The Aurora Stone (2 page)

“Let’s go find Reena, sweetheart. She will have the answer. Bring the map as well, maybe she can enlighten us about these other lands as well.” Gwen moved towards Eve and put the map and stone back in the wooden box. “Come, the sooner we find her, the sooner you will have answers.”

Reena, the wise woman gifted with the sight or so many believed, lived away from other elves. She chose to live deep in the forest, and her home was truly beautiful. She never felt the need to venture far; everything she needed was right on her doorstep. It came as no great surprise to see Gwen and Evangeline approaching that day. The change in the child’s eyes only the day before was enough to know something very special lay in the destiny of young Eve.

Gwen raised her tea cup to her lips; only Reena could make the perfect rosehip tea. Looking across at the two of them pouring over the map she couldn’t help but feel fearful for her precious child.
She is grown now; I cannot always protect her,
she thought.

“The map shows the five realms of Orea, including our own. You know of the witch’s realm, Clear Water Valley. There is also Mieron, the realm of the vampires, Gloria, the realm of the Fae, tricky folk the Fae.” Reena ran her gnarled fingers over the areas as she named them.

“Now, let me see, ah yes and Olia, the realm of the owl riders.” Reena finished pointing to the realms on the map and then looked at Eve expectantly.

“There is also this, it was hidden in the lid of the box; Mother says it is a seeing stone? But I thought they were just a legend.” Eve finished in a rush, she did not wish to be seen as foolish. Reena took the cool stone from Eve and turned it over in her hands.

It is as I thought, this child is meant for great things,
keeping her thoughts to herself she looked Eve in the eye and replied, “yes child, your Mother is quite correct this is indeed a seeing stone, a stone of prophecy.”

“Wait… What?” Eve was clearly hearing things; she was sure Reena has just said a stone of prophecy. “What does that mean Reena?” Not sure she really wanted to know the answer, Eve took a step away from the stone, suddenly not as fond of its lustre as she had been a moment ago.

“It means, Evangeline, that this stone holds your destiny. However, you do have a choice; I can activate the stone to read the prophecy hidden within, or I can hand it back to you. Only you can choose which path to take; I cannot help you, nor can your mother,” Reena explained.

“You must look inside yourself and choose your path. The prophecy is as old as time, we do not know who made the stones, maybe the Goddess herself. The fact remains, this stone was meant for you. A stone of prophecy is guarded by mystical forces and only the one who is meant to fulfil the prophecy, will find the stone, or so the legend reads. Make your choice, look within yourself, the answer is there for you to find.”

This is madness!
Eve thought.
Yesterday I was just Eve, a normal girl with a normal family, today I have luminous eyes, a missing brother and now this! Why me?
Looking at the Reena and her loving mother, she knew what had to be done; the stone had called to her the very first time she had stroked its surface.

“Alright, let’s find out what the stone has been keeping secret.”

Reena took the stone in her left hand and Eve’s hand in her right, she then began to chant, the sound of it reminding Eve of water flowing over pebbles by the stream; It soothed her. After a few moments enchanted elvish script appeared on the surface. Reena read it and then relayed the prophecy she had been waiting her whole life to hear.

“Eve this knowledge was kept from you until eighteen years after your birth. This is your prophecy only you can fulfil it.”

Reena proceeded to read the prophecy aloud.

“
An Elvish girl with changeable eyes will lose her family through the void. Three companions she will travel with. They will be identified by their gems. To get back what was lost, the Aurora stone must return to its home. In no more than a year and four days must this quest be completed, or the realms will be pulled into the void and lost.
”

Eve considered the revelation of the prophecy for two days. Everything she believed to be true had been torn to shreds. Her sense of self-was now as fragile as a butterfly’s wing, one touch and it would come apart, never to be the same again.

“Why is this all happening at once?” Eve moaned into her soft pillow, taking the meagre amount of comfort given by its delicate scent of honeysuckle. Peeking over the top of her soft haven, Eve once again gazed upon the faces of the family she was born to but until three days ago, never knew existed.

I must try; it may help me discover what became of my brother. However, remote this chance may be, if I do not at least try, then regret will surely haunt me for the rest of my days
. Having resolved this internal dilemma, Evangeline now had another difficult task.
I have to tell Mother.

