I hope you all have been enjoying this fanfiction so far! This chapter is far longer than the ones that came before, but I'm pretty sure people don't mind.
Fortissax watched the funeral progression as it crossed into Caelid. Such strange rituals of humans. They place bodies into the ground in a ceremony of weeping and wailing so that they might be pulled back into the roots of the Erdtree. But this is what Marika's age demanded since that very day she planted and grew the Erdtree from the destroyed and decaying stump of the Great Tree.
It was when Fortissax spotted Radahn among their numbers that he grew curious. The dragon hadn't heard about any great heroes or champions passing away recently that would warrant this level of honor. Surely, the other demigods would attend if that was the case.
"A bit unusual indeed," said Kristoff.
"I'll follow it. You and your companion ought to say something to Godwyn," said Fortissax.
"Of course. Leave me to that," said Kristoff.
Godwyn sat on his throne with his hand under his chin and in a deep state of meditation. The stay in Limgrave was longer than he anticipated. Still, his sermons and prayers caused the people to desire and demand more of his time and attention.
He resented it.
That dream lay at the forefront of his mind. The one where he found himself outside a cave which he would enter. Only, he wasn't himself, but he was his father, Godfrey. And he would come upon the woman who lay naked upon her black cloak before him, inviting Godwyn to embrace her beauty. He would go to her and allow the cold hands of the one who was now both his mother and his lover to caress him. He would spill his seed in her until she had conceived him.
The only one who knew was the Finger Reading Crone, who had nursed him since infancy. She interpreted the dream as a coming of the new age and one that spun Death into Order. One in which he was reborn as a great rune that would bond to the Elden Ring contained within his mother, the queen, and thus, birth him anew as prince of this new age.
Oh! The power! One where he could rise above his father, not subservient to his queen, but lord over her. And yet, it terrified him at the same time. A thing he both wanted and didn't desire.
"My Prince?"
"Huh?" said Godwyn.
Godwyn's advisor and good friend, Kenneth Haight, showed Kristoff in.
Kenneth was a blond-haired man who often gave the impression that he was nothing more than an arrogant noble. The truth was that Kenneth came across as though he knew more than others because he usually did. Kenneth's knowledge of the various wants and desires of the lesser nobles and neither shared nor had patience for them. If a man showed no aptitude for rule, he wasn't afraid to say so, as station meant nothing to him. He believed that nobles served the people, not the other way around.
Queen Marika once offered Kenneth an estate under the canopy of the Erdtree to which he declined, stating that he preferred to remain out of the sight of and underestimated by his political opponents. Queen Marika, impressed with his answer but annoyed he declined her gift, was said to offer him a dilapidated shack out by the seashore next. That must have been too much overcompensation for Kenneth because the two eventually settled on a humble fortress beyond the forest.
"Kristoff? I thought you were in Leyndell," said Godwyn.
"There was a call for a communion," said Kristoff. "We're here for that."
"Well, have a seat! Please. We'll get some wine," said Godwyn.
"Are you okay?"
"Quite. I'm merely concerned," said Godwyn. "Many people, even common people, are concerned about Mother's apparent loss of power. They question whether the Erdtree had become too large to sustain itself. So, I'm here to assure them otherwise."
Kristoff nodded, "People's faith can be fickle."
"It's made worse when they interpret my engagement to a Carian Princess, and the hasty conception and birth of my Empyrean siblings is a sign that end is nearer than it is far," said Godwyn.
"Maybe it is," said Kristoff.
"I hope not, but Ranni has a point when she says we ought to face the reality that we cannot hold onto this age forever."
"I thought your fiancee's age was meant as a continuation of the Golden Order," said the woman who had accompanied Kristoff.
"Oh, I beg your pardon, my prince. How rude of me not to introduce my companion."
"It's well. I apologize for getting so deep in my thoughts I forgot to see how many guests we have. And may I ask the fair lady's name?"
"Tiche. And Tiche, may I introduce you to Prince Godwyn the Golden, though he doesn't need such introductions," said Kristoff.
"A pleasure," said Tiche.
"And where are you from?" Godwyn asked, taking note of her accent, long raven black hair, and green eyes that were never touched by Marika's grace.
