San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ held her firmly until she felt the crying lessen. She gently rubbed Sle'nel's back, trying to comfort her. She knew that Sle'nel’ had seen the horrors and evils of The Realm through the Sorrows of the Stones, but also knew that this was a more personal moment, and one that Sle'nel’ would have to move through in her own fashion.
After some long moments, she heard Sle'nel’ speak softly to her, “What kind of Elf am I that has this much anger in her? I am but an impostor, as no Elfin Faiere would know this kind of rage and wish for this sort of evil upon others."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ silently welcomed Sle'nel’ back to her. She took hold of her shoulders, moving her back a bit, then, moving her fingers to under her chin, made Sle'nel’ raise her head. The High Queen looked into her eyes, and as was her way, spoke slowly and softly, “The best kind of Elfin Faiere, My Love. It wasn't that they had no such feelings, it was only that they never acted upon them."
She heard Sle'nel’ sigh, then said, “We can wait for yet another turn, My Love. There is no hurry upon this meeting. The Spirit Mothers have not yet removed her from her deep sleep."
Sle'nel’ shook her head, “Is it fair that I must carry the Sorrows of the Stones within me, and then place this upon it also? My heart is not big enough for such."
She smiled softly, “Then My heart will step in for you, My Bright Star. My heart has long been unused, so now has room in which to bear your burdens as well."
Sle'nel’ stepped back into The High Queen's shoulder, looking to yet again be embraced. The High Queen did so, knowing that Sle'nel’ was facing what she must now do. After a few more moments, Sle'nel’ breathed in deeply, then took The High Queen's arm and intertwined it into her own, and began walking toward what she must face. Ann'wn silently followed, wishing she could help remove this burden from the last of the Elfin Faeries.
"Are you able to recall, My Love, what wonderful fighters the Elfin Faeries were?"
"They fought? I thought they were peaceful, only."
"A wise Elfin princess once told Me that peace is a hard-fought battle."
She saw Sle'nel’ smile slightly, and was gladdened by it. Sle'nel’ responded, “She be an imposter only, my Queen. Beware of her knowledge, as she is ignorant in this realm."
Without realizing it, Sle'nel’ did indeed know where she was leading them. She wound their way through the town, heading them directly to her Birth-Mother's room.
Caitha was waiting for her as they arrived, “I know not how to feel, M'Love. I am happy for you in that you now meet your Birth-Mother, but I am so deeply saddened for you as well."
Caitha was crying, as was her usual whenever anything unhappy occurred. She held out her hand and Sle'nel’ took it, smiling softly at Caitha, listening to her, “I know not even what to call you anymore. My poor Jandra. So much has happened to you. This be not fair. Not fair at all. I wish we could but all go back into the prior and be as we were."
Sle'nel’ nodded slightly, “Life did seem but more simple then. But we have our memories of it, and we have to cherish those. I am grateful you are here now, though. But you be correct, Caitha. Our lives were smaller and simpler in Woden. I will ever fondly remember them."
Meera placed her arm around Caitha, trying to comfort her, but looked at Sle'nel', “I am truly sorry for all this, Second."
Sle'nel’ let go of Caitha's hand, moving it to touch Meera's cheek, “You yet have much to teach me, Meera. My Queen just informed me that the Elfin Faeries were some of the best fighters."
Sam looked sadly upon Sle'nel', shaking her head, “I know not what to say, Jandra. It seems all this began when I but betrayed you. The sad part is, though, that it meant nothing to me then and means nothing to me now. It was just a selfish, stupid act. From one single moment, an impossibility of unleashed change occurred."
Sle'nel’ gently placed both her hands upon Sam's face, “Sam. You need to let this go now. Our paths were separating as Sele’ was conceived, and you know this as truth. I almost left you then. The Realm changed because of her birth, as did our paths."
Sam let a tear fall upon her cheek, “You speak truly, Jandra, but it makes it no easier for the knowing of it."
Sam gave Sle'nel’ a quick embrace, then let her go. The High Wizard Sorcerer came up to Sle'nel', “I was with you when you were born, and know your Birth-Mother. May I enter with you?"
Sle'nel’ nodded, understanding the need, “Of course, High Wizard Sorcerer."
Ann'wn came up to Sle'nel'. She said nothing, but placed her hand upon Sle'nel's shoulder, locked eyes with her, then walked away. In a strange sense, Sle'nel’ appreciated that more than any words that had yet been spoken to her by the others.
