Raven’s Personal Log 23
My beloved circled the area for hours after the combat with the Red Queen. When he was sure no one followed he took me to the hot sands of the warehouse forest. I held my mid section as he gently placed me in the warm sands. Cufaen opened my cloak de-solidifying it as he removed it from me. Carefully he scooped the healing sands over me. I stared up in to the beams and saw William watching.
Cat walked up to Archer, with Linda on his heals. He inquired, “How’s she doing?”
“She hurts, but she’ll be fine.” He spoke reassuringly into to my eyes.
Linda eagerly asked for the scoop, “Yeah what happened this time?”
Archer sat beside me his hand covering mine. He looked up at Linda “This time? What do you mean?”
“Well, like yeah,” Linda spoke as I gave her a warning look.
“Will you tell me about it, Linda?” requested my beloved.
Cat put his hands on Linda as she wrapped her arms around him. Little brother explained, “She decided to Ego blast while only two feet from her target.”
“Way Kewl, Wish I had powers.” Linda remarked.
“Raven…I have to know.” My love stared down at me.
“Why?” I asked
“Exactly.” Cufaen said, “Why did you get hurt? By who? When? And are they still among the living dead?”
Cat seemed confused, “Are we talking about something other then when the ship blowing up?”
Ghost Archer nodded at Cat. “I get that impression.”
“You worry too much.” I said as I smiled into his eyes.
“Love, you almost had open heart surgery before my eyes.” The lovely green eyes were still filled with concern, “What else would I do?”
Cat stared sweetly at the ball of energy in his arms, “Why Cool Linda? That’s why she’s here.”
“Come on, you guys have all the fun.” Linda spoke excitedly, “She blasted a baddie. I can’t wait to hear about it all.”
Archer expression turned grim, “And almost got her killed, Linda.”
“But she didn’t.” Linda dismissed his comment.
Cat added in, “The baddie nearly gutted her.”
“Gee you guys are being wet rags.” Linda rolled her eyes, as Archer sighed. “Come on think about it, you went out and saved three really kewl kids and blasted baddies and did all the heroic stuff.”
“We had to rescue three kids. The one’s Cat and Hawk brought in. Raven was my back up.” Archer started.
“I think you might have to wear one of the suits I made Raven. It might help some.” Cat ruffled Linda’s hair, “We did ok. I would have liked to face off with the Red queen. It’s not like Genocide was Zodiac.”
Archer brushed a strand of hair back from my forehead. “Don’t underestimate them, Cat. The Black King is the toughest man in the world.”
“But can he hit?” Cat danced side to side around Linda.
“Yes, Cat.” My beloved stared deep into my eyes; “He’d kill you with one punch.”
“Ok, I guess I have to go back to training. Its just school and my chi studies take so much of my time.”
Linda smiled brightly, “Come on Archer, You got to admit it’s exciting!”
“Exciting? Seeing that woman slice open, Raven?” He leaned over and kissed me.
“Linda has a bit of hero worship my beloved.” I remembered the days I wished to fight like Josho. How I would reenact the stories, he had told me at bedtime, with my friend Gene. “Understand her age. Lothere will go through it.”
Ghost Archer whispered “Cat worship, I hope…”
“Hey Cat,” Linda batted her eyelashes once, “How about sticking around. I got some new CD’s. There up in my room.”
Archer grinned at her obvious attempts on the oblivious boy; “Cat took out one of the armored agents and rescued the last hostage. He stood beside me not a pace away from the Red Queen.”
Cat bragged, “I had to hit him three times. That was really good armor he was wearing.”
“Oooooo, Tell me more.” Linda pulled her self-closer to Cat.
“I had to, I was hoping that she was more interested in The Green Ranger here. Right Green?” Cat looked to Archer.
“I don’t know Cat. I saw her giving you the once over.”
Cat seemed to enjoy Linda’s attention. “You know I am way too young for the Queen.”
Archer grinned, “And I am too old for her. Besides…who wants a tall, well built woman with a great body and a beautiful face?”
“Gee thanks beloved.” I pretended to be miffed, “I feel so good about this. Oh Cat, We are married.” I looked to my beloved.
He leaned over kissing the back of my neck. “You know you are the only one for me.” William approached the sandpit.
“What you got married and I didn’t get to go and I thought we where friends.” Cat stated. William snorted.
“Comment, William?” asked my beloved. I felt trouble in the air.
“Just had to see how’s she is doing.” He said with a under tone, “So when did you get hitched. Got the license to prove it?”
