The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (34 page)

"How can they miss that which they have never had, Young One?"

She thought about it a moment, “Yes, my Queen. It is as you say."

"I look forward to your next display, Young One."

"Thank you, my Queen."

Having been dismissed, Sele’ went back toward Ern'seln’ and sat beside her.

"Apprentice-Master, I understand that the Young One from the Grandmother's dwelling is residing with you these turns. How does she fare?"

"She remains fearful, but glad she is removed from there, Highness. She is most grateful for her rescue. She seems to have many talents, but as yet displays them little."

"Do we know by what she is called, or who she is?"

"She is called by Roen. Only this we yet know, Highness."

The High Queen thought on the name a moment, “Roen.” She knew well the origin of the name but allowed it to pass silently for the moment, “You may bring her to the next meal, Ern'seln'. I would like to meet her."

"It shall be as you bid, Highness."

The High Queen turned her attentions to Mil'der'in, “Are you ready for our moment at the gates of El'fs'nd'lle, High Counselor?"

"Mostly, I am just curious, Highness. But the opportunity to see El'fs'nd'lle does provide me with a great deal of fascination. I will be pleased to meet with U'Aine'."

"Fon'elnn’ does seem a most interesting companion. And it has lasted for longer than an eve.” The High Queen smiled, knowing that Mil'der'in would see her kind intent in it.

Mil'der'in blushed, but nodded knowingly, “It would seem that I am as uncertain in my affairs as is The Highest of Woden. But I am most intrigued by the Master."

Sam laughed as well, “Then I feel most sorry for you, High Counselor, as I seem to be, as Jandra has said, a most fickle of lovers."

Ann'wn watched her Queen carefully, seeing that San'lr'in’ was yet slightly removed from The Realm. She knew this stance of her Queen well. As San'lr'in’ remained distant from her subjects, she yet appeared close as she asked questions of their welfare. Ann'wn guessed that having to endure what the Dark Sorcerer had done to Caitha, The Healer, and Sle'nel’ would have taken a heavy toll on her Queen. Given The High Queen's burden, she was pleased that San'lr'in’ had even agreed to sit among them at this moment. But she also noticed that her Queen provided little advice unless asked for since the ordeal with the Dark Sorcerer. She reminded herself to ask more questions of her Queen for a while.

When The High Queen was done speaking with all those around the fire, Ann'wn braced herself and asked her Queen a question, “My Queen?"

San'lr'in’ closed her eyes slowly, then reopened them and nodded to her, “You have no need of My leave while we sit around this fire, Force Leader."

"What are your plans for achieving the gates of El'fs'nd'lle, Highness?"

Finally, Ann'wn had asked the correct question. The High Queen looked at her, surprised that her Force Leader even asked it, “To use the underground passages, if need be."

"The underground passages? I know not of these. If I may, my Queen, may I ask why you have withheld this information?"

San'lr'in’ sighed, “I interfere into your affairs overly often, Force Leader, and wondered if perhaps you might find an even better solution than mine. And perhaps none of our enemies will be waiting, in which case the passages will not be needed."

"Will we be protected in these underground passages, my Queen?"

"Until we exit from them. And I know not who else may know of them. Only Sle'nel’ can gain entrance into them, though. So it is only the exit that becomes our issue, Force Leader, and I have not, as yet, solved this dilemma to My liking."

"But you have information coming that may answer your issues, Highness?"

"You speak truth, Force Leader. It is as you say."

The Healer rose, “Elf? May we leave for your tent so that I may inspect your wounds?"

Sle'nel’ looked at her Queen, seeing The High Queen nod, “Please, My Desire. For Me, if not for you?"

Sle'nel’ sighed, rose and went with The Healer.

San'lr'in’ continued the conversation with Ann'wn, “I presently assume that the long-prior loyal Masters stand steadfast at the gates, protecting them, but am verifying this information. I am also finding out if the Mungardies are present. I assume the Deep Mystics will all also be providing their protection to the gates and us. Our enemies may be well out-maneuvered, but I know not as yet."

"When will your sources inform you of such, Highness?"

"When will yours inform you of what you now seek?"

