The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (61 page)

They did as told, holding their hands out to each other. They smiled as they felt their hands wanting to touch, feeling the urgency within their hands and fingertips, seeing them shake as if overly excited, and as if they were not connected to the remainder of their bodies. As they stood waiting, they began struggling against reaching for the other's hands, having to resist the urge most forcefully.

Sle'nel’ looked at San'lr'in', not fully understanding the moment,
My hands have the greatest need to touch yours, my Love.

San'lr'in’ laughed softly,
As mine to yours. They are like first-moment lovers in this regard.

The Cleansing Ceremony and the official ceremony were created so as to bring the level of desire and awareness to a peak. Now at the end of the ceremony, Sle'nel’ and San'lr'in’ stood before each other, desiring the other in fashions yet unknown to them. They had long prior forgotten that many others were fully all about them. Sle'nel’ fought against the urge to grab onto her lover's hands, but the urgency was beginning to overtake her. She was unsure of how much longer she could resist.

"Take your lover's hands into your own."

It was with relief that they heard the words spoken to them. They did as told without hesitation, unprepared for what was to occur. As their hands touched, their spirits came clashing together in their need of joining, creating such an intense feeling it was as if their entire bodies burned wholly into a blazing flame of continual release, moment after moment. San'lr'in’ kissed Sle'nel’ gently, feeling a peace she had never prior felt. Their spirits danced together in their joy and pleasure, as if they had been caged and apart for long prior. San'lr'in’ was uncertain if the moment were real, or created by the magic powers of the Elves, but cared not, enjoying the moment only. For one instant in all The Realm, she felt at peace with her purpose and life.

After what seemed the briefest of passages, their spirits returned fully to them, ending the dance of eternity. The presiding Elf smiled upon them, “The Lour'den’ Ceremony is complete. Our Elfin Queen, Sle'nel', and our High Queen, San'lr'in's spirits are now as one, through the eternities. Like few others in The Realm, they are fully combined in their union. El'fs'nd'lle congratulates them on their eternal journey, together.

A large celebration followed the ceremony, lasting through the remainder of the turn. But even with the noisy and happy celebration, San'lr'in’ found little relief from the burdens of The Realm. As they danced, the Wizard of the Ravens continued her attempts to search into San'lr'in's mind.

"You look tired, San'lr'in'."

San'lr'in’ was indeed tired, but was fully enjoying the moment with Sle'nel'. Just as she was about to respond, Ann'wn came up to her, “Highness."

San'lr'in’ turned to her, hoping it was another report, “Tell Me."

"Another report, my Queen. It is confirmed. We have captured three R'kin'dles, and they came willingly, with great relief from their fear. They know not who holds their town captive, but fear them well. They tell us that the one who commands them is overly strong. I fear it is who you think it to be, Highness."

"Have they yet seen her?"

"No, my Queen. But they spoke of many ravens about them. Many. And they continue to search about them, looking further for the ravens, even when in our safety."

"Has there been any other sign of the ravens?"

"Yes, my Queen. In the village that the R'kin'dles were told to attack. Many ravens. The forces have seen the ravens, for themselves. And they have killed them."

San'lr'in’ stared blankly at Ann'wn for a moment, then sighed, “Thus it begins, again. We have little choice in this, Force Leader. We are against the strongest we have yet prior faced, but we cannot lose. Save as many of the R'kin'dles as possible, and quickly so. Call the Private Guard together, in masse upon this moment—all of them. Have them seek out the ravens, and kill them."

"Where would you have us place the R'kin'dles, Highness?"

Another voice answered, “San'lr'in'. Take them to Sansthera."

The High Queen looked at her sister, who had just come up to them. She nodded as she turned back to Ann'wn, “As she says, Force Leader. Call the Black Guard to you. Command them to save the R'kin'dles and get them safely to Sansthera. My sister will send a message to Sansthera with them, informing Sansthera of the urgency. You will need to supply forces to Sansthera for protection."

"Thank you, San'lr'in'. I will tend to the note."

As Sume’ left, Ann'wn nodded, “It shall be done, Highness, as you say. With your leave, my Queen."

Softly, yet sadly, she nodded, “Call all our forces together to save the R'kin'dles. They are of great worth to our Realm.” She paused, knowing that Ann'wn would wait until she had been granted The High Queen's leave.

