The Elves of Avalon, Book 4 of the Fair and Fey

By J. Ellyne

This is the riveting fourth book of The Fair and Fey. The series began 9,000 years ago when Sashegh and her people came from the planet Mag to settle on an island in our world. They endured conflicts with savage natives and Sashegh came of age, finding love with both men and women. One in particular, a young native maiden named Nammi, was her true love. The central, and ongoing, theme of The Elves of Avalon, Book 4 of The Fair and Fey, is a romantic and sensual love story between Vilya and another Elf named Narya. This love has spanned millennia, through death and reincarnation, from the time when they met in Maginaugh, Book 1 of the Fair and Fey as Sashegh and Nammi.

The Elves of Avalon, is a blockbuster, almost double the length of the first book. It tells of the ending of Elves in our world and the first half of the true history of the Arthur Pendragon, including his relationship with his sister Anna, aka Morganna Le Fey. They love each other but Guinevere steals Arthur's heart and Morganna and her son go to northern Wales to live with King Lot. The Elves and King Arthur form an alliance to battle both Orcs and Anglo-Saxons. This alliance is a carryover from the alliance the Elves formed with Uther Pendragon, Arthur's father, In Book 3, The Elves of Arthannegh.

What if Arthur Pendragon did not want to be a king and for most of his military career was not a king but only the war leader of the united armies of the kings of Britannia? What if there was no such person as Lancelot? In fact, romanticists added him to the legend as pure fiction almost a thousand years after Arthur’s last battle. What if Guinevere was not a nice person as she is so often portrayed? She stole Arthur from his first wife Anna Pendragon, aka Morganna Le Fey. What if Arthur needed the help of a small band of Elves to accomplish his goals? What if Arthur had a Christian father (Uther Pendragon) but a Pagan, half-Elven mother (Igraine) and was neither Christian nor Pagan? All but one of the preceding things are provable facts of historical record. The fantasy element of this book is the story of the Elves of Avalon. It might be true as well. No one has provided proof that Elves exist but Tolkien convinced some of his readers that Elves really did exist at some time in the past.

Some people have stated that Tolkien invented the trope of Elves. This is not true. In one of his books Tolkien wrote about the time before the setting for his Lord of the Rings trilogy. He said that the first Elves migrated south from the "North Country" to Middle Earth. Tolkien did tons of research for his books, spanning decades of work. It seems likely he got the idea of Elves from the North Country (the Noldor) from reading Finnish mythology. This same mythology is the source for material about the Elves of Maahilund in the second book of J. Ellyne's The Fair and Fey series. Finnish mythology is full of tales about Elves called the Maahiset who live in an underground city in ancient Finland and have magical powers. What if Middle Earth later became known as Germania after the Elves left Middle Earth and sailed into the West (Britannia)? Ancient Celtic legends are also full of tales about Elves aka Feys. These are the background bones for how the Elves and Arthur Pendragon crossed paths in this latest saga of the Fair and Fey series, The Elves of Avalon.

An Elf named Vilya is the main character in both books three and four. Merlin is her mentor. They met in a previous lifetime, 8,000 years ago in Maahilund. Merlin went by the name Vainamoinen at that time and for a while he went by the name Gandalf in Middle Earth. Vilya helped Arthur’s father, Uther Pendragon, in book three, the Elves of Arthannegh and after his death, she carried baby Arthur to Avalon at Merlin’s urging, to keep him safe. In book 4, many years later after many battles with Orcs, Demons and Anglo-Saxons, a few of the surviving Elves might return to Avalon but not Arthur, not yet anyw

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. Ellyne
• Release date: Mar 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310431135

J. Ellyne

Ms Ellyne graduated from The University of Texas in Austin with a degree in Fine Arts. She currently lives in Florida and is a homemaker, musician, and writer. She has published four novels in The Fair and Fey series, an epic alternate history fantasy series with erotic romantic plots. All four books are available here in all formats and she is now giving away the first novel, Maginaugh, free to promote the series to new readers. Just click on the book titles below. Maginaugh is her best selling novel so far and has been rated 5 stars by readers! Her latest work, The Elves of Avalon, is now published and she is working on a forthcoming 5th novel in the series.

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Book IV of The Fair and Fey

By J. Ellyne

Smashwords 3rd Edition

License Notes

Thank you for purchasing this eBook. The following material remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoy this book, please encourage your friends to purchase their own copy at Smashwords.com, where they can also discover other works by this author.

~ Thank you for your support ~

Copyright 2016

By J. Ellyne

Note: due to the extremely large number of character names in this book, a Dramatis Personae is included in the back. Please use your eBook search tool to look up characters there if you forget who is who. Simply click on the Dramatis Personae in the Table of Contents and then search it for the character’s name. A similar approach using chapter title in the ToC will return you to where you were. Even better would be to leave a book mark. Characters only mentioned one time are not included in the Dramatis Personae.