"Hopefully, next turn. No later than two turns, my Queen"

"Upon that moment, we will place what we know together and make our best determinations for the actions we will take, if need be."

"How long do you plan at El'fs'nd'lle, Highness?"

"I know not, as yet."

"Yes, my Queen. And when we return to the Valley, what will be our plans?"

The High Queen looked at Sam, “Two items. The Mungardies. Once and for all, either way. Peace, or death. Then to Woden."

Sam was pleased that San'lr'in’ was yet planning on visiting Woden, “Most excellent, Highness."

San'lr'in’ nodded, “It is our pleasure to do as such for you.” She studied Sam for a moment, pleased with her progress, “You often amaze Me, Sam of Woden. You readily face Me when you feel Me wrong in regard to others, but will not take such a stance in regard to yourself."

Sam blushed but looked her straight in the eyes, “I lost Jandra because I committed not to her and because she found the love she needed in you. When you removed yourself from her need, in your guilt, you neglected her as much as I had done."

San'lr'in’ closed her eyes for a brief moment, thinking on Sam's comment. She nodded, “You speak truth. But this wasn't easy to see at the moment. I had many questions."

"As much as I yet need her at the moments, I can see it in her eyes that she needs you. Even as she lay upon the cot when we were about to remove her from the cave, she asked about you. Believe me, Sister, if you lose such as this, you will regret it as I do, if not more. But I now see that you have made your way to returning fully to The Realm and to her. By the way, Sister. I require a favor of you."

"What would you have from Me?"

"I must return to Woden. I am Highest and have remained apart overly long. I request that the Sorcerers who now train me accompany me. I cannot risk more moments apart, and cannot return with the Sorcerers to their lands, Highness."

"It shall be so, Highest of Woden. This is an easy enough request. Do you require further from Me?"

"Prepare yourself for Woden, Sister."

She laughed lightly, “As you say, we will be most pleased to visit your lands. How long would you have us to remain?"

"Five or six turns, at minimum, if this be agreeable to you."

"Whatever you wish, Sister. I find Myself most intrigued in this request. But I will also heed your warnings well on the personal issue, and appreciate your open candor. I receive little enough of this."

"I am unafraid of you in this regard, Highness."

"And I am grateful for such. When will you leave for Woden?"

"I wish to see El'fs'nd'lle’ prior for a moment, and will then take my leave."

The Healer had asked Sle'nel’ to remove most of her garments, and then to lie upon her bed. Sle'nel’ didn't wish anyone near her again, with the exception of her Queen, but gave in begrudgingly.

The Healer examined her carefully, trying to get Sle'nel’ involved in conversation, but to little avail, “Where are your worst pains?"

"Knee. Shoulder."

The Healer hid her surprise at the extent of Sle'nel's wounds, and even felt her pain yet hidden deeply within her mind. Upon seeing the wounds, she well understood why her Queen had taken the incident so heavily. Sle'nel's shoulder was yet severely harmed, as was her knee.

"Bend your knee for me, if you can, gently so."

Sle'nel’ had been limping badly since she was able to walk again, as the pain was great. The Dark Sorcerer's torture had extended well into the joint structure. In spite of the pain, Sle'nel’ bent her knee, moaning slightly.

"Good. It yet bends, and will heal, but the damage is great. I will supply some more healing to this wound, and I will provide some ointment for the pain and swelling."

She then examined her wounded breast, “This looks good and is quite healed, but I will supply you with some ointment to place on it to prevent the scarring effects. It will also help it to heal more quickly. The same for your thigh."

"Are we yet finished, Healer?"

"Not as yet, Elf.” She placed her hand on Sle'nel's shoulder and provided as many healing powers as she could presently spare, “This wound is yet in need of much healing, but seems to be healing from the inside to the outer side. This is most excellent. Your muscles in this area have been well damaged, but across the moments these also will improve. You will have to use them in order to regain them, but not as yet."

She then placed her hand upon Sle'nel's midsection. Sle'nel’ resisted, “No. There is no need for this. Go now, Healer."

The Healer didn't move, but kept feeling in the midsection, “Patience, Elf. This must be done. You have allowed no knowledge in this regard, but it must be determined if there was any damage."

