Song of the chapter – Elevation by U2

Zolen took nervous steps across the courtyard towards Harper. The sparkle of the Fae lights created a heavenly glow around her, as though she were a living star. He was drawn to her beauty, yes, but also to the strength of her heart, her loyalty to Elaina. It was that loyalty that caused his steps to falter as he made his way to where she stood. Zolen had no idea if her loyatlies would ever be granted to him.

In all his life, no one had ever caused him such worry and fret. But the moment he laid eyes on the wisp of a female, her blonde hair blowing in the slight Fae forest breeze all those moon cycles past, his life had been one nervous moment after another. Before Harper, he had been confident in his words and actions. Since meeting her, however, everything he said seemed to be garbled and confused. Even he had no idea what he was saying anymore.

She had certainly gotten under his skin, and in a way he was not able to identify. He had wondered for hours as he lay awake each night, picturing her smile and hearing the sound of her laughter, what had she done to bewitch him? When she had pulled him aside, before the last battle with Claec, threatening his very life if anything happened to Eliana, but also telling Zolen that if he came back dead, she'd kill him, he finally knew what it was she had done. Harper had stolen his very soul, not just his heart. Her angry words of worry just as he was marching off to battle told him everything he needed to know, because all he wanted to do was make it back to the castle very much alive and ready to tell her his true feelings.

And he kept his vow to her, walking back to find her pressing through the cheering crowd and leaping into his arms. Something held his tongue, however, as he found himself unable to put into words what his heart had been longing to say. That lack of confidence had become too engrained, Zolen was unable to get the words out.

Time was running out. Harper was leaving the Ferlands next Starfall and Zolen insisted upon traveling with her. Her hesitations would not stop his mission, or his determination at winning her heart. Admitting to himself that the latter was proving more challenging than he thought, Zolen continued the last few steps towards her, pushing gently past the dancing pairs and tables of food. He squared his shoulders and prepared for her inevitable tongue lashing.

"Harper, you look quite beautiful tonight," he said tentatively, wincing internally at his weak sounding compliment. She was more than beautiful. Harper was glowing, radiant, outshining every Star in the sky. Her silver gown, with a hint of pink woven into the threads, fit each curve of her feminine shape snuggly. The fae braids that she had become so adept at were the perfect compliment for the occasion. She looked positively Fae in every way that mattered. Why hadn't he said any of that?

"Thanks. You clean up well yourself. Nice tunic, it kind of sparkles." Harper's voice sounded flat, lifeless, as though she had given up hope. Zolen's nerves deepened at her tone. She certainly was not making this any easier for him.

"Have you completed your preparations for our journey?" He decided to broach the subject at hand, knowing it would lead their conversation in the direction of what ever was happening between them.

"Yeah, about that. I'm good with Cloyd taking me. You really don't need to make that trip. I've been through the passage before so I know the drill." Her words were dismissive, but Zolen could detect a different emotion in her voice.

"I have pledged my intention to accompany you," Zolen replied, already feeling drained from the conversation. "Nura is quite ready to become the Faery General for Her Majesty."

"Nura, huh? How progressive of you to choose a woman," Harper mumbled. "Still, not reason enough for you to give up everything you've worked for just to see me home. I can make it back just fine, no need to trouble yourself."

Zolen took a deep breath, both hands now pressing into his hips, trying to brace and calm his countenance at Harper's refusals. A few more deep breaths later, Zolen was still as frustrated as before.

"Have I not made myself clear?" he asked, gritting his teeth, yet knowing this problem was of his own making. If he could just get the words out...

"No, frankly, you haven't. What is it, exactly, that makes you so hell bent on taking me home and watching over, hmmm?" Harper had one eyebrow raised and arms crossed over her chest. If he was not mistaken, Zolen thought he could detect her foot tapping angrily under the folds of her gown. She was beyond irritated with him, and truthfully he had no idea how to change that. Shoulders shrugged and arms hanging at his side, Zolen surrendered, no longer feeling hopeful about his chances with Harper.

"I just thought..." his voice trailed off.

"Just thought what?" Harper had a tone of challenge in her voice.

"That you might want me to go. That something had stirred between us and perhaps you would want to see that through." Zolen admitted with defeat. He turned his gaze away from her, unwilling to see the cold eyes that were inevitably cast in his direction. Instead, he looked out upon the party revelers, marveling at how the rest of those in attendance of the celebration seemed light, joyus and free, moving about with ease. He felt the complete opposite. The heaviness was threatening to consume him, right there in the middle of the party, his Fae officers witness to his demise.

"Zolen."

