*
Eveline awoke under a beautiful tree, much like a cherry blossom. The air was warm and filled with a beautiful scent. Sitting up she looked down at her body which was covered in a beautiful golden dress, flowing about her in the warm wind. Eveline stretched her fingers in between the blades of dry grass lifting her eyes up. She was on an island, a place that seemed familiar to her. Gently she arose, her long auburn hair cascading down her back lightly, the curls dancing in the lazy wind. Her bare feet treaded lightly on the warm grass as she made her way around the ancient and elegant tree. At the shore she stood, her toes soaked in the fresh water. Looking across she recognised the tall mountains that rested to the North, snow dusting their tops. Under the mountains was a dense forest, alive and beautiful, which covered the whole of the area around the island. Eveline smiled as she watched what seemed to be two beautiful, white horses grazing together. She watched in awe, the horses seemed larger than any she had seen, and their tails finer, their eyes brighter. As if hearing her thoughts the horses turned their eyes to her and unanimously bowed. Eveline frowned at their gracious bows and shook her head in confusion, no horse had ever bowed to her before, it was odd and yet slightly enchanting, like the whole forest seemed to be.
A group of birds flew together in the sky, singing, and their beautiful red feathers glimmering in the sunlight. Eveline felt her heart sore as she watched the beautiful flock of birds dancing above the trees. A strange feeling of belonging coursed through Eveline’s soul, enlightening her heart. Bending down, she let her fingers dance in the water, enjoying the sound that it made and the ripples that it created. Under the fresh water she noticed small, orange and blue fish swimming about together, they were incredibly small and yet quite striking. Eveline sat down, her feet bathing in the water, sighing happily she let her eyes absorb the beauty of the sky. As Eveline refreshed her feet she heard a faint cry coming from the other side of the island and she got up. Lifting her long and beautifully woven dress above her ankles, quietly tip toeing toward the cry. As she drew closer to the wide and ancient tree, she slowly walked around and was met by two things, firstly a beautiful woman crying on the shore and secondly an incredible throne made of what looked to be the same bark as the ancient tree that stood over it. Eveline hide herself behind the tree and looked around at the woman.
The stranger was quietly crying, her beautiful, long auburn hair just mere inches from the ground, dancing in the wind. She was wearing a beautiful, purple dress and her feet were bare. Atop her beautiful head was a crown of copper, it looked to be flowers intertwined about one another, small with different coloured jewels at their centre. The stranger turned her head around but didn’t notice Eveline. Eveline was struck with the likeness they both shared, auburn hair, golden eyes and pale skin. What confused Eveline was that the woman should have seen her and yet she looked right through her, wiping away tears and suddenly smiling. Eveline turned around to face the lake and saw a boat coming towards her with a young man in it. Quickly she ran around the tree, hiding behind the throne, her eyes on the man staying quiet.
The woman who had been crying was standing waiting for the man to come to the shore. Eveline watched as the woman stood up tall, radiating a magnificence of beauty and grace. As the boat came closer, Eveline gasped at the man inside, he got up and jumped over into the water running up to Eveline with his arms open. Eveline smiled at the tender embrace the couple shared, as though they had been parted for a long time. For a while they simply stood in one another’s arms, which gave Eveline ample time to observe the man. He was very tall, with golden hair and Eveline guessed, green eyes. The man was dressed like a mighty prince, similar to princes in fairy-tales as ridiculous as that thought was, it was to Eveline the only thing she could equate him too. He was dressed in leather pants, knee- high boots, and a white linen shirt which was tucked into his leather pants, covered by a long silver tunic that separated at the hips, which was under a beautiful light green robe that fell to his ankles. About his waist was a beautiful silver sword belt holding within it what seemed to be the man’s sword. Eveline had to admit that the man was incredibly handsome.
The couple released one another, keeping their hands intertwined. Eveline perked her ears listening in to their conversation.
“Elieor, you have come back,” the woman cried softly, leaning her forehead against the young man’s, closing her eyes happily.
