Chapter 2 Under the Ocean

The Hermit announced it was time for bed. Tomorrow the omen ceremony would begin. In the morning twilight, they made the morning meal of porridge and the girls left to gather nuts and fruit. The boys walked behind the grand waterfall to meet the Oracle of Nix. A single torch lit the way through a grand entryway covered in murals of animals no longer around. Columns of limestone held an icicle ceiling dripping on their heads. They lit sage inside a clay bowl and prayed to the cave goddess Maya. They continued on to enter a room with beds and tables. The goddess Lilia was washing her dishes in a tin tub. The girls said she never comes out when expecting guests. Her white blonde hair and pale skin made her resemble a ghost in the dark. Jason approached and cleared his throat.

“Calm yourself, Jason. I’m almost done.” spoke the woman.

She washed the last dish and gazed upon her visitors.

“You first. You have an aura have not seen before and I’m curious.”

Alaric steps forward.

“Ah, your aura is gold and very strong. You are under protection of Alani.”

“The river god? How does he know my name?” inquired Alaric.

“Your fairy told him, Valnar. Your fairy keeps you safe and out of trouble, do not look for it.”

“Valnar?” question Dracon and Homer.

Lilia lies a crystal on the table and it explodes into a green fire. She grabs a copper cauldron and waves her hand to fill it with water. She sets it floating in the air above the fire. She tosses in sage, flower petals, and incense. The final ingredient of the potion is a clutch of leaves wrapped in ribbon. She lights the leaves and sets it very carefully on top of the water. She inhales the smoke and exhales loudly. Her eyes wide open, she gazes into the smoke growing from the cauldron.

“A great sorrow you have suffered at the hands of those supposed to protect you. Revenge is in your heart that will never heal, not even after blood is spilt on your hands. Careful of your anger, for repercussions will be felt in return. Your friends cannot always keep you safe from your actions. Once you heal from your great sorrow will love enter your heart. Your fears of uncertainty are not trivial and very real. Listen to your fear, it will protect you and guide you.”

The prophecy complete, they left the cave leaving behind Lilia with a splitting headache she gets when making predictions. Homer asked in the caves how Ophelia said how The Hermit was the father of her husband, but Nix is not the mother. She wouldn't elaborate on who was the mother. The Hermit replied he will explain once they clear Maya's domain. As they reached the waterfall, he began his tale:

"One day long ago, came a long-necked swan bearing a marriage contract for his sister Flax. She is still nervous about the impending marriage to the sea god Elexi. Hours pass without a single word from her. She takes long walks through the forest looking sad and distant. She reads scrolls endlessly. No one is sure what she is looking for. Her father breaks the tension by asking Flax to send her children on visits so they know their mortal grandparents. Her response is a hopeful, but sad expression. Gilda tries later to comfort her by saying she will visit often and will rescue her if Elexi harms her. Flax says she does not wish harm in the first place. Gilda tries again and points out the black fortune telling mirror Elexi gave her. He would not do that if he wished his bride harm. Flax never confides what is troubling her about her betrothal. She just signs the marriage contract and mopes around the house for days. She decides to change her name to Lixi, meaning seashell in mermaid language. Her mood shifts to pure happiness and no one questions what changed in her. The going away party plans are set and Flax’s belongings are shipped by mermaid delivery to her new home. Alaric returns to celebrate Flax’s departure. The bride-to-be greets her guests with a bright smile. Alaric questions the shifty mood changes. She is happy one moment and snaps into anger over the cake being overcooked. Flax is defensive of Alaric’s accusations. She is happy to be married to a god that lives at the bottom of the sea, one that has gone through many wives before her. He decides to give her the scrolls when he wrote about life in a human village. Perhaps, they will lift her spirits. He changes the scrolls into blueberries to protect them from the watery journey. She smiles and confides that she saw in the magic mirror that her daughter will be pursued by unruly suitors that bring devastation with storms and famines. Alaric assures that elves have survived such times and will get by again.

