Their Bonds of Love

As he waited outside on the front lawn, he couldn’t help but pace a little. Now that it was time to go, any patience Caerwyn had was gone. He had little doubt they would be able to get Eleri away from the palace. He knew he would not fail. He would do anything to make it so, even give up his own life. What he worried about was what condition she would be in.

He was somewhat comforted by the reports from Lord Cecil and Lord Rees. Their wives were in regular contact with Eleri and found her in decent spirits if a little tired. He knew Ciara was trying to do things so Lord Fellen could control her. So far, Eleri had done well in resisting him, but Caerwyn was afraid that even one as strong and powerful as Eleri had her breaking point.

To think of Lord Fellen putting their hands on her filled him with rage unlike any he had experienced. He could not let it control him, but he could use it to fight for Eleri. As he paced and waited for the others, the door opened, and Emilia walked out onto the lawn.

“How are you feeling, Caerwyn?” she said as she approached him, pulling her cloak tight around her.

“Anxious and ready to go,” he said. “I know there is no use to leave too early as we have to wait for Selven’s father tonight, but I feel like I should be doing something.”

“You will have plenty to do soon enough. Working yourself up will not help her. You need to rest and remain as calm as you can for now.”

“Maybe, but you know me better than that. I am not calm and settled on my best days. Now all I can think about is what could be happening to her. What if we waited one day too long? What if we get into the palace to save her and find we are too late.”

Emilia took his hand. “You must not think that way. Lord Fellen will not kill her, not when he believes he needs her.”

“There are other things I worry about besides death,” said Caerwyn darkly. “Things that could damage her enough to change her, break her.”

“She can survive and sustain more than you know. She has already been through a lot, and she has fought through it.”

“I have done enough damage to her, myself,” murmured Caerwyn.

“You have,” agreed Emilia. “You have done wrong by her, and I haven’t helped matters, but what you did was not done in malice. She will forgive you and me and probably much quicker than either of us deserve.”

“I doubt she holds any ill feelings towards you. As far as her forgiveness for me, I might hope for it, but I do not expect it.”

“Yes, you do,” said Emilia with a small laugh. “You know who she is as well as anyone. She is too good to let her anger burn against you. You may never be what you once were, but a love like she has for you never goes away completely.”

“I have been a fool with her and you,” he said. “You are both too good for me, and I have damaged you both.”

“You have not damaged me, Caerwyn. I have known what we are for a long time and made my peace with it. I can’t change how I feel, but I can control it for the most part.”

He looked down at her, unsure of what to wish. He could wish for her not to feel any love for him, but that felt wrong. Perhaps he should want it to be so he didn’t love Eleri completely and therefore could give Emilia his whole heart as she deserved, but that didn’t set right either. His love for Eleri was such a part of him that he wasn’t sure who he would be without it.

“I do care for you,” he finally said. “I always have.”

“I know. You have never made me feel less or wrong for my feelings, though perhaps they were wrong. You were always above me.”

He pulled her closer, “No. You have always been better than me, Emilia. You are braver, wiser, and have so much goodness that I could never have.”

She reached up and touched his cheek. “It is not true. You have listened to your father for too long. Thinking that way has already cost you something precious, Caerwyn. Don’t let it happen again.”

He took her hand off his cheek and kissed it. “You will stay safe here while I am gone?”

“Of course. I wish I could come to help you, but I know it is better for me to stay here.”

“Keep watch over the others and help Lord Cadwin remain calm. I know he wishes to go, but Efa can only take four of us, and Aron convinced Lord Cadwin to let him fight instead.”

“I will do what I can.” She turned as the door to the manor opened. “Stay safe, Caerwyn.” She leaned up and kissed him gently on his lips. He kept her close to him for a moment as he let his lips linger against her. She pulled back and smiled before walking away.

He watched her go, and she said something to Conri and Efa as they walked his way. She really was an extraordinary woman, and he knew if he were able to love her as she deserved, a life with her would be something wonderful. It was not a possibility, though. He turned his head and sighed as the prince and Efa stood next to him.

“Are you alright, Caerwyn?” asked Prince Conri.

“I am just very ready to go. Did you see Selven?” answered Caerwyn.

“No, but I am sure he will be along.” Prince Conri looked to the side as Aron walked towards them. “I want you to remember I meant what I said. If you find a woman you wish to be with, I will find a way for it to happen.”

