The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (44 page)

The High Queen then once more looked around the arena while asking Sle'nel', “Do your Elfin eyes see them, My Love?"

Sle'nel’ didn't know who they were, but had already seen for who The High Queen was searching. She motioned her head to the small group of very old looking women straight up from them, many tiers. They blended well into whatever background they were in, almost disappearing into it, but Sle'nel’ had sensed and smelled them.

They were all small, standing only to The High Queen's breast at their tallest, and slender. She motioned gently for them to come down, saying softly, “All is well. You are most welcome among us."

She explained to Sle'nel', “It is my guess that they have come to meet with you, My Desire. When the Elves left us, they were never seen in The Realm again, except on a rare occasion. They are a withdrawn race that trusted only the Elves."

Sle'nel’ looked upon the small woman/child before her, smiling gently to her, “Why are they called the Women in the Trees?"

"They live in such. Their dwellings are well disguised within the trees, much like these women are now. They make garments that blend into any background. It is how they entered through the guards without being seen. Being of the Deep Mystics, they trust not the Mystics or the humans. I never thought we would see them again. They live quietly upon The Realm, asking for nothing, but giving much in return."

The small messenger held tightly onto Sle'nel's garments, stroking her arm. When the other group of six women had arrived, they knelt and bowed their heads to Sle'nel', speaking to her only, and very softly in her own Elfin language, “Elfin Princess."

Sle'nel’ wasn't familiar with all the inhabitants of The Realm, but was surprised to hear her own language spoken so well from another. She spoke with them also in the Elfin language, “Please rise. You have no reason to kneel before me."

The old women rose, and all began to stroke Sle'nel's arms and body. Sle'nel’ allowed it, knowing that they were just reassuring themselves that she was real, and that she had passed their first test of the Elfin language.

The oldest of the group spoke to her, “We heard that an Elf had returned, and now we see that it was spoken in truth.” Tears were falling from her eyes, with no regard from her, “You have returned. And now, they will return."

"I have a Birth-daughter who is also part Elfin. Even R'lodin'lindor now has a companion—D'ron'stri'nil'.” The women looked pleased just to be standing next to Sle'nel', who was wondering why they had come, “What is it I might do for you, friends of the Elves?"

The oldest woman spoke, “It is rumored you are returning to the site of your Elfin home."

"It is so."

"Then you must visit with us prior, as we are the keepers to the entrance. We have been safeguarding the key until your return."

She nodded her agreement to the request and added, “We will be leaving within a few turns. Would you remain with us until then?"

"Thank you, Princess, but we cannot. We have much to prepare prior to your arrival."

"You need not prepare anything for me."

"But we must, Elfin Princess. There is a long message for you from your ancestors, and it is scattered throughout The Realm so as to remain safely hidden. We must return so as to gather the message together, prior to your arrival."

Sle'nel’ nodded her understanding, “Is there anything I might bring for you?"

"We would also like to see your Birth-daughter so she might know of us."

"I shall make it so."

"Then we must be off, Elfin Princess. But we leave with lighter hearts, as The Realm now is a softer place with the Elves’ return."

"But I am only one Elf, my friends."

The old woman nodded knowingly, grinning her secret, “For now. But it is in the songs of legend that with the return of the one Elf, the others also return. You and The High Queen will make it as so."

The old woman held out a small package to Sle'nel'. She took it, but looked quizzically upon it. The old woman said, “When you have a moment, Elfin Princess, study the pictures carefully."

Sle'nel’ looked with confusion to the old woman, but the old woman merely winked her response. Sle'nel’ knelt before her, bowing her own head to her, “I am only one, but will do as I am able to help the others return, if they are so able. This I pledge to you. But it saddens me that I must do so blindly and that I have come so late to my now unclear path."

The small group all placed their hands upon Sle'nel's head and shoulders, “Your path knowingly unfolds before you with each step you take. Follow your heart, Elfin Princess, as you alone are the restorer of The Realm's heart."

"How will I know where to visit with you?"

"Tell your horse by which I am called—Torsn'dynl'. She will bring you to me."

"And the others that travel with me?"

