Prologue

Vi Dýr Ennui

Vi dýr ennui nu Anor Ned echuir lyth eriar
I yrn ethuiwar, nin nurar
Ar aew verin linnar

Ennas dû alfanui
A ferin 'irith gerir
I elenath, viriath fain,
Vi finnel gelfib dîn.

Sí na veth bâden im derel
Vi dúath dofn tummen.
Atham meraid velig a tynd
Athan eryd bain beraidh

Or 'waith bain nura Anor
A panlû elin cuinar
Ú-pedithon 'i-aur gwann'
Egor nai îl 'namarië'.

(In western lands beneath the Sun)
(In spring, flowers rise,)
(The trees bud, waters run,)
(And the merry little birds sing)

(There it is cloudless night)
(And shuddering beeches hold)
(The starry host, the white jewels,)
(On their branching hair.)

(Here at my path's end I am lingering)
(In deep darkness buried.)
(Beyond towers strong and high)
(Beyond all mountains steep)

(Above all shadows rides the Sun)
(And stars always dwell.)
(I will not say 'The day is done')
(Or to the stars 'farewell'.)

“Or 'waith bain nura Anor,” Valandil murmured as he sat back on his elbows, fair hair blowing in the dusk breeze as he watched the sun set.

“Above all shadows rides the sun,” Eámanë, his twin translated into the common tongue as she sat beside him with knees drawn to her chest.

“I wish it would be like today forever.” Valandil said eyes slightly squinted against the last rays of the sun.

Eámanë knew what he meant. This was perfection to her. Sitting on the hill rise behind the royal pavilion watching the sun set as honey blossoms scented the air, it was so easy to believe that all was right in the word.

But she knew it was not so. There had been messengers from all seven of the noble houses coming and going from the royal palace in Fenrir for days now. There was change in the air and a sense of anticipation and slight trepidation.

The twins’ father, Camthalion had been shut up in the Chamber of Lords for the past week and Valandil spent most of his day in the practice courts training with the King’s Guard.

To Eámanë these were the signs of imminent war, but if she did not utter the thought aloud then it would not be true.

She lay her head against her brother’s broad shoulders and sighed lightly. They stayed like that, with the dark of her hair twining with the light of his. In her heart of hearts Eámanë knew that everything she knew was about to be turned on its head.

“Eámanë, Valandil, his grace wishes to see you,”. Nienna their guardian called to them. “Please make haste to the Chamber of Lords.”

Valandil got to his feet and helped Eámanë up. Arms linked they made their way towards the pavilion.

“I feel as if all is about to change” Eámanë said with an unhappy twist of her mouth. Valandil merely smile and hugged her lightly. In all of their eighteen years together, it had always been like this. Eámanë will worry and Valandil would comfort her. In all of their eighteen years they had never been apart.

--

“Their royal highnesses, Prince Valandil and Princess Eámanë of House Nénharma.”

Eámanë and Valandil entered the Chamber of Lords. Surprisingly the chamber was empty save their father and two men in unfamiliar coat of arms.

“Adar, Cormamin lindua ele lle” (Father, My heart sings to see thee.) Eámanë said as she kissed her father’s hand. Valandil repeated the heartfelt gesture.

“Valandil, Eámanë please be seated,” Camthalion motioned to his right. He was a handsome man, tall with the black hair and silver eyes that Eámanë inherited. Said silver eyes were bright with the fatigue of sleepless days of negotiation.

“I would like you to meet the Duke of Cremone and the Duke of Sandor. They come as emissaries from Echelon.”

Eámanë inclined her head in greeting at the two elders. Now she recognized the coat of arms. The golden eagle in flight was the coat of arms of the powerful kingdom of the two rivers. Lying Southwest of Fenrir, the kingdom of Echelon had been dormant allies of Fenrir from before the War of Heroes. Fenrir and Echelon had little common history with no shared wars or trade routes. But the presence of the power that the name Echelon bore in the scroll of allies had always been welcomed.

“In these uncertain times they bring good tidings.” Camthalion held Eámanë’s eyes as he spoke. “They wish to tender a betrothal between House Nénharma and the Royal House of Telemnar. My daughter it would bring me great joy to see your future established with so worthy a House.”

