Read Online Fallen Embers (The Alterra Histories) by C. S. Marks - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: C. S. Marks
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folly—it was madness—but Gaelen was in such obvious pain that Nelwyn had to relent. She placed a gentle hand on Gaelen’s shoulder. “Hush. It’s all right. I…I will do as you ask, though my heart would counsel otherwise.”
Gaelen turned her tear-streaked face toward Nelwyn, then reached out with both arms and hugged her fiercely. “I cannot tell how difficult it has been to bear this alone. I was dreading telling you, but now I see that I need not have feared. You are a true friend.”
At this, Nelwyn also began to cry, for she knew the impact of her decision. “I only agreed because I have faith that Ri-Elathan will not tolerate your presence on the battlefield. He will send you right back to us if he cares for you. I understand your motivation, but surely you know in your heart that he will never sanction this.
At this, Gaelen drew back and looked Nelwyn in the eye. “I know, and you’re right, but I have to try. If I accomplish nothing else, I must return this. He has never gone into battle without it, and I do not wish for him to be without it now, in this most terrible of battles.” She drew forth the banner of Ri-Elathan from beneath her tunic and handed it to Nelwyn, who marveled at the beauty and intricacy of the fine silk with its pattern of bright silver stars and golden sun. She gave it back to Gaelen, who folded it and replaced it with reverence.
Gaelen looked off into the distance, toward Mountain-home. “Sometimes, when all is peaceful and quiet, I can sense him…it is almost as though I can hear his voice. I try to call to him as well, but I do not know whether he can hear me. He has so little peace in his life now. I would give nearly anything to see him again, to be with him, and to know that he was safe. Do you understand that feeling?”
She was so wistful that it tugged at Nelwyn’s heart. Though still very young, Nelwyn shared a natural empathy with Gaelen that allowed her to appreciate what her older cousin was going through. “Do what you must, but keep safe. I will keep your secret, no matter what happens. And my thoughts and hopes will be with you until you return.” She rose and took her leave, as Gaelen returned to staring at the river.
At last the host departed from the Greatwood, and a large host it was. Thousands of hardy Sylvan folk, some from as far away as the Monadh-ailan, gathered together before moving eastward toward their rendezvous with Ri-Elathan’s army. As planned, Gaelen followed behind. She had little to fear following such a great host; nothing would challenge them as they made their way toward the rendezvous point, and she was quite safe.
She felt the presence of Ri-Elathan’s army long before she saw it, for Gaelen was very intuitive and the collective thoughts of so many great and noble warriors could not go unnoticed. She sensed her beloved Farahin, but did not call to him, for she knew in her heart that Nelwyn was right. She would just have to convince him when she arrived. Surely Rain would not turn her away as she stood before him, ready to fight and die at his side.
If Gaelen had been thinking clearly, she would have known better, but clear thought is a luxury seldom afforded to so young a heart when it has been irretrievably given. She continued trailing the folk of the Greatwood, hoping that her thoughts would not betray her before she could make her case to her beloved.
Farahin Ri-Elathan stood atop the hill overlooking the great host of Elves that was now gathering. Beside him, Magra stood as second-in-command. The host would remain in this place for a while, as the Greatwood had promised a large contingent. They would be added to those of Monadh-talam and Tal-sithian, making for a formidable army.
Ri-Elathan surveyed the scene with satisfaction. The rows of tents displaying their colorful silken battle-flags, the sun glinting off countless helms and polished weapons, the horses, and the armor formed an impressive sight that stretched
Gaelen turned her tear-streaked face toward Nelwyn, then reached out with both arms and hugged her fiercely. “I cannot tell how difficult it has been to bear this alone. I was dreading telling you, but now I see that I need not have feared. You are a true friend.”
At this, Nelwyn also began to cry, for she knew the impact of her decision. “I only agreed because I have faith that Ri-Elathan will not tolerate your presence on the battlefield. He will send you right back to us if he cares for you. I understand your motivation, but surely you know in your heart that he will never sanction this.
At this, Gaelen drew back and looked Nelwyn in the eye. “I know, and you’re right, but I have to try. If I accomplish nothing else, I must return this. He has never gone into battle without it, and I do not wish for him to be without it now, in this most terrible of battles.” She drew forth the banner of Ri-Elathan from beneath her tunic and handed it to Nelwyn, who marveled at the beauty and intricacy of the fine silk with its pattern of bright silver stars and golden sun. She gave it back to Gaelen, who folded it and replaced it with reverence.
Gaelen looked off into the distance, toward Mountain-home. “Sometimes, when all is peaceful and quiet, I can sense him…it is almost as though I can hear his voice. I try to call to him as well, but I do not know whether he can hear me. He has so little peace in his life now. I would give nearly anything to see him again, to be with him, and to know that he was safe. Do you understand that feeling?”
She was so wistful that it tugged at Nelwyn’s heart. Though still very young, Nelwyn shared a natural empathy with Gaelen that allowed her to appreciate what her older cousin was going through. “Do what you must, but keep safe. I will keep your secret, no matter what happens. And my thoughts and hopes will be with you until you return.” She rose and took her leave, as Gaelen returned to staring at the river.
At last the host departed from the Greatwood, and a large host it was. Thousands of hardy Sylvan folk, some from as far away as the Monadh-ailan, gathered together before moving eastward toward their rendezvous with Ri-Elathan’s army. As planned, Gaelen followed behind. She had little to fear following such a great host; nothing would challenge them as they made their way toward the rendezvous point, and she was quite safe.
She felt the presence of Ri-Elathan’s army long before she saw it, for Gaelen was very intuitive and the collective thoughts of so many great and noble warriors could not go unnoticed. She sensed her beloved Farahin, but did not call to him, for she knew in her heart that Nelwyn was right. She would just have to convince him when she arrived. Surely Rain would not turn her away as she stood before him, ready to fight and die at his side.
If Gaelen had been thinking clearly, she would have known better, but clear thought is a luxury seldom afforded to so young a heart when it has been irretrievably given. She continued trailing the folk of the Greatwood, hoping that her thoughts would not betray her before she could make her case to her beloved.
Farahin Ri-Elathan stood atop the hill overlooking the great host of Elves that was now gathering. Beside him, Magra stood as second-in-command. The host would remain in this place for a while, as the Greatwood had promised a large contingent. They would be added to those of Monadh-talam and Tal-sithian, making for a formidable army.
Ri-Elathan surveyed the scene with satisfaction. The rows of tents displaying their colorful silken battle-flags, the sun glinting off countless helms and polished weapons, the horses, and the armor formed an impressive sight that stretched
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