An hour and a half of pacing across her room and practicing different deliveries in front of the mirror, Eve was resigned to the fact that however the words left her, it was still going to cause her mother pain. With leaden steps and a heavy heart, she headed downstairs.

Gwen was pruning her roses when Eve appeared at her side, a look of sadness marred her pretty countenance; yet a spark of determination was also evident in her new luminous eyes.
She is leaving.
Gwen thought her heart must surely break, without her daughter, she would be alone, as selfish as she felt, Gwen knew once her Evangeline had set her mind to something, there was no swaying her.

Eve had prepared herself as best she could for the inevitable, she took a deep breath, “Mother I...”

“You have decided to take up the quest.” Gwen interrupted her, “I could tell just by looking at you, Sweetheart; you have always been easy to read.” Eve opened her mouth then closed it again, taken completely aback, for a few moments all she was capable of doing was staring at her mother.

“How did you... I … I’m sorry to leave you and our home, but truthfully, to not take up the quest that the prophecy has set before me when there could be a chance, however, small that it could shed some light on the disappearance of my…other family, my brother. Mother, please understand, I must try.”

“You are strong willed just like your father, he would be so very proud of the woman you have become, and so am I. Though I will worry every second and miss you more than I can express. Darling, you must follow your heart wherever it may lead you.” Tears glistening in her grey eyes, Gwen held her daughter in an embrace she hoped conveyed all the love she was unable to express eloquently in words. Holding her beloved Eve at arm’s length she put on her best reassuring smile.

“Come on, I will help you prepare.”

Together they packed a large leather satchel with everything one could possibly need on a quest. These included the wooden box Gwen had given her a few days previously; its contents returned to it. Gwen also added some food, money, and herbs to make simple medicines. Her father had shown her how to prepare them before he died. Eve also had her toughest shoes ready and her warmest cloak.

I am as ready as I’ll ever be.
Glancing around her room, sadness enveloped her heart, this room; this house was all she had ever known. Though she felt melancholy, Eve’s sense of adventure was fighting to burst to the surface. After all, it is not every day one gets to fulfil an ancient prophecy.

Gwen was determined that their final dinner together for a while,
she refused to believe it was forever
; should be a memorable one. She had carefully prepared their favourite dishes, even baking a glorious cake decorated with sugared rose petals, picked from her own blooms. Lastly, she retrieved the silk wrapped gift she had for Eve and placed it to the right of her plate. Gwen stepped back to admire her efforts, pleased with what she had achieved it was time to call Eve down.

When Eve saw the effort her mother had gone to, it was difficult of hold back the tears, everything looked so beautiful. Taking her usual place at the table, Gwen placed a delicate china plate before her.

“Purple carrot and pomegranate salad. Your favourite,” she beamed.

Eve laughed, “Thank you, Mother, it looks delicious.” Picking up her cutlery that had been crafted by her great-grandfather, she began her meal.

After two fabulous courses, Gwen carried through the cake. Eve knew her mother had a great talent for baking; anticipating the richness of the sponge, tartness of the huckleberry jelly that was sure to be liberally smeared in the centre and finally the lightness of the meringue frosting. It was fluffy as a cloud, pure decadence on the pallet.

“I cannot imagine a more fitting finale to such a feast than the masterpiece you have created Mother; please may I have a very large piece?” Exclaimed Eve, cake fork already in hand. A huge smile in place that lit up her whole face Seeing her daughter’s expectant expression, Gwen was transported back thirteen years to Eve’s fifth birthday, such a day it had been. John had made the chest that still sits at the end of Eve’s bed; back then is was for her toys now it stored her most precious memories. Gwen had baked a cake that day as she did every birthday. That year stuck in her mind; maybe because the image of her husband and daughter laughing together was still so fresh in her memory like it had happened yesterday. Then, like today the wonder on Eve’s face was so innocent, Gwen suddenly felt fearful.
What if she never returns? What if something happens? This could be the last time we ever spend together.
Holding back the tears that threatened, she placed the cake centre stage, smiling down at her, Gwen replied.

“Of course, you can darling; I will never know where you put such a slice, like your father you can eat enough to feed a household and still be slim and strong. Many an elfin maid would love to have such luck!”

Laughing together they enjoyed their desert. Once Eve was finished, Gwen picked up the gift she had placed by her right hand earlier. Getting up she passed the token to Eve. Looking at the purple silk wrapping, Eve understood whatever this contained was sure to be important, a keepsake to treasure; they were not, as a rule, the type of family to frequently give gifts.

