Chapter Four - The Lady and the Elder

When Rebecca woke, it was full dark and candlelit shadows flickered on the walls in strange, contorted shapes. She was drenched in sweat, wearing a linen shift and in bed. The bed was comfortable, a feather coverlet and pillows that must have been something like goose down. She remembered that she had fallen asleep dressed and on top of the covers. A shiver ran through her as the last vestiges of her dreams hovered at the corners of her mind. 1

‘Are you alright?' The voice came out of the shadows. Seated beside the bed, just outside the circle of light, was a woman. As she leaned forward, Rebecca saw leaves in her long brown hair and the eyes, in the wavering light of the candles, appeared to be liquid silver. 2

‘Who are you?' Her voice was still husky from sleep and she wiped a hand over her face, trying to pull herself together. The woman in the chair was gazing at her with steady calmness.3

‘My name is Maeweir; I believe you have already met my sister Mairwen. Daenan sent me to tend to you. You seem rather distressed, are you alright?' The woman had a serene aura to her and her voice held something that felt old and ancient.4

‘I'm fine.' The lingering memories of her dreams were now vanishing. She could dimly remember a dark shadow that watched her from a high place with malice and hatred. She did not want to share that with this strange woman in front of her.5

Maeweir nodded and rose to her feet and Rebecca thought for a moment that she heard a noise as of trees rustling in the wind. ‘I have other business to attend to. Daenan will be with you once you are dressed and have eaten.' She indicated a table at one end of the room laden with food. ‘Shall I call on someone to help you dress?'6

Rebecca shook her head, half in answer and half to try to rid her ears of the strange rustling noise. ‘No, I can manage myself.' She hesitated and then asked, ‘Why do you not bow and scrape to me as the rest do?' As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she felt that they had sounded arrogant. Her question had, however, come from pure curiosity. Apart from Daenan, Maeweir was the only person who had not fallen to her knees at the sight of her.7

Maeweir half turned and fixed Rebecca with shrewd look. ‘The Guardian of the Woods does not give subservience to any member of the realm whether she is the daughter of its former queen or not. So has it always been and so shall it remain, no matter how many dark times this world endures. These things you will learn in time.' She turned and left the room, leaving Rebecca to ponder on what those words could possibly mean, but they went some way to explaining the leaf crowned hair and the noise of trees.8

She got out of bed and dressed in the clothes set out for her. They were of thin linen like the shift. There was an undershirt and over that a sleeveless dress, both brown in colour, but with designs of a crown and a sword wrought all over it. There were shoes too, of a soft hide, also brown , lined with fur and very comfortable.9

Curling her toes up in the warm, soft shoes, Rebecca sat before the table to look at the food that had been left for her. There were no surprises here with bread and cold chicken. The bread was freshly made and the smell of still-warm dough was comforting. The wooden cup and plate indicated that life on Fane was primitive.10

After eating and drinking her fill, Rebecca rose to sit in the outer room and wait for Daenan to come for her.11

— — —12

‘Are you sure?' The grey haired old man still appeared sceptical as he walked beside Daenan.13

‘Tallen, I have never been surer. She is the Haithra.'14

‘Hmm.' The man bowed his head in thought. ‘That may be so, but we have been wrong before.'15

The palace corridors were quiet with the soft night-time hush that clung to the walls. Tallen had sought Daenan out as soon as he had heard that he had returned from the other world.16

‘I am sure. She is the very image of her mother and the things she can do...' He shook his head in amazement. ‘She stopped a full-trained Changling in her tracks and took over her mind with no effort at all! She didn't even know she was doing it. None of the other girls we have seen, not one of had even an tenth of the power she possess. Her face alone tells the truth, her eyes, Tallen, her eyes are his. And everyone who meets her knows, they all fall to their knees before her.' He looked up at his mentor. ‘Tallen, this one is different, I can feel it, we can all feel it.'17

Tallen nodded and didn't answer. ‘I'll wage Mairwen did not take kindly to that kind of treatment.' He gave a wry smile; he had first-hand experience of Mairwen's temper.18

‘No she didn't, until she realised who Rebecca was. That's not the point Tallen! The point is that she is completely untrained and Mairwen is extremely powerful. When you add the dreams and the fact that when I delved into her mind...'19

‘You did what?' Tallen gripped his arm tightly. ‘Daenan, you were told not to take any risks!' But he already knew, he could see it in the lad's eyes. He was like one bewitched.20

‘There was no risk. I took all the precautions. I had to know and so did she.'21

‘I dare say, but it was foolish nonetheless. What could have happened if They had been alerted to her presence, not to mention Him? I am sure the Council will not see it in the same light.'22

Both men shuddered involuntarily at the thought of the Auron and their master. Tallen looked carefully at Daenan, feeling that there was more to this than he had been made aware of. Daenan was more excited than Tallen had seen him in years. He had taken a very personal interest in the matter considering he had been appointed only to bring the girl back to Fane. ‘No matter,' Tallen continued, letting Daenan's arm drop. ‘The tests will soon tell, one way or the other.'23

Daenan paled, but was prevented arguing the point with the arrival of Maeweir. He and Tallen instantly bowed. 24

‘Lady, it is an honour to see you here.' Tallen straightened with a smile. 25

‘Well met, Elder.' Maeweir nodded and turned towards Daenan. ‘I have just left Rebecca, I thought you would like to know how she fairs.'26

