by Karleigh Bon
“He is not following,” Naalin realized. Her lungs were burning from the uneven breathing that she knew was from the terror she felt. She tried to center herself and steady her pace, but her mind raced with new thoughts.
“He cannot come away from the dragon!” She shouted her discovery at the men, not knowing if they heard.
She knew now of a way to save Roevash if they could survive the escape. Naalin could easily outrun humans, but her condition was severely hindering her. She screamed again, but this time it was because she felt her belly contract.
“Nooo, not now,” Naalin stumbled helplessly, falling hard to the ground. Her brow knit in pain as she shrieked uncontrollably.
“You come too soon!” She panted rapidly, hit by a wave of birth contractions.
They had made it to the Etten Fields into a clearing, but the six hiisi were closing in on them fast. The monsters would drag her back even in the grip of birth to their master’s wrath.
The four men circled her fallen body. Weapons were drawn prepared to fight. The first one was struck across the face and flew over Naalin. His eyes stared blank up to the stars. Despair overwhelmed her as she watched his body choking in shock.
“He would be dead soon if he were not already,” she thought hopelessly to herself. Everything collided into slow motion as another birthing pain struck hard. She clawed at the dirt, crawling on hands and knees, growling and breathing. Where could she go to safety, she did not know. The sound drifted away from her. It echoed somewhere in ringing ears. She was surrounded in a clash of swords, steel on steel, and the crack of severed bones as bodies fell. She heard her own breath rushing through nostrils, and felt the surreal pounding of hooves and blood through her veins as riders circled at a mad gallop.
The younger boy crawled to her side dragging a lacerated leg. He gathered Naalin into his arms, hugging her curled over body to his chest, trying to protect her. They lay pelted with dirt clods and blood as she let out another shriek of pain.
“My lady,” she heard the mute boy speak.
She stared baffled at his unmoving mouth in the dreamlike haze.
“My lady,” the voice echoed again.
She was mistaken. It wasn’t the mute boy. She focused past him only to see a soldier. He held his hand to her, to make her stand up. She screamed, unable to move as the birthing came in earnest.
“Do not leave me!” She cried out, clinging to the front of the boy as her body seized and convulsed.
The soldiers were trying to calm their stamping horses that were frenzied by the smells of battle. The poor beasts were trying not to step on the bodies strewn on the ground beneath them. Surrounded by a small battalion of the king’s royal horsemen, Naalin was birthing.
“We cannot tarry much longer. More hiisi will come, and they will track us by her scent." Naalin heard their captain say.
The boy watched her eyes lull up inside her head as another painful wave approached. He held her tight, trying to give her comfort. Her tears were like blood dripping down her half stained face as she heaved and screamed again in his arms.
She knew Lord Surmanos watched through Roevash’s eyes from his mountain perch. He was unable to move closer because his stolen body was invisibly tethered to the dragon, but he could see in precise detail everything that had just happened.
“He hesitates ... “ she mumbled deliriously to the boy through gritted teeth for the last push.
A tiny cry was heard as the babe was born alive. The mute boy picked up the newborn and placed it in her arms. Naalin instinctively cut the umbilical cord when the afterbirth fell clear. Knowing she had to move, she tried to to get up but collapsed. She was too weak, too faded. She concentrated her gaze on her tiny new son as she struggled to hang on to her senses.
“He is so beautiful,” she keened. He looked like his father. In that fragile moment of joy, her heart broke at knowing her Roevash was forever lost in this misery. She relived her last moments with him in her mind as he begged for her mercy, and she could not press the blade.
“My beloved, I have failed you,” she wailed loudly in her mother’s tongue, weeping uncontrollably. She turned her eyes to her son.
“You are a shining star among so many tears," she sobbed in a weak pile, barely able to hold him to herself without the help of the young mute boy’s strong arms around her. One of the soldiers bundled her small helpless body, child and all, into a tight sling made from the wide cloth of the red robe. He handed her up to the captain on his horse.
Curled tight with her newborn in the wrapped cocoon, the horse galloped away.
“Lords forgive me...” she mumbled weakly, trying to keep her eyes on her son’s tiny face as they galloped south towards the closest refuge in Ettenfahls.
“We... must escape,” she incoherently rambled as she passed out from the bitter stresses on her body.
+++
Surmanos realized too late his mistake having watched the she-elf in the fields bringing forth his offspring. She was disposable, but her child was not! He could only move forward a short distance towards her picking his way among the rocks. Lord Surmanos was careful not to lose control of his vessel again, so he dare not go any further.
In frustration, he was forced to go back through the horde and out the long eastern tunnel. The only way to get to her fast was to fly into the valley and over the top of the mountain. In a blind rage, Surmanos thought only to chase them down and kill the she-elf, and all those who helped her for their insolence. He would forcibly take back his spawn.
In the darkness of his captive mind, Roevash was suddenly aware of Naalin’s escape. He had not felt anything as joyous as this in a long time. In his madness, he repeatedly cried out the name of his beloved. Tears soaked his face as he howled in bitter ecstasy.
The dragon roared as the noise filled its head with confusion. Lord Surmanos was forced to go back to the cavern fortress to gain back his control.
