The Emerald Forest
I carefully studied the patterns of the leaf and then consulted my notes on herbs. I frowned not being able to find a match. I would ask Ruhm later. When Folken and I first arrived in the wolf village, Ruhm would not believe that Folken was still alive. He had to prove it by his wings. After that, the whole village welcomed us and they gave us a small shack to live in. I stiffened as I felt a presence coming, but relaxed when I sensed the familiar aura. I stood up smoothing the front of my dress and waited. He emerged in the clearing distracted. He was dressed in tanned trousers and a dark crimson tunic. He had his sword at his side and the pendant remained hanging from his neck.
"Greetings Van," I spoke softly.
He jumped slightly and halted when he spotted me. He paused for a second before walking over to me.
"You are here to see Folken," I inquired. He nodded.
"Good, follow me." I led him through the clearing to a group of shacks.
"I hope this time you will at least try to listen to your brother," I persuaded. He became rigid at the mention of brother.
"He is a changed person. Put the past behind you Van, you need not dwell on it," I advised him.
I watched a various array of emotions fill his face.
"I am sorry for what I said to you at the market,"
I blinked in surprised at his last comment. The first time Folken and Van met, it wasn't exactly the usual sibling reunion. Van was shocked when he saw Folken and then it turned to anger. It wasn't until I intervened that it turned ugly.
"Folken came back not once but twice to make amends. Why are you so afraid?" I confronted Van.
"And what would you know about? You are just some woman he picked up," he sneered.
I saw Folken clench his fist. I moved quickly to stop him.
"That was most rude Van," Folken snarled as I placed my hand around his arm.
"No more than you deserve," Van shot back.
"Let us leave Folken," I spoke quietly to him. He looked at Van for a moment and then turned away from him.
"Are you happy? All he wanted was to see you again, to ask for your forgiveness. You do not wish to hear what he says only because you are scared of the truth." I said harshly to him.
"Shayndel?"
"Perhaps you shouldn't be apologizing to me, but to Folken,"
He didn't reply and I took it as a sign to enter. His back was turned to us and he seemed to be writing something on paper for he was scribbling away. I approached him and placed my hand on his shoulder.
"Folken, Van is here to see you."
He seemed to freeze when I mentioned Van's name. He stood up abruptly turning to face him.
"I'll leave you two to talk," I patted Folken on the arm. He looked down at me and I gave him a smile for encouragement. Sweeping past both of them, I left the room. Once I was outside, I lingered for a moment.
"So he finally decided to come," Ruhm commented.
I turned around and gave him a small smile.
"Yes, let's just hope they don't tear down the shack!"
"You wanted to speak with me?" I finally broke the silence between us.
"I…." He stammered at a loss of words.
"So you are married?" I asked trying to get the conversation started.
He blushed slightly and stared down at the gold band on his left hand. "Oh… yes. Her name is Alethea and she has draconian blood. "
"How is that possible? I thought our mother was the only descendant of Atlantis left," I cringed slightly at the mention of our mother. I wasn't sure how Van would react to that.
"These times have changed Folken," he paused to look at me. He was almost as tall as I was and he looked like our father.
"Indeed. Then you should know I am not the same person I was during Zaibach's conquering. I am a different man like yourself,"
"Shayndel helped you didn't she?" he inquired.
"Yes," I stated.
"Thea has the same affect on me," I smiled at this use of the nickname.
"I can't speak for my actions but I can tell you what you want to know," I offered.
"I want to know everything," Van demanded. I smiled at his tone of voice, which sounded almost the same when he was a little boy. Perhaps this was going better than I thought.
Later when I had returned, I found the shack intact and without Van. Folken was sitting at the table again, but he was staring into space.
"Van left already?" I asked.
He snapped out of his daze and smiled up at me.
"No, he had to tend to some matters but we had a good talk."
"So you are making progress?" I asked touching his face lovingly.
"Yes, I believe so," he pulled me onto his lap.
"So what did you talk about?" I asked.
