by Suzanna Lynn
Luana tightened her grip on the sword. “If there is no other way.”
“There isn’t, my love,” Baylin said, his brow furrowed in an apologetic expression.
“Isn’t there?” asked a voice from the dark.
Baylin spun, pulling his sword and tucking Luana in tight behind him. “Who goes there?”
Luana held her sword securely in her hands, turning the knuckles a pearly shade of white in the moonlight. “Baylin… What do… What do we do?” Her voice wavered as she trembled, waiting for an attack to occur.
“You need not fear me,” the voice stated, coming from the darkness of the forest. “I am here to aid you, son of Ashmur and daughter of the moon.”
“Daughter of the moon?” Baylin repeated softly. “What do you speak of? Show yourself.”
The Elven King Rydel emerged from the trees like an apparition in the moonlight. Luana sucked in a deep breath and gripped the hilt of the sword.
In the moonlight his hair seemed to glow, sweeping around his handsome, angular face like sheets of snow. His deep-set eyes glowed a pale shade of blue, like twin orbs floating in the night. He wore a long pale green tunic that appeared to shimmer in the night, billowing behind him in the wind as he walked gracefully toward them.
“Lord Rydel,” Baylin said, bowing his head. “To what do we owe this honor?”
“King Rydel?” Luana whispered through a wavered breath. “He… But he is…”
The elf glided up to the couple, placed his hand over his heart and dipped his head elegantly. “I have come to assist you, Luana, daughter of the moon.”
Her heart began to race in her chest. “Daughter of the moon? I… I don’t understand. What is going on? How are you even here? I thought King Rydel was a myth… an elf King that was said to have died hundreds of years ago.”
The Elf-King looked up into her green eyes. “Has no one told you of your heritage, my child?”
Baylin stiffened, putting an arm in front of Luana. “What do you mean? She is of Open Shaw, daughter of Hal-john and Fersa. That is her heritage.”
“Is it now?” Rydel raised an eyebrow and showed the slightest upturn to the corner of his mouth. “I suppose that is what you would remember, child. But has no one told you of how you came to be in Open Shaw?”
Luana pushed past Baylin to approach the elf. “I was born of my mother, Fersa; that is how I came to be in Open Shaw. She married my father, Hal-john, and they had me and my sister, Lesta.”
“Yes, child, they are who raised you.” King Rydel’s eyes softened. “However, they are not who gave you life.”
Luana’s forehead wrinkled as she furrowed her brow, turning to look at Baylin in confusion.
The Prince reached out and pulled Luana into his arms. “What is it that you speak of? Do you not see you are upsetting her?”
“My apologies,” the Elf-King said, bowing his head. “I do not mean to give the girl any distress. I merely desire to enlighten her. She has been kept in the dark for far too long. It is my wish to show her the light.”
“Then please, my Lord, explain,” Baylin pleaded. A distant roll of thunder bellowed across the sky and the breeze began to pick up, blowing the blades of grass so they bowed at the King’s feet.
“Luana, dear child. Do you ever see things that have not yet come to pass?” the King asked. “Perhaps you have been able to touch someone and see what could be their future?”
Luana’s pulse raced in her chest. She thought of the scene she saw when she had touched Isla in her bedchamber. “I did… I have…” She looked up into Baylin’s eyes. “When Isla was preparing to return to Grasmere. She came to the chamber. She mocked me and went to slap me, but I caught her arm. When I did, I saw something. It was like being in a dream. I saw Isla with flames behind her as a forest burned. Then I saw a hooded figure chanting over a tattered old book. I saw a quick glimpse of your mother in mourning clothes. Lastly, I saw Lord Cadman holding a crying baby… our baby.”
Baylin sucked in a breath, hugging Luana in his arms. “I had a similar vision when the young elf maid visited me in my camp in Mirstone. She gave me a gift to see the best way to defeat the enemy. At the time I assumed it was the troll hordes. In the dream, Isla and Cadman were after our son.” He turned his gaze to the elf. “When I had the vision, it was with a special tea your sister had given me. What is this? How does Luana have these dreams, the visions?”
