. . . A greater mother has yet to live, the tree replied, the voice growing faint. And it is to a mother I must make my request, for I need one of your caliber . . . to protect my daughter . . .
“Daughter?” Elenyr blurted.
The bark shifted beneath her hand, a small branch pushing outward. Leaves extended from the tiny extension as the wood unfurled, revealing a tiny seed. Alosia sucked in her breath as Elenyr accepted the seedling.
Plant my daughter where she will thrive, Urindilial said. To this I entrust the mother I respect, the protector of our world . . .
The voice withdrew, and the bark of the tree darkened. The nearby elves sensed the passing, and heads bowed, tears wetting the earth. But Elenyr held the tiny precious seed in her hand, and watched as a tiny sapling extended and shaped a leaf.
“She needs a home,” Elenyr said reverently.
“Don’t we all,” Alosia said dryly.
Queen Nelia stepped forward. “You can have mine.”
Water swiveled to face her. “What do you mean?”
Queen Nelia looked to Annah, and the woman smiled and nodded. “Tell her, Nelia.”
Nelia swept her hand to the ruined city. “Queen Alosia, in drawing Draeken here, your people paid the heaviest price. Your forests are destroyed, your cities are broken, and your people are homeless. After speaking to Annah and my advisors, we have made a decision. Erathan now belongs to you.”
Elenyr exchanged a look with Water, shocked to silence. Was Nelia giving her entire kingdom to the elves? The enormous gift could not be quantified, yet it was evident by Nelia’s smile that she was sincere.
Stunned, Alosia stared at her. “What about your people?” she asked.
“We are moving to Talinor,” she said. “After my father’s betrayal, my people are divided and I see conflict in our future. By joining Talinor, and unifying our kingdoms, we can preserve our heritage, and also save Talinor. Wellith, son of Duke Relis, is well respected, and a marriage between us will seal our kingdoms.”
“Plus he’s rather attractive,” Shadow said with a smirk.
“That did not factor into it,” Nelia said, but a touch of pink appeared in her cheeks. Elenyr hid a smile, pleased by the plan for the future. She sensed Senia’s hand in the arrangement. When she’d been high oracle, she’d helped orchestrate such unions, and appreciated the elegant solution.
King Dothlore grunted in agreement. “I support this arrangement if you do, Alosia. I will even bring my race to build you a mighty citadel. Heth currently rests on the Giant’s Shelf, but we can turn that cliff into a refuge that will never fall, even to an army the size of Draeken’s.
Tears formed in the elven queen’s eyes as she looked to Dothlore, Annah, and Nelia. She tried to shake her head, but a refusal failed to escape her lips. Elenyr saw the weight she’d carried and hidden, the cost her people had paid, and now her neighbors were willing to shoulder the same burden.
“This has been our homeland for ages,” Alosia said.
“Are you really going to refuse a free citadel?” Dothlore sniffed. “I thought your response would be different.”
“You have my deepest gratitude.” Alosia laughed and wiped the tears in her eyes.
Nelia embraced the woman. “It is our deepest honor.”
Elenyr smiled and looked to the seed in her hand. “You hear that little one? It looks like you have a new home.”
Chapter 45: A Given Name
Two Years Later
“It’s time,” Mind said.
“Already?” Elenyr asked.
Elenyr looked up from the desk and peered out the door of the tent. The sun was nearly at its zenith, exactly two years since Draeken’s defeat. Excited, she placed the quill next to the parchment and stood. With great care she picked up the small pot that never left her side. The sapling extended from the soil, its strong limbs reaching upward to coil around her hand.
“Yes, it’s time,” she said.
The young sapling seemed to shudder in excitement, and Mind grinned. “She seems excited.”
“She won’t stop chattering,” Elenyr said.
“She only talks to you and Alosia,” he said, his tone one of admiration. “I must say, I think Urindilial chose wisely.”
“Come on,” Stella appeared next to Mind. “Everyone is waiting.”
Mind grinned and threaded his hand into hers, prompting the next visitor to groan. “You guys are disgusting.”
“Love you too, Shadow.”
Stella tousled his hair, and he brushed her away. Elenyr carried the pot to the door and they made space for her, allowing her to step into the open. Elenyr breathed deep of the cool breeze, her gaze sweeping the top of the plateau known as the Giant’s Shelf.
Camps dotted the top of the cliff, the tents occupied by members of every race, visitors who had come to see the planting. Most were already in the new city being constructed, and Elenyr made her way in that direction.
