“There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness,” Eveline whispered aloud as she opened her bible and traced Galean’s words with her index finger. Gently she brought the bible to her lips and kissed the page softly. As she pressed the bible to her lips a piece of paper fell out from the back and swirled down until it touched the floor. Eveline placed the bible away from her and closed it, setting it down upon the window ledge. Eveline bent down low and picked up the folded piece of paper and as she rose again to her full height, she gently opened it, her eyes widening with feeling.
When you feel lost or alone, play this, even when you feel like you can no longer bring yourself to play. If music be the food of love, play on.
Eveline looked down at the piece of music titled; Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No 2 in F major, 2nd movement. A tear fell upon the sheet of music and for a time she simply rested it upon her breast and held it close. As an owl cried out in the distance, Eveline opened her eyes and smiled warmly. With her feet bare and a tartan blanket wrapped about her shoulders she turned from the window and made her way out of her room. The house was quiet, Mary being in the kitchen and preparing dinner and Theodore out for a brief evening walk to clear his mind and in no doubt keep himself clear of his wife. Coming down the stairs, Eveline stood before the door of the music room and breathed in a sigh before turning the brass handle around and entering, closing the door behind her quietly. With a gentle wave of her hand she lit the candles and lantern and took her seat before the piano, placing the sheet of music on the stand. Delicately she readied her hands, hovering her fingers above the keys with gentleness. Reading the music twice over she counted to three in her mind and began to play, her body seizing as the music erupted from the piano, like a soft poem, taming the mind and soul. Gentle, elegant and painfully emotional, the concerto touched everything within the room like a ray of sunshine. As she played she imagined Galean sitting beside her, a kind smile upon his Viking like face. The music flowed like an endless spring river and she was transported to the garden of Calhuni, images of the precious and bountiful flowers that filled the garden forming in her mind. As she found herself within the garden, she too found her mind bringing forth the dozen or so memories, the only memories she would ever hold of her parents.
When her fingers stopped and the music faded away into memory, Eveline sat back and smiled, using the back of her right hand to wipe away the tears upon her stained cheek. With a rising chest and thudding heart she played the song again and again, uncaring of the world about her.
*
Theodore stopped at the garden wall and listened to the music as it flowed from the windows of the music room and sighed. How beautiful and pure it was and how he pained himself to listen to it, feeling his wife’s grief and loss. His walk over the hills and about the lake had done little to calm his stormy mind, filled with confusion, anger and disillusion. His marriage was falling apart before his eyes and he had not the strength or desire to pick up the pieces. Standing upon the shore of Derwentwater he could feel the presence of Jophiel by his side and could hear her sweet whisperings of encouragement and reason, her last words forever penetrating and troubling him.
You have the will power to stand apart from the darkness that encroaches upon you, you have the strength to embrace redemption. This I believe with all my heart. You are like a robin, always looking on at the birdbath with hesitation, never sure if you should take water from it, never certain if you are worthy of such relief. Drink the water and let it replenish you, let it wash over the raging fires that burn within you. You can make things right again if you will it.
As he stood against the cottage wall, a small robin landed close to him and chirped. Theodore looked across at the robin, whose head was titled with curiosity, its beaded eyes shining with thought.
“Jophiel?” Theodore whispered to the bird with a frown. The robin hopped closer to Theodore, so close he could almost feel its feathers brush against his cold skin. The bird chirped up at him with feeling. “What do I do?” Theodore whispered softly, his head bent in heaviness.
There are certain points in our life when we have to stand above the doubts and uncertainty for the greater good of mankind, points when we must act on behalf of others and not ourselves. Eveline is one of those points and you must walk with her on this journey because no one knows or understands her more than you. Forget the prophecy, forget the jealousy and see the bigger picture. Understand who she is and what she stands for and find purpose in that even if it brings no glory. Her love for you will not diminish like the morning mist that holds heavy over the awakening earth. It will be always and forever, like my love for you.
The gentle words spoken the night before her death, touched Theodore deeply and with a smile and a nod towards the robin, he took in a deep breathe.
“And you will stand with me?” he asked the robin quietly, the music now ended. Theodore watched the shadow of Eveline leave the room and held still. The robin chirped gently before quickly springing away from the wall and flying low over the garden, coming to stand close to the door. Theodore stood away from the wall and opened the gate, entering the garden and walking along the path until he came to the door. With one last look at the robin, he opened the door and entered.
“Ah you are back just in time Theodore,” Mary smiled broadly as she came into the morning room with her apron on. Hunched over the lit fire, stood Eveline, lost in her thoughts. Theodore smiled over at the elderly housekeeper as he took off his heavy coat and hat.
“I shall be right in,” he said with a light tone as he hung up his coat and hat upon the wooden coat holder. Mary looked across at the forlorn Eveline and then looked back at Theodore with a frown. Theodore gave her an assuring smile as he walked over to Eveline and placed a hand upon her shoulder. “Eveline? Are you alright?”