The bride-to-be courteously accepts the gifts from the elves. They are placed in knapsacks to be toted towards her new home. She receives flowers, fruit, wreaths, belts, armbands, shoes, rings, and Alaric’s blueberries. An entourage forms the next day to escort Flax into the deep dark seawater. Rose petals are tossed by the fairies above the wedding party parading to Aurora Falls near the coast. One by one, they step into the water beginning their journey into the sea. The Sorceress turned them into large fish. The mermaids carried the packages and led the way to Elexi’s castle. At a distance the castle seemed small, but at a closer glance it is quite gigantic. The fish and mermaids swam up a cavern tunnel to a large cavern filled with plant life. The fish returned to elf stature. The sea god Elexi stood at a door on the opposite side of the room. Today he took the form of an elf man with a long beard. He had a golden crown with huge sapphire jewels incrusted in the higher points. He wore elf clothes of brown leather pants and boots, a white tunic, and a thick braided belt. On top of these elf clothes was a long royal purple robe. The sea god welcomes his guests and transformed the mermaids into elves. Next, he guided the wedding party into their bed chambers. Alaric noticed holes in the walls that held a water barrier. Fish and skates fly by the windows. He learned later that the sea god emptied the castle of all its seawater because the other gods and elves are not accustomed to such wet surroundings. The forest room would be moved to another part of the castle later on so Flax could visit it when she felt homesick. The god will lock it with a spell only Flax could pass. For the moment, the forest room held up the wedding decorations and seats for the ceremony guests. Alaric gets dressed and meets with his sisters.

The bride looked ravishing in her pink gown with flower buds attached to the hem of the skirt. Her yellow sash and pink slippers complimented the dress. Her hair had tresses next to tightly woven braids. A gold headband caressed her head as long pieces of lace comforted her hairstyle. Gilda wore a similar wardrobe. Flax’s room was filled with her belongings. Her black stone mirror lay on a table along with her seashells, jewelry made from objects from the bottom of the sea, and an otter to carry messages to the surface. Her clothes and shoes were in another room. Murals covered the walls along with a shelf that held up her blueberry scrolls. Mermaids in elf form knocked on the door to give the bride and attendant bouquets of flowers the Leesville elves presented the day before. Alaric entered the forest area with Gilda and parted when they reach The Sorceress conducting the ceremony. Alaric stands beside a nervous Elexi and another god of tall stature. The blacksmith guided Flax to the front of the room. Servants of the sea had already covered an aisle with lilia petals. Gods and goddesses looked on the elf wedding ceremony. The Sorceress blessed the couple first. Gilda sang a song of praise for the couple. Candles are lit to insure fertility prayers to the great god Alano. Flowers are offered to statues of Ishtar, the goddess of love, and Pisos, god of money. Then, vows of loyalty are spoken by the couple to each other.

“I Elexi, god of the sea and King of Itheram Castle, take in marriage Flax Starlin of Leesville. I shall provide comfort, hope, love, security, and happiness for my wife forever.”

“I Flax, daughter of Starn Marslin, take in marriage Elexi of Itheram. I shall provide comfort, love, security, hope, and happiness for my husband forever.”

