Book One : The Prophecy : XIV : Fallen Through Time

XIV

Fallen Through Time

For time is the longest distance between two places…

Tennessee Williams.

Bath Abbey was sombre, the bodies of Eveline and Belle laid to rest upon two stone tables, placed before the high altar. A dozen or so angels from surrounding areas came to fill the choir pews, offering themselves as guards and protectors until such a time when both Eveline and Belle awoke. Theodore was bent upon his knees before the altar rails, his elbows bent and his head between his head as he grieved over the night’s events. Before him on either side of Eveline and Belle stood the high arch angels Michael and Gabriel, both still and silent, their faces drawn and sad. Behind him the angels began to chant beautifully as the morning sun rose high, letting a stream of brilliant morning light pour into the abbey through the beautiful stained glass windows. The light sought out every corner of the abbey, illuminating the beautiful fan vaults, pews, nave and the altar. Outside of the church, shadows stood awaiting news, Lagmar leading the large group. He knew that Galean would return for his love and waited patiently for him, for he knew to return to his master without the blood of enemy upon his hands would mean death.

“You need to rest Cael,” Michael said to the distraught and broken angel. He came to stand before him, placing a hand upon Cael’s head and bid him to raise his eyes, so that both pairs could meet.

“I cannot leave her,” Theodore said through muffled groans.

“Find somewhere within the church and close your eyes, I will awake you if there is any change,” Michael replied with kindness, a warm radiating from his touch, spreading throughout Theodore like a blanket of warmth.

“This is all my fault,” Theodore whispered reverently, his eyes red and sore.

“No this is not of your doing, although your pride and arrogance did not aid matters,” Michael said with patience and steadiness.

“What will become of me?”

“Not even I can look into the future,” Michael smiled with tenderness. “Do not live in tomorrow, it has enough worries of its own. Live in today.”

“She will live?” Theodore asked, his face etched with pain and longing.

“She is stronger than you or I and she breathes still.”

Theodore began to weep, uncaring of who surrounded him. He bent his head back into the palms of his shaking hands and wept. He had lost his mother, first love, and friends and was losing his wife. He did not know how to feel and scorned the anger within that whispered to him constantly that it was his wife’s doing that they had died. He battled within himself to find understanding towards Eveline, he knew it was not her fault, knew she had no power of the demon within. Secretly he had been relieved to find that Galean had left and was gone from this world, no longer here to antagonise Theodore, no longer here to initiate the prophecy.

“If she lives,” Michael interrupted his thoughts, his eyes searching Theodore’s soul hotly. “She will never be the same. Her place is not here in this world, her place is in another world. Will you let her go home?”

“I will follow her wherever she chooses to walk,” Theodore lied. In truth he did not want her to return to Unas, for there she would surely re unite with Galean. When Theodore truly looked at himself he could see the flaws, see the conflict and hated himself more for it. Jophiel had seen straight through him and still loved him, how he did not know, he was a shadow of his former self. He wanted to keep Eveline to himself and yet in truth could barely feel anything towards his wife but guilt. How would they ever look at one another the same now that a river divided them. Galean had left, Jophiel had died, he was free to claim his bride once again and yet he had no claim over her, his heart, his true heart had died with Jophiel.  How could he return to his former self? How could he wave away the anguish, pain and grief that consumed him like a deadly virus. Theodore felt the hand leave him and stopped weeping, once again turning his eyes upwards to the ancient angel, who looked down at him with sadness.

“If you keep her here, she will wither away into nothing.”

“I will not force her to go where she does not wish to go,” Theodore said roughly.

“That is what I fear young angel. That you will put your own needs before the needs of those who depend on her.”

“I am not the enemy,” Theodore spat as he forced himself to his feet. “Remember that.” He turned and walked away, Michael’s silver eyes burning into his back.

“I will remember.”

*

Eveline felt herself awaken, a warmness penetrating her heart as though a ray of sunshine had burned through her skin, directing all of its heat at her barely beating heart. Around her she heard a beautiful song fill the air. She raised her eyes and took in the large, stained glass window before her, filled with light and life. Turning her gaze she found the body of Belle, resting upon a similar table next to her, roses surrounding her pale body. Beyond Belle stood a tall man, garbed in white and gold. He was beautiful and magnificent to behold, so still and silent, his vivid and unearthly blue eyes upon the child. Eveline returned her gaze to herself, looking down at her body. A shock vibrated throughout her as she realised her physical body lay quite still beneath her, limp and frail. Quickly she touched herself and found her hand disappearing within her chest. Fear took a hold of her until she felt something warm touch her back. She turned her head and found a ball of golden light, the same ball of light that she had seen in Keswick, hovering in mid-air above her lifeless face. Eveline realised that she was having a vision and found herself considerably relieved. Slowly she turned her spiritual self away from the table, climbing down onto the marbled floor of the great Abbey. Before her were men and women, clothed in fine gowns, sitting among the choir pews singing softly. She recognised the Abbey at once and smiled, how glorious and beautiful it was, so much more than the pictures she had lured over for so long. The ball of light began to move down the nave of the Abbey and so Eveline began to follow, her bare feet cold against the marbled floor. Quietly she passed the solemn men and women and made her way down the isolated aisle until she came to the great oak doors of the Abbey. The ball of light made its way through the oak and disappeared from sight. Turning slightly to look back down the long nave, Eveline drew in a breath before turning back to the great doors and pushing them open with her hands, using all the strength she could muster. As the abbey doors parted ways, her golden gaze fell upon a great land that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Eveline’s bare feet dug themselves into the warm soil as she looked over the sloping field of barley that met with a wide river, bordered with tall trees similar to Italian cypress trees. A gentle rush of warm air ran over the barley, causing it to sway beautifully as the warm, golden light of the sun ran over the land. With her hands, she gently stroked the heads of the barley and lifted her eyes to coral blue sky. With her left hand she shielded her golden gaze and smiled as she observed three circular planets within the sky, each of them a different size and colour. The closest of the planets, lay east to the large sun and was the colour of vermillion, vivid and bright. To the south west was a smaller planet, blue and hazy and to the West was a planet of similar size its colour white and brown. As she beheld the beauty of the sky, a flock of brightly coloured birds reminiscent of the turquoise browned motmots she had so lovingly adored flew overhead, chirping lightly as they danced in unison with one another in a whirling, ever – changing pattern. Eveline turned her body to watch the flock of birds fly away into the distance, her eyes falling upon three large villas. Her hand fell from her forehead as she took in the grand sight of the white bricked villas, the outer two slightly smaller in size from the large villa that lay in between them both. The large villa in the middle was rectangular in shape and boasted a grand porch, decorated with ten large columns with shafts that where around twenty to the thirty feet tall. Delicate white voile curtains swayed from the large arched doors of the villa, brushing the elegant columns lightly. Eveline felt her body fill with a strange sensation as she a lover of architecture observed with wide eyes the beautiful villas, quiet and still. The steps of the villa were decorated with tiles and led down to a small square garden that lay bordered to the barely field. With curiosity she began to walk towards the villa, stopping abruptly when four young children ran out of the large arched doors, a young woman following closely behind.

