Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 02 - Meladrom

by Rosemary Lynch

  “Come in,” Alys called from her bed, pushing herself up onto her pillows. The door opened and Arweyn popped her head around the door.

  “Is it okay?” she asked.

  “Of course,” Alys beamed back at her happily. Arweyn looked at Kainan cradling the tiny baby and she smiled, it was a beautiful sight. Walking over to her cousin, she gave her a big hug.

  “I am so sorry that I did not stay with you,” she whispered as she hugged her. Alys shook her head.

  “Do not be silly, it is fine. I was in good hands, you knew that.”

  “I know I just really wanted to be there for you too.”

  “Well you are here now. Go and see her,” Alys nodded towards Kainan. Arweyn stood back up.

  Kainan walked over to his wife, placing his cheek against hers.

  “May I hold her?” she asked.

  “Of course,” he whispered, gently passing her the baby.

  “Oh my goodness, she is so tiny,” she said nervously, rocking her gently in her arms. “But so very beautiful,” she added, feeling a tear roll down her cheek as she looked at her husband. For a moment, he was happy and it was going to break her heart to have to tell him about his father.

  ***

  They sat in the castle kitchen at the long highly scrubbed pine table. Reaching across the table, he took up her hands, squeezing them gently.

  “I love you,” he declared, bring her hands to his lips and kissing them.

  “I love you,” she returned. “Are you okay?” she asked concerned. She had told him the news of his father. He had taken it well, having more or less been expecting to hear the worst. They had studied the book for hours but unfortunately could not find anything significant that would help his father.

  “There you go my Lady, my Lord, get that down you,” Wiloma the cook said, placing a platter of meat and fruit in front of them.

  “Thank you,” Arweyn said gratefully. Wiloma smiled at her and then walked over to the back of the kitchen. She took some bread off the worktop and walked back to them placing it on the table. Tears glistened in the old cook’s eyes. So much work had gone into the wedding feast and most of it destroyed before anyone had had a chance to eat it. Standing up Kainan walked over to her and gave her a hug.

  “Thank you Wiloma. I know it would have been a fantastic feast and I am so sorry it was destroyed.” She wiped her tears with her apron and shook her head.

  “It doesn’t matter my Lord, I’m more upset as to what has befallen your father.” He rubbed her back.

  “I know,” he said, smiling at her kindly.

  “I may have a little something that will cheer you both up,” she said mysteriously, making her way to the pantry. Disappearing for a few moments, she re-emerged carrying a small cake. Arweyn looked at her surprised.

  “I made a practice tier. It is obviously not as beautifully decorated by your hand my Lady as your cake was, but…” Arweyn jumped up and threw her arms around her.

  “It is beautiful Wiloma, thank you.” The old cook smiled and placed the cake on the table.

  “I will leave you both alone now, goodnight my Lady, my Lord.” She curtsied.

  “Goodnight,” they both replied, smiling gratefully and then sitting themselves back down.

  “You know it really does not matter Kainan. You are now my husband and that is what is important.” He leaned across the table and kissed her.

  “And you my beautiful wife,” he said gently, before sitting back. “We have each other and…” his eyebrows rose comically at her. “We have cake. What more could we wish for.” She laughed, leaning towards him she whispered.

  “Oh I can think of something else.” His eyes lifted to hers and he grinned.

  “You know suddenly I do not feel so hungry,” he said, gazing at her. Around her, the air was electrified by tingles of magic that only he could see. Her chest heaved in anticipation.

  “Me neither,” she whispered.

  “I will take the cake,” he said jumping up.

  “I will get the platter,” she grinned, reaching for it.

  “Wait.” Spinning around he made for a door in the far corner of the kitchen. Going inside he emerged a few moments later with two bottles of wine grasped in his hands.

  “I will get the glasses,” she rushed, opening a huge dresser door and grabbing a couple. Bundled with their goodies they quickly exited the kitchen and made their way to their private chambers.

