Conspiracy (17 page)

The following morning, the visitors prepared to leave, promising to return and continue the education of the Northern Realm elves, who had learned of their grandfather’s banishment with stoic acceptance. They were noncommittal as to their desire to leave the Northern Realm or to affiliate in any large degree with the other three Elven communities. They agreed, however, that in the near future they would send several representatives with leaders of the other Realms to discuss the issue further. There seemed to be no lasting animosity over the original banishment. It was as if the centuries had erased all memory and anger of the former dispute. Their lives were peaceful, their culture well developed, and, as Queen Eimile told them the evening before their departure, “We have much to learn from people as gentle and considerate as you.”

Once back at the chapel which contained the portal, William affected the crossover and it was decided that they would each return to their respective homes to reassemble in one week for the royal wedding. Mallorie was noncommittal about her attendance, but at her mother's insistence, she agreed to consider it.

“Please bring Alisha,” Eimile said. “She deserves to see this momentous occasion.”

“I said I would consider it, Mother. And I shall. Do not press the issue.”

Upon his return to the Southern Realm, Gregor learned that his father had taken a turn for the worse. It was not unexpected, but from Gregor's point of view, unacceptable. The bright spot upon his return was the heartfelt greeting he received from Heather.

“You’re telling me you were hunting, fishing, and wrestling while Reagan and I were crying our eyes out that you might be in danger?”

Gregor laughed and pulled his love close to his chest, his face mere inches from hers. “Neither you nor your sister are the ‘crying your eyes out’ type, but I'm truly sorry you were worried. Would you have preferred me to return and talk of imminent danger, battles, and injury?”

She laughed at his rebuke. The two of them sat on a bench in the garden. Haslane and Camille had been with them initially, then departed, allowing them some time alone. “Your mother is not certain that your father will survive until the wedding,” she said softly.

“Father will not depart this life until he has seen his son wed.”

Heather accepted his comments without argument, knowing full well that the outcome was beyond either of their control. What would be, would be.

Gregor pressed his point. “Of course, Father would prefer to see both sons wed prior to his death.”

“Is that a proposal?” Heather asked, equally challenging.

“When the proposal comes, my lovely Heather, as it surely shall, you deserve all of my attention from that moment forward. But before that, I have several tasks to complete to honor my father's wishes. Besides, I believe you have some decisions to make for yourself, do you not?”

“They’re becoming less optional and more factual,” she replied.

Queen Eimile was equally focused when she returned to the Western Realm. Having the foresight to know what needed to be done prior to departure, she had arranged for the Grand Council to convene immediately upon her return. In less than a week, her entire world had broadened far beyond her previous understanding. The Eastern Realm had been a continuous thorn in her side ever since the death of her husband. Now, the Southern Realm occupied her thoughts and she had become aware of a fourth, comprised primarily of peaceful nomadic people. She saw no threat from them.

Yet the business of the Western Realm had returned to preeminence. It was time to choose the king. She personally favored Sean, known as Ian in his human role. Michael had admirable qualities, if only he would mature and take life more seriously. Of the sixty-five people on the Grand Council, she thought she could count on least forty votes in favor of her nominee.

Immediately upon entering the castle, she was met by two of her most trusted associates.

“I am most grateful to see you, my friends. Has the rest of the council arrived?”

A woman of approximately Eimile's age, height, and bearing was the first to answer. “My Queen, everyone is present except Conchur.”

“There is no place here for Conchur,” Eimile replied curtly. “His membership on the council has been suspended, and once our primary business is conducted, we will consider his banishment. Have everyone informed—we will meet in two hours.”

Ian and Michael had returned with Queen Eimile, but had immediately gone to their rooms. While in the Northern Realm, they had discussed the pending selection of the ruler for the West. Michael had been adamant about his desire for Ian to take over as king.

