Those Violet Eyes

The Meeting

Arwen 

The last two days have been incredibly hard, my mood has been terrible. I’ve tried busing myself by training with my men, until Edrahil came and told me I was pushing them too far. My men were the best trained fighters around, but I had to admit looking at them laying on the ground trying to catch their breathes. I had been pushing them too much. I nod at Edrahil, then give the order for the men to go home and get some rest. With slow movements they all managed to get up, before heading off to the changing rooms.   

“My lord, I know this has been hard for you, but it’s time. A raven has just arrived” Edrahil reassured me. Patting me on the shoulder. My head snaps up at this. 

“Do we have a meeting place? A time? When can we leave?” I almost yell at him, grabbing both his shoulders and searching his eyes for answers. All I see in his eyes is a bit of a smile and a hint of pity. 

“Yes, Yes, and whenever you are ready my prince” He answers the smile making it to his mouth as I shake him then hug him. 

“Ready the horses, we are leaving right after I change” I haven’t even finished my sentence as I turn and run to the changing rooms to shower. 

Half an hour later Edrahil and I, plus two of my men are making our way through the forest at the edge of my land. Being the fourth born son of the King, the chance of me taking the throne is slim so my father gifted me, a castle and a good chunk of land for my eighteenth birthday. It is tiny compared to the ones my brothers have, but to me it is perfect. As far away from the capital as possible, much to my mother's horror. Surrounded by rolling hills and dense forests, it is my haven away from the rest of the world and all its dramas. I wish I got to spend more time here, but being the General of my father's army I am away far more then I would like. 

We make our way slowly down a narrow path. I know where it leads as I try to come here as often as I can. We are heading to the waterfall at the center of the woods. It is a magical place. It is said that the bright blue water has healing powers. That bathing in it not only heals your body, but your soul as well. Some even say the water helps to bring out your natural powers, helps to strengthen or grow them. 

I find the water clears my mind. Whenever life gets too crazy, I come to the falls and stand under the falling water. The warm water washes away all the outside thoughts in my head, it helps me to focus. Almost like the water tells me what to do next, and how to do it. The only time I have ever left the falls with more questions than answers was one evening when I was coming out of the water I looked up and could have sworn I saw Everly. I looked away for a second, shaking my head. When I looked back, she was gone. Even the magic water couldn’t wash away the feeling of loss I felt. I have come back may times hoping to get a glimpse of her again but it never happened.  

As our path leads into the clearing where the pond and waterfall are, I instruct my men to stay back with the horses. Edrahil and I make our way over to the young man sitting at the water's edge. 

“Hello your highness, I’m so sorry we couldn’t meet sooner but I had to make sure it was safe to come” The young man said standing to greet me. 

“What is your name sir? And what danger do you talk of?” I question as I reach my hand out for him to take. 

“I’m sorry my lord. My name is Hastos. I have been having visions of you and this girl for the last year. At first, I just thought they were vivid dreams, just my imagination, but then I started getting them while I was awake” He started “I did try and tell the elders about them, but they just blow me off. I have only been with them for two years, so no one really pays me any mind, sir” Hastos looked down at his hand, twisting his fingers together. Now that I really look at him, he couldn’t be any older then sixteen, far too young to have been sent to the elders. 

“Why are you with the elders Hastos? Where is your family?” I ask, trying to be kinder to the boy. 

“My family was killed when our village was ransacked by wild ones two years ago. Only my grandmother was left, she begged to elders to take me because of my dreams. Ever since I can remember I will get dreams, just simple ones. then within days my dreams come true.  But the dreams about you and the girl are different, far more real” He now looked up at me, His golden eyes, and dark blonde hair had small streaks with gray starting to run through them. This was a sign of the elders, it would continue till all the color has left him, leaving his hair and eyes a dull gray color. Most don’t join the elders till they are already old men, so it’s a little unnerving to see someone so young being stripped of their youth. He must be a powerful see-er if they are willing to take him in so young. 

“I am so sorry for your loss Hastos. But please tell me about your dreams” I place my hand on his shoulder and we make you way to a stone bench to sit and talk. 

He told me that he had seen the moment Everly and I had meet, that it was fate. He explained that someone had tried to keep us apart, because of fear. Fear for Everly, what could happen if she is found. He tells me she has been hidden for a long time, to keep her safe. Someone is hunting her. He also tells me that the danger doesn’t just come from Everly’s side. Someone close to the King, my father. Is plotting to kill him and take the throne, he isn’t sure who yet, but it will start a war. I try very hard not to interrupt him as he talks, but I have a million and one questions I'm dying to ask.  

