Story: I'll Always Be With You (all chapters)

Ravanna stood in front of the Spire, the center point of the grand elven city of Navarre. Her grand red robes felt unduly lush compared to the decay that was taking place in her homeland and in her heart.

Brushing back her grey hair that belied her youthful age, Ravanna sighed and entered the Spire, climbing the long spiral staircase that would take her to the top, and to Celestia, the sweet love of her life, the woman she adored and right now, the last person she wanted to see.

As she climbed, Elven knights clad in full battle armor hurried down the stairs, passing her without even acknowledging her presence. Ravanna knew they were probably rushing to the border to escort Prince Argall, third son of the King of the East, into their lands. Ravanna tried not to think about him or the fact that soon, he would be Celestia’s husband.

The East had once left the Elves in peace, but they had grown in strength and their new militaristic King, led by holy decree, had encroached upon the Elven lands and driven them back to Navarre. Ravanna, the daughter of the Elder, had urged them to fight on, but the King had proposed an offer for surrender; the Elves could keep Navarre if his son could choose a bride from among the Elves.

So Prince Argall had come to Navarre, looking over the Elven women with his short, stubby, turned up nose as though he were shopping for a new pet, and Ravanna’s heart had sunk as he pointed a twisted finger at Celestia and said “This one.”

That night, Celestia had called Ravanna to their meeting place by the mystic pool. Ravanna took Celestia in her arms and kissed her deeply before she could say anything to spoil the moment.

They eventually pulled apart, “Ravanna,” Celestia whispered, “You know I must do this... otherwise this land will wilt and perish. It is about more than just you and I, but the fate of our entire people. We cannot be owned by the East like property...”

“So you would give up your life to be a pet to that hideous prince? You would take him in your arms and caress him like you do to me? You would bear his children and love them as your own?”

“The Elves accept that Nature’s balance brings about different unions,” Celestia said, “Humans are not the same way. They only care about procreation. That is why they have become so successful, while we have barely grown. They would bring their morals down on our world and destroy everything we believe in. Not just you and me, but all our friends, everybody here would be subject to their way of thinking. My life to save all that... it is worth it.”

“I won’t accept that!” Ravanna said, “We can fight and defend ourselves!”

“We’re outnumbered,” Celestia said, “Ravanna, this is not easy for me... I want to stay by your side forever. When I think about that man touching me, I...”

Ravanna let her hand slide into Celestia’s golden hair, combing out the strands gently as she held Celestia close to her Celestia’s head rested on her breast and she started to cry. Ravanna kissed her head, holding her close, as if with her arms she could keep Celestia safe from harm.

She looked at the moon reflected in the pool and wished she could protect Celestia from this.

~

As Ravanna reached the top of the staircase, she saw fine drapes and rich red carpet. The Elves were usually gracefully beautiful without being extravagant, but they had spared no expense to ensure that the Prince would not be offended. Celestia’s mother stood in the hallway, half-heartedly trying to hang drapes. When she saw Ravanna, she dropped the cloth and let it crumple on the floor, rushing over to the heartbroken girl.

“Ravanna...” Celestia’s mother said, giving her a hug, “I’m so sorry it came to this. No matter what, I know Celestia loves you. And so, you will always be my daughter, welcome in our home.”

“Thank you,” Ravanna said, trying to hide the tears that came to the surface, “This is all so wrong. Everything about this union is against what we believe. There is no natural power at work in this forced marriage.”

“And yet we have no choice,” Celestia’s mother said, “I can’t help but feel we are selling Celestia into slavery to save ourselves, and sullying all that we are trying to protect by doing so.”

“Yet we cannot stop this,” Ravanna said, “My father almost forbid me to came. I had to swear to him that I would not stop the wedding.” She looked down at the ground, “I made an oath, and by doing so, I am playing my part in this treachery.”

“All things turn in circles,” Celestia’s mother said, “Some day the East will fall, or the Prince will die, and Celestia will be freed. Human lives are short, and Celestia will have many years to spend with you, if you wait for her.”

“I will always wait for her. No other shall ever hold my heart.” Ravanna swore.

The door to a small antechamber opened, and Celestia came out, dressed in the finest attire Elven craftsmen could make. Red, gold and green made Celestia’s hair glow, and small gems hung from the sleeves and her hair, tinkling as she walked. A tiara set with emeralds sat upon her head, and Celestia looked calm and composed.

“You look wonderful,” Celestia’s mother said, “I’m going to let you speak with Ravanna a while, but be ready when I call. The Prince is almost ready.”

“Celestia, you look so beautiful,” Ravanna said, “I’ll never forget how you shine like the sun. You are everything to me.” Her eyes made a final plea; don’t do this, but Celestia looked away, blinking back tears.

“Please don’t make this harder,” Celestia said, “I wish with all my heart that I could abandon this charade and run away with you, but I have made a promise, Ravanna. An oath to protect all our people, including you. I cannot turn back now.”

“An Elven promise can never be broken,” Ravanna sighed, “I, too, had to promise not to interfere, and I will not break that sacred oath. I only wanted to be with you on this day, and to give you this.” She pulled a ring from the pocket of her robes.

“Celestia, human lives are short, and kingdoms fall. When all this is over, and you are released from the humans’ grip, will you marry me?” She offered the ring to Celestia.

“Ravanna, you do not know what you are saying,” Celestia said, “I may live for a thousand years, but he may keep me for eighty years. I won’t be the same person, having lived in the human lands, according to human customs, I...”

“Everybody changes with the passage of time,” Ravanna said, “That is what Elven marriage is about. Loving somebody not for sixty or eighty years, as in human marriage, but forever, for life and beyond that.”

“I cannot,” Celestia said, “I cannot betray this contract I am about to enter into. I have to at least try to love him, and I cannot do that while your ring is on my finger and our promise is in my blood. I cannot be torn apart with feelings for both of you. If I am indeed freed in a hundred years, I will seek you out, but it is not fair to prevent you having a life... with someone else.” She stuttered, her voice breaking.

“Celestia,” Celestia’s mother called, “It is time.”

“Celestia looked at Ravanna, “Truly, I love you Ravanna. I want you to find happiness.” Then she turned away, floating across the floor in her long dress, the tinkling of fine little bells following her.

Ravanna took to the stairs, climbing the Spire yet further to the very top, above the wedding itself. She looked down at the ring. With anger and pain long repressed, she threw it from the building with all her might. Turning, she made her way downstairs to the wedding.

~

Most of the vows washed over Ravanna. She looked at the faces of all the Elves in this room, all selling Celestia for their own safety. All looked sad in a guarded, Elven way, so to any human observer they merely looked calm. Across the room stood a dozen heavily armored human knights, scarred and battle-worn. This was the world Celestia would enter. Ravanna wished she could sleep for a hundred years.

As the wedding procession headed downstairs, Ravanna trailed in the very back. As they left the Spire, she broke off from the crowd, walking calmly away to her home.

She never saw Celestia say “Hang on a moment,” as she reached for something sparkling in the mud. r32;
Her new husband shook his head, “I can buy you all the trinkets you wish for, come on.”

“It’s one of my rings,” Celestia said, making a show of it. The Elves saw the ancient wedding ring of Ravanna’s family and knew it was no chance it was here. It was nature, and as Celestia slipped the ring on her finger, the promise was sealed.

Ravanna reached her home and grabbed a cloth sack, putting clothes in it for the road. She could not live any longer in a world that had sold away her beloved, and she could not erase the stain on her own conscience by enjoying prosperity while Celestia suffered. She left behind many of the fine things that she had acquired over the years and dressed in a simple traveling outfit, leaving the fine robes behind.

Making off into the forest, she left Navarre behind just as Celestia’s mother reached her home to tell her about the ring...

~

Chapter 2

“She’s gone.” Celestia’s mother looked at Ravanna’s room, clothes and items strewn about, and came to a conclusion.

Ravanna’s father stood beside her, “Perhaps it’s for the best. Ravanna will watch Celestia, I’m sure of it.”

“But what of the truce? If they find out that somebody is trailing them, the Prince will turn on this city. He has what he wants; it wouldn’t take much for him to kill us anyway.” Celestia’s mother sighed.

“Ravanna is skilled in the art of tracking; Nature is on her side,” Ravanna’s father said, “Once she leaves the forest, it will be harder for her, but I can’t blame her. I only send my hopes with her.”

~

Ravanna stayed hidden in the trees; her green cloak camouflaging her against the abundant foliage. It didn’t take her long to catch up with the party of knights and the carriage that carried Celestia and Prince Argall. Celestia was staring out of the window of her carriage, no doubt saying goodbye to the forest that had protected her all her life.

Eventually the carriage pulled into a clearing. Ravanna found a good vantage point and watched as Argall jumped down from the carriage. He engaged in conversation with one of his knights, gesticulating wildly as they talked. Eventually, he went around to Celestia’s side of the carriage and yanked the door open. Climbing up, he grabbed her hand and pulled her down from the carriage.

“You will do as I say now,” Argall said, “You are my wife.” He turned to the knights, “Go ahead with the invasion.”

All of a sudden there was rampant activity in the camp as soldiers readied their arms and got ready to ride out. Ravanna knew she had to run back to the city, to warn them. It had all been a trap to get them off their guard and take Navarre as easily as possible.

She was about to move when she saw Argall grab Celestia by the wrist and drag her towards his tent. He looked at her like a dog looked at his lunch, and Ravanna realized he was going to consummate the marriage. Knights started to march as Ravanna was paralyzed in horror. She could save Celestia, but only if she sacrificed the city that she had done all this for, and saving Navarre meant leaving Celestia to her fate with Argall.

Ravanna knew that in two hundred years of life, Celestia had never been with a man. Nature had created her that way, to love the soft curves of a woman, the gentleness of femininity. Ravanna had liked both men and women, until she had devoted herself to Celestia. The thought of the prince deflowering Celestia killed her inside, but she had to have known that sacrifice she was making...

As Ravanna felt herself being torn in two, more knights appeared from the forest, and Ravanna realized that they had brought far more soldiers than anybody could have realized. Setting up a base camp, they had made it seem like Argall had brought only his finest knights as bodyguards, while the others had been hiding. The Elves hadn’t sent enough scouts out. They hadn’t known... They should have done better, Ravanna realized.

Ravanna saw the soldiers flood the camp and head right through it as the flap to Argall’s tent closed. It was too late for Celestia, she realized with sorrow. There was too many knights for her to face alone, and she would not be able to save Celestia even if she tried. Her only hope was to rush to Navarre and rally her people.

Setting her mind to the task, she pushed Celestia out of her mind and raced through the trees. She had learned to use the forest to her advantage, and she could slip by the heavy foot soldiers quickly and quietly.

Reaching the city, she allowed herself a fraction of a second to catch her breath before running to her home. She found her father and Celestia’s mother talking over herbal tea.

“Father!” Ravanna cried, “It was a trap! Soldiers hid in the forest! An army is coming!”

The Elder, Ravanna’s father, stood up and looked at Ravanna, “I know how you feel,” he said, “but we can’t go after Celestia...”

“Wait,” Celestia’s mother said, “This is no trick to send us after Celestia, Elder. She is telling the truth.”

“They have gone back on their word?” The Elder seemed astonished. He composed himself for a second and then grabbed his sword, rushing from the house pale-faced.

“He was not expecting this,” Celestia’s mother said, grabbing a bow, “He believed their word. He was afraid of this, having to make our last stand...”

“I know,” Ravanna said, “War is not our way. But it is theirs, and I fear they will win.”

~

They were ready when the first wave of soldiers came though the trees, and the element of surprise was on the Elves’ side. Ravanna cut down soldiers on all sides, keeping all thoughts of Celestia at bay. As the soldiers regrouped, however, it was the Elves who were at a clear disadvantage. With their lack of armor and basic weapons, along with their shortage of numbers, their advanced speed and strength could not bridge the gap. Wave after wave of fresh soldiers came through the trees.

“Pull back!” The Elder cried, and they retreated slowly. Their homes burned around them as the soldiers pillaged and looted the beautiful Elven city. Tears stung their eyes as they backed into the Spire.

“Ravanna.” Ravanna’s father pulled her aside once they were in the tower. Furious fighting continued below them as they talked.

“Father, what is it?” Ravanna asked. She was tired and several large gashes bled out slowly.

“We can create a diversion for you to slip out safely, Ravanna. We are lost, and it is my fault that this has come to pass. But Celestia is still out there, and she needs you to watch over her. Don’t die here needlessly.”

“Father...”

“No arguments, Ravanna. Protect Celestia, and live a long life together. I fear I have lived too long.” He pulled out a piece of white cloth and gestured to his warriors to stop fighting. Stepping out in front of the tower, he laid down his sword and bow.

“We surrender,” he said, and all eyes were on him as Ravanna slipped away into the smoky forest.

~

Ravanna limped through the trees. Fatigued from fighting, her wounds stung, but she was determined to catch up to Celestia. If they got away, she might never see the woman she loved again. Dark thoughts long held at bay rushed into her mind, and she wept at the thought of Celestia being raped by Prince Argall. The tears trickled down her face with the rain that started to fall. She had lost her home and her people. Only the thought of her love with the golden hair kept her going, the memories of bright days they had spent together.

Ravanna reached the camp, but did not see Celestia. She knelt down in the branches but did not see the trap buried in the dank earth until it clamped around her ankle. She held in a cry of pain that would have alerted the whole camp. Groping around for a branch, she shoved it in between her teeth and bit down as she freed herself from the trap.

She dragged herself away from the trap, trying to reach the river so she could clean and dress her wounds, but exhaustion and blood loss overcame her and she passed out in the forest, vulnerable and alone.

Chapter 3

Ravanna saw bright sunshine. She was once again in the Spire, transported there by a sweet dream. Celestia’s eyes were upon her, and she remembered this moment, the moment when Celestia went through the coming-of-age ritual, the E’lune. It was a sacred moment in the life of any Elf. They would go out into the forest and commune with Nature until they had a vision, then they would return and report their findings. The Elder would discern the vision’s meaning and a great celebration would be held.

“What was your vision?” Ravanna asked. She had missed Celestia deeply while she had been in the forest, but she, too had undergone the ritual and understood that it was a necessary part of growing up to learn to endure distance from the one you loved. To find yourself and keep your own ideas and personality in spite of the joy that came with being a part of a union, a world of two in which all things intermingled.

“A woman appeared upon the lake,” Celestia said, her eyes bright with awe and reverence. She told me that we would be involved in great changes in the world, that kingdoms would shake beneath our love... She... was you.”

Ravanna remembered her vision, for it had been the same in reverse, with Celestia appearing to her. She looked at Celestia and smiled. “What did my father say?”

“The Elder said it was a sign that we were soul mates. Though he looked troubled by the prophecy of us changing the world.” Celestia looked thoughtful, “Ravanna, I can’t imagine how we would cause such events. I never want to leave the Elven lands. I’ve never been further than Navarre...”

“Don’t worry about it,” Ravanna said, holding Celestia close. She kissed her gently upon the lips, savoring the moment, then parting. “It’s just a vision. Often the meanings are abstract. Perhaps it is the Elven world we will change, or perhaps it is simply that we are meant to be together.”

“Perhaps,” Celestia said, but Ravanna never forgot the strange look in those bright green eyes... as though there was something she had kept to herself...

~

Ravanna woke to feel cool rain on her skin. She was wet and in pain, but her first thoughts as her mind unclouded were of Celestia. She longed to be in the grip of the dream again. Even if it had been an uncertain moment, it had been in better times. Perhaps, she realized, the path they were on now would change the world, but Ravanna doubted that. All she wanted to do was find Celestia and return to her homeland... but her home was gone now, her people enslaved by the East. If the Elves were allowed to stay in Navarre, it would be under the terms of the East, and they would not care for nature or the Elven culture. They would live as Elves pretending to be humans, a great shame for such a proud race.

Ravanna tended to her wounds, washing them in the nearby lake. She realized this was the same lake where they had both had their visions. Now Celestia was gone, and those times seemed like a million miles away.

Dressing her wounds, she found them to be relatively shallow and clean. It was exhaustion and despair that had driven her into passing out. She bound the cuts with torn off pieces of a spare cloak and found a long tree branch which had fallen. Testing its weight, she realized it would serve well as a walking stick.

Clearing her head with a splash of water on her face, she returned to the spot where the camp had been. All that was left were a few tents, a remnant force to control the Elves. The others, including Celestia, were gone. No doubt they were returning to the East to report their victory, and the Prince would show his new wife off to all the world. Ravanna pushed the thought away. It was too painful to accept that Celestia was somebody else’s wife.

Pushing her walking stick into the mud, she pressed forward, with each step resolving to find her beloved and rescue her. She wouldn’t give up, even if it took the rest of her life. She would save the woman she loved, and spend the rest of her years by her side. She could make everything right, if they were only together.

~

Celestia looked down at Ravanna’s ring on her finger. It was the only bright spot in a world filled with darkness. She had never known fear until her new husband had thrown her down and entered her, and she had cried for a while afterwards, wishing she could turn back time and run away with Ravanna. She had heard the humans talk, they were planning to destroy Navarre anyway. Her sacrifice had been for nothing. Ravanna might even be dead by now, killed in the invasion of their homeland, and she had been powerless to stop it.

“Get up, Celia.” Argall had given her a pet name, and she despised it instantly, hating the destruction of her true name’s meaning and purpose.

“My name is Celestia,” she said fiercely. “Celestia after the stars, which marked the clear night on which I was born with their bright light.”

“Your name is Celia from now on. It is more human. In time you will learn to live more like us. Do not fight this, Celia. You will only make this harder on yourself.” He almost spoke kindly, and Celestia hated him for it.

“You do not respect my culture, yet you married me,” Celestia said, “Do not think you can make me human. I am who I am. Celestia of the Elves.” The pain inside her made her bold, the feeling that there was nothing left to lose. If he hurt her, she knew she would not feel it against the agony that already wracked her body and soul.

She thought that he would slap her, but he just shook his head. “Get ready to leave,” he said, “We’re riding out for home.” Within minutes, attendants were leading her out and jostling her into the carriage. Argall did not ride with her and for that, she was grateful. Looking out of the window, she whispered a silent prayer to the forest spirits to protect Ravanna.

~

Chapter 4

Ravanna followed the trail of the carriage as it headed through the forest, but quickly found it to be an uphill struggle. Rain came and went, washing away tracks, and the carriage could move much faster than Ravanna could on foot. After the first week, she finally lost the trail.

In desperation, she slumped in the forest and cried where nobody could hear her. She had been alone with her thoughts for all this time and they haunted her. She wondered what had happened to her people back in Navarre, and what was happening to Celestia ahead of her. Had she reached the East yet? Ravanna hadn’t even left the huge expanse of forest that was the Elves’ home. Everybody seemed so impossibly far away, and she was lonely. She hadn’t spent so much time alone since her E’lune ritual, and that had been so many years ago now. She had forgotten the intense silence of a world with no people, and the loudness of one’s own thoughts in a world where there was no challenge to them.

Getting up, she forced herself onward. For days she had walked beyond exhaustion, trying desperately to keep up with the trail, but now her quest had changed. She would not be able to catch up with the carriage, but would have to journey to the East alone, and find a way to meet up with Celestia there. She feared entering the human lands, for her appearance marked her out as a foreigner, an enemy, but she could not turn back. She had to take the risk. Celestia was counting on her.

~

Celestia felt a sense of nervousness as the trees thinned out and they reached the edge of the forest. For a hundred years, she had never left the protection of the tree canopy and she was frightened to be leaving Nature’s shield behind. She counted every tree that passed as they became rarer, the landscape turning to grassland. The light blinded her after so long spent in the darkness, and she had to learn to adjust to it until the sun finally went down.

They camped for the night, and a small tent city was set up by all the servants who travelled with the party. Celestia dreaded the nights, for that was when Prince Argall wanted her, and there was no way she could refuse or fight back. He had made it clear that she was his, and that she needed to be a good wife if she wanted to remain alive.

Afterwards, Celestia lay in the tent, shaking. Pulling herself together, she realized that Prince Argall was sleeping. If she could slip away unnoticed, she could disappear into the forest and get away. She stood up slowly, checking for his snoring, and made her way to the tent flap. Just as she opened the flap, though, she felt his hand on her arm.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“I just need some air,” Celestia said. “It’s hot in here.”

She felt the arm loosen its grip, “The guards are watching you,” he said, and laid back down.

Celestia went outside and looked up at the stars, but she could see from her peripheral vision that indeed, all eyes were upon her. There was no way she could slip away unnoticed. After making a show of drinking some water from a bucket, she returned to the tent and laid down beside her husband.

Ravanna came to her in dreams, and she woke feeling an odd combination of happy and sad. She missed Ravanna, but it had been nice to be close to her again, even if only in a dream.

As she pulled herself up, she heard some commotion outside. Her first thoughts were of Ravanna. Had the Elves come to rescue her? Then the tent flap opened and a soldier came in, waking Prince Argall from his sleep.

“Sir, we are being attacked by bandits!” Argall was on his feet immediately, grabbing his sword. He didn’t give Celestia a second glance as he rushed from the tent, the soldier in tow.

Celestia knew she had an opportunity. She peered out from the tent flap, watching the knights and guards. The bandits had set one of the tents on fire, and servants were rushing around, throwing water on the fire. She knew nobody would notice if she slipped out now, and so she went, skulking in the shadows until she was sure nobody was watching, then running at top speed.

She thought she was free when she heard the sound of hooves behind her and strong arms pulled her up over a horse. Struggling to hold on, she saw one of the bandits glaring down at her. He circled around to meet the others and dismounted, pulling Celestia with him.

“I have your girl,” he spat, throwing Celestia down into the mud, “She was trying to run from you.”

“What do you want?” Argall made his men hold back.

“We want you to let us bandits go free. To allow us to keep the villages around here that pay us tribute without fear of recrimination!”

“Ridiculous!” Prince Argall said, “I cannot allow that.”

“Then this woman dies!” Celestia felt herself being dragged up by her hair, and rage filled her at the indignity. She kicked backwards, and the bandit doubled over, letting go of her hair. She ran, fleeing not to Argall, but off into the grasslands. Argall motioned and his soldiers charged at the bandits, while Argall broke off on horseback to chase after Celestia.

Celestia knew she had no hope. As fast as she could run, she was no match for a horse, and the forest was too far to reach. When Argall caught up to her, she surrendered without a fight.

~

“I know you want to go home,” Argall said, in his tent, “But that life is behind you now! You are my wife, a subject of the East. You must learn to accept this life for what it is. Even if it is hard sometimes.”

Celestia’s dress was muddied and torn, and she was glad. She hated the human clothes that they had put her in, and yearned for the loose, comfortable robes of her people. For a traveler's outfit. For anything that wasn’t a mobile prison, holding in her ability to breathe while betraying her modesty. She missed the elegant simplicity of her former life, where all people were beautiful just by being themselves. Here, women were expected to be demure objects of desire, while men were expected to be strong and emotionless.

“I’m an Elf,” Celestia said simply, “You can take me from my home, dress me in your ridiculous clothes and treat me like a human, but I will never be like you!”

“I’m trying to help you!” Prince Argall looked exasperated, “My father wants to kill all the Elves. I was the one who put forward the notion that if I married an Elf and had Elven blood in the royal lineage, the royals would live longer. If there’s one thing my father loves, it is the thought of his kingdom living forever... That is stronger than his hatred of other races...”

“My people are dead,” Celestia said, “You invaded Navarre after you married me.”

“They are under our control,” Argall said, “My father would have it no other way. He sent loyalists in my army to make sure the deed was done. It is only my men who have saved your people.”

“So now they live in slavery,” Celestia said.

“You are a proud people...” Argall said, “You will not bow to human ways just because you are under human control, as you told me yourself. I’ve always admired the Elves, admired their beauty...”

“That’s why you married me?” Celestia said, “To keep me as your Elven pet?”

“No...” Argall looked away, “I have been cruel to you, I am sorry. It is necessary. My father must not think I am siding with the Elves. I cannot be seen to be too kind to you.”

“I did not ask to be raped,” Celestia said, “I had never... been with a man before.”

Argall looked astonished, “My people told me you are a hundred years old... and in that time, you were never intimate with anyone?”

“I was never intimate with a man. That is what I said.” Celestia said.

“Then...” Argall looked shocked, but tried to compose himself, “You were... with women? Why, how shameful! Perhaps my father was right about you!”

Celestia knew she had found Argall’s weak point, and was determined to twist the knife. “I had a lover called Ravanna. She is the most beautiful woman in this world, and my heart will belong to her only, until the day I die.”

“Why, you wretch!” Argall’s face contorted into a pained expression, “So this is how they punish me... By giving me a wife twisted to love only women. They must all be laughing at me.” He moved forward as if to slap her, then controlled himself and pulled back.

“No, perhaps this is what I deserve,” he said, “Celia, you are dismissed. Speak to the servants and they will find you another tent.”

He spoke to Celestia as though she were one of his soldiers, and Celestia felt a small victory. He had hurt her, but she could hurt him too. She left the tent and went out into the night, the scent of burnt earth and blood still on the wind.

~

When Ravanna reached the edge of the forest, they were long since gone. Reticently crossing the plains and leaving her home behind, she saw the remains of an old battle, the scorched earth blackened and twisted. They had been here, she knew it. Renewed fear for Celestia filled her up, and she turned from the battle site, looking across the plains towards the East.

It was a long way to go, especially by foot, but she was determined. She hoped that Celestia would still be waiting for her when she reached the East... however long that would take.

Chapter 5

Celestia looked up in awe at the Castle of the East. Surrounded by mist, its spires pointed upwards, as if piercing Nature’s shroud. Yet it was plain, built for defense, and Celestia couldn’t help but find it ugly compared to the great Spire of Navarre.

The carriage rolled on over a drawbridge and through the castle town. Celestia looked out at the humans going about their everyday business and envied the simplicity of their lives. They would never have to think about the kind of choices she had been forced to make.

When the carriage came to a stop, Celestia felt as though she were still moving. They had travelled for weeks across the plains, and Celestia felt a deep sense of anticipation now that she was finally here. What would her new life be like? On the other hand, she resented herself for even wondering. Soon she would find a way to return to her old life, and she must reject all the things that Prince Argall was trying to force onto her. She would not become a human. She was a proud Elf, promised to Ravanna, and she must hold on to that precious love until the time when Ravanna came to rescue her.

The door of the carriage opened, and Prince Argall offered his hand to Celestia. She accepted wordlessly, and stepped down. When she looked up, all eyes were upon her. Ladies in waiting to simple maids looked upon her in awe. She was captured in their stare for a moment, trapped on the spot, before breaking free and striding across the courtyard, wanting to escape their stares.

Entering the castle via a side door, Celestia raced through hallways, quickly becoming lost in the labyrinth of similar corridors. Everything was dark and lifeless, cold stone looking the same whichever way she turned. Eventually she stopped, leaning up against one of the cold stone walls. Across the hall was a painting of some bloody war scene, glorifying death and pain. Celestia looked away from it. She hated this place with all her heart, everything about the humans and everything they stood for. Sliding down the wall, she gave into despair and thought of all she had lost. Her home, her family, her people, Ravanna... Were they all dead now, because of the prince she had allowed herself to marry? Would she forever be a prisoner here, made to pay for one mistake forever?

“Lady... Celestia?” A voice echoed down the hall. Celestia looked up to see a brown haired woman standing there. She wiped her eyes quickly, wanting to hide the evidence that she’d been crying. She didn’t want these humans to see her weakness. No, if she was going to be here, she would not break and be their slave. She would stand tall and proud, the perfect example of her race. She pulled herself to her feet quickly.

“Yes, that’s me. Who are you?” she asked. She knew she must look ridiculous, that red blotches no doubt stained her face, but if the woman saw, she did not mention it.

“I’m Nina,” the woman said, “I’m a servant here. Everybody is looking for you, Lady Celestia. The Prince is very worried, and the King is hoping to see you...”

“I didn’t mean to cause a fuss,” Celestia said, “I just... I’m not used to so many people. These last few weeks have been so different for me.”

“Yes, I suppose they have,” Nina said, “I would love to hear about the Elven lands someday.” She looked down at the floor suddenly, “Not that I would ever ask you to tell me, my lady! I didn’t mean to ask such a thing!”

“Why would I mind if you asked?” Celestia asked, “I would love to speak of my homeland. I love my people and my home.”

“Yes, but I am just a lowly servant. It is not my place to ask you for anything, my lady.” Nina responded.

“I will tell you, when we have the time,” Celestia said, “It’s a promise. Now, Nina, could you please guide me to where I am supposed to be?”

~

The King’s gaze burrowed into Celestia’s skull as she kneeled before him.

“Hmm. She is adequate,” she heard him say, “I hope what you say is true, Argall. If I must bear this... blood in the heirs, I want something back for it.”

“The East will last forever, led by a King who will be half-human, half-Elven. Many sages have spoken of such unions. Although they are rare, records show such people live to be at least two-hundred years old. Some live to five-hundred years or more. Either way, the East’s future will be secured.” Prince Argall spoke in front of the guards and Celestia, and Celestia felt enraged. She felt like a piece of meat, a vehicle by which to bear heirs to a kingdom she had no stake in.

When they left, Argall pulled her aside, “It seems he has accepted you,” he said, “Go back to your room. This servant will take you there. He gestured to Nina. She has been selected to be your personal maid. I will visit you later.”

Celestia felt her stomach turn at the thought, and put it aside as she followed Nina to her chambers.

~

Weeks turned to months and the seasons changed before Ravanna reached the East. Her clothes were ragged and she was hungry, having only been able to eat what she had been able to catch. Yet she felt a deep sensation of joy rise within her as she saw the great castle town looming before her. Celestia was close again, within reach, a tangible thing again instead of just a dream.

Eyes were upon her as she walked the streets of the town, for Elves were seldom seen outside their homeland. Ravanna raised the hood of her ragged cloak and cursed herself for not having thought of it earlier, but it had been a long time since she had seen people and she had not known how the humans would react to her presence.

Unable to rent a room in any inn, she slept in a dingy alleyway behind some crates, vowing in the morning to find her beloved Celestia. She knew it would not be that easy, that she could not just take Celestia’s hand and run with her into the wilderness, for Celestia was a princess now, and months had passed since they had last met. How much would she have changed? Would she have accepted her new life, and not want to return?

Ravanna rested her head on a bag of sand, uncertainty and doubt making her already empty stomach feel like a void.

Chapter 6

When Ravanna woke, it was to a chill that made her bones ache and a dampness that saturated her already worn clothing. She made herself move, and saw that a chill fog covered the city, mirroring the fog of hopelessness that filled her heart.

She had come all this way, but the Castle Of The East was impenetrable, she was sure. It appeared that humans kept their royalty far from the regular people, and the castle was guarded day and night. Still, she felt determination rise up in her again, the need to break through these man-made barriers and find her beloved Celestia.

Stretching her weary limbs, she headed out into the morning, where the townspeople were starting their every day routine. She passed apple carts and oxen on their way to the market, as well as a group of slaves being led to the slave action. Anger rose up as she saw men and women in chains, but she thrust aside her desire to rescue them. She would no doubt die under the swords of those armed guards, and she supposed it was not her place to intervene in human affairs. The only reason she was here was to take back the one thing they had taken from her, and then she would be gone from this place, to work on liberating the rest of the Elves and returning her life to normal.

Walking around the outskirts of the castle, she got a good view of all the guards and her heart sank as she saw the high walls and strong defenses. There was no way she could get inside. She would have to wait for Celestia to come out. Perhaps she would be able to get to the market, or leave the castle unattended after a while. Ravanna knew that she must be patient and wait. It would be foolish to rush in and lose everything, even though she knew Celestia was suffering. She would be no help to Celestia if she was dead.

Feeling hunger burning a hole in her stomach, she knew she would have to take risks to stay in this place however. there was nothing to hunt here, no way to gain employment, for as soon as anybody saw her ears, they would know she was Elven, their enemy. She could leave, live in the wilderness and hunt there, but now she had come so close to Celestia, she couldn’t bear to leave the city. She was frightened that they could just as easily lock her out of the city as the castle, and then she would be even further away from Celestia.

Seeing a market stand close by, she used her Elven skills to whisk an apple without being seen. Yet as soon as she made off, a voice came shouting after her.

“Get that woman! She stole my apple!” Suddenly, guards that had blended in with the city made their way through the crowd towards her. Ravanna started to run, feeling terror strike her through the heart. She had not wanted to steal, but there had been no other way. Elven money would never be accepted here. As she ran, the hood of her cloak fell, and her ears were exposed for all to see.

It was a woman, a civilian, who eventually saw to her downfall. Seeing an Elf in her hometown, she felt hatred fill her, and stepped out in front of Ravanna. Ravanna and the woman went down, embroiled in a desperate struggle and then the guards were upon them, tearing Ravanna from the struggle with strong arms. Fighting back was useless. But, she realized, perhaps this would be her way into the castle... if she wasn’t executed first.

~

“Who is this woman?” Prince Argall stood in front of the cell, looking through the bars, “Why would she come here? Nina, I need you to find out from Celestia who this woman is. Be her friend, make her talk, I don’t care how. I still have Navarre, and I want to know how an Elf escaped the city... and why.”

“Yes, my lord,” Nina said. She tried not to look at the beaten, hunched up woman who was chained to the wall. She knew that Celestia must know this woman, and yet she was reticent to ask, to pry into the personal life of the woman she had been asked to serve. She knew that a great sorrow filled Celestia, indeed she had cried for most of the first week. Now she kept her feelings inside, locked down. She had been kind to Nina, but Nina had learned little about her. She wanted to know about the great city of the Elves, about the life Celestia had experienced in all that time, but Celestia barely spoke to anybody. She did not want to gain her trust, only to turn her secrets over to the Prince.

When Nina returned to Celestia’s chambers, Celestia was sleeping. Nina looked down at her pale, troubled face with sorrow. She was such a beautiful woman, magnificent in her grace and elegance, yet she had been torn from her homeland and culture, given a new name by Argall, and ripped away from all the people she had loved and known for more than a human lifetime.

Celestia stirred beneath her. Opening her eyes, she looked around before everything came into focus.

“Celia... I mean Celestia... Would you like some tea?” Prince Argall had insisted that everybody call Celestia Celia in his presence, but Celestia had been firm on the point; “When he’s not around, please, call me Celestia,” she had said, and Nina had agreed. Celestia seemed like a more regal name, a beautiful name for a beautiful person.

“I would like some tea... Thank you Nina.” Celestia said, sitting up, “You have been most kind, Nina. I am grateful for that. You have made this much easier.”

“My lady, thank you,” Nina said, “I am only doing my job, though I would like to be your friend, if you will allow it. Life here in the castle can be lonely.”

“Indeed,” Celestia said. She took the tea cup and sipped at the hot tea. It soothed her nerves, and she felt closer to Nature when she drank the essence of herbs. It was something familiar in a strange and foreign world.

“Do you have tea in Navarre, my lady?” Nina asked.

“Yes,” Celestia said, “We often cultivate herbs for medicine and tea. Raising plants brings us one step closer to Nature, which is at the center of all things in Elven life.”

“Nature...” She looked around the room, with its frilly lace and overdone dressings, and realized how absurd it must all look to somebody who had lived in the forest all their life.

“It must be strange for you here,” Nina said, “Our idea of beauty is probably not the same.”

“Everything looks gaudy, but the hangings are the least of my concern. I have even learned to tolerate this hideous clothing. I could even put this all down to being an adventure, a chance to see the world, but...” Celestia stopped.

“But what?” Nina asked, “If there is anything I can get you to make you more comfortable, please ask...”

“There is somebody special...” Celestia confessed, “Somebody who I thought I would spend the rest of my thousand-year life with. Now she is gone, and I don’t know where she is... I don’t even know if she’s still alive. After I was taken from Navarre, Prince Argall invaded, and I don’t know if anybody I know survived.”

“They are alive,” Nina said, “The East has occupied Navarre and the Elven lands, but your people still live. I heard the knights talking about the Elves in the castle halls... they said terrible things about your people... but they are all right.”

“You don’t know how much it lightens my heart to hear that news,” Celestia said, “Perhaps she is safe as well...”

“She?” Nina asked, “You were in love... with a woman?”

“Yes...” Celestia said, “Such unions are not uncommon amongst Elves. We do not hunger to expand our population like humans do. Children are celebrated, but we do not base our entire culture around them.”

“Such a relationship... is against the law here,” Nina said, “I have heard of some... but they sneak around in secrecy, keeping their love secret.”

“Our worlds are entirely different,” Celestia said, “Now I find myself forced into this world, having to sleep with a man. Nina, I am so scared... that perhaps I already carry his child. I thought that I could escape this life, that Ravanna, my love, would come here to rescue me, but that has not come to pass... and I fear that time is running out. What will I do, Nina, if I am pregnant? Will I have to stay here forevermore, bound here as the mother of the child that will be King of this land for hundreds of years?”

“Do not be afraid,” Nina said, “I will see if I can seek out this Ravanna, and bring her to you. You are a good person, Celestia. But be aware that you will have some hard choices to make. Perhaps Prince Argall only keeps your land hostage in order to keep you here. If you leave...”

“Don’t...” Celestia said, and she began to cry, “Leave me be, Nina.... I do not wish to talk to anybody for the rest of the day.”

“As you wish, my lady,” Nina said, “I am sorry...”

~

Nina walked through the castle, keeping her head down, her confused mind reeling in circles. Celestia loved woman, and that woman in the cell... No, it could not be a coincidence... That had to be Ravanna.

She knew she had to reunite the two, yet she also knew what she had said was true. Prince Argall would use Navarre to keep her here, and he did indeed hold the power to kill everybody Celestia cared about. She hoped that Celestia would not make a hasty decision and regret it forever. She wanted the golden-haired beauty to be happy, to lose that cloud of sorrow that hung over her, to smile again...

Sneaking down a hallway, she hurried downstairs to the dungeon. Smiling at the guards as she held a tray of food, they nodded back, thinking that she was delivering food to the prisoners.

In the deepest, darkest part of the dungeon, she finally came to Ravanna’s cell. She opened the cell door and put the food down at Ravanna’s feet. Ravanna still sat hunched up, and did not even raise her head to acknowledge Nina.

“You are Ravanna.” It was a statement of fact, for somehow seeing her again made Nina realize it was true; this was the woman that Celestia loved. Who else would come all this way, right into the heart of the enemy stronghold?

Ravanna lifted her head, and Nina lifted the cup to her dry lips. Coming around a little, Ravanna looked up at Nina in surprise.

“How did you know my name?” Ravanna asked.

“I am Celestia’s maid,” Nina said, “She spoke of you. You are the one she loves.”

“She is alive...” Ravanna sighed in relief, “How is she faring?”

