Jupiter Rising

Chapter Thirty Five- Do you see it?!

Every Kingdom had sent soldiers to stand at the borders of Olamoore. We would hit the Gloam as they made their approach, further North, their touch never reaching the forest if it could be helped.

I had spent the night with my healers surrounding me, and my ladies maid Robin preening me whilst asking a million questions as she did so. Cricket would be fuming she had left my service a year ago, her hand taken by a rather lovely member of the court of the Islanders. I had heard from her regularly up until my capture, and she seemed to be enjoying the coastal breeze and the attentions of her husband. She had forfeited her rights to be a ladies maid and hear the gossip of Olamoore. Now that the Gloam took their Kingdom I hoped she was still well

I had sat at my mirror after my bath, as my hollow cheeks rose upward, and my flesh plumped back to a healthy rosy glow. The healers worked through the night to bring my body back to its fighting fit self. Now as the dawn approached I was back in my gown, my hair luxuriously soft and neatly arranged, falling half down, a braid claiming the rest in a loop around my head. Just like my Mother. The crown was placed, and I was back. Every voice of the Ancient, and the Queen's that went before me whispered words of encouragement and wishes of good health. The connection never lost between a Queen and her crown. They weren't the Queens themselves, but a part of their conscious that was tethered to their crown. A Queen was never truly alone, not when those that went before her were now a part of her. My own Mothers voice was always welcomed.

The Council had met me before the dawn, and we had received word from the Kingdoms, of their support. The Gloams imminent attack was to be met with a force he had never imagined. The time had come for his ascent, and with Valendoor lost and the Islanders now at his mercy, it was imperative we took him down before any other Kingdom was swallowed by the darkness. Not another Fae should be lost to this fight, but fight we must.

I wondered through the family branch, leaving Andromeda finally in slumber, she had tried to stay up through the night with me, but her fight had ended an hour ago. Her exhaustion had been evident, my absence keeping her up many a night the last year. The time upon the clock on the wall was five, and yet the morn had not brought its light. No light spilled through the tree tops, and not a spark of it could be seen in the distance. The sun was not rising in the East. They were upon us.

Jupiter was stood in the drawing room when I passed its open doors. I retraced my steps backward to see her there. She stared curiously at a portrait upon the wall. A large and beautiful portrait, one of my Mother.

"She was beautiful wasn't she?!" I observed.

Jupiter jumped and threw her hand over her heart at my sudden appearance.

"You look much better than last night" she gestured toward me with a smile, changing the subject. She erased the space between us and took my arm as we both looked up to the family portraits.

"These are your ancestors" I explained to her, gesturing to each and explaining who they all were "My Father Aster was a rather strict and hard individual until his last days. I'm not sure I ever truly knew him if truth be told"

Jupiter nodded. She listened as I fondly told her stories of the family past and present. The Ancestors of the Oak. She asked of Willow, and I filled her in. Her marriage to Demelza had not come as a shock for Jupiter as she had already seen it once before.

She was quiet as we came back to the portrait at the rooms centre "Your Mother" she asked.

I smiled as I gazed upon her above us "The great Queen of Olamoore"

"She died in childbirth?!" Jupiter asked.

I turned back to her, my chest restricted a little on mention of it. I had killed her, yes. My entire life lived in the shadow of her death. I had taken out a great Queen, with my mere existence. I would always suffer for the way I entered the world.

"She did" I returned, wanting to leave the room and my Mothers watchful gaze instantly.

Jupiter grabbed my hand to stop my exit. "I have something to show you"

I stopped instantly and she walked me to the settee. "Sit" she asked. Her hands lifted as her fingers traced over my temples softly.

I closed my eyes the moment I was tugged away from my body and into Jupiters mind.

Flashes of memories came thick and fast like a movie reel of Jupiters very life. I was taken back to the days we were together, and Leda's birth. The following memories made my chest tighten, for I felt Jupiters anxiety to take her sister and go. The tunnel from her room, I could smell it, and my brothers hand, I could feel it, as he took Jupiters and walked them through the veil, and into the world beyond.

The years that followed, they were new to me. My children grew up in front of my eyes. I witnessed Jupiters first wobbly tooth, her first day of school, and Leda's first steps... every memory I never got to savour and experience I finally felt and saw it all. They were perfect. The little cottage that came into view was their home, and the safe secure energy of their care taker was obvious. She was like Willow, and her safe presence felt the same. I was so relieved to see my child had a guardian all this time. Jupiter had graduated first in her class, and headed to medical school, and the pride I felt to see her graduate was unmatched. Leda too, her life through Jupiters eyes was one to be proud of. She had clearly pushed us away to cope, and I sensed it had done some damage for her, but Jupiter allowed her to take it out on her. That was something I would have done. Jupiter had clearly raised her sister, within a loving and secure environment. She had saved them both from death, and given them, and us, a chance at survival. I was so so proud to watch her teach her little sister magic. I learnt of Agni too, and the love she had shared with my daughter. I knew Leda's pain, to lose a love that felt forever.

The last memories were of the female energy from within the cottage. Jupiter was sending me every memory she ever had of this lady. I was confused as they whizzed by, but then as the years of memories passed...the picture became clearer.

Jupiter slowed the memories down...

Warm tears spilled down my cheeks, an overwhelming tidal wave of emotion coming and taking me away.

The memories faded away, and Jupiters fingers slowly trailed down my cheeks, releasing me from her mind as she brushed the tears away tenderly.

"You see it?!" She asked me a little desperately "tell me you see it?!"

I gulped, and took a breath. It felt like somebody had resuscitated me, my body thrown violently into the air, my chest and my ribs cracking from the pressure upon them.

"Zell" Jupiter whispered.

I looked to her with frenzied eyes "Is my mother"

Jupiter looked up to the portrait "Hazel... the great Queen of Olamoore"

I stood quickly, making myself dizzy with the speed. I gazed upon the far tree line "Is alive! My god Jupiter... Queen Hazel is still alive. My Mother lived"

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