The Twilight Diadem Chapter 3

When they reached the edge of the forest, a path through the dense growth seemed to open before them, the forest responding to their presence like a living thing. And indeed, Aellyn realized, it was. She pulled a couple small crystals from the pouch at her belt and tossed one to Conrad. He looked from it back to her with a confused look on his face. She merely smiled and urged her mount forward into the forest’s gloom. As his own mount passed into the darkness, the crystal he held began to glow with a soft silver light that illuminated the trees and underbrush around him, he saw. With a soft, satisfied harrumph, he held the crystal aloft and continued on behind her.

This time, Aellyn had no trouble discerning the way to the clearing. The forest itself seemed to lead her there, the branches and bushes parting before her and beckoning her onward. It wasn’t long before the trees ahead fell away entirely and they rode quietly into the clearing. Before them stood a tall man garbed in green finery, a gentle breeze lifting his silver hair as he gazed up at the overcast sky above. At their approach, he turned. His eyes connected with Aellyn’s immediately, and she found herself staring into leaf green eyes that matched her own. She let out a small gasp of astonishment. “Father,” she whispered. The man took an involuntary step toward them, then stopped himself. He held out a hand, beckoning her to him. She dismounted in a daze and walked towards him, her eyes never leaving his face as she approached.

When she neared, his gaze swept over her, the look on his face one of wonder. He took another step forward, closing the short distance between them and taking her face in his hands. They stared into each other’s eyes for a charged moment. He looked no older than she, Aellyn marveled to herself. Up close, she began to notice little details about him. He was breathtakingly handsome, just as her mother had said. Not a single wrinkle dared to mar his sharp features, but she sensed a deep maturity there in the set of his square jaw. There was wisdom in the depths of his gaze. Timeless, Aellyn thought to herself as she lost herself in his eyes.

“My daughter,” he whispered at last, breaking the spell. It was as much a question as it was a statement. His hands left her face and went to her shoulders, holding her there before him. Tears pricked her eyes suddenly and she felt a hard lump form in her throat. She nodded quickly, silently. Before she knew it, Aellyn felt strong arms around her, her father drawing her into a tight embrace. He held her close, one arm around her shoulders, his free hand stroking her dark hair. “I scarcely dared believe it,” he whispered into her hair, his deep voice was like silk. “But one look at you, and I felt it deep in my heart. You are Evelien’s daughter, that much is clear. But your eyes…” he trailed off, pulling back to look at her face once more, his eyes meeting hers again. She could see the glint of unshed tears there. “Your eyes are mine.” He embraced her again, clutching at her as if afraid she might disappear if he didn’t hold on to her tightly. She hugged him in return, her slender arms slipping around his narrow waist, more grateful than she could express that he’d accepted her without need of convincing.

“Father,” Aellyn finally whispered again when she found her voice. He seemed to gather himself and stepped back from her.

“Yes,” he nodded to himself. “You sought me out for a reason. How can I be of service?” His face was more composed now, a curious light in his eyes.

“Mother,” Aellyn said quietly. “She needs you.” His face changed instantly, transformed by concern.

“Is she… unwell?” He asked carefully.

“She is…” Aellyn began uncertainly. “Old,” she finished lamely, gesturing vaguely. “She told me that the last time she saw you, you promised to see her again someday. I… I didn’t want you to break your promise,” she explained. “The patron of our family, my uncle, Aldun, knows that I am here, and has given his blessing.” She hoped to dissuade any protests her father might make, knowing that there was no way her mother could ever make the trip out to the forest. Her father would have to visit the estate. He digested this news quietly for a moment before answering.

“Does she know I’m coming?” He asked.

“No,” Aellyn replied honestly. “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to find you. I didn’t want to get her hopes up only to dash them.” Her father nodded thoughtfully.

“Then let us be off,” he said at last, turning and giving a sharp whistle. A stallion of the purest white came trotting into the clearing from the trees opposite where Aellyn and Conrad had entered. Her father mounted smoothly, even without the benefit of a saddle and bridle, and he looked down at her expectantly. With a start, Aellyn nodded quickly and turned back to her own mount. Conrad sat still mounted on his stallion, waiting silently where she’d left him. She mounted her mare quickly and wheeled the horse around, turning her back the way they’d come. The three of them set off. I found him, mother, Aellyn thought triumphantly. We’re coming.

It was still hours before sunrise when the three riders made their way into the stable yard. Conrad dismounted quickly, leading his stallion into the barn. He gave a sharp whistle, and two stable lads rushed forward to take Aellyn’s and her father’s mounts. It was obvious they’d been given advance warning that they would be needed some time during the night. Aellyn was grateful for such foresight. Dismounting, she motioned to her father, leading him to the rear entrance into the estate.

