Now And Always

Part Two

~chapter 1~

~Restless Thoughts~

With her uneasy and restless ways this past week, she has also been feeling more alone. Sure, she has their daughters to keep her busy. The little seven month olds running around on their tiny legs and making giggles echo along their cottage and grounds. So she had more than enough to be keeping her busy, fear not. But, it was the sheer fact that her beloved had also been away all week.

Surely, he made it home in the wee hours a couple of evenings, as she lay slumbering in their bed. But, he had been silent in his returns. She sensed something was different with him lately. But he was closing himself off from her once again. She wished to help him, she desired to be doing so. It pained her to see her heart in such a disarray of his own mind. Was it the Hollow? She wondered to herself this particular morning. She stood out on their balcony, looking down along the grounds of their property here in Manosque. She didn't not for sure, but if he would only talk with her on it, maybe she could help him. And maybe he would be able to sleep easier once again.

The breeze gently kissed her long blonde tresses as she stood silently thinking. Closing her eyes to its touch, she imagined his hands there instead. How she longed for his gentle caresses through her tresses. Longed to feel his lips once again. She whispered without thinking, "How much longer will you be away for, my dearest heart? Your girls miss you so..." only the breeze relied, kissing her tresses once again. Its coolness a temporary relief to the summer heat of the day as the sun blared down with intense humidity upon the land for yet another day. She merely wrapped her arms around herself, and then tilting her head downward slightly to hold back any tears from her longings.

Now was not a time to dwell on such matters. She squeezed her arms in her palms a brief moment before wiping her eyes with the back of her hand and quickly turning around to head inside their bedroom and begin the day. She quickly heads off to change into a light and flowy summer dress and then heads off to ready Samantha and Solveig for the day. After slipping them into simple dresses, and getting their hair brushed and fed breakfast, she sets them off to play in the quiet of their living room, as she busies herself in a project she thought of doing just the other day. With their anniversary coming up quickly, she thought of making a small scrapbook to gift her beloved Elijah for such an occasion. After all, the first anniversary was paper. She smiles to herself as she hums happily when she sets to work with papers, and photographs now scattered along their dining table.

She cuts and glues in various arrangements into a small square book she lovingly added tiny wooden hearts to and penned in their initials on each one. She pauses after a few to watch their twins playing happily across the cottage in the open room. She rests her chin into her glue covered hands and sighs softy as she watches them, wondering once again when he would return as he was missing these little moments with them.

She then thinks to pick up the camera near her and begins to get a few photos snapped to include in their scrapbook so that he doesn't miss out after all. She spends the afternoon doing this instead and forgetting the cutter she had on the table. 

~chapter 2~

~A Night In Paris~

Upon the evening of his return, and the mention of having been in Paris these past days, she mulled over how it would be in such a city the following nights. Surely the sights would be something splendid to see. She would love to do so with him one of these times. Now, if she could only convince him, as with the fact he had just spent time there, he might not want to return so quickly being he was there for business.

After some coaxing, she managed to convince her beloved Elijah to bring her to Paris for a nice evening together. She kissed his lips lovingly as he agreed to take her for the night. A nice romantic dinner someplace and maybe a stroll through the city in this summer night would be a lovely way to celebrate their special times.

She scurried off to find her dress for the night. Tilting her head to the side as she looked upon her gowns he watched from across the room. Eventually, she decided on one and pulled out a black lace dress. Smirking to herself as she knew he never really wanted her to leave in such a dress before. But, this was Paris, surely it demanded something special as this.

She smirked playfully as she caught out of the corner of her eye, her beloved husband watching her pick out her dress. She calls softly, "care to give me a hand, my love?" She made to reach for her zipper of the dress she wore to slip out of it and into the other one.

He gives a slight smile as he crosses the room to her, "of course, my queen." She slides his hand into hers and slowly pulls the zipper down, sliding his hand then along her shoulder. He bends slightly to kiss her soft skin there as she slips the dress off of her body.

She turns her head to softly kiss his lips as she picks up the new dress to wear. "Thank you, my love." She whispers after their kiss.

"Allow me to help you in this new one, my charm..." he whispers back as he caresses her neck gently before starting another kiss to her tender lips.

After some time later, they were seated in a beautiful little restaurant overlooking the Eiffel Tower. The clear night made the lights glisten more upon the dark evening. He ordered a lovely meal for them with a salad on the side then asked for some champagne to celebrate their special month.

"A toast, my queen." He lifts his glass towards her once their glasses were poured for them.

She smiles back into his eyes and lifted her glass to his, "of course, my king."

"To us, and our love. To the music we share now and always." He continued, clinking her glass lightly.

Smiling, she added, "to many more beautiful chapters to our wonderful story, my heart."

They sipped from their glasses as they kept their eyes to each other. She smiled with a slight blush to her cheeks as she then placed her glass gently down. They enjoyed their delicious meal quietly, enjoying the view of the city and whispering as they sat closely by each other’s side. She noticed nothing else around them as they shared this secluded moment of theirs. It felt as though even the others sharing the restaurant with them were most nonexistent in her eyes.

Elijah read the wait staff’s mind briefly as they brought their dessert to them, in the light tough he gave to them without his wife even noticing.

'He is one lucky fellow to have a delicious creature by his side to adore him the way she seems to be doing so.' Before the wait staff quickly turned away to tend to the next table.

Elijah wondered if this was what others thought around the room and then smugly smirked to himself as he then looked upon his wife seeing her blushing softly over something.

She leaned in slightly with a forkful of the chocolate cake covered in dark, rich cherries, dripping in a chocolate sauce, to share the first bite with him. Her eyes looking up in his in a smiled question.

He quickly came back from his momentary lasp away from her attention and playfully took the bite she offered to him, before he took the fork from her delicate hands to offer her the next bite. He indulged in watching as she would close her eyes to savor the flavors entering her mouth upon his bites to her and just became lost in her beauty.

They shared one dessert with one fork. Taking turns in small bites between sweet kisses. They felt that nothing could be more perfect. She reached for his hand, thinking to herself just how lucky she was to have found him. He was more than wonderful in her eyes.

After their meal, Elijah takes her arm in his and guides her for a stroll along the streets of Paris. Pointing out everything as they walked by. She rests her head on his shoulder as they walk, smiling and enjoying all the stories he had to share on his experiences and knowledge of this grand and beautiful city. How she always loved hearing his stories.

Suddenly, a voice from behind them cuts their quiet night short. "Back so soon, Elijah?" The voice snarled low behind them. She still held his arm as they turned to see who was addressing them.

"My love?" She whispers as she notices there were others around them.

"Nothing to fear, my charm. I see them. They don't stand a chance against your Elijah." He gives her a mischievous look and a reassuring nod.

The cluster of vampires move in closer as the first one continues, "didn't you get all your answers the last time you were here?"

Elijah pulls his beloved wife in against him, keeping her close as they become slowly surrounded by the small cluster of rogue vampires. The suddenness of it strikes Sky to smirk and heated her desire for him more. But, she knew now wasn't the time. She gives him a brief heated kiss and smirks seductively at him.

Sliding her skirt of her short, black laced dress up slowly to not draw more attention, she slips her fingers around her dagger, sliding it out from its holster around her upper thigh. She gives a mischievous grin at her beloved husband as she twirls her dagger for him and asks, “Shall we, my darling? I think these lads need a lesson in manners before royalty." She gives a slight giggle and looks to him playfully before darting her eyes around those surrounding them.

He looks quickly in her eyes, a grin crossing his lips briefly before he turns his attention back to the vampires surrounding them, "ladies first, my queen?" He lifts her hand to his lips and kisses it.

She watches him playfully and then slips her lips over his quickly, whispering, "together, my love." She breaks unwantingly away from his arms and turns towards the group, her dagger in the ready.

They ready for the coming attack, watching for who will make the first move. Elijah holds out his hands and addresses them, "what do we owe this pleasure of disruption to our quiet evening of celebration? You are interrupting a nice night with my queen."

One of the rogue vampires snarls and mumbles something incoherently as he lunges for Elijah while another goes after Sky. She jumps back quickly and then jabs her dagger into his side in one swift motion. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees her beloved simply grab at the vampire attacking him with one hand and ripping his heart out with the other all in one methodically swift move.

She gives a nod in his direction as she feels she needs to tap deeper to her gifts as more circle around her, separating her from her husband. Then focuses on their attackers, knowing her Elijah can take care of himself until she can make her way closer to him again. She stabs a few with her dagger.

One makes to bite her, their fangs extended out. She makes to avoid their attack only to get scratched on her arm. She glares at him yelling out from the sharp pain. Her eyes flash red as she turns and grabs him by the throat, squeezing her fingers tightly around his windpipe. "One will pay for that." She tightens her grip more as he struggles for air. She looks in his eyes as they flash and stay red, concentrating on what she was about to do. "This dress is one of my beloved's favorites, and you've ruined it just now. How dare you touch his queen," she whispers as she flashes into their mind what she had planned for them.

