A/N: Bolded speech is Xapferey in his Dragon form or speaking Draconic.
Chapter 10: An eternal union
The Dragon and Elf walked through into the Forest of no Return, the Dragon more at ease in the forest now that he was now supposedly immortal. The Dragon the noticed a flock of little glowing spirits flowed around him, the tiny yellow spirits giggled and flew off again.
"What were those?" Xapferey asked slightly perplexed by spirits he had not seen the last time he was here. Deedlit's smile grew wider and her eyes practically glowed with joy at the news.
"Those were the time spirits of the outer forest and they can only be seen by immortal beings like Elves or Dragons."
"Ah, so we're heading to the inner forest obviously, will this form do or should I change back?"
"Your Dragon form, or true form whatever you wish to call it. We are going to be honest and you can demonstrate your power to take alternate form. "
"As you wish Deedlit," Xapferey said as he followed his love despite the fact he towered over her by 7 feet. Deedlit looked up before she shook her head and shared a commiserating look with Abathur.
"Just watch your head Xapferey."
"I should be fine, the bloodrite altered my mind so that I can understand how to move all my body properly including muscles I never had before," the Dragon said as he swished his tail to emphasize his point.
"You never told me what it was like under the bloodrite."
"And I never will if I can help it," the Dragon replied his tone hard to close the subject while Deedlit turned to look at him in surprise at his tone and response. "It was not a pleasant experience, and I will leave it at that my love."
Deedlit sighed and nodded at the gold Dragon as they continued on their way through the forest. Soon the forest changed as the two passed from empty forest pathways into a sprawling city. Many Elves stopped to stare at the pair as they walked forwards. Xapferey's ears could hear the Elves speaking in their language and the tones seemed positive even if he couldn't understand the words. Deedlit smiled at Xapferey reassuringly as they continued onwards toward a very elegant palace built into a large tree.
'Here we go… trust in yourself, trust Deedit. I must not fear, fear is the mind killer,' Xapferey thought to himself as he brought his emotions behind his mental shields and controlled them.
"We'll be fine, my parents have respected many of my decisions, and their only concern would likely have been if you were mortal. But since that is no longer an issue, and the time spirits accepted you both times you entered the forest."
"Well that removes some of my worries then."
"Worrywart," she teased causing the Dragon to grumble a little under his breath. Deedlit then smiled at her parents as they looked at the two, and the four moved to greet each other. Xapferey bowed his head in a respectful motion, as his current form didn't allow him to bow easily. "Mother, father this is Xapferey."
"Your Highnesses."
"You are a plainswalker," Deedlit's father said simply, though Xapferey knew he should not be surprised considering he knew that Deedlit's parents were at least 7,000.
"Yes I am, would that be a problem?" Xapferey asked.
"No, I was confirming a suspicion, the forest has told me of your coming, twice in fact, the spirits are pleased by you young Dragon, but come tell us the reason you are here with my daughter."
"We are here to seek your approval, as I wish to marry Deedlit."
"An answer I was somewhat expecting, I do assume being a plainswalker you are a different type of Dragon, one that can control its form."
"Yes I can, truthfully I was human once but I made the change, bringing back old bloodlines to the forefront being the last of my family. I did this to be with your daughter if you would allow me the honor and privilege of calling her my wife."
"Show us please," Deedlit's mother requested. Deedlit gave a slight nod to Xapferey reassuring him more before he transformed and his old form returned, though he kept his eyes gold to show his changed heritage.
"No spells, just an innate power, interesting, what color were the spirits as you entered the forest for the second time?" Deedlit's mother asked Xapferey.
"They were yellow milady."
"Well that is one thing she need not worry about, come, dine with us tonight and we shall discuss more. Though that is an interesting creature beside you, what is it?"
"Abathur is a Zergling, a smaller subtype of the Zerg race, I summoned one to be my familiar and he has served very nicely," Abathur purred slightly and slowly approached the queen for her to get a better look at him.
"A fierce creature to be sure and a wise choice for a companion on the battlefield," Deedlit's father praised lightly. "Come," Xapferey was led to a guest room in the palace by a servant. Once in privacy he changed into his dignified outfit that he had worn for the ball in Valis before and began feeding the Zergling and preparing himself mentally for a point in Lodoss that he had little prior knowledge of. The same servant came and guided him to the private dining hall four hours later.
