The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (7 page)

BOOK: The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3]
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The High Queen's eyes narrowed at the statement,
It must be truth, then. I am to return the Elves to The Realm, and Sle'nel’ is the key. Or is this just the last hopes of a dying one?

One of the Spirit Mothers placed her hand upon the old woman's head, “Are you ready, M'arain?"

"Let it finally be over. I am tired. Farewell my old friends. Thank you for one last look upon my Birth-daughter. I am, at long last, assured her Mother's last wish will be fulfilled."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln frowned once again, wondering as to the statement's meaning.

The Spirit Mothers each placed a kiss upon her head, saying their silent farewells. The Spirit Mother whose hand was upon the Birth-Mother's head placed her other hand upon Sle'nel's head. As her hand touched Sle'nel's head, the Birth-Mother's memories of her former lover, the Elfin Faerie, came flooding into Sle'nel's mind. Many of their combined memories, skills and abilities were now passed fully to Sle'nel'. She closed her eyes, taking the flood of their memories in. At the end, her Birth-Mother sent her one final message,
Always know that you were well loved. Good-bye, Birth-daughter. I know you will find a way to return the Elves to The Realm.

Her Birth-Mother then quietly died as she had lived her life. Sle'nel’ looked upon her Birth-Mother who now lay dead before her. She laid her head upon her Birth-Mother's hand, “Farewell, Birth-Mother. Thank you."

She didn't notice her own tears as she cried quietly for her Birth-Mother. Now having many memories of her Birth-Mother, her Mother, and of her own early childhood, her body was wracked with quiet sobs of despair.

San'lr'in'thel'ineln's heart was crying for Sle'nel's pain and loss, while her mind was raging her anger,
I will return the Elves, as I have vowed, but I will also uncover all those who have planned such a deceit as this.

She let her cry for a long while, then, as the Spirit Mothers motioned to her, she made Sle'nel’ to rise. Softly holding her shoulders, she said to her, “Come, My Elfin Princess. They prepare her now for the funeral she is well due."

Sle'nel’ looked at her Queen, crying, “Funeral?"

"It is the custom of a funeral as soon after death as possible. The Spirit Mothers now do her great honor in giving her an Elfin funeral."

* * * *

The Spirit Mothers wrapped Sle'nel's Birth-Mother lovingly in long sheets of cloth. Sle'nel’ watched silently, saying good-bye to the Birth-Mother she remembered so little of, but now enough of to cause her great sorrow. They placed her Birth-Mother's arms and hands in front of her, then wrapped the cloth around her. Sle'nel’ just stood and watched, too pained to move. Too grieved to think. She felt the weight of all sadness upon her. She struggled with herself against her anger, also struggling with her newly-found feelings toward her Birth-Mother and Mother.

The Spirit Mothers hummed softly while they completed their solemn task, a sorrowful tune that hinted at their own loss. Sle'nel’ looked at them for a moment, wondering as to their feelings.

Breathing deeply, trying to control her feelings of such loss, she brought up the happy memories of the love between her Birth-Mother and Mother, now having images to call upon. She smiled briefly as she saw them as they must have been—happy, loving, beautiful, with all The Realm yet ahead of them. But she also saw that her Elfin Spirit Mother had been much older than her Birth-Mother.

Another memory came to her, one of heartbreaking sorrow when her Birth-Mother watched as her lover, Sle'nel's Mother, faded away. Sle'nel’ saw how heavy this weighed on her own Birth-Mother for the remainder of her life. She watched the images of the funeral in her head, and suddenly realized that this is what she would now watch with her own Birth-Mother. Sle'nel’ took a deep breath, then turned and looked at San'lr'in'thel'ineln', searching for any sign of hope or understanding.

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ placed her arm across Sle'nel's shoulders, holding her to her own body. They stood together as the Spirit Mothers placed M'arain upon a flat board. When they finished, each one then took one final look upon the old woman who had birthed the last of the Elfin Faeries. Each kissed her upon her forehead and Sle'nel’ saw that some cried, but silently. Their humming never ceased, as in a requiem for the loss of a most beloved one. For one who had given up so much to The Realm.

