Chapter Eleven - In the Chamber of the Ancestors
"Lady Molly, I was hoping to find you here."
Molly looked up from the assortment of dried herbs on the table before her to see Queen Irgraine standing in the entrance of the small room. Molly smiled, she had grown quite fond of the pixie queen.
"Sherlock mentioned that we would soon be traveling again, and I was just trying to replenish my supply of herbs before we left ," Molly explained.
Irgraine nodded pleasantly. "Walk with me, please. I have an errand I must perform and I think you may find it interesting."
Curious, Molly fell in step with the older woman and the two started down a long passageway. They passed several entrances to various caverns which were occupied for differing purposes. One was obviously the kitchens. Cooks and assistants were scurrying about preparing the next meal. The armory, filled with weapons was next. Further along, a large cavern on Molly's left was filled with pixies sitting at slanted tables busily writing with tall feather quills.
"Scribes," the queen said in answer to Molly's surprised look. "We regularly trade with neighboring pixie realms." Molly nodded thoughtfully as she followed the queen down the winding passageway.
On the right, was a library. Walls were covered from floor to ceiling with bookcases filled with large leather bound volumes. Molly had never seen so many books in one place before. Her fingers itched to hold them. What wonders and information they must contain! If she did nothing but read, there were still too many books here for a lifetime.
Finally, after many twists and turns, they came out into a huge open space which contained a large underground lake. Molly gasped in surprise and delight. Overhead, thousands of small twinkling lights fluttered on the ceiling reflecting in the vastness of the water. It stretched as far as Molly could see.
"This is the chamber of the ancestors," Queen Irgraine said reverently. It is here our souls reside after we die, to await the end of time."
The queen opened a small box on a table and began to line up a row of twenty-two strangely shaped candles. Lighting them, seven of the candles burned with an orange flame, while fifteen cast a weak greenish light. The queen watched them burn for several minutes before lightly touching each candle and saying a name. She then passed her hand down the line of candle flames. As her hand touched the flames, the candles extinguished and the tiny flames rose in the air. The lights twirled about, then spiraled upward to attach themselves to the ceiling, blending into the twinkling mass.
"Why are some of the lights green?" Molly asked.
"The green lights are the souls of the women who were kidnapped. Essentially they are dead, but their bodies still breathe. Their lights will remain green until their bodies cease to function. If you watch closely, you can tell when a goblin woman dies, her light changes and glows orange.
The two women sat on some nearby benches and gazed out onto the water.
"It is very beautiful here," Molly whispered after a few minutes. She took in a deep breath. "There is something...a presence. I can almost hear... her voice paused as she strained, trying with all her might to distinguish sound that was just beyond her ability. Molly looked about, but saw nothing but the water and the tiny lights on the cavern ceiling.
"Yes," the queen murmured. "I thought you might be able to perceive them. Not everyone can. They are pleased you are here. It is another confirmation that your soul is pure. If you were pixie, you would be able to converse with them, ask advice, or just seek comfort. What you are experiencing is the essence of all who were."
"It's a little overwhelming," Molly said as tears streaked down her face. "There is so much love and regret and joy and sadness here. And yet, and yet, I feel welcome."
They sat looking out over the water. Molly strained harder, yes, she thought she could hear something...almost.
"Are they singing?" Molly asked.
"Singing?" the queen smiled, "Oh yes Molly, they are singing! This is most astounding." The queen looked into Molly's eyes and said, "listen with your heart Molly, listen"
Once again, Molly strained with all her being. Suddenly, words could be faintly heard, like sounds carrying across the water from far away. It sounded like an angel choir. She understood a word or two, but most were too faint to distinguish.
"They are singing something about a lake, not this one though ," Molly whispered. She listened again, but shook her head in defeat.
The queen grasped her hands. "T'is a marvelous thing that you could hear any words at all Molly Hooper. You are truly a remarkable young woman!"
Molly lowered her eyes from the queen in embarrassment. Irgraine squeezed Molly's hands and began to sing softly, supplying the words Molly could feel, but not quite hear:
Daughter of the waves, we welcome you,
Nimue of the Isle, you are blessed!
Seek comfort in our humble home
As respite from the test.
From far away you have come to us
Giving of your heart so free.
We give advice to aid your quest
Beware, of she who is beauty.
Through trials born from evil plot,
Stand firm and face thy fate.
