“The prophecy!” cried Drew.
“What prophecy?” asked Lady Elanor, turning to her daughter.
“Well,” Arweyn stumbled for the words to explain. It was all rather embarrassing having to explain to her mother that she had joined with Kainan.
The young prince stood rubbing the side of his neck where Lothar had bitten him. It ached but thankfully the bleeding had stopped. Taking a deep breath and walking up to Lady Elanor he bowed his head. He felt it was his duty to explain to Arweyn’s mother what had happened.
“My Lady, please allow me to tell you what we know. From what we have been told, the wizard Marton found a prophecy which he believes dates from before the Great War. It foretold of two Groundlings, that will meet, and if joined would somehow possess great powers; powers that will save Malgar from a great evil.” Hesitating, he smiled at Arweyn, reaching out his hand to her. Stepping towards him, she took hold of his hand and he squeezed it reassuringly. Then turning back to her mother he continued. “I believe that was me and Arweyn. I know you know nothing about me, but I love Arweyn with all my heart my Lady and I would gladly lay down my life for her.” Turning to Arweyn he took her other hand gently and lovingly he smiled at her. “Since that first moment when I opened my eyes and saw her smiling at me, I knew we were destined to be together.” Arweyn’s eyes shone and she felt her heart melting as he spoke. At last it was over. She had found her true love, her soul mate and her mother all in the space of a week.
Lady Elanor turned to her daughter. “What has been going on Arweyn?” She looked at Kainan and then at Gareion. Kainan smiled at her puzzled face.
“I am Gareion’s twin brother my Lady. It’s a long story to explain now but in the short I was taken by the Gorzar’s when I was first born. Taken by the Queen’s nurse and brought up on Zyon. Unfortunately they tricked me into taking the Ardor Crystal for them. I knew nothing about whom I was or where I was really from. Arweyn followed me to Zyon and she saved my life.”
“The Gorzars had beaten him to near death. I was trying to heal him. Then he suddenly stopped breathing. I….” She hesitated and looked at him; he gave her a reassuring nod. “I gave him the Faerling kiss of life.”
“Arweyn! You did what?” Her mother cried, stunned. Arweyn swallowed nervously, looking at Kainan.
“I thought at first that he was Gareion. I gave him the kiss of life; you know the one you told me about, using magic. I know it was dangerous, but...” looking at Kainan she smiled. “I couldn’t just let him die.”
Her mother stared at her. “You managed to do that before seeing your grandmother and getting your powers released?”
Arweyn nodded and frowned. “Why?”
“Arweyn, only the very greatest of Faerlings can give the kiss of life to someone who has stopped breathing, and then it can only be used with one whose soul you are connected to, otherwise there is a great risk to your own life. It was a good job it was not Gareion as he is already connected to Alys. You could have died.” Walking up to Kainan she stopped, staring into his eyes. Her brow drew serious as she looked deep into him.
“You have joined with my daughter?” He nodded nervously. She breathed deeply looking at her daughter, then back at Kainan. “You have both consented to this, for life. It is a true bonding not just a moment of heated passion?”
“Yes my Lady it is for life.” Kainan confirmed smiling and squeezing Arweyn’s hand.
“Yes mother.” She leaned into Kainan and he placed his arm around her. Lady Elanor stepped back, looking at them both. “Well you are of consenting age,” she conceded, with a shrug. “Kainan, may I place my hand upon the side of your head?” He nodded, he was not sure why she wanted to do that, but agreed anyway. Lifting her hand she placed it by the side of his head and closed her eyes. Using her Faerling magic she reached deep inside of him, deep into his soul. After a moment she smiled and removed her hand. “I can see you have a good heart Kainan, and I can also see that without a doubt that you are indeed Arweyn’s soul mate. I can feel the love you hold for her.” She looked at her daughter and frowned. “I can feel that it was your destiny that you and Kainan should have met and joined. I am very proud of you Arweyn, to have done what you did. However, I can feel something else.” She looked at Kainan. “You have an incredible power within you Kainan, far more than I think you realise. There is a memory within you that I cannot reach, cannot unlock.”