"He wanted to know everything and so I started from the beginning," he explained.
I shifted so I was looking at him.
"Does he understand?"
"Some of it, but he was very young when I left. That affected him deeply." He answered kissing the crown of my head
"Will he come again?" I wondered.
"I hope so."
For the past couple of days, Van would come see Folken. Each time, he would stay a bit longer and once he stayed for dinner. I could see that the two were getting along. Van was more relaxed and carefree and would even play jokes on Folken. He didn't mind for all he wanted was his brother's forgiveness.
"Next time you will bring your wife Van." I suggested.
"Perhaps next time." He answered.
"Want her all to yourself, eh?" I teased.
Van blushed slightly and mumbled that he had to go. This made me laugh harder.
The two brothers left the site. Later that night, I found I could not get to sleep. Restless, I gently sneaked out walking around hoping it would make me sleepy but I just ended up sitting on the logs of the campsite. I sat there wide awake until the crack of dawn when my head finally drooped. Thump. Thump.
I jumped up startled. I looked around confused. I realized I was still in my nightgown and remembered. Thump. Thump. The ground shook slightly beneath my feet. I immediately knew it was a dragon.
"Shayla!"
I headed in the direction of Folken's voice.
"I'm here," I emerged to see him rush up to me in his disarranged clothing.
"I have to hurry and see this problem with Ruhm,"
"I am coming with you." I insisted.
"No, it is dangerous," he objected.
"You forget that I might be able to communicate with it," I pointed out.
"Yes, I have forgotten that. Your dress, it doesn't matter now, come on." He urged and grabbed my hand.
So we rushed over to the site and saw a dragon. She was female and smaller in size than Elke. Her belly seemed swelled. I walked up slowly to her, my gaze never wavering.
"It's alright, she knows what she is doing," Folken said calming the crowd.
We mean you no harm
She continued to study me and I stood there patiently.
You are Alden's chosen
You knew him
We all know of him
Then you have heard of Elke
Yes, rest assured child. She had bore a male.
I am glad.
Whereabouts am I
Fanelia
There is some draconian blood within their kings
She began to sniff me and her eyes roamed the crowd. She pinned her gaze on Folken and then swayed back to me.
His scent is on you. Is he your mate?
I flushed slightly.
Yes
Draconian blood in him as well. He is a formidable mate for you
Your approval means much to me
The dragon tossed her head in the sky.
I only tolerate your kind because you say they mean no harm. The last time I encountered your kind wasn't so welcoming. They were attacking me, threatening my child
Where?
West from here
May I?
I stepped closer and placed my hands on her stomach. Its heart beat strongly and I could sense it was male.
You will bear a strong hatchling
I fear there are fewer mates around. Our females are diminishing
I wish I could help
There is nothing child. I will find a cave and bear my child. The rest is unclear
She stalked away and the people let out a sigh of relief. I gestured for Folken and I told him what the dragon told me.
"What should we do?" I asked.
"I will tell Van immediately."
Nightfall approached again and Folken had gone to tell Van the news. I sat at the table absently brushing my hair. I twisted around in my chair when I heard voices outside. I stood up and approached the door slowly.
"When will you leave?"
"I am not sure I have to discuss it with Shayla,"
"Well goodnight then"
"Goodnight, Ruhm."
Folken opened the door to see me standing in the middle of the room.
"You didn't have to wait for me," He came over and planted a kiss on my cheek.
"What did Van say?" I asked anxious for his answer.
"He has to discuss it with his councillors. However there is another matter of discussion. I think you should sit down." He replied taking a seat on the bed.
I sat back down on the chair. "What is it?"
"Van wants us to move in to the castle," he announced.
"What exactly did you say?" I asked.
"I mentioned that you had contact with dragons. He thought it easier if we live there and figure out what to do." He explained.
"Interesting, perhaps this is Van wanting to build a relationship." I pondered.
"Perhaps," he shrugged undoing his boots and starting to unlace his tunic. He paused from his undressing and said in a husky voice, "Come here,"
I complied and sat in his lap as he ran his fingers through my hair.