Ian had argued, to no avail, that his duties in the human world would preclude him from fulfilling the responsibilities of king. Michael's response was clear that he expected Ian to resume as rightful heir.

The mood was somber as Eimile entered the council room. A large gathering was present with nearly all of the Grand Council in attendance. Eimile greeted everyone collectively, and then she took the next half hour to describe her travels and the revelations she’d had over the previous week.

Those seated in the chamber remained absolutely silent as Queen Eimile spoke. To have their historical understanding challenged and to be presented with an entirely new set of facts regarding their Elven community had shaken most of them to the core.

“We come now to the principal business for which I have requested this assembly,” Queen Eimile said as she remained standing behind her chair. “We have been too long without a king. The presence of two other Realms and the pending leadership change that will occur there requires that we formally establish the line of authority within the Western Realm. I have proposed that Prince Sean be unanimously selected by this Council as our future king. I do this in full confidence that he possesses the necessary qualifications to guide us, especially through this difficult and trying period. Understand me clearly: we are under assault by treacherous elements within the Eastern Realm, and indeed, to some degree, within our own community.”

Ian rose from his seat and waited for Eimile to acknowledge him. With a slight hesitation, she nodded in his direction.

“Do you wish to address the assembly, Prince Sean?”

“I do.” With that, he turned to face the bulk of the assembly. “My brothers and sisters, as our queen has stated, the selection of a new ruler is long overdue. I concur with her finding that our Realm is in imminent danger and that the forces of evil to the East have aligned against us. Yet all is not bleak. A trusted friend with whom I have associated for many years, notwithstanding his deception as to his true origin, has come to our aid. His ruse was not of his choosing, but was in fact an assignment from his father, the king of the Southern Realm. Prince Gregor for many years has served as the security chief to the royal family of the East.”

Again Ian paused and glanced at Michael who nodded his agreement to continue.

“His true purpose was to attempt to ascertain the threat from within that Realm as the
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increasingly interfered in human affairs. As we all now understand, they have in fact sought to take the life of both elf and human. With the recent turn of events and the revelation of the Southern Realm, I have now learned his true identity as heir to the Southern Realm throne. But more important than the assistance we are receiving from the heir to the southern throne is the excellent leadership we have received here at home. I have watched Queen Eimile as she has dealt with family tragedy, political discord, and personal grief. Not once have I seen her think of anything other than the Elven who reside within our Realm.”

Ian paused for several moments, took a deep breath, and then observed a concerned look on Michael's face. He leaned down to be closer to Michael, who whispered.

“Don't do it, brother. I know where this is going.”

“Do you disagree with me?” Ian said in an equally soft tone.

“No. I agree and I understand. But I believe we need your leadership at this time,” Michael responded.

“Have you completed your comments, Sean?” Queen Eimile asked.

“I ask for your patience for a few more moments, my Queen.” He turned again to face the gathered assembly, smiling at his fellow delegates. “As my brother has informed me, he knows where this is going. Perhaps each of you has the same thought. We do not need to look far afield for our new leader. She has amply demonstrated her qualities, her tenacity, and her love for our people. It is my suggestion to this auspicious body that with a unanimous show of hands, we can quickly and simply change Queen Eimile's role from that of regent and wife of the former king to queen of the Western Realm.”

Several people in the assembly shifted in their seats and a few soft comments were heard in response, but indeed it appeared as if the thought had crossed everyone’s minds. From the rear of the hall, one man stood and waited to be acknowledged by the queen. When she nodded in his direction, he spoke.

“My Queen, before I would feel comfortable casting my ballot toward this decision, I would like to know the current status of your daughter, who, I understand, has assumed leadership of the Eastern Realm. Do you have confidence that she can overcome the treachery and conflict that is brewing between our two realms? Are you confident that she can lead without her husband for guidance?”

“I am not, John. I disagree with the leadership position she has taken and I most strongly disagree with her unwillingness to accept assistance from our brethren in the Southern Realm. Either she has deluded herself into thinking she can control the
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, or, more disturbing, she has become part of the conspiracy.”

