Eleanor

by S. F. Burgess

  The High Lady turned on her heel and stormed out of the room. The Dwarves did not seem to use doors, but Eleanor was sure if there had been one, the High Lady would have slammed it.

  “Will?” she murmured with a thin, fragile voice.

  “He’s fine,” Amelia assured her.

  Eleanor blinked, surprised. “No missing memories?”

  Relief surged through her as Amelia shook her head.

  “How are you feeling?” Conlan asked.

  Eleanor shrugged. “Great. What was the harridan yelling about?”

  Talking made her cough. Amelia handed her a glass of water, lifted her head and helped her to drink.

  Conlan raise an eyebrow at her. “Harridan?”

  Eleanor smiled. “If you looked up the word in a dictionary, you’d find a picture of her.”

  Conlan quirked a smile, before annoyance filled his face. “She was here to tell us you have until sundown to sing the Earth Song, or they won’t give up the Talisman.”

  “Then you’d better give me a lot more water and help me up,” Eleanor said, struggling to sit but noticing with relief that she was no longer wearing the stupid white dress. The clothes were not her own, but they fit, were clean and there were trousers. She was irritated when Amelia pushed her back down with hardly any effort at all.

  Amelia noticed her look. “Eleanor, you were hijacked by an element, so I really think rest would be a good idea right now,” she said quietly. Eleanor took a deep breath, closing her eyes and marshalling her determination.

  “Amelia, if you think I just went through all that to fail now, you don’t know me very well.” She opened her eyes and Amelia looked hurt.

  “I do know you, Eleanor, but I had to try.”

  “Thank you, but I’m not going to let her win,” Eleanor insisted. Amelia sighed, helping her up as she forced her tired body to sit. Eleanor saw the concern on Conlan’s face, but he wisely chose to keep silent.

  Eleanor felt like she had drunk a lake before her voice was in any fit state to even think about singing. She had tried to talk to Amelia about what Will had done to her, but beyond assuring Eleanor that she was fine, she had refused to talk about it. ‘He did the right thing,’ was Amelia’s only comment. At Conlan’s unwavering insistence, Eleanor was sat up in bed, attempting to eat some sort of spicy bread and honey, when Remic arrived with Will and Freddie.

  “Is that really you?” Freddie teased, grinning at her. Eleanor grinned back. She looked at Will, noticing the deep purple and green bruises that spread across his neck. The smile fell. “I’m sorry, Will, I tried to stop it; it was just too strong,” she said.

  “It wasn’t your fault – sorry about all the junk in your head.” His steady gaze seemed to be implying a deeper meaning to his comment, but then he shrugged and smiled. “It was actually kind of cool.”

  Eleanor caught Amelia rolling her eyes.

  “Are you ready?” Remic asked.

  Conlan moved to sit on the edge of Eleanor’s bed, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze as he did so. “Do you know what you’re meant to sing?”

  Eleanor nodded slowly. “Yes, I think so, but I’m still not sure I can stand up in front of people and sing it... I really don’t think I can sing, Conlan.”

  Eleanor saw the smile he was trying to keep off his face.

  “We’re about to find out,” he said softly.

  The walk back to the council chamber was a terrifying experience for Eleanor; everyone was going to laugh. The terror pounded down on her, crushing what little confidence she had into a pulp. As they walked into the chamber Eleanor came to a frozen stop. The room was full; row upon row of orderly lines of Dwarves, hundreds, perhaps thousands of them, all silently watching her.

  “Come on, Eleanor, it’s OK,” Conlan said softly. Eleanor shook her head, knowing all her terror was showing on her face. She took a step backwards, fighting the urgent compulsion to turn and run.

  Will moved up behind her. “Would you like some help, Eleanor?”

