The Forsaken Crown
In the verdant kingdom of Eldor, the ornate palaces were often overshadowed by the lush forestry that embraced it. But amongst the brilliance of nature, one tower struck ominous, threatening to pierce the sky. Known as the Tower of Seven Echoes, it held the fate of royalty - the forsaken crown. This crown was not your ordinary piece of regalia; it bore a curse that whoever wears it, either meets death or gets imprisoned for eternity.
The tale begins with the noble king, Arthoron, a man of immense valor and wisdom. Despite his elder age, he was a warrior at heart and a compassionate king above all. Arthoron’s reign saw a prosperous era nurtured under his watchful eyes. His only regret was the crown, worn in ignorance, which led to the decay of his wife, Queen Elliana. However, to relinquish it would mean death, so he bore the curse with a heavy heart, cradling in him the sorrow of the forsaken crown.
The king’s younger son, Prince Eldin, was the living embodiment of bravery, his spirit akin to the roaring waves that crashed against the rocky shores of Eldor. Yet, his elder brother, Prince Norvin, was unlike him. Norvin was a scholarly man who preferred the rustling pages of ancient books to the clashing steel of swords. He conceived many reforms for Eldor, further enhancing its hue of prosperity.
A time came when King Arthoron fell ill. The cursed crown had started gnawing at the edges of his life. He knew the end was near and so, summoned his sons. In a poignant moment, he warned them about the curse and beseeched them to look after the kingdom.
As the king breathed his last, a bitter challenge arose - who would inherit the forsaken crown? Eldin, being the warrior, was ready to accept his fate to protect Eldor. Yet, Norvin, who’d always lived away from the limelight, stepped forward. Eldin questioned his brother but Norvin confessed that protecting Eldor wasn't just about combat, but about preserving their culture, history, and prosperity; a task he believed he could shoulder.
Norvin was chosen to bear the crown. As he placed it atop his head, he felt a surge of power, but also the chains of the curse. Yet he admired the crown, seeing it as a badge of honor and sacrifice for their kingdom.
More than two decades passed. Eldor flourished under Norvin’s reign. But as his brother aged, Eldin saw the curse bring forth its toll. He could see the same despair that once clouded their father’s eyes.
Then came the fateful day. Norvin was found unconscious, the crown lying beside him, seemingly innocuous but oozing a malevolent vibe. Despite the best efforts of the healers, Norvin slipped into a stupefied state, his soul trapped in an ethereal prison.
Eldin, bound by his royal duty and brotherly love, claimed the forsaken crown. Unlike his brother, he wielded the crown as a weapon embodying the torment and despair it brought. Eldin aimed to break the curse consuming them all.
Years passed, Eldin commissioned countless scholars, priests, and magicians in his quest. After a long struggle, they unearthed an ancient prophecy stating that sacrificing a true love would break the curse. Eldin, being single, saw his kingdom as his only true love. The question arose: could he sacrifice Eldor to save his lineage?
Eldin undertook a drastic step, he renounced his royalty, forsaking his crown to break the curse. His selfless act of true love for his kingdom led to an inexplicable occurrence. The forsaken crown’s eerie glow dimmed, and all the anguish trapped in it was released. Eldin stood in disbelief as he saw his brother awaken from his long sleep.
Eldin's sacrifice saw the curse break, but it also meant the end of their royal lineage. Eldor became a kingdom without a king, a republic where scholars, farmers, and warriors of the kingdoms held the reigns.
The once forsaken crown, laid dormant in the Tower of Seven Echoes, became a reminder of Eldin's sacrifice. Through this tale, Eldin illustrated that the love for his kingdom was his true power, making him the greatest king Eldor never had.