“She’s doing very well, thank you…and elves don’t have licenses.” Archers temper was raising, “but I’ll get one if you want. I am sure Galadriel will oblige.”
“Yeah but your not in elf land.” William pointed out; “I want to see one from this great state of ours.”
Cat jumped in, “Sorry William, I know how much she means to you. Gee Raven, you do have to remarry GA. I want to be best man.”
“I did ask you, love.” Ghost Archer taps the rings on her finger
I looked to William and than to my Beloved. “I will marry you a million times over.”
Archer pondered, “Do they allow cats in church?” Cat thumbed his nose at GA.”
“Well you ain’t married without the papers.” William sounded.
“And after the paper, William?” Archer stared at him.
“Than I will just have to wait till you mess up again.”
Cat joked, “I’ll give it a month.”
“I wonder if there really is, more then one way to skin a cat?” Archer glared at Cat.
“Raven, John got it for you.” William turned his back as he walked away, “Told me to tell you next time I saw you.” He patted Cat on the back with a smile and headed back to his hut.
A smile slipped across my face as I thought of the wonderful gift John was arranging for this Christmas thing.
“William, do you think we can get you a date with a super girl in exchange for an axe?” Cat chuckled.
“Come on cat.” Linda tugged on his arm. “You got to come up with me.”
“Ok, Linda.” Cat agreed totally clueless. He scooped Linda up in his arms and jumped her to her room.
“No thanks cat.” William mumbled, “I will wait for the right Woman.”
I looked to my beloved; “I can not stay here.” He offered me his hand. Placing mine into his I stood up letting the streams of warm sands flow away from my skin. “Take me home my beloved.” I looked to the form of my first mate slipping away into his hut. “He will not move against you.”
Archer took me in his arms, gently “He, who?”
“William.” I smiled brightly for I was home now that I was in his arms.
Archer smiled as he stepped into the air, floating slowly out the door.
“He told me as long as you keep true. He will honor a marriage.” I paused, “What is the license for.”
Cufaen tried to keep the sarcasm from his voice “I am so happy he approves. In the green to marry, you get a license.”
“I really should have read up about it.” I thought aloud. Archer frowned slightly. My lips brushed his cheek in a small kiss. “What’s wrong beloved?”
“Time. I am in the wrong time.”
“Than take us all from here and dam the greatness, dam it all, I will not let you frown and I will not let you go.” My heart spoke, “Not even for a moment, not again. But as your story told, your other self will soon depart and all will be well.”
We approached our hidden home. An Elf form paced the green of the long gone Mansion. He waited quietly in the darkness. Looking at the brightness of the moon. The cold of the night was causing him to pull his animal skin close.
Cufaen hovered over the pond. He took a hard look at this stranger and set down near the elf, letting me to my feet. I looked now on the face of this man. My mouth hung open, as my eyes grew big. It could not be. Not here, not in the green.
Ghost Archer spoke in Quenya, “Greetings”
The elf spoke in English with an accent, “Good evening” He smiled at me.
“I am Archer, how may I help you?”
“Do you remember me?” asked the elf as his eyes searched for mine. He returned to Archer, speaking softly, “Just had to come by to say hello to my little sweetie here.”
“Your little sweetie?” questioned my beloved.
I whispered to Cufaen, “Can Spock play tricks up here?”
“No.” he replied as he stepped away from me.
“You do kind of look like someone I knew.” I answered.
“Explain, elf.” Archer ordered.
“I was a friend of her father’s.” He stated. Fear filled me. It couldn’t be. He was dark. I hide behind Archer. Archer raised an eyebrow at my action. The elf shook his head, “You don’t have to fear me.”
“Explain, elf.” Cufaen ordered.
“Raven.” They called to me. Archer flexed a hand. “Do you know how hard it was to find you?”
Ghost Archer tones went cold; “I am getting tired of this.”
“I was a friend of her father’s, Josho.”
“She does not act like this is so.”
“That’s because I was deemed Dark in the forest.” The elf paused, “But she is too, now.”
Archer narrowed his eyes, his voice growing hard “Explain, I will not ask again.”
“I came to find her.”
“WHY!” My beloved stepped closer.
“Once I found out what they did. They sent a child to seek.” He took a step back, “Raven call off your.”
Ghost Archer scowled and closed.
I found my voice in the mix of emotions, “He was a friend of Josho. He was a seeker once.” I looked to the earth. I didn’t know what to think. What to say or even what to do. He was right I had turned from my people and entered the way of the dark for my beloved.
The elf took stance, “So do I have to fight you, for the honor to speak with her. I thought those days long gone.”
