The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (53 page)

Is'en'nel’ was yet laughing, but softly now, “This is so, Highness, but you touched her heart, mind and lungs. You brought her life into The Realm, High Queen. In truth, she will consider you as her Birth-Mother."

San'lr'in's eyes were wide in disbelief, “I certainly am no Birth-Mother, Is'en'nel'. I have not the moments for such. And I wouldn't know what to do in thi—"

"Worry not over this, Highness. She will be raised by another, but know this to be truth. This one will look to you as her Birth-Mother, as she is connected to you."

Sele’ looked up at her, “It is not so bad to have someone consider you as their Birth-Mother, Aunt High Queen."

The Healer rose, feeling saddened about the one dead Elf, but pleased that The High Queen had managed to save the future Elfin Queen. She looked at her Queen for a moment, studying her fully, wondering if she had used her life-saving powers for the newly born one.

One of the many spirit Elves spoke to her, “Healer. We thank you for your great deeds and efforts. You will find some water to clean yourself over near the large barrels."

Just prior to averting her eyes away from her Queen, San'lr'in’ turned to The Healer, feeling someone's eyes upon her. Their eyes locked for a few moments, then saying nothing, The High Queen turned away, knowing The Healer guessed as to her actions.

All the others in The High Queen's group were now going from newly-returned Elf to newly-returned Elf, greeting them and trying to answer their questions. The newly-returned Elves had been long away from The Realm, and now wished to know of its developments. But even newly arrived, they had been told of who San'lr'in’ was, now remaining politely apart from her unless otherwise noticed.

The newly-returned Elves also wished to see and speak with Sle'nel', having been given the vow of who would return them. They watched her, wondering what she was like, now knowing that she had become partnered with The High Queen.

But Is'en'nel’ had only briefly mentioned to Sle'nel’ her role in regard to the newly returned Elves, “Daughter. As you may have prior guessed at such, you now oversee these Elves until the moments arrive when you deem Ly'strl'n well prepared for such."

"What does it mean to oversee these Elves, Mother? I surely cannot remain here with them. Or was this the expected?"

Is'en'nel’ hesitated for a moment, “It is as you say, Daughter. It wasn't planned that you were to be with The High Queen, but so be it. Perhaps you can spare a few turns to set all in order, then return occasionally to El'fs'nd'lle. Perhaps as The High Queen has always prior done, regardless of who was The High Queen, you might consider having a daily messenger bring reports and questions."

Sle'nel’ sighed, not pleased with the expectation. San'lr'in’ saw her speaking, and saw that she looked displeased.

"Is there an issue, My Desire?"

Sle'nel’ nodded, sighing yet again, “I was expected from long prior to remain with these Elves. To remain with those I know not, and to lead them."

San'lr'in’ nodded, already having guessed as to this need of her lover, “Who else, My Desire? Of course you will lead them. You were the one chosen to do as such until such moments that they are with full awareness of this new realm that they now enter. But I have already planned for this expectation."

"You have?"

San'lr'in’ smiled softly at her, nodding, “You will need to remain in El'fs'nd'lle for a few turns, perhaps half a moon, then return to Me. From thereon, messengers can be arranged, and you and I, or you, can return as needed. We will manage this, My Desire, as I have great need of these Newly Returned Ones to know of The Realm, as well as to ensure their safety."

She moved closer to her, “All will be well, Elf. Trust Me?"

Sle'nel’ nodded, knowing that when her Queen and lover said this thing, there was absolute reason to trust her, “You know I do, my Queen."

"Perhaps you can find the moment within you to address your Elves, then, Princess, as they await you most eagerly. They now wonder if you are angry with them, or upset in the loss of the one Elf."

She nodded, looking about her, wondering what to say.

San'lr'in’ was sensing her thoughts, “Tell them that The Realm awaits them. That many are at the gates waiting anxiously to see them. Tell them that for now, the first few turns of their arrival will be spent informing them of The Realm. Tell them that they will need to resume their everyturn patterns, but that The Realm will provide whatever is needed until they can sustain their own numbers. And tell them that you are well pleased that they have returned."

"You are High Queen. You tell them."

San'lr'in’ raised an eyebrow, grinning down at her Elf, “I will speak with them, but then so must you, Elfin Queen."