“Hedron, do not stray far,” the young woman shouted out as her three sons and only daughter bounded into the barely field, the girls wild auburn hair running after her as she screamed with joy and excitement, chasing her brothers through the barley with a small stick sword. Eveline watched the children, their heads bobbing through the field as they cried out, all involved in play acting. Their voices, tinted with an accent she had never heard before filled the warm air and as she stood watching them, she felt the presence of the young woman close to her and turned her eyes to get a better look. The woman was tall, at least six foot tall and her frame was petite and her skin a swarthy olive. She too like her daughter had red hair, a few shades darker and a few inches longer. Her hair was half up and half down, the front plated and woven about her head like a crown, with a small golden crown of leaves and flowers settled atop her head and the rest beautifully curled down her lithe back. Her face was heart shaped with a wide forehead and a pointed chin. Her golden eyes lay beneath thick lashes and finely arched brows which gave her a perpetual expression of slight surprise. Her nose was long and pointed and her cheekbones high and wide, gently cushioning her full lips and dimpled chin. The beautiful woman wore a light gown of white muslin which flowed down her petite frame, falling to her sandal bound feet. Along the hem of her gown was a delicate pattern of golden leaves, which made their way up the gown to the woman’s shoulders.

Eveline registered the perplexing fact that woman like herself had golden eyes and auburn hair and found herself remembering the young Queen Unyae of Caci and found herself even more perplexed, was this woman related to the young Queen? As she tried to understand the vision she heard the young cry of the little girl, no more than five years old. She strode out of the barley, the stick by her side. With her small hands she wiped away the tears that filled her round eyes, also gold and deep. She too wore a similar gown, not as long nor as tight. Her feet were also bound by sandals and as she made her way up to who Eveline presumed was her mother, she let her sword fall to the ground and wrapped her arms about the woman’s legs.

“What is it Unyae?” the young woman murmured, picking the child up into her arms. Eveline felt the force of those four words hit her with shock. The child was indeed the young Queen and so, Eveline realised with a deftly beat of her heart, the young woman must have been her mother.

“Gallias, Alypias and Hedron have gone to the river,” Unyae sobbed into her mother’s shoulder. “They left me behind on purpose.”

“It is too dangerous for you to be near the river at such a young age,” the young woman soothed, her hand stroking the child’s face lightly. “I told Hedron to stay clear, the river is to wide and deep.”

“He said he was a prince and princes are allowed to go down to the river and princesses are not because we are too frail and weak,” Unyae cried, wiping her nose with her tiny hand.

“Frail and weak?” a booming male voice re iterated. Eveline shook with surprise and turned to the villa where a tall man stood. She didn’t quite know how to describe the man, only that he looked like a Greek God and spoke with a voice that would quite easily silence an auditorium in seconds. He bore a striking resemblance to the statue of Zeus at Olympia and put the fear of God into Eveline’s heart as he walked down the tiled steps, dressed in a golden robe, making his way over to the young woman and Unyae. The man’s hair was as golden as the sun and thickly curled. A golden wreath lay upon his finely curled head, larger than the woman’s crown. His eyes were peculiar, his right being blue and his left gold. As he came closer to Eveline she was able to observe him with curiosity and silent fear. His face was firm and angular, his brows high and his eyes deeply set. He had what would be described as either a roman nose or an aquiline nose, having a prominent bridge which gave it the appearance of being slightly bent and eagle like. His body was large and athletic, intimidating and beautiful to look at, draped in a fine golden robe.

“I’m afraid your sons are being disobedient,” the young woman smiled as her husband took the young girl from her arms and lifted her into his own, planting a gentle kiss on her cheek.

“And where are they?” the man asked his wife, with eyes so loving they betrayed the hard and firm face that beheld them.

“They have gone to the river,” the young mother replied as her husband kissed her forehead lightly.

“I see,” the father smiled knowingly.

“Are princesses frail and weak?” Unyae asked her father with wide eyes, her lips trembling.

“Princesses and Queens are to be feared daughter,” the god like man replied with kind and knowing eyes. “Your mother is the high Queen Uneos of the Heavens, Queen of peace and giver of light. We King’s never underestimate the strength and power of our Queen’s and Princesses, for their beauty can befall a kingdom and strip man of his senses.”

“And our powers of compassion and kindness can heal even the deepest of wounds,” the Queen smiled gently.

“Then why did they call me weak and frail?” Unyae asked her parents with a confused expression.

“Those who try to oppress others are merely afraid of them, because they know them to be equally as powerful and great as themselves,” The King exclaimed regally to his daughter. “When someone tries to demean you, do not see it as an insult, see it as a compliment to how revered you are.”

“Hedron said I will never be able to wield a sword like him, that only princes can wield swords.”

“How unwise is he to believe that wielding a sword alone makes him stronger than you,” Uneos cooed as she softly placed one of Unyae’s curls behind her ear. “Hedron cannot ride a horse like you, nor can he shoot an arrow like you.”

“Neither can he sing like you,” the King added as Unyae smiled up into her father’s face, her tiny hand settling itself upon his cheek.

“You have the fairest voice in Aurelius daughter,” Uneos commended her youngest, wrapping an arm about her strong husband and another around her daughter’s body. Eveline felt her heart thud with pain at such intimacy, she had longed for so many years to have parents such as these and she found a rush of envy course through her as she watched the trio embrace one another lovingly. As tears filled her eyes she felt the earth beneath her suddenly begin to shake and without warning her body was forced to the ground as the light around her began to fade, the sound of lightening filling the air. Her hands fell into the warm soil as the earth shook and with fear she moulded her body to the ground, afraid and trembling. When the shaking dissipated, she looked up from the ground and found the atmosphere altered. The trio had vanished and the once perfectly white voile curtains where ripped and torn, sweeping across the tiled porch. In the distance she could hear the terrifying sounds of thunder and when she turned witnessed a great streak of lightening erupt through the darkened sky. The barley field lay still as the thunder rolled through the sky. With caution, Eveline brought herself to her feet and made her way towards the villa. Slowly she crept up the steps and walked past the great columns, passing through the arched doorway and into a great hall. The great hall was square and beautifully decorated with mosaics. In the centre was a small, square pool and above it they was no roof. Rain began to fall heavily into the pool as Eveline walked around it, mesmerised by the pool and the way in which the large droplets of water fell, creating a soothing echo within the hall. Before her was a large arched door. With caution she opened the large door slowly and peeped through. The bodies of three guards lay before her in an even larger hall, all of them fatally wounded and dripping with blood. Eveline began to feel fear take her, something wasn’t right, something sinister had occurred. She placed a hand over her nose as the stench of death and blood made her stomach turn with nausea. She crept along the outer perimeter of the hall until she came to an open doorway that merged onto a long corridor. Across the hall another open doorway was in sight, leading to another long corridor. Between both corridors another great door stood, made of copper. Each of the corridors had an open wall, filled with small columns. With a deep breath Eveline made her way down the corridor to her right and stopped, turning her gaze out onto a large courtyard which lay in the middle of the villa.