"No..." they gasped as they struggled from her grip, suddenly reading her thoughts.

She slips her dagger into her thigh holster under her dress, she spells as she then sets her fist into his chest, ripping out his heart. With a final grasp, he was silent and lifeless in her hand. She loosens her grip from his throat, allowing him to slump at her feet.

Standing there still holding his heart, the blood dripping in her hand, she looks over at how her beloved Elijah was holding up with his own set of attackers.

Meanwhile, Elijah snaps the necks of those attacking him. He grabs the last attacker and throws his hand into his chest, ripping his heart out. The attacking vampire stands frozen as his heart gets ripped out. Elijah gives him a nudge with his other hand and watches him fall back to the cobblestones before him. He looks across the way, searching for his beloved wife.

She sighs in relief when she sees him standing victorious across the way, ironically holding a heart in his hand as well. Something about the way he stood there holding it made a slight smirk cross her lips without her realizing it. She glides across the cobblestones to be in his arms once again. He drops the heart in his hand, forgetting all about it once he sees her standing safe from what he could tell.

Once she reaches him, she wraps her free hand around the nape of his neck, her eyes no longer flashing the red they just were moments before. She whispers in his ear, "a heart for my heart?" She jokes as she offers him the heart of the last rogue vampire she killed from their attack, giving him an innocent look in her eyes.

He pulls her close and kisses her forehead, whispering, "Are you hurt, my queen?" He takes the heart she offered him and lets it roll carelessly off of his hand as he holds her.

She closes her eyes and keeps close to him, whispering in his ear, "just a scratch, my love. I shall be alright." She runs her nose gently along his cheek to reassure him as she plays her fingers through his hair.

He heaves a sigh and she hears a low growl escape him as he mumbles, "they shall pay for this." As he kisses her temple.

She whispers, "What did I say about that growl of yours?" She playfully smirks at him and gives him a slow kiss. "Let us be home. I suddenly feel we need to hold our little ones."

After returning her kiss and feeling a little more at ease, he agrees and holds her close, "yes, my love, I feel that is best for the remainder of the night." He turns to flag down a taxi cab for them and compels the driver to drive them home and to forget ever seeing them.

Upon their return to their Manosque cottage, Elijah helps his beloved wife carefully from the car and pays the driver handsomely, compelling him once again, “you were never here. You never saw us."

The drive nodded and drove off, leaving the couple to walk the path up to their cottage. He holds her close as they walk up and inside, being sure they were not followed. She takes his hand silently and leads him to their daughters' bedroom. She opens their door quietly and nods to the nanny keeping watch while they were away. The nanny leaves without a word, noticing their disheveled appearance and the blood on their evening attire but knows better than to question her king and queen.

They stand just inside the doorway, holding each other close, looking over the two beautiful blonde heads slumbering peacefully in their cribs. She nuzzles into her beloved husband's neck, whispering, "All is safe here at home, my love."

~chapter 3~

~The gracefulness of the night sky~

‘The soft twinkle of the stars and galaxies fading in and out. The faint glimpses of the passing shooting stars that were barely visible. So faint that if one blinked, you would miss them. While the moon kept a faint white circle glowing around her…’ he remembered these words in his beloved wife’s voice from early last summer. How it seemed to magically open his eyes to the night sky. It gave him a new sense of wonder and awe to something he almost forgot how to cherish. But, it was she who was really full of wonder and awe.

He stood unseen for some time watching her as she sat up on the railing along the balcony to their bedroom. She spent hours watching the stars in the sky and waiting for any shooting stars to pass along. Sometimes, she would whisper about it all as though he might be able to hear her when she felt he was still away on his business. Little did she realize that some nights, he would be standing just like this, admiring her from afar. His sunlight in the evening.

Elijah could stand there forever doing just this, if father time and life, would allow it. But eventually, he gave a sigh and stepped forward from his shadowed hiding spot, not wanting to be apart from her any longer. Silently, he stepped out on the balcony behind her, slowly wrapping his arms around her chest as she still sat in her way, staring up into the summer evening sky above them.

Without a word, he kissed her temple and caressed her waist slowly. She gave a pleased smile and wrapped her arms around his, tilting her head towards his to gently kiss his cheek and stroke her nose along it shorty after. Without hesitation, they share a small kiss followed with her whispered, “welcome home, my heart.”

Simple words to anyone else but to him. He felt complete finally with these mere words from her lips. A voice like a song in itself, to be treasured beyond all of time. With all of the musical compositions he had played or written in his long lifetime, she was the sweetest song of them all. And they shared it together, which only made it even sweeter. Through everything and anything, they still held strong in their love. She was his faery’s song now. And they now shared in telling stories that they made with their new chapter of life.

She slide her legs down and wrapped around him her delicate arms, pulling him close and nuzzling into his nose with hers, a glint in her eyes as she did so, he could never resist nuzzling his nose back with hers and smiling from within. Then kissing her lips once again as he lifted her up to carry her across the balcony inside.

She always giggled when he moved them quickly across the way and it sounded like bells to his ears. They laid back upon their bed, holding each other close and sweet kissing as they softly whispered their stories about their time apart from each other. How they missed their time of late with his business keeping him away for such longer time than before. But, they would cherish the time they now have and fight the god Morpheus away from their slumber as long as they dared. For this was the secret to their gracefulness of the night sky.

What once seemed closed off and lost to him, was now opened and an endless possibility by her. He opened his heart and allowed her in, knowing what might come from it. But, this time, he would stop at nothing to keep this all safe. To keep his loves all safe.

~chapter 4~

~Discovering Rooms~

While her beloved napped, she kissed his cheek softly once she knew he was slumbering and silently climbed out of their bed. She lifted her skirts to softly patter from their room to allow her husband peaceful slumber from his days away from their home and his girls. She turns briefly to look back at him at their doorway before stepping from their room.

She heads up the stairs at the far end of their Manosque cottage. She looks up the worn staircase that hasn't even been explored since they had moved into this quaint little house in the country, and decides to quietly head up. Holding her skirt in one hand as she climbs the stairs, holding the thin wooden railing in the other. The stairs creaking as she stepped carefully up she looks down at them, shushing them as she goes.

At the top of the stairs, she sees a few more rooms to be discovered. She looks around realizing how long this place must have sat alone and unlived in before they were able to acquire it.

"Wow..." as she slid her fingers slowly along the faded and peeling paint on the hallway wall. She walks down to the first room and looks around it.

Parts of the ceiling had crumbled in this room but, the windows were beautifully ornate and only worn in their paint. She looked up at the ceiling thinking on the beautiful paintwork she might be able to add to such a room. Maybe they could turn this into another bedroom, or even change it into a library. The more she thought on it, the library sounded more appropriate as the windows and the view. She smirks to herself, unless they moved their bedroom to this higher floor and have the better view of the grounds. She lets out a soft giggle and then turns on her heel to check the other rooms.

The next two rooms were identical in style and size with a small door between them. She smiles as she thinks on just how perfect this could be for their girls. And how they can take their time fixing it up for them so as they got old enough, they would be ready in the renovations for them to have their own rooms. Each room had a small balcony with tall windows going from the floor to the ceiling. A little bit of paint would do the trick and then she thought on the beautiful beds she saw back in town they might be able to bring in for them.

She gave a little happy twirl to her thoughts and headed further down the hall to the last room. She peeked inside to find a lonely desk and chair set. This room barely touched with anything else. Only some cosmetic work needed in here. She imagines another bedroom possibly in this room. This one had no balcony. But the same style of tall windows. She turns to head back downstairs to grab a broom. Smiling and happy in her discovery, she figures she may as well start to a cleaning of this quaint new rooms of theirs before she started painting them. This would give her something to do while her beloved slept. Or even while he was away on his business affairs for these longer periods of time he has been doing.

She picks up the broom form the corner of the kitchen and turns to head back upstairs to begin sweeping the rest of the afternoon.

~chapter 5~

~setting to work~

After the day before’s discovery of new rooms and their condition, she set out early the next morning to fix them up further. She starts with the two identical rooms she feels would be perfect for their twins. Not too much work was going to be needed in these rooms, she planned out her task as she carried the bucket of water up the stairs with the washing clothes and the mop. She already had a waste basket in another room from where she left off the other day.

She sets the bucket in a corner and turns to the other room to grab the waste basket and the broom. She hums the tune from their first meetings and twirls around the room as she sweeps the old piles of dirt, dust, and crumbling plaster along the floor. Smiling as she goes, she scoops it all up in a swift motion and then pauses with the broom stick in her hand. She sways the broomstick slightly as she stands in the middle of the room once she was done, thinking out loud on her next task to be done.

She bites the corner of her lip slightly as she looks at the room before her, now all swept. “I think I saw some cream colored paint in the small shed in the yard,” she thinks out loud to herself, turning to rest the broom against the wall to head back down the stairs.

