They made it up the steps without incident. Gorren immediately closed his fingers over the hand that she offered him once they were seated. However she felt about Dorll's death and the manner in which it had occurred, Elthrinn tried not to forget that Gorren had been forced to challenge and kill his own father. Gorren had not sought out the situation, or caused it; he'd only done his best to survive it. The Dorvern culture was often a mystery to her, and she didn't think that she would ever be able to fully understand this aspect of it.
General Lorch stepped forward. As he did so, Jorm, Ornef, and Delban came with him, but they crowded around Rehan. Elthrinn watched as they pulled her from the lifeless body of her husband, and guided her gently, but firmly, to the edge of the crowd. The queen, the former queen, went meekly with her son's friends. Elthrinn was beyond grateful that Gorren could call such men his brothers. She could not have passed the previous hours without losing her mind if she had not had their support, and she did not think that there was anyone in the town that could care for Rehan with more compassion.
With a wave of queasiness Elthrinn realised that she was now queen, or consort, or whatever she might be since she was not a wolf. She wondered if the people of Dorvek would stand for one half of a ruling couple who did not share their ability to change form, if she would be safe, especially if their child did not inherit that ability. But that was a concern for another time.
General Lorch held up his hand for silence, and as quiet fell, called out, "All hail King Gorren, and Queen Elthrinn."
Well, that answered that question.
The unhesitating cheer that followed the General's proclamation answered her other worries. If there were any citizens that did not agree with her place by Gorren's side, none of them were currently in the throng that filled the room.
Elthrinn could tell that Gorren was weak. She had been horrified at the obvious evidence of abuse when he'd been shoved through the room, but thankfully that was the only bruising she'd seen, and she had looked with careful precision as he'd shed his clothes before the change. The bleeding from the wounds that his father had inflicted had slowed, but she could feel the tremor in the hand that clutched hers. He needed to rest. She wondered what the protocol was for the introduction of a new king, and how badly it would be taken if she interrupted it.
She needn't have been worried. General Lorch turned to the towns people, and called out, "Go, spread the word that we have a new king. Let the country know."
Everyone seemed to be eager to be the bearer of the news. There was such a crush to leave the building that Elthrinn was anxious for everyone's well-being. She saw Gorren's friends leading his mother through one of the interior doors. She had no doubt that they were taking the queen, the former queen, to rest in her chambers.
The General came to the foot of the steps, dropped to one knee, and bowed his head.
"Get up," Gorren gritted out. "You're one of the last people that needs to bend knee to me."
General Lorch rose with a smile. "Don't worry, it won't happen often."
The doctor was still present, and he walked directly past Lorch, and up to the base of the steps. "I'll pay my respects later. First, I need to treat your wounds."
Gorren gripped Elthrinn's hand harder. "That would be agreeable."
Serwren and Jorrell presented themselves next, which seemed utterly wrong to Elthrinn since they were her family, but their wry smiles put her at ease. "Congratulations, your majesties." It only sounded a little like teasing.
Elthrinn could tell that Gorren was making an effort to keep his voice strong and clear. "Thank you, for coming to my aid, and for your patience. Many in your position would not have been so accommodating, after having an attempt made in their lives."
"It's not the first time that someone has tried to kill us." Serwren seemed positively perky.
"It always makes a change when it's not either of you putting yourselves in harm's way," Cael quipped, as he came forward. "It's quite refreshing really."
Cael bowed his head briefly to Gorren. "I saw your brother and his... friend, leave when it became obvious that your father was unlikely to win the fight. With your permission, I'd like to go after them. That Litten bitch tried to kill my friends, my rulers, who were under my protection. It is not just my familial affection that has been affronted, but also my professional pride. I'd like to be the one to take her head for her crime, if you'll allow it. Her intent was against you."
"Her crime was primarily against you and yours, that I would be at detriment meant little to her. If you wish to follow her, you are free to do so. Treat her as you see fit, if you can catch her. I'm sure that General Lorch can lend you men to aid your search through our country. " When Gorren glanced at the General, he nodded. Gorren looked back to Cael. "I'm sure your skills are first rate, but we can assist with scent and hearing in a way that you cannot match."
"All assistance will be greatly appreciated." Cael bowed his head briefly again.
"If the First Mother is content to lose her guard?" Serwren nodded at General Lorch's enquiry, "Then follow me to the barracks. We'd best not waste any time."
Jorrell and Cael clasped hands, and clapped each other on the shoulders. Cael bid his farewell to Serwren with a kiss on her cheek whilst eliciting a promise for her to make his apologies to Ulli, and then he followed General Lorch out through the hall.
"Unless you have further need of us, we'll retire to our rooms. I think Tallida might be wondering what has happened to delay her next meal," Serwren said.
Gorren nodded. "Of course. And you should know, that while I sit on this throne, Dorvek will always be considered allies of Felthiss."