“My God!” she whispered aloud as she saw four bodies strewn across the tiled floor. Quickly she stepped out onto the courtyard and ran over to the bodies. When she stopped she cried aloud, before her lay the body of the Queen, her throat slit, blood pouring from either side. Eveline crushed her fingers into the palms of her hands such was the shock. The Queen’s eyes were wide open and her golden gaze looked upwards into the stormy skies. Before her were the strewn bodies of three grown men, all similar in looks and attire. They each of them were wearing great copper breastplates over beautiful tunics of gold, silver and copper. Grand swords lay close to their dead bodies, which were pierced with smaller swords. Eveline felt herself retch at the sight of the fallen men who she had guessed must have been protecting the Queen from enemy soldiers. The rain fell hard upon her and the bodies before her and when she found herself stepping backwards with nausea, a pitiful cry rang out close by and she turned, her eyes scanning the further most corridor. Without thinking she began to run quickly, through the columns and down the hall, the tiled floor now moist with water. At the far end of the corridor lay a room, the door opened and wide. As Eveline drew closer to the door, the cries became louder. Soon she found herself upon the fringe of the doorway, her eyes scanning a large and beautiful bedroom. A large bed lay in the centre of the room, shielded with voile curtains. The rest of the room was made up with a beautiful floor mosaic, statues, books and large cases. As she entered, she was made aware that the crying came from the bed and cautiously stepped forward, her heartbeat heavy. She stepped up the three tiled steps and with shaking hands pulled back the see through curtains, revealing the crumpled figure of a young woman. The young woman lay in the foetal position, her ivory sheets covered in blood and her gown torn revealing the length of her legs and abdomen. Eveline knew at once what had happened to the woman, who rocked herself whilst crying, her long auburn hair strewn around her body as she wept loudly. Eveline felt a bud of hot water fall from her eye and onto her pale cheek as she watched the young Unyae cry aloud. Slowly she made her way round the bed until she faced the princess, whose face was unrecognisable, covered in blood and cuts.

She knew that she was engulfed in a vision, knew that those around her could not see her but still she got up onto the bed and touched the woman’s cheek, tears strolling down her own cheeks. At her touch the woman stopped crying and opened her eyes, searching the air before her. Eveline held her hand still, wondering if the woman could feel her. After a moment of searching she resumed her crying and once more closed her eyes. As she sat with Unyae a roll of thunder shook the house and the sound of doors opening reverberated throughout the large villa causing Eveline to stop what she was doing and shake. Silence ensued for a moment before an almighty roar erupted, a man’s voice booming so loudly that it caused the villa to shake. Eveline watched as Unyae stopped her crying and sat up, looking directly out of her curtains, towards the door. The hairs on Eveline’s body sprang to life as the most painful and guttural cry filled the villa. Unyae crawled to the end of her bed and slowly let her feet fall over the side, touching the steps below. Eveline followed her as she cautiously made her way out of the room, the back of her robe stained with blood, blood that dripped down the insides of her legs.

Unyae limped down the corridor, pressing her right hand against the inside wall in order to keep her balance. Eveline stayed close to her side, until the young woman stopped and raised her gaze to the courtyard, where her father lay kneeling upon the tiles with his dead wife in his arms, crying so painfully that the tiles shook.

“No,” Unyae whispered aloud as she hobbled over to a column and pressed her body against the stone.

“My wife!” the King cried out to the sky above. “My sons!”

“No!” Unyae whispered again, this time her body falling to the ground as she took in the scene before her. Guards stood away from the King, watching on in horror as he laid his wife down and turned to his sons, picking each of the up one by one into his arms, kissing their faces and hugging their bodies close to him. Eveline knew of this day, Galean had spoken of it. This had been the day in which Lagman the son of Lagmar had killed the wife and sons of the Heiden, also killing Galean’s daughter and wife. Eveline knelt down beside Unyae and wiped her face with her bare arm. As she knelt beside the princess she saw the King turn his eyes to his wounded daughter. He cried out as if in relief and brought himself to his feet, striding over to Unyae who had her arms outstretched, unable to lift herself from the ground.

“Unyae!” the King cried out as he came to her, falling to his knees before her and cupping her face. He looked down at her torn dress and bloodied body and his face turned from one of grief to one of anger. “What did he do to you?” he demanded loudly, a streak of lightening piercing the sky above.

“Nothing father,” Unyae cried out much to Eveline’s shock for she was quite certain the young woman had been raped.

“You lie!” the King said loudly as he traced the bruised and bloody face of his daughter, his last and only living child.

“I don’t lie father, they beat me that is all,” Unyae urged, her hands cradling the face of her father, broken and spent. The King bent his forehead forward until it met with Unyae’s and closed his eyes. Eveline cried as she watched the King and his daughter wrap one another in a hug, holding onto each other tightly as the rain fell upon them like small daggers of pain. After several minutes of embracing one another the King let go of his daughter and looked into her swollen eyes.

“I will have my revenge,” he whispered darkly as another flash of lightening filled the darkened skies above. “I will search the valleys of Hell and bring forth the serpent and break his body.” Unyae simply nodded as her father rose from the ground, lifting her up into his arms. Eveline rose also from the floor and felt a warm touch upon her back. Knowing that touch she turned to find the ball of light before her, hovering near to her stomach. She wiped her eyes and waited patiently until the ball of light began to move. Quietly she followed the ball of light which floated back into the corridor and down towards the smaller hall. When she reached the hall she turned to find a golden door hovering above the pool of water, the door open and ready for her. The ball of light moved slowly until it entered the dark abyss within the door and Eveline followed loyally, stepping through the water and into the darkness that awaited her.

*

A large knock penetrated the abbey doors arousing the quiet angels from their thoughts.

“Who is it?” Michael asked Gabriel, both of them standing guard over the bodies of Eveline and Belle.

“Lagmar and his legion of shadows,” Gabriel replied, his eyes upon the large doors which shook every time Lagmar knocked.

“He awaits Galean,” Michael said gravely, turning his eyes to Gabriel. “I saw him at the mortuary.”

“He is gone,” Gabriel said with stern eyes. “Lagmar is wasting his time.”

“Let us hope your descendant will not return then,” Michael replied, turning his gaze to the lonesome figure of Theodore who sat before the alter railings quietly. “I fear his return will only bring more bloodshed.”

“Galean knows and understands the threat that faces Celestine,” Gabriel said with certainty, he was greatly fond of his descendant. “No matter the prophecy.”

“The King is not happy that Celestine has married Cael,” Michael admitted quietly so that the angel could not hear. “He has summoned a high council.”

“It is my failing, the spell I cast over him was too strong, it is my fault that he remembered not the oath he had taken,” Gabriel said with sorrow. “He is not to blame. I am.”

“Has he called you to the council?” Michael enquired with friendly eyes.

“Yes.”

“Will you attend?”

“He is my King, I must attend and stand judgment for my part in this,” Gabriel said as he folded his arms in front of him. “If the prophecy is true then we are in trouble.”

“I agree, for aware or not, Cael has become a threat,” Michael said seriously, taking pity on the broken angel. “He has altered.”

“He has not altered so that he cannot be redeemed,” Gabriel argued quietly. “We must have hope in him. Prophecies are not always legitimate you know this.”

“Even so, he must be watched,” Michael said, shadows growing in his eyes. Both angels stood in silence as another knock shook the abbey doors.

“When she awakens she will find her world greatly changed,” Gabriel said as he rested a hand upon Belle’s lifeless hand. “And she greatly changed.”

“Lagar has left his mark upon her I fear,” Michael admitted as Theodore looked up at them both with suspicious eyes. “He may not have killed Galean, but he by possessing her has killed her mother and friends. This I fear the most.”

“It was not of her doing,” Gabriel muttered under his breathe. “She had no power over Nathaniel and Lagar, it could not be helped.”

“Even so, how she will deal with her actions will greatly impact on all of us.”

“She will not fall into darkness,” Gabriel tried to tell himself aloud. “She cannot.”