The marriage contract is read to the guests, and finally, a dowry paid. The father of the bride handed over her share of her inheritance that would always remain under her control. Two sacks of coins, an array of weapons, and three spell books completed the dowry. The money god Pisos complained how small the dowry was when the new bride is marrying a god. The parents of the bride defended that it was all they could spare for their daughter. The money god raises his hand to magically present the new bride with twenty sacks of jewelry and twenty chests of tools. The new goddess, now named Lixi, thanked the god Pisos for his kindness. The Sorceress announced the wedding bond sealed and presented the groom Elexi, god of the sea, and the bride Lixi, goddess queen of the sea. The wedded couple strode into the next cavern where the reception is set up. Garlands of starfish, snails, clams, and coral were hung all over the great hall walls. Alaric paced around looking at all the murals. He smiled at the freshly painted portrait of Flax. He met a beautiful young goddess named Iris with flame colored hair, white sprite wings, and shimmering pink gown. She is the daughter of the sky god Andos and sun goddess Petrie. She pointed out her parents dancing on the ballroom floor. Iris is the rainbow keeper and human fertility/marriage goddess. Tales are told of a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow. Iris guards the treasure in her own fortress with the help of a magical mirror. She has no husband and her children died before they could be given immortality. Alaric told her he knew that story because it was his aunt that had her husband’s child. He pointed her out dancing with her sprite husband and his cousin Leander speaking to a goddess. She promptly grabbed his arm and guided him down the halls to look at murals. Little did they know that Eris and Iris would come together to bring Nix back to Alaric. Maya released a violent volcanic explosion when a messenger arrived to tell Eris his child had been born and given immortality as a frost fairy. But, that day, Alaric was quite delighted to find a companion at this large reception. Iris seemed delighted to meet him. He walked with her around the castle passageways and Iris filled him in on the stories the murals represented. At the end of the evening, the elf boy kissed the hand of the rainbow goddess good night. She replied that it was pleasant meeting Lixi’s sweet brother and wished him good fortune in his apprenticeship.”

“And that, my children is how I met Iris who is the mother-in-law to Ophelia. As you know my wife Nix had died and later returned to life.” finished The Hermit.

“Tell them about Gilda meeting her betrothal Daxus. Since they met Gilda in the temple and it is such a beautiful story.” spoke Cassandra holding a basket full of berries.

The girls sat down by the visitors to prepare the berries for preserving in clay jars. The Hermit continued his tale.

“After leaving Iris to her bed chamber, he visited Gilda on his way to bed. Gilda talked about finding her betrothed and the god met her approval. She noticed a darman meekly glancing at the dancing guests from the banquet table. He had a smudged nose and antlers peeking from his hairy head. He remained timid toward whoever approached him. Gilda watched the man drink from a golden cup and debated whether to pity the creature, or laugh at him. Just then, the groom asked the fair maiden to dance. He inquired about the bride’s moods that swing like a parakeet in gilded cage. The bridesmaid explained her uncertainty of her future with him. Stories are told of his arguments with his past wives who ended up cast into the stars as constellations. Gilda reflects if the mermaids adore him, he must have redeeming qualities. Elexi was astounded that the river mermaids adore him, and flattered. He assures the elf maiden that he will do his best to comfort his bride’s insecurities and homesickness. He promised to give his new wife a grand tour of the realm and she may freely go anywhere she pleases. He set up a room for only Lixi to enter and dwell in a forest whenever she is homesick. Elexi decides to have morning breakfast in the new forest room before it is sealed. Also, his son by another goddess visits often bringing news of the surface. Changing the subject, Gilda inquired about the stag-looking man at the food table. Elexi smiled as if he expected that question was coming. He explained that the darman creature is indeed Daxus, Gilda’s betrothed. She asked if the god would mind if she asked him to dance. The groom assures Gilda, he will not ask her.

Encircling the room, the elf maiden seeks out her partner. He avoided eye contact with Gilda when she came near. She sampled various meal trays and beckoned a drink. Daxus handed her a cup of punch the octopus filled. He glanced at her curious face and quickly turned his head. Gilda continued to stare at the darman until he snapped attention towards her. He raised his voice above the flutes and harps playing to demand why this elf is staring at him.

“I know who you are, Daxus.” stated Gilda.