She responded with a shy smile,
"Don't worry. My mother is a tree. More literally than people often care to think," said Godwyn.
"My mother is from outside these Lands. A Numan," replied Tiche.
"Ah, we have something in common. And your father?"
"That's complicated."
"Fair enough," said Godwyn. He kissed her hand. "Good luck with your trials. And remember that Lansseax is most fond of the disciples who give her the hardest time. Anyway, what brings the two of you here? I'm sure it's not just to chit-chat about cycling ages."
"Fortissax spotted a funeral progression entering into Caelid. It was headed by your stepbrother Radahn."
"Interesting. I wonder why I wasn't invited," said Godwyn.
"Or any of your family, for that matter," Tiche added.
"Well, Radahn has a romance for the older ways of things. Where funerals were something of an intimate space to honor the dead. He often despises how the Leyndell peacocks use them to flaunt their feathers," said Godwyn. "Still, someone ought to tell him how things are here, whether he likes them or not, before he offends the wrong person. You wish to join me?"
"No, thank y-"
"Actually, I wouldn't mind meeting the Great Red Lion. It would be an honor," said Tiche.
"Then it's settled. Let's get to the stables, and we'll find a set of horses," said Godwyn.
"Fine," said Kristoff. As the two left, he said, "Just don't fall for his charms."
Tiche looked back with a smile and winked.
The matter wasn't urgent, and they needn't rush. In fact, Godwyn wished that they reach Caelid after the Erdtree burial to avoid offending the sanctity of such rituals. So he spent some time showing Tiche the horses he bred and trained for his hobby, from the stout mounts used by the Night's Calvary to the more docile ones used by the caravan merchants who came through the Lands-Between. He had a reputation for giving them away if a merchant lost his mount for one reason or another, which earned him great respect.
The most prized of his herd was a young silver-speckled mare he intended to give Ranni as a wedding present.
"She's beautiful," remarked Tiche as she ran her hand over the horse's coat.
"Why don't you give her a try? She could use a little exercise," said Godwyn, and he called for his manservant to bring him reigns and saddles.
"In the old days of the Lands-Between, the mount of royalty was described as a small horned equine that could be summoned by a gold whistle," Godwyn continued. "Only those with the title of Queen or Lord were permitted to ride them. It was even said that the steed choosing you was seen as proof that you were indeed worthy of the title."
"From what I understand, that could extend to would-be Lords and Queens as well," said Tiche.
"I'm sure the rules got looser as things went on," said Godwyn as he finished preparing the horses.
"I don't believe they did," said Tiche. She took hold of the reigns to mount and winced.
"What's the matter?"
"It's nothing. Hurt my arm training is all," said Tiche.
"That can take some time to heal," said Godwyn as he helped her.
"Yes. It was a pretty bad break," said Tiche.
"What did you do?" Godwyn asked.
Tiche smiled, "Something foolish."
It was a beautiful day for riding as the sun managed to part the clouds and give a break in the rain. The wind still blew, and Godwyn had to tie his long blond hair back, but the air was warm despite it.
Tiche, as it turned out, was an experienced rider, which gave Godwyn little to do. He was already zoned out when they crossed the bridge beyond the Stormgate Village and toward the road that headed into Caelid.
"So, you're Marika's son," said Tiche.
"Oh, um, yes," said Godwyn.
"I hear much about her where I'm from. What is she actually like?"
The question wasn't surprising. It was usually the first question anyone asked, so Godwyn had the habit of making impersonal replies that appealed to naive piety.
"An all-powerful goddess full of endless mercy, grace, and prosperity," he said.
Tiche laughed, "I mean, as your mother. Surely, there's more to her than just being a goddess."
Godwyn never thought about that question. People seemed only interested in what Marika was more than who she was. This led to many making her more out as an idol of their ambition than anything else. If one envied, lusted, or was wrathful, they found as much cause within the doctrines of the Golden Order to exercise such vices as they had if they were charitable and loving.
"She's... um... shy, actually. Very shy," said Godwyn.
"So, no dinner parties?"
"More like she doesn't like people at all. But she's kind. Understanding even the worst parts of us. Sometimes more than what we ever deserve."
