Harbingers: A Novel of Lasniniar

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Unbreakable Bonds

Eransinta sucked in a breath as her sky-blue eyes snapped open. She sat bolt upright in bed, her blankets pooling around her.

“Mmm... What is it?” Curuadil asked in a sleepy voice. He rolled over to look at her. His long, white hair fanned across the pillow behind his head.

“He’s back.” The words emerged from Eransinta’s lips in a whisper. She could feel herself trembling.

Curuadil eased himself into a seated position and leaned over to light a lamp on the bedside table. The tiny flame illuminated his golden-skinned features.

“Who’s back?” he asked.

Eransinta frowned in confusion. How could he not know?

“Iarion.”

Her mate’s golden eyes widened. “You are certain?”

“Of course, I’m certain!” Eransinta’s gaze traveled from the concerned look on his face to a pack of herbs sitting beside the lamp.

Have I been taking something?

She struggled to remember anything from the past several days and failed. Iarion had been gone. That was all that had mattered.

But now he’s back.

“Where is he?” Curuadil asked.

Eransinta closed her eyes. The bond she shared with Iarion was a remnant of the link that had joined them in his original incarnation as her twin brother. He had been reborn into his current life as her son, but it seemed to make little difference.

She knew Iarion was back—his presence in Lasniniar was like the feeling of the sun on her own golden skin. She shook her head. Long tresses of white hair slithered over her shoulder.

“I don’t know... He is close, but I can’t pinpoint his location. Something is blocking me. We have to find him!” She began shoving the blankets aside.

Curuadil reached over to place a comforting hand on her arm. “We will go tell Iadrawyn. She will know what to do.” His voice was gentle.

“She can use the Quenya to find him.” Eransinta was on her feet now. She was already moving out of the bedroom into the public area of the hut that was their home in the heart of Melaquenya. “We must find him before the Unborn do.” Her throat tightened as she spoke.

The Unborn had demanded Iarion in exchange for the safety of the elven people. He was the one who had freed them from their prison beyond the Void. They were convinced he was the only one who could destroy them.

Curuadil hurried after her. He slid a robe over her bare shoulders and struggled to tie the sash before she walked out of the hut. He already wore a robe of his own, although he had put it on inside out in his haste.

“We mustn’t make a scene,” he said to her in a low voice as they walked past other huts nestled at the bases of the ancient trees that towered over them under a canopy of golden and silver-edged leaves. “We need to keep this matter quiet.”

Eransinta paused a moment to take in her mate’s words. He was right, of course. It was late, and the forest was mostly dark, aside from some torches that had been left burning to illuminate the forest paths, but there would still be the odd sentry about, or those returning from guard duty on the border, where they kept watch on the human army the Unborn had sent against the Light Elves. Not every resident of Melaquenya was convinced Iarion’s life was worth sacrificing the safety of the entire race. She allowed Curuadil to put his arm over her shoulder and moderate her pace to a casual walk, even though she wanted nothing more than to go running straight for Iadrawyn’s hut.

They arrived at their destination several agonizing moments later without incident. Even though they were the Lord and Lady of the Light Elves, Valanandir and Iadrawyn’s hut was no larger than those in the area around it, but it was surrounded by a tall, flowering hedge for privacy. Eransinta and Curuadil walked through the arch of the hedge toward the front entrance. Curuadil missed a step as they heard voices already drifting from inside.

“You must go,” Eransinta heard Iadrawyn say as she and Curuadil entered the hut.

“And leave you alone with him?” Valanandir scoffed. “I already made that mistake once. I won’t make it again.”

He and Iadrawyn were standing in the front room of their hut, wearing robes of their own. Iadrawyn’s long, golden braids were disheveled as if she, too, had been roused from sleep. Her expression was anxious. Valanandir was frowning at her, his arms folded. Their eldest daughter, Andirlynia, stood to one side. She was still fully clothed in basic scouting gear, her white hair confined in long, neat braids. Her green gaze flicked back and forth between her two parents.

“Mother, are you certain it’s him?” she asked.