The Most Honored One motioned to Ann'wn, Sam and Meera, and another guard. They came inside and went to their task of bearing Sle'nel's Birth-Mother to the small ship that awaited her. They picked up the board, shouldering it carefully, then moved it outside. The Most Honored One went in front of them, leading them to the Birth-Mother's last ride. Sle'nel’ was directed gently and directly behind her Birth-Mother, while all the other Spirit Mothers followed, the small procession walking slowly toward the sea. The Spirit Mothers of the Valley had begun to sing their requiem more loudly, and were now accompanied by drums—drums that beat out the sound of death. Sle'nel’ thought it to be the most sorrowful tune she had ever heard. She sighed deeply, trying to breathe, forcing herself to be strong.

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ walked alongside, yet holding onto Sle'nel', her arm across her shoulders. Sle'nel’ walked silently, non-seeing and dazed, more saddened than ever in her entire life. She was afraid to breathe for fear of breaking down, letting the tears freely stream down her face. She looked around briefly, trying to hold the image of this moment in her head, of her Birth-Mother being carried so gently and lovingly, of the Spirit Mothers more saddened than she thought possible. She looked at San'lr'in'thel'ineln', saying nothing but feeling her strength.

She couldn't tell how long they walked. It seemed forever, and it seemed like not at all. It wouldn't have mattered to her if they walked for an entire moon. She no longer felt her body. She no longer cared about The Realm. For this moment, she tried to just get to the next moment. One step followed another. One breath, then another. Her new memories spiraling her mind toward an exhaustive incomprehension.

When they reached the small cove at the sea, Ann'wn led the others in placing the funeral board on the small boat, then lashed it securely. When they were done, they stepped back and waited.

The Most Honored Spirit Mother began chanting. When she finished, she raised her arms to the sky and began speaking in the tongue of the now long-prior Elfin Faeries. Not realizing it, Sle'nel’ understood the words and knew the message. The Most Honored One recited the funeral poem of the Elfin Faeries. Also without realizing it, Sle'nel’ spoke it with the Most Honored One. She knew the poem well. All San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ understood was,
When one Elfin Faiere dies, all The Realm is saddened. We are now all saddened.

When she was done, the Most Honored Spirit Mother picked up a stick from the fire and offered it to Sle'nel'. From the images that had been restored to her, Sle'nel’ knew her duty and touched the torch to the twigs inside the boat. The fire caught, burning rapidly. Ann'wn and Meera pushed the inflamed boat gently out to the waves. It rocked softly, carrying Sle'nel's Birth-Mother forever away from her. Sle'nel’ watched it move out beyond the current, burning brightly. She watched until she could no longer see it. With the sea as the backdrop, she watched the memories her Birth-Mother had given to her, watching until all the others were long gone back to the small town.

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ stood by Sle'nel's side with her arm wrapped across her shoulder. She was willing to wait as long as Sle'nel’ needed, watching. At the sun's set, they sat down upon the shore and watched the stars appear. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ listened and heard soft crying, deep sighs, and occasional deep breaths throughout the long eve as Sle'nel’ came to terms with the past long deprived of her.

After the late after-eve was well past, Sle'nel’ rested against her Queen's shoulder. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ placed her arm around Sle'nel', pulling her closer to her, then wrapped her cloak around the both of them. She held Sle'nel’ until the moon began to give way to the end of its moment; holding her while Sle'nel’ slept, finally at peace.

Never far from The High Queen's side, Ann'wn came and looked upon the sleeping Sle'nel'. Without a word between them, Ann'wn carefully, but with barely a strain, picked up Sle'nel’ and carried her to The High Queen's bed. The High Queen walked quietly beside Ann'wn, grateful, gently touching Ann'wn's arm. When they had arrived, Ann'wn placed Sle'nel’ softly down upon the bed, looked at her, and gave her a kiss upon her forehead. She turned to her Queen, nodded only briefly, then left. The High Queen removed some of Sle'nel's outer garments, covered her, then slipped into the bed beside her. She gave Sle'nel’ a quiet kiss on her cheek and held her close. Ann'wn lay down outside the door, quietly guarding them, covering herself with her own cloak.

