QUEST
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Eowyn and Ulric set up a camp. Doing so they had properly introduced themselves. The night was covering the place with a coat of darkness. The only source of light was the fire Ulric had lit up. The young sylphide sat against the trunk of a tree, covered with a blanket. She staring at the blazes dancing in the air. Her mind slowly drifted off away.
Before she met Odhran a year ago, she had never heard of Usad. She didn't even know Camelot or Cenred had a dominion within their lands. She realized she still had a lot to discover, to uncover. And the more the days passed, the more she realized how vile and perfidious Uther really was. Usad was an ally and he didn't hesitate to attack them because they were allowing magic. The worst was now that Eowyn knew the reason for his hatred for magic. His own guilt. Uther murdered his ally because he used magic which resulted in the death of his wife. So instead of blaming himself, he blamed every other magical being, regardless of what they had ever done for him, regardless of who they were for him. Eowyn wasn't surprised, after all, he didn't stand for Gaius when the Witchfinder accused him. And Gaius was Uther's long-time friend. But each time the sylphide learn something about this blood-thirsty king, she couldn't help but be shocked. And the more she learned about him, the more she didn't want to come back to Camelot.
Eowyn shook the thought away. It was still too soon to make a decision. First, she needed to accomplish her quest. She needed to find Alfheim, and then find who she was. Her only clue was a white and majestuous castle. But that was before she met Ulric. He seemed to know a lot about Norse Mythology. He said Usad taught it in their lands. Maybe she could find something there? Maybe she should stick with Ulric? It was better than going blindly to places.
"Sir Ulric," Eowyn called. The knight turned to her.
"Ulric is fine," he smiled. Eowyn nodded.
"You said you were from Usad, right?" She asked for confirmation.
"Indeed. I was sent to the Royal City for a yearly check-in of the relationship between Usad and Camelot," he informed. Eowyn thought it was a shame that she hadn't met him before. "Now I'm going back to my homeland,"
"Can I... uh, is it bothering if I come with you?" Eowyn asked, shyly. Ulric slightly tilted his head on the side, wondering why. "I'm looking for something and Norse Mythology is my only lead. So...,"
"Well, I don't mind you coming. I just hope you'll enjoy my homeland," he genuinely smiled. "You should sleep. We have a long way to go,"
Ulric and Eowyn traveled for almost a week. Usad was at the farthest border from the Royal City. It was the longest travel Eowyn ever had, but she didn't mind at all. It allowed her to see more landscapes, to learn more about the beauty of the kingdom. The trees, flowers, animals, or Nature, in general, were just breathtaking. Eowyn always felt a deep connection to it. She wondered if it was because of what she was, a sylphide. After all, she could control wind at her will.
This long travel also allowed her to know more about Ulric. He was a very kind and considerate knight. Righteous and fair. He was the general of the Usadian Army. He was young for the job, but it told Eowyn he must be really good at sword-wielding. Ulric was also the son of the Minister of Usad. The latter was in charge of ruling the state as there was no Queen or King left. Ulric seemed to still hold a grudge against Camelot for that. Eowyn couldn't blame him. If your rulers were killed by your allies, the one you trusted, and that those same people took over your kingdom, yeah, she would be very bitter about that even years after it happened.
"Are there no descendants of the crown left?" Eowyn asked. They were riding their horses to Usad.
Ulric didn't answer immediately. He seemed lost in his thoughts.
"Not that I know of," he finally said. Eowyn slowly nodded.
She felt so bad for the Usadian people. She related to them deeply. All they did was being the and they got punished for that as if it was a bad thing. They lost everything because of Uther. Their rulers, their kingdom, their freedom. And now they are forced to be part of the lands of the one who took everything for them. She couldn't imagine what they must be feeling.
"Was your father chosen because people trusted him?" Eowyn asked. She found herself very interested in Usad's history.
"Yes. But he was also chosen because he was what was the closest to a royal," Ulric said. Eowyn frowned, not completely understanding. "He is the brother of the late King,"
"Oh, I see," Eowyn nodded.
Eowyn felt strangely comfortable with Ulric. It was strange, but he was just so comfortable to be with. It was easy to talk to him. There was something, the aura around him was calming and made him trustworthy. Even the wind around him was calm. The sylphide took hold of her necklace and closed her eyes. The wind was softly blowing but around Ulric, it was soft, familial. In some ways, it reminded her of Merlin.