  She nodded. Will pushed into her mind. The familiar feelings of calm and love spread through her. He moved past her defences effortlessly, pouring more calm through her. Sighing, she felt her body relax. Will moved deeper into her head. She made no move to resist him. Warm, protective love enveloped her, insulating her from her fear. Reality moved out of focus. Eleanor knew what she was doing, but it did not scare her. Will, living Prozac pill, she thought, hearing Will chuckling in the back of her head. With a small smile on her face, she ignored the people stood around her and walked down the narrow gap the Dwarves had left so that she could stand in front of the council. When she got there she fixed the High Lady with a glower for a moment and then closed her eyes, allowing the Earth’s song to run through her head. She felt Will’s appreciation.

  Beautiful, isn’t it?

  Yes, he agreed.

  Feeling happy, comfortable and protected, Eleanor began to sing. There were no words; this was just sound, beautiful melodic sound. She gave it her all, doing her best to make her voice match the harmonics running through her head. She knew it was not perfect, but it was not nearly as bad as she had feared. She had no idea how long she was meant to sing for, so as the song came to an end, she started again. This time, another voice swelled to join in, the stunning, resonating sound lifting her attempt. The chamber’s acoustics allowed him to layer his voice as the sound echoed off the walls. There were gasps of wonder from the Dwarves. Eleanor put more strength into her singing and kept her eyes closed; she felt his voice flow around her, filling her with such a deep sense of joy that for a moment nothing else mattered. He was singing the harmony for her, bolstering her own voice and helping to make the sound she was making much more like the sound in her head. She felt Will’s surprise. He didn’t know Conlan could sing. The song ended, the remaining sound echoing through her body, making her nerves tingle.

  He has an amazing voice, Eleanor thought dreamily.

  He’s sung for you before? Will asked.

  Yes, I think it might be my favourite sound in the whole world, after his laugh.

  She felt a rush of amused affection from Will and it cut through some of the fog he had created in her head.

  Oh, don’t tell him I said that, she blurted out, suddenly embarrassed.

  Eleanor opened her eyes and looked back across the chamber. Her eyes locked onto Conlan’s, and she smiled gratefully at him. He grinned back and she was still smiling as she turned to face the council. The High Lady was glaring at her, a nasty sneer on her face, but Eleanor did not care – she had passed the test. The diamond was hers.

  “Well done, Avatar of Earth,” the High Lady said grudgingly. “You have passed the maldra scelpa, although we were told that you had some problems when you emerged from the Earth.” She smiled in such a condescending and officious manner that Eleanor wanted to slap it off her face.

  Eleanor sighed and then said in a loud voice that echoed round the chamber, “Unfortunately, the power of Elemental Earth decided to visit and She used my body to do it; it was a little hard to kick Her out.” She heard the gasps that ran round the chamber, and the High Lady stared at her in shocked silence. It was one of the male council members who finally spoke.

  “You were a vessel for Earth?” he asked in disbelief. She nodded. “How did you persuade Her to leave you?” He sounded genuinely curious.

  Eleanor smiled again. “It was not me,” she turned round nodding at Conlan. “He did it.” There were further gasps from the crowd. Conlan had his normal emotionless expression on his face, but even from where she stood, Eleanor could see the amusement in his eyes.

  “I would like to hear more of this,” the old Dwarf said. “Return to your rooms and I will join you shortly.”

  Eleanor nodded, giving the old Dwarf a friendly smile, and then she turned and marched back to where the others stood, forcing her tired body to give the impression of confidence and strength.

  Thank you, Will, I couldn’t have done it without yo
u.

  “You’re welcome,” Will said, pulling his energy free.

  Remic was full of excitement as he led them back to the rooms in which Eleanor had woken up. He was answering Will and Conlan’s endless questions about the council members and Dwarf law, even explaining that they were staying in Callie’s home, which she had generously given up for their use. Eleanor was only half listening, as her tired brain was having problems interpreting. As the others chatted in the living room, she slipped into the bedroom and lay back on the bed, staring at the rock above her head; she felt a pang of homesickness and pushed it aside. One down, four to go. Victory and relief flooded through her, and she felt the urge to cry but fought it down. Curling on her side she closed her eyes and allowed sleep to take her.