Before he could respond, she whisked her betrothed to the dance floor. He stumbled in embarrassment as he tried to keep up with this aggressive elf maiden. They shared stories of their homes and families. Though unsure of himself around other gods and goddesses, he lightened up towards Gilda. They paced into the forest room and compared strange creatures from their homes. They were interrupted by palace servants moving the forest into another chamber. Gilda was ready to mingle with the other gods and goddesses with Daxus, introductions were in order. Instead, Daxus simply indicated out the jobs of the godly persons in attendance. Some of them resent his godly position because he was born a mortal fawn. His only introduction was to Elexi’s son, Elmo. He is the patron god of sailors. Elmo’s mother, who was conveniently not present, is the Lady of the Lake in Lotan. She arises from an enchanted lake with a sword to appoint the next King of Lotan. Her husband, Lord of the Lake, is an immortal magician who is top advisor to the king. The Lord aided the first King of Lotan in defeating the Blythan invaders. When the king rejected the magician’s advice, the sovereign was killed in battle and the Lord sought solitude in a siren infested lake full of singing mermaids whose song causes humans to drown themselves in the enchanted water. When he married Elexi’s former wife, the Lady was given a magic sword to choose the best monarch for the land by her new husband. The first man she chose, King Taran, became a great hero of Lotan for ending the war with the Blythans. The elves liked him because he delared the mountains to be elf territory. Upon a monarch’s request, the Lord will arise to aid any crisis.

Gilda learned a great deal more about the gods and goddesses that she was ever told in school classes. When the great second sun hit the Black Forest, he as a fawn fled into a cave for safety. The caves have a river that flows out to the sea. The fire rocks covered the entrances to their cave homes so they followed the tunnels to the other side of the mountains where the river came through at a deep gorge. As they climbed out, the great god Alano took mercy on them and guided them to untouched forest for them to live in. His doe mother attracted Alano and he married her. He was altered into a god when she died and her spirit wrapped itself around him to give him immortality along with magic powers equal to the created gods. The gods and goddesses cause him problems when he flies around the world tending crops refusing to accept him as their stepbrother. Athena and Petrie also forbade any betrothals of their daughters to Daxus. Elexi disliked him at first, but gave way as mermaids come to his Black Forest realm to give birth on the beaches. He gets along with soil and animal god Eridu, Elexi’s attendent at the cermony. Soon, Elmo interrupted the conversation to announce his mother wrote asking for a visit, so he will guide the wedding party back to the surface tomorrow. The Oak King Daxus rules spring and summer while the Holly King Idun rules autumn and winter. We receive gifts from the Holly King on the winter solstice and receive gift of prophetic visions from the Oak King on the summer solstice to those who look upon reflective surfaces like a mirror or goblet of water. Daxus kissed his betrothal good night at the door of her bed chamber.” completed The Hermit.

“Wasn’t that so romantic?” sighed Ishtar.

“Sure it was. So who is the mother of Ophelia’s husband?” asked Dracon.

“Iris. Weren’t you listening to the story? Grandfather kissed the rainbow goddess Iris good night.” answered Ishtar.

“Right. I was listening. So did she have your child then?” begged Dracon.

“No, not that night. I was a little young for that. I must continue the story.” replied The He

