The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (25 page)

Sle'nel’ listened to her voice, remembering it. She wished she could remember their life together, “It is frightening to be without memories. I know not who to trust."

"And yet you come to My bed."

"I recall our battle against the Dungaras. My mind sees us fight together and your last words to me. You told me to remember you. I feel safe with you. I remember your touch and the sound of your voice."

Softly, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ said to her, “Close your eyes, My Elf."

Sle'nel’ did so. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ touched her hand to Sle'nel's face, then awkwardly, because of her injuries, moved her hand down Sle'nel's good arm, feeling her shiver. She moved closer to her, with much pain, giving her as passionate a kiss as could be expected with her injuries. Sle'nel’ placed her hand softly upon The High Queen's breast, resting it only on top of her garments.

Sle'nel’ moaned softly, “I remember this feeling with you, but cannot recall our life."

"It will come, My Desire."

Hearing a sound in her room, The High Queen sat up, stiffly and sorely. She turned toward her healer who she had heard come in, “What is it, Healer? Must I be allowed no privacy?"

"I am sorry, High One, but I must check yours and Sle'nel's wounds again. And then you must eat. You are scheduled to meet with your counselors this late morn, so you must become prepared. Your attendants send me in to check upon you as they are overly frightened of you and your temper."

"As you also should be, Healer."

The Healer laughed, “Whatever you desire, High One. Can you rise by yourself, oh Mean One?"

The Healer examined, and then changed The High Queen's bandages.

"I need My arm free of these wrappings."

"Your arm is not yet healed, High One. You could reopen the wound if you move it overly."

"Unwrap it. I cannot face the Counselors looking as if I were yet dying. I must look recovered."

The Healer did as needed, allowing The High Queen's arm to be unbound, but took great pains to wrap it enough to support its great wound. The attendants were then called in to help prepare The High Queen for the meeting. It was a difficult task due to her wounds, but was eventually completed, yet with much pain.

The Healer then helped Sle'nel’ rise, and examined her wounds. As the bandages were removed, The High Queen inspected them, “You didn't report to Me that her wound is infected."

"Considering the deepness of the wound, it is only minor and well under control, Highness. She is most improved and can begin moving about, but she needs to eat and drink far more than she presently does, High One."

"Then bring in some food and drink and we will eat together before I must leave. How is the swelling in her head?"

"Most improved, Highness. The swelling has almost completed its process."

The High Queen was feeling better from her attendants’ tendings. She had been lightly cleaned and her hair washed and brushed. Now in her Queen's garments, she was beginning to feel almost fully returned to The Realm. Dressing into her garments had been a challenge and most painful, but now that it was complete, she felt ready to begin what she could of a normal turn.

She turned to her attendants, “Return after I leave and tend to Sle'nel'. It will make her to feel improved to be prepared for the turn. After the meeting, I will return for her. We will take our late-after-midturn meal in the small dining hall. Please have My sister, Meera and her companion in attendance, along with Mil'der'in and Ann'wn, if they can. Have a sweet prepared for our Elf."

As they ate, The High Queen watched Sle'nel’ again, wondering at how such a loss of memory would feel like, “Do you recall much of the battle, My Love?"

"There were some others with us. The Caitha woman was one, and Ann'wn was another. I know not who the others were, but I can recall four more. I recall not who we fought against."

The High Queen wondered if Sle'nel’ would recall anything of Meera or her former lover upon seeing them at midturn. She watched Sle'nel’ eat, curious if her mind yet desired the same types of foods. She noticed that she did, seeing that Sle'nel’ preferred the small vegetable and pasta type dishes to any of the meat.

"You gave me an image of Ann'wn walking in upon us. It wasn't this room."

"It was at the Sacred Isle. We were visiting with our Spirit Mothers of the Valley. While there, we learned that you had been raised among them for a while. Your Birth-Mother was yet there and you met with her for a brief moment before she died. She gave you her memories, as well as your Elfin-Mother's memories and Elfin powers."

She sent an image of her Birth-Mother's funeral to her. Sle'nel’ narrowed her eyes, focusing upon the image. It looked like a sad moment to her, but was nothing she could recall.

"Are we companions?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ wondered about this term, then remembered, laughing lightly, “No, My Love. We have no such thing in the Valley. Woden, the town in which you used to live, had as such. Your Highest was your companion for a short while. We have no such custom as this. But we are lovers. It is somewhat the same."

