What is it like to fight against orcs and dark elves?" Telliwen had asked the brownie.

"Absolutely terrifying. To see blades flashing before you and knowing that one of them could take your head off is like nothing you have ever experienced," replied Melkanen. "I have seen too many friends die at the hands of dark elves."

Melkanen had then shown Telliwen a scar on her shoulder, the token of a dark elf blade. The princess had made a face.

"That is what happens in combat, Your Highness. If you make faces like that you are not ready to fight," said Melkanen.

Telliwen had persisted in her interest in adventures. She had asked Melkanen to teach her how to use her sword. The brownie happily agreed to give the princess instruction in combat.

Melkanen was shocked when Telliwen turned up for her first lesson. She was dressed in a ridiculous set of armour, with impossibly large spiked shoulder pads and yet left her belly exposed. She wore nothing on her legs except sandals that laced up to her knee. The brownie had no idea what possessed the princess to dress this way. Did she think that was what warrior maidens were supposed to wear?

Melkanen had made her change into a comfortable tunic before starting the lesson. As Telliwen was more used to going barefoot, Melkanen made her take the sandals off for the lesson too. At the end of the session, Telliwen was covered in bruises, but was not at all dispirited. She insisted that the brownie should give her a lesson in combat every week.

Melkanen had not expected to make such strong friends among the elves as she had with Niarthiel and Telliwen. Venatriel, the brownie and the two sisters began to become an inseparable team.

 

[celestialhost]

A Brownie in Elfprincessland ch7

It was in the temple of Tamezzka that Lady Melkanen was given the vision of her goddess.


Melkanen lit a devotional candle and began to say a prayer to the Mistress of Dragons, when the whole temple seemed to burst into flames. The brownie expected to hear the screams of the other worshipers, but there seemed to be silence. She realised that despite the flames around her, she did not feel hot.

Her vision darkened as she beheld a huge figure before, a figure so large that it filled the temple.

It was a beautiful elf woman, though giant in size. Her skin was green, but not the dull, muddy green of brownie skin, but the bold verdant of green dragons. From the woman's head sprouted long, curved horns, like those of a dragon. Long black hair cloaked the woman's form.

The elf woman was dressed in a dress that was made from brilliant red dragonscale. Her huge, but shapely feet were naked.

Melkanen had seen this figure countless times in statues and icons. It was her own goddess. Tamezzka, Mistress of Dragons, beloved of brownies and honored by elves. The brownie noblewoman fell to her knees at once.

"Do not fear, my daughter," said Tamezzka. "Brownies are my children as much as the dragons."

"Why have I received this grace?" asked Melkanen in shock and awe.

"You live in times of darkness and danger, my daughter," replied the goddess. "The land of Daanelia is in danger of war and strife. The peace of Irongorge is threatened. It is time for brownies to play a part in the world again. You know that there is talk of a brownie kingdom. You know the potential in this for war and conflict, do you not?"

"Yes," replied Melkanen nodding. "A brownie kingdom would divide Daanelia across the middle. The dwarfs would oppose it and so might the elves."

"The peace of Daanelia hangs on a knife edge," said Tamezzka in a solemn voice.

"My Lady, why bring this to me?" asked a baffled Melkanen.

"My daughter, you are a brownie serving in the palace of the elves. No brownie is better place to influence the course of events to come. You have a part to play in the coming strife."

"What must I do?" asked Melkanen.

"You must keep peace between brownies and elves at all costs. Both peoples are dear to me and only when they stand united can the peace of Daanelia be maintained," explained Tamezzka. "Tell no one that you have seen me, whether elf or brownie. But no that you serve your goddess directly. You shall no in your heart the course to take when the time comes."

Before Melkanen could say any more, the flames receded and the goddess had gone. The temple was as it was before.

Melkanen returned to her prayer of worship and rose with a new sense of purpose arising in her heart.

 

[celestialhost]

Rise of a Brownie Dragon Queen ch1

We move from the elven court to the human kingdoms of western Daanelia.


Rise of a Brownie Dragon Queen ch1



"Marriage to a brownie," said Count Alaric thoughtfully.

He stared at the duck leg in his hand distastefully, as though the morsel was something repellant. After deliberating, he bit down hard on the duck leg.

"You mean to do this thing, Your Majesty?" Alaric asked.

"Indeed. I do, worthy chancellor," replied King Heinrich, as he dipped a piece of bread in the sauce on his plate.

"Why not marry one of the daughters of the king of Nalbia? Or Nordenmark? I have heard that the duke of the Flower Islands has a daughter who is a real beauty," said Alaric.

"My line has many ties with the houses of Nalbia, Nordenmark and with the Flower Islands too," said King Heinrich. "We humans are not the only race to inhabit Daanelia. It is time that one of the human kingdoms made ties with the other races of Daanelia. I should be the proud to be the first," declared the young king.

"Elves I understand. They are the oldest race of this world. They rule an ancient kingdom and no more of magic than men will ever know. But a brownie? You must know they are part goblin!"

"And part elven," said Heinrich. "The people of Brassenmark know all about goblins. They are hated and feared. They bring terror to the villages they attack. Men know a goblin when they see one. But they know brownies to. Men know that brownies are hard working and generous. Our soldiers have fought alongside brownie mercenaries. Our merchants trade with brownies. Travellers lost in the mountains have been rescued by brownies. My people would welcome a brownie queen."

"I dare say they would," admitted Alaric. "Yet the brownies have no kingdom. Why tie our kingdom with some insignificant principality that amounts to no more than a few villages?"

Heinrich gave his chancellor an intense look.

"The brownies have no kingdom yet. But do not doubt they will. Cornflower Pass is the most powerful of the brownie principalities. Now if they were joined with the kingdom of Brassenmark, their influence could only increase. Soon the other brownie principalities would join with them. I tell you, count, a brownie kingdom will arise. When it does, I want it as an ally."

"A brownie kingdom would be a force to be reckoned with," said Alaric with a nod. "They could control the mountains of Daanelia. But the dwarves see that as their privilege. The elves would oppose it to. You have read those letters, have you not?"

"What do I care of what elves and dwarves think?" said Heinrich.

"The elf letter was polite, even if the dwarf letter was not. The elves and dwarves may not be threatening war, but if they fear their interests are threatened, they will go to war. Do not be quick to welcome such a course, Your Majesty," warned Alaric.

"Alaric, your counsel is welcome, but my decision is made. It was my father's wish that I should marry Princess Trasifen of Cornflower Pass. Now I am king and I shall do his will," declared the young king.

"Then as your chancellor, I must accept that course," said Alaric with a sigh.

"You served my father faithfully and you serve me well too," said Heinrich, as he raised his goblet. "When I am wed, you shall have a queen to serve too."