“And yet your words are filled with both,” Unyae smiled shyly, a faint blush staining her cheeks once more.
“Many of my noble friends have long wished me to marry one of their daughters, beautiful and accomplished they are, but it is not beauty alone that I wish for in a wife and Queen my Lady though you are greater than all the noble women of my Kingdom,” Elieor said with a seriousness that held Unyae captured. No signs of arrogance or falsehood laced his words as he spoke honestly.
“I am forbidden to marry any man without my father’s consent,” Unyae said with kindness, placing a hand upon his own. “Though I am honoured to be the recipient of such a proclamation.”
“How can I alter your already cemented opinions?” Elieor pleaded gently, capturing a strand of Unyae’s hair and gently placing it behind one of her ears.
“My Lord, you are but a bud of spring and I an ancient being, older than the earth you now stand upon,” Unyae said as her body, upon betraying her words swayed towards him. “When you breathe your last, still shall I live, outliving all of your descendants until the world is no more.”
“I care not for such things but that you should accept my heart and that I shall be the protector of your own heart for as long as we both shall live,” Elieor said with emotion. “If I cannot have your heart, I shall have no others.” Unyae walked away from Elieor and turned to face Eveline, or to be more precise the tree in which she stood in front of. Eveline watched on with anticipation.
“I shall make you a promise my Lord if you will grant me one in return.”
“I shall grant you any promise,” Elieor replied with urgency. Unyae turned with a slight smile upon her lips.
“If you find yourself still unbound to another in five years, then you may have my heart,” Unyae said, believing the young King would fail in his promise and never return to her.
“Give me one year, five and I shall return a ghost of the man I am now standing before you,” Elieor said quietly, his eyes filled with sorrow. Eveline frowned, wishing she had a voice with which could be heard so that she may restore order and sense.
“Five years my Lord,” Unyae said with sternness and certainty. “If your love is pure and true then five years shall be short enough.”
“And when I return you shall break your oath to your father?”
“Two decades have I waited for my father, if he does not come in another five years then I will break my oath and take your hand in marriage,” Unyae said, her lashes fluttering nervously, surprised at the sudden determination that unleashed itself within her.
“Then I shall return for you,” Elieor promised, taking her right hand and kissing it lightly.
“I shall await your return my Lord,” Unyae smiled painfully. Eveline felt the earth beneath her move and fell instantly to the ground as she began to swirl about, the colours of the sky moulding with the lake and garden, creating a circular pattern of colours. It had felt as though she had spinning for an age before time began to slow and the colours began to distribute themselves from one another, claiming back their physical places. Eveline once again found herself on her knees before the throne of Calhuni.
*
The air was different as she brought herself to her feet once more and took a good long look around her. Autumn had arrived and the beautiful leaves that had once filled the ancient tree of Calhuni were now withering and falling from their branches to the grass, slowly dying into the ground as was their custom every year. Eveline having waited until the nausea abated cautiously walked about the island in search of Unyae but was disappointed to find her gone. All that was left was a small boat that lay bobbing upon the gentle waters of the lake. To the north she glanced up at the magnificent mountain range now beautifully covered in snow, their peaks disappearing through the thick clouds above. With a bubble of curiosity stirring her on, Eveline stepped into the boat and waited until it began to move, guiding her across the lake to the far shore where she stepped out of the boat and made her way through the forest as though guided by something within her. The floor of the garden was densely covered in golden leaves and as she weaved her way through the ancient trees she spotted creatures very like squirrels, racing across the ground and up the trees, stopping for a brief moment to observe the strange women below. The flowers that had enriched the garden had long past withered away, leaving the forest bare of their beauty. Eveline could feel the bitter taste of winter in the air and shivered slightly as the hairs on her skin prickled against the soft breeze. She walked for what seemed to her a very long time before she came to the wall of the garden. The wall was made out of red bricks and was at least twenty feet high. Not knowing where she