San'lr'in'thel'ineln', rubbing her sore hand, looked at Ann'wn. Slowly, The High Queen walked over to Ann'wn and offered her hand to her, “Get off the ground, Force Leader. You look ridiculous."
* * * *
Just prior to their leaving, she gave instructions to her Private and Black Guards in case the Mungardies struck back sooner than expected. All her forces left with a feeling of great success, and she allowed it, knowing they needed it so. And all left with even more vowed loyalty to their High Queen.
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ sat on a log near the morn fire, once again watching as it died down. She felt drained of all emotion. The only ones remaining in the camp were her guards and companions. Erthrn had sent Uthrn back to Rns'deln’ for needed healing. Sle'nel’ had remained slightly apart from all the morn's proceedings, watching and observing. She had trusted her lover to find the correct solution, and her trust had been rewarded. But as in all such decisions, the cost was a heavy burden on her Queen.
Even after all had been made right, Sle'nel’ yet remained apart, providing space so that the resulting interactions may occur without the mediation of her presence with The High Queen. She knew that she had to give Ann'wn, Sam, Meera, Caitha and Queen Erthrn the moments needed to deal with the remaining tensions of The High Queen.
Sle'nel’ laughed slightly to herself as she watched The Healer help Ann'wn with her now broken tooth. And she watched as Sam went over to San'lr'in'thel'ineln', sitting beside her once again, at the fire.
"Sister."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked upon Sam, merely nodding.
"I was unaware there was a law in The Realm regarding having to behead Ann'wn."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ said nothing for a long moment, then spoke with barely a sound, “How could you have known of such?"
"I just meant that prior eve, when I was trying to force you to—"
She sighed, and spoke truly, “I know you meant no harm."
"I knew not that the decision was such as this. I now understand your hesitancy in coming to such a decision."
"I didn't think I had decided. But I see now that I did."
"In truth, at that moment when you pulled up Ann'wn, I would have rather faced death than you."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ merely sighed, “I recall not the moment."
"You pulled her up from the ground and yelled at her, telling her to deal with you and your rage like a warrior woman, instead of opting for the coward's easy death."
"I said as such?"
"You did."
Meera and Caitha came over and sat upon the ground. The High Queen looked at them briefly, then looked back upon the fire.
Meera spoke to Sam, “A tough decision, this turn."
Sam nodded, “I wouldn't have done as well."
Caitha added, “I knew she wouldn't do as such to Ann'wn. I could see it in her eyes."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked at Caitha for a moment, wondering about her statement, then looked back to the fire.
All watched as Ann'wn came forward, dressed once again in her uniform. She walked up to The High Queen and knelt before her, “High Queen. I come to do as commanded. I am here to face your rage as a Warrior, Highness."
The High Queen stared at her for a moment, then rose and took out her sword. She looked at Ann'wn, then upon Ann'wn's sword. Ann'wn quickly realized what her Queen desired. She stepped away from the circle and pulled her sword. The High Queen walked over to her, slowly, and raised her sword to Ann'wn's.
The contest began, but Ann'wn knew that all she could hope to do was to counter The High Queen's advances, as The High Queen had the High Queen's sword this turn. Even though The High Queen refrained from using her powers, the sword had powers of its own, making Ann'wn's fight against The High Queen as child's play.
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ yet hadn't been able to unleash her fury at Ann'wn, so was now doing so. With every swing and movement she made, her fury became more unleashed, and her fighting stronger. Ann'wn fought with every moment of strength she could bring forward, but was weakening. In her rage, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ drove Ann'wn to the ground, placing her sword's tip on Ann'wn's throat, breaking the skin fully.
Speaking in her rage, but softly, and looking upon Ann'wn with eyes that bore no kindness, she said, “Next moment, Force Leader, I expect My commands to be followed to the word, without question."
"Yes, High—"
An arrow shot in front of San'lr'in'thel'ineln's face, and hit a nearby tree. She looked back to the path of the arrow, seeing its sender.
