by Sarah Coley
“Wait everyone stop!” Eleanor shouted whilst bending down to help Brennus off the floor. Elefien came to the back to where they both were, and helped Eleanor to lift Brennus to his feet.
“Are you ok?” Eleanor asked searching his face.
Brennus smiled through his bruised face at her. “Yep. Just taking a quick nap.”
“We should hurry to our encampment,” Elefien declared. “Our healers should be able to mend you comrade. I can smell the Goblins poison in his veins from here.”
“That sounds about right,” Brennus declared weakly with a cough. “One of those bastards nipped me with his blade before I ran him through.”
“I’ll carry him,” Vincent declared with indifference whilst walking back to see what the commotion was about, “Although I would like to point out that I don’t do too well in the sunlight and dawn is approaching. It’s bad for my complexion.”
“We are nearly at the clearing now. Not much further,” Elefien reassured. Vincent hauled Brennus over his shoulders like a light sack of potatoes, shooing Eleanor’s offer of aid as he did so.
After a moments pause, they continued to walk at a leisurely pace through the trees which grew gradually taller as they walked, reaching for the sky in a natural magnificence. The forest itself felt alive, like the tree themselves were talking, and the magic in the air made Eleanor’s skin tingle. She wondered if she listened carefully she would be able to make out what they were saying to each other.
As Eleanor studied this, the trees suddenly opened out to reveal the small enclosed encampment of the Elves. There were houses in the tall tree that were white canvas in appearance with small lanterns glowing through the windows. Each was joined together by rope bridges. The houses were round in shape and almost glowed from the lanterns that laid within.
On the ground were tents made from what looked like giant leave taken from nearby trees, and as Eleanor looked around there were Elves everywhere. Swinging from the trees and talking on the ground. There was a peaceful atmosphere which made Eleanor feel secure.
Elefien suddenly stopped at the front of the group and gestured to the tree in front of him. The tree itself was enormous, bigger that any Eleanor had ever seen, and it pulsated white within its branches. The branches disappeared upwards into the sky and beautiful red leaves glistens in the moonlight. Eleanor hadn’t noticed at first being so enamored by the sight before her, but a large wooden door was built into the base of the tree with carvings of flowers all around it.
The doors to the tree swung open and a female Elf appeared. She was about forty years old in appearance, but Eleanor didn’t know if that was accurate or not. She wore a long glowing white gown similar to Astel’s, although it pulsated with glitter as she walked, similar to the great tree. She looked down at the party and smiled, opening her arms ready to embrace as Astel approach the lady. They hugged before Astel spoke.
“Lady Oriena, it’s great to see you,” Astel spoke softly whilst she bowed.
“And you good mage. We feared you would not make it,” Oriena replied.
“I also, and would have had I not had help. This is the party that helped to free Prince Elian,” Astel said as she turned to look at a Elian who was looking worse-for- wear and definitely in need of a rest. He was covered in dirt and dried blood, and Eleanor wasn’t entirely sure if the blood encrusted shirt on his back held infection underneath. Despite his appearances, Elian bowed to the queen with an air of elegance.
“My lady, it is an honour that you have allowed us to take shelter in your Kingdom. I know my father has ever been weary of your people, but I hope that in time, we may mend some of the bridges that have pulled our people apart,” Elian announced. God this Prince was good with words thought Eleanor.
“It is our pleasure Prince Elian,” Oriena responded. “Now please follow me. The King is most eager to talk with you all.”
And with that, the company entered the tree.
The interior was just as magnificent as the outside. It was made from the same magical wood that Eleanor had seen from the outside, and the walls and ceiling were decorated in carved scenes that Eleanor presumed were from Elven history. White flowers from vines were in bloom everywhere with deep green leaves covering any bare surface. Whether this occurred naturally or was encouraged by the Elves, Eleanor wasn’t sure.
