Ll'strin'll, who was also the High Master and one of The High Queen's former teachers, had been Mil'der'in's lover once long prior, for a short moment. The High Queen and Mil'der'in had guessed that she had lived through the Masters’ battle, but lived now against The Realm. Mil'der'in had never again taken a long-term lover, thinking that her position, so close to The High Queen, was overly at-risk from those who would betray The Realm. Just prior to the Masters’ great battle between themselves, U'Aine’ had informed Mil'der'in of her love for her. It amazed both of them that U'Aine’ yet declared this love.
"If you would like my presence with you, I will do as bid. As you say, it might be of some interest."
"Then I am pleased. Good eve, Mil'der'in. Thank you."
She said her farewells, “Highness. Princess."
She left, taking The Healer with her.
After they left, Sle'nel’ said, “Mil'der'in is a beautiful woman, and amazingly intelligent and witty."
The High Queen nodded, smiling, “Yes, My Love. She is all those things."
"Is she a former lover?"
The High Queen didn't respond right away, thinking on her past, “No, not this. Good friends only. When I desired her, she had someone else. When she desired Me, I was with another. When we finally did match our moments, we both knew we were not meant to be together. And she is needed as My High Counselor. We have a law that The High Queen cannot have union with her High Counselor. For one brief moment only I resented it, but soon saw its benefit. She must act both as My advocate and as My opponent when she thinks Me wrong. Such would tear apart a union."
The High Queen lay down upon the bed, “Why do you hesitate, My Love? Do the memories of us frighten you in any way?"
She sat upon the bed, “Did I do wrong in listening to this healer?"
The High Queen shook her head as she held out her hand, “No, My Love. You did well. Come to Me, My Love, and tell Me of what memories you have regained."
Sle'nel’ stood where she was, unmoving, “This healer told me that you love me beyond all else. Be this true? And how would she know of this? Do you trust her?"
The High Queen looked at Sle'nel', deciding to tell her, “You just met one of My teachers, My Love."
As she made the statement, she saw that Sle'nel’ once again shook with apprehension. She rose from the bed, not yet an easy task, and went to her, “What is it, My Desire? Why do you shake so?"
"Be it truth about The Highest? She be the same person I met this turn?"
"Let Me give you My memories of this, My Love."
The High Queen sent her the image of the forest. Of Sle'nel's pregnancy and birthing, of their frantic trip to the Valley, Sle'nel's illness, and of Sam's betrayal. She then sent her other images of what occurred after, showing her of the Ancients, of their trip to the Sorcerer Women, and of their first turns together in the forest dwelling. She left out Sle'nel's role as High Sorcerer until she returned that memory to herself.
Sle'nel’ laughed softly, “Poor Sam. So this is why I felt so uneasy around her this turn."
The High Queen laughed. She sent one more image of them at the dwelling in the forest, “Do you know what I said to you then, My Love?"
"I have no picture of you in my head, but remember your voice. You said, “I have gladly died a thousand deaths for this moment."
"I spoke truth. Now will you get in My bed before I fall into unconscious from this pain?"
Sle'nel’ placed her hand on the back of The High Queen's head, drawing her to her. She kissed her passionately, as if they had been separated and now just returned. The High Queen didn't know where to place her hand for fear of hurting Sle'nel', but settled for holding the back of her neck. The kiss was intense, causing The High Queen to moan, gladdened that her Elf was finally returning to her.
They slept peacefully throughout the long eve. Even The Healer was surprised at how deeply and quietly they both slept, knowing fully that both of them tended to have horrible visions of cruelty in The Realm. In the morn, The High Queen awakened to Sle'nel's touch upon her face.
"My Desire. Is it already the morn?” She was yet sleepy, but sensed that she had managed to sleep throughout the entire eve.
"Your Healer has asked me to awaken you. She informed me that you will need to prepare yourself for The High Queen's Audience responsibility. But she wanted you to have some private moments, whatever that means."
The High Queen felt grateful to her Healer, “It means we have some moments alone. How are your wounds upon this morn? And your memories?"
"Who are you?"
The High Queen looked at her, “Have you forgotten again, My Desire?"
Sle'nel’ looked agonized, “Where am I? This looks not like Woden."
The High Queen looked upon her, beginning to sense her mind so as to see what was wrong, when suddenly Sle'nel’ moved not so gently onto her Queen, giving her a great kiss, laughing.
With her one good arm The High Queen held her love tightly to her, so pleased that her Elf was returning that she refused to acknowledge the pain in her side that Sle'nel’ had just caused.
"You are returning."
"I never left you, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. Although I was confused, I sensed who we are, together."
An attendant walked into the room, “My Queen, we must check your wounds prior to—"
Instead of listening to her, she decided to just be late for The High Queen's Audience, “Leave us. I will call you when I am ready."
"But my Qu—"
"LEAVE!"
The attendant left, fully realizing that The High Queen had regained her strength and would no longer accept any of their suggestions. The Healer stuck her head in the door, listening, then turned to the attendants, “Tell the guards to hold The High Queen's Audience for just a while. Sle'nel’ returns to The Realm and The High Queen is overjoyed. Give them a few more moments."
