Storm Born Book One

BOOK ONE PART TWO.

PROLOGUE:

The gates loomed vast ahead of them even from a distance they were impressive, wooden and studded with iron rivets hiding the capital of the Fey beyond their expanse. They had journeyed hard for a week through the mountain passes, in a race against time to get to Elsinore before the snow sealed the passes, the snow began to fall two days before the fierce winds in the pass sent it swirling about them and creating large banks of snow making the already narrow pass even more treacherous, but now it was beginning to blizzard, the passes would certainly have closed up and there would be now going down the mountain until spring there would be no turning back now even if they wanted to.

They had made the women stay in the wagon with the boy to protect them as much as possible from the bitter cold, while the men had made the slow arduous climb up the final stage to Elsinore. The pass was narrow and winding barely fitting the width of the wagon and progress had been painfully slow. Their horses were exhausted from their hard climb, the sturdy horses that Edward had hired at the last town and the steady nag that pulled the wagon had taken the cold in their stride fairing better than the finer-bred horses of the elves that had struggled, and now where barley stepping one foot in front of the other they needed warmth, food, and shelter their strength gave out.

Edward sent another prayer to the goddess that they would gain entry before they all froze to death, he did not know how much longer they could last in this blizzard. He kicked his horse forward joining Fenwynn and his brother as they approached the gate. It was forbidding a solid wall if the fey did not want you in their realm he would wager that that gate would certainly keep you out. He was surprised though when the gate suddenly began to open, its hinges cracked and creaked echoing loudly in the freezing mountain air, ice dropping from them in a sparkling crystal shower, to fall at the feet of their horses.

Startled they backed away from the gate jostling nervously, snorting ears flattened on their heads. The men struggled to stay in their saddles as they wrestled to bring them back under control. Edward held his horse's head tighter in its reigns holding him steady as he stared through the now fully open gate.At first, he saw nothing but white ahead of them dense and blinding in its brightness, peering hard all he could see was a whirling vortex of snow being whipped by the wind keeping it air-born. He strained his eyes at first he could make out nothing, then slowly, so slowly he wondered if he had seen it at all, figures approached the gates like shadows at first but soon he began to see them more clearly.

He thought he could make out a handful of people but as they reached the gate he could see that more were behind them, He counted twelve men and women in one group ranging in ages with a smaller group behind them all of whom came to a stop in the gateway. Edward tensed nervously how had they known they were here had they been spying on them? His horse feeling his tension immediately began prancing from side to side, Edward struggled to control him as an elderly man, a woman, and a much younger man separated from the main group and walked towards them.

Raising his hands the elderly man mumbled under his breath instantly the wind lessoned calming the blizzard to a softer snowfall. Edward's horsed snorted shaking his head nervously the muscles in his flanks twitching as Edward reigned him in.

"We welcome you Alpha Edward Thorn and the Storm Born to Elsinore we have been awaiting your arrival". The old man spoke, his voice sounded youthful despite the age Edward saw etched on his face. from his clothing, Edward discerned he was an Elder. Edward could also see a coldness in his eyes that did not match his warm welcome, he shivered instantly disliking the man, and he glanced away taking in the appearance of the others they all were elders.

"I thank you for your welcome Elder" He bowed his head remembering his father's instructions on the proper etiquette from his youth. "I remember you as a boy Thorne you have grown much since I saw you, last your father was a great man he would be proud of who you have become''.

''We have waited long for your return Edward Thorn "" The female elder on the left of the old man spoke I am Elder Adlina,

"We welcome you Lords Fenwynn and Aylfred of Galadhon the younger man on the left spoke now "The elves bowed low in their saddles "We thank you for your welcome Elder Bran and send the greetings of our uncle".

Adlina smiled her face seemed youthful at once mischievous and serene, she looked to be no more than twenty but the fey are long-lived, and Edward could not begin to guess at her real age. She had the ethereal quality that all Fey possess. He heard movement beside him he turned to see the women approaching.

Nelda was huddled into the warmth of a vibrant woolen cloak as she bowed low before the Fey. Darius he could see was standing behind the elven woman, raising a smile to Edward's face he had grown very attached to the elf woman during their journey the pair were seldom far from each other of late.

Rosalind however made no bow she stood tall and regal her hair loose whipping in the wind seemingly unaffected by the cold her moon-grey eyes were fixed on the three Fey that now stood before her.

He felt a sudden pain in his head and he cried out clutching his head in his hands at the sudden onslaught of power that tore through his mind. he shook violently as it filled every part of his mind flowing unrestricted through his mate's fully open mind link and into his head. His mind was utterly defenseless against the power coming from Rosalind it was as though a door long closed had been thrown open. like a long-imprisoned entity finally made free memories flooded into his mind He could not close the link the force of this power was too strong he could only endure. The pain was tearing his mind apart he screamed out her name his breath ragged coming in gasps as wave after wave of her power flowed through the bond. His wolf howled in his head the pain affecting him also he had never felt such power, then suddenly as fast as it started it stopped.

Rosalind turned her head to look at him her moon eyes taking him in as if she was seeing him for the first time "Mate" her voice firm steady and loud it rang out pure and clear."Mate" He answered it was her, it had always been her, she was his true mate.

The three elders turned to bow low then their voices joined in unison almost musical as they spoke "Welcome home high priestess" They bowed low a second time followed by the men and women behind them "Welcome High Priestess of Elsinore" She did not know how but she knew these people her memories were not fully restored to her but it was as though the fog that had clung to her brain was slowly being lifted, She had remembered who she was. She remembered this man. he was older now his movements slower and more frail but she remembered him.

Rosalind walked forward stretching out her hands to clasp the old man's hands to her they were warm and aged yet still strong, and it felt good to place her hand there once more as she had as a small child she remembered sitting in his study as he worked, a tear flowed down her cheeks at the memory.

"It is good to be home grandfather".