“She wants to see you... but there are great risks, Ravanna. Prince Argall holds Navarre hostage, and he will use the lives of your friends and family to keep Celestia here. But she fears, Ravanna... She fears she is pregnant with Argall’s child. She cries herself to sleep. Honestly, I don’t know what to do.” Nina sighed.

“You were here with Argall,” Ravanna said, “How do I know I can trust you? He asked you to spy on Celestia. How can I know that this is not a trap?”

“You can’t,” Nina said, “Not for sure. But we all have something in common. Here in the East, loving a member of the same sex is illegal. We have to hide away, marry men, cover our tracks and meet in secrecy...”

“We...” Ravanna said, “So you...”

“Yes,” Nina said, “I love only women. I cannot risk to have a relationship, but I can see how much Celestia loves you. It is important to me that I protect that... even if I can never allow myself to fall in love with anyone.”

“I don’t know what to do,” Ravanna said, “I want to see Celestia more than all the world. But I’m frightened for Navarre. I cannot let my people become a sacrifice for Celestia and I... That is too high a price to pay for anything.”

“It is your decision,” Nina said, “I will tell Celestia, if you wish, and I will keep your presence here a secret, if that is what you want. I could arrange for you to see each other...”

“No...” Ravanna said, “It is too dangerous. Nina, look after Celestia. Be kind to her. But do not let her know that I am here. Feed Prince Argall whatever disinformation you can to keep him from executing me, but make me important enough to keep here. I want to be close to Celestia. As long as I know she is all right... I can live.”

“Ravanna...” Nina said, “You are a noble person, like Celestia... I will do my best... for both of you.”

Chapter 7

When Nina returned to Celestia’s room, Celestia was crying.

“Lady Celestia... what is wrong? Nina asked, putting her hand on her shoulder. Celestia was hunched over on the floor, her teacup shattered on the thick carpet, a brown stain soaking the rug.

“I... I dropped this. I felt a little shaky, I got dizzy...” Celestia said.

“Here, let me help you up,” Nina said, guiding Celestia to her feet and over to the bed, “You should lay down, my lady. I’ll clean that up and make you some more tea.” She felt guilty for not telling Celestia of Ravanna’s presence in the dungeon, but Ravanna had expressly forbidden it and perhaps, she realized, that was for the best. Celestia’s mental state had been difficult as it was, without her worrying for her imprisoned girlfriend. It might just be the thing to drive her over the edge.

“I’m... I’m pregnant, aren’t I?” Celestia said, “I hoped against it when I did not bleed, but now... I know. This seed inside me will root me to this place forever, and I will never see Ravanna again.”

“Please don’t say that, Celestia,” Nina said, “I know that somewhere, Ravanna is looking for you. This child does not have to change anything. You can still run if she comes for you. You can raise your child together...”

“And when I look at him, I will both love and loathe him,” Celestia said, “He will be my chains in human form, always reminding me of this imprisonment. You think that Argall will let his son disappear? He went to all this trouble to bring me here for his heir... He will not let that dream die so easily. There is nowhere I could run where I could be free.”

“The future is never set in stone,” Nina said, “Anything could happen.” She brought the tea over to Celestia and set to cleaning the floor, “No matter what, Celestia, you don’t have to do this alone. I’ll be here for you all the way, I promise...”

“Thank you,” Celestia said, “I’m frightened,” she admitted, “I may be a hundred years old, but I’ve never done this before. Please help me through this.”

“I will,” Nina said. She wanted to tell Celestia that Ravanna was waiting for her, that she would help her escape, but she knew she could not say anything without consulting with Ravanna first. Besides, she knew that a selfish part of her did not want Celestia to leave. She had finally found somebody who treated her with kindness, instead of disdain and dismissal. Yet she knew Celestia and Ravanna belonged together, and she had to help them.

~

“Ravanna.” Nina woke Ravanna from her slumber in the cells. Ravanna looked up at her with wide eyes, hearing a deep sense of urgency in her voice.

“What is it?” Ravanna asked.

“Ravanna... I don’t know how to tell you this, but you deserve to know. Celestia is pregnant. She is scared, Ravanna. I wanted to tell her that you were here, but I kept my promise. I don’t know what to do!”

Ravanna looked away with a darkening face, “So it has come to pass...” she mused, “I am too late.”

“That’s not true!” Nina said, “I could arrange for you two to escape tonight. You could get away, raise Celestia’s child together as your own...”

“You overestimate your abilities,” Ravanna stated, “Even if we could get away, do you think that Argall would let us go? He is not just going to let his wife and heir walk away.”

“He doesn’t know that she is pregnant,” Nina said, “I just found out myself.”

“Doesn’t he?” Ravanna said, “Tell me, Nina, how long has it been since he came to visit her at night?”

“About a week,” Nina said, “She told him she is feeling unwell...”

“Then he knows his seed is planted,” Ravanna said, “It is too late.”

“What do you propose we do?” Nina said.

“I have to die,” Ravanna said, “I cannot stay here, being a false hope for Celestia. She expects me to rescue her, and it is endangering her. She needs to forget me, to get on with her life here... no matter how painful it may be.”

“I won’t let you die!” Nina said, “Celestia would never forgive me. I won’t betray her like that.”

“I don’t need to actually die,” Ravanna said, “I need you to gather some herbs for me, then tell Prince Argall that I am a spy, come to take Celestia from him. Convince him to execute me. Let Celestia know. I will take the herbs shortly before my execution. They will put me into a near-death state for a few hours, long enough for them to dispose of me. Once I come around, I will be able to get away, so long as they don’t burn or mutilate my body.”

“What do you plan to do?” Nina said, “You can’t just walk away from Celestia!”

“There is no other choice...” Ravanna said, “I must wait for the fall of your kingdom... Be it a hundred or a thousand years, I must wait, and in the meantime, rescue my own people. There is nothing I can do for Celestia now.”

“How can you be so cold?” Nina asked, “She loves you! She needs you!”

“I can’t save her,” Ravanna said, “Not this time. I will only cause her more damage by trying...”

“I don’t agree with you,” Nina said, “but I will do as you ask, on one condition. Promise that you will come back for her someday.”

“I promise,” Ravanna said, “I need you to make a promise as well. Promise me that you will take care of Celestia... in whatever way she needs. She is a delicate person, who needs to be loved...” She turned away as tears built up in her eyes, “I will come back...” she said, “Perhaps not in your lifetime, but I will.”

“I’ll be waiting...” Nina said, “Now, I must run your errands... with a heavy heart.”

~

“So she is Celia’s lover?” Argall said, “She is a threat indeed. Thank you for your loyalty, Nina. She will be executed promptly. Perhaps this will stop Celia from looking out of windows... waiting for a rescue that will never come. It is for her own good. I will leave it to you to tell her the news.”

“Yes, my lord,” Nina said. Once he had left, she clenched her hands into fists... “Damn you... Ravanna... why must you do this to the woman you profess to love so much?”

Picking the herbs carefully from the castle garden, she mixed them into a paste and took them to Ravanna.

“You can still change your mind,” Nina said, “You don’t have to walk out on Celestia.”

“I have to take the long view,” Ravanna said, “It is hard for humans to understand, but we will live for another nine-hundred years. It’s hard to subject Celestia to years of sorrow, but if we get killed, we will lose all the years of happiness that lie in our future.”

“You’re right,” Nina said, “I don’t understand. I’m just a puny human who thinks that you should risk everything for the ones you love. That you should never run away when somebody needs your help. Run now, Ravanna, but I hope you’re right, because tonight I have to break Celestia’s heart, and tomorrow and the day after that I will strive to mend it. Perhaps in five-hundred years you will see her again, but will she still be yours?” She turned away, locking the cell door, rage rising within her.

Nina hated herself for what she had to do, but she knew she had to lie to Celestia. For Argall was right, Celestia would look out of the window for the rest of her life if she thought there was a hope... wasting that life on a dream she couldn’t have, letting the days pass her by in suspended animation. No, she couldn’t let that happen. Even though she knew Celestia would hate her if she ever found out.

She knocked on the door, “Help...” came a strangled voice, and Nina opened the door to see Celestia clutching herself in pain, curled up on the floor, wailing and weeping.

“Oh goddess...!” Nina cried. She screamed, and maids came running. Before she knew it, they were surrounding Celestia. There was panic, but the world seemed to stand still for her. Argall came striding down the hall, his face grim. Nina looked back at the scene and saw blood as the maids stripped her, and clarity struck her... Celestia had miscarried.

“It was the grief of losing the one she cared about...” Argall said, “I had no idea it would do this to her. I told her myself... she hit me.” He shook his head.

It’s all my fault, ‘Nina thought, No, there may still be time... I have to make this right...!

“I think I’m going to be unwell,” Nina said, turning away. She was excused, and raced down the halls, heading for the dungeon. If she could only tell Ravanna what had happened, that Celestia needed her now more than ever, that the child was no longer an issue... Perhaps Ravanna would change her mind. She ran, not caring for the pain in her side or the people who looked in her direction with confusion on their faces.

Reaching the dungeon, she saw the cell door hanging open, the cell empty. Despair filled her up. A soldier, hearing some noise, came down the hall.

“What... happened... to this prisoner? The one who was due to be executed?” Nina asked.

“She died in her cell,” the guard said, “We think she brought some herbs with her to commit suicide rather than die in enemy hands. Either way, it doesn’t matter. We executed her, and that’s what matters to the Prince.”

Nina nodded gravely, “Lady Celestia has been taken ill. I was sent here to find out if the execution had gone ahead as planned. I will go and report, then.” She turned away and hurried up the stairs.

Back in the castle, she hurried away from people, into an old, disused part of the castle. Entering one of the rooms where she knew she would not be disturbed, she slid down the wall and started to cry, her body shaking with sobs. She had been too late, and now she would have to bear the guilt for what she had done. She had let Ravanna walk away... and now she would have to hold up the lie, pretend that Ravanna was dead, even though out there, she was still alive.

“I’m so sorry, Celestia...” she wept, “I’m so... sorry...”

Chapter 8

Ravanna came around in darkness, suffocating, mud in her nose and ears. Panic filled her and she reached upward, pushing her hands through the ground and out of her shallow grave. She frantically worked on moving the earth aside so she could sit up, and she gasped for each breath as soon as she was free.

She was cold, scared and miserable, and as she wiped the soil from her clothing, she wept for all she had given up. She had wanted so much to tell the serving girl that she wanted to leave with Celestia, but the rational part of her brain had forbidden it, and she admitted to herself now that she was afraid, scared of Celestia’s child, an alien being who she had no part in creating, a bond that forged her closer to Prince Argall. She had run away, and now she was outside the castle walls, lying in a makeshift graveyard made for dead murderers and rapists. Perhaps she belonged here for abandoning Celestia.

She made herself stand up and walk around. She was stiff and cold, the herbs having done their job well, making her appear dead for a while. Now her limbs tingled as her full circulation continued where it had left off. She cried off and on, fear and doubt filling her, yet she knew she could not go back. They knew her as a spy, and to return was to face certain death. She had sown those seeds and cast Celestia as far away from her as she could, and now she would not see her until they were reunited... if they were. The possibility seemed so far away now. Celestia thought she was dead, and she had pushed the serving girl towards Celestia, to take care of her, to love her...

She turned her back on the East as dark thoughts filled her mind, of Celestia making love with the serving girl, of burying the memories of them together, moving on to a new life with humans. Of having Argall’s child and raising him with the serving girl’s help... Like a family. Like they could have been if they had fled...

Ravanna pushed the thoughts away. She had made her decision, and now she had to stick with it. As much as she hated it, Celestia had to take the back seat for a while, so she could liberate Navarre, reunite her people and topple the East. Then she could worry about winning Celestia’s heart back. She would have plenty of time for that, when they could be together. The hard part would be toppling the East... and coming through it alive.

She had heard tales of how the East and the West had waged war for a hundred years, and she knew she could not liberate Navarre alone. She had to gather allies, to build an army to push back the East... and perhaps the West was her only hope in doing that.

Everything seemed hopeless. Ravanna didn’t even have a weapon, so she went hungry for several nights until she came across an abandoned camp on the Plains. There was a bow and a dagger amongst the junk left behind, and she took them with her, along with several pieces of wood which she whittled down to make simple arrows. That night she ate a rabbit under the stars and drank from a small pool of rainwater, boiling it up and storing the rest in a small pouch she made from the rabbit’s skin. Celestia and Navarre seemed so far away, like a different life. Like she had truly died in that dungeon and come back to life as somebody else.

Yet in her dreams Celestia came to her in vibrant constructions of memories and fantasy, and when she woke, the tears were always hot on her cheeks.

~

“I feel as though a great darkness has descended upon me,” Celestia said, as Nina served her tea. She had been confined to bed since the miscarriage and the news of Ravanna’s death, yet even if she had been allowed to move, she would not have gone anywhere. There was nowhere to go, no will to see or do anything.

“You must drink, my lady,” Nina said, “I don’t want you to become ill...”

Nina had been tortured by the truth that Ravanna was still alive, and had come so close to telling Celestia several times. But what would she tell her? That Ravanna had walked out on her, that she had told Nina to fake her death and let Celestia believe it? Perhaps such a blow would be even worse to Celestia, if she could even believe it, and where was her proof? Ravanna had fled to some unknown place, to hide away from the truth that Celestia had been pregnant...

“I don’t really feel like drinking,” Celestia said, “But you have been kind, Nina, so I will do it for you. I don’t want you to worry about me...”

“I do worry about you,” Nina said, “You have been through so much in such a short space of time. Losing your homeland, losing Ravanna, losing your child...”

“It’s cruel,” Celestia said, “I dreaded having that child, feared it as some kind of chain about me, but when I lost him... I felt like I lost a part of myself... I wonder if I brought this upon myself...”

“That’s not true!” Nina said, “Of course you were afraid! Your world has changed so much, and it was about to change even further. You were afraid that Ravanna would come back, and she would not accept the child... that she would reject you...”

“So you knew...” Celestia said, “All that time, I hope she would come for me... that I could put behind me that Prince Argall had bedded me if she would only take my hand... but I was afraid that a child would be too much, that it would frighten her away... All the time she was here, in this very dungeon, and I did not know a thing... until she was gone... Until Argall murdered her...” Her eyes shone with rage, the first emotion Nina had seen in days. Nina put her hands on Celestia’s.

“I’m so sorry, Celestia...” Nina said, “I wish there is something I could have done, but I didn’t even know she was here...” She hated the lie, but she had come to far to ever turn back. She would take the secret to the grave, unless Ravanna somehow returned, but Nina thought that unlikely. “I wish there was something I could do,” Nina said, genuinely hurting at Celestia’s pain. She gently caressed Celestia’s face, “I fear this face will never smile again,” she said, “That would be such a shame...”

Celestia brought her hand up to hold Nina’s and started to cry again, “I want to be alone...” she said, “The memory of touch... holds too much pain for me. I’m sorry...”

Nina left, troubled and saddened.

~

Months passed, and Celestia had not moved from her bed. Argall summoned Nina to give a report.

“She hates you,” Nina said, “You executed the person she loved the most...”

“Be that as it may,” Argall said, “I have given up on her ever giving her heart to me. What I need to know is if she will ever be fit to bear a child.”

“She needs to find some meaning in life again,” Nina said, “I’m trying my best, but it’s so hard... She is very depressed. It will take time...”

“Time is the one thing that is not on our side...” Argall said, “My father grows tired of this union. He seeks to have Celia dealt with and to find me a new wife, a princess from another kingdom. It may not be apparent to all, but I care for Celia... I need you to do something, Nina. Convince her to bear another child... no matter what it takes. It may be the only means I have of saving her...”

“I will do my best, my lord,” Nina said, bowing.

~

“I don’t want to go outside,” Celestia said, “There’s nothing for me out there...”

“The gardens are beautiful...” Nina said, “I want you to come outside and see life, Celestia. I’m afraid that you are dying here, letting all that life in you drain away...”

Nina pulled aside the bed-coverings and took Celestia’s hands, “Please, Celestia, for me...” she said. Celestia saw her worried eyes and relented.

“All right,” she said, “But only for a little while.” She let Nina help her stand, and felt her shaky legs struggle as they were used for the first time in months. Nina held her, supporting her, and she found herself almost grateful for the closeness of somebody else. For months she had locked away the world, rebuffed all contact with people. She had refused to see her husband, and Nina had been the only person she had talked to, and she had even kept her at arms length. She wondered what made the woman continue to try and make her happy.

She was stripped naked and washed, as Nina had done every day since she had arrived. She felt better, and let Nina clothe her in whatever she wished.

“Come on,” Nina said, taking her hand, “Let’s go outside...”

The light was stunning as they stepped outside, and Celestia struggled to adjust to it. Once she did, however, Nina saw a hint of a smile cross her face. She walked over to the flowers and knelt down to sniff them, basking in their fresh scent.

“I have missed Nature,” Celestia said, “I feel as though I have been walking through darkness for so long, torn away from all the things I revere and cherish...”

“These have been dark times for you,” Nina said, “But life comes anew. It beats even death... While you have been away, all these flowers have grown from tiny seeds into full bloom.”

“Life...” Celestia looked sad, “I feel like I want a new reason to live, but I don’t know what it is.”

“The Prince... still wishes to bear an heir...” Nina let slip. She expected a rebuke, a sharp slap across the face, but none came.

“I hate the Prince,” Celestia said, “Yet somehow I feel like I could fill that empty void if I tried again. I don’t even know why... when I hate him so much, why I would want to do that... But it seems as though it is the only way forward...”

“Perhaps a child will help you through your grief,” Nina said, “A new life, planted where the memories of old still linger...”

“Talk to Prince Argall...” Celestia said, “Tell him I will see him...”

Celestia knew she was crazy, knew that she was losing it. She was going to willingly have the child of a man who had murdered her beloved and taken her people captive. Yet Nina was right, she felt she would not be able to move forward without this. This was the life she had, and perhaps it would bring her joy to see a new life grow, to see the people around her finally happy with her actions. Perhaps it was time to give in and slip into the role they had created for her.

Chapter 9

Eight months had passed since Nina had taken Celestia out to the rose garden, and now she lamented the time she had lost. Yet the hole left by Ravanna’s death still lingered, although she had tried to fill it with her new life. Ravanna was gone, she had needed to accept that, but there was still a part of her that missed her, that she understood would always miss Ravanna’s smile and the life she had lost.

Now it felt distant, like another life. She had been born again, and while this life was completely different, it was not unbearable. There were joys in the small things, like looking forward to the birth of her child, and spending time with Nina. She was still not allowed to leave the castle, but Nina often spent time with her in the castle grounds, and Celestia enjoyed her company. For a maid, she was well educated, for her grandmother had seen to it that she receive an education, even though it was not formal, and Nina in turn helped Celestia learn about the human world and what was expected of her.

“Your child will be born soon,” Nina said, putting her hand on Celestia, “Have you decided on a name?”

“I dare not even think of one,” Celestia said, “Argall still won’t let me use my own name in his presence. You think he will let me name our child, a royal child? I doubt he will let me name him something Elven. Yet a name is so important in my culture.”

“Why don’t you ask him?” Nina said, “You have done as the Prince has asked. Perhaps he will grant you this favor.”

“It is possible,” Celestia asked. Just then, there was a knock on the door, “Come,” Celestia said, and she realized how much stronger her voice sounded. She had become just a whisper after Ravanna’s death, a shadow of herself, but now she had grown stronger, perhaps harder than she had been before. Once she had lived in a land of luxury, with all she desired, and so she had not needed hardness and strength, but now such qualities seemed necessary to survive in her new world.

Prince Argall stepped in, “You look lovely,” he said. He dismissed Nina with a wave of his hand and she left quickly, hurrying down the hall to carry out some other duty.

“My lord,” Celestia asked, “The birth of our child is near. I have a favor to ask of you.”

“You wish to name the child,” Argall said, “It is my understanding that a name means a lot in your culture.”

“Yes,” Celestia said, “I know the King might not be pleased... But... I have done as you asked. I have given up my old life and given my body to you to plant your seed... so I ask this one thing of you...”

“You claim to have given up your old life... Yet still you wish to give our child an Elven name.” Argall sighed, “Yet what you say is true, you have been accommodating. You are the mother of our child... my wife. I will grant you this wish. I will deal with my father.”

“Thank you,” Celestia said. She knew she could use this to call her child whatever she wanted. She could even give him an unpronounceable name, to curse the humans who would no doubt try to speak it. Yet the naming traditions of her people dictated that the name would come to her at the birth, that some circumstance would bring a name to her in a vision, and that would be the name she would give to her child. She no longer cared for revenge, she only cared to keep her culture alive in some small way. That her child should know both his human and Elven halves.

“You have done well, Celia,” Argall said, caressing her face, “I thought for a while that you would wither and die, like a flower in the wrong kind of soil, but you have bloomed, my love. I am proud of you.” He turned and walked out, leaving Celestia looking at the floor.

He loved her, she knew that, but she had never come to love him. Perhaps it was the death of Ravanna that had driven a permanent wedge between them, but she suspected that was not the only reason. She felt no stirring in her heart when she saw him, no flash of desire, no fear or care for him. He was the father of her child, but that was all she felt. There was nothing else between them.

Nina came back into the room, “Would you like to take a walk?” she asked. Celestia had come to look forward to these walks, to tour the castle grounds and look at the roses in the garden.

“Indeed,” Celestia said, smiling. She felt warmth in her heart when Nina was at her side - of all the people in her life now, Nina was the only one who she truly cared for. There were other noble ladies who sometimes visited her, but they seemed to shy away from her alienness, to fear her difference. They would talk among themselves of human affairs, and she would feel alone in a crowded room as they stitched and made lace. She would drift away and dream of the garden, the forest, of Nature. She would dream of taking up a bow and firing an arrow true to its target, or singing an ancient Elven song.

But Nina never made her feel out of place. She was always patient and accommodating when Celestia did not understand a human term, and was always interesting to speak with. She listened intently to everything that Celestia had to say.

“I’d love to see your home,” Nina said, as they walked through the gardens, “The Spire sounds truly magnificent. I cannot even begin to imagine it.”

“Can I tell you something?” Celestia asked. She wanted to speak frankly to this woman she considered a friend, but she did not know how far the feelings went on Nina’s end. Was she just a loyal servant, doing her job, or did she truly enjoy Celestia’s company?

“Anything,” Nina said.

“My child... will you help me raise him? I’m scared to do it alone...” Celestia said.

Nina chuckled, “My lady, you won’t be alone! He will have the best tutoring and care this castle can provide. He is the future of the East, and my part will probably be small. I am just a servant, my lady. I do as I am told.” Yet her heart warmed as Celestia asked the question with such heart, as though she was asking her to raise her child together with her, as though he were theirs.

Nina pulled herself from the dream. That could never happen. Celestia was a royal bride, a princess. Her child would be the future King or Queen. Her relationship with Celestia would never be more than professional. Celestia was lonely and needed a friend, and Nina had filled that role, but she was still only a servant. She could not even dare to dream that they were actually friends. Celestia was kind and naive, treating her as an equal, but that was not how things actually were. She was a low class girl, born to a poor family and making the most of it. Still, she was happy just to be by Celestia’s side, as long as it lasted.

She had always felt guilty about Ravanna, but she had made herself stop punishing herself. As time passed, it seemed more like Ravanna was never coming back, that she had abandoned Celestia, and she felt less guilty about her feelings for Celestia. Still, she felt a deep guilt that she must always lie to Celestia, that she had made her move on from her feelings when she might still need them someday. She had not even given her the chance to choose for herself, but that was how Ravanna had wanted it. For all Nina knew, perhaps Ravanna was dead. She had no way of knowing if the herbs had actually worked, if Ravanna had been able to escape from her grave before suffocating. She could not place her bets on Ravanna coming back, and she knew the truth might never come out.

“I know he will be cared for...” Celestia said, “but I want to make sure he learns some Elven ways as well. I know it is just a dream, but I hope someday he might see his homeland, and know it as his home. I don’t want him to deny the Elf inside of him just because he grows up in human lands.”

“He should know who he is,” Nina agreed, “It is not right to deny him a world which comprises half of his soul.”

“Thank you,” Celestia said. She knew that Nina would keep their secret, that she would not tell Argall of her plans to tutor him in Elven ways.

“I brought a lunch,” Nina said, “I thought we might eat in the grove, if it pleases my lady?”

“I would love to,” Celestia said. They walked to the grove and lost themselves in the trees. They were not as grand or ancient as the trees of the forest where Celestia had been born, but they were where she felt closest to Nature.

They went to the small clearing where they usually sat. Nina set up as Celestia sat down and looked up at the leaves. Sunlight broke through the cracks and shone down on them. They sat in quiet companionship as they ate. Celestia lay down, resting her head in Nina’s lap, looking up at the sunlight and the leaves.

“My lady... Celestia...” Nina looked down at Celestia, her golden hair flowing over her lap. She gently stroked it, looking down into Celestia’s bright green eyes.

“I... how do you see me... Am I just your maid... Or am I your friend... Or?” In their restful pose, Nina’s thoughts spilled out into words.

“You’re my dearest friend, Nina,” Celestia said. She reached her hand up to caress Nina’s face, “You’ve been so kind to me... through everything... I hope I am a friend to you... I hope you don’t just see yourself as my maid.”

Nina smiled, a smile like the winter sunlight, bright but frail, tinted with sadness at the coming winter.

“...I love you, Lady Celestia,” Nina confessed, “I hold you more dearly than anything in the world. I want to be close to you all the time, I want to help you raise your child. I know you still love Ravanna! I will understand if you want a new maid... but I...”

Celestia pulled her down into a kiss, letting her hands unclasp Nina’s tied-up hair so it fell loose about them. They parted, Nina reluctantly pulling herself free.

“You’re.. Prince Argall’s wife... If he ever heard about this... We’d both be executed...” Nina said, “Besides, I’m just a lowly maid... I came from nothing... You’re a princess...”

“I’m no princess,” Celestia said, “In Navarre, I was just an ordinary person, going about my life. Just because Argall brought me here and gave me a title, that doesn’t make me special. And you... you have been at my side with loyalty and grace, blessed my life with your rich company and intelligent conversation. Money matters so much to humans... but it means nothing to me. For all its rich hangings and tapestries, there is a coldness about many of the people here that belies an emptiness inside. You, however, are rich and full of life...”

“I’m not Ravanna, though,” Nina said, turning away, “I should never have come to you with this. I’m so sorry.”

“Ravanna is gone,” Celestia said, “Of course a part of me will always love her, but that doesn’t mean I can’t love you. This is a new life, now. I’ve accepted that I cannot bring the past back. I’ve made peace with that.”

“So what do we do?” Nina asked, “We risk so much if we decide to pursue this...”

“Yet I want to...” Celestia said, “It has been so long since I have been held in a woman’s loving arms, felt the kiss of soft, tender lips... I need, like any other person. I want to hold you and pleasure you and... ohh...” Her face winced in a mask of agony.

“My lady, what is wrong?” Nina asked, becoming a maid again.

“The child... It’s coming!” Celestia said.

“I’ll go fetch help!” Nina aid, on her feet, but Celestia grabbed her hand.

“No! Don’t leave me!” Celestia said, “Please... you have to help me do this! Don’t leave me alone!”

“You need a doctor!” Nina said, “I can’t do this!”

“Yes you can!” Celestia cried. She pulled up her dress, not caring for modesty. This was Nina, this was a woman she loved dearly. She didn’t want doctors surrounding her in the castle, Argall waiting outside. She wanted it to be their moment, here, in the forest, with Nature surrounding them, the sunlight shining upon them. It was supposed to happen here, she was sure.

“Push!” Nina cried. Terror filled her, but she knew she had to trust Celestia. Celestia wanted it to happen like this, she could tell. Mixed emotions flooded her and she struggled to pull herself together, but she knew Celestia was counting on her.

Celestia screamed deliriously as the labor drew on, “Ravanna!” she cried, and Nina felt sadness fill her. Ravanna should have been at Celestia’s side for this, instead of running away. She knew a huge part of Celestia would always belong to Ravanna, but she understood that and knew she had to accept it. She had to take and cherish the love she was offered, and she would. She looked up at Celestia’s pained face and smiled.

“Come on, Celestia!” Nina cried, “We’re nearly there!”

~

As Nina held the child, covered in blood, she felt a reverent awe fill her. This was Celestia’s child... the child of a human and Elven union. He was a boy, and he had green eyes.

“It’s a boy,” Nina said, carefully wrapping the child in an unused blanket she had brought for the picnic and handing him to Celestia, who was resting up against a tree, the light bathing her in an aura Nina thought looked holy.

“His name is Solaris,” Celestia announced. “Child of the sunlight...”

Guards emerged from the trees, putting aside their weapons as they came across the wonderful sight of mother and child. News spread quickly, and Argall appeared with several doctors, who took Celestia to rest as Argall held his child.

“He looks... so Elven,” he whispered, and Nina was surprised to see he was smiling.

Chapter 10

Ravanna sighed as she completed another day’s tasks. It had been seven months since she had arrived in the West, and she had settled into a routine of sorts, waiting for the days to pass.

After leaving the East, she had wandered across the Plains in a daze, gathering together meals when she could and drinking rainwater. She had arrived in the West broken and bedraggled, her clothes torn and dirty, her spirit worn down. She slept on the streets for the first few days, until she met Sasha, a local woman who owned the pub in which she now lived and worked.

Once she had cleaned up and found some suitable clothing, she had requested an audience with the Queen of the West, only to be told she would be added to the waiting list. All who wanted to see the Queen were admitted, but that ranged from the lowliest beggar to the highest land owner. All had to wait their turn, and that turn could take up to a year.

Ravanna had considered returning to Navarre, but what was left for her there? It was a land under occupation, and she did not want to be a slave to the regime that had taken Celestia from her. She would rather live out her years here than ever give the East anything.

Yet every day, her thoughts were with Celestia. She wondered how she had coped with the news of her death, what her child looked like, if she loved Nina now... The last thought was a bitter pill to swallow, but it had been her who had pushed Nina in Celestia’s direction. Celestia needed to be loved, and Ravanna couldn’t blame her. It had been her who had walked away.

It had seemed right at the time, a possible answer to an impossible situation. Celestia had been pregnant, she wasn’t going to run away with her. She wondered if it had been the fear of rejection she had been running from when she left. Often she dreamt about waking up buried in the cold earth, suffocating. Scratching her way out of the earth to find she was alone in the world.

“Ravanna?” Sasha asked. Sasha was smart, strong and able, with long, jet black hair which she wore in a high pony tail. She looked more like a warrior than the owner of a pub, but she told Ravanna she had inherited the pub from her father and that it was all she had left of him. How he had died, Ravanna did not know, but Sasha had been kind to her, had taken her in when she had had nothing else, asking no questions, making no judgements. Ravanna was grateful for that.

“Yes?” Ravanna asked.

“I often wonder what is behind those sad eyes of yours. An Elf, all the way out here in the West. You’ve been here for seven months now. Won’t you tell me your story?” Sasha asked.

Ravanna had known the day would come when Sasha would eventually ask about her life, and it was only fair. She had given her a place to sleep and a job, had let her heal in privacy. It was only fair that she might want to know who she was.

“The East took my homeland,” Ravanna said, “The one I loved was taken to the Castle of the East. I followed, but I was unable to secure their freedom. So I came here, to ask for help, but the Queen of the West has a long audience list, a year I’m told. I want my homeland back. I know the East and West have fought before...”

“I don’t know if she’ll help you.” Sasha said, “The war between the East and the West is over. We are living in a time of prosperity now. The people here don’t want to go back to a time of war...”

“It’s my only hope,” Ravanna said, “If I can’t get Navarre back, I will never see Celestia again...” She let the name slip, a mistake in a conversation she had been struggling to keep under control. She knew homosexuality was not tolerated in the human lands, and had tried to be guarded, but the thought of losing Celestia forever had made her control slip.

“A woman?” Sasha said, “Interesting... So this Celestia... why did they take her?”

Ravanna saw no fear or hatred in Sasha’s eyes, only curiosity. She relaxed, knowing she was in good company, “The Prince wanted her for his wife... The last time I saw her she was carrying his child... I feigned death and fled... Now I fear I will never see her again.” Ravanna looked down at the floor, “She needed me, and I ran away,” Ravanna cried, letting all her bottled up emotions out, “I failed her...”

“As long as she’s alive, there’s hope. This Celestia, she loves you too, right? And you Elves, you live a long time... A thousand years, they say... Is that true?” Sasha asked.

“Yes,” Ravanna said, “We were childhood friends. We spent a hundred years together. I thought I would marry her, spend the rest of my life with her...”

“Then you were thrust into this strange world...” Sasha mused, “How odd it must all seem to you... What a sad tale. No wonder your eyes are filled with such sorrow. Please do not give up hope, Ravanna. You will see her again, I know.”

“I hope so...” Ravanna said, “I hope she hasn’t forgotten me...”

“You could never forget somebody you spent all that time with,” Sasha said, “People come and go, live and die, love and lose, but the one thing that will always remain are our memories.”

“Thank you,” Ravanna said, “I’ve carried that burden a long time...”

~

It was several more weeks before the soldiers came to the pub, and Ravanna was surprised to see them. She had almost given up on ever having an audience with the Queen.

“Come this way,” the one guard said, “Her Majesty requests your presence.”

Sasha nodded and smiled, and Ravanna was grateful, though doubt lingered within her. It was worth trying, but she sensed from her time in the West that Sasha was right. These people had fought their war and survived intact, but they were not eager to return to battle when they were not immediately threatened. They wouldn’t take up arms for the Elves, who had secluded themselves in the forest for thousands of years. They had considered themselves above human affairs, and now they were paying the price for that stance.

The castle halls were grand, and Ravanna looked around at the great tapestries that chronicled the history of the West. Great wars, kings and queens who died in the service of their country, fires, famines and times of plenty. The West had continued for thousands of years without the Elves. Why would they fight for them now?

As she approached the throne, Ravanna awkwardly kneeled. It was so strange, bowing before humans, but this was the way the world was. She had come to learn that superior strength, beauty and lifespan did not make them better people, although she despised the human notion that money equaled greatness. However, through Sasha and others, she had come to respect humans as friends and equals.

“You may rise,” The Queen of the East stood tall, long, golden hair flowing out behind her. For a second Ravanna was reminded of Celestia, but the impression wore off quickly, “What can I help you with?” She truly saw Ravanna for the first time, then, and Ravanna noticed surprise as she recognized her Elven ears, before the Queen brought herself under control.

“I am Ravanna. I come seeking aid,” Ravanna said, “The land of the Elves, Navarre, has been taken by the East, my people forced to live under occupation. They have taken my dearest friend, my Celestia, and married her to the Prince of the East, and she is being held in the East against her will. I beg you for help... an army, anything you can provide that will help me reclaim my homeland!”

The Queen sat for a few moments, then summoned an advisor. They spoke in whispers as Ravanna looked down at the floor. She had put down her pride and asked for help, and though she knew the chances were slim, she felt a little better about coming to the West.

Eventually, the Queen addressed her again, “I hear your plight, Ravanna of the Elves, but there is little we can do at this time. I am grateful that you brought this matter to our attention, but we cannot risk starting a war with the East... Over the years, we have fought with the East many times, sometimes for our survival, sometimes to expand our kingdom, but we have finally come into a time of peace and plenty. I have to do what is best for my people, Ravanna, and war is not in their best interests. I feel for your people, and truly, I wish you luck in freeing your homeland, but there is little we can do. I’m so sorry.”

“I thank you for your time, Your Majesty,” Ravanna said, before bowing. The guards escorted her out and she returned to the inn, dejected but not surprised.

“How did it go?” Sasha was waiting for her when she returned.

“The Queen kindly listened to me, but she cannot do anything,” Ravanna said, “I don’t blame her. The Elves never reached out to help anybody else, we considered ourselves too good for human wars, so why should you help us?”

“There are some who hate the East,” Sasha said, “Those with grudges from previous wars, those who resent what we gave up to build this peace, and those who would be willing to fight for your cause. You should gather those people together, Ravanna. It may not be an army, but perhaps you can win Navarre’s freedom if you try.”

“Perhaps...” Ravanna said, “It just... all seems so hopeless. I have waited all this time for the audience, making it my purpose, thinking that if I could just make it to this day, everything would be all right. Now... Now I don’t know what I’m doing... I don’t know if I will ever be strong enough to free Celestia... If I take too long... Will she even still be waiting for me?”

“Nothing is certain,” Sasha said, “All you can do is try. If you fail, Ravanna, this will always be your home. There will always be a place here for you in my pub, waiting tables, and here in my heart as my friend.”

“Thank you,” Ravanna said, “I don’t know what I would have done without you...”

Sasha took Ravanna into her embrace, and Ravanna was surprised, but accepted. It had been so long since anybody had touched her, and Sasha's warmth spread through her. The hug was over quickly, and Sasha smiled.

“Well, we should get ready,” Sasha said, “It’s nearly opening time.”

“Yeah,” Ravanna said, and readied herself for another day in the West.

Chapter 11

“I want to learn to fight again,” Celestia said, “He’s so small and defenseless, yet I would do anything to protect him.” Nina sat beside her on the bed, watching Solaris run around. He was two now, and he already had long golden hair and graceful, pointed ears. He looked fully Elven, not just half, and Celestia felt it was almost revenge on Argall that his first-born son, his heir, would forever look like the people his father had enslaved.

“Every soldier in this castle would fight to protect Prince Solaris,” Nina chuckled. “Of course you’re a mother who wants to protect her child, but he is the heir to a kingdom! He will always be protected.”

“It’s not just for him,” Celestia said, “Look at me. I used to be a fine Elf, skilled with the bow and the sword, strong and able. I was never as strong as Ravanna, but...” she let the words trail off, “I feel like I’ve given up the part of me that can fight for myself, at the time when I need it the most. After Ravanna died... a part of me did too. I want to reclaim that part. I want to fight again. I want to be strong and able to take care of Solaris, no matter what happens in this volatile world.”

“So you heard the talk of war,” Nina said, “I tried to keep it from you, but...”

“Don’t keep things from me,” Celestia said, “I love you, Nina, but I need to know what is going on. I feel almost like I’ve been living in a void. I gave myself up to my new life so much that I forgot who I was. I need to reclaim myself if I’m ever going to show Solaris who he is.”

“Perhaps Prince Argall will let you take a few lessons,” Nina said, “He’s been letting us ride further and further into the woods. I don’t think he’s afraid you will run any more.”

“I won’t run,” Celestia said, “There’s no longer any place to run to. All that is in my life now is right here. Solaris, and you.” Celestia leaned over and kissed Nina tenderly.

There was a knock on the door. Quickly Nina and Celestia parted their kiss. They had managed to keep their love affair secret for two years, and they wanted it to remain that way.

The door opened, and a maid came in, “Prince Argall summons you to his chambers at once, my lady,” the maid said.

