Chapter Eight

Edmund and Anna exchanged wide smiles at the cheering that erupted from the crowd outside. As the cheering increased, Edmund raised his brows. “The people approve of their new princess by the sounds of it.”

Laughing, Anna nodded and returned her gaze to the balcony where the walkway was visible. After a few minutes, a couple appeared.

The sun set the man’s burnished gold hair alight, his tall, lean frame accentuated by his long silver tunic and amethyst overcoat. The same shades of amethyst and silver decorated the trim around the neck, cuffs and hem of the woman’s white gown. A white gossamer veil, held in place with a dainty crown, covered most of her honey-coloured hair. She cradled a small bundle, and they made their way to the cot, covered in gold cloth, that stood by the lavishly decorated table.

This day was the blessing day of the long-awaited baby. The blessing itself, a private ceremony, had already been conducted in the early hours by the master priest in the family chapel. Now was the time to celebrate with family and close friends, and the people of the castle with food aplenty for all.

Adjusting the skirt of her sky-blue gown, Anna placed her hand on Edmund’s arm as they made their way towards his oldest friend, Lionel, ruler of the neighbouring kingdom and proud father of the baby princess. With her free hand, Anna held the hand of their young son, Arthur.

They walked down the centre of the Great Hall, with long tables on either side. The late morning sun pouring through the tall windows sparkled on the pewter dishes and goblets. Wide ribbons in Lionel’s colours of silver and amethyst frothed down from the ceiling. Bouquets of spring flowers, dotted with soft yellow and rich pink roses, adorned the dark wood walls at regular intervals.

Anna firmly held a wide-eyed Arthur for this was his first time away from their quiet home, his first time among so many people. Many of the guests were familiar to her, related to the families of Lionel and Eleanor, by birth and marriage. Because none had seen Arthur before, Edmund and Anna’s progress was slow as they paused to introduce him and receive well wishes. To Anna’s surprise, even the Emperor’s representative showed interest.

Finally, they reached Lionel and his wife, Eleanor, who held her arms out to Anna. The two women embraced as their husbands exchanged greetings. Arthur went up to the cot and stared at the sleeping baby. Cradling the jewelled box he was holding under one arm, he reached in with his free hand.

“Arthur,” said Anna.

He turned to her, brows raised.

Smiling, she shook her head.

He returned his gaze to the baby who, unknown to him, was his future wife. As testimony to their close friendship, Lionel and Edmund had already betrothed their children. Holding the treasure box, Arthur seemed undecided what to do with it, then turned and gave it to Eleanor.

Smiling, she bent to his level. “Such a pretty box, Arthur, thank you. Baby Lilyrose will treasure it, I’m sure.”

“Yes,” he said with a firm nod and flicked back his auburn hair.

“Eleanor. Eleanor, come.”

They turned to Lionel who was gesturing at Eleanor, his hand movements quick, as he repeatedly called to her. Next to him was a slightly built short man with wavy blond hair, his posture rigid, eyes wide. Anna recognised him as Oliver, Lionel’s steward.

Glancing at Anna, a slight frown momentarily furrowing her brow, Eleanor went to her husband’s side.

Absently ushering Arthur closer to the cot, Anna kept her gaze on her fellow royals, her curiosity piqued by Lionel’s breathless whispers and Eleanor’s slowly widening eyes.

Then Eleanor was back by the cot. Her gaze darting about, she made as if to lift her baby up before straightening, her hand fluttering against her chest.

Anna placed her hand on Eleanor’s arm. “Eleanor, what’s the matter?”

“Anna. Oh, Anna,” was all she could say as she grasped her friend’s arms.

Before Anna could say anything, Oliver was banging a tall ornate staff on the ground, commanding attention. Pockets of silence flowered in the crowd before spreading to cover the hall.

“Pray silence for their majesties’ most honoured guests.” For a small man, he had a sonorous voice.

