Red Snow (The Shadows bk.3)

Chapter 31: Communication

The severe black of her gown stood in sharp contrast to the white snow that had long since replaced the green carpet of grass. Her long hair flowed down her back like one of the many waterfalls in Middle-Earth and was complemented by the gold cord that was wound around her waist.

Having chosen to go without a cloak, Sairene bent her head, letting her hair fall like curtains on either side. The snow fell gently against the soft fabric of her gown and settled like petals on her hair.

Hurrying through the white expanse, the Queen made her way towards the family mausoleum. Upon arriving, she noticed that one of the gates was flung open, feeling anger build up in her very core, she clenched her jaw and slowly made her way through the gate and up the stairs. As she entered the building however, all anger and ill intent fled.

Taking a deep breath, Sairene moved towards her mother's tomb. It had been 13 years to the day since she had died. Kneeling at the foot of her mother's marble likeness, Sairene placed a small bouquet of peach-coloured roses, they had been her mother's favourite. Looking up, she saw her mother's marble features smiling down at her and in an instant she felt the prick of tears behind her eyes.

"I miss yo-" the words were cut off as emotion took over. She did not bother to stop the tears, she did not see the point.

"Einarr sir?"

The servant's voice broke Einarr away from the book he had recently become engrossed in; the palace library had quickly become one of his favourite hideaways. Reluctantly putting his book down, he looked up at the speaker. "Yes? What is it?"

The servant, Halion bowed quickly before stepping over the threshold and into the library. "A letter has arrived for Her Majesty."

"Why are you telling me this? Surely you would go to her first?"

Halion shifted from one foot to the other, "I cannot locate her Sir, no one can, we have scoured the palace."

Putting his book to the side, he stood up and walked to where Halion stood by the door, parchment in hand. "Have you checked the stables? She may have gone out riding."

Halion shook his head, "like I said, we  looked everywhere Sir."

It was then that a thought crossed Einarr's mind, "have you been to the family mausoleum?"

Halion blinked and stared at him as if he'd gone mad. "No one goes there Sir, especially not today."

Intrigued, Einarr cocked his head to the side and folded his arms, "oh? Why is that?"

Taking a deep breath, Halion looked up, "everyone aside from Her Majesty is forbidden from entering the mausoleum, for her it is sacred ground."

"Because of her parents?"

Halion nodded, "yes Sir. For all her faults, Her Majesty loved her parents, she still does."

Einarr nodded thoughtfully, "and why today especially?"

"Because today is the anniversary of Queen Eliean's passing."

Einarr's eyes lit up at these words. As quick as lightning, he snatched the rolled piece of parchment from the stunned servant's hands and bolted out of the library.

Remembering to bring a cloak, Einarr stepped out into the snow. Lifting his hood over his head, he headed in the direction he believed the Queen to have gone.

Before long, the stately shape of the mausoleum rose into view. Lifting his chin, Einarr went through the one open gate (this confirmed his suspicions) and strode up the steps. Believing the Queen to be inside, he quietly pushed one of the doors open and stepped inside.

There he saw her, kneeling at the foot of her mother's statue. Her entire frame shook with emotion. He did not want to disturb her, he felt out of place. Making up his mind, he placed the parchment gently on the ground and stepped back and gently closed the door.

At the sound of a gently closing door, Sairene stiffened. Looking over her shoulder, she noticed something lying on the ground by the door. Standing up, she dusted off the black fabric and went to see whatever was lying by the entrance.

Upon closer inspection, she saw that it was a roll of parchment. Curious as to see who it was from, she picked it up and noticed that it had no seal, simply a greed ribbon holding it together. Taking the parchment with her, Sairene moved to sit near the base of her mother's statue.

Sliding the ribbon off the parchment, she began to read,

My Lady,

I write to offer comfort, for I too know what this day is. I write so that you may know that you are not alone in your grief; you lost a mother, I lost a part of myself. As you know, I loved your mother and when she died, the grief I felt was almost too much to bear. I cannot imagine what you and your father must have endured.

I apologise if what I write only worsens your grief, that was not my intention. As I mentioned at the beginning of my letter, I write to offer comfort, and support, should you so desire it.

Sairene smiled through her tears as she read the letter.

You need not reply to this letter, but if you choose to, know that I would be most grateful and happy that you have received it.

Yours in friendship,

Arvellon

Of course she would reply! If Arvellon had gone out of his way to write to her, why shouldn't she?! Without thinking twice, she stood up and made her way out the door, letter in hand.

The palace staff were no longer surprised at what the Queen did anymore. So when she came in, hair and gown sprinkled with snow, they didn't even bat an eyelid.

Heading straight for the library, Sairene began to plan in her head what she was going to write. Upon arriving, she closed the double doors and sought out a quiet corner where she might write without the possibility of getting disturbed.

Satisfied with having found the elusive monarch, Einarr headed back to the library where he had left his book. Pulling one of the doors open, he stepped inside and headed straight for his book. Reaching for it, he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He saw the Queen, sitting tucked away in one of the numerous reading nooks, she was quietly writing on some parchment, the delivered letter lying amongst the numerous folds of her gown.

Einarr stood and watched her, his book lying forgotten on the table where he had left it. As he continued to watch her, he noticed that the snow in her hair and on her gown had not yet melted and gave her the appearance of an ethereal being.

Unaware that she was being watched, Sairene smiled as she wrote a reply, the quill seemed to fly over the parchment as she wrote.

My dear friend,

Your letter was most thoughtful and I appreciate you reaching out to me on this day.

This letter does not merely serve as a reply but also as, what I hope will be the continuation of a long and beautiful friendship. One is in need of friends in my position. My people have distanced themselves from me.

I hope this letter reaches you safely,

Your friend,

Sairene,

Queen of Irrelia

Satisfied, she blew on the ink to dry it before rolling it up and securing it with the same green ribbon.

Seeing that she had finished, Einarr moved faster than he thought possible and sat down in the nearest chair and proceeded to read, but his mind was not on the subject of the book.

Music Credit:

The Highlands Walk - EvenS