Sle'nel’ nodded, not understanding, but accepting it as truth. She felt frustrated, “I feel trapped inside my own head. I know not what to do. I know not where to go, and I know not how to act. How am I supposed to act with you?"

"We are lovers. Although I am Queen, between us it means nothing. We are equals in our union.” She saw that Sle'nel’ had eaten a great deal, surprised, “Are you feeling improved, My Love?"

Sle'nel’ was yet eating, feeling starved. She looked at San'lr'in'thel'ineln', and in all seriousness said, “I remember that while in the Valley, there seems to be never enough to eat. Are the food reserves low?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ laughed, clutching her hand to her side at the pain, finding the remark very humorous, “Eat all you desire, My Love. We have much food. We just never seem to have the moments."

Nodding at the statement, Sle'nel’ continued to eat, “You go to a meeting. What be this meeting about?"

She sighed, “My counselors wish to reprimand Me for risking Myself."

"Are others allowed to attend this meeting?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ raised an eyebrow, uncertain if Sle'nel’ was strong enough. She also wondered if Sle'nel’ would be able to understand the purpose of the meeting, “Would you like to attend?"

"Perhaps."

The High Queen laughed, once again clutching her hand to her side, hearing Sle'nel's word. Sle'nel’ looked at her as if she had gone crazy, “Why is this humorous?"

"You never say that word, My Desire. It is My word. You remembered it and took it for your own. But decide for yourself regarding the meeting. I must now leave. If you wish to come, the attendants will show you where it is."

The High Queen rose and kissed Sle'nel’ on the top of her head, “I love you, My Elf."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ went to her meeting, walking slowly and mindfully of her wounds. While she looked much improved, The High Queen well felt her pronounced pain and knew that this meeting would be a great test of her will. As she neared the door, she saw Ann'wn waiting for her.

Ann'wn kneeled, painfully, and bowed her head, “My Queen."

"Rise, you old fool. Why do you wait out here?"

Ann'wn was usually a part of every counselor meeting so that the Counselors could update themselves on the battles and the Valley's forces, as needed, “I await you only, Highness."

She studied Ann'wn for a moment, “So, you became tired of their foolishness."

Ann'wn nodded, “Battling Dungaras is far easier."

The High Queen laughed lightly, “Not a good sign.” They entered through her door. As they did, the Counselors and High Counselors all stood from their seats, kneeling and bowing their heads to her, “High Queen."

"Please rise. Good morn, Counselors. High Counselors. It is good to see you again."

The High Queen saw that she was forced to sit at the front of the round table with the Counselors seated away from her. She knew she was in for a long meeting and much complaining about what they considered as her lack of responsibility to The Realm. Forgetting momentarily about her wounds, she breathed in deeply. As she did, she clasped her side injury and groaned slightly at the pain, instantly sorry she did, seeing that her counselors shook their heads in dismay. She could see that they were well angered that she had placed herself at such risk.

The meeting began easily enough with the Counselors asking her to retell the story of the battle against the Dungaras, and of her moments in the Sacred Isle. She looked at Mil'der'in, knowing that Mil'der'in had informed them of the story, but Mil'der'in only shrugged and frowned. The High Queen guessed that she had told them of it to help, but that they now used Mil'der'in's version against her as further evidence. She sat and listened to them yelling at her, trying to believe what Ann'wn had said of them was true, that they did so only because they were afraid of losing her.

"Are you listening, Highness?"

She wasn't.

She couldn't lounge as she usually did, and found herself most agonized, “Huh? Oh, yes. My apologies, Counselor. My wounds just make sitting as long as this most uncomfortable.” She rose, choosing to stand for a while, instead, hoping they would take the hint.

They didn't.

She tried not to lose her patience with them, as their task was a most difficult one. Aside from her as Queen, they were the Valley's leaders. She felt they had a right to become angry with her if they felt she placed the Valley in jeopardy.

Ann'wn rose, “My Honored Counselors, I wish to speak on The High Queen's behalf."

Although Mil'der'in was the High Counselor, she didn't control the Counselors unless necessary. One of the Counselors spoke, “Sit down, Ann'wn. We will hear you later."