The tall doors at the other end of the hall gradually opened. A pair of guards stepped through, faced one another and bowed. Gasps and shocked murmurs rippled through the hall as the newly arrived guests entered.

The seven women were dressed in unfamiliar clothing; wide-sleeved long tunics over longer ivory skirts, over which they wore even wider-sleeved diaphanous ivory overcoats, which swept along the floor. The tunic of each one was a different colour, matching their different coloured pendants and gems on the circlets around their foreheads. Even their hair had a wash of colour.

“Gem elves,” whispered Anna, as the women, smiling and nodding, appeared to glide past the guests, who stepped out of their way. Her eyes stretched wide as she wondered why they were walking towards her. Then she realised she was standing in front of the cot. Ducking her head, she hurried to the side, her hands on Arthur’s shoulders, moving him along ahead of her. She absently wondered why there was only one red-hued elf when the others were paired. Her heart beat faster when she realised each elf seemed to look at Arthur as she passed and incline her head. Or was she imagining it?

The one in burgundy slowed as she came alongside Arthur. Instead of inclining her head, she stared at him, frowning.

Glancing down at her son, Anna could see he was staring back at the elf, his head tilted to one side. As she raised her gaze, it came to rest on the elf’s pendant – an oval, deep red stone encased in a thin border of twisted gold. The colour drained from her as her breath stuck in her throat.

In the same instant, the elf gasped, stumbling to a halt. She made as if to touch Arthur as tears filled her eyes. Then the elf behind her in deep green said, “Garnet.” And gently moved her long. But the elf called Garnet kept turning to look at Arthur.

Anna pulled him closer against her, leaning against Edmund who gently put his hands on her shoulders. She bit her lip to stop herself blurting out what she’d seen. She would tell him later, when they were on their own.

“Gracious ones,” said Lionel as he bowed, and Eleanor curtsied. “You honour us with your presence.”

The one at the front, her blue-white hair flowing down her back, smiled widely. “Thank you, Majesties, for allowing us to come before you. I am the gem elf, Diamond, and these are my sisters: Beryl, Sapphire and Topaz, Garnet, Emerald and Peridot. We have chosen to come here this day to bless your newborn. But only with your consent.”

Lionel and Eleanor stared at her, at one another then stared at her again, blinking slowly. Lionel was the first to speak. “Bless, our daughter?”

“Yes, Majesty.” Diamond’s calm tone made it seem as if this was a common occurrence.

“Forgive me,” said Eleanor, “but you haven’t been seen since our grandparents’ lifetime.”

“Majesty,” said Beryl, “please do not be alarmed. It is not unheard of for gem elves to come to this realm to bless children although, it is true that we have not done so for, what for you appears to be, many years. But the many years that have passed for you are not as many for us.”

Clearly happy that their daughter had been chosen, the royal couple smilingly led the elves to Lilyrose’s cot. Cheeks flushed, with a smile wide enough to split her face, Eleanor glanced at Anna.

Anna tried to match her friend’s smile, but inexplicable fear had her in its icy grip. She could not shake the feeling that the gem elves’ presence had something to do with Arthur’s unknown past. And that frightened her.

The hush that filled the hall was so complete, the swish of the elves’ skirts could be heard as they moved to stand in a semi-circle around the cot. Reaching into their wide sleeves, they pulled out their wands and extended them over the sleeping baby, the tips almost touching. The gem at the end of each wand began to glow, bathing the infant in soft colours. She sighed, smiling in her sleep. After a few moments, the elves lowered their wands and stepped back.

“It is done, Majes–”

A great shout of thunder interrupted Diamond. Then silence, punctuated with uncertain murmurings. Outside, the sun still shone. Apart from a few wispy clouds, the sky remained clear. A high-pitched screech tore through the hall. Women screamed. Men cried out. Many covered their ears.

Anna spun Arthur around and held him against her skirt. She herself wanted to hide but couldn’t tear her gaze away.