  Arweyn’s heart thumped wildly, it may have turned out to be one of the worst days ever, but at least tonight, they could be alone, as husband and wife. They placed their bounty onto the desk. Looking at her he swallowed, she made him dizzy and his heart shook with the love he felt for her. He bolted the door no one was going to disturb them tonight.

  Five ~ Meladrom

  There was a knock on the door.

  “One moment,” Kainan answered, sitting up in bed and rubbing his eyes. Arweyn stirred but rolled back over. Slipping out of bed he grabbed his robe and headed for the door, sliding the bolt he opened the door. A servant stood there struggling with a large tray.

  “Your breakfast my Lord, the Queen thought you may wish to take it in your chamber this morning.” He smiled at his mother’s thoughtfulness and nodded.

  “Yes, thank you. Leave it over there will you,” he said, indicating to the desk. Placing the tray on the desk, the servant collected the leftover platter, empty bottles, and glasses clearing them away. Bowing to the Prince, he left. Kainan re-bolted the door. Slipping out of his robe, he climbed back into the bed.

  “Morning sleepy,” he whispered, leaning over and kissing her neck. She opened her eyes and turned to him.

  “Morning,” she whispered back, her eyes smiling at him. His hand lifted to her face and swept her hair out of her eyes. He sighed. Six months ago, he would have never believed that he would have found himself married to such a beautiful and enchanting woman.

  “Breakfast has arrived,” he said. Pushing herself up, she straightened the furs.

  “I wish it could always be like this,” she whispered, raising her hand to his chest. His dark eyes met hers and he held her gaze for a moment, before leaning to her and kissing her. His hand skimmed along her bare shoulder and ran softly down her back. Pulling down the furs, his hand skimmed along the underside of her breast. A mischievous grin spread across his face and as his hand moved to her stomach, he tickled her.

  “Kainan no!” she squealed, writhing about as he tickled her some more.

  “Kainan stop it,” she begged laughing, rolling about in the bed trying to fight him off.

  “No not till you kiss me,” he bribed, laughing at her squeals. Pulling on her magic to increase her strength, she grasped at both his hands pinning them back above his head. Her long dark hair fell forward onto his chest

  “Arweyn Dermock,” he whispered, using her new name and raising a comical eyebrow at her. “Are you using your magic on me?” he asked, grinning at her. She tilted her head.

  “I maybe, but I am not the only one that is ticklish,” she whispered. He shook his head at her with a laugh, but she nodded with raised eyebrows, and then with quick movement she released his hands and tickled him under his arms-pits. He cried out with laughter.

  “Pack it in,” he cried hysterically, retaliating by rolling her underneath him.

  “You are a very naughty Lady,” he scolded, holding her down.

  “And you are a very bad Prince,” she whispered, scrunching her nose and gazing up into his dark eyes. Returning her gaze, he looked at her longingly for a moment, before releasing her. Smiling affectionately, he kissed her. Her fingers ran over his broad chest, across the muscles on his back and shoulders and then underneath him, following the line of his body, her heart pounded furiously. Breaking from the kiss, his were eyes wide. Smiling seductively at him, her tongue ran lightly over her top lip.

  “You are a very naughty Lady,” he whispered, giving a little shake of his head.

  “I know,” she
said, twitching a smile.

  “Breakfast will get cold.”

  “I am not hungry,” she replied, pulling the silk sheets and furs back over the top of them with a giggle.

  ***

  After breakfast, they washed and dressed and Kainan cleared away the breakfast tray, plopping it onto the floor. He felt it was too early to go and see his father, so he lifted up the book they had discovered a few days before, and placed it onto the desk. Arweyn walked passed brushing her hair.

  “The answer must be here someone Arweyn, it has to be. I know we looked yesterday but perhaps we missed something?” He opened the book and stared at the pages that looked his brother’s hand. He began to read aloud.

  “It is our shame that we have had to abandon our realm and our people to the darkness. One day our King will return

  Taken and then found he will join with another.

  Together their powers so strong will defeat the darkness and free our people and our lands.

  There was no choice left to us.

  We have saved those we can they sleep for he will return.