Celestia stood up, “Let us go, then. Solaris, be good for Nina, okay? She ruffled his hair and smiled as he giggled, then followed the maid out of the room and down hallways.

It had been a while since Argall had wished to see her. Since Solaris had been born, he’d seemed content to let her be, and mostly ignored her existence. Celestia was fine with that, and spent her days and nights in the warm company of Nina.

When she reached Argall’s chambers, she knocked, and he called “Come in!” in a firm tone. Celestia opened the door and peered in, before opening the door fully and entering.

“My lord.” Celestia stood still and waited for Argall to speak.

“What I tell you, you tell nobody. I am trusting you in an hour when I have nobody else...” He got up from his desk and paced the room, “I know you have never truly loved me, Celia, but I hope you will at least do me the courtesy of listening to my words.”

“I will,” Celestia said. She was surprised; Argall had never confided in her before. That’s what his advisors and knights were for.

“I fear my father is insane,” Argall said, “He calls his advisors daily and tells them to prepare for war, to find a way to bring about a new war with the West. He doesn’t even care for the reasons, he just wants a war. Why, nobody can tell. I’m afraid for the future of this country, Celestia. I need somebody to keep an ear to the ground, to maintain a presence in the castle. Find out what you can about why my father is doing this... He will not tell me, but perhaps you can figure it out.”

“I’m a woman,” Celestia said, “In your world, I have no place in military matters. Why do you ask for my help, then?”

“You are intelligent, observant and beautiful,” Argall said, “You can enter parts of the castle unnoticed, because you are a royal woman, yet you will understand the nature of what you hear, unlike any maid or servant I could send. Will you do this for me? I will grant you a request in return.”

“I will do it,” Celestia said, “This is for Solaris’s future as well. I do not want him to inherit a country in ruin, nor grow up in a world filled with war and pain. I ask only one thing; will you allow me to take sword fighting lessons?”

“That is an odd request,” Argall said, “Whatever for?”

“Dark times are coming, I fear,” Celestia said, “I know the castle guards will always be here, but I would do anything to protect Solaris, and right now I feel as though I have lost all the skills I once had, and become bloated and out of touch with Nature.”

“Do as you will,” Argall said, “If it makes you happy and gets you to carry out this task in secrecy for me, then it is a small price.”

“Then I will do my best,” Celestia said. Leaving, she felt the door close behind her, and a heavy task weighing on her shoulders. She had never been one for gossip and court politics, but now she had to make an appearance somehow, listen to the voices of the castle and find what was at the root of all this unease.

~

The clashing of swords made Celestia feel strange, nostalgic. The Elves who had taught her to fight had fought with grace and finesse; the style of fighting in the human lands was far harsher. It was not an art, but a means to defeat the enemy, yet it provided welcome fresh air and exercise for Celestia. When she picked up a sword, she felt stronger, somehow, as though she was keeping alive the things Ravanna had valued. Ravanna had been strong and brave and now she had to be, too, for Solaris, for Nina, even for Argall. She did not know how, but people had come to depend on her.

At night she wandered the halls, listening to the idle chatter of maids as they talked about the prospect of war. She discovered that for weeks, the King had canceled every appointment to concentrate on military meetings, and recalled all his lords to the castle to discuss the war. But she did not find more than that, and she had little to report to Argall when she saw him again.

“You must keep trying,” Argall said, “My advisors tell me they cannot hold off the King much longer. His instructions will eventually be carried out. Please Celestia, you must stop this war...” He took her hands in his, and Celestia looked into the eyes of a tired and desperate man. She was his last resort, and hope was slipping away.

“I will try harder, I promise,” she said. She found in that moment that she no longer held ill will against Argall, despite all that he had done. He was only a person, somebody with great responsibilities and burdens, and he was capable of making mistakes. He had only taken the paths open to him, and he probably thought he was making a safe choice by killing Ravanna. What else could he do with an enemy spy? It hurt her to feel that way, as though she were betraying Ravanna, but she knew the past would not change no matter how many times she went over it or who she hated for making it happen.

The next day she went to court, to observe the King in the throne room as he went about his everyday business. She took Solaris with her, so she could pretend it was an educational visit.

She was surprised by what she saw. The King looked old and gaunt, and ranted about how the West was going to destroy them. His advisors nodded, but they did not seem to see what Celestia saw.

Celestia rushed to Argall’s chambers, and he opened the door and shooed her in.

“You look pale,” he said, “Whatever is the matter?”

“Your father is insane, in a manner of speaking,” Celestia said, “I think he’s dying.”

“What? How can you say that? I know he’s old, but he’s still strong.” Argall paced the room.

“There is an illness that can happen to all living beings... a kind of death that spreads through the body, disrupting the natural order of things. The person walks, but parts of the body fail, due to growths... I think your father - the King - has this illness, and it’s spread to his mind,” Celestia said.

“How can you know this, Celia?” Argall asked.

“Elves know a lot about medicine. It’s a part of Nature,” Celestia explained, “All Elves study basic healing arts. Your father... he is gaunt, weak and ranting nonsense. I can’t believe none of your healers have noticed this.”

“My father has always been an irrational man,” Argall said, “Most of the court probably never noticed the change... but you’ve been around him less often, so you noticed. Is there anything you can do?”

Celestia shook her head, “I doubt it. If it’s this advanced, his vital functions will cease soon. All you can do is seize power, my lord. Tell everybody he’s too sick to continue before he plunges this world into a war it doesn’t need.”

Argall called for a maid, “Get all the lords in the meeting chamber as soon as possible. Tell them it’s an emergency.” She rushed off.

“Thank you, Celia...” Argall said. He looked down at the floor, “I hoped this day would never come... I don’t know if I’m fit to command a whole country...”

“You can do it,” Celestia said, “You have to. Everybody is counting on you to lead.”

“...Celia...” Argall turned and looked out of the window. The sun was setting, turning the sky a vibrant orange, “You... and Nina, you love each other, don’t you?”

Celestia couldn’t hide the look of shock on her face. She was speechless.

“You don’t have to answer me. Your silence says it all. It’s all right. It’s what I deserve, for dragging you from your homeland and forcing you to marry me. I’m sorry I’ve been so cruel to you, over the years... I do not deserve the beautiful son I have.”

“It’s all right,” Celestia said, “The past is gone now. We cannot turn back the pages of time...” She stepped forward and squeezed his arm.

“I won’t bother you anymore... for pleasures of the flesh,” Argall said, “There are others I can see for that, palace concubines. But please... stay by my side. I need you, Celia.”

“I will do what I can,” Celestia said.

~

There was much commotion in the hallways as Celestia returned to her room. Nina stood up hastily as she entered, setting Solaris down on the floor.

“What’s going on out there? There’s so much commotion...” Nina said.

“The King is sick,” Celestia said, “The sickness has addled his brain. Prince Argall has to take his place.”

“Goodness!” Nina was shocked, “Is that why we’ve been hearing of war so much, when the West has done nothing to us?”

“Yes...” Celestia said, “Nina... Argall knows about us.”

“What? Celestia, what will we do?” Nina buried her head in her hands, “We’ll be executed for sure!”

“No, we won’t,” Celestia said, holding Nina in her arms, “He’s agreed... not to come to me any more. As long as I support him in his role as King.”

“What?” Nina looked surprised. “But... you’re his wife. Isn’t he angry?”

“He blames himself,” Celestia said, “He doesn’t know the half of it... He doesn’t know who Ravanna was to me. Yet somehow, I’ve forgiven him.”

“You are a strong woman,” Nina said, “If somebody hurt you... I don’t think I could ever forgive them.”

“It’s not about strength,” Celestia said, “Wounds heal over time. When I heard Ravanna was dead, I wanted to die too. But then I found reasons to live, and now, how can I still be angry? Argall is Solaris’s father. I can’t find it in me to hate him any more.”

There was loud knocking on the door, and Celestia rushed to it and pulled it open. Argall was standing there, his face grim.

“It is done. My father has been moved to his room, and I am to be King... My healers have confirmed that he is probably dying, as you say.” Seeing Nina there, he composed himself, hiding the emotions that were plain to see on his face, “Anyway, you must come, Queen Celia... We must present ourselves to our people, as the new King and Queen of the East. Argall took Celestia’s hand and pulled her forward into the crowds of maids lining the hallways, who bowed to them as they passed.

Nina stood at the door, watching Celestia being dragged off into another world. She held Solaris up to watch her mother with a smile on her face, but inside she felt sad. Celestia was a Queen, now. things had changed. She would have duties, responsibilities. She wouldn’t have as much time to spend with her and Solaris. Nina felt as though their little family of sorts had been torn apart.

Celestia turned around and looked at Nina for a split second, before melting away into the crowd, and Nina waved, wishing her well, hoping they could still be together.

Chapter 12

“I just... this isn’t going anywhere, is it?” Ravanna rested her head in her hands as she sat at the bar. Sasha was cleaning glasses behind the counter.

“Ravanna... I don’t know what to say,” Sasha said. She looked around at the closed pub, and the pile of flyers Ravanna had torn down. Nobody had come to her meeting about the East, and Sasha was not surprised. Certainly, some in the West truly hated the East, but none were willing to break a peace that had been in place for so long, a peace that even they had grown used to, growing old and soft in their homes.

“There’s nothing you can say,” Ravanna said, after a long pause, “You can’t make people listen to what I have to say. Maybe they shouldn’t. Perhaps coming here, trying to destroy your peace to save my country is wrong. I shouldn’t drag the West into this. This is my war.”

“Ravanna, you can’t fight the East on your own! You need help.” Sasha said, “Celestia is counting on you.”

“Celestia believes I am dead!” Ravanna cried, “Even if I did somehow raise an army, she’s not going to be waiting for me any more. Even though I love her still...”

“Then put her aside and stay here,” Sasha said, “You will live a long time, Ravanna. Perhaps there will come a time when you can change the way things are... But for now... just be happy here... with me.”

“I can’t,” Ravanna said, “You’ve been so kind to me Sasha, and each day I feel myself slipping away... thinking that I could truly be happy here, thinking that I could put aside my promises and be with you. I let Celestia fade away into memories... but that’s not who I am. That’s not what I want! I care for you, Sasha, but being with you would only be a lie. Celestia is alive, and both she and the promises we made will always be with me. I can’t lie to myself. Besides... my homeland needs me. My family... friends... I can’t just forget them and live happily ever after! I didn’t escape at the cost of lives just to turn away from everything...”

“You have to go back.” Sasha’s voice was quiet, but determined. “If you truly feel that way, Ravanna, you must go back to Navarre. Help your people under occupation. The West may not be able to help you, but you can help yourselves. Free your country. Then perhaps you will be able to free Celestia as well, and win back her heart.”

“But what about you...?” Ravanna asked, “What will you do?”

“What about me?” Sasha said, “This is my life. I will go on as I have always done, running this pub, serving my customers.”

Ravanna turned away, “I’m so sorry I’ve hurt you, Sasha. I never meant to lead you on, or make you think there could be something between us. These last two years have been so confusing for me.”
“I love you, Ravanna,” Sasha said. “You know that. I would give anything to be with you. But you’re right, I can never have you. Even if you stayed, I would never be as good as Celestia. You would always be thinking of her. And when you held me, it would be her you were holding. So no... go. I’ve never met her, but I can never win against her.”

“Sasha... It’s not like that...” Ravanna started, but Sasha waved her hand.

“No, I’m not angry. It’s not your fault. You can’t help who you love... I should be grateful that you have refused to lead me along. I hurt now, but at least you were honest, and I will heal in time. Ravanna, you should go.” Sasha’s voice had an edge, as though she was going to cry, but she kept it to herself.

Ravanna packed her things. There was something she wanted to say, but she could not find words for what she wanted to express. Carrying her small bag of possessions, she stopped at the door to her room. This had been her home for over two years and in the course of one night, she was going to throw it all away to go back to a place that she barely remembered. She wanted to stay, but she knew that if she did, she would fall in love with Sasha... not as a substitute for Celestia, but truly fall for the woman who had given her so much kindness over the past few years. She felt as though she had betrayed Celestia just by letting her feelings grow this far, and she knew she had to leave now.

Sasha was waiting by the door. She mumbled a few goodbyes, but Ravanna knew what she really wanted to say would not come out. Ravanna turned to go, and felt Sasha’s hand, warm on her shoulder. She felt herself turning, acting of her own accord, taking Sasha in her arms and kissing her deeply. Sasha was surprised for a second and then kissed back, letting her repressed desire run free.

Ravanna let her hands roam down Sasha’s back, caressing her as they kissed. She wanted and needed Sasha so desperately. For a second she realized how easy it would be to let this continue, to give in to what she wanted and live out this life. She could be happy here, too happy. Happy enough to be guilty for years that she had left Celestia and Navarre to their own respective fates.

She reluctantly pulled apart from Sasha, and with a whispered, “I’m sorry,” darted out into the pouring rain. She rushed through the streets, not daring to look back, knowing that if Sasha pursued her she would give up, give in, and let everything go. She had never imagined she could love somebody other than Celestia, and that revelation had come as a shock to her. Things had been so simple in Navarre, and now everything was so complicated. Somehow, she had to fix things, but she knew that the childish days of innocence that she had taken for granted were gone forever.

The rain eased as she left the city. The road back to Navarre would not be easy, but she had made a commitment and had to stick to it. There could be no more excuses, no more running away. She had to free Navarre and she needed to rescue Celestia. She just hoped that once she achieved her goals, things would be simpler again.

Chapter 13

Celestia and Nina sat in the woods, sharing a picnic. Nina looked distant and troubled, and Celestia reached over and put her hand on her shoulder.

“Nina, what’s wrong? Ever since the King was removed from his post, you’ve been distant. You can talk to me, love.”

“The coronation is tomorrow. Then you’ll be a queen, Argall’s queen. You’ll have to spend more time in court and you won’t have time for me anymore.” Nina sighed.

Celestia took Nina’s face in her hands, “Nina, look at me. Nothing’s going to change the way I feel about you. I’m going to spend as little time at court as possible. You know how much I dislike the social nature of humans. I have no desire to listen to the gossip of ladies-in-waiting. I want to spend time with you, and being queen will only give me more power to do so.”

“But... I’ve never seen the prince look so fragile. He needs you, Celestia. I worry that he’s not capable of running this kingdom on his own.” Nina embraced Celestia, stroking her long, golden hair, “I know I’m selfish, but... I want you all to myself. I don‘t want you to have to listen to all his pains and fears, and help him run the country.”

“It will be a good thing,” Celestia said, “With more influence, perhaps I can convince Argall to finally free Navarre.”

“Then you will go home... to a world I do not know. Ravanna...” She almost said that Ravanna would be waiting for her there, but she caught herself in time.

“Ravanna is gone, Nina,” Celestia said, sadly. Nina could still see the pain in her eyes when she talked about her former love, “You are right, I will return home, but you are welcome to come with me... as my equal, not as my servant.”

“But... would Elves even accept me? I am not one of them, and besides, you were with Ravanna there for a hundred years. To them, I will just be an intruder into your life and theirs.”

“Then I will return here,” Celestia said, “Home is wherever you are, Nina. I love you more than I could ever tell you.” Celestia kissed Nina on the lips, a deep, passionate kiss. She let her hands roam underneath Nina’s dress, and Nina let herself enjoy the moment.

Celestia knew she was living for the moment. She would live for hundreds of years, yet somehow, only these moments with Nina seemed to matter. Nina would proceed her in death, yet she did not worry about the future. She had once had a future that had been certain, and she had relied on it, but since Ravanna’s death, she had learned to appreciate precious moments in time, to grasp and treasure them for what they were. Precious moments that would stand out when she looked back at the end of her thousand-year life.

~

Celestia was up early the next morning. Nina was hurrying about, preparing the dress that Celestia would wear to the coronation. Celestia dressed in something simple and left her room, going out into the gardens to relax and mentally prepare herself.

Argall was standing in the garden. He looked up, almost unsurprised to see Celestia there.

“Celia, today is the day you become queen. I hope that you will behave yourself. I do not want any embarrassing secrets to come to light about my queen, do you understand? Do as you will, but be discreet. Some are beginning to gossip, and that is the last thing I need.”

“I am sorry,” Celestia said, “I did not mean to bring any shame upon you, my lord.”

“I am not ready for this,” Argall admitted, “I never saw myself as King. To me, my father was invincible, immortal. A piece of me believed that he would rule forever.”

“Nobody is ever ready for great responsibility,” Celestia said, “It is only by taking on the task that you discover what you are supposed to do.”

“Perhaps that is true,” Argall said, “But I’ve been de facto ruler for three weeks now, and I still feel that so much is out of my hands...”

“Like what?” Celestia said.

“Like Navarre,” Argall said, “I was going to withdraw our troops as a coronation gift to you, Celia. I see little value in its continued occupation. But the Assembly blocks my every move. They have an agenda that I do not know about. I am the King, and things are going on that are beyond my control.”

“You father created the Assembly, didn’t he?” Celestia asked, “Can’t you dissolve it?”

“He wrote it into the laws of the land,” Argall sighed, “I feel as though he planned to be taken from his throne, and is preserving his legacy. He hand-picked all the members of the Assembly, and they’re all his most steadfastly loyal men who will protect his agenda. I don’t know what they want with Navarre, but I can’t do anything about it.”

Celestia looked down at the stones. She had hoped for Navarre’s freedom, even though she knew she might be forced to stay as queen. She thought of her family, of the world she had left behind, and wondered if she would ever see them again.

Nina appeared at the doorway, “Lady Cele...I mean Celia, the coronation draws near. It is time to wear your new dress.”

Celestia looked at Argall, and Argall nodded. Taking her leave, Celestia returned to her room, not speaking a word about Navarre to Nina.

~

The coronation took part in one of the grand churches of the East, an ancient cathedral that had been standing for a thousand years. Celestia couldn’t help but feel reverent at something so much older than herself, and wondered if the humans felt the same way.

As they sat upon the two thrones prepared for them, Celestia saw Solaris waving at her from the side. He was still so young, so innocent and unknowing about his fate. Someday, the throne would be his and he would be here with his queen, about to make these promises that would tie him to the throne of the East. Celestia felt sad. It was a possibility that Solaris would never see Navarre, never come to see the Spire as his home or the trees as his protectors. He would never see the Elven lands as home, when he had been brought up in the East, no matter how much Celestia told him about them.

Interrupting her reverie, the music began, a grand organ filling the church with a feeling of gravitas. The High Priest slowly proceeded down the aisle with his assistant, carrying the two crowns of the East on pillows as the onlookers surrounded them.

Eventually they reached the altar, and the music stopped. The High Priest said a few words, then Argall stood and took the oaths of the land. Celestia could see that he was shaking a little, and when the crown was placed on his head it seemed to weigh him down and make him seem frail and weak. Celestia mustered all the grace she could as she made oaths to foreign gods she did not believe in. A part of her wanted to rebel, to throw off all these trappings and run back to Navarre, but Solaris’s intent eyes were upon her, watching her, expecting this of her. Nina stood watching intently. Celestia was reminded that she was a prisoner, and no matter how much she had made that prison a home of sorts, she was still not free. She still could not refuse.

Indeed, as she took her vows, she felt as though she was locking the door to her own prison cell, accepting her fate and laying down her future not as an Elf, but as a human. She detested herself for taking the vows, but she had no choice. There would come a time for rebellion, but it was not now. Solaris would be king someday and she could take all the freedom she wanted, then. If she still wanted it by then.

As the crown was placed on her head, she raised her head and looked at all her onlookers. They were all looking at their new King and Queen, knowing so little about what went on behind the scenes. As little as they knew, perhaps, about who truly was in control of the East.

Chapter 14

A month passed, and Celestia started to despise being Queen. Her life was filled with meaningless tasks that took her away from Nina and Solaris, yet Navarre’s fate still hung in the air, uncertain. “Soon,” was all Argall would say on the matter, but his face looked a little more uncertain each time she asked him.

“I think you have no intention of freeing Navarre!” she said one night, once all the guards had left the throne room and Argall was about to retire to his chambers. He looked at her with a tired face.

“It’s out of my hands, Celestia,” he said. “If those Elves hadn’t started a bloody rebellion...”

“What?” Celestia was stunned. She had heard nothing of a rebellion, though she had heard that more soldiers were being sent to Navarre. That was why she had chosen this night to confront Argall again.

“They rose up, killed soldiers, burned crops. They pushed our soldiers back. They are making me look like a fool! The Assembly is outraged and tells me this is why we can’t free Navarre, because the Elves will seek retribution for the years of occupation, and I can’t disagree with them.”

“They are my people!” Celestia said, “Your son, Solaris, is half-Elven, so don’t even talk about my people as though they are savages. Of course they are fighting back. They want the freedom that was promised to them when I married you! They want the ability to be able to live their lives as they choose!”

“I see your loyalties still lie with your people,” Argall said, “But understand this, Celia; I must do the best for my people. Whether what my father did was right or wrong, I don’t know or care, but that’s not going to matter to the Elves. All they see as the source of their pain and suffering is the East, and they will seek out our destruction...”

Celestia slapped Argall hard across the cheek, “You know nothing!” she yelled, “So don’t sit there trying to justify your actions! You’re a coward who backs down when faced with his father’s best knights on the other side of the debate. You’re supposed to be a King, a ruler, a leader of men. You should have to explain yourself to nobody! You could free Navarre if you wanted, but you want to be popular more than you care about me or your son!”

“How dare you!” Argall yelled back, standing up from his throne. He towered above Celestia, but she did not cower or back down. This man had already hurt her more than she could imagine, and she did not think there was any blow he could deal her that would hurt more then the ones he had already inflicted in the past. She stood her ground, looking directly into his eyes, and eventually he looked away.

“You know it is not in the Elves’ nature to make war. All we ever wanted was to be left alone, to be separate from the affairs of men. We never had a problem until you encroached upon our lands and our way of life. The East sought us out; we did not start this. So finish it, Argall. Pack up your men, bring them back here, and I promise you that things will go back to being peaceful.”

“I will do what I can,” Argall said, defeated. Celestia spun on her heel and departed, tired and emotional. Argall slumped onto his throne and rested his head in his hands.

“You don’t know anything, Celia... If you knew what we have done... You would know that we can’t take it back...”

Argall looked up at the statues of his forefathers in the throne room. The West had been their enemy then. Had the East always been a warlike nation? They had always found something to fight about, that was certain.

~

Argall put his order before the Assembly the very next morning, and the chamber exploded into confusion.

“Ridiculous! We cannot back down now! It is true that we have from Navarre what we went there for, and that we could leave at any time, but do you honestly think the Elves will forgive what we have done?” The Knight of the Assembly sat, and another stood.

“He is right. They will want revenge, or at least, to take back what was taken from them. It would be worse to leave Navarre then if we stayed, given our entanglements there. It may be an occupation, but they would rather we stayed then the alternative...”

“No, the King is right,” another said, “We cannot keep throwing resources at this problem. Our strategy in Navarre was supposed to strengthen us, not weaken us, to give us an edge against the West next time they find an excuse to wage war! If we keep sending soldiers, we leave ourselves open to invasion.”

“Do you honestly think the Elves will let us take the assets without a fight? We could lose more soldiers if we just leave them there for the time being. My lord, I beg you to reconsider!”

“Silence!” Argall slammed his fist down on the table, “This matter is not up for debate. I have given my orders; the assets are to be taken from Navarre and our soldiers are to return home!”

“Yes, my lord,” they said, one by one, and then the meeting was dismissed.

~

“Celestia,” Nina said, entering the room with a broad smile on her face. Celestia looked up from where she was teaching Solaris to read Elven characters from an ancient book she had found in the library. Much of it was archaic, but she wanted to instill in Solaris that he was an alien in the East, that he belonged to another world, a different culture.

“What is it?” Celestia asked.

“They’re bringing the troops back from the front... The occupation of Navarre is over, my lady! The order was issued this morning. You can go home!” Nina’s smile faded, and Celestia realized she was being happy for her, happy because she knew Celestia would be delighted that her homeland was free.

“I can’t go home,” Celestia said, “Not now. I can’t leave Solaris, and he is too young to travel that far. I’m queen here now, and I want to be with you...”

“But it’s your home... the place where you were born. Isn’t that what you’ve wanted all these years?” Nina was perplexed.

“I wanted my family and friends to be free,” Celestia said, “But I gave up my homeland willingly. I can’t leave everything now to go back. Besides... It’s been so long. Navarre is like the whisper of a memory, a dream of another life. It was a place where Ravanna and I belonged... but without her, I fear it is my home no longer. I have a new life now, here with you. Solaris is growing into a fine young prince.”

“A prince that reads Elven and will always wonder who he is and where he belongs,” Nina said, “You claim you don’t want to return, but all you have done is pine for your home. You talk constantly to Solaris about Navarre. You don’t have to lie about your feelings... If you want to escape this place, I will help you. We can all leave together...”

“I can’t go back now,” Celestia said, “I am the only thing holding this fragile peace together. If I leave and take Argall’s son, do you honestly think he won’t tear down Navarre looking for us? The Elves cannot fight a whole army. No, Nina. It is a sweet dream, but it cannot be. I will return to Navarre someday, but it is not time yet.”

“You’re right,” Nina said, “The only reason Argall is doing this is because you begged him. I guess you got your original agreement honored after all.”

“Yes,” Celestia said, “I have to hold up my end of the bargain, though, for everybody who is counting on me.”

Nina hugged Celestia tightly, “I was so afraid I would lose you,” she said, “But I want you to be happy. Not living in a gilded cage for the rest of your life.”

“My life will last a very long time,” Celestia said, “There will be time for everything in the end. Right now, I just want to be here, with you and Solaris.”

Yet there was a part of her that yearned to return home, more than anything else in the world. She dreamt of the trees and the rivers, the smiles of familiar faces, of Ravanna, her love, lost to her forever. Another world. Another life...

A life she still yearned for, and always would.

Chapter 15

Ravanna had wandered for weeks. The grasslands were damp and boggy, the rain unrelenting, and it wasn’t long before Ravanna’s clothes were soaked.

Mirroring her physical discomfort was her mental anguish. Leaving Sasha had not been easy. She had not meant to break the woman’s heart, but she had made a promise. Humans didn’t understand the nature of an Elven promise, that forever meant a thousand years. She had promised herself to Celestia. Even though she was so far away, just the flicker of a memory, like a dream upon waking.

All her preconceptions about love had been broken. The belief that Celestia was the only person she could ever fall in love with, that love was easy; all that was gone now. She had loved Sasha, and in many ways felt like an oathbreaker just for having those feelings.

Worse still were the dreams where she rationalized her feelings. Where she discarded the ring and lived out her life with Sasha. She woke confused and in pain. The only thing that kept her walking day after day was the fact that she had made a choice, and now had to follow through with it. Her people awaited her, and regardless of any future or past she had shared with Celestia, she had chosen to come back here. She had severed the ties to a potentially comfortable life, and caused a pain she could not take back. It was done, the moment had passed, and now she had to make sense of her choices and continue onwards.

Still, the days were miserable, lonely and wet. Ravanna had few provisions, but was able to find a traveling caravan and spend the last of her Western money to buy dry clothes and food. But her provisions ran low again as she saw the tree line, and she was thankful to reach the forest at last. It welcomed her home with a familiarity she appreciated, as she picked berries she had studied to make a meal.

Pushing on, eager to reach Navarre, she came across guards in the forest, yet the camps looked small, mostly deserted, with just a few straggling soldiers protecting the servants as they packed tents and provisions onto wagons and headed out onto the road they had slashed into the forest. Ravanna stayed low, wondering, hoping that Navarre had been freed while she had been on the road. Had Celestia been successful, or had something else happened to cause this sudden withdrawal of the East’s troops?

As night fell, Ravanna stood at the edge of the trees, looking into Navarre. Her eyes widened as she took in the sights; the Spire was damaged, smoke rising from the top. Homes had been razed to the ground. Elves sat around campfires, homeless and shivering, but making the most of it. But the most shocking thing she saw were the number of pregnant women she saw moving around. The Elves had never had many offspring, and those they did have were spread over hundreds of years. Yet here almost every young woman she saw was pregnant. Many were dirty and crying openly, an unusual sight in such a proud people.

It dawned on Ravanna that the occupation of Navarre had involved as much rape and pillage as the humans had been able to handle. The Elves had put down their arms, given themselves up, so she could go after Celestia. Although it had been a lost fight anyway, Ravanna couldn’t help but feel guilty. She had escaped this fate, while her family and friends had been forced to face it. She had given up the objective they had sent her after... How could she face them now, knowing that she had run away from everything?

Yet she knew she had nowhere else to go. This was her home, these were her people, and she had to own up to her shame and accept the consequences. She had done enough running away to last a lifetime, even one as long as hers.

Seeing there were no soldiers, she stepped out of the shadow of the trees. The firelight illuminated her face. Approaching the closest campfire, faces turned to look up at her, their eyes widening.

“Ravanna... Is that you?” One of the pregnant women stood up, “Oh goodness, we thought you were dead. Our spies in the East reported you had been executed...”

“You had spies...? No, I managed to escape...” Ravanna said. She recognized the woman as Nadia, a woman she had never been close to but who she knew nonetheless.

“Where did you go?” Nadia said, “It’s been years, Ravanna. Time has never gone by so slowly for the Elves. It is almost as if our time has slowed to that of the humans’... Time goes by slowly in suffering, they say.”

“Nadia... I am sorry for your suffering. I went to the West, to ask for their aid. I had to wait to see their Queen. Then she said she couldn’t intervene... So I came back, to see if I could help...”

“We fought them off on our own,” Nadia said, “We staged a rebellion when they took our children. They may have been born of rape, but Ravanna, they are ours! Her hand subconsciously slipped to her belly, as if protecting the life that was growing inside her. They were talking about a race of half-human, half-Elven warriors. They have milked us for our long lives and superior abilities, and now they have taken the babes and fled. Leaving this...” She gestured to the ruined city, “We have nothing left... So many have died in childbirth, others died in the skirmishes over the years. Your father is unwell ever since he was wounded in battle.”

Ravanna looked down at the ground. Nadia’s tone was not judgmental, but Ravanna felt it should be. She had abandoned her people when they had needed her, and now she could not even begin to imagine the suffering they had been through.

“I must see my father,” Ravanna said, “Where is he?”

“He is in Celestia’s home... Her home is one of few left standing. I’ll see you later, Ravanna.”

Ravanna left the campfire, leaving Nadia to huddle with the others. Racing to Celestia’s home, she passed several fires and people huddled in the ruins of their homes. She didn’t see many men, and it worried her. Had that many of her people been killed?

Knocking on the door, Ravanna waited with baited breath. It was a few moments before Celestia’s mother came to the door.

“Ravanna...! You are alive? Do you have Celestia? What’s happening?”

“Celestia is not with me,” Ravanna said, “She is still in the East. I fear I have failed her, and everybody here. I went to the West to get help, but they don’t want to fight for us. I abandoned Celestia, and you...”

“Come in,” Celestia’s mother said. Ravanna found herself ushered in. She saw a frail figure on the bed in the corner and recognized her father’s gaunt face. Rushing over to him, he stirred.

“Ravanna...?” He whispered, his voice cracked and hoarse, “You’re alive... You’ve come home...”

“Father, what happened to you? To Navarre! I knew the occupation would be bad, but I never imagined this...” Ravanna put her head in her hands and slumped into a chair next to the bed.

“It’s not your fault, Ravanna,” Her father sighed, “Do not waste time on guilt. I can see in your eyes that you blame yourself for this, but do not. None of us could have imagined the cruelty of the humans. We were naive. To be honest, my daughter... I’m glad you were not here to see the horror that has unfolded. Perhaps you alone can retain the innocence that we had before this happened. The memories of better times now lie with you...”

“I didn’t save Celestia,” Ravanna said, “I could have stayed by her side, even run away with her, but when she became pregnant with Argall’s child... I fled. I was so afraid. I didn’t know where to go, so I went to the West for aid. I waited and waited for an audience with the Queen... Only to hear her say that she could not help me.” Ravanna shook her head, “I was a coward! I abandoned Celestia in that nest of vipers, to be abused by Argall forever!”

“You had little choice,” Ravanna’s father said, “If you had taken her, he would have hunted you down, and spared no expense in doing so. The heirs are important to them... They want an army of powerful warriors to destroy the West, and so they have stolen our bloodline.”

“What can we do?” Ravanna said, “We have no strength to fight back. This city is full of pregnant women and old men.”

“We will rebuild,” The Elder said, “Ravanna... I hate to put another weight on your shoulders, but I am not long for this world. I need you to take the place of Elder. I need you to use your memories to rebuild Navarre, use your innocence to remind the people of who they were before this horror unfolded. Make Navarre strong again, so that you can defend it if they come back. I think they have what they want for now... but that doesn’t mean they won’t come back for the other children. Ravanna... those children are our future... you must get them back somehow. Somehow, I feel that Celestia is the key to all this. Perhaps she is in the place she needs to be, Ravanna. I feel that the fate in your visions will yet come to pass... That you two have a great destiny together...”

“Celestia loves another...” Ravanna said, “I pushed them together. A human servant girl owns her heart, of that I am sure, and she thinks I am dead... There is nothing left to bind her to this place, or me... My fate is no longer bound to Celestia’s...”

“I don’t believe that to be true,” Ravanna’s father said. “Ravanna, one can have many loves in a lifetime. Separated by death, time and pain, fate can be a cruel master and drive people apart, and other people together. That doesn’t mean you won’t find each other again.”

“I don’t even know how I feel...” Ravanna said, “When I was away, I was tempted by a human woman. I kissed her before running away... I feel as though I threw away the sacred promise I made to be with Celestia always.”

“Celestia took your ring.” Celestia’s mother spoke up.

“What?” Ravanna said, “But how? I threw it from the Spire...”

“I saw her bend to pick it up. I know you wanted to marry her, Ravanna. I know she said she couldn’t. Yet her hands picked it from the mud regardless, and took it with her. She may think you are dead, Ravanna, but she still loves you, I know my daughter. I know that she could never live in a world without you in it... Even if she truly loves another... You are always with her, wherever she goes.”

Suddenly, as though a floodgate opened, the memories of Celestia poured into Ravanna’s mind. Long held back, they came forth hot and sweet, memories she treasured, moments they had shared. She had repressed it all as she had fled the East, and now she saw the memories again. Ravanna started to cry, years of loss and misery filling her up as she redrew everything she understood. Celestia had taken the ring. Celestia had accepted her sacred promise, even as Argall took her away.

“I want to go to her. I want to see her again...” Ravanna wept as she sat by her father’s bedside.

Celestia’s mother held her tightly, “The time will come, dear,” she said, “But that time is not now... Now you must be strong, be the Elder and reunite the Elves. Make this place home again, so that Celestia might see her homeland in all its glory when she returns.”

“How can I do it? I have shamed myself. I ran away time and time again, from Navarre and from the East and the West. How can I look into the eyes of all those pregnant women and tell them I understand their pain? I can’t do it!”

“You must do it...” Ravanna’s father sighed in his bed, “Look outside and tell me if any of those shell-shocked Elves are fit to lead. They have suffered more than you can imagine. You are the only one of us who is young and whole. Navarre needs you, Ravanna...”

Ravanna walked to the window and looked out. The campfires grew dim as the Elves slept, huddling together for warmth. A gentle rain fell, bringing further cold to the misery that already befell them. Yet they did not complain. They did not run away. They hung on with as much dignity and pride as they could muster.

Ravanna’s mind went to Celestia, trapped in the East. She would surely weep if she saw what had become of her home. She would want Ravanna to stay, to help mend the wounds of their people. Even if it meant not seeing each other for several more years. Wasn’t this how this had all started, with Celestia’s brave sacrifice for her country? Now it was her turn.

“I’ll do it,” Ravanna whispered as the tears rolled down her cheeks, “I’ll lead them.”

Chapter 16

The rain continued to fall as night turned to day. Ravanna left Celestia’s house after an uneasy sleep, in order to survey the wreckage of Navarre and ponder her new responsibilities.

In the daylight, the city looked worse than it had the night before. The flickers of firelight had masked the dead appearance of everything, and the fact that the humans had stripped the Spire of all the gold that had been built into it by Ravanna’s ancestors. The city looked like a pile of dead stone, with no magic or glamour to speak of. It was hard for her to see the grand city she had been born in looking like this.

Wandering in the cold and damp, Ravanna saw people huddling together in the cold. More pregnant women, raped by the soldiers and yet still holding on. She went over to them.

“I know it’s a lot to ask,” Ravanna said. She was shy amongst her own people, amongst these people who she had spent so long with, yet so long apart from. She remembered their names, yet they seemed like different people now, broken, without the will to continue, “But I need help. My father has chosen me as the next Elder, and I need you to help me get the fires under control. If we can reclaim the Spire, we can take shelter there while we rebuild.”

None of the women moved. Ravanna found herself at a loss. Did they hate her, for what she had done? She wondered if it had been a mistake to take this responsibility; what if she couldn’t deliver? What if she would be a failure to her people, just as she had failed Celestia and Sasha?

“Please,” Ravanna said, “If we sit here... everybody will die from the cold. Your children will be born in the rain, and will die from exposure. I know that you’ve been through a lot, but please... The future of Navarre depends on this.”

“We have no future...” one of the women said tiredly, “We endured their pillage, their rape, watched our sisters die in agonizing childbirth, and then they took our children to be their warriors. What’s the point of rebuilding? They can come back at any time and crush it all, take whatever they want. There’s nobody left to fight for us...”

“Then stand up and fight!” Ravanna said, “We will get your children back, but that will never happen if you sit here and die of the cold!”

The woman stood up. She was heavily pregnant, and it was obviously an effort to stand in her emaciated condition. “You expect me to fight like this?” she said, “I couldn’t even lift a sword right now. I haven’t eaten in days.”

“Then we need to take care of that,” Ravanna said, “The Earth provides. There are berries in the woods, animals we can hunt, things we can plant for the future. If we don’t... you and your child will die.”

“It doesn’t matter,” she said, “I didn’t want this. You have no idea what it is like to have a soldier force himself on you like you’re a piece of meat, right in front of your husband. Then... they killed him as he wept and struggled. What is the point of living, Ravanna? I have lost my soulmate, and my pride. I promised myself forever to my husband, but was forced to break that promise when they took me...”

“You didn’t break that promise!” Ravanna felt a million feelings engulf her in flame. Rage at the horror her people had been forced to endure. Pity, for her friends who had been raped and broken down. Indignation at the fact that hope had been discarded too easily. “You never wanted this or asked for this! It was forced upon you! You have never strayed from loving your husband, I can see it in your eyes.”

She started to cry, then. Ravanna took her into a warm embrace as the others watched warily.

