One Crown & Two Thrones: The Prophecy

by Iseult O'Shea

  “If I choose to return to Unas, where do I begin? How do I travel through time?”

  “I believe you have met your local minister?” Heiden replied as Eveline wrapped an arm through his own.

  “Yes, he is the head of the freemasons in Keswick.”

  “If you wish to return to Unas he will know what to do, go to him and he will direct you to where it is you need to go.”

  “And if I return to Unas, what do I do then?”

  “If everything goes according to plan then you shall not be alone when you return, there will be those who have been waiting for your arrival for quite some time,” Heiden said with hesitancy.

  “How will they know about my arrival?”

  “A great priest called Anvin rules over an ancient island called Summe, he has seen your return,” Heiden explained, his eyes cast downwards into the golden gaze of Eveline.

  “But what I choose not to return?” Eveline asked with a confused expression as wisps of her auburn hair swirled about her pale face. The warm water of the lake soaked her tired feet, bringing refreshment and relief. The rays of the sun hit the waters causing them to sparkle and dance, bringing comfort to Eveline, who missed her home greatly since being away.

  “As I have previously said not all prophecies bear fruit,” Heiden said, laying a hand upon her own. He had for such a long time wished to embrace his daughters’ child and now that that time had arisen he held onto it knowing that soon they would be separated once more. “But if you do decide to reclaim what is rightfully yours then there will be those waiting for you, those who will guide you and protect you.”

  “Before I awaken, will you tell me how my parents died?” Eveline asked, her fingers gently grasping at the thick golden material.

  “They were poisoned by your brother during a great feast which was held on your naming day,” Heiden said with a sigh. “Your brother has many talents, shapeshifting is one of them. He had broken away from Islaer, wanting to take the throne of Calnuthe upon hearing that his mother had bared a child, thus producing another heir. He cannot risk having another heir who can claim not only the throne of Calhuni by blood but the throne of Heaven too. He will stop at nothing in order to kill you.”

  “I am standing before two roads, both tainted with singular pros and cons, how do I know which is the right path?”

  “I think you already know,” Heiden said gently as a heron skimmed the waters of the lake. “But there is much to consider and much to battle with before you make up your mind.” Eveline began to cry, leaning her head against her grandfather’s arm.

  “I don’t know if I will ever be able to live with what I have done,” she said through her tears and sobs. “I don’t know if I will ever be able to free myself from the guilt that stings within.”

  “What happened was not your fault,” Heiden tried to soothe, bringing her about before him so that he could wrap his strong arms about her frail body, letting his warmth radiate throughout her. “In time you will come to see it also, but for now let your heart cry, let the pain bury itself deep within, let the drops of water fall from your soul until you can cry no longer. There will come a day when you will raise your eyes to the sky and breathe anew. Estelle loved you even in death and forever will she love you.”

  “Eveline?”

  Eveline stopped crying and held herself still in the arms of Heiden. She knew that voice, knew it and feared it. She peered around Heiden’s wide chest and caught a glimpse of Estelle, perfectly dressed as always, standing a little bit away, smiling down at her broadly. Eveline held her gaze before looking up into the face of Heiden.

  “Humans become angels when they pass away. I thought that maybe you should spend some time with Estelle before you return to your body.”

  “Shall you wait for me?”

  “No, it is time I left. Estelle will show you the way back,” Heiden said with a flash of sadness in his eyes. “Remember our conversation and do not tread lightly on your decision. If you choose to return to Calnuthe then visit your reverend, he will know what to do.”

  “But there is still so much to discuss,” Eveline said desperately as Estelle walked down through the meadow coming to stand before them.

  “You will have plenty of time to talk soon,” Estelle interrupted kindly. Eveline turned to her adoptive mother and then glanced back at Heiden who smiled at her.

  “She is a very wise woman,” he said before letting go of Eveline and bowing low. “I will see you soon. And Eveline?”

  “Yes?” Eveline looked into the pensive eyes of her newly acquainted grandfather hardly believing she was his granddaughter.

  “He will never stop hunting you,” Heiden brought her close to him, both hands upon her arms. “His creatures are intelligent and loyal, they will never stop searching for you. Be vigilant and keep your eyes and ears open at all times, especially when you feel safe and secure for that is when the enemy strikes hard.”

  “You will be near?”

  “As near as I can be,” Heiden promised. “Travel to Anglesey with the help of your reverend, they will give you the answers you seek.”

  “I will try,” Eveline whispered gently, her lashes fluttering with emotion, she had only been introduced to him and he was leaving her. She clutched at his wrists, unwilling to let him go as he was the last remaining part of her mother.

  “Unyae and Elieor would be so proud of who you have become,” Heiden smiled warmly, seeing the anxiety in her face, her eyes moist and her lips trembling. “I can see them both within you, beauty blessed with strength and courage. Never lose sight of the light even when cornered for it will always reveal itself to those who are loyal and in need.”

  “Must you leave me?” Eveline begged much to her embarrassment.

  “For now, yes,” Heiden said as he swept away a strand of Eveline’s auburn hair. “You need to spend time with Estelle before you awaken.”

