by J A Essen
Turning to Edana, Taranis bows, “Your highness.”
“Oh, no. No, no, no, no.” Edana begins to shake her head wildly.
Still not rising, Taranis speaks, “The Gates of Robor is now your kingdom, Princess.”
“Okay, okay, rise already.”
Taranis stands tall once again. “What are your orders, my lady?”
“Follow me.” She turns on her heel and makes haste towards the doorway. The two of us follow closely. Rowley is moving slowly, so we leave him behind. “They will not be allowed to destroy this ancient castle.”
We all move out into the hallway, past the dead guards at the stairs and can hear the primary castle door being beaten on from the outside. We make our way about half way down the stairs, and Edana stops. “Here is where we make our stand.”
The wooden drawbridge door is beginning to buckle, streamers of light spilling through onto the floor from the splintered sections. The battering continues as larger sections begin to give way, and it isn’t long before it’s broken wide open enough that forces begin entering. They spread out to the left and right as King Nathair himself rides through on his onyx steed.
“That’s far enough, King Nathair. You’ve made your point. Now you may either leave here in peace, or in pieces. I leave the decision up to you.”
“Don’t speak to me in that discord. You and your two companions are no threat to me. I’ll do with your castle as I see fit.”
Edana’s hands begin to glow again, and I can see the temper rising in her eyes.
“King Nathair, surely there is no need for further conflict. You’ve managed to slip through their secret portal somehow, destroyed their commoner’s village, and overrun their kingdom’s defenses. You’ve won the battle. What purpose does destroying the castle serve? Their spirits are already broken.”
I would rather not see this situation escalate and try to diffuse the tensions.
“King Brennus. Where is he? I would have him beg at my feet for the cessation of hostilities.”
From behind us, I hear, “Your highness, I would suggest you leave this castle at once. You’ll not be getting your wishes here today.”
“Oh, Rowley, and just what makes you think you have any say in the matter?”
“THIS!” He lobs the head of King Brennus, that he has apparently decapitated while he was slow behind us, down the stairs and it bounces all the way down, leaving bloody marks on each impact. Spinning on the ground floor, it finally comes to rest in between the two parties, facing King Nathair.
“She,” Rowley points to Edana, “did that with those hands.”
“Well, since there won’t be any begging and I won’t get the satisfaction of killing him myself,” King Nathair looks to his left and right before turning his steed around and slowly walking away, “troops, attack!” He spurs his horse and is back through the opening before I can even think.
Coward.
His forces rush forward, and I start to draw my bow, but Edana puts her hand in front of me, stopping me. Then she claps her glowing hands in front of her, sending a shockwave barreling across the entrance, knocking every one of Nathair’s men off their feet and backward.
“I offer you men, one chance, and one chance only, to be wiser than your king and leave my ancestor’s castle immediately.” She steps down to the very bottom step and takes an aggressive stance, purple-hued flames licking from her fingertips as she prepares for a stronger attack if necessary.
The men stand dumbfounded, looking from one to another amongst themselves. Finally, someone makes the first move toward the shambled doorway and the rest quickly turn on their heels, retreating in quick fashion. We give the troops just enough time to clear the Grand Entrance and cross back across the expanse of the run-up before we to exit through the front.
Bravely, Edana walks to the very end and casts her arms out in each direction, parallel to the ground creating long, blue flamed barrier walls extending the full length of King Nathair’s forces to the east and west. “No one else need die here today human king. Let us talk in a civilized manner instead about the future of our two races.”
King Nathair slowly rides back past the front line and comes to a halt, sideways to her. “I’ve had enough of your kind’s treachery. There will be no deals made here today, Princess.”
“You’ve not even allowed me to speak my mind. I’m nothing like my father and if you’d stop to listen…”
“Enough talking. I’ve heard too much dribble from your little mouth.”