"So what did you and the dragon discuss for so long?" he whispered in my ear.
"Nothing much"
"Really she seemed to stare at both of us for quite some time,"
I tried to turn away but his firm grip on my waist prevented me.
"It's embarrassing Folken," I confessed.
"You can share anything with me, why was she looking at me for?" he asked curious.
"She asked me if you were my mate." I said in a rush.
He raised an eyebrow.
"What?" I asked my heart beating wildly from his intense stare.
He tilted my chin up and looked down intently at me.
"You'll always be mine."
He pulled me close and we kissed deeply. His hands roamed up and down my back while my hands played with the fringes of his tunic. Air permitted us to break our kiss. Breathing harshly, I slipped the tunic off him and threaded my hands through his hair. He picked me up and laid me down on the bed. He placed his weight directly on top of me.
"Is this comfortable for you?" he asked shifting. I nodded tugging gently on the back hairs of his neck. He bent forward and planted light kisses along my neck.
"Shayla," He lifted his head again.
"What is it, love?" I asked noticing hesitant in his voice.
"I don't want to hurt you,"
I saw in his eyes that he was afraid of what to do.
"We'll learn together, come to me," I pulled him closer with my arms and held him to my heart.
Who can say where the road goes, only timeA warm breeze tickled my skin. I shifted and found myself burying deeper into something hard. It didn't feel like a pillow. I opened my eyes slowly and found myself looking at Folken's chest. I glanced down and up flushed at the sight. The only thing that covered us was a thin blanket. I tried to move, but Folken's arms remained locked around my waist. I met his open eyes and blushed as he trailed his eyes down my body.
"You are beautiful." He said stroking my cheek.
"Have you thought of your decision?" I asked anxiously.
"For what?" he asked moving his hands along my arms.
"About Van?"
He chuckled. "I was a little busy last night."
I blushed again.
I dried my wet hair as I studied Folken. He was sitting near the lake picking at the grass. I sat down beside him and continued to administer to my hair.
"The more I think about it the more the idea doesn't seem right to me" he spoke up.
"Van invited you to come live with him," I pointed out.
"What will his councillors say? Once the people hear that I have been alive all this time," he asked.
"They will say what they want to say. It's Van's decision to decide what to do." I reminded him.
"But will he make the decision based his own feelings or for the good of the country?"
"Folken you remember that night when you taught how to catch a fish?" I wrapped my arms around his metal arm.
"I remember."
"Well catching that fish is the same as you coming to stay with him. You will never know until you try."
"I hope so for your sake."
"The summers are extremely humid." Folken answered as we treaded through the forest. All around me I saw green, the colour of emeralds.
"You and Van use to play here?" I inquired tilting my head up to him.
"Yes, we would lie on the grass and watch the stars," he said.
I glanced over his shoulder for an instant and something caught my eye.
"Folken, what's that?" I gestured for him to look behind him. He didn't say anything, just simply stared at it. I tugged at his hand. He snapped out of his daze and led me over to it. There were many slabs of stones erected and a wide iron fence surrounding it.
"This is where the royal family is buried," he said softly as we stood side by side. I swept my eyes over the names and came upon a familiar name.
"Folken, your name is here," I pointed out to him. His eyes flickered over his small slab and then rested on his parent's. I massaged his back to comfort him and looked away to give him a private moment. Crunching footsteps came to my hearing. I left Folken to be alone and greeted the visitor.
"I thought you were going to meet us at the gates of the castle." I asked.
"Change of plans," Van answered and then he saw Folken.
"We found his name on the graves. It has been over ten years since he has been here, give him a moment of peace," I advised.
He nodded curtly but never removing his eyes on his back.
"So have you decided what you will say about Folken's emergence from death?" I mentioned casually.
"No, but I'll just announce it at the council tomorrow and let them have a heart attack," I gave him a confused but amused look.
"I am looking forward to seeing the castle of Fanelia. The only palace I have seen is Zaibach's, but it is demolished." I sighed.
