She sat up, staring at her Queen. Hoarsely, she said, “Did you use all your power, my Queen?"
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ shook her head, “No, Warrior. I would have killed you."
"As quickly?"
"Instantly. I had to be careful not to hurt you, so I took caution. This is only a display."
"How many were there that turn, my Queen?"
She hesitated for a moment, then softly said, “Twenty-four."
Ann'wn's eyes opened so widely she thought they would fall out, “All of them Mungardies, my Queen?"
She nodded her head, “All of them."
"But they have excellent powers, my Queen."
The High Queen rose and held out her hand to Ann'wn. Ann'wn took it, feeling bruised all over. The High Queen helped her rise, “None of this must be known, Ann'wn."
"I understand, my Queen."
"Ever fought against an Elfin Faerie, my Queen?"
She turned to Sle'nel’ and smiled, “You might lose."
"So I see.” Sle'nel’ took Ann'wn's sword, holding it out to her Queen, “So what if I did?"
"Elves don't lose."
"Neither do you."
"Will you use your powers?"
"If you do as well."
The High Queen nodded, raising her sword to her own lover. They touched tips, then began. The swords flew sparks out like an uncontrolled fire. Ann'wn watched in amazement as they both used skills far beyond her imaginings. She could tell that they tested each other's strengths and weaknesses, careful not to hurt each other, but raising the level of power, swing by swing. She had never prior seen these two so singularly focused. Meera had come running, as prior, hearing the clash of swords. Standing next to Ann'wn, she watched the fight. She had only guessed as to The High Queen's real powers, suspecting prior that The High Queen had yet held back. She watched as with each swing, each of them used more and more of their skills and powers. When Sle'nel’ had sword-danced with Meera prior, she hadn't been serious, playing with Meera's skills. Now Meera saw that she was extremely focused, having to fight hard against her own lover.
Sle'nel’ was more Elfin in that she danced around, able to avoid the blows altogether when she thought The High Queen becoming overly strong, but The High Queen had far more power. Meera, out of curiosity, stepped in to fight against The High Queen, wondering what she would do. The High Queen looked to her momentarily, striking Meera's sword quickly with the same results that Ann'wn had faced. Ann'wn was stunned, seeing that her Queen hadn't lost a moment, disabling Meera within less than a blink. The High Queen then continued her fight against Sle'nel’ as they now moved into the trees. Moment after moment, they tested each other's skills and powers until The High Queen accidentally sent too much power into one of her swings, knocking Sle'nel’ against a tree with too much force. As Sle'nel’ hit the tree, the wind was knocked out of her, and she slumped to the ground. Focusing as quickly as she could, and trying desperately to displace her pain, she rose, stunned and slightly dizzy.
She raised her sword, but The High Queen had lowered hers, “No more, My Love. It is enough for now. We are both struggling not to harm the other. You are a true Elf, My Love. Your skills are mighty, like theirs. I am proud of you to not give up even when that stunned. You are also a true warrior, fighting until the death if necessary."
Sle'nel’ moved slowly, trying to displace her pain, still somewhat dizzy from her head hitting the tree, “My skills are good, but your powers are astonishing. Are you certain that Sele’ will be as powerful as you?"
The High Queen put her hand to Sle'nel's head, helping her to remove her pain. She spoke very softly so only Sle'nel’ could hear, “Perhaps.” She waited a moment, focusing upon Sle'nel's pain. “Our powers cannot be measured in this fashion. I am most likely stronger, but her powers are more within her, making them seem stronger."
Meera was yet trying to pick herself up from the ground. The High Queen had forgotten about it, but when she and Sle'nel’ turned back to Ann'wn, she remembered what she had done to her, seeing Meera struggling. She went to her, placing her hand upon Meera's head, also, “I am sorry, My Warrior. I didn't think another would join in this fight. You caught Me off-guard.” She removed some of Meera's pain.
"Off-guard, my Queen? Then please never let me catch you while you be aware. You will kill me. What kind of power be this, my Queen? I have never seen as such."
Ann'wn gave her hand to Meera, helping her to rise, “A most frightening one. These two together could kill legions."