There was an unspoken request and it was not one that Eámanë could refuse without causing a diplomatic incident let alone the disappointment sure to mar her father’s mien.

Eámanë saw Valandil looking at her from the corner of his eyes, worry etched into the twist of his lips.

Inwardly steeling herself she replied as any good princess of the realm and daughter should. “Your wish is mine Adar”. After all had she not always known that this would be her duty to her kingdom and her beloved father. But her heart broke a little anyway as she saw the relief in her father’s eyes.

She felt a little dizzy as details were quickly cleared and several witnesses from the House of Lords were called to sign the betrothal agreement and she stood unmoving while her father and her brother signed the agreement as the King and King-in-waiting. Finally it was her turn to pick up the feathered quill. As she signed she felt the reins of her life flying from her hands.

She wept silent tears as she lay in her bed that night and felt stupid for doing so. She was to leave on the morrow and travel to her betrothed. Her betrothed… she felt slightly faint at the thought.

Until this moment the only important men in her life had been her brother and her father. She had had little exposure to men outside those who guarded her and the men who taught her. She had not even considered what her betrothed might be like. Would he be old and toothless or a dimwit? What if he was cruel or if he found her wanting?

She laughed at her own insecurities. No matter what it would be her duty to be a good wife and an ambassador to her people. She would not be her mother. Her mind shied away from the thought.

“Eámanë.”

“Valandil” Her brothers name was a sob

He got into the bed with her as they had so many times when they were younger.

“I am so afraid. What if I never see you again?”

“Don’t be silly. Of course you will see me again. You are getting married not being imprisoned”. He admonished but his clasp on her hand was tight.

“Nothing will ever be the same again.”

“I know. But you must be strong for me and for father. Plus you never know. One sight of your husband and you might forget all about us” He teased lightly.

“Never, I already hate him and I haven’t even met him” She told him. But she felt better for his words. “Promise me you will come see me soon. Promise me you will be safe”.

“I will.”

--

The morning air was crisp and Eámanë felt her heart throb as she took in a final look at the kingdom of Fenrir from her balcony before she was due to leave.

“Eámanë.”

“Adar.” She was unsure how to approach him. They had never been openly affectionate. But this was the last time she would see him for a long time so she threw propriety to the winds and hugged him tightly.

Her father stroked her hair. “Beloved Elena (Starlight), I am a proud man today and it is because of you” He said. “I love you my Elena and thoughts of you will always be with me.”

“Adar be safe for me. I must see you again soon.”

“Of course my love. I will be there for your wedding.”

They stood for a few moments frozen in a tableau of peace and love.

Stepping back Camthalion held his daughter by the shoulders. “Remember this Eámanë, above all shadows the sun rides, these are the words of our House and these are the words that will tide you over every obstacle you will face.”

“I will remember beloved Adar”.

--

Before she knew it, it was time for her to leave with the emissaries and as a goodwill gesture she will have no chaperones save the wives of the emissaries. As a result of which she would be truly alone in Echelon. She looked around at the farewell party standing in the courtyard but she could not see Valandil anywhere.

“Your highness we must depart soon if we are to reach Echelon as scheduled” one of the emissaries wives told her. She was a severe looking woman with steely hair but her eyes were kind and understanding.

“Yes my Lady, but please give me one moment my brother-..”

“Eámanë!”

“Valandil, where have you been?” She demanded as she took in the sight of her brother flushed red from running.

“I have something for you.” He handed her a small plain wooden box. “It is something to remember your home by.” It is something to remember me by.

Tears in her eyes she hugged him tightly. “Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au'” My heart shall weep until it sees thee again.

“Safe journey.” He said voice quiet as he relinquished his hold on her.

The last sight that Eámanë had of her home was of her brother in his white King’s Guard doublet and cloak with his golden hair blowing in the breeze.

Sighing to herself Eámanë resolved herself. She would face whatever was before her with dignity and grace. She will make her brother and her father proud.

A/N: Onto the next chapter….

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