Ghost Archer voice was a bitter cold, “If you are a Seeker, then you know when you face death.”
He took another step in.
“I am not a seeker. They stripped me of that. Just give me ten minutes with her. Just ten minutes.”
“Why should I?”
“Damn” the elf cursed, “I don’t want to do this,” he paused, “Because I will leave if I speak to her.”
“Not good enough.”
“I will open my circle and go through. She is the only daughter of my best friend and I was ripped from her as her father was and as she was from all.”
“Then why, for the first time since I have known her, does she hide behind me?” Archer asked.
“Because I was declared to be dark and was sent to them and every True Fireoak would be scared. Well unless you had left the forest.” He looked to me and pleaded, “Raven. Sweetie, Please.”
“She has. .. she is scared.” Archer stepped in noses almost touching.
The elf stood his ground, “Five minutes.”
Ghost Archer glared down at him. I touched my beloved arm and curled to his back. “Guess five minutes can’t hurt.” His arm was hard as a rock with tension. I looked at Char. I thought back to the days of the three of us. I was so little and he was the Hero of the people. He was a seeker. Josho and he taking turns riding me on their shoulders. I pulled back to the here and now. As Star watched.
Char stepped back a half a pace. “This is a strange place to wait.” Char smiled. “You have a house in the trees? That would be so unlike earth.”
“Do you want privacy, Raven?” Cufaen asked.
I shook my head, “Stay with me beloved.” I looked at Char, “and no we do not live in trees.”
“Talk fast, elf.”
“At least you found a protector.” He smiled warmly at me. “I can see you are as dark if not darker than me you called him beloved. It is good to love.”
“That’s once.” Archer counted.
“For what?” Char shook his head. “They will be sending for you and soon. The Seekers to the Light will be coming. You will be deemed dark but not in the normal casting.”
Archer slowly relaxed his muscles, his stance changing to one familiar
“You where sent here to die.” Char looked to the sky; “By the Flame I need more time. Raven please don’t be afraid of me. I had nothing to do with Josho death. Who do you think helped him into the tunnels? He was my friend. I was the one who lead him to you.”
I hide behind my beloved hiding my tears and tried to silence the sobs.
“You waste time.” Rang out Archer’s strong voice.
“I guess your right. She hasn’t accepted she is dark and dark is not bad. So my words will fall on deaf ears.”
“No, they will not.” Archer spoke, “Do not underestimate her.”
“She is but a newly mature barely out of young!”
“She was … now she is far older.”
“Raven, I will not leave the Cold and green.” Char proclaimed, “I’ll go to the city.” He looked to Archer, “Raven’s beloved I hope you bring her smiles and the flame bless you both.”
I wiped the tears from my eyes, “Don’t go.” Archer sighed and relaxed completely. I curled into his arms.
Archer asked softly “Who are you?” He looked into my eyes, raising an eyebrow “friend or foe, love?”
“I don’t know.” I whispered.
“Can we please go find a place to sit?” Char commented, “More than a friend. I would do anything for the girl you hold so close. I remember helping change her diapers. Her first steps. The great tumble from that branch.”
“Then tell me quickly and precisely why you are here.”
Char looked directly into Archers eyes, “To warn her, help her.”
“About what?” The questions rolled from my beloved’s lips, “and how?”
“Surely we could go to an inn.” Char suggested than shook his head, “Wrong time. A restaurant.”
Ghost Archer murmured “Spock FOF. I have a better idea.” His loving eyes looked down at me, “You go on home, I’ll bring our … friend, here. Meet me where Spock made that error.”
“Yes my love” I faded to the air and moved away.
Archer grinned as he turned to the elf. “Now, you are going to have to trust me. Or you will end up very dead.”
Char whispered under his breath, “Yessss.”
Archer placed a hand on his shoulder, gently. “How long can you hold your breath?”
Char stated, “Five minutes.”
“Hm … might be tight … I’ll hurry.” Char closed his eyes and held his breath as instructed.
Archer took a good grip on his waist and lifted him in the air. Keeping close on Char’s eyes he maneuvered madly in all directions than became desolid and faded into the earth. I hurried in the door. My cloak was light and my things where gone but I moved quickly checking for only the important things missing.
Spock was running Fireoak Forest. I moved quickly through my old life to the cave mouth of the dark ones. I heard them talking ahead. I stayed one to the air and watched them in the dark ones home.
Archer spoke, “Open your eyes.”
Char opened his eyes and than took a breath. “Very cozy.” Char looked around the meeting room of the dark ones, “but the table is more to the left and we have carvings now over there.”