As he spoke of her, Godwyn sensed his mother's presence, which happened from time to time.
"My Son," said Marika as she held him. "My dear, beloved child. Doth thou truly torment thyself over lust for me?"
"I think of hardly anything else," sobbed Godwyn. "How can I love one such as her in the way I love you, Mother?"
"Thou cannot. My dear son, Ranni is not me. She is no goddess. Her love is not my love. I offer thee a love under no condition. Adore or despise me with all thy heart; it will make no difference in my love for thee, my child, son of my beloved Godfrey. All sorrow from this love is mine to bear; thou shalt never feel any pain. But Ranni's love is conditional and one of shared sorrow and pain. If thou continue to question which of us thou shall choose, stay in Stormveil indefinitely and see which of us would come to thee," said Marika.
"Godwyn? Are you okay?" Tiche asked.
Godwyn was confused. For a moment, he thought he was back in Leyndell with his mother, having the conversation he had months ago after his injury. Yet he was pulled back to it through time and space as a reminder. He often forgot how Marika bent time and space to her will, often using her grace to bring people back to a precise moment. Had she left him there, he would have been allowed to redo everything beyond that moment.
"Perhaps I asked too personal a question," said Tiche.
"It's fine, really," said Godwyn.
"Well, she does have a way of making an impression," said Godwyn.
"Look, Prince, this business with the general... is it really that important?"
"Not particularly, but I like to ruffle Radahn's feathers," said Godwyn.
Tishe stopped her horse and Godwyn shortly after.
A man stood up the road somewhat far from them, staring straight at them. At first, Godwyn and Tiche thought nothing of it, though it was odd. There were no villages or shires where he might have come from. It was like he was waiting for them.
There was something uneasy about him, so Godwyn asked Tiche to stay with the horses while he dismounted.
"You. Who are you to be out so far?" Godwyn asked.
"Godwyn the Golden. Son of Queen Marika and betrothed of Luner Princess Ranni. Such an interesting set of circumstances that we meet here today," said the man with a raspy, whispering voice. When Godwyn came near, he was agast to see a burning yellow in the man's eyes. Not a golden sheen, but wild, flaming eyes that swirled around.
"If you expect that I might know you, then you're sorely mistaken," said Godwyn.
"How rude of me. I am called Shabriri. Servant to the Three Fingers."
"Three-Fingers?"
"If Two-Fingers are good, perhaps three are better."
"If you're a servant of the Three-Fingers, then we have no more dealings," scoffed Godwyn. "Off with you."
"I disagree. My interests are in the resolution of division and schism. And I see it plenty within you. You may be done with the sin of envy towards his father and lust for his mother, but that sin is not done with you. Even if you choose one of them, as you will very soon, it will not matter. So, I propose a cleansing fire to you. One that could rid you of your sin."
"And raze everything else to the ground with it. If you think I'm ignorant of your frenzied flame and its power, you're sorely mistaken."
"Don't walk away. You'll only later wish you hadn't. You will soon wish you had taken my offer and watched the Erdtree burn. May chaos take the world!" cried Shebriri.
Godwyn and Tiche mounted their horses and rode around him. As they passed, he repeated his cries, which echoed through the cliffs of Limgrave. Each time he shouted, it sent a shiver through the demigod as part of him questioned if he was right.
Tiche raised an eyebrow.
"What in all the Lands-Between was that all about?" asked Tiche.
"An old 'friend,'" muttered Godwyn. He mounted his horse. "You're right. This isn't important. Let's go back."
Tiche looked back at the man with his hands outstretched and still cried out for the world to burn. She scratched the back of her head and followed Godwyn.
"The fireplace represents the sphere of hell, the abyss, chaos. Evil is ash." - (Roob 143)
When they returned to Stormveil, Godwyn was greeted by one of his soldiers, who went by the odd name of Rick. He was an ordinary, quiet chap who inexplicitly knew Queen Marika personally and seemed to have for a long time. No one knew from where, only that if Marika came to Limgrave, she and Rick often had lengthy, casual chats.