"If it's not too personal," Ulric broke the silence. Eowyn turned to him. "Can I ask you what are looking for?"
Eowyn took a moment to think. Could she tell him that she was looking for a white castle she didn't even know if it truly existed because she saw it in a dream? Dreams like that could be perceived as magic. And even though Ulric didn't seem to be against magic, she wondered if she should tell him. She trusted him for reason unknown to her. One part of her wanted to tell him. But the other part was too afraid to do so.
So she decided to keep it vague.
"I heard a lot about an immaculate white castle. I... want to see it with my own eyes," Eowyn vaguely said.
"Oh? The Celestial Castle? It is a very beautiful castle indeed. The pride of Usad," Ulric smiled with nostalgia and pride.
"It's in Usad?" Eowyn asked, shocked. How lucky must she be? Everything she was looking for was in Usad. Everyone was leading her there.
"Yeah, it's our royal castle," Ulric nodded. "Where the Queen and the King once lived," he informed.
"Now only the Minister and his family lived there. Along with the personals and a few other people," he added.
"I see," Eowyn nodded. "Who would have thought," she chuckled.
"Everything you are looking for is in Usad," Ulric smiled. "Something tells me you are going to love it,"
Eowyn looked a few seconds at him. It was strange, for a moment she thought his words had a double meaning. But she shrugged the thought off and focused back on the way. According to Ulric, they weren't that far from the Royal City of Usad. And they weren't indeed. After a few minutes of the ride, they emerged from the forest.
Eowyn widened her eyes. The sight was just extraordinarily beautiful, ethereal. It was nothing like the Royal City of Camelot. The city was a little bit below the plain Eowyn and Ulric were in. The Royal City was large and big, maybe greater than Camelot's. And far away, in the middle and at the extremity of the city stood a gigantic white castle with towers going high up in the sky, and surrounded by a crystal blue river.
"Let's go," Ulric chuckled as she gestured to his horse to walk again.
When they entered the city, Eowyn was even shocked by the beauty of the place. The ground was made of grey stones. The houses seemed solid and bigger than those in Camelot. There were many inns and shops. Flowers were decorating the city as people seemed so joyful and merry. Eowyn had never seen such a beautiful city before. The river around the castle was even crossing the city. The water was so clear it was easy to see the bright and colorful fishes and the pebbles at the bottom.
"This is... amazing...," Eowyn said, looking around, stars in her eyes.
"Glad you enjoy it," Ulric smiled.
"It must be very expensive to live here, though," Eowyn said. "I mean, it looks so advanced,"
"Not really, in fact," Ulric said, causing Eowyn to turned to him. "People you see here are the same as people in the lower town of Camelot. Our ways of building houses or cities are just different,"
"I see," Eowyn muttered, still amazed.
The two young people made continued their way towards the castle. On the way, Eowyn noticed Ulric was quite known and appreciated in the city. People would stop to greet him and welcome him back. People here seemed so caring and supportive of each other. Eowyn knew it must be because they felt left out regarding Camelot. They only had each other, so their bonds must be stronger.
After a few minutes of the ride, they finally arrived at the castle. It was even more breathtaking from closer. Eowyn and Ulric crossed the white bridge and crossed a large alley surrounded by trees and flowers. They dismounted their horses. Eowyn couldn't help but gaze everywhere.
"Sir Ulric," she heard someone said. It was a guard. He bowed when Ulric acknowledged him. "I'll inform your the Minister and the Valkyries of your arrival,"
"Please do," Ulric nodded, grateful. "But first, please, take all her things to the chamber in the second floor of the east wing,"
"The second floor?" The guard repeated seeming shocked, as he glanced at Eowyn who looked at him confused. What was up in this particular part of the castle? "But Sir... nobody is allowed to sojourn there... it's the chamber of-"
"I know," Ulric calmly said. "But she's a special guest,"
The guard glanced on last time to Eowyn before nodding to Ulric. The latter gestured to the sylphide to follow him which she did.
"I could have paid for an inn," Eowyn said.
"I know," Ulric smiled. "You are my friend, now. So you must stay in the castle,"
Eowyn softly smiled at him as they entered the castle. Eowyn froze a moment. It was exactly like in her dreams. Torches were on the wall with hanging tapestries with an eagle crest. It was the exact same castle as in her dreams. But then why was she seeing the Celestial Castle in her dream? Why was she was seeing Usad in her dreams? Was there a link between this kingdom and her?