Xapferey was seated across from Deedlit's parents with her beside her. Deedlit was dressed in another clean dress similar to the one she normally wore under her armor, Deedlit nodded slightly to herself, she realized that Xapferey wanted to impress her parents by showing that he was well off and able to provide for her.
"Xapferey, our daughter has told us much about you and has eased many of our reservations, but my people would be somewhat concerned by your choice to begin a new realm… nearness of humans to the borders would put some ill at ease."
"I can understand the reservations your Highness," Xapferey said to Deedlit's father "but I am considering what is to be best for the people I will be ruling over, both humans and through Deedlit, the Elves. I understand as immortals such leadership would not come lightly. Nor would I seek to rule the Elves if it meant costing Deedlit both of you. I know the pain of losing parents very well and I hope it is a pain I can spare her for the future. If Deedlit wished, we would lead either a simple life or a life of finery, my runecrafting skills are highly sought after and many realms would pay well to retain my services. If Deedlit wished it of me I would give her the world your Highnesses."
"Well said, I must admit that hearing of your… progressive attitudes did surprise me, it also pleases me to hear," he paused to think for a moment as they ate in silence. "Normally we would insist on a longer courtship as a courtship of nearly a year is considered unusually fast in Elven terms. But I can see the trust and love in Deedlit's eyes and I have been appraised on your own situation for your new realm."
Deedlit's father paused to stare at his wife and she nodded.
"Yes, Xapferey, you are an excellent choice for Deedlit, the spirits and forest approve of you to be one of us; and so do we, you may marry Deedlit after your circlet is complete and so you will rule when we decide to step down."
Xapferey was not a man easily shocked but the ease and acceptance had thrown him off and could not hide all of it.
"Come now Xapferey, my parents are extremely powerful shamans and they listen to the flows of the spirits and the forest is hard to impress."
"I thank you your Highnesses for these monumental gifts you have given. I do respect Elven traditions, and I would request that you allow me my traditions as well, I was born a human, and so I would retain some of their traditions as well. It would be a great honor if Deedlit were to wear my mother's engagement and wedding rings."
"You are uniting the Human and Elf worlds, it is a fine tradition to keep."
"Then I would do this properly," Xapferey went down on one knee in front of Deedlit. "Deedlit, since you came into my life, you have shown me what love is again. You bring light to my world my love… Will you do me the greatest honor and be my wife?"
"Yes Xapferey," Deedlit said with a wide smile as she let him put the beautiful platinum band tipped by a modest emerald and gave him a hug. Deedlit's parents were looking on with wide smiles as the king gestured to Xapferey.
"Come walk with me Xapferey we shall leave them to their plans."
"As you wish," Xapferey said simply and respectfully as his sharp eye picked up a few guards following at a distance where they could quickly respond but remain out of earshot for Elves.
"I can guess what you are thinking… that we, a race that outlives humans by millennia are moving faster than normal. This is correct; normally courtships between immortals are far longer than humans. We do have the time after all."
"Indeed, we do have that advantage over them."
"Now it does not mean that we are better than them, there are Elves who allow such arrogance to blind them, but after so long I do believe that I have acquired some wisdom over my long life. But consider this young Xapferey, would Deedlit have allowed you into our home if you were a darker man?" Seeing what the king was getting at, Xapferey shook his head.
"No I think she would have either tried to escape or kill me if I were such a threat."
"Indeed, and the forest would have acted before now. We Elves are very much in tune with the spirits and the Forest beyond, and despite that sad event during your first crossing… I did not know what it was you saw then, but I could sense the powerful emotions it unveiled in you. I can assure you, that if it were Deedlit and you alone in that crossing, the forest would have had a much gentler and soothing reaction to you."
"That does help you majesty, forgive me for not quite entirely understanding the speed of your permission to marry Deedlit."
"Xapferey, Deedlit did inform us of what she saw of your world and you are sill relatively new to magic despite your rapid learning. I can understand your slight reticence over understanding. Allow me to clarify further. As before, we Elves are so connected to the world around us, we are sensitive to the reactions of the spirits especially those of our homeland and of the forest itself. For a then and now once human to earn its and the approval of the spirits is unheard of. Your aura is so different to Lodoss that they can sense a powerful change. Change you will bring to us and I consider myself a good reader of people… my age and experience with others does aid in that as you can imagine." Xapferey hummed and nodded in agreement. "Now then I can sense you have secrets, but they are not harmful to us now."