“I’m sorry my Lady but I don’t understand.” He raised a puzzled eyebrow.
“No, me neither.” She looked at Arweyn. “Daughter I want to reach into you, will you allow me?” Arweyn looked at Kainan nervously. She was not sure if she liked what her mother was doing.
“Okay mother, but why?”
“I am not sure yet.” Reaching her hand forward she placed it on the side of Arweyn’s head. She closed her eyes, after a moment she re-opened them.
“Well, what?” Arweyn questioned nervously. She shook her head and looked back at Kainan. “I don’t know, but you are both the same. You have the same imprint as Kainan; you really do have some underlying connection between the two of you. It is almost like you are old souls that need awakening.”
“Mother you are scaring me now, what do you mean?” Lady Elanor shook her head at them both. “I’m sorry but I just don’t know.” She took a deep breath. “You must tell me in depth how you both met and everything that has happened when we get home. Maybe then we will have more of an understanding.”
Kainan looked at Arweyn; his deep dark eyes sparkled as he stared at her.
“I told you I knew you from somewhere before, and that we were meant to be together.”
“You have already felt this?” Lady Elanor questioned. They both nodded.
“Yes mother, we have already talked of this. We both feel we have known each other before, but we just do not understand these feelings.”
“Perhaps it has something to do with the prophecy Wizard Marton was talking of. He did say there was more to it but he needed Gareion’s help to understand it as it is in old text.” Drew commented.
Gareion stepped forward, looking at Arweyn, and then at his brother.
“He never said anything to me about finding a scroll?”
Drew shook his head. “It only came to light after you went missing and Kainan turned up. He even said himself that he thought they were old souls from a previous time. In fact he was convinced of it. That is has something to do with whatever is beyond the boundary.”
“Well, we are not going to find the answer here. The quicker we get the Crystal back to Malgar the better, time is running out.” Lady Elanor turned to Kainan. “So I am to have you as my son?” Kainan lowered his head humbly.
“If you will have me, my Lady?” he said stepping forward and lowering himself on one knee. Lady Elanor smiled and held out her hand.
“Happily Kainan.” The young Prince reached forward and took her hand, kissing it respectfully.
“Thank you my Lady.” She leaned forward to him and whispered.
“As we are now family Kainan you may just call me Elanor.” Kainan
smiled, nodding as he rose to his feet. “Elanor thank you.” Arweyn grinned from ear to ear as she watched them. She knew her mother would have approved of Kainan, but she never for one moment imagined that her mother would have been here, alive, to have met him. Lady Elanor stood back and turned to her daughter.
“Come here my daughter. I am hoping that I will have a bonding ceremony to prepare for when we get back home?” She looked at Kainan. “You do wish to celebrate your bonding?” Kainan grinned at Arweyn, her eyes shining as she nodded to him.
“Oh, yes very much Elanor. We want everyone to know that we are
now one.” Kainan confirmed with great joy in his heart.
“Excellent!” She held out her arms to her daughter. Arweyn run into her mother’s embrace and held her tight. “I have missed you so much,” she whispered, looking up at her mother. “I still cannot believe you are here,
alive after all these years. I have been to the Faerling city and met grandmother, and your sister, Sharlinger,” she rushed excitedly. She wanted to tell her mother everything, all at once.
“I cannot believe they gave you a full Faerling transfer. I saw the wand
Arweyn. I cannot believe my mother did that, you are so unprepared. She must have known you would have needed it and decided that it was worth the risk. You have grown up in to a fine young woman.” Her mother twitched her eyebrow. She leaned in to Arweyn’s ear, looking sideways towards Kainan. “Daughter did you remember the Faerling precaution?” Arweyn’s mouth dropped as she felt herself blush.
“Yes mother, have no worries,” she smiled at her. “You are not yet to be a grandmother.” Her mother smiled, relieved placing her arm around her daughter.
“I have taught you well.” she boasted laughing. Arweyn nodded,
laughing along with her. “Yes mother, you have.”