San'lr'in’ walked to the middle of the room and addressed the Newly Arrived, “My most special Elves. I welcome you most fully back into The Realm. For overly many cycles upon cycles, The Realm has well missed its Elves, and suffered for their departure. But now here you stand, fully returned."

She spoke to them for many moments, assuring them that The Realm was excited and pleased over their return, and telling them of all the things expected from a High Queen. As she spoke, she looked at each one fully, studying them, and seeing for the first moment that the Elves had truly returned. Before her stood not the Mystics that appeared as anxious, but the ever-calm and self-assured Elves. And for the first moment since their arrival, she saw that their astounding beauty was now also fully returned to The Realm. To a one, the Elves before her all stood at least her height or taller, and all were fully Elfin, with the slightly differing eyes, the slightly differing ears, the slightly elongated faces, and all with fully long flowing dark hair.

Then she saw it. In her mind, while yet speaking to them, she sent a message to Is'en'nel',
There are no males among them.

It is truth and as you say. The males were the most susceptible to the plague, so we chose not to return them through this passage. There are ten males to be born, however, the same percentage as lived within the Elfin community.

When she was completed with her speech, she raised her eyebrow again, feeling slightly wicked, “And fully a gift to The Realm, is your High Sorcerer, and Elfin Queen, Sle'nel'."

She moved her arm slightly, gesturing to her. Sle'nel’ caught her expression, knowing that her Queen would now sense into her thoughts,
Later, my Queen, I shall get even with you for this
.

She laughed to herself,
A moment I truly anticipate, My Desire
.

As Sle'nel’ spoke to the newly-returned Elves, San'lr'in’ and the others observed them. One hundred-ten Elves didn't seem like overly many in all The Realm, but numbered quite a lot in this room. Many looked upon the Elves, knowing that it would be many cycles prior to them leaving El'fs'nd'lle on a regular basis—at least until a good return of their prior numbers.

When all the formalities were completed, Is'en'nel’ spoke, “The Elves are returned, and we are well pleased and hopeful in this. Some of us, as the spirit Elves, will remain for yet a few turns to instill further needed Elfin knowledge, but within one moon, these Elves will be fully on their own. From there, Sle'nel', my daughter, High Sorcerer, and Elfin Queen, will direct the moments of El'fs'nd'lle. But for now, it has been a long turn, and all are fully tired."

They returned to The Realm's surface through yet another passage. It was as uphill as their entry was down, but was a slow upward path instead of stairs, so allowed for an easier climb, making it less tiring. The way was slow, as now all the newly-returned Elves ascended with them, going to their long-prior former dwellings.

Srn'threln’ had been designated into the position as Mil'der'in was with The High Queen—High Elfin Counselor. Sle'nel’ thought the pairing made good sense, and Srn'threln’ seemed to be well-pleased with the honor.

Sle'nel’ now walked with her as they ascended to ground level, “You are prepared for this duty, High Elfin Counselor Srn'threln'?"

"I am fully ready for your commands, Elfin Queen."

"What is your unborn intended to achieve, High Counselor?"

"She has been given the task of High Elfin Counselor to Ly'strl'n, High Sorcerer."

"Tell me, High Elfin Counselor, are each of you paired with another?"

"Paired, Highness? As in having selected our mates? No. It was part of the reasons for our selection. We were to all be without as such, in case our mate died during this long sleep. It is now our task to find our mates, but it is our choice alone and has not been controlled. It is hoped that many of us will have more than one child, and perhaps across differing lines, but again, this has not been commanded of us. Our mates are to be solely of our choosing."

They were pleased in each other, learning that they would work well together as a team, as was Sle'nel's desire. As they continued speaking to and learning of each other, San'lr'in’ was walking with Erthrn, “How was your eve with My sister, Queen Erthrn?"

"Most memorable, Highness. In all truth, I cannot recall another eve of such pleasure. While I quite enjoyed your younger sister, I find the High Priestess most mysterious and knowledgeable. But should I have asked first of your permission, Highness?"

San'lr'in’ placed her hand on Erthrn's shoulder as they walked up the long incline, “No, My friend. There is no need for this. I am truly pleased in this pairing. I hope it continues to give you pleasure."

Erthrn smiled, well pleased at the statement, “And I as well, Highness."

