Alina and the Ice Jewel (The Meeting at Engrund)

Queen Thaelea walked on the holcus mollis l, her feet barely leaving a mark on it. The flowers seemed to smile at her presence and sing at her touch."My children," she purred, her wondrously enchanting voice drawing the butterflies to her. She knew them all by name, even though their beautiful lives were fleeting. For that moment, she forgot her sorrow, her sadness at the loss of a lifelong friend.She walked to where she had left her oaken staff, its upper third studded with rubies, emeralds and sapphires. Tiny branches spiraled up and inward from its tip to encircle the Eye of Wonder, a diamond of unmatched value. Her transparent wings, catching the sun-rays in an ever-changing rainbow sheen, spread out and she took flight. As she approached the grand tree, home to her subjects, she saw what she surmised to be a spectacle."Leave me please!I mean none of you any harm!" The plea came from a distressed human child, slightly taller than the queen. She had been restrained to the ground with silk thin threads, strong as any rope man can weave.Var, dressed appropriately as the queen's guard--a snug black leather coat, fastened onto him by three large belts from which depended the large dagger sheathed on his back, and red cotton leggings tucked into petaled black leather boots--explained."We found her trampling our precious daffodils. She has dared to come to our forest unannounced, uninvited."The queen seemed not to be listening to Var. Instead she considered the child for a spell, the large dark eyes shining out in sincerity, and fear."Untie her," she said, her order clear, leaving no room for contention. Var, determined to keep true to his charge, hesitated. "The threads are tight and sharp, they are bruising her skin. Undo them. Now."As some of the fantastic creatures helped Dyvelin to her feet, the ornament bequeathed her tumbled out from the folds of her dress. In an instant, the queen had her staff at the child's throat. "How come you by this ornament, human child!?""Your majesty!" Var exclaimed, meaning to come to his queen's aid. She however warded everyone off, knowing they did not fathom the potential danger that had just presented itself.Dyvelin, startled by the queen's sudden change in temperament, involuntarily stepped backwards, lost her footing and fell, landing on her backside. She tried to speak, but fright had rendered her dumb. It was then that the queen saw the tattoo on her skin and slowly lowered her staff. A bewildered Dyvelin watched as Thaelea's fingertips slowly traced the winding black curves of the tattoo, glowing as they touched it; the tattoo itself glowed in tandem with her touch."Amars!" she exclaimed softly. The queen knelt next to the child, her wings outstretched in excitement. Tears streamed down her face as she looked softly into Dyvelin's eyes with her own deep sapphire blue ones. "I must apologize, child... I had no idea." This as she cradled the young girl's face in her palms.Despite her confusion, Deyvelin could not help but feel the Fairy-Queen's sorrow; then understanding--like a glow in her heart, deep and profound-passed between the two. Thaelea helped the child to her feet and turned to address her winged subjects. "This is Dyvelin, heir to the Grand Sorcerer." She paused to let the emotion of the moment pass. "she shall come with us to Engrund Circle."
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