Kainan smiled as he watched Arweyn reuniting with her mother. They would have a lot of catching up to do. Turning he looked to his new found brother. Gareion had wandered over to have a look at the Crystal with Drew. Kainan’s heart finally felt complete. No longer did he have that sense of loneliness that had pounded him daily his entire life. He had so much he needed to say to him, to tell him. Arweyn had agreed that he could tell him about Alys and the baby, but first he needed to get the others out of the dungeon so he would tell him on the way.
“Drew, can you get the Crystal for me please. Gareion, come with me to the dungeon. Let’s get the others out; there is something I need to tell you.” Nodding, Gareion grinned at his brother and started towards him.
Suddenly Kainan screamed as sheer panic flooded like poison through his veins, he shook his head rapidly. No! Not Gareion. Without a moment’s hesitation he ran towards his brother, screaming.
“GARIEON BEHIND YOU!”
Gareion spun around. It was Hadzor! Somehow the Gorzar was still alive. In that instant the Gorzar, raising his sword above his head, threw it with such a force that it twisted, spinning through the air towards him. Before Gareion even had time to think Kainan dived in front of him pushing him out of the way and he took the full force of the sword as it plunged deep into his chest, he fell to the ground hard.
Arweyn turned as she heard him scream, the smile on her face dropping as she watched almost in slow motion, as he dived in front of his brother, and the sword flew into his chest. She screamed as Kainan fell to the ground, and in that moment she felt her heart being wrenched out of her body.
“NO! Kainan, No, please, No!” she screamed hysterically. Rushing over to him, she fell to her knees.
Gareion and Drew grabbed Hadzor pulling him down, pinning him to the floor with their swords.
Arweyn lifted Kainan’s head; tears were streaming uncontrollably down her face. She looked down at the sword embedded in him and shook. Reaching forward he cried with shaking hands as he pulled the sword out of his chest, throwing it to the ground beside him. He began coughing and gasping, blood spewed out of his mouth.
“Kainan! Please do not leave me,” she cried, desperately looking into his eyes but they were rolling aimlessly. “I can heal you Kainan.” Arweyn laid his head down, and wiping the tears from her eyes, she placed her hands upon his wound; but his blood poured through her fingers.
“Arweyn, I…I… love you,” he gasped, his eyes trying to stay open so he could look at her just one more time. His bloodied hand reaching out, grasped at her. He grabbed hold of her necklace, and as his arm dropped he pulled the dragonfly with him. “I’m……….sorry,” he said, gasping his last breath, and the light faded from his eyes
“I ..love ….you ..Kainan, please don’t go, don’t ..leave ..me,” she cried in a broken voice. “NO, NO! Kainan.” She shook him vigorously, and then placing her hands upon his wound she tried desperately to heal him again, but she could not do it. “You cannot leave me Kainan, I will not let you.” She threw herself onto him, her throat seemed to swell as she sobbed, her tears spilled over her cheeks and ran down her neck.
“You cannot die Kainan, you promised, you promised you would never leave me, for eternity you swore,” she cried, stroking his face, and wiping the blood away from his mouth with her sleeve. Leaning forward, she held his face in her hands, kissing him as she cried. “Please, please Kainan, come back.” She turned to her mother and screamed at her. “Help me please….WHY, why cannot I heal him?”
Lady Elanor held her hands to her mouth she was too shocked to speak. She could not believe what had just happened.
“He has gone Arweyn, it was too quick, we can only heal the living. I… I am so sorry my darling. I am so sorry.”
“No, no, this cannot be it, he cannot be gone!” She slammed her hands down into the ground and gripped at the earth in fury. Her body began shaking; she began rocking herself back and forth. Looking up at her mother, her eyes began to glow red just as Kainan’s had done.
“WE ARE BOUND FOR ETERNITY he cannot leave me!” She screamed at her mother. The other’s stood and stared at her, what was happening to her? “Five hundred years I have waited for him to come back to me I WILL NOT ALLOW IT!” She bellowed at the top of her voice. Arweyn’s mother shook, her daughter seemed possessed, and what did she mean she had waited five hundred years?
Gareion clenched his fists until his nails dug into his palm.