“Perfectly,” Eveline whispered, her voice low and sad.
“Are you unwell?” Theodore prodded, seeing the gentle lines of stress forming on her ethereal and fair face.
“I am just a little tired that is all,” Eveline said with a slight smile as she raised her gaze from the dancing flames, meeting her husband’s quietly. For a long moment they held each other’s gaze, all of the unspoken pain and confusion passing from one to the other.
“What bothers you?” Theodore asked kindly, his right hand reaching out and clasping her own tenderly. In her face he could see the quiet, reserved and worried Eveline, the Eveline he had grown to love and adore.
“So much has altered and changed, I hardly know how to bare it,” Eveline admitted with a gentle sigh, her fingers softly embracing his own with feeling. “And with it, we too have altered and changed, and I hardly know how to bare it.”
“Do you remember the time Harriet Green pushed you to the ground?” Theodore asked with raised brows. “You were about eleven and she was one of the school bullies.”
“I remember,” Eveline whispered under her breath.
“They were calling you a witch among other names,” Theodore said as he turned her face to him with his free hand. “And I broke away from my group of friends and came to your aid, do you remember?”
“Yes, you told them that you would perform a curse on them all. That you would ask the Gods to deny them beauty and love, that they would forever be lonely.”
“When I think back on it now, it was rather evil and harsh I think,” Theodore smiled with teasing eyes. “Do you remember what I promised you that day?”
“You promised me that you would forever be my protector, no matter what,” Eveline said with glazed eyes.
“That promise stands, no matter what lies between us,” Theodore said with a determined voice. “We can weather any storm, come what may.”
“I’m afraid a great storm is coming our way,” Eveline said with lowered eyes.
“Then we shall meet it together, understand?” Theodore asked with pleading eyes. Eveline nodded in response as he husband wrapped her in an embr
ace, kissing her forehead gently. Eveline wrapped her arms about Theodore tightly, holding him close, knowing that this would be their last embrace. He would wake up and find her gone and the promise that lay between them would become shattered. “I’ve been thinking about our travels to Scotland,” Theodore murmured into her thick hair. “I’ve found us a cottage near Loch Lomond, isolated and safe. I know of a few people who live close by, so that we wouldn’t be completely without company. What do you think?”
“If you think it is safe then I don’t mind,” Eveline lied into his warm jumper.
“I will send a letter to the landlord in the morning,” Theodore replied with a smile, his arms tightening about his wife. For the first time in many months he felt warmth within his heart and a beam of hope emerge. They would build a future together in Scotland and if he could bring her happiness and security, she would forget about returning to Unas and their marriage and friendship could work and last. If she still wished to return to her world, he would follow, knowing their marriage would be stronger and firmer. He closed his eyes and for a brief moment, he wished Galean would pass away from his wounds, giving himself and Eveline the very future he hoped for. The feeling of guilt and depravity touched him lightly as this terrible thought came to light and he gently stood away from Eveline, smiling down at her awkwardly. Upon seeing the change in his expression, Eveline unclasped her hand from his own and turned, walking away from him with bent shoulders. Theodore watched his wife disappear into the kitchen and looked down at his hands, turning them about in the light, his fingers bent from the imprint of his wife’s.
“Theodore?” a familiar and warm voice called out to him. Theodore looked up at the plump Mary and sighed, dropping his hands away and walking over to the elderly housekeeper. The trio ate in silence, all three of them consumed with troubled thoughts. When eventually they parted ways, Eveline made for her room, firstly enveloping Mary in a hug before heading up the dainty stair case without another word.
*
A terrible sickness swirled within Eveline’s stomach as she gathered her things together and dressed, the first rays of the morning sun settling upon the misty hills of Keswick. Close to the door lay two leather suitcases and upon her table was the weighty letter for Theodore. Closely she looked at her reflection and breathed in deeply. She could hear the thudding of her heart within her ears and could feel her blood circulating around her body in a rush of anxiety and uncertainty. With an upturned curl of her lip she examined her left hand and the golden band that wound about her forth finger, shining slightly against the morning light.