“A great war beacons, in both her world and our own. If she falls to darkness then so do we.”

“She will not,” Gabriel said firmly. “We will not let her.”

“Blood is upon her hands, blood that she cannot so easily wash away,” Michael whispered with his eyes upon Eveline’s body.

“She will have to bear it then for the greater good of the cause she represents,” Gabriel turned to his master. “If she is in the likeness of her parents and grandparents then she will overcome.”

“Let us hope that she will my friend.”

“If we give up on her now then we have already lost,” Gabriel said with emotion. “Everything that we are, everything that we represent will be cast to the wind as dust. We cannot allow that to happen, whatever comes, whatever passes.” Michael held Gabriel’s gaze and nodded in agreement. “She is the reason we must prevail,” Gabriel turned his eyes downwards to the sleeping child. “Even if man may hate us, even if they despise us, we do not give up.”

“I won’t allow it and neither will Heiden,” Michael uttered with a faint smile. “Whilst life still lingers and children still walk the plains of this earth and many more shall we fight on, to protect and guide them so that they may eat from the tree of life and walk with the rays of light upon their backs. To that I hold.”

“I too.”

*

Eveline spun through darkness and time until she fell through another open door, her body falling gently onto moist grass. For a moment she tried to hold herself, controlling the urge to vomit as nausea swirled within her stomach, reaching her bones and touching every corner of her body like the plague. She was on her hands and knees as she tried to stop herself from retching, closing her eyes and concentrating on her breathing until the wave of nausea passed and she felt her body come back to life once more. When finding herself back to rights, she fell back onto her bottom and cradled her head within her sweating palms and began to cry heavily at the scene she had just witnessed. She curled her toes into the blades of grass and dug her fingertips into her scalp as she cried. It was not until she heard the buzzing of an insect did she open her eyes to the world around her. She knew not why she was engulfed in these visions, knew not why she had been shown the royal family of Heaven and knew not why she was connected to the royal princess, Unyae. She however after witnessing the terrible cruelty of Lagar and Lagman, better understand the pain Galean must have felt when he returned to Aurelius to find his wife and daughter dead. She felt the pain of Heiden as he cried out aloud, all of his anger seeping into the physical area about him. His cry still echoed within the depths of her mind as well as Unyae’s pitiful crying.

From the buzzing of a flying insect came the singing of birds nearby, and as the world around her began to come to life, she dropped her hands from her exhausted face and looked around her. Beautiful trees, ancient and tall dotted the land, all of them bearing sweet flowers, flowers she had only ever seen in her dreams, when she walked through her minds figmentation of a garden. Sweeping her long locks behind her she gently rose to her feet and slowly turned around, beautiful sounds filled the air as birds flew from tree to tree and creatures alike to butterflies danced about the flowers that sprouted up upon the earth. She knew this garden, she visited it often in her dreams and now she had been brought here, to her garden, her imagination. Eveline began to feel disorientated, she was unable to connect the dots, none of what she had seen made sense. As she began to wonder through the trees she heard the sound of raised voices nearby and stopped moving, seeing two figures striding through the trees near to her. Quickly she ran behind one of the ancient trees, hiding behind, her chest rising and falling heavily as the sound of two people became louder.

“Heidan stop!” a familiar voice cried out. Eveline looked around the tree and spotted the source of the voice and was astounded to see before her the beautiful Unyae, chasing after a young and handsome man, who was striding through the trees with purpose, his brows thunderous as he waved away the woman with frustrated hands.

“I will not be bound to this garden anymore!” Heidan replied loudly, the princess’s face etched with pain. “I was not born to be a prisoner.”

“Heidan if you leave this garden you will only make yourself vulnerable to those who wish to seek us out!” Unyae said loudly as she ran to the young man and grabbed his arm only to be swung away with violent anger. Heidan stopped and turned to the woman, his beautiful face so alike the woman’s dismantled with anger and arrogance.

“Every year you tell me that he will come that he will bring us back to Heaven, and still we linger within these walls! I will not be bound by them any longer,” Heidan stormed. “Do as you please mother, I am freeing myself of you and your delusional hopes!”

“Where will you go?” Unyae cried out, trying to touch her sons arm.

“South to Ruarr, to serve under Islaer,” Heidan said as he ran his long fingers through his dark hair.

“Heidan I beg of you to re consider, please you know Islaer serves Lagar,” Unyae urged, her long dove grey gown swaying in the light gust of wind that coursed its way through the garden, causing the leaves and flowers to rustle gently.

“He is my father as you so diligently told me last week,” Heidan spat.

“He is bad and corrupt, stay away from him Heidan!”

“I have a right to know him,” Unyae’s son said angrily. Eveline clutched her stomach tightly at the realisation that Unyae had been raped by none other than Lagar himself. The complications from such an act where unthinkable. Now she understood why she had refrained from telling her father.

“Have I not made myself perfectly clear where your father is concerned? Does it not bother you that he is the arch enemy of my father? That he killed my mother and brothers and raped me?” Unyae said darkly, letting her arms fall from her son as she looked up into his face. “Do you believe that he will call you son? That he will welcome you with open arms?”

“My powers are becoming too strong for me to control mother,” Heidan said with an air of coldness. “I linger in the sun when I wish to linger in the shade, and with every day that passes I find myself becoming sick for the shade, sick for the darkness, like an unstoppable force within me. The sun carries no joy, it does not feed me like the night does. You do not serve me in the way I wish, you only repel me with your constant whimpering and lecturing. Have you not considered what I need? That my needs are greater than your own? Your life is done, spent and over. Your father will not come for you and that in itself says enough, my father knows not where I am. Who knows if he will welcome me with open arms, but I must try.”

Eveline felt hatred for the man, a hatred she had never entertained before. Such cruelty laced his words, such venom was his content for the woman who had borne him and nurtured him, despite him being the product of rape and child of Lagar, the demon king who had killed her mother and sons and forever exiled her from Heaven. She tried to control the tide of anger that rolled over her as the young man spat at his mother’s feet and turned away, once again striding through the garden, this time leaving his mother behind. From behind a bush, a beautiful stag came and stood beside the princess, laying his beautiful head upon her shoulders as she wept. As Eveline looked on she felt a familiar warmth from behind and turned to see the same ball of light, hovering before her. The ball of light began to move away from the princess, travelling through the garden and stopping. Eveline did not want to leave the princess but knew the ball of light was meant for her and that it was guiding her through this strange and complex vision. Unwillingly she began to follow, making her way through the garden, passing strange trees and plants and even stranger animals that lurked behind the trees and bushes or up in the branches. It did not take long until she found herself upon the shores of the lake, its waters sparkling and blue. Near to her were two small boats and the ball of light hovered over the one on the right, biding her to follow. Loyally Eveline obeyed the light and stepped into the wooden boat, sitting herself down upon the wooden seat, placing her two hands upon either side of the boat. As she sat waiting, she heard footsteps from behind and a gentle voice, singing merrily. She turned her head and found herself gazing upon the High King Elieor of Calnuthe. A soft gasp left her mouth as the young King strode purposefully towards her, his golden hair bouncing in the light, his bright green eyes sparkling and vivid. He was not like the great God Heiden, his body was fine and long, not strong and intimating, but lean and graceful. He wore a garment of fine blue silk, the delicately patterned gown falling to his feet which were bound by silver shoes. Around his waist was a silver belt which held a sword to his side. In his left hand was a small book. Eveline felt herself freeze as the young King got into the boat, refraining from singing as he tried to figure out how to cross the water without any oars.