“Not my design.” Archer spoke with a dryness, “I’ll get out my chisel.”
“It was one by Stoke, we got him, and he was claimed dark for wasting his time. Such an artist. I always like art work.”
I became one with sight as I walked in. “Cufaen.”
“Yes, love?”
“I have lost items at the battle. There is a box that I need.”
Archer smiled as he shook his head, “I cached them.” He paused and added, “Oh … that I have.”
“May I please have it?” I asked. I felt Char’s eyes roaming my form. I was dressed in my native outfit.
Archer solidified his quivers and reached into the storage section of the bottom, retrieving the box. Taking it from its holding space he paused to look at it for the first time in the light.
I took the box cupping it my hands, “Thank you beloved.”
“So Cufaen,” Char repeated my beloved’s name, “I see the rings you both wear.”
“Your name, before we continue.” Demanded Archer
“Char of the Fireoak Forest, One of the Seven High to the Ruling Dark.” He bowed his head slightly.
“Ghost Archer, Master of the Wild Hunt.”
Char inquired, “What title do you carry Raven?”
“I am Raven, Wife of the Mater of the Wild Hunt, Mother and Seeker to the Greatness.”
Char nodded, “Fine position in life. Time must have moved fast as I searched for you. I left only hours after you did. So what do I call you, husband of the Great One?” I gasped as he referred to me at a dragon.
Ghost Archer looked to me, “Your warning, Char.”
“The Elders of the light have been corrupted. They send you to seek so you may die.” He began.
“No kidding … even I figured that out from here.”
“Trust me the light ones don’t know.” Char stared into Archers eyes, “and the truly dark ones …”
“Of course not.” Archer interrupted.
Char finished his sentence, “feed on it.”
“Naturally.” Archer commented.
“Than there is us,” Char paused. “The dark ones suck in the gray of it all.”
Archer nodded, “Those between.”
“I was the last Seeker to be to earth. I wasn’t sure to which of the seven places they sent her. I should have known it would be here. I refused to turn-in my findings.” Char took a heavy breath.
“So … what do you warn her of? Impending doom?”
“Of course. I found out hours after she left the plans that was to happen.”
“And that plan is?”
“First it was hoped she would die within weeks. If not phase Two. There would be one of our number, the dark, to find her.” Char grinned
“You?”
“The dark ones have there own plans for her.”
“And those plans are?” Archer folded his arms across his chest.
“No, I’m not the one.” He looked to me. “She is the Princess of the dark. Hasn’t she told you?”
“She has.” Archer nonchalantly looked at a nail.
“She was anointed long ago in the blood. They will come for her to take her back. The corrupted light wants her dead. Me, I want to help her in her choice. If the dark fail. The light will come to claim her saying she is being recalled. At that time she will be deemed dark and fed to the living flame.”
“Light better bring a lot of help.”
Char spoke on, “Her sentence is death with no seed to carry on the blood. Forever her line erased from the tree of life.”
“Too late for that.” Archer stated.
“So I heard in her title.” Char smiled, “A boy or a girl?”
“Yes.” He proudly proclaimed.
“I have three children.” I spoke up, “Two sons and a daughter.”
“Two of her body.” Archer added.
Char face smiled brightly in shock, “By the flame you have been blessed and honored.”
“We think so.” Archer said squeezing my hand gently.
“The trees should have sang your name for many work cycles.”
“And on our first mating.” Archer added.
“No.” Char said in disbelief, “First mating and two seeds rooted.”
“My mother’s people are a hearty breed.” Archer mentioned as he watched Char stand up to move forward but held himself and sat back down. My beloved added, “As are Raven’s.”
Talk of the forest dying began. Archer stated his feelings on why and Char start to repeat the story of me. “And thus the child marked for greatness was born. Once there was few things to declare one dark but as Libleg rose in power, the elders declared more things dark. In the worst of all dark things. The union of love.”
Archer grinned, “Terrible, ain’t it? Oh, the shame.”
Char chuckled, “You would think lust was, but nope. The blood burning heart wrenching passion of love.”
I began to trust Char. He spoke of the things I had felt and was not taught. I moved even closer to my beloved. I felt Star watching.
“We have experienced that ourselves.” Archer held an arm out to me and I moved into his arm. I was now home.
Char chuckled, “God, it drives you nuts at first.”
“Yes.” I agreed, “From the moment I saw his eyes.”
Ghost Archer raised an eyebrow “God, Char? You ARE dark.” Archer pulled me closer, “Anything more in the why of warning, Char?”
