Their Bonds of Love

Throwing on his cloak just behind the stables, Caerwyn emerged to find the king watching Eleri working on spells with her aunt and Grace. He stood by the prince as Eleri raised her hands, causing a large pile of snow to rise. It hovered over her for a few moments as she shaped it into a large ball. She put her hands together over her head and then let them fall at her sides, causing the ball to explode into thousands of flakes that floated down over them all.

“Very good, Eleri,” said Efa as Eleri fell slightly forward and clutched her cloak with one hand.

“I think that is enough,” said Conri as he walked forward. “She is obviously exhausted.”

Eleri straightened up and wiped her forehead. “I am fine, Conri. Large spells just sometimes take a moment for me to recover. I feel quite well. Practicing my magic takes my mind off of other things.”

“She needs to push herself just a bit,” said Efa. “If she is going to Niamhan, she needs to be ready to fight.”

Conri shook his head but walked back to stand near Caerwyn as Eleri turned to her aunt.

“She shouldn’t be going,” said Conri angrily. “It would be better for her to stay here until we rid this land of Lord Fellen and all who support him.”

“You know it isn’t possible, your majesty,” said Caerwyn. “She has to stay close to you to keep the bond between you. Besides, do you really think you could keep her from going? If you try, she will just find a way to go anyway. It is better you accept this is what has to be and support her.”

“I just wish I knew who did this to her,” said Conri. He looked at Caerwyn. “You don’t think your father did something, do you?”

“I don’t see how. He didn’t touch her, and I know my father can not do any kind of spells,” said Caerwyn.

He had been over this before with the king and Lord Cadwin. Caerwyn had no prior knowledge of his father’s coming. When he was out for a walk with Emilia, a guard had come with a message that was given to him just outside the wards, saying someone wished to meet with Caerwyn. He knew he should have gone back directly to Cadwin Manor and told Lord Cadwin, but he wished to see who it was first. Once he spotted his father, he could not help confronting the man.

“It has to be someone in the house or who has access to the house. They must have touched her with something or tainted her drink or food. It could have been at the festival ball. There were so many there that it will be hard to track,” said Caerwyn.

“What if whoever it was is still staying here now?” asked Conri. “What if they try to poison her further.”

“Or do something to you or someone else,” said Caerwyn. “Lord Cadwin has several trusted servants keeping watch, and you and Eleri take almost all meals in her room. We are doing all we can to protect both of you.”

“But it is too late for her. She says she is fine most of the time, but I can tell how she is suffering. She wakes up at least twice a night from nightmares, and there are several times a day where she grows quiet and closes her eyes. I know she is in pain or fighting whatever is working within her.”

“She is strong,” said Caerwyn as he watched Eleri conjure some wind that circled Grace. “And we will soon be heading to Niamhan. Once we finish Lord Fellen, he won’t be able to hurt her anymore.”

“That man has taken too much from me already. I will not let him take Eleri.”

Eleri walked towards them, a smile upon her face and her cheeks rosy from the cold wind. “Are you ready for lunch? I am famished.”

“Of course,” said Conri. “We will eat lunch in your rooms, and then you can rest for the remainder of the day.”

“I will not,” said Eleri. “We have a meeting in my father’s study this afternoon. We have to leave for Niamhan in less than five days, Conri.”

“Well, let’s at least enjoy a quiet lunch first. I haven’t seen you all morning,” said Conri as Efa and Grace walked up to them.

“You can’t be by my side every second,” said Eleri. “How did training go this morning, Caerwyn?” She took Conri’s arm, and they walked back towards the manor as a group.

“Very well. The king is much improved since we first met. Whether he fights in his wolf form or with a sword, I believe he is very skilled.”

“And you, Bright One,” said Eleri with a teasing tone. “Are you quite ready to defend your king?”

“You know I have been ready for many years, Eleri. I will not fail him or you,” responded Caerwyn.