San'lr'in’ sighed again, placing her hand gently on Ann'wn's cheek, speaking so softly and slowly that Ann'wn began to shake with fear, knowing well the darkness about them when The High Queen did as such, “We will not exit this battle as we enter it, Ann'wn. Take great caution upon every move.” She removed her hand, “I wish reports twice upon every turn, from this moment. You have My leave."

Ann'wn was caught speechless in her Queen's words. She bowed her head, “Yes, my Queen."

Sle'nel’ placed her arms around San'lr'in', from behind. San'lr'in’ placed her hands upon Sle'nel's arms for a moment, then turned, “I apologize for this interruption of our celebration, My Desire."

Sle'nel’ just smiled softly, “Come, my Queen. You are overly tired. We have few moments of peace left between us until this wizard is gone from The Realm. We have but one turn until your departure, and you need rest."

"Sle'nel'. This wizard will consume much of My ef—"

Sle'nel’ placed her finger to The High Queen's lips, “I know, San'lr'in'. I have sensed this as so, but there is nothing further to be done at this moment. So let us enjoy this moment, prior to your leave.” Sle'nel’ took San'lr'in's hand, “Come lay beside me, my Queen?"

The High Queen rested during the eve and next turn, enjoying her last moments with Sle'nel’ prior to her return to the Valley, and to the battle with the Wizard of the Ravens. There had been little new from the reports, but Sle'nel’ had begun to sense the Wizard upon San'lr'in's last turn in El'fs'nd'lle'.

"She feels my powers."

Her statement came just as San'lr'in's attendants had completed preparing her for the eve, and just as they had left.

"Do you sense her, as well?"

Sle'nel’ had also been prepared for the eve by the attendants. She touched The High Queen's eve garments for a moment, playing with her lacings, “Some. I sense that she is not yet fully strong. My own weak and pitiful powers confuse her, but I think she seeks out the Sorrows of the Stones."

"Has she felt them within you?"

Sle'nel’ shook her head slightly, “No."

"No? But these are most strong within you."

"I have hidden them from her."

Sle'nel’ had undone the lacings, placing her hand on San'lr'in's breast, teasing it slightly until she heard a moan. But San'lr'in’ tried to ignore the feeling, “You are able to hide this power? How is this so? I knew not about this."

Sle'nel’ grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief, “Do you know the secret of being a great lover, my Queen?"

She placed her other hand on San'lr'in's other breast, pinching it softly, making her Queen to moan once again. San'lr'in’ was yet desiring more information, though, so continued to struggle against the feeling, “No, but I assume you will tell Me."

"Never let your lover know everything about you, my Queen."

It had been agreed between them that Meera would remain with Sle'nel’ while Ann'wn traveled with The High Queen. Four of the newly-returned Elves also traveled to the Valley so that The Realm's members could begin to see the Elves as returned. This was arranged due to the High Council's message stating that a celebration and honored procession were to occur upon their arrival. The Elves had graciously accepted the need for their presence, but would return instantly to El'fs'nd'lle upon the celebration's conclusion.

Ann'wn had many guards already scouting their journey, ensuring that no surprises would occur. A rider was scheduled to be waiting for The High Queen's traveling party every little while so as to assure Ann'wn that their path was safe. And it was arranged that the camp would be prepared well prior to The High Queen's arrival at the end of each turn, so that the journey would be quicker.

"Are you certain you must remain?"

Sle'nel’ sighed, moving in closer to San'lr'in', “I must for a few more turns, but I will leave soon."

San'lr'in’ placed her arm around Sle'nel', kissing the top of her head, “I will miss you, Elfin Queen."

"I am not the queen, San'lr'in'. You know this is not truth."

She laughed, “I saw the Elfin Queen's crown upon your head, My Desire. I speak truth. Ask your High Elfin Counselor if you think this not as so."

"Just because one is seen as such doesn't make it so. When are you leaving?"

"Now. They most likely await My presence, and are most likely prepared for the journey."

"Then we must rise and see you prepared. But vow to me that you will not go to the Wizard of The Ravens without me. Vow this to me."

She sighed, “I may depart prior to you, but I will have a messenger sent to you so that you may meet up with Me, as traveling to the Southern Boundary is shorter from El'fs'nd'lle than from the Valley."

"Vow, San'lr'in'. You must not attempt to fight her without my powers."