“It is her birthright,” Rydel explained. “She has the ability of foresight. These gifts can, at times, feel as though they are more of a curse than a blessing. Especially when you do not have the knowledge to interpret them. However, I will help you with this, my dear Luana.”
“I still don’t understand,” Baylin said, wrinkling his forehead. “How can something like this be? You speak of powers and gifts. She was raised in Open Shaw. Her family has lived in Grasmere for generations.”
Still clinging to Baylin, Luana looked up at Rydel wearily. “You called me a daughter of the moon earlier.”
The Elf-King took in a deep breath, as though he were anxious. “Yes, my child.”
“Why?” she questioned.
“Because that is what you are, Luana,” the Elven King said, his expression soft and thoughtful. “You are a daughter of the moon. You are my niece.”
Luana felt her heart seize in her chest as his words poured over her. His niece? An elf? How can this be? Her knees became weak at the weight of the knowledge. The wind grew colder as clouds slowly crept into the sky, threatening to block out the moon.
Baylin supported Luana as her body began to slip to the ground. “Forgive me, my Lord, but you must be mistaken. She is no elf maid. I have known her since she was a mere child. She lived not far from here.”
“Yes, she was raised by Hal-john and Fersa on their quiet little farm,” King Rydel said, turning his back to them to gaze off into the distance toward where Open Shaw lay. “We have kept watch over her, from afar of course, these past nineteen years.”
Luana looked up at Baylin as he held her to his side. Worry was written all over his face while he stared at the Elven King.
“I’m sorry, my Lord,” Baylin said, “but I must insist that you explain yourself. You cannot simply show up out of the darkness, profess that Luana’s life has been a lie, and expect us to take it as truth.”
“Certainly not, Your Grace,” Rydel said, slowly turning around with a soft smile on his lips. “For to do so would make you a fool, and we both know you are no fool. I will happily explain if Luana so wishes it. Just know that once all is explained, it can never be undone. Such knowledge can carry a heavy weight. With it comes much responsibility and obligation at times.”
Luana looked from the elf to Baylin, both of their eyes on her. She found she could not find her voice but managed to nod at the King.
“Hal-john and Fersa are, in fact, the only family you have known,” the Elven King continued. “But it is not their blood you share.” He extended his hand. “Well, not entirely their blood.”
Luana placed her delicate hand into the King’s pale palm. She saw how similar their skin shone in the glimmering moonlight. Could it be? She glanced at Baylin, worry written on his face, then turned her gaze to Rydel. “If not their blood, then whose?”
Chapter Eight
Rydel led Luana to the edge of the forest. Baylin followed them closely, his hand on the hilt of his sword. I want to trust this Elven King. However, Cadman’s treachery has taught me a very valuable lesson. Trust could get you killed.
The three of them stepped into the lush, dark of the forest, the trees creating a canopy too dense for the moon to penetrate. Baylin grabbed Luana’s other hand, making sure he did not stray from her side.
The forest was dark as death, yet alive with sound. Though Baylin could not see it, he heard the near silent sound of silky soft wings go overhead, followed by a hoot as an owl called after its mate. Tiny insects called out rhythmic chirps to one another, the nearest of those going quiet as
the three of them stepped quietly through the woods.
Baylin finally broke the all-consuming silence. “Why must we travel into the forest for you to explain your meaning to Luana? Do you not understand she is in danger?”
“She is in no danger here,” Rydel replied.
“All of Grasmere is in danger,” Baylin retorted. “War could be set upon us at any moment.”
“War will not come for some time yet,” replied the Elven King. “We have been keeping a close watch on all fronts. Mirstone and Kardell still have much to accomplish before they will be ready for a war.”
Baylin stopped in his tracks, keeping his hand around Luana’s. “You knew Mirstone was in league with Kardell?”
“The elves know many things,” said Rydel through the darkness.