She looked to her queen, “Come with me?"
"If that be your desire."
"It is."
The Most Honored Spirit Mother came to Sle'nel', Are you ready, my daughter?
Sle'nel’ nodded, following her into the room. The High Queen and the High Wizard Sorcerer followed. Entering the room, Sle'nel’ saw her Birth-Mother lying serenely before her. She was older than Sle'nel’ had thought, but beautiful, beyond beautiful, even in such old age.
"She looks so peaceful."
The Most Honored One spoke to Sle'nel', We will begin waking her, Daughter, but it will take a moment.
The old sorcerer looked at Sle'nel', “She lived an Elfin life, even though she wasn't of them. They rewarded her by letting her live among them until you were born, then stayed here, protected, the remainder of her life."
Sle'nel’ looked upon her Birth-Mother, trying to recall the memories of her. Her memories were vague, but because of the Spirits of the Valley, at least she had some memories of her Birth-Mother. She was old now, and almost beyond recognition, given the cycles that occurred since their last moments together. Sle'nel’ knelt down beside the bed, wanting to be close to her. Her heart was breaking, but she willed herself to be strong. The High Queen placed her hand upon Sle'nel's shoulder and sent her thoughts, I am here for you, My Elfin Love.
After many long moments of the Spirits of the Valley waking her, Sle'nel's Birth-Mother finally awoke. She opened her eyes slowly, as if they were heavy. She looked around the room, seeing the High Wizard Sorcerer before her.
In the softest and most aged of voices, she said, “Old Sorcerer. You come."
The High Wizard Sorcerer knelt before her, “My old friend."
"These must be my last moments then."
She looked at Sle'nel', squinting her old eyes to see better. She studied her, slowly, carefully, for a long moment. Her eyes began to twinkle, tears falling from them.
A smile slowly washed over her face as the recognition dawned on her, “They have finally found you, my Sle'nel'. And you are fully grown."
Sle'nel’ nodded, crying silently, tears falling from her eyes, softly replying, “Birth-Mother."
The old woman worked at raising her aged arm, moving her hand to Sle'nel's cheek, touching it with the long memories of prior that they held, “Sle'nel'."
Sle'nel’ placed her hand upon her Birth-Mother's hand, “Yes. I return."
"Stand, so that I might see you."
Sle'nel’ stood, staring down upon her Birth-Mother. Her Birth-Mother looked upon her, focusing, studying her, staring at her, “You look like your Mother. I never had such beauty as this."
Sle'nel’ wasn't even aware that she spoke, but asked, “What was she like?"
The old woman smiled at the memory of her, resting her arm back down on the bed, “Like no other. She was the most beautiful and the kindest of all, across all the lands. I have so missed her. There be no love such as the love of an Elfin Faerie. It was the gentlest love in all that exists. I was lucky to have such."
She looked at Sle'nel’ again, “You look as she did when we first came together. You greatly remind me of her. I am glad for this. Someone should remain of her. Her worth will long be stated, but you know not of this, do you, my daughter?"
She rested a bit, then looked at The High Queen, “Be this your lover, standing beside you?"
Sle'nel’ looked at San'lr'in'thel'ineln', “Yes. She is my love. My great love."
"Come to me, my Birth-daughter's love. Tell me of you."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ bent down so that the old woman could see her. She let Sle'nel’ respond for her, “She is San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. High Queen of The Realm."
The old woman nodded, touching her face, “Yes. I know of you. These old Spirit friends of mine have told me of you. And Sle'nel's Mother spoke of you highly. She knew that you were to become a great, great High Queen."
The High Queen frowned slightly at the words, beginning to wonder as to who Sle'nel's Elfin mother might have been, Her mother could not be ... but, no, surely this could not be so. She frowned, thinking, Yet she must be. Her mother must be ... She let her thoughts remain quietly unspoken as Sle'nel's Birth-Mother continued, “You have many great powers within you, but are you worthy of an Elfin Faiere's love, High Queen?"
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ smiled gently upon the old woman, “I cannot come close to being worthy of such, but I will try."
