The Council
836 Words
Dalhannah gasped, desperately sucking the cold air into her pale, shaking body. Already the images from her vision were fading and blurring, but this new feeling- the fear- remained.
Tears fell from her lavender eyes and rippled in the pool below her as the blue light faded from the glade. The calm of the early morning was gone, the birds sounded harsh and cacophonous as they called out in the roar of the slowly waving canopy above.
Still trembling she made her way back up the ancient path. The ground felt hard and cold on her bare feet. The venerable trees seemed to turn from her as she walked the path.
"Dalhannah!"
Her husband called to her and waved as she emerged from the sacred path., His broad smile lit his fair and handsome face as he ran to her, but the memory of his pained screams haunted her. He embraced her, entwining his fingers with hers as he pulled her towards the city.
Elvanador, the first city of the Elves, shone in the trees far above them. Sweet voices drifted down. Women and men singing. Children laughing. It was all as it had ever been but it seemed so out of place to her now. She choked back a sob.
"My love, what's wrong?" Alfius asked her, sensing her hesitance. She tried to find her voice, but instead of words, her grief and confusion spilled from her as she collapsed into his arms and wept.
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The Council sat cross legged in the treetop atrium. The living trees formed beautiful archways through which the sweet smelling breeze flowed.
"Approach" Came the calm, measured instruction of the eldest. Helvinnia was truly ancient, one of the first Elves, her hair snowy white and fine lines graced the corners of her silver eyes.
Dalhannah did as she was bid, and decended the polished wooden stairs to stand before the council.
"We welcome you, Daughter of the Trees, our Sister, Child of Light. Long have we waited for you to join us. Our hearts are full with your presence among us."
The other members of the council looked up at her and welcomed her with their eyes and gentle smiles. She sought out the dusk coloured eyes of Alfius. He alone was not smiling. He simply nodded, a simple gesture, but she felt his love and support flow through his gaze and it fortified her.
Dalhannah knew the words she was supposed to say.
Glad am I to have arrived, full is my heart with the blessing of the light.
But she couldn't bring herself to utter them.
"Brothers and sisters," She began. The council members began to whisper, their smiled turning to looks of confusion. Helvinnia raised an elegant hand and the council stilled. She inclined her head, an invitation for Dalhannah to continue.
"I do not know how to convey the heaviness in my heart. The Goddess has sent me a warning."
The Council veritably erupted in confusion.
"Sister what do you mean?" Called out Elidammin.
"Did you not receive a blessing?" Asked Davinthiam.
"What do you mean?"
"A warning?"
"After so long?"
Helvinnia again extended her hand and restored order.
"Continue Sister." Her voice was calm, but the smile was gone from her eyes.
Dalhannah drew another shaky breath.
"I cannot tell you all I have seen. We have not the words. I have seen things that have never been, and that I wish would not come to pass, but without our action they will."
Confusion. That was all the reaction they had. There was no fear at her words. The were unfamiliar with the feeling that had gripped her heart all day. They could not understand.
"Show us." Helvinnia instructed.
With a sigh, Dalhannah acquiesced. The Vision was hers alone, but there was something of the experience stored in her moonstone diadem, the spirit stone that sat on her brow.
She approached the altar in the centre of the room and placed the crystal in the golden bowl. All 48 members of the council closed their eyes as the vessel began to glow.
She was swallowed by the feelings of the vision again, but was at least prepared for the emotions that threatened to swallow her. Her brothers and sisters were not.
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Night had fallen and the council was no nearer to reaching a consensus. Some members cried. Others rocked silently back and forth. Some sought comfort in the arms of their partners and kin.
Helvinnia alone had sat, eyes closed, in silence.
As the moon slowly rose above the open roof of the atrium, Helvinnia stood and took Dalhannah's hand.
"Heavy is your burden, Sister, Daughter, Mother. Troubled are we at the things you have shown us, but we must take heed, the Goddess would not burden us lightly.I, too, shall seek guidance at the sacred glade, but long have we waited for you to join us. Our hearts are full with your presence among us. Still we welcome you, Queen of Elves."
- Writer