The riders heard the dragon’s roars on top of the mountain, and they spurred their mounts to even faster speeds. They clattered into the gates of Ettenfahls at full gallop preparing their minds for battle if the monster should follow.
The light grey steed dripped with blood-stained foam down its stamping legs as it danced around impatiently at the pull of the reins. The captain carefully handed down the silent bundle into the arms of waiting attendants.
“She has just birthed,” was all he had time to say as they whisked Naalin and the babe away to an inner chamber. The horse reared up and turned on the spot as the captain spurred it back out into the fields. Followed closely by his men, they thundered out the gate to keep watch on the skies for the dragon.
Having just arrived that morning, Fionna and Eijlam were in their room that looked out over the courtyard when the soldiers on their noisy horses clamored through the gates.
“It is Naalin!” Fionna screamed frantically.
She saw her sister being carried away. They both chased down through the hallway and stairs to the room where they laid her. They could see she was pale and bloodless even through the red-dyed face, and so very weak. Fionna gently leaned over on the bed, reaching forward to kiss her.
“Fionna...my sister…” Naalin half-opened her eyes and smiled with relief at the sight of her.
"We have… escaped...” she breathed laboriously with every word. Her cheeks were streaked with the dirt of muddy tears. She reeked of blood and the filthy cavern where she had been held captive. Naalin did not seem to be in any pain.
“Do not speak Naal," Fionna choked on words as she lightly dabbed her sister’s crusted hair from her forehead.
“We are here with you. You need to build up your strength,” Fionna’s eyes filled with tears as she spoke.
Naalin’s face was peacefully soft as she gazed lovingly upon her sister. She was silent as she searched Fionna as if to take in every detail.
“Tell him ... tell him, his name is Elgelion...” she whispered with her last breath.
“NO! no no no Noo
o,” Fionna wailed at the suddenness of her sister’s passing.
“Not you, Naalin! I just found you. Your son needs you. Come back, come back to me! Noooooo…” her wailing sobs were heard throughout as they echoed deep into the empty halls of Ettenfahls.
The human attendants, knowing they could not have done anything that would have saved her, solemnly left the room, leaving the elves to grieve in their own way.
Fionna crawled onto the bed, hugging her sister tightly to herself and wept. Eijlam could only look on in silent shock as he held the fragile newborn in his arms.
+++
Lord Surmanos was raving mad as he sped down the tunnel back to his fortress. In a blind rage, he murdered four of the six priests who stood on the platform by his altar before they could even react.
“There! There is your human sacrifice to me. For failing to keep your queen happy!” He blamed them for his own failure.
Viciously tearing at the dead bodies like an animal, he wrung them out with his bare hands; throwing their parts into the ever-present hoard to be devoured. They cheered as he stood glaring at them soaked in fresh blood.
“Bring me flesh,” he roared in his madness, tearing mindlessly at his armor and clothes until everything lay scattered on the floor.
They brought the newest captives frightened and crying to him in chains. The dragon showed them no mercy as he thought of his queen and her sister and what he would do to them both when he finds them. The screams of terrified and dying humans fueled his resolve as he defiled and consumed them one by one.
+++
“You know there was nothing we could do,” EJ said quietly to Fionna. He found her in a small room not far from where Naalin’s body lay cleaned and ready for burial. She was feeding Elgelion from an ampule she’d found in a human medical kit. She had spent hours staring at his tiny face. She hadn’t spoken to anyone for so long EJ began to worry.
“We work saving lives and healing others all the time EJ, what makes my sister any different? Why does she lay cold in the other room?” Fionna sobbed angrily.
He tried to pick his words carefully so she would hear him, “She wanted to go, Fionna.”
Fionna knew he was right even before he said it. She had experienced just a small bit of the atrocities Naalin had been subjected to for months in that place. She could only imagine what more her sister was made to endure. Part of her felt guilty with anger at herself for not acting sooner when they did not return from their mission.
“Am I to blame for this,” she blurted out, looking up at Eijlam with sorrow-filled eyes.
“I bade us wait for help. I am the reason Elgelion has no mother, and my sister is dead, and your brother...” she couldn’t stop herself.
“How horrible if she had birthed in that place,” Fionna's breath barely squeaked out to support her words as her voice cracked with grief.
She looked down at the helpless newborn in her arms.
EJ could only listen with a hand on her shoulder until she was done, then he gently spoke in a whispery voice, "No, my love. Neither you nor I can stop the future.”
He knelt next to her and hugged them both. Fi lay her head on his chest. She could feel the comforting thump of his heartbeat in her ear.
“I see their faces in the small one too, Fionna.” EJ had tried to be strong, but his heart was also falling to pieces. He pressed his lips to the top of her head, burying his sorrow in her hair as he let out a mournful sob. There were no words that could comfort them in this.
“This grief,” Fionna took a deep breath trying to let it go for the sake of them both, “...it hurts so deeply.”
Fionna reached over and clasped EJ’s hand in hers as they clung together watching Elgelion's big blue eyes, with his long dark lashes, fall soundly asleep.
