The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (66 page)

Queen Torsn'dynl’ nodded, accepting the statement, “You have been told that the High Council is here. Are you prepared to now meet with them?"

San'lr'in’ bowed her head slightly, “I am at your service while I am in your company.” Sle'nel’ sensed it wasn't with pleasure that she said as such.

"They await you now."

"To your will, Queen Torsn'dynl'."

Torsn'dynl’ led them to the meeting room. As they entered, Sle'nel’ was surprised to see so many of them, and so many different types of Mystics. Torsn'dynl’ motioned to San'lr'in’ and Sle'nel', “You all well know our High Queen of The Realm, San'lr'in'thel'ineln', and now you meet The Realm's Elf, Sle'nel'.

Each of the Deep Mystics rose, and one-by-one came to their Elf, touching her and kissing her hand. After a few of them, Sle'nel’ was introduced to one she had very recently heard of, “Our most honored Elf, I welcome you. And you will soon be visiting our town where we have a great surprise for you. I am Lrn'drn', Queen of the Waifs."

"I am honored, my Queen."

She met the leaders of all the Deep Mystics who had voted in her lover as High Queen, and was amazed. She had assumed that the ones to vote her in as High Queen were the Mystics, such as in the Valley. After they each introduced themselves to their Elf, Queen Torsn'dynl’ convened the meeting. San'lr'in’ couldn't tell their intentions, but guessed that they wouldn't be to her liking.

Torsn'dynl’ motioned to the Elf, “Our Sle'nel'. We must meet with The High Queen alone. Please wait outside the doors. We apologize for this ... inconvenience."

Sle'nel’ looked at Torsn'dynl', then to her lover. She saw that San'lr'in’ nodded her acceptance.

But a memory stirred in Sle'nel's mind; a memory that had been given to her by her mother, “I remain here as the only Elf left in all The Realm. It is my privilege, as has been granted me by my Elfin-Mother. She also sat within your ranks, as one of the Deep Mystics. It is now my due, and I now invoke my right."

Torsn'dynl’ was clearly surprised, and somewhat upset by Sle'nel's surprise move, “But, our High Queen is your lover, and it will create an interference."

San'lr'in’ was intrigued by her lover, never knowing her to be so strong as to stand up against all the Deep Mystic leaders across the entire realm.

"Then consider me as her advocate. I know that this has been done prior.” Sle'nel’ stood defiant, looking as one of the now-lost great Elves, steadfast in her decision.

"San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. What do you have to say about this?” Torsn'dynl’ was hoping that San'lr'in’ would provide a voice of rationality.

Sle'nel’ moved slightly forward, raising her hand to her lover to prevent her from speaking, “She also has no right to remove me from this High Council. She is a Mystic only, but I am of the Deep Mystics. This is my birthright and my due. Either except me now, as is your duty, or I will call the official charge of injustice against the table."

"You know of this?” Torsn'dynl’ was surprised, but Sle'nel’ noticed that some of the other Deep Mystics were grinning slightly at the argument.

"This hesitation halts now, or I will invoke the charge. Where is my seat?"

Torsn'dynl’ was quite visibly upset with this, but N'orn'nntil', Queen of the Women of the Waters rose, laughing, “Torsn'dynl'. Leave her. She is correct. You know that her mother sat with us. Besides, it is good to have an Elf returned to our table. Their voice of Elfin reason has been long missed."

The others nodded in agreement. Torsn'dynl’ shook her head, but yielded, “Take any empty seat, Elf. You are correct. It is your due."

Once Torsn'dynl’ and Sle'nel’ were seated, Ersh'delrin', Queen of the Mystics of the Winds, stood and addressed the table and The High Queen, “I, as head of this convening, begin this deep matter between us.” She motioned to a chair, “High Queen of The Realm, please sit among us."

San'lr'in’ was now intrigued. She knew that if they were to reprimand her that they would keep her standing, so guessed that this was now another issue. She sat, listening.