  “Eleanor... Eleanor…”

  Without opening her eyes Eleanor smiled. “Yes, Conlan?”

  “We are eating, are you hungry?”

  “No. Did they bring the diamond? Did that council Dwarf come and talk to you yet?” she asked, not liking how weak and whispery her voice sounded.

  “The ‘council Dwarf’ is called Drumar, and yes, we had a talk. I am not sure he believed me about you being Earth’s Vessel, but I think that was just a rouse to talk to me. He spent most of the conversation telling me that I should be taking on the Lords of Mydren and bringing back the monarchy, not creeping around in the shadows.” Conlan was trying too hard to run an undercurrent of amusement through the Dwarfish.

  Drumar’s comments are making him think – good.

  “There is no sign of the diamond yet,” he continued. “You caused quite a stir; the Dwarves are outraged and they are questioning the High Lady’s right to rule. They think she should have just given you the diamond, not made you sing for it. You do not sing that badly, by the way.”

  Eleanor opened her eyes. He was sat on the chair next to her bed, and he looked serious.

  “Says the man with the voice of an angel,” Eleanor muttered in English.

  His eyes held hers. Feeling uncomfortable under his scrutiny, Eleanor sighed and then rolled onto her back, finding it easier to stare at the ceiling rather than at him.

  “So have I started a Dwarf civil war?” she asked, switching back to Dwarfish.

  “That was a really unsubtle attempt to avoid talking about your singing,” Conlan said, and this time Eleanor heard honest amusement in his voice. She turned her head towards him and he laughed at the look of consternation on her face.

  “I shall try to be more subtle in the future,” she muttered, as he laughed harder.

  “Glad you’re awake,” Freddie said, walking into the room. “Remic and Cander are here to see you.”

  “Cander? Is he alright?” Eleanor sat up, quickly moving off the bed. Rather too quickly, the room spun around her and she staggered. Freddie stepped forward and caught her before she fell. Eyes closed, she took several slow, deep breaths as Freddie held her up, her forehead resting against his chest.

  “Slowly, Eleanor,” he admonished.

  Pushing herself away gently, she stood unaided and shrugged. “Just need a bit more sleep.”

  Before either he or Conlan could object, she walked past Freddie into the living room. The comfortable chairs had been pushed back against the walls and large cushions placed around the central low table. Generous platefuls of food had been laid out on it. Eleanor’s stomach rumbled. Maybe I am hungry. Will and Amelia stood talking to Remic and Cander.

  “Cander, how are you?” Eleanor asked. He turned towards her. Physically he looked very similar to Remic, but his dark-brown hair was short and his sharp brown eyes had a cunning that Remic’s did not. His left arm was strapped securely across his chest. He looked pale and tired, but his grin was wide and genuine.

  “I feel much better, thank you.”

  Eleanor walked closer to them, and when she got within a few feet both Dwarves dropped gracefully to their knees. Surprised and uncomfortable, Eleanor froze.

  Embarrassment flushed her cheeks. “What are you doing?”

  Cander glanced up at her from beneath a bowed head, a mischievous grin on his face, putting a finger to his lips. Too stunned to argue, Eleanor nodded.

  “Eleanor, Avatar of Earth. We wish to make our loyalty to you official. From today Remic and I swear solemn allegiance to you. Our lives are yours,” Cander said slowly, his head bowed like Remic’s. Silence followed his words. Moving closer, Eleanor knelt down in front of them. She took their chins and gently raised their heads so she could see their eyes and the looks of trusting devotion on their faces.

  “Why?” she asked, confused.

  “There are reasons; please accept our loyalties,” Cander said, his steady gaze holding hers.

  Eleanor nodded. “Erm, thank you?” she said, not sure what the correct response should be. The two Dwarves both looked smugly satisfied. This is totally insane.

  “We were going to eat, do you wish to join us?” she offered lamely, nodding towards the table laden with food.