should go to next, she laid a hand upon the wall and began to walk, letting her hand graze against the rugged bricks. Around her the garden sang solemnly, the trees swaying and the birds chirping with an air of sorrow. As she continued to follow the wall her ears perked at the sound of a beautiful voice, singing. Eveline stopped walking and closed her eyes, letting the words consume her as the voice gently rushed over her, angelic and ethereal. The words she did not understand as they were not in her native language, but the voice she recognised at once as Unyae’s. Picking up her white gown, Eveline rushed through the trees until she came to stand close to the princess, now gowned in a heavy cloak of fur. Unyae was leaning against a great and golden gate, the railings decorated with flowers and leaves. Unyae’s long hair gently flowed down her long back and danced about her as she sang, her hands dripping the railings with urgency. Eveline wondered what it was she was singing, for sorrowful and painful it sounded to her ears, causing her eyes to prickle with tears. Unyae was in pain, pain that was not just woven into her words but into her body as well, which lay slumped against the gate as though laden down with many burdens. Eveline wondered what year it was and wondered still with a sombre beat of heart had Elieor come back for her. She knew of course that they would marry and have a daughter, but how it had all come about she did not know. As she watched Unyae sing on she heard the sound of a man’s voice, calling Unyae from afar, beyond the walls of Calhuni.
Unyae ceased her singing and stood up straight, wiping her pale face of the tears that streamed down her cheeks. She shook her head in disbelief before standing away from the gates, suddenly filled with nervousness and reality. Eveline smiled with delight at the anticipation of their re union and felt honoured to be allowed to witness such an intimate and private moment. Eveline walked closer to the gates as the High King Elieor came into sight, older and grander in appearance, his once youthful appearance now matured and grown. Unyae stood still, unmoving and in shock as he smiled, his face now lined with a few wrinkles, his thick hair still golden and curled. He was clad in leather armour with a golden breastplate and a thick fur cloak. A sword lay at his side and two daggers. No words were spoken as he took out a key and unlocked the gate, opening it slowly and entering. The King came to stand before the stupefied Unyae who had been so certain that he would never return, her certainty causing the little spring of life within her to empty with each passing day.
“My love,” Elieor whispered as he nervously took her hands within his own and kissed them gently, his eyes moist with emotion as he beheld his love for the first time in five years. “I have come back for your hand if it is still mine to claim.”
“You are here,” Unyae whispered with disbelief as she took in his warm face, weathered by war and grief.
“I am here my love, my heart never once left these walls,” Elieor said with pain, his words faint and breath quick. “My feet have wandered this world, filled with sorrow and grief, wishing to make their way back here to you.”
“I did not think you would come back for me,” Unyae said as a tear fell from her bent head.
“Such little faith in my promise,” Elieor said with a gentle smile as he touched her cheek lightly, his fingers curling under her chin, forcing her face to rise so that their eyes could meet. “Such have been my days without you,” he whispered tenderly, tr
acing her eyes and brows with love. “Long have been my winters and bare my summers.”
“Such hope have I held onto, it’s light being my only warmth and comfort,” Unyae said as she let her hands fall upon Elieor’s chest, her body calming and leaning into his own.
“Love of the purest kind lasts an eternity,” Elieor said softly into her hair. “And such an eternity has it been.”
“Even now, my body and spirit has awoken such a spell you have cast upon me,” Unyae smiled up into her lovers face. “As though I have been without water and you come baring a cup of the finest, letting me drink from it freely.”
“And so shall it be ere after and always,” Elieor promised as the suns light began to fade behind the trees. “Shall you leave behind this prison and come home with me?”
“My father has forgotten me,” Unyae said with sorrow.
“Then you owe him nothing, let me worship at your feet instead until my dying breathe,” Elieor said with passion. “Let me love you and have you always by my side. To walk alone upon this earth another day would be torture, I could not do it.”
“Your people will think me strange in my looks and ways,” Unyae replied with a faint blush upon her cheeks. “I am older than this earth you walk upon, what shall become of me when death parts us?”
