One Crown & Two Thrones: The Prophecy

by Iseult O'Shea

  “That cannot be true,” Estelle gasped into her hands, her eyes wide with shock.

  “I am telling the truth, Theodore is an angel like myself and was assigned to shapeshift into a child so that he could protect your other child, Eveline.”

  “How is this possible?”

  “You have always known that they come from something greater than the human species, yes?”

  “Yes but I have never allowed myself to bask in the idea for fear of what it could mean,” Estelle admitted through gritted teeth. “Such fears, such thoughts have stained my every day. They have clung to me so tightly and I…, I have never indulged in the idea that they may be greater than myself and others like me.”

  “There is no time now in which to hide from the reality that faces us,” Galean exclaimed softly, trying to calm Estelle down.

  “Has Theodore always been aware of this?”

  “No, when he agreed to become her guardian, all memories of who he once was had been stripped from him. He has only in the last few weeks become enlightened as to who he truly is.”

  “And my daughter, she is an angel also?” Estelle asked curiously feeling as though a door had opened and a bright ray of realisation had hit her hard.

  “No. As to who Eveline is, you may find it hard to digest,” Galean frowned.

  “You do not know whether it would be right to tell me, do you?” Estelle asked sternly, sitting forward and observing the man more intimately. “What keeps you from telling me?”

  “The safety of Eveline hangs in the balance, she has clearly been sought out by those who would wish her mortal harm,” Galean replied clearly, keeping his gaze fixed upon her own. “I am afraid that if they were to harm you, they may draw information from you that could place her in terrible peril. If I felt that Eveline was safe from harm it would an entirely different matter. The fact is she is not safe, and if that man is who I thought him to be then we are in even greater danger than I had anticipated.”

  “Tell me one thing then Mr Edwards,” Estelle said darkly. “I have watched her grow, I have noticed how she is stronger and more able than my son, is she that way because she is greater than an angel?”

  “She is much greater than any angel,” Galean whispered.

  “And does she come from another world? She often speaks of how she feels unconnected to this world, is she correct in her judgement?”

  “She is, she comes from the same world as myself, for I am part angel and part being,” Galean replied gently, hearing Belle’s footsteps above.

  “Who are you really Mr Edwards?” Estelle’s legs were clearly shaking as she asked Galean, her gaze steady and unyielding to the fear she felt within.

  “In my world, I am heir to a Kingdom and ancestor to the angel, Gabriel. Do you know of Gabriel?”

  Estelle was unable to speak, sitting before a man so much older, wiser and greater than she could ever have imagined. And for all he was, he had no air of arrogance or superiority about him, he was ironically a humble man.

  “Gabriel who is spoken of in the bible?”

  “Yes.”

  “I know of him, he is God’s right hand angel, am I correct?”

  “Yes you are.”

  “Then I am guessing that my daughter is linked to this God you serve?”

  “I cannot answer your question, but I believe you already have answered it.”

  “Impossible!” Estelle whispered harshly, getting up rather quickly from her chair and pacing to and fro. “The bible speaks of one son.”

  “The bible is man’s story of creation and God, in truth some of it is reliable in terms of historical events but equal amounts of it is false.”

  “You mean to tell me there was no Jesus?”

  “I will tell you that the God I serve had three sons and a daughter, all of whom have been killed by the serpent of Hell.”

  “If you were before a minister he would say that you preach blasphemy.”

  “And yet I am not before any such minister, I am before you. You know I speak the truth.”

  “I was never much of a church goer myself, although Eveline has always insisted on having a small bible and many times when I am passing her room at night I can hear her praying.”

  “She feels an ornate connection to God which makes sense when one thinks about it for a moment,” Galean pondered out loud, his curiosity in Eveline deepening.

  “This man that you talk off, who is he? And what does he want with Eveline?” Estelle stopped pacing and turned to Galean, prodding him on with her gaze.

  “Has she been followed before?”

