Tal Leonan, Enrai avonyi Selar

Tal Leonan is an interesting character. On this world there are stories of his being High King of both Selar and Alveron at different times. For a time, a good part of him was "hosted" in an individual he had made a "limited time offer" type of deal with for 10-11 years, and during that time many of our folk here remember his being on some of the email lists, imparting information and finding out what happened to people.

Now he is in Faerie with a rather largish contingent of our folk who went through the Gate system during the Last Days.

I'm mentioning him on this site because though he's a minor character in my personal story, the little part he did play had wide repercussions.

When I lived on Selar as 'Lesia, Tal was already Enrai or High King when I was born. My mother, who was 'Lesia before me, taught me all about him and instilled a great loyalty to the crown in me. She put him way up on a pedestal for me, which maybe she shouldn't have done. Tal Leonan was not only High King, but was purebred Kholi'ani, and therefore Family, so the loyalty was one of blood ties as well, even though I'd never met him.

When I grew up and my Mother began my training, she'd sometimes take me into the weathermancing tower to watch the boosted transmissions from the city. Usually, it was members of the Council who spoke in them, but now and then there would be Tal, the Enrai himself, so I knew what he looked like.

When my Mother passed into the Goddess as the Teachers had done and was seen no more, Tal Leonan came to Sarna for her Memorial Service. I did not get to speak with him then, and I don't think he saw me really. To him, I must have looked just like all the other Maidens for I was dressed exactly like them, not having officially received my appointment yet. I saw him from afar though, and he made a big impression on me.

A few months later, my brother K'antor, some of the Maidens, Kharie'l and the rest of "my" squad of Adrastai and I all traveled to the white city to attend the Enrai at court. There I was to receive my official appointment to the post of 'Lesia from him, which I did. During the ceremony, he and I had a private conversation in the Send, just between our 2 minds. Again, he made a big impression on me, but this time, I made a big impression on him.

The Adrastai swear allegiance to the crown and are fiercely loyal to the Enrai and his family. I was their Priestess, the representative of the Goddess for them. For some of them, I was the Goddess, incarnate before them, but I did my best to discourage that kind of thinking. The Adrastai of our school swore allegiance to me as well, for at my appointment in front of all his court, I had sworn allegiance to the Enrai.

He was/is very kind, the nicest Elf you'll ever meet, maybe a little too nice. He's a good listener, and considers things carefully before he speaks. He has a very big heart and is very generous, very gracious. I know his intentions for the People were always for our good.

I wish the Council had been the same, but there were some among its ranks who became Tainted. These spread misinformation and lies. Elves do not lie. It is considered extremely dishonorable behavior, but the Taint made it possible for these to do so.

They kept Tal in the dark about a great many things until it was too late to do anything to prevent them, using him as a pawn in their twisted plots. Often times, urgent information never reached him, or was altered before he received it. Because he had neither all of nor the correct information, Tal made some decisions that were unwise in the Last Days, including the plan to use the Gates and link them all as one system. All of us have paid for that in one way or another, including him.

He always saw the good in people, wanting to lift them up and overlook their faults. Unfortunately for us all, he didn't want to believe anyone would ever lie to him, and he would become angry if anyone suggested such a thing. After all, hadn't he known these Council members for centuries? He didn't see how bad the war was or how pervasive the Corruption had become until the planet was literally starting to fall apart. By then it was too late to save it and we had to leave quickly.