“This my father forgot to speak of,” he said with an air of confusion, bringing a smile to Eveline’s face as he looked about helplessly. The young King set the small book down upon his lap as he looked about with raised brows. As he was searching the small boat, Eveline’s jolted to life alongside Elieor’s. “Makes sense,” the King mumbled as he turned his body round and sat patiently, his eyes scanning the beautiful garden and lake. She studied his profile as they sailed along the waters at a gentle pace. He was not in likeness to a Greek God, his profile was more akin to a Nordic King. He was very tall and lean, his posture straight and unabridged. His hair was golden and fell to his shoulders. His face was triangular in shape and fair. His vivid green eyes lay beneath thick eyebrows and lorded over a long and straight nose that had a slight ridge. His lips from an angle were fine and thin and pale in colour. Eveline thought him very handsome, reminding her of Scandinavian Kings of old. As they sailed towards the island, Elieor skimmed his fine fingers upon the ice cool waters and smiled, his face peaceful and content. As Eveline observed him she noticed a rather prominent scar upon his hand and frowned, he must have been hurt during a fight she concluded. As she stared the King turned his gaze to her as though seeing her. Eveline held her breathe for a moment, a strange feeling running over her as she looked into his fine face, filled with curiosity and kindness, his eyes equally filled with knowledge and adventure. As quickly as he has turned did his gaze fall away from her just as the boats made shore.

The island was just as Eveline had envisioned it many times. It was large enough but bare, only consisting of a very large and ancient tree whose branches draped over the island beautifully. Eveline knew that a beautiful throne made out of roots lay before the front of the tree and wondered what the King would do upon finding it. Quickly she jumped out of her boat and followed Elieor as he made his way up the slope of the island towards the tree which was in blossom. As they came to the top of the hill, Elieor stopped, his gaze directed away from the tree and down to the other side of the island, where a tall and graceful woman stood upon the shore her auburn hair a light and dancing as she stood pensive, her gaze cast out towards the vast mountain range which lay to the north. Eveline knew that the couple would marry and found herself incredibly aware that this would be the first time in which they would lay eyes upon one another. She stood beside the King and watched his transfixed eyes as they lingered upon Unyae. His cheeks were faintly coloured as his thick curls danced about his face gently. Without a word he began to walk down the slope bypassing the throne without a glance, heading directly for Unyae, who upon hearing his footsteps turned slowly to meet his gaze. She was gowned in a light lavender chiffon dress, the sleeves deep and long, touching the blades of grass at her feet. Her hair was crowned with a wreath of flowers. Eveline stopped a few feet away from the King and Princess and blushed as they gazed into one another’s eyes.

“My lady,” Elieor bowed low and regally before rising again, taking a step forward in boldness.

“My Lord,” Unyae said with a slight bow of her head. “Welcome to the garden of Calhuni.”

“My father’s book does not mention you,” Elieor said with an inquisitive smile. “It clearly states that one of the four guards would meet me upon my arrival. I have yet to meet any.”

“My father had need of them my Lord and sent me in their place,” Unyae said with a graceful smile, unable to shield herself from the King’s incurable good nature which was catching.

“Your father?” Elieor’s smile faded and was replaced with a look of amazement and fear.

“Heiden, God of the Heavens,” Unyae said gently, not wishing to alarm the young King.

“You are Unyae the Goddess of the stars and all living things? I thought you a mythical figure of old…, I…, I am ashamed to say that I am no believer in Gods,” Elieor said with a serious face. “But I will admit freely that when my eyes first beheld you, I thought you not of this world, such beauty has not walked the plains of my world since the dawn of time.”

“I am she,” Unyae nodded, her hands enfolded before her, steady and firm.

“Then it is true?”

“What is my Lord?”

“That the High Kings of the South are blessed by Heiden himself?”

“My father’s power runs through my veins,” Unyae explained elegantly. “It will be I that crowns you and blesses you with the gifts of Heiden.”

“Did you crown my father also?” Elieor asked, his head tilted slightly.

“No my Lord, I was made the keeper of the garden twenty four years ago,” Unyae explained carefully. “My father would have blessed your own father.”

“I cannot believe he did not tell me of this,” Elieor said with disbelief. “Considering he knew of my non-religious views.”

“Maybe he had faith that you would find your footing when the time asked it of you,” Unyae replied, her golden eyes bright and clear.

“He was ever wise my father,” Elieor smiled gravely the memory of his father still painful.

“Then he must have been a good King.”

“And yet for all his greatness the Kingdom of Ruarr has fallen to the hands of Islaer,” Elieor said with a heavy sigh. Unyae turned away from Elieor and once more cast her gaze north. “He boasts that he has under his wing the son of Lagar, though I believe it not.”

“It is indeed true my Lord, Islaer councils my son, Heidan.”

“Your son?” Elieor replied in disbelief. “You mean to say it is true?”

“I wish it were not,” Unyae murmured, closing her eyes against the setting sun.

“But if he is your son then…, you are bound to Lagar? Can this be true?”

“I am only bound to him through my child,” Unyae said aloud, a tear falling from her eye. “Not by anything else.”

“I do not understand,” Elieor muttered under his breathe, confused and dazed by the admission.

“When Lagar and his servant Lagman invaded the high city of Aurelius, he pillaged, raped and killed innocent children and women,” Unyae said through gritted teeth. “Lagar killed my mother and brothers…and…” Elieor stepped forward, his hand hovering close to her shoulder. With regret he dropped his hand. “Instead of killing me, he impregnated me instead my Lord.”

“I am truly sorry my Lady,” Elieor whispered faintly, his demeanour altered by the news.

“Tell me my Lord; this Islaer, is he a good man?” Unyae asked with hope in her voice.

“I regret to inform you that he is anything but good my Lady,” Elieor said with a graveness in his eyes. Unyae’s shoulders fell as she lifted a hand to her forehead as though pained.

“Then my son has donned the robe of darkness, shunning the light,” Unyae whispered aloud, walking away from the young King. Elieor and Eveline followed Unyae as she made her way up to the throne, her gown billowing as she came to stand before it, turning to face them, her own expression straight and without emotion. “Come Lord Elieor and take your seat upon the throne of Calnuthe, seat of your ancestors and descendants.”

“My Lady are you quiet well?” Elieor asked, his eyes not upon his throne but upon the fair woman.

“You must forgive my impertinence, you did not travel all the way here to listen to my tales of woe,” Unyae said, tall and unyielding to the inner conflict that threatened to sweep her up into a tide of misery. She gazed up into the man’s eyes and clearly found solace, for her skin warmed and her eyes sparkled and the effect cast its spell upon Eveline, who wished with all her heart that the fair and unfortunate Princess could find peace and happiness. She knew off course that both Unyae and Elieor would marry, but still she wished them both good fortune.

“There is nothing to forgive,” Elieor soothed, taking the fair maidens hand and bringing it to his lips. “Such sadness fills me to know that dark clouds obscure your sky where a thousand rays of light should fall upon you instead.”