The warnings where all gone and Char begged to see the babies. I went to fetch them. When I returned the room with quiet. I gave my son into Char’s arms. Char eyes filled with joy as he held him. Bright smiles exchanged between. Char put the boy to one arm and removed his bow. He gave the finely crafted and engraved to the tiny hands of the infant. Char kissed the top of the boys’ head as Aldarion Gene sucked on the bow.
Archer smiled, “You’ll have to learn a better use for it then that, son.”
“It was Josho’s” Char stared into the tiny green eyes.
“I thought the elders took it?” I questioned.
Char smiled, “They did. Now it is in the hands of the rightful owner, your son. Never thought I’d see the day.” Char smiled at the wiggle worm. As the boy hit him with the bow. Char laughed, “Little warrior.”
“I am sure he will be.” Stated archer with fatherly pride.
I moved into my beloved’s arm still holding Lothere. I whispered, “Do you trust him my beloved?”
Ghost Archer whispered, “Look at the baby. Do you think Josho trusted him?”
“I think so too,” I whispered, “Before the sentence of dark was passed on Char he was with Josho together daily when not seeking.”
Archer looked back at Char “So…what do we do with you, Char?”
“Well, three choices I see.”
“And they are?” asked my beloved.
“Kill me, Keep me or send me away.”
“Pretty much the way I figured it too.” Archer agreed, “But it seems Gene has chosen for us.”
Char smiled at the boy. “How’s that? He is a happy little thing.”
“He has more of Josho in him then you would think.” Archer smirked, “He seems to except you.”
“The girl looks more like him. Lori?”
“Lothere Thistle” he announced to Char.
“So, you remembered Raven.” Char chuckled, “Lothere Thistle or Thistle Lothere or is there another name? Can I switch babies? I would love to hold her.”
Char offered the boy for the exchange. Gene hanging tightly to the bow. Archer took his son as I handed my daughter to him.
Ghost Archer looked down at the tiny arms clinging to the bow, “I think it will be a while before you draw this bow, son.” Char tickled Thistles ear. Her eyes sprung open. Archers’ eyes grew as he exclaimed, “Gee … she has eyes.”
“Aah playing possum.” Char kept fussing with her. Her eyes never closing while he played with her. “So what are you going to do with me?” Char looked at Archer.”
“I guess we will have a guest for a while.”
Char stopped playing with Lothere. Lothere fussed and than whined. He returned to his gentle tickles with her. She smiled and moved in his arms happy. “As friend or Foe?” he asked. Archer glanced around his little family, taking in each one in sequence, ending with Raven. Char looked at me and asked, “Raven?”
Archer spoke softly, “Perhaps he can help, love … or at least teach.”
I looked at Char, “I guess.” I went to take my daughter and my middle ached. I had not stayed in the sands long enough.
Archer grinned, “I can always kill him later.”
“I can stay right here.” Char looked around the cave. “You have made a lovely home in these caves, almost home. I am surprised you would have chosen caves.”
Ghost Archer smiled, “This is just for you, Char. It was my idea when I decided to bring you here? When you are gone, it will be as well.”
“To bad.” Char commented, “I was hoping to get some of my things from my quarters.”
“Where were you staying?” Archer asked.
“Down that corridor to the left and in the hall of Honor. I am too gifted not to be included in the top or do you mean here in the green?”
“What did you leave behind in your quarters?”
“My one piece of art.”
“And what was it?”
“It was a small hand sized painting. It was of a human girl.” Char looked off.
“Human?”
“Yes.”
“Who is she?” Archer rolled his questions on. It was his nature.
“One of the Green,” Char grinned, “She was my wife in the Green.”
“Was?”
“She long since died.” Char lowered his eyes, “I have been to the Green a few times.”
“I am sorry.” Archer felt for his lost, “She was to you as I am to Raven?”
“She was my one and only.”
“Did you have children?”
“She died trying.” Char added, “and of course I had one in the forest but that girl did not make me burn and it was before my burning. It was a long time ago and I was not set in the Americans than.”
“Where?” Archer paused, “I am sorry, I have been a poor host. Would you care for food? Drink?”
“You have Guinness? And a good stew?”
Archer smiled, “I can get both, very quickly.”
I spoke up, “I will take the children to their beds.”
Archer nodded kissing the boy on the forehead. Gene clasped his little hands on the heavy bow. I tried to take the bow away and the baby cried.
“Would you take the bow to bed, son?” Archer seemed amused. He held out his hand for the bow “I will attend to it.”
I turned and left with my screaming son and his sleeping sister. I traveled through the Fireoak forest and to the step out of the danger room. I prayed to the flame I did right.