"Lady! We have passed into the waters of Eldicor!"
Teleperien lifted her hand in thanks then resumed her position where she gazes into the parting fog. She didn't need to be told; she felt the energy of Eldicor charge through her as soon as they passed the boundary. Happily she sighs. It had been too long since she felt its energy.
They had been sailing for two days from the Blessed Realm of Valinor. They still had one full day yet, but to know they were so close sent Tele's heart singing. Gwindor now joined her, on his forearm sits a large peregrine falcon. With a nod from Tele, Gwindor releases the bird, its powerful wings lifting it into the wind. Soon it's out of sight, bringing news that the queen would be arriving within two days.
"Mother do you feel it?"
Erwyn's excited voice came from above. She was gracefully repelling down the mast from the crow's nest. Tele smiled, she was sure Philippe would have been thrilled to see how well she took to sailing. She had grown some while they were in Valinor. She was still a head shorter than her mother but her limbs were growing long and graceful.
"When we came into Eldicor's waters, I feel so alive!"
"It's the blessing of the land Erwyn. This shows you are indeed its next queen."
"Queen?" Erwyn sounded incredulous.
"You won't be queen for quite some time." Tele reassured her with a chuckle.
"Oh that's good." Erwyn joined Tele at the rail and looked toward Eldicor. "I can't wait to see Amanda."
"I'm sure she's just as anxious to see you."
"And Borin! I miss Borin so much. " Erwyn bounced up and down on the balls of her feet. "I hope he missed me."
Tele laughed. "He will be first to hug you I'm certain."
"Who did you miss Mother?"
The impulsive question was not meant to deal pain, but it did. Her heart ached for Philippe. As much as they loved each other, it was not meant to be. They lived worlds apart even when they were together. He a pirate used to living a life free and full of adventure, and she bound to the duty of a realm. When he was returned to his life in 17th century France, he would have no memory of Rhydin, Eldicor or of her, save a vague dream. This pained her, but it was the best thing to be done. "Constance."
"Constance" Why Constance?" Erwyn looked at her mother inquisitively.
"Constance has been my Lady-in-Waiting before I was queen. She has been like a mother to me."
"Do you like being a queen?" Erwyn asked quietly. Tele looked at her, put an arm about the slender shoulders and drew her daughter closer.
"It is not a matter of like or dislike Erwyn. It is a duty and an honor.?
Teleperien lifted her hand in thanks then resumed her position where she gazes into the parting fog. She didn't need to be told; she felt the energy of Eldicor charge through her as soon as they passed the boundary. Happily she sighs. It had been too long since she felt its energy.
They had been sailing for two days from the Blessed Realm of Valinor. They still had one full day yet, but to know they were so close sent Tele's heart singing. Gwindor now joined her, on his forearm sits a large peregrine falcon. With a nod from Tele, Gwindor releases the bird, its powerful wings lifting it into the wind. Soon it's out of sight, bringing news that the queen would be arriving within two days.
"Mother do you feel it?"
Erwyn's excited voice came from above. She was gracefully repelling down the mast from the crow's nest. Tele smiled, she was sure Philippe would have been thrilled to see how well she took to sailing. She had grown some while they were in Valinor. She was still a head shorter than her mother but her limbs were growing long and graceful.
"When we came into Eldicor's waters, I feel so alive!"
"It's the blessing of the land Erwyn. This shows you are indeed its next queen."
"Queen?" Erwyn sounded incredulous.
"You won't be queen for quite some time." Tele reassured her with a chuckle.
"Oh that's good." Erwyn joined Tele at the rail and looked toward Eldicor. "I can't wait to see Amanda."
"I'm sure she's just as anxious to see you."
"And Borin! I miss Borin so much. " Erwyn bounced up and down on the balls of her feet. "I hope he missed me."
Tele laughed. "He will be first to hug you I'm certain."
"Who did you miss Mother?"
The impulsive question was not meant to deal pain, but it did. Her heart ached for Philippe. As much as they loved each other, it was not meant to be. They lived worlds apart even when they were together. He a pirate used to living a life free and full of adventure, and she bound to the duty of a realm. When he was returned to his life in 17th century France, he would have no memory of Rhydin, Eldicor or of her, save a vague dream. This pained her, but it was the best thing to be done. "Constance."
"Constance" Why Constance?" Erwyn looked at her mother inquisitively.
"Constance has been my Lady-in-Waiting before I was queen. She has been like a mother to me."
"Do you like being a queen?" Erwyn asked quietly. Tele looked at her, put an arm about the slender shoulders and drew her daughter closer.
"It is not a matter of like or dislike Erwyn. It is a duty and an honor.?