The Mountains Blade

Chapter Fifty Two

Chapter Fifty Two: Home hath Changed
The air outside the castle was thick with discomfort. Elwyn had left her sister and parents to converse behind her as they made way into the castle. Her throat constricted as she remembered Aldric pressing a gun to her temple.

Elwyn swallowed, glancing back to her sister who chatted animatedly with her mother. They were carbon copies aside from age, blooming red hair, flowing dresses and stark colored eyes. Elwyn sighed, relieving herself of some of the swirling emotion in her. As she entered the castle doors, she noted the dust that brushed her feet. Elwyn raised a brow, turning to her father. He was already watching her, his lips pulled into a sad grimace. "They left, all of the staff."
Elwyn wrinkled her nose in irritation. "By force or kindness?" She quipped.
Before she had the chance to turn back to the doorway, Avelina snatched her by the arm. Startled, Elwyn stumbled. Avelina glowered at her sister.

Evander placed a hand on her waist steadying her, looking down at Avelina, his height giving him a good foot on both women. "I would ask you remove your hand, Avelina."
Her sister's eyes blazed as she looked up at Evander and then back at Elwyns. Ashered had a hand on his queen to keep her in place as Avelina spoke.
"I am your queen-."
Evander cut her off before she could finish. "You are not my queen, nor Elwyns considering her status as my mate." He asserted, eyes narrowing with challenge.
Avelina released her hold from Elwyn and took a step backwards in disbelief.
Hope Greywater gasped and Ashered made no movement, his face portraying his knowing. "Sir Ashered, you have been around much longer than I. I ask that you would state whether you believe it true to your daughter and princess."
Avelina looked back to her father and waited. All looked to him and watched as he nodded. "This means we have much to discuss." Ashered answered.

Hopes eyebrows were furrowed, teeth bared as she took a step forward only to be stopped by her husband once more.
"I've heard the stories about you Evander Kane." She warned.
Evander nodded and continued to look at the queen as Elwyn moved out of his grasp. "I don't doubt my brother and his men have made my kingdoms name worse than it is."
Hope scoffed. "Your kingdom was troublesome before you were king."
Evander clasped his hands in front of him patiently as she opened her mouth once more.
"Enough." Ashered stated. His thunderous voice silenced even the trees.
"The servants were paid and compensated for their work, there have been recent events since both of your departures that made the council and kingdom decide it was best to relive them of their duties."
Elwyns jaw tightened as she stepped forward to assess her father. "What sort of events?" She asked.
Ashered looked at his youngest daughter and then to Avelina. "Massacres."

Elwyn sat in her old room and felt her ears ring in the silence. Her room had been tidied, save for the thin layer of dust that covered all surfaces.
Elwyn ran her finger down her dresser and rubbed the grey between her fingers. She had been a different person then, she felt like a stranger visiting someone she used to know.  Her blades were still tucked neatly into her night stand, fighting gear the drawer below. Her closet overflowed with dresses of varying shade and design. She took a heavy step into the walk in closet and caught her reflection.
She was leaner, stronger even. Kindapped, only to grow healthier and better than she had ever known. Elwyn angled her head and noted the slight tan on her white skin, as tan as someone so pale could get.

"The maids were sent away but I cleaned what I could."
Elwyn paid no heed to her mother, having heard her soft opening of the door.
"I'm sorry we didn't go after you."
Elwyn blinked and turned to her mother abruptly. She had not expected the statement to be struck in her face so suddenly. Elwyn glowered at her mother.

Hope Greywater did not shrink before her gaze, raising her head as if to assert her own dominance.
"Care to tell me why? Or do you expect now that I'm home, I go back to a lap dog for all of you." Elwyns tone was ice.

This time the queens mouth widened in a loss for words.
Elwyn swiped at her cheeks, feeling the hot threat of tears baying at her eyes. "I don't care to speak to you."

"Then why come back?" Her mother replied.
Elwyn met her mothers knowing blue eyes. "Because I-..."
Elwyn clamped her mouth no longer believing her own reasoning. "It doesn't matter."

"Doesn't it, I am your queen-."
Elwyn spun around on her heel and stepped forward within her mother's arms reach. "I don't want a queen, I want a mother!"

Hopes expression fell and like a mask had slipped off, tears slid down her all to suddenly gentle face. "My lovely girl, I-."
Elwyn slid past her mother and stopped at the door as the queen grabbed at her power.
Elwyn teeth ground together as she locked down her mental fortress. "I'm not sharing." She hissed before leaving in a fury.

~
Avelina stood outside her room, beside Elwyns and watched as her sister barreled down the hallway. She gave her a challenging look but Avelina had no argument in her, so she turned her head away, listening to Elwyns angry steps downward.
"What are you going to do Avelina?" The heir looked to the man she had loved since a child and now was truly in love with. "I think it's time to make a plan. We need to figure out what's happened with the kingdom while I was away  and how Elwyn fits into this now that she has powers. We also need to discuss the possibility of a future for us." Avelina added the last part shyly, cheeks flaming red.

Markarious's face was unreadable as he offered her his hand. Avelina gave him a small unsure smile before squeezing his hand and letting it go.