She lifts the front corner of her skirts as she glides her way down the stairs and out the side door to the small courtyard right off of the cottage. She looks over to the far end where a tiny one door, faded green shed stood with a tiny window on the side wall. With a nod, she makes her way across the courtyard to the shed.

She tugged on the shed door and grunted softly to herself when it didn’t give easy to her pull. “Stubborn humidity,” she mumbled as she reminded herself as to why the door may have given her trouble. She turned her hand slightly lifting the door another way to pull it once again. This time, the door gave way to her efforts and she sighed with relief.

She stood in the door way, peering inside, looking for the one can of paint she thought she saw some time ago. The sunlight filtered through the tiny window as the dust particles danced quietly around the air. She waved a spider web out of her path as she stepped inside to get a better look. She had some of the web land on her face that caused her to make a squeamish face as waved it quickly away.

She shakes her head as she fixes herself from the web attack and continues further into the shed. She stepped around some old boxes she still needed to look through, left behind by the previous owners and sees the can of her quest. She grabs it up and heads back out of the shed, leaving it partially open so it would not get stuck on her again later.

She carries it back up the stairs after she grabs a large paint brush on her way. She spent the rest of the morning painting and touching up spots around the room before she grabs the paint roller for the higher to reach spots. Then she does the same to the next room.

When she walks through the door between the rooms, she discovers there is really a small bathroom with a door at each end to the respective rooms. She smiles at her new discovery and thinks on more plans to be done. She works quickly now as she finds more things to be done upstairs and wants to have as much done to surprise her beloved at all of her hard workings while he goes about his business affairs.

At the end of her busy day, she drags her water bucket over to the new bathroom and empties it down the drain, listening to make sure the pipes were still in working order. Happy in her thoughts, she sets the bucket in the tub and heads back downstairs to shower and change into cleaner clothing for the early evening before fixing meals for herself and their girls.

She spent the quiet late afternoon in the gardens with their daughters before it was time to tell them stories and lullabies for bed. She rests her eyes to their snuggles as she gently rocked them to their peaceful slumbers, dreaming partly on her beautiful she was going to transform their new rooms upstairs. 

~chapter 6~

~finishing touches~

Some days later, after fixing up trim and wood and replacing small things she can handle on her own, she grabs up her small brushes and canvas paints to bring up with her. She has already done the base of a cream white along all the walls for both of the twin’s new rooms to be. She wanted to make some murals along parts on the walls next.

She looks around the first room and thinks of where to begin. Placing her finger along her chin a moment she then heads over to the small wall leading into a walk in closet. It was the right size to bring in some nature. Their girls loved the gardens as much as she did, so she thought a tree would be lovely to add before their closets.

She sets to work all morning making a scene along the first closet entry before turning to the other. Each in turn to allow the layers time to dry before beginning the next layer. Completing both sections in each room at one time.

She pauses in her work to run down and fix a small snack and check up on how the girls were doing being watched over by a trusted castle worker she invited over to help while she worked on her task at hand. Satisfied knowing all was quiet and well, she set back to her workings.

She started on a scene along the longest wall in both of the rooms. She started on a scene along the longest wall in both of the rooms. Taking turns in her layers once again. The rooms may be painted identical for them, but she was secretly leaving slight differences in each room as a subtle surprise for them to discover as they grow.

The rooms may be painted identical for them, but she was secretly leaving slight differences in each room as a subtle surprise for them to discover as they grow. As the day passes along, she finally gets to the final corners and towards to entry of the rooms, overlooking the landing below. She day dreams momentarily as she paints along, thinking on what she may do next. She envisioned painting and adding a small bench in the nooks along the hallway up here. Maybe adding some planters to bring in the outdoors as well.

Maybe adding some planters to bring in the outdoors as well. She thought of another tree with such benches. Complimenting in shades. She thought to visit the village later in the week, to find the perfect light fixtures to be added up here soon. She had a feeling she will have to place some orders for such things she will be looking for. But that will also help her to pass the time as well. She set her brushes down and looked into the room she stood in. She smiled to herself as she admired the handiwork she just did all day.

Wiping her brow with the back of her hand, she gathered up a cloth to clean herself up some and went to clean her brushes to put away. Tomorrow is another day. And there were still more rooms to be completed.

~chapter 7~

~Returning Home Again~

He stood a moment in the doorway of their bedroom upon his return to their cottage in Manosque and watched silently over as the empresses of his world slumbered in their beds. The soft breathings from their lips making it all the more real that they truly did exist. He still could not believe it was so some days, even now that they were eight months old. Eight months! How the time has passed them by. And how quickly they have been growing.

He listened to the music of their heartbeats before swiftly and silently placed a pop-up book made specifically for them about dragons on the small table for them to find upon waking. He could just imagine now, the glees in their bell like voices as they see his gift to them when they woke in the morning. The little buzzing sounds as they happily flip through the pages as the book magically will come to life before their little eyes. A smile crossing his lips as he thought about this future moment.

He went to each bed in turn, kissing gently their forehead of each Samantha and Solveig in turn, caressing their soft blonde heads as he did. Pausing again at the doorway before heading down the hall to finally hold his beloved wife once again in his arms, he committed to memory their blonde heads just like sunlight laying peacefully in their beds, fast asleep.

He listened to the sounds of the cottage. All was silent other than the soft sounds of slumber by all in the cottage. He stopped at the door to the room they shared and listened. The soft breathing of his goddess coming from their bed. Silently, so as to not disrupt her slumbers, he readies for bed and climbs under the covers, wrapping his arms gently around her.

“Welcome home, my heart,” a faint whisper comes from her lips as she felt his arms wrap around her slender body.

How he missed this voice, this sound. He kissed her forehead as she rolled over to face him, pulling him closer against her body and burying her face into his chest. He places his face against her head, closing his eyes as he breathes in the aroma coming from her head. Such a beautiful scent she was, a mixture of lavender and honeysuckle floating from her long blonde tresses.

“You’ve been missed so,” she whispered as she lifted her chin up to place soft butterfly kisses along his neck.

“I’ve missed you as well, my queen.” Kissing her forehead and caressing her tresses more.

She smiles at his kiss and snuggles more into his arms. Her heart was home once again. They spent the evening hours that remained whispering on their days apart and sharing stories while holding close in each other’s arms.

When they finally drifted to sleep, Elijah smiled to himself at how good it felt to finally be home holding his beloved wife and kissing their daughter’s once again. Knowing they were still safe here in their cottage, gave him a sense of peace. But even more so, just holding his Sky once again.

~chapter 8~

~In The Garden~

She picks up the basket and heads out to the gardens as the set starts to set. Hitching up the corner of her skirt as she scurries in her faye way through the gardens to the far end past the weeping willow standing tall and wise, she pauses a moment to look up through its tall swaying branches before turning to continue on her way. She passes the stone bench, running her finger slowly as she strolls past, a tiny smile upon her lips as she does. She reaches the tiny shed beyond, just before the property line. The tiny shed worn and weathered by time. She was thankful the former owners had so many little things like this throughout the property for her to utilize. Sometimes she wondered on just who they might have been, but then she just as quickly shrugs it away.

She ducks inside and looks around the tiny room of a shed. Closing her eyes, she breathes in slow and deep to the aroma of the room, savoring the smells. She plays around to pick out some bunches of lavenders and assorted other flowers she has been allowed to dry these past weeks. After she's done making her selections, she heads back to their cottage located conveniently in the center of the property. Nestled, and protected.

She spends the rest of the late afternoon setting up beautiful arrangements to brighten their little home. She hums happily along in her work, giving little dances and soft twirls here and there as she went about her work. Minor clippings off of this one, and snap of a leaf on that one.

Pausing in her work, she hurries off to another room to gather up a few vases. She returns, arms overfilled with various sizes and shapes, almost dropping them on the table before her.

"Whoops, let us not drop these today." She scolds herself as she set them down, juggling them to not fall to the floor. She stands back and looks over the table, placing her hands on her hips as she does. "I'll start with this one..." she steps towards the table and reaches for a small crystal vase of etched designs.

She grabs up some thick wires ribbon and snips a corner so she may form it into a large bow to be tied around the bulge of the vase before she chooses which flowers to set inside. She makes an arrangement of lavenders, bluebells, and bright yellow lilies before she is satisfied of the look of it. She smiles proudly to herself and scurries away with it, setting it over on top of her beloved's piano.

Satisfied with how beautiful it looked on top of the dark blue fleur de lis pattern trimmed in gold, she returns quickly back to her work area and continues on the rest of her arrangements.

~chapter 9~

~Love Letters and Memories~

After spending the morning tending to her task upstairs from the past couple of weeks; she was almost done with what will become Samantha and Solveig's rooms and was very pleased with how they were coming out, she headed to her crafting room. She set her garden basket upon the large, worn wooden table in the center of the room before turning towards the bench on the side of the room.