In the centre of the room were two large thrones made from stone, and on either side grand staircases sloped up to a balcony over head. As Eleanor watched, the King appeared from a room beyond the top of the staircase. Eleanor knew that he was the King by the large crown that sat upon his head, accentuating his pointed ears. He had a large greying beaded and wore white robes like Oriena.
The group stopped in front of the throne as guards appeared on either side. The King descended the stairs and seated himself, holding an ornate staff in one hand similar to Astel’s, but the wood was darker in appearance and had green crystals embedded in the top.
“Please, sit,” he said whilst holding his hand out to gesture. Eleanor couldn’t place it, but the elf looked strangely familiar. She couldn’t for the life of her think how, having never seen an Elf before never mind Rogardium itself.
No sooner had Eleanor contemplated this than chairs of white appeared behind each of them forming a perfect circle with the Kings throne at the top. A little unnerved by the shear volume of the magic in this place, Eleanor sat without much protest, happy to take the weight off her aching legs. She noticed that the others had to, although Brennus was nowhere to be seen. Eleanor turned her head to look behind, and began to frantically search for him. He’d been at deaths door not ten minutes ago. Maybe Vincent had him somewhere? Eleanor turned to her left and saw Vincent sat next to her staring her straight in the eyes.
“No, I don’t have the rogue. Yes, he is still alive. The Elves took him to be healed,” he declared in a bored tone.
“How did you know?” Eleanor asked surprised.
“I’m a Dearg. I can read thoughts,” he declared.
“Really?”
“No Eleanor, but it doesn’t take much to read what you were thinking.”
“Greetings companions of Rogardium,” Nerthius King of the Elves suddenly declared. “ It is good to see you all alive and well, and of course with the Prince of Rogard.” Nerthius nodded his head slightly in Elian’s direction. Eleanor noticed that Elian nodded back. Respect was in his eyes. Maybe the bridge between the Elves and Rogard could be mended after all.
“You are more that welcome to spend the night here before you return to Rogard, as I sure you are eager to see your homes, friends and family, but first I must impart to each of you a vision that I have received from the gods that watch over this land. My gift is to see visions of the future, and I wish to grants to you all a glimpse into your part that is yet to be played. If you chose, you can continue on this path, but that choice is entirely yours.”
“I would ask that all of you think carefully about what is said to you, as this land is about to undergo a turbulent time, and how everyone in this room acts will depend whether we prosper as the creatures of light, or are destroyed in a permanent cloud of darkness.”
“How much do you know? How far into the future can you see?” Owen asked suddenly. He was looking drained from the magic he had used and Eleanor truly felt for him and the burden he had to carry.
“I can see the future as a chain of events that will unfold to the point the gods choose for me to see, but I must point out that the future is subjective. The choices you make constantly mold and change it,” Nerthius answered with a smile. Nerthius walked into the middle of the circle where they were all sat and turned to Astel first.
“Astel, you have done well. You brought the children of Albion to our world as prophesied, and united a group of people that will play a pivotal part in the months to come, but you still have much work to do. Continue on this path without distraction and do not leave Rogards side in the times to come, or the kingdom of Men will fail. Do you u
nderstand me?”
“Yes, my Lord. But what of Balor’s army? The Goblins have been destroyed?”
“No my child. The Goblins have been weakened but not removed. The army will falter for now, but it will grow again. We must be ready for when they choose to strike again. Your place is by the Princes side in Rogard, not in battle Astel,” Nerthius concluded before he bowed his head slightly to Astel who did the same back. He then turned his gaze to Elian.
The Prince was looking bruised and battered but most of all haunted.
“Elian, your Father has long since been my foe, but I feel we will be great allies. Like Astel, Rogard is your home and Rogard is where you must build the hope of men once more. Only then can the Elves hope to join you and defeat the foe Balor, but you will need help with this.”
“I do not understand, my Lord,” Elian said with a shake of his head. Eleanor had to admit she was lost for ideas as well.