“I thought I was done crying,” she said, “I thought I had cried so much that I would never cry again. Everything has been dull, like some kind of faraway nightmare... cruel and unreal. I have been clinging to the thought that it will all end soon... and then I saw you, Ravanna. You are like we used to be, before all this... and I know it is all real.”

“The nightmare will end,” Ravanna said, “But only if we fight for it, rebuild and start living again. We can’t take back what has been done... But we have to move forward somehow.”

“The men are all dead or imprisoned,” she said, “We did manage a rebellion... The Elder helped us to fight back. We put the last of our spirit into it, but they sent more men, and crushed us... Then they took the children and fled. I live constantly wondering when they will be back for the rest.”

“The rest are not yet born,” Ravanna said, “If they want to come back for the children, they will wait a year or so, in order to take them in one fell swoop. That gives us time to work on improving our defenses. Otherwise they will come back, and they will take the rest of the children. You won’t fight for them?”

“I both love and hate the child growing inside me,” the woman said, “It should be my husband’s child I bear. Yet I know it is not the babe’s fault, and that half-blood though he is, he may be the only future we have left.”

The others were watching raptly now, each considering this conversation in their own minds. Others were gathering in the morning light, some shivering, all wondering what Ravanna had to say. What could this familiar stranger, this runaway, have to say to them that they could not understand for themselves? Ravanna realized she had an audience and began to speak to them directly.

“Out there, in the human world, Celestia has a child. I was afraid when I knew that, and I ran away, leaving her behind. I had loved her for so long that the thought of her carrying somebody else’s child scared me. I almost felt betrayed, even though it was not her fault. Yet I’ve come to terms with it. Sometimes I wonder what that child looks like. Does he or she have Celestia’s golden hair? Do they look more Elven than human? How does Celestia feel about her child? I know, deep down, that she must love that child more than anything. Probably even more than me. But that’s not a betrayal of our love. It’s a different kind of love. You all have nothing to feel guilty about for loving your children, even though they were not of your choosing. You have a responsibility to them. You’ve made a promise, whether you know it or not. Now we have to make the most of it. We have to fight, for them, to keep them out of the enemy’s hands and a lifetime of war ahead. We have to get stronger so we can take back those who were snatched from us.”

“You’re right,” the woman said next to her, “But where do we start? I don’t even know where to begin... I’m so scared and tired...”

“First, we need to take a look at everybody. The most heavily pregnant and those in need of medical care need to go to Celestia’s house, and take shelter from the cold and rain. From the rest, we need to decide who is fit to work. The stronger of us will work on making the Spire habitable. The others will forage for food. Berries, nuts, mushrooms, even edible bark. Meat if you can find anything left to hunt. We will share what we find equally. When the Spire is ready, we will all move there until we can rebuild homes for ourselves. In the meantime, children will be born. Those who have experience with childbirth will be needed. I can’t say that these next weeks and months will be easy, but we need to do this if we want to save Navarre.”

Ravanna did not know where her strength came from, but she could feel Celestia there with her. Ever since she had learned that Celestia had taken the ring, a new sense of hope had filled her with courage. Now, she would work to save her homeland, so that when she finally brought Celestia home, it would be to a land she could be proud of, and a stronger woman waiting to be her wife. If she was still willing, Ravanna still wanted to marry Celestia. Nina and the child had not changed any of her feelings. She just had to re-earn the privilege of being Celestia’s beloved. She realized that she had depended on Sasha because she had no longer believed in herself; that feelings had grown because she had hated herself for running away and needed to feel loved by somebody. She had loved Sasha, and she would not deny it, but Celestia was the one. Celestia was still there, shining brightly in her mind when the world was dark, her reason to continue onward through the sorrow and grief that now surrounded her and make something of it, instead of running from it.

As the tattered remains of Elven society stood up with renewed hope and purpose, Ravanna looked to the sky, wondering what Celestia was doing now and how long it would be before they would meet again.

“Be safe, my love...” she whispered to the wind, “Until we meet again... I’ll always be with you.”

Chapter 17

Celestia woke in the darkness, sitting up sharply in her bed. Nina stirred beside her. “What’s the matter, Celestia?” she asked.

“I can hear children crying,” she said, “I’ve heard it for a few days now. It’s distant, but it’s definitely there.”

“Solaris is sleeping soundly,” Nina said, checking on him, “I don’t hear anything, Celestia. Are you sure you weren’t just dreaming?”

“I’m sure,” she said, but she saw the look of disbelief in Nina’s eyes and rolled over. Perhaps it was in her mind. Why would she hear babies crying? None of the maids or women of the court had given birth recently. There was no reason to hear such things.

She thought back to her first pregnancy, when Ravanna had died and she had miscarried. Perhaps it was guilt driving her to hear these things. Was she going crazy? She had thought herself healed from that pain, but perhaps it lingered still. The memory of that night was stuck in her head forever, even though the nightmares had stopped.

Celestia heard the crying again, and put her pillow over her head. Why now, after all this time? Why was she hearing this now?

~

Morning came, and Celestia got up from her bed, cranky and irritable. The cries had turned her stomach, those wails of pain making her maternal instinct rise in longing to comfort and ease those tears.

“Did you hear any more crying?” Nina asked, as she bathed Celestia.

“No,” Celestia said, not wanting Nina to worry. Perhaps she was suffering from trauma she hadn’t dealt with. Perhaps she just needed some time alone, away from Nina, Solaris and her life. Some time to reflect on her heritage and her life, to remember who she had been and who she was now.

“I’m going to go for a walk this morning,” Celestia said, “Could you dress me in something simple?”

Nina nodded and dressed Celestia in traveller’s clothes. She didn’t look like a queen at all, and that’s what she wanted.

“So where shall we go today?” Nina asked, dressing herself.

“I would rather walk alone,” Celestia said, “I’m sorry, Nina... I just want some solitude at the moment.”

“That’s all right,” Nina said, “I’ll take care of Solaris for you while you’re gone.” Celestia saw her crestfallen look and felt guilty, but she knew she had to be alone and center herself. She had been undisciplined and lax since Ravanna’s death, finding oneness with nature to serve only as a painful reminder of better times.

Leaving the room, she felt an odd sense of freedom. She realized it had been a long time since she had been anywhere without Nina. It had always been Nina and Solaris, and Celestia had just blended in, letting the past drift into memory. She stepped outside into the sunshine, and made for the small wood where she and Nina had first made love. The trees there made her feel at ease, and she sat and let herself drift. She was acutely aware of the cool wind on her skin, the voice of the trees as their leaves rustled, the very life growing all around her.

And then she felt it. Like a flickering candle, she felt love, warmth and desire fill her up. But this was not her love for Nina. That was simple, familial, uncomplicated. This was her love for Ravanna, the feeling of her soulmate, the one who completed her so well, who finished her thoughts, who echoed her very soul.

Celestia started to cry. She thought that she had cried her last tears for Ravanna, but she knew now that she had been mistaken. How could such a love diminish in a few short years, after the hundred they had spent together? Death had parted them and the winds of circumstance had drawn her to another, but Ravanna was and always would be the one in her heart.

Just then the wind changed and she thought she could hear a cry from far away, as if Nature itself was trying to tell her something, but she was not in tune with it and could not understand its voice. She stood up as the leaves swirled around her feet, as though desperately trying to reach her.

“I don’t understand!” Celestia cried, and the leaves died down, the wind fading. The message, whatever it had been, was lost forever, and Celestia could not shake the feeling that she was missing something important.

~

Nina sat in their room, pondering recent times. She wondered where Ravanna was now and what she was doing, or if she was still alive. The guilt was with her still, especially now that Navarre was free again. If Celestia knew that Ravanna was out there somewhere, she would certainly have returned home, Nina felt. But as time went by, it became harder to contemplate telling the truth. They had become so settled in their lives, and the little white lies had built up. How could she shatter that now and come clean? What would the purpose of that be? The past was gone, and all she had was the present.

Yet she couldn’t help the feeling that Celestia was slowly slipping through her fingers. Ironically, as she became more accustomed to her new life, Celestia seemed to be getting further and further away from her. She no longer needed a support crutch in a strange and frightening new culture. She just needed a babysitter and a maid.

Nina chided herself for thinking such thoughts, but her doubts and fears still crept in when she was alone. She was a mere mortal, up against an immortal ghost. A second choice because Celestia had been denied her first. A make-do in a world where Celestia was just getting by, waiting for her chance to escape someday with Solaris. And what then? Nina couldn’t live in the Elven lands, she was a human. They all remembered Ravanna fondly and would never accept her.

Had she ever truly owned Celestia’s heart? She didn’t know, but a creeping fear was filling her up, telling her that their time together was short, that any moment could be their last.

She took a deep breath and put on a brave smile as Solaris wandered over. He was growing older with each day, looking more and more Elven. Even though he was not her child, she had raised him, and she knew it would kill her to ever lose him.

~

Celestia wandered back from the woods, dazed and bewildered. She had gone to seek solace, but had only found more confusion. Yet she felt a sense of self that she had long suppressed. The love of Nature, of her Elven roots, her love for Ravanna... these things were an integral part of her and could not be denied. But where did that leave Nina and Solaris? Solaris would always be her child, and she did not feel conflict there. He might have never seen Navarre, but he was half-Elven, he was a part of her... But Nina? Nina seemed almost strange to her now, stranger than she had been when she had first arrived in the East. She had been looking for comfort, for some way to understand the strange world she had been thrust into, and Nina had provided her with the knowledge and reassurance she had needed. Had she used Nina, then? Would she now throw her by the wayside, because of her love for somebody who was dead?

No, of course not. She loved Nina. It wasn’t the same, but then was any love? Each person was different, another expression of Nature’s diversity. Nina had been there for her through the agony of losing her child and Ravanna’s death, and had been loving and supportive to both her and Solaris. But Nina tied her to this world... this land that could never be her home. She made her forget about herself, what was important and the traditions that she had grown up with. She encouraged her to forget her former life, instead of accepting it as a part of her. It was Celestia’s duty to remember, no matter what. For Ravanna, she would not toss aside the woman that she had been loved as, for another woman to love her. Ravanna had adored her, and she would not commit her true self to the grave to be with her. That was not what Ravanna would have wanted.

Roaming back through the halls of the castle, she was about to open the door to her room when she heard the babies’ cries once more.

“Stop it!” she cried, “Leave me alone!” The door to her room opened and Nina hurried out, carrying Solaris in her arms.

“What is the matter, Celestia?” Nina asked.

“That crying... can’t you hear it?” Celestia asked, “Babies crying, so many of them... It’s so loud!”

“I don’t hear anything,” Nina said, “Celestia... I’m worried about you. You’ve been so distant, and now this... Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“No!” Celestia cried, “I know you think I’m making this all up... I’m not! I don’t know why you don’t believe me, but I can hear it! Maybe your weak human senses just can’t pick it up!” She realized the mistake in her words as soon as she said it, but it was too late. The words had been spoken.

“I’ll always be inferior to you, to Ravanna!” Nina yelled, “I don’t have Elven ears or Elven senses! I don’t understand Elven traditions! I’m just a stupid, short-lived human who will be gone in a blink of an eye, and forgotten just as quickly!” She slammed the door to the room, and Celestia heard the door lock behind her.

Leaning up against the wall, Celestia began to cry. She hadn’t meant to say such things - indeed, she didn’t believe that Nina was inferior because she was human, just different. But for some reason, she had implied it. Had the memory of Ravanna driven her to push Nina away? She didn’t know, but the crying started again, and she found herself driven to follow it, to find out what the source of her misery was.

Following the sound into a disused part of the castle, wiping her tears away to concentrate, she heard the tears coming through a wall. Looking for a door to the room beyond, however, she found none, and returned to the place where the sound was loudest. Staring at the wall for a while, she wondered if there might be some kind of secret door. Nina had told her that there were many passages in the castle, some operated by pulling on candles. Seeing a candle in a bracket on the wall, Celestia pulled on the bracket and the wall slid open. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door behind the wall and stepped into the room.

There were children everywhere, from babies in cribs to young toddlers. Maids were taking care of them, and didn’t notice Celestia standing at the door over the loud crying of the young children. One of the young toddlers noticed her, however, and rushed over to her. Celestia ruffled his golden hair... and felt pointed ears under her hand.

Looking around in shock, she noticed all the children were Elven. Her mouth fell open in shock.

“What is this?” she demanded of the maid who came to retrieve the child, “Whose children are these?”

“My lady, you should not be here,” the maid said, “If His Majesty finds out, he will be angry. You should just go away and forget you saw anything.”

“How can I?” Celestia said, “These are the children of my people!”

“In honesty, we do not know where they came from,” the maid said, “But they came back with the invading force from Navarre, and His Majesty calls them his ‘assets’.”

“He stole their children... So that someday he might have an immortal army to crush the East... Raise them here, and they will never know who they truly are, and never know what it is to be Elven... How could he?” Celestia pieced together the puzzle with horror, “But so many children... my people rarely reproduce...” Then it struck her.

“The whole purpose of invading Navarre was not for land, but to rape its women, to steal their bodies to produce an army!” She paced, filled with fury she had not felt in years, “Then they stole away the children, leaving Navarre to rot in misery, its men dead, its women demoralized and heartbroken... How could he do this?” She stormed out of the room, marching to Argall’s chamber and throwing open the door. Argall was sitting at a desk, drinking a goblet of wine. Celestia rushed forward and grabbed the cup, throwing it across the room at the wall where it exploded into a shower of precious stones and broken pieces.

“Celia... Why are you so angry? Calm down...” Argall said, “There is nothing so awful in this world that we cannot discuss it.”

“Yes there is...” Celestia said, “You raped my people and stole their children! You took their children... What for? So you can build an army to destroy the West, am I correct?”

“It was the Council’s plan, enacted by my father,” Argall said, “The wheels were already in motion. By the time I came to power it was too late to change it.”

“It was never too late!” Celestia yelled, “You were the one who took the children from their mothers! Perhaps you were too late to stop your pig soldiers from raping the women they encountered, but you didn’t have to take those children with you!”

“The West seeks our destruction,” Argall said,”It is only a matter of time before they come at us again, restart the war. I won’t let them have the upper hand! You know your people are stronger, faster, smarter, better in every way! We can do this! And then, once they are done fighting, they can go back to Navarre if they wish. I won’t deny them that. But they are human as much as they are Elven. This is as much their home as Navarre. The Elven women will forget and move on.”

“Forget... Move on? You have no idea what it is to be a mother!” Celestia cried, “I still think about the child I lost. And if somebody took Solaris from me, I would not hesitate to do anything to get him back.”

“Anything? Really?” Argall said with a disbelieving look, “Would you let Nina die?”

“In a heartbeat,” Celestia said with conviction, and she knew it was true. It was not from a lack of love for Nina, but because Solaris meant so much to her. But would Nina understand that sentiment? She knew Ravanna would, but Nina...?

“I cannot help it,” Argall said, “What must be done, must be done. It is hard for them now, but these are not children they wanted. The East needs these future warriors to end this war and spare many more mothers the pain of losing their sons in battle.”

“You make me sick,” Celestia said, “I hope that Solaris does not grow up to be like you.”

“You can’t hurt me with harsh words,” Argall said, “I have a kingdom to protect, and that duty extends far beyond my personal feelings. I’m not going to change my mind because you come in here screaming at me. I’ve accepted you’ll never be my wife, but you seem all too happy to use it when it suits you, while sleeping with that maid. Make your choices, Celia! Are you human or Elven? Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for your people or aren’t you? Choose your loyalties, Celia. Be Elven and go back to Navarre if you want! I have the heir I wanted. But of course, you’ll never leave without him, so you’ll continue to act out this charade, take a human lover, pretend to be human and deny your true feelings so you can be with him. You can’t have your cake and eat it, Celia!”

“I already chose a side,” Celestia said, “I’m Elven to the core. So is Solaris. So are those children. I will go home someday, when I can take Solaris and the children with me, but not before. I keep inside the memories of my homeland, and I won’t let anything or anybody separate me from them. Not even Nina. You won’t let the children go, I know that. You’ll keep them captive, just like me, except they are young and don’t remember their home. Their will can be bent and twisted to your desires, and you will make them fanatical devotees to your human empire, human except for their ears and their blood, except for the vague memory that there is somewhere in the world where they belong, where people love them. That’s the part I won’t allow! I can’t stop you keeping them here, but I demand that you let me educate them in Elven ways!”

“Why would I do that?” Argall said, “I don’t have to do anything that you ask!”

“I can tell the West what you plan for them,” Celestia said, “I can sneak a messenger out, and you can’t stop me, no matter how much you lock this castle down! I have loyal servants, and even if you killed them all, more would come! The West would crush you before these children are grown enough to fight!”

“I could stop you,” Argall said, “You won’t blackmail me like this...”

“But you could never be sure that I didn’t do as I threatened,” Celestia said, “I don’t care what happens to this country. After what you’ve done to my people, it could rot and I wouldn’t give a damn. All I’m asking is to be able to educate the children in Elven ways, let them know their heritage, so that they may make an informed choice about their home when the time comes. It’s not much to ask.”

“...As you wish,” Argall said, “But you will do this on your own time, with whatever resources you can gather on your own. You will not interfere with our plans for them.”

“Agreed,” Celestia said. She spun on her heel and left, returning to her room. The door had been unlocked, and she stepped in to find Nina sleeping on her maid’s cot, something she had not done in a long time. Celestia undressed herself and let herself fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.

~

When she woke, Nina had tea ready. She did not speak, only served the tea in silence.

“Nina, I did not mean what I said yesterday,” Celestia said, “I love and respect you, and I do not look down on you for being human. I was just frustrated about the sounds of children... And they were real! I found a room filled with half-Elven children. Argall has taken them hostage, to use as warriors against the West. I have managed to obtain permission to educate them in Elven ways.”

All this, without her, Nina realized, as she absorbed the impact of what Celestia was telling her, “You must tell your people that their children are safe,” she said.

“Indeed,” Celestia said, “They are too weak to fight back, but it will bring them comfort to know they are being cared for. I want you to find some loyal soldiers and maids and have them send the message. Perhaps they can get a message to the West and thwart this attempt.”

“What you are asking is treason!” Nina said, “You may be Elven, but to everybody else, this is our home! I won’t have it sold out to the West!”

“Then I will simply send a message that the children are safe and I am caring for them,” Celestia said, “I need not reveal Argall’s intentions.”

“Then... may I go and deliver the message?” Nina asked. She did not know why, but it seemed important for her to go. What if Ravanna had returned to Navarre? Others would talk, but she alone could keep that secret and control any message sent back. She hated manipulating the situation, but she feared losing Celestia, that feeling that they were growing further and further apart. She wasn’t going to let the secret be revealed now.

“It is a huge risk!” Celestia said, “There are bandits on the road, and the Elves might kill you on sight!”

“But I’m the only one you can trust,” Nina said, “This way you can be sure your message will get through.”

“You’re not going alone,” Celestia said, “You will take Talia, my handmaiden, and Loran, my personal guard. I insist!”

Nina knew the look in her eyes was not one she could argue with. Panic filled her, but she knew it was just as likely that Ravanna had not been heard from. They could deliver the message and everything would be fine... but at least she would know if there was a problem.

“Then... I’ll leave tomorrow morning,” Nina said, and Celestia hugged her tightly.

“Am I forgiven?” she asked, “I never meant to hurt you.”

“It’s okay,” Nina said, but she feared that it was not.

Chapter 18

The small messenger party went unnoticed on the road for several weeks, and Nina started to grow uneasy, “It shouldn’t be this quiet,” she whispered across to Talia. “A small group of lightly armed travelers like us are easy pickings.”

“I’ve told you a thousand times,” Loran said, “We have nothing to steal. Bandits aren’t going to bother with us.”

“It’s not bandits I’m truly worried about,” Nina admitted, “Carrying a message to the Elves is treason. Our absence must have been noticed back at the castle. I can’t imagine they haven’t sent anybody after us. Celestia’s excuses won’t have been believed after the first week.”

“Perhaps we shouldn’t return,” Talia said, “We might all be executed. We shouldn’t have come.”

“The forest is just up ahead,” Loran said, “Let’s deliver the message that the Queen asked us to. Then we can decide what to do.”

They easily cut through the forest, the path that had been trampled by the invading army still cut into it like a permanent scar. Felled trees let the light fall on forest that had seen none for thousands of years, and the soft earth below had transformed into thick brown mud that seemed to stick to everything. Nina felt a million eyes watching her and knew that Elven rangers knew of her approach and had already relayed the message to their chief.

Seeing the smoke of chimneys, they knew they were close, but Nina wasn’t prepared for the grand sight of the city of Navarre. Even though it had been occupied and torn apart, signs of its grandiose past still remained. Elves were busily running around fixing things, raising the city back to its former glory.

“Nina!” Loran said, as Nina nearly rode into the point of a sword. She looked around to see they were surrounded, with at least a dozen arrows trained on them. Nina noted that they were nearly all women. She supposed that the invasion had killed the men.

“I mean you no harm,” Nina said, “I am Celestia’s personal assistant, and I need to bring an urgent message to the chief.”

“And what would that be?” The warriors parted, and Ravanna walked through, holding a sword. She looked harder, colder than Nina remembered her, but she was surprised to see her nonetheless.

“Ravanna!” Nina said, “Perhaps you can tell the chief...”

“I am the chief.” Ravanna said, “Now speak, before one of my warriors slips and lets loose an arrow.”

Cold, Nina thought, but then, she has no reason to love me. I can lay my hands on her girlfriend all I like, while she can only dream of her.

“Celestia knows of the children and wants to let you know they are safe and under her protection. She has pledged to teach them Elven ways.” Nina spoke as little as possible.

“When will they be returned? What do the humans want with them?” Ravanna knew the answers, but she wanted to see how much she could get out of the maid.

“I don’t know,” Nina lied, “Celestia told me to let you know they are alive and won’t be harmed. That’s all.”

“Comfortable imprisonment is still imprisonment,” Ravanna said, “They are your captives, and so is Celestia. Let your king know that we will never forget about the people we love.”

Nina shifted uncomfortably in her saddle, “I will relay your message. We should be on our way. It is a long ride, and I fear we are already missed back at the castle.”

Ravanna wanted to cry out, “Wait!” but she restrained herself. She could not, would not debase herself by begging for news of Celestia, and taking whatever kitchen scraps Nina deigned to throw her. She needed her pride to get her through the hardships that lie ahead, and her desperate love for Celestia to invest herself in bringing down the East. She would not let herself have the privilege of knowing about Celestia when the others could not know about their children.

“She did not come to bring such a paltry message,” Ravanna said, once the party was out of sight, “She came to spy, to gauge our strength. I can feel it.”

~

“Ravanna... Isn’t that the name of the Elf that Celestia used to love?” Talia asked, “I thought she was dead! Celestia has grieved so much for her... She will be so glad to know she is alive!”

Snakes coiled in Nina’s stomach, “No, I think you have the wrong woman. Celestia’s lover was executed by the King’s order. I saw her dead body. Perhaps this is her sister, or something.”

“They look so alike though...” Talia said.

“We should camp,” Loran said, “The trees offer shelter from the rain, and we are far enough away from the city that the rangers won’t bother us.”

Nina was grateful for the change of subject, and they set up camp. They couldn’t start a fire on damp wood so they ate dried beef and covered themselves in blankets. Loran set down to sleep almost immediately, but Talia stayed up.

“It is her, isn’t it?” Talia asked, “You knew all along. You don’t want Celestia to know because you know she would leave you. She might even risk taking Solaris and fleeing the castle, and you’re frightened of losing them both.”

“Be quiet,” Nina said, “You can’t tell Celestia. It would break her heart... you don’t understand!”

“You lied to her,” Talia went on, “You told her Ravanna was dead so she would open her heart to you instead of holding on. But the part I don’t understand is... how did she escape the King’s justice?”

“I helped her escape,” Nina said, “She was the one who chose to flee instead of trying to rescue Celestia. She abandoned the woman she claimed to love more than anything. And look at her now... she didn’t even ask a word about her condition!”

“Nina... You really need to think carefully about this. If you love Celestia so much, why do you let her continue to die of heartbreak? She still looks sad, every day. You are the cause of that pain!” Talia shook her head, “Nina, I used to admire you. I thought you were noble and I thought that someday, you deserved to win Celestia’s true and undying love. But now I see it all laid bare and I understand. And I’m sure she knows, Nina. I’m sure that somewhere deep inside she knows that Ravanna is still alive, and that’s why she can’t let go. And what do you think she’s going to do when she finds out? Ravanna is chief of the Elves. Celestia is going to see her someday, and then what?”

“Shut up!” Nina said. Loran stirred and turned over. “Look, I know, okay? Things have gotten so tangled up... I never thought Ravanna would come back into the picture again... Look, just go to sleep. I’m going to stay up and think.”

“All right,” Talia said, “I hope you decide to do the right thing.” She curled up under her blankets and soon Nina heard her snoring.

“You’re frightened of losing them both.” Talia’s words rang in her ears. Of course she was. She loved Celestia, and they had raised Solaris together. Solaris was her son, as true as he was Celestia’s. If Celestia knew what she had done, she would never let Solaris see her.

“I’m sure that deep inside she knows that Ravanna is still alive.” Did she? Some days she looked truly sad, burdened even. Nina had wondered how long she would grieve but Celestia was an Elf and so was Ravanna, and they had their own rules for grieving, their own ways. They had been together a hundred years - something no human could ever accomplish. Of course she would still cry after a mere handful of years. But she would grieve and lament and wait forever if she knew that Ravanna was still alive. How would she react knowing that she had given her flesh and her heart to somebody else while Ravanna yet lived?

Nina looked over at Talia, who was soundly asleep. Her eyes went to their provisions and equipment bags, and she slowly got up and went to them. She pulled out a small serrated knife, a gift from Celestia in case she encountered trouble on the road. She turned it over in her hand. Such a small blade could do so much damage, it could silence Talia once and for all. She liked Talia, but she’d always had a big mouth, and now she had said too much, and would say too much to Celestia, she was sure of it.

But to murder... She had never killed anybody before, and the thought made her feel sick to her stomach. She sat down with the knife and broke out in a cold sweat. Nina didn’t want to kill the young woman, but what other choice was there? She wouldn’t take coin to stay silent, she wasn’t that kind of person, and there was nothing to blackmail her with.

She started to crawl over the mud, silently reaching Talia’s sleeping place. She was soundly asleep, breast rising and falling with even breaths. Once, Nina had found her attractive, but now she was ugly, her nose too big, her lips too fat, her eyes too far apart... Yes, Nina thought... Let yourself hate her so you can do what has to be done...

How do you kill a person? She realized with rising panic. She remembered back to her childhood, watching her father kill a pig on the family farm. He’d slit its throat and it had bled out. She just had to do the same... She held the knife in trembling hands and slashed Talia’s throat in one swift action. She didn’t have time to squeal but her eyes opened wide in horror as she looked up at Nina, and Nina knew she would never, ever forget that look.

She hadn’t known there would be so much blood, and now panic set in. If Loran found out, he would kill her for sure, or worse, take her back to the King and tell him that she had not only let Ravanna go in the first place, but murdered a woman to keep the secret. She didn’t want to be executed, her indignity on display to the whole city. Would she have to kill him, too? She looked down at the knife and realized she couldn’t do it, not again, not now. She was shaking too hard and her clothes were soaked with blood. Inhaling deeply, she let it out as she tried to calm herself and focus on what she had to do. She had to get rid of the body. Talia was a slight girl and Nina had no problem picking her up, but she had no idea of what to do with her. She hurried away from the camp, desperate only to get away before Loran stirred.

She walked for what seemed like hours wondering what she should do, the bloodied body of Talia hanging over her shoulder. She wondered if the rangers were watching, if they would know her crimes and report them to Ravanna, but she couldn’t kill the rangers. They were out of reach and so she had to let that thought go and concentrate on her immediate concerns.

She knew she couldn’t dig a grave. They hadn’t brought a shovel, and digging one by hand would take hours and leave dirt and scratches that would look suspicious if Loran decided to investigate. She had to find some other way to hide the body. Undergrowth seemed an opportunity, but she had visions of riding with Loran and seeing a hand slump out from the bushes. No, it wouldn’t do. She had to find somewhere else.

Then she saw the pool, bathed in moonlight from a crack in the tree canopy above. If she could weigh down the body, throw it in... Talia would remain hidden for long enough for her to make her escape from the forest... and if the Elves found her, that was their problem. Perhaps Ravanna would take it as a threat that she would kill anybody who got in the way of her and Celestia... and she had no problem with sending that message.

Nina found vines and tied rocks to Talia’s body, then threw her into the pool. She slumped and sighed with relief as the body sank beneath the surface.

Suddenly, a flash of light appeared and the vision of a woman appeared above the pool. Nina backed up, stumbling as her legs gave way and scrambling back with her hands and feet.

“Who dares violate the pool of vision with blood and murder?” The woman took the form of Talia, and Nina let out a strangled cry of defeat and terror. She wanted to move, to flee the scene, but she was held fast by her own fears.

“You!” The form of Talia looked right at her, “A human murdering humans in the land of the Elves! I should have known. You probably don’t even know that this is a sacred place! Fine, then take the gift that all others before you take... the gift of truth. See your future, for I know it will not be pretty. May it curse you for the rest of your short, pitiful life!”

Nina saw herself riding across the plains. Loran said something, and her eyes darkened. Then it was dark and she killed him in cold blood, leaving his body on the road to be blamed on beggars and bandits. Then she saw white light. The scene changed to Celestia, her face filled with pain, hatred and rage, looking at her, “How could you lie to me! How could you hide it from me!” she screamed. Then Solaris was looking at her, not the child she remembered, but a man grown, “You have brought so much sorrow,” he said, “My mother would be better off if she had never met you.”

“No... No!” Nina screamed. Tears were rolling down her face, “No, make it stop! I don’t want to see this! I won’t let it be like this!”

The vision stopped, and the woman vanished. Nina was shaking and crying. She sat there for several hours until her mind came back to her and she was able to move again. She stood up, feeling empty, keeping all thoughts out of her mind. It was getting light and she had to go back to camp, had to finish cleaning up the bloodstains. She made her way back, tearing off her blood-soaked clothes and hiding them in a bush on the way. When she was back, she picked up the blanket that Talia had been lying on and started a fire, throwing it on. She quickly covered the stains with branches as Loran stirred, and slipped into new clothes from her pack.

“Oh, you were able to start a fire,” Loran said, “Perhaps not the best idea, but... where’s Talia?” He asked, spying her burning blanket.

“Wolves,” Nina said with a broken voice. She had clearly been crying, and Loran sat up, “What has happened, Nina?”

“I woke up and... and Talia was gone. I thought I heard screaming. I went out into the forest, following the sound and... and... wolves were attacking Talia! They tore her apart...” Nina broke into tears then, “She’s dead... I rushed back here and I had to start a fire, we have to keep them away... so I burned Talia’s blanket because I knew it was dry and... she’s not going to use it any more...”

Loran’s eyes darkened, “We have to get out of here,” he said, “They’re full for now, but we won’t be safe here after dark. We have to get out of the forest today.”

“Shouldn’t we find her remains and bury them?” Nina asked, knowing that Loran would refuse, and knowing that it was the kind of thing women were expected to say.

“It’s not safe, and the wolves probably have most of her,” Loran said, “Forgive me, Nina, I hate to be so direct in front of a lady, but it is true. There is nothing to bury. The body is simply a shell and she is with the Gods now, so take your peace in that and let us be gone.”

They rode fast that day, exactly as Nina had hoped, leaving the forest and all the evidence behind. Loran didn’t have a clue that she had murdered Talia. Perhaps she could prove the visions wrong and she wouldn’t have to kill him after all. If she could do that... then she could change her future with Celestia and Solaris as well.

Days and nights came and passed and she put the murder in the back of her mind, as though it had just been a bad dream. She made herself almost believe that Talia had been attacked by wolves. If she could just stick to her story, everything would be all right.

“What are you going to do about that Ravanna woman? Celestia would want to know her ex-lover is still alive.” Loran said.

Nina’s eyes darkened.

Fate was a bitch, Nina realized as her trembling hands dropped the knife. She’d expected Loran to come around, to put up some kind of a fight, but in the end he’d succumbed to her knife as easily as Talia had. Just like the vision, but she’d had no choice in the matter. He could have stayed quiet and she would have been able to believe that he’d decided to let it alone, but he’d had to talk about Ravanna and remind her that he knew... and so she’d had to kill him.

This time she didn’t wait around. She washed her hands and jumped back on her horse, fleeing the scene. Bandits loved the plains, and no passer-by would have any reason to believe it was anything other than a robbery-turned-murder.

~

Slipping in the castle gates, she paid the stableboy a gold coin that Celestia had given her as a bribe to stay quiet, and moved like a ghost through the castle into Celestia’s room, using all the secret passages she knew to stay out of sight.

Celestia looked up in horror as she saw Nina standing at the door, pale and covered in blood.

“By the... what happened?” Celestia asked, “Where are Loran and Talia?”

“We were attacked by bandits on the way home. I managed to flee, but Talia and Loran... I think they killed them.” She started to cry, and Celestia hugged her.

“I shouldn’t have sent you love... I’m so sorry...” Celestia held her lover tightly, but there was something tense about her. Celestia put it down to the stress of being attacked and held her until she stopped crying.

“The chief of the Elves was happy to know that the children were safe... so it was worth it,” Nina said, “I think you brought them a lot of relief.” she lied.

“Thank you so much for taking the message,” Celestia said, “I’m so sorry I put you in danger.”

“It’s all right,” Nina said, “It was a good thing we did. The Elves are sleeping more soundly tonight.”

~

As Celestia slept that night, Nina crept out. The King had heard of her return and sent a guard with a silver star coin, the symbol that she was to see him as soon as possible. He was waiting in his private room when she arrived.

“So tell me Nina... what did you see in Navarre?” Argall said, “Make your report.”

“The Elves are growing stronger again, but they are still weak. Most of their fighters at the moment are women. They have a new chief, though... somebody we thought dead. Ravanna, Your Grace. Somehow she eluded us and snuck back to the Elven lands.” Lies, more lies, for it had been she who had helped Ravanna escape, but Argall could not know that.

“I saw her body... what manner of trick could have had her elude me!” Argall slammed his hand down on the desk, “No matter, she lives, and I am glad to know this now, rather than have a surprise later. Does Celia know of this?”

“No...” Nina said, “I plan not to tell her. It would... upset her.”

“Indeed,” Argall said, “Keep it that way. Solaris is young and needs his mother. I will not have her running away to the Elves.”

“She would never leave without Prince Solaris,” Nina said, “And I have convinced her it is too dangerous to run, as you would chase her down.”

“That I would,” Argall said, “Are there any others who know of Ravanna’s continued existence?”

“Talia and Loran knew, but they were killed by bandits on the road home.”

“Bandits...” You killed them... You are a dangerous one, you would truly do anything to keep Celia. “Indeed. A shame. You have done a good job, Nina,” Argall said. “Go back to your lady love now and sing her little song.”

Nina sighed as she walked down the hallway. If Celestia knew that she had gone to spy for Argall, she would never trust her again, but Argall could separate them at any time if he wanted to. She had no choice, she had to do his bidding if she wanted to stay close to Celestia. Then there were the murders, the lies... Her sins were heavy on her shoulders, but she had no choice... No choice at all.

The things we do for love, Nina thought.

Chapter 19

Ravanna paced her room in the Spire. She had felt a disturbance in the forest for several days, but none of her rangers had returned with news. She hoped that meant there was none, that it was just the forest’s cry at the recent human presence, but it made her feel uneasy nonetheless.

She thought back to Nina’s visit. Had she been cruel to the woman? Perhaps. But she knew that Nina was more than just Celestia’s envoy, that Nina was a human, and no matter how much she loved Celestia, she would also be acting in the interests of her homeland. She knew it was childish, but she was also jealous of Nina as well, even though it had been her who had pushed them together. She had seen the look in Nina’s eyes that said "She’s mine". She knew they were lovers, and it stung deep inside, but what could she do? She was the one who had chosen to fake her death and flee, and now she had a responsibility to her people that would mean years of work and effort, years where she could not leave the forest to pursue her own agenda. Celestia might have to wait a long time for her. Should she begrudge her love some happiness in the meantime, thinking she was alive, forsaking her heart to all warmth and suffering in loneliness for somebody who could not come for her?

No, of course not, she knew. But it hurt nonetheless.

A knock sounded at the door, and Ravanna called, “Come.” A young female ranger entered and bowed.

“Elder Ravanna,” she said, “We have found the source of the disquiet. The Spring has been defiled by murder. One of the humans who came here was killed and dumped there.”

“Which one?” A deep sense of disgust filled her. The Spring was a sacred place. Who would have murdered somebody... Who had been killed...?

Guilt and disgust at herself filled her as she felt relief at the thought of Nina being dead. She shook her head and pushed her personal feelings away.

“One of the women. Not the leader, the other one.” The ranger said.

“I must see at once,” Ravanna said, “Take me there.”

Evening had fallen when they reached the Spring. Ravanna looked down at the body that had been pulled from the Spring. The woman was bloated and blue, with a deep slit across her throat. It had been a violent death.

“Lady of the Spring,” Ravanna said, “We are truly sorry the humans have defiled your sacred spring. We will clean this up. Can you tell me who did this?”

The Lady appeared, a silver specter over the pool, “Nina...” she said, “See for yourself.”

Ravanna saw a vision of Nina dragging the body to the lake and throwing it in, then cowering as the Lady appeared to her, screaming as visions ran through her mind.

“What did you show her?” Ravanna asked.

“That is her destiny and not for you to know,” the Lady said, “All I can tell you is that a life of darkness lies before her, now that she has stepped on a dark path filled with jealousy and fear. She wants to keep what she knows is not truly hers, and so she kills to keep the truth concealed.”

“Nina killed the woman... because she knew that I am still alive,” Ravanna said, “She didn’t want her to tell Celestia. What a mess I have created... Now Celestia’s life could be in danger! What of the man that traveled with them? It is not so easy to kill a knight.”

“He is also dead, though far beyond the forest. Ravanna, there is nothing you can do for Celestia. You have your own destiny to fulfill. The rest is up to the gods.”

Ravanna turned away and the Lady disappeared, “I want this pool cleaned and re-blessed,” she said, “Bury the woman with our own, in the forest sanctuary. She died here, under the forest’s eyes. She should rest in peace in a real grave.”

Ravanna headed back to Navarre. She saw the city rising again, and stopped to see the construction. The people were working hard under her leadership, and she was proud of them. But she feared for Celestia... If Nina would kill for her, where would it lead... and how would it end?

~

“Nina.”

Nina turned around from folding Celestia’s clothes to see Talia standing there. She turned back to the clothes. Realizing that Talia was dead, she turned back again, and the image was gone.

I’m losing my mind, she thought, the guilt of what I have done is going to drive me mad.

