The sun was soft upon her golden back and Slaine threw back her head and laughed into the breeze. Today she could be carefree, before having to return to bid as her mother, the Queen told her. Queen Siannon was wise beyond her years; some even claimed she had the blood of the goddess within her.
Slaine smiled softly as she thought of Siannon, when Siannon was acting as her mother and not as Queen. She was quick and playful, something few expected from such a studious and devoted queen. Slaine's smiled left her face as she remembered how long ago that had been. Of recent, Siannon had been to busy to be anything but Queen.
Leaning forward against the neck of her mare Niamh, Slaine galloped across the meadow. Beneath the horses hooves small fairies rose from the grasses flying alongside Slaine as she rode back towards the castle, which lay beyond the woods, glimmering on the horizon. The wind tossed back her hair and Slaine smiled wickedly to herself when she felt her hair ribbon pull itself loose from her hair.
Once entering the woods Slaine slowed Niamh, and then dismounted, letting Niamh graze while Slaine dangled her toes in the nearby stream that ran through the forest. Dappled sunlight shimmered through trees and Slaine watched squirrels bicker among themselves in the trees. Life could not be more perfect.
Slaine woke suddenly and found that Daigh the great sun god had nearly carried his chariot completely across the sky. Quickly she rose and whistled for Niamh. Quickly she mounted the mare, cursing herself for falling asleep.
Swiftly Slaine and her mare traveled through the forest, coming out onto the great veranda belonging to the castle. Several servants saw her approach and a groom rushed over to take Niamh from her care. Even knowing her mother would be furious, Slaine refused, instead leading Niamh to the stables herself.
After Niamh was groomed and watered Slaine made her way through the gardens, above which her sleeping chambers could be found. Nimbly she climbed up the ladder which had been put in place and had to swallow a scream when she found her maid Finsha standing besides the balcony, wringing her hands nervously.
"Sorry my lady." Finsha quickly apologized when she recognized her had started Slaine. Slaine nodded in acceptance for her apology and waited, looking at Finsha expectantly.
"Milady, the queen asks for your immediate audience." Finsha said quickly, her words running together slightly. "She said no need to change, milady." She added when Slaine approached her wardrobe. Slaine looked down at her straw and leaf covered tunic and breeches then shrugged.
"Very well," Slaine replied. She left her room and continued down a hallway. It ended at a dramatically carved door, upon which Slaine knocked gently. It swung open to admit her and Slaine walked to where her mother sat, looking out the window.
Queen Siannon turned and looked at Slaine, her eyes serious. For the first time Slaine noticed the wrinkles about her mother's eyes and mouth, wrinkles of worry beyond Siannon's years.
Queen Siannon smiled slightly at her daughter's complete mess of a dress, but then grew serious.
"Sit Slaine, there are things we need to discuss." Slaine sat upon the chair which had been waiting for her, and at Queen Siannon's nod the servants left. Slaine looked at her mother expectantly and quizzically.
Siannon turned her face away from the sun, her eyes full of a hidden sorrow.
"Slaine, you lead a sheltered life. Until now I did not realize the danger in this. Why tell you before you needed to know. Childhood is a precious gift not to be wasted upon learning to be Queen." Slaine nodded, though her mother's words alarmed her slightly. Was her mother sick? Dying?
Siannon seemed to read her daughter's thoughts. "No, I am not ill, have no worry. But there are things that have come about, tales I have wished I could ignore. It is time you learned of these." Siannon stood and walked over to her bookshelf, skimming the books with her hand. She sighed and turned to look at Slaine.
"You education as not been completely ignored, and that is not what I fear." Her voice dropped to almost a whisper and Slaine had to strain to hear. "You know of the legacy left by Serene and the gods and goddesses, and of the Royal Family's role in it all, correct?"
Slaine nodded in agreement, recalling her many history lessons about the creation of the world and of the goddess of darkness swear of revenge.
"Does this have to do with The Darkness?" Slaine asked. None spoke Nox's name aloud when it could be avoided. Many feared just her name would invoke any spells she had set to get her revenge.
Siannon nodded, inwardly pleased with her daughter's cleverness, but knew here was no time for such now.
"There are tales from the mountain, tales speaking of strange magic happening for no reason, and worse, there has been an up rise in violence." Siannon returned to her seat, facing her daughter.
"We need to be prepared for the worst."