"They will be made welcomed while you are delivered the key."

She rose, “Thank you for coming to me. I knew not of you."

"We know of this. It was meant to be so until the correct moment. We take our leave now and will expect you soon. Travel safely. There are many that would rather see you dead than alive. The return of the Elves is not welcomed by all."

Sle'nel kissed each of them on the tops of their heads, then nodded to them, “May we at least re-supply your food, or give you guards for a safe return?"

"No thank you, Elfin Princess. We travel swiftly and unnoticed, and our food supply is quite excellent."

The oldest woman turned to San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. In the Elfin tongue, she spoke very slowly so that The High Queen could catch the words, “Take good care of her, High Queen. The Realm's heart now rests on her shoulders."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ knelt down to her and bowed her head. She then looked at her, and using what few Elfin words she knew, she spoke to her, “Queen Torsn'dynl'. We are all honored at your presence.” She had recognized the woman upon her arrival, and knew who stood before her.

Sle'nel’ was surprised that her own Queen knew of this woman who stood before them, and that this woman was a Queen in her own right.

Queen Torsn'dynl’ touched the top of San'lr'in'thel'ineln's head softly, and in The High Queen's own language, said, “You were a wise choice for The Realm, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. We didn't make this decision of ours lightly."

"I am gladdened that you have returned to The Realm, Honored Queen."

"Keep this Elf safe, High Queen. It is now your duty. She has given you a great prize by giving you her love. There is nothing greater than this. But you have earned it well by taking on the burden of ruling and making The Realm safe again. She is our single hope for the Elves’ return, Highness."

As she turned back to Sle'nel', Sle'nel’ bowed her head and said in her Elfin tongue, “Forgive me my disrespect, Queen Torsn'dynl'. I was unaware of your position."

She made a waving motion of her hand, dismissing the notion. In the Elfin language, she said, “It means nothing. You are all that matters, Sle'nel'. Just to be able to say an Elfin name to an Elf is more than I had hoped for before I die. You have chosen well in your lover, Elfin Princess. For a Mystic, she is the most loyal of all, and her heart is true. We chose her for High Queen because of her purity of heart. She will be unwavering for you. It took you a while to find her, and my heart was relieved when you finally did so, but then, it took a long while for The Realm to finally find you again. You were well hidden from all of us."

They all touched her once again, then began their journey home, walking up the stairs while disappearing into the background. By the moment they reached the top-tier, none but Sle'nel’ could see them. She waved to them as they walked off the top-tier then turned to her Queen, merely staring in disbelief. She held the package tightly to her, wondering as to its contents.

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ opened her arms for her, and Sle'nel’ stepped willingly into them, breathing out a great sigh.

All will be well, My Desire.

The weight of being an Elf grows. My heart grows heavy with this burden.

We will find a way to lift this weight together, My Desire. We will find a way to fly free of these burdens.

She looked up at her, “You know this woman?"

"I know her well.” To Sle'nel', the statement seemed to be said with some burden of truth. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ hesitated, then sighed deeply, “She was one of the ones to vote Me in as High Queen."

"Voted? Who?"

"The rulers throughout The Realm, such as her. Not the petty ones, but the long great ones. The Deep Mystics."

"Did they all vote for you?"

"I informed them that it would be unanimous, or they must find another."

Sle'nel’ laughed at this, “A true High Queen's statement."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ nodded, recalling the moment now through Sle'nel's eyes, “They said the same remark to Me, and then made it so."

The High Queen turned to Erthrn, “Where would you have us now, Queen Erthrn?"

Erthrn bowed her head, “A small meal gathering with your traveling companions in yet another room that has been built for your needs. It is a warm and inviting room like no other of yours."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ would have preferred to spend her moments alone with Sle'nel’ upon that most wonderful of islands and inside its cottage, but knew she needed to bend to Erthrn's needs. She looked down at Sle'nel', “Will this be fine for you, My Love?"

Sle'nel’ gave her package to Ann'wn, “Please keep this safe for me until later."

Ann'wn bowed her head, “It is my pleasure to do so for you, Princess."