“I apologize for our unceremonious entrance, Father,” Aellyn said quietly, feeling suddenly inadequate.

“I would not have you rouse the entire household for my arrival,” he replied kindly. “This is not exactly a state visit. I come only to see your mother.” Satisfied, Aellyn led him on in silence, taking a candle from a side table as she passed to light their way through the darkened halls. When at last they came to her mother’s chamber door, Aellyn paused, knocking softly. She leaned in to listen, but heard no sounds within. Her father waited patiently behind her. She opened the door slowly, peering in. The sitting room was dark. She held her candle up to chase away the darkness as she entered the room, motioning for her father to follow. Through the archway to her mother’s bedchamber, she could see the soft glow of candlelight. She handed the candle she held over to her father and motioned to him to wait there while she checked on her mother.

Aellyn padded quietly into her mother’s bedchamber, surprised to find the old woman awake, sitting propped on a pile of pillows with a book in her hand, the candle on the table beside the bed lighting the pages. “Mother?” Aellyn whispered softly, hoping not to startle the woman. Her mother lowered the book to her lap and squinted into the darkness.

“Aellyn?” Her mother asked uncertainly.

“Yes, mother,” Aellyn answered, coming forward so her mother could see her more easily.

“What is it, dearest?” Her mother asked. “It’s late. You should be abed.”

“I have a surprise for you, mother,” Aellyn replied with a smile. She turned and motioned toward the doorway to the sitting room. Her father stepped carefully from the shadows, watching the figure in the large bed intently as he came forward. Aellyn turned back to watch her mother closely as he came into the room. Seeing the astonishment wash over the old woman’s face, Aellyn stepped back as her father moved past and went to stand at her mother’s bedside.

“Ilbryen?” Her mother asked doubtfully, staring up at him in disbelief. He knelt beside her bed, the movement smooth and graceful, setting his own candle on the bedside table and taking her mother’s hands in his.

“I’m here, my love,” he assured her. “At long last, I am here. Just as I promised. And I do not intend to leave you again.” Tears spilled down her mother’s cheeks and Aellyn’s heart swelled. She turned then, deciding to leave her parents to a private reunion, weaving her way easily through the dark sitting room and back out into the hall, closing the door quietly behind her. She leaned back against the closed door. She closed her eyes and let the relief wash over her. After a moment, she pushed herself from the door and turned to make her way back to her own chambers.

“I take it the reunion went well?” Came the deep voice from a small, darkened alcove as she neared her chambers. Aellyn started. She turned to find Conrad standing there, leaning casually against the wall nearby.

“Yes, I think so,” she replied. “I left pretty quickly.” He nodded understanding.

“A bit of celebration in order then, my lady?” She paused, thinking that over.

“Yes, I think so,” she said again, this time with a smile. She motioned for him to follow and continued on toward her chambers. “I’ve got some wine I’ve been saving for a special occasion.”

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Aellyn awoke late that morning with the beginnings of a headache tugging at the edges of her consciousness. She found herself sprawled on one of the twin couches in her sitting room, a soft wool lap blanket draped over her. She was alone, she realized as she sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes, the only proof that Conrad had been there was the second empty cup that sat on the low table before her. She didn’t remember falling asleep, but she obviously had. Her stomach growled to inform her it was well past breakfast time. With a groan, she pushed herself off the couch and made her way over to the bell pull in the corner. When her maid appeared a few minutes later, she requested her usual breakfast with an extra pitcher of water and some hot water for a proper bath. When her maid hurried off, Aellyn staggered back to the couch and dropped back onto it, letting her head fall back onto its heavily padded surface and closed her eyes. She thought perhaps she’d had a little more to drink last night than was prudent. Her body felt like it was made of lead.

Aellyn felt a soft touch on her arm. “Your breakfast, my lady,” came her maid’s soft voice. She’d fallen asleep again, she realized as she opened her eyes and sat up. “Your bath should be ready by the time you finish eating.” Aellyn gave a groggy but grateful nod and leaned forward to tuck into the tray before her. Her maid dipped a quick curtsy and went off to oversee the preparations for her bath, leaving her to have her breakfast in peace. As promised, her bath was ready by the time she’d cleared her tray. The combination of breakfast and bath did much to restore her, and once she’d dried herself and donned a comfortable gown of green and cream-colored linen, she felt ready to face the day properly. She penned a quick note to her uncle to let him know that her father had returned with her and sent a young page off to deliver the missive, then she set off for her mother’s chambers.

When she made her way into her mother’s sitting room a short time later, Aellyn was astonished to find her mother seated in a comfortable chair by the hearth, holding court. Her father stood next to her mother’s chair, one hand resting casually on its back, looking for all the world as if it was something he did everyday. Her uncle and his wife, Annika, were seated on the small couch opposite her mother’s chair, and their two daughters, Ellinore and Aiyana, were seated on the remaining couch that had been moved a few feet away from its usual position by the fire to accommodate the chair in which her mother sat.