“Why don’t you and Emilia join us for lunch in my room?” asked Eleri making Conri look at her quickly. “I am sure the king is tired of only seeing me for hours on end.”

“I am sure he is not,” said Caerwyn with a slight laugh.

“Perhaps it is you who is so tired of me,” said Conri.

“That is not it,” said Eleri as she looked down. “It is just when I have more things to distract me; it is easier. Your presence does soothe me, Conri, but there is always some little voice in my head that is hard not to listen to. If I am speaking with others, I can drown it out.”

“Then you are commanded to come, Caerwyn,” said Conri. “Grab Lady Farrow and come directly to Eleri’s room. There is always enough food for more than just us.”

When they reached the house, Eleri and the king went directly upstairs as Caerwyn walked to the parlor searching for Emilia. He greeted a few lords who stopped him as he passed.

Lady Riona took his arm. “Will the king or Lady Eleri be joining us for lunch?”

Caerwyn put his arm down. “I don’t believe so. I think they plan to eat together in private.”

“They never come to meals anymore. The king isn’t ill, is he?” asked Riona.

“Not at all. They just have much to prepare for in the coming days and wish to spend this time together. Neither need the distraction of questions or trying to make polite conversation,” said Caerwyn. “Now, if you will excuse me, I need to find someone Lady Eleri wishes to speak with.”

“Riona, let the Bright One go,” said Lord Cecil as he came forward. “You don’t need to pester him with questions.”

“I apologize,” said Riona with a pretty smile. “I was only concerned for our king.” She turned to follow her father when she looked back at Caerwyn. “Lady Eleri, too, of course.”

Caerwyn nodded before spotting Emilia coming his way.

“Caerwyn, are you headed to lunch?” she asked.

“The king and Lady Eleri would like us to dine with them in Eleri’s room this afternoon. I hope you don’t have other plans,” said Caerwyn.

“If I did, I would drop them in a minute for the king or our future queen,” said Emilia as she took the arm he offered.

They walked up the stairs to Eleri’s door, where Caerwyn knocked. It was answered by Conri, who let them in. Emilia walked forward to greet Eleri as Caerwyn looked at Conri.

“She seems in a good mood,” said Caerwyn as he watched Eleri greet Emilia warmly.

“She is always in a good mood after working with Efa and Grace. She enjoys using magic, and I have encouraged her to do more. I think it is best if she embraces that side of herself at the moment and not her wolf form,” replied Conri.

“I believe you are right,” said Caerwyn.

“Are you two going to join us?” asked Eleri. “Because I am rather hungry and don’t feel like waiting even if it is for the king.”

“You know you may do whatever you wish at any time, my love,” said Conri as he walked towards the women. “I’m afraid I will be one of those kings who sit in the background while our queen actually leads us.”

“That is not true,” said Eleir as she swallowed some stew. “You know I respect your position and your ability. I will only do all I can to support you.”

“I was only teasing,” said Conri. “But still, I will depend on your wisdom and guidance.”

“Well, she is your First Advisor as well as your queen,” said Emilia. “How will it work, do you think?”

“She will lead the council as the First Advisor and queen,” said Conri. “She will listen to all the advisors and then give me her opinion on matters, and together we will come up with solutions.”

Emilia nodded. “And will these councils always happen in the palace? Will Argenta House be absent for at least this generation?”

“Argenta House is a great institution,” said Eleri. “I plan to take meetings there as any First Advisor would, especially when the king has his own business. I will not reside there, of course, but will like to have it open for company. I believe my father will visit often.”

“And have you thought of your advisory council, my king?” asked Emilia. “You have three out of nine in place. Who else will you ask?”

“I haven’t given it too much thought,” said Conri. “Other matters have taken up my mind lately, but I imagine I will depend on those I trust to help me know who to ask.”

“I would like you to consider at least one from the magical community, and maybe even an ordinary as well,” said Eleri.