Another Counselor began to speak yet again of The High Queen's misbehavior, “Do you understand why we are so upset, Highness? You placed yourself at great risk. The Valley and The Realm need you, yet you go wandering about, endangering yourself, and thus endangering us all."

Another Counselor spoke, “Tell us why you think you needed to do this. I am curious as to why you think you should have gone. Could your forces not have taken Far'lin'ter'il to the Spirits? And would you
please
sit down instead of pacing about?"

The High Queen sighed, remaining as she was. One-by-one the counselors chastised her for what they considered was improper in her position as High Queen and Queen. She listened to them throughout the long morn as they voiced their concerns and displeasure of her actions, all the while feeling herself weakening from her now raging pain. Mil'der'in saw that her Queen was beginning to turn quite pale, guessing it was from the pain. The High Queen tried sitting again, struggling to remain alert to their needs, but was unable to find any position, sitting or standing, that allowed relief from the pain's quickly growing intensity.

"Highness? Did you hear me? You may tell us your side, now."

She closed her eyes, forcing herself to remain alert. She focused on removing her pain for a moment, then focused upon her breathing. She breathed in as deeply as she dared, then opened her eyes, wishing she were back in her bed. She rose, stiffly and sorely, feeling very unstable. She was uncertain if she could remain with enough strength to reach even the middle of her statement, “My Counselors—"

As she began, Sle'nel’ stepped forward, having heard the last of the counselors concerns, and seeing San'lr'in'thel'ineln's weakening condition. She had entered a few moments prior, “Forgive my intrusion, Honored Counselors. I meant to come earlier but found getting dressed into garments a most miserable and painful experience. If I may?"

The Counselors rose, then knelt and bowed their heads to her, “Elfin Princess."

"Oh, please rise. This be not necessary. Highness, may I provide the answer for you?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ was fully surprised, wondering what her Elf was doing. She sat down, nodding to Sle'nel', confused, and quickly losing touch with The Realm. She felt her head spinning out of control. But she was also pleased, knowing that this would give her a moment to regain her energy in case the Counselors overwhelmed Sle'nel'. The Healer had entered with Sle'nel', quietly going to her High Queen, and even more quietly helping to remove some of her great pain.

She whispered, “Focus on your breathing."

The High Queen nodded, feeling quite ill, hoping her Healer could help.

Sam and Meera had also entered, standing near The High Queen. Sle'nel’ introduced them, “I am most certain that you know Sam'r'in'thel'ineln', the Highest of Woden, and Meera, the Warrior Woman of Woden, in charge of Woden's forces. But allow me to begin, on The High Queen's behalf. I know full well that perhaps she shouldn't have take such risks as these, as more than anyone else in The Realm, I treasure her and wish her to live long as The High Queen of The Realm. But allow me to tell you the story of why we, The Highest, Meera and I, felt such a trip necessary."

Sle'nel’ told the counselors of how the Old One had betrayed The Realm, of all the betrayals of Sam, of Jandra, of Woden, and of San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. Like a true Elf, she stood in front of them, unafraid, and told the tale of betrayal, of lies and corruption in the way only a true Elfin Faerie could do. She made the tale mesmerizing and compelling. She told of how the three sisters had been denied the pleasure of knowing one another, how the Old One had lied to everyone, including the Spirits of the Valley, of A'lon'lden and Yyeoiraa, and their baby. She told of R'lodin'lindor and the new flying unicorn within The Realm. She told every tale that she could piece together from what Sam and Meera had told her.

Then she concluded, “You see, Most Honored Counselors, only The High Queen could have made the Spirits of the Valley and the High Wizard Sorcerer obey her commands. They were truly well out of control. Who else could have done as such? And even as we speak, while it is the truth that she shouldn't have battled over two hundred-fifty Dungaras and placed herself at such risk as this, this in itself has helped to uncover yet another betrayal, as these Dungaras knew that we were coming toward them at that moment. Someone told them of when we were to leave the Sacred Isle. So, Counselors, at some moments such risk is necessary, although should perhaps, as you suggest, be more closely considered. But I most humbly would suggest that The High Queen should decide some issues, especially when betrayal is all about. How would she know whom to trust? Would you have her trust every one of those that are about her? If she had done so in this instance, the betrayals would have been left uncaught. Thank you, Most Honored Counselors, for your patience with my overly drawn out account."