Rick informed Godwyn that some important guests waited for him in the throne room. This puzzled the young prince, as he had neither invited anyone nor had there been any requests for an audience. Tiche offered to stay behind, as she was meant to meet with Kristoff shortly.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Tiche asked when she noticed Godwyn was still pale.
"I'm fine," said Godwyn.
For whatever reason, Godwyn's heart beat rapidly still from his encounter with Shabriri. He hadn't the will or patience to deal with guests, so he planned to have them leave as soon as he could.
When he pulled the doors open to the throne room, he was surprised to see the guest was Blaidd. He talked with Kenneth, who listened and nodded with his hand under his chin.
"What are you doing here?" Godwyn asked.
"Mistress Ranni had decided to come," said Blaidd.
"Ranni? Is she here? Where is she?"
"In your bed-chambers resting for the time. She wasn't feeling well. And you don't look so good yourself. Anything the matter?" Blaidd asked.
"I'm fine... I wasn't expecting you."
"Fair enough. We didn't exactly come here, announced."
"I think I need to lay down," said Godwyn as he sat on his throne.
"If only there were the time. I fear what brings the princess and her shadow here is paramount, " Kenneth said.
"Very well. What is it?"
"Malenia is missing," said Blaidd.
"Missing? How? When?"
"That's what we're hoping you could tell us. You're her guardian, after all."
"Well, she can't get very far. Did you check the wild gardens?"
"Of course. I even caught her scent there. Of course, she wasn't. And quite frankly, that place gives me the creeps. Strange smells all about there."
"She and Miquella have a secret hideaway."
"We already looked. Again, nothing. Not even a scent. We can be certain she didn't run away either. My tracking led me eastward, but unfortunately, I lost the trail just outside the gate."
"She was taken?" exclaimed Godwyn. The thought of it was horrifying. Malenia was a helpless child, and her condition was mainly kept a secret. Any mortal snatching her up didn't just risk her life but also their own.
"And there was one other scent you found, was it not?" said Kenneth.
"Yes. Radahn's, along with his horse, was all along the same trail," said Blaidd.
"He has her?"
"I suspect more like chasing the person who does," said Blaidd.
"It doesn't make sense. Radahn just crossed the border into Caelid with a funeral," said Godwyn.
"A funeral, you say? Who passed away?"
"I'm not sure."
"Then it's obvious I should go at once and find out what he knows," said Blaidd.
Godwyn began pacing back and forth, trying to think if there was anything that he might have missed that could be helpful, but he had already told everything. "Has my mother done anything?"
"Nothing. And time is of the essence. There are caves, catacombs, and grave sites. It's a lot of ground to cover," said Blaidd. "Unfortunately, there are a lot of bandits and ruffians who wouldn't think twice about snatching up a vulnerable little girl."
"Indeed, but what would be the advantage? You steal away the queen's daughter, and then what? Make a ransom demand and hope the queen caves and pays it? Ha! I hardly think so," said Kenneth.
"We're talking people who slit traveler's throats for far less," said Blaidd.
"I have no doubt there are those bold enough to try something like this and maybe even mused about it. But a mere common rabble of cutthroats would lack the necessary sophistication to even execute such a plan, let alone get away with it for so long," said Kenneth.
"Someone may have helped them. Queen Marika has plenty of enemies."
"True, but anyone serious enough to do this couldn't be looking to gain anything monitary. That would be a good way to meet the business end of Maliketh's Black Blade. In my humble opinion, this is either a political or personal message. And sometimes the best thing to do with a message delivered in such a brazen fashion is to ignore it and not give the sender satisfaction that they had gained your attention and ruffled your feathers."
"Are you saying I ought to do nothing? While my sister is somewhere out there? And if they grow bold enough to harm her? What then?" said Godwyn.
"They don't even have to intend harm. Your sister isn't in the best of health. She could decline very rapidly. The little girl needs her mother," said Blaidd.
"Godwyn, my dear boy, if the Queen hadn't taken action yet, it stands to reason that she at least has the confidence that whoever did this intends no harm to the little lady. I am suggesting that you trust her, follow suit, and remain still, at least until more can be known. I understand it is difficult, but it is often the right thing to do for the girl's sake. Any aggressive action on our part might become the incentive such a person would need to do great harm," said Kenneth.