Offer sacrifice unbound, lest
Protector of Britain be too late.
As Irgraine finished the song, everything became still and quiet. Not even the gently lapping of the water at the lakes edge made a sound. Molly frowned and looked at the pixie queen.
"What does it mean? Who are they singing about?" She asked.
Queen Irgraine smiled, "They are singing to you. It is a prophecy. One that you must interpret Molly."
"But I don't understand a single word of it!" Molly cried. "What can I do?"
"Wait and remember the words my dear. Perhaps when the time is right you will understand their meaning."
Molly shook her head in frustration.
Irgraine looked at Molly. "How much do you remember of your Mother ?"
Molly gazed at the queen in confusion, "My mother? Why do you ask? She died when I was but seven. I remember she was beautiful, and she loved me very much. She had soft hands that could soothe scrapes and bruises. It is from her I have the gift of healing. She was always feeling poorly. It was all my father could do to keep her well enough that she could arise from her bed in the morning."
"And of your father? What of him?"
Molly smiled. Her father was the reason she was the strong person she was today. "He loved me she said. "He was always there for Mother and I. We moved about a bit, but he always made enough working with his hands to put food on our table. He once told me he didn't like making barrels, but he was glad to do it because it mean he was there to take care of Mother when she needed him. After she died, he fell apart for a while, he was always sad after that, but soon rallied and continued to be the best father one could ask for."
"You make them sound so simple. They weren't you know ," Queen Irgraine looked at her solemnly. They were so much more."
"What are you trying to tell me?" Molly asked.
"Listen, Molly Hooper," Irgraine said.
The Queen stretched her right arm out toward the lake. A wind began to blow softly over the water. It picked up speed and soon a small waterspout began to whirl stationary over the lake in front of them. A humming sound filled the air. The queen sat up stiffly, eyes locked on the whirling water. Her gaze took on a slightly glassy look and she began to speak in a low voice, easily heard above the sounds of the wind and water. "Your mother's name was Vivane." She was betrothed to the King of Maratty. There was no love, the King had plans to control her power for himself.
Vivane loved a knight of the Maratty realm. Your father, Sir Walter."
Molly eyes were wide. "How do you know this?" she whispered.
Irgraine ignored Molly's question.
"Your father rescued your mother and after difficulties they fled the evil king. They had a child, and named her Marganah. You, Molly."
Molly stared at the queen in amazement.
"It's just a story," she said. "A story from a book my father made for me as a small child. It isn't real. It's just a story."
"Beware Molly," Irgraine intoned. "The king's son, who is now King of Maratty, is just as evil as his sire. He is casting about, searching for someone of your talents. He has dark plans to take over the Kingdom of Holmes. You must be very careful."
The queen continued to stare into the swirling water. Expressions of fear and great concern flashed across her face. After a few minutes, she closed her eyes and bowed her head. The water spout dissolved and the wind ceased. All was eerily silent in the cavern.
Queen Irgraine slumped a little before straightening up to look worriedly at Molly.
"This is all very real, Molly. You say your father made a book for you. Do you still have it?"
"It is in my basket. Wherever that is ," Molly said.
"Your basket is safe. I shall have it delivered to your room. You must read it again in the light of these revelations, perhaps it will help prepare you for what is to come."
"Prepare for what?" Molly asked urgently. "What else did you see?"
"Dark days ahead," the queen said grimly. "If evil triumphs in its plans, more than the Kingdom of Holmes will be lost. Come, you need to rest and I must find Sherlock, this concerns him as well."
The queen stood and lead Molly back up the passageway.
ɸ
Later, Molly answered a knock at her door and opened it to find a servant holding her basket and clothing. They had been conveniently sized to match Molly's pixie proportions. Molly thanked the servant and hurried back into her room. Setting the basket on the bed beside her, she dug through the contents until she located the small leather bound book. Molly held the book gently. It was her most prized possession. She had always thought it to be a story her father and mother had made up to entertain her. Now, she realized it was a history, written for a child's understanding. It was the story of her family's life. She opened the book and began to read.