The High Queen turned to Meera and Ann'wn, “None of what you have seen leaves here. Ever. Now you know what it is you guard. Guard it well. The Realm depends upon it."
They both knelt before their Queen, awed, “My Queen."
"Leave us. And remember, never speak of this."
"Yes, my Queen."
The High Queen and Sle'nel’ watched as the two warriors left. After a moment, Sle'nel’ turned to her Queen, looking impish, “Only twenty-four? And you lost? You couldn't have done better?"
The High Queen looked at Sle'nel', wondering why she asked such a question, then seeing the glint of teasing in her eyes, The High Queen laughed, “Well, perhaps twenty-five."
They intertwined their arms together, beginning to walk back to their dwelling, “You are a great swordswoman, my Queen."
The High Queen turned to her lover, “You are a gifted swordswoman also, My Love, but without doubt, you are the most beautiful woman in The Realm. I almost lost my focus while we sword-danced, fully stunned at your beauty."
"Hmmm. I must think on this. It is a power I had not thought to use."
The High Queen's back was hurting her, “Just a moment, My Desire. I must displace this pain."
The Elf watched as her lover went into her own mind to focus on her displacing her pain, and returning her body to normal. She watched her, noticing that The High Queen stood perfectly still, without fear as to her surroundings. After a few moments, The High Queen took one final deep breath and exited from her meditations.
She looked at her Elf, “Did your Birth-Mother tell you where your Elfin sword might be? Or your Elfin bow and arrows?"
"I know where the sword is, but it is not here. What is so special about this sword and bow?"
"Your Elfin weapons have magical powers all their own. You just fought Me without your Elfin sword, yet maintained very well. I have a feeling that with it, you will be far stronger than you just were. They must be in El'fs'nd'lle, then. We will need to take you there so you might see the land of your ancestry."
"How will I know what to do and what to search for when we arrive?"
The High Queen placed her hand on Sle'nel's cheek, certain of her answer, “You will know, My Love."
* * * *
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ woke first, enjoying the feeling of resting in the morn. She couldn't remember any moment prior to Sle'nel’ that she had rested so. She looked at her Elf, admiring her beauty, wondering in having this one next to her. She studied her features and her mind while in its sleep. She found Sle'nel's thoughts very dark for an Elf, but knew she was the High Sorcerer over the Sorrows. That alone would send most those in The Realm into depths of insane terror. She had noticed over the prior many eves that Sle'nel’ was unable to sleep through any eve peacefully since she had become the caretaker of the Sorrows.
How most unfair it is that each of us with a role in The Realm must suffer for it.
She touched Sle'nel's cheek gently, feeling its softness. She also couldn't remember enjoying such beauty. As High Queen, she knew that she was privileged to have the most beautiful of all lovers in her bed as she desired, but Sle'nel's Elfin beauty was without equal. Last eve was the first eve in many that hadn't been truly interrupted, and they enjoyed their pleasures together as if it were their first moment.
As Sle'nel’ opened her eyes, she was startled to see her Queen, having just woken from her deep sleep. She touched her own hand to her Queen's that was yet restin
g on her cheek.
As she remembered where she was, and far away from her mind's terrors, she nestled into her Queen, “Hmmm ... I missed having you next to me when I wake. It felt empty without you beside me. I love the feel of your touch upon me and the feeling of your body next to mine."
She moved her body onto her Queen's, resting on top of her, kissing her tenderly. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ loved the feeling of her Elf on top of her, thinking it odd that she never had allowed any other lover to do as such. Sle'nel’ looked into her Queen's eyes, “Do you know that you have beautiful dark eyes, my Queen?"
"I know that there are none other like the Elfin eyes. Your eyes mesmerize Me, but then, so do you. It has been since My early youth that I saw the gold that is now in your eyes. They are beautiful."
Sle'nel’ began to move herself down to between her Queen's legs. The High Queen resisted, “I am sorry, My Desire, but we must rise. Guests come."
"In a moment only, my Queen."
