THE CRYSTAL THRONE by Bert McKenzie Copyright 2010
Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any real person alive or dead is coincidental and unintentional.
CHAPTER XXI
There was a deepening of the silence in the cavern. Scott looked up at the screen realizing what the man had just said. He was renouncing his claim to the throne! Scott turned to look at the hideous mass of flesh that had been Melusine. He wondered what she would do now. He expected a shriek or a cry or perhaps even for her to turn and attack her two prisoners. But he was totally unprepared for what actually happened.
The bloated body seemed to sink down upon itself, collapsing into a pool of rotting decay in the middle of the stone floor. Obscene whistling and gurgling noises emitted from the remains like the sounds of escaping gasses. "We've won," Scott said softly to himself, and then he turned back to the screen. "We've won!" he managed to shout, his voice echoing and reverberating in the hollow vault. "Ellenia, we've won!"
He looked over at the girl. She was looking back at him with tears streaming down her cheeks. "Thank you, Scott," she said softly. He tugged with returning strength and the chains, no longer held by the evil magic dropped noisily to the ground. Rushing to her side, Scott tugged Ellenia's chains loose as well and pulled her thin body away from the stone pillar. "Thank you, Scott," she cried again. "Thank you for saving us." She collapsed against him, sobbing freely into his shoulder.
"But I did nothing," he protested, holding her and trying to comfort her as she slowly gained control of her emotions. "It was Robin."
"Heard you not what he said?" she asked, looking up at him with tear stained eyes. "Heard you not why he turned down the throne? He refused it for love. For your love."
"You mean . . ." He slowly began to realize what she was telling him. Robin had publicly declared his love before the high council and most of the inhabitants of the palace. He could not produce an heir to the throne because of his love for another man. There was only one man he could possibly mean.
Their tender moment together was interrupted by a tremendous crash. One of the stone monoliths had fallen and smashed to pieces just inches from where they stood. "We must flee," Ellenia said as the ground began to quiver and shake. The other stones rocked precariously around them. Scott helped the girl out of the circle and they began to run across the floor of the cavern, the sounds of the rock structures crashing down behind them.
Dust and dirt were everywhere. The entire mountain seemed to be in the grip of a massive earthquake, stones rolling down the cavern walls and the ground continually pitching and shuddering. "What's happening?" Scott shouted over the roaring protest of the surrounding stones.
"The gate is collapsing in on itself!" Ellenia shouted back as they began to scramble up the steep trail to the cave mouth. "When Melusine died in our world, her spirit was forcibly sucked back into hers, much like water being pulled through a hole in the bottom of a bucket. In the process it is taking the gateway and everything around with it." The climb was increasingly difficult as the two had to dodge sliding rocks and falling debris. Finally they managed to reach the cave entrance. "Quickly," Ellenia called. "Run as fast as you can. This whole tunnel may be pulled into the gateway, taking us with it." Scott glanced back over his shoulder to see what looked like a rapidly widening hole opening from the far end of the cavern. It reminded him of nothing so much as a gigantic mouth devouring the earth before it. The two of them sprinted up the cave as quickly as they could run.
The castle was in turmoil. Never before in the long history of Tuatha had a high king attempted to abdicate. Although he had not actually accepted the throne, Robin was their king, duly affirmed by the council and duly crowned. He had now publicly renounced all that this meant. "And why?" Thomas asked rhetorically. "For love. A noble and worthwhile sentiment. But not just any love. No. He has to proclaim his love before the high council and half the population of the palace . . . his love for another man. And not just another man but a human as well!"
"Please, my lord," Rowana tried to calm the old man. "You shall become ill if you refuse to relax."
"What are we going to do?" Thomas asked as he fell into a waiting chair. "Do you have a solution?" He looked directly and pointedly at Rowana as if she ought to have an answer since she wasn't ranting about the situation.
"If I may be so bold, lord," Melcot came to her defense. "Perhaps if he was originally told the truth about his human friend . . . I mean about his disappearance we would not be debating this course now."
"That's right," Thomas said, jumping up from his chair. "Blame me for trying to spare his feelings. Blame me for trying to do what was right for the kingdom. Just like has always been. Blame the humans for the mess the Tuathans make."