Ersh'delrin’ continued, “High Queen. You honor us with your presence. Many cycles prior, all of us now at this table voted you in as The High Queen of The Realm. We have not gathered since that moment, leaving The Realm to your care. You have experienced many trials in your reign, and have held true to your vows, of which we are most pleased. But this has not surprised us. Your reign has been a great one, perhaps the greatest of all our eons. And with much surprise to all of us, you have returned the Elf to her rightful place. You have chosen wisely in this partnership, you have brought together the needed components to complete the collective, you have saved the Future Supreme Sovereign, and you have made many correct but overly harsh decisions for the better of The Realm. Sadly, they have weighed heavily upon you, but this couldn't be helped. Even more sadly, I must say that of all your challenges though, your greatest ones are yet to come. It is for this reason that we have assembled this turn. And for which we are most embarrassed. But we meet to place our ... misjudgment ... to the right."

She sat, and Torsn'dynl’ rose, “We gave you many powers long prior in hopes that you would use them wisely and with discretion, and in hopes that you would be able to use them so that you could remain alive long enough to save The Realm. This you have done far better than we dared hoped. As N'orn'nntil’ has spoken, you have remained true to your vows, and you have pleased us well. In response to your excellence, we find ourselves embarrassed for what we have given you ... for we have given you little support, no encouragement, and much difficulty. We were aware that the Spirit Mothers were, shall I say, somewhat misguided, yet we did nothing. We were in fact aware of many of the difficulties that you have handled so well, yet we remained aloof from your struggles. To make ourselves feel better about this, we rationalized that we were testing you, to make certain of your strength and courage. You have done so well that we now find ourselves more than embarrassed. You have truly become The High Queen of all The Realm."

She sat, and Ersh'delrin’ rose once again, “Long prior, when we first voted you in as High Queen, we remained uncertain of your ... well ... of your commitment, due to a prior High Queen's lack of such. Because of this, we withheld a few powers from you. Sadly, they are the greatest powers of them all. It is for this reason for which we are embarrassed. We should have given you these powers long prior, but were afraid, our Queen. It is now the moment, and we now give all that you will need, and all that we have to give, freely and openly, knowing you will use them well. No longer will we doubt your abilities, Highness. You have our absolute trust in your reign, and have long deserved to hear us say this to you. You have protected The Realm well. Please stand, High Queen."

One-by-one, each of the Deep Mystics came up to The High Queen, knelt and bowed their head before her, and pledged their high esteem to her. San'lr'in’ was astonished at their statements and actions, knowing how proud and withheld these Deep Mystics were. She was also surprised that they had withheld powers from her. She now knew why they hadn't wished Sle'nel’ to remain in the room, as they didn't wish her to know of their embarrassment.

When they were done, she paced across the room for a moment. She didn't quite know what to say. She was slightly hesitant regarding taking on more powers, knowing that adding the great powers to her already existing ones could be extremely difficult, and perhaps immeasurably painful. She had gone through much in her reign and doubted that she could willingly endure the pain that these would cause, however temporary it would be. Yet she knew that when The Realm was finally to face the long uninvited humans from so distant, all The Realm's powers would have to be for once, firmly focused. And she knew that she was meant to be the one to focus those powers.

San'lr'in’ looked to her lover. She didn't wish Sle'nel’ to witness what was to occur, knowing that it would be difficult to hear and watch. She then looked at Torsn'dynl', “This is why you inquired whether or not My Healer traveled with Me."

Torsn'dynl’ nodded, “We apologize, High Queen. We recognize that this would have been far easier in your younger cycles. We apologize for what you now face. We must make it right, though."

San'lr'in’ nodded, “Please have her sent for."

She looked back to Sle'nel', knowing that Sle'nel’ would only leave her side if commanded. Even then, San'lr'in’ was uncertain if she would go, “Elf. Do you accept Me as your High Queen, even over us as lovers?"

Seeing how serious her lover was, Sle'nel’ rose, moved to her, then knelt and bowed her head, “You are my High Queen. But you are also my love. And it is my due to sit at this table."

San'lr'in’ saw that this wouldn't be easy, “This is not for you to see, and you must trust Me.” She looked to Torsn'dynl', “You must find a way to remove her from this room. She must not witness this."

Sle'nel’ argued, “No. You cannot remove me. I have a right to be at your side, no matter what you now face. I stood by and watched as Sam faced much pain at the hands of her Spirit Mothers. I can take whatever now faces you. And you will need me, my Love. I want to be here for you."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ shook her head, saddened to have to make Elf so unhappy as this, “You cannot. You have never prior seen as such. Go, My Love. They will bring Me to you when all is complete."