“You shall bare our children and walk with them and their children when I am no longer here,” Elieor said kissing his forehead lightly. “Do not worry about the future, long may I draw breathe and long may we forever be bound to one another.” The couple kissed gently as the trees sang out with joy. Eveline felt her own heart fill with warmth and joy at such a sight, the love and devotion that radiated from the King made her think of Theodore and Galean, a sharp thorn pricking at her own heart. The couple when ready left the garden, closing the gate behind them and walking off into the greater world together. Eveline watched from the gates as they both upon the same horse rode off into the distant world, the sun dying behind her, the last rays illuminating them until she could see them no more.
With a heavy heart, riddled with love for her husband and love for Galean, Eveline made her way through the garden of Calhuni until she reached the shore once more. She sat down and huddled her legs against her chest as a cold gust of wind swirled about her body. With a deep breath she began to cry as the dawning of what had occurred outside of this vision impacted on her with such an intensity, her cries became almost animal like, her muscles and organs tightening with anguish. She sat crying whilst the moon unveiled itself amongst the starry night. Soon her tears faded and she lay back upon the moist grass and looked up into the sky, resting her hands upon her stomach. As she lay she heard footsteps from behind her and turned her head. A fair and gentle stag came towards her, lowering his head regally. Eveline sat up cautiously and turned her body towards the stag, his great horns curled and tall above his head. Eveline slowly brought herself to her feet and stood as the stag came closer to her, his large eyes sparkling against the light of the moon.
“Can you see me?” Eveline whispered quietly as she held out a shaking hand. The stag groaned in response lifting his head so that her hand could touch his smooth fur. “Oh my, you’re so soft to touch,” Eveline smiled as she gently and cautiously stroked the stags face, her eyes upon his own inquisitive eyes. As she looked down into his sparkling eyes she was reminded of Heiden, as though he lay within the gaze of the stag. “I’m lost,” Eveline said to the stag. “Within a garden I know so well. But I am lost within this vision, if vision it is.” The stag closed his eyes as though calmed by her touch. When he opened them again Eveline gasped for they turned gold like her own. “How is that possible?” she asked the stag. The animal groaned in response heralding a smile from Eveline. “How strange you are, to let me stroke you like this.” The stag suddenly brought himself down to the ground and Eveline quickly followed suite, her body moulding itself within his own as his long legs curled about her form. Eveline felt herself yawn as the stag laid his head down peacefully and closed his eyes. Wrapping her arms about his thick neck, Eveline let her head fall against his fur and with another yawn felt herself being drawn into a star filled sleep.
Her sleep was filled with peace and warmth, her body gently relaxed against the stags that when she was forced to awaken she groaned aloud. She could feel the rising sun’s rays upon her body as she opened her eyes and stretched. The stag gently aroused himself from his sleep and groaned lightly as though biding her good morning. Eveline looked down into his face and smiled.
“Good morning,” she said lightly. “Thank you for offering your fur as a blanket and your neck as a pillow.” The stag’s mouth lifted into what seemed to be a smile before he quickly came to stand upon his hind legs, shaking his body roughly. Eveline also came to stand upon her feet, stretching once more and yawning. She was thirsty and followed suite of the stag, bending down low and cupping her hand so that she could gather some fresh water from the lake. With a sigh she gulped down the water before rinsing the rest over her face. She was tired and withdrawn, feeling as though she had been travelling through time for centuries and she wondered what was to come. As she stood beside the stag she heard mixed voices close by and turned, grabbing a handful of the stag’s fur for comfort. Through the trees, the High King, Unyae and their baby came. Eveline looked down at the stag with nervous eyes, something was afoot as the royal couple tried to make it to the boat that lay close by, Unyae holding their baby close to her breast. Eveline noticed with fear that both of them looked very unwell, their faces as white as the moon that had stood guard of the universe during the night.
