Twenty-two
“Have you ever met the High Councilman?” Garrik shook his head no. I guess he was a bit of a recluse.
“Isn't he like the most powerful elf in the world?” Something was not right about the man I saw. I no longer felt like he was my savior. In fact I was sick to my stomach.
“He was until his Elven Council split.”
“I have your Finley,” Echo sent me. I looked in the direction I felt the message come. Gold eyes flashed up against the wall at me and sure enough there was a man who looked much older than the average elf. Like he was in his fifties. Tall with long white hair. I didn't remember his hair being so long or so white. I nodded to Echo letting him know that was Finley. I watched Echo approach the man who seemed surprised by his presence. He then looked up at me from across the room. I remember those eyes I remember this man saving me. I remember Rose's words that Finley was on my side and it divided the council. Something was continuing to make me sick to my stomach.
“Can I leave to the sitting room?” Garrik shook his head no. Not yet. Okay, well here comes Finley. He is composed, calculated, but nervous. The soul of his that is in me is shaking.
“Princess Vera, I would like to introduce to you High Councilman Fin.” Echo said as he led the older elf up the stairs. I suddenly felt every bit of a queen. My body came alive. I am, was, not just a queen, I am the Queen. Regardless of titles that I have been given at this moment.
“Well met, Finley.” I said as he bowed before me. Even though he was composed I could feel his inner self cringe at my use of words. He knows I know. He wanted to meet me. He told Rose as much. He helped me through Rose, but why why did he help me? I know he was my Tomilson, but he was also something else and I didn't like it.
“Princess,” He bowed. “I see some of your memory has began to return.”
I smiled at him, “Now High Councilman you know I am more than a Princess and it is time we announce who I am.” His face went white, Garrik's face went white. Echo laughed. Tomilson was still lost in the crowd, but I could feel his eyes on me.
“Do you feel it is wise during this time of war? Shouldn't we keep it quiet until everything is over?” Garrik asked. He doesn't like my sudden confidence. It derails plans.
“No. Let these people know who they are fighting for. Then send out birds to every kingdom. Call them all to me. I do not have all of my memories, but what I do know is that I was not taken down by sheer force. It was cunning. Had the battle been fair I would have never had to have my soul saved by Finley.” I was not speaking quiet, but we were far enough back from the crowd that no one noticed my words. I added, “After your announcement Finley, you will follow me to the sitting room where you will give me names of the men who betrayed me. I want to know the name of the man who held the whip, and the man who held my hair, and the man who cut off my ears.” I felt my eyes flashing gold. Finley nodded. He was on my side after all.
Garrik spoke up, “I vote that we wait.” I shook my head.
“No, something tells me we can save lives by getting this out now. Elven lives are valuable. We are not as plenty as humans.” I contemplated it again for a split second. “We will make the announcement now.” I felt the magic lace my words. Garrik frowned at me but then nodded.
“Tomilson, please join us for this announcement.” I sent.
Moments later Tomilson , Echo, and Garrik were by my side. Finley was in front of us all. Garrik lifted his hand, the music stopped almost immediately. The elves all gathered below where we stood anxious to hear what their Prince had to say.
“We are here today to celebrate the Winter Solstice, but we are also all here on the brink of war.” A murmuring of voices shot through the crowd. Garrik continued, “The Elven Council has split, taking sides. Not all of you can understand the reason for war. We know King Talon used the excuse of his heir pledging to your Princess as his reason. We also all know that King Talon has become increasingly powerful over these last few centuries. The Elven Council has not been able to keep the kingdoms where they belong. They could not stop King Talon, because they were not the body meant to keep peace among kingdoms. That is a job for the lost Queen. I am going to let High Councilman Fin tell his story.” Garrik had garnered the attention of everyone within the castle. Even the cooks and waitstaff had worked their way into the crowd.
“Prince Garrik is right. Over six hundred years ago our world was separated into kingdoms like Median. We had an Elven Council, but not a High Councilman. Instead our world was ruled by a High Queen. It was always the same soul reincarnated. This soul was chosen by the Goddess herself. When the Queen would fade out the Elven Council ruled until the soul was reborn, and in each cycle she would be reborn different. Dark Elf and Light Elf would alternate. The kingdom of origin would also alternate every time. The last incarnation was a Dark Elf Queen, named Vera.” The crowd gasped.
“Queen Vera was crowned at only thirty years old. King Talon's father, King Ramsey, had managed to gain power with the council in rule. He did not like the arrival of a new Queen. There was a battle in which our High Queen went missing never to be seen again. Until the day Prince Garrik brought her here from the Human Realm,” The voices of the crowd began to go wild again. Prince Garrik held his hand in the air and with the booming voice of a King he shouted, “Quiet!”
