A little later that same night...
The Queen and Her Nighttime Visitor.
It was not long after reaching their bed and settling to a close-if-loose embrace that the Queen rose and stumbled to the lavatory, stomach and bladder both demanding some measure of relief. Were she of slightly sounder, or at least less drowsy in mind and senses, Marlena might well of demanded her husband carry her there; her sense of balance and direction perilously uncertain at that moment. The thought of ensuring her equally-suffering husband join her in these new agonies would only occur to her as an afterthought upon finishing her ablutions.
As it was, she managed to stagger to the correct commode, see to her business there, then totter unsteadily to sinks. It took several seconds of rooting about among the bottles that lined the shelf beside her side's mirror to find the antacids. She dry-swallowed four of the dirt-flavored capsules, leaning over the sink as she waited for the nauseating burn in her chest to calm.
No sooner did her chest cool and the throbbing in her temples quiet than a sharp 'clack' directly behind her. Eyes shooting up to the mirror, Marlena beheld a strange figure seated upon the commode behind her to the right. The figure was covered with a tattered-looking shroud that obscured all features and ran from crown to ankles. A lean but muscular right arm grasped an tall instrument that was equal parts Signator's banner – the colors that hung from it top and wrapped about its shaft being an indistinct mix of bright beige, slate gray, and splash of green – and a simple walking stick, and there were an assortment of bracelets visible about their left ankle that would jingled ever so softly with each breath.
Other than these few features, the shrouded one was stiff and silent as a statue of ageless marble. Both that stiffness and silence proved short-lived, as the figure's whole form shook slightly and an amused snicker was heard from within. "So...this is why Father and Mother both would often favor Marr with so whistful a smile at sight of her." A snort. "To think, both the elder and younger twins suspected it a snub of me directly. Fools!"
"Neh...Neh...Nyssa?"
That name, that impossible name slipped from Marlena's lips before her brain caught up. The shrouded form inclined its covered head ever so slightly. "Ha...how...?" was all Marlena could squeeze out, straighting so she could turn and...
"Remain still!" was the hissed command, its authority so utter and absolute Marlena found herself gripping the sides of sink so to obey. "Mother and Father both drift in memories this moment," the shrouded one stated. "Thus I am afforded this small window with which to address you."
"What..."
"We have but a breath's worth of moments here, Grandmother. Pray, do not waste them with meaningless questions!"
Words of apology formed instinctively upon Marlena's tongue at the sharp, nay, commanding tone; it was a perfect echo of her Grandmamma Glenn, whose sweet and affable exterior concealed the domineering and ill-tempered hag who never failed to put Marlena's back up. Just the vaguest memory of the old woman's voice was all that was needed to drive Marlena past any fatigue or uncertainty that might otherwise have impeded her.
Thus the Queen of Eternia gave herself a hard shake and narrowed her eyes upon the figure behind her. "Show me your face, girl."
The head beneath the shroud crooked sharply, clearly surprised at the command. But there was no hesitation as her left arm emerged from beneath that same shroud and carefully lifted it over to uncover her head. The face beneath was the perfect blend of her parents, stunning and wise in contenance and gaze through her mother's blue eyes, while her strong jawline was set in that way that her father had mastered in his long-ago youth.
Yet equally there were features that marked her as unique to the same: her ink-black hair, thick and mop cut to stop just above her eyes, ressembled neither of her forebears. Neither did the cheekbones that were sharply defined and gave her almost a hawk's visage. More, there was an indeciperable pattern of dark blue tattoos that covered the right side of her face, with similar patterns visible on her left arm; the sigils and characters so intricate Marlena concluded them as some manner of badge or rank.
"Nearly correct, Grandmother," Nyssa stated with a particular cool, knowing tone. She held up her left arm and added "This is the tale of my life, my ranks and...well, all that I am." A small but smug smile curved her full lips. "Thus my authority and word would never be questioned." The smile vanished and her lips were set. "Just as it must not be questioned now."
"Wha...?" Marlena sought to ask, only to have the breath stolen from her lungs at the sight of Nyssa raising to stand at her full height. That damnable shroud she wore thwarted any sight of her beyond head, arms and feet, but it could do nothing to conceal how she literally towered over all things and persons. She was surely as tall as Adam when he appeared as He-Man. Pride nevertheless prompted Marlena to begin to turn that she might she might at least try to meet her granddaughter on some equal level.
No sooner had the thought come to her than Nyssa hissed "I said remain still, else all we risk now will be for nought." Again, the absolute authority in the voice held sway, leaving Marlena to make do with her peripheral view of the shrouded one.
"What risk?" Marlena questioned, knowing instinctively that was the question that was sought.
"A risk that is both prophecy...and warning."
"Those are usually one in the same," Marlena stated, which appeared to bring Nyssa up short.
"Perhaps Marr was your incarnate and not merely your twin," the tall one mused. "Only she would voice the obvious as such a challenge." Marlena felt more than saw the smirk-of-a-smile her granddaughter favored her with, knowing it was surely so a rare occurrence as to be a priceless gift.
And, like all gifts, it was fleeting and gone in an instant. "The time is nearly upon us, Marlena Glenn," Nyssa stated flatly, clearly communicating she was deadly earnest.
"What time?" was Marlena's soft reply.
"The time when the secret, one that is providence of you and your fellows alone, will be brought forth."
"What sec..." Marlena tried to ask, only to be sushed by the impossible figure who now stood beside her. The same one who, casually as you pleased, began running the water in the sink the Queen leaned over.
"The secret that is a single name," was the tall one's cool reply. "A name that has not been allowed to touch the air in so long it might as well be legend rather than flesh."
"Who...?" Marlena tried again, but was cut off as Nyssa bent close, her lips nearly brushing her ear.
The name was spoken, and it left Marlena's heart, breath, blood, and mind frozen in the shock of the hearing of that word...that name...
As if from a distance beyond comprehension, Nyssa's voice said "Time to wake up now, Grandmother. Know that we watch you, and are proud to be yours." A hand – one strong and sure in intent, yet lean and gentle in touch – shot up and pressed Marlena's face forward, holding her facedown in the rapidly pooling water there.
"Safe journey to you and our Grandfathers, until we meet beyond the veil.,,"
Barely an instant after her face was plunged into the ice-cold water, Marlena pulled herself free of both the hand and water, standing to turn and confront her tormentor...who was now nowhere in evidence. Marlena opened her mouth to call out, and as quickly closed it, soul-certain it would be pointless. Her breathing and heart slowed, and it was all Marlena could do to but stumble out of the bathroom and back to bed, instinctively spooning against the solid and real form of her husband. That reassuring grip restored, Marlena's thoughts and mind quickly slowed and, ultimately, stilled as sleep overcame her.
Dawn and the Maid of that day would find them still in that secure embrace, and both would wisely leave them be for a longer time still as if an authority greater than the Prince's (although he'd issued such an order by note the previous night) kept them away. Just as well, for the next days would be...busy.
So much so, neither Sovereigns nor their Maids took notice of the strange, staff-like object with a curiously-colored wrapping around it that took up residence in a corner of the bedroom where shadows persisted through the day and night.
Bragging rights to anyone who can figure out where I got the imagery for Marlena's visitor. I'd offer cash, but I doubt anyone's interested in that.