  “Now that you speak of it, yes,” Estelle admitted, her mind flying back to the previous afternoons talk with Eveline. “She and Belle were walking back from Keswick after collecting our weekly rations and were followed by a man not nearly as terrifying as the man I had witnessed last night.”

  “What happened exactly?” Galean asked darkly.

  “Well it is as I have said he followed them by the way of the lake until they made a run for it up through the woods. Fortunately Wordsworth, that is our dog,” Estelle smiled with affection. “Well his behaviour turned somewhat odd, I would go as far as to say he was somewhat violent. He turned on the man and the man fled.”

  “Was Eveline able to identify the man at all?” Galean enquired quietly, creating an image of the scenario that had unfolded the previous afternoon.

  “No, she said only that his aura sent a sharpness through her and something about him feeling cold and dark.”

  “Do you believe in demons Estelle? Shadows of the night?”

  “If you are an angel then how can I not believe in the shadows of the night,” Estelle lectured quietly.

  “Then you will understand when I say that Eveline is in great danger from those that bask in the darkness and that she is to them precious above all things.”

  “That man who held her captive this morning, who was he?” Estelle asked firmly, standing before Galean.

  “It would not help matters by my answering that question,” Galean said, shaking his head gently.

  “If I am to protect my child and trust in you and all that you have said, I think you owe it to me to tell me who it was that caused my daughter to be dangling in mid-air.”

  “Those of this earth know him by two names, the first is Lucifer and the second Satan,” Galean began seeing the horror seep through Estelle, causing her to fall back onto her chair. “Those like myself know him by another.”

  “What is his name?” Estelle asked breathlessly. Galean got up from his chair and wandered over to the small window, looking outside and admiring the fine scenery. After a moment he turned to Estelle.

  “His name is Lagar, father of the fallen, King of all shadows and mortal enemy of my God, Heiden.”

  Estelle sat motionless, her face drained of any colour as she digested these last words carefully. Galean stood still observing the woman with compassion, all of her fears had come to the surface and in this moment he knew she would feel helpless to protect Eveline.

  “What does he want with her?” Estelle whispered.

  “Maybe we shouldn’t speak of such things, it will only increase the worry that you already carry.”

  “Tell me!” Estelle said loudly, getting up from her chair and resting her hands upon her hips.

  “I believe he wishes to kill her, not however before he claims something that belongs only to her.”

  “Which is?”

  “I am already saying too much, please don’t make me say anything more.”

  “Fine we will not speak of it,” Estelle said abruptly.

  “We must make for Bath immediately,” Galean said as he watched Estelle make for the door, her shoulders slouched heavily and her back hunched.

  “We do not leave until Eveline is strong enough, Theodore shall have to be patient,” Estelle whispered to the door, turning the handle.

  “Every day we spend here only increases the danger she is in.”

&n
bsp; Estelle turned to Galean and stood tall and defiant.

  “I may not have your powers or the ability to protect my daughter, I do however have a say over her health. We will leave for Bath when she is stronger and able to embark on the long journey south, is that understood?”

  Galean felt as though he had been slapped.

  “I understand,” he murmured, watching her leave the study and him behind.

  *

  Four days had passed since Eveline’s encounter with the serpent of darkness. Still she was bound to her bed, still weak and quiet. Galean had spent the nights by her side as she slept and the days keeping watch with Belle by his side, the child scared of the change that had taken place in the last four days. Galean had discussed, bringing Belle back to her parents with Estelle to no avail.

  “That child has brought life into Eveline’s eyes,” Estelle argued as they sat before a lit fire. “Never have I seen her so alive and happy. No, Belle stays with us, she will be safe with you here.”

  “You take an unprecedented risk by keeping her here with you, a risk her parents may not appreciate,” Galean had replied, watching the child play in the corner, her eyes lifting to meet his own.