The air in the middle of the hall rippled then started to rip, the unearthly screech getting louder. Those close to it stumbled and fell away. Whimpers and sobs echoed around the hall.

A metal staff was thrust through the ripped hole. A woman stepped through, her sharp, pallid face framed with sable hair, hanging long and loose down her back. Red thread snaked down the sides of her long black dress, and down the sleeves that covered her arms. Brown eyes surveyed the crowd as her mouth twisted in a parody of a smile. The metal staff in her hand was topped with what looked to be an inverted bone-white bowl.

Deliberately raising her brows, the newcomer stared at the gem elves. “Do you not know me?”

Diamond stepped forward, her brows drawing together. “Marlis?”

“You do remember me.” Her hand resting on her chest, she gave an exaggerated gasp. “How flattering.”

“Marlis.” With a growl, Garnet darted forward, a murderous expression twisting her face but Emerald and Peridot, on either side of her, took hold of her arms, stopping her.

A slow smile curved Marlis’s mouth. “Did you believe, or should I say, hope I was dead?”

“Yes,” said Garnet, her voice hard.

Marlis sniggered. “Dead. Like your twin.”

Pulling her lips back, Garnet started forward, her fists clenched, but her sisters still had hold of her.

Marlis threw back her head and laughed. “What do you think of this ruby red thread?” She fingered the thread on her sleeve. “I had meant for it to be black and nothing more. But I decided I wanted something to remind me that I had bested a gem elf. Do you like it?”

Garnet shook as Emerald gripped her shoulder.

“You may think you can best me like before. But my powers here are more, so much more.” She fixed Garnet with a sly look. “Would you care to test me?”

As Garnet growled in reply, Diamond stepped in front of her. “Why are you here? You are not welcome.”

“I do not need anyone’s permission to go where I please.” She started to stroll forward, brandishing her metal staff before her, clearly amused by the averted gazes as those closest to her shrank back. “I confess, I had not planned on coming here, but your presence alerted me. Does it surprise you that I sensed your arrival here in this realm? I thought there must be only one reason why you are here; for Forel’s child–oh!”

She came to a sudden stop by Anna. “No. Forel’s children,” she said, smiling slowly, as she turned to Arthur, reaching out to brush her fingers against his cheek.

Whimpering, he turned his face against Anna as she pushed Marlis’ hand away. “Do not touch my child,” she said, a slight tremor in her voice.

Marlis narrowed her eyes. “Your child? Foolish mortal. You think you can stop me?” She jabbed the staff at Anna, touching her with the bowl on the end.

With a gasp, Anna realised it wasn’t a bowl but part of a skull. Pulling away, she fell against Edmund who wrapped one arm around her while raising the other to ward Marlis away. “Do not threaten my wife, woman.”

Before Marlis could react, Diamond and Beryl had stepped forward, the gems on their raised wands gleaming. For all her grand words, she stumbled back. A flush crept over her cheeks as she gave her head a quick shake and drew herself up. “If I understand your quaint customs, this is a day to bless the baby, is it not? I shall add mine–”

Diamond took a step towards her. “Marlis–”

“Do not bar me, fool. You know not what sustains my power now.”

The gem elf frowned, her blue-white gaze flicking over Marlis. “Your dress… it changes as if–”

“No matter. Listen well. The child will grow to be all you hope and wish her to be,” said Marlis. “She will bring joy to all who know her, fulfilling your blessings.” Raising her arms, she held her staff aloft, slowly bringing it down to point at the cot. “But. On her sixteenth birthday, she will prick her finger on a spindle. And die.”

“No!” Eleanor rushed to her baby who jerked awake with a scream as the spell stung her. Grabbing her baby, she gasped. Lilyrose’s hand had turned blue-black and was beginning to swell.

“She will die, and I will have my revenge,” said Marlis with a shrill laugh.

Pulling free, Garnet ran towards her. But Marlis ran back into the hole she’d made, and it instantly sealed shut.