rmit. “Now where was I? Right, I returned to my apprenticeship in Brightsburg. Months became years and soon his sister had a daughter named for The Sorceress’s grandmother Lanie. So many suitors eager to have her betrothal visited that Lixi left her daughter with her parents to conceal her. Gilda and Lanie became quite close helping The Sorceress heal the elves and aid animals in birth. Soon after her birth came his nephew Alani who enjoyed visiting the surface in the summer months. Alaric and Alexis were slowly becoming men leaving their child voices behind and getting stronger by the day. The day came when they started challenging other elf men in the Leesville Harvest Games to gain many female admirers. Soon after returning to Brightsburg victorious with medallions of honor, Alaric found an elf woman in his room above the stable. She claimed she wished to know what it was to be a mortal for a while. His heart leaped with joy seeing the goddess Iris again. She said she felt strange in this form and desired a bath to remove the dirty air touching her skin. He filled their copper tub with water and she gave him a spell to make it the right temperature. She asked that he wash her since this was unfamiliar to her. His voice kept cracking as he spoke to her delight. She felt his arm commenting how he was more hairy than before. He replied how he was changing into a man now. They kissed as she pointed out she felt his heart when he kissed her hand years ago in Itheram. Alexis arrived to bow to her holiness. Alaric dried her off and Alexis presented her robe. They explained at the evening meal she was a friend from their village. They spent the evening in their stable room polishing their shoes and repairing their clothing. Iris then got into Alaric’s bed and sang him a lullaby. He drifted off to sleep to wake as Iris drew a knife and cut a piece of hair off. He asked if that was what she was really there for. She explained he was going to be part of a very special potion, but failed to elaborate further. He asked again what she was going to do with it. She twisted it and put it inside a gold locket hanging on her neck. The innocent boy he once was disappeared that evening and his fate intertwined with Iris forever. He heard later she was pregnant and named their daughter Kalulah. Born from magic, she was an immortal goddess from birth. The great god Alano came with gifts for the infant, a magic crystal and magic dagger. Shortly after, Alaric changed into a bear while hunting on the plains. Alexis tried to hide him and begged the humans not to kill his friend. In two days, he returned to normal when Alexis prayed to Iris for help. She said it was her brother Rurik who cast the spell because she refused to declare a father for her magic child. Thereafter, Iris spent many nights in his room and Alexis never seemed to mind. He often had a girl from the village with him. In fact, he enjoyed washing her fire red hair while she bathed in their copper tub. She promised favor to him too and promised to give him a beautiful bride. In another year they would both have their adult ceremonies where they would be able to marry and yet, they had admirers but could not gain approval for a betrothal from their fathers.

Desire for a woman in their hearts made them reckless and impatient. Alaric often found Alexis in their room in compromised positions with a certain girl and went to sleep listening to their cries of joy in the dark. Alaric dreamed of Iris and as he was weeding the garden when he heard a scream from the outhouse. Nix refused to tell him what was wrong and demanded her mother. Her mother simply stated she was a woman now and not to pester her for a week. He noticed she was given her mother’s girdle and blood rags until they made her own. After her mood improved, he pointed out to her that a woman needs her first kiss. He guided her to the back of the barn and puckered up. He had practice kissing Iris, even though she still turned down any offer of a betrothal when he blurted out how much he loved her. Nix’s kiss was different. Iris was full of passion and warm love. Nix was cooler and fearful. He discovered Nix was hiding feelings for him. He guessed he disregarded her long enough. On Midsummer’s Eve, they exchanged gifts. They liked the arrowheads she presented and she liked the seashells beads they presented. Nix also told him that she would accept a betrothal to him. The next day he had to ask his mentor for her hand. He decided for three days and declared if Alaric’s father accepted the arrangement that he would too. Naturally, Alaric’s father would never deny him happiness. He arrived on a boat full of furs, gems, and metal blades as usual before the harvest. He negotiated a betrothal contract that was blessed by the priest. Alaric presented to Nix a sapphire bead necklace to seal the contract. He then took every opportunity to kiss her and worm his fingers through her hair.

Alexis's girl Myra on the other hand kissed many boys in town and could be found often in merchant tents. Alaric tried to warn him of her flirtations and Alexis brushed it off as jealousy. He had Alaric’s father make a bronze bead necklace to give on the announcement of the betrothal. Soon after the harvest festival was under way, Alexis asked for a betrothal and Myra said yes upon gazing at the necklace. Before Alexis could speak to her father, an announcement is made to the town tavern guests by Myra’s father. The delighted father claims his daughter Myra is now betrothed to the tavern’s son Modred. The contract was blessed in the temple and Modred presented a gold and ruby ring. Alaric could hear Alexis’s heart break. Alexis cried alone in his bunk. As the town celebrated the betrothal of Modred and Myra, Alaric sought revenge by arriving at the inn in Alexis’s to hang around her bed chamber window to watch Myra get ready for bed. He climbed the vines into her window to steal a few kisses from the future bride. She apologized for the announcement, she requested to marry to Alexis and her father refused. She allowed once last romp in her bed before they depart. He realized immediately her body was swelling. He asked if that was why she got betrothed, her pregnancy was starting to show. She showed the bruises on her back that her father gave when he discovered her condition. He pleasured her anyway in sympathy instead of rage, but Myra couldn't tell the difference. Then he whispered out how The Lady taught them elf magic and he had a vision as he kissed her neck like a vampire how the baby will look like an elf. He blurted out the baby is Alexis’s. Alerted that this elf was someone else, she tried to pull his hands off her body. Alaric squeezed her tighter and to have her crying out to the gods to have mercy upon her. The commotion was heard by the other occupants of the inn and Modred stormed into the room. Alaric dodged the dagger hurled at him and jumped out the window to twist his ankle. He heard Myra scream while Modred called her a concubine and she begged him not to harm their child. Modred replied it may not be his so do not expect him to rejoice in its birth. Alaric limped back to the barn proud of the disturbance he stirred up.