"We appreciate that promise, King Gorren."
Serwren and Jorrell both inclined their heads, as much of a bow as was courteous from between rulers, and left to care for their children.
Gorren had conducted himself as if he had been groomed to the role, despite his injuries, but now Elthrinn realised that it was her time to act as a queen. She squeezed Gorren's fingers, and turned to him. "You've dealt with everything you need to. Now it's time for you to allow the doctor to tend you. A king is no good to his country if he bleeds out on his throne."
Elthrinn regretted her choice of words when Gorren's eyes slipped to his father's body, lying in a pool of black blood. "He needs to be taken care of." Gorren spoke quietly. "There may have been no love lost between us, but he should be treated properly, for my mother's sake. There are many who are fixed on the present, but my father was king for most of his life. I cannot leave him on the floor like he meant nothing."
"Don't worry, young master...I mean, sire," Dechard said as he hurried into the room. "I will make sure the king's body is removed to a proper place, and that the necessary arrangements are made. The young miss, the queen, is right. You need to heal and be strong for your people."
Gorren nodded, and rose, or tried to rise. He fell back onto the throne. The doctor hurried up the steps, closely followed by Dechard. Between them, they got Gorren to his feet, and helped him down the steps. Dechard continued to assist him, but Gorren shrugged him away. "No, please, stay with my father."
Dechard looked torn between his duties to his old king and his new king. To save Gorren from further thought on the subject, Elthrinn shouldered her way into Gorren's side, and tugged his arm around her shoulder. The doctor tried to make a protest, but Elthrinn hushed him, assuring him that she was more than physically capable of the task.
They left Dechard to his grisly work. As they left the throne room, Elthrinn directed the doctor to the rooms that she and Gorren had shared directly after their wedding. As they progressed through the hall, Gorren leaned more and more heavily on Elthrinn. By the time they reached the upper floor of the hall, he was staggering, despite their assistance. The doctor had beckoned a passing servant, and had requested food and drink, and water and bandages, to be brought to the room. The supplies arrived with haste, not long after they had deposited Gorren on the unm
ade bed.
Elthrinn was surprised when the doctor turned to her first. "You. Sit. Eat and drink. You need your strength as much as he does. You're too pale, and much overexerted."
Feeling in no frame of mind to argue, Elthrinn found herself a seat at the table that was still in the room. The servant had laid the food out upon it: generous platters of meat, bread, cheese, and fruit. Elthrinn wasn't sure that she could be hungry, having witnessed so much violence and heartache, but apparently her body knew better than her mind what it needed, and she found that her appetite was ravenous.
It took the doctor some time to treat all of Gorren's wounds. He explained to Elthrinn as he worked that he was not so concerned about infection as he was about blood loss. Gorren lay with his eyes shut all the while, as the doctor gave Elthrinn strict instructions for the changing of the bandages, and care of the injuries.
The doctor left with final instructions for them both to eat and rest. Elthrinn thought that Gorren had been asleep, but when the doctor was finished, he opened his eyes, and thanked him. Once the door was closed and they were alone, Elthrinn filled a mug with the buttery milk that had been left for them, and piled some meat and fruit onto a plate.
"Can you eat?"
"I think I could take a whole herd." Gorren's voice was hoarse, but he was smiling as he turned to her.
Elthrinn carried the plate and mug to the bed. "My hunting skills aren't quite as proficient as yours. Here, I managed to capture you some slices of lamb and beef."
"You're a good huntress." Gorren grinned, as much as his swollen face would allow. Elthrinn tried her best to help him prop himself up, with the help of the pillows that had been abandoned on the mattress when the room had been vacated. She fed him the meat and fruit, piece by piece, and he let her coddle him, even allowing her to lift the mug to his lips so that he could sip the milk.
"I think I could get used to this treatment," he smiled.
"You shouldn't. I won't have enough hands to pamper to both of you once the baby is here."
Gorren reached over with a grunt, and put his palm on her stomach. Elthrinn didn't know if the baby knew it was its father, or just a point of warmth to react to, but it turned, and kicked out against the slight pressure. She knew that she could feel it much more strongly than Gorren could, but she adored his wonderment.
"I'll never get tired of feeling that," Gorren whispered reverently.
Elthrinn swallowed back her foreboding. "I can't promise you a pack of puppies."
"I would make no such demand. Will you stay, and rest with me awhile? Your eyes are too wide, you look like a fresh recruit after his first battle."
"I wasn't expecting..."
"It is the way of our people. If I hadn't done it, Lorch would have, and Lorch would have won."
"You didn't want General Lorch to be king?" Elthrinn asked, as she took the empty plate and mug back to the table.
"No. He would have been a good one, but the crown is mine."
"You should be careful in your arrogance, your majesty." Elthrinn said, slipping onto the bed as Gorren made room for her.