I hadn’t even noticed with the way he rode up, but his hand was on the hilt of his sword in a reverse grip the entire time with the blade laid under his robe along his horse’s hind. I see it fly out in slow motion toward Edana, and I scream out. “NO!”
Apparently Edana was more observant than I and was already prepared. She ducks under the long-blade and as she drops to her knee, brings her wrists together, and there is a brilliant flash of white light as King Nathair goes flying off of his mount, his body broken and twisted already as it flies through the air and lands some twenty plus feet away, dead and motionless.
“Hear me now! I do not want any more death on my hands. I have no desire for revenge or retribution against you humans. I beg of you to please lay down your weapons and have a leader step forward to talk.”
The footmen and bowmen slowly begin to take a knee. The lines fall in waves, and I can see Ithoran smoldering in the background, behind them. It looks as if there will be no more battle, but no one has come forward to take command of the situation.
Finally, Rowley speaks up from behind us, yet again. “I will speak for the people, Princess. I’m probably the last of the king’s Guard, and since his son isn’t present, next in command would legitimately fall to me in this situation.”
“Very well. I think it’s time we made the good-faith showing. Will you escort us back to Dun Felmar? There we will discuss the future.”
Chapter 30
Edana
Rowley, still limping, makes his way to me and does his best to bow.
“That’s not necessary, Rowley. Please.”
“I know,” he whispers as he rises again, “but it’s the proper thing to do in front of the men, considering what you could do if you wanted.”
“Thank you.”
I watch Faudron stride up to Rowley, “Here, let me take care of this.” He places his hands on either side of Rowley’s knee and in his silky smooth voice speaks the words I have heard multiple times, “"Rune of Uruz, Symbol of healing, There are no dark dealings, I ask you to feel the pain, I ask you to detain the pain, Heal the wound, Do not doom, So mote it be!" There is a slight popping sound and a small flash of light, and it’s over. Rowley stretches his leg, puts weight on it and begins walking normally again.
“Thank you, Faudron.” The two shake hands.
“You,” he points to one of the foot soldiers, “fetch me a mount.”
Taking the reins of the large, chestnut mare, Rowley throws his weight up and over, and the soldier places the sash of command in front of the saddle, hanging the sides over both of the horse’s shoulders. “Listen well, men of Dun Felmar. This battle is OVER. King Nathair brought this upon himself in his wrongful pursuit for vengeance. We’re returning to the kingdom with Princess Edana as an emissary of her people where the cooperative future of our two peoples will be discussed.”
Turning to me, “Are you ready to leave now Princess?”
Everyone is exhausted, having had nearly no sleep, but I don’t want to waste the momentum. I angle my head and look questioningly at Faudron, still riding on the high of the battle, who nods emphatically yes. “Very well then, but I’m riding with you. I’m too drained from the powerful casting I’ve been doing.”
“Another steed for these two; immediately,” Rowley orders to another soldier.
Faudron grabs the reins from the soldier and climbs up, offering me his hand and pulling me up in front of him this time. “I want you where I can keep a
hold of you… and bury my nose in your neck.” He kisses up the back side of my neck and behind my ear, sending chills running down my spine. Even in front of all these people, he’s hopeless. We pull up alongside Rowley, waiting for his command.
“You two will ride up front with me. The rest of you,” he turns to the legions he now commands, “fall in and keep pace. We aren’t stopping until we reach Dun Felmar.”
We start our march and Rowley angles us to the east, taking us around the burning remains of a once bustling Ithoran. My heart is heavy with sadness for the hundreds of innocents that lost their lives in this needless manner. A small part of me wants further reparations for this atrocity, but anger breeds fury, and that is not what my people need in me right now. We need peace and understanding; a new beginning between the humans and elves.
*****
The ride from Robor to Dun Felmar feels like it has taken twice as long as it did previously. I’ve been slipping in and out of consciousness as the sun has been dipping toward the horizon, but we’re finally tying up at the stables. Rowley is waiting at the side entrance to escort us in.