"In a way your Highness."
"If you wish to tell me?"
"I'm hesitant because it might bring change that I am not prepared for."
"I'm certain that things have changed far already."
"Between us in confidence then?"
"Yes, though why not Deedlit?"
"Because I feel such knowledge would scare her… I do intend to tell her, but for her, knowing how close events came to total destruction of all…" Xapferey trailed off.
"Kardis then?" The king asked with raised eyebrows at the young Dragon.
"That obvious?" The king nodded in response. "The Marmo sorcerer Wagnard would have sought to use Deedlit as a sacrifice to raise her once more."
The king drew breath in shock as he stopped.
"Is she still in danger?"
"I believe not, Kardis required a specific time and place for the ritual… With Wagnard recovering from near lethal magical wounds inflicted by Abathur and the curse that causes him to suffer excruciating soul rendering pain every time he attempts magic, the time for the ritual will have come and passed. These times are usually rare and highly specific, such an attempt would occur either once or once ever 1000 years, or have some sort of ridiculous conditions. "
"Such as?" The king asked in a wryly amused tone.
"The birth of the 9th female child to a mother whose father was born under a Dragon during the 9th day of the 12th month of the year during the sign of the snake and a birthmark of a hammer… like I said, ridiculous conditions." Xapferey said in a tone that clearly mocked prophesies. The king chuckled with Xapferey at the absurdity
"That would be indeed a sight to see if all such conditions were met," the king said agreeing at the unlikely scenario.
"I was not being serious with those conditions," Xapferey said in a wryly amused tone. "I honestly have no idea on the matter. The subject of prophesies and self-fulfilling ones I rate at a slightly lower headache than the subject of time travel and timelines… But, you can guess at my … foreknowledge, and there were two plotlines, one seemed like a rewrite after a certain point if you will. But life finds a way, and since I have averted the first… crisis, the second will be harder because of my changes and the fact that direct intervention may not be entirely wise due to diplomatic matters."
"Indeed not, but you have plans to stop it."
"Yes, by any means necessary."
"I would agree with your assessment on such matters."
The two finished their walk and allowed Xapferey and Deedlit to share a walk of their own. Though the two were escorted by tradition, though the escort hung back as well to offer them some privacy.
"That was easier than I expected, far easier," Xapferey commented.
"You were yourself Xapferey, you are a good man, and the fact that you went through the bloodrite for me speaks wonders. You underwent such a radical change, risking your own life in the process… don't lie, I know enough of your magic to know that you could have killed yourself if you weren't strong enough."
"I won't lie, but it was a damned if I do, damned if I don't situation."
"Well I do not know if I should thank or rip Ashram apart," Deedlit growled.
"Why not both?" Xapferey suggested with a teasing grin. "Although that was much more bloodthirsty than I was expecting of you my dear."
Deedlit shrugged. "That may be so, but if someone threatens the person that I love… well then they will find this Elf a foe that is surprisingly 'bloodthirsty'. I see it as defending the one I love will all my might as I'm sure you can agree."
"Indeed my love, indeed."
The two broke apart for the day while the royal jeweler approached Xapferey. It was tradition for male Elves or the few male non-Elf citizens that had been allowed to join their society to use their birthstone for their circlet gem. An aquamarine gemstone was placed in the circlet. The headband for the male circlets were somewhat thicker than those of the females giving the gem a slightly more masculine look, though tradition of the High Elves had them swapping circlets did negate that to an extent.
Xapferey watched the process and began mentally filing everything he learned. Gems were used to help power and anchor magical wards, so learning how to craft and cut gems would help with that. Something he would have to speak to Ghim about on his return provided the Dwarf joined them. Xapferey had spent his time watching Elves move about in their lives being the youngest, and him knowing about it; Xapferey was unsurprised when he didn't see any Elves younger than his betrothed.
Finally, Xapferey was led to the altar for the wedding ceremony. As he waited, Deedlit's father came to him with his circlet as the disguised Dragon put it on his forehead .
"I realize that it is early, but in time I will hope you see me as a father figure Xapferey, and some day call me father as we are family now. Till then in private, you may call my wife and me by name, my name is Camtheas. Her name is Elanati, she and I agreed on this so you need not worry, something Deedlit told me is that you do fret frequently."
