The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (52 page)

Meekly, Torsn'dynl’ answered, “It is so, Highness, so that the line grows stronger, instead of weaker. There is nothing else. There are no schemes to have them take over The Realm, or such as this. Only to strengthen the line so as to prevent further plague upon them. I say truth, Highness. I vow this to you with my life."

San'lr'in’ sensed into her thoughts, then nodded her head lightly, “Yes. I sense you speak truly. But Is'en'nel', how can I be assured her mind wasn't planted with this seed, as well?"

After a moment, Is'en'nel’ responded, more hopefully, “I have a way, High Queen, for you to be fully assured across all the issues, but it will take some trust on your part."

"Tell Me."

Is'en'nel’ sent her thoughts to her privately. The High Queen nodded, “I agree to this."

Is'en'nel’ quietly slipped into The High Queen's mind, allowing The High Queen to have access to all her thoughts and knowledge. It was an act of desperation that caused much pain to The High Queen, but also caused many loss of moments for Is'en'nel'. But she did it willingly for The High Queen, for her daughter, for all these Elves, and for The Realm.

The Healer had been watching the moment carefully, fully guessing as to what now occurred. She was displeased that her Queen had consented to this so easily, but understood that her Queen felt there to be no other alternative. As had occurred with the Spirit Mothers, The High Queen was accessing all the knowledge and thoughts of the prior High Wizard Sorcerer, not an easy or painless task.

The High Queen stood perfectly erect as if nothing were occurring, but as The Healer placed her hand lightly upon her Queen's head, she could feel the inner turmoil and great pain. She sensed that her Queen had entered into her second meditation, surprised that The High Queen could do as such so rapidly as this, now,
Her strength grows daily, it seems.

Catch her, Healer.

Is'en'nel’ had sent a quiet and tired sounding message to The Healer, letting her know that their transfer was complete. The Healer saw that The High Queen had no intention of falling, so guessed that Is'en'nel's message was far more figurative. She sensed more deeply into her Queen's thoughts, then learned what Sle'nel's mother had meant by the statement.

You are in The Realm, my Queen. Hear your heart. Hear your breathing. Hear my thoughts.

Having connected to a half-living/half-dead Elf had caused a disturbing disorientation for The High Queen. She could no longer tell if she were in or out of The Realm, and struggled for balance in her mind.

Sle'nel’ waits for you, High One. Listen to the sound of my thoughts.

Come to me, High One.

Return to The Realm, Highness.

Hear your heartbeat, High One.

After many moments, The High Queen opened her eyes and re-oriented herself to the room and to the task at-hand.

"My Queen?"

She looked at her Healer, “I am fine, Healer. Thank you. Now we must make haste, as we need the assistance of the prior Elves, yet their voices will end for us overly soon.” She looked at Sle'nel', “Have you found the code that was given to you upon your birth, My Desire?"

Sle'nel’ nodded, “I think so."

San'lr'in’ turned to the Deep Mystics, “I will save My anger for later, but in truth, forgive your hesitancy. But to all those in The Realm, hear this—I fully expect that this will be the final moment in The Realm that information will be withheld from Me. I have no need, henceforth, of those who seek to control My reign. From hereon, no grace will be granted, no matter the issue, no matter the race, no matter the speaker."

She halted the issue, moving quickly to the next task, “Is'en'nel. Take the moment. It is now fully within your direction."

Is'en'nel’ hovered near her daughter's ear, “Daughter. You must give the spell through your staff. I cannot do this for you. As simple as this appears, there are none here except you that can command this of your staff. The first spell will undo the liquid spell while it will also lower the enclosures. When this is complete, another spell will be needed."

Sle'nel’ looked at San'lr'in', “Is all well and with your permission, High Queen?"

San'lr'in’ smiled gently at her, “I am fully satisfied. Return the Elves to our Realm, Elf. It is the moment."

Sle'nel’ raised her staff, then chanted the spell. As with some spells, a few sparks and a little smoke came from the staff, a disappointing magical effect to some, but with great strength. Everyone looked to the yet sleeping Elves, watching the liquid slowly make its descent into a now uncovered hole at the foot of each of them.