John continued his questioning. “Bearing that in mind, Queen Eimile, can you tell this council that you are willing to confront your daughter, should the need arise?”

Ian was still standing, and before Eimile had a chance to respond, he spoke. “Our queen has already addressed the issue, John. They openly disagreed in the Southern Realm, and Queen Eimile was adamant that Queen Mallorie was wrong in her intended direction. I, personally, have no doubt that our queen will have our best interests at heart regardless of the opposition, including that of her daughter. I call for a vote,” Ian said, his voice suddenly strong, confident, and compelling. “Queen Eimile has placed my name in nomination to become king. I submit that she is better qualified at present to lead this Realm. May I have the council’s support in my nomination?”

Muttered comments spread throughout the audience as one delegate then another spoke to those around them. John had resumed his seat and no one else had risen to address the issue. Even Queen Eimile, for whom the suggestion came as a surprise, remained silent. Finally Barrie, husband to Colleen, the royal healer, rose from his position at the far end of the front row.

“By age and original selection, I am the senior member of the Grand Council. I propose that this body accept the recommendation of Prince Sean and that we unanimously acclaim Eimile as queen of the Western Realm.” Barrie then resumed his seat next to his aged wife, who placed her hand over his forearm, squeezing it gently.

First one, then several, then a large cluster seated around Barrie, and finally the entire assembly, rose and began to applaud. Queen Eimile remained standing, her eyes visibly growing moist and her hands folded in front of her waist. Slowly, she stepped in front of her chair, resumed her seat, and lowered her head. Ian had won the day.

In the Eastern Realm, Queen Mallorie had been no less active than her mother. Knowing what was at stake, upon returning from the Northern Realm she contacted Senain, who immediately came to the castle.

“We have no time to waste,” she said. “The Northern Realm elves will be of no help. In fact, I was completely unable to speak to them, and if our guide  was telling the truth, only an elf from the South can cross the portal.”

“Well then, what's the emergency?” Senain asked.

“I’ve formulated a plan. We need about a dozen of your best warriors prepared  at a moment’s notice to go where we decide they’re needed. If we handle this right, our troubles will be over.”

Senain smiled and shook his head in a gesture of conciliation. “All I know, my dear, is that I would prefer not to be on the opposite side of you in a political conflict.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Southern Realm

Reagan

I watched Ian as he belted on a traditional sporran over his kilt in preparation for the final day of the wedding celebration. I had noticed that the different Realms tended to take on the traditions of the territories they were based in. It could have been the other way around, I supposed. Maybe the traditional wear originated from the elves who had come long before the people who lived there. It was still mind-boggling to me.

I was curious to see what an elf wedding would be like. Ian had told me it might be different from their Western Realm celebrations, but similar to what he had seen in the human world. We’d been enjoying the festivities for a week. The custom was to take one day during the week preceding the wedding to honor each of the various people who had contributed to the lives of the happy couple. On the first day, we celebrated the people of the Realm.

Food and wine were brought to all the villages, and the couple who had been married the most recently in each village was given gifts from the royal family. Since all the young couples knew of the upcoming event, there had been a rush to get married before the royal wedding, and some couples ended up wedding secretly. The poor village elder who conducted the service was frequently dragged out of bed in the middle of the night for numerous weddings, and then had to determine which lucky couple had managed to get in last.

The second day was spent honoring the families of the couple to be married. A great feast was arranged on the grounds of the royal estate, and the bride and groom brought gifts and special trinkets to their family members. Camille was the oldest of four daughters, so she gave her three younger sisters beautiful gowns to wear to the wedding. Gregor received a Northern Realm crossbow from Haslane, which he seemed to love. He was the envy of all the men, Ian included. The woman just rolled their eyes. I secretly thought it was pretty great weapon and wanted to give it a try.