“I am satisfied with my lot, your highness,” said Caerwyn.

The prince exchanged a look with Efa, and she shook her head before greeting Aron.

“Is Selven Pirey not here yet?” asked Aron as he came near them.

“He is not,” said Caerwyn as he watched the house. He had seen Selven just that morning but was now getting worried the man had changed his mind and fled. It would greatly lessen their chances of getting into Argenta House and saving Eleri if he did.

“We need to go soon to get settled before supper,” said Efa as she looked at the house.

Caerwyn watched for a moment more before moving forward. “I will go find him and drag him out here if I must.”

Before he could get too far, the door opened, and Lord Cadwin walked out with Selven at his side.

“Were you afraid I wasn’t coming, Caerwyn?” asked Selven. “You seem a little surprised to see me.”

“I thought you might change your mind,” said Caerwyn.

“You know I keep my word, and I gave you my word. I was only visiting with Lord Cadwin about the tunnel between Argenta House and the palace for a moment. I wanted to know where the three closes exit doors were from the house. We might need multiple ways to escape if guards are called.”

Caerwyn nodded. “We are ready to go if you are.”

“I am,” said Selven before he walked up to join the others.

Lord Cadwin looked at Caerwyn. “I wish I were going, but I have faith in all of you to get her back. You may never be united as you like with Eleri, but I know you still care for her.”

“I care for her more than anyone in this land, my lord. I will see that she comes back to you. We all need her.”

“Watch out for the prince as well, Caerwyn. I know I don’t need to say it as it is your duty, but I don’t think he would stop at anything to save Eleri either. The land needs him, and though it may pain you to hear it, I think my daughter does as well.”

“I will not fail either of them.”

Lord Cadwin clapped his shoulder before they both walked over to join Efa. “Thank you all for doing this. When you get back, we will celebrate together here before we plan to defeat Lord Fellen and his supporters for good.”

“We will not come back without her, Ewan,” said Efa.

“Do not come back without any of you. You are all important,” said Lord Cadwin. “May the goddess guide you and keep you safe.”

“Conri, Selven, take my hand,” said Efa. “Caerwyn, you hold on to the prince, and Aron, you take Selven’s arm. You all need to be completely still as this will take a bit of thinking on my part.”

Conri looked at Caerwyn as he put his hand on the prince’s shoulder. “We can do this, Caerwyn.”

“We must, your highness,” said Caerwyn before he closed his eyes. A moment later, he felt the wind pick up around him.

Lord Cecil’s manor was just to the west of Niamhan. You could see the city from the second floor. After greeting the lord and lady, they were shown to their rooms. Caerwyn paced around his quarters, not being able to rest. He tried to sit in front of the fire, but he could not get comfortable in the chairs. He checked his bed and found he was not in the mood to lay down or lounge. He knew it was not the fault of the room or the furnishings. Now that he was so close to Eleri, it was hard to think he had to wait another night and day to see her.

After pacing for a while, he decided he did not like being alone. He would get lost in his thoughts without some distraction, and his mood would become very dark. He needed to be ready to be with Selven as they met with Dillion Pirey. Caerwyn opened his door and looked on the other side of the hall where he knew Prince Conri’s room was located. He wasn’t sure how the prince would receive him, but perhaps he needed a distraction as well. Maybe some of the uncomfortableness Caerwyn was feeling was coming from the prince.

He walked out into the empty hall to the prince’s door and knocked. After a moment, he heard a loud voice, muffled by the door, say, “It is opened.”

Caerwyn opened the door and walked in. He searched the room until he found Prince Conri looking out the large window on the far side. Closing the door, Caerywn made his way over to stand next to the prince.

“I thought you might be a servant checking to make sure I had everything I needed,” said Prince Conri as he glanced at Caerwyn.

“I have no wish to disturb you. I can go if you want.”

“Stay,” said Conri as he looked back out the window. “So, this is the city of my birth.”

Caerwyn nodded. He pointed to a large grouping of lights towards the city’s center. “The brightest spot straight across from us is the Silver Palace. You were born there, and one day you shall rein as king and live amongst its halls.”

“Eleri is there now,” said Conri, as he reached out and put his hand against the glass. “How can we be so close to her and do nothing?”

“I understand how you are feeling, but it is not that we are doing nothing. We are waiting until the correct time to act.”

“I can’t help but worry that we will be too late,” said Prince Conri. “Anything could be happening to her.”