She runs her fingers lightly along the small boxes laying silently there and thinks of what was in one special one in particular. She runs her fingers lightly along the small boxes laying silently there and thinks of what was in one special one in particular. She lovingly picks this one up, smiling to herself.

She leaves the room and heads upstairs to the large room she chose to become theirs. Keeping the box held close to her chest, she spins around slowly to look around the room. She pauses in her twirl and heads over to sit before the large window at the far end of the room.

Once seated on the floor by the window, she carefully opens the box, sliding her fingers slowly along the old carvings

Once seated on the floor by the window, she carefully opens the box, sliding her fingers slowly along the old carvings. She lifts the top piece of folded paper up from the box and opens it. She leans back against the wall of the window and begins to read over the letter. She sighs soft to herself and then holds it against her chest, closing her eyes to remember the moment her beloved had left such a letter to her.

All these beautiful words he wrote just for her, and she saved each beautiful letter to cherish always

All these beautiful words he wrote just for her, and she saved each beautiful letter to cherish always. Maybe we was being extra nostalgic lately. But, she didn’t seem to mind while she was in this moment. It was fun to relive such beautiful memories in her mind.

Notes before the holidays with small gifts. She giggles softly at this little memory, then bites the corner of her lip in her smile. Then another letter, one of his first ones her beloved Elijah gave her, left lovingly with a single red rose as she slept.

She carefully picks up and plays with this very rose from the box, holding it up to her nose as she reads the letter that came with it

She carefully picks up and plays with this very rose from the box, holding it up to her nose as she reads the letter that came with it. She closes her eyes as she breathes in what remained of the preserved flower, smiling in her thoughts.

She leans back again, setting the rose delicately upon her lap along with the letter and closes her eyes, whispering, "I love you, my dearest heart." As she smiled and rested her eyes in a nap, day dreaming on his words of love to her.

~chapter 10~

~ keeping busy~

After a busy day about in the castle, she made a stop by the village Shoppe’s and picked up some frozen treats for herself and her beloved husband. Upon entering their cozy cottage, she quietly sets his drink on the side table in his study so as not to disturb his business workings from his clearly very busy day.

She scurries off in her Faye like way and heads to their bedroom to quickly change from the day. Afterwards, picking up her brushes, she hurries off up the stairs to busily get more of these surprise room completed.

Since the girls rooms were all set in their paintings, she did happen to have someone come in and work on their windows off in their nooks. She was thinking they will become a quiet corner for them to each sit and enjoy the view while digging their noses into the story books they already seem to be so fond of by now.

She did however, in her travels, stumble along some antique dressers she planned to decorate for each of them. She sits on the floor in front of one such dresser, already placed in each of their rooms and carefully sets to work.

She runs her tongue slowly along her lower lip as she dips the paint brush into the well of paint. Then thinking on just how she was going to add her design thought. She spends hours on each one until she was satisfied with them both. She leans back on her palms and smiles at how well they turned out. Happy with the end result. Then she hurries off to the room she wants to turn into a library.

She yanks open the solid oak door and stands there a moment, waving her hands in front of her face so that she could get the musty smell and dust out of her face. She coughs a little at this and then gives a heavy breath before stepping into the room, setting to work. The room wasn't nearly as bad in condition compared to the other rooms. This one seemed a little more protected from the elements that attacked this upper floor. Minor paint and a lot of elbow grease in cleaning would get this room quickly ready. She set out hurriedly to do just that.

She finished polishing the bookcases, revealing ornate designs carved deep in the wood

She finished polishing the bookcases, revealing ornate designs carved deep in the wood. She spends some hours carefully adding a protective sealant to the beautiful wood.

She smiles afterwards, "with this land protected, I should have no worries keeping those books under lock and key here." She says to herself, thinking that she must hurry back to her friend that has been holding certain books safe for her all these years.

"I can't risk them falling in the wrong hands. Especially if those threats were real."

She had paid a quick visit recently to her friend after the message from the raven came some days prior. She thought back on that visit. She said she couldn't take anything that day. But, she told her she would send for them by trusted servants from the castle to bring them here to her.

"They should be arriving any day now." She quickly finished her work and then went back downstairs wondering just when these books will be arriving.

~chapter 11~

~the books finally arrive~

She wakes up and busies herself in the kitchen to ready for the day after slipping into outing clothes. She hurries out the door to fly off to the village shoppes to gather some treats for the day/ evening. She returns with her chosen treats and sets them aside for later.

Some lime and mint alcohol infused cake pops and rice crispy pops to start. As well as some nice coffee and hot chocolate treats for their day. She misses their morning exchanges of their coffee and hot chocolates with her beloved being distant as of late

She misses their morning exchanges of their coffee and hot chocolates with her beloved being distant as of late. She still ponders over if it may have to do with the hollow he has trapped within him.

Once she has everything settled in their places, she turns to head up the stairs and continue on some of her other tasks before the caw of a raven telling her the arrival of the books. Once she has everything settled in their places, she turns to head up the stairs and continue on some of her other tasks before the caw of a raven telling her the arrival of the books.

Once she has everything settled in their places, she turns to head up the stairs and continue on some of her other tasks before the caw of a raven telling her the arrival of the books

She glances at the window where the raven has perched itself, loudly boasting his laments of the arriving body.

"Hush. Once was more than enough, thank you." She rolled her eyes at him and scurries off quickly to grab the door.

The delivery person was allowed through the barrier as they showed no ill or harm. But, she was still going to be on her guard as she always was. She slides her hand unseen to her thigh, feeling her blade in its holster per usual.

She shakes her head as the raven continued to caw behind her, now hopping in through the window and along the counter top before landing to the floor and taking human form. Now silent and looming.

She smirks and nods, “well now that is a lovely idea... I wish I had thought of that." She winks and turns back quickly, flipping open the door and standing tall.

"My queen," the servant before her bowed low and keeps their head down. "I have the books and other items you requested sent over. Where shall I leave them?" They peek up and stare within the cottage behind her.

She gives a quick little nod and points to the bench just outside the door. "Right there shall be best. Thank you." She slips some coins to them and smiles.

"But, they are special books, my queen..." they start to protest before she gives a stern look over them.

They abruptly stop and bow once more, “as you wish, mistress of Avalon." They quickly do as requested and hurries away.

She stands in the doorway, watching them take off after they leave the books, wondering how dare they question her on such a matter. She nods over to her raven, now human form, and they silently make their way past her to gather up the left items.

"Upstairs in the new library will be sufficient, thank you." She whispers to them as she steps out into the garden entry now and focuses on spelling up the border once more. She was not going to take chances with anything, especially with this oddity of this last servant and their questioning of her.

As she finishes her spelling, there is a small flash of a blur at the far end of the property. She narrows her eyes in the direction and grabs up her blade from its holster. By now, the raven guard has returned and she gives a look with a nod in the direction. They quickly head off in the area and she follows close behind to investigate.

Once they reach out the spot, she notices that there had been more than one after all. She looks out over the area, and now notices the creatures expelled by her spell working just moments before.

She carefully crosses over to them, laying on the outer garden field holding their head from the throw that occurred to them.

"Next time you will not be so lucky. Think of this as your first, last, and only warning..." she glares over them. "Who sent you? Which one was it, so I may personally thank them myself? And what was left in the books that may be harmful to me or my family?" She stood over them questioning.

"N-nothing, mistress. I swear.” They stammer.

"That is hard to believe, I find. You will no longer serve either of them. You will be paying a visit now elsewhere..." she starts as the raven guard makes to grab them up only to have them suddenly struggle and dive after her.

"No..." they grunt. "I serve the rightful queens..."

She jumps out of the way and with a swift motion, she jabs at them, holding them close to her as she twisted the blade deeper into them. “As one wishes. But you all will learn before too long..." she whispers in their ear as they gasped for their final breath. She then shoves them off of her and stands over them.

Turning to the guard, "dispose of these?" She questions as she makes to turn. Now her attention and concern over the fresh delivery now sitting in their home.

The raven guard bows low and disappears with the now lifeless bodies.

Gathering up her skirts, she flies across the way and up to the library to investigate. She gives a look over and scans the books and other objects to make sure of their hidden qualities, turning them all over carefully in her hands. She finally closes her eyes and sighs a relief once she’s satisfied they were clean of anything. She falls back in a nearby chair and looks over the new stack of old and worn books before her. Grimoires beyond time all here in one place.

"I wonder which one has the hidden answer to the hollow in you.” she whispers and trails off, staring at them before her.

~chapter 12~

~sweet wind whispers~

'We exist outside of time

You were my answer

Long before I found my question...'

Whispers upon the wind that filtered through the open window. The summer breeze kissing her skin as she set her brush down in the candlelit bedroom of theirs. She slowly stands up and turns towards the voice that came to her ears.

"Darling?" She questions as she patters softly to their balcony, peeking her head through the door. She pauses to listen for any sign of her beloved husband, hoping he was finally home.

