The rushing waters of the waterfall soothed and calmed every nerve in Enalia's body. She sat over looking the edge right beside the wide falls. It dropped maybe one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet, plunging into a lake below where the water fed off into a river that wound its way through a thick forest. Enalia relaxed her shoulders and stared out into the thick cover of the forest trees. Most was quiet besides the insects that were on the move. The bright moon hung heavy in the sky and the dark blanket of night was thick above her. She gazed up at the astra, admiring them for all their beauty and comfort they held for her each nocte. Thoughts clouded her mind this night though as they have in the past and she was sure in the future they would as well. Foot steps across the wet grass told her someone approached and she glanced over her shoulder as a tall figure came into view. Frost sat on a nearby rock and gave Enalia a slight nod. A small smile formed on her lips as she gave for just a moment to her drowsiness. "What shall we do, dilectione mea?" Frost finally questioned Enalia. She simply shook her head and shrugged her shoulders, running her fingers through her hair and trying to come up with any sort of answer for her husband. "It is going to be a long time before we see peace again. I fear for our people, our home, our safety and our lives. But such is war, right?" Now it was her looking for answers from him. They went back and forth for awhile, discussing the plans over and over again and finding no reason to change what was already put into effect. "I wish Aleron was here with us." Enalia finally said what they were both thinking. Frost moved towards her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "As do I, but I must tell you something.." He paused, not sure how to word what he was about to say. She looked at him quizzically, but let him continue. "Maybe.. there is some way we can get in contact with him. Maybe he is in residing in Regnum Mortuorum with my father." Now Farberost had released his wife's shoulders and sat facing her. He cupped his hands around hers and stared into her eyes. "Come with me, mea Regina." His words were like silk that wound and echoed their way through her entire body, taking hold of her very being as they began to shift into another realm.
The long hallway that was lit with the golden glow of armor and light appeared before them. Enalia's mouth hung agape as she tried to grasp what she couldn't get her mind around. Was she really here? Was this really happening? The next moment her hundred questions were answered as Dario strolled toward them, brimming. Before even thinking, Enalia screeched and ran toward her father in-law and threw her wide spread arms around him. A goofy smile was plastered on Frost's face as he chuckled in delight at the whole situation. Dario had wrapped his arms around the queen and hugged her tightly. "My dear, it's been to long." He spoke softly into her ear. She held fast to him for a moment, but decided it was best to let go eventually and let Frost have his turn at a greeting. After escaping the tight embrace, Dario patted his son on the back and led them into the happening common room. They took a seat in front of the warm fire as others around them gathered, welcoming them with warm smiles and hugs. After the greetings were made, Farberost didn't waste any time in asking about Aleron. Both him and Enalia were on a mission and needed to find out all they could. Dario's face looked grim after they had mentioned his name. "He cannot accept what has happened to him, my son." Dario shook his head and looked at his son with sadness in his eyes. "What has happened to him, father?" Frost asked curiously, wondering what could have gone so terribly wrong. "I told you, he cannot accept what has happened to him. He passed into this world in confusion and has lived in his own world ever since.." Dario paused and sighed, trying to catch his train of thought as it ran off with grief. "Ever since Livish had turned on him." He finished and now both Enalia and Frost hung their heads, taking in the information. Sadness enveloped them like a heavy curtain and weighed on them greatly. Dario had placed his hands over both of theirs, "You may see him if you'd like, but I fear it will not be pleasant." Both of them looked up in surprise and nodded quickly, though not expecting much at this point.
"Aleron?" The silence was deafening in the pitch black room as Dario called out into the room. "Aleron?" Again there was no response, but his own echo and the silence. "Aleron..." This time Enalia had called out with sadness in her voice. Nothing was visible in the blackness that consumed this dreary room they were standing in the doorway of. "Ona...?" A scratchy and cold voice responded finally. "It's me, Aleron... Enalia." Frost held fast to Enalia's hand, but she moved forward, releasing herself from his grip. "Aleron... it's Enalia." She spoke again, hoping for a response. "Lia.." The rusty voice whispered. "Lia... where are you?" Enalia moved deep into the blackness, her eyes now adjusting. "I am here, Aleron. I am here. Come to my voice." There was sounds of foot steps coming from across the room closer and closer to her. "Lia.." The rough voice said softly and Aleron reached out to grasp her wrist gently. As soon as he touched her, she instantly grappled him into a hug. "My love." She cried softly into his ear. Aleron had now wrapped his arms around her completely, holding and caressing her back. "Where is Ona?" He whispered back to her, still clutching her snug against him. "She did not join us this trip, Aleron. There is a lot going on back home." Enalia responded back quietly. "Back home... Isuli?" Aleron questioned and she shook her head. "Estenia. Although I fear Isuli is in just as much danger. That's why we came, Aleron. There is a war coming and Livish is with them." This time, Aleron recoiled and backed up out of Enalia's reach. She reached out, but it was no use, he had receded back to a corner of the black room. The deafening silence came once again and tears began to stream down her pink cheeks, saddened by the state of Aleron. "Where am I?" Aleron called from across the room. "Who's there?" He asked suspiciously. Dario waves Enalia over to him and shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry Enalia, this is the state he has been in since... well..." He began to guide Frost and Enalia from the room, but Enalia protested. "I do not want to leave him just yet. I will stay a while longer." Dario nodded and continued to escort his son from the darkness. Enalia entered her and Frost's chambers later that night, though he was already off in deep sleep by the time she had arrived. The next morning they would awake and their lives would change forever.
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