“Why?” Tears trickled down Eleanor’s pale face. “Why has she condemned my baby?”

“Who is she?” Lionel’s controlled tone was at odds with his flared nostrils and noisy breathing. “How dare she come into my home and do this?”

“Majesties,” said Diamond. “She is from our realm, she craved the powers that we have. She turned to… ways that are forbidden to try and gain power. When we tried to stop her, she escaped here. Because we had not been able to sense her, we mistakenly thought she was dead.”

“Aligned with some fell power, it would appear,” said Beryl.

“But why curse my child?” said Eleanor.

“Who is this Forel she spoke of?” said Edmund.

Glad of her husband’s arms around her, Anna wanted to go to Eleanor’s side, to comfort her, but fear rendered her speechless, breathless, unable to move. She held Arthur close, wanting to run home with him, hide him away and keep him safe. For it seemed as if it wasn’t only the gem elf who appeared to know Arthur, but that black-hearted woman also.

“Lord Forel was of our realm,” said Diamond. “He died months ago. I fear Marlis is, confused about matters.”

Edmund snorted but said nothing.

“Sixteen years?” Eleanor shook her head, holding her screaming baby close. “No, not even sixteen years. That is all we have?” Then she was weeping some more, unable to speak.

“Majesties,” said Diamond, “do not give up hope.”

“You can erase this?” said Lionel with such hope in his voice, she had to look away.

Beryl went to her sister’s side, and the other five elves gathered either side of them. Holding their wands over the baby, the gems on their wands brightened. But nothing happened. Her hand was still swollen, and she was still crying. They exchanged confused glances.

“What is the matter?” said Lionel, frowning.

“Forgive us, majesties. It is too powerful, we cannot erase it.”

“Although, it is possible to temper it,” said Beryl. “But Marlis has bonded it with death so only a death can break it.”

“Then let it be broken with Marlis’ death,” said Garnet, her voice hard. “Let her bear the consequences of her deeds.”

Silence hung heavy among the elves. Finally, with a heavy sigh, Diamond took the baby’s swollen hand in hers and her sisters raised their wands once more. “Dear child, if indeed this wicked deed comes to pass, death will not be there to claim you. Instead, you will fall into a deep sleep. And so you shall remain until you are awakened by the death of Marlis, the curse-maker.”

The swelling on Lilyrose’s hand began to fade, and gradually she quietened.

“That child is not Forel’s son.”

Her sisters stared at Garnet. The acolytes who had brought their drinks also stared at her.

“Garnet–”

“Beryl, I know what I felt, what I sensed. He has elf essence, yes, but not because he’s an elf.” Tears filling her eyes, she clutched her hands together against her chest. “It is Len-Ruby’s essence that is in him.”

As one, their eyes widened as their lips slowly parted.

“She is my sister, I recognise her essence.”

“Why?” Sapphire shook her head. “Why would she have put her essence in him?”

“He is, a mortal child,” said Peridot, frowning. “And she chose him because…” Her voice trailed off for Ruby’s actions made no sense to any of them.

Garnet didn’t care for the reason. All that mattered to her was a small part of her sister still existed in the mortal realm.

“She was weaker than we realised,” said Topaz softly.

Diamond shook her head. “So many unanswered questions,” she said as she rubbed her forehead. “Let us focus on what we know and can do. We must increase our efforts, not only to find Marlis, but also to find the elf lord.”

Still bewildered by Garnet’s revelation, it took the gem elves a while to respond.

“Yes,” said Sapphire. “We must find him. We will resume our search in the area where we last sensed Ruby and continue from there.”

“He is probably safe for now,” said Emerald. “I believe Marlis has made the same mistake we did. She believes that boy to be the elf lord.”

“Then we must see to this innocent’s safety also,” said Beryl. “I think Garnet should watch over him as she will recognise the precious essence in him wherever he is.”

Her sisters were quick to voice their agreement. Garnet could only nod as unshed tears sparkled in her eyes.