“What if I am doing the wrong thing?” she asked her reflection solemnly. “I am breaking my vows and oath to my husband, if I walk away and leave him now, he will never forgive me and I will never forgive myself.” Beautiful and bittersweet memories cascaded through her mind of her rushed and rather simple wedding. Closing her eyes she let herself return to the small church in Keswick. That morning she had sat in the same chair before her looking mirror and wept with nerves. Her thick, auburn curls had been delicately curled about her. She had a small and simple crown of wild flowers about her head, and dainty little pearl earrings on her ear lobes. Estelle had given her a pearl necklace, which had glistened about her fair neck. The effect of the pearls against her fiery hair was exquisite. Her ivory dress of lace had been simple too, falling elegantly to her feet. On her dressing table was a small bunch of garden flowers, woven together with an ivory ribbon. The feelings that had consumed her that morning, consumed her now. Eveline felt her heart thud at the memory of her entering the church upon the arm of her mother. A small congregation had gathered for the rushed wedding and when she had walked under a beautiful arch of roses, she had felt her heart kick against her chest with anticipation. Down before the alter stood her best friend and husband to be, in his RAF uniform. The night before the wedding, Eveline had found herself on the floor, her head bent over a bucket as she vomited, her nerves so overcoming and strong, her whole spirit and body retched with anxiety. But as she walked down the aisle, a small smile formed on her lips as she beheld Theodore, so handsome and strong. He turned to her and his face was filled with a beaming joy as she shook. It was when their gazes had met, had Eveline felt herself calm for the first time in four weeks. When Estelle, placed her cold hand within Theodores warm grasp, she closed her eyes and sighed. The love she had for Theodore was not in the same league as his love towards her, but he was her centre and he had shielded, protected and loved her since first they had met and she in turn had loved, shielded and protected him, despite his little need for aid.
“You look radiant,” Theodore had whispered into her ear during a hymn. Eveline had bound herself to him and now she was breaking that bond and she was terrified, her bones felt weak, her stomach turn with bitterness and her heart wretched with guilt. When she had kissed Galean, she in that moment understood Theodore’s feelings, understood why he had become so possessive and insecure. She had believed that when she kissed her husband under the garland of roses that she had at last found happiness and love, but she had been so wrong and her realisation of this had come too late. And here she was, giving up the love of her one constant friend for another. How had it come to this she did not know, but when she touched the lips of Galean, she had in that moment without consciousness, given herself to him completely and everything within her willed her to find him and bring him back to life as he had done to her. She would never understand the madness of her actions, never forgive herself or feel any sense of reason in what she was about to do, but her will and need to safe Galean and her people was so strong, so prevalent that she could not give it up, not for anything rationale in this world. She would and could not live on without Galean by her side.
Eveline, fully dressed and ready picked up the letter and with one last look, rose from her dressing table. Picking up her suitcases and opening her door quietly, she looked round her room one last time and felt her throat fill with sadness. She took in every book that rested upon her shelves, the row of shoes beneath her bed, the vase of wild flowers on her bedside table, her dressing table filled with pieces of jewellery and the pictures of herself, Estelle and Theodore. She had packed one photo of the three of them and Wordsworth in her suitcase, among other sentimental belongings that she wished to bring with her, in memory of all that she had been and all that she had loved. A tear fell from her eye and fell onto her red coat as she turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her. As she came to pass Theodore’s room, she slipped the letter under his door before placing a hand upon it.
“I love you,” she whispered before walking on. Every step that she took rang out within her, every physical object that she passed, engrained itself within her memory and every step she took down the staircase creaked slightly as always. Quietly she set down her suitcases and entered the music room. With tear filled eyes, she let her fingers gently settle upon the keys for a moment before lifting them away and turning from the room, closing the door softly. Picking up her suitcases once more she made for the door and opened it cautiously, stepping out into the cold morning air. Closing the cottage door behind her she looked down the lane and saw a car awaiting her, the reverend standing outside, watching on. Eveline made her way up the garden path, passing a robin who sat perched solemnly upon the wall.
“Watch over him for me little robin,” Eveline said with a weak smile as she closed the garden gate behind her. Standing back for a moment, she took in the cottage, quaint and beautiful. She had lived the happiest of lives in this beautiful and quiet place, surrounded by the most beautiful hills, lake and fields. So much of her childhood had been spent roaming the nearby areas, hand in hand with her best friend. Lifting her eyes she looked up at the sky and cried pitifully, closing her eyelids to the sun. With a sigh she turned and walked away from all that had been good and secure and now found herself walking into uncertainty and danger, with precious little time to return to her people and most of all her destiny. A
s she walked away, she felt the robe of Eveline fall from her shoulders to be replaced by a new robe, the robe of Celestine.
*
Theodore awoke abruptly to the sound of a robin and felt his heart beat wildly as though something terrible had happened. Something felt wrong as he climbed out of his bed and walked to the window. Wiping his eyes, he yawned, his gaze upon the distant hills. As his vision fixed itself he noticed a car, driving away into the distance and felt his heart stop.
“Eveline.”
Epilogue
~
“Sire?”
The High King Ballour turned his weary head slightly as the priest entered the prince’s chambers, where Galean lay dying among the warm furs.
“Has there been news from Anvin?” Ballour asked his priest, Uthar. The elderly seerer came to his master’s side and gazed down at the sickly faced Galean, his skin as white as the moon, a thin sheen of feverous sweat upon his forehead.
One Crown & Two Thrones: The Prophecy Page 57