Conri took a sip of wine and looked at her as Caerwyn considered what she said. There had never been any non-shifters on the council. It was always made up of fierce wolf shifters from old families. The council was meant to advise and protect the land if it came to it.

“Do you have particular people in mind?”

“From the magical community, there are a few options, according to Aunt Efa. We can meet with them after things are settled, and you can decide. As far as ordinaries, I rather thought you might like Lord Havens on your council if he will accept. He has long given you good advice, and you know you can trust him.” Eleri refilled her wine glass.

“What do you think, Caerwyn, Lady Farrow? Would this shock the land if I did such a thing?”

“I believe the land could use something to shake it up. Even before Lord Fellen took over, there was unrest in areas of Elathia,” said Emilia. “I am not blaming your family, my king. From what I have heard and read, most of those who came before you ruled well and fair, but they followed the way it has always been. The valued shifters and those already in power ignored the magical community almost completely and did not consider that ordinaries were quickly becoming the largest group in the land. Maybe it is time the Advisory Council looked more like the land.”

“You have a good point, Emilia, but if we shock the system too much, our king could quickly lose all support he has gained. Maybe a magical person would be tolerated since they have powers bestowed by a goddess, but an ordinary would be hard to accept,” said Caerwyn.

“Would it be hard to accept for you, Caerwyn?” asked Eleri.

“I don’t think so. I have met many worthy ordinaries as well as a few worthless shifters. I am not speaking of me, though. I am talking of the old families who have much pride.”

“But our king and queen will still be fierce shifters from old families. We will have a Gildan king like it was meant to be,” said Emilia. “He has chosen not only a queen from a family just below the Gildans but one that fits the idea of the prophecy. Both our king and Eleri are shifters. That should be enough.”

“Perhaps Emilia belongs on your council, my king,” said Eleri with a smile. “I believe she holds much wisdom.”

“I would like to serve our king in some way, but I don’t think it will be the council. You will shock the land enough with your new additions. If you place a woman with no connections beyond her dead husband on the council, it may be too much,” said Emilia.

“Well, you can be an advisor to the queen for certain,” said Eleri. “I hope you will live close by, so you are at my disposal.” Eleri glanced at Caerwyn, and he rolled his eyes slightly at her.

“I have never been one for staying put, Eleri,” said Emilia.

“Perhaps you have not had the proper inducement. You haven’t found a place to find peace and happiness, so you have run around the land looking for it. I have great hope you will soon find a place that not only brings all you need but helps another as well,” said Eleri as she continued to look at Caerwyn.

“Here are some of these apple tarts you like so much, Eleri. Where your cook found apples this time of year, I do not know,” said Conri.

“She keeps a few in our cellar to not spoil just for me,” said Eleri as she looked at the king. “She knows how much I love this dessert.”

Caerwyn gave a slight nod to Conri. He did appreciate that Eleri wanted him and Emilia to be happy, but it made him feel uncomfortable to be pushed together with her. He needed time to decide, and right then was not the best environment to think it over. They would leave for Niamhan soon. Aron and all the Cadwin guards were leaving in two sleeps. Many lords would set out the next day, and then a few days later, Efa, Grace, and Eleri would take the rest of them by magic.

“She means well, Caerwyn,” said Emilia in a whisper as Eleri laughed at something the king said.

“I do not doubt her intentions. She never does anything with malice, but I don’t wish her to make you feel uncomfortable.

“I am not uncomfortable,” said Emilia. “I have told you how I feel, and I agree with Eleri’s opinion. I am only waiting to hear your decision. I’m sorry if it bothers you to hear her talk so. I can ask her to stop if you wish, or you could have the king do it.”

Caerwyn watched as Eleri ate her tart happily. She turned and gave Caerwyn a slight grin that looked apologetic. Caerwyn leaned towards Emilia. “Say nothing to her. She needs distractions right now, and if I can help with that, so be it.”