No movement of the Elves was yet seen, but as soon as the liquid left, the glass enclosures began to also descend, exposing the Elves fully to the room. Sle'nel’ bowed her head while raising her staff yet again, holding it straight out from her right side. She chanted a longer spell, then breathed in deeply. As she did as such, so did all the prior encased Elves, breathing their first breath in many prior cycles.

San'lr'in’ began to sense all the other half-living/half-dead now about her, sensing that there were nearly as many as the Elves that were now being awakened. She could sense that they each hovered near one of the returning Elves, watching over them.

"Do they all breathe?"

The Healer nodded, “All but seven, Highness."

Is'en'nel’ had provided The Healer with the ability to hear the now occurring communication between all the spirit Elves, allowing her to know of the wellness of the returning Elves, in case her assistance as a Healer was needed. The Healer watched the returning Elves with a deep fascination that such a thing could occur.

"All but seven? And you do nothing?"

"They are trying to revive them at this moment. They have not yet asked for my assistance."

All watched in amazement as the Elves began to return to the living. A few of the Deep Mystics’ ancestors had been told when the long prior Elves had managed to place these Elves into their long sleep, but no one now in the room had been in The Realm at that moment. After all these long cycles, everyone now in the room watched the Elves as they returned, and felt deeply honored in the moment.

San'lr'in’ watched as the seven not yet breathing seemed to grow weaker, not yet beginning movement of any kind, “Healer?"

"It doesn't look good for them, Highness. But they yet try."

"The unborn ones within them?"

"I yet know not of this, High One, and they say nothing in this regard."

Sle'nel’ raised her staff yet again, chanting another spell, ending it in the same fashion by taking a deep breath.

The Healer saw one of them breathe in fully, then another, “Two of them, Highness, return."

"The remaining five? What is being done?"

"The Elfin voices speak with them, telling them what they must do."

San'lr'in’ thought it not enough, “Is'en'nel'. Can nothing more be done for these five? The Healer could be of great assistance."

Is'en'nel’ was watching over the five, also well concerned, “I wish that there were something she could do. Healer, if you desire as such, please give an effort."

The Healer quickly went to one of them, laid the Elf upon the ground, then hit her fist strongly against the Elf's heart, over and over again. She gave the Elf some of her own breath, then hit her chest yet again. Suddenly, the Elf gasped, taking her first breath in overly many cycles. The Healer smiled, then moved to the next Elf.

Is'en'nel’ sounded sad, “No need on this one, Healer. She has died."

"There are yet some moments."

She did the same to the one Is'en'nel’ thought was dead, continuing the pattern for a few moments, when suddenly, this Elf also took in a great breath. “You give up overly easily, High Wizard Sorcerer. This one now lives."

Sle'nel’ had repeated the chant and spell with her staff, hoping to coax the remaining three into life as she had done with another. Try as she might, the Elves didn't respond. While The Healer and Sle'nel’ were doing as they could, both San'lr'in’ and Sume’ began helping with the other two, Sume’ refraining from touching an Elf without approval, as a R'kin'dles was unable to do as such, but sending her own magic upon her. Both succeeded, then turned and saw Sle'nel’ frantic over a now-dead Elf.

The Healer came over and placed her hand upon the Elf's stomach, “The unborn yet lives. We must save it."

Is'en'nel’ sounded hopeful, but saddened at the Elf's death, “You can save the child?"

The Healer nodded, “Ann'wn. I need your knife."

Caitha came near, “I can help in this, but the child is overly young."

The Healer nodded, “You can pull the unborn out as I pull the muscles away. The unborn looks to be two moons overly early, so you are correct in this. Her chances of life are limited, but her death is most certain if we give no attempt."

Ann'wn crouched down next to The Healer and handed her the knife, “You are most brave, Healer."

The Healer looked at her lover, grateful for the needed support, but said nothing as she looked back down upon the now dead Elf. With great skill and urgency, she made the cut needed to remove the unborn babe, taking caution not to harm her. When she was completed in the cut, she moved the tissues apart, “Now Caitha. Quickly, remove the unborn."

Caitha did as she had done upon many moments in Woden, removing the child carefully but quickly, then removed all the debris and wetness from her mouth and nose, placing her own breath carefully within her, helping her to breathe.