"Lord, that is not fair," Rowana said, quickly leaping to the support of her intended.
"Well, where is he now?" the old man asked.
"In his chambers," Melcot answered.
"Try to keep him there while I go speak to the high council. Maybe we can still salvage some of this mess."
The torches flickered and dimmed as they threaded their way through the tunnel. A strong wind seemed to pull at their heels and draw the flames back down toward the gruesome cavern behind them. Finally, with a last shuddering gasp the ground stopped shaking as all of the lights disappeared leaving the two in the inky, underground darkness.
"The gate has closed at last," Ellenia's voice said, coming from somewhere nearby.
"Can you lead us out of here?" Scott asked her, reaching out and feeling for his companion in his blindness.
"I cannot see," she replied.
"But I thought your people could see in the dark."
"We may have better vision than humans, and we may be able to see when you cannot," she told him. "But when there is absolutely no light, then there is nothing by which to see."
"Then I guess we go by feel," Scott said, making contact with her outstretched hand. They went much more slowly, feeling the rough stone wall and following the tunnel in this fashion. Scott's one fear was what would they do when they reached the smaller cavern up ahead, the one that held several possible exits. They would be unable to pick the right tunnel they had chosen before. Just as he thought about this his hand reached out and made contact with nothing. The wall had fallen away into empty space. "I think we're in trouble," Scott said.
"No, look," Ellenia called excitedly.
"You can see something?"
"Yes," she replied. "There is just a faint spot of light directly ahead. It must be the tunnel to the surface." She squeezed his hand firmly and they headed in the direction she indicated. They walked on in the darkness for a very long time, Ellenia getting more and more sure of herself with each step as the light filled her elfin eyes and showed the way.
At last Scott thought he could make out a dim shape in the darkness. They now raced forward and were soon running out of the cave mouth and into the dazzling light of day. They were standing on a grassy mountain plateau, the blue sky and bright sun shining overhead. Even though the light was blinding to Scott's slowly adjusting eyes, he had never seen anything so beautiful before. They ran about, breathing deep lungfuls of the fresh mountain air and dancing on the short clover. "Lady," Scott said as they finally collapsed to the ground in laughter, "I hope you know your Tuathan geography. I have no idea where we are."
"We are in the Eldritch Mountains," she told him. She pulled him up and pointed off into the distance. "That must be the way home."
"Why," Scott asked her.
"Because the sun is sinking this way which means that direction must be south."
"And south is where we want to go?" he asked.
"Of course," she answered. "We had best begin our journey at once."
"Fine, but why the haste?" he questioned.
"Had you not listened to the words of Robin?" she responded. "He said he was to return to the other world and seek you. He knows not that you are here. If we return not to Esbereth immediately, we shall return to find the king gone to your land while you are already in his."
"Sounds like quite a mess," Scott admitted. "Well what are we waiting for? We have a castle to find. How far is it do you think?"
"But two days journey if we can find a nomadic village nearby that shall lend us a horse."
"And some clothing for you," he added. They headed across the plateau and down a narrow, wooded trail heading toward the flatlands below.
"My lord, you cannot go," Clive told him.
"I must," Robin replied. "You are the ones who have given me the strength to search for what I have been missing. I must return to the land of humankind."
Clive and Rowana exchanged glances. "We must tell him. It was wrong to keep the information from him in the first place," the girl wind whispered to her friend. He nodded to her.
"You will not find him, lord," Clive said, trying to stop him as Robin attempted to put clothing into a small traveling pack.
"Of course I shall. Once I get to their land, I know where to go to find his dwelling."
"He is not there, lord," Rowana added to what Clive had said.
Robin stopped his preparations and turned to look at them. The two had guilt written all over their faces. Robin sat on the reclining platform. "What are you trying to tell me? I sense there is some hidden matter here."
"Thomas wanted us not to tell you. He felt that you were best served by not knowing," Clive stammered.
"I felt it was a deception," Rowana said quickly. "We both felt so and we tried to tell Thomas but . . ."
"Out with it. What tale are you holding back?" Robin asked anxiously.
"Your friend was in our land. He somehow followed you here when you entered the circle in his world."