Godwyn felt annoyed, even slightly offended by Kenneth's suggestion. This advice may be true when dealing with the demihumans or if the perpetrator had made themselves and their intent known, but he wasn't confident.
Kenneth didn't know - nor did Godwyn wish to tell him - that many things happened behind closed doors. Something that, if Tiche's innnocent question demonstrated at all, people were largely ignorant of.
They didn't see Marika's crippling depression while pregnant or difficulty bonding with the twins when they were born. They didn't see the deep resentment Marika had for Radagon, which had reached the point where the two could no longer appear in the same room. Although Godwyn couldn't prove it, he wasn't convinced the twin's conception was consensual. Marika's marriage to Radagon wasn't, and she did everything she could to avoid it: from taking on outside lovers in desperation to produce an Empyrean of her bloodline to acting indifferent when he married Rennala. In the end, be it the politics, the Two-Fingers, or whatever other forces were at play, Radagon and Marika were married, and two families were destroyed.
The resentment for the twin's father was there. Godwyn couldn't imagine that there wasn't a part of Marika - albeit maybe a small one - that saw this as an opportunity. It was awful to think. How much he loved his mother, he couldn't have faith as Kenneth suggested.
"You might be comfortable giving them that opportunity, but I'm not!" said Godwyn, and he stormed out.
Godwyn forced himself to regain some of his composure before he opened the bedroom door. He was certain Ranni was as upset as he was, as she and Malenia had grown close these last few months. It was to a point where Malenia began asking for her big sister so they could do "girl things" together, whatever that meant.
At last, he opened the door where Ranni was asleep. For a moment, Godwyn stared at her, lying in his bed, as the meaning of his mother's words revealed themselves. And as though he still wasn't sure, there was a letter addressed to him written in his mother's hand, waiting on the table. Ranni must have brought it at Marika's request.
When he opened it, typical of his mother, it consisted of one brief line, "And which of us comes unto thee, my son?"
Godwyn crushed the brief. More offensive than to say nothing of her missing daughter, what was an age worth when its own goddess no longer felt it worth any price to preserve?
The Lands-Between were crumbling away. No assurances or prayers from the faithful could change this outcome. The Golden Order needed its goddess more than ever to devote herself back to its principles if it ever hoped to survive. But that goddess became devoted - more like obsessed - to climbing the planes of godhood and into the voids where the Outer Gods resided to lay siege on them.
He offered her everything to prove him worthy to be Lord and consort. From gaining her favor as a champion as his father had to disposing of the husband Marika had come to despise. Still, Marika would not surrender her ambition.
That people grew emboldened enough to wisk away one of Marika's children was proof of that. Marika's inaction was nothing more than evidence they would get away with it.
Perhaps his mother was right. He could never know the age he saw in his dreams, so it was best that he had.
He refocused again on Ranni. How much he loved her! She saw more in him than anyone else was willing to. And yet, Godwyn feared what she might come to expect of him. He almost didn't feel he deserved her.
Godwyn laid down next to her and brushed her hair with his fingers. He kissed her cheek before he slipped under the blanket with her.
"Keep this up, and I may see to thy demise," said Ranni. Her tone was playful with her odd sense of humor.
"I'll have to risk it," replied Godwyn as he continued his caresses and kisses. "With such a beautiful woman in my bed. I'm not sure I can control myself."
It was the lips next and then the neck. He then laid his head down against her with a sigh as worry for Malenia resurfaced. Ranni put her hand on Godwyn's cheek. She wanted to reassure him that they would find Malenia, but she didn't know more than everyone else.
"Thou will search for her? Make me a promise," said Ranni.
"That I will," said Godwyn.
"And I trust thee in that," said Ranni. She closed her eyes, "I wish that was the only heavy matter to discuss."
"What is it?" Godwyn asked as he planted a kiss on Ranni's cheek.
"My beloved. I've spoken words among the Old Crones, and they confirmed it to be true." Ranni hesitated. There wasn't worst timing than this. "I'm pregnant by thee, Godwyn."
"Pregnant?" said Godwyn.
Godwyn wasn't sure what to say. He both wanted to laugh and wanted to cry. Both embrace and run from it. He was both filled with pride and regret. And confusion.