Iadrawyn ran a hand through her braids with a sigh. “Yes. I don’t know how, but I’m not mistaken. You’ve sensed the change in the Quenya. It bears a familiar taint. I would recognize it anywhere.”

“I believe you, but I cannot leave,” Valanandir said. His expression was torn. He flipped his long, white hair over his shoulder in an anxious gesture.

“You must.” Iadrawyn’s bottomless, green gaze was pleading. “He has taken control of the Quenya. He always blamed you for what happened on Ralvaniar. If he finds you here, he will destroy you.”

“Come with us then.” Valanandir reached out to take hold of his mate’s shoulders and looked at her as if there were no one else in the hut.

Iadrawyn shook her head. “I can’t. I am the reason he is here. If I leave, he will tear Lasniniar apart trying to find me. It will be better for everyone if I stay.” She and Valanandir exchanged an anguished look. Andirlynia looked as if she wanted to say something, but remained silent.

Eransinta couldn’t bear to wait any longer. She had no idea what they were talking about, but she had more important news.

“He’s back,” she said as she stepped forward.

All three elves turned to look at her and Curuadil as if noticing them for the first time.

“I’m sorry we have come at such a bad time,” Curuadil said to his parents and sister. “Is everything all right?”

Valanandir and Andirlynia both started speaking at once, but Iadrawyn raised a hand to silence them.

“Iarion is back?” she said. Her gaze fastened on Eransinta.

Eransinta nodded, her legs feeling weak with relief. She knew Iadrawyn would understand.

“I don’t know where he is though,” she said in a tearful voice. “Can you help me find him?”

Iadrawyn lowered her gaze. “I am sorry. The Quenya has been taken.”

“Then what are we going to do?” Eransinta demanded. “We have to find him!”

Curuadil put an arm around Eransinta’s shoulder. “How was the Quenya taken? You, Andirlynia, and Silvaranwyn have been maintaining the shield over the forest. How would anyone have been able to get in?”

Iadrawyn exchanged a horrified look with Andirlynia. “Silvaranwyn.” They spoke the name in unison.

“Now you really must go,” Iadrawyn said to Valanandir from over her shoulder. “Silvaranwyn was in the Glade. She could be in danger.”

Valanandir bowed his head. “Very well.” He squared his shoulders. “But I will find a way to get us out of this mess.”

Iadrawyn turned toward him and stroked his cheek. “I know you will. In the meantime, I will do what I can to minimize the damage. I only hope he is still fond of me after everything that happened.”

“I will go with him,” Andirlynia said with a nod toward Valanandir.

“That would be for the best,” Iadrawyn said. “He will know who your father is and punish you for it. There is no time to lose. Take what supplies you can and go out the back window. Make certain you are not seen.”

Andirlynia gave her mother’s shoulder a squeeze and disappeared behind the curtain that led to the sleeping quarters. Valanandir gave his mate a fierce embrace before following his daughter. Iadrawyn watched them go.

Eransinta shook her head. “Aren’t you going to do anything about Iarion?” she demanded.

The look on Iadrawyn’s face made her fall silent. She had never seen Curuadil’s mother look so torn.

“Mother?” Curuadil took a tentative step toward her. “What can we do?”

Iadrawyn took a steadying breath. “There is no time to explain. You must flee the forest. Now. Tell no one.”

Eransinta scowled. “But Iarion—”

“This is for Iarion’s own safety, as well as your own,” Iadrawyn said, her eyes flashing. “Gather what supplies you can and run. No one must know that Iarion has returned. It is the only way we can protect him.”

“Leave Melaquenya?” Eransinta gaped at the suggestion. She had never been beyond the forest’s borders. Why was Iadrawyn insisting she leave now?

“You are a conduit to Iarion,” Iadrawyn said. Her gaze shifted to Curuadil. “If she falls into the wrong hands...”

Curuadil’s fingers tightened around Eransinta’s shoulders. “I understand. We will leave at once.”