Sle'nel’ had shot the arrow, but was now removing her sword from its sheath, “Fight one who can fight against you."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked back down at Ann'wn, moved the sword tip to her eye, a blink away from it, “And never act the coward again, Force Leader. I expect far more from you than your display, this morn."
Moving her sword suddenly, she nicked Ann'wn's ear, then turned, facing her lover. Sle'nel’ looked at her lover's sword, seeing it the one with the red stone embedded in it. Knowing that she now faced an enraged High Queen, and one with the sword of powers, she readied herself even more, knowing that she would have to remain most agile upon this moment. But knowing that her full intent was to help her Queen remove herself from this rage. So Sle'nel’ planned for a long engaged sword fight against The High Queen, in hopes of tiring her.
She looked at her Queen and smiled wickedly, as if taunting her, “You are lucky I don't yet have my Elfin sword, my Queen."
The High Queen looked upon her lover, needing this moment to help release her rage. She said nothing, but raised her sword so as to begin the contest. Sle'nel’ brought her sword tip to The High Queen's, then moved it away, advancing quickly upon The High Queen, then moving away even more so. The High Queen had to move more swiftly than she was used to with others, seeing that her Elf was going to make her earn this victory.
Ann'wn had risen from where The High Queen had left her upon the ground, bleeding, and watched the fight between The High Queen and the Elfin Princess. It had been long prior since Erthrn had seen San'lr'in'thel'ineln's fighting ability, so was astonished as to her abilities and powers. All watched in disbelief as the two fought against each other through the long moments. As Meera had seen prior, with each advance, they each used more of their powers against each other.
After many long moments of fighting, and as the swords grew heavier and heavier for their wielders, Ann'wn could see that The High Queen was tiring. Sle'nel’ was now fully exhausted, but kept moving, dancing away from The High Queen's most powerful of moves, telling herself over and over again that the point was to tire out her lover.
Erthrn was standing next to Ann'wn, “I wouldn't wish to fight against our High Queen. She is the most fierce of fighters I have ever prior seen. Even I have no such strength and power as this."
Sam came up beside them, “I had never prior realized this, but they are both left-handed swordswomen."
Caitha had also come up, “Poor San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. The weight of The Realm wears heavy upon her these turns. And all you brutes can do is to make it worse for her."
She hit Ann'wn upon the arm, and then did so to Meera. Meera just looked at her, then asked, “What was that for?"
"Because she is correct. You are all cowards, and find death easier to face than the realities.” She looked at Erthrn, and said, “And I would do the same to you if you were not Queen."
Erthrn looked at her, then laughed, “I accept your argument against us, and know that you are correct."
Caitha looked back to Ann'wn, “She should have cut your neck deeper. It is overly sad you just don't bleed to death. Shame on all of you. Look what you have done to this fine High Queen. You have made her crazed."
The Healer examined the wound The High Queen had inflicted upon Ann'wn's neck, “It will need stitches, Force Leader.” But she was glad that she was alive.
Ann'wn nodded, “After this fight, Healer.” She looked into The
Healer's eyes, wishing that The Healer would touch her further, but in a more knowing fashion.
Sle'nel’ watched her lover carefully, seeing that The High Queen was slightly removed from the real moment, and overly focused upon her own rage. Sle'nel’ was using the full extent of all her resources and powers, but knew that she couldn't let down. Her Queen was in a full rage against The Realm's injustices, and barely knew that Sle'nel’ was at the other end of the sword. She had seen it the moment The High Queen had placed her sword tip upon Ann'wn's neck.
The fighting continued for longer than any thought possible, as The High Queen raged her sword against her unseen enemies and injustices. No words had been spoken between them during the entire sword fight, and Erthrn could see the cautioned watchfulness in Sle'nel's eyes. Sle'nel’ took powerful hit after hit, enduring The High Queen's powers she sent through her sword.
