Crimson Cove

Back to Life

The days light burst in the room as she woke up from the beautiful dream they had shared. She knew it was more than a dream, it was their lives. Split open, laid bare for them both to see. What she had thought took days was merely a night. As she lifted her head from her hammock looking around she realized all that had happened in her dream was hers alone.

Good morning Queen Tiri. Willow spoke sweetly to her.

Good morning Willow. How long did I sleep?

Exactly seven hours sixteen minutes and fourty three seconds. Why is it you want to know? Did you not rest enough? Willow honestly sounded concerned.

No, Willow. I simply thought I was asleep longer.

That seems strange. Maybe there was some residual energy from your mother left that helped speed your rest and refill your body with its needs.

Maybe, but either way, I definitly feel refreshed. Neytiri din't mention her dreams, there seemed to be a reason theey were cloaked from Willow and the others. She felt it was Hrolf and her, they had ensured their safety so that nobody could hurt them or take their moment from them. He was at the forfront of her mind, and that is where he would stay. She climbed of out the hammock and stretched. She loved waking up in her tree even though she knew she was in her room. She thought it was going to be odd, but it felt like it was right. She had always been tied to the tree. She remembered the day she found it. The way the wind blew differntly there. That tree was the one focal point in all of her time she spent with Hrolf and her mother during those early days. It was no wonder she gravitated there. He was there, and he was what had kept her alive all of these years. Somehow they had to find a way to fix things, or work them out for everyone involved. She had no clue if her father would come, or if he would kill her on site if he did, all she knew is that is where she needed to start. Giving his blade to Hrolf was the only way she could convince him to come in peace, and to listen to her. She only hoped that he understood why she sent his blade. He was everything to her mother, she loved him in spite of the disease that was in his blood. Her mother had ensured her safety for many reasons, but most of all because Neytiri was the only part of his humanity and their love that she had left. Gunnbjorne was the man she fell in love with, the man, not the wolf her had become. It seemed strange to Neytiri to know now that the disease in their blood made them immortal, and because of it they had to feed on humans. What did this mean for them all? Neytiri had long thought she was nothing more than a human with powers given to her from the Goddess Hecatate as her mother had told her. They were immortal due to the bond Hecatate had made with her mother. She had given them immortality so that they may remain in the cove and look after those women who had needed to have a safe space. Neytiri was still deep in thought when Renae knocked on her door.

Queen Neytiri, may I come in?

Of course Nae. Come on inside.

As Renae entered the room she was astonished by the tree and hammock in the room where once the prior Queens willow was.

Everything okay Renae?

Yes, mistriss. I have been sent by the council to see if you would like to meet them this afternoon or if you have other obligations?

That doesn't sound good. Do they have something they need to speak to me about?

I believe it is standard for the new Queen to meet with the elders about the basic structure going forward.

Wow. Okay Nae, so you sound like you have been rehearsing for this job your entire life. Can we drop the formalities and get back to being friends?

I'm sorry Tiri. They have me all messed up. They want so much handled right now, they do not even want to wait until you have properly mourned for your mother.

There you are. Don't worry about them. Sit let's ask Willow about some of these standard practises they intend to force on us.

Willow is still here?

Hello Renae, I am always here. Willow was pleasant.

Oh. Hey Willow. Neytiri, is this okay? Me being in here and talking to her isn't going to cause issues is it?

Willow. Can you help us with the technical items we are supposed to be managing now?

Of course Queen Tiri. The council knows the regulations set forth by your mother, they also know this is this first transition from one Queen to another. So they may be trying to force their agenda on you because they do not think you know the right way to handle the coven. There is a specific procedure sett forth and I assure you that your mother wanted you to have time to put things in order. So much so that the first stipulation for all transitions is to take one full month to organize the proposal for the new reign of the new Queen. This is also the time that you are able to put in place new guidelines for the coven and all those governed within.

Interesting, how long before I have to begin work on this proposal?

You are given one month to get your affairs in order and make any changes to the current standards of living here within the cove. If you so find it to your liking you are allotted the entire month to be able to free anyone here from their current situation being in the cove and not being able to leave due to aging out and passing.

What does that mean Willow? Aging out?

Aging out is becoming to old to be released to the real world. In this instance you are allowed to give the coven the choice to remain whole, or to allow some to venture out without the reprecussions of aging once the set foot outside of the cove. For the next month if they want to leave they will leave as the same age they came here as, so that they may blend in to the outer world without the shock for the surrounding communities and to the women themselves. You can give them their freedom again.

Is that what concerns the elders about me?

For the most part they have simply gotten used to the way things are, they do not want to loose anyone here. It would mean restructuring the entire cove to allow others to take place of those who do want to leave. Essentially they don't want to let go of the women they have here because then they would have to accept change and that they might not have specific people here anymore to do certain things, like cook, or fix hair, or work the store fronts, every day things some take for granted. Things they do not want to figure out how to do without those ladies who do them.

So they are afraid they would have to give up their way of life to make room for change and potentially new ladies, and more up to date things?

Can I say something? Renae asked quietly.

Neytiri looked at her, Of course Nae, you are my right hand here.

So I do not think they are afraid of this as much as they are afraid if many women leave the wolves will find out where they came from and might attack those left here unprotected. If we loose too many we could be vulnerable for an attack.

That sounds more like it could be what they are afraid of. But I am guessing there are many reasons for them to be afraid. I should take this meeting with them to discuss some of their fears.

I could have them meet for lunch if you would like Queen Tiri?

I need to announce the month of mourning for my mother anyway, I do believe I will take that meeting. Make it for eleven thirty please Renae, I have to get a shower and get the full ritual in place for the month so that I may make it clear to them that I intend to do things the way they need to be done. Willow, I need to know everything that is in place for the first month after the death of our Queen. Renae go, get the kitchen staff to make something nice and light for lunch. Then have the elders meet me in the small dinning room used for meetings. It is necessary to make sure every one of them are there and on time please.

Thank you, I can and will make sure everything is in place for lunch. Good luck Tiri, I am here for anything you might need. Renae said sweetly as she turned to leave.

Thank you Nae, I couldn't see me doing this without you by my side.

You're welcome. Renae said leaving the room.

She will make a good right hand Tiri. Willow was kind in noticing.

Tell me everything I need to know about my mothers pact with Hecatate please Willow.

I will tell you all I can Queen Tiri. She took the next hour to fill Neytiri in on all of the details about the month of mourning her mother put in place for her. She was fully prepared before she took her shower and readied herself for her lunch woth the elders. She would need nerves of steele to stand before them and put things in place for the coven, she knew she could handle it.