“I could’ve come up with a few more entertaining ideas myself,” Erik told him with a chuckle.
“Yeah, well, you’re marrying us. You couldn’t very well stand by my side at the same time,” he answered back with a grim smile. Erik had indeed been his first choice, despite the bond of brotherhood he had with John. It was a feeling of friendship that could only have been described by their past lives pulling them together.
Erik smirked, then turned to look at the city beyond. “That doesn’t mean I couldn’t have handled throwing you a bachelor party. A large feast, knights jousting, quiet atmosphere, tell me that wouldn’t have been more to your liking?”
He had to laugh. “You really do know me well, don’t you?”
“In more ways than even the two of you realize,” a voice spoke up from behind them, startling him from his thoughts.
They both turned around and saw that they had a visitor, one that neither had known nor expected to be there that night. “Merlin?” he asked with disbelief. A large orc moved past the doorway and his eyes recognized Kore’s massive frame immediately. “When did you get here?”
“We’ve only just arrived, actually,” the mage answered with a grin as he came forward to stand by the two men. “Not the kind of scene I was expecting to find you involved in.”
“Yeah, well, my brother’s idea of a party,” he sneered, nodding towards the Lancaster King who now had two women sitting next to him. “Not my idea of a good time.”
“I know you,” Erik suddenly blurted, taking a really good look at the man standing before them. “I’ve seen you in my dreams.”
Merlin bowed deeply before the Elven King. “I swore an oath and I live by it to this day, as always. I am at your service, my King.”
The elf was at a loss of words as he studied the mage before him. “Is it really you? How can that be? What happened to you? You were an old man even when I was a boy.”
He shared a look with the mage and shook his head in wonder. It was still something he hadn’t gotten used to himself; the idea of the mage actually growing younger every day, rather than older like the rest of them. Not to mention; these two had known each other how many thousands of years ago? And Merlin was not a reincarnated soul reborn. Speaking of which, why hadn’t his ancient self-recognized the mage when he first appeared? Why did he not seem familiar to him even now?
Merlin suddenly laughed. “He’s just realized he should have known me when we first met. Care to explain to him why he didn’t?” the mage directed at the Elven King.
Erik shook his head with a small, playful grin. “Merlin wasn’t as eager to be directly involved back then, more prone to reading books and napping by a fire rather than get his hands dirty himself. If he did come to court, I never called him by name, even in front of those closest to me. He liked his anonymity. I can see that much has changed at least. Well, out with it! Are you reborn as well? You can’t be anything else. I was told you were dead!”
“It’s a long story, and not one easily told in one night. If you want, we can spend some time together later and discuss it, but this night is about this young man right here,” the mage told the stunned king, taking a step forward and placing a hand on Tristan’s shoulders. “I am grateful for everything you have done. You beat the odds, got Excalibur, and delivered it to the king where it belongs. You don’t know how thin the chance of success was, and you did it with surprising ease and courage. I am forever in your debt.”
He bowed his head at the compliment and smiled in gratitude. “I couldn’t have done it alone.”
“And that humility is what makes you an even better man. Now, I have a gift that I want to give you on the eve of your wedding,” Merlin stated, and he immediately shook his head.
“I’ve been given enough already,” he blurted, looking to the grinning king by his side, who chuckled at the inside joke.
Erik clapped him on the shoulder. “You should learn to just say thank you. You’ve earned it.”
“I don’t think I have,” he commented dryly. “Not yet.”
Merlin stepped to the rail, then turned to look at him. “What I’m offering is not a sword, shield, or other tangible object, but peace of mind concerning something that’s been bothering you for quite some time.”
Now he was interested, what could the mage be talking about? He ransacked his brain for some unspoken question, some answer he’d been seeking, but came up empty.
Erik was starting to move off to give them space, but Merlin motioned for him to stay. “You might as well hear this as well, you do share some responsibility in what I’m about to tell him.”
The king paused and slowly turned his eyes on the mage. “What are you talking about?”
Merlin switched his gaze in his direction once more. “There was a question on your mind some time back after you met Melissa, concerning whether or not Willow had cast a spell on you in order to make you love her.”
His mind reeled. Had he actually wondered about that? If so, why did the mage pick up on it and choose to talk about it now? “It was just a passing fancy, one that I didn’t really believe in.”
“Yet part of you has still wondered, even if you haven’t been consciously thinking about it. Well, I have the answer if you want it, and it’s got nothing to do with magical spells or glamour,” Merlin offered softly, drawing both men closer. “There’s a reason the two of you felt pulled to one another from the instant you met, and that’s because you both recognize the soul residing in the other.”
“Willow is Guinevere reborn, only she doesn’t know it,” the mage told them both firmly and he heard a sharp intake of breath from the king at his side.
He felt the pull of the name from the echoes of his heart and multiple blocks of questions clicked into place and understanding dawned on him.
“The two of you only loved briefly in your past lives, both unable to experience what that meant due to prior obligations, like marriage and loyalty to your friend and king,” Merlin explained, nodding towards Erik.
Erik shook his head in disbelief. “How couldn’t I see it?”
