Laegon nodded. “Halthed and Drell were on their way here to lend their aid against the Drulaack. They were still a half hour away when the enemy was eliminated, so I had Brégen inform Drell to resume their patrol and head to the Millérn tower when it was completed. They should arrive at the watchtower about the same time as you.
“Do not underestimate the Drulaack, Perendin. I defeated them easily, but I also had the support of my Sight as well as three Guardians. If not for that, I would not be here. The enemy is strong and surprisingly fast. Their great swords are heavy and broad, yet they wield them as if they were as light as a dagger. They are not burdened by the weight of their armour, and their energy almost seems bottomless. The best chance our men will have for success is if they dispose of the Drulaack at long range. Even then, there is only a small slit of unprotected skin at their throats. Not many will be able to hit such a small target.
“I dragged the three corpses from the mouth of the cave to the top of the hill and piled them next to the bodies of their comrades. The ground was too hard to bury them, so I covered them loosely with whatever rocks I could find. The freezing temperatures should have preserved them quite nicely. Study their armour. Find its weaknesses. That may be your only chance for keeping these evil beings at bay.”
“Aye, my lord.”
“Take anything you want.” Laegon motioned to a small pile of armour and weapons carefully arranged near the edge of the camp. “Irewen and I already have what we can use.”
Standing, Perendin exited the cave, preparing himself for the grisly task of searching the dead.
“And Perendin?”
Turning, the knight looked at Laegon with a raised eyebrow. “Yes, my lord?”
“Do not think for even one moment that you are going to maneuver your way out of dinner.”
“I would not dream of it, my prince,” Perendin replied with a grin before disappearing from sight.
11
IREWEN AND LAEGON SAT NEAR THE FIRE, HIS ARM wrapped around her, and her head resting gently on his shoulder. Neither of them had been able to sleep the previous night and had spent the morning making the final preparations for their departure in silence. After a cold lunch, they’d positioned themselves facing the mouth of the cave, waiting as the minutes slowly ticked away.
Laegon was well aware of Brégen’s progress, but Irewen wasn’t. The anticipation of his arrival was driving her mad. Part of her wanted him to come this very minute so they could continue on their journey. Yet, at the same time, the thought of doing so sent shivers down her back. Elthad would be following every single one of her footsteps as if he was walking them himself. How long would she be able to stand against the pressure? How long would she find the strength to ignore his eye? Always watching. Always calculating. Always scrutinizing.
She shivered involuntarily, grateful for Laegon’s constant mindfulness of her needs when he instinctively pulled her closer to him. “I am here to listen if you want to talk,” he said quietly.
She remained silent, nodding her head against his shoulder. What good would it do to speak of her troubles? How would he possibly be able to understand?
“I cannot imagine what you must be feeling, Irewen. Ever since your conversation with your father, I have been trying to think of a way to shield you from Elthad’s ever watchful eye. Regrettably, I have thus far been unsuccessful. If you had the gift of Sight, or the protection of a Guardian, it might be different. Without that, I do not know if there is anything that can be done. But if there is, we will find it.”
“Thank you,” she said softly, lifting her head to look into his soulful brown eyes.
He gazed intently at her, silently pleading with her to speak to him. She was suddenly struck with guilt that she hadn’t confided in him. If she wanted to have even the slightest chance of succeeding, she couldn’t conceal things from him. He would never turn aside. He would never judge.
“I am sorry, Laegon. It is not that I don’t want to tell you. It is just...”
“You know that it will do no good,” he finished for her.
“Aye,” she whispered, lowering her gaze to her hands.
“Do not be ashamed, Irewen. It was a natural reaction. It is true that no matter how thoroughly you describe what you are feeling, nothing you could say would ever make me completely understand what it is like to have someone hunt you in such a despicable and shameful manner. I can imagine what I would feel if I found myself in your position. I can vaguely relate to what you are enduring. Everyone knows what it is like to feel as if they are being watched. But without experiencing it firsthand, no one can even come close to comprehending what you are enduring.
“Yet, although I cannot understand, I can still listen to whatever you want to say. I can still support you, and I can still help you. I can hold you and comfort you. Perhaps, even for one miraculous instant, I can put a smile on your face and help you forget whatever petrifying demons are haunting you.
“Sometimes, we forget it is not whether or not someone can actually understand our suffering that matters. What is important is that they are willing to try. Having someone who cares enough about you to want to do what they can to share in your sorrows and fears can make all the difference in the world. Knowing you are not alone is sometimes all that is necessary to lift the weight of any burden off your shoulders, no matter how hopeless it may seem.”
Laegon tenderly brushed his fingers against her cheek. “I am that someone, Irewen. I care about you. I am here for you. If there is any way I can carry even a fraction of your burden, I will do it in an instant without a second thought. I want to be the wind that separates the clouds after a storm, allowing the sun to shine through and warm your heart. All I ask is that you let me try.”
Cupping his face in her hands, she pulled him towards her in a passionate kiss.
The kiss had barely ended when Brégen’s deep voice rumbled through Laegon’s mind.