“I read a book when I first joined the elders, in it was a prophecy. I wasn’t able to write it down at the time, but I’m sure it is about you and the girl. I have been hunting for the book but I have been unable to find it since” Hastos finished, looking tired as he did so. 

“Hastos, I need to find a way back to her. As you probably know the last gate to her world was destroyed, do you know a way” I asked the boy praying he had an answer for me. 

“I have read of a way, it’s very old magic but it might work” He passed me a dirty old book from out of a little bag I hadn’t even noticed he was carrying. “I cannot do it for you, but this will tell you how it's done” I take the book, and run my hands over the cover, a shiver runs down my spine. 

“Do the elders know you took this?” I lift the book up. 

“No, my lord they do not” he said looking down at his hands. 

“Good, let's keep this just between us then” I give him a wink and he smiles in return. 

“Now get back Hastos, before they notice your gone” I finish standing up. 

“Sir..............um...........would you like to know what the baby is?” Hastos adds looking at his feet as he softly kicks the ground in front of him. My eyes must have popped out of me head, as I nod like a mad man. 

“You have a beautiful son, my lord. I feel great things about him” I cut him off as I hug him. 

“Thank you Hastos” I let him go, brushing off his shoulder like I didn’t just bear hug him. 

I was lost in thought the whole ride home, thinking about my son. I have a son! As we make our way thought the village a small crowd gathers so this time, I hop off my horse and mingle with the people. I try to get out and talk to the villages often when I’m home longer than a week. They are wonderful people, and I love to hear about their lives. 

“Kelkalyn, how have you been? How is your wife?” I ask, Kelkalyn is the butcher's grown son, he is soon to take it over so his father can retire and enjoy his grandkids, that is if his father will actually let him. 

“My father refuses to relax, he says he gets bored and just ends up back in the shop, my lord” I chuckle at this “oh and my wife is pregnant again” This time he grins wide “I’m hoping for a son, but knowing my luck it will be another girl” I pat him on the shoulder, he has three girls already. 

“If you didn’t make such beautiful girls, I’m sure the gods would bless you with a son”  

“I do make beautiful girls” He grins wide again. 

I hang out in the town square for just over an hour. Sitting at the water fountain, chatting with anyone who wants to sit next to me. As the last of the villages are finished with me and head off back to their day, Edarhil sits down next to me. 

“Is it my turn now, my prince?” He asks sneaking me a smile. 

“I have all the time in the world for you, Edarhil” I lean my shoulder into his. 

“My lord, I am coming with you” He turns to me  

“Edarhil, you come with me everywhere I go” I answer, knowing what he means but not saying it. 

“I’m coming with you though the gate. I want to be there when you bring them home.” He adds 

“What if she doesn’t want to come home with me?” This is my biggest fear. That I’ll get back to Everly and she won’t want to be with me. I cannot live in her world. 

“If she really is your one, Arwen, she will come” Not often does Edrahil use my name, well not since I was made General. I definitely prefer he used my name, but he refuses to.  

“I was going to leave you here, so you could run things for me while I am gone” I start 

“You just want me to distract your mother if she turns up” I grin at him, he knows me too well. 

“Yes, that is exactly what I want you to do” I can’t help but laugh now at the look on his face. 

“I am very good at distracting your mother” he doesn’t get to finish what he’s saying cos I punch him in the arm. 

“Hay, that’s it I’m calling your mother now” he starts to stand up. 

“Not before I tell my father what you just said” I’m already up and running back through the castle gates. 

Edrahil actually laughs out loud at this. It’s good to see the prince being care-free, even if just for a moment. He has had to grow up so fast. At just twenty-four Prince Arwen has already lived through more battles than all of his older brothers combined. As the youngest son, he was never meant to go to war, he was always meant to be just a spear prince, but there is a greatness in him that cannot be denied.  

A few hours later, I’ve finally got a chance to sit down. I pull out the dirty old book from my bag. Looking at the cover, I can feel a strange weight to it. I hesitate as I open it.  

Before I know it, I’ve been reading for hours. I haven’t reached the part of the book I need, but I feel my eyes closing, so I place the book to the side and hope in my dreams I see her again. I can't wait for the day I can hold her again, feel her skin against mine. Then there is my son, I still can’t believe he is real.