A small bundle of red roses appear before her suddenly as the feels his kiss upon her temple, pressing gently on her.

She smiles happily to his touch. "Welcome home, my love," Was all she responded, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him in against her as his inviting arms pulled her even tighter.

"Thank you, my love," he whispers through her blonde tresses, kissing them once again.

She strokes his cheek softly with her nose before kissing just under his ear. Then whispering, “The flowers are simply delicious. You spoil me too much, darling..." she starts.

"You are delicious," he turns to kiss her lips, delicious in their touch before whispering back, then kissing such sweet honeysuckle flavored lips, "never too much for my charm." She blushes slightly at his words and delays a longer kiss upon his lips as he then begins to guide her back inside their home. "Much too cold out here for my goddess..." he whispers in her ear, barely audible.

She closes her eyes to his voice, his caresses along her waist giving her peace now. Wrapping her arms more around him, she whispers back, "yes, my love, much too cold." As he lays her back upon their bed, sweet kissing her as she lifts their blanket over them. They remain, whispering and sweetly placing kisses along each other throughout the remainder of the night. Telling their stories from their days. Until the god Morpheus steals them each away to slumber,

Snuggled safely in the other’s arms. He guarding her dreams like no one else has ever done before until now. And she, guarding his heart as she only can.

He whispers once again as he drifts off, not realizing she heard him, "long before I found my question..."

She smiles softly as she snuggled in close, her eyes closed and focused on his own breathing that sent her to her own peaceful slumber, and whispered an answer to him, without thinking, "I hope I'll always be such an answer...always..."

Upon hearing her words in his now half sleep, he smiled like he hasn't before. He had forgotten once, how this feeling was like. He vowed to himself silently, that he will stop at nothing, to keep this beautiful creature of his safe. She was his world now, as well as their tiny little empresses, she had somehow blessed him with. He would keep them all away from the curse he felt always followed his family. They were his family now. He was forever happiest here, with her in his arms. For he felt how her heart was at this point. Such love and desire from her, she would seem to do anything in her power as well, to keep this family safe...

~chapter 13~

~Anniversary around the corner~

She sets to work in the early morning hours. So much to be happening in the upcoming month of September and she grew more excited as the days approached quickly. Funny how time flies by. It seemed like just yesterday they were preparing and saying their vows to each other.

Now, one year later, they celebrate not only that, but nine blessed months with their little bugs. Beautiful baby girls that were growing so fast now.

She headed out quickly to the gardens and gathered up some of the lavender already set aside, placing them into a small wagon to be sent off to the castle

She headed out quickly to the gardens and gathered up some of the lavender already set aside, placing them into a small wagon to be sent off to the castle. She was going to have some of these prepared there for her as she had some other ideas for while she was around their cottage home.

A couple of her ravens swooped down and transformed into their humanoid form, ready for their orders. It may be a small task, but after the last little, shall we say, run in, she would rather not take any more chances. She nods and gives her orders, "take these up to the head cook, she will know where they must go. She has space in the freezer to store them."

They make a soft caw in reply and head off, wagon in hand.

Then she carried by the armfuls to the cottage as much lavender as she could.

Then she went back to gather other flowers to add to such arrangements she would spend the day creating.

She busies herself all morning, gathering and bringing back inside to her work station, already being piled high with various freshly picked flowers

She busies herself all morning, gathering and bringing back inside to her work station, already being piled high with various freshly picked flowers.

She steps into the room and looks around, "maybe I should get started by now on some of the arrangements. Before I run out of space completely!" She laughs at herself as she smiles over all the smells now filling her nose. A delightful bouquet of smells bringing a bright smile over her thoughts.

As she sets to work finally, a caw from the open window and her beloved raven guard hops through, back in his bird form. "Welcome back. Maybe I should have you take some of these other flowers to free me some space to work in here as well?"

He caws some more and hops about, playing with ribbon and makes to fly off with it in his mouth, as payment for his task of earlier.

"Oh no you don't! That, stays here." she scolds him quickly, pointing over to the pile of other ribbons in the far corner. "You know better than that. Those over there belong to you."

He caws in argument back at her and she sets her work down upon the table, now setting her hands on her hips as she makes her way around the table. She walks over to him, smirking and knowing this was more a play than anything else.

"Don't you be tryin' to sass at me, mister." She waves her index finger at him in more scolding. "There is no time for that, those are yours over there." Holding out her hand now to him and motioning for him to give back his stolen ribbon. "Now, give it back."

She stands there patiently waiting for him.

Reluctantly, he abides and hops up to the table, dropping his stolen treasure into the palm of her hand.

"Thank you. Now take from your pile and be off with ya." She sighs. Some days it's like dealing with a two year old with this one particular raven. She laughs and shakes her head at the thought before turning back to continue her work.

She trims the roses and other flowers to fit into small bundles. Her thought was to have these drape along the gardens later.

Next, will be some for tall vases along the ballroom and entry into the gardens, combining long stalks of lavender and white roses with other tall stems of green to coordinate

Next, will be some for tall vases along the ballroom and entry into the gardens, combining long stalks of lavender and white roses with other tall stems of green to coordinate.

She piles them high as she hurries through her workings and then hears another caw at the window

She piles them high as she hurries through her workings and then hears another caw at the window. Without glancing up, "come to try and steal more of my ribbon rather than yours again, my dear little dog?" She gives a smirk and looks up when another caw retorts.

The raven stays in the window, cawing at her. She sets her work down and walks over to the window. "What is the matter, now?" She scratches under his chin and coos at him.

He stops cawing so much and then hops to the floor, changing back to humanoid form. He silently begins to gather up the piles of arrangements to be carried down to the wagon and brought up to the castle.

"Many thanks, dear friend." She softly says and pauses before turning back to her work. She peeks out the window and wonders just what had her little raven so stressed about. She shakes her head and turns back to her work. Now pulling out votive holders and wrapping carefully the lavender and ribbons around each one so they can place them on tables. She wasn't certain how large of a celebration this would turn out, but she figured she could not have too little of things made. She hummed along to herself as she carefully did these up and set them into boxes to be brought up later. Her ravens having already set off with the next wagonful by now.

She then adds wreaths to be hung between satin and silk ribbons around the grounds and ballroom

She then adds wreaths to be hung between satin and silk ribbons around the grounds and ballroom. She wraps slowly to ensure that each was tight and secured.

Finally, after the busy day and afternoon has been spent, she pauses in her workings and sets it all aside for the remainder of the day

Finally, after the busy day and afternoon has been spent, she pauses in her workings and sets it all aside for the remainder of the day.

She heads off to change and freshen up before she checks for some things in the old grimoires she now has here in their home. She wanted to look into some rituals and wondered if there may be some within these old pages.

She sits curled up in a large chair with one in her lap and reads the rest of the afternoon as she waits for her beloved Elijah to finish his own business from the day.

~chapter 14~

~Trying on her dress again~

After the day in the gardens with the girls, she sets them down for the afternoon naps and then heads off to her crafting room. She sets to working on a small pile of flowers, laying out various styles to form into crowns of flowers and small tidbits to pin in her hair as well.

She plays around until she finally decides what will work and sets to wrap them up in her handiwork designs. She plays around until she finally decides what will work and sets to wrap them up in her handiwork designs. Humming to herself as she goes about her work. Once she finishes the girls' head pieces, she sets them aside to keep safe before turning to work on her own.

Still humming along, not realizing she is now humming their song from their day, 'kindle my heart', she finally finishes the touches on hers. She walks over to the mirror in the room, setting it carefully on her head. A simple adjustment, then she smiles as she looks upon her work reflecting back at her. "Perfect," she whispers and then spins around to head off to their bedroom.

She stands before the closet door, and swings the double doors open swiftly. She runs her fingers slowly along the clothing until she comes to one item in her quest. Her wedding dress. A slight smirk crossing her lips playfully as she slips her fingers around the hanger and pulls the cream colored dress out.

A slight smirk crossing her lips playfully as she slips her fingers around the hanger and pulls the cream colored dress out. Stripping out of her clothing, she carefully slips into her dress. Once on her slender body, she zips it up and heads over to the antique mirror Elijah had brought home from her from his families estate.

Smoothing out the skirt as she looks upon herself in the mirror. She was surprised that it still fit just as it did that blessed day a year ago. She adjusts the crown of flowers as she looks in the mirror. Tilting her head, she then gives a slight nod of approval for herself.

She stands before the mirror a while longer, softly swaying back and forth, listening to the soft swish the fabric made as she moved.

~chapter 15~

~Just A Dream?~

She opens her eyes and finds herself having fallen asleep in the gardens. She looks around puzzled as she had thought she had been inside their cottage not moments before. She pushes herself up from the flower bed she had been sleeping in and sees a soft blonde head of a little girl, a faye folk similar to herself down in the lavender, smelling its sweet aromas.