Caitha was walking with The Healer, Ann'wn, and Meera, “That was, in truth, a most amazing moment. Never would I have believed such as this could but be in The Realm. And Healer, you were most magnificent."

Ann'wn smiled and nodded, “It is truth, Shr'dler'in. I am most proud of your actions."

Shr'dler'in smiled, then reached out and took Ann'wn's hand into her own, feeling grateful that Ann'wn was now her lover. She felt feelings of contentment that had long remained apart from her. She blushed and spoke softly, “Thank you."

Sam watched as The Healer and Ann'wn held each other's hands,
They come together in a most peaceful fashion, such as Caitha and Meera. Ah, to have such as this.
She watched U'Aine for a moment, seeing her speaking and walking with one of the Elves, thinking her a most unusual woman, fiercely independent and strong, yet gentle and kind.

"Highest?"

Sam was startled by Uthrn's question, “Forgive me, Uthrn. What was your question?"

Uthrn asked the question again, but once again it went unheard, as Sam wondered how she should best approach informing Uthrn that she would not be journeying to Woden with her.

Sume’ was walking hand-in-hand with Young Sele', speaking with her, while also carrying the future queen of El'fs'nd'lle, Ly'strl'n. The High Queen saw that Sele’ looked upon Sume’ with adoration and happiness, as if Sume’ were the most wonderful Mystic in all The Realm. San'lr'in’ looked upon the curious moment, twisting her head slightly sideways in the oddness of it. The Healer saw her do as such and came up to her as they yet walked, “A High Queen doesn't always know everything, does she, Highness?"

San'lr'in’ looked for a moment more at her eldest sister, wondering as to the most extraordinary moment, then looked at her Healer. Speaking softly, she said, “I thought she tried to have Me killed. And she is a R'kin'dles. They hate Elves. And she hates Me. Yet she holds a future queen of El'fs'nd'lle, and holds hands with a partly Elfin one."

The Healer placed her hand gently on The High Queen's arm, a deeply forbidden act, but one in which The High Queen always gave her grace to her Healer. The Healer also spoke softly, “Perhaps neither of you were taught to love, High One. Love can do many strange things."

"But she hates Me."

"Look at them, Highness."

She looked back to her sister, who now moved her hand, with Sele's yet connected to it, to wave to her and The Healer. San'lr'in’ smiled and winked in return, at Sele', not knowing what to do with her sister, but knowing the gesture would suffice. She thought her sister looked uncharacteristically contented.

"Who
is
this woman?"

"Your sister, High One. Most definitely this. With every bit of personality as your own. She is your family, Highness. And apparently, she has long prior desired as such. There is no hate in her eyes, my Queen. She looks upon Sele’ as if she is her own daughter. And now look, she even carries the future queen of El'fs'nd'lle."

The High Queen's eyes looked softly upon her sister, studying her further for a few moments, finally arriving to her realization, “Look carefully upon My sister, Healer, as I finally see why I was meant to keep her firmly in The Realm. She is the key that will unlock the passage between the Elves and the R'kin'dles'."

The Healer nodded, feeling a most gentle of moments between her Queen and The High Queen's sister, “Perhaps, Highness, the R'kin'dles only needed to be loved by the Elves."

The High Queen narrowed her eyes, thinking of the most harsh battle between the Elves and the R'kin'dles, “Do you think, Healer, that the Elves never prior learned this lesson?"

"I am most certain that Sle'nel’ has, but that most certainly is because she is the Healer of Hearts, but I don't think the long-prior Elves did. Perhaps Is'en'nel’ had thought of such, and others with who she communicated. You could ask her of this prior to her final departure. But just a thought, Highness—have you asked yourself why the Spirit Mothers had sought to breed a Mystic and a R'kin'dles into one?"

The High Queen jerked her head to The Healer, fully surprised in the statement, “Did you know of this, Healer?"

She shook her head, “No, my Queen, but I have often fully wondered as to their thinking in this. I know them overly well to think that they experimented only. They had a reason, Highness, but we know not what it was. Perhaps we are seeing it manifested in this moment."

San'lr'in’ looked at her sister once again, feeling an emotion that she had seldom felt in her most demanding of life, “Perhaps. I know this not. But I do know that I have a sister, Healer."