The story began of course with the words, Once Upon a Time, it told of the education of a young noblewoman, Molly's mother, at a place called the Isle of Apples. This was a special place, where girls were trained in the magic arts. If they were lucky, they would advance to the level of Nimue, the island's name for rare and powerful sorceresses who's abilities were legendary. The island was situated in the middle of a large shallow lake. Young girls who showed potential for healing powers, divination, or the arts of magic were sent to the Isle from neighboring kingdoms to study with the priestesses who lived there. Vivane had excelled in her studies. As she grew, her strength in the powers grew until she was unmatched. She would be a very powerful Nimue.
Some of the girls would decide to remain after their education to take their place among the teachers and priestesses. Others, like Molly's mother Vivane, would return to their kingdoms to marry. From the time she was twelve, Vivane had been betrothed to the future king of Maratty. At eighteen, her education complete, she was to return to Maratty for the wedding ceremony, and to begin her life as the consort of the prince. Vivane had not been consulted in this matter. She was expected by all, including the priestesses on the Island, to fulfill her duty. The day came when a small group of knights arrived to escort her home to wed the prince. The old king was stepping down and young Ivis of Maratty decided a wedding and coronation was in order.
The story continued revealing how one of the young knights, Sir Walter, had fallen in love with the beautiful Vivane, how she had returned his affections and their daring flight to escape the angry prince. Molly read on into the night. The familiar tale comforting her. She read of traps and plots, of magic crackling in the air. Of how her brave father managed to fight off three foes at once. How her mother, facing the prince who was a powerful wizard in his own right, managed with the help of her father to escape even as the wizard drained the magic from her body. Though Molly read carefully, she found nothing to help her understand her present situation until she came to the last page of the book. Or what used to be the last page. Molly stared in amazement. Yes, here was the ending, "The family lived happily ever after." But now the book continued. What had always been blank pages at the end of the book were now filled with a new chapter. Molly sat up straight. It told of how the young daughter of Vivane and Walter had grown up, matured and decided to go on an adventure. Yes, Molly thought rather sarcastically, being drowned in love potion will certainly do that to a girl!
According to the book, the girl was fated to meet and fall in love with two men. Both of them dark and handsome. Well, Molly thought, that certainly hasn't happened yet. A small voice in her head mocked gently Perhaps not two, but certainly one dark and handsome man was nearby. Molly irritably pushed the thought aside and read on. Of the two men, one would profess his love, while the other would remain silent. One of the men would be her true love, the other would betray her love and seek to destroy her.
Molly hurriedly turned the page for an answer to who these mysterious men might page was blank. She ruffled the rest of the pages at the end of the book only to find them blank as well. She turned back to the beginning of the new chapter and read it again. She studied each word, trying to decipher clues from what was written. She found no answer, nothing, Once again she turned to where the story stopped expecting to find the next page blank. This time a single sentence faintly appeared: The fate of the kingdom, nay, the fate of all kingdoms, rests within the hands of the Nimue, Marganah.
There was that word again. Nimue. It had been in the prophecy. For the first time in a long time Molly was afraid.
ɸ
Sherlock, dressed in the clothing he had arrived in, stood in front of the small shaving mirror and scowled at his reflection. There were dark circles under his eyes. He hadn't slept since Queen Irgraine had spoken with him and Elder Eldrin two days ago. According to her visions, a great calamity was about to fall on the Kingdom of Holmes. Sherlock knew he was needed at home. Sooran would need his help. Even Mycroft, his brother, might require his services. Though he didn't normally get along with the King about most things, this was a very serious matter and petty squabbles must be put aside. It was past time to leave Lilligrotto.
His first thought was to leave Molly Hooper behind. The woman was trouble, that was for sure. He was almost sure she was a Nimue. He shuddered. He did not need her sort about threatening his powers. He was familiar with the stories passed down his line; how Nimues would appear all goodness and light, how they could worm their way close to your heart, then when least expected, they would suck the very life from your body as well as your source of power, leaving you a dry husk of a man.
No, he did not need Molly Hooper. Already he could feel her influence over him. Her appearance of innocence felt so real. He wanted desperately to believe she had no ulterior motives. He admired her strength and boldness. Her beauty was astounding. Her smell intoxicated his senses until he could think of nothing else. He was sorely tempted.
But he knew she was more than she pretended. He had felt her draw the night of the party. The actual ties between them had been forming! If he hadn't jumped back, if the goblins hadn't chosen that moment to attack, it might be too late right now! The last thing he needed was to be caught in a blending bond with a Nimue! Long ago, one of his ancestors, a powerful sorcerer named Emrys had been tricked by a Nimue. The woman had drained his powers, buried him alive in a cave and proceeded to take over his job as court advisor to the King! So much for trusting a woman of power.
