Song of the chapter – Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift

The silence in the clearing seemed to be endless. It went on for hours in Eliana's mind as she watched Claec lay on the ground, no longer moving. The dark queen's leather armor made it difficult to detect if she was still breathing, but Eliana was not able to take a step closer to find out. She was frozen in place, attempting to rationalize what had just happened.

In what felt like slow motion, Eliana finally turned back to where Blaike was kneeling on the ground next to Aine, holding on to one of her hands. His eyes were fixed on Eliana, however, a look of sorrow filling his gaze. His mouth was set, a thin line of concern and worry. But it was the way he held Aine's hand that stopped Eliana's heart. His fingers caressed the top of the older woman's skin, rubbing gently in reassurance.

Was she still with them? Had Aine survived Claec's attack?

Eliana finally took in a breath, and then found her feet moving towards them. Her steps increased in speed the closer she got. Blaike's face was grim. He turned his focus back to Aine and shook his head. Eliana's steps came to an immediate halt, a feeling like being punched in the gut shot through her entire body.

No.

Eliana's mouth was moving, creating the motions with her lips and tongue. But no sound was coming from those lips. Her voice was silent. Her screams were silent. Her tears as well, made no noise. Blaike's gaze turned back to Eliana in a panic. He was speaking to her, saying something that she was unable to understand. She realized she was shaking her head back and forth, tears falling in streams down her cheeks.

Blaike rose up and went to her, pulling her into his embrace. She felt his jaw moving, his lips rising and falling against the side of her head, but she couldn't hear his words. Was she deaf? Had the Starlight caused some strange physical response? Blaike pulled back and took her face in his hands, repeating something to her over and over and over.

"Eliana... Eliana...Eliana!"

Finally, she was able to make out the sounds. She looked from his lips to his eyes, confusion suddenly washing over her.

"Why are you calling my name?" she asked.

Blaike's head fell back in relief. Then he brought his gaze back to hers, and wrapped his arms around her.

"I've been asking you if you were hurt. And then you started crying when you realized..." He didn't finish his statement about Eliana's realization. He didn't need to. They both knew what he meant.

Aine was gone.

Eliana felt her legs begin to give out. She wobbled slightly as Blaike held her tighter, closer, to keep her from falling. The tears continued to fall, her head shaking in disbelief that her grandmother was gone. There had been a sacrifice. There had been a life taken too soon. Somewhere, deep down, Eliana wondered if Aine had known, if that was the reason she insisted upon making the journey to the clearing for the battle, even knowing that she was in no way prepared for that type of fight.

Although Aine had instructed Eliana with the Starlight, she hadn't truly been able to wield it, or to know what Eliana would need to do to ultimately defeat Claec.

Her daughter against her granddaughter... What had that been like for Aine to watch? And did she see, in the end, that Claec had truly been lost to them? The daughter she had raised could not have been present in the woman who attempted to control the people and the land in this deceitful way.

It wasn't the end Eliana had hoped for. But it was an end. Claec was no longer a threat, no longer hording the energy so needed by the land. The people could finally live in peace. And yet, Eliana was heartbroken.

"I need to say goodbye," Eliana was finally able to say as the sobbing slowed. Blaike leaned back, looking her over carefully before letting go.

"Are you sure?" he asked quietly.

Eliana nodded her reply then turned her focus to the woman who had risked everything, sacrificing her life, to keep Eliana safe. Aine seemed so peaceful just yards away, almost as though she were asleep. Eliana took somber steps towards Aine, Blaike trailing close behind. As she approached the edge of the clearing where Aine was, Eliana knelt down beside her, taking Aine's delicate hand into her own.

"I'm so sorry," she spoke out loud, needing to tell Aine what was on her heart. "It shouldn't have ended this way, but I guess this whole thing never should have started. I wish I'd had more time with you, now that I realize all that you've done for me. I resented it growing up, but now I understand." Eliana took a deep breath, and then spoke her final words to Aine. "I'm home now."

Blaike was still near her, standing just beside where Eliana knelt. His hand was on her back, providing silent support during a moment that words could not have sufficed. Eliana was so grateful to have him nearby, so glad that they could support each other now. His strength served to boost hers, and she hoped that she provided an equal support for him.

But there was another goodbye that needed to be said. Eliana turned her gaze to the woman lying at the other end of the clearing. Claec lost her battle for ultimate power, and Eliana had lost the potential mother in her life. She understood Aine's choices to run, to keep the story from her, but nothing would bring understanding about Claec's choices. Eliana would never understand that.

As she began walking toward the slain queen, Blaike called out. "Eliana, are you sure? She's caused you so much pain."

Without looking back at Blaike, Eliana answered, "It's time. Even now, I need to tell her how wrong she was." Her strides were purposeful. If she wanted to move forward, without regrets, this needed to happen. In a few moments, she was looking down at Claec. Eliana wondered where Harper was, because she could practically hear her best friend's words in her mind...

Ding, dong the witch is dead.

Kneeling down to get a better look, Eliana noticed the deep lines creasing Claec's face. For someone who should have aged slowly in this land, Claec looked worn through. Her quest for power, and the strain of hording the Starlight must have also taken a physical toll. Suddenly, Eliana realized that even in death, Claec did not look peaceful. She had spent so much of her life hungry for what she did not have. Death had not lessened that in her soul. Aine had seemed at rest, sleeping, completely at peace. Claec looked tortured, in sharp contrast.