"No."

Sle'nel’ began to move, but The Healer held her down lightly. Softly, while looking upon her, she said, “Patience, Elf. Perhaps you recall that I was there. I recall this incident well. I know what he did to you."

"That does not make it the easier."

After enough moments of being sociable, San'lr'in’ left the circle to tend to her own private needs. She entered quietly into her first meditation, then her second, and on until she arrived to her sixth. While there, she attended to her powers as well as to her place within The Realm.

The Healer had finally completed her care of Sle'nel', then walked with her to find San'lr'in'. When they arrived to The High Queen, without a word, San'lr'in’ held her hand out to Sle'nel'. Sle'nel’ didn't know how she could tell of her presence, but took San'lr'in's hand willingly into her own.

San'lr'in’ removed herself from her meditations, turning to The Healer and her lover, “Tell Me, Healer. How fares Our Elf?"

"She recovers quickly, High One. You have done well in the healing of us."

"I could find no permanent physical damage. Did you find this truth as well?"

"If we continue to tend well to her healings, all will be well, High One."

"Then it shall be so, Healer. Is there anything I might do for you?"

"No, my Queen. I will take my leave, with your permission."

The High Queen nodded, then touched The Healer's face softly with her hand, “Thank you, Healer. What would I do without you?"

The Healer blushed, but touched her Queen's hand lightly in return, “And I you, my Queen. A good eve to you."

The High Queen turned to her lover. She placed her hands on Sle'nel's shoulders, in spite of the great wound. She gazed into Sle'nel's eyes, “My Desire. I have had much to think on since the Dark Sorcerer crossed our paths."

"You have no need to—"

She interrupted, needing to provide her carefully considered words, “Allow Me, My Desire. It needs saying. You must have this option. We can go no further in our union unless I provide this to you. When you agreed to come to My bed and into My life, I was overjoyed, and even yet find Myself trembling in your presence. But I am High Queen and I failed to warn you well of what this means for our union. My being High Queen complicates and endangers your life because of it, as you now well know. I should have prepared you for these moments, but I didn't do as such. I failed you as I failed My duty. I cannot change the terrible moments that may come to occur, yet this was a most difficult of truths for Me to face. I will not be able to prevent all the terrible moments, no matter the care I take. Because of this, My Desire, you deserve the option to reconsider our life together. I have been unfair to you in My great desire and need of you. I must now allow you your freedom from such ... if that is your need.

"I have thought much on the meaning of love of late. I have determined that if I truly love you, and if My love extends beyond the mere selfish moments, then in My love of and for you, I would be able to accept your needs, whatever they may be. If you desire your freedom from our most dangerous of unions, then it is yours to have, Elf. I love you enough to accept this, if this be your need."

Sle'nel’ closed her eyes and tried to breathe. No one had ever given her such a gift, but a gift she didn't desire. She sighed, looked at her lover, then moved slowly but assuredly into her Queen, kissing her for many long moments.

After the kiss, San'lr'in’ waited, as she seldom assumed an answer until it was fully given. They gazed into each other's eyes, barely moving. Finally, Sle'nel’ responded, “Have you thought more on performing the Elfin ceremony with me?"

Sle'nel’ had given her answer: She wished to remain with her lover, forever. The High Queen laughed, feeling relieved and grateful, “If this be your desire, then so shall it be. I have denied Myself, and thus you, overly long."

Sle'nel’ blushed, “I yet make you tremble?"

San'lr'in’ kissed Sle'nel’ passionately. She responded softly but with great meaning, “I can barely remain standing when near you."

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"No, Force Leader. This will not be so."

"My Queen—"

"I have given you My command, Force Leader."

Ann'wn felt the weight of her Queen's stare and command, but knew that she needed to provide more safety to her, “These are the great Masters, Highness."

San'lr'in’ raised her eyebrow and frowned, “You question Me, Force Leader?"

"No, my Queen. I question them."

She sighed, looking well displeased, “Tell Me your option."

"That they remain without weapons."

She suddenly laughed, “You think this will matter to them, Force Leader? But I will accept this as so. You know them not, though."