“She has survived well thus far. We have to trust she can make it one more day. Whatever happens, we will have to see her through it.” Caerwyn looked at the prince. “I know you will not give up on her at any point.”

“I could never give up on her. It would go against everything within me. She tried and tried to push me away on our journey. She talked of not being worthy of me or leading the land. She wanted to find more suitable women to show me as potential brides.” He smiled slightly. “Of course, there is no one more suitable, and there is none I would have regardless.”

Caerwyn studied the prince. He knew he held jealously towards the man. He could have what he wanted, and everyone would celebrate it. He never had to hide his admiration for Eleri. He could proclaim to all of his love for her. It seemed so simple for him.

“I thought I would never convince her. I know it doesn’t seem like it took very long, but we were together at every moment. We spent every night side by side. I itched to show her the depth of my feelings, but I knew I could not. She told me she did not want my attentions. All I could do was wait. As awful as the attack on the Havens’ Estate was, I have to be thankful for the good that came from it. Being thrown together with Eleri as we depended on each other caused things to move along quicker, I think. There is no telling how long or even if I could have convinced her without that time.”

“But you would have kept trying?” asked Caerwyn. “Even if she told you, again and again, it would not work?”

“I would keep trying as long as she gave me signs of hope. Until I saw that she was completely against me or gave herself to another, I would have fought for her.”

“You must think me foolish,” said Caerywn as the prince turned to look at him. “You would be right. I pushed her away over and over. I thought it was best for her and the land. I was also a coward. I did what my father and history told me.”

“It has been hard to understand why you would ever let her go, but I think I have a better grasp on it now. You would think a hidden away future king would have many pressures on his shoulders, but I did not feel them until recently. You have lived with the burden of knowing your place all your life. I doubt your life under your father’s care was happy or peaceful. I take it you were close to your uncle, and you have to live through his death. Perhaps you were foolish to let Eleri go, but maybe, in the end, it was best for her and you.”

“For me?” asked Caerwyn. “I’m sorry, your highness, but I have a hard time believing it.”

Prince Conri’s shoulders sagged. “I did not mean to upset you, Caerwyn. I was only being honest. I know you feel your loss now and all you did wrong in your relationship with Eleri, but one day, I trust you will find happiness and see perhaps things happened for some sort of reason.”

“I don’t know if many things in this land happen with any kind of reason in mind. It all seems some jumble of chaos caused by evil and greed.”

“Maybe,” said Prince Conri as he turned from the window. “But amid the chaos, we have to find some sort of reason to keep going. Mine is to save the woman I love and then find a way to help the land and its people. I will do what I can to cut through the chaos and fight the evil that surrounds us.” He looked over at the mantle where a small clock sat. “We should go down for supper. I am sure we will have much to discuss with the Cecils and Rees at the table.”

Caerwyn nodded before following the prince out of the room. His reason to keep going was clear. He would help save Eleri and see that she was happy and safe. He would do all he could to help his prince to the throne so Elathia could be remade into a place worthy of one such as Eleri. If her choice were to rule it by Conri’s side, he would serve them both until his dying breath.

Supper proved interesting. Their hosts and Lord and Lady Rees had much to say about Eleri’s residence in the palace. They told them of her routines and all the rooms she was usually found in. Lady Cecil said Eleri would try to be in her bedroom when they came and explained exactly where it was. Lord Cecil told them he would dress them as his guards and take them into the city when he and Lord Rees went to meet with the prince before supper. They could sneak away to Argenta House as long as Dillion Pirey would let them in.

There was talk of creating a distraction in the palace after they entered to draw Lord Fellen’s notice in case he was visiting with Eleri. Caerwyn thought this was a good idea. As much as he might wish to come face to face with Lord Fellen and end him, wherever he was, chances were there would be several guards with him. Too many foes would make it hard to complete their only mission, which was to save Eleri. Besides, even if he killed Lord Fellen, there were others to take his place.

“I will cause a distraction,” said Selven from the far end of the table. Everyone looked at him as it was the first thing he had said all evening. “I know the palace well enough, and I can find numerous ways to draw the attention of many.”

“Will you not be caught?” asked Conri.

Selven laughed as he took a sip of his wine. “I know how to take care of myself, your highness. I will probably be out and safe before any of you.”