Sle'nel’ wasn't to be denied, and the more The High Queen resisted, the more aggressive Sle'nel’ became. She took her Queen's hands into her own, holding them so she couldn't move her away, as she moved down.
It didn't take long for San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ to give in to the feeling, also thinking, like Sle'nel’ had said, how much she enjoyed her lover's very knowing touch. Sle'nel’ took many moments, making their union last. Upon listening to San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ moan her pleasure and release, Sle'nel’ decided it was the best moment in all The Realm to hear her Queen surrender her guard and enjoy the moment. She moved next to her, holding her as The High Queen returned to The Realm.
"You are insatiable, Elf."
Sle'nel’ laughed, “To give you pleasure is the greatest gift for me. Do you tire of this, my Queen?"
"How could I when just the mere thought of you sends shivers through My body. I have had many lovers prior, but none that are as you. I would tire of them and their desires by the morn, tossing them out of My bed. Why did you laugh?"
Sle'nel’ thought of her past with Sam while in Woden, sighing, “I know not. Just bad memories of the past I think, that are now humorous in their own way."
"Ah. It was My sister, then. She couldn't get enough of you."
Sle'nel’ scoffed, “Not of me, I think. But she did like the physical moments quite a bit. But it was less about the moments together than the feeling. At moments I get angry, hoping she learned a lesson, knowing that no one will ever be as giving as I was to her. But that is wrong for me to feel this way. At some moments, I just think her selfish."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ laughed at this, “Forgive Me, My Desire, but Ann'wn has said the same thing of her: selfish and immature. But I want us not to dwell upon your past and make you upset upon this wonderful relaxed morn of ours."
"Upset? How could I be when here with you? At such moments, Woden and my life in it seem nothing more than a make-believe story, and very far distant from this life."
She moved on top of The High Queen again, staring down into her eyes and face, “I love you, my Queen."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ embraced her Elf tightly to her, whispering into her ear, “And I you, My Elf."
They kissed passionately, so involved in it and further arousing their desires that they didn't hear Ann'wn knock on the door.
After waiting a few moments, Ann'wn opened the door, a little, “My Queen?"
Yet hearing nothing, and neither of them hearing her, she entered, thinking them asleep. She hated having to do this chore, wishing The High Queen's attendants were here to do this thing for her. And at this moment, her fears were well served as they both turned to her, Sle'nel’ yet lying on top of her Queen, the covers fully off of them.
As Sle'nel’ brought the covers over them, she smiled, “Learning anything interesting, Ann'wn?"
Initially, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ wasn't pleased, but became amused as Sle'nel’ played with the moment. She laughed as Sle'nel’ encased them within the blankets, fully covering them and their heads, as Sle'nel’ kissed her again.
Ann'wn left, hearing them kissing and laughing as she closed the door. She turned to the Dungaras and A'lon'lden, trying not to blush, “They will be out in a few moments. They said to go ahead and eat our morn meal while we wait."
They finally rose, got dressed, The High Queen looking as a Queen, and went out to the porch to meet with the Dungaras and her lover. As they came outside, A'lon'lden knelt and bowed her head to The High Queen, “My Queen."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked down upon her former lover's daughter, wondering where her path would have taken her if it hadn't been for that one moment with the Mungardies, “Rise, A'lon'lden, My daughter. It has been many cycles since I have last seen you. How are your wounds?"
A'lon'lden rose, looking at her more-or-less adopted Mother, “They heal well, Highness. The Sorcerer Women tell me that my mind is yet ill, though. I try to work through the horrors, but they return overly often, my Queen. It is good to see you well. I am happy for you in your new union. You have waited long for such a love as this. I hope it is as my Birth-Mother was to you, or more."
"Thank you, A'lon'lden. Let us all sit so that I may eat the morn meal with you."
The Dungaras was holding their baby, nursing it. The High Queen had never prior seen a Dungaras even care for one of their own, let alone nurse it. She hoped that Sle'nel’ would sit directly next to It, knowing that the Dungaras trusted Sle'nel', as she was an Elf.
"Yyeoiraa, how is your baby?"
The Dungaras looked much improved, if a Dungaran could look well to Mystics, since the birth of the baby and A'lon'lden's improvement.