Hesitantly, she makes her way over, wondering if she should dare to call out to them. It all seemed so surreal by now. 'Maybe this is all just a dream? I must be sleeping inside still. It all feels like so...'

She moved further towards this child like creature. Without a thought, the girl scurries off through the gardens, glancing over her shoulder as though she wanted her to follow

Without a thought, the girl scurries off through the gardens, glancing over her shoulder as though she wanted her to follow. Sky picked up the corner of her sheer dress and moved to the same pace as the child.

She leads her beyond the grounds, into and just past the woods where the waters meet up. She motions at the rocks in the middle of the small river beyond them. Rocks that were never there before while she was awake. They seem to be almost a part of the waters itself.

Carefully, Sky makes her way across the chilly water of the evening to be where she was directed to go. She is awed at how the water now suddenly was not touching her once upon the stone. She sits down, her skirts becoming a large circle around to encompass her.

She looks over and the girl has now disappeared. Tilting her head in wonder and thought, she sits her and contemplates why she was led out this way. Flower petals slowly dance and swirl around her on a gentle breeze invisible to everything. They seem to only swirl around her. She looks up and smiles before closing her eyes to enjoy and take in the peaceful energies now surrounding her.

Slowly, she opens her eyes and catches a glimpse of a dark haired creature off in the woods. Her eyes catching it quick just as it disappears. She makes a face with her eyes as she becomes puzzled once more. Slowly, the petals stop their dance around her. All is still and silent once again.

She slowly gets back up to her feet and makes her way back through the woods.

Pushing her hair aside from her face as she strolls slowly along, now lost in her thoughts of what just happened

Pushing her hair aside from her face as she strolls slowly along, now lost in her thoughts of what just happened. She absently places her hands along her lower belly as she walks, wondering on vision s she had in the past months. Contemplating on what was shown to her know.

With a soft sound of Rune chasing something suddenly, she opens her eyes and sits up quickly in their bed. Looking around, she realizes she is home, in their cottage. She gives a small sigh as she realizes it was a dream after all. She reaches her hand over to check if her beloved Elijah was home from his business dealings yet and sees he has not returned still.

She slides her legs over their bed to walk out into their balcony.

"Maybe some fresh air..." she whispers to herself as she steps down and looks at her feet, now confused to the dirt on the soles.

Was it a dream after all? Or could it have been some astral vision?

~chapter 16~

~A New Library~

After the day at the castle, making sure things were in order, she sets Samantha and Solveig in their rooms to play. Rune prowls by with a meow and she smirks in his direction while she instructs raven guard standing in for now to watch over the girls.

"I've a few things to still be done," she instructs and then hurries off to upstairs. She grabs her box with brushes and heads off the end of the hallway. She smiles peeking in on the twin’s new rooms, the furniture having now been delivered and set in place by now. What a splendid surprise this will be, if her beloved husband hasn't seen so yet. Surely, he would have mentioned by now to her if he had seen.

She makes to work more in the soon to be library as the books were sitting all in one very crowded bookshelf and sprawled over the one table in the room.

She felt the other soon to be bedrooms will be able to wait a while longer.

Upon entering the new library, she sets her box on the table and then turns to face the room. Sliding up on to the table while she thinks on what to do in this room.

She leans back on her hands as she ponders over the room and then suddenly hops off of the table

She leans back on her hands as she ponders over the room and then suddenly hops off of the table. She heads over to the far corner of the room.

She looks over this corner of wall with the freshly painted window. She sets to work, humming along to herself as she scrubs out the ornate mahogany. Once satisfied, she heads on downstairs to the mud room where the delivery of custom made to order cushions waited for her.

She struggles to carry them up the stairs and drops them to the floor just before the window and wood. She looks over the area and then she begins to position the cushions just right.

She smirks playfully to herself and giggles as she then throws herself happily on the cushions once in place

She smirks playfully to herself and giggles as she then throws herself happily on the cushions once in place. She lays back and tucks her hands behind her head, closing her eyes as the sunlight slowly warms her here.

She slowly drifts off for a cat nap here...

~chapter 17~

~Last Minute Things~

She heads out the door of their cottage, covered in a dark cloak to avoid any attention this morning. She has much still to do and wishes for no distractions that may delay things. She motions at the weeping willow at the far end of the gardens as she races along the path. The ravens swoop over to her.

"Cone along boys, we have work this day," she speaks softly as she scratches under the beak of one.

"Cone along boys, we have work this day," she speaks softly as she scratches under the beak of one

They caw and take flight to the sky above her head as she hurries along once again. Reaching the old groves, she pauses to make sure all is secure here on their grounds before taking off. One raven staying perched on its limbs as the others follow her.

They come out on the other side on the island of realms. She walks slowly through the groves forest. Pausing in the middle, she gathers what ravens are with her.

"Get them all, each one in charge of one. Many will not know of such faye portals. Others will simply need escort up to the castle." She begins to instruct. "We must be certain all is safe and secure, as always."

They caw as some take off to various corners of the island. Others transform into their humanoid forms and take posts at the ancient groves, awaiting for any visitors that may need assistance. Their black shadow shapes may seem scary to some. But, these were her most trusted dogs. They would make certain no intruders came through.

With a satisfied nod, she spins on her heel and takes off up to the castle, pausing as she sees some elegant carriages coming down the path to where she stood. She watches carefully as they each pull to a stop, lined up.

"My queen," the first driver tilts his head in a bow and lifts his hat slightly. We await to escort your guests as ordered."

With a smirk she bows slightly in return, " most excellent. We shall be sure they are well cared for in their stays. I shall be off as I see this is all taken care of."

"Yes, my queen." The driver replied as he slips down and stands beside in the ready.

She grabs up her skirts and continues in her tasks for the day.

~chapter 18~

~pre-wedding renewal celebration~

The night before on the twenty-first, she made sure the ritual area was ready. She smiled as she walked through, seeing all the flower arrangements in perfect positioning. She stepped up to the simple and quiet corner of the garden. Where the stone steps leading up to a balcony to look out over the vast garden stood before an arbor, now draped in soft white flowers, hanging down gracefully.

She noted the small wooden table set in the middle and walked closer, walking her fingertips slowly across the top upon reaching it. One small goblet was placed here in wait for the following day as she slide out from her pocket a small ceremonial dagger to be placed now beside it, wrapped lovingly in a white satin cloth to keep it safe. She had already brought it to a trusted friend to be blessed for their celebration of the following evening. So she had hoped all would fall into place more smoothly than in past of some things she had ever tried to hold.

At the top of the steps, she noted a small cauldron placed in wait of a blot ritual. Another table of stone this time sat ready with some carved figures to represent some of the gods they would ask for blessings for their continued union. Hers represented of those of Avalon and the moon, since she was so drawn to those most.

The cook already had a goat to offer to Thor, a sow to offer to Freyja, and a wild boar to offer to Freyr. She had set aside some of their blood to be used in the blot ritual while she cooked the meat all day for the feast later on.

Sky noted the tiny pile of stones beside the table and smiled. "Good, things seem to be falling into place very nicely..." she whispered to herself.

"Talking to yourself again, miss?" A voice startled her from behind as she turned quickly and blushed when she realized it was just the head cook.

"Come to spy on your queen, I see?" She smirked back at her as she walked over to greet her lifelong friend in a hug. "Thank you for all the help these days. I want it all to be better than before..." she began to trail off.

"Nothing but the best. Don't you fret a thing. We have it all under control." She talked with her hands like she always did and glanced behind her queen, "I see the dagger is placed now, too?" She noted softly, bending closer to whisper in her ear.

Sky smiled softly, nodding, "yes, my travel through the veil to visit my dear friend was uneventful. And we were able to quickly bless the blade as needed. So it should be ready to go. The ravens are in position to keep watch over the area as well. So no worries on the other two trying to crash."

The cook closed her eyes and gave a heavy relieved sigh, "that in itself is a blessing, dear child." She took her hands and kissed the tips of her fingers gently before looking around the gardens. "I know even the trees have ears around this island. But I pray it all is as beautiful as the two of you have imagined. You both deserve the world." She placed her palm gently along Sky's cheek and looked over her in motherly fondness. "What a beautiful woman you have become. And I am honored to call you my queen."

She pauses a moment and then comes back, shaking her head. "Where are my manners!" She quickly makes to grab her apron and wipe her hands like nothing happened as she continued about the task before, "the honey beer is set. And I had master Elijah's favorite wine brought over to be ready for your small ceremony as well. The meat will be ready come tomorrow..." she trails off now going over her lists for the festivities.

Sky gives a gentle smile and takes her hands, "easy does it, dear friend. All seems to be coming together nicely and soon it shall be here." She gives her a reassuring look and squeezes her hand. "Few more things I must do, so I shall be back before too long."

"Yes, yes. I still have much as well." The cook agrees and smiles before bowing and running off back to her list of things still to go over.