“I believe you two know the way, but I would like to personally see you to quarters. We’re all exhausted, and I will speak with the queen and prince. This has been a pointless day, and I will deal with relaying all necessary information as it actually occurred.” We all walk in silence the rest of the way to the room we have used before; the weight of the day heavy on everyone’s shoulders.
I’m clinging to Faudron’s arm, both of mine wrapped around it and my head laid near his shoulder as we make our way down the corridor. He’s dragging his finger slowly up and down the inside of my palm, sending a warmth through my body that is expanding with each stroke. I know what he’s doing… and as I glance up, even though he’s still looking straight ahead, I know that he knows I know from the slight smirk on his lips.
“Get clean and rest. We will meet in the morning.” Rowley closes the door behind us.
“I know what…” Grabbing my waist with both hands, he lifts me with his strong, muscled arms and presses my body against the door with his, bringing his face close enough to mine that I can feel the heat coming from his skin. A need suddenly washes over me from being handled so roughly, and I open my mouth in anticipation of his.
He moves in and brushes his lips across mine, light as a feather, and then speaks, the words flowing into my mouth like fine wine, “I’ve been smelling the sweet scent of your skin and feeling the warmth of your body pressing against mine for so many hours now, unable to do anything about it. I hope you don’t plan on sleeping for a while.” And then his lips crash down onto mine.
Parting my lips with his tongue, my desire for rest suddenly vanishes and I’m pulled out of my sorrow and into this heated moment. He slides his tongue into my mouth, and I wrap my own around it, sliding up and down with my mouth as I would if it was his cock. He moans unabashedly, and I swallow it in eagerly.
Suddenly he pulls away from me and slides me down to the floor, “OH! The baby. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m not that breakable. Take me to bed!” I lunge back into his arms. All of my senses seem to be heightened today for some reason. I can feel the blood pulsing through his palms as he runs them up the back of my top, slipping it up and over my head as I grip my legs around his waist, holding on tight. I return the favor and pull his tunic up and off as we make it to the bed. I drop off of him and onto my back, flopping down amongst the fur blankets and pillows.
“Mm, I love the way your breasts move and bounce.” Moving down onto his knees he pulls my leggings free and then lifts my naked body playfully over his shoulder, smacking my ass. “Let’s get clean so we can get dirty, shall we?”
Walking over to the still warming tub, he lets me slide down his body at my own speed into the water, and I do indeed take my time, letting my hardened nipples drag along his skin, exciting us both.
“You know you’re going to pay for that, right?” Faudron smirks at me as he slips off his trousers.
“I certainly hope so.” I playfully bat my eyelashes back at him.
Stepping into the tub, he doesn’t sit, but instead commands, “Wash me wench.” A huge, boyish smile is playing across his mouth.
Grabbing the lye soap, I sud my hands up and drag them from his knees up to his groin, flatten them out and drag across his abs, muscles flexing from the touch of my exploring fingers, and then back through his groin on the opposite side, clear back to his knee where my hands disappear into the water.
Lathering my hands back up I stand to my full height, “Turn around, hero,” I purr as I wrap my arms around to his front, cleaning away the dirt and dried sweat of battle, pressing my breasts into his back. He slides his hand in between the two of us and down into my slick folds, slipping easily inside of me.
“Ready for me already, huh?”
I bite his back, “Baby, I’m always ready for you.”
He sits down on the edge of the tub, “Turn around.” Grabbing my waist and guiding me down to line me up, he slides my lips apart as he pulls me down onto his rigid cock, igniting that spark that has been flickering in between my legs. “Fuck, Edana. Don’t strangle it.”
“Oh, but I love feeling every ripple and pulse as I sink down onto you.”
He grabs my head and presses it to the right and onto my shoulder, sinking his teeth into my left, and dragging them back and forth. I grip his thighs with my nails as I begin to slide my body up and down his length, grinding down every so often, eliciting a deep growl each time I do.