She tried to forget about it mostly, stick to her story and pretend she’d never done a thing, but the nights were hard. She tossed and turned in her sleep and the nightmares were frightening. Talia and Loran would come to her, blood-soaked and dead, and tell her that every action had a consequence. She would re-experience the visions she had seen at the pool, and wake drenched in sweat to find Celestia gone.

Celestia had been distant since Nina had returned from the journey to the Elves. Between caring for Solaris, who she had taken more responsibility for, and taking care of the other Elven children, she was gone most of the time. At night she had taken to wandering the castle, or standing out on the balcony looking out at the stars. Nina had wanted to join her, but she knew Celestia was yearning for home, trying to reach it with her mind so she could pass her memories on to the children when they grew up. She rarely felt like she belonged at Celestia’s side any more.

She sat down on the bed, she hands shaking. She had killed Talia and Loran, but for what? Celestia was slipping from her grasp regardless.

“I’m sure that deep inside she knows that Ravanna is still alive.” Talia’s words still cut into her, because she knew they were true. Even if she didn’t know that Ravanna was alive, she felt it, somewhere deep down, and it had led her to distance herself from Nina.

Celestia entered the room, back from tending the children. She saw Nina shaking on the bed, her face pale.

“Whatever is the matter?” Celestia asked, with deep, caring eyes, and put her soft hand on Nina’s face. Nina wanted to weep, to fall into Celestia’s arms, but she couldn’t bring herself to tell Celestia all her insecurities. If she started questioning Celestia about Ravanna, she would only arouse suspicion. The children weren’t an easy subject either. Celestia loved them, to her they were her people, a link to her home, but they meant little to Nina. They weren’t people she considered family, like Solaris. They were just here as hostages to the Elves’ good behavior, and Nina was jealous of the fact that they seemed to take up all of Celestia’s time and energy.

“I just don’t feel well, that’s all,” Nina said, “I’m just tired. I’ve not been sleeping well.”

“Then get some rest,” Celestia said, “Anybody would think you’d been the one caring for dozens of newborns.” She smiled, “I’ll see you later, Nina. Feel better.”

Nina wanted to tell her to wait, but she was gone. When she looked up again, Loran was standing there.

“She’s slipping away from you, isn’t she? When was the last time you were intimate with her? It was before you left to take that message, wasn’t it?”

“Stop it!” she said, “What do you want with me?”

Loran’s ghost went on, “You killed for her, but you can’t even open your mouth to say the things you mean. You can slice a woman’s throat, but you can’t talk to her?”

“It’s not that easy!” Nina said.

“You’re just afraid you’ll see disapproval from her. You don’t want her to see how selfish you are. How you feel you should come before everything, even Solaris.” Talia’s voice chimed in, and Nina saw her ghost standing in the room.

“Leave me alone! You’re dead! You’re dead!” Nina lay down on the bed and threw a pillow over her head. She was sobbing, frightened even though she knew there were no ghosts, just her mind playing tricks on her.

“You could end this,” Talia said, “You could jump to your death and the secret would be kept. Celestia would never know you had known about Ravanna all along. You’d never see that look of horror from Celestia, or hear Solaris say that his mother would have been better off without you. You’d be exalted as an immortal ghost, a lost love. Celestia would wish she’d spent more time with you then, wouldn’t she?”

“No...” Nina said, “No... leave me be!”

The ghosts disappeared and Nina was alone. She rolled over on the bed and looked up at the ceiling. Everything was irrevocably broken, she could see it now. She wasn’t a priority for Celestia any more. She didn’t know how they had drifted apart, but they had. Celestia had needed her at first, had relied on her in a strange new world. Then she had needed her for the trials of pregnancy and motherhood... Now she wasn’t needed any more. She had found the Elven children on her own, and taken responsibility for them by herself. She hadn’t asked for Nina’s help, hadn’t wanted it. Helping to raise the Elven children was her way of fighting back against their imprisonment and hers, and it was Celestia’s fight, not Nina’s. Her country had been kind to her and her king had let her have Celestia when he could have just as easily sent Nina away on a duty that would never let her see Celestia again. She couldn’t fight this fight, betray everything she had ever known. Celestia knew that, and so had never asked.

And now Nina was alone forever, abandoned in a dark place after seeing the light. She had returned to being Celestia’s maid instead of her equal, and it killed her inside. It would be better if she was gone, she thought. It would be better if she just left gracefully, without any of the mess that would come when the truth was revealed.

Nina somehow fell into troubled sleep. She was alone in a dark place and could not see outside. She tried to call out, but nobody was listening.

When she woke, it was night. She got up to see that Celestia was not beside her. She wondered if she slept by the children now, to keep them safe, because she never seemed to sleep by her side. It would be easier if she just slipped out quietly, gracefully.

“You can preserve your dignity this way,” Loran said, “You death for ours. The price will have been paid, and nobody will ever have to know what you did. Celestia will never know that you killed us.”

Nina went to the doors and opened them, letting the cool night air in. It was a starry night, but she looked up at their beauty with a sense of indifference. It didn’t matter if the night was beautiful. The only beauty she had ever wanted belonged to somebody else forever, and she could never break through to that heart she wanted to own. Perhaps Celestia would feel something when she died. Perhaps she wouldn’t, it no longer mattered.

She climbed up to the battlements and spread her arms out. She didn’t feel the cold stone under her feet, there was only the pain in her heart and the darkness in her mind, her doubts, fears and guilt. Soon there will be peace, she thought. As soon as I let go...

She gently let herself lean forward into the darkness, until gravity took her feet from the stones and she fell...

Chapter 20

Celestia returned to her room after a quiet walk alone in the castle gardens. She was surprised that Nina wasn’t there. Nina had always been waiting for her, and she noticed her absence with a feeling of disquiet.

Hearing screams and loud noise outside, she rushed out to the balcony and looked down. Surrounded by people holding torches, there was a prone body in the courtyard, broken and battered, twisted beyond recognition.

A shot of terror pierced her heart as she realized it was Nina. She ran through the castle, cursing the human dress she wore every step of the way for holding her up. Once she had been swift, strong, dignified... Now she lumbered through the halls like an oversized bear, hating the trappings of human life. Terrified by the prospect of losing a fragile human life, one so precious to her...

She finally made it outside, and pushed through the gathered people to see Nina lying in a pool of blood.

“Call a doctor!” Celestia cried, “Don’t just stand there!” Some of the crowd blended into the night now that the Queen had arrived, not wanting to be related to the death of her maid. Celestia knelt down beside Nina and took her hand.

“Nina, Nina, what happened?” Nina opened her eyes a little, and gave Celestia’s hand a squeeze.

“It’s better... this way...” Nina said, “Let me go, Celestia. If you had seen what I’ve seen, you would understand.”

“What are you talking about?” Celestia said, “Seen what? Nina, you’re not making any sense...”

The doctor arrived, and the crowd moved to let him in. He gestured to two young men, who brought a stretcher in. They carefully lifted Nina onto it and took her away.

“Your Grace, let us go to somewhere a little more private,” the doctor suggested, and Celestia followed him in a daze. Had Nina jumped, and why? What had she seen to frighten her so? Was she ill? Would she live?

They went to the doctor’s room, and the young men laid Nina on the bed. Celestia moved closer, wanting to talk to Nina, to understand what was going on, but the doctor shook his head.

“Let me see,” he said, “Then you can have your time.”

It seemed like forever as he looked her over. Nina cried out at the pain a couple of times, but was surprisingly quiet as the doctor examined her.

“Speak with her for a while,” the doctor said, his face grave. “Then we will talk.” He slipped away into another room, giving them their privacy.

“Nina, what’s...” Celestia started, but Nina cut her off.

“Wait,” Nina said, “I know I... don’t have much time. So let me say what needs to be said... To confess my sins to you, Celestia...”

“You can’t die,” Celestia said, “You can’t leave me alone in this place!”

“I must,” Nina said, “You’ve... become strong. You don’t need me any more. I can see that. It’s okay, it’s the way things should be... But what I have done to you, Celestia, in order to keep you...” Tears rolled from her eyes onto the pillow, and she made no effort to stop them.

“Nina, whatever you have done, we can fix it...” Celestia said, “If you have been seeing somebody else, I will understand...”

“I murdered Talia and Loran.” Nina said. Celestia’s eyes grew wide.

“What did they do to you?” Celestia asked, “If they did something...”

“Their only crime was knowing too much...” Nina said. She closed her eyes for a second, and Celestia was frightened that she would not open them again, but she did.

“Celestia, I lied to you. Ravanna is alive. I helped her escape from here when she was about to be executed. She leads the Elves now. When... when I went to Navarre, I saw her. I was so afraid that they would speak of her, that I panicked and killed Talia and Loran on the journey home. I dumped Talia’s body in some kind of pool... and a spirit appeared. A spirit that showed me the depths of how far I would go for you. Murder... betrayal, jealousy... I have been haunted by Talia and Loran since they died... The only way... to end this destiny... is to die now, and repent. I have done such terrible things... I have lied to you, the love of my life, afraid that I would lose you... I’ve murdered two people in cold blood... and I would kill again for you, I know I would...”

“Nina....” Celestia was dumbstruck. Ravanna was alive? Ravanna, the beautiful love of her life that she had buried in her heart for all time? She hated herself for feeling hope at the bedside of Nina, and hated herself for knowing that Nina’s death would be all her fault. She was the one who had let herself be vulnerable, had let Nina in even though she knew she had not let go of Ravanna. Nina had known, and competed with Ravanna who she knew was still alive...

“You lied to me,” Celestia said, her head spinning. There was so much to process... the little lies, the moments spent together. The times Nina looked away when she had looked at her... knowing that if Celestia knew Ravanna was still alive she wouldn’t take a second look at her.

“I’m so sorry,” Nina said, sobbing. It caused her great pain as she heaved with the tears, but she seemed not to care. Celestia was crying too, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

“It was my fault,” Celestia said, “Ravanna was... is... my everything. You knew you didn’t stand a chance against her... Yet you wanted to love me anyway.”

“More than anything,” Nina sobbed, “It’s all been a terrible lie... Everything you felt for me was based upon a lie... None of it was real...”

“That’s not true.” Celestia said, “I always had a place in my heart for Ravanna and I always will, but I love you! Even knowing what you’ve done...”

“I am a terrible person,” Nina said, “I never deserved to have eyes like yours look at me as they did. I cheated and lied to get what I wanted... Became a murderer to keep the falsehoods in place...”

She felt a soft kiss on her lips as Celestia leaned down and kissed her, and she opened her eyes, the tears springing anew.

“But what about Rav...” Nina started.

“Ravanna is not here,” Celestia said, “She has a path of her own, and she cannot be here right now. Perhaps someday we will meet again, but right here, right now... I love you, Nina. I wish... I could have expressed it enough that you believed it... and then all this never would have happened.”

Nina closed her eyes, “If only I’d been honest... from the start...”

“It’s okay,” Celestia said, “While I don’t condone your actions, I understand them. I am so sorry for being the cause of such pain for you...”

“I am the cause of this pain,” Nina said, “I’m a jealous, selfish person. I wanted you to love me more than anything - more than Ravanna, more than Solaris. But it’s okay now... I can’t hurt anybody else to keep you...”

“You’re going to be all right, Nina,” Celestia said, “We’ll fix this somehow. Perhaps I can persuade Argall to...”

“No,” Nina said, “My legs are twisted beyond repair, and I know... I’m bleeding inside. I feel so tired... It’s okay, though. Now that I’ve told you everything, I feel at peace for the first time in all these years...” She closed her eyes. Celestia sat on the edge of the bed and held her hand, feeling her pulse and listening to her soft breaths.

The doctor came back in, “She will probably not make it through the night, Your Grace,” he said, “She has extensive internal injuries. There’s nothing I can do to stop the bleeding... only ease her pain a little as she passes.”

Celestia wept anew, taking a handkerchief from the doctor and sobbing into it as he tried to soothe her. Eventually she stopped, but her eyes were red and her chest hurt.

“Your Grace, you should rest,” the doctor said, “I will send a messenger if anything changes.”

“No, I want to stay here,” Celestia said, “By her side... until the end.”

“As you wish,” he said.

As she sat in the candlelight, she mulled over everything Nina had told her. She felt regret at not spending more time with Nina, guilt at keeping a place in her heart for Ravanna. She did not even realize how much she had held a torch for the woman she had lost until now. A hundred years together was hard to put aside, but in not doing so, she had lost the present. Nina was lost to her now, just another memory to keep alongside her thoughts of Ravanna.

Nina woke after a few hours... “Cel...” she called weakly.

“I’m here,” Celestia said, taking her hand, “I’m here for you... I love you...”

“Thank you...” Nina said, “Love... you...”

It was only a few hours more until her breathing slowed for the final time and her pulse grew weaker and weaker to the point where Celestia could barely feel it. Nina was going to the sleep beyond sleep, away from her, forever. She thought there was no more room in her heart for sorrow after Ravanna had died, but there was, and she was going to have to grieve again, even as she learned her last grief had been premature. She had lost her child for nothing, but grief had come again, more real than ever...

There was a knock on the door, and it opened. Solaris came in, escorted by one of the maids.

“He’s been calling for you and Nina,” she said, “I can’t quiet him. He seems so disturbed...”

“You can go,” Celestia said, “Leave him with me.”

Solaris ran over to her, crying, and she took him in her arms, “You feel it, don’t you?” she said, “The passing of somebody you love...”

“Aunt Nina is... going to the place beyond, isn’t she?” Solaris asked, his eyes wide and filled with tears.

“Yes, Solaris, she is. Her journey here is over. She belongs in the arms of Nature now.” Celestia soothed him as he cried. She reached over for Nina’s wrist and found her cold to the touch. She had died while Celestia had been comforting Solaris, and Celestia felt regret at having missed the actual moment of her passing. She had always been distracted, always been away, distant... and she hadn’t even been there for Nina’s last breath.

~

Celestia stood shrouded in black as they buried Nina. It was a tradition to burn bodies in the human lands, except for those of nobles, but Argall had seen her grief and made an exception, for which she was grateful. Burning bodies went against the way of her beliefs, in which the body returned to the ground and became a part of the trees and plants. They buried her in the forest clearing where they had first made love, away from the castle, which pleased Argall enough -- it was quite the scandal that the Queen’s favorite serving girl had committed suicide and rumors had swept the castle.

Celestia had told nobody of the murders of Talia and Loran, and that was a secret she intended to keep. There was nothing to be served by telling anybody, no justice to be had - Nina was gone and the matter was closed.

Gone. Dead. Dead as Ravanna had been dead, but Ravanna was still alive. Out there, in the Elven lands, Ravanna still drew breath, but Nina would have no such miracle. The finality of seeing Nina lowered into the ground closed that chapter in Celestia’s life forever. It had been so much different when she had heard of Ravanna’s death, it had been a distant, faraway thing and a piece of her understood she had perhaps never truly believed it. She had felt Ravanna’s presence all around her, in the forest, in the wind... But Nina... Nina was gone from all things. Her presence no longer existed in the world. Celestia’s bed was cold and empty. Nobody welcomed her when she returned to her room at night. Argall had offered Celestia her choice of the maids, perhaps thinking she would take another lover, but that would never happen and so she did her own chores. Solaris and the other Elven children became her life, teaching them, educating them in the ways of their homeland. She only hoped it would be enough to help them make a choice when the storm of war came... to fight for or against their people.

“Ravanna,” Celestia said, standing out on the balcony of her room, “I wonder if you still think of me, because I still think of you. I wonder what you would think of me now after all I’ve done. I’ve loved another woman, lived another life, had a fine son... Will there still be a place for me in your heart... when I eventually come home?”

The wind rustled, as if in response, and Celestia went back to her room to sleep, curled up alone in the bed she used to share with Nina.

Chapter 21

Celestia stood on her balcony, the fresh morning breeze washing over her. Nina was in her thoughts. It had been so long since they had been together, but although those times had been tainted with lies and denials, they had been happy times, in a sense. The last fifteen years had been lonely for Celestia. Ever since Nina died, it had been her and the children. Solaris and the kidnapped Elven kids had been the only light in a world filled with darkness and gloom.

She remembered the aftermath of Nina's death. Argall had come to her, had pleaded for her to be his wife again and bear him another heir, but Celestia had refused.

"You have your heir," she had said, "Please, be content with that."

She thought he might rape her again, but he simply looked tired, resigned, "As you wish," he had simply said, and left her to her solitude and grief.

Those days had been filled with mixed feelings. Grief for having lost Nina, only at the last second understanding that while her love for Nina had been a different love than her love for Ravanna, it had been just as genuine, and its loss left a hole in her life that would not be filled.

At the same time, she now knew that Ravanna, her dear Ravanna who she had grieved for for so long, was still alive, leading the Elves. Hope filled her at the thought that someday they might meet again, but also fear. Would Ravanna still love her, or would she have moved on with her life? She knew it was hypocritical to be jealous of any love Ravanna might have, but she was, and sometimes the feelings burned her up inside.

She had thought many times of running away, knowing that Ravanna would welcome her with open arms, but she knew she still had a job to do, a job of deep importance. Since she had told him there would be no more heirs, Argall had married himself to the idea of war, of overthrowing the West with the strength the Elves would give him when they were fully grown. The idea filled Celestia with horror and so she did her best to train the children in the ways of the Elves, even as Argall commanded they be given battle training. He seemed exasperated by her, but he did not oppose her. It was as if he understood that these were the consequences of capturing a bride instead of winning her heart, and he probably felt there would be no harm in it. After all, he had left the Elves alone since he had withdrawn his invasion force, and probably thought that the Elves no longer posed a threat. Celestia knew differently. She knew how long the memories of Elves lasted and that they would not forget about their stolen children. That they were probably waiting for a chance to win them back, and if the East knew there was war coming, the Elves would be the first to come to them and offer them their strength. Argall had made a huge mistake by stealing the children, and Celestia hoped that it would be his weakness in the times to come.

She feared the prospect as well. Many nights she woke, having seen a battlefield where Elves fought Elves, where parents slew the children they had come to save. When it came down to it, the children were half-human. Which side would they choose when it came to make a decision between their human side and their Elven side? All Celestia could offer them were tales of their ancestral home and culture - but they had grown up as humans, in a human world. They enjoyed Celestia's tales and teachings but in the real world, what would that really mean?

Celestia sighed and went back inside, chose herself a plain dress to wear, and changed into it. She no longer allowed herself to be caught up in the trappings of a Queen. Nina had liked to dress her as though she were some grand matriarch, but she knew she was just a normal person, an Elf who wanted so desperately to go home and be with her love.

A knock pulled her from her grooming, and she put down her hairbrush and looked in the mirror. Yes, she was presentable enough, she supposed.

"Come," she called, thinking that some maid would be coming in to check on her, but to her surprise it was one of the Elven children - children no longer, she reminded herself. They were young men and women now, some sixteen and seventeen years of age.

The young Elf stood nervously in the doorway. His name was Skye, named for the color of his eyes, a brilliant sky blue that pierced the heart of any who looked into them. He had long, brown hair and was incredibly handsome - all the girls at court gathered around him wherever he went.

"Skye," Celestia said, "What a pleasant surprise. Come in and sit with me awhile. Is there anything I can get for you?"

"Thank you, Your Grace, but I am well. What I seek - if it is not rude of me to ask - is advice." Skye paced the room, looking nervous.

"Anything," Celestia said, "Speak to me as though I were your mother. There is nothing you cannot tell me."

"In the Elven lands..." he paused, "Amongst the Elves... is it... normal... to desire somebody of the same sex? I ask because... I'm scared... and I heard the rumors that you once loved a woman, so I thought maybe..."

"Is there somebody you like?" Celestia said, smiling.

"Nobody in particular," Skye said, "There are all these women who chase me, but I feel interest for none of them. Yet when I look at men... I..."

"It's normal," Celestia said, "For humans and Elves. The only difference is that it's more accepted in Navarre. You can marry whoever you love... Here, it's harder. If you choose to be open about it, you may face hostility from others. You won't be able to love a man openly here without drawing attention, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. You should be proud of who you are."

"The priest said I was wicked," Skye said, "I wish I'd come to you first. I felt so small, like I'd done something wrong by feeling this way! It doesn't feel wrong, though. It feels right."

"Then you shouldn't fight it," Celestia said, "I have only ever fallen in love with women."

"What about His Majesty?" Skye said, "You don't love him?"

"No," Celestia admitted, "I had to marry him to save Navarre, come here against my will. Back in Navarre, my love Ravanna is still alive. I haven't seen her for so many years..."

"I am sorry," Skye said, "I did not mean to pry into your personal affairs."

"It is okay," Celestia said, "Please do not tell Solaris that we spoke. He adores his father. He knows that there is no love lost between us, but..."

"Understood," Skye said, "Thank you for listening, Your Grace."

"I'm glad I could help," Celestia said, and watched as the young man left the room.

They were all so young, so vulnerable, she thought. They were asking questions about themselves that the human world could not adequately answer, not yet. She wondered if Solaris had questions, but he never seemed to. To her disappointment, he seemed the most human of them all. He had become his father's right hand man, and barely even talked to his mother any more. She did not know when she had lost him, but she suspected somewhere in the years of grief he had quietly slipped away to his father's side.

She loved him no less for it, though. He was half-human, and it was his right to make the choice, just like all the others. Perhaps it was better this way, she consoled herself. He was heir to the human kingdom, after all. There could be no going back to Navarre for him, not unless the war ended in the East's defeat. She hoped for it deep in her heart, but she knew it was probably unlikely. The East had the advantage - skilled warriors, the element of surprise, the Elven children. There was also no guarantee that the Elves would join with the West - that was just her wishful thinking. Chances are, none of them would ever get to go home. She wondered if eventually, once her work was done, she would take a group of the willing and run away into the night. If she did, it would mean she would never see Solaris again, and she wasn't ready to give up on him, not yet.

She knew that perhaps she, too, would eventually forced to make a choice as well - Solaris or Ravanna. Her heart broke at the concept, but she knew it was a fact - and if that choice came, she didn't know who she would choose.

Chapter 22

Ravanna saw Celestia wrapped in a shawl, sitting alone in a room. If there was danger, she was not aware of it. Ravanna tried to reach out to her desperately, but she was powerless. Nina stood behind her with a knife and plunged it into Celestia's heart...

Ravanna woke drenched in sweat. She sat up, as relief washed over her that it was just a dream. Not even one of Nature’s true dreams, but a mirage that had sprung from her deepest fears.

It had been fifteen years and she still worried every day. If the Queen of the East had died, she surely would have heard about it from her spies, she consoled herself, but she heard precious little from them these days. She had discovered that King Argall's plans involved using the Elven children against the West, but she knew little more than that, and wondered how many of her spies had been caught trying to conceal their ears. Perhaps some of them had even been tempted by human ways, converted to the human gods and led human lives. She let out a long sigh.

Navarre had prospered under her leadership, and it was from the rebuilt Spire she looked out now, surveying the night with hunter's eyes. They were strong again, but the scars still lingered, and every now and then somebody would ask about their missing child, as if to remind Ravanna that they were still out there.

She knew. She had not forgotten for a single moment that while Navarre had grown strong again, it would never be what it was until all that belonged here had come home. As time went by, she wondered how many of the children would consider Navarre their home when all was said and done, but she could not give up hope. If they had all given up the desire to go home and be with their people, then what hope was left for Celestia still being the person she was, the woman who loved her?

There were times she dreamt of finding Celestia, only to have her turn and tell her that the East was her home now, that she loved human ways and wanted to stay. Those nightmares always brought tears. Ravanna had never given up her promise to rescue Celestia... but what if Celestia no longer wanted to be rescued?

Some days, she wondered if she had allowed it all to linger too long. They were stronger, perhaps they could have staged an attack on the East, won back some of the children in the fifteen years gone by, but there had always been a reason to wait, a feeling that it was not the right time. So many times she had used that excuse to pacify angry, weeping mothers, but truth was, she didn't know when the right time would be, if ever. Elves had patience compared to humans, but even they would not wait forever.

Ravanna looked at her bed. She had no desire to go back to sleep. She dressed and slowly descended the stairs from her room at the top of the Spire. She looked through each window, thinking, considering. Her people were strong, much stronger than she had been in the last fifteen years. They had taken the ashes of their lives and rebuilt their word from the ground up. They had taken new husbands, new wives, dared to have more children and live despite all they had lost. Ravanna, though, had remained alone. Many women had shown an interest, either trying to convince her to move on or have a little fling while she waited, but neither thought appealed to her. She knew that Celestia couldn't hold it against her in the end if she did, but she reminded herself that she was the one who had ran away. She was the one who should face solitude now. Celestia had needed somebody, and Nina had been there, Ravanna had even pushed them together, but Ravanna did not need anybody, only Celestia, and Celestia could not be here with her.

"You're up late," A silky voice, belonging to her personal assistant Silveri, called out to her. She turned and looked at the young Elf. She had just come into maturity, and had long silver hair and a beautiful form. Ravanna knew that Silveri liked her, but she resisted her advances. She had faced the guilt of wanting another before, and would not do it again. If she let herself fall in love, if she let herself forget Celestia, then she was not fit to marry and share a thousand years’ love with anybody. Celestia was depending on her for her rescue. She would not throw her aside for the first person to come along.

"I had a nightmare," Ravanna said, "It's been so long, almost a third of a human lifetime, but I still fear for her. To think that I've let her languish there for so long, in that castle, married to that human who took her away..."

"You had no choice," Silveri said, "When Navarre fell, we had no strength with which to fight back. When you took command, we didn't have the will to do anything but cry. Now... Now many have given up on their children. Moved on with their lives. I'm not sure that... even if you commanded it, they would be prepared to fight the East. Not without backup from the West."

"The West is still unprepared to believe that the East will attack," Ravanna said, "I've all but given up hope on that front. Yet... I refuse to believe the mothers here have given up on their children. Moved on, perhaps, and I agree they would not consent to a suicidal attack like they might have once done, but they have not forgotten."

Silveri came up the steps to stand next to Ravanna. She looked out over Navarre, "I've never wanted to be a mother," she said, "Romance excites my soul, but the thought of being a parent does not."

"Many here did not wish it either," Ravanna said, "They didn't have much of a choice. Raped and treated like cattle, forced almost to the point of starvation, then emotionally bound to children who were ripped from them. Somehow... they thought I could lead them. Some days, I still don't think I'm up to the task. I haven't been though what they've been through. I don't know what it means to be a mother, I feel like you do, like it's something that's not for me. All I ever wanted to do since I ran away was to go back to the East and find Celestia. I often wonder if some people resent me for feeling that way. I've heard them say it's childish to still pine for a lost love in a world of such darkness, like what I and Celestia had was trifling. That motherhood is more important than romance. Is it? Even if the children of the Elves live in the East now, they're probably still alive. The Elves' future depends on Elves being parents. Yet..."

"Yet it's not in your heart. Celestia is the only one who occupies that space." Silveri finished for her, "There's nothing wrong with that. Of course we need children to save the Elven race, but why do they have to be our children?"

"Celestia has a child," Ravanna said, "I often wonder what I will feel when I see him. Will I be jealous of the one who has felt Celestia's warmth all these years? Will I not like the person she's become as a mother? Will I hate him for being a reminder that Argall married her and not I? Most of all, will he be something that ties her to the East, a reason not to come home?"

"All good questions," Silveri said, "Questions that tear at you every day. Ravanna, I think it's time we sent a messenger to the West again. The children... will soon be of age, at least by human standards. They'll be big enough to fight, and that's all that will matter to them, even if they are still children as far as we are concerned. If this plan of Argall's is going to come to fruition, it will be soon. I feel it in the wind that something is coming..."

"I've felt it too," Ravanna said, "Like the wind is changing. At first light, we must go. Not just any messenger, but us personally. We are the only ones who can plead our case to the Queen of the West. Perhaps she will finally listen to us."

"Shouldn't we talk to the people first? Convince them that we should ready for war, that the time is now?" Silveri said, "I mean, we've always been on edge in case of another invasion, but lately the mood has been more relaxed... If the West needs our help, we need to be ready."

"You really think they will help." Ravanna stated.

"I do," Silveri said, "That time you have been waiting for, Ravanna... I think it's now."

~

Ravanna called a meeting, and took her place on the stage of Nature’s shrine. She remembered the faces that looked expectantly up at her, how they had all looked when she had first taken the leadership - lost, demoralized, hopeless. Now they were different, stronger than before, but not the same people she had grown up amongst. The Elves had aged with the war, and no matter how much Ravanna longed to go back to simple, innocent days, that could never happen. The eyes before her had seen too much, suffered beyond what Ravanna could have imagined. She thought Celestia would be the same now - different, older, changed. Nothing would ever be the same, and she mourned the past with each new day.

“The wind has changed,” Ravanna began, “Our lost children are nearly grown, old enough to fight. Our spies told us that they would be used to fight against the West. We cannot let that happen! They are Elves, and they deserve to come home!”

“What do you intend to do?” A voice piped up, “We are stronger, but not strong enough to take on the East alone!”

“I intend to journey to the West once more, to ask for their help one final time. Only this time, I believe they will help us. Their interests are at stake too. They cannot ignore what their spies are telling them, surely.” Ravanna stood at the edge of the stage and looked around. Doubt filled their eyes. Of course, they had been let down many times. The West had refused them over and over again, telling them they did not believe the threat was imminent, that they were reluctant to start a war after they had worked so hard to build a peace.

“They refused us before, why won’t they again? Our children mean nothing to them, and they West does not believe that they are any threat to them!” A voice piped up.

“It’s hard to explain,” Ravanna said, “I just feel it. Silveri does too. Something has changed. It has been five years since we last sent an envoy - anything could have happened in that time. A change of ruler, a difference of opinion, perhaps even some evidence that the East intends to invade. Either way, we have to try...”

“I understand wanting to try,” one woman said, “Only my heart builds hope each time we do, and then hurts again to know nobody cares for our children but us. I’m tired of the human world. Humans have done nothing for us but bring us sorrow. I want to forget they exist and continue with my life here!”

“It’s not that simple,” Ravanna said, “If the East attacks the West, and the East wins, do you think they will just leave us be? Their thirst for power will only grow with each victory. They will be back for our sons and our daughters, for our bodies to bear more - if we do not fight them. It’s true that the West has done little for us, so you might wonder why we should help them win their war, but they are the one power the East fears.”

“If we end up fighting, will it be our children we fight against?” another voice cried.

“Perhaps,” Ravanna said, “I cannot promise you that you will never face them in battle. I don’t know who they are now, how much they have been brainwashed,” She looked down at the ground, “I know this has been incredibly hard for all of you,” she said, “It may get harder yet. We may have to stand alone against a sea of enemies, but regardless, a storm is coming and we have to face it. The humans will not wait much longer, I can feel it. The question is, will we be ready, or will be back away because we are afraid of our own children?”

“We must go,” Silveri chimed in, coming up to stand at Ravanna’s side, “While we are gone, you must prepare. Train yourselves. Prepare your rusty blades for war. Perhaps the West will not join us, but eventually we will have to fight for our survival, and we must be ready. This will be the battle that defines our future as part of this world. If we fail--” She let the words hang in the air, and one by one, Ravanna saw the mood in the temple change as the Elves absorbed their speeches and accepted the fact that they would have to fight again, with or without the West.

“Time to go,” Silveri whispered in Ravanna’s ear, “We’ve done our best.” She grabbed Ravanna’s hand and they walked through the crowd, out to where horses waited for them. Silveri mounted up, “I’ve made all the preparations,” she said, “We must hurry...”

Such haste, Ravanna thought, but she also felt it was necessary. There was something in the air, the scent of change, of danger. Silveri had felt it even before she had, but it was getting stronger. Nature was calling to them to hurry, or all would be lost...

As they rode into the forest, Ravanna looked behind them at the sea of bewildered faces. Would they be ready when the time came? Would she be ready? She had yearned after the memory of Celestia for so long that it seemed strange to finally be acting on her desire to change the way things were, to fight back against the powerlessness that had held her impotent for so long. Just last night she had been floundering in her nightmares, and now, everything was so clear, so suddenly. While she had been dreaming of the past, the threat had crept to her doorstep, and now all she could do was hope that it was not too late...

Chapter 23

Silveri and Ravanna left the forest as quickly as they could, scouting out old paths, hurrying through the trees on their horses. Ravanna felt a deep sense of urgency, as though time itself were running out. It filled her with a sense of disquiet and unease, and she spoke little as they made their way forward.

“You are quiet, Ravanna,” Silveri said, “Is something bothering you?”

“I feel we must hurry,” Ravanna said, “Now that we have made a decision to move, I need to act on it. Perhaps we are already too late, and the world we will see when we leave the safety of the trees will be a bloodstained battlefield. I do not want to have to explain to all those mothers that their children were led to the slaughter while we sat comfortably in Navarre.”

“What will we do if the West does not act?” Silveri asked, “Do you really mean to take on the East alone?”

“I do,” Ravanna said, I know, it could mean the end of our people. I know we could sit back and chances are, the humans would leave us alone... but I can’t just let it be. I can’t let them get away with what they did to us.”

“You’ve let them get away with it for twenty years,” Silveri said, “Why now, Ravanna? Do you know something?”

“I don’t,” Ravanna said, “All I know is that this is our last chance. If we do not act now, those children will become adults in the human world, settle down and have children of their own. Then they will be lost to us forever...”

“You fear that Celestia will be lost to you as well.” Silveri said. Ravanna disliked her directness, but held her tongue.

“I have always feared that, but my personal feelings come second to saving the Elven people,” Ravanna said, “If Celestia was in my shoes, she would understand. She loves this land as much as I do. It will break her heart when she comes home and sees how the Elves have changed.”

“That we’re stronger, and not so innocent any more?” Silveri said, “In my opinion, that is a good thing. Before we were ripe to be abused by those human monsters. Now we are smarter and stronger.”

“Are we?” Ravanna said, “Don’t you yearn for the days of your childhood, when humans were the least of our worries? When art and creation were our priorities, not war and self-preservation? The Spire is rebuilt, but it is not as magnificent as it once was. It serves a purpose, but it is not as it was. I feel like it’s the same for all of us. We will never be that carefree and innocent again, even if we win this war.”

“It is good not to be spoiled,” Silveri said, “To be prepared for the worst reminds us of what we have, and what we stand to lose.”

“Yet we don’t live, we just exist in a holding pattern, waiting for this nightmare to be over,” Ravanna said, “Many of our people have moved on... yet they have not. Not a day passes when they don’t think of their children. We have reached a point in our healing where we are at an impasse... further healing is impossible without its resolution.”

“It took you twenty years to come to this decision, and now you hurry like the wind,” Silveri said, “You are a mystery, Ravanna... a mystery I like.”

Ravanna was silent as they broke through the trees. She did not like the tone of the conversation, Silveri’s disregard for the life they had once lived, or the love of the life they now lived. How could she enjoy living on the edge, always prepared for war, always wondering what the future held? Ravanna just wanted it all to be over, to be back in Celestia’s arms, for the war to pass into history and to go back to whatever they could retrieve of the innocent life they had shared. If they could... If Celestia herself was not hard and cold, calloused by the pain she had endured, or the other way, too enamored by humans to want to come home. She saw herself standing in a doorway, Nina, Celestia and Celestia’s child walking hand in hand, away from her...

“Ravanna.” Silveri’s voice was sharp, urgent, “Up ahead.”

Ravanna looked across the plains. There was nothing to be seen. No signs of battle, no bodies, no war. Perhaps she could allow herself a little hope that they were not too late.

Then she saw the envoys, traveling in a group, holding the banner of the West high and heading towards them. Ravanna spurred her horse forward and rode to meet them, Silveri crying caution behind her, but Ravanna was throwing caution to the winds. It was a sign. The West was ready for war, and was coming to them to ask for help. It was that she had felt in the air, Nature’s cry telling her to come out here...

“You are a representative of the Elves?” The leader of the envoy stepped forward, “We would see your leader, if you would take us...”

“I am the Elves’ leader, Ravanna,” Ravanna said, “Have you come to us for an alliance?”

“The East moves. Our spies have come back with urgent news, that the Elven children stolen from Navarre are now soldiers, considered old enough to fight. Military might is gathering in the East, as King Argall gathers his best knights and soldiers together to march. Our Queen wishes to speak with you urgently.”

“We must hurry,” Ravanna said, “My people are preparing for war as we speak, but it is several days ride to the West. We need to be ready before the East is, and march on them with as much surprise as we can muster. That’s the only way we will have the advantage.”

They camped on the plains, and ate rabbits the hunting party gathered. The envoys were cheerful but distracted, war on their minds. The calm before the storm was always the worst. It would be better once they stood together, weapons in hand, united against their common enemy. But for now there was only doubt and fear, with a little despair knowing they would not all see the other side of the war.

“It hurts to break a peace you have held for so long,” Ravanna said, “I understand your previous reluctance to go to war. Too many of your people died in the last war... Going back to the field feels like throwing away their sacrifice.”

“You know us well, Lady Ravanna,” one of the knights said, “I see why you are leader of the Elves. You have keen insight.”

Silveri sat silently by the campfire, brooding. Ravanna could feel something was wrong, but she could not read Silveri’s face and so she let it go, thinking that perhaps Silveri was tired.

Later that night, as they slept in a tent the humans generously provided, Silveri shook Ravanna, waking her from her slumber. Ravanna reached for her sword but Silveri stayed her hand.

“No...” Silveri whispered. “There’s no danger.”

“Then... why...?” Ravanna opened her eyes to see Silveri bathed in the light of an oil lamp. She was naked, her long, white hair glowing in the light, her normally bright blue eyes dark and seductive. Round, full breasts tempted Ravanna and her mouth went dry, before she realized what she was looking at and turned her head away.

“Silveri! Dress yourself....” Ravanna said.

“This is my last chance,” Silveri said, “End this fool’s game, Ravanna. We have a lot we can give each other and our people. Instead of pining for the past, we can forge a future where we don’t have to rely on humans and their petty struggles! Look at them, so mindless, so insignificant! Their lifespans a fraction of ours, yet you speak to them as though they suffer all our pains and fears. They have no idea! Let it go and be with me...” She took Ravanna’s hand, placed it on her breast, ran it over the nipple, “You like what I have to offer...”

Ravanna snatched her hand back, “I hate what you represent, Silveri,” she said, “You are the sum of all the pain that has been inflicted on our people. You have taken what was done to us and forged it into hatred. It is your driving force. What would the Elves become if I took your offer? I will not throw away our history, the essence of what we are to become the wild savages you want us to be!”

“We are wild savages at heart,” Silveri said, “Yet still stronger, smarter and better than humans. Given time, we could rule this continent and crush the East and the West. We don’t have the numbers, but our men are worth ten, twenty of theirs.”