“I couldn’t leave you here alone, I tried I promise, we have been parted for two moons and I found myself weakening without you,” Elieor replied sadly.
“My father, he will not allow us to be together,” the woman cried in a graceful manner. Elieor brought the woman’s face up towards his own and kissed her lips gently.
“But he will allow you to be left alone here for eternity?” he argued, “You are Heiden’s child, his only surviving child, you are a goddess, princess of heaven, the finest jewel among the stars; you were not meant to be alone , to walk the gardens of Calhuni by yourself always waiting for your father to come.”
“He will come,” the woman whispered firmly, “he promised.”
“Unyae, he left you here pregnant without anyone to help or to protect you, your child has left you and now serves Lagar, where is your father?” Elieor argued hotly, “who is protecting you from Lagar now? No one and yet you deny the love that we both share for one another?”
“It is not as simple as walking out of Calhuni a free woman, your wife, your Queen,” Unyae replied weakly, “my father will kill you if he learns about us, it is forbidden.”
“I am beyond caring, I will protect you until my dying breathe, I will spend my days making you happy,” smiled Elieor passionately, “let your father try to strike me down, I care not, the world darkens my love, it darkens with each passing day. I have watched my own people suffer at the hands of Islaer and your son, the Queen of Taer has been murdered, the High King of the North is shielding himself against his own son who wishes him dead, time is short.”
“If I marry you, every follower of Islaer and Lagar will come looking for us, we will never be free of their hatred their obsession to kill me,” pleaded Unyae.
“And who is to say that your own son will not lead them here? Were you are alone and vulnerable? Does it not make sense that you are shielded by me, by my people?” pleaded Elieor. “I have tried in vain to live without you, but I cannot, each time I ride into battle unsure of my fate and every time I see you on the field and my heart falls silent. In my dreams I imagine you alone here easy prey for our enemies, I cannot let you linger here in fear and doubt, I must have you for my own.”
“Your people will think me strange as I am,” Unyae moaned stepping back and highlighting her difference in looks.
“At the beginning yes they will question who you are and where it is you come from, but in time they will let their gazes fall elsewhere, they will see..,” Elieor touched her cheek gently with his index finger, “how beautiful, how kind and how gracious you truly are, they will fall in love with you the way I fell in love with you.”
Eveline watched on, her heart beating loudly within her chest, she wanted so badly so Unyae to follow her heart. Elieor was so deeply in love with her and really she was better off by his side than alone here being hunted by her enemies.
“I will come with you,” announced Unyae gladly, her shoulders almost sighing in relief, her eyes glowing as they gazed into her lovers face. Elieor suddenly lifted her into his arms and swung her around in gaiety laughing loudly and kissing her frantically.
“My love!” he declared, “long have I dreamt of this moment, come let me bring you back to my home so that I may marry you and love you the rest of our days!” he proclaimed proudly suddenly setting her down and guiding her to the boat, helping her in and wrapping a blanket across her knees.
Eveline stood behind the throne and watched the lovers sail away to the shores of the forest, watching them walk under the trees and out of sight. Happiness soared through her, what a
beautiful moment she had witnessed, she had no idea what it meant, but deep down she felt she knew Unyae and Elieor, and she felt infinitely connected to them in an unexplainable way. As she walked out from the cover of the throne an arch suddenly appeared in the air. Without warning her feet moved towards the arch and she stepped through it falling into darkness, falling and falling until she hit a marbled floor, unharmed and without pain. Getting up Eveline gasped as she took in the magnificent hall, the ceiling so high it almost touched the sky, the nave so long, she could not see the end and in the centre, two thrones, exactly like the throne on the island. Around her women and men, finely dressed walked about, unaware of her presence. As she tried to focus, she noticed that above the throne, high up the ceiling split allowing a golden light filter through what looked to be glass. It was beautiful Eveline sighed, it shined directly down at the throne, illuminating it in a golden hue. The ceiling was beautiful carved in what looked to be some kind of slower, coated by gold and copper. The rest of the hall was a mass of high pillars that must have been at least five stories high which merged into pointed arches. The side aisles of the nave were bordered with marble statues of Kings and Queens. The hall seemed to have two arms, each the same length as the nave and meeting at the centre where the two thrones stood.
