WAR AND TRUTH
Elysia had been in her room for weeks since the horrific wedding and coronation. She was pained by her absence at her parents' burial. Her thoughts were consumed by the witch's words at her wedding. Why had the witch called her an Aerethien?
"My queen, forgive my intrusion," a servant said, interrupting her thoughts, "but the king wishes to see you in the garden." Elysia nodded, dismissing the servant, and set out.
On her way, Venlensen asked, "Where are you off to?" "To see Erik," she replied. "Very well, see you later," he said, and they parted ways.
Erik's face brightened with a smile as she entered the garden. "Elysia, I'm so glad you came," he greeted. "Why did you want to see me?" she asked. "I just wanted to talk and perhaps spend some time together," he said. "Doing what?" she probed. "Just walking and talking," he replied.
"I would love a walk," she agreed. As they strolled, Erik apologized, "I'm sorry you couldn't attend your parents' funeral because of me, and that you couldn't cremate them." Elysia reassured him, "It's no problem; I've already seen my parents burn."
Erik's smile returned as he ventured, "I hope you don't feel forced into this marriage. You can leave and remarry if you wish." Elysia responded firmly, "I don't feel forced into anything. I'm willing to give this marriage a try."
"I am too. I promised my brother I'd make our marriage work before he vanished," Erik said somberly. Elysia took his hand, offering hope, "He disappeared; we don't know if he's alive. There's still a chance."
As they finished walking and sat down beneath a tree Elysia asked "do you know what that witch was talking about, at the wedding?" Erik then asked "about what?"
She answered "about what she said about me being a Barrington, aerethien, Do you know what's an Barrington or aerethien?" she asked him.
He thought for a moment then he answered her question "well I know what a Barrington is but aerethien I don't know much?" he then explained to her "well Barrington is an old family that no longer exists your grandmother was the last Barrington," surprised.
She asked "you know about my grandfather," he answered "yes many people know about him, he was the last Barrington and witnessed the fall of the Aerethien dynasty,"
"so aerethien and Barrington are two families that no longer exist," she asked Erik, he then answered "yes they are though there is one aerethien who survives today," when Elysia asked who that was Erik unfortunately didn't know but now was intrigued.
She then asked "did mother see the aerethiens before they lost power," Erik them answered "according to my father she was and she was friend's with aerelia aerethien," he then also added "my father told me that the aerethiens were the most powerful family and ruled 8 kingdoms that became one."
Elysia then said "the aerethiens sound like an interesting family," Erik then said "They were an interesting family and many of their descendants live to this day, the is a book in my Library covering their whole family history."
Elysia then asked "do you perhaps have it, I would love to read it," he then answered "that's the problem. The Aerethien records I had burned in the old castle and the are documents, here but I don't know where they are." he told her.
They continued to talk and get to know each other better and found many things about each other interesting, as they continued to talk Erik asked a question "does it bother you that you married, some one young like me," at that moment she remained silent.
She then said, "i don't think our age matters I promised, my mother I would give this relationship a try." and Erik then said, "and I promised my brother I would give it a try as well."
Elysia then later left as she was walking up the stairs to her room she was suddenly stopped by Venlensen, "hello my dear," annoyed she said, "i am not your dear and I don't even know you well," he then said, "well I am your husband's cousin, and I just wanted to ask you how your doing?" he asked her.
She then answered and said, "i am doing well and not trying to think too much, can you move out of my way now," he then smiled smiled "what's the rush I mean before, you and your husband came here this was my castle."
She then yelled "well I'm queen so please move out of my way!" he then said, "you know I too am in mourning, so you may visit me in my bedchamber if you like." he said and went down the stairs.
She felt disgusted by him and just continued to walk up the stairs as she made it to her room, later that night after her ladies had finished getting ready for bed she was just lying in her bed when suddenly.
Erik entered her room confused she asked "Erik what is it?" he then answered "The council said, just because I'm mourning doesn't mean I shouldn't produce heirs and Venlensen is still set on being king."
She then said nervously "so do we do anything," she said as he sat on the bed he then answered, "i don't know do you want us to do anything, I've never layed with a woman so I wouldn't even be great," she then said, "well only if you want to."
She then said, "it is okay if you have never layed with a woman, believe me it's no problem," he then said, "well I mean our relationship is not even that serious and for now we're just friends right," she then smiled and said, "we are friends."
She then said, "but it's okay you can just sleep in my room tonight, I know the council will talk if they see you leaving," he then said "are you sure?" Elysia then said, "yes plus we're just friends." he then asked "do you think we could have children one day?" he asked her.
She then smiled and said, "Who knows, we'll see." Suddenly, at that moment, the doors burst open as Aria entered. Erik and Elysia then asked, "What is it, Aria?" Aria, with tears on her face and filled with sadness, answered, "An army is heading to Veridia, and Prince Arwin of Veridia was found on our shores. Abyssal Reach was attacked."
Erik immediately got out of bed and said, "What? We must go now and try to warn Veridia," he then asked, "What does this mean?" She then answered, "It means that witch is coming for all of us. We must go and try to warn them before it's too late." Elysia, confused, asked, "What's going on?"
Erik then said, "Let's go," he said to Aria, and they both left running. Elysia, wondering what was happening, got off from her bed and followed them. When they arrived, Erik immediately asked in a loud tone, "Where is he?" Sir David answered, "In the guest room." He then asked, "What happened? How did he end up here?" Erik asked.
Then another council member, Sir Learnold answered, "Many fishers and sailors said they saw a dragon incinerating the ship he was in. Luckily he survived; there are no other survivors," Erik then said, "But how did he end up here?" Sir Learnold then answered, "He swam to our shores. Many ships belonging to the evil sorcerer Meril—brother of the witch at your wedding—were seen going to Veridia with knights and dragons."
Erik then said, "So Veridia will be attacked. Okay now take me to him." Erik shouted and he, Aria, Venlensen, and Elysia went to the guest room. When they arrived there were servants putting warm cloths on his skin.
He was barely moving and breathing. One of the servants pressed his chest and water came out of his mouth; he immediately woke up and was coughing.
Aria then quickly went by his side and patted his back. "Are you okay?" she asked him. Erik and Venlensen asked, "Are you okay?" as well but he couldn't speak properly; he was coughing out water. When his eyes opened wide he stared at Elysia and said, "You… Aerethien," before passing out. Erik and the others worriedly looked on as the servant nurse then said, "No need to worry; he'll be fine. He just needs some rest and fresh air."
She then asked the other servants to bring her hot water. She dipped a cloth in the hot water and placed it on his forehead. She pressed his chest again; this time he coughed once and woke up.
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