The Queen of Elysium

Chapter 29 - Coming Home

Elissa looks down at the island of Avalon below. The battlements that once formed the walls of her prison now protect her home. A ribbon of blue spirals up and Roth growls out a low warning. The butterflies break apart, fluttering playfully about them and singing a song of welcome.

Unlike the butterflies, the dragons are unable to penetrate the magical barrier over the island, so Roth banks and makes his descent. Work around the mouth of the tunnel has moved on apace and a windowless, stone-built structure completely covers the crater that she made less than a moon ago.

As they skim over the river, stone columns can be seen rising up from the water, which she concludes must be for Ianthe's new residence. Roth angles his wings back and swoops through the archway, landing majestically on the grass.

She jumps down and runs into the waiting arms of her father, Aldebaran. He laughs, a sound that is precious to her and makes her glad that he is with her here and no longer suffocating under the restraints of the elven court in Alfheimr.

There is a whoosh as Amethyst follows behind, bringing the chattering voices of Dawn, Talia and Tabbi; her three ladies in waiting. There is no sign of Drake and Bram, although glancing up, she espies three raptors wheeling about, chasing each other, their outlines dark against the blue sky.

There is no time to dwell on the aerial display as she is distracted by the sound of barking and a large, black shape bounds through the people gathered to greet her. Cavell almost knocks her over, his stubby tail wagging enthusiastically as he jumps up.

A huge raven glides beneath the stone branches of the archway and upon landing, Bram's form rises gracefully up. The Animage steps over to converse with Altair. She looks around and is filled with a warm fuzzy feeling, surrounded by her friends and heartened by the camaraderie between the different races.

Two eagles come tumbling through the archway and land in an ungainly heap before transforming into the figures of Drake and Aren. Laughing, they hold on to each other, whilst trying to straighten their clothes. Aren pushes golden locks out of his eyes and looks up, straight at her.

.....

An arm still draped around Drake's shoulder, Aren's laughter dries up as his complete attention diverts to Elissa. He barely notices when Drake slips away. Instead, he gazes deep into eyes of liquid gold; eyes that he could easily drown in. By the gods, she is beautiful.

After her midnight visit, he had woken with empty arms, yet a heart brimming with hope. Much to his parents' chagrin, he had set off on his third trip to Avalon in as many moons.

"Aren!" The delight in her voice is completely genuine and she takes a few steps towards him.

He too steps forward and closes the gap between them. He wants to scoop her up in his arms and cover her in kisses. However, reality slowly seeps in and in his peripheral vision he notices spectators, including several well armed men.

Elissa's cheeks flush with a hint of pink and she does that cute thing where she bites her lip. It just makes him think of kissing her even more and how that feeling is just like gliding on a thermal.

She recovers first and loops her arm through his. "I'm not sure that you have met my father."

Elissa introduces him to a regal, but rather cool looking elf with white blond hair and lilac eyes. "Father, this is Aren. Aren, this is Aldebaran."

Her father does not seem old enough to have a grown-up daughter, but he bestows on him a charming smile, hoping to make a good impression.

Aldebaran bows stiffly. "Prince Aren, it is a pleasure to meet you." The elf's face is an unreadable mask, although Aren feels like those unusual eyes are peering right into his soul, judging and finding him rather lacking.