"I suppose I do," Xapferey said with a wry grin.
"I can understand your hesitance over accepting new parental figures, being a human adult as you were… and considering the tragic loss of your own, but I want you to smile my son. Today is a new day, a day to be merry and share in the joys of a new life."
"I agree, you know I sought no title with my actions, only Deedlit's love."
"Those best suited for power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well." (1)
"Small wonder why I despised politics in my old lands," Xapferey said as he locked the painful memories behind double layered mental shields as he focused on his approaching wife to be and her mother Elanati as he stood with Camtheas,
Deedlit's eyes lit up when she saw Xapferey at the alter, the Elf princess wished she could move faster to join her lover but the elegant dress prevented quick movements. In Xapferey's eyes, Deedlit looked so stunning, her beauty seemed more radiant to the young Dragon as she joined him at the alter.
The Elf Priest then began the ceremony using a mixture of Elf and some human traditions as he had some contact with humans and their traditions many millennia ago (2). The Priest picked up the two rings and spoke to the couple "Life is a never-ending circle. Is it not fitting that a circle shall serve as a symbol of a life lived in never-ending love?" The Priest then gestured slightly, "As you place this ring upon the finger of your chosen love speak the words that shall bind you to each other mind, body, and soul in the Unity of the Life bond." The priest was referring to the empathic bond shared by Elf kind Xapferey guessed, he knew enough about Elves of Lodoss to understand that much. Deedlit then per tradition placed first her Elven circlet on Xapferey's forehead, and then she put his ring on his finger and began her vows to him.
"I, Deedlit, take thee, Xapferey, to my hand, heart, and my spirit, at the setting of the sun, and the rising of the stars. Nor shall death part us, for in the fullness of time, we shall be born again, at the same time, and in the same place as each other, and we shall meet and know and remember and love again." (2)
"Deedlit my love. I promise to honor you in every way, mind body and soul we shall share. From this life to the next I will cherish and love you. I promise to be kind, honest, patient and forgiving with you my dear soul. I will be your partner and equal in all things, from children to whatever your heart desires. "
The priest nodded and he began the final blessings (2) "As the grass of the fields and the trees of the woods bend together under the pressures of the storm, so too must you both bend when the wind blows strong. But know that as quickly as the storm comes, so equally quickly may it leave. Yet as you both stand strong in each other's strength, so shall you receive strength. Together you are one; apart you are nothing. Know that no two people can be exactly alike. No more can any two people fit together, perfect in every way. There will be times when it will be hard to give and to love, but then see your reflection as in a woodland pool, when the image you see looks sad and angered, then it is time for you to smile and to love, for it is not fire that puts out fire. In return will the image in the pool smile and love. So change your anger for love, and tears for joy, it is no weakness to admit a wrong; more it is strength and a sight for learning. Let the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and these our brothers and sisters bear witness that Xapferey and Deedlit, have been joined together in the sight of the Elements and spirits of the Forest. And may they bless them, as we do ourselves, and so shall the two be conjoined as one mind, one heart, and one soul together in peace and love through the union of Life Bond now and forever." (2)
Xapferey then began his part towards the bond as he kissed his wife with her joining a moment later, Deedlit's parents smiled widely at the two and Xapferey joined the family at a feast to celebrate his marriage to Deedlit.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur for the young Dragon, as dancing with Deedlit, the feast and celebrations mixed together in his mind. It was only after when he and Deedlit were about to enter her chambers together that he realized that the evening was over and the night beginning.
Two days later
"Come to me young Xapferey, bring your wife. Come and meet me and receive my last gifts to you."
The pull dragged at both Deedlit and Xapferey as the two gathered their clothes to obey the commands of the mysterious benefactor.
A/N:
(1) Quote from Deathly Hallows, I would say it's in the realm of fair usage and the perfect advice an Elf of 7000+ years to give… but still marking it out for those who might recognize it without the mention and complain.
(2) Semi and full quotes and paraphrasing from angelfire rpg2 / vortexshadow/ ritual . html about High Elf rituals… I'm good but I'm not THAT good and I do need some help in the matter, and secondly school has started again and time is short once more… hence quoting in this case, but I acknowledge the original yet altered source.
Ok, lots of quotes I know, but quite frankly I wanted to get this chapter done and not dither for another two months because I can't bloody think of anything... this chapter aside from any changes my beta may make, is as good as its going to get.