  The dragon Meladrom keeps your secret.

  Awaken the Dragons find the Sword.

  Destroy Gemini.”

  Walking over to him Arweyn placed her hands on top of his shoulders and gently began massaging him. He closed his eyes briefly at her touch, always she managed to take away his stresses and worries. She kissed his neck.

  “Anything?” she queried, looking over his shoulder. Shaking his head, he turned to her.

  “No. I was just re-reading this part. I cannot get over how I knew this name, Meladrom.” He shook his head puzzled. “It has to have something to do with that dragon in the fountain. I am sure of it.”

  “Kainan, it is made of stone how can that help us?” Rubbing his hand across his chin confused, he sighed despondently.

  “Oh I do not know.” With his other hand, he ran his fingers absently across the words on the page. Abruptly she stopped rubbing his shoulders.

  “Did you see that?” She moved around beside him. He looked up at her.

  “See what?”

  “Do that again Kainan. Run your fingers across the words on the page.”

  “Why?” he asked bemused.

  “Did you not see it?” she rushed excitedly. He shook his head, having no idea what she was talking about.

  “See what?” he asked again.

  “When you ran your fingers across the page some of the words illuminated, they just stood out from the page,” she explained quickly.

  “I was not really looking.” Reaching his hand forward again, they both watched as he slowly ran his fingers across the words on the page. Then he saw it, she was right, certain letters were glowing.

  “Quickly get a quill and paper, let’s write these down,” he urged. She picked up a quill, ink, and paper and brought it back to him. Frantically she began writing as his finger traced across the words on the page.

  “This is amazing,” he declared grinning, as letter after letter illuminated on the page.

  When he had finished they both stared at what she had written down.

  “Well I do not know about you but that just looks like a load of gibberish,” Arweyn concluded, scrunching her nose as she puzzled over the arrangement of the letters. “They make no sense to me whatsoever. What about you?” She looked at him somewhat dismayed. His eyes were scanning over the letters on the paper.

  “Wait look,” he suddenly cried. “Quick, give me the quill.” He held his hand out expectantly. She passed the quill into his hand. She was just about to ask when she saw his eyes begin to glaze over.

  “Kainan?” she whispered nervously, watching as his eyes began turning red.

  He stared at the words they were jumbling moving around on the page, rearranging themselves into words.

  “Can you see that? Can you see them moving?” he whispered in a trans-like state. She stared at the piece of paper and shook her head.

  “No, they are not moving,” she replied.

  “They are,” he insisted as he began to write swiftly. In his eyes, the letters had left the page; they were whirling and swirling around, rearranging themselves to form words.

  Shar Nordar Kilraken

  Grenar Lelan Rudesan

  Eprewil Aylamguar

  He stopped writing and after blinking, a few times his eyes re-adjusted, returning to normal.

  “Are you okay?” she asked concerned, taking hold of his arm. Pulling her in close she sat on his lap, he kissed the top of her head.

  “Yes I am fine.”

  “What does it mean?” she enquired looking down at the words he had written. He chewed on his bottom lip as he thought.

  “I am not entirely sure, but I think it is a spell or an enchantment of some kind.”

  “Do you understand what it means?” she probed. Placing a hand onto the desk, he leaned over the paper, reading what he had written down. Then suddenly he just knew.

  “It is an awakening spell!” he cried triumphantly. She looked at him perplexed.

  “An awakening spell?” she questioned. He nodded looking at her.

  “I do not know why but suddenly it all makes sense.” Pulling the book closer he pointed his fingers at the words. “The dragon Meladrom keeps your secret’, and then this bit, ‘awaken the dragons.” He looked into her eyes. “The dragon in the fountain, it is Meladrom. I am supposed to awaken him. He holds the secret to my past, to our past.” He rubbed her shoulder. “Do you not see? We have always felt that we have known each other before we met that day on Zyon.” She nodded in agreement. “It was the same with the dragon. When I saw him that first time, I had the same feeling that I knew him.” She looked at him for a moment without saying a word.