The men and women were dressed much like Elieor and Unyae, they were tall and beautiful, graceful and elegant. It seemed that Eveline was invisible to the men and women who walked by her and so she stepped out of the nave aisle and made for the thrones. Carefully she winded her way through the mass crowd of what seemed to be courtiers. As she stood in front of the thrones, she noticed incredible glass stained windows, arching their ways heavenward at each end of the nave. The windows were almost like identical to a rainbow, the most exquisite colours were illuminating by the sun, sending rays of purple, pink, blue and other colours onto the marbled floor. Eveline let her gaze crawl along the upper floor of the hall, which very much resembled a great cathedral only more magnificent. Women stood in groups talking with each other happily whilst men both in armour and formal dress walked by. Suddenly out of nowhere the upper floor burst into song, trumpets coming into view. Eveline watched as the flow of men and women stopped and the doors to the south of the nave opened, letting a stream of pure light flow in, hitting her eyes directly.
Eveline almost stumbled as the light hit her and the sound of the trumpets almost lifting her body up of the ground. As she refocused she watched the crowds divide to each side, as a couple, flanked by guards made their way towards her. Quickly Eveline fled from the throne and joined the crowd, standing nearby but not too close. Women pressed together trying to get a better view whilst the men whispered amongst themselves. The couple now drew closer and Eveline stood stunned as she noticed Unyae and Elieor walking past, both holding each other’s hand and talking happily amongst themselves. Elieor and Unyae ascended the steps and both turned and sat down on the thrones, hands still entwined. The trumpets stopped and what seemed to be a high guard, dressed in green and silver took to the steps and announced.
“King Elieor of Caci and his Queen Unyae,” and stepped down, the crowds suddenly moving again. Eveline watched on as knights made to talk to the King and noticed as she edged closer that Unyae seemed to be heavily pregnant. Getting pushed about, Eveline found herself standing right in front of the royal couple and stood still, her eyes wide with wonder. Unyae was gently soothing her bump, very swollen and round. Her hair was beautifully decorated around her crown of golden leaves. Eveline gazed at Unyae so very like herself and began to wonder why she was here.
“Aeda what is the news from Rhane have the ruarrians been defeated and pushed back to their own borders?” King Elieor asked seriously.
“My king,” the knight bowed low, “your men have indeed pushed them back. Dagna has retreated with his troops, many life’s have been lost, but Rhane is safe once again,” he announced, his hand on his heart as he spoke. King Elieor arose from his throne and clasped Aeda in his arms.
“Brave are your soldiers Aeda, see that they are given time to go home to their wife’s and children,” he announced happily. Aeda thanked the King before he left, making his way through the crowds and out of the great hall.
“What about your sister?” Unyae asked her husband, who sat back down heralding the next knight forward.
“Ceada is safe in Ethe, her castle is strongly defended by their ancient walls, if she needs aid I will send it, but the forces of Islaer seem to be retreating back to Ruarr,” answered Elieor contently. “You need to stop worrying you should rest my love, our child will soon be with us and you will need your energy.”
“You are right, I think I should like to go for a walk in the gardens if your lordship wills it?” Unyae asked softly, gazing at her husband with love.
“Off course, take a maid with you just for safety,” replied Elieor kissing his wife’s hand tenderly.
“Meda will come,” replied Unyae getting up, releasing her hand from Elieor and making her way towards a young woman with black hair and a soft face. Elieor watched his wife exit through the left arm of the nave before calling Edwin forward.
“Edwin my old friend what news of Mathilda, did you send her to the Dunaman elder, I am sure the crossing to Summe was difficult?”