  Remic smiled apologetically. “We are unable to stay, I was sent to give you the diamond. There are ‘problems’ in the council. I am needed there and I believe Cander currently has several angry healers trying to find him.” He held his hand out, and in his palm was a large, oblong diamond which glittered with blue sparkles in the candlelight. It was housed in a metal setting which looked like silver or perhaps platinum. The thick chain was the same metal. Eleanor took it from him; it was about the size of a double ‘A’ battery, its heavy weight fitting comfortably into her hand. She closed her fist around it. She was not sure what she had expected, but it just felt like a diamond in her hand. She hid her disappointment and smiled at them.

  “Thank you, thank you for everything.”

  In one fluid movement the Dwarves rose, Remic offering a hand to help her stand. They both bowed to her, Cander still grinning as they headed for the exit. Silence followed their departure. Eleanor looked at the diamond in her hand, aware that the others were staring at her, the diamond giving her the opportunity to avoid looking back.

  “Eleanor, do you know what just happened?” Conlan asked eventually, switching back to English, she assumed, for Freddie and Amelia’s benefit. Still not looking at him she nodded, her cheeks burning.

  “It goes a little deeper,” he said, his very serious tone bringing her eyes to his. She looked at him, confused. When he was sure he had her attention, Conlan continued.

  “Remic is the closest the Dwarves have to a warlord – he commands the loyalty of the Dwarf army. Where he goes, they will follow, and he just gave that to you, Eleanor. Cander is Drumar’s grandson. His is an old and noble family line, and he is being trained to take his grandfather’s place on the council. Those two Dwarves just gave you all the resources and power of the Dwarfish nation, something no outsider has ever been given – not even Alaric commanded the Dwarves.”

  Eleanor stared at him in shock. “Remic said if I passed the maldra scelpa I would gain the unswerving loyalty of every Dwarf alive. It never occurred to me that he meant that literally.”

  It was only Remic, Cander and Callie that came to see them off at dawn the next morning. The extra food and provisions they had been supplied with had turned Rand from a warhorse into a less than happy pack mule. Callie had insisted Eleanor take a whole new wardrobe with her; Conlan had rolled his eyes at the extra bag, but the dirty look Amelia gave him kept him silent. Eleanor hoped that the nightmare white dress was not packed somewhere. Cander and Callie shook her hand and Eleanor thanked them profusely. Remic walked with them for a short distance, out of the shadow of the mountain and into the pale sunlight. He gave Conlan and Will some last-minute instructions on the easiest route to take to find the Elves. He said his farewells and then took Eleanor’s arm and gently pulled her to one side, out of the earshot of the others. He took her hands, giving her an encouraging smile before he spoke.

  “Our race has spent too long locked away from the problems of this world, and we have become s
mall-minded as a result; the High Lady shows this. Cander and I have been searching for a way to re-enter society, and we see the importance of what Conlan is doing and we wish to help. We are meant to help, which is why we were given the diamond to guard in the first place. Conlan’s path will bring him into conflict with the Lords of Mydren, and sooner or later he will accept what we both know… Conlan brings a new era, he brings back the glory of kings.”

  Remic’s words made Eleanor shiver, but she nodded firmly. The Lords have to go, and the only way Conlan can achieve freedom for the people is to become king. Eleanor wondered how long it would take Conlan to realise that this was where his destiny lay.

  “We have watched over Alaric’s bloodline for centuries, waiting for this very moment,” Remic continued. “However, there are many of the older generation who would not accept a human in charge of the Dwarf army, but you are allied with Earth, have been Earth’s vessel, have passed the initiation rite. This way we give Conlan our support, without putting a human in charge.”

  “Remic, that is very… devious of you. I must say that I am happier knowing that I hold this honour for Conlan.”

  He pushed something into her hand. Eleanor looked down and found a small, plain dagger lying across her palm. The handle was polished wood, while a worn leather sheath hid the blade and provided a loop so she could hang it from her belt. A brass clasp held the knife in the sheath.