Iadrawyn nodded. Curuadil steered Eransinta toward the curtained area where his sister and father had just disappeared. The bedroom had already been ransacked. There was no sign of Valanandir or Andirlynia.

“Take some of Mother’s clothes,” Curuadil said. He was already picking over what had been left by his father.

Eransinta stood with her arms at her sides. Why was no one doing anything to help her find Iarion? Didn’t they understand how much danger he was in? She had thought Iadrawyn had understood, but she had only told her to run away. What was that supposed to accomplish?

“Iadrawyn.” An unfamiliar, male voice spoke from the next room.

“Eruvalion,” Iadrawyn said in an unsurprised tone.

Eransinta frowned. Eruvalion? I’ve heard that name before... But what kind of name is ‘Hidden Watcher’?

“It has taken me longer than I had expected, but I have finally returned to you,” Eruvalion said. “I am sorry I have kept you waiting.”

Eransinta peeked through a gap in the curtain. A male Shadow Elf with dusky skin and long, silver hair strode across the room to embrace Iadrawyn. She stood still in his arms. Eransinta caught a glimmer of violet eyes over Iadrawyn’s shoulder in the lamplight. In fact, he seemed to be surrounded by a shimmering, violet halo.

“I never thought I would see you again,” Iadrawyn said. There was a note of wariness in her voice.

“The Quenya turned against me,” Eruvalion said. His expression soured. “I have been wandering in Oblivion all this time, trying to find my way back to you.”

“I’m sorry, Eru,” Iadrawyn said in a soft voice. “I’m sorry it had to end that way.”

“I have never blamed you for what happened. I know you meant well. And I am back now. An Unborn woman named Felara freed me.”

“Felara.” Iadrawyn echoed.

“You know of her?” Eruvalion asked. “She is clever enough, but not nearly as clever as she thinks. I have taken some of her power. The creatures you call humans tried to kill me outside the forest, but their weapons did nothing. And now I have re-taken the Quenya and we are together. Everything will soon be as it should be. You will be my lady, and I will be your silver prince. There’s only one small matter I need to attend to first.” He made a show of looking around the room.

“He’s not here,” Iadrawyn said.

Eruvalion frowned. “What?”

“Valanandir is not here.”

“Do not speak his name!” Eruvalion’s features twisted in rage.

Iadrawyn raised her chin. “Whether I name him or not, he is not here.”

“Coward. Where is he hiding? Or does he not want to face the rightful Lord of the Wood?” Eruvalion began to stalk toward the curtain to the sleeping quarters.

Iadrawyn reached out to grab his arm. “He has left me.”

Eruvalion sneered. “Fled, you mean. No matter. I will find him all the same. I have the Quenya now. It’s only a matter of time.”

“It has been so long since I last saw you,” Iadrawyn said as she steered Eruvalion away from the curtain. “And now I have been left all alone. You must tell me everything that has happened.”

“Come on,” Curuadil whispered in Eransinta’s ear. “We have to get out of here.”

He pulled her toward the window that looked out of the back of the hut. He had used a blanket to form a crude sack to carry what supplies he had managed to gather. He pulled aside the curtain and held out an arm.

“You go first,” he said. “Make for the trees and wait for me there. If we get separated, run.”

Eransinta took his arm with a shake of her head. Where was she supposed to run to? She knew next to nothing about the world outside Melaquenya. She hoisted her leg over the windowsill and slipped over the edge to drop to the ground below. She remained frozen in a crouch. The forest outside seemed pitch black after the lamplight of the hut. She blinked, waiting for her eyes to adjust.

A pair of white-haired shadows loomed before her in the darkness, their familiar features slowly taking shape.

“Silvanonriel! Eranras!” The names of her two daughters escaped her lips in a surprised whisper. She nearly wilted in relief. “You startled me.”

Eranras stared at her mother, her blue eyes wide with surprise, but Silvanonriel flashed a crafty smile and slung an arm around Eransinta’s shoulder.

“Hello, Mother,” she said. The cold blade of her hunting knife pressed against Eransinta’s throat. “Going somewhere?”