"I will not vow this to you, as it would be an untruth. But if you return to the Valley by the Ruler's Gathering, we will make this cheerless journey together."

She and Sle'nel’ walked together to where Ann'wn waited with all the other travelers and guards. She saw that her sister was waiting, as well as the High Counselor and Fon'elnn'. It had been decided that Ern'seln’ would remain with Sle'nel', along with Meera and Caitha and many other guards, but that Roen and Krl'lnn', the young Apprentice-Master, would remain under Fon'elnn's watchful eye. And Sele’ would now be separated from Sle'nel’ once more, traveling back to the Valley with The High Queen and the High Priestess.

Ann'wn knelt and bowed her head, “Highness."

"Rise, Force Leader. Is all prepared?"

"It is, my Queen. The Deep Mystics have decided to remain in El'fs'nd'lle and will travel with the Elfin Queen, offering her their protection at least part of her return journey."

San'lr'in’ thought this a good report, knowing that while she thought the Deep Mystics overly demanding, they would protect Sle'nel’ well upon her journey, “I have spoken with Is'en'nel', and she has informed Me that some of the Elfin guards will also make this journey with her, even though they be with child. They see this as their duty to guard their Elfin Queen."

"I am not the Elfin Queen."

Ann'wn bowed her head, unsmiling, “Yes, Highness. As you say."

San'lr'in’ turned to Sle'nel', smiling a soft smile, “The Realm's Force Leader is not the one to who you must argue this, My Desire. She merely follows what she has been told, and what she knows to be truth."

Caitha had risen early to offer her farewells to The High Queen, “It is a wonderful morn in which to begin your journey, M'Love. And you are not to worry over our Elfin Queen, Highness. Meera and I will ensure her safety. The Healer has prepared me well for any emergency. We will bring her home safely to the Valley."

Sle'nel’ rolled her eyes in disbelief, “I am not the Elfin Queen, San'lr'in'. Why do all insist that I am?"

"You wore the crown, My Desire. It is done."

The High Queen's attendants were standing nearby, holding her cloak, while Ann'wn held all her weapons, “My Queen?"

"Tell Me."

"Would you like me to hold your weapons during our journey, or do you wish to carry them?"

"I will take My sword. You can hold the remainder.” She looked to her attendants and nodded, indicating that she was ready to be prepared with her cloak. As they placed it upon her, she turned back to Sle'nel'.

"If you arrive not by the Ruler's Gathering, all My forces will be on the search for you.” She brought her close to her, holding her one last moment prior to her departure, “I will miss you, most certain, Elf."

Sle'nel’ held her tightly, not wishing her to go, “I love you, San'lr'in'."

"And I you, My Desire, and more so upon each passing turn, in truth."

San'lr'in’ raised Sle'nel's head up to her, then kissed her fully for a long moment, not caring that many were about. As they unwillingly broke apart, she looked once more into Sle'nel's most beautiful eyes, “I will hold visions of you, Elf. You will remain in My mind."

Sle'nel’ raised her hands to San'lr'in's cheeks, touching them gently, “Be safe, my Queen."

She then stepped slightly away, allowing The High Queen to mount. As the travelers began their journey back to the Valley, San'lr'in’ turned around one last moment and sent a message,
Return to Me, Elf. I will be waiting for you
.

Sle'nel’ watched for a long moment while the travelers made their way back up the steep mountain switchbacks until she could no longer see her lover.

"Elfin Queen. We request your presence. One of us has decided to deliver her babe early, and she would like your presence at this event."

Sle'nel’ sighed, interrupted in her thoughts, guessing that this is what San'lr'in’ often felt as High Queen, “Lead the way, High Elfin Counselor."

As they completed their initial journey up the switchbacks, Ann'wn and San'lr'in’ both took a moment to look back.

"You have returned the Elves to The Realm, Highness."

San'lr'in’ blinked slowly, feeling the weight of The Realm's burdens return fully to her. She looked at Ann'wn for a moment and softly said, “To bring them returned to a realm such as this was no great deed, Force Leader. Let us hope that it is for no purpose."

She turned her horse toward the Valley, looked at Ann'wn for one last moment, then placed the hood of her cloak over her head. Ann'wn met her Queen's eyes, seeing the burden that now rested within them. She wondered how The High Queen survived them.