  “I am frightened of awaking,” Eveline whispered into his ear, not wishing Estelle to hear her.

  “Many tests await you, but you have the strength to see them through,” Heiden replied softly. “Believe in yourself Celestine, you are surrounded by those who will protect you.”

  “Come Eveline there is not much time,” Estelle interrupted as Heiden stood away from Eveline, releasing his hands from her. Eveline again found herself crying as he dived his right hand into the pocket of his golden robe and withdrew something small from it.

  “This belonged to your mother,” he said with a faintness in his breath as he opened his hand to revel a golden ring, decorated with a diamond star, small and discreet. “She named you after the stars as she was known as the Goddess of stars, jewel of the universe.” Eveline stepped forward and looked down into the palm of his hand, touching the ring with her index finger. “It belongs to you now,” Heiden said, his breathe wistful and deep. Eveline took the ring into her fingers.

  “Which finger do I place it on?”

  “Your index finger,” Heiden said, taking the ring from her and placing it on to her index finger himself. Eveline raised her right hand before her and smiled, the ring fitted perfectly upon her finger. “You have her hands,” Heiden whispered. Eveline blushed slightly at the compliment and rested her hand upon her chest, smiling up into his face.

  “Thank you,” she said as he bowed before her. No more words were spoken as Heiden turned and walked away from Eveline and Estelle who came to her daughter’s side, watching the great and magnificent God disappear into the distance. Estelle wrapped an arm about Eveline.

  “What a journey you have found yourself on,” Estelle exclaimed, bringing Eveline into a tight hug. Eveline felt her body stiffen, she had killed her mother but a few days ago.

  “How can you be so nice to me when it is I that killed you,” she said into her mother’s hair.

  “You didn’t kill me, I placed the knife into my heart,” Estelle argued lightly as took her daughters hand and placed it upon her wrist gently.

  “Only to sav
e me from doing it,” Eveline replied curtly, her gaze still upon her mother’s ring.

  “Eveline you were possessed by a demon, there was nothing you could do.”

  “I don’t think everyone will share the same view.”

  “And if they had been possessed? Would they have acted differently?”

  Eveline turned and let out a sigh of frustration. Not even the beautiful summer’s afternoon or her mother’s ring could soften the heavy realisation of what she had done.

  “Did you know about my real parents?” she asked aloud, her hands upon her hips.

  “No, I knew nothing of your parents or who you truly were,” Estelle replied with honesty. “Did I think you gifted yes, you showed signs of an incredible ability when you first came to me. I didn’t understand how any being could possess such power but such things have been documented across the world since the dawn of time. I learnt to embrace all that you and Theodore were because my love for you both was greater than the fear of who you were.”

  “I am the granddaughter of Heiden,” Eveline exclaimed darkly. “My mother was his only daughter and my father the High King of three Kingdoms not of this world.”

  “What were their names?” Estelle asked softly, walking towards Eveline with soft eyes and lips.

  “Unyae and Elieor,” Eveline returned, trying to control the urge to cry once again. “They were both…, very much in love.”

  “And such beauty brought forth an equally beautiful child,” Estelle said with warmth, her fingers touching Eveline’s cheek, her eyes moist and sombre. “What happened to them?”

  “They were poisoned by my half-brother, first child of my mother and of Lagar,” Eveline said as she sniffed, finding comfort in Estelle’s touch.

  “How?” Estelle asked with concerned eyes.

  “Galean once told me that Lagar and another named Lagman invaded Aurelius, the high city of Heaven and killed many women and children,” Eveline began, biting down on her lips so much so that she drew blood. “Lagar killed my three uncles and grandmother, but the worst of it is that instead of killing my mother, he impregnated her instead.”

  “I don’t know what to say…”

  “I don’t think there are any words to describe what happened to my mother and father,” Eveline sighed, letting her newly adorned hand fall to her side. The sun was beginning to set over the lake as she looked out across its waters. “My grandfather wishes for me to return to my world and reclaim my father’s Kingdom.”

  “And your wish?” Estelle probed cautiously, her eyes taking in the beauty of her home.

  “My brother sits upon my throne and rules with an iron hand,” Eveline said as wisps of her curls blew across her face. “Two equally oppressive men sit upon the thrones of my other Kingdoms.” Eveline turned her golden eyes to Estelle, who looked troubled. “A great and heavy shadow lies over my father’s lands, my people’s lands. He executes women, men and children for entertainment and has among many other things embraced slavery, especially young girls.”

  “And does Heiden think you strong enough to take on all of this?” Estelle asked with furrowed brows.

  “He believes that I need time to adjust to all that has been revealed to me,” Eveline replied lightly, walking over to Estelle and laying a soothing hand upon her. “He wishes me to travel to the island of Anglesey to seek out a secretive group of druids. He believes that I will find strength and answers there, enough to help me to make my mind up.”

  “And Theodore?”

  “I don’t know,” Eveline said sombrely, the hem of her gown swaying about her bare feet and legs. “He and I have become so altered, I hardly know what to do.”

  “He was your brother and best friend before all of this,” Estelle said with urgency. “He will need you.”

  “I wish I could explain to you why it is that my husband has been so angry and distant,” Eveline said as a black bird passed by above their heads.