“If we’re so strong, then why were the humans able to come and do what they did?” Ravanna cried, “You’re fooling yourself, Silveri. Even if you appealed to the worst in all of us, stirred up hatred against the humans, it would end in slaughter.”

“I must kill them!” Silveri said, “I can’t forgive them for what they did to me!”

“Silveri...” Ravanna gasped as the truth dawned on her, “I did not know. You were not of maturity then... I did not...”

“They did not care!” Silveri said, “We had been under occupation for months. My mother was raped, my father killed. Many of the women were pregnant by then... the soldiers were no longer interested in them. My mother pleaded with them to stop... saying that I was not at the age of Elven sexual maturity, but the one turned and said, “She looks old enough to me.” She started to cry, “This rage has been burning for so long, Ravanna. Don’t ally with them now, and sit at their table drinking their wine. I can’t stand to see it!”

“It is what must be done,” Ravanna said, “The West is not the East. Not all humans are filled with cruelty. Not all Elves are perfect, either. You can’t judge people by their race. We have to survive, Silveri. That is our revenge. They took our children and tried to make them human, well... I want to take them back and make them Elven again. I want Elven society to grow strong, to live in spite of what happened to us.”

“To us... You weren’t even in Navarre through the worst. You were never raped by those monsters. You could never understand!” Silveri slapped Ravanna, and Ravanna held her wrists to stop her from striking again.

“You’re right. I wasn’t there, I can’t feel your pain,” Ravanna said, “I understand now why I was chosen to lead. I won’t let emotions cloud my judgement.”

“Celestia has been nothing less than a distraction this whole time!” Silveri said, “So don’t pretend you’re above me!”

“I’m not,” Ravanna said, “You’re right, my stake in this is Celestia, and I would do anything to get her back. Almost anything. She wouldn’t want me to sacrifice our people for her, and that’s why I’ve waited so long. I’ve waited for this moment, for the West to be ready, because we need the humans’ help to pull this off. Trust me, Silveri, you are not alone. Many in Navarre would sooner spit on a human than fight by his side. But we need this alliance. What we do after the war is up to us. We don’t have to create formal ties with the humans, but I think it would be beneficial to have allies instead of enemies. It was because we sealed ourselves away before that the East was able to conquer us to easily. Our weakness was not our way of life, but the fact that we thought we were better, that we could ignore everybody else on this continent, that they were not a threat to us. We were wrong, and we’re still paying for it.”

“Ravanna, we could have changed everything. I admired you, I thought you were strong. I was wrong.” Silveri backed away, dressed herself quickly, “I’m returning to Navarre. I know others feel the same way I do. They don’t want to fight for humans after what they did to us.”

“You’ll fragment the Elves... Is that really what you want?” Ravanna said, fear rising in her gut. She saw the already small land of Elves becoming smaller still, and other Elves with darker intent becoming enemies of the humans. Suddenly everything had become much more complicated.

“If that’s what it takes, then so be it,” Silveri said, “I thought I could convince you to end this madness, Ravanna, but apparently not. We could have been good together.” She stood to leave, taking her things with her.

“Stop!” Ravanna said, “Ride with me to the West, learn about humans for yourself. They’re not all cruel. See for yourself before you make any hasty decisions!”

“I don’t think so,” Silveri said, “It doesn’t matter anyway. I don’t think I could ever stand to like humans now. I’d rather this remain uncomplicated.”

“Are you really so afraid of conflicting emotions that you would do this?” Ravanna said, “You can run from the truth, but you can’t hide forever.”

“Very true, Ravanna. Maybe you will get Celestia back, maybe you won’t... either way she won’t be the person you remember. Same with the children... they’re corrupted with human ways now. The mothers pine and claim to want them home, but how will they feel to see the grown faces of children who look like their rapists, who act human like their abusers? You have a hard job ahead of you. My job now is to protect the Elven race in case you lose... and especially if you win. Perhaps we will meet again, Ravanna... whether it will be as friends or enemies is up to you.” She left the tent, and Ravanna heard the sound of hooves as she rode her horse away. Ravanna went outside and stared into the dawn’s first light, wondering if she should follow, but there was nothing she could say to Silveri that would change her mind. She had been right, in her own way - there were many who would agree with her and follow her to a new settlement. The Elves had been split, and she was powerless to prevent it. She had to let them choose for themselves - her place now was at the negotiation table with the humans, drawing up battle plans before the East marched and it was too late. She could not go home and give a warning, there was not enough time, and Silveri had known that.

Ravanna kicked herself internally. How had she not seen it coming? Silveri had clearly wanted something from the start, and Ravanna had been arrogant enough to believe that it was clearly just a desire for a romantic relationship that was at the heart of her motivation. Silveri was smart, educated, driven, and had easily taken on the role of Ravanna’s right hand. She had been exactly where she had wanted to be, courting the people and winning their respect, waiting for the day when she would use her influence to drive the Elves apart...

Ravanna had never wanted to see Celestia more, to fall into her arms and lose these burdens for just a little while, but Silveri was right - Celestia would not be the same. What if Celestia agreed with Silveri, and joined Silveri’s group?

Ravanna had never felt so powerless since the day Celestia had been taken from her, and she fell to her knees and punched the dirt. It was soft, and her traveling clothes were soon caked with mud, but she felt better, and she changed her clothes before the envoy awoke.

“Where is your companion?” was the first question she had to field.

“She has returned to Navarre to give them the news,” Ravanna said, “We must hurry on to the West. Time grows short.” Lies, but lies she had to maintain nonetheless. If the humans knew of the potential split, they might not see any advantage in allying themselves with the Elves, and might just choose to remain on the defensive until the East moved. After all, it was much easier to defend a city than storm one. Navarre would have no such luck. Depleted and with no defenses, it would become a permanent part of the East, its people slaves, Celestia trapped forever in Argall’s castle...

They rode for the West, but Ravanna could not shift dark thoughts from her mind. Would the Elves survive the storm that was to come? Would Celestia still be waiting after all this was over, or would she choose to stay with Nina? Uncertainty shrouded her as rain started to fall, the weather as dark and miserable as her soul.

Chapter 24

When Celestia opened the classroom doors, she was surprised to see none of her pupils were there. Even Skye, who had been so diligent in his studies about Elven culture, was nowhere to be found. She knew what it meant - Argall had pulled the youths away from what he considered a distraction to focus on the arts of war. He didn't want any conflicts of interest when the time came. He was moving to go to war, and Celestia's heart sank.

"They are still children!" she cried, storming into Argall’s study. "Many of them have not even come into maturity!"

"You keep your children as children for too long," Argall said, "They are strong, and they have adult appetites. They are ready to fight and die like any other men."

"They are not just any other men." Celestia said, "They are half-Elven. They will not fight their own people."

"The Elves care not for this war nor any other," Argall said, "We crushed them before, took their spirit from them. They will not care what happens to the West. Why would they care to get involved? If they were coming for their children, they would have been at our gates years ago."

There was a knock at the door, "Come," Argall said, and Solaris entered, clad in full plate armor with the crest of the East emblazoned on it. Argall had ordered it forged especially for him. He wore it with pride and dignity, and Celestia was sad to see it. She had done what she could, but for all her efforts, Solaris seemed to care less for the Elves and their history with each passing day.

"The Elven Brigade is ready for action, Father," Solaris said, barely looking at his mother, "We should be ready to march as soon as you give the word."

"It won't be long, now," Argall said, "I know you are eager to fight, Solaris, but we must wait for the right moment to strike. I want to Elven Brigade to be as powerful as possible, and focused mentally on the task ahead. That is your responsibility, Solaris."

"Yes sir," Solaris said, his bright blue eyes focused on his father with adoration. Celestia understood in that moment that she had lost him, and she thought back now to when it had been. Perhaps after Nina's death, yes, it had started then. He had drawn away slowly from her and the other children. She had thought that perhaps it was grief over losing somebody he had seen almost as a mother, but he had never fully come back to her and the others.

"Solaris, if you would be so kind, would you please escort your lady mother to her chambers? I have matters to attend to." Argall ordered, and Solaris nodded. Without further notice, Solaris strode towards her, took her arm in his, and marched her from the room with perfect grace, but no emotion. It was as if he had been asked to escort a foreign dignitary to her chambers, not his own mother.

"Solaris, what has happened to you?" Celestia said, "If you go to war, you may very well end up fighting your own people!"

"Be that as it may," Solaris said, "For all your fairytales, they have never come for us. I waited for years, hanging on your promises, waiting to be whisked away to a world of magic and wonder such as you described. I ignored this world, treating it like a temporary existence. When Nina died, I grieved, wondering what sorrow had driven her to her death. Had I been a bad child, giving her too much grief? Yet that grief helped me realize that all things in this world are temporary. I accepted that I am a human prince, and that the lives of all the people who have cared for me depend on me taking my place at my father’s right hand to protect them.

Celestia stopped in her tracks. Solaris stopped, letting her arm go, "I know you never wanted me, Mother. I know I was conceived by a man you never wanted to marry, a man who took you from your home and everything you loved, and I know you stayed for me. But I am letting you go now, Mother. Don't stay for me, I have made my choice. I am human, and I will someday be the King of the East. You can run now, go back to the forest and your people. When we win the war, I will see to it that all of the Elves who were taken get the option to return home if they wish."

"I cannot leave," Celestia said, "I cannot let this war happen, I cannot let Elves fight against Elves, Elves be used as a weapon for conquest. Your father is using you, Solaris! He wants your strength to rule this continent, but don't mistake that for love!"

"You should go," Solaris said. His eyes were like ice, his hair seeming more white than blond, his face expressionless, "You have no place here. You only seek to confuse those who are compelled to fight. You make this harder on the very ones you seek to protect. Let them do this, Mother, and go back to the place where you belong. Find Ravanna, see if she still holds a place for you in her heart, and forget about me."

"Solaris, I have lost you..." Celestia said, "I never wanted to be a mother, and I never wanted to marry Argall, but I do love you," she said, "I never realized how much I truly loved Nina until it was too late... I've made some terrible mistakes, but trying to save the Elves is not one of them."

"Then go home," Solaris said, then in a lowered tone, "Please Mother... before it's too late."

Her eyes widened, but Solaris turned and took off, his cloak billowing out behind him, his armor tinkling with every step he took. Celestia stood in shock, wondering where it had all gone so wrong, and what was going to happen if she didn't leave. Solaris’s last words had left her with an uneasy feeling. What did Argall have planned for her?

She tossed and turned in her bed that evening, thinking about Solaris and his declaration of humanity. It was too late for her to win him over, she realized, and he had been right; she had to leave. She had been chained to this place by him; and he had realized this and released her. It was a relief in a way, to be allowed to let her son go his own way and go for what she truly wanted. Perhaps Solaris had aged faster due to his human blood, but she didn't remember being so mature when she was young. Those days had been spent in blissful courtship with Ravanna. Not that she would ever stop worrying about Solaris, but he had made his choice, and cleared her path with his words.

Packing things for the road, she snuck out to the stables. She was taking very little with her; the only things she truly wanted from this life were the memories of Nina and Solaris, and those would be with her wherever she went. She saddled the horse Argall had given her, a white mare, and rode out into the courtyard. It was going to be hard to get past the guards, she realized, but she would have to work something out.

"Halt!" the guard cried, as she neared the gate, "Why are you out so late, Your Grace?"

"I cannot sleep with all this talk of war; I merely want to go for a ride to relax. I will not go past the hunting grounds, and I will be back by darkness."

"As you will, Your Grace," the guard said, "Raise the gate!" The portcullis opened and she rode out, the sweat on her brow defying the cold night. Just a short ride and she would be free, free to go home. She could almost taste Navarre, smell the sweet scent of the trees, the flowers, of Ravanna...

She looked up to see King Argall and a party of lords and nobles he’d been courting for the war approaching the gate. They were jolly and talkative; obviously they shared Argall’s enthusiasm for invading the West, but Argall's face darkened when he saw Celestia. He rode to her as her heart sank; by the look on his face he knew her intent.

"You are not going anywhere!" he whispered harshly in her ear, "You will go inside or I will have the guards take you there! Do you want to make a scene!"

She did; she wanted to embarrass him for thwarting her attempt at freedom, "I never wanted to come here!" she cried, "You took me from my home and forced me to marry you!" Celestia heard the nobles who were with Argall burst into laughter.

"Guards, take her inside; my Celia is obviously not well," Argall managed, "Perhaps she is with child again; it does make a woman slightly emotional."

Celestia felt her heart sink as her horse was left inside, the nobles now laughing not at Argall, but at her. She could not struggle; these guards had done no wrong and she had no desire to hurt them. She was trapped; whatever danger Solaris had tried to warn her of, it had been too late.

She was led inside to Argall's study, where she stood defiantly until Argall came to see her. He came inside and closed the door firmly.

"Celia, I have put up with countless attempts to undermine my authority from you. I endured it when you refused my wish to have a second heir; I tolerated it when you cavorted around with that serving maid; I even allowed you to undermine my efforts to build an army by teaching the children to love the Elves. But we are in a time of war now, and I will tolerate this no longer. I need a Queen by my side to appear strong and rally the people for this war; we need to be a royal family. I am tired of hearing whispers that you are a traitor to this kingdom - this ends now. Either you become Queen Celia with all your heart, or I will arrange for an accident to occur so that I may take a more suitable bride. The choice is yours, Celia. Not many would miss their foreign queen, it would be easy for you to suffer a short illness and pass away."

"You would not burden Solaris with such grief!" Celestia cried, "He has done nothing wrong!"

"Indeed, but he would get over it," Argall said, "He has grown to be a fine son, a warrior to be proud of. It is only a shame that you have not embraced this world as wholeheartedly as he has."

"You have me trapped," Celestia said, "I will never forgive you for this, Argall. Never!"

"I don't want your forgiveness," Argall said, "I only want to win this war and crush the West once and for all! Then I will take whatever is left of Navarre and burn it to the ground, and perhaps then you will forget all your little fantasies of going home!"

Celestia sat down, her legs trembling. Her freedom had been so close, yet so far. She would be trapped here forever, Ravanna always out of her reach, gone forever. She might as well have been dead; no doubt she would be, if Argall had his way.

Her only shred of hope was with the Elven children now. She had to hope that some part of them would refuse to fight against their people when and if the time came, because there was nothing else she could do. She had to pretend to stand behind the war now, or she would never see Ravanna or Navarre again, and if that sole hope was lost - what else was there for her in this world?

Chapter 25

It was a week's ride to the West, but once Ravanna arrived she was so busy she didn't even have time to think. She was summoned at once to see the Queen, who met her arrival with sad eyes.

"It is sad that you were right, Lady Ravanna," the Queen said, her regal robes about her. She was old now, frail and she looked tired, "I did not want my days to end on war, my legacy to be bloodshed. I wanted to have seen through a reign of complete peace. But alas, it was not to be."

"Defending your people is not the same as starting a war, Your Grace," Ravanna said, "To sit here unprepared and let your country be invaded would be a greater crime."

"Indeed," the Queen said, "I am too old to fight, though, Ravanna. I cannot go to the front. I have fine knights, but none have seen battle. I need you to lead them, to help them, to teach them."

"I have not seen battle myself, Your Grace," Ravanna said, "Navarre was invaded, true, but we did not manage to put up much of a fight..."

"You have seen people die in war, Lady Ravanna, and that is what matters. You know the price. My knights are brave, but green. They seek honor and glory, but they do not see the danger. They do not seem to understand that the very fate of this kingdom lies in their hands - and that many of them will die defending it."

"They will soon see," Ravanna said, "Your men gave me the details, and one of our spies caught up to us as we traveled - King Argall’s army is ready to march. We don't have a lot of time."

"Do you think they will head for Navarre first, or march straight for the West?" The Queen sat up in her throne.

"It is impossible to tell," Ravanna said, "I had hoped to meet them further out, before they can split their forces, if they plan to do so. They will be closer to their home territory, it is true, but it protects Navarre being overrun. However, it will mean the soldiers must march at once if we hope to reach Navarre before Argall can get there."

"We are still supplying our soldiers with what they need," the Queen said. She turned to one of her royal guards, "Take us to the War Room and gather my advisors. We must discuss our plans at once."

~

Ravanna had spent more time planning then she had hoped for. A week passed before they were ready to march, but the Queen had insisted on being properly prepared, and Ravanna couldn't blame her. She donned the armor the Queen had given her and looked in the mirror. Leather didn't offer much protection, but it was better than being weighed down by plate or chain mail. Most Elves did not burden themselves with such protection, preferring speed over defense.

I hope the Elven force is ready, Ravanna thought to herself. If Silveri has split the army, we might already have lost the war for Navarre...

~

The next two weeks seemed to pass like a dream. Days and nights of monotony passed Ravanna by as they marched. She hated the way humans went to war, with huge, slow armies that stripped the land as they crossed and left filth in their wake, but she understood it was a necessity. This was how the East would fight as well - they only had a handful of Elves at their command, and Ravanna doubted they would change the whole war plan.

Eventually, the forest came within view and Ravanna rode with a small band of knights to contact Navarre. Ravanna hoped they would be ready, yet she saw no sentries posted as they rode through the forest.

"Something's wrong," Ravanna said, "Stay alert."

As Ravanna entered the city, all was quiet. A couple of houses had been put to the torch, but there was no screaming, no signs of life. Ravanna wondered if she was too late, but there had been no signs of an army outside the forest. Had an advance force passed this way, or had a special force been sent to take Navarre out of the war?

She hid behind a tree trunk as a group of Elves came into view. They were mostly male, and dressed in heavy armor. Their leader had long, golden hair... just like Celestia's.

"Celestia's son..." Ravanna whispered, "By the Gods..."

"Who's there?" Solaris's sharp hearing picked up Ravanna's whisper and he pointed to the tree. When his Elven soldiers got there, though, Ravanna was gone.

"Are you sure you're not just hearing things, Prince Solaris?" Skye said, his long black hair tied in a braid.

"They're playing tricks on us, I just know it," Solaris said, "Elven sorcery or something. Why would they leave their only city unattended?"

"They must have known we were coming," One of the women spoke, her bow trained on the trees.

"Ridiculous. My lady mother swore they were pining for us. They should have let us in with open arms..."

"Well, Navarre is ours," Skye said, "I never thought we'd take it without a fight. I'm relieved... I didn't want to fight my own people..."

"Quiet those traitorous lips!" Solaris said, his blue eyes sending an icy stare at Skye, "Even my lady mother has come to her senses and praises the war now. You should do the same. Navarre never sent a force for us because they didn’t care about a bunch of children fathered by rape!" Skye backed away, wounded, his eyes avoiding Solaris’s gaze.

Ravanna's eyes closed in her hiding place amongst the trees. Celestia, supporting the war? How could it be? The Celestia she had known was quiet and gentle. She hated war and violence... But this was her son, standing here... Why would he lie? Yet he was so cold, so cruel to treat the other Elves as he did. Was that how he controlled them, with fear? How had he come to love his cause so much, though? Had Celestia turned on Navarre and taught her son to love the East?

Ravanna’s men were not as good at stealth as her, and she sighed to herself as she saw them being dragged in by the Elven sentries Solaris had posted. They thrust the humans to their knees as Solaris walked down the row.

"Knights of the East, hmm? So you knew we were coming. I thought so. Father must be informed." He strode down the row, confidence oozing from every step. He put his sword to the throat of one of the knights. The knight closed his eyes.

"Such cowards." Solaris withdrew the blade, "Tell me, where have the Elves gone?"

"I don't know..." the knight said, "Please, I don't know anything... it was Lady Ravanna who..."

"Ravanna!" Solaris almost spit the name from his mouth, "Where is she!" He pressed the blade to the knight's throat, cutting the skin until it oozed blood.

"I don't know... Hiding!" he said, trembling.

"You don't need to kill him," Ravanna said, leaping down from a tree and landing behind Solaris. Three bows were trained on her instantly, "I'm right here."

"You." Solaris spun around, "Kill the knights," he ordered, as he rounded on Ravanna. Ravanna was powerless as the Solaris’s Elves executed their prisoners with brutal precision.

"How could you be Celestia's son?" Ravanna asked, her sword drawn and ready, "She was always so kind, so loving. You might look like her, but you are a monster!"

"Where were you to save her when she needed you?" Solaris said, "She pined and begged for you! It was always Ravanna this and Ravanna that, but you were just another fairy story, just like all the others she told. Only you killed the woman who did love my lady mother and I. You killed Nina!"

"I did no such thing!" Ravanna said, "The last time she came to this forest she murdered her companions and defiled our sacred spring, yet still she left this place alive. I swear it."

"Nina never would have murdered anybody!" Solaris said, "You lie, and defile the memory of the dead with your words!" He lunged at Ravanna with his sword, but she parried the blow easily. Solaris jumped back before continuing, "She committed suicide because my mother's heart belonged to you!"

Ravanna felt a mixture of both joy and horror. She hated herself for the joy, for being happy to know that Celestia had always held a place for her, even as she felt horror that Nina had died in such a way. She had deserved it, perhaps, for murdering her companions, but Celestia must have felt sorrow, and so she hated herself for the jealousy that she still felt.

"I should never have pushed Celestia into the arms of Nina and left her behind, I know. But I had nothing to do with Nina’s death! I thought Celestia might move on!”

Solaris jumped back, swift as a wolf and dived forward again. Ravanna dodged, but the sword caught her shoulder, tearing her armor and cutting her arm.

"You have brought nothing but sorrow to my family!" Solaris said, "You killed Nina, you came between my father and mother and yet you are worthless! You have never earned her love! You abandoned her when she needed you and yet still she pines for you like a dog!"

"We were together for a hundred years before Argall came and took her from me," Ravanna said, "A hundred years of happiness and joy before he decided she would be his bride. He raped her, forced her to bear his heir - you! It was no match of love. It was a conquest. Why do you think she turned to Nina for love? She never loved your father!”

"Lies!" Solaris rained down sword blows and Ravanna struggled to keep up.

Just then, a horn blew and Elves flooded into the village, dressed as Ravanna had never seen them before. Warpaint adorned their faces, and the dark haired ones had bleached parts of their hair. Others hung feathers from their hair. They looked wild as they flooded into the village. Silveri was with them, leading them, looking more alive than ever.

"Flee!" Solaris cried, "We must report back to my father!" Some of Silveri’s Elves went to follow Solaris's group, but Silveri held them back, "Now is not the time," she said, “The time for blood and vengeance will come.”

Some Elves came out from hiding places and gathered around Ravanna, looking at the other group of Elves that Silveri led with curiosity. Ravanna saw faces she recognized but did not. She had never seen Elves look like this, only in books from the Ancient Age. Books that spoke of a clan of wild Elves, known for their prowess in battle and their mercilessness and bloodlust.

"The Dark Elves..." Ravanna said, in shock, "You've revived the Dark Elves..."

"Humans can rot," Silveri said, "We're going to fight this our own way, and spare no mercy for humans or Elves who threaten our homeland!"

"Stop this, Silveri!" Ravanna said, "We must be united if we can hope to defeat the East and rescue our children! Vengeance is not the answer!"

"Rescue our children?" Silveri said, "Did they look like they wanted to be rescued? If they have been brainwashed this deeply, it might be a mercy just to kill them." Several of the Elves in her entourage nodded solemnly.

"You can't do that! They're our people! Our children! They're our future!" Ravanna cried, "They've been led astray by Argall!"

"No, they've been trained to embrace their human sides, and reject the Elven blood. They are nothing but a weapon to be used against us," Silveri said, "Argall wants us to hold back, to see them as our children. If we let them in, they will slaughter us all." Silveri turned her back and started to walk away, the other Dark Elves going with her.

"Where are you going?" Ravanna said, "You can't desert us now! We need you to fight with us, for the future of the Elven people!"

"No, the West wants us to fight with them for the future of their kingdom," Silveri said, "We have no place in petty human wars. We live in the forest now, amongst the trees. I'd like to see humans even try to take our home. They can't fight what they cannot see. Navarre is just a place, a city. They don't even want to keep it, so why should we die defending it? Let them have it. There is nothing here of value to them, they'll be gone before you know it. We'll live on, and stay out of human affairs. It was ridiculous negotiations with humans that got us into this mess in the first place. You never should have let Celestia give herself to that king. If you loved her, you would have defended her with your life. She didn’t want to go, she was only waiting for you to stop her. I was a child and yet even I could see that. I'm not going to let you drag your people to their deaths because you realized your mistake too late."

There were nods and murmurs of assent, and Elves slipped away, merging in with the trees. Navarre was quiet, save for the few voices behind her. Ravanna turned and surveyed the damage. Only fifteen Elves remained with her, and of those, five were so old they would be no use in battle. Ten warriors to bring back to the humans, who had lost five good men getting here.

Ravanna hung her head, looking out at the forest as though some of the Dark Elves might come back to her, but none showed their faces.

"Lady Ravanna, we should go," one of the older ones said, "What's done is done. You cannot blame Silveri for trying to save her people."

"I don't," Ravanna said, "I blame myself for not being stronger.”

Chapter 26

Celestia shuddered as she sat in the chamber she now shared with Argall, a cold wind blowing through it. Yet the chill came from deeper within her, protesting at her actions, even though that day had been a week ago.

It had been bright as she had sat on the dais in the courtyard. Argall had given a speech to his army, rallying them to war. Celestia sat with a fake smile plastered on her face, as if in complete agreement with everything Argall said. He finished his speech and sat down, encouraging Celestia to stand.

“Now, for Queen Celia,” an announcer called out, and Celestia stood, dreading the words she had been forced to practice, the speech she had been told to give the army and the half-Elves in particular. They stood before her now, expectantly looking up at her.

“This is the war that will unite our peoples...” she began. Solaris smiled at her, a smile that said he was proud of her. Skye’s blue eyes fixed on her with surprise and disappointment. She could look at neither of them, and focused her gaze far away, letting her body act on its own, reciting the speech that Argall had demanded she learn.

After that, the army had left. The castle had become silent, with only a few old guards left to man the walls, and Argall. Celestia had hoped he would go to the front to lead his army and wind up on the end of a spear, but he had sent a general to fill the spot until Solaris had neutralized Navarre and could join up with the army. Celestia resented him for putting her son in danger, but he was aging and no longer had the stamina for war, she supposed.

Celestia shifted in her seat. Never had she felt so conflicted. She wanted her son to come home alive, but she didn’t want him to destroy the only place she’d ever called home, to kill her people, his people. She could only pray to the old Elven spirits and gods that seeing Navarre would make him change his mind, but she knew it was unlikely at this point. He wanted to fight the war, wanted to be a part of Navarre’s destruction. He would throw away his heritage in a heartbeat for one approving look from his father.

She stood up, walked out to the balcony for some air. She felt Argall’s presence in the room and soon he was behind her, watching her.

“It wasn’t so hard, was it, Celia? Everything will turn out in the end. Perhaps I will even give you Navarre to govern, if you prove your loyalty.”

He had come to her every night with the same promises, and she knew what he was truly asking; he wanted another heir. Solaris was his first choice, but he was at war, and war was a risky business. A second son would seal everything in place; his reign would be safe, and Celestia would be bound to stay to see her child’s life through. Even a daughter would be better than nothing.

She had already told him the previous week that it was her monthly time and she could not; and she knew she was running out of excuses. He could just take her by force, she knew, but he wanted her to agree, to become trapped in his web willingly. There were herbs available to prevent pregnancy, but she had very limited freedom to gather them, and they did not always work. Guards were with her at all times to ensure she did not flee or go where Argall had decreed she should not. Argall had publicly stated that it was “for her own protection in a time of war when assassins are always afoot”. Celestia knew she was a prisoner.

“It is still my time,” Celestia said, “A couple more days yet.”

“As you will,” Argall said, “I can wait; but beware, Celia, I will not wait forever.” He left her alone, closing the door behind him and going to their shared bed. Celestia mulled over the veiled threat, wondering if it would simply be easier to speak out and be executed. She would die, but not without causing embarrassment to Argall. Or she could jump, as Nina had jumped from a balcony. Those options remained if the war was lost. She would not remain a prisoner forever. But as long as Ravanna was out there, as long as the West was still fighting, there was hope, and she could not give that up so easily.

She did not want to sleep next to Argall, and so she slept on the cold balcony, looking up at the stars and thinking of home...

~

Argall woke her suddenly, ignoring the fact that she had shunned him to sleep outside, “A bird has come from Navarre,” he said, “The city destroyed itself before Solaris even got there. The Elves have split into two factions; the old and the weak, and a group of wild Elves calling themselves the Dark Elves who have abandoned Navarre to live in the deep forests. Solaris reports that the Dark Elves have declined to assist the West with their war and so the humans march virtually alone, with only Ravanna and a few weaklings.”

Celestia tried to hide her despair but it was plain to see on her face, “I refuse to believe the Elves would ever abandon Navarre,” she said indignantly.

“The Elves aren’t the people you left twenty years ago,” Argall said, “They’ve moved on without you, Celia. You have no home to go back to. Accept the one you have here, make the most of it. We could be happy if you could just learn to let go...”

Celestia slapped Argall across the face. He sighed, got up, and went inside, calmly closing the door behind him. She waited until she heard the inside door close as he left the room, then burst into fresh, new tears.

But Ravanna... He did say Ravanna was with them... That one thought kept her from the edge of the balcony. Whether the Elves as a people still existed or not, Ravanna was alive, and coming for her. She had to wait, to see how it played out, to see if she could be saved yet. She couldn’t abandon hope until all hope was lost, and as long as Ravanna was still alive, there was still a chance they might be reunited, even after all.

~

She spent most of her day training with her sword. Argall hadn’t told her it was forbidden, and she felt it was an act of subversion against him; perhaps someday she would be able to use her sword against him, and end this war once and for all. She’d thought of killing him discreetly, but could not bring herself to do it; life was sacred, and she doubted the man would ever let his guard down enough to be poisoned or stabbed. He slept with one eye open and a knife under his pillow, and it was enough for her to watch him suffer like that, to never get a night’s rest in his life. But it felt good to learn to fight, and she could tell the guards it was all for the war effort, “should war ever, god forbid, come to the castle.” How she dreamt it would; many a night had she dreamed of Ravanna leading the West over the walls and rescuing her in the heat of battle.

That night, Argall didn’t come to her and she was relieved. She stood on the balcony, holding her sword, looking out at the stars. Let war come, she was ready to fight. Not for land, not for Argall, not even for Solaris. She would fight for Ravanna, the woman she loved, had always loved, would always love.

Memories came back to her as she looked out at the stars, thoughts and feelings she had long held back. Now there was no reason to resist them. Either she would escape with Ravanna or the West would be defeated and she would commit suicide; either way, her long ordeal was going to be over soon. Tears of relief sprang into her eyes as she realized this. She let herself relieve the years of Ravanna as she had looked in the sunlight, their sweet love in the safety of Navarre; running through the halls of the Spire in laughter as their elders looked on with smiles.

A hundred years of bliss gone in the blink of an eye as reality had woken them up to the fact that there was a world outside. Icy steel and red blood had broken their dreams, and Celestia remembered being promised to the King of the East, of going because she wanted to protect her people, to save Navarre, to keep Ravanna safe.

Now Navarre was gone. Ravanna was her sole hope. They were not innocent any more and they could never hope to win that back, but they could be together again. Celestia hugged herself as she remembered how warm Ravanna was, how gentle and loving. She remembered Nina’s hands too, how they had adored her. But that was past now. Nina was gone, though a piece of her heart would always belong to the serving girl she had loved. Who knew that life could be so complicated? Certainly she had never considered it, bathed in sunlight in the Spire. She had thought Ravanna would be the only person she would ever love. She wondered how Ravanna would react to that, and indeed, how much Ravanna had changed. She would be a different person now as well, tempered by reality. Had she loved another in the time they had been apart? Celestia knew she would have to come to accept the possibility and move past it; it would not be fair to judge Ravanna for something she herself had done.

It would be so hard to reconcile the old with the new, but she knew it would be the same for Ravanna as well. Celestia was not the same person she had been either. But she still loved Ravanna, and Ravanna cared enough to join the West in their war. Love would be enough, wouldn’t it?

It had to be, for it was her only hope. She looked down at the courtyard below, then stood back, dizzied by the height. There were crueler fates than death, she understood now. To live as a prisoner, only to create heirs for a king, children who grew up to hate all she loved and adore their cruel father over her. It was her fault too, she knew, for not paying him more attention, but Solaris was gone and would never be won over. The Elves had become something he’d grown to despise, a symbol of broken promises. He’d found that happiness could be achieved elsewhere.

Looking up at the stars, Celestia steeled herself. The next few weeks would be the hardest she had ever lived, but she knew she could do it, so long as she didn’t lose hope.

Chapter 27

They had marched solemnly onwards ever since Ravanna’s return to the army of the West with her ragged band of tired, old Elves. Ravanna wished she had never promised her aid to the West; not only did she feel she was reneging on her part of the deal, morale in the army and her leadership was faltering. She heard whispers in the night, sometimes between her most trusted men, questioning her ability to lead and even her place in the army. The humans wanted a human to lead, not an Elf. They had accepted her at the Queen’s behest, but that was when she was promising to bring strong Elven warriors to the army. Now the dissent grew louder, and Ravanna had to admit, they had a point. Not a night went by when she didn’t hear the whispers and almost leave the tent to give her ribbon of command to one of her officers; the only thing that kept her going was the thought that while she led, she could keep Elven interests at heart. She could rescue the children, perhaps salvage some of the society of Elves that had fallen apart by showing results.

And maybe, just maybe, she could rescue Celestia. Her hopes of reaching Celestia had never been stronger, but to do that they had to defeat the army of the East and reach the castle, which was looking less and less likely. The army had been in high spirits when they had left, but as they got further from home they started to falter. Heavy rains made the going difficult, and the loss of the Elves as allies had been hard on those who had believed they would be the secret weapon against Argall’s elite band of stolen half-Elves.

As she mused to herself and her horse rode onward, her attention was drawn by one of her generals. She looked up to see one of her scouts returning.

“They are just over the hill,” he said, “Maybe two miles away.” He looked tired and worn, but excited.

Ravanna nodded, “Thank you,” she said, “Call a full halt. We will rest here. No doubt they know we are here as well, but the day is drawing in. Battle will commence tomorrow. Ready your men.”

Camp was set up, but Ravanna paced nervously around the tents. It was finally time to face the East, and what did they have but muddied, tired humans and the most defeated of the Elves? How could she convince her soldiers that they could win when even she did not believe it?

As they ate at the mess hall, Ravanna called them all to attention, “I know the going has been hard,” she said, “and things have not turned out to plan. Even so, we are all that stands between the East and the West. If we fail here, this war is over. They know that we are demoralized. They will try to use it against us, to break us, but we must show them that we will not break. That Elven blood matters not in winning this war, but the spirit of those who love their homes and families!” Cheers rose up from the men, and she nodded and left, retiring to her tent.

“Lady Ravanna,” a voice came through the darkness. A male figure stepped out from the shadows... an Elf. Ravanna’s eyes widened in surprise and she reached for her knife.

“You were one of the ones with Solaris... who murdered my men!” she cried, but Skye shook his head sadly.

“I am sorry,” he said, “I wanted to leave Solaris’s service then, but there were too many of them and only one of me. I feared that I would die before I could make a difference.”

“What are you saying?” Ravanna said, eyeing him suspiciously, “You are a spy, sent to disarm me!”

“I am not,” Skye said, “My name is Skye. Queen Celestia was often kind to me, and spoke of the Elves, of Navarre... of you. She wants to be free, and I want to help you win her freedom. She helped me with so many problems... and I can no longer fight with Solaris. I thought I could change him, but he is broken beyond repair, filled with only hate...”

“You are the only one who feels this way?” Ravanna asked, sheathing her knife.

“No, but the others are too afraid of Solaris to leave. Even if they believe what they are doing is wrong, they believe the East will win regardless, and they are afraid for their own safety, afraid to take a risk to save a city that now stands deserted. The West means nothing to them, and they will crush it.” Skye shook his head, “To be honest, the fate of the humans does not concern me as it should. It is the fate of the Elves that I come here seeking to change. Navarre, the wondrous city of my visions, reduced to a desolate shadow of a dream, its inhabitants turned to the ways of the Dark Elves... It is wrong, Ravanna! We have to win back our independence from the humans.”

“I’m not sure we can,” Ravanna admitted, “This ragtag band of green knights that I lead barely trust me, and I can I blame them? I promised them warriors, and they got old men and little girls.”

“They can still have warriors,” Skye said, “The Elves are not dead.”

“They won’t fight with us,” Ravanna said, “I’ve tried to persuade them, but they won’t get involved with a war they see as a human war. I’m not even sure I want them to fight with us... They hate humans, Skye. They are filled with the same hatred and resentment that fuels Solaris. They won’t go easy, even on their own. They have given you and the other children up as tainted by humans.”

“Then let me prove otherwise,” Skye said, “Navarre is but a few days that way, even faster with just me alone. If I fail, then you have lost nothing, but if I win... we might have a fighting chance.”

“They will kill you!” Ravanna said.

“Will they?” Skye said, “Queen Celestia told me the Elves are a gentle race. I know what I feel inside is the desire to create and think, not the art of war. They have become what circumstances have made them, but I believe that inside they are still Elven. Let me try, Ravanna. Please.”

“You don’t need to ask my permission,” Ravanna said, “Why did you come to me?”

“I need you to know that us half-Elves aren’t evil, that we were not born wicked just because of the nature of our creation. Even Solaris, as unkind as he is, can be gentle and beautiful when he wishes. I came to beg that you show kindness to my brothers and sisters, and don’t kill them unless you have to.” Skye looked down at the ground sadly.

“I do not want to hurt them any more than you do,” Ravanna said, “This is war, though, Skye, and if what you told me is true, they won’t hold back. We have to do what we have to do.”

“I know,” Skye said, “I never wanted to fight Solaris. I would have done anything for him...”

“You loved him, didn’t you?” Ravanna said.

“I still do,” Skye said, “I let it blind me, hoping, believing he would change, even as he grew crueler. He hates you, Ravanna. Queen Celestia’s lover, Nina... he saw her as a mother. When she committed suicide, he blamed Her Grace for not loving Nina enough...”

“...and he sees me as the cause of that. I understand.” Ravanna shook her head, “He will not be an easy foe to defeat. He’s the son of the woman I love, he carries her golden hair and looks. How could I kill him, knowing the grief it would bring to Celestia?”

“Then you understand,” Skye said, “I will depart for the forest at once. I must find the Dark Elves before it is too late, and beg to whatever vestige of mercy remains within them.”

“Good luck,” said Ravanna, “and thank you... for your courage.”

~

Ravanna slept restlessly. She kept dreaming of Solaris, fighting him, killing him, and then he would turn into Celestia and she would be dead in Ravanna’s arms. Eventually she rose and meditated instead, preparing herself mentally and physically for the challenge that lie ahead.