Nix soon heard what happened with Myra and while Alaric was feeding animals in the barn, demanded to know if the mystery god was in fact him. He confessed it was true. He told her the baby Myra carries will look part elf. He then locked the horse stall with his magical knife and gave Nix a heartfelt kiss. He asked if she was jealous of his pleasure with that fiend. Alexis then pulled on the stall door to ask if Alaric was in there with a girl. He admitted his guilt. Alexis continued tending the other animals. Alaric held her tight and promised to build her a fine house in Leesville. He also asked the wedding celebration to take place in Leesville since her village would snub an elf wedding. She consented on one condition: He must refuse to pleasure the beautiful Iris anymore. She noticed Iris stopped visiting when she was rumored to be pregnant and soon after Alaric changed into a bear. Alaric promised loyalty to her as long as she is alive on the goddess Lotan, but of course he cannot control the magic of Iris. Then Myra arrived declaring to need herbs from The Lady. Nix explained she was out on the meadows gathering them. Myra replied she will wait to limp up into their stable room. Alexis followed her up and healed her wounds. Alaric and Nix heard her weeping and left to begin work on the evening meal. Alexis declares at the evening meal that Myra assured that she had asked her father for a betrothal to him, but he refused to betrothe her to an elf. When she explained she was carrying an elf’s child, he punished her and betrothed her to Modred who hates elves. After Myra gave birth to a boy in the spring, their apprenticeships were over and they had to return to their parents. He received a letter that his nephew Alani was visiting. Alani grew up adoring his uncle Alaric as he took him fishing and mining for crystals. He even chased away a unicorn appearing as a beautiful woman with raven hair. Alaric explained unicorns are nature goddesses and when seeking a mate, they appear as beautiful women. Once ensnared by their magic, the mate never leaves. Alexis and he built a bark lodge of elm bark and sapling arches to become roommates. They built beds of willow branches and blankets of fur. A table and chairs set opposite across the fire pit. The yellow bricks making the fire pit were made from sprites that also made most of the pottery sitting on the shelves along the walls. They had copper tubs and pewter cauldrons for potions and meals. In a cave behind the nearby Aurora Falls stored their baskets and bottles of grain, herbs, berries, nuts, aging wine, and smoked meats. Spools of linen thread leaned against the wall.

Life continued as usual with washing, cooking, gathering, hunting, chopping wood, sharpening weapons, and visiting the marketplace. They would travel to Brightsburg in the summertime to trade. They would travel to nearby towns offering herbs and potions for all ailments. In his longing for to see Iris again, he wrote in his scrolls:

“The Faerie Iris”

The Faerie Iris flew to her fate

And returned to Nakia’s gate

I never wanted to say good-bye

But I failed to cry

I knew a someday would come when

She will be my Faerie again

I wish to see her every day

But she is so far away

A farewell kiss is never enough

Moving on is very tough

I wish we could be what we were

I am not as strong as her

I need my Faerie for bad and for worse

I am a shaky boat on an unknown course

Who will hold my hand?

When I can no longer stand

She meant the world to me

Our future is too hard to see

Hold me tight as you once did before

Since you are my Faerie no more

My tears run dry

I no longer try

Farewell to the Faerie Iris