by J A Essen
Beannaigh gach doras a osclaíonn leathan
Go strainséir , kith agus kin ;
Beannaigh gach shining fuinneog - phána
A ligeann an t Sunshine i .
Beannaigh an díon - crann suas thuas
Beannaigh gach balla soladach .
Suaimhneas Mhanann , an tsíocháin an ghrá ,
An síocháin Dé ar fad .”
We all nod after she tells us this is to bless the castle and the day of our coming together.
Without sitting, she continues, “Before we get too far along, there is one thing I need to make abundantly clear, and it will change the proceedings, but not in a detrimental way. I’m NOT taking over the kingdom.”
A hush falls over the room.
“Princess, what...?,” Taranis begins, but she holds her hand up.
“Taranis, you most of all here should know that my heart has never lied in ruling.”
“But then who, Edana?”
“There’s only one person that I would entrust this responsibility to…”
We all wait as she lets it hang over the room.
“You, Taranis. It must be you.”
“ME? But why?” He is absolutely a gasp. “I’m not royalty. I have no right to the throne.”
“That’s exactly why it must be you. There needs to be a change and right now, here today, I’m making that change. You will be the first, what is the word…?” She looks at me.
“Governor?” I respond.
“Yes, Governor of the Elves of Robor. You will put together a court that you will work with to make decisions. No one person should have absolute power. You’ve seen first-hand how it can corrupt. The people will pick their leader through an election process that you and the court will decide upon.”
“What will be your position, Princess.” The queen weighs in.
“I,” she looks directly at me, “will be living my life out with my hero. We will not be returning to Robor.”
I’m shocked at her decision, but not at all disappointed. I smile genuinely at her, and she returns the affection.
“So on that note, your Majesty, Prince Carac,” she bows at both, “Faudron and I will take our leave and let the three of you proceed. If I may make one suggestion, Taranis?”
“Of course. I’m all ears.” He says smiling at his jest.
“Destroy the portal and bring down the barrier.”
“It will be order of business number one.”
I rise and join Edana as farewells and good tidings are offered to and from each individual.
*****
Opting for a respite, Edana and I stayed in Dun Felmar for the remainder of the day and overnight. Our meager belongings are packed and ready to go, but there is one more thing I need to do before we leave here today.
“Edana, there is something I need to ask you before we leave Dun Felmar and begin our journey.”
She’s sitting in front of the polished silver mirror, brushing her beautiful lavender hair. Setting down the brush, she swivels in the chair to face me. As she does, I take a knee in front of her and with a simple golden band I managed to acquire from Rowley while she was still asleep this morning I ask her. “Edana, we have been through so much together in such a short period of time that it doesn’t even seem real. A dream even. From the moment I brushed your hair back from your face and discovered your true self, I knew that my life was changing. When we Joined on the riverside, you flipped my world on end. Saving my life time and time again, I knew you were the one I was meant to spend the rest of my days with. The child you are carrying is the realization of everything I never even knew I wanted. Edana, would you do me the honor of being my wife?”
I hold the gold band out and grasp her left hand, waiting for the tears to slow enough for her to respond.
Taking my hand in her right, she slides the golden band pinched between my fingers up the next to last finger on her left hand and wiping her face on her sleeve says, “THIS. IS. FOREVER.”
EPILOGUE
Edana
It has been seven months now, and we have trekked to the far west, settling in a small seaside village called Havbrisen. Faudron has taken to working with the locals on hunting both the land and the sea. I’ve always wanted to see the sea, and when I told Faudron after our wedding in Dun Felmar, we set out and never looked back.
The ceremony was done on the same day he asked in the beautiful courtyard of the castle chapel. The cherry blossom trees were in full bloom. Rowley stood with Faudron, and Queen Ellyn with me. Taranis was also in attendance with the laws of their land. As a gift, Prince Carac granted us each a new mount along with saddle bags stuffed to the brims with new clothing, and traveling wares.
I’m now as round as a Robor melon these days and keep to the house and shop; I needed something to keep me busy, so I help tend to the bakery a few days a week. That probably hasn’t helped with the roundness of my belly either. Faudron is gone on an expedition to scout for something that he wouldn’t tell me about. My feet and back don’t seem to want to be kind to me today, so I have taken a warm bath and am settling in bed with warm milk. Sleep comes easily and often these days as the birth of our child draws near. I cannot wait.
*****
“Edana, my ‘little fire,' you are growing by the day.”
“Mother! I thought, that day…you…”
“I’m still here in your dreams my darling. I will always be here. You and Faudron are going to be wonderful parents.”
“I hope you are right, Mother. I hope I can be as good as you and Faudron, well. I hope you’re right.”
“Have no fear, Edana. The Great Elder is watching over the three of you. Your child is special. You’re going to have a beautiful, healthy little baby…”
I’m startled awake as Faudron comes barging through the front door with an odd looking metal-framed bassinet. “Surprise!”
I throw my hands up in the air, “UGH! You ruined it.”
Two more seconds and I would have known… boy or girl.
THE END
About the Author
I’m 35 and live in Texas where I run a restaurant 5 days a week. I have been married to my amazing wife for going on 12 years and have two great little boys who keep us on our toes. I have been an avid World of Warcraft player for 10+ years and so that had a lot to do with me deciding to write this book. I love immersing myself in the gameplay (sometimes a bit too much), and those characters inspired my idea when writing this novel.
Be sure to like my Facebook page ( https://goo.gl/9TNmU6 ) to keep up-to-date on future endeavors. Fantasy, Sci-fi/Alien, and Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic are generally my go-to reads. Thanks to my wife Author Marie James ( https://goo.gl/OtzMmw ) I have also expanded my interests into the romance and erotica world. A melding of these different genres is where my writing is currently taking me, and I hope you enjoyed this initial Fantasy Romance. If you did enjoy it, please leave a review on Amazon and let me know if you would like more of Edana and Faudron’s story. I have some ideas but am going to wait to see what the fans think. I hope to put my focus here and continue with these type of novels.
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/JA-Essen/e/B01A523WIO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1458527223&sr=8-1
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14814633.J_A_Essen
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