"Are you lost my dear?" a silky voice asked. My throat seized up in fear and I couldn't make a noise. "Come, you can stay at my place." I felt the hand on my back guide me forward through the trees. I stumbled and my cloak snagged several branches, yet the hand continued to push me forward. I had a fleeting image of a wooden door and a feeling of continued fear…
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Eirwen woke suddenly as Bendura opened the cottage door. Yawning, she got out of bed and rushed into the other room. Accompanying Bendura was an elderly woman with craggy features. In the woman's hand was a basket full of shiny red apples. Eirwen stepped forward to help the woman and hesitated. Something in the eyes of the woman reminded her of someone, yet she couldn't place who.
Bendura looked questionably at her and Eirwen rushed forward to take the woman's apple basket.
"Thank you." the woman croaked, looking strangely at Eirwen. Eirwen felt a shiver go up her spine, as she tried to place those eyes. Taking the woman's hand, Eirwen led her to the spare bedroom. Nodding in gratitude the woman lay down onto the bed and closed her eyes slowly. Quickly Eirwen slipped out of the room and back into her own bedroom. There she too lay down, but she did not fall asleep so quickly.
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I woke to the sound of voices. I sat up quickly and didn't recognize my surroundings. The voices grew louder and I recognized Eirwen's musical voice. Looking down at my self I realized that the glamour had worn off while I was sleeping. Hoping no one had seen me sleep I quickly replaced the glamour, again disguising myself as an old woman. I went to follow the voices, but the sound of my name caused me to stop and listen.
"They say the Queen Redynvre has gone missing." I heard Bendura mention nonchalantly.
"When did she go missing?" Eirwen asked her voice full of sincere puzzlement.
Bendura paused, as though thoughtful. "Well don't you think it's a little odd that an old woman.." She cut herself off as I stepped into the room.
"Good Morning." she said cheerfully, showing yellow stained teeth. Her yellow skin and pale green eyes looked almost more gruesome in daylight that at night. I nodded politely.
"I must thank you for you sincere hospitality, but I really must be going. I know the way by daylight, I simply lost my way in the darkness." I said quickly, knowing that Bendura might have a glimmer of a suspicion as to who I was. "But here, "I offered the apple on top of my basket to Eirwen. "Take this apple as a token of my gratitude. Eirwen took the apple.
"Oh how lovely!" she exclaimed, a girlish note in her voice. Before Bendura could stop her she took a bite out of the apple. When nothing happened I panicked.
"Anyway, I must be going now." I said quickly. Then without another word I grabbed my basket and hobbled as quickly as I could out of the cottage and into the forest. Quickly I found my way back to the castle. Before stepping on the castle grounds I dropped the glamour, revealing my true form. Then I hurried into the castle, slipping past the worried faces of the maids and guards.
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Eirwen looked puzzled at Bendura who sighed. "It's nothing dear." Accepting Bendura's uneasiness, Eirwen retreated to her room. She barely made it to her room when she was overwhelmed by sudden fatigue. Easing herself onto her mattress she closed her eyes for just a few moments. They didn't open again.
Only a few minutes passed when Bendura felt something was wrong. Quickly she ran into Eirwen's bedroom. Seeing Eirwen's face, her skin as white as snow, Bendura screamed, a hoarse ear piercing call. All the others came running and upon seeing Eirwen they reacted the same way.
Slowly pieces of themselves began to dissolve away. Bendura reached out with a desperate hand to cling to the headboard of Eirwen's still form, but it continued. Soon all that was left of the seven demons was seventy sharp yellow nails scattered across the floor.
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I retired to my room. On the way there a relieved maid stopped and asked me several questions. I told her I had received an urgent call from my family that night, and had only returned this morning, very worn out. Perhaps I did look worn out, because the maid simply nodded and continued on her way, maybe to tell the others of my return.
Sighing with disappointment I let myself plop onto my bed. The mirror, which I had moved to face my bed from the other side of the room suddenly flickered. Faintly I could hear Epona's voice.
"Child, what have you done." Her voice ran in my ears and I was suddenly overcome with guilt. What had I done? I had killed the heir to the throne. I had let money; power and vanity get in my way. How could this have happened. I continued to dwell on my mistakes, and slowly tears made there way down my cheeks. What had I done!
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Lasarina was poking the dying embers when she heard a persistent knock on the door. Puzzled at who would call at such an hour, Lasarina rose to get the door. Upon opening the heavy wooden door she was almost blinded by a radiant light.
"My child." a musical voice said softly "It is time you must finish your destiny." The light faded slightly to reveal a figure garbed in a golden robe. Clear, warm blue eyes shined lovingly on Lasarina, who stepped back to let the figure through.
Almost at once the golden aura disappeared to reveal a honey blonde woman. Around the woman's neck hung a beautiful silver horse charm and Lasarina gasped. This was Epona, goddess of horses!
"M-My destiny?" she stuttered out. Epona smiled gently and Lasarina felt a little more at ease. Epona began speaking in her soft musical voice again.
"As you know, the kingdom has fallen into shambles. Redynvre has focused on her own pastimes, rather than that of the kingdom." Lasarina opened her mouth to protest, but Epona raised up a hand stop her. "Things have progressed unfortuneatly, and what has already happened cannot be redone. However, there is still time to save what is left. And you my dear, are the one who shall do it." Epona paused, waiting for Lasarina's reaction.
"Me?" Lasarina asked incredibly. "Why me?" her voice was full of puzzlement and confusion. Epona smiled again.
"You are the true heir to the kingdom. You see at birth, you were fair haired and golden. It was at your birth Maeve first came into the service of the King. Eirwen is not the daughter of the Queen Riona and King Fionn. She is actually the daughter of Maeve and a rather unpleasant character named Keir. Switched at birth, you were given to the family in which you hold so dear now. But in truth, your family is the royal one."
"I'm the daughter of the former King?" Lasarina asked. Epona nodded, her face serious.
"You must go to the castle immediately. Redynvre has committed an act she now repents. Tell her what I have told you and she shall act accordingly."
Lasarina absorbed these words quietly. Must go the castle. Daughter of the king. Heir to the kingdom. A princess! These and other thoughts echoed in her head. Turning to Epona she nodded, who took that as a signal of her consent. Rising majestically, Epona gracefully moved out of the door and out of sight. Numb with surprise, Lasarina turned her attention to packing her belongings and trying to find a way to break this news to her family.
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sorry if that seems a little lame and expected, but w/e.
Reviewers: Lucky you guys, i am only updating cause i love you so much, but no more updates till i get five reviews on this chapter!
Scoutcraft Piratess: good. i am glad she didn't seem too out of character nasty, which i was afraid of. hope you like chapter too.
Moonlight Enchantments: i don't remember if you find out in this chapter, so sorry if you don't. and remember, i have the chapters all written, i just wait for reviews before i post...so get people to review if you really want to read chapter 17