Torsn'dynl’ went to Sle'nel', “We can see that you understand that your love will now have to endure much pain in this process, and we can see that you wish to be here for her, but you shouldn't, as nothing can interfere with this process, or she may die. It will be overly harsh for you to remain silent and still. You will not be able to endure this pain with her. It is for her that you should leave, as any noise or movement from you could create an interruption, ensuring her death."

Ersh'delrin’ came up to her, “These are the most difficult of all our powers, as well as our most dangerous and commanding. She needs these, yet are most difficult to transfer. In fact, my Elf, never have these powers been transferred to other than a Deep Mystic. In spite of all her great abilities, our High Queen is but little of the Deep Mystics, so will endure much pain. But she will be fine when the process is complete. It is why we have called for her Healer. But you must trust us. And you must now leave willingly, or we will have to make you do so."

Sle'nel’ didn't like what she was hearing. She looked to her lover, “San'lr'in', my Love. Don't make me leave. I trust them not. I must remain for you."

Softly, and with saddened eyes, “You must leave, My Desire. You must. Make Me not command it so. Please trust that I will be well tended."

Sle'nel’ began to plead, her voice breaking, “Please..."

San'lr'in’ knew she couldn't allow her to remain. She turned from her, no longer able to face her, knowing she would give in to her otherwise. She looked at Ersh'delrin', “Please take her from here. She cannot witness this."

Sle'nel’ was crying, trying to go to her lover, but prevented by the others, “No, my Love. Let me remain. This is my place, by your side. I am stronger than you think."

San'lr'in’ breathed in deeply, then sighed. She turned back to her, going to her. She looked into her eyes, then placed her hand on Sle'nel's cheek. Gently and quietly, she pleaded, “Be in the room in which they will bring Me when it is completed. I will be comforted in knowing that you wait for Me there. You can watch over Me until I awaken. But I beg of you, My Desire. Witness this not. Your eve dreams are already bad enough. I know I have always allowed you to make your own decisions, but I cannot do so upon this moment."

Sle'nel’ touched San'lr'in's hand, “But I love you, and—"

"And if you remain, I will worry over you. If I do this, I may interrupt the transfer, and My Love, if that occurs, I could die. If you leave, I will not worry so."

Sle'nel’ finally accepted her lover's need. She bowed her head, saddened, “I understand.” She then turned to the others, angered, “She is overly gracious for your mistake. I am not so. Never should this have been allowed. You should be well ashamed. Never will The Realm have such a High Queen as this. NEVER! Yet you have treated her badly. You have not made The Realm's Elf pleased this turn. While you now give her what The Realm has long needed, you now also cause her more pain for your delay in it. I will do as she bids, but you and I will speak of this later."

Ersh'delrin’ bowed her head to Sle'nel', “As is your right, my Elf, and so shall it be. Now, please go. You will be taken to your room, and will meet with your love's Healer there. Your High Queen will be brought to you when the process is complete. And know this, our Elf. While she will be in much pain during the process, her pain will end quickly once she returns to The Realm. Of this we vow."

Sle'nel’ raised an eyebrow, then narrowed her eyes, “Your vow will be upheld, or your life will be mine."

San'lr'in’ was surprised, as were the others, at Sle'nel's statement, but kept herself from smiling at it. She watched regretfully as Sle'nel’ walked from the room. Before the Elf went through the door, she turned and raised her arm out to her Queen. San'lr'in’ did the same, and for many moments their hearts and minds mingled together in their love.

To our stars, my Queen.

To our stars, My Elf.

Sle'nel’ lowered her arm finally, then looked back to the council, “You know little of what she does for The Realm."

After Sle'nel’ was taken to The High Queen's room, the High Council turned to San'lr'in', “We must change your garments first, prior to beginning."

San'lr'in’ nodded, standing and waiting. She said nothing, slightly anxious at what she knew faced her. They changed her from her gown into a slight top and the slightest of pants, reaching only her mid-thighs. The garments were white, and were loose fitting. She closed her eyes, trying to meditate as they tended to her. She tried to move her mind to another space, knowing that it wouldn't work once the transfer was begun. She gave a great effort to slow down the now rapid beating of her heart, knowing it also was anxious at the great pain that was about to occur.