“This is a day to cherish my Lord, you are to be King, come sit upon your throne and let me rest the ancient crown upon your head,” Unyae smiled, releasing her hand from Elieor and biding him to take his seat with her free hand. Elieor bowed his head in defeat and cautiously took his seat upon the throne. Unyae turned again and made her way down the slope to the shore. Eveline stood beside Elieor and watched as she walked into the depths of the water, calling out. From the water two hands appeared, baring a crown of gold, silver and copper. Unyae took the crown from the pair of hands and turned with it in her own, as a ray of light surrounded her. Eveline drew in a breathe at such an ethereal display and watched as the princess made her way out of the water and up the slope, coming to stop before Elieor, who looked transfixed. “My I enquire whether you are versed in the ceremonial oath taking my Lord.” Unyae said with a glowing smile, her eyes gentle and her lips curled. She rested the beautiful crown which was made of woven leaves, flowers and stars upon his head, keeping her hands upon it.

“I am,” Elieor said regally, his hands resting upon the book that rested upon his lap, his eyes raised to meet Unyae’s.

“Then let us begin,” Unyae said quietly. “Who dares approach the throne of Calnuthe?”

“I Elieor son of Elioen, Prince of Calnuthe, Taer and Ruarr, defender of the weak and heir apparent, come before the throne of Calhuni as is my right.”

“By what right do you lay claim to the throne of Calnuthe?”

“By the grace of God, virtue of rank and nobility of birth and by conquest do I hereby lay my claim before thee.”

Eveline felt her heart warm as she watched the ceremony. Both Unyae and Elieor wore serious expressions as the sun’s rays illuminated their bodies. Unyae raised her arms and eyes to the sky above.

“Heiden, God of the Heavens, ruler of the seven realms and giver of life, I give unto you the rightful heir of Calnuthe.” Unyae let her hands fall to her sides and stepped away from Elieor, making her way down to the lake once more and stepping into its cold water where the same pair of hands arose from the depths, this time carrying a golden cup. Unyae took the cup and filled it before turning and making her way up the slope, passing the throne and stopping before the tree, taking a pink blossom and putting it into the cup. She came before Elieor and held the cup before him. “Do you pledge to honour your oath, to protect the rights of your subjects and lands, to represent your counsel, to provide good governance and uphold the laws of the land?”

“I swear to honour my oath, protecting the rights of my subjects and lands, to represent and listen to my counsel, to provide good governance and to uphold the laws of the lands,” Elieor said loudly, his voice filled with strength and honour.  Unyae lowered the cup to Elieor’s lips and let him sip from it before bringing it away and turning once more, making her way down to the lake where she held the cup up high before her and exclaimed.

“The contents of this cup represents your binding oath and everlasting pledge to your Kingdom. May land drink from your oath and protect you from harm.” With those words she poured the contents of the cup into the water before wading her way back out to the depths and upon finding the pair of hands, lowered the cup into them. She stood still and silent as the hands disappeared soon to re appear this time with a ring. Unyae made her way back to Elieor and took his right hand, holding it up before her. “This ring bears the seal of Heiden. Words accompanying this seal represent your will and are backed with your authority. It is made of gold, silver and copper to remind you of your duty to the three kingdoms under your charge and remind you of the strength of your words. Do you accept this ring?”

“I do,” Elieor said with a smile as Unyae placed the ring upon his right index finger. Gently she let his hand fall to his lap once more and placed both of her hands upon his crown.

“The crown upon your head represents the ancient’s oaths of honour. It is made of precious metal so that you may always know the price you have paid for the honour bestowed upon you this day. Its weight upon your brows represent the burden of power, the responsibility of decision making and the encumbrance of leadership. Do you accept this symbol of honour and responsibility?”

“I do.”

Unyae dropped her hands from the crown and stepped away from Elieor, walking around the throne towards the tree of life. Eveline watched as she reached up into the tree and snapped off a branch, bringing it back to Elieor and setting upon his lap.

“Repeat after me.  I Elieor son of Elioen do hereby swear by hand and mouth to obey the constitution to the best of my ability, to serve all those who come before me equally and to exercise justice and judgement in accord with the laws written for the good of my people.”

“Repeat after me.  I Elieor son of Elioen do hereby swear by hand and mouth to obey the constitution to the best of my ability, to serve all those who come before me equally and to exercise justice and judgement in accord with the laws written for the good of my people.”

Unyae took the branch and made her way down to the lake where she cast it away. Turning she made her way back to Elieor and laid her hands upon his cheeks, lowering her head and kissing his lips tenderly. After a brief moment she broke the kiss and drew her head back.

“I Unyae, daughter and heir apparent to Heaven bestow upon you the kiss of Heiden. May he bestow upon you the fruits of his powers, giving unto you the gifts of healing, foresight and strength. Do you in return promise to use the powers bestowed upon you correctly? To never use them in order to exploit those weaker than yourself and to never use them in order to further your own selfish gains?”

“I promise,” Elieor said with a whisper, bringing his hands to Unyae’s fair face and pressing his lips upon hers once again. Eveline blushed crimson as she witnessed the couple’s first true kiss. After an eternity they parted.

“Arise, King Elieor of Calnuthe,” Unyae announced, her cheeks stained and her eyes sparkling. Eveline smiled broadly with joy as the new King arose before Unyae, clasping her hands within his own. “Come you must kiss the foot of the tree before handing me back the crown.”

“As you wish my Lady,” Elieor smiled, keeping her right hand within his left and guiding her around the throne to the tree. The King bent before the tree and kissed the roots before arising once more. Eveline came closer to the tree as Unyae unclasped her hand from the King as he bent his head so that she could claim back the crown. The King watched as she made her way back to the shores of the lake, wading back into the waters and placing the crown back into the pair of hands that awaited her. Elieor strode purposefully down to the shore as she made her way back. Eveline followed quickly not wanting to miss a second of this beguiling moment.

“You are free to leave now,” Unyae said with sorrowful eyes as she came to stand before the King.

“And what becomes of you my Lady? Are you free to leave with me?” the King asked boldly, his eyes serious and determined.

“I am bound to this garden until such a time as my father returns for me,” Unyae said quietly, stepping away from the young man. “I am not allowed to leave the garden with another.”

“When will your father return?” Elieor asked with a concerned look.

“I do not know my Lord.”

“Why does he keep you here alone and unattended?”

“He wishes to protect me from those who would wish me harm my Lord,” Unyae said with an air of understanding. “I am the direct heir to the throne and thus would face danger at every corner if I was to leave this garden where I am protected.”

“And if you were to find love?”

“Be careful my Lord you tread on dangerous ground by being so bold,” Unyae said with stern eyes.

“Excuse my boldness my Lady, I am only rendered to enter this garden once in my life and seeing as though I have only one chance to win your hand and heart, I must take it and rid myself of pride,” Elieor said with elegance and humbleness. “Never have my eyes rested upon such a beautiful and rare jewel and I pride myself on not being materialistic or shallow, never one for great poetry or words of flattery.”

“And yet your words are filled with both,” Unyae smiled shyly, a faint blush staining her cheeks once more.

“Many of my noble friends have long wished me to marry one of their daughters, beautiful and accomplished they are, but it is not beauty alone that I wish for in a wife and Queen my Lady though you are greater than all the noble women of my Kingdom,” Elieor said with a seriousness that held Unyae captured. No signs of arrogance or falsehood laced his words as he spoke honestly.

“I am forbidden to marry any man without my father’s consent,” Unyae said with kindness, placing a hand upon his own. “Though I am honoured to be the recipient of such a proclamation.”

“How can I alter your already cemented opinions?” Elieor pleaded gently, capturing a strand of Unyae’s hair and gently placing it behind one of her ears.