Her generals came to her early, and they prepared the final details of the battle plan, then went to position their troops. Breakfast was served, but few cared to eat what might be their last meal. Many paced, but Ravanna was calm. She knew what she had to do; hold the line and keep enough troops alive to buy Skye some time. She hoped he would have success where she had failed, and quickly. She looked to see where the enemy was advancing, and saw Solaris in golden armor leading the army.

“It’s time,” she cried out, and horses were mounted, weapons were readied, and the formation formed. She saw Solaris charging towards them and then chaos ensued as the first round of arrows started taking down soldiers on both sides. Ravanna held firm, looking death in the face, her eyes fixed on Solaris, his golden hair spilling out from under his helm.

Celestia... I’ll do my best not to hurt your son, I promise...

Then battle was joined, and Ravanna had no more time to think as she was thrust into combat. Her sword sliced through foes left and right, and she found herself wishing she had worn heavier armor as a sword sliced her leg. She killed many, but still there were more, overwhelming them at every turn.

“Pull back!” she cried. Things were going even worse than she had imagined. The warriors of the East had used their time well to train themselves in war and discipline, whereas her men seemed to break fast. Many were fleeing in all different directions.

“Ravanna.” A voice filled with hatred made her head turn. Solaris cut with a savage blow that killed her horse. Ravanna jumped from the saddle and landed on her feet.

“Solaris.” Ravanna acknowledged him with disgust. What kind of Elf slew an animal for the sport of it?

“Give this fool’s charade up now and surrender,” Solaris demanded, “Stay out of this and maybe we’ll let you go back to Navarre. This is a human war. You have no place here.”

“Neither do you,” Ravanna said, “You’re Elven too. I know you have no intention of letting me go.”

“I am the future King of the East,” Solaris said, “You’re right, I have no intention of letting you go, Ravanna. You, who abandoned my mother and let her suffer. Yet she held you dear in her heart like a dog who has been beaten by its master, and lost the woman who would have made her happy.”

“I did wrong by Celestia,” Ravanna said, “I’ll be the first to admit that I waited too long to save the woman I loved. But Nina’s death was not my fault! She murdered two of her own comrades and left their bodies in a sacred spring in the forest. Her mind was already falling apart.”

“Enough!” Solaris swung his sword at Ravanna, but she dodged like a cat and brought her sword up to meet his.

“I don’t want to hurt you, Solaris!” Ravanna cried, “But I will do what I have to!”

“Good!” Solaris said, “Then you’ll die here, and my mother might finally give you up!”

“My death never stopped her before!” Ravanna said, avoiding another blow, “Love is stronger than life and death! Have you ever loved somebody so much that you would die for them? That you would give anything to protect them?”

“Such a feeling is only a weakness,” Solaris said, “One of mine, Skye, bleated of love and kindness. He disappeared last night, deserting the army of the land that gave him everything!”

“Those children were stolen by the East, from their true mothers who loved them!” Ravanna said, “They just want to go home!”

“We are children no longer,” another voice came, and Ravanna looked about to see herself surrounded by Solaris’s band of Elves. Her army was in full retreat, but she was trapped.

“You have people who love you,” Ravanna said, “In your true home.”

“Those Dark Elves didn’t seem very loving to me,” one spat, “Face it, Ravanna, Navarre is but a dream. Let it go.”

“Never,” Ravanna said, “What is broken can be rebuilt. Our people will become one again. Come with me. This war is not your concern.”

“Ha! She cares nothing for the people she fights beside!” another said, “No wonder they run like scared rabbits.”

“You’re right, I’m not here for them. I’m not even here for Navarre. I’m here to save Celestia from the castle where she is imprisoned, something I should have done a long time ago.” Ravanna looked down at her sword, “I know I’ve lost, and that you’re going to kill me.” She looked Solaris in the eyes as he dismounted his horse, “You look just like your mother,” she said.

“If you think that’s going to sway me, you’re wrong,” Solaris said, “But I won’t kill you outright, Ravanna. Single combat, you and me. Show me the power of your pure Elven blood and I’ll show you what humans have taught me!”

The Elves widened the circle. Ravanna was oblivious to the rest of the battle, as her men fled, led by one of her generals. She had spoken the truth; in reality, she did not care so much for the West as what they could do for her. She closed her eyes; she had not meant to deceive the Queen who had put so much faith in her, but there it was.

Solaris smiled as he lunged for Ravanna, but she had the weight advantage and slipped underneath his blow.

“That trick again,” Solaris said, “Too bad with that armor that one hit will kill you.”

“You have to catch me first,” Ravanna said, jumping back to avoid another blow. She dived past Solaris and landed a blow that dented his helm. He took it off and threw it aside to show he didn’t need it and circled to face her. He lunged for her and she parried, knocking him off balance. She used the momentum to force him off his feet and put her sword to his throat.

She expected the others to dive on her, but none moved. They stood, staring at her and at Solaris. Ravanna’s eyes were on Solaris. If she killed him, the opposing army would be without a leader... they could regroup and go for an easy victory. Many lives would be saved. But he was Celestia’s son, and had never looked more so than in that moment. His golden hair was sprawled about him, and there was fear in his green eyes.

“Get her!” Solaris said, but none of the Elves moved. They just stood and stared, watching to see how it would all play out.

Ravanna removed the sword from his throat, “Your mother has saved your life,” she said, “I can’t break her heart by killing her only child, even if you are also the child of the man who stole her from me and raped her.”

“Shut up!” Solaris spat, “Don’t humiliate me! Kill me if you must, but don’t toy with me!”

Ravanna sheathed her sword. The others looked at her with a strange look in their eyes, as if assessing her. One of the women dropped her sword, then another, then another, and came to stand behind Ravanna.

“What are you doing?” Solaris said, “You can’t betray me! I’ll have all your heads!”

“You don’t control us any more,” one of the women said, “I can’t be frightened of you any more. It’s time to do what’s right and stand up for the Elves.”

“Humans raised you, took care of your every need... Argall ensured you never wanted for anything!” Solaris said, “How could your turn your backs on everything we worked for? You’re half human!”

“Half rapist,” one of the men said, “but we’re living with that. It doesn’t define who we are. None of this blood stuff matters. I just don’t want to fight any more. I want to rebuild Navarre. I knew the moment I stood there that it was my true home. Yet you had us murder there and defile it.”

“It’s just a bunch of trees and buildings!” Solaris said, “It has no power!”

“You don’t feel it,” Ravanna said, “The forest is alive, Solaris. Nature is all around us in Navarre. There we are free to be ourselves and create whatever we want. Until humans came, that is what we did for thousands of years. Why would you prolong this war?”

“I am human!” Solaris said, “My father is a man to be admired! He’s strong and brave and...”

“You truly are a child,” one of the men said, “Solaris, go back to your army and do what you will. We will help Lady Ravanna keep her promise to the West and then we will go home. Even if it means fighting you and the East.”

Solaris fled. Ravanna looked after him with sorrow, “He’s chosen his human side,” she said, “It’s his decision to make, as it is yours. If you don’t want to fight for the West and Navarre, and you love the lives you have built in the East, then go home. I will not hold it against you. You are half-human after all.”

One of the men spoke up, “I have a wife,” he said, “I cannot leave her.” Ravanna simply nodded and he headed out into the field, “Anybody else? No? Then let’s catch up to the army and regroup.”

Chapter 28

It was sunset by the time they reached the West’s army camp, and Ravanna was exhausted. She had wanted to leave the Elves behind and ride on ahead to scout out the mood of her army, but she dare not leave them alone when their allegiance to her was so newly-formed. So it was that she rode into camp with sixteen followers. Few noticed them at first; they were too body tending their wounds and finding something to eat. All looked broken and demoralized, the harsh truth of war breaking through their fantasies at last.

Ravanna stood on some crates and blew on a small horn she carried to gain the attention of her men. Slowly, eyes came to rest on the coterie that surrounded her, and looks of recognition started to sparkle as her men recognized Ravanna’s companions as Elven. Her men left their cooking pots and medical supplies and started to swarm towards where they were standing, eager to get a look at the people that might mean their salvation. There were joyous shouts and the sound of horns as men emerged from their tents to see what was going on. Soon, Ravanna and the Elves were surrounded by her entire army, who looked up at her almost reverently.

“We have won the Elves back from their human captors,” Ravanna said, feeling the power of the moment, “They came willingly, to fight against the tyrannical East and their plans for domination, and together we can push back the East and foil their plans to destroy the West!”

Cheers went up from the crowd. Some of the Elves stood with Ravanna, others looked hesitant, even reluctant.

Perhaps this is all too much, too soon, Ravanna wondered. The men needed this call to arms. But will the Elves be able to stomach switching sides when the only Elves here are me and the ragged remnants of Navarre?

“The East must be stopped,” Ravanna said, considering her words carefully, “Not just for the West, but for Navarre, that has suffered so much at the hands of Argall and his soldiers!” The Elves clapped, and Ravanna felt reassured.

“Rest well, my soldiers,” Ravanna said, “Tomorrow we will fight again, and we have much ground to gain. The enemy will be desperate, but we can break them!”

Cheers rose from the crowd, and she dismissed them with a wave. Soldiers started to mill away, going to their tents.

“I would speak with you in private,” Ravanna said to the Elves. They looked bewildered, lost in a sea of humans, and they followed her through the maze of tents until they came to hers. Her guards opened the tent flap for them, and they entered.

“This war might seem like a human war to you, but it is vital for our future as well,” Ravanna said, “I know you probably just want to go back to Navarre, but we cannot until we know it is safe from the ambitions of the East.”

“We know,” one of the women said, “We don’t want to fight, but we know it is necessary. I know we may never see the splendor of Navarre again, but the East’s ambitions must be ended. Otherwise the cycle of destruction will only repeat itself. I know that Argall would invade Navarre again in a heartbeat if he thought he could have another shot at the West. What happened there... must never happen again.”

“We should never have been born,” one of the men said, “The least we can do is put that error to rights and save Navarre now.”

“You think you are not loved?” Ravanna said, “Your mothers still wait for you back home. This is not a way for you to commit suicide! You are the future of Navarre!”

“They were not waiting when we went there with Solaris,” the man said, “The Dark Elves... they attacked us like we were any other humans, and I don’t blame them. We are the symbols of the destruction of your people. The least we can do is fight to free Navarre, so that it might become whole again.”

“And for Lady Celestia, so that she might go home again.” Another of the women stepped forward, “Such sadness in her eyes when she talked of home. Perhaps we will always be stateless, children of two worlds, but she belongs in Navarre.”

Ravanna felt tears well up in her eyes, “You know she is the only reason I’m in all of this,” she admitted, “We were together for a hundred years before all of this. All I want is to rescue her, to take her home where she belongs. I could care less about the East and the West. I just want Celestia back.”

“We will help you,” another one of the men said, “What happens after that remains to be seen. Once Navarre is safe, we will find out if we truly have homes, and choose paths for ourselves. But know this; we considered our options carefully before deserting Solaris. We each understand that the East must be stopped. We will not betray you.”

~

Ravanna slept fitfully. Nights before battles were never easy for her, and her mind was full of Celestia and what the Elves had said. It’s like they blame themselves, Ravanna thought, like they truly believe all this is their fault. They never asked to be born. I only hope their mothers can still find places in their hearts for them after this is over.

Finally she fell asleep, but her dreams were full of Celestia and she woke with tears in her eyes. I want this to be over, she thought, I’m tired of being so close and yet so far away. We must make progress today. I can’t wait any longer.

She was quickly disturbed by the scouts, “What is it?” she asked at once.

“The army is marching on us,” the scout said, “I think they hope to catch us in our beds.”

“Desperate tactics,” Ravanna said, “They should be pulling back, defending their castle and waiting for us to come to them. Solaris is a reckless commander. Get everybody up. We’ll be waiting for them.”

The next hour went by in a whirlwind as she dressed and armed herself. She gathered the Elves and was waiting with them on the hill, her army readying itself and gathering behind her. The approaching army drew to a halt as it saw them, thousands of torches dancing in the darkness.

“It’s time,” Ravanna said. This has to be the bulk of their army. If we can break them here, we can march straight to the East and end this.

“Charge!” Ravanna yelled, and they moved forward in a wave, crashing into the army below them, battle joined in the night. Solaris’s army panicked, but held the line. Ravanna lost her Elves in the sea of battle, and fought like a lion with humans at her back.

After what seemed like hours of blood and fighting, she turned to see Solaris in the crowd, his golden armor gleaming in the light of the rising sun and she cut her way towards him. He cut a swathe through her men as though they were corn in a field, and turned to look up at her, green eyes glowing with hatred.

“So, Ravanna, we meet again.” Solaris pulled his sword from a dead soldier and brought it up to face her, the man’s blood still dripping from the blade. He hadn’t replaced his helm, and a scratch adorned his face, his dried blood staining his golden hair.

“Give it up,” Ravanna said, dismounting her horse to meet him face to face. “This war is over. The Elves are on our side now, you can’t win.”

“I’m still here,” Solaris said, “I will fight for my country until the bitter end.”

“Your country?” Ravanna shook her head, “Your country is Navarre, the land that your father pillaged and raped.”

“That’s my mother’s country,” Solaris said, “I am Prince of the East, heir to the throne. My father will lead the East to greatness! He only wished to bring Navarre into the light, to rip it from its savage ways into enlightenment!”

“You tell yourself that,” Ravanna said, “From here it looks far simpler. He wanted the Elves’ strength for his own so he could dominate the world and destroy the West. He captured Navarre, raped its women and stole Celestia so he could bear a half-Elven prince. You’ve seen what he did to Navarre! Far from bring it into the light, it’s destroyed, its dreams ripped asunder by your father’s orders! It all happened before you were born... It’s not your fault. But you don’t have to defend your father anymore... You can stop fighting this war and bring your mother home.”

“Do you honestly think that I”m fighting for something I don’t believe in?” Solaris said, his eyes angrier than ever, “I’m sure you think I’m just a child, unsure of the world. I’m not like those others, Ravanna. I was never unsure where my loyalties lie. I never dreamed of Navarre, was never charmed by my mother’s stories, never felt a connection to Nature like my mother claimed she did. The East is a great kingdom and deserves to be greater. My father’s work is to unite this continent and end this petty East and West war forever, and it’s work I believe in.”

“You honestly don’t care that your father has crushed the culture of the Elves and will do the same to the West as well?” How can this monster be Celestia’s child? I don’t understand... He wears her face, but holds only ugly thoughts...

“The East’s way of life is better... Our citizens flourish, while the West lives in poverty. We have learned to feed ourselves, to thrive and prosper, to take what we need. Everybody will be happier when the weak rulers of this world are gone... Leaders like you, Ravanna. A weakling who listens to the prattling of popular opinion. You are the one who caused the Elves to split, because you didn’t prevent it from happening! I look forward to facing the leader of the Dark Elves someday... she will make a far more worthy opponent than you.”

“Silveri is the one who used the people’s pain to bend them to her will!” Ravanna said, “Now they seek to kill their own children!”

“A choice the strong would have accepted twenty years ago,” Solaris said, “The children should have been abandoned and left to be themselves. They did not need the confused thoughts of my mother or the pining of their people. They needed a home, which my father provided, and a place in society, which they were offered. Instead of living in the forest like savages, they could have been high-class citizens in the East, treated like royalty and given the chance to shape the future! Instead they turn it down for trees, spirits and a city full of ghosts.”

Ravanna raised her sword, “I will not hold back,” she said, “Whether you are Celestia’s child or not, this war must end, and I will do what I must. I pray only that she has seen your true nature, that she knows what I do is necessary.”

Solaris dived at her with his sword, and she parried the blow easily. The battle had moved away from them, and they were alone with the dead in the field to face each other. Ravanna thrust back against Solaris, and their swords clashed. Ravanna pushed back, but Solaris drew his sword away. As Ravanna fell forward he spun and stabbed her through the shoulder. She dropped her sword, falling to the ground, clutching her shoulder where Solaris had pulled the blade free. Her lifeblood poured through her fingers and she looked up in panic.

The anger in Solaris’s eyes was gone now, replaced with an eerie calmness, “You think I’m a monster,” he said, “So did everybody I’ve ever met. Not fit to be a prince, they whispered. Carrying tainted blood, they said. Yet still I loved my country. I promised that someday I’d show them that my Elven side didn’t matter, that I could love my country better than they could, and serve it well.” His sword was at her throat, and she felt bitter pain from her shoulder, “I don’t believe in fairytales, Ravanna,” he said, “I don’t believe that you and Celestia were faithful for a hundred years, or that Navarre is the most splendid kingdom to ever exist. Truth is much harder, and you know it. Celestia loved Nina, as true as she claims to love you. Can you live with that, when you’ve fed off of romantic dreams for a lifetime?”

“It was I who pushed them together...” Ravanna said, “Nobody can live alone. Even I strayed in my thoughts, if not in my deeds. But this much is true, Solaris... I still love Celestia. Even if she holds a place in her heart for Nina forever, and I have held love for Silveri, I can only hope that we still love one another. That we want to spend our lives together. Isn’t that what love is about? Growing together, through joy and pain, wherever life may take us?”

“I want to kill you,” Solaris said, “You caused my father so much pain, when my mother always yearned for you. Then she loved Nina, and Nina never felt loved enough because she held a flame for you. Your selfish love has caused so much pain to everybody!” His hand trembled as he held the sword at Ravanna’s throat, “Why can’t it just die! Why can’t love just fade away... so that people can write the future!”

“A hundred years is not the same as a momentary crush,” Ravanna said, “Celestia was a part of my life every day, and then she was gone. It was like a part of me had been torn away. Your father intruded into something he had no place in. You can’t just insert yourself into somebody’s life and expect them to love you!” She rested her head back against the grass. It felt soft, like home. She remembered laying flat on her back with Celestia, looking up at the stars. Perfect moments she would never forget.

“Ravanna... wake up...” Celestia was there, in her delirious vision, kneeling beside her.

“He is young,” Celestia said, “Forgive his ignorance. I fear I never taught him so well.”

“Celestia?” Ravanna said, “Celestia, what do I do?”

“Give him hope,” Celestia said, “He has never experienced love, and therefore he does not know what love is.”

Ravanna’s eyes snapped open, “Skye loves you, you know. He could just never reach you through your cloud of pain and hatred...”

“What?” Solaris’s eyes widened and he drew his sword away from Ravanna’s throat, “But that... that can’t be...”

“Yet there it is,” Ravanna said, sitting up. “You don’t choose it, love grows. You are loved, Solaris - by your mother, by Skye, by all the Elves. Even by your father. You just have to open your heart to it, and never give up on it.”

Solaris was running. Ravanna didn’t have the strength to give chase, but she pulled out her horn and signaled to her soldiers who were mopping up the fighting. They rode to meet her on the field.

“Do you want us to pursue him?” one of the scouts asked, as a medic fussed over her wound.

“Let him go,” Ravanna said, “Let him run to his father and tell him the battle is lost while we surround the castle. We must regroup and march on the capital at once.”

“Your shoulder will take weeks to heal...” the medic argued, but Ravanna shook his head.

“We don’t have weeks,” Ravanna said, “We have momentum, and we need to use it. We can end this war. The enemy is demoralized, the prince is questioning his place in the world... there’s never been a better time.”

As faintness swam over her and she laid down, she thought of past times, of love in the trees, of innocence and peace. We’ll never get that back, will we? she thought. But love endures, love survives... and I still love you, Celestia, maybe even more than ever, and I will win you back, I swear it on my life.

Chapter 29

Solaris walked into the throne room, head held low. He knelt before his father King Argall, mighty upon his throne.

“I have failed you, Your Grace,” he said, his voice broken and barely a whisper, “They will be at the gates by tomorrow. The Elves betrayed us... They went over to the other side and now fight with Ravanna and the West.” He kept his head low, but his father leaned forward.

“Come closer,” his father said, and Solaris approached the throne. King Argall stood up and punched Solaris. Solaris was knocked back from the blow, falling down the steps that led to the throne.

Celestia went to help him, but King Argall waved to his soldiers to restrain her and she fought them in vain.

Solaris got to his feet, blood dripping from his nose, “Let me make this right, Father. Let me lead our forces at the gate and crush them.”

“You will do no such thing!” Argall yelled, “You were reckless, rash, led by personal feelings. You engaged the enemy commander in single combat in two occasions! This is not your war, Solaris. This is a war for the future of the East!”

“I am sorry,” Solaris said, “Please, allow me to regain my honor.”

“Your honor means nothing!” Argall yelled, “This should have been a short war, an easy victory. Now my people must suffer the indignity and hardship of living under siege, pinned down by green soldiers, traitors and Elves. I should have taken the front myself, instead of letting a half-blood piece of shit do it for me!”

Something sparked in Solaris’s green eyes and Celestia thought for a moment he was going to dive at his father, but he held back, rage making him shake.

“Take him away,” Argall commanded, “See to it that he cools off in his room under guard, and call a meeting of the commanders. And get her out of here.” He gestured to Celestia, who was led away by the guards to her room.

She pretended to occupy herself until the guards considered her no threat and left to continue with their other duties, then slipped outside with her saddle, as though she was going to go riding in the grounds. Few paid her any mind as they hurried about their daily tasks, and she made her way to Solaris’s room without incident.

“I’m sorry,” the guard said, “King Argall said he is not to receive any visitors.”

“I am his mother,” Celestia said, “I just want to see if he is okay.”

“I’m sorry, I cannot allow--”

Celestia started to cry, “He’s my son,” she wailed, “He’s been to war and now comes home injured... I want to see him... Please! Don’t you have children?”

“Yeah... Yeah I do,” the guard said, “All right, go and see him. I will warn you, though, he is in a stormy mood, throwing things around.”

Celestia opened the door with care and let herself in, “Solaris?” she called.

“Go away!” Solaris yelled, “You’re the one who did this!” A statue sailed past her head, and Celestia ducked as it shattered against the wall, “You and that Ravanna whore who chases you!”

“I told you Ravanna would come,” Celestia said, “This war was a fool’s game. Why do you continue to fight it? If you’re looking for your father’s love, it’s not going to happen.”

“Shut up!” Solaris said, “You turned the Elves against me! You undermined everything I worked for!” He looked like a petulant child, about to cry, and Celestia felt rage. She slapped him hard across the face.

“Stop acting like a child!” Celestia yelled, “I’m a prisoner here. Do you think I was going to let your father brainwash those Elven children? Do you think I was truly going to support his war? I want this over, Solaris, and I want to go home, and I don’t care if it costs you your honor so long as it doesn’t cost you your life!” She sighed, stalking the room, “You’re the one part of this I don’t understand, Solaris. You’re half-Elven, yet you fight this war for the humans, a war against your own people, a war that will destroy your homeland should your father win. Where did I go wrong when I taught you, Solaris? Help me understand!”

“I don’t know what it is that you feel when you talk about Navarre, about Nature, about the Elves,” Solaris said, “I’ve never felt it. I’ve never even been curious about what Navarre is like, and when I went there, I felt nothing but a broken city beneath my feet. The only home I’ve ever had is here, in the East. I love this country, I love the castle, I love the way we live our lives. Yet everybody, my whole life, has insisted on telling me that this isn’t my home. They call me half-blood, they say I’m not a true prince, even you say I belong in Navarre. But what if I don’t, Mother? What if I belong here, with these people, in this world?”

“If you came home to Navarre, saw it as it can be, I’m sure you would...”

“Would what... feel something? I feel something right now. Shame at having let the East down so badly. The enemy are at our gates, Mother, and what you don’t understand is that it’s not just the Elves at the other side of that gate, it’s other humans who will stop at nothing to have this land for themselves. The Elves seek to stop the threat to their lands, but the West seeks to conquer and destroy all I hold dear. That’s why I’m fighting this war. I could care less about Navarre. It’s your home, not mine. Do what you must but leave me out of it.”

“What will you do if the West takes the city?” Celestia asked.

“I will fight until the end,” Solaris said, “I am the Prince of the East, and I will not let the East fall, even if it means my death.”

Celestia closed her eyes, holding back exasperated tears, “Solaris, losing is a very real possibility. It doesn’t have to end in your death. You can make a deal with the West--”

“Never!” Solaris said, “The people won’t thrive living under occupation! Mother, we can’t lose...”

“We might,” Celestia said, “Solaris, you have to be prepared. Don’t throw away your life in vain... Especially if there is a chance you can help your people here in the East.”

“My... people? You’ve never referred to them that way...” Solaris said.

“Maybe I was wrong. I’ve always assumed you were half-Elven, but that means you are half-human as well. If you’ve found something you love, Solaris, something you can fight for, then fight for it. What I feared more than anything was your empty rage. I think I understand, now, though. Everybody expected you to be somebody you weren’t. Even your father saw your Elven blood and how it could be useful to him. Nobody saw that you were human, nobody even considered it.”

“That’s right,” Solaris said, “I just want people to see me as a subject of the East, not as a foreigner, a stranger to this land. I grew up here. I’ve known no other home, yearned for no other place, held no greater love.”

“I’m sorry,” Celestia said, “All these years I wanted you to grow up to be somebody you weren’t. I wanted for you what I wanted for me: Navarre. It never even crossed my mind that it wasn’t in your heart...”

“Mother, what are you going to do?” Solaris asked, “I know you want to go home, but please do not undermine the war effort. If we win, I will see to it that Father sends you home.”

“As much as I believe you will try, I saw what happened back there. Your father is in charge, and he will not do anything he doesn’t want to. He still foolishly believes he can make me bear another heir. He won’t let me go that easily.” Celestia shook her head, “Solaris, I would never do anything to endanger you, and I will keep that in mind with all my future actions. But don’t expect us to always be on the same side.”

“Mother, tell me what you are going to do. You have to tell me!” Solaris said.

“No, Solaris, I do not,” Celestia said, and left the room, slipping back to her own for a night of restless sleep. Ravanna was close, but she had lost her son. He was a child of the East, and she could not win him back. But at least he has found something to believe in, she thought. At least his war is not one born purely out of spite.

Chapter 30

Ravanna and her army had won battle after battle, but nowhere had she seen Solaris, and now as they approached the great fortress of the East, an impenetrable castle surrounding a mighty city, Ravanna began to have doubts.

“We cannot hope to starve them out,” one of her generals said, as they stood around a table full of maps, “The East is too mighty, too well supplied. Even if we cut them off from their fields, they have enough grain stored inside those walls to keep them safe for years.”

“Besides,” another said, “Isn’t our goal here accomplished? We pushed back the forces of the East, won back the Elves... The East’s ambitions are over. The West is safe. Our men are tired from a long campaign. I vote we should go home.”

“This is not a democracy,” Ravanna said, her heart sinking. She knew they were right; there was no more in this campaign for them. They could not hope to defeat the East in their own fortress. But Celestia is so close... I can’t let her go...!

“Lady Ravanna, we know you have a personal stake in this,” another commander said, “I alone would stay and fight for that, because you have been a good leader and the East cannot be trusted to keep their hands off Navarre.” He shook his head, “I cannot, however, justify this for my men. They came to fight for their people, for their homes. Not for the Elves.”

“I know,” Ravanna said, “I cannot ask you to put your lives on the line for Navarre when there is nothing in it for you.”

“Then you understand we will not be joining you in your siege,” the commander said, “We will help you set up, if you choose to stay. Honestly, though, I recommend you take the Elves and return to Navarre. Perhaps, if some want to go back to the East, they can be traded for your friend.”

Ravanna shook her head, “I will not treat the stolen children like hostages,” she said, “If they choose to go back to the East, that is their decision. I will not use them as bargaining chips.”

“I can only wish you luck,” the commander said, “Godspeed, Ravanna of Navarre. It has been an honor fighting alongside you.” The other commanders raised their glasses to a toast.

When Ravanna woke, it was the noise of an army packing up and leaving. She left her tent to see her army, her only hope, rolling away across the plains, leaving only filth in their wake. She roamed amongst the ruins of the camp, kicking debris. I had expected some to leave, she thought, but not all of the West’s men. I fought for them, but they will not fight for me.

She looked around at the ragtag tents that remained. The Elves were all that remained, along with a few human stragglers who had decided to stay in hopes of another battle. She counted them. Two hundred at most, from an army of a hundred-thousand.

The sound of a horn met her ears, and she jumped, wondering if the great gate of the East would open and Solaris would roll out to take her prisoner, laughing as he came, but it was one of her own men. She turned to see a single rider approaching. Skye, she thought, please say you’ve brought the Dark Elves. The full power of Navarre is our only hope now.

He was alone, no army following behind and no smile to promise one. He didn’t need to say a word for Ravanna to feel his disappointment, but he eventually opened his mouth to say, “I’m sorry, Ravanna. They wouldn’t come.”

Ravanna felt her legs grow weak and she sat down on a wooden crate, “My army left,” she said, “They won their war, and I’ve lost mine. Nobody wants to fight for one woman, one hostage.”

“I do,” Skye said, “Queen Celestia was like a mother to me when I had nobody. I’ll never stop fighting until she is free.”

“Thank you,” Ravanna said, “But look around you, Skye. This ragtag bunch is no army. Even the Elves trained for war cannot hope to match the might of these walls. Solaris could march out and crush us any time he wants to.”

“Tell me, Ravanna, how many of the Elves defected?” Skye asked, his back to the camp.

“Almost all of them,” Ravanna said.

“I thought so,” Skye said, “Temion and Alania are among them?”

“Yes,” Ravanna said.

“They’re spies,” Skye whispered, “They were loyal to Solaris. They would never defect.”

“They’ve fought against the East the whole way!” Ravanna said, “If they wanted to kill me, they’ve had a million chances.”

“Perhaps Solaris doesn’t want you killed,” Skye said, “He has a personal grudge against you.”

“He wouldn’t sacrifice the whole war for it!” Ravanna said.

“I wonder...” Skye said, “He is not altogether balanced, Ravanna, but there is something else. I think that while he seeks his father’s approval, he is not completely behind the invasion of the West. You see, Ravanna, Solaris loves his country, the East. While we saw that this was not our home, he embraced it with open arms and gave himself to it. Yet I also heard him decry the invasion, saying it was not in the people’s best interests.”

“I see,” Ravanna said, “He has an agenda of his own. Regardless, we’re still stuck. What can we do?”

“We could go home,” Skye said, “Eventually, Solaris will become king, and I suspect he will let his mother go. Human lives are short to a full-blooded Elf like you...”

“If I let Celestia endure more of this, I do not deserve to see her again,” Ravanna said, “Bad enough that I left her so long to rot in that terrible place. I’m not going to run away again!”

“Then I have a plan,” Skye said, “But it is dangerous beyond belief. How far are you willing to go, Ravanna?”

“Whatever it takes,” Ravanna said, “I will save Celestia, or die trying.”

“Then we use the spies,” Skye said, “We pretend you trust them, and concoct a scheme with them whereby they take you into the castle as a prisoner. They will jump at this, an easy way to deliver you to Solaris and win back his favor, and they’ll be let into the city easily, as the guards know they are double agents. But you’ll be prepared with tools to escape, and we’ll send somebody with you who you can trust to help you.”

“You,” Ravanna said, “You’re the only one I can trust.”

“No,” Skye said, “I’m too obvious. I never agreed with Solaris’s plans - he’ll smell a rat instantly. I recommend Talisa.”

“What will you do?” Ravanna said.

“I’ll lead everybody back to Navarre,” Skye said, “We have to inhabit the city again, show that we can live as normal Elves before the Dark Elves will even consider changing their stance.” He closed his eyes, “I have no idea how to live as an Elf,” he said, “but I have to try. I have to bring the people together again.”

“So I’m in this alone,” Ravanna said, “Perhaps that’s for the best. Skye, call a meeting. We should do this as soon as possible - before anybody suspects anything.”

~

How did I not see this before? Ravanna wondered, as Temion and Alania’s eyes almost lit up at the prospect of taking her to Solaris as a prisoner. I wanted to believe that all the Elves were being held against their will - that they would want to come home at the end of all this. But that’s not true - even for Celestia. What if she decides to stay in the East?

Dark fell and Ravanna felt herself being dragged from her bed, tied up and forced to walk to the gates. They had told Temion and Alania to make it convincing but Ravanna was all too convinced. Then she realized with horror that Talisa wasn’t with them.

They know, Ravanna thought with increasing dread. They know we know they’re spies, and they took Talisa out of the picture on purpose. Now I’m truly on my own.

“Hurry up!” Alania said, pushing Ravanna forward. Ravanna decided to play ignorant, “This is just an act,” she whispered. The rain ran down her face, soaking her clothes and making her feel wretched.

“Right,” Temion said, “Alania, don’t scare her so much. I don’t want a struggle.” Ravanna shivered, but said nothing. She wasn’t going to feign shock, Temion and Alania weren’t stupid. They’d seen through her plan from the beginning.

They reached the gates, and Alania went to speak with the guards. After a short discussion, the giant gates swung open and Ravanna was jostled forward.

I’m back, Celestia, she thought, I promised I’d come back for you - and here I am.

Chapter 31

Celestia looked out with delight at the sea of torches lighting up the night sky as she stood on her balcony. They’re here, she thought. You’ve come for me at last, Ravanna. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she contemplated her freedom, as she thought about going home to Navarre.

She slept an easy sleep that night. It was the same dream she always dreamt, of her and Ravanna in Navarre, living as they had been before Argall had come and torn her away, only it was not so bittersweet now there was hope.

She was awakened by a knock on the door. It was Argall who entered, a sick smile on his face. Celestia instantly felt afraid as he grabbed her by the arm and led her out to the balcony. She looked over the side to see the army moving away, leaving only debris in its wake.

“No!” she cried, “They can’t leave, they can’t!” She started to sob, but Argall only chuckled at her side. She tore her arm away from him and slapped him hard before he regained his grip on her.

“It’s over,” he said, “Give up your resistance and bear me another heir. Give up rooting for the other side and accept your fate as my Queen. I can love you, treat you well, if you’ll only stop fighting me.”

“Never!” Celestia cried, “I’ll never belong here! You tore me away from my home, the woman I loved, everything that mattered to me. I’ll never accept this place as my home!” With the power of her despair, she tore herself from Argall’s grip and jumped from the balcony, but Argall was fast and grabbed her hand.

“Hang on!” he said, his eyes worried. Celestia swung, fighting him, biting his hand, but Argall would not let go, and he mustered the strength to pull her up to the balcony and hang onto her, though he was winded. Guards hurried into the bedroom and onto the balcony and Argall handed Celestia to them, “See that she is guarded day and night,” he said, regaining his composure and walking away, “If she dies, I’ll have all of your heads.”

~

Solaris entered his father’s chambers angrily, pushing past the guards and opening the door without so much as a knock.

“I demand to know why my mother tried to harm herself!” Solaris said, his eyes blazing with rage.

“I simply showed her the truth,” Argall said, but he did not sound proud, simply sad, “I have tried, Solaris. I have tried to break her spirit, I have tried to charm her, I tolerated her affair with the servant girl... but nothing will make her look at me. Tell me, Solaris, what am I doing wrong?”

“You tried to take something by force that had already been taken by kindness,” Solaris said, “That, and you are the wrong gender.” He almost smiled as he said it, and Argall felt the knife going in and turning. His son was getting his revenge for the incident in the throne room, no doubt.

“Then, what do you propose I do, Solaris?” Argall said, “You’ll rule this kingdom someday, so I ask you, what would you do in my place?”

“I would have let her go a long time ago,” Solaris said, “She gave you your male heir, who grew to be a strong adult. That is more than many queens ever give to their kings. You have not been burdened with sickly dying infants, or a spread of girl-children who can only grow to be some other king’s wife. She did her duty to you, even though you snatched her from her world. So why do you treat her so poorly?”

“I love her,” Argall said, the words sounding tired and resigned, “Yet she is the one battle I cannot win, and I fear she undermines all the others.” He sighed, looking old, “I think about letting her go, and then she does something that makes me want to break her.”

“She will not be owned,” Solaris said, “and you do this kingdom a constant disservice by devoting your resources to her. The prosperity enjoyed in your father’s time is starting to dwindle. This war has been a waste of resources and lives, and I fear the only reason you embarked on it was to prove a point to my mother. Even the Council no longer cares about it. The Elven children are gone and perhaps that is also for the best. If they do not love this country, then they do not belong here. My mother lowers morale in every possible way, and keeping her here is undermining everything, Father. You know you do not plan on executing her, so let her go.”

“I will not,” Argall said, “You do not understand, Solaris. I could have chosen any woman in the world. Kings sent their daughters to win my affections, and they charmed me, yet I turned each of them down. I was seeking something special, Solaris. I thought the invasion of Navarre was a fool’s game, to be honest, the idea of raising these half-blooded Elven children to be a long shot at best, but then I saw her, and I had to have her. It was love at first sight.”

“A king cannot have all he wants. Love for your kingdom must come first.” Solaris stared his father down, his green eyes filled with rage, “You have squandered all the love your people had for you. You came so close to losing this war! It was only luck and a few whispers from my spies that made the army break up and go home!”

“You are the one who squandered everything I gave you! An entire group of powerful, trained half-Elves and you wasted them on spying and whispering, the kind of work I could have paid coin to have done. Meanwhile we lost whole armies to our own men so they could maintain their cover! Solaris, I honestly do wonder if you are plotting treason, and don’t think I won’t hang my own son, because I will.”

“You’re right, Father, I do want to wrest this kingdom from your unworthy hands. I do think the war was a waste. I don’t want to own the West to settle some hundred year old war that should stay in the history books. You have no vision for the future, and care only to break your wife’s will and maintain your status!”

“Enough, you upstart child!” Argall rose from his seat, knocking the chair over in his rage. He grabbed Solaris by the throat, but Solaris wrenched Argall off him easily.

“I’m stronger than you,” Solaris said, “I admired you and I learned from you, but it’s time for the student to become the master.” Argall was on the floor, struggling to get to his feet when there was a knock on the door.

“Enter!” Argall said at once, pulling himself to his feet while Solaris was distracted with the necessary formality of greeting the soldier. “You’re excused,” Argall said, and Solaris turned and strode from the room.

~

Celestia studied the knife, turning it over and over in her hands. They had searched the room before placing her in it, but they hadn’t searched her, and the Elven knife she had brought from Navarre had been hidden in her boot the whole time.

Death would be an easy way out of this. Jumping from that balcony, I felt so alive for the first time in a long time. Now I know why Nina did it... Celestia closed her eyes, tears escaping and rolling freely down her face.

Nina... what would you do? I’m so lost... Celestia studied the knife some more, seeing the ivy-leaf pattern honed into the handle. It had been her father’s, in another life. He would be sad to see her reduced to this.