“You must have the seeker of truth and courage of the sword at your side. Both are in this place and both are essential to success,” Nerthius said. “There are many other players and paths that must be crossed, but those two are the most essential.” Nerthius looked to Eleanor now.
“Well I’m not the sword if that’s what you mean,” Eleanor blurt out with a snort more from nerves than disbelief. Nerthius grinned and the others chuckled.
“No my dear but your mind and strategy are needed now. Tell me, will you stay and protect Rogardium, or will you return to your former life. The decision is yours to make, but you have a pivotal part to play in these events, and I fear with your absence, the outcomes will be very different.” Everyone now turned to look at Eleanor, apprehension etched on their faces.
“What can I possibly offer Rogard? I’m not a warrior or a mage. I’m not even from Rogardium? How can I possibly help save Rogard.” Eleanor had not thought this far ahead. She’d not even thought past the battle with Sleugh as part of her had resided to the fact that she wouldn’t survive. Now she had, she didn’t know the best path to take. She could return to England and carry on with the life she’d had, but what would be the point. Knowing that Avalon existed, that all of this existed, would make her mundane life as a Private Investigator with no friends or family seem unbearable.
“I’ve not known you all very long, or some of you hardly at all,” Eleanor smiled at Elian.
Elian shook his head and spoke with conviction. “What I do know is that when my hour was darkest and I had nowhere left to turn, you appeared in my nightmares and gave me the hope to hold on to. You say you have nothing to give, yet you have managed to keep together and thrive with a Dearg, an outlaw and a mage. You’ve saved my life and served this land well. If you wish it, there is a place or you in Rogard.”
Eleanor thought long and hard. “What role could I possibly take?”She asked.
“Why not an Investigator. We’ve never had one and the gods know we could make use of one now,” Astel responded in a smile.
Elian nodded. “Agreed.”
Eleanor smirked at Astel, her mind made up. “Well then. If you’re so in need of my services, I’ll just have to stay, but if I’m the seeker of truth then who is the sword?”
“I’ve got an unnerving and slightly sickening feeling that the grey Elf here is referring to the outlaw,” Vincent said with a note of sarcasm in his voice.
“Brennus is the sword?” Elian replied with a hint of surprise. “He’s impersonated me on at least two occasions, stole a large amount of the lands wealth and has the biggest bounty of any outlaw in the whole Kingdom.”
“Brennus would swear that it was all a simple misunderstanding,” Owen replied with a smirk.
“Likely story,” muttered the Prince, “but he did save my life, served his country and kept you all safe. I’m sure I can arrange something with the King if he’ll take it.”
“Offer gold and he’ll take it,” Owen surmised.
“Of course he would,” Elian said with a hint of playful sarcasm in his voice.
“Ah, the new mage,” interrupted Nerthius. “What path do you wish to take?”
“I’d like you to be my apprentice if you will accept the offer,” Astel interrupted with pride. “I’ve never come across magic like yours. It’s pure but it will need training.”
Owen smiled warmly at Astel. “Thank You Astel. It’s a kind offer it really is, but I will not be returning to Rogard with you. I need to go home to my family and to provide a cover story for Eleanor’s disappearance. I’m sorry if I let you all down, but my place is in my world.”
“Not at all Owen,” Astel said with a hint of disappointment. “I will open the portal to you tomorrow.”
“What will happen to your magic if you go back home?” Eleanor asked suddenly.
“Once the magic is awakened it can’t be undone. If Owen goes back, he will need to learn to control it,”Astel responded.
“It’s something I will have to learn to live with,” Owen replied.
Eleanor had a heavy heart at this news but knew that unlike herself, Owen had a family and a life to return to. She couldn’t blame him for wanting to return there. Eleanor stood and went to where he was sat. She gave him a hug and whispered to him.
“You’ve made me proud Owen. Go home and live the life you should have.”
“Thank you Eleanor but please stop with the compliments, you’ll make me blush.”