Robin jumped up from his seat and grabbed Clive by the shoulders, his face a picture of ecstatic joy. "Scott, here? Where is he? How could you not tell me? Where may I find him?"
"You were ill, lord and on a mind journey," Rowana continued the tale. "He was sitting here with you, and must have accidentally broken a transportation vial. We found the shards of glass and he was gone."
"Then the image I saw in my journey was not an illusion," Robin said, remembering the picture of Scott fading into the purple haze. "He must have broken the transportation spell that Bailor had as an escape from here. But where could it have taken him?"
Clive felt the tears rising has he tried to finish the story. "We saw Melusine disappear in the same type of spell. When I came into the room I could smell the same odor. We fear he has gone to join her, lord."
"The dark world," Robin concluded. He stood in silent thought for but a moment, and then turned to continue his preparations for a journey.
"What is your purpose, lord," Rowana asked him. "You cannot mean to go to his land now. There is no reason."
"I go not to his land. I follow my father's footsteps now," Robin said tersely.
"You mean to travel to the Eldritch Mountains," she asked in shocked horror. "No, lord," she said grabbing him and hugging him tightly.
"My dear lady. Can you not see. I have no choice. If my heart is in the dark world, then I must travel to the dark world to retrieve it. I am no longer king here. I have no reason to stay." The girl sobbed as she held her king and her friend. Clive dried his eyes and turned to leave the room.
"You shall not stop me, friend," Robin called to him.
Turning, the woodling looked back to Robin. "I go to make preparations for our journey. I know I would not stop you, and so I must needs go with you."
"No," Robin protested.
Clive interrupted him. "I told you long ago in the great wood that I traveled with you for adventure. I fear the story is not yet good enough to win a beautiful maiden. We must add another chapter or two."
"Our journey will begin as soon as you finish your business with the council," Rood said as he came into Robin's chambers.
"No, my friend," Robin told him. "I shall go alone."
"No matter what you or anyone else may say, you are still my king and I am still the captain of your guard," Rood corrected him. "I shall go with you or you shall not go. Besides," he said, grinning his lopsided smile, "Clive said you gave him leave to go with you. A king cannot show such favoritism."
"Then let us leave now," Robin said, anxious to be off.
"My lord, we must wait to hear the words of the council. Old Thomas has spent many hours before them. He is old and should not see to such things without rest, but he has completed this for you. We must wait out of respect."
Robin sighed heavily. "I shall wait no more than another day. If they be not ready by then, we shall hear their words if and when we return."
"My lord, I fear you mean not to return," Rood said, looking deeply at his friend.
"Not without the object of my search," Robin vowed.
Slightly more than twenty four hours later the high council was prepared to meet in the council chambers. They had requested the presence of Robin and Thomas, although the request sounded much more like a command. As the sun climbed over the horizon, the two men accompanied by their friends in the palace guard headed across the courtyard toward the council chambers. The gallery was packed, spectators vying for a chance to witness history in the making.
Rood again knocked on the doors with his sword. Again the voice called from within, "Enter and give testimony." The doors were opened and Robin and Thomas entered the floor of the chambers alone. They quickly strode to the center of the room and stood facing the semi-circle of council members. Robin knew this was not going to be pleasant. The long faces on the old men and women assured him of this.
Lorfana rose to address him. "My lord, we have weighed your words heavily and have listened to the testimony of your advisor. We cannot say that your rejection of the throne pleases us, as we had all hoped you would rule as a good and just monarch. But we understand your reasons for your refusal."
"Well, that's that," Thomas whispered to his young charge.
"But mistakes have been made on all sides, my lord," Lorfana continued. "We were in grievous error to allow Bailor to seize the kingdom from you. We were in error to try to force you to bind with the woman of his choice. We were yet still in error when but three days ago we told you that you must keep your succession uppermost in your mind."
The old woman paused for effect. "None of us on this council are of the same cut as you. We understand not your special needs as relates to your heart. But we understand one thing. To be a Tuathan is to be true to one's self and the land. We acclaim you for your honesty and integrity. For these reasons we realize that you would make an even better king than we had ever hoped. We must needs request you reconsider your decision and again choose to rule from the crystal throne." She stopped and awaited his answer.