With a grunt against the pain that it obviously caused him, Gorren hooked an arm around Elthrinn's shoulders, and pulled her closer to his side. "I have my queen to remind me of my humility. Do you think you can bear to move back to the hall?"
Elthrinn laid her hand on Gorren's stomach, trying to avoid the white bandages that seemed too stark and plain against his colourful skin. "I'll be sad to leave our cottage, but if you can be happy here, then so can I. Can your mother stay here too?"
"Of course, if she wants to. I would never force her to leave her home. Besides," Gorren put his hand on her stomach once more, "Once the baby comes, I don't think we'll be able to get rid of her."
It comforted Elthrinn to know that if the worst happened, her child would not be uncared for, it would have its father, and the passionate love of its grandmother to sustain it, if she could not be present.
Now that the rush of fear and worry had deserted her, and having eaten well, Elthrinn found that she could hardly keep her eyes open. As she was beginning to drift off to sleep, cradled in the warmth of her husband's body, she was wakened again by Gorren's murmur. "Do you hate me for it?"
"For what?" Elthrinn asked in confusion.
"For killing my father."
Elthrinn turned his question over in her mind, wanting to answer him with absolute honesty. "The brutality of this world scares me, but I would not have chosen your father's life over yours. I cannot hate you for living, for fighting for us, for coming back to us."
"I will always come back to you, Rinn. I've promised you that before."
"I believe you," Elthrinn whispered, as sleep stole her voice.
~o0o~
For the rest of the day, and the full night, Elthrinn and Gorren had remained cloistered in their sanctuary, undisturbed. But come the morning, they had risen to attend to their new duties. First among which was the funeral of Gorren's father.
Rehan had attended, still surrounded and supported by Gorren's friends, but she had retired back to her chambers as soon as was politely possible. She had barely looked at Gorren during the ceremony, and Elthrinn could not find it in her heart to apportion any blame for that. If Rehan wished to treat Jorm and the others as surrogate sons, and if Gorren was content to allow it, then Elthrinn would not interfere, but she worried for the woman who had been mother and mentor to her.
It seemed there was a never-ending stream of official visitors and official duties that Gorren had to contend with. Elthrinn missed him by her side, but the distractions allowed her to spend several pleasant days with Serwren and Jorrell and their children. Gorren made time to join them whenever he could, and was adamant about discharging his duties in time to share the evening meal.
Elthrinn still found that she felt closer to Serwren than to her own brother, but there were strong foundations to rebuild the bond that they had shared as youngsters. They did not know each other as the adults that they'd become, but the love that they'd had for each other as siblings was still strong.
When the time came for them to return to Felthiss, Ulli became almost frantic. Serwren confided to Elthrinn that the boy had desperately wanted to see one of the Dorvern wolves. Because the lad hadn't asked, Delban obliged him. Ulli was ecstatic, but Elthrinn thought that perhaps Serwren would have to watch for her son trying to find a way to become a wolf himself, or for trying to tame one as a pet.
Elthrinn had taken every chance that she could to spend time with Tallida. She was growing more confident that she was actually capable of caring for an infant, but she still wasn't sure if she was capable of raising a child to adulthood. The thought daunted her, but Gorren assured her that he believed it was such for any prospective parent, and that he shared her anxiety.
The party, minus Cael who'd departed on horseback with three of General Lorch's best trackers before Dorll's body had grown cold, had left with as much fanfare as that with which they had arrived. Apparently the town was rife with marvelling gossip about the number of pigs that a gryphon could eat, and how intelligent the animals were. Elthrinn had wanted to ride one, but in a rare moment of authority, Gorren had prohibited her from doing so, or at least, politely asked her not to put such strain on his nerves. Elthrinn had acquiesced, but a large part of her subservience was driven by her brother's promise that they would return, and that he would teach her to fly a gryphon by herself when they did.
Rehan had remained in her room for the duration of the time that Serwren and Jorrell were visiting Cranak. Elthrinn didn't think that she was avoiding them; she hadn't come out of her chambers for anyone. But by the time that her family had left, Elthrinn suspected that Rehan was avoiding her new life, and that would not do. Rehan was entitled to her grief, but there were still people who loved her, who needed her, who had love and support to offer her.
It was with that thought in mind that Elthrinn knocked on Rehan's door, the morning after she had wa
ved goodbye to her blood family. Elthrinn listened, and heard no response. She debated leaving Rehan to herself for a while longer, but tried the handle anyway, and was surprised when the door opened to her touch.
She wasn't sure what she would find when she pushed the door wider. Rehan had been as composed and dignified as ever at the funeral ceremony, but that had been days since. Elthrinn breathed a quiet sigh of relief when she saw Rehan seated by the window, neatly dressed, and not in any wallowing in a mire of grief and despair, at least, not visibly.
Rehan had been simply staring out of the window, but she turned at the intrusion.
Searching the Darkness (Erythleh Chronicles Book 2) Page 33