"You are fully returned?"
Sle'nel’ looked down upon her, touching her nose, her lips, her eyes, “I know not. But who cares? I seem to remember enough for the moment."
"Do you recall the battle?"
"I do."
"The Sorrows?"
"Yes."
"The Sacre—"
"Are you done, now? Are there not more important things we could speak of, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'?"
She looked surprised, “You called Me by my name."
"Did I not, prior? Ever?"
"Perhaps once, but certainly no more than twice."
Sle'nel’ thought about it for a moment, “I can understand this. You are such a powerful Queen and lover that I can only hold you in awe."
"A powerful lover?"
"Only such a powerful lover as you could hold an Elfin Faiere. Why else would I be so captivated with you? How else would a mere Mystic capture an Elf's attention?"
The High Queen laughed, causing great pain again, which she tried to ignore, “Oh, please make Me not laugh so. It hurts, plus all the food you are beginning to eat makes you weigh down upon Me."
Sle'nel’ also laughed as The High Queen moved her hand to Sle'nel's face, removing some of her hair that had fallen all about. The High Queen had become serious, “After the battle, when looking down on you as you lay upon the ground, broken, I didn't think we would live. I had no more powers in which to save you."
Sle'nel’ saw that a tear had left her Queen's eye, “Be not sad, my Queen. All is well, and we will continue to fight our way together through The Realm's evils and uncertainties. And besides, My Love, you did save me. You saved all of us. You killed many of them with your sword, and over two hundred others with your powers. Is it no wonder you had no powers left to heal us?"
"Perhaps, but I know fully that you also killed many.” She paused a moment, then added, “When would you like us to journey to El'fs'nd'lle?"
"When you can do so.” She lowered her head to her Queen's, kissing her softly and quietly for many long moments, gladdened to be returned to her Queen. Both of
them were yet overly wounded to do more than this, but it was enough.
The Healer walked in attempting to interrupt them, knowing that The High Queen needed to rise so as to prepare for the turn. She made much noise, but they remained in their embrace of each other. The Healer turned to them, watching and fully amazed at their ability to cast off all about them in their enjoyment of each other. Having prior given up in The High Queen doing so, The Healer was now pleased that she had finally found someone. While The Healer had hoped she would personally be the one for The High Queen long prior, she could now see for what The High Queen had searched. Sle'nel’ provided the passion, intelligence, and playfulness that The High Queen needed.
Finally, Sle'nel’ let go her kiss and embrace, “It seems, My Love, that all those about you in the Valley wish to take lessons of our passions."
The High Queen smiled at Sle'nel's ability to jest at the intrusions, “Perhaps The Realm would be a more contented place then, My Desire, as am I."
"Then, if we do this for them, I could call you The High Queen of Passions."
The Healer laughed.
The High Queen looked at her, “And what, Healer, is so humorous about this?"
The Healer went to break the two apart so that she could begin to check their wounds, “The only passion your Realm sees from you, High One, is when you are well angered. In your sad turns, you were called as The High Queen of Darkness. Rise so that I may tend to your wounds and bandages."
The High Queen rose, stiff, but feeling improved, “It is better than having no passion at all."
"Thank goodness for our Elf, my Queen."
The High Queen looked to Sle'nel’ and sighed, “You speak truly, Healer."
The High Queen arranged to meet Sle'nel’ for their late after midturn meal. Escorted to The High Queen's Audience, she found that all were waiting for her. She arrived to the Great Hall and allowed her guards to provide their fanfare. Mil'der'in was already waiting for her in a most beautiful but understated gown, designed to be slightly less than The High Queen's. They would walk in together with Mil'der'in slightly in back of The High Queen.
When someone thought that their own ruler wasn't providing fair practices, they could come to The High Queen's Audience. It differed from The High Queen's High Court in that the High Court held the final say, while The High Queen's Audience consisted of just The High Queen, and no court. The line outside the Great Hall was long, and The High Queen thought it would take longer than one turn to get through everyone.
"How long has it been since I have provided this? Did we not just hold one?"
Mil'der'in had also looked at the line, glad that The High Queen was returned to do this duty, “Perhaps you are thinking of The High Court, but it is truth. You performed this not long prior to make such a line as this. Something must be going on in The Realm. This is not usual."
"Thank you for scribing this turn. It will make it less painful. I hope the seat doesn't become overly uncomfortable. Shall we go?"
"My Queen, where is your crown?"
The High Queen rolled her eyes, “I have forgotten it."
Mil'der'in snapped her fingers at a guard and had them race back to retrieve it. As they waited, she spoke with The High Queen, “My Queen. Something most curious has happened, and I wish your opinion but it is somewhat private and embarrassing."
"Private, Mil'der'in? Have you found a new lover then? It is well past the moment."
"My position is overly open to abuse by others to gain knowledge of you. It is not worth such a risk, and makes me suspicious of all the possible lovers. But someone momentarily intrigues me and has asked me to spend some moments with her, but I seek your permission first."
"Whoever it is, Mil'der'in, I am pleased for you. I hope whoever it is can make you as ecstatic as I have become with my Elf."
"My Queen. It is someone you know well. Please think on this for me."