Robin stood in stunned silence. This was not at all what he expected from this group of people. He could not possibly make a decision on the spur of the moment while she stood watching him. "My lady," he began, "I must ask for further clarification to this request."
"Granted, my lord," she replied.
"You had wanted to fix the succession to the throne. How can this now be accomplished? You realize that I will not bind with a female and produce offspring."
"We realize it, lord," the old woman answered with a pained look on her face. "We have decided that when you feel the time has come, it will be your choice to pass the throne on to your designated heir. You may have freedom to select your son or daughter from anyone in the kingdom."
"Then what your are saying . . ." Robin was confused.
Hyller jumped to his feet. "Cannot you see?" he called in a voice filled with anger. "Are you as blind as your human advisor? We want you for our king with no restrictions. Just accept it, can you not?"
Robin and Thomas looked at each other, both breaking into smiles. "It makes no difference to them," Thomas laughed as he hugged his young king. The room broke into cheers knowing that Robin would accept and they finally would have their high king and ruler at last.
Robin turned and held his hand up for silence. "My lords and ladies," he said when he could again be heard. "I would graciously accept your kind and generous offer but for a commitment I now have. I must needs travel to the Eldritch Mountains. If I return I will accept the responsibility."
"No," a voice called angrily. It was Hyller again coming to his feet. "No, that is how we lost the king your father. We cannot lose you as well. If you go on this foolish quest your land shall die!"
"But I seek someone who may be found there. I cannot rest until my heart is satisfied," Robin said.
"Then let it be satisfied without that tiring journey, my lord." The voice was that of a woman. Turning they were surprised to see Rood and Melcot standing just inside the testimony doors. Between them stood two dusty travelers dressed in the hooded cloaks and rough garments of the northern nomadic tribes.
"Who is this woman?" Robin asked, surprised that his guards would allow such an interruption.
"One who loves you very much," she said coming forward into the light and throwing back her hood. As the beams from the skylight lit her dusty face and dirty hair everyone in the room gasped in astonishment.
"Ellenia!" Robin breathed. "Is it really you?" He took a step toward her and then the two of them ran together, hugging each other tightly. "I thought never to see you again."
"And I you, my lord. But I was rescued by a brave knight."
"Where is this knight that I may thank him properly?" Robin said, looking up.
"Here, lord," the other traveler said as he stepped forward into the beams from the skylight and removed his cape. His brown hair was now matted and his face was streaked with the dirt of a fast two day travel, but Scott stood proudly in the council chambers, looking at the man he thought would never come into his life. Robin stood transfixed, looking at the vision before him, afraid to move, lest he break the spell and it vanish again as it had before in his chambers. "Will you not thank me, lord?" Scott asked in English. Robin slowly walked toward him until they were but inches apart. The king reached out and stroked the dirty cheek of the man that had become his heart's desire. He hugged Scott to him in an embrace that he wished never to break, tears of joy streaming down both of their faces.
After a time, Robin pulled himself back and smiled to his lover, speaking in English. "I am the king. I must finish my duty as one, and then we shall have the rest of our lives together."
"And I understand that's going to be a very long time here," Scott replied.
"My lords and ladies," Robin said, turning back to the council, but not taking his arm from around Scott. "I accept your offer and shall ascend the throne at my next earliest convenience. I ask but your indulgence of one day."
Lorfana smiled in relief. "Thank you, my lord," she said. "But may I ask a question. Why need you a day?"
Looking back at his friend resting under his strong arm, Robin replied in English, "That is about how long it may take to get you properly cleaned up."
The party left the council chambers to retire to their various assignments. Robin took Scott to introduce him to the water fall and pool in the royal bath. Melcot and Rowana left to make plans for their binding. And it fell to Clive to escort Ellenia back to her old quarters so she, too, could clean off the dirt of her travels. As they walked across the courtyard Clive asked her, "Do you like stories of adventure, my lady?"
And as in all real fairy tales, they lived happily ever after.
If you enjoyed this story, the characters return in The Riders of Tuatha.to be submitted next. Thank you for reading my work. I appreciate your comments at bertmck@aol.com