"Am I from here...?" She whispered to herself. Ulric glanced to her.
Eowyn felt a strange feelings. She was anxious yet excited. She was troubled yet calm. There was... a sense of peace here. She felt drawn to the castle. There was something for her here. She knew it. Each and every one inch of her cells felt a connection.
Eowyn... Eowyyyyn...
The voice. The same gentle voice she was hearing since she set a foot in Camelot. It was there. But it was stronger, clearer, neater. Without thinking, Eowyn followed it.
"Eowyn?" Ulric called, confused.
But the sylphide didn't listen to him. She didn't stop. Instead, she took the same as in her dreams. She crossed corridors until she arrived at a large room. The portrait room. The room where the walls were full of portraits of rulers. And at the end of it stoof a white statue of a man ornated with the same gem she owned.
Eowyn made her way towards the statue until she stopped right before it. Last time in her dream, she woke up just before she touched it, which was quite frustrating.
"You seem to know the castle pretty well for someone who never heard about Usad," Ulric said as he arrived next to her.
"I know this place," she muttered to herself but Ulric heard it crystal clear. "Who's he?"
"King Usad," Ulric said. "The first ruler of the kingdom. And its founder,"
Eowyn slowly nodded and stared at the statue. She felt attracted to the gems. So unconsciously, she reached for the one on the orbs the statue king was holding. The moment her skin touched it, all the gems brightly shined. Surprised, both Eowyn and Ulric took a few step back. That was when Eowyn noticed her own gem glowing bright. Then, just behind the statue, a section of the wall went up, revealing a secret way.
"What...?" Ulric managed to say in the shock. He then looked at Eowyn who was frozen in stupefaction, eyes wide and mouth opened.
Eowyn put herself together and took a deep breath, going back to her senses. She briefly glanced at Ulric then at the new path.
Eowyn... Eowyn...
She heard. The sylphide inhaled and headed toward the secret entrance, followed by Ulric. They walked down the stone stairs until they reached a room. It was large and empty. The room was illuminated with torched. But at the center of the room stood three pedestals. Slowly, Eowyn made her way towards them. There was a crown on each of them. On the left pedestal was a human styled crown. On the right one, it was a thin crown. It seemed to be made of gold but solid wire beautifully criss-crossing, making amazing patterns. A blue gem, the same Eowyn owned was on the middle of the crown. Then, on the middle pedestal was a golden crown with crystals. There was some symbols here and there, reminding of the wind. Eowyn had already seen these crowns before, on the last portait in the portrait room. The only difference was that one blue stone was missing. And only the third one was unknown to Eowyn.
"The lost crowns...," Ulric muttered, amazed, causing Eowyn to turn to him. "These are the crowns of the last rulers of Usad. We thought they were lost, destroyed even. Who would have thought they were just under our feet,"
"And this one?" Eowyn pointed at the right crown.
"I've never seen it before. Could it be...," he muttered the last part, glancing at Eowyn.
The sylphide focused back her attention on the middle crown. She softly brushed the tips of her fingers on the cold metal. There was something about it. She knew it. Or the voice would have never brought her here.
Then if hit her.
The crown was missing a stone. And Eowyn had the last one according to Kilgharrah. So the sylphide removed the gem from the necklace and put it on the spot on the crown.
It perfectly fit.
The second after, all the gems on the crown brightly shined, blinding both Ulric and Eowyn. They shielded their eyes with their arms, waiting for the light to die down.
"My beautiful Eowyn," she heard someone softly said.
Eowyn uncovered her eyes. She widened them. Just in front of the crown stood a woman. Pure white long hair and white gown with golden ornement with a the same golden crown. She was the woman in the portrait. But she seemed quite translucid. Eowyn could see the pedestal and the crown through her. It seemed like the woman was an astral projection.
"This is... impossible...," Ulric whispered to himself in utter shock.
"You grew up in a beautiful lady," the woman softly smiled, lookingat Eowyn. "I wish I would have been there for you,"
Eowyn frowned. The woman seemed to know her. And Eowyn felt some kind of connection with her.
"Who are you?" Eowyn asked, confused.
The woman smiled.
"I am Queen Elvira Elford. Your mother,"