She sighed, “As you will, Mil'der'in. Who is this surprise?"
"Your sister."
The guard ran back with the crown. Mil'der'in placed it upon The High Queen's head, and the fanfare sounded once again. As they walked up to the front of the Great Hall in the small procession, The High Queen whispered back to her scribe, “My sister? She asks to spend moments with you? Why does she intrigue you so?"
"We spent a few moments speaking after the celebration last eve, and I found her, well, fun. And she seems so lonely."
"I doubt if lonely is a good reason for you to be intrigued, but she couldn't do better than you. Are you aware that Sle'nel’ was My sister's prior lover?"
"She says that she has been completely honest and open with me, and has stated that she has been selfish, demanding, unloving, and immature in her past, but now seeks just good friendship. She told me of her betrayal, of her overly many past lovers in regard to her position, and says she would just like to spend some moments with me."
"What do you think of her?"
"I know not. But I wouldn't mind spending a meal getting to know her a bit more. I informed her that I would seek your permission prior to any such meeting with her. She said that she understood and would accept your decision on this."
The path to the front of the Great Hall was a long one. When they had arrived, Mil'der'in took her place beside The High Queen's seat while The High Queen turned and faced her audience. All those waiting in the Great Hall now knelt and bowed to The High Queen, “High Queen."
"Please rise."
Mil'der'in knew her part well, “The High Queen now attends The High Queen's Audience."
As Mil'der'in called for the first complaint, The High Queen whispered, “I wish you well, then. You could do much better, but she certainly chooses well, as she did prior with Sle'nel'. Enjoy yourself, Mil'der'in. I hear she is quite a passionate lover. I have only one need. To remind you that she knows Me not well, and I would like to keep it as such."
"I have already informed her that talk of you or Sle'nel’ will not be permitted."
"Yes. She has chosen very well. I am meeting Sle'nel’ for the late after midturn meal. If you would like to join us with your new interest, feel free, but you are under no obligation. If you so desire, we could have My sister invited.” Looking down the long line, The High Queen sighed, “Are you ready for this long turn?"
"Thank you, My Queen. It might be interesting to do so. I will think on it for a moment, but would Sle'nel’ mind?"
The High Queen smiled at the thought, “Something tells Me that she would be most delighted."
As the first complaint approached toward the front, Mil'der'in spoke softly to The High Queen, “This is Stra'il’ from the town of Bostr'onell'. He says that his leader commands overly many taxes. He has complained to the ruler, but says that the queen simply increased his taxes when he complained."
The High Queen laughed lightly, “Who could blame her?"
Chapter V
Rns'deln'
By late after midturn, The High Queen would have rather faced the Dungaras than face one more complaint from The Realm.
"How many have we seen this turn?"
"Well over two hundred, Highness, but only a little over half."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ almost squeaked out her reply, surprised, “Only half? I cannot take another turn such as this. This is what My beloved Counselors don't understand. Having to sit here turn after turn would send even them crazed to the point of murder."
"I will announce that we do this yet next turn and will complete the complaints at that moment."
"For all the good it does. But go ahead. Next turn, then."
Mil'der'in went to the front of the raised platform, “The High Queen's Audience is completed for this turn, and will begin again in the morn. All kneel to The High Queen."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ rose stiffly from her great pain, moaning softly. She regained herself, then whispered to Mil'der'in, “Perhaps we should trade off during the turn. I know not how I can sit as long as this again, and I certai
nly understand not how you can stand this long. This is torture, and we are the ones being tortured. Perhaps the Counselors should have to do this assignment."
Mil'der'in smiled mischievously, “I think this a most excellent idea, my Queen. In fact, it is quite brilliant. Let me see if we can find a replacement for ourselves for the next turn, and allow the Counselors to see what it is we must do."
"Excellent. But I thought you merely jested.” She laughed, “It is quite brilliant, if only by accident. This might even make them more accepting of My needs. Has our meal together been arranged then?"
"Yes, Highness. They will be meeting us at the Commons near the river."
"Good. Then we go there now."
"Pardon me for just a moment while I have a message sent to two of our Counselors offering them the opportunity, shall I say, of presiding over The High Queen's Audience."
"Excellent choice of words."
The High Queen removed her crown and handed it to the attendant that had been assigned to her for the duration of the audience, “Does everything look as it should upon me? I am going to meet My Elf and would like to look at least presentable."
The attendant nodded her head, “Yes, my Lady. Most beautiful. I cannot even see that you yet remain with your bandages. May I place on your lesser crown, Highness?"
She nodded, bowed her head slightly so the attendant could place on her a lesser crown, then she and Mil'der'in’ walked together toward the Commons, an outdoor eating café’ a short distance from the Great Hall, “How do your wounds fare, Highness?"
She was irritated at the continuing pain, “Tiresome, at best. They heal overly slowly and are most inconvenient.” She tried flexing her arm, only to moan as she moved it.
"For having killed so many Dungaras as this, I remain surprised at how extremely well you look. Only two wounds is nothing for such a battle as this.” She looked sideways at San'lr'in'thel'ineln', providing a wry grin, “Even given their great size."
The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] Page 21