“Ah, there she is!” Evelien announced happily as she came in, a radiant smile lit the old woman’s face. Aellyn dipped a quick curtsy as she came to stand between the two couches.

“I don’t mean to interrupt,” Aellyn said shyly.

“Nonsense, my dear,” her uncle said, motioning for her to take a seat with her cousins. “You’re the one who made this gathering possible,” he smiled proudly at her, while her cousins shifted on the couch to make room for her, each giving her a shy but encouraging smile. She nodded her thanks to them and sat. To Aellyn’s astonishment, Aiyana, the nearest of her cousins, took her hand as soon as she was seated and gave it a firm squeeze. Aellyn met her eyes and found the young woman’s gaze was filled with wonder and excitement. She returned the squeeze more gently and favored her cousin with a smile, then settled herself more comfortably and turned quietly back to the group.

“Your parents were just sharing some happy news with us,” her uncle prompted, nodding to them.

“Your father has asked me to marry him,” her mother announced with a coy smile, seeming every inch the smitten young girl she must have been all those years ago when they’d first met. “And I’ve agreed. We’ll have the ceremony in a few days, as soon as things can be arranged. He’ll be staying here with us from now on.”

“Mother, that’s wonderful!” Aellyn exclaimed, looking from one parent to the other.

“I’m sorry it’s taken so long,” her father murmured. Aellyn wasn’t sure if the words were for her, her mother, or all of them, but the look of regret on her father’s face was heartbreaking. Her mother turned up to him with a sympathetic look.

“You’re here now,” she reassured him with a warm smile. “That’s all that matters.” He returned her smile and bent to kiss her forehead. When he straightened again, he addressed them all.

“I want to thank all of you, for so many things,” he began, his deep voice was soft. “For supporting and caring for Evelien when I could not. For raising my daughter to be such a kind and courageous woman. And for welcoming me into your home and your family.”

“My sister is right,” Aldun declared, cutting in. “What’s important is that you’re here now.”

“And we couldn’t be more thrilled!” Annika agreed enthusiastically, to Aellyn’s shock. “The girls and I will get started on wedding preparations, and I’ve already sent word to the kitchens that we’ll be having a small celebration in the main dining hall tonight.”

“What about…” Aiyana began shyly, “Does Lord Ilbryen have his own attendants he’d like here with him?”

“You needn’t address me so formally,” her father replied with a kind smile. “We’re to be family, after all.”

“He sent word this morning,” Evelien explained. “They should be arriving soon. I sent a message down to the stables to expect them.”

“Oh, wonderful!” Ellinor clapped her hands excitedly.

“While this visit has been most enjoyable,” Annika said, standing. “We should take our leave for now. Surely the three of you have much to discuss, and we should get a start on preparations.” With warm smiles on each face, Annika herded her husband and daughters out of the room. Aellyn watched them go, pleasantly surprised by the turn the day had taken.

“You must have questions,” her father’s deep voice broke into her thoughts. Aellyn turned to look up at him and found him watching her with an unreadable expression on his face. He moved from beside her mother’s chair to take a seat on the couch beside her.

“I do,” Aellyn admitted after a moment’s thought. “But they can wait. For now, I’m just glad that you’re here.”

“You’re not even curious why we decided to marry now?” Evelien asked, a thin brow raised as she eyed her daughter closely.

“Well, yes, I suppose…”

“Part of it is to legitimize your birth,” Ilbryen said frankly. “For the sake of your mother’s family and mine. It hasn’t mattered to anyone whose opinions we value, and it still doesn’t, but this will simplify things for everyone later on.”

“I see,” Aellyn replied carefully, though she wasn’t sure she did.

“But mostly, it’s because we want to,” he said, turning and reaching out to take her mother’s hand. The look of love that passed between them was undeniable, and it pleased Aellyn to see it. “And circumstances are such that I’m able to step away from some of my responsibilities to spend this time with you and your mother,” he explained, turning back to her.

“I see,” she said again, feeling a bit silly. Her father chuckled softly, the sound was warm and inviting.

“There will be plenty of time to discuss the future,” he said kindly. “For now, tell me about the past. Tell me all the things I’ve missed. Tell me about yourself.” Aellyn’s eyes met his, and she could see clearly how much he regretted missing all the tiny moments of her life. But she also saw love, soul-deep and raw. And hope, shining and bright, in the leaf green eyes that were so much like her own.

“Okay,” she said with a radiant smile, tears of joy springing to her eyes, and she began telling her father the story of her life, her mother looking on quietly from her chair by the fire with a smile of her own.

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