The Dungaras was afraid of this Queen, and would rather speak to the Elf, but knew she must do so, especially since The High Queen had addressed her by name, “It is well, because of you."
"A'lon'lden. Where is it you would like to live, now? There are only a few places that this union would be welcomed, but at least there are options for you."
"Not here, my Queen. It is overly foreign to Yyeoiraa. She would feel better away from the Valley. There is one other place where we might live apart, but safe."
The High Queen raised an eyebrow, settling herself back into her chair. She was well content from the morn with Sle'nel’ and was feeling somewhat relaxed. Sle'nel’ laughed lightly, watching her lover. She loved the way that her Queen would sit back into one corner of her chair, with her legs relaxing out toward the opposite side. Sle'nel’ thought that perhaps her Queen had been taught a more queenly pose but had come into her own style along the way. She knew from having watched many moments of this that The High Queen lounged in this fashion upon two occasions only—when she was truly relaxed, or when she was trying to distance herself from the event.
"Where might this be?"
"El'fs'nv'lle, my Queen."
It was a valley outside of El'fs'nd'lle; a beautiful location, but remote. The High Queen thought on it for a moment. She thought it a good enough spot, and well protected by the Elves’ own mystical powers they had placed over it prior to their leaving. Truly, no one would ever find them or bother them.
"Why there? You will be isolated from all The Realm."
"I know, my Queen, but we have discussed it. Until our child is grown, we will be hunted. There exist entire populations wishing to kill us and our baby now. Is it not enough for The Realm to know that such a union can occur?"
The High Queen nodded slightly, “Perhaps. But it might also be that you have had overly much of this Realm, A'lon'lden. I think you seek escape. Let Me think on this for a moment while you tell us of your scouting, and how this relationship occurred. How is it that you and a Dungaras fell in love, and mated? There are none in all The Realm that think this possible, yet I see this baby is of both."
The baby in all its strangeness, was truly of both races. While it had the face of the Mystics in the Valley, it had the skin and eyes of a Dungaras. While it had the legs and length of a Dungaras, it had the body fea
tures of the Valley's women.
A'lon'lden sighed, knowing she would eventually have to tell this story. As she began her story, The High Queen settled a little more into her chair, preparing herself to listen to this amazing story, knowing it would take a while. A'lon'lden had been gone for many cycles, so had many adventures to relate.
"As you know, my Queen, I scouted during the first few cycles, trying to find the strongholds of the Dungaras so as to kill their leaders, and so as to be able to report the information back to the Valley. I succeeded as I could."
She told of what she saw during those cycles, the horrors the Dungaras placed upon the mystics. She saw holding pens where captured humans and The Realm's mystics were kept until killed. She watched from afar as they butchered their captives alive. She vowed to kill as many of the Dungaras as she could before they eventually found her, and tortured her. She told how above all else, the Dungaras tortured their prisoners. If there were no humans available to torture, the Dungaras forces would take one of their own and do so. Through the cycles, she learned their language and their culture. She found their strongholds. She found the caves that they loved to live in. Deep caves that traveled deep into the ground, where hundreds of them would all live. And she learned how to move with no sound, and how to see without being seen. Never did they see her.
She rested for a moment, looking at her Queen. She took a drink and rested her hand upon Yyeoiraa's head, looking at her with love.
She continued, “I had by now spent over four cycles learning of all their territories, their strongholds, their language, and their practices. Or so I thought. But I was arrogant in my knowledge, having believed I knew everything there was to know about the Dungaras. Until I found one of their more outlying and open settlements. It was a town like no other of the Dungaras that I had seen all those cycles. This one was, well, not like the others. There were no warriors in this town. There were no captives. There was no torture, even of themselves. I watched them for three moons, seeing only the opposite of what I had come to believe was true. There, in that town, were Dungaras that lived their lives as we live ours, in peace. These were Dungaras that cared for one another, that lived amongst each other, as in a communal society. That ate only what they could grow. I waited patiently, knowing that they would eventually have to show some sort of contact with the other Dungaras I had observed for overly long."
The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] Page 13