“Why, why did he do that?” he screamed, looking at his brother lying dead on the floor, his body covered in blood. “Why did he jump in front and save me?” Kainan was more important than him, Malgar needed him. For the first time in his life he felt fury, anger and pure hate. He turned his attention to the Gorzar, lifting his sword towards his neck. There was one thing he could do for Kainan. Slowly he began to pierce Hadzor’s throat, blood began trickling down his neck.
“You killed my brother you evil monster!” Gareion cried, “Now I’m going
to kill you.”
“NO! STOP Gareion.” Arweyn screamed at him raising her hand.
“He killed Kainan. Arweyn he must die.” Gareion sobbed, as his heart pounded for revenge. He shot her a glance. “Why, why did he do that? He is more important than me!” he cried desperately, turning his attention back to the creature on the floor. “The Gorzar must die.” Gareion demanded. The sword in his hand was trembling, such anger, such grief he had never felt before. He had taken his brother from him before he had even had time to get to know him.
Hadzor sneered. “I told you I would kill him, and I’m gonna kill all of you.”
“SHUT UP!” he screamed furiously. “You evil bastard, you are not killing anyone else. You are going to die now.” Gareion raised his sword to strike.
“NO!” Arweyn screamed at him, her eyes blazing red with fury. She waved her hand and an invisible force knocked the sword out of Gareion’s hand, sending it spinning across the cavern floor.
“Gareion stop!” Arweyn ordered. She stared at him and swallowed hard. Even among her fury, she would not blame Gareion for Kainan’s death. She knew how much Kainan loved his brother, she had to tell him, tell him now.
“Gareion he knew about Alys.” Gareion stared at her.
“What, what about Alys, what has happened to her?” Panic rose in his voice.
“Nothing Gareion. She is…, she is having your baby. Kainan knew, he knew you were going to be a father.” Gareion stood still, his eyes bursting; his shoulders rising and falling as he choked.
“She is having my baby.”
“Yes!” Arweyn cried desperately.
“He sacrificed himself for me, because I’m going to be a father.” Arweyn nodded, her heart was broken. She knew Kainan adored his brother, he had seen him with his child, and he would never have let him die. He had sacrificed himself for him.
“Arweyn, please, please let me do this, let me kill him.” Gareion sobbed. She shook her head. “No, I need him.” Her eyes flaring again as she looked at the Gorzar.
“Arweyn what
is it?” her mother questioned, kneeling down next to her, placing a comforting arm around her.
“Look, look at my hand!” she cried, opening the palm of her right hand.
“Arweyn, I don’t understand?” Her mother leaned towards her.
“The dragon it is still glowing. I am still connected to him.” Her voice took on a strange echoing tone, as if it was not her own.
“Show me!” Lady Elanor grabbed her hand.
“You are joined with the Deragan Sword?” Her mother’s shocked face stared at her. Arweyn nodded, as her breathing deepened. Her mother clasped her hand to her mouth in shock. Arweyn was shaking profoundly.
“I can still feel him!” she screamed. “How do I bring him back?” She looked at the Gorzar, her eyes glowed. Turning, she pointed. “It is you; it has something to do with you!”
She looked to her mother. “There was something.” She looked at the Gorzar again. “There was something grandmother said to me.” She stared; her body shook from head to toe with her energy, and she rocked back and forth as her eyes glowed furiously.
“Go on my darling.” Even her mother was scared. She looked at her daughter. Never in all her life had she ever witnessed a Faerling in this rage.
“She said just because he looked dead, it didn’t mean he was, and to take an evil soul and to use it.” She looked at her mother, her eyes were desperate.
“What does she mean? It is something to do with Kainan, I know it is, and HIM.” Her eyes bored into the Gorzar’s. “She knew about his sword mother, she knew the Elf could not kill him with his sword. Maybe she saw this too and it means something.” Arweyn cried, longing for the answer she wanted to hear come from her mother’s lips.
Lady Elanor shook her head as she thought hard to remember. Panic rose in her as she tried to think. When she had left the Faerlings they had taken so much away from her, so many of her spells. Suddenly she gasped raising her hands up in to the air and jumping up, she remembered!
Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 01 - Kainan Page 54