Almarëa

The Newcomer

At first no one moved. It was as if the sound of the gates opening in the distance was still drumming on the majestic stone walls of the Crown Prince's chambers. Tadion's attentive eyes were still staring at the distant forest, vigilant, all of his senses sharp. After all he was the only one with full strength present in the room, and she could see that he knew this.

She did not feel exactly weak, but her senses were not as sharp at the moment, and she knew her reflexes would not be as quick. Arahaelon was in the worst position, and she felt a new wave of fear consume her as she understood that he would not be able to rise from his bed if anything were to happen. She only prayed nothing would.

She felt shocked, stunned by the sudden force of the attack. It had been so quick, lasting only a second. To many questions dashed through her mind and now more than more than ever she wanted to understand what was happening. The thoughtful and worried expression on her brothers eyes told her that neither one of them had a clue. The gates had been suddenly released. Had it been intentional? Or had the King's strength finally reached its end?

The air felt heavy, tensed, Vilya's soft whisper's still floating in the gentle breeze, like a haunted song in a strange language. The forest outside had gone completely still. Too still. The trees were not silent, but their melody was no longer the same soothing lullaby that had lulled into peacefulness only some minutes ago. Somehow it felt different now. It felt hollow, the gracious voices now deeper, penetrating.

She turned her head to see if Arahaelon had noticed the difference, but the Crown Prince's pensive eyes did not lift to meet hers, deep emerald irises alert, concentrated.

"Where is Ada?" The Crown Prince's voice broke the silence. Even though the sound was still noticeably weak and low, there was undeniable authority imbedded in the serene tone. He might have been the injured one, but there was no doubt he was still the eldest brother.

"I do not know exactly." Tadion answered immediately, rising from the chair to sit at the edge of bed. "He left some hours ago with Doronor. Ar, did Ada release the gates on purpose?"

Tadion's clear blue eyes looked into his brother's intently, the weight of the question swirling in his infinite irises. The Crown Prince closed his eyes for a moment, his face as calmed and handsome as ever, looking so regal and noble, even as he leaned heavily on the pillows. Silence swallowed the room for short seconds before Arahaelon finally opened his eyes again, focused on his younger brother's expectant face.

"I do not know. I cannot tell."

She could perfectly understand the words, and yet there seemed to be some other meaning buried in them. Confusion took hold of her as she saw a new concern gleaming in Tadion's clear blue eyes, something that resembled more like a strange mixture of fear and disbelief. She chose to remain silent, distantly observing the long stare the two brother's exchanged.

"What?" Tadion finally seemed able to find his words, his face looking as if his brother had spoken in a different language. "What do you mean you cannot tell."

The edge of worry that tainted her brother's voice was easily recognizable, his now alert eyes searching into the Crown Prince's emerald ones again. Arahaelon's expression did not change, completely serene, completely open, his eyes for the first time looking entirely transparent.

"I cannot tell."

"Are you sure?" Tadion's eyes appeared to be more alarmed than ever, searching into his brother's face over and over again. She did not know what was happening, had no clue what they were talking about. "Ar, you are always able to tell. I know you can perceive things more easily and quickly than me. You can hear and feel things that I cannot. You are always able to tell if there is a sudden change in Ada's powers."