“Quickly!” Unyae cried out to her husband as he with great trouble entered the water and brought forth the boat. “There is not much time left!”
“Here, take my hand,” Elieor said to his wife with urgency in his faded green eyes. The baby known as Celestine hollered out loudly as though filled with fear like Eveline. The King helped his wife into the boat and when ready jumped in after her. Eveline looked about for another boat but found none. She watched the young family sail to the island, huddled together tightly. Eveline strode around the shore to get a better look, the stag following her dutifully. Flecks of snow began to fall in a flurry about her as the royal couple reached the island and together made their way to the tree and throne.
“I need to reach them,” Eveline found herself saying aloud. The stag groaned and shook his head roughly. “What do you mean no? Something is wrong.” The stag again groaned this time loudly, his golden eyes fierce with determination. Eveline fell quiet for she knew deep within that the stag was no ordinary stag, she knew there was more to this vision and all that lay within it. She let out a breath and stood beside the stag, her hand still within the folds of his fur. Not far from where she stood she could see the couple, sat beneath the foot of the throne, cradling Celestine as though with little time. Eveline felt her body stiffen, they were dying that was the reason for their arrival and that was the reason as to why they both looked like shadows of their former self’s. As she watched on a bright light erupted before the young family. When it faded, two male figures were revealed, two male figures who bore a striking resemblance to Theodore and Galean. Beside her the stag snorted, causing Eveline’s eyes to withdraw from the island. She looked down into the golden gaze that was filled with pain and frowned. What she had thought to be a vision or dream she suddenly realised with a terrible terror that it was no such dream. She stood closer to the stag and watched as the man she knew to be her husband knelt before the couple, speaking to them gently. Unyae with shaking arms, held out her baby to the quiet Galean, who took the baby gently and brought her to his chest. Pain gripped Eveline from within as she watched the royal couple lean against the foot of the throne, taking their last breathes as the two men and young baby stood away, another great beam of light surrounding them. The stag let out a cry as they left, leaving the young couple alone and lifeless at the foot of the throne. Eveline herself let out a cry, she felt frozen with con
fusion and shock. Only mere hours ago had she witnessed their reunion and now they lay before her dead.
She fell to her knees in desperation as the stag cried and felt the cold water roll over her legs roughly. Above her a great streak of lightening coursed through the skies followed by a thunderous noise. The world about her changed as though it too had been touched by the deaths of the royal couple. Behind her creatures began to cry as the snow fell heavily, freezing everything in its path. As she wept she felt the familiar warmth of the ball and threw out her hands.
“Go away!” she said aloud, refusing to enter another door. “I don’t want to leave!” she cried out. The ball of light touched her again, refusing to listen to her. “I said leave me!” Eveline yelled as though tortured by all that she had seen. As she tried to ignore the ball of light she suddenly felt it penetrate her body, coming to rest within the very core of her. Against her will the light forced her to her feet, dragging her away from the crying stag towards another golden door. “Please I cannot leave them!” Eveline begged pathetically as the door opened and she entered. She didn’t fall into a void of darkness like before, instead she found herself walking into the centre of a great temple a temple she had read of greatly. As the door disappeared she wiped her face and looked around, not sure where it was she was standing. She looked down at the twelve curved steps and out towards a great courtyard surrounded by outer buildings upheld with great columns. Turning she found herself looking up at the great temple of Solomon and let out a sigh of amazement for she knew that it had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II after the siege of Jerusalem. Inside the temple lay the inner house known as the Holy of Holies. With curiosity Eveline made her way towards the great doors which opened as she strode towards them. Inside the temple, great canopies of candles stood along the walls, illuminating the gold that decorated the temple. The light of the gold was so strong, Eveline had to lay a hand across her forehead such was its intensity. As she waited until her eyes grew accustomed to the light she looked up at the high altar and laid eyes on a great man, robed in fine silks. She knew immediately to whom she stood before and instantly fell to her knees.
One Crown & Two Thrones: The Prophecy Page 42