“My Lord, you are but a bud of spring and I an ancient being, older than the earth you now stand upon,” Unyae said as her body, upon betraying her words swayed towards him. “When you breathe your last, still shall I live, outliving all of your descendants until the world is no more.”

“I care not for such things but that you should accept my heart and that I shall be the protector of your own heart for as long as we both shall live,” Elieor said with emotion. “If I cannot have your heart, I shall have no others.” Unyae walked away from Elieor and turned to face Eveline, or to be more precise the tree in which she stood in front of. Eveline watched on with anticipation.

“I shall make you a promise my Lord if you will grant me one in return.”

“I shall grant you any promise,” Elieor replied with urgency. Unyae turned with a slight smile upon her lips.

“If you find yourself still unbound to another in five years, then you may have my heart,” Unyae said, believing the young King would fail in his promise and never return to her.

“Give me one year, five and I shall return a ghost of the man I am now standing before you,” Elieor said quietly, his eyes filled with sorrow. Eveline frowned, wishing she had a voice with which could be heard so that she may restore order and sense.

“Five years my Lord,” Unyae said with sternness and certainty. “If your love is pure and true then five years shall be short enough.”

“And when I return you shall break your oath to your father?”

“Two decades have I waited for my father, if he does not come in another five years then I will break my oath and take your hand in marriage,” Unyae said, her lashes fluttering nervously, surprised at the sudden determination that unleashed itself within her.

“Then I shall return for you,” Elieor promised, taking her right hand and kissing it lightly.

“I shall await your return my Lord,” Unyae smiled painfully. Eveline felt the earth beneath her move and fell instantly to the ground as she began to swirl about, the colours of the sky moulding with the lake and garden, creating a circular pattern of colours. It had felt as though she had spinning for an age before time began to slow and the colours began to distribute themselves from one another, claiming back their physical places. Eveline once again found herself on her knees before the throne of Calhuni.

*

The air was different as she brought herself to her feet once more and took a good long look around her. Autumn had arrived and the beautiful leaves that had once filled the ancient tree of Calhuni were now withering and falling from their branches to the grass, slowly dying into the ground as was their custom every year. Eveline having waited until the nausea abated cautiously walked about the island in search of Unyae but was disappointed to find her gone. All that was left was a small boat that lay bobbing upon the gentle waters of the lake. To the north she glanced up at the magnificent mountain range now beautifully covered in snow, their peaks disappearing through the thick clouds above. With a bubble of curiosity stirring her on, Eveline stepped into the boat and waited until it began to move, guiding her across the lake to the far shore where she stepped out of the boat and made her way through the forest as though guided by something within her. The floor of the garden was densely covered in golden leaves and as she weaved her way through the ancient trees she spotted creatures very like squirrels, racing across the ground and up the trees, stopping for a brief moment to observe the strange women below. The flowers that had enriched the garden had long past withered away, leaving the forest bare of their beauty. Eveline could feel the bitter taste of winter in the air and shivered slightly as the hairs on her skin prickled against the soft breeze. She walked for what seemed to her a very long time before she came to the wall of the garden. The wall was made out of red bricks and was at least twenty feet high. Not knowing where she should go to next, she laid a hand upon the wall and began to walk, letting her hand graze against the rugged bricks. Around her the garden sang solemnly, the trees swaying and the birds chirping with an air of sorrow. As she continued to follow the wall her ears perked at the sound of a beautiful voice, singing. Eveline stopped walking and closed her eyes, letting the words consume her as the voice gently rushed over her, angelic and ethereal. The words she did not understand as they were not in her native language, but the voice she recognised at once as Unyae’s. Picking up her white gown, Eveline rushed through the trees until she came to stand close to the princess, now gowned in a heavy cloak of fur. Unyae was leaning against a great and golden gate, the railings decorated with flowers and leaves. Unyae’s long hair gently flowed down her long back and danced about her as she sang, her hands dripping the railings with urgency. Eveline wondered what it was she was singing, for sorrowful and painful it sounded to her ears, causing her eyes to prickle with tears. Unyae was in pain, pain that was not just woven into her words but into her body as well, which lay slumped against the gate as though laden down with many burdens. Eveline wondered what year it was and wondered still with a sombre beat of heart had Elieor come back for her. She knew of course that they would marry and have a daughter, but how it had all come about she did not know. As she watched Unyae sing on she heard the sound of a man’s voice, calling Unyae from afar, beyond the walls of Calhuni.

Unyae ceased her singing and stood up straight, wiping her pale face of the tears that streamed down her cheeks. She shook her head in disbelief before standing away from the gates, suddenly filled with nervousness and reality. Eveline smiled with delight at the anticipation of their re union and felt honoured to be allowed to witness such an intimate and private moment. Eveline walked closer to the gates as the High King Elieor came into sight, older and grander in appearance, his once youthful appearance now matured and grown. Unyae stood still, unmoving and in shock as he smiled, his face now lined with a few wrinkles, his thick hair still golden and curled. He was clad in leather armour with a golden breastplate and a thick fur cloak. A sword lay at his side and two daggers. No words were spoken as he took out a key and unlocked the gate, opening it slowly and entering. The King came to stand before the stupefied Unyae who had been so certain that he would never return, her certainty causing the little spring of life within her to empty with each passing day.

“My love,” Elieor whispered as he nervously took her hands within his own and kissed them gently, his eyes moist with emotion as he beheld his love for the first time in five years. “I have come back for your hand if it is still mine to claim.”

“You are here,” Unyae whispered with disbelief as she took in his warm face, weathered by war and grief.

“I am here my love, my heart never once left these walls,” Elieor said with pain, his words faint and breath quick. “My feet have wandered this world, filled with sorrow and grief, wishing to make their way back here to you.”

“I did not think you would come back for me,” Unyae said as a tear fell from her bent head.

“Such little faith in my promise,” Elieor said with a gentle smile as he touched her cheek lightly, his fingers curling under her chin, forcing her face to rise so that their eyes could meet. “Such have been my days without you,” he whispered tenderly, tracing her eyes and brows with love. “Long have been my winters and bare my summers.”

“Such hope have I held onto, it’s light being my only warmth and comfort,” Unyae said as she let her hands fall upon Elieor’s chest, her body calming and leaning into his own.

“Love of the purest kind lasts an eternity,” Elieor said softly into her hair. “And such an eternity has it been.”

“Even now, my body and spirit has awoken such a spell you have cast upon me,” Unyae smiled up into her lovers face. “As though I have been without water and you come baring a cup of the finest, letting me drink from it freely.”

“And so shall it be ere after and always,” Elieor promised as the suns light began to fade behind the trees. “Shall you leave behind this prison and come home with me?”

“My father has forgotten me,” Unyae said with sorrow.

“Then you owe him nothing, let me worship at your feet instead until my dying breathe,” Elieor said with passion. “Let me love you and have you always by my side. To walk alone upon this earth another day would be torture, I could not do it.”

“Your people will think me strange in my looks and ways,” Unyae replied with a faint blush upon her cheeks. “I am older than this earth you walk upon, what shall become of me when death parts us?”