«Your words were quite touching, Protector. I never would have thought you could be so eloquent. You brought a tear to my eye.»
«How dare you Brégen!» Laegon screamed, fuming that the Guardian had so blatantly invaded his privacy. «Do not ever...» His words abruptly died away. The lion was standing just outside the cave entrance. Brégen had not intruded upon his mind at all.
“How long have you been there?” he demanded.
Brégen casually stepping inside the cave. «Wipe that scowl off your face immediately, young prince. It doesn’t suit you.» Cocking his large head to the side, he carefully inspected Irewen. Saying nothing, she returned his gaze, her eyes wide in awe. «I must say,» Brégen continued, «Irewen has recovered beautifully. Perhaps I should tell your father to put you to work at the infirmary. They are in dire need of some extra help.»
Laegon remained silent, making a point to glower at the lion even more savagely than before. «You have not answered my question,» he finally replied, knowing he couldn’t stay angry at the Guardian for much longer. Brégen had done nothing wrong. If anything, it was his own fault for not noticing the lion’s presence in the first place.
«Oh come now, Protector. It is no fault of mine that you are so besotted with this young lady that you lost all sense of reason and control of your Sight. You were completely oblivious to my arrival outside this humble abode which occurred just in time to hear your affectionate and heartwarming speech. The likes of which, as I said before, I never expected to hear from you. Now, stop pouting like a spoiled child and tell this lovely young woman I am glad to see her looking so well.»
«Very well,» Laegon acquiesced with a sly grin. “Irewen, this is Brégen.” He paused as the lion made a grand show of bowing his head in veneration of the princess. “I must apologize for not sensing he had arrived. My mind was...preoccupied.”
He shot the Guardian a disparaging look when the lion rolled his eyes in response, clearly pleased with himself.
“In any case,” Laegon continued, returning his attention to Irewen. “He
said to tell you he is glad to see you looking so well.”
«Tell her the last time I saw her she looked like a rag doll mauled by a pack of wild dogs.»
«No.»
«Oh come, she will see it as a compliment.»
«No.»
«Humph. Suit yourself.»
Irewen shook her head slightly, as if she was coming out of a trance. “Tell him I am very pleased to meet him and thank him for his concern.”
Laegon smiled. “There is no need. Fortunately for you, you cannot hear his tactless witticisms, but he is able to understand you perfectly well.”
Not knowing what to expect when meeting the Guardian for the first time, Irewen was completely taken aback to learn Laegon did not need to tell him everything with Míendvel. “Oh!” she exclaimed with surprise. “Forgive me, Brégen. I did not mean to insult you. I’m afraid I don’t know much about Guardians. I didn’t realize you could understand words spoken aloud.”
“It is impossible to insult Brégen,” Laegon responded with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Though believe me when I tell you that has not prevented me from trying.”
Irewen smiled as the lion glared at Laegon, a low growl rippling from his throat. She wondered what sort of sassy reply he was shouting at the prince. Tall enough to rest his chin on the top of Laegon’s head, Brégen was much larger than she had imagined, both in height and overall size. He was broad, yet exceptionally muscular, and he had the most beautiful tawny fur accentuating his powerful physique. His face was framed by a thick mane that gradually transformed from the rich golden color at the roots to a deep warm brown at the ends. His eyes, the right olive and the left a dark nutty brown, returned her gaze; she knew immediately she could trust him with her life.
“Your eyes are magnificent,” she said admiringly.
Brégen lifted his head high, quite pleased at the compliment. «I told you she would notice,» he told Laegon proudly. «They are my best feature.»
“Well now, my friend,” Laegon said, ignoring his Guardian’s boast. “Where is this mystery companion of yours? Did they decide to leave you to your own devices?”
«That question is not even worthy of a response,» the lion said before casually stepping aside.
Both Irewen and Laegon gasped with surprise when Silevethiel slowly walked into the cave. She was a few inches shorter than Brégen, but her muscles were just as pronounced and her movements just as sure. She was definitive, yet delicate, and radiated a beauty that Irewen was positive could be seen in the heavens. The lioness’s white fur was purer than the snow, and her crystal blue eyes were even more exquisite than Irewen remembered.
«Hello, Irewen.»
The Dame’s voice was completely unexpected. Jolting in surprise, Irewen curtsied awkwardly.
Silevethiel quickly shook her head. «There is no need for that, Irewen. No one bows before me, least of all you. I have come for a number of reasons, most of which can wait until our journey to Silverden is underway. But before we leave, there is something I must ask. Do you mind?»
Irewen shook her head, unaware of Laegon and Brégen quietly slipping outside the cave. Completely paralyzed and unable to speak, she stared into Silevethiel’s mesmerizing blue eyes. She waited patiently for the lioness to continue, wondering what reasons she could possibly have had for coming. What was so important that it needed to be asked this very minute?
«I know the deep and profound connection you felt towards me,» Silevethiel finally began. «I also know Laegon spoke to you about your distress and confusion when I left you. He gave many reasons as to why that might have been; one of them being that I did not feel it was the correct time and place to choose you as my Protector. He was right. You were weak. You were vulnerable. You were confused. Above all, you had yet to accept the past and were not ready to embrace the future. Had I chosen you then, you would have responded out of desperation, not out of confidence that what you were doing was right.