After even longer moments, far more than any had ever witnessed, The High Queen had finally taken the advantage, backing Sle'nel’ into a clump of small trees from which there was no easy escape. The High Queen advanced forward, with Sle'nel’ yet trying desperately to ward off all her Queen's sword advances, but at last unable to move any further. Yet detached from the reality of the fight, The High Queen placed her sword against Sle'nel's heart. In an Elfin-move, uncharacteristic of all the other races of The Realm, she forcefully grabbed the sword with her right-hand, moving it away from her as she moved her leg to trip The High Queen. Both moves had surprised The High Queen, and she found herself upon the ground, with her sword yet firmly held by both of them. She looked at her Sle'nel', seeing now that Sle'nel's hand was bleeding fully upon the sword, where it had cut easily and deeply into her.
Letting go her sword, The High Queen rose quickly, looking concerned. She took Sle'nel's hand into her own, examining it. She pressed strongly upon her cuts, murmuring some chants. Sle'nel’ closed her eyes for a moment, trying to remove some of her increasingly sharp pain. When she reopened her eyes, she saw that her High Queen had tears flowing from her eyes as she chanted her spells.
When The High Queen was done with her spells, she looked into Sle'nel's eyes. Sle'nel’ saw the deepest of sadness within, and held out her arms to her lover. She softly said, “Come to me."
The High Queen went into Sle'nel's embrace, placing her head against Sle'nel's shoulder, and cried. For many long moments, Sle'nel’ held her lover, and rocked her gently, allowing The High Queen to let go of her rage.
"I should go and tend to her hand."
Sam shook her head, “I think this not yet the moment, Healer."
Erthrn also shook her head, “I am not brave enough to do so."
"Yet it bleeds greatly."
Meera agreed with Erthrn, “I certainly wouldn't interrupt them at this moment.” Ann'wn kept her thoughts to herself, but finally seeing herself a coward when facing her own Queen, as her Queen had said of her. After a moment's reflection, she took The Healer's hand in her own, and led her over to them, doing as The High Queen said, “Face My rage directly, Ann'wn."
The fight had taken Sle'nel’ and The High Queen a distance away from the camp, so it took Ann'wn and the Healer a few moments to reach them. When they did, Ann'wn came up beside the Elf, who now had her eyes closed, focusing on comforting her lover.
"High Queen. The Healer needs to tend to your lover's hand. It bleeds overly freely."
Sle'nel’ opened her eyes, glaring at Ann'wn, “When will you learn, Warrior?"
The High Queen moved away from Sle'nel', nodding, “Yes, Healer. Tend to her wound."
The High Queen looked at Ann'wn, staring at her, studying her. Ann'wn had knelt and bowed her head before her Queen.
The Healer was surprised at the deepness of the wound, “It will need many stitches. Why did you do as such, Elf?"
The High Queen turned and looked into her lover's eyes, but said nothing. She saw that her lover looked exhausted, dirtied and bloodied. For her.
"How injured is it?"
The Healer shook her head, “I cannot tell as yet. But I don't think any of her tendons are cut."
Sle'nel’ stood without wavering, displacing her pain and removing herself from its intensity. Even Ann'wn was surprised at how strong Sle'nel’ was becoming.
Sle'nel’ looked at Ann'wn through eyes that had, in their own right, much to say to Ann'wn, “Healer. Leave me. I will be in camp in but a moment."
The Healer looked at her surprised, “Your hand, my Elf."
"I will be in camp in a moment."
She turned to her Queen, “Leave me, my Queen. This is between me and Ann'wn."
The High Queen studied her, but left Sle'nel's thoughts to her. She nodded, wondering what Sle'nel’ wanted, but didn't question it. She took the Healer's hand and made her to leave with her. Ann'wn began to leave with them.
"Ann'wn, you and I have some unfinished matters between us."
At that moment, Ann'wn knew it would be far easier to face The High Queen's wrath than this Elf's.
Back in camp, Sam, Erthrn, Caitha, Meera, The Healer, and The High Queen were all watching Sle'nel’ and Ann'wn from a distance. They watched as Sle'nel’ moved her hand to Ann'wn's face, but couldn't tell from this distance what she was doing or saying.
"What do you think she says to Ann'wn?"
"I know not, Healer. But I am glad it is not me in Ann'wn's boots at this moment."