His mother was the one who left them alone in her bed-chamber where the dew from the Erdtree collected, making the perfect conditions for an Emyprean like Ranni to conceive. And Godwyn realized his mother's words were an assurance that what had happened was by his mother's will.
"Godwyn?" said Ranni, as she sensed Godwyn's distress. He wasn't used to hearing Ranni sound so vulnerable. So weak.
"I'm sorry... I..." said Godwyn. "I don't know what to say..."
"Please, my beloved. My prince. I have already bore this burden far too long alone. And now my mind weighs down for my beloved sister. If thou aren't certain... I need to be certain," said Ranni as she leaned against Godwyn's chest, begging for his comfort. He wrapped his arms around her shaking frame and kissed her on the head.
"May I?" said Godwyn, like a child.
Ranni nodded, and Godwyn laid his head against her stomach.
He could sense it... no, them! Two children were inside her. First, he smiled, then gave a laugh, then came tears. He kissed her belly.
"Hello, my little ones," Godwyn cried. "I'm your papa."
He looked up at Ranni, who was stroking his blond hair.
"Have they names?"
"Aurelia and Aurelietta," said Ranni. Beautiful, unique names that alluded to their heritage in the Golden Order without following the conventions of it. "If I find a way to bring about an age without the Golden Order, then I promise I would not have our daughters be unaware of who they are and their connection to a previous age. That they are grandchildren of two queens."
"And they should learn to respect the universe's stars and all other governing forces. Not just the Order of Gold," said Godwyn. He wanted to enjoy the news. "If only this didn't come at such a bad time."
"We'll find her, my dear consort. Thou hast promised it. Blaidd will see to it. Please, for now, let us be happy for a moment."
"The male without the female is looked upon as only half a body, nor can the female without the male be regardeed as more complete. For neither can bring forth fruit so long as it remains alone." - (Fabricious, 136 and 137)
They embraced while Tiche watched from below. She waited while they made love until the light went out, and the room was quiet. She climbed to the window and slowly opened the pane to slip in.
It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness before she started to look around the room.
"You are a pig, dear prince," she muttered as she noticed Godwyn's disorganization. "Your princess is one patient woman."
One by one, Tiche opened drawers and closed them again without any sound. Several times, she looked back at Godwyn as he lay in his bed with his young lover lying against his chest.
Tiche wasn't looking for anything in particular. It was more about proving a point than anything: infiltrating the dragon's cult was a viable way to get close to Marika's children. And for that, Tiche needed only something personal enough to show for her efforts but not so unique it might be missed.
She soon came across an old letter addressed to Queen Marika that Godwyn apparently never sent. She pocketed it and then slithered out the window.
When she landed back down on the grass, Tiche looked at the letter sealed with a symbol of the Elden Ring.
"Are you finally satisfied?"
Tiche pulled out her dagger and pointed it in the darkness where the voice came from. Alecto leaned against the castle wall, wearing her cloak that blended her back with the shadows.
When she saw it was her mother, Tiche rolled her eyes and put her dagger away. It was a small, unsaid challenge that one-day, Tiche would hear her mother coming or be able to sneak up on her. Time after time, she lost the game, and this time was no exception.
"Don't scold me, Mother," said Tiche.
"Aww. Did he sweep you off your feet after he broke your arm? Don't forget how much you squealed when I set that bone," said Alecto.
Standing beside each other, Tiche was almost a mirror image of her mother. The same long black hair and the same colored eyes. Alecto was preserved throughout the centuries by her Numan blood, so their ages looked similar. Alecto had a few additional wrinkles around her eyes that developed from her intense glare.
"Stop it," said Tiche.
"No. Not so long as you keep making mistakes that risk revealing us," said Alecto. She snatched the letter from Tiche's hands.
"What does it matter? That world is gone, and everyone knows Marika knows everything," said Tiche.
Alecto sighed, "My dear daughter. This is what it is to be severed from the stars that tell your destiny. Growing up in a false night sky that barely resembles what was there before."
"And that's worth killing for?" scoffed Tiche.
"Oh yes. It very much is," said Alecto.
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