«Laegon has explained to you about the relationship between a Guardian and a Protector. Though the relationship of each pair is more unique and profound than either he or I could ever put into words, you have a basic comprehension of the wonders of such a relationship. You felt the kinship, though only briefly. You understand the roles of each member, and you are aware of the bond that can never be broken.
«My last Protector was killed twenty-three years ago,» she continued, the sorrow evident on her voice. «Filendril was a noble elf. His heart was pure and his actions were just. I knew I was meant to be his Guardian the moment I met him. We were inseparable for two hundred and fifty-seven years. When he died, I swore I would never choose another Protector. My heart was broken. I failed my job as his Guardian. I have remained alone ever since. I promised myself I would never put myself in such a position again. For twenty-three years I was successful— until six months ago, when I sensed you.
«In an instant, my decision to remain alone was no longer mine to control. Just as I knew I was meant to be Filendril’s Guardian, I knew immediately I was meant to be yours. Since then, your presence has steadily grown stronger in my mind. I have shared your pain and reveled in your joy. I have experienced your heartache and have endured your grief. I waited patiently, knowing the time would come when we would meet and our bond would be solidified.
«And now, Irewen, I will ask what you hoped for all along. I have chosen you as my Protector. Will you allow me to be your Guardian?»
Irewen stared at Silevethiel in disbelief, waiting for the lioness’s words to register in her mind. It seemed impossible, but she wasn’t hallucinating. She’d heard Silevethiel’s words and felt the soft pulsing of the Dame’s presence throughout her entire body.
She instinctively replied with Míendvel. «Yes.»
Silevethiel was her Guardian. It was real.
12
IREWEN GINGERLY EMERGED FROM THE CAVE, squinting at the afternoon sunlight reflecting off the snow. It was the first time she had ventured from the familiar surroundings of the cave. She was completely taken aback by the elegance and artistry of the snow-covered woodlands and suddenly realized how much she’d missed experiencing the wondrous beauty of nature. In Dargon, she would often walk through the castle gardens, finding it to be the only place she felt truly at peace. Sadness filled her heart at the realization that she might never again be able to retreat to the one place she truly adored.
A bright red and orange bird swooped down before her. Landing on the tip of an evergreen branch, it caused a mist of fine snow to drift to the ground like a sparkling curtain of jewels. Still, there is peace and beauty to be found everywhere in this world. One only needs to take the time to look.
Laegon looked up from checking his pack. “Ah! The two maidens have arrived! Brégen tells me some congratulations are in order.”
Irewen grinned, unable to contain her elation. “Yes! Silevethiel is my Guardian! You were right! She left before because she felt it was not the appropriate time. As much as I hate to admit it, she was correct. At the time, I would not have accepted for the right reasons.”
“You will find that Guardians, especially Silevethiel, are generally right,” Laegon replied, his eyes twinkling. “And the sooner you acknowledge it, the better. Just like a child who refuses to accept the fact that his parents are far wiser than him, it is a lesson that sometimes takes a Protector a little too long to learn.”
«I see you are still working on that lesson,» Brégen chided.
«And you are still learning when to hold your tongue.»
«On the contrary, my good Protector, I see no fault with my communication skills.»
«Perhaps you should reconsider that statement.»
Brégen ignored the prince, instead turning casually to lead the way to the horses waiting forlornly under the protection of a large fir tree. Silwen pricked her ears, nickering happily at the sight of Laegon.
“Kularen, Silwen,” Laegon smiled as he patted the mare’s head in greeting. “Na é lérn en va ün.
”
«For reasons I cannot fathom, she has missed you.»
“She has never been this happy to see me,” the prince observed, eying Brégen suspiciously. “What have you been doing to her?”
Brégen snorted. «That beast has been a right menace.»
“I see. And I suppose you are completely innocent.”
«Although you may disagree, I am always innocent. I was a model of kindness and generosity for the duration of our journey from Silverden. Her displeasure at having to travel with such speed is beyond my control. Perhaps you should have chosen a horse with more stamina.»
“Silwen is one of Mistwood’s finest warhorses, second only to my father’s!”
«That may be, but she became quite contentious when I ate the last apple tart.»
“It is as I suspected. You are as innocent as a child caught with his hand in a jar of sweets.”
Silwen snorted, nodding her head in agreement as she looked at the lion with scathing mockery.
“All right, you two,” Laegon scolded. “That is enough. We have a long journey ahead of us, and I will not tolerate the two of you acting like a couple of three-year-olds. I am not your babysitter. Now, let us concentrate on treating one another with more respect.”
“As I see it,” Irewen said thoughtfully after Silevethiel relayed to her Brégen’s end of the conversation, “there is quite a simple solution to the problem.”
“Oh?” Laegon asked. “And what might that be?”
“In future, be sure to pack a sufficient quantity of apple tarts.”
Laegon’s hearty laughter floated through the air.
«I like her!» Brégen exclaimed «Unlike yours, her suggestions are actually practical!»
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