Crimson Cove

Night Passes

Neytiri stood in the garden where her mother had just faded waiting for a sign, a light, anything to show her things were moving in the right way. The stillness of the garden invaded her mind. She felt peace creeping into her as she took in the sounds surrounding her.

Tiri? Is she gone? Renae had come silently into the garden to check in on her.

How long have you been here, Nae?

Only a moment. Did you not hear me?

I did not. I am sorry. Mother is gone. She faded moments after I got here.

I am sorry. I know you were't ready for her to go.

No, but somehow I felt like it was the right moment. Like she knew somehow that I would need to be here right now, in this space, at this time, without her.

I don't understand, but I guess I am not supposed to. Is there anything I can do to help you tonight? Renae asked.

No. I will be going back to my room soon. I have a few things I need to do before morning comes. The elders will want to speak with me in the light of day again to ensure things have been managed and will be in order. I must look in to a few things before I meet with them.

You are Queen now, they will listen to your ideas, and things will improve for the cove now.

I am not so sure they want to move in the direction mother was hoping they would. I think she left now so that I would force their hands, make them see the things we could do to ensure our survival. I am not so sure they are open to those things.

You are the Queen, they have to listen, do they not?

Maybe, but there seems to be something very strong telling me they are not going to be okay with my leadership, at least not like they let on.

We will deal with it when it comes. Renae was finished with this line of discussion.

Yes, we will. I need to go now. I must speak with Willow.

Who?

No one you have heard of yet. I one day will tell you about her. Just not yet.

Renae shook her head. I have a feeling you know more than you're telling me.

I do. That was all Neytiri said. It was silent for a moment.

You will tell me when you can, I assume.

I will let things unfold as they should, but yes, I will tell you what I can when I can.

Thank you Tiri. It is nice to know you trust me.

Yes, Nae, you are still my closest friend, and second in command. I ask that you keep your vow to me, and remain by my side throughout this process. but know I will be keeping things the way they have always been with us. She hoped Renae could feel things better within her mind.

I understand. Now I take my leave. I will see you bright and early for coffee?

Of course. Goodnight Renae.

Goodnight Queen Neytiri.

Renae left Neytiri in the garden. Taking one look around Neytiri decided it was time to go back to her room to do some research. She went directly there. Opening the door she wasn't suprised to find her tree was still in the same place she had left it. As she shut the door Willow spoke up. Hello Queen Neytiri. I am sorry to hear your mother is no longer with us.

Willow, she loved you. You know that right?

We were closer than what you would call best friends. I knew all of her secrets, as you know.

Yes, I am aware, the book knows.

Yes, Queen.

She spoke to me of a few things. Maybe you could help me with it, you think, Willow.

I do not understand what you mean, Queen Neytiri.

Okay, stop. You can call me Tiri, drop the Queen part. I know I am, I know you are supposed to refer to me like that but I just do not like it. So please call me Tiri.

Okay Tiri. I do not understand what you mean.

I mean I need access to all of her memories of a red-haired Viking named Hrolf.

The boy from the woods beyond your tree?

One in the same. I need to know about him. Everything you know.

To access any information on him, I would only need you to think of him and I will take you to the first moment you shared.

Wait, you know we shared moments prior to this?

Yes, Tiri, you have spent many moments with this young viking. Your mother kept these earlier memories safe, so you would know why he is important to you.

So you know also? Why is it I can not remember him?

Yes, lie back on your limb, you will be safe, all will be revealed, young Queen.

Neytiri looked around her, deciding it was safe. She leaned against her tree closing her eyes. Time flashed beyond her eyelids.

Open your eyes, Neytiri. Willow spoke softly.

Opening her eyes, she looked up into a beautiful young woman's face. She was exotic and beautiful.

Willow, is that you?

Yes, Tiri. I am only here as a guide. As are you. Your mother was very specific about this. I am to stay by your side as you explore him. She felt it might help you learn things easier.

Okay, so where do we begin? Tiri looked at Willow.

We are going to your mother's cove. It is before the battle. She was there when she first met Hrolf.

She met him? How old is he?

He is a young boy in this timeline. She met him because his father brought him here on the very ship she came here on.

So he is part of the Vikings who came here when she did? Did she know this?

She found out. Will you simply follow me, I will take you to her. You need to know you cannot affect anything here. They will not see you, and you won't be able to interact.

Lead the way. Tiri stood following her as she went through the woods to the cove.

Willow took her to the garden edge. She sat down beside a bush. Watching as Neytiri sat next to her.

Sit, watch and listen. They turned to see her mother sitting on the other side of the bush. She was waiting for something. As they watched, a young boy ran up to her.

Miss S, my uncle says he will be here once night falls. You must stay hidden. The animals they hunt are very dangerous.

Hrolf, you know they don't come to the cove.