“I hope you like it.”

Evangeline carefully removed the silken sheath to reveal the secret within. A large locket sat nestled within the folds, exquisitely engraved and the size of a chicken’s egg. She lovingly caressed the surface.

“Open it.” Gwen urged her. Very gently Eve squeezed the sides to open it, inside was a revelation; a miniature photo album, each one as thin and delicate as a spider’s web. Taking care, she turned each frame to reveal the portrait hidden behind its predecessor. There were six in total, her mother, and father and one of her as a child of five. The next three were of her birth family, copies of the pictures now safely stored in the bag.

“So wherever you travel, you will carry us with you. I know we are not your birth parents, but you are, and always will be, our beloved Evangeline.” Quickly closing the locket so her tears wouldn’t damage the delicate treasures within, Eve got up from her place and embraced her mother.

“No matter who gave birth to me, you and dad will always be my parents, and I love you so very much.” Kissing and hugging each other, they allowed a few moments for tears.

“Let me put it on you; I bought the silk especially”. Eve moved her russet mane so the silver clasp on the emerald silk necklace could be fastened, the locket sat perfectly just below the hollow of her throat.

“Turn around so I can look at you; ah yes the colour really brings out your eyes and sets your hair aflame.” Gwen gushed. Looking in the mirror, Eve too admired her appearance, though not a vain person, she was not ignorant to her beauty.

“Thank you Mother; it truly is a beautiful keepsake I shall never take it off.”

After clearing the table, they retired to the snug; Gwen picked up some sewing, while Eve took this final opportunity to sit in her favourite chair with a book and become lost in a hero’s adventure. Tomorrow, she would be embarking on her own.

After a restless night, Eve prepared to leave; she was pretty sure a Kaleidoscope of rather large butterflies had taken up residence in her stomach. Heading downstairs, she was relieved to see some ginger and chamomile tea waiting for her.

“I wasn’t sure what you would want to eat; I thought some tea would be palatable...?” Gwen placed the honey pot on the table, knowing Eve liked to add it to her tea.

“Thank you, I really don’t feel like eating just now. I will take some bread and an apple for later.” Eve mumbled while absentmindedly adding a spoon of honey to her drink. They sat in silence, neither one knowing what to say, though both extremely aware that the time to say anything at all was fast expiring. After her second cup of honeyed tea, Eve stood.

I must not cry,
Gwen admonished herself.
Plenty of time for tears later, right now, I must be strong for my daughter. She must be terrified, I know that I would be.
Moving towards the front door, Gwen helped Eve with her things, carefully rolling her cloak and securing it to her bag.

“Here is your food for later; I have wrapped a piece of cheese in nettle leaves as well, it should stay fresh for a day or so.” Adding the food parcel to her bag Eve was out of things to do; their time was up. Looking around her, she desperately wanted to stay, but knowing that if she were to surrender to this feeling, regret would plague her forever.

“Well… I guess this is it,” she stammered.

“I guess it is,” replied Gwen. Embracing for what could be the last time, they held on tight to each other.

“I love you,” they said in unison. Eyes once again glinting with unshed tears; they both put on a smile, to try and comfort the other.

“I will be back before you know it, and what stories I shall have to tell!”

“You will, my sweet girl, and I shall make a cake to celebrate your return!” Opening the front door Eve walked to the front gate, the sun was shining in the pearl coloured sky, and the sound of finches chattering reached her on the slight breeze. It was a beautiful, peaceful morning to embark on an adventure. Turning back to look at her mother standing in the door- way, she smiled her best smile and raised her hand in farewell.

“Go east, Eve, that is the road to Clear Water Valley. It would make sense to pass through the realm of our allies first,” Gwen called. Nodding, Eve opened the gate and took the first step of her journey, reaching back to close the gate, she wanted to turn to see your mother’s gentle expression once more.

“Don’t look back again child; your path is east. Only look forward now, I shall be here on your return!” Gwen called, not wanting Eve to see the tears that were now sliding down her cheeks, in silent streams of sorrow.

Squaring her shoulders and trying to quell the swarm of what now appeared to be very angry butterflies; she turned her face to the morning sun and headed east towards Clear Water Valley, the Realm of witches.