The old woman nodded, knowingly, “Yes. I understand. It was all I could do as well. You are the lucky one, though. Treat her well."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ didn't wish to take up anymore of the old woman and Sle'nel's few remaining moments, so just smiled and stepped back. As she waited, she looked quietly upon Sle'nel’ while trying to recall her mother's appearance, Most surely, Sle'nel's mother must have been ... She let the thought pass as another thought emerged, ... but that would mean that the young child with her upon that turn was ... Her eyes widened as she looked at Sle'nel', but yet struggled to pull the memories together. This would mean Sle'nel’ and I met, far long prior, when she was but a young child. But this could not be as so.
A few moments passed as the dying woman regained what few moments she had left, “Come closer, Birth-Daughter. Let me look upon you while I die."
Sle'nel’ knelt down close, feeling her Queen's hand upon her shoulder. Her Birth-Mother looked at her, breathing very shallowly, “You have much before you, Birth-Daughter. But know that your life was born into love. Never forget this, as it will end up being all you have. You are now alone in this realm, as you are the only Elfin Faerie left, but you are not truly alone, Sle'nel', as you have all the Elfin Faeries looking upon you. They wait for you, you know, to release them."
The High Queen frowned at the statement, They wait for her? How could they be waiting for her?
The Birth-Mother waited a few moments before continuing, regaining some strength, “It was a hard thing to give up a Birth-daughter such as you. I am sorry for what you will face. I am glad that I will not know of it, as I would only worry over you. Face your life fully, Sle'nel', as you are of the greatest line of all. And remember your Mother. Of all there were, she was the best of them all. When she died, so did my heart. When she died, so did my realm. I truly deserved her not. Her love was the most amazing moment of all there is to know. Come, it is the moment for me to give you all of our memories, abilities and skills. These are a gift to you from your Mother and me, and are the reason I asked these Spirit Mothers to hold my life until they found you. And you will need them as you re-open El'fs'nd'lle."
The High Queen's eyes narrowed at the statement, It must be truth, then. I am to return the Elves to The Realm, and Sle'nel’ is the key. Or is this just the last hopes of a dying one?
One of the Spirit Mothers placed her hand upon the old woman's head, “Are you ready, M'arain?"
"Let it finally be over. I am tired. Farewell my old friends. Thank you for one last look upon my Birth-daughter. I am, at long last, assured her Mother's last wish will be fulfilled."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln frowned once again, wondering as to the statement's meaning.
The Spirit Mothers each placed a kiss upon her head, saying their silent farewells. The Spirit Mother whose hand was upon the Birth-Mother's head placed her other hand upon Sle'nel's head. As her hand touched Sle'nel's head, the Birth-Mother's memories of her former lover, the Elfin Faerie, came flooding into Sle'nel's mind. Many of their combined memories, skills and abilities were now passed fully to Sle'nel'. She closed her eyes, taking the flood of their memories in. At the end, her Birth-Mother sent her one final message, Always know that you were well loved. Good-bye, Birth-daughter. I know you will find a way to return the Elves to The Realm.
Her Birth-Mother then quietly died as she had lived her life. Sle'nel’ looked upon her Birth-Mother who now lay dead before her. She laid her head upon her Birth-Mother's hand, “Farewell, Birth-Mother. Thank you."
She didn't notice her own tears as she cried quietly for her Birth-Mother. Now having many memories of her Birth-Mother, her Mother, and of her own early childhood, her body was wracked with quiet sobs of despair.
San'lr'in'thel'ineln's heart was crying for Sle'nel's pain and loss, while her mind was raging her anger, I will return the Elves, as I have vowed, but I will also uncover all those who have planned such a deceit as this.
She let her cry for a long while, then, as the Spirit Mothers motioned to her, she made Sle'nel’ to rise. Softly holding her shoulders, she said to her, “Come, My Elfin Princess. They prepare her now for the funeral she is well due."
Sle'nel’ looked at her Queen, crying, “Funeral?"
"It is the custom of a funeral as soon after death as possible. The Spirit Mothers now do her great honor in giving her an Elfin funeral."
* * * *
The Spirit Mothers wrapped Sle'nel's Birth-Mother lovingly in long sheets of cloth. Sle'nel’ watched silently, saying good-bye to the Birth-Mother she remembered so little of, but now enough of to cause her great sorrow. They placed her Birth-Mother's arms and hands in front of her, then wrapped the cloth around her. Sle'nel’ just stood and watched, too pained to move. Too grieved to think. She felt the weight of all sadness upon her. She struggled with herself against her anger, also struggling with her newly-found feelings toward her Birth-Mother and Mother.