Clutched to her chest, Claec's hands were wrapped around something. Without having to see it, Eliana knew exactly what it was, as if it had called right to her. The fourth stone, Sacrifice, was still within the woman's grip. That needed to change. Eliana pulled the woman's hand gently away from the elusive StarStone. As if the stone was rejecting Claec herself, it practically leapt into Eliana's hold. Dark black, shiny and smooth, it appeared the stone was Onyx. A strangely fitting stone for the woman known as the dark queen. Not knowing what to do with it now, as her necklace was created for three stones, not four, Eliana put it into the leather armor around her waist. Then she looked back at the face of the woman who had given her life, then sought to take it away, along with everything she held dear.

"I won't pretend to understand," she spoke aloud, as she had to Aine. "There is no excuse, nothing you can justify your actions with. My only comfort is knowing that all of this, everything that you've done, was foretold to happen. It was destined to be someone. Unfortunately that someone was you. I used to be so angry, so confused about you, about Aine, about everything in my life that was such a mystery. There is still anger, that may never fully be healed, but I now have some answers. It will have to be enough. It is over, it is done." Eliana shook her head as she finished speaking. Her only desire was to never allow the deception to happen again. The Ferlish people must never forget, in order to never return to a time where the Starlight was used against them.

Eliana stood up, and as she did, she sensed the covering over the clearing dissipate. The sounds of the forest could be heard, including the din of shouting from the treeline. It seemed to be cheers. Eliana began making her way back to Blaike on the other side of the clearing, observing as many watchers and guards, from all sides of the battle, entered the clearing. Those who not long before had been ready to fight to the death, seemed finally able to grasp the weight of what Claec had done over the years. The dark Watchers had the look of someone whose eyes had been opened, the blind who could finally see. The guilt they bore was also plainly seen. The realization that you had been fighting on the wrong side is daunting. The others, the Watchers and Fae who had spent years in hiding or waiting for this time to come, were understanding toward their former foes. Claec's rule was a difficult one to oppose. Most had either been fooled, or were planning their own revolution once the sign was clear.

Eliana. She was the sign that had come, to be clearly seen by all.

"It is over. Finally." Zolen's somber voice could be heard approaching from behind Eliana. He walked to where she and Blaike were standing, once again beside Aine. He addressed Eliana directly, "I am so sorry that this was your ending."

Eliana looked up at the Fae who had at first meeting given her the impression he was someone to fear. She now felt he was a good friend, one who could be trusted. "Thank you. There is a part of me, however, that feels this was just as it was meant to be. After all, it is a beginning, not just an ending."

"What shall we do with this woman?" Zorn shouted from the opposite side of the clearing, standing next to Claec's body. "She is not worthy of a traditional burial."

Although Eliana tended to agree, Claec did not deserve to be honored in any way, Aine did deserve to be respected and Claec was her daughter. This day could not be forgotten, nor could the sacrifices made for the good of the land and its people. Eliana looked to Blaike.

"There is something that should be done, immediately. Isn't that the tradition?" Eliana asked, remembering that quick burial was how they demonstrated respect.

"Of course. What is it, love?" Blaike took her hands in his, searching her face for what it was she needed.

"This clearing, it should be memorialized. We must never forget where we've been, who we are, and what we've done to survive."

Blaike nodded in agreement, "And your thoughts about how that is to be accomplished?"

"Two burials. One here, for Aine, with a stone pillar to symbolize her strength and vision, her guidance and sacrifice." Eliana turned to face the opposite side of the clearing. "The other there, not as a memorial, but as a reminder. Bury Claec right where she fell, where her reign came to a bitter end. And not a pillar, but a ring of stones, the cage she attempted to hold the Starlight in for her own selfish gains." Eliana had been reading through the Star Map as they spent time in the castle over the past week. Her interest had been drawn to the symbolism behind the names of Ferlish constellations. It had also been her inspiration for the memorials.

At that point, several had gathered to listen to Eliana's instructions. The mood had become somber, rather than the cheers and celebration it had been only moments before. It was clear that the warriors, although victorious, understood what had been lost, as well as how much worse it would have been had Claec continued to rule.

Murmurs of agreement and approval could be heard filtering through the gathered Ferlish and Fae. Using a few of the more blunt and wide edged weapons, Guards and Watchers gathered at each end and began digging up the soil for the burials. It felt to Eliana that a ritual was being performed, but one that was cleansing for everyone present. It symbolized the entire story of the Ferlands right in that clearing. And the trees would keep a record, holding the story for generations to come.

〰🖤〰

This chapter was such a challenge to put into words. How do you describe heartache and grief, the shock Eliana must have felt... So this was the result, and I hope you were taken on the journey with her. 

Now that this chapter is posted, I have a dilemma. I haven't finished Chapter 31 yet, and these chapters take a long time for me. Usually at least two weeks, sometimes longer. I think I've figured out the details and descriptions so I should have it ready by next weekend. But then what? I have two more chapters and an epilogue so the update schedule might be delayed. I'll keep you posted!

I love Safe and Sound, the words, meaning and feeling. This seemed the perfect goodbye to Aine.

https://youtu.be/RzhAS_GnJIc