Harper's voice brought him back from his somber thoughts, but he refused to return his attention to her. After another moment of weighted silence between them, he felt a delicate hand grasping his own, pulling it towards her, the object of his concern. His eyes traveled to where his hand was now joined with Harper's, still not meeting her gaze to read whatever her eyes may say, not wanting more disappointment. Still, and against his better judgement, he found he could no longer keep his tongue.

"I thought that maybe, you would do me the honor of allowing me to lift the spoon for you, because you are someone I care deeply for, not because it is something that Fae males are expected to do. Because lifting the spoon for you would be my greatest honor, greater than that of serving my Queen, greater than the glory that comes from victorious battle. Winning your affections would be my most impressive victory, one for which I now must admit defeat."

Zolen continued to observe the small hand within his own, his heart clenching at the thought of having to say goodbye, and knowing that he had no ability to do so. Attempting to commit to memory the feel of her warm, smooth skin and let that be enough, he allowed his thumb to caress her hand. Only moments after speaking, while still gently rubbing the back of Harper's hand, her fingers clenched around his much larger ones pulling him closer to where she stood. He stumbled forward, caught off guard by the action, and shot a look up into her eyes. What he found staring back at him caused a great rumble of shocked confusion.

"Took you long enough. What is it with you Ferland males that it takes for-eh-ver," she drew out each syllable,"to just tell a girl what the heck you're feeling?" Harper had a gleam in her eye as she spoke. As ususal, her words confused him and Zolen was unsure of her intentions.

"And what of you otherworld females? Why is it that you are also unable to speak of your feelings?" His words were honest, a true reflection of his curiosity, but the resulting look on Harper's face made him wonder what it was he had just said.

"Oh, I'll tell you alright." She smirked, continuing to step closer to him. "I'm glad you want to 'lift my spoon.'" The way she said the words sounded strange to Zolen, as if she meant something entirely different. Then, and without warning whatsoever, Harper bent her knees then jumped up to grab Zolen around the neck. His arms automatically wrapped around Harper to hold her up, thus pulling her body close to his, just as he had when he had returned from the final battle with the dark army. What had not happened then was what Harper did next, using one hand to grip the back of his head and press his face close to hers. Zolen was so taken aback that he froze in place, every warrior reflex to act immediately leaving his body and mind.

Utter bliss and happiness filled his soul when she pressed her lips against his. Although it was Harper who initiated the intimate contact, he was quite willing to oblige her, letting his lips capture hers in a way he had only dreampt of. The heat he felt building between them was pleasing, causing him to tighten his hold on her body. Zolen angled his head, trying with all his might to get as close as possible to Harper, finally allowing every feeling he had towards the irreverent girl to come pouring out.

"Whoa, tiger!" Harper laughed as she pulled her mouth away from Zolen's, his lips trailing after hers seeking more. "Remind me never to give you any PDA, you can't handle too much of it." She was smiling, while Zolen frowned once again at her confusing speech. Perhaps they should take a translator along, since Eliana would be unavailable to interpret for him. The frown he wore must have indicated his confusion to Harper. "Don't worry, there's more where that came from. I just think we should keep private things private before someone tells us to get a room."

Her words made some sense. At least the part about more, but the rest was a bit jumbled.

"And I do want you to join me, to stay and see if what's happening between us is something bigger than just some goofy attraction. I just needed you to say it, you know, so we didn't go the whole way home and then you say something like it was fun while it lasted, or its not you its me, that kind of thing. A girl can only get dumped so many times before she gets cautious."

Once again, Zolen only understood a portion of Harper's words. The ones he did understand were the words that mattered. She wanted him to go, that was all he needed to hear.

"It would be my great privilege to cross through the passage with you, dearest Harper. I am already prepared to journey as the Stars fall tomorrow." Zolen ended his decree with a simple kiss on Harper's lips. Now that he was allowed to do so, it would be difficult to stop him.

***

Exiting the Pass, Zolen followed Harper to the crest, overlooking the valley and the rushing stream of liquid Starlight that marked the realm of the Seer's refuge. Although it was not visible to either Harper or to him, knowing it was there brought back the memories of the first time he had made that trek. So much had occurred since that day, both difficult and joyous. However, Zolen was content to know that everything was as it should be.

"Looks the same out here, but man the Pass seemed a lot less creepy this time, don't you agree?" Harper commented. Zolen started to reply when Blaike interrupted his thoughts.

"Its intensity was quite dulled, I would have to say. My concern for our safety was not nearly as great." Blaike answered while looking at Eliana.

"I felt that too, it's as though the entire land has come to a balance once the Starlight was returned." Eliana, the new Head Seer answered.

