Elvi

Tales Of Smoke

Elvi watched the live broadcast in shocked silence. He was really going through with it. She had assumed he was talking large, but here he was, for the whole world to see. Now she had to talk to him again, to find out exactly when her kind was being released. She would need to find out from Priestess how they would be helping those incarcerated witches upon release.

“I can’t believe he actually did it,” Morana stated, in an equal measure of shock.

“I don’t appreciate his comment about him being willing to try the relationship but not you, though” added Haydeon.

“Nor I, but I suppose he needs to spin himself in a favourable light.”

“Hmm, still at your detriment though.”

“We need to talk to Priestess about the release, and how we will be helping,” added Morana.

“I will see if I can get exact release dates for the Covens.”

“Through the King?” asked Morana, side eyeing Elvi.

“Yes” she answered furrowing her brow. “He is the most direct source of information.”

“I thought you didn’t want to talk to him again,” Morana answered in an accusatory tone.

“I don’t. We all know this is the fastest way to get the information.”

“Yes, by using his affection for you. Don’t you think this is above your station Elvi. It isn’t really up to you to decide how this is handled.”

Haydeon watched the unfolding conversation like a tennis match, head going from one woman to the other as the conversation turned more heated.

“What is your problem?” Elvi threw at Morana.

“MY PROBLEM” she answered, raising her voice significantly. “You seem very eager to return to him, Elvi. Are you sure that is all you want from him?”

“Are you joking Morana?” Elvi asked, getting heated wondering where this conversation had come from.

“No, it is an actual question. Since he has entered your life, no, since you felt the pull, you seem to want to spend more time with him. Finding excuses to get near him.”

“Hey” interjected Haydeon. “That is out of order. It is because of his Father that our parents are dead.”

“Yes. Maybe Elvi needs reminding of that,” she answered before storming out of the house.

“What in the world was that about?” Haydeon asked.

“I have no idea” she answered, standing as though Morana had just slapped her.

*

Rowan’s heart leapt as he entered the clearing to find Elvi waiting for him. She looked like the Goddess Hel (h~ell) herself, with the black flowing dress moving gently in the breeze. He noticed that today she didn’t demand distance between the two of them, but held her ground with all the authority of a Queen. His Queen.

“Hello Elvi” Rowan said with a smirk.

“Rowan,” she answered, nodding her head slightly.

“What do I owe the pleasure?”

“I need to know the dates of the release for the Coven members. We wish to be there for support.”

Rowan nodded, starting to circle her, taking her in. Something had shifted in her and he found it very appealing. She was more confident somehow. Or was it determination?

“Do you like what you see?” she asked sarcastically.

“Very much so” he replied with gruff honesty. He watched her eyebrows raise and chuckled to himself. “Can you blame me?”

“Yes.”

“Did you pick this dress for Morana, or for yourself?” he asked, lightly touching the fine floral lace.

“Myself,” Elvi answered, smacking his hand away.

“Tomorrow will be Vadon, the day after Levana (le~vaa~na), the day after Eldridge (el~d~ri~je), then finally Cerridwen (care~id~when)” the King said in a low voice.

Rowan answered her previous question, circling her again. He noted that Morana had made her way to the borders edge during their conversation, with Arryn by her side. She didn’t look pleased at his actions. Rightfully so; if he saw someone looking at her the way he knew himself to be at that moment, they would be dead before they had a chance to apologise. He removed himself by taking a few steps backwards.

“Thank you. I am assuming that we will have safe and clear passage for our Coven, and upon return?” she asked diplomatically.

“Yes. You won’t be harmed. Any of you.”

“Good. I shall tell Priestess. She has asked me to request a meeting with you, alongside the highest, if you are willing?

“I am.”

“I will fetch her.”

Elvi turned towards the dome, stopping momentarily as she noticed Morana with Arryn. He placed a hand on her lower back before whispering something into her ear. Elvi’s face moved to an emotionless mask as she walked past them both. She hadn’t spoken to Morana since the previous day. Making her way to Priestess’s house, she tried to calm her rapidly escalating thoughts. Why was she letting him touch her? Why was she with him in the first place? She claimed to hate the man. Knocking on Priestess's front door, she waited impatiently for her to answer.

“He is waiting for you at the border, Priestess,” Elvi said by way of greeting.

“Thankyou Elvi,” she said, stepping out of the front door and pulling it shut behind her.

“I will see you at the night’s meeting, Priestess,” said Elvi, bowing slightly. Priestess raised her eyebrows.

“You don’t wish to be part of the meeting, child?”

“I don’t see why I should be there, Priestess.”

“If you wish, I was expecting you there however.”

“I will be there shortly. I just have something to do at home first.”

Priestess nodded, before parting ways. Elvi quickly made her way home. She needed a good cleansing panic attack before making her way back to the border. Elvi had never known Morana to actively seek out Arryn’s attention. Was there a rift forming between them that would never be healed? Sága had warned her. She had been foolish to think that she could escape the Norns' decision for her life. It was playing out in front of her and there was nothing she could do about it. After several minutes of deep breathing, Elvi made her way back to the edge of the border, hoping to fall into the back of the small group unnoticed. As she approached however, she found Morana on the inside of the border, watching the King with disdain. The silent interaction of them staring at each other as she passed garnered attention from both sides of the group.

“Ah, Elvi” started Priestess. “The King has just been informing us of the schedule for the release of the imprisoned. We would like to know what safety precautions will be in place for the travel of our Coven members to and from the Prison?”

“I have arranged an escort to travel with you for your journey, and the security wolves at the building have been given strict instructions of conduct,” the King answered, talking to the group as a whole.

“What time will the escort be here?” asked higher Aislinn (ash~lin.)

“Nine. It will be a three hour walk by foot for non-shifters, so we will need to leave quite early. I am of the understanding that teleportation is not an option for such a large group and at such a distance.”

“You are right, Wolf King,” Priestess answered. “We have two wagons that we will use to transport those in need of assistance.” The King nodded.

“I want it known that I plan on being a member of the convoy. Is that an issue?” he asked diplomatically.

“No. It was presumed that you would be a part of the day’s events.”

“Good. If there is nothing else?”

“No. We will be ready by nine in the morn.”

Priestess turned smartly on her heel and led the party back through the barrier. Elvi noticed Morana turn and fall into line with the group, not checking if Elvi was joining them. Sighing heavily she made to enter the barrier but was stopped by the King.

“She seems angry.”

“She is.”

“Why?”

“Not that it is any of your business,” started Elvi testily, “But it is because of you. She thinks that the mate pull has changed me.”

“Has it?” asked the King, stepping forward.

“Don’t start that” she said putting out her hand onto his chest to keep the distance. She ignored the tingling. “You know what is funny, our head Seer forewarned me about this, but I wouldn’t listen. Here I am trying to fight the Norns, like I have the power to do that.”

“What do you mean?” Rowan asked, leaning into her hand and the feeling of their connection.

“Sága, she did a smoke reading, and in that reading she saw that I was destined to be forever separate from my Coven, to keep them safe. It is already happening. Morana is stepping away from me.”

“Then she is a fool,” Rowan said, watching curiously as her hand scrunched into his black button down, seemingly seeking comfort. “If she doesn’t fight for you she doesn’t deserve you.” Elvi gave a dry laugh, before realising what she was doing and hurriedly let go of the material.

“I have to go,” she said, turning quickly from him, wiping away the tears that had sprung to her eyes.