Before leaving the table to prepare to meet with Dillion Pirey, it was decided that once they had Eleri, they would travel out of the city from the east entrance. Lord Cecil would have some horses ready for them near Argenta House so they could escape. They might have a few guards to fight off, but very few were ever at the east entrance as it was near the poorest part of Elathia. From there, they would ride deep into what was left of the Weeping forest until they came to a small cottage that Lord Cecil owned. He sometimes used it for hunting, but it was empty at the moment.

After supper, Efa excused herself to rest. She would need to have the energy to fight and transport them home. Aron left to meet with the head of Lord Cecil’s guard to prepare for the next day. Lady Cecil showed Selven, Caerwyn, and Conri to a room at the back of the first floor. It was not overly large, having only a sofa, two chairs in front of the fireplace, a low table nearby, and a small desk in the corner.

She left them, and Conri sat down in one of the chairs and poured three cups of wine from the pitcher on the low table. He held one out to Selven as Selven sat down in the other chair.

“Do you know what you will say?” asked Conri.

“I will first ask him what he has wished to meet with me about all these years. After that, we will see how it goes.” Selven took a large drink. “Do not worry, your highness, I will do whatever is necessary to get us into Argenta House.”

Caerwyn picked up his cup and stood at the edge of the fireplace, close to the prince. “Do you wish for us to leave so you can meet with your father alone, at least at first?”

“I want you to stay. I want him to know quickly that while I will hear what he has to say, there is a price first.” Selven leaned over to refill his glass. “Perhaps you should be ready to block the door, Caerwyn.”

Prince Conri smiled as he took a drink, and Caerwyn shook his head. They didn’t have long to wait as there was a quick knock on the door before it opened. Lady Cecil showed in Dillion Pirey. He was small like his son but well dressed and clean. He stood up straight, wearing a white shirt under a black jacket. His eyes were small and muddy brown. Caerwyn thought perhaps his hair might have once been the same color as Selven’s, but most of it was gray.

As Dillion Pirey walked into the room, he looked confused. “Are you sure this is the right place, Lady Cecil?” asked Dillion.

Before she could react, Selven stood up and turned towards his father. “This is the correct room. Lady Cecil, I think you for showing him in. I will make sure he finds his way out when it is time.”

Lady Cecil nodded before exiting and closing the door behind her.

“Well, come sit down,” said Selven. “You wanted to meet with me, and here I am. Come sit, and I will see if I will listen to you.”

Dillion looked at Caerwyn and then Prince Conri. He gave a small step back in shock as he looked at the prince. His small eyes widened as much as they could. “What is this?” he asked, looking between the three of them. “Why have you brought the prince before me, Selven.”

“Come sit down, and I will tell you. There is a cup here and some wine. Have a drink with me,” said Selven as he sat back down and poured some wine into the empty cup.

Caerwyn walked a bit closer to Conri, ready to stop Dillion if he tried to run. The man looked at Caerwyn before sitting down on the very edge of the sofa. “If this is the prince, I am to assume you are the Bright One, correct? I suppose you are as I can see some of your uncle and father in you.”

Caerywn nodded. “I will not deny it.”

“Now, father,” said Selven with a sardonic laugh. “You have contacted me several times over the past few years. I take it you have something you wish to say.”

Dillion again looked at Conri and Caerwyn. “Perhaps this would be better in private, Selven.”

“I don’t think so. Now answer the question. Do you have something you wish to say?”

Dillion turned to look at his son. “I suppose I wanted to lay eyes on your officially. I have seen glimpses of you through the years. I always thought you had your mother’s eyes. I was right.”

“You know how I have spent my life, I take it? You knew what I would experience when you sent me to the Prieys.”

“I hoped they would show you some kindness since you were of their blood. I guess I underestimated their pride.”

“I hear you didn’t care at all where I went. You only wished to get rid of me,” said Selven.

“I didn’t know what else to do,” said Dillion harshly. “With your mother dead, I had no idea how to raise a child. I would have had to give up my position, and then how would I work to feed you? We both would have been dead in a year or less.”

Selven laughed again. “You don’t even believe that. You must have had some money saved up even then. You are educated and could have found work in many places. You didn’t want to give up your position. I doubt you would have done it even for my mother.”

Dillion narrowed his small eyes so they were barely visible. “You know nothing about how I felt for your mother. I would have done my duty by her.”

“But not her son, it seems,” said Selven.

“I thought I had by sending you to the Pirey Estate. They may not have always been kind, but they kept you fed and clothed. They saw to your education.”