Finley continued, “The Queen had been taken to the Human Realm and tortured. I found her, I was her Royal Guard. Her ears had been cut off and her soul had been torn into tatters. She was dying. Her soul was in so many pieces that she would not be able to find a body to be reborn in before fading away into nothing. So, I cut a piece of my soul off binding it to hers. Holding the Queen together like glue. I knew one day she would be reborn an elven soul in a human body. When I heard rumor of Prince Garrik request to bring a human here that he believed to possess great magic. I knew who she was and granted his request. As she stayed here her true colors began to show through, as did her memories. She is more powerful than ever before. There was another gift I did not see coming. Matching flames. Previously she lived each incarnation without a true match only her guard for companion. This time she has found a flame in both Prince Garrik, and Prince Echo. Tonight I present to the world the High Queen of the Elmora, Queen Vera!”
The crowd didn't cheer, instead there was thoughtful silence. Finally an Elf-man stepped forward and said, “I knew it all along. I was called here to defend her and I did not know why. I pledge myself to the High Queen Vera!” He dropped to the ground bowing. The rest of the room followed one by one by one. Prince Garrik, Prince Echo, Tomilson, and High Councilman Fin followed suit. All bowing to me, and it felt right. I was no longer a questioning girl with low self esteem I was a Queen. I had spent lifetimes as a lonely monarch. Now here I am ready to rule again, not lonely any more.
That is when I spoke, “I want to thank you all for being here and recognizing my presence. It has been a hard road as my memories have gradually came back to me. I know it will be an adjustment for all. First order of business will be for birds to be sent out announcing my arrival. A calling to arms for those who wish to stand by my side. I will ride into battle against King Talon and restore the kingdoms to their original glory. Median and Elmora will be safe once again!” This time the crowd cheered, “For tonight we celebrate the Winter Solstice! Dance, drink, and be merry! There are many wrongs that need to be righted, but tonight is not that night! Enjoy!” My words were laced with persuasion encouraging them to forget their troubles for one night. With that I turned and headed up the stairs to the sitting room feeling every bit the Queen.
I entered the sitting room at the top of the steps. I walked over and picked up a handful of raisins popping them in my mouth all at once. I waited impatiently for my men, a couple scouts, and Finley to step inside. I gestured for my men and Finley to take a seat as I still stood. I looked directly at Finley.
“I remember you, you fucking snake!” Finley lost his composure and began to cry. My men looked at me with bewilderment.
“Let me tell you what this savior of mine did! He abandoned me on the battlefield. Allowed me to be captured and imprisoned. He only came to me when I was dying because it went too far. Finley wanted me reborn but not until he had secured his position as High Councilman. You betrayed me to King Ramsey. How did they block my magic Finley? HOW?!” I demanded.
“A Fae amulet. It was an amulet. It only had to be near you not on you to work.” I looked at him disgusted and hurt.
“Why Finley? Why? We were friends, and lovers.”
“I wanted more. I wanted the power you had, and I wanted a flame. I didn't want to be stuck to centuries alone with you before you chose to move on. I made a deal with King Ramsey. The agreement was that he would kill you and you would be reborn. I would move up through the council and be free to find a flame, but he went too far. He took you to the Human Realm to kill so you wouldn't be reborn here. I felt your torture through my bond and knew something was wrong. When I found you I was wracked with guilt. It went too far. I didn't want you gone forever. So I cut off part of my soul which aged my body and changed my hair. I could not bring you back to our realm, so you were left to float there until your rebirth. King Ramsey then went to war with the Fae and thousands of elven lives were lost. Over the centuries we continued to lose control over the Dark Elves. King Talon killed King Ramsey as he believed his father had become soft. When really King Ramsey had begun to see reason. Our kind can not re populate like humans. King Ramsey's kingdom had grown but his numbers had shrunk. I am so sorry Vera. I was never worthy of your love.”
“I should kill you.” as I said the words Prince Echo stepped forward pulling his sword from his scabbard to do the deed. Finley didn't even flinch.
“I deserve that much and more, but I am still of use to you.”
Unfortunately his words were true. I needed to know who else was with King Ramsey and if they are still alive. I needed to know if King Talon still had the amulet and how I can combat it. Most importantly I needed to know why I now have two flames and a guard. What is the Goddess playing at? Maybe it is time that I start to pray and try to listen to our creator. Why was I the soul chosen to be a lonely monarch century after century? There is so much more to the story of Queen Vera, and I will get answers. Then I will go into battle take King Talon's head from his shoulders and that of anyone who had any part in my torture. Finley's days are numbered.