The Spirit Mothers hummed softly while they completed their solemn task, a sorrowful tune that hinted at their own loss. Sle'nel’ looked at them for a moment, wondering as to their feelings.
Breathing deeply, trying to control her feelings of such loss, she brought up the happy memories of the love between her Birth-Mother and Mother, now having images to call upon. She smiled briefly as she saw them as they must have been—happy, loving, beautiful, with all The Realm yet ahead of them. But she also saw that her Elfin Spirit Mother had been much older than her Birth-Mother.
Another memory came to her, one of heartbreaking sorrow when her Birth-Mother watched as her lover, Sle'nel's Mother, faded away. Sle'nel’ saw how heavy this weighed on her own Birth-Mother for the remainder of her life. She watched the images of the funeral in her head, and suddenly realized that this is what she would now watch with her own Birth-Mother. Sle'nel’ took a deep breath, then turned and looked at San'lr'in'thel'ineln', searching for any sign of hope or understanding.
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ placed her arm across Sle'nel's shoulders, holding her to her own body. They stood together as the Spirit Mothers placed M'arain upon a flat board. When they finished, each one then took one final look upon the old woman who had birthed the last of the Elfin Faeries. Each kissed her upon her forehead and Sle'nel’ saw that some cried, but silently. Their humming never ceased, as in a requiem for the loss of a most beloved one. For one who had given up so much to The Realm.
The Most Honored One motioned to Ann'wn, Sam and Meera, and another guard. They came inside and went to their task of bearing Sle'nel's Birth-Mother to the small ship that awaited her. They picked up the board, shouldering it carefully, then moved it outside. The Most Honored One went in front of them, leading them to the Birth-Mother's last ride. Sle'nel’ was directed gently and directly behind her Birth-Mother, while all the other Spirit Mothers followed, the small procession walk
ing slowly toward the sea. The Spirit Mothers of the Valley had begun to sing their requiem more loudly, and were now accompanied by drums—drums that beat out the sound of death. Sle'nel’ thought it to be the most sorrowful tune she had ever heard. She sighed deeply, trying to breathe, forcing herself to be strong.
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ walked alongside, yet holding onto Sle'nel', her arm across her shoulders. Sle'nel’ walked silently, non-seeing and dazed, more saddened than ever in her entire life. She was afraid to breathe for fear of breaking down, letting the tears freely stream down her face. She looked around briefly, trying to hold the image of this moment in her head, of her Birth-Mother being carried so gently and lovingly, of the Spirit Mothers more saddened than she thought possible. She looked at San'lr'in'thel'ineln', saying nothing but feeling her strength.
She couldn't tell how long they walked. It seemed forever, and it seemed like not at all. It wouldn't have mattered to her if they walked for an entire moon. She no longer felt her body. She no longer cared about The Realm. For this moment, she tried to just get to the next moment. One step followed another. One breath, then another. Her new memories spiraling her mind toward an exhaustive incomprehension.
When they reached the small cove at the sea, Ann'wn led the others in placing the funeral board on the small boat, then lashed it securely. When they were done, they stepped back and waited.
The Most Honored Spirit Mother began chanting. When she finished, she raised her arms to the sky and began speaking in the tongue of the now long-prior Elfin Faeries. Not realizing it, Sle'nel’ understood the words and knew the message. The Most Honored One recited the funeral poem of the Elfin Faeries. Also without realizing it, Sle'nel’ spoke it with the Most Honored One. She knew the poem well. All San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ understood was, When one Elfin Faiere dies, all The Realm is saddened. We are now all saddened.
When she was done, the Most Honored Spirit Mother picked up a stick from the fire and offered it to Sle'nel'. From the images that had been restored to her, Sle'nel’ knew her duty and touched the torch to the twigs inside the boat. The fire caught, burning rapidly. Ann'wn and Meera pushed the inflamed boat gently out to the waves. It rocked softly, carrying Sle'nel's Birth-Mother forever away from her. Sle'nel’ watched it move out beyond the current, burning brightly. She watched until she could no longer see it. With the sea as the backdrop, she watched the memories her Birth-Mother had given to her, watching until all the others were long gone back to the small town.
The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] Page 5