"Folken told me that you have lived in the same place since you were a little girl. Your home shall be here then." He stated.
"Thank you." I saw his glance move to Folken. "Go to him."
"What?"
"You aren't the only one who has lost his parents. Folken has been without them for so long. Go comfort your brother Van," I pushed him forward.
I watched with happiness as Van approached Folken and the two brothers embraced.
The castle was enormous gleaming of white stone and rows of plants.
"Alethea restored mother's gardens, we are to meet her there," Van said leading us through the intricate paths. Everywhere there were flowers blooming of all sorts of colour. I stopped and admired a white rose bush.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" I turned to the mysterious speaker.
Her voice was soft and sweet. Her black hair flowed down her back to her hip pinned with white flowers. She was dressed in a sleeveless blue shift and her only jewellery was her royal ring and the pendant. Her eyes were like a magnet drawing anyone to her. They were so green like emeralds.
"You must be Alethea," I replied going up to her an exchanging a kiss on the cheek with her.
"Shayndel, I have been waiting for your arrival ever since you came," she said clasping my hands.
"I have heard much of you," I squeezed back.
"We must talk. Folken you don't mind if I steal her away," She turned her attention on the brothers who were watching our exchange.
"Not at all."
"Good, I am going to give Shayndel a tour. You can keep your brother entertained Van," she ordered and with a kiss on his cheek, she led me away.
"The training grounds are over on that side and the stables on the other side," she directed.
"What's that place over there?" I asked gesturing to a lone building.
"Oh, that is the shrine,"
"Shrine for what?" I questioned.
"It holds Escaflowne. Well you probably know about that," I nodded silently.
We walked into the massive opening. Hanging up at the ceiling was a massive sack of black suspended by wires.
"The mosaics are beautiful" I commented and stepped in closer. I stiffened, feeling something wrong. I spun around and saw a dim glow on Alethea's pendant.
"Where is it coming from?" I asked.
"I don't know." She tried to move towards me, and a bright light flashed.
I could see nothing, nothing but darkness. I looked in every direction of this dark void trying to find a way of escaping.
"Greetings Alden's chosen."
Right before my eyes, a figure appeared in front of me. Her clothing was formal and her hair fell down to her feet. It was her eyes that reminded me.
"Varie. How did this happen?" I spoke.
"Blood of a dragon can trigger many things."
"Why are you here?"
"I have come here to warn you Shayndel. It was fate that you came upon Folken and revived him but remember, fate can be separated even the strong love and bond that you two have created."
Before I could ask her any questions, she disappeared and I found myself blinking from the blinding light. I covered my eyes with both my hands.
"Oh, thank god she is moving!" I tried to move but strong arms held me down. I twisted my head up and willed my eyes to focus on the three figures in front of me. I rubbed my temples and recalled the past few minutes.
"Alethea was showing me the shrine when I saw the pendant glow and then there was this light. I saw your mother." I related.
Both brothers looked eagerly at me.
"What did she say to you?" Van asked.
I paused. I didn't want to worry Folken.
"She didn't say anything. She appeared and smiled at me and then disappeared. I'm sorry,"
"That's not important, this has been an eventful day. How about we adjourn to dinner?" Alethea suggested.
The fragrance of flowers and the gentle wind calmed me down as I leaned against the edge of the window.
"Everything alright?" Folken whispered in my ear as his arms wrapped around me. I leaned my back against his broad chest and covered my hands over his.
"Yes, I am trying to adjust to all this." I admitted.
"You can take as long as you want, love," he reassured.
"Are you trying to avoid something?" I asked suspiciously.
"Well, unless you count tomorrow's council, no,"
I laughed.
"You will do fine, I'll be there"
"I don't think it is a good idea"
"Too late, Alethea personally invited me. There is no harm from me being there,"
"Alright, I warned you though"
"Enough, watch the stars with me"
With his chin resting on my head and our fingers entwined, we spoke of nothing merely staring out the starry night.