As Harper and Zolen were just about to depart for the passage with Cloyds detailed directions, Eliana stopped them at the castle steps, asking for them to wait just one more day so that she and Blaike could travel with them one last time. The two would be residing at the Refuge, which was the most logical place for the Captain of the Watchers and his head Seer bride to take up residence. To Zolen's surprise, Harper agreed immediately, even though it seemed to him that she was insistent upon leaving at once.

"I had to get you to talk somehow," she had shrugged. "Leaving seemed like a good way to make that happen. And it worked, so now I can wait a bit before we go."

Zolen smiles at the memory, now understanding Harper's distant behavior just before she departed. Standing close to her at the crest, holding her delicate hand, he was glad she had forced him to come forward with his feelings.

"Well, whatever it is," Harper added, "thank goodness we didn't run into that bear thing. He needed some serious grooming, and that stench! Wow, no thanks. I do not need that smell in my nose for the next week, thank you very much." Harper held her nose and shook her head.

"And this is where our paths part ways," Zolen spoke finally. "Our passage is on the next ridge which takes us along the crest. Yours is down the mountain to the Refuge walls."

"Thanks captain obvious. We know this is goodbye," Harper said sadly. Zolen regretted his words, not having meant to upset her. He attempted to put a comforting arm around the female who held his heart, but even he had to admit it was awkward. Harper grabbed his arm and pulled it closer to her, wrapping it around her shoulders more snuggly and intertwining her fingers with his. Ah, that was how it was to be done. Zolen needed more practice.

"Before we part," Eliana started while reaching into her satchel," I have something for all of us." She pulled her hand out and produced four rings of various sizes. All were fired with Fae metals, Zolen could see, and each had a different stone set within. "I had these made from the four Starstones. This way each of us will be able to cross through the passages whenever we wish."

Eliana gave the blue-green stone to Harper, to Zolen the stone of deep purple. Blaike proudly wore the dark onyx and Eliana the silver flecked with liquid Starlight.

"But I already have a stone ring." Harper protested softly, showing the ring Cloyd had given her, the one Claec had forged for his recruitment of dark watchers from other lands, most of which turned against her in the end.

Eliana reached out an open palm for the original ring. "Yes, but this one was forged with ill intent and is to be returned to its proper duities with the Starstones," Eliana paused as she looked at the three others in her presence. Zolen waited in curiosity for her next words. "Which is also our next adventure," she added with a smile.

"Girl, I don't have time for riddles." Harper had that look she got when she wanted Zolen to just say whatever it was he was thinking. He hoped with everything he had that Eliana could read that look. Otherwise, things would get ugly, as Harper would say.

"When you are ready for something exciting, whenever that is, you two come back so that the four of us can return the StarStones to their original home in the four corners of the Ferlands. As The Star Map history has documented, I wish for them to be taken back, which will also ensure a peaceful future for our land."

Blaike seemed to have anticipated Eliana's declaration. The guard within Zolen ached to follow her directive, but there were other things which needed doing first. "I can agree to that. What about you, Harper?" He looked over to the woman at his side, wondering about her reaction.

Harper stepped forward and gave Eliana a warm embrace. "There's nothing I could want more than another adventure with you. We'll be here with bells on, soon enough. But if you've got rings too, I expect you for Christmas dinner. Got that?"

Eliana held Harper close, the two friends holding back tears while saying their farewells. Zolen also felt the tug of emotions as he watched the scene. He needed to look down at one point, noticing his own eyes begin to burn.

"I wouldn't miss it for anything. I can hardly wait to show these guys what Christmas is all about." Eliana pulled away as she spoke.

Zolen stepped to Blaike, gripping his arm in the traditional farewell of the Ferlands. The Watcher had become a good friend to him during these last moon cycles of strife and battle. Zolen was honored to be counted among those Blaike held close. "Looks like our time together has not ended yet. I look forward to our next meeting. "

"I as well. Have safe travels through the pass." Blaike replied.

Without more words, the couples turned towards their respective paths, not knowing exactly what the future held, or when they might see each other again. However, something deep inside told Zolen that whatever it would be was already written on the stars.

〰🖤〰

Were you surprised that this was written from Zolen's point of view? Even I was a little surprised, but he insisted and who am I to say no to the Faery General? The poor guy has been tripping over himself the entire time Harper has been in the Ferlands and only now are we realizing it. I have to say, I love the guy and wanted him to have a happy ending as well.

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey!! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Well, more like agonizing over it, pulling my hair out, wondering what the heck I had been thinking, then writing it. LOL it was like homework sometimes, but being able to finish a chapter that I had been struggling over was the best victory ever.

The whole land has been elevated from it's previous darkness, and what better way to put that into song than U2's Elevation?

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