the stone of landelle chapter 5

Chapter 5: the Spirit Woods

Eleana and Laucian walked in complete silence until the woods were in sight, then Laucian asked her a question that would change their lives forever. He stopped dead in his tracks and she turned to face him.

“What’s wrong Laucian?”

"Marry me?” I know it seemed like a command, but for a warrior elf it was about as good as it gets.

"Excuse me," she said, mouth hanging open wide. Positive that she had heard him incorrectly.

"Marry me, the elder spirits can perform the marriage ceremony." In his eyes was a mixture of Excitement, and fear, and his face looked pleading.

"Laucian I," she had no words to complete her thought.

"I love you, you know that and I’ve never felt this way about anyone else. And even though Threanous isn’t your biological father, I got his blessing before I asked you." He said the longer it took her to respond the more the worry in his eyes overshot the excitement.

"You did,” She stated in shock then said. “and I love you but were at war with my father, the timing,''

"Is perfect, I want to be one with you, so that If anything ever happens to one of us that one may guide the other.” During the Elven marriage ceremony the male and female's
spirits become linked, a bond so tight even death could not separate them.

"I don't know what to say" It had all happened so suddenly. His declaration of love, just the day before, his embrace that night, she’d loved him since they first laid eyes on each other, but never had the strength to tell him.

"Say yes" He said grabbing her hand and holding it in both of his staring into her eyes. His body shaking now, his very spirit pleading with her to say yes.

"Yes Laucian, I will marry you," he hugged her close then placed a tender kiss upon her lips. They pulled apart and ran into the woods, laughing like children. They quickly passed the willows and the oak. When they entered a clearing they slowed to a respectful pace, and walked forward to the large tree in front of them, and they both fell to their knees and started chanting in unison. “Le me kours maren, le me kours maren le me kours maren.” Roughly translated this means Elder Spirits Hear me. They chanted this a few more times and suddenly the old tree in front of them bloomed the most beautiful white flowers, and a thorny vine of red and blue flowers wrapped around it. And suddenly a soft voice spoke to them.

"you have come in search of the Elder Spirits?"

"Yes, oh fair and mighty spirits, we have come to you for healing, guidance, and marriage." Eleana stated in a respectful voice.

"Marriage I see, it has been ages since someone has requested the ceremony, are you sure?"

"yes, we know our love is strong" Laucian said in a low respectable voice.

"Alright, and healing what is it you need?" Eleana spoke up .

"Healing and guidance tie together great spirits, there is a threat, a great threat out there."

"You speak of your father and his army, oh yes we know of this matter, his creatures wounded you greatly correct."

"yes spirits"

"Your wound has healed, the only healing left is emotional, and you are on the road to that recovery as we speak. You must stop your father before he discovers the stones true power."

"But spirits what is it's true power?"

"When you are ready you will know. Now on to the marriage are you both certain?"

"yes spirits,"

"yes spirits,"

"Remove your clothing and we shall began,” They both removed there clothing and sat it aside, neither knew what the ceremony was like for it was something you weren't to speak of to others. “Now each of you grab a red flower and a blue flower from the vine,” both their hands shook as they did this. “Now the male place the red flower in your right hand and the blue flower in your left, the female is to do the opposite.” Once they did so the voice spoke again. “Now I need you to join hands. The red flower represents your blood your spirits and the blue your love, and determination to be together.” At that moment Laucian and Eleana both felt pricks in their right hands, but neither broke contact. “your spirit and your love combine" Suddenly the vine that was wrapped around the tree had come lose and was now wrapped around them and lifted them off the ground, forcing their bodies to come against eachother, instinctively they both placed their heads on the other's shoulder. Thorns pricked everywhere, but they felt no pain, suddenly a light surrounded them both and to any creature looking on it would seem for a few moments that they were one. Then the vines slowly laid them down onto the earth around the tree. And just as quickly as it all began it was over. "The ceremony is complete, two made one."

...

"Are they back yet?"

"No Lord Delvin, they have not yet returned from their quest."

"Well has there been any word?”

“Upon last we heard they were still nearly a day away.”

“This is unacceptable. It's taking to long I want Softguard destroyed as soon as possible."

"Yes my lord."

"What news of my daughter have you found her yet?"

"Yes my lord she was seen a day ago heading west."

"To," Delvin said impatiently.

"I'm not sure Lord," at that moment Delvin leapt off his throne and in one swift motion cut off the creatures head.

"You there." He spat at the nearest Sukata

"Y-Yes Lord."

"Find her."

"Yes my Lord."

...

When Eleana emerged from the forest she felt better than ever before, she had completely regained her strength and she had never felt happier. She couldn't wait to see the children, ‘wait,' she thought, ‘The children oh no they hate me.'

'I’m sure they’re over it' Eleana paused in her step and turned to Laucian a amazed look on her face.

"wait I can hear you speaking in my head." He laughed and grabbed her hand.

"It's part of the bond created during the ceremony." He explained. They walked side by side having a silent conversation in their heads. When they reached Laucian's home they saw the children out playing.

"Eleana, Laucian your back, why do you both look so happy." Risha started looking at them from the doorway.

"Well if everyone will come inside I’ll tell you," Laucian said with as big a smile as Eleana had ever seen. Everyone entered the house and sat around the table Laucian at it’s head and Eleana to his right. "Everyone, Eleana and I are married." Laucian said and everyone around the table got a shocked look on their face.

"But you were only gone an hour, what... how" Donnel stated. Clearly happy, but also clearly confused.

"It's an Elven thing," Eleana laughed and he shrugged at this, clearly knowing he’d never fully understand their race. Everyone congratulated them and the children gave them a big hug. Neither of them mentioned the events of the meeting, clearly it all forgotten. Eleana was so happy.