Not all blending bonds were evil. If the woman was pure in heart, the bond would strengthen both parties Their blending would permit them to share the increased power, double of what each could wield alone. But such bonds were rare. Usually, the sorcerer in the bond was forced to give his power to the Nimue. The problem was that you could not tell ahead of time if the Nimue was tricking you, seducing you to obtain increased power for herself.
The dark part of him whispered that he should attack first and grasp the power away from her for his own use. After all, that was what she was planning to do to him wasn't it? He shuddered and forced the thought out of his mind. Forcefully taking power from another was little different than rape. He would have no part in it.
Sherlock pulled on his coat, tied the scarf about his long neck and picked up his sorcerer's bag. He might not want her along, but he acknowledged that her skills with herbs and healing would be necessary if Holmes was about to go to war. Pushing his personal preferences aside, he headed up the passage toward the main cave. As long as she kept her distance, he could handle the situation.
Arriving in the main cavern, he joined the Queen, Eldrin and the small group who were to travel with him. Pylar, Aacrum and Twiggy were outfitted and ready to go. The pixies had agreed to provide escort to the boundaries of their territory to ensure safe passage. Sherlock turned and watched as Molly Hooper joined the party. He pushed aside the thought that she looked oddly endearing in her travel clothes once more. Her blanket draped about her shoulders was dragging on the stone floor. He ignored the small twinge of his body reacting to her presence. He was a practical man. She was needed, so she was coming along. End of the matter.
Queen Irgraine led the group up the passageways to the grassy meadow outside the entrance to Lilligroto, where she and Elder Eldrin made their good byes. Pausing beside each, they spoke softly, encouraging them and reminding them of the importance of their journey. Sherlock waited impatiently as he watched the Queen give Molly and fond hug. Pixie farewells were a long and rather convoluted process. He feared they would never finish. Finally it was his turn.
"Don't look so solemn." the Queen said as she patted his arm. "All is not lost yet. You have a good friend in young Molly you know."
Sherlock frowned, "She's not whom she seems. She's hiding something." he said with a grim tone.
Irgraine laughed. "I'm sure it is nothing. She is a woman. We all hide things. If we shared everything we know, it would curl the hair on your head!" She chuckled softly gazing fondly at his wavy locks. "Though in your case, I'm not sure you would notice!"
"You seem so sure she is harmless, but it is I who would pay the price if she is not." he said in a bitter tone. "It is much better to keep her at arms length and be safe."
"It is your decision," Irgraine agreed. "But are you sure safe is so important? Have care Sherlock of Holmes that you do not harm yourself in your efforts to keep yourself from harm."
The queen stepped back and Eldrin came over bringing Molly with him.
"It is time to return you two to your normal size," the mage announced. He carefully positioned Sherlock and Molly so they were standing side by side. He reached into his black bag which hung from one shoulder and blew a sparkling green dust in front of their faces while he waved a small wand. With two small popping sounds Sherlock and Molly suddenly found themselves towering over the pixie wizard.
Eldrin looked up with a quizzical look on his face. "I have often wondered why anyone would wish to stumble about at such an awkward size. It must be horrible."
Molly smiled down at the diminutive man. "It is as it is supposed to be Elder," she said. "For us, anything else would seem strange, though I have enjoyed our stay with you."
The old wizard shuffled his feet a little in embarrassment. Compliments made pixies rather uncomfortable.
"There doesn't seem to be much fuss with our clothing this time," Sherlock drawled. "If you were able to change the size of our clothing, I fail to see the point of the dramatic way we were transformed when we arrived." He stared down suspiciously
"Of course I could have shrunk your clothing!" Eldrin laughed. "Though you will have to admit, the way I did it was much more interesting!"
Molly blushed. Sherlock laughed. "Very true old friend, very true," he said.
Finally they were ready to leave. Pylar, Aacrum and Twiggy sat astride the beautiful red hind once more. Molly was sure it was the same animal that she had healed. There was a trusting light in the animal's eyes as it nudged her in greeting. Picking up their staffs and bundles Sherlock and Molly headed off into the Deep with a final round of farewells echoing through the forest behind them.