“Well, it’s subtler than it is with the both of you; it’s mostly around the eyes. But I felt it the second I laid eyes on her and knew instantly what had happened. Your souls pulled each other from the netherworld. The longing of your love was strong enough to have you reborn in vessels that would eventually meet and offer you the chance to explore that which the both of you craved the most. That’s why your love is so strong, why even a witch employing her seductive magic on you couldn’t pull you away. She is truly your soulmate,” Merlin said with a smile. “There are no spells here. What you have is true, unbreakable, and has withstood the test of time. It will not wither, it will not fade, even in death you will never part.”
He looked to Erik and his soul recalled the agony it had experienced when they first saw each other; the quest for forgiveness. It had to do with Guinevere.
From the look in the elf’s face, he could see that the king was thinking on that as well. As he turned to face him, he was surprised to not see anger, but joy on the man’s face. “Do not continue to dread, my old friend, that anger is long gone, and I am nothing but happy for the two of you. I forgave you both long ago. Do not spend another second feeling guilty for loving her. You two deserve one another.”
He had a moment of complete peace and his soul howled with joy. He could not put into words what he felt and the only thing he could think to do was shake the mage’s hand, although a bit harder than needed judging by the man’s grimace. Merlin accepted it graciously nonetheless, and with a large smile upon his face. “Now, what do you say to blowing this popsicle stand and having a drink some place quiet?”
He shook his head in wonder. “You always have a way with words, even if nobody understands them. Where’s Kylee, is she with you?”
“Ah, well, she’s busy getting some male strippers for your wife. She said it was only fair,” the mage commented with a laugh.
“Wait, what?” he asked stunned.
II
Soft music flowed over him and he welcomed it as it worked to soothe his aching head. He had been up late drinking with Erik and Merlin, catching everyone up on what had been happening and what was coming next. He knew that they were trying to distract him from the nerves that were beginning to make his heart tremble, and it worked to a degree, but nothing could stop him from anticipating this moment as it neared.
They were in a very large chapel, the glass white and emitting a soft glow upon all those assembled. Vines flowed up the walls, white and yellow flowers interlaced between them, adding to the ambiance of the room. Wooden benches made of thick winding roots held elegantly dressed elves, humans, dwarves, and even a very uncomfortable orc. Kore was drawing some worried stares, but Erik’s decree the night before concerning his warrior companion had made it clear that he was a friend of the elves and should be shown every bit of courtesy that the king’s extended hospitality afforded. He smiled at the orc and saw the red eyes meet his. After a pause, Kore nodded to him and he broke his gaze to follow along the others gathered before him.
John was at his side, Erik at his place in front of the altar. A new companion named Riska sat next to Noelani, the other generals of Lancaster by their side. They formed the first group sitting on the left side of the room. The others behind them were assembled commanders of Lancaster’s army, his people come to see him wed. On the right side sat Forlorn’s knights and commanders, Pendoran edging uneasily in his seat, but holding himself firm. Behind the generals and knights sat commanders of Griedlok’s army, come to see the new heir to their throne crowned through matrimony. Reyna hovered in the back, her black armor polished, her face stern. She watched but did not actively take part in the gathering before her.
The music morphed into something new and his eyes shifted to the double doors opening across from him. Seconds later, Amysta emerged from the hall and he couldn’t help but notice how stunning she was in the light golden dress she wore, her crown sitting prominently on her head, a bouquet of flowers held gently in her hands. She smiled radiantly at him, then looked to her husband. He glanced at Erik and saw the love glorified in a widening smile. He had found the love and soulmate of his life, and he was happy for his age-old friend.
She came to stand across from John, her head turning as another figure walked into view. Kylee was dressed in a flowing white gown, which complimented her hair and eyes. Her hair was down, which was a first, and the look upon her face was pure joy and wonder. There was some underlying pain and he had recently learned of Tuskar’s death. He hoped that this morning would help to give her a sense of renewed purpose and hope.
She looked at him and he saw the gratification within her gaze. She was a part of a family now, something she’d never known, and they were about to be bonded in more ways than the battles they’d been through could have ever accomplished on their own. She held the flowers tightly in her hands, and he watched as she slowly glided to Amysta’s side. Turning her head, he followed her gaze and his heart stopped in his chest.
The white dress Willow wore had been tailored just for this moment, and he couldn’t breathe as the beautiful woman, the love of his life, stepped into view at last. Her father was at her side, his crown polished, his face passive. Their eyes met briefly, but he didn’t linger, as his fiancé’s eyes found his and everything in the room faded out of existence. From the thin crown on her head to the soft rise of her chest with her measured breaths; he saw everything and nothing.
Her father led her to the base of the altar and he felt outside himself as he stepped forward, his armored arm intertwining with hers, his sweaty palms touching polished metal as he stepped closer to her side and faced the awaiting king. Bordin took a step behind them and he could feel the eyes boring into the back of his head. He felt it, but the stunning elven woman at his side kept drawing him back to the bliss that had descended upon him.