“Do you want me to lose myself inside you already?” he grunts into my ear.
“Yes,” I admit unashamedly. “I want to feel your release filling my body. I need to know that this is forever. Tell me you will never leave me, Faudron.” The past two days have left me shaken to my core. So much deceit and deception. Betrayed by those I thought I could either love or trust.
Running his nose up my ear and back down, he whispers, “THIS,” he moves his hands in front of us both in a circular manner, finally bringing them to rest on my stomach, where the culmination of our love for one another is now growing, “is forever, Edana. Never doubt that. I would lay down my life for you a thousand times over.”
With that admission, he pushes me forward, “Hold onto the side,” and grabbing me by the hips, begins to thrust long strokes into my body.
“THIS.” Thrust.
“IS.” Thrust.
“FOR-,” thrust and he grunts as he releases into me, “EVER!” and pulls me into his chest, arms wrapped tightly around my body.
We sink down into the water and just breathe, drinking in each other’s bliss. “Wash me?” I ask as I start to sob. “I’m so exhausted. Physically. Mentally. In every way possible.”
“Just close your eyes and lean into me.” Faudron picks up a pitcher on the small table next to the tub and begins pouring streams of warm, soothing water over my body and through my hair. His hands washing over me are heavenly and the cleaner I get, the more everything seems to slip away. I’m nearly asleep when he lifts me from the tub and wraps me in a clean towel. He walks me to the bed and sits me up, my eyes still closed, slipping further into the ether as he dries my hair. “Sleep now,” is the last thing I remember hearing as we lay down together, naked, amongst the furs.
Chapter 31
Faudron
An incredible night’s sleep and a full belly; yep, I’m ready for this day to officially begin. “Edana, are you ready yet?”
She steps out in a beautiful, deep blue flowing gown. Her hair is piled up on top of her head again with the ‘fuck me, I’m cute’ tendrils hanging down each of her temples. She spins around and the dress ripples like waves on the sea.
“What do you think?”
“You look astonishing, Edana. Shall we head out for this momentous occasion?” I offer her my arm.
Rowley let us know, via the maiden that brought in breakfast, that quote, the tables were set for discu
ssions, and we should be there mid-morning. The maiden said that Rowley was in an exceptionally good mood, so that’s inspiring.
Upon entering the Great Hall, Queen Ellyn, and Prince Carac are standing, waiting to greet us.
“Princess, I wish it hadn’t taken the actions of my late husband’s vengefulness to bring us together on this occasion, but nonetheless, I’m pleased to open my home to you and these talks.”
Prince Carac bows, “Princess, I can’t in good conscience ask for forgiveness for what my father has done, but I do ask that you not hold it against his people,” he glances at his mother, “or the members of his family who were kept in the dark of his true intentions.”
“Thank you, Queen Ellyn and Prince Carac for those kind words. I view this day as a new dawning, a time when we can come together as two races in cooperation and appreciation of one another; a day when we can become one.”
We all take a seat at the round table; myself, Edana, Carac, Ellyn, Rowley, and two scribes.
“Aren’t we still waiting on one more, Mother?” Prince Carac inquires.
Just then Taranis comes strolling in, looking well rested but out of sorts in his royal garb. “Sorry to be late, I had, er-um, difficulty with my garments.” The pants only hit at his knees, and a few snickers come from the table before Edana erupts in full laughter.
“Nice short-pants, Taranis,” Edana blurts out, and we all roll in laughing fits.
“Hmpf!” He huffs as he approaches and takes a seat.
“The table is yours, Princess Edana.” The Queen makes motions with her open hands.
Rising, “I would first like to offer a blessing:
Dia na coirnéil an tí
Agus a bheith ar an lindéir bheannaigh .
Beannaigh an teallach , tábla freisin
Agus bless gach áit de chuid eile .