“You shall bare our children and walk with them and their children when I am no longer here,” Elieor said kissing his forehead lightly. “Do not worry about the future, long may I draw breathe and long may we forever be bound to one another.” The couple kissed gently as the trees sang out with joy. Eveline felt her own heart fill with warmth and joy at such a sight, the love and devotion that radiated from the King made her think of Theodore and Galean, a sharp thorn pricking at her own heart. The couple when ready left the garden, closing the gate behind them and walking off into the greater world together. Eveline watched from the gates as they both upon the same horse rode off into the distant world, the sun dying behind her, the last rays illuminating them until she could see them no more.

With a heavy heart, riddled with love for her husband and love for Galean, Eveline made her way through the garden of Calhuni until she reached the shore once more. She sat down and huddled her legs against her chest as a cold gust of wind swirled about her body. With a deep breath she began to cry as the dawning of what had occurred outside of this vision impacted on her with such an intensity, her cries became almost animal like, her muscles and organs tightening with anguish. She sat crying whilst the moon unveiled itself amongst the starry night. Soon her tears faded and she lay back upon the moist grass and looked up into the sky, resting her hands upon her stomach. As she lay she heard footsteps from behind her and turned her head. A fair and gentle stag came towards her, lowering his head regally. Eveline sat up cautiously and turned her body towards the stag, his great horns curled and tall above his head. Eveline slowly brought herself to her feet and stood as the stag came closer to her, his large eyes sparkling against the light of the moon.

“Can you see me?” Eveline whispered quietly as she held out a shaking hand. The stag groaned in response lifting his head so that her hand could touch his smooth fur. “Oh my, you’re so soft to touch,” Eveline smiled as she gently and cautiously stroked the stags face, her eyes upon his own inquisitive eyes. As she looked down into his sparkling eyes she was reminded of Heiden, as though he lay within the gaze of the stag. “I’m lost,” Eveline said to the stag. “Within a garden I know so well. But I am lost within this vision, if vision it is.” The stag closed his eyes as though calmed by her touch. When he opened them again Eveline gasped for they turned gold like her own. “How is that possible?” she asked the stag. The animal groaned in response heralding a smile from Eveline. “How strange you are, to let me stroke you like this.” The stag suddenly brought himself down to the ground and Eveline quickly followed suite, her body moulding itself within his own as his long legs curled about her form. Eveline felt herself yawn as the stag laid his head down peacefully and closed his eyes. Wrapping her arms about his thick neck, Eveline let her head fall against his fur and with another yawn felt herself being drawn into a star filled sleep.

Her sleep was filled with peace and warmth, her body gently relaxed against the stags that when she was forced to awaken she groaned aloud. She could feel the rising sun’s rays upon her body as she opened her eyes and stretched. The stag gently aroused himself from his sleep and groaned lightly as though biding her good morning. Eveline looked down into his face and smiled.

“Good morning,” she said lightly. “Thank you for offering your fur as a blanket and your neck as a pillow.” The stag’s mouth lifted into what seemed to be a smile before he quickly came to stand upon his hind legs, shaking his body roughly. Eveline also came to stand upon her feet, stretching once more and yawning. She was thirsty and followed suite of the stag, bending down low and cupping her hand so that she could gather some fresh water from the lake. With a sigh she gulped down the water before rinsing the rest over her face. She was tired and withdrawn, feeling as though she had been travelling through time for centuries and she wondered what was to come. As she stood beside the stag she heard mixed voices close by and turned, grabbing a handful of the stag’s fur for comfort. Through the trees, the High King, Unyae and their baby came. Eveline looked down at the stag with nervous eyes, something was afoot as the royal couple tried to make it to the boat that lay close by, Unyae holding their baby close to her breast. Eveline noticed with fear that both of them looked very unwell, their faces as white as the moon that had stood guard of the universe during the night.

“Quickly!” Unyae cried out to her husband as he with great trouble entered the water and brought forth the boat. “There is not much time left!”

“Here, take my hand,” Elieor said to his wife with urgency in his faded green eyes. The baby known as Celestine hollered out loudly as though filled with fear like Eveline. The King helped his wife into the boat and when ready jumped in after her. Eveline looked about for another boat but found none. She watched the young family sail to the island, huddled together tightly. Eveline strode around the shore to get a better look, the stag following her dutifully. Flecks of snow began to fall in a flurry about her as the royal couple reached the island and together made their way to the tree and throne.

“I need to reach them,” Eveline found herself saying aloud. The stag groaned and shook his head roughly. “What do you mean no? Something is wrong.” The stag again groaned this time loudly, his golden eyes fierce with determination. Eveline fell quiet for she knew deep within that the stag was no ordinary stag, she knew there was more to this vision and all that lay within it. She let out a breath and stood beside the stag, her hand still within the folds of his fur. Not far from where she stood she could see the couple, sat beneath the foot of the throne, cradling Celestine as though with little time. Eveline felt her body stiffen, they were dying that was the reason for their arrival and that was the reason as to why they both looked like shadows of their former self’s. As she watched on a bright light erupted before the young family. When it faded, two male figures were revealed, two male figures who bore a striking resemblance to Theodore and Galean. Beside her the stag snorted, causing Eveline’s eyes to withdraw from the island. She looked down into the golden gaze that was filled with pain and frowned. What she had thought to be a vision or dream she suddenly realised with a terrible terror that it was no such dream. She stood closer to the stag and watched as the man she knew to be her husband knelt before the couple, speaking to them gently. Unyae with shaking arms, held out her baby to the quiet Galean, who took the baby gently and brought her to his chest. Pain gripped Eveline from within as she watched the royal couple lean against the foot of the throne, taking their last breathes as the two men and young baby stood away, another great beam of light surrounding them. The stag let out a cry as they left, leaving the young couple alone and lifeless at the foot of the throne. Eveline herself let out a cry, she felt frozen with confusion and shock. Only mere hours ago had she witnessed their reunion and now they lay before her dead.

She fell to her knees in desperation as the stag cried and felt the cold water roll over her legs roughly. Above her a great streak of lightening coursed through the skies followed by a thunderous noise. The world about her changed as though it too had been touched by the deaths of the royal couple. Behind her creatures began to cry as the snow fell heavily, freezing everything in its path. As she wept she felt the familiar warmth of the ball and threw out her hands.

“Go away!” she said aloud, refusing to enter another door. “I don’t want to leave!” she cried out. The ball of light touched her again, refusing to listen to her. “I said leave me!” Eveline yelled as though tortured by all that she had seen. As she tried to ignore the ball of light she suddenly felt it penetrate her body, coming to rest within the very core of her. Against her will the light forced her to her feet, dragging her away from the crying stag towards another golden door. “Please I cannot leave them!” Eveline begged pathetically as the door opened and she entered. She didn’t fall into a void of darkness like before, instead she found herself walking into the centre of a great temple a temple she had read of greatly. As the door disappeared she wiped her face and looked around, not sure where it was she was standing. She looked down at the twelve curved steps and out towards a great courtyard surrounded by outer buildings upheld with great columns. Turning she found herself looking up at the great temple of Solomon and let out a sigh of amazement for she knew that it had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II after the siege of Jerusalem. Inside the temple lay the inner house known as the Holy of Holies. With curiosity Eveline made her way towards the great doors which opened as she strode towards them. Inside the temple, great canopies of candles stood along the walls, illuminating the gold that decorated the temple. The light of the gold was so strong, Eveline had to lay a hand across her forehead such was its intensity. As she waited until her eyes grew accustomed to the light she looked up at the high altar and laid eyes on a great man, robed in fine silks. She knew immediately to whom she stood before and instantly fell to her knees.




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