Elden Ring: Putrefaction of Gold

The Kingdom of the Full Moon

Ranni and Godwyn lay side by side, as they stared up at the dew-soaked canopy.

"I don't think we ought to tell your brothers," said Godwyn. He rolled to his side and brushed a strand of hair from Ranni's face. "Ranni? Are you okay? We hadn't talked about this."

"I'm fine," said Ranni with a slight smile. Her eyes showed an uncertainty about what this all meant. She put her hand on Godwyn's cheek, "I have you."

Godwyn kissed her hand and then scooted to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Probably best we don't mention this to my mother either," he said as he picked up his clothes from off the floor.

When Godwyn handed Ranni her dress, she seemed too disconnected to notice.

"Ranni? Are you sure you're alright? You're not acting yourself right now. If I did something wrong... hurt you in any way," said Godwyn.

"As I said, it's fine, Godwyn. Truly it is."

As they dressed, Ranni wasn't sure what she should say. There was a time when she thought she could talk to Godwyn about anything, but this was different. It wasn't a book or a poem. Or even complaining about her brothers or the tears she shed over her mother.

Godwyn kissed her cheek and said something about how they best not be caught together. And then he left.

When he was gone, Ranni put her head in her hand and cried.

That was three months ago...

The first hard truth that Ranni came to realize was that life didn't stop after she and Godwyn consummated their love. It was only several days later that the warden of Morne Castle called for Godwyn to return to deal with a matter involving the servants. Such things were not uncommon from the misbegotten but the warden insisted this was different. Whatever it was that came into Morne Tunnel, brought with it the hatred and anger that it had to be the ghost of the revenger risen from the dead.

Godwyn's assurances that Marika's control over death and life remained firm and that his coming there would resolve nothing seemed to do little.

Godwyn resisted for a whole month, citing that matters at Leyndell needed immediate attention. The truth was, he wanted to stay and take responsibility for the fallout of his actions. Soon, the calls for his return came too great for him to continue to put off. While Ranni understood that the duty of the demigods was to help maintain the faith of mortals, it couldn't have come at the worst possible time. She was grateful for the space to think things over, but overly concerned that he might just choose to stay there.

"These sorts of things have a way of resolving themselves over time," Radagon assured her. They walked through the garden, with Ranni holding her father's arm.

When the silence became unbearable, Ranni broke down and told her father everything. Despite their differences, she had no one else. Rather than becoming angry, Radagon listened. He scolded her a bit for being "foolish" but acknowledged that it was "bound to happen" with her brothers pushing for the wedding to be delayed for their own ambition. Whatever consequences came of it, Ranni had the full support, not of Radagon, the Elden Lord, but of her father.

"Perhaps it would be better we not allow such foolish superstitions to take root in the first place," replied Ranni.

"You're still angry at me and my decision?" Radagon asked.

"Of course I am! Place thy faith in the Golden Order if it pleases thee, but why do so at the expense of others? If the Golden Order is as thou sayest, then the pursuit of my destiny ought not to be a threat to it," said Ranni.