Sam nodded, “You speak truly, Queen Erthrn. I have seen her anger, and even then, prior to her knowing of her powers or background, found it most extreme and strong."
The High Queen wondered also, “What is she doing?"
Meera shook her head, “I cannot tell this, my Queen."
Caitha smiled, “She should be doing this to the lot of you, you worthless cowards."
The High Queen smiled, seeing that her warriors were getting their own punishment from the outside ranks.
Caitha turned to The High Queen, “And you, M'Love, while you certainly deserve to take out your hostilities against all these ... these fools, look what you have done to our Jandra. You should be able to control your powers so as to prevent this. How bad be her cut, Healer?"
The Healer shrugged, “Who can tell? I am no longer allowed to heal anyone, it would seem."
Caitha looked once again at The High Queen, “Why did you point your sword to your own lover's heart, M'Love? Did you not know that she might do as such?"
The High Queen shook her head, “I am also a fool. I knew that an Elf would do as such. They never quit the fight until their final breath."
They watched as Sle'nel', then Ann'wn began to walk back to camp, when suddenly, Sle'nel’ fell to her knees, then to the ground. Ann'wn gently picked her up and carried her beloved Elf back into camp.
* * * *
Sle'nel’ awoke to the throbbing of the pain in her hand, but feeling only softness enfolding her. She opened her eyes slowly, seeing her lover sitting near. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ was sitting in a chair, close to the bed, watching her awaken.
As Ann'wn had returned the Elf back to the camp, The Healer had examined her, then told The High Queen that Sle'nel’ was exhausted, yet with a loss of blood from her prior wounds, now even further so, and that she needed rest. She commanded that Sle'nel’ be allowed a few turns of uninterrupted rest, fully knowing that her Queen also needed as such.
The High Queen and Sle'nel’ were returned swiftly back to Rns'deln'. Both The Healer and The High Queen had placed a strong sleeping spell on Sle'nel’ so that she wouldn't have to know of the journey. Upon their arrival, The High Queen and Sle'nel’ were taken to the small dwelling upon her lake where The Healer finally tended to Sle'nel'. Erthrn had seen the weight of the last few turns upon her High Queen, so had guards well informed that under no condition was she or the Elf to be bothered.
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ studied her lover's thoughts, sensing that Sle'nel's wound provided great pain to her. She placed her hand gently upon her lover's wound, and provided some spells of pain
relief. She then placed her hand upon Sle'nel's head, trying to remove more of her pain for her, but Sle'nel’ removed her hand gently, “No, my Queen. You must not do this."
"It is only a little thing I do for you, and is nothing in comparison to what you did for Me. I vow that I will not use much of my energy. Will this be acceptable to you?"
Sle'nel’ nodded. The High Queen removed some of the pain, feeling Sle'nel’ relaxing some from the relief.
Sle'nel’ looked around, seeing that they were back in the small cottage upon the lake, “How long have we been returned?"
"Only this turn. Only a short while prior. Are you hungry?"
"Yes, but mostly thirsty."
The High Queen nodded, “The Healer says that you have lost much blood, but that drinking the juices will help."
Sle'nel’ rose and they sat at the small table overlooking the lake while they ate and drank. They spoke softly together for what seemed the first moment in many turns.
"Ann'wn? What did you say to her, My Desire?"
"Why?"
"She sits upon the first island and will not leave it. I have had to call for attendants to tend to her needs. She refuses to move."
"Has The Healer tended to her wounds?"
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ frowned, “Ten stitches upon her neck. A small covering upon her ear. The Healer chastised me for removing a piece off her ear."
"She deserved such, and will heal. As will I."
"I have commanded her to leave the island and to go rest, but she will not. She says another has commanded of her that she remain, and that this counters any of My commands. I assume this command is yours. How is it that your command outweighs that of a High Queen's, My Love?"
Sle'nel’ laughed, “My threats are far worse than yours."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ had no humor about her. She placed her hand onto Sle'nel's arm and stared into her eyes, “Why did you grab my sword?"
The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] Page 46