Baylin felt the heat rise to his face as fury began to surface. “You knew? You knew and you did not warn us?”
“We elves do not li—” the King began.
“Yes, you have made it perfectly aware that you do not like to interfere with what the gods plan,” Baylin spat. “But at Fagin Forest, you promised help. You promised assistance to stop this madness.”
“And so I have come,” Rydel said.
“What you have done is given us riddles. You promised answers if we followed you into a black forest full of who knows what kind of dangers,” Baylin roared. He pulled on Luana’s hand. “Come on, my love, we are leaving this place.”
“But Baylin,” she whimpered. “I must know what he means. I must know who my true family is.”
“I am your true family now,” Baylin retorted. “Our son is your true family.”
“As am I,” replied Rydel. A small ball of light began to grow in the palm of his hand. The soft blue hue reflected off his already pale features.
The light grew, brightening the forest enough for Baylin to see Luana. Her features were so similar to those of the elves. The pale skin, long, soft silvery hair, those almond-shaped eyes. Though hers are green, not blue. She couldn’t be. “She’s elven then?” He knew the truth of the words even as they left his lips. Seeing her standing in the forest next to the King, she was no doubt of the elves.
“She is.” Rydel nodded. “She is the daughter of my late sister. She perished days after Luana was born.”
“But how?” Luana whispered, stepping over a log. “I thought elves were immortal.”
“We are. We do not succumb to ailments, diseases or old age,” he said, leading them again through the woods by the light of his blue orb. “However, we can perish at the end of a blade or the piercing point of an arrow, like all creatures of the world.”
“She was killed?” Baylin’s brow furrowed.
“Yes,” Rydel stopped, looking toward his feet. His usual controlled features softened as he appeared to reflect on a time past.
“Please,” Luana begged, “if it’s not too hard to talk about, please tell me.”
Rydel released the glowing blue orb into the air. It floated away a short distance, widening as it went to light up a large clearing in the wood. In the center of the clearing was a large pool of still, silvery water, surrounded with large, smooth stones. The water seemed to glow in the light of the orb.
“What is this place?” Luana asked, taking a step forward. The light seemed to draw her forward.
Baylin gripped her hand tighter, while keeping his other hand on the hilt of his sword. “No, don’t.”
“She is safe here, Prince of Grasmere,” came a voice from behind the party.
Luana and Baylin turned to see a young elf maid standing in the darkness behind them. She had a soft smile on her lips. “Hello, brother.”
“Faylen, I trust you ensured that the area is clear,” Rydel asked. He appeared not surprised by the appearance of his sister.
She bowed her head ever so slightly. “Yes.” She looked up at Luana, then Baylin. “It is good to see you again, Your Grace. I see you arrived safely. And how is your commander Ferric?”
King Rydel hissed under his breath, causing Faylen to lower her eyes. Her blush was evident even in the pale light.
Luana turned to the King. “What is this place? Why have you brought us here?”
Before he could answer, Faylen walked up beside the group. “This is where our dead are brought to join our ancestors. It’s where we can come to converse with them when needed.”
“It’s a grave?” Baylin asked. “Here in Grasmere? How can we not know this?”
“With all due respect, the elves have been around long before the race of Keld was birthed into existence,” King Rydel. “You cannot be surprised that this place survives even after your people decided to create the Kingdoms.”
Baylin’s brow furrowed. “But how—”
“Our magic protects it,” Faylen cut in. “That is to say, it is masked from all who are not elves; unless brought of our own free will. Otherwise, this area appears so dense with trees that anyone walking through the wood would go around to avoid it.”
“So why have you brought us here?” Luana asked.
“To see your mother, of course,” Rydel responded.
“But you said she was dead,” Luana retorted.
“Elves don’t just die, Luana,” Faylen laughed, not noticing that no one else got the humor of her statement.
“What my sister means to say is, our bodies can cease to draw breath, but our souls can still travel into the mortal realm from time to time when summoned,” Rydel explained. “When our people die, they are brought here and laid in the pool. The pool draws the soul from the body, freeing it for a new life.”