  “Eveline has lived in fear of who she is, a flower afraid to look upon the sun,” Estelle said gently, smiling across at Belle. “Never have I before witnessed such a change that Belle has waged. With Belle by her side, Eveline will stay strong, she won’t allow anything to come between herself and the child.”

  “Such a bond of friendship you describe,” Galean said thoughtfully, a memory of his own daughter forming in the flames.

  “Have you children Mr Edwards?” Estelle asked kindly, seeing the pain in his eyes.

  “Once,” He murmured, keeping his eyes upon the flames.

  “And a wife?”

  “Once.”

  “What happened to them?” Estelle asked gently, not wishing to inflict anymore pain upon the angel.

  “They were murdered.”

  Estelle set her cup of tea down upon a small table that stood beside her chair.

  “I’m sorry for you loss Mr Edwards, truly.”

  Galean looked up from the flames and smiled weakly.

  “You will know then how it is that they can open your eyes?” Estelle mused, setting a hand upon his own.

  “I do,” Galean said, his eyes filled with anguish.

  “Belle has been a blessing in disguise for both of us, but no one more so that Eveline,” Estelle explained, pity in her own eyes. “Before the child came to live with us, she was withdrawn, quiet and almost sickly, unable to find a place within this cruel and unforgiving world.”

  “And Theodore?” Galean interjected, wanting to know how he affected Eveline.

  “He is her best friend and confidant with her best interests at heart,” Estelle said with a faint smile upon her lips. “I was at first slightly wary at them marrying but they wished to be married, Theodore more so I believe than Eveline. He has been gone for over a year and their married life has not even begun.”

  “As is so with many war time couples,” Galean smiled as Belle came to his side and sat down by his legs with her doll in her arms. She had taken an instant liking to the new guest.

  “Can you play Mr Edwards?” she asked, turning her blue eyes upwards to meet his own.

  “The piano?” Galean replied, settling a hand upon her golden curls.

  “Yes.”

  “I can play very well, it is one of my favourite past times. Why do you ask?”

  “We have a piano in the music room, Evie usually plays to us but…,” Belle stuttered, her eyes watering.

  “Would you like me to play to you Belle?” Galean asked gently, his heart filling with warmth as she smiled through her watering eyes.

  “Please.”

  Galean looked over at Estelle who shrugged lightly.

  “Just be careful not to awaken Eveline,” she ordered lightly as Galean rose from his chair and made his way over to the music room, Belle at his feet.

  “I would think you happy that she should awake, she has been asleep these last three days,” Galean said warmly as he entered the music room and stood before the piano. “Would you like me to play anything in particular?” he asked Belle who sat by him upon the piano stool.

  “I don’t mind, something beautiful if you will,” Belle ordered, watching as Galean let his fingers hover above the ivory keys in a manner similar to Eveline.

  “I happen to love a piece of music by Tchaikovsky, however I warn you it is a little long,” Galean smiled down at Belle, her eyes wide with curiosity.

  “What is it called?”

  “It is his piano concerto No. 1: Allegro non troppo e molt maestoso. You will have to imagine that we are surrounded by an orchestra, can you do that for me?” Galean asked.

  “Yes, Eveline asks me to do that as well,” Belle smiled. “We pretend we are playing in Vienna, she tells me that she should love to visit Vienna for the music but cannot do so because of the war.”

  “She would be right, Vienna is indeed a dangerous place to be right now.”

  “Everywhere is,” Belle whispered her eyes darkening.

  “You are safe here,” Galean said with furrowed brows.

  “What about the bad men?” Belle asked faintly.

  “They won’t return I promise,” Galean smiled down.

  “I hope not,” Belle mused.

  “Ready?”

  “Yes,” Belle beamed. Galean sat up straight and began to play, filling the house with music and filling his soul with much needed comfort. Estelle sat in the living room amazed at the skill that Galean demonstrated on the piano, completely forgiving of the louder sections of the piece. She was herself an avid fan of Tchaikovsky, being a lover of Russian classical music like Eveline.