“So be it,” responded Nerthius, “but understand Owen that there may be need to call on you in the future, although that path has not been made clear to me just yet.”
“As for the Dearg,” Nerthius declared suddenly,” You are to remain here with us for the time being. You have a part to play in all of this, but you must first learn control of your primal urges and rediscover a way to exist amongst the living once more. We can offer you this.”
“And if I refuse?” Vincent asked warily.
“Where else are you to go,” Nerthius spoke. “you’re a traitor to your Lord Balor, but you do not belong with the living. There is nowhere for you to turn and our magic will protect you from Balor’s hold on your soul whilst you are here.”
“You may have saved my life Vincent, but I cannot forget the evil that resides in your heart still,” Elian declared. “ If you recover, I may reconsider you returning to Rogard, but for your part in my confinement and torture you are hereby banished from Rogard. If you want mans acceptance, you will need to first learn and earn it.”
“And I’ll keep hold of soul segment of the time being. You never know when you might need me to pull you back in line,”Astel said with a reassuring smile.
Vincent let out an indifferent sigh. “ So be it then. I will remain here with the Elves.”
“Good. Take heed of all that has been said to you, for your roles will be critical in the months ahead. I will send word if there are any further developments. Now get some rest all of you. You have a long journey ahead of you tomorrow,” Nerthius declared.
Chapter 33
Eleanor walked out into the Elven encampment and was greeted by the brilliance of a new days sun. The leaves of the surrounding trees flowed with the brilliant green of fresh spring and Elves were everywhere; some tending to daily tasks like cooking or caring for nearby plants, whilst others moved in and out of the surrounding tents, rushing about their daily lives.
Eleanor hadn’t realised how much she missed the sun. They’d been travelling by nightfall for weeks now, and Eleanor had grown accustomed to it, but now she was greeted by the sheer magnificence of its light, she stood basking in its healing rays.
She had been stood there for what felt like seconds before a familiar face emerged from a tent opposite. Brennus sauntered over to Eleanor with a smile on his face. Any hint of the previous nights injuries having disappeared.
“How have you healed so quickly? You looked like you’d done 50 rounds last night,” Eleanor said in surprise, but she was smiled openly. Trust Brennus to find a way to worm out of something, even if that something w
as impending death.
“I’ve got no idea, but whatever they did I reckon we should bottle it up and sell to the highest bidder,” he replied as he strolled up to Eleanor putting his muscled arms around her and holding her close.
Eleanor moved her head back to look at him, allowing the closeness that he offered. She had chosen not to get into a relationship since her break up with John Swindon two years ago, but after the previous nights events, she couldn’t deny her feeling for this over accident prone, cheeky but trust worthy rogue.
“What the hell were you thinking, almost putting yourself in danger like that?” Eleanor chastised him.
“Doing my job,” Brennus replied with a smirk. He bent down and kissed Eleanor on the lips with a slow but demanding passion. She kissed him back, thankful for his touch. After a moment he pulled away and looked down on her.
“So what do we do now?” he asked her.
“Well you’re coming back to Rogard with us to work for the Prince,” Eleanor said a little too quickly. How could she possibly explain to Brennus that he was the loyal protective sword that had been prophesied by an Elf King.
“What?” Brennus said whilst taking a step away from Eleanor, “I don’t remember agreeing to that, and there’s still the bounty on my head.”
“The bounty has been lifted…hopefully. Elian wants you in the Kings guard. He’s also offered you one hundred gold pieces.”
Brennus' face lit up at those words. “For that price I’ll consider it I guess, but what about you?” he asked.
“It seems I’m needed in Rogard as well,” Eleanor replied.
“So you’re staying?”
“Yes.”
Brennus smiled before holding Eleanor to him once more. Eleanor was all too aware he was squeezing her a bit too tightly. The bruises of the previous night protesting at the embrace. Brennus must have realised, because he let go just a little bit to allow Eleanor to breath.