“So, her soul is trapped in the pool?” Luana asked, stepping closer to the water’s edge.
“Trapped? No, she is not trapped in the sense that you’re implying,” Rydel answered. “The pool is not a prison. It is the gateway to the afterlife. The souls of our loved ones are there because it is a place of celebration and joy. They are happy and want to be there.”
Luana walked to the water’s edge, kneeling down on a large, smooth, round stone. The water was still, with no breeze to ripple it. However, Baylin was certain the water would remain still, even if a stone were dropped into it. The entire area tingled with magic and mystery.
“How do we talk to her?” whispered Luana, staring down at her reflection in the water.
“You need only call to her,” Rydel murmured.
“What was her name?” Luana asked, looking back at the group.
“Lyra,” Faylen answered softly.
Luana turned her gaze toward the water and stared at it as though she could see through to another world. To Baylin, it appeared to glow silvery white in the darkness, but otherwise, looked like a large pond.
“Lyra. Mother,” Luana whispered. “Are you really there?”
The water, which was once so very still and smooth, began to ripple softly. The glow intensified, lighting up the surrounding trees that had been hidden in the shadows.
Baylin took a step toward Luana, but King Rydel placed a firm hand on his shoulder. “No, please. This is something she must do on her own. She is not in any danger, I assure you. You must allow her to do this on her own.”
The pool began to bubble and churn, splashing up onto the smooth stones surrounding the pool. The Prince’s heart raced as he watched Luana at the water’s edge. What if this is all a ruse? What if they plan to take her? He had wanted to trust the elves, but the fear that tore through his chest told him that she was in great danger.
The water suddenly stilled again, the light of the water receding to a faint glow. From the center of the pool, a bright light began to emerge. Tall and slender, the watery light took form, turning into a woman.
Chapter Nine
Luana gazed at the mysterious glowing form that stood before her. It appeared to be a woman, with long hair that flowed down her back like a rushing waterfall. She was slender and tall, draped in a liquescent flowing gown that pooled at her feet. She began to solidify, revealing porcelain skin and
pale blue eyes. She appeared to glow from her head to where she touched the surface of the pond.
The woman walked across the pond on the surface of the still water, leaving a luminous trail in her wake.
Luana stood as the woman reached the edge of the pool where she waited. “Mother?”
Lyra nodded, smiling. “Oh my daughter, could it be you? Has it been so long?”
Luana’s heart raced in her chest. Is this really happening? How is this happening? Could this really be my mother? “It’s been… I’m nineteen.”
Lyra appeared to be holding back her sadness. “You have grown so beautiful, my child.”
“Thank you,” Luana murmured. Her mind tried to make sense of what she was seeing. “How is this possible?”
Lyra gave a puzzled look. “Your uncle Rydel has not told you?”
“No. Well, yes,” Luana fumbled with her words. “He told me it was where all the souls of elves went. He didn’t explain how. He didn’t tell me how you died or who my father is.”
Lyra looked up at Baylin and his elven companions that stood a short distance from Luana. She bowed her head. “Rydel, Faylen.”
They bowed in return.
“And who do we have here?” Lyra asked, reaching out a hand and pointing toward Baylin.
“This is Baylin. He is the Prince of Grasmere, the heir to the throne,” Faylen said. “Luana became his bed wife and—”
Rydel hissed at his sister’s talkativeness.
“A bed wife?” Lyra spat. “No, this simply cannot be. You are royalty, Luana. You are above this mongrel.”
Luana put up her hands. “No, you don’t understand. I love him, and he loves me. We have a son together and plan to be married.” The words sounded foreign to say out loud. She always dreamed of it, and they spoke of their plans to wed in secret. Yet she never told them to another living soul.
“Married?” Lyra asked. “Interesting.” She paused in thought.
“Sister, I do not wish to rush this reunion,” Rydel said. “But it is important that you discuss Luana’s lineage now. Grasmere is in great danger of war and your instruction could save her life.”