* * * *

The morn was uninterrupted for them. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ woke at the end of the morn, at early midturn, rising quietly, letting her Elfin Faiere rest. She hadn't changed from the eve, and decided it could wait until Sle'nel’ rose. Leaving her well-worn clothes on, she went out to the porch to sit and reflect on all the conversations. Opening the door softly, she saw Ann'wn sleeping on the doorstep. She sat quietly in one of the chairs, watching the turn pass through its moments. Her heart was heavy for Sle'nel', but knew she would get through this as she did with everything else. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ thought of how difficult it must be to learn of all this in what seemed such a short moment. She had many surprises throughout her own life, but not as many as this in such a short span.

With the quiet moments before her, she slowly sifted through all the deception she had so recently learned of, trying to make sense of it. She carefully examined each statement she had heard, and tried to piece all the parts together.

I hold a Sacred Vow of returning the Elves, yet had no idea that such a thing was even possible, then we learn that it is Sle'nel's destiny to also do as such.

The Spirit Mothers of the Falls hid her away so that such would not occur. Why?

And who is Sle'nel's mother. It surely must be the Master
.

Ann'wn woke, startled to see her Queen sitting so near to her. She jumped up, half asleep, then knelt, “My Queen. Forgive me. I knew not that you were here."

The High Queen, deep into her own reflections, had forgotten about Ann'wn. She motioned to the chair beside her, speaking softly, “Sit. We are where we cannot be harmed so you also can be at peace for a few turns. Rest while here, My Ann'wn."

"My Queen. It be not my place to sit beside a Queen."

Frustrated, she replied, “Then remain close and sit in some fashion that pleases you."

Ann'wn crouched close to her queen, relaxing in her own right.

"My Queen?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked at Ann'wn, placing a hand softly upon her cheek, “How is it that you have been able to put up with Me for so long as this? Speak freely, Ann'wn. You are well over-due this respect."

"Will she be well, my Queen?"

Surprised, she asked “Sle'nel', is your meaning?” She then smiled, “And what do you think on this?"

"I think her to be the bravest and yet most trusting one I have ever seen. She is far braver than me, and holds back from nothing. Yet she is so gentle and kind. It is almost unreal in our realm."

The High Queen laughed very lightly, “You speak truth, and I hadn't yet thought of this. You are correct. She faces everything straight on, with her heart wide open. Such were the Elfin Faeries."

"Even in her anger she is sorry for feeling it, as last turn prior when she was overly angry at the Old One."

"It is her nature, Force Leader. She truly is of the Elfin Faeries in this. I should have seen it much sooner.” She thought once more on the possibility of Sle'nel's Elfin Mother,
I wonder. Could it be that Ise—

But Ann'wn interrupted her thoughts, “I have seen some of these same qualities in the Warrior Woman of Woden in regard to her bravery, but she is not so open and would lie if she must. That, and she is blinded in her loyalty to her Highest."

The High Queen again laughed softly, “And you are not such as this, My most mighty Ann'wn? I recall someone sleeping on My doorstep this prior eve. Who could that have been?"

Ann'wn blushed, then said, “But mine is more deserved. The Highest is weak in her knowledge and powers. She acts much like a spoiled child."

The High Queen looked with tenderness on her force leader, “Is this talk in the ranks then, My Treasure?” The High Queen had been a warrior prior to her reign, and knew well the ways of the warriors.

"Yes, my Queen. It is difficult for the forces to see your allegiance to this one."

"She is My sister, Force Leader. But give her some moments. She will come to prove her worth. The loss of her love for Sle'nel’ has changed her much. And we have need of her. Great need. She is far greater than what you have yet seen of her."

"We see not this worth, my Queen. We see only selfishness. And it is not what we saw in you when you lost your love. She speaks only of her loss and how it has affected her. You were not of this. Even prior turn when our Elfin Princess had to face the death of her long-lost Birth-Mother, all The Highest could do was to think of herself rather than help provide strength to our Elf."

"Oh? And were you there, Ann'wn when I no longer wanted to go on after the loss of My prior lover? Was that not a most selfish moment?"

"I was there while you slept, my Queen, and heard you. I know well the words you spoke, and they were not such as hers. Your cries were for her only. Not for you. For The Realm's loss of her."

The High Queen looked upon Ann'wn, who looked briefly into her eyes. She was surprised in the words, but decided to drop the conversation. She sighed, then said, “She is young and inexperienced. I have many more experiences than she, and I had a much more difficult upbringing. She has been well sheltered. It is not her fault."

"My Queen? May I speak freely?"

"What intrigues you so?"

BOOK: The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3]
11.46Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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