“My king, Mathilda has been safely taken to summe, the Dunaman tribe will keep her safe until she if of age, and Anvin has assured me she will be safe until the time comes for her to take back her mother’s throne.”
Eveline listened to the conversation between the king and his subject before turning to follow Unyae, who was walking alongside her maid talking. Pushing past courtiers, Eveline walked under the tall, oak doors of the nave and out onto and expansive garden, bordered by high railings. Unyae was walking toward the railing, cradling her unborn child as she happily talked to Meda. Both women stopped and looked over the railings. Eveline stopped at the railings and stepped back in awe as she took in the scenery. The palace was surrounded by what looked to be a great river that ran down to a distant sea. To her north lay vast mountains, to her east a city full of buildings and towers. The island was connected by a beautiful bridge. It was she agreed the most beautiful place she had ever seen, the sea to the south, the mountains to the north, it was safe and unlike anything she had ever seen before.
“Have you had any visions of the baby my lady?” Meda asked curiously, her soft face healthy and glowing.
“No, but I feel it is a girl,” replied Unyae firmly, “she just feels like a girl.”
“And what shall you name her is she is indeed a girl?” Meda asked merrily, her black hair tied back and her blue eyes sparkling, Eveline knew at once that Unyae and her maid were firm friends.
“Celestine,” replied Unyae her eyes gazing southwards towards the sea.
“What does it mean?” Meda enquired, her hands on the railings.
“It means star of the heavens,” Unyae replied softly, rubbing her swollen stomach with love.
“That is beautiful, for if she rivals you in looks then she surely will mirror all the stars in the heavens,” smiled Meda.
“I do indeed hope so, though I do also hope that she inherits her father’s wisdom and intellectual mind,” Unyae disclosed faithfully to her maid.
“Yes, he is the wisest King I have served, well I served his father when I was young,” Meda answered with a frown, “he was a little more withdrawn, kind and compassionate off course, but not so forward as King Elieor.”
“Yes Elieor has talked of his father’s withdrawn ways, I think he inherited it from his mother, let’s hope our daughter is as forward as her father, she will need to be when she rules the kingdom in his place,” Unyae laughed softly.
“Shall we roam the gardens for a while my lady?” Meda asked, turning round and motioning Unyae onwards.
“Yes lets, it’s nice to be out in the gardens whilst the sun is high in the sky, the days shorten and soon winter will be here and the sun desolate and shy,” sigh
ed Unyae walking away from Eveline. Eveline stayed where she was taking it all in. The palace was made of a white stone and stood tall and mighty against the blue skies, it almost shimmered as though white diamonds were hiding under the stone. She wondered what the city was like, what were the normal and poorer citizens of Caci like, did they love their King and Queen? Eveline pondered over the questions that filled her head almost unaware of the hole that opened up under her feet swallowing her into another void of darkness.
Eveline fell again into a deep darkness this time falling onto wet grass. Closing her eyes until she felt her stomach settle, Eveline held onto the wet strands of grass before opening her eyes. She was back once more at the island, only this time it was night and the sky was filled with the largest moon she had ever seen, not silver but a faint silvery blue. Getting up once more she stood quietly, a little tired but ready for what she was about to encounter next. In front of her stood what looked to be Unyae and Elieor with their child in Unyae’s arm. Something wasn’t right, they were both crying deeply.
“We have been poisoned,” Unyae cried into the shoulder of her husband, who was hugging her tightly, kissing the baby’s head with a raw emotion.
“Your son, he can shapeshift,” Elieor stated, “I did not know he could shapeshift.”
“Neither did I,” cried Unyae. “He has been amongst our court for the past year Elieor and I didn’t see him.”
“My love neither of us knew, how could we?” Elieor replied darkly.
“I had hoped that if we came here my father would help, who will look after Celestine,” Unyae pleaded, drawing her eyes up to the heavens, tears falling down her cheeks.
“He will come,” urged Elieor, bending over in pain, “he must come.”
One Crown & Two Thrones: The Guardians Page 26