  “You really believe that dragon outside in the fountain is real?” she said finally. He nodded, smiling.

  “Yes I do!”

  “So what do you want to do?” He breathed in deeply, contemplating his next words.

  “Wake him up.”

  “Kainan if it really is a dragon...” she hesitated. “It could be dangerous.” He shook his head.

  “I do not think so.” Reaching for her hands and taking hold of them, he squeezed them gently. “I know all this sounds crazy, but then has the past few months been nothing but crazy.” His eyes were bright and wide as he gazed at her. “I know this dragon and I had a special bond, I can feel it. He will not harm us. I am sure he holds the secret to the old Malgar. Of what happened all those years ago, maybe even how to cure my father. I have to know Arweyn there is something bigger than all of this.” He waved his hands around. “A greater destiny that awaits us, there is something that I must do and it is not here on this Malgar it is through the boundary into the dark lands and it calls to me every day.” She sat silent and then said.

  “You mean the voices at the boundary?” He nodded.

  “The voices that call to me, it is the people Arweyn, I am sure of it, the Groundling Empire.” He reached for the book again. “They sleep for he will return,” he read aloud. “I am certain that refers to the people of Malgar, to the lost Empire. They are not all dead just sleeping in some kind of magic enchantment somewhere.”

  “This all sounds too incredible.” He shrugged but smiled.

  “I know but my mind is just ticking away crazily like part of a memory is returning. I may be completely wrong but I have to try.” She looked at his face and smiled, there was that magical aura glowing around him that she had seen the very first time she had brought him home to Malgar. She nodded.

  “Okay let’s do it,” she agreed, taking a breath. Leaning forward he took her in his arms kissing her gently. Lifting his hand, he pulled her hair from her face.

  “Thank you. Let’s get Gareion I am sure he will want to see this.”

  ***

  The three stood before the great stone dragon, it was still early in the morning, and the castle grounds were quiet as its occupants slept.

  �
�Do you really believe this is going to work brother?” Gareion questioned somewhat doubtful at his brother’s story. Kainan nodded.

  “Yes I do.” His brother shrugged.

  “Well go on get on with it then now you have got me up this early. Let’s see you awaken this dragon.” Kainan grinned at his brother’s sarcasm. Stepping forward and jumping up onto the wall of the fountain, he moved in closer to the dragon’s face. Lifting a hand, he touched its snout.

  “Oh boy you had better be right Kainan or this dragon will have you for breakfast,” he muttered quietly to himself. His wife and brother stepped back a few paces, watching with baited breath.

  Clearing his throat a little worriedly, Kainan began the chant.

  “Shar Nordar Kilraken

  Grenar Lelan Rudesan

  Eprewil Aylamguar”

  He waited, but nothing happened.

  “It is still made of stone brother,” Gareion jibed, yawning and folding his arms impatiently.

  “Gareion,” Arweyn implored, frowning at him. “Try again Kainan,” she encouraged, her eyes lifting back to him. Turning he looked at them both.

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence brother.” Gareion shrugged.

  “I am tired the baby’s been awake most of the night.” Grinning at him Kainan turned back to the dragon. He was missing something what was it? He stared at the dragon.

  “Come on dragon I know you want me to wake you up but I need a little help here.” As he stood in thought, he began twiddling with the amulet his mother had given him, which he now always wore around his neck.

  “Kainan come on?” Gareion called impatiently. His brother held his hand up.

  “All right I am thinking.”

  “Well can you think quicker I want to go back to my bed?” Gareion yawned again. Kainan’s hand froze, of course the amulet. He looked at the dragon’s neck. He had spotted it the first time he had seen the dragon, but as he did not have the amulet in his possession then he had thought no more of it. Leaning forward he ran his hand on an indentation on the dragon’s throat.

  “I have got it!” he exclaimed, looking down at them. “The amulet, I have to use the amulet the same as we did in the tunnels.” Quickly taking the amulet off from around his neck, he raised it forward towards the indentation in the dragon’s throat and as he pushed it in, he repeated the chant.