Sky turns back and looks over the area, satisfied with how it all looked. She strolls along slowly, becoming lost in her thoughts as she plays and bends down to smell the aromas of the flowers all around her now. More flowers than would usually be here this time of year.

She pauses at what would be the head table for the banquet afterwards. She positions things to her suiting as she walks around the long mahogany table. She pulls a ribbon and a few tiny flowers from an arrangement and ties it together along the stem of the goblet they would use to share in the honey beer. To give blessing to Thor and Odin, and a toast to Freyja as well. Her beloved drinking from it first after she pours it for them and passes him for the first draught. Then, she will drink from the goblet after him.

She heads over to sit on a bench nearby and looks over from afar. Smiling to herself, she sees just how beautiful all is and decides to just enjoy it for a little longer before she slips out of the gardens and back home to their cottage. She wants nothing more than to be in the arms of her beloved once again.

~chapter 19~

~wedding day, early morning~

The Gothi and Gythia make their way into the castle gardens after their travels through the portal from their realm. They were honored to be a part of such a blessed celebration of vows for a special couple that they foresaw in this time. Arm in arm, they slowly made their way down the entry stairs, enjoying the early dawn rising just above the castle walls.

"A protected and sacred place this is still held to be, is it not, Leif?" Kari asks in a hushed tone, almost afraid to disrupt the serenity of the grounds.

"It has not changed from whence we were first here, those many years ago. It seems like ages," Leif agrees.

They continue walking slowly across the gardens to the ceremonial area. The white flowers still hung as though they were just placed fresh that morning. Kari nods her head towards the stairs as they walk, directing them to venture up them.

Leif guides her across the way, and up the stairs, pausing before the table and sliding his finger along the silky satin white cloth sitting there. He smiles as he notes to himself the small dagger placed there. He had just blessed that days before with the young woman of Faye's assistance. He could feel the energy of a protection spell around this area. "Our Lady leaves nothing for chance in error this day," he whispers with a knowing and proud smile to his lips.

"No, she did not. And with all that has happened, would one place blame for her doing so?"

"Certainly not, dearest Lady." He agreed as he escorted her up the stairs now.

"Neither would I," She smiled softly back as they climbed the stone steps.

Once they reached the top, they are pleased to see all in order and in place for their small ritual. The cook made sure all the blood from the various animals, was already placed within the tiny cauldron. The table alongside it, stones and small figurines, carved from wood, placed with care.

They slowly begin the blot to invoke the God and Goddess being honored for the day’s celebration. They each face the cauldron and raise their arms above their head in the shape of the rune Elhaz. After the spoken invocation a rune symbol of the God and Goddess were drawn in the air with their fingers. Kari takes up a small horn, Leif takes some of the blood mixed with the mead from the cauldron and pours it into the horn for her. Then, she traces the hammer sign over the horn as a blessing and holds it above her head offering it to the Gods. She requests that they bless the offering and accept it as a sacrifice. A small breeze passes by them as she does this.

"tis a good sign," She whispers. She then takes a drink of the horn and it is passes it to Leif. They then take and pour a little over the figurines before heading down to sprinkle a circle around the altar area for their blessed couple. She nods to Leif as she hands him the horn.

He bows low and hurries back up to refill the horn, returning so she may pour a little into the chalice that awaits for the ceremony later on. She only needs to pour a small amount for such a ritual to be performed later on. She hands it back to him, nodding her approval as the breeze slowly swirls around them in approval as well.

"It is done. The blessing has been accepted." She whispers. She waits for him to return the horn back to the cauldron and back to her side. They bow low and give blessings to the god and goddess before they return to the castle.

~chapter 20~

~Right before wedding/ walking down the aisle~

~sept 22nd, 2019~

She walks into her changing room and smiles upon the scene. She heads out to the balcony first, peeking out over the gardens below. She stays hidden behind the trellis of morning glories and roses out on the stone railing. Everything looked beautiful below. A slight smirk forms upon her lips as she turns around and scurries inside to change. She slips into her gown of cream and stars as the hand maidens busily enter the room to assist her.

She slips her slender body through the gown as one quickly begins to tighten everything into place. Another comes over to set her hair, the brush and combs lined up on a tray nearby.

After they are done, they exit quickly to allow her alone time to finish as they head to change themselves and race off to join the others already assembled in the gardens below. She sits in the high back winged chair, leaning back for a short moment before she bends forward to slip on her shoes.

She pauses before she gets up from her chair and strolls softly to the mirror. Standing before it, she suddenly start to fidget over the skirt of the dress. Laughing at herself, she shakes her head and then turns back to the other chair nearby. She picks up the veil and tucks it carefully into her hair and crown of flowers.

~

Meanwhile, Elijah was off in another part of the castle, closer to the ritual area, getting himself ready for their celebration. Many other times in the past had been destroyed by some drama or other, by his family. Such luck seeming to always follow them along the way. Today, Elijah had made certain nothing would be a cause for interruption. He was truly happy, and he wanted to make sure nothing stood in his way to continue such a happiness.

Starting with extinguishing the Hollow as best as he thought he could, to locking his brother, Niklaus, in an urn as ashes of his former self when Sky did a spell to bring them both back. The love he felt for his wife, and their twins, Samantha and Solveig, was a purity he wished to keep safe.

He looked down upon the scene in the gardens, smiling to himself as he saw lights reminding him of stars twinkling below. This day was a celebration of their marriage. Their blessed union they have shared already and now will be shared once again in blood; creating a deeper bond than before. Tonight, it will be their souls joining together, their vows to hold a deeper meaning than ever before; for years to come.

~

One last look in the mirror, Sky nods and heads to the door, where some other maidens waited for her. They escort her down to the main ballroom and through to the garden door. She pauses at the entry, nodding to cue the music as she is handed her bouquet to make her procession to her beloved Elijah.

She slowly begins to step in pace with 'kindle my heart', smiling and blushing softly in the moment. She finds her beloved's eyes as she turns the corner and makes her way up to the altar area for them to exchange their renewal vows to each other.

She reaches the altar and stands before Elijah, smiling softly. She sets her bouquet on the table near them and looks into his eyes.

~

Elijah could hear Sky’s Faye blood before he heard her footfalls among the music of the procession announcing her coming. It was like her own personal song, the pulsing of her blood. It was intimate and quiet; speaking directly to his mind almost. When he looked upon her as she finally turned the corner to walk up the aisle to meet him, he felt all the effort they put in for this day was worth it. Her dress making her exquisite; fitting her in ways that still left plenty for his imagination.

He heard her heart beat faster as she finally arrived before him. He wondered how he could still hear hers over his own drumming against his chest so much it seemed to echo in his ears.

Elijah stepped forward as Sky set her bouquet upon the altar table, smiling. He lifted her hands to his lips and kisses the top of each one briefly, looking into her eyes as he did.

~chapter 21~

~the renewal of their vows~

She smiles at her beloved Elijah with that slight blush to her cheeks as he took her hands and kissed each one. Capturing his eyes with hers as they now stood before each other, she sent a feeling of her endless love for him. unbound through the ages from the past, and surely the ages still to come. There came a wave of peace and belonging that seemed to wash over her as he took her hands. She slowly stepped closer to him, pausing a moment before she began, keeping her eyes still in his. A soft, happy sigh escaped her lips as they stood before each other, before everyone. Yet, she only saw him before her.

He was her light in her darkness, her story unwritten. He brought out such wonderful things from her, and she still was unsure if he actually knew just all he truly did for her. She wanted nothing more than to always remain his unfinished manuscript. It was their song to complete, their beautiful story to be shared by them alone. Today, was simply a new chapter in their life they shared with each other and their twin daughters.

She spoke softly to him, and only him; her beloved husband.

"Over a year ago, a piano fated us to meet; with a shared love of song, and words that quickly joined us." Sky smiles softly, touching the side of Elijah's cheek tenderly as she continues, "and then, a year ago, we stood before each other on this very day," she continues looking into her beloved husband's eyes, keeping her hands in his. "Our love is like a sweet melody that has caressed my very soul. Bringing all at once what I thought was shattered pieces, into a beautiful stained-glass picture; shining with the light of the evening sun. You have brought back a light where once was such darkness.

As I have looked back upon our year together, I realize that my love grows ever more for you, with each passing day.

As I love you whole-heartedly and unconditionally; your patience and gentleness has created for me an effortless ease for which I find myself falling for you more each day." She lifts his hands up closer to her chest, against her heart and continues,

"I vow to always be your home;

to be your place of comfort and calm;

to be your sanctuary.

To be a place for your peace of mind.

I shall strive relentlessly, to treasure you and guard your heart.

to have faith when our journey is effortless, and to fight harder when it becomes challenging.

I also promise, that when we face adversity, you will never do so alone.

I can only hope in my heart, that I have lived up to all of my promises to you thus far, as I vow anew now, on this day to you, to continue to do so.