Sle'nel’ looked back at San'lr'in'thel'ineln', “With you, anything is fine, my Queen.” She took her arm, then reached out with her other arm for Meera, “Where is Caitha? Off collecting more stories and songs?"

Meera nodded, glad to be with Sle'nel', “She should be meeting me soon. And it is as you say. She considers herself the keeper of the culture."

The High Queen looked at everyone, “Then let us meet in a short while at Queen Erthrn's next surprise for us. Warrior Woman of Woden, please inform Caitha I would like her to sing her songs of the Elves this eve. And Erthrn, if any of your singers know of such, if they would also attend us?"

Erthrn nodded. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked at Mil'der'in, “Mil'der'in, I would like you with us this eve. Uthrn, perhaps you could act as escort for her this eve, with Erthrn's permission of course."

Erthrn nodded, well appreciating that San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ was finding a distraction for Uthrn, “Of course, my Queen."

Uthrn looked at Mil'der'in, finding her very attractive, but not The Highest. Mil'der'in, however, had wanted to join with Uthrn, desiring her aggressiveness. She went to Uthrn and looped her arm through hers, “Would this be acceptable with you, Warrior?"

Uthrn caught the tone of Mil'der'in's statement, hearing the unspoken desires, and became interested. She nodded, “More than acceptable, High Counselor. I am most honored."

"And Ann'wn. Perhaps you wouldn't mind being our Healer's escort for the eve. She has informed Me that she takes the eve off from her potions. Would this be acceptable to you?"

Ann'wn nodded, surprised but well pleased by the request. But she worried what The Healer would think, “Of course, Highness."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ then said, “We take our leave until later, then."

Just prior to re-entering the Caves, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked at the sky, then at Sle'nel', “Just a moment, My Love.” She had heard a quiet noise well familiar to her.

She moved slightly away from Sle'nel’ so as to allow the great bird room to land, then held out her arm. The bird came diving down, pulling up at the last moment. When it landed upon her arm, The High Queen began to scratch the back of its neck while it gave her a message. The High Queen spoke to it using words and sounds that Sle'nel’ didn't understand, then said, “Find her. She must be found. Find both of them."

The bird replied, then cocked its head to Sle'nel'. The High Queen looked over to her, “Hold out your arm, Lover. The Great One has requested a meeting with you."

Sle'nel’ raised her eyebrows, but did as bid. The raptor jumped from The High Queen's arm to Sle'nel's with an easy effort then made a move to kiss her lightly upon her lips. With that, Sle'nel’ helped her to fly back into her own domain, far above from their cares in The Realm. Sle'nel’ had long prior made herself vow not to ask The High Queen about this bird. She observed that The High Queen used many sources for information, never informing the Mystics of the others, but always checking the information against other sources. Even not understanding the conversation between them, she guessed that The High Queen had asked the raptor to find either one of the Masters, or to find the leader of the Mungardies. She knew The High Queen hoped that if they could capture the Mungardies’ leader, they might avoid the battle. And Sle'nel’ knew, as few others did, that The High Queen was continually seeking and gaining information regarding The Realm, and using it to her advantage.

Once back in their room, Sle'nel’ began examining the new garments that had been provided to them for the eve. Her Queen had needed an extra moment with Erthrn, so Sle'nel’ had gone ahead to their room. She saw that the garments were informal, beautiful, yet surprisingly different from those in the Valley.

She saw the small package that had been given to her by the Women of the Trees. It was a small book now lying on the table. She picked it up and went to one of the long chairs near the fireplace, which had been started prior. She opened the book and saw that it was a book of drawings. An artist had penciled portraits of various figures throughout The Realm. She turned through the pages, finding one picture of the former High Queen. From the picture, she thought her a stunningly beautiful woman, but not as beautiful as San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. She thought that her eyes lacked in the intensity that her own lover's had, but didn't know if that was a trait of the former High Queen's, or the lack of talent in the artist. She turned the pages until she saw one drawing of an Elf. No name was given, but none was needed. As she looked upon the drawing, she felt she was looking upon herself. It was a drawing of her Mother. She wondered if Queen Torsn'dynl’ had given her the book so that Sle'nel’ could see this picture.