Celestia saw Argall’s gloating face in her mind. She hated that face, hated the sorrow it had brought her. And yet the man behind it still seemed to think he could win her, even as he hurt her. I hate you, she thought. My life was planned out. I was going to marry Ravanna and live in peace. You took everything from me in a heartbeat and treated me like you owned me, like you were entitled to me by the grace of being a prince. The years with Solaris weren’t so bad, but you took him from me as well, twisting him into a human chess piece in your political games. Nina left my side because this place made her suspicious of my love for her. Would that I could burn this castle down, and you with it. Why should I pay the price for all your misery by losing my life? It is you who should lose yours.

She looked at the knife. No, I couldn’t... could I? If I killed him... Solaris could rule, and I could leave. It would be what Argall deserves for what he did to me...

Celestia hid the knife under the pillow. She tried her hardest to look wretched and broken, and called in the guards.

“Tell King Argall... that I’m willing to talk to him... that I want to apologize for the way I’ve treated him...” she told the guard sadly, as if resigned to her fate at last. He hurried away, and the other one waited outside.

It wasn’t long at all before Argall came to her, but his eyes were mistrusting and filled with pain.

“What is it, Celia? Please, no more of your games. I’m a tired old man. If you’re not willing to give me a glimmer of hope, then let me die in peace. Solaris is right, I’ve been chasing dreams for so long while my kingdom suffers.”

“It’s okay,” Celestia said, putting her arms around him and guiding him down. Argall relaxed as she gently stroked his back. Celestia reached for the knife under her pillow when she felt tears landing on her face. She opened her eyes to see that Argall was crying.

“Solaris tried to kill me today,” he said in a tired gasp, “My own son, my flesh and blood, told me I was worthless, that he should rule. He broke my grip on him, and I’m sure he was going to kill me if the guard hadn’t come in.”

“He wouldn’t...” Celestia tried to say. He wouldn’t kill his father? I don’t know that... I barely know my son any more. The knife felt heavy in her hand. Her grip loosened a little. Do what has to be done. Solaris saw it too, that he has to go, that his legacy of suffering and domination by force is just too much to be borne any longer...

She saw it, then, remembered Nina’s desperate deathbed words as she confessed the murders of Talia and Loran. Such guilt, Celestia thought. It tore her apart to have killed two people in cold blood. I can’t do this, not like this. This man may be a monster, but he’s Solaris’s father, and on some level, he cares, or he wouldn’t be crying right now. She let the knife slip from her hand, knowing she was giving up the chance to escape, but knowing it was the right thing to do. I can’t sell my soul for Ravanna, she realized. Otherwise, what will she have to come back to?

Letting go of the knife, she soothed Argall until he stopped crying. She was afraid of what might come next, but he almost seemed embarrassed of himself when he stopped crying, and once he had pulled himself together, he thanked her, stood up, and excused himself.

Would that I could be as cold as ice, she thought, but I am not that person. That person never would have loved Ravanna as I have, or Nina, or Solaris. She closed her eyes, letting some more tears fall. She was tired of crying, tired of everything. There had to be a way she could take control of the situation. There had to be.

~

“What is it?” Solaris snapped, as the guard entered his study.

“My lord, there are two Elves with a prisoner to see you. Temion and Alania. The prisoner - I think she is the enemy commander, Ravanna.”

Solaris’s eyes brightened “Bring them in at once,” he commanded, and they were led in.

“Temion, Alania, Ravanna... How nice to see you,” Solaris said, as they stood in his study, “I thought you would never come.”

“It took longer than we anticipated to get the commander alone, Your Grace,” Alania said, “I am sorry for the loss of the army.”

“Do not be,” Solaris said, “While it is sad that many men went to their deaths, the invasion was a fool’s game. We could never have held the West, even if we had been able to capture it. It is too far away and we would have encountered too much internal resistance. And for what? The West has nothing we want or need.”

“I do not know why you want this woman,” Temion said, “The army has collapsed, the Elves of Navarre are in internal disarray... I see little purpose in bringing her here now, but those were your orders and they have been completed, Your Grace.”

“The others... They truly defected?” Solaris asked.

“Yes, Your Grace,” Alania said, “If you would have me hunt them down for treason, I know they are headed for Navarre, led by Skye.”

“No,” Solaris said, “Let them go. If they want Navarre, let them have it. I don’t believe they will bother us again. Thank you for your loyal work. You are dismissed.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Temion and Alania said, and left.

“Why did you order my capture?” Ravanna asked, “I know you blame me for Nina’s death, but why go to all this trouble?”

“I felt like it,” Solaris said, shrugging, “I can keep you in a cell so far underground that Celestia will never even know you are here. You’ll always be so close, but so far away.”

“Why would you do that to your mother?” Ravanna asked, “If you want to punish me, be that as it may, but why would you hurt Celestia?”

“You’re the one who hurt her,” Solaris said, “My father took her, and you didn’t fight for her. You let her go. Then you came here, only to let her go again. Yeah, I saw the records that told of your ‘execution’. Did you know, when she learned of your ‘death’, my mother miscarried a child? You have my brother or sister’s blood on your hands as well.”

Ravanna flinched, emotional pain filling her soul, “I never meant to hurt Celestia,” she said, “I wanted to save her, but I wasn’t strong enough. It took time to learn that I’ll never be strong enough, but I should do it anyway. You think if I could take that mistake back, I wouldn’t? I don’t know if Celestia could ever forgive me for everything I’ve done. But I want the chance to get down on my knees and beg for her forgiveness!”

“I’ve heard enough talk,” Solaris said, “Guards!” Two guards entered the study at once, “Cover her head and take her to the cells. Any talk to anybody about this prisoner, even speak her name, and you will be executed, got it?”

“Yes, Your Grace,” they said, and a sack was thrust over Ravanna’s head. She was led through halls for what seemed like forever, then down a seemingly endless flight of stairs. Finally, she was untied, thrust into a cell, and the door clanged shut behind her.

Pulling the sack off, her eyes adjusted to the only light; a small lamp that sat on a table where the guard sat. She was alone in her cell, and she was grateful for that. Stretching her arms out that had been tied up for so long, she contemplated her situation.

I could be here for years and nobody would ever know, Ravanna thought, despair clawing at her heart. I did the best I could, Skye. I hope you reunite the Elves - you can’t do a worse job of leading them than I did, anyway. Celestia... you won’t even know I came for you, but I love you, Celestia, even if I never see your face again. I’ll carry the memory of you to my grave, and never stop thinking of you...

She laid back on the filthy floor, where the rats ran around her, their squeaks loud and clear in the darkness, the scent of their urine overpowering. Ravanna closed her eyes, letting her mind go blank. Soon enough it would. She could go for months without food and weeks without water, but madness wouldn’t take long in a place like this, devoid of all hope and life.

I made a mistake, Ravanna thought, way back then. Celestia was waiting for me to stand up and fight for her, to take up a sword and say “I’ll never let her marry Prince Argall!” Why didn’t I do it? Was I too scared? Too overwhelmed? I think I just... I never really understood, in those easy days, with the sun shining on us, just how much I loved her. I didn’t get it, that we could be separated, that I could end up living years without her. I took her for granted... like she would always be there...

...and now she never will be again.r32;

Chapter 32

Ravanna woke to the sound of a great wooden door being opened. She wasn’t sure how long she’d been asleep, or even how long she’d been underground. Assuming it was time for some sustenance (if the dry husk of bread and stale water could be called that), she sat up, stretching. When she relaxed and opened her eyes, she saw Alania’s eyes peering through the bars, watching her, studying her.

“What do you want?” Ravanna asked, “If you came here to mock me, have at it and be gone.”

“You give up too easily,” Alania said, “That’s your problem. You’re too willing to accept everything as fate. Losing the woman you love, having your country overrun, everything’s just happened to you and you’ve accepted it.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” Ravanna said, “You’re not locked in a cell that nobody knows how to find but your enemies. You haven’t raised an army from scratch, just to have it disintegrate. You haven’t--”

“This isn’t about me,” Alania said, “It’s not even about you. It’s about that sad woman upstairs who has been waiting for you for twenty years.” She shook her head and pulled some keys from her belt, “Don’t think I’m doing this for you,” she said, as she unlocked the cell door, “This is all for Queen Celestia, who showed nothing but grace under pressure. You don’t deserve her, but that’s not my judgement to make. It’s yours. Save Celestia and show her you love her, or I’ll hunt you down and make sure you really die this time.”

Ravanna stood up calmly, made her way out of the cell door and stared at Alania, “I made mistakes,” Ravanna said, “But everything I’ve done the past twenty years I did for her. Not a day went by when I didn’t think of Celestia, ache to throw aside the guardianship of Navarre and come to rescue her. I know I’m late, but I’m here now.”

“Whatever,” Alania said, “Come with me and get cleaned up. Your smell would make Her Grace run from you.”

Ravanna followed Alania through a maze of underground cells. Prisoners called out to them as they passed, but they both ignored the cries and shouts of the desperate and condemned.

“So, who are you working for?” Ravanna asked, “You’re obviously not on Solaris’s side, but you’re not loyal to me either.”

“I work for myself,” Alania said, “I don’t give a damn about this war or even about you. I owe Queen Celestia a debt of gratitude for her kindness, for her stories of Navarre, for keeping my heritage alive when the humans would have squashed it. That’s all.”

They reached a small room which contained a well, “Bathe,” Alania commanded. Ravanna did, and dressed in fresh clothes that Alania provided. Alania handed back her leather armor and a sword and she donned those as well.

“What if Solaris sees me stalking the halls?” Ravanna said, “Shouldn’t I wear some kind of disguise?”

“No need,” Alania said, “We’ll be using a secret passage that will take us close to Celestia’s room. Then I am leaving this castle for good, and the rest will be up to you.”

They made their way quietly to the secret passage. Ravanna noticed the lack of guards and wondered how many people Alania had paid off to free her. Celestia inspired all of them, Ravanna realized. Without her guidance, they’d all have become loyal to this country and forsaken Navarre.

“This is the entrance to the secret passage.” Alania ripped a painting from the wall, which revealed a dark passage, “Go on, and I’ll put the painting back behind you. This is where I leave you, Ravanna. I have repaid my debt to Queen Celestia. If you are successful, maybe we’ll meet again in Navarre.”

“Thank you,” Ravanna said, and took an oil lamp from Alania. Climbing into the tight passage, she crawled along until there was standing room. Cobwebs attacked her face, and she waved them away. Eventually she came to some roughly hewn steps that led upwards. Climbing them carefully, she reached the top. Looking around, she saw nothing but a dead end.

This is a trap, Ravanna panicked, Alania wants me to die, she shut me in here to kill me...

Then she felt a gentle breeze, smelled the soft scent, a smell so familiar that tears sprang from her eyes just to experience it. She saw a small crack of light underneath the wall. Pushing on it, it slid away silently and she stepped into a room bathed in sunlight. Red curtains hung from the windows, bathing the room in a warm glow, and there, sitting on the bed brushing her hair and singing, was Celestia.

Ravanna went to speak, but the words would not come. After twenty years, what could she say? So she simply cleared her throat, and Celestia spun around, terrified. Ravanna saw the spark of recognition in those familiar green eyes just as she drank in the sight of Celestia, older and wiser but still incredibly beautiful. Twenty years under such strain had aged her perhaps a hundred Elven years, and Ravanna felt sorrow to have been the cause of that pain.

“I’m sorry I took so long...” Ravanna said, almost in a whisper. Her throat was tighter than a drum, twenty years of repressed emotion swirling around in her mind.

“Ravanna...” Celestia’s voice was tight, too, and tears were welling up in her eyes, “Do my eyes deceive me? Am I dreaming, or is it really you?”

“It’s really me,” Ravanna said, coming closer, “I’ve come to take you home.” She took Celestia in her arms and it was then that she saw the knife in Celestia’s hands. She wasn’t brushing her hair, it was a knife she was holding... and her voice was not raised in song... it was a strangled cry of emotional pain... Ravanna grabbed the knife by the blade as Celestia went to stab herself. It cut Ravanna, and Celestia saw her blood and dropped the knife. It fell to the floor and scattered away, Celestia snapping back to reality.

“You’re... you’re really here!” Celestia said. She grabbed the bed sheet, and tearing a piece from it, held it over Ravanna’s cut. It had torn deeply, but Ravanna almost seemed not to notice it.

“Celestia, you were going to...” Ravanna held Celestia tightly, “I’m so sorry I took so long. I’m sorry I left you alone in this forsaken place... I’m sorry I didn’t have the courage to stand up and fight for you in Navarre!” Ravanna was crying into Celestia’s shoulder.

“It’s okay,” Celestia whispered, “You’re here now. This nightmare can finally end...”

“Are you hurt?” Ravanna said, looking Celestia over. Celestia shook her head.

“Just in time as always,” Celestia said, smiling, “I’m so sorry about your hand... I thought you weren’t real... I thought you were calling from somewhere far away...”

“It’s okay,” Ravanna said, binding the sheets tighter around it. She tried to move the fingers but they wouldn’t flex. I’ve lost the use of my sword hand... I hope we can get out of here without it... “Celestia, do you know any way out of the castle? We have to get out of here.”

Celestia stood up and went to a giant wardrobe. She pulled a cloak with a hood from it. “Wear this. I’ll say you’re with me.” She donned a cloak too, but left the hood down. “The guards are supposed to be keeping me locked up, but I’ve posed no resistance and they’ve grown more lenient, even letting me out sometimes. If we take your secret passage back downstairs, nobody will question us. If we can just get to my horse and get out of the castle, we can blend in with the city folk, maybe get away as an anonymous traveler.”

“Sounds difficult,” Ravanna said, “I promised I’d get you out of here though, and I have no better ideas.” She pulled the hood up, “Let’s go.”

“Ravanna...” Celestia said, “I thought you had given up on me. I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Ravanna said, “I did give up on you, only I didn’t realize it at the time. The day I told Nina to take care of you... I should never have ran away, Celestia. I should have fought harder, done more...”

“You did what you could,” Celestia said, “Anyway, we can talk later. We need to go before somebody realizes you’re here.”

“Solaris already knows,” Ravanna said, “He imprisoned me beneath the castle. Alania helped me escape.”

Celestia’s eyes darkened, “I have failed my son,” she said, “All the others listened to me, loved my stories and embraced their Elven heritage. Solaris chose his human side, following in his father’s footsteps. There is nothing I can do but let him go. He no more belongs in Navarre than I do here.”

They retraced Ravanna’s steps through the secret passage until they reached the painting. Ravanna kicked it off the wall and they entered the room with the well. Leaving, they wandered the corridors until they found the way up.

“Halt!” a guard said.

Celestia spun around effortlessly, as though completely in command of her role. “I was simply checking on the condition of our prisoners of war.”

“The war is over, Your Grace,” the guard said, “They’ll all be going home soon. They’re to be exchanged for our prisoners.”

“I just wanted to check,” Celestia said, “All seems to be in order. You may go back to your post.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” the guard said, “As you wish.” He sat back down on his stool and they climbed the stairwell above ground, coming out close to the banquet halls.

“The courtyard is this way,” Celestia whispered, “My horse will be in the stables there. Come on.”

They walked across the courtyard to the stables. The stable boy greeted them, “Your Grace, you require me to saddle your horse? I am commanded not to allow you to ride at the moment. The war just ended, and His Grace said it is too dangerous...”

Celestia slipped several gold coins into the stable boy’s hands. His eyes widened in astonishment, “How about now?” Celestia said, “I’m willing to take the risk, if you’re willing to saddle my horse and say nothing of it to anybody.”

“At once, Your Grace,” the stableboy said. He went to saddle the horse while they loitered around, the minutes seeming like hours.

“This is too easy,” Ravanna whispered to Celestia, “Something’s not right.”

“You’re not getting away so easily,” Argall said from behind them, and they turned to see him standing there, the stableboy beside him looking down at his shoes, “The people of this castle wound rather keep their heads. No amount of gold can buy a life.”

Ravanna drew her sword, tossing her hood back. She used her off hand to hold the sword, hoping Argall wouldn’t notice, hoping the fear of the Elves’ strength and agility would be enough to discourage him from fighting her. Argall drew his sword though, standing his ground.

“You really think I’m going to back down? I can see your hand is injured. I’d put good coin on it that that’s your sword arm,” Argall said, “Besides, you’ve both caused me enough humiliation to last a lifetime. I’ll kill both of you and take my respect back!”

“Respect and fear are not the same thing,” Celestia said, “You can rule with fear, but it only shows that you are the one who is afraid. You will never win the hearts of the people by slicing their heads off.”

“I never won your heart by any means!” Argall said, “All you have done is mock me. I’m through with kindness and encouragement. Will you finally obey me if I kill your girlfriend?” Argall raised his sword and charged at Ravanna, who parried with obvious struggle. Argall was enraged and rained down blows on Ravanna and she struggled to keep him at bay as Celestia watched helplessly. Ravanna’s sword flew from her hand and she slipped into the mud as Argall closed in for the final blow.

I’ve got to do something, Celestia thought, I’ve got to take control of this situation, and there’s only one way I can do it...

Celestia dived forward and grabbed the sword, effortlessly placing herself between the blow and Ravanna. Argall was pushed back by the force of her parry, and she dived on him, fighting with all her strength.

“Where did you learn to fight like this?” Argall asked.

“Your own quartermaster taught me,” Celestia said, “I knew I’d need to fight back someday. I don’t need to protect Solaris any more, so I’m not going to be your pawn for another day!”

“You can’t kill me! I’m the father of your child! I’m your husband!” Argall rounded on her, then dived in for another blow. Celestia was fast and held him back. A crowd was gathering in the courtyard.

“You took me from my home, the people I loved, the culture I lived for and placed me in this foreign place!” Celestia said, “Yet you acted like I should be thankful to you, that I should praise you! You can’t even call me by my proper name! It’s Celestia, not Celia! Celestia of the Stars, daughter of Navarre, wife of Ravanna! I need no ring and no ceremony to prove that, it’s in our hearts, and always has been!”

“Even while you slept with that serving whore Nina?” Argall spat, “You like to think you’re all high and mighty, but you cheated and you lied just like any human!”

“I loved Nina, truly,” Celestia said, “I will never apologize for that. She comforted me during hard times, brought light to the world of darkness that you thrust me into. You can love more than one person in a lifetime. But Nina is gone.”

Ravanna stood up, brushed the mud off herself and stood next to Celestia, “Celestia never lied or cheated. I wanted her to find some happiness because I was too weak to rescue her. I was the one who told Nina to say I was dead. I thought Celestia might move on, but she’s right, we belong together and we will be together.” Ravanna took Celestia’s free hand and squeezed it tightly. “Let us go, Argall. Otherwise I will come back again and again. I will torment this castle long after you are dead, whatever it takes to be with my Celestia. Even if I were to roam this castle as a ghost to be at her side, I would give you no peace.”

“Then go,” Argall spat, “You brought nothing but misery to me, even after I gave you everything! Leave and make way for a queen who will respect me!”

Ravanna and Celestia turned and walked away, hand in hand. The bewildered crowd parted to let them through, and the stableboy came forward with Celestia’s horse. Celestia gave a glance behind her to see Argall charging at them with his sword held high. Instinctively, she let go of Ravanna’s hand, gripped her sword in both and spun around. She cleaved through Argall’s neck, and in a shower of blood, his head fell to the ground and his body crumpled. Covered in blood, her eyes met Solaris’s, who had just entered the circle. There were a few seconds of shock, and then the crowd turned into an angry mob, turning on Ravanna and Celestia.

“SILENCE!” Solaris screamed, and the mob let go of the weapons they were grabbing, stopped pulling at Ravanna and Celestia, and turned to him.

“I am your king now,” Solaris said, his eyes at once filled with strength and sorrow, “You will prepare to bury King Argall, and go back to your homes to observe the customary day of mourning. Go!”

The courtyard started to empty as dejected crowds milled away. Celestia dropped her sword and stood still, Ravanna’s arm around her shoulders. Solaris walked slowly towards them, walking through the puddle of blood where his father’s body had lain only a few seconds earlier, before being borne away by mourners.

“I never meant to hurt your father... you have to believe me!” Celestia said, still in shock.

“It doesn’t matter,” Solaris said, “You did what you had to do. There were times I hated him too... times I wished he was dead.” He shook his head, “I’m King now. It’s what I wanted... yet all I feel is sorrow.”

Celestia looked her son straight in the eye, “Come away with us. Leave the throne to somebody else and come back to Navarre.”

“You know I can’t do that,” Solaris said, “This is my home, my kingdom.” He looked around him, “These people are depending on me to lead. I can’t let them down.”

“What about us?” Ravanna asked, “What are you going to do to us?”

“You killed my father,” Solaris said, “You need to get away quickly, before I change my mind. Take the horse and run before anybody decides to kill you.”

Celestia mounted the horse. Ravanna turned back to Solaris, “You planned this, didn’t you? You had them bring me in to you so you could imprison me. Your father would have executed me on the spot. You sent Alania to get me out... because you knew your father would never let Celestia go without a fight...”

“I just didn’t know who would be the victor,” Solaris admitted, “Either way, it would have been the end of this whole sorry affair that’s left this land in stalemate for so long.” He turned away, “Take care of my mother. I hope I never see you again, Ravanna.”

“You’re a good human,” Ravanna said, “Take that however you will.”

They rode out of the castle, racing through the city streets and out of the gate onto the plains. Ravanna noticed Celestia was crying, her tears mingling with the blood on her face, but whether it was for Solaris, for Argall or Nina, or whether they were tears of joy or sorrow, she didn’t dare to ask.

Chapter 33

It was long past dark when Celestia’s horse finally ran out of energy and slowed to a walk. Even then, she seemed reluctant to stop, and Ravanna felt herself falling asleep behind her.

“We need to rest,” Ravanna said, “They won’t come after us. We can stop running now.”

Wordlessly, Celestia led the horse to a small wood. She let the horse drink from a small brook, and got to gathering branches for a fire.

“The wood is too damp,” Ravanna said, “It’s been raining for days. Let the fire go, Celestia. Come and sit with me.”

Celestia sat, but it was not close to Ravanna but rather across from her, on a fallen tree. Ravanna could see she was beyond tired, her face dirty and her eyes haunted. She sat hunched, staring into the babbling brook as it rushed past, swelled with the flood of rainwater.

“I’m sorry,” Ravanna started, “I shouldn’t have left you there for so long... I shouldn’t have...”

“Apologies won’t change anything,” Celestia said, “The time that I have lost cannot be taken back. Perhaps, in many ways, it was well spent. I learned a lot. I saw the world for what it really is -- dark and selfish and cruel. I lost a child and bore a son. I lay with a man and loved another woman when I swore I would never lay hands on anyone but you. Things never went how I imagined they would, Ravanna.”

“I failed you, Celestia,” Ravanna said, “I should have told Argall that he couldn’t have you, that you were my wife to be.”

“Are you really that naive?” Celestia said, “He would have killed you, and you know it.”

“I just... I want to... I want you to know that I never stopped caring about you, that not a day went by that I didn’t think about you and what I could have done differently.” Ravanna stood and paced the clearing, tears in her eyes.

“I know,” Celestia said, “I always thought of you as well. I thought you were dead and yet I couldn’t stop loving you, even as I loved Nina. I hated myself so much for betraying your memory. Then I found out you weren’t dead. As Nina slipped away I was filled with hope when she told me. Hope! I’ve betrayed everybody I ever cared about. So stop apologizing like you’re the only one who ever felt guilty about anything!” She picked up a rock and threw it into the brook.

“You never betrayed me. I was the one who told Nina to take care of you, to tell you I was dead. I wanted you to move on. I felt like if I couldn’t rescue you, I was unworthy to ever hold you again. I caused you so much pain. I caused Nina a pain she couldn’t survive... She was jealous of me and murdered Talia and Loran to stop them from telling you that I was alive...”

Celestia sat back down on the log and started to cry. Ravanna went over to her and put her hand on her shoulder, but Celestia shook her off angrily.

“I just want to be alone for a while,” Celestia said, “I can’t just jump back into our relationship like it was still all those years ago! We’re different people now.”

“You’re breaking up with me?” Ravanna said, “I marched an army half way across the world for you.”

“I need time,” Celestia said, “I need to go back to Navarre and find out what’s left for me after twenty years - see if I still fit in. What if I get there and it doesn’t feel like home any more?”

Ravanna felt fear tearing her apart, filling every vein with lead, “What about everything you said back there? About being my wife? Did you mean a word of it?”

“Of course I did,” Celestia said, “I still love you, Ravanna. Things are just so strange. I think a part of me believed I would never leave that place alive. Now... I’m here. The thing I dreamed of every day has come true, and there’s so much going on in my mind...”

“I apologize for my anger,” Ravanna said, “It’s not fair for me to expect you to quell all my fears when you know none of the answers.”

“Tell me,” Celestia said, “Tell me about Navarre. Tell me of my parents, of my people... So that I may begin healing...”

~

They talked into the night. Celestia wept as Ravanna told her that her parents were dead, wailed as she spoke of the fate of Navarre. Ravanna wanted to comfort her, but she stayed at arm’s length, wanting to respect Celestia’s wishes. She knew why Celestia had pushed her away. Ravanna could still feel the magnetism between them, and it would be too easy just to fall into a pattern, to let that fire consume them without reason. Celestia needed to know who she was before she could give herself to Ravanna, and so Ravanna sat on the tree stump and relayed twenty years of Navarre’s history.

“The Dark Elves... revived...” Celestia shook her head, “I thought they were just a legend.”

“Silveri wanted me to be her lover... and I was tempted,” Ravanna said, “A girl in the West, also... but I ran from her kiss.”

“You pushed me into the arms of Nina. Why didn’t you find some comfort?” Celestia asked.

“I wasn’t the one being held prisoner,” Ravanna said, “I didn’t need somebody to get me through each day. I wanted to stay focused on saving you, if it was possible.”

Celestia wiped the tears from her eyes, looking down at the rotting leaves that covered the ground, “I want to say that I’m sorry, that I strayed, but--”

“You shouldn’t,” Ravanna said, “I was dead. You betrayed nobody.”

“I wasn’t going to apologize,” Celestia said pointedly, “I loved Nina, and I make no apology for that. She helped me through dark times, even though it cost her sanity...”

“We should rest,” Ravanna said, “We’re exhausted, and we have a long ride ahead. There'll be plenty of time to talk when we get to Navarre. All the time we need.”

Ravanna was asleep as soon as she set her head down upon the bed of leaves she’d made for herself. Celestia lay across from her, eyes open, looking at the trees above.

~

Ravanna woke to raindrops falling on her face. The cold rain had soaked her to the bone and she sat up, shivering. Fumbling across the dark clearing, she shook Celestia’s bedroll to find it empty. Panic filled her up as she felt for the oil lamp and supplies. Lighting the lamp, she looked around to see the horse was still there. She couldn’t have gone far, Ravanna thought. I have to find her. I won't let her go again!

The sound of crying reached her ears, and she bolted through the forest, following the sound. Branches tore as her face and opened cuts, but she ignored their sting and continued towards the cry. She was almost at the edge of the forest, and she could see the shape of Celestia, silhouetted against the moon’s light. She was sobbing uncontrollably, holding herself up against a tree.

“Celestia!” Ravanna cried, “Celestia, what’s wrong?”

“I was going to run away,” Celestia sobbed, “but I’m too scared even to do that!”

Ravanna moved closer, “Celestia, if you need time alone, you’ll have plenty when we get back to Navarre. Don’t just run out into the night! It’s dangerous out there!”

“It’s Navarre I’m afraid of,” Celestia said, “You’re so different, and the city I left no longer exists as it was. What if I go home to find that the place I dreamed of for twenty years is no longer my home? What if time only makes you seem stranger to me? What if they blame me for everything that happened? I don’t have the strength to fight another war, Ravanna. I’m so tired... I just want to get away from everything...”

“Hush,” Ravanna said, and this time she did step close to Celestia and took her in her arms, “I haven’t changed so much, Celestia. I’ve seen and experienced more than I ever expected to, but I still treasure the years we shared. You’re not to blame for anything. You’re the one who saved the Elven children, taught them the Elven ways so they would want to come home.”

“I spent twenty years in that place... twenty years pretending to be human... what if I no longer belong in Navarre?”

“And convinced not a soul that you were a human, I’m sure of that,” Ravanna said, “Look at you, Celestia. Eyes as green as the grass. Hair as radiant as the sun. You’ve been through so much pain, yet still you are as beautiful as ever... Still the gift of Nature, my eternal companion that I want to grow old and die beside.”

Celestia swallowed, her throat tight, and changed the subject, “I worry about Solaris...” Celestia said, “Ruling a kingdom, all by himself...”

“He’ll manage,” Ravanna said, “He made his choice, Celestia, and Navarre will always welcome him with open arms if he decides to come home. He’s your son, part of our family. I could never reject him, no matter what he has done or will do in the future.”

Celestia nestled in Ravanna’s arms, and Ravanna held her protectively, “Celestia, I can’t promise that the way forward won’t be difficult, but I’ll be with you every step of the way. I’ll never let you face hardship alone again.”

She felt Celestia surrender in her arms, let some of the shields that had surrounded her come down. As the rain fell upon them, Celestia moved to claim her lips and they kissed, Ravanna aware of her cold clothes sticking to her but lost in the desperate fire that was rekindling between them. Warmth spread throughout her at the kiss of her long lost love, and they parted only for air, kissing again as if they could make up for twenty years all at once.

Ravanna felt Celestia’s hands roam under her clothes, and stopped her, “If you need time... it’s all right,” Ravanna whispered, “We can wait.”

“I don’t want to wait,” Celestia said, “I was just scared, that’s all. After so long, it’s hard to believe that all this is really happening.”

“You’re free,” Ravanna said, “Argall is dead, and we’re going home to Navarre. Together.” She held Celestia’s face in her hands, before leaning in for another kiss. Celestia’s hands moved under Ravanna’s clothing again, and Ravanna didn’t stop her. They lay down in the cold leaves, tears falling as the full realization that they were together again struck them. Ravanna kissed Celestia all over, shedding her clothes. Dawn’s first light started to break through the trees as they lay there naked, and Celestia was bathed in a warm glow that made her seem more than mortal. She reached for Ravanna’s silver hair and ran her fingers through it as Ravanna kissed down her body. “Ravanna, please...” Celestia cried, “I’ve waited so long...” Ravanna understood. Her heart and body ached in unison now that her damp clothes lay abandoned. A cool wind swept through the trees, as though even Nature approved of their union. Ravanna slipped a finger into Celestia as she licked her, and Celestia screamed out in pleasure. Ravanna licked more, but Celestia lifted her face. “My turn,” she said, and Ravanna’s heart felt like it would explode in her chest. How many nights had she dreamt of this, of being in Celestia’s arms again, of touching every part of her dearly beloved? Now she was here and it was every bit as sweet as her dreams, with none of the sorrow. She came and let her cries out into the wind. They were together again, they were free, they were one being, together again after being separated for so long. After they were sated, Ravanna lay in the dirt with Celestia nestled in her warm embrace, her head resting on her breast, her golden hair flowing across Ravanna’s chest. “This is where I belong,” Celestia said, “I’m so sorry for everything I said. I’m...” “Shh,” Ravanna said, silencing her with a kiss. They took their time, kissing deeply, letting each other know they were going nowhere. “We have to forgive each other,” Celestia said, after a long pause. “We have to start over, begin anew, with a clean slate. We’re not the same people we were twenty years ago, but we still belong together, I can feel it. I just don’t want the last twenty years to ever come between us. I don’t want you to feel guilty about not coming to rescue me sooner, about anything. What’s done is done, Ravanna, and cannot be taken back. All I know is that I want to spend the future with you, where I belong.” “You’re right,” Ravanna said, “I could never hold anything against you, Celestia, but you’re right. We have to let the last twenty years go. Not forget it, because our time apart is a reminder of what we mean to one another, but not to dwell on it, to find blame in it.” It’s like she can read my thoughts, like the old days, Ravanna thought. She knows what I need better than I know it myself. She’s the missing piece of me. She drew Celestia down into a kiss, “I never want to let go of you again. Navarre may be my home, but you are my soulmate, and I merely exist without you.” “You are my home more than Navarre is,” Celestia said, “I yearned for that place, for the Spire, for its beauty, yet I realize right now that I would be happy if I never went back there, so long as you were at my side.” Ravanna kissed the top of Celestia’s head, “Are you ready to go back? We can wait, if you wish. We can build a hut right here if that’s what you want.” “No, I want to go back,” Celestia said, “No matter what I find there, it was the place where I was born... the place where I met you... the place where I feel most in touch with Nature. Navarre and the culture it stands for is worth protecting, even if it means further struggle.” Celestia closed her eyes, relishing the safety she was feeling in Ravanna’s arms, “It is a wounded land, filled with broken hearts. The only cure for such pain is love. I know deep in their hearts the Dark Elves know that. They were our brothers, our sisters, only they have closed off that part of themselves in their pain. Somehow, we have to reach them, help them to start anew as well.” “They can’t heal until they learn to let go,” Ravanna said. She gently slipped apart from Celestia and stood up, feeling a sudden urgency to make haste to Navarre. She reached for her clothes and decided against it, knowing she had dry ones at the camp. Celestia stood up, dressed, and took Ravanna’s hand, and they made their way back to their camp, where they packed up and prepared for the road ahead. “Let’s go home,” Celestia said, and Ravanna nodded, urging the horse into a gallop and they were off, sprinting through the forest and out onto the plains, each step taking them closer to Navarre and whatever awaited them there.

Chapter 34

Ravanna and Celestia wandered through the forest, Celestia slowly remembering the well-traveled paths that led home.

Home, Celestia thought. I’m really going home. Nervousness filled her gut, rolling around. So many years have passed. Will anybody even remember me?

Ravanna, feeling her uncertainty, put a hand on her arm. “It’s going to be fine,” she said. “Just a little further now.”

The trees grew thinner and thinner until they finally parted to reveal Navarre. Elves were working on rebuilding homes and the Spire. Ravanna’s eyes grew wide as she saw Silveri standing with Skye, feathers hanging from her hair and warpaint on her face. Skye looked up in surprise and smiled, hurrying over.

“Ravanna! Queen Celestia!” Skye smiled with an ease that Celestia had never seen. Her heart warmed at the sight of it, though he looked with searching eyes, as if another figure might emerge from the forest.

“Solaris did not come, Skye,” Celestia said sadly, dismounting her horse. “He chose to remain in the East and become King.” Her eyes betrayed her sadness, and Skye bowed his head. “And I am no longer a Queen, Skye,” she said. “In Navarre, all people are equal in the eyes of Nature.”

“Perhaps someday he will change his mind,” Skye said. “We’ll be waiting for him.” He managed a smiled. “Celestia, I know you are not a queen. Yet, still I seek to thank you for all that you have done for me. Teaching me the Elven ways so that I could come home.”

Celestia nodded. Ravanna dismounted and looked at Silveri with suspicious eyes.

“What is Silveri doing here?” Ravanna asked, directing her attention to Skye.

“She has come to make peace, Ravanna,” Skye said. “The Dark Elves aren’t coming back to us. They have a settlement of their own, now. They have agreed to end the war with us if we agree to respect their tribal laws.”

Ravanna bowed her head. “We’re to give up our families and friends, just let them become savages?”

“Ravanna.” Celestia put her hand on Ravanna’s arm. “If any man, woman or child was taken by force, then declare war. But if they went of their own free will...”

“I know,” Ravanna said. “I can’t expect them to come back. I can’t restore Navarre to the way it was before. The pain inflicted on us by the East has scarred us as a people. We will never be the same again.”

“Don’t see it like that,” Skye said. “So they’ve chosen a different path. Who’s to say they are wrong? They’ve done nothing to suggest that. They didn’t even intervene in the war.”

Silveri walked over, dressed in leather clothing, a bow slung over her shoulders. “Skye told you of my offer?”

“Yes,” Ravanna said. “I wanted our people to come back. I wanted things to go back to the way they were, but that can never happen. Too much has changed.”

“I was wrong about one thing,” Silveri said. “The Elven children seem to have found their homes. Some are here in Navarre, and some have joined us deep in the forest. The blood runs strong.”

Ravanna nodded. “Silveri, I agree to your terms. We cannot afford to fight against each other, and you have the right to live the way that you want to.”

Silveri nodded. “In the end, we all got what we wanted. You have Celestia and Navarre. I have a people who respect and admire me and the Old Teachings, and Yuminna, the city of the trees. We may be allies now, Ravanna, but I issue you a challenge. If you think your way is right, prove it. Build the greatest Elven civilization the world has ever seen, and people will come back. But don’t expect me to lie still, either. We are discovering more and more treasures from the old times, lost deep in the forest ruins. The Dark Elves will rise to greatness, Ravanna. I’ll show you that we can be more than victims for humans to play with.”

“The humans are gone,” Ravanna said. “Solaris rules the East now. He’s half-Elven. He won’t invade...”

“Won’t he?” Silveri smirked. “Blood can be ignored. Politics can be powerful. And the West may have been your allies for their own purposes, but they may become your enemies in the future. You may someday need our power, Ravanna, our will to fight. Remember that.” She walked away, each step filled with confidence. Skye dismissed himself and wandered away.

Celestia was looking up at the Spire, tears in her eyes. “I remember the last time I was here,” she said. She reached for a necklace that hung at her neck and unclasped it, holding it up. Ravanna’s family ring hung from it.

“My ring...” Ravanna said. “You still have it.”

“Close to my heart, always,” Celestia said. Ravanna leaned in and took the ring, falling to her knee.

“My proposal still stands,” Ravanna said. “I know we’ve changed, but I want to learn about those changes. I want to grow old with you and not waste another moment of our lives. All those years apart... I don’t want to wait any longer. I want to be your wife.”

Celestia had tears in her eyes. “What if we find we don’t like those changes?” she asked. “What if we find our love has changed?”

“All love changes,” Ravanna said. “People grow older. People change. Feelings wax and wane. True love is learning to embrace those changes, to love each and every part of a person. Even the dark parts, the sorrows, the pains...” She took one of Celestia’s hands in both of hers. “I know you’ve been through a lot,” she said. “We all have.” She looked around her at Navarre, quieter than before, but slowly coming back to life. She saw a woman smile with her long-lost son as they built a new home. She saw the graveyard, where so many good people lie.

Celestia took Ravanna’s ring and slipped it onto her finger. She closed her eyes and helped Ravanna to her feet, drawing her close for a long kiss. She let her eyes open and the tears fell, and suddenly they were desperately embracing, both crying for all the lost years.

“Of course I’ll marry you,” Celestia said, and all the sorrow seemed to slip away from them, all the walls of uncertainty came down. They looked up to find they had a crowd. Familiar faces gathered around, all a little older, all smiling at this display of affection.

“We’re getting married!” Celestia said, a smile on her tired face. Faces of hope looked back at her, as if Ravanna and Celestia symbolized what they had lost and what they could still reclaim. They had come so far, through so much. Now they were back where they belonged, where Nature had decreed: in each other’s arms.