The Healer's hands were now well bloodied. Ignoring as such, she placed her hand upon the child's chest, feeling for the heartbeat, “Good Caitha. Keep doing as such. Gently."

Many moments passed as all the others looked on in desperation, “Does she live?"

The Healer ignored all the comments now occurring about her, “Is'en'nel'. Speak to this one. Compel her to come into The Realm."

Is'en'nel’ spoke softly to her for a few moments, then said, “I am most saddened in this one's loss. She was destined to be the next leader of the Elves. She is descended from a long line of great Elfin queens."

San'lr'in’ was fully surprised in Is'en'nel's statement, not having thought of such. She looked upon the babe, then felt into Is'en'nel's mind for a moment. She sensed the great deepness and sadness of the statement.

It is truth. She considers this one as most special.

The High Queen made Caitha to halt in giving the babe her breath, then gently placed her hand upon the newborn, moving some of her own energy into her. She closed her eyes, fully focusing on the little one's heart. Slowly and with great gentleness, she reminded the young one's heart to beat, as she also slowly reminded the young one's lungs to take in some air.

Gently. Don't force this young one. Let her come willingly into The Realm.

She transferred yet a little more energy,
Come into The Realm, Young One. You are greatly needed. Your Elfin Queen awaits your assistance. You have much before you, Young One. And as High Queen, I have much need of you. Come to us, Little Great One. Come to all those who now await you.

Is'en'nel’ touched into San'lr'in's thoughts,
It is enough, High Queen. She has died.

San'lr'in’ refused to give up on the Young One, gently pushing more of her own energy into the little one's fragile body,
The Realm awaits you, Young Princess. Come see the now returned Elves. They await you, Young One
.

She pushed a little further urgency onto the Young One's lungs and heart, then sent her more thoughts,
The Elves have great need of you, Little One. Come to us. We need you.

Quietly and with the smallest of movements, the Little One finally breathed on her own, and finally made her heart to beat. The High Queen listened in amazement, slowly removing her own energy away from the Young One's heart and lungs, as the Young One now fought to do it on her own.

When the newborn was breathing steadily, with a strong heartbeat, San'lr'in’ smiled, took her gently out of Caitha's arms, and held her up high, “We welcome you, Ly'strl'n, Future Elfin Queen."

The Deep Mystics smiled, well pleased in their High Queen's actions and success, now knowing why she had taken such effort with this one. They went up to The High Queen, surrounding the Future Queen of El'fs'nd'lle. As The High Queen lowered the newly born to their height, they each placed their hands upon the Young Ly'strl'n, “We bid you welcome, Future Queen."

San'lr'in’ looked for Sle'nel'. When she saw her, she smiled and held out the newly born to her, “She is partially of your line, My Desire. She will serve you until your moments are completed, and then she will take her place as the Elfin Queen."

Sle'nel’ came over to her, touching San'lr'in', then touching the newly born, “Of my line, my Queen?” She looked upon the newly born, then kissed her gently upon her head, “I know not what we bring you into, in this vast and great Realm, but we will be here for you, Young One."

Sele’ also came over, “May I speak with her, Aunt High Queen? She and I are to rule at the same moments, so we are like sisters in this regard."

San'lr'in’ gave the child to Sle'nel', who then bent down to Sele's level, “Share your thoughts with her, Birth-Daughter, as you are sisters. If she is of my line, then you are related to her."

Sele’ touched Ly'strl'n gently, with great awe. Softly, she repeated her Mother's words, “Sisters. I have a sister."

Is'en'nel’ spoke to San'lr'in's thoughts,
You are an even greater and stronger High Queen than I could ever have imagined. Thank you for this gift you give to us, Highness. Thank you for saving this one and giving her some of your life saving powers.

San'lr'in’ ignored the statement, but was secretly pleased in the moment. She looked around the room for the first moment in many, seeing all the newly returned Elves, “What are we to do with them? And who will now tend to this Future Queen who now has no Birth-Mother?"

Is'en'nel’ laughed aloud, startling everyone, “You brought her into The Realm, Highness, so you are her Birth-Mother."

San'lr'in’ jerked back, shocked, “This is not truth. The Healer and Caitha did as such."