  “You don’t think that I haven’t been observing the behaviour between you, Theodore, Galean and Jophiel? You don’t think that I have felt pain to see the pain that lay between the four of you?” Estelle said quickly, causing Eveline to flush with shame. “That his heart belonged to Jophiel before he came to us? That your heart belongs to Galean?”

  “My heart and loyalty lies with Theodore,” Eveline said abruptly. “He is my husband.”

  “Eveline I know you inside out, don’t play the fool with me,” Estelle said with sorrow. “Do you remember when we walked through the countryside that evening when you and Theodore announced your engagement? And I asked you if your feelings were equal to his?”

  “Yes,” Eveline said quietly.

  “I knew they were not, I knew you loved him deeply,” Estelle said with a weak smile. “But you were never in love with him, you wished yourself to be and tried for so long to talk yourself into being in love with him, but I knew you were not. I should have been honest, I should have spared you both from the pain you are now having to endure.”

  “Mother please, I love him I do,” Eveline cried out desperately.

  “Of course you love him, you set aside your own heart to marry him and make him happy, you were always sacrificing yourself for others,” Estelle said with a smile. “You believed that no other man would ever accept you for who you truly were but Theodore. I am not angry with you, I do not judge you for I can understand your reasons. Many women have married for less.”

  “But?”

  “When Galean came into your life you changed, a bud that had been withering away within you suddenly came to life,” Estelle said gently, the wrinkles upon her skin curling as she smiled. “A part of me rejoiced, for I had waited for years for that bud to grow and bloom.”

  “I was glad to have a friend,” Eveline lied, shaking her head in denial.

  “At the back of mind I always worried what would happen when you found a man you fell deeply in love with, it plagued me like the devil,” Estelle said with a frown. “On the one hand I was captivated by the transformation that you had undergone simply in the presence of Galean and on the other I was growing fearful of your reunion with Theodore.”

  “Galean has gone, he has left this world and returned to his own,” Eveline said quietly, a tear falling from her eye. “Theodore is my husband, there is no other.”

  “You love Galean and I understand it was not of your choosing, nor did you act inappropriately with him,” Estelle tried to reassure Eveline. “But such a wide and raging river divides you and your husband, both your heart attached to another.”

  “He will hate me for what I have done,” Eveline cried bitterly. “Possessed or not, my actions have led to the deaths of you, his friends and Jophiel. He will never forgive me.”

  “You underestimate your husband’s heart and kindness,” Estelle said quickly. “Don’t give up on him just yet, he will surprise you.”

  “And if he doesn’t follow me to Anglesey? What do I do then?” Eveline asked with desperate eyes.

  “Theodore would follow you anywhere, the pair of your where inseparable growing up,” Estelle smiled. “He will not have forgotten that nor will he forget the love he has for you.”

  “But things will never be as they were,” Eveline sighed heavily, her toes curling into the warm sand.

  “No, but that doesn’t mean that you give up on one another,” Estelle said, his fingers pressing into Eveline’s wrist lightly. “Remember you were both best friends, if you find the love of a husband and wife has gone then remember who you both were before your life’s altered. Marriage is never easy but you work at it, and you never know what can come from it if you don’t try. Time mends all things and if time is what the pair of you need then invest in it and see what develops.”

  “And if he never forgives me?”

  “It seems to me you both need to forgive one another,” Estelle said tenderly. The rays of the sun fell upon them both as they turned to face the great lake once more. “The sun always rises and sets, your marr
iage and friendship will survive if you both wish it.”

  “I wish I could go back to the way life was before all of this,” Eveline said darkly. “When there were no complications and I was awaiting the return of my husband.”

  “Your life was never meant to be simple Eveline, you have always known that.”

  “Ignorance is bliss,” Eveline smiled sheepishly.

  “You were always meant for greater things, you were never of this world,” Estelle said with serious eyes. “If you choose to return to your world, then use the powers you have and break the chains of slavery and oppression. Become who you were born to be.”

  “I don’t feel like a Queen, I don’t feel like anything special or great,” Eveline said with a shake of her head. Carelessly she ran her fingers through her hair and down her neck, using her fingers to knead the muscles, bringing brief relief to her shoulders.

  “Your grandfather seems to think differently, do you doubt him?”

  “I am his only hope, he has to place his trust in me even if he doubts my ability,” Eveline said with a frustrated smile, the dimples in her cheeks contouring.

  “Your grandfather does not strike me as a man who places his trust in someone who will fail,” Estelle said with a kind eye. “He sees what I have always seen in you, destiny and hope.”

  “I am only one person, I cannot defeat three Kings and their armies by myself,” Eveline groaned inwardly, her feet soaking in the waters once more.

  “Heiden has told you what to do, heed his word, he would never expect you and you alone to defeat your enemies,” Estelle said wisely. “There are many whose lives will intertwine with your own, many whose hands will aid your own.”

  “And if they lose faith in me?”

  “Have I lost faith in you?” Estelle asked as a light wind crossed the lake and embraced their bodies. Eveline shook her head, her eyes closed. “Galean saw the trueness of you, he saw what others couldn’t and he believed in you.”