  Upstairs, Eveline moved slightly, hearing the music and letting it fill her senses, prompting her to awaken. She knew the piece of music well, before the war she and Theodore had travelled to Bristol to see a concert in which the very piece of music that now filled the cottage was played. A smile played upon her lips as she listened to the piano, forgetting the weakness in her bones and the dread that filled her dreams. She wondered who had claimed the piano downstairs and found herself struggling to get out of bed, her neck still sore from the bite. When sat at the edge of the bed she found her nightgown and slipped it on. With a moment to breathe she swept her long hair off her shoulders and gently stood up, wobbling at first, her right hand upon the edge of the bed for balance. Her body had been greatly weakened due her being in bed for the last three days, but with determination to seek out the pianist she carefully and slowly made her way out of her room and down the corridor, the music getting louder and filling a very deep part of her with a rush of untold beauty. As she came to the narrow and winding steps she took in a deep breath and took her time as she made her way downstairs.

  Once Eveline had descended the steps she turned and entered the music room, walking slowly to the window seat that was positioned to the right of the piano. Quietly without wanting to ruin the piece of music for the man that sat upon the stool, she sat down and watched on in awe, such was the beauty of the music that filled the room. Eveline noticed that Belle was sitting beside the pianist and smiled deeply, she had missed her little friend and when she had been more alert had worried that Belle would be scared. Seeing her face alight with passion and excitement brought relief to Eveline as she lifted her feet up from the ground and curled them under her legs.

  Estelle noticed a shadow pass and opened her eyes. She sat forward and turned her head, seeing Eveline pass through the door of the music room. Suddenly she got to her feet and made for the music room, stopping at the door and looking in. To her right, Eveline sat curled up in the window seat watching Galean play, her face filled with colour and her eyes sparkling. Estelle felt her heart tighten as she watched her daughter so frail and withdrawn, surrendering herself to the music and the moment. Suddenly, Eveline’s eyes foun
d her own and she smiled warmly holding her mother’s gaze before returning it to the pianist.

  Eveline returned her gaze to the man and found herself observing him. He was tall and lean with thick, blonde hair that reached his shoulders, a style very uncommon among men. As the candles glimmered about the room, she was struck at the beauty of his deep blue eyes as they glinted. His face was firm and square. His eyes were to Eveline deep set, buried beneath heavy brows. His cheekbones were prominent and well structured, his nose pointed and his lips thin and red, his skin pale and smooth. His thick hair was curled and wild and altogether she would have thought him a remanence of a Viking. His back was long and straight, his shoulders broad and perfectly stationed as was his neck, long and graceful as his head was bent over the keys of the piano. When she finished observing his physical being she allowed herself to observe his attire. The man wore a simple navy blue, pin striped suit with twin pleated trousers. No silk handkerchief lay within his breast pocket. He was simply dressed which suited him well as a more flamboyant suit would have taken away from his Nordic looks.

  Soon the song drew to an end and the pianist lifted his fingers from the piano and opened his eyes, his shoulders visibly relaxing.

  “Evie!” Belle cried out, jumping down from the stool and bounding across the room to where Eveline sat, curled up upon the window chair.

  “Belle!” Eveline cried out as the child wrapped her arms about her neck. For a moment the firm friends held each other in their embrace, eyes closed and heads together. When they withdrew from their embrace, Belle turned to Galean who sat still upon the stool, his eyes upon Eveline and Belle. After a moment Eveline found his gaze and held it, a smile upon her lips.

  “You play well.”

  “You should be in your bed resting,” Galean replied sternly, his blue eyes betraying him.

  “I found myself guided by your beautiful gift,” Eveline said, her cheeks colouring slightly, her weakened body feeling suddenly strange under his gaze.

  “I promised your mother that I would not waken you from your sleep,” Galean retorted as Estelle entered the room.