‘Certainly, how is she?'27

‘Sharp and wary. Her dreams were disturbing and her sleep fitful.' An indescribable look crossed the Guardian's face. ‘She would not tell me what she dreamed, nor admit that anything was wrong. I do not think she is in any ill health, however, I should keep close watch on her. Something is not right. I sensed a presence that means her harm. You must watch her, she has no true knowledge of her power, she could be dangerous.' She reached out and took Daenan's arm in a tight grip. ‘The Tormentor walks again. We are all in great peril.'28

Daenan stared at her, unused to such emotion from this stoic and distant woman. She appeared almost afraid and in this Goddess-like woman, that emotion was impossible. He could hear the rushing as of thousands of leaves pressing in against his ears. Branches creaked and groaned in terror. The tumult receded as Maeweir let go of her hold on his arm. He tried to pull himself together, but the horror and fear of the woodlands still clung to him like fog. ‘How can you know this?'29

‘I can feel it, we can all feel it.' He saw for a moment naked emotion in her eyes. She was beyond afraid, so very far beyond it. The veil that had lifted seemed to fall again and Maeweir was once again Guardian of the Woods, unafraid and serene. ‘We remember how it was the last time and we know how it will be again.'30

It was not unusual for the Guardians to speak in riddles, but Maeweir was the one who usually refrained most from cryptic talk. For her to speak to him like this suggested that perhaps she was too afraid to voice her feelings, or that something outside of herself was speaking. Guardians had been known to have visions and even to invoke the spirits of their predecessors. Some maintained that each new Guardian bonded with the spirits upon being called to the Guardianship. He became aware of Tallen watching them with shrewd and careful eyes. 31

Maeweir seemed to collect herself. She took a step backwards. ‘I must leave. I have Woodland matters to attend to at once. The girl must be taught, send her to me when the time is right.' She gave a barely imperceptible nod towards Tallen and then was gone down the corridor, robes swirling around her.32

Daenan and the Elder looked at each other in amazement. ‘Well?' Tallen asked mildly.33

Daenan shook his head. ‘I'm not sure, but I think Maeweir was afraid and that isn't right. I must see to Rebecca.' He turned apologetically to the Elder. ‘Forgive me, but I think we should continue this later.'34

Tallen nodded amiably. ‘Of course, I will see you in the Council Chamber tomorrow morning.'35

‘Thank you Elder.' Daenan bowed formally, his expression indiscernible in the weak light from the now fading candles.36

‘How many times must I remind you that official titles and etiquette should be left in its place in the Council Chamber?' Tallen looked amused. ‘We are friends you and I.'37

Daenan straightened, familiar with the old game and dutifully humouring the older man. ‘You have reminded me many times and I expect you will remind me many more hereafter. However, I cannot imagine your fellow Council members being so lenient if they knew that I was not obeying the rules of courtesy. I am merely a Council Envoy after all.'38

Tallen let out a snort. He had little time for most of the Council. Some of them were notoriously difficult to please and Council meetings often turned into high-strung disagreements. ‘Sitting at Council with them is more than enough; I should not wish most of them for friends. We will talk tomorrow after we find out what the rest of the Council thinks of the girl. I am looking forward to seeing her for myself. And Daenan, no more foolish tricks. In the Other World, it is dangerous enough, here it would be a catastrophe. I should not let slip to the Council what you did, it would be enough for Danar to lock you in the dungeons.'39

Daenan tried to look suitably repentant and muttered that he would take care. Then, turning away, he began to walk towards Rebecca's apartments, hoping that when the time came, the others would be as easy to convince as Tallen had been.40

———41

The halls were even more silent and eerie once Daenan had left him. Tallen was restless and unable to sleep. Daenan had been adamant that this girl was the one they had been waiting for, but he could not help feeling wary. He had seen so many young girls like this one, so many that had seemed promising and all who had failed. Some had returned to their homes with no memory of what had happened, some had died and others still had lost their minds. So many times they had thought they had her, now could it be possible that they did? The things that Daenan had told him were certainly unusual. No other potential Haithra had displayed such gifts. 42

It had been the look on Maeweir's face that had been the turning point. The woman was so rarely open with her emotions. It was a Guardian trait never to display emotion whether it be joy, sorrow, or fear, but always distant. He trusted Maeweir's abilities and if she thought Rebecca was the one then she was in all likelihood right.43

Still, he could not help feeling troubled, and then there was the look on Daenan's face. The boy had not been so happy and excited since the business with Mairwen. He shook his grey head. No good could come of this. The Council wouldn't like it and he couldn't protect the boy if his emotions got the better of him and allowed himself to succumb to more foolishness.44

The sound of running feet alerted him that all was not well. A messenger, harried and out of breath was running towards him. ‘Elder Tallen!' The young man gasped, holding his side and mopping the sweat from his brow. He managed a quick, clumsy bow. ‘You are needed, Sir. Elder Danar requires your presence urgently. We have an intruder, Sir.'45

Tallen sighed, wondering what had happened this time. It could not have been an Auron for Tallen would have used the mind speech. Sending a messenger meant both that it was urgent and that Danar had summoned him purely as a matter of formality.46

He nodded wearily. ‘Very well, lead on and tell me all about it.' To disobey the summons would mean trouble later and Danar was prone to rash judgement. Better to attend and be able to aptly deal with the matter in council rather than ignoring it and suffering for it later.47

He followed the messenger down the hallway, acutely aware that things were coming to a head and that if Rebecca was not the Haithra, then the real one would have to be found soon.