King’s Emissary
Chapter Forty Four
Elanoreth, the youngest daughter of the Ainghaille kingdom, arrived in Ettenfahls to commend Naalin and her kin but was grieved at the news of her death. This time she was adorned in fine clothing, having returned to her role as princess. Fionna was pleased to see her again and politely wanted to hear news of the royal family.
“Suddenly, I feel so overdressed,” Elanoreth whispered sadly to Fionna as they walked to the reception hall.
“I wish I had that comfortable old uniform to wear.” Fionna smiled at that.
“You must take some comfort in knowing that Elgelion will never want for anything as long as my brother, King Feldaron, and I live. We owe a debt to his brave and kind mother for saving my life. A debt which I can never fully repay.”
EJ and Fionna solemnly nodded as they crossed the great room to were the dignitaries were standing around talking and eating finger foods.
“It is a lot to take in,“ EJ quietly said as he escorted them to a clear seating area.
“We appreciate your support and friendship,” Fionna smiled.
“There is little comfort in loss as you know very well yourself.” Fionna assumed Elanoreth’s father and mother had passed on as planned.
“Yes, Mother was granted passage on Lord Atto’s ship, and father went with her,” she confided.
”There is some joy in knowing they are together. Although I do miss them.” She frowned at the memory of watching them sail away.
“That is unusual,” EJ looked puzzled.
“I do not believe I have ever heard of a human being allowed into Ilmatar in all long memory.”
“He was a great king,” Elanoreth simply stated.
Fionna hugged her. “That is wonderful news!”
“I also must invite you to let my family foster Elgelion at the royal palace in Drustnlach, as is the honorable custom of Edhellen.”
Elanoreth looked expectantly at the couple sitting on the settee across from her.
Eijlam had put his arm around Fi’s shoulder to steady her. She was startled by the offer. She also did not know of any tradition that sent young ones away.
“Thank you for the honor, your grace,” EJ formally addressed the princess.
“We will wait to see if the elfling would wish it when he grows into understanding. I am sure, at that time, he would be joyed to find you as his guardian.” EJ’s hand nervously twirled a stray curl of Fionna’s long red hair around a finger.
“For now, there is no certainty about a future with the shadow cult’s existence, and our wish is to keep him close as our only surviving kin,” he added in their defense. He could feel Fionna’s shoulders relax.
Elanoreth was gracious about the answer she received. She knew all too well the horrors Naalin had gone through to bring her child home to them. She could see the family had been traumatized enough with the recent ongoing events and didn’t want to push anything on them that would be distressing.
“The offer stands for an eternity, you know,” she smiled graciously. “...So there is no hurry,” she gently said as she nodded in understanding.
The next day Elanoreth visited the infirmary to see the young man named Cael and check on his injuries. He was not only her guard but was also a long-time childhood friend. She sat and gently held his hand for a time after the nurses had changed the dressings on his leg injury.
"Do not think for one moment that we are not still friends," she assured him.
Cael could not speak, so he just lay there and listened to her tell of all the news from their home city. They had found the letter he had written and knew of the men’s bravery as they suffered torture and mutilation to save their princess and then later, their plan to save Naalin.
Cael was the only survivor of the original six soldiers who were captured during their abduction. As one of the royal guard, he was given a choice to join active duty again or retire due to his injuries. He had already prepared another letter to be delivered to the Edhellen who would-be guardians of the elven newborn.
He asked to be allowed to guard and help raise the elfling, who was birthed in his lap the night of their escape. He wasn’t sure if the elves
would accept him, but he would wait for their consideration. His request was sent to Fionna and Eijlam through Elanoreth.
“He always is such a kind boy,” she smiled to herself as she thought of Cael.
“When his injuries are fully healed, we will speak to him,” EJ and Fi assured the princess.
Cael was overjoyed at hearing the news.
+++
A few weeks later…
“You understand the dragon lord, will seek to possess this elven-child and may send assassins to take him?” Fionna asked Cael as they stood in front of a room full of military dignitaries and the princess who came to witnesses his pledge. The young man known as Cael silently nodded as Fionna spoke. He knelt and bowed his head before her.
“You have shown bravery beyond the call of duty, Cael of Ravenscar. You survived horrors, of which many can never conceive. You planned an escape and shielded my sister from harm as the finest of guards. You say you would pledge to sacrifice your own life in the protection of her little one.”
Cael nodded yes in response.
She lifted his face in her hands and looked sadly into his eyes as she spoke.
“You could be away from here, and safe,” she said gently with a real concern for this young human.
She could see his face was set in determination.
“All is right then…”
Cael nodded firmly.
Fionna then solemnly helped the young man stand. She turned to Eijlam, who was holding Elgelion, sleeping soundly in his wraps, and then delivered him into Cael’s arms. They could see the young man’s face light up with love for the little one. He looked at them with tears welling in his eyes as Fionna handed him a small finial on a string that was Roevash’s star. She had found it among Naalin’s belongings.
“It sometimes glows when Elgelion holds it,” she said quietly.
“This is his only keepsake of his mother and father.”
Fionna paused, thinking of Roe and how much she missed him.
“Well, then...” she forced a smile before she could start crying, “this is both a solemn and joyous occasion.”