Author's Note: Thanks again for the tireless efforts of Wendy, Beta Goddess of the UK.
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Chapter 16 – SEEING THINGS
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Taelyra sat at the edge of the Secret Pool, quietly humming to herself. She held Artanis' tip in the water and summoned images of her past upon the water's surface to cheer her spirits.
She had felt good after her fight with Kieran. It had been a challenge and she had made a powerful comeback. She and Artanis were falling into a synergy again, their energies intermingling as a combined force, to serve as one weapon for the common good.
This strange, mystical sword was the only thing she'd ever felt at one with. Well, until she'd arrived here in the Golden Wood. That is until she'd been with Haldir. Their love was unifying. It touched her to her core and she felt changed by knowing him. Haldir had evoked passion in her that she'd been unaware she was capable of. He'd taken her to the heights of rapture and moved her by his admissions of love. It was obvious that he was an intensely private and guarded person, and his declarations to her were all the more precious knowing how closely he protected his heart.
But he had looked at her differently just now in the courtyard. As though he was unsure of what she was, of what she was capable. He'd been unable to disguise the fleeting look of apprehension and perhaps, what? She wasn't sure if she'd seen disdain. She must seem very strange to him; a she-elf warrior, gifted with an ancient and powerful weapon.
Perhaps he was having second thoughts about having plunged into this relationship with her. Perhaps he was questioning his wisdom in loving the wielder of a weapon called upon to face the forces of Evil.
This is what her head had been trying to tell her all those days ago. To put aside her passion for him and focus on the impending Evil she'd glimpsed in Galadriel's Mirror. She had a duty to perform and any personal commitments must come second to that.
She sighed sadly at this realization. With great power comes great sacrifice, her father had once told her. She had not understood his full meaning until now.
Taelyra was suddenly aware of someone standing in the ferns behind her. She turned her head to see Haldir. The sun shone on his golden hair and it was as though an aura of light surrounded him. He was tall and strong and the light loved him, as she loved him. He had a look on his face of surprise and mild disbelief.
"I – I'm sorry," she faltered. "Should I not have come here without you?" She wondered if she'd committed an offence visiting the Secret Pool without the Lord or Lady or one to whom they had granted permission.
"It's alright, melamin." Haldir said soothingly.
Hearing the endearment and the undisguised affection in his voice calmed Taelyra's apprehensions. Haldir knelt beside her and looked intently into her eyes. She could have happily fallen into those beautiful blue orbs; they entranced her.
"I was surprised," he continued,"by the images on the surface of the Pool."
"Aiya oh," replied Taelyra. She'd completely forgotten she was still holding the sword in the water.
"How are you able to do that?"
"If I sit for awhile with Artanis and let our energies mingle, sometimes my thoughts and memories can be projected through the sword and onto the surface of calm water."
"Similar to Galadriel's Mirror?"
"Well," replied Taelyra,"not exactly. I have never seen visions of the future. The images are always familiar, my memories."
There was that look again. Like he was trying to comprehend this strange being he'd fallen in love with. Her heart faltered at the thought. He must think her so odd. Her brow creased and her gaze fell to the ground.
"Let us think not of the future right now, beloved." Haldir's hand came up to caress her face. His fingers lightly traced the curve of her cheek.
His touch was like sustenance to her. Taelyra both craved it and felt nourished by it. In such a short time, he had become an intrinsic part of her life. She could not imagine life without him now. He brought his hand gently beneath her chin and raised it. Her eyes met his.
"Will you share your memories with me?" he asked.
"Would you like to see my home?"
Haldir smiled warmly. "Yes. I'd like that very much."
He drew close to her as they sat on the grassy bank of the Pool. Taelyra drew a half circle across the water's surface as though clearing a slate. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes and relaxing into a sort of trance. Haldir leaned forward, looking intently at the water's surface.
He could feel an energy coming off her, it seemed directed down her arm into the sword and at once beautiful images began to play across the flat surface of the water. They followed slowly one after the other. A glorious castle, rolling green hills, cool dark forests with rushing streams. A large golden field where the long grasses blew in the wind, looking like waves rolling on the sea, as the sun dropped below the horizon, its fiery glow melting into purples and golds as the mist of a summer evening rose from the rich earth.
It was breathtaking. Haldir could not have torn his eyes away if he'd tried. He was vaguely aware of Taelyra's calm, deep breathing and a subtle, barely audible hum coming from Artanis.
Suddenly, on the surface of the water appeared a stunning female Elf. She was tall and regal-looking, bearing a striking similarity to Taelyra.
"This is my mother," spoke Taelyra as though from a dream state.