You just never know Missus. You need to be safe. Father and my uncle are still negotiating some things in town as of yet. It sounds like we will be able to take full control of the town. They desire strong men to protect their port.

I can see why they would. The creatures here seem like bloodthirsty young men. You need to run back to port and tell your uncle I am waiting to see him tonight. I will stay safe, I promise.

Yes Missus.

Hrolf?

Yes, missus?

Why do they allow you to come with messages, instead of sending someone else?

Because Missus, I am just as they are, only smaller, able to run fast, hide quickly, and get the task done. They trust me to do what needs to be done.

Strange way of looking at it. I guess it is just your way.

Yes Missus.

Did your mother teach you manners?

Missus?

You are always so well mannered when you bring news. Who taught you?

Uncle Gunnbjorne always said never speak to a lady with anything less than your best tongue son. He calls you a lady, so I figured I had better use my best when I speak with you, Missus. I wouldn't want to let him down, you know?

I do understand, Well done young Hrolf, well done.

He left the area leaving her to wait. There was a haze crop up in front of her eyes. When it passed they once again were sitting waiting.

Was she always waiting? Neytiri ask Willow.

Shush. Watch. Here he comes.

This time he was older. His hair still fire red, now was in a thin long braid at the nape of his neck. His beard was thin and begining to show potential. Missus? Are you here?

Hrolf. Why do you still come here?

You need to know he still loves oyu. He speaks of you every day.

Hrolf. He believes he would kill me. This is not acceptable. I know he loves me, and I love him. The disease that is in his blood, will not let us be together. Plus you know he can not be trusted with Neytiri. She is like the most tempting blood he could have around him. She is of his own, the lore says if he were to consime her blood he would return to human form. I will not allow him to have her. I will keep her safe from all of you.

Saffron please, you know I would never hurt her. She is like life to me.

You are not to love her the way you do. She is not yours Hrolf. She belongs with me, in the cove, forever.

I know. I can't help it, she is my lifes blood. Why can you not let her choose?

She would die, you know this. He will kill her to try to cure himself. Do you really want her blood on your hands?

Do not take her from me Saffron, I swear you could never protect her or love her like I do.

You are a boy, you have nothing. Do not come to me with this until you believe you can actually provide complete protection for her, and never allow her any chance of death. You can't so go, get away from here. I will keep us all safe.

With that an enormous red cloud formed enclosing and encapsulating the woman. The earth split in that moment and everything from the cliffs on disappeared, taking her and Neytiri with it. His mind broke that second when he watched his entire life disappear in a moment.

He screammed No. In to the space left behind.

Neytiris eyes misted watching the young man break standing there.

Willow, he watched her form the cloaking spell.

Yes.

What he saw was the ground parting and swollowing us up. He has no idea we are even alive. Well he didn't until I was caught by him at the real tree.

He actually saw you?

Yes, he was waiting for me there.

How did he know about your tree?

My tree exists there too, I think he was here for a minute the first night. Because he saw me then when we had gone through the bedroom to my tree. Since he saw this tree he knew the reall tree because of that moment, he knew my tree was on the very edge of the cliffs there, but in my room it is the edge of our cloaked area, our safe space. I believe the veil is the thinnest there, and he figured it out. So yeah.

So he is Hrolf, the one my mother keeps saying is part of my life frrom birth. I need to find him and talk to him Willow.

Not yet, Tiri. We need to know why he comes here. Your mother did everything she could to keep you from him. So why on earth would she suggest you go to him? We can not trust that he isn't someone sent to kill you. You yourself said the elders were struggling with you being leader.

You're right. There was a flash and they wisked off to another time sitting beside the tree on the cliffs edge. He was there again. Why had she taken her from him. He loved everything about Neytiri, she was his life. Watching him stand on the edge of the cliffs hanging his legs over the edge. He was trying not to let go. He wanted to know. Saffron heard his scream and ran to the edge. Neytiri had followed her from the garden. He was howling and shifting under his clothes for the first time. His body shifted into a beautiful red wolf with a black patch over one eye. He had become one of the animals he had hunted. They had bitten him. He had no idea they watched him shift and felt every bit of his pain that first time. Willow looked at Neytiri. A tear had escaped the corner of her eye. She remembered finally. She had to let him go, because her mother was terrified he would kill her. She loved him more than everything in life. He had more than just a life with her, they had shared many, but this one was going to be racing to see who loves who to death first. Willow knew they were going to need to look in to this more. Neytiri now knew how very much she loved him, but could she love him enough to keep them both alive. They snapped back to the bedroom. She felt him more than saw him. He was closer than they had thought. His love for her would either damn her or set her free.

She heard Willow say you need to sleep, that took more energy than we thought it would.

Goodnight Willow.

Goodnight Tiri.

They fell asleep fast hoping to make sense of things more in the morning.