The music came to a descending halt and Erik smiled down upon them with sincere love and affection. “It is my honor today to preside over the joining of these two lives. They are a symbol of love and courage, an example of what we all strive for and aspire to have. We have all gathered here in this sacred chapel before the Gods and before this great tree to watch the union of two of the purest souls I have ever encountered.”
A large tree loomed behind the altar, the length of which rose towards the roof above, white flowers weaved into the thriving green leaves, adding a beauty to the ceremony that he had never thought possible.
“Let those that seek this blessed union be named and brought forward under the loving branches of this most sacred tree.”
Bordin stepped forward and faced the Elven King. “I, Bordin, the King of Griedlok seek this union with the blessing and love of my daughter, Willow of Griedlok, and offer this chain of our house in recognition of the bond created here today,” the elder elf replied, holding out a necklace which Erik silently received with a nod.
“And do you, Willow of Griedlok, enter into this union of your own free-will and without coercion?” Erik asked his fiancé.
“I do,” she whispered. It was the first time he had heard her voice since the previous morning and it sang in his heart with joy.
Bordin stepped back and John came forward at his side. “I, John, the King of Lancaster, seek this union with the blessing and love of my brother, Tristan of Lancaster, and offer this chain of our house in recognition of the bond created here today,” John stated, offering a necklace to the king in turn.
Erik accepted it and turned to him. “And do you, Tristan of Lancaster, enter into this union of your own free-will and without coercion?”
“I do,” he managed, his throat feeling bloated and unwilling to work as directed.
“We welcome you under this most sacred tree with joy and love. May the blessings of the Gods shine down on you this day,” Erik intoned, motioning for them to come and stand before the altar.
He had a fleeting thought of Willow’s comment that they would do this naked, and he was suddenly quite happy that it’d been a jest at his expense.
“Unity is balance and balance is unity. Hear these sacred words and understand.” Erik picked up a small branch and lifted it towards the sky. “This branch that I hold is a symbol of air, know and remember that this is the element of life, of intelligence, and of inspiration which moves us onward. May this symbol of air bring to your union the power of mind.”
He lay the branch down on the altar and picked up a sword in its stead. “This sword that I hold is a symbol of fire, know and remember that this is the element of light, of energy, and of the vigor which runs through our veins. May this sword of fire bring to your union the power of will.”
Erik lay down the sword and picked up a golden chalice, raising it for all to see. “This chalice that I hold is a symbol of water, know and remember that this is the element of love, of growth, and of the fruitfulness of the Earth. May this chalice of water bring to your union the power of desire.”
Setting it back upon the altar, the king held up an elven star pendant, which shimmered with a light of its own. “The pendant that I hold is a symbol of earth, know and remember that this is the element of law, of endurance, of the understanding which cannot be shaken. May this pentacle of earth bring to your hand fasting the power of the steadfast.”
Laying it next to the other symbols spread before him, Erik picked up a large oval moonstone for them to see. “This moonstone I hold is a symbol of spirit, know and remember that this is the element of magic and of the sacred weave that binds people to this existence. May this moonstone of spirit bind you both in love and unity.”
Erik laid it down and then reached up into the branches of the tree overhead. Slowly he removed two golden bands that had been tied with silk to one of the branches. Untying them delicately, he held them in his outstretched palms, a warm smile greeting their eager gaze.
“Life is a never-ending circle. Is it f
itting that a circle shall serve as a symbol of a life lived in never-ending love,” Erik informed them, as he handed over the rings to their trembling fingers.
“As you place this ring upon the finger of your chosen love speak the words that shall bind you to each other mind, body, and soul in the Unity of the Life Bond,” Erik instructed, and Tristan turned to face his betrothed.
Erik handed forth the moonstone, letting the two hold it through their joined hands. He then produced a multi-covered woven cord and bound the couple’s hands together.
“Say after me, by root and seed, by bud and stem. By leaf and flower and fruit, by life and love, in the name of Olympus, home to the Gods of the Elven people, I, Tristan, take thee, Willow, to my hand, heart, and my spirit, at the setting of the sun, and the rising of the stars. Nor shall death part us, for in the fullness of time, we shall be born again, at the same time, and in the same place as each other, and we shall meet and know and remember love again,” Erik said to him, and though he fumbled his way through it, he managed to repeat those words as he slowly slid the ring onto Willow’s awaiting index finger of her right hand.
As he did, the chord binding their hands began to glow and he felt the magic begin to work in accordance with the oath he just taken. It made his heart beat faster and he saw the answering smile upon his fiancé’s loving face.
“Say after me, by root and seed, by bud and stem. By leaf and flower and fruit, by life and love, in the name of Olympus, home to the Gods of the Elven people, I, Willow, take thee, Tristan, to my hand, heart, and my spirit, at the setting of the sun, and the rising of the stars. Nor shall death part us, for in the fullness of time, we shall be born again, at the same time, and in the same place as each other, and we shall meet and know and remember love again.”
He couldn’t help but feel the truth behind those words as Willow slid the ring onto his finger as she gave her oath. They were indeed together once more, experiencing the love denied them in a previous life, and when the magic flared over the binding chord, he felt the promise of love revealed in all its glory.
The New Age Saga Box Set Page 80