The beautiful Elf's expression changed to sadness as she opened her arms to embrace three children. Haldir recognized a young Kieran and Rumil, while a very small Elf girl grasped her mother's skirts and was scooped up into her arms. She held the girl tightly to her breast as tears flowed down her radiant face. The boys seemed to be trying to console their mother, speaking words of understanding and encouragement to her.
Slowly she released them, kissing each of them on their faces and heads. Two older Elves guided her onto a fine, elven ship and she waved to her children from the bow. Kieran and Rumil each had an arm around the small Taelyra who waved good-bye to her mother as she faded from view on the retreating ship. Mist encircled the ship as it drifted away.
Haldir sat mesmerized by the visions. He noticed a tear escape the corner of Taelyra's closed eyes and trickle down her cheek. He kissed it away softly. Taelyra stirred slightly, the surface of the Pool was shrouded in swirling mist.
Haldir circled his arms around Taelyra and she fell back against him. He brought her to rest on the grass and she opened her eyes. He looked down at her lovingly.
"Your memories move me beyond words," he told her, before kissing her gently and stroking her hair away from her face.
The grass felt cool on her back. Haldir's mouth was warm and loving. He traced light kisses up her cheek and came to rest his lips ever so gently on her temple, not sensual kisses but caring, comforting ones.
She wanted to share more with him. To show him everything, so that he might understand her better, so that they might become even closer. Soul mates perhaps.
She turned her head ever so slightly and whispered softly into his ear,"Would you like to see how I claimed the sword?"
He raised his head; his eyes were bright and alert. "Yes," he answered without hesitation.
They rose back up to a sitting position and Taelyra once again dipped the tip of Artanis into the water. Haldir's arms encircled her waist as he held her close. She could feel his heart beating against her back and his deep breathing on her neck. He peered over her shoulder into the Pool.
The images came rapidly this time. There was Taelyra, older than before but not yet an adult. She was watching her brothers play-fight with wooden swords. She looked thin, a little too thin, and pale. She was leaning against a pillar as though she needed the support to help her stand.
Now she was lying in a bed. Her father was hovering nearby looking deeply concerned. He was speaking with someone - a Healer, perhaps? Taelyra was very still, her face as pale as the bed linens around her. Rumil and Kieran knelt at her bedside.
Then she was alone, asleep in her bed. The sun shone brightly outside and birds landed on her windowsill. She did not stir.
Her brothers again, older now. Taller and broader, dressed in armour and carrying long swords. They were on horseback leading a great regiment of Elves.
A vision of Kieran, plunging a Telerin banner into the ground after a great battle.
Rumil and Kieran again kneeling next to Taelyra's bed, presumably regaling her with tales of their victory. She lay motionless.
The visions came faster.
Daintáro and his sons kneeling before a great statue, praying it seemed. Praying for Taelyra's recovery? Then all three were on horseback, riding out the palace gates. Great dark clouds gathered forebodingly. They were riding to another battle. The army they led was enormous but still the three Elves looked apprehensive. They looked towards a window high up the castle wall, as though hoping for someone to appear and perhaps wave goodbye to them. No one appeared at the window.
Dark clouds rolled across the sky and lightning flickered from them. A torrential downpour. The palace courtyard grew muddy and then flooded. Taelyra's pale and tranquil face against her pillow. A flash of lightning. Her eyes sprang open and she sat bolt upright in the bed.
She rose from her bed and looked out her bedroom window. She was striding across the courtyard, the water running in streams around her bare feet; she was clad only in her dressing gown that clung, soaking, to her body. Her green eyes blazed with purpose. Behind her in the palace doorway stood a strapping and regal figure. It was the King. He followed her. She entered the small, fenced enclosure where Artanis lay plunged into the large rock.
She grasped the hilt firmly. The King stood behind her watching. A bolt of lightning lit the sky as Taelyra pulled the sword from its stone sheath in one long, powerful motion. She stood tall, holding the weapon at her side. The sky blazed brightly, making Artanis gleam in the darkness.
The King called to the Palace Guard who brought dry clothes and chainmail to Taelyra. She was dressed for battle now and upon a great horse. As she was about to depart the King strode forward and grasped her hand in his. He looked up at her with pride and she smiled upon him through the pouring rain.
The image faded on the Pool's surface and Haldir felt Taelyra relax back against him.
"That is how I awoke from the endless sleep to take up my destiny, " she told him. "I rode out to battle and met my brothers and my father. Together we drove back the Dark Forces that night. But we could not keep them abated forever and eventually we were driven from our lands."
Haldir placed a comforting kiss on her neck, below her ear. He pulled her closer to him.
"But our people found hope," she continued, "in that Artanis had returned in our time of need. And the King envisioned our path: to unite and fight with our long lost brethren in the West."
"So here we are," she said as she turned to look at him.
"Yes, here we are."
"Together." He said assuredly.
"We will fight together, and together we will be unconquerable."
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