Selven half-smiled. “They did do that, though my education included thoroughly beating me to remind me of my place. They let their children torment me. Once my food was even poisoned by their oldest son. I was sick for three days with no one to help me.”

Dillion leaned back further into the sofa. “As I said, I didn’t realize they would be so cruel.”

“So, did you wish to come here and try to explain yourself? Is all you wanted was for me to excuse your actions?”

Dillion shook his head. “I should not have been so defensive. I wanted to confess my guilt and see what I could do to earn your forgiveness.”

Selven smiled wider. “I will let you confess your guilt and even give you a chance to start to show me you are a man who might be worthy of gaining my forgiveness, but you will have to listen to the prince and Bright One first.”

Dillion opened his mouth, but he said nothing. He turned towards Conri and Caerwyn.

“I am willing to wager you know about the special event that is to take place at the Winter Moon Festival,” said Conri.

Dillion nodded. “I understand Lord Fellen is to marry Lady Eleri Cadwin.”

“And you must know the lady may not be doing so willingly,” continued Conri.

“I have heard as much. I don’t see how she would, knowing her father’s allegiance to you, Prince Conri. I doubt she would break from her father.”

“You might have heard she was taken from her family estate,” said Caewryn, moving forward. “I would think someone as connected as you would hear all about it.”

“I might have. Bren Farrow had me arrange a meeting between him and your father, Bright One. Lord Nevis has been a guest in Argenta House more than once, though I advised against it.” Dillion snorted in disgust. “Bren Farrow does not respect my opinion or position as the First Advisors before him.”

“Including Lord Cadwin,” said Conri. “The very man whose daughter will soon be doomed to a life of little more than a prisoner if she marries Lord Fellen.”

“I do not concern myself with such things, your highness. What goes on in the palace or land is not of my concern. I see to Argenta House and what must be done to keep it running. Rulers change, my master changes, but the house is constant.”

“So you can hear of the rightful king and queen being killed; you can know that good people in the land are suffering, and see a young woman who was born in the house you oversee in danger and do nothing,” said Selven with a sneer. “You are exactly as I thought you would be, heartless.”

“It is not like that,” said Dillion with passion. “I didn’t say I liked what Lord Fellen or Bren Farrow have done. I do not like the idea of Lady Eleri marrying where she does not wish, but I can do nothing about it. I can only do what I can control, and that is Argenta House.”

“But you can do something about Lady Eleri,” said Prince Conri. “The very house you control is the key to seeing her saved.”

Dillion cocked his head as his lips screwed up like he would say something with much venom.

“You say you do not like what is happening in the kingdom, so here is your chance to show it,” said Selven. “You hold the key to Argenta House, and the place has a way into the palace. You can let us in without anyone else knowing.”

“If I let you in, and you enter the palace to steal Lord Fellen’s bride, they will know I helped you. Not only will they take my position, but they will kill me as well.”

“I can make it seem as if we broke in. I have a reputation, you know. Perhaps I could have found a way in without your help,” said Selven.

Dillion glared at his son. “No one gets into Argenta House without my knowledge. Even if they think I did not help you, they will take my position away because of incompetence.”

“Will you really choose some position at a fancy house over the life of Lady Eleri?” asked Selven.

“You don’t know what you are asking,” said Dillion. “This has been my whole life. I studied for it. I gave up my childhood to work in the house to gain experience. I let you go to hell just to keep it.”

“And now you can start to right that wrong,” said Selven. “You want to gain my forgiveness? Show me you are capable of proper feelings. Give us entry to Argenta House so we can save Lady Eleri. Even if you do not value her life, I will tell you leaving her with Lord Fellen leads down a road that will destroy the land.”

“What will I do?” asked Dillion.

“I am sure you can find somewhere to finish out your years,” said Selven. He paused as he looked at Cerwyn and then Conri. “I have a room in Pirey tower if you wish it.”

Caerwyn looked down at Conri, who lifted his eyebrows.

“You wish me to do this, Selven? This will help better your opinion of me?”

“I think it will help with your opinion of yourself,” said Selven. “You have written me for years because of your guilt. My abandonment can’t be the only thing you regret.”

Dillion looked down before grabbing the cup of wine in front of him. He drank it all in one gulp before looking at Selven. “I will do it. Tell me when you wish to enter, and I will see you safely into the house and to the tunnel.”