I shall always believe in us, in our Faery's Songs and our story. I believe that our tale has many more seasons to blossom and grow. We still have so many more chapters still to be unfolded, discovered, and written. There is nothing in all the realms that will make me ever stop believing in this. I shall never stop believing in the power that our love can conquer all that stands in our way. I pledge all that I am and my complete love to you, this day, ahora y siempre."

She then turns towards the altar table and picked up the small knife. She makes a tiny cut on her palm, allowing a few drops to mix in the goblet with what the Gothi and Gythia had blessed for them just that morning. She whispers a prayer in old Faye to the Goddess as she does. She then wipes the blade with the white satin cloth sitting neatly beside the goblet as she finishes and turns back to her beloved Elijah. She slips her hands back into his as she joins him once again, smiling softly with her eyes.

~

With the soft scent of lavender and honeysuckle coming from Sky, everyone else in attendance disappeared. In his arms, he held the woman he wished to give not only himself, but his heart to. Despite his demons, this one woman still loved him unconditionally. With her was a chance for a peace he had so long wished and dreamed for. This was his new life.

He kissed her hands once more as they began the rites. He felt each word as she began to speak her vows and words of love for him; becoming absorbed in them more when she placed his hand upon her chest over her heart. He then took a deep breath before he began to speak from his own heart. He pauses in his words, still holding her hands and playing his finger along her wedding and engagement bands on her ring finger as he continued. He spoke of their chance meeting by the piano. How neither one of them planned to fall in love, yet here they were today, joining in a new life together.

After sharing his heart-felt words and vows, he turned to the altar table to pick up the athame. He made a small cut on the palm of his hand, allowing his blood to drip into the chalice. He then picks up the white silky satin cloth sitting beside the chalice, wiping off the blade. He carried the chalice in his hands back to where his beloved wife waited for him.

He drank from the chalice, tasting Sky’s Faye blood upon his tongue. He closed his eyes after, letting out a breath as a gentle breeze passed by. The breeze causing the candle flames to flicker before he handed to chalice to his wife; a scent of nature and lavender resonating from her.

~chapter 22~

~sealing their bond~

She listens to his words, beautiful and moving as always, as she looks upon his eyes. She gives the tiniest of smirks as he mentions tucking their daughters in tightly. Such a sweet and most precious thought to pass on. Then blushes as he mentions how inspiring she has been for him. She watches her beloved Elijah, as he then turns to take his turn in picking up the athame and adding his blood to the chalice before them. How precise yet delicate his hands moved along in his movements, as she seemed swept up in the moment of watching him perform this part. The silky satin white cloth making a soft flutter as he wiped off the blade once done bringing her back to the now.

She brought her eyes up as he took a draught from the chalice, the small breeze passing between them as he did, causing the flames to brighten slightly. Was that a sign from the Gods themselves? She wondered briefly. She shook her thoughts and captured her beloved's eyes as he came back to her, this time holding the chalice within his hands. She slipped her delicate hands gently around his at the stem of the chalice, holding it with him a moment before taking it to her lips. A feeling of energy seemed to flow between them as she touched his hands. Her tongue ran ever so slightly over her lower lip as she let a small smile escape her at this energy they suddenly shared between them.

She slowly took the chalice from her husband's hands and lifted it slowly to her lips, closing her eyes as the rim touched them. She could feel the same gentle breeze once more as she tasted the mixture of their blood upon her lips. She did not need to drink a lot, only a small tasting to her palate. The hint of her blood she recognized from the past year; she discovered the taste of her beloved Elijah's blood this day. She brought the chalice from her lips, handing it lovingly back to him as she savored the memory of taste his blood now left upon her tongue. She placed her hand softly along his cheek, whispering softly old Faye words as she gently pulled his lips close to hers to sweetly kiss him. A slow, short kiss as was felt here and now. Her eyes closed after the kiss, she rested her forehead and her nose to his, smiling in the moment. She could stay like this forever. It felt so perfect, and there was nothing that could spoil this beautiful moment they now shared.

~chapter 23~

~honeymoon thoughts~

She scribbles down her thoughts in their newly made scrapbook. ‘My beloved Elijah did say the I could pick where we are to go this time…’ she smirks playfully with a small giggle as she writes.

‘so, I thought maybe a stop over to the lovely little island of Japan would be ideal for a short spell, or for however long we choose to be there for. While I do love our Manosque cottage dearly, we will be back here before too long. It’s nice to be able to have a place of tranquil solitude away from the crazy bustle of the castle.’

She located a beautiful place just for them to stay in while they are there. Secluded and away from everything, yet remotely close enough with the use of her little grove portals she likes to dart through easily. The waterfalls she felt would give an extra sense of peace while they stayed there. She even read that there were some places with their beloved fireflies. she hoped they might be able to find them and enjoy these. She couldn’t wait to play around with some of their beautiful parasols. The inside of the mini palace of a temporary home away from home had many beautiful things as well.

~chapter 24~

~early fall stroll~

She walks along the gardens until the sun begins to set, waiting on her beloved husband, Elijah to return home from his business affairs. She plays her hands slowly along the flowers that are beginning to change into the coming autumn. Petals turning to dry out and be ready for sleep the coming winter cold.

She looks upon them, planning out what was to be harvested now and those for later. Lavender, to be dried in the coolness and dryness of the tiny shed on the other side of their grounds. She could get some of it planned out before the frost if it was started now. She picks up a bundle to bring to her nose, breathing in deeply the sweet aroma of the herb. Maybe with their trip to happen soon, she will leave the task for those she left in the caretaking of their cottage while they were away.

A smile crosses her lips at the thought of such beauty they will discover together before too long. She grew excited for their trip to take place. She loves their cottage, and the town of Manosque, but she was still excited to travel and see the exquisite land Japan had to share with them. The clothing, the culture, the parasols.

She blushes at how her thoughts were getting ahead of itself and sat on the swing once she came to the far corner of the garden, hidden behind the roses. She slips upon the seat of the swing and slowly allows it to sway back and forth along the breeze.

After some time, she hops off the swing, the sun setting lower at this hour. She heads back towards their cottage, strolling slowly along. She stops to play with the remaining blossoms on some bushes, taking in the sweet fragrance that still came from them. She closed her Eyes to the sweet nectar of their scent, before turning to be on her way. She pauses among some flower beds and lays back to enjoy the remaining warmth of the setting sun, closing her eyes smiling as she thinks of their upcoming trip. 

~chapter 25~

~quiet night among books~

She patters up the stairs to the new library she had turned one of the newly discovered rooms into, carrying a tray of food along with her. Being an older cottage, they still needed to add any form of electricity to some of the rooms up here, so in the meanwhile, she began to light the large candles she placed throughout the room. The setting sun adding to the golden glow among the stacks of books still to be placed in the shelves.

She had set the tray on a side table while she set the candles aflame. She rubbed her hands along her arms realizing how chilly it became up here once the sun had set. She walks over to the grand fireplace on the side wall and knelt down before it. After checking the wood, she spells softly, and the fireplace grew bright with a soft fire. She leaned back smiling to herself as the flames quickly grew to heat up the room.

She lifts her hands up to place her palms before the flames, warming them up before she pushes herself off from the floor to begin the task once again in tending to storing the books. She lifts a tall candlestick and carries it with her to the large maple carved table piled with books and grimoires.

She sets the candlestick in the middle of the tables and slips easily into the carved chair to match the table and reaches over to pull a stack of books closer. She takes the top book and opens it, coughing on the dust slightly as it puffed up in her face. She waves her hand before her to hurry the dust from her eyes and begins to read.

The night creeps darker as the sun set passes by and the candlestick burns down as she continues to read each book carefully and finding their proper home on the shelves. Hours pass as she continues on.

She pauses at one point, rubbing her eyes to give them a break and stares off into the flames of the roaring fireplace. Her thoughts drift off while she looks into the fire. She thinks on how much she has gotten done so far on these rooms up here and how much more was still left to be done. Their twins rooms were just about complete. All that was left was minor furniture to be added and treatments. The library was complete for the most part, other than setting the shipment of books in order and then any other books she found may need to be brought here for them.

The only rooms she could think of at this moment were the ones to become their master suite with a large bathroom right off from it and a slightly smaller room than the twins to become a possible nursery. There were two other rooms up here, but those could be tended to once the others were completed. Maybe by then, they will know what they would wish to turn them into.

She rests her chin upon her closed hand with her elbow propping her up as she now daydreamed on the possible nursery, a small smile crossing her lips. The flames of the fire reflecting in her eyes as she thinks on other things. She quickly flushes in a blush and bites her lower lip, bringing herself back from her thoughts as Rune meows and knocks a cup over on the food tray, trying to sneak some food off from it before getting caught. The head raven cawing from his perk in the room almost as though he was laughing at the cat.

She closes the book she was working on and scolds Rune, getting gup to clean the mess. She picks up the tray and hurries back down the stairs in the dark, the pale candlelight giving very little light on her way. The rest will have to wait for another day.