J. Ellyne dedicates this book to the glory of the great god Pan who has existed from the beginning of time and still exists today. He will always be amongst us as long as there are those of us who worship nature in all its grandeur and who know how to love one another. Pan is truly the god of love and the patron god of lovers.

… and to all the Elves out there, still surviving in our world. May you find peace and happiness.

J. Ellyne dedicates this book to her spouse with heartfelt thanks for her love and steadfast support during the many years it took to write and publish the first four books of this series.

Ms. Ellyne thanks Ms. Samantha Meagan Bowe for her permission to use her art for the cover of this book. See her beautiful gallery at https://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/nimue-lady-of-the-lake-2/1922453/?p  where you will find the image the cover was based on. She titled it Nimue - Lady of the Lake # 2.

Ms. Ellyne also wishes to give special thanks to Ms. Giulia Napoli for her wonderful help and encouragement with this edition. Thanks to her it’s a tremendous improvement over the first edition. With her questions she often made me dig deeper into Dark Age British history, keeping me honest. With her encouragement the love scenes became hotter! May she be blessed with love by Pan.

Mid-5th Century Anglesland

Part I – The Remains of Arthannegh

Chapter 1 - The Fall of Ithylldyn

(15 years before our story begins)

Whilst they resided in Avalon, Merlin told Narya the following account, based on his visions, of what had happened to the Wood Elves of Arthannegh. Although she had never lived among them, Corellon Larethian, the one-time king of the Elves, transformed Narya into a Wood Elf. Narya remembered she had previously been an unnamed Wood Nymph who slept inside a sentient tree near the Wood Elven kingdom of Ithylldyn. She had been pestering Merlin for years to tell her what he thought had happened to Ithylldyn and the surrounding deep woods the Elves called More’ Taure after she and her lovers left Arthannegh.

~~~

Merlin shook his head slowly. "I only know snatches of what happened because I have spent most of my time here in Avalon after we left Arthannegh. In addition, the little I do know is a sad tale I have been reluctant to tell. However, the time draws near when you will return to the Baseworld and visit Arthannegh again. Therefore, I suppose I must tell you what I know.

~~~

The queen of the Wood Elves, told her officers to order a retreat. The fighting continued as fierce as ever but all of More’ Taure was in flames and she knew her Wood Elven warriors were losing the battle. She thought, My city is doomed.

Tell the officers to retreat slowly and orderly, without panic, she said to her general. We should give the civilians and children time to get away. Spread the word among them to go north. Perhaps the Drow Elves will give our refugees sanctuary in Lyymurae. Ithylldyn is doomed.

The Orcs outnumbered the Wood Elven warriors more than ten to one. The fighting was close quarters, hand to hand. The Elves wielded their Elven swords while the Orcs used spears, axes, and iron clubs. At this point, it was a massacre, the Elves died by hundreds. Still they did not panic. The soldiers fought on bravely while the civilians and children ran away into the woods to the north.

At the front line, where the fighting was the worst, the ground was a veritable lake of blood. Some of it was the black blood of Orcs but most was the red blood of Elves. The queen and her officers had stayed behind the skirmish line to give orders. She saw she would die this day, right here and now on this battle line and shouted, Into the fray!

The queen pressed her calves into her horse’s flanks, urging him to gallop. She charged into the melee, waving her sword, with her officers and personal guards close behind. Closing on the nearest Orc, the queen saw a giant demon with six horns on his head and eyes that glowed green. He was casting fire spells and setting the treetop houses of the Wood Elves on fire. He turned toward her palace and set it aflame, shooting huge fireballs into the windows.

She had time to think, I wondered how they were setting everything on fire so rapidly, before she had to bring her sword up to meet the blow of an Orc’s axe. His axe shattered her sword and he leaped at her, knocking her off her horse. He was on top of her. His hands went to her throat.

The queen kneed him in the groin and he bellowed but did not release his hold on her neck. It was an unequal contest; he was twice as big and twice as strong. Her last thought was, It’s a relatively painless way to die.

~~~

Jubilex was in command of the Orcs. He was the General of the Army of the Prince of Darkness. He had no further orders to give. The Orcs were doing well. He continued to entertain himself by setting the houses and public buildings of the Wood Elves on fire. It amused him to burn the trees that were holding the houses up first so he could watch the wooden houses topple into the inferno and burst into flame.

He knew there would be other entertainment after the battle, torturing captives before the Orcs ate them. His orders were to leave no Elf alive. The Orcs usually kept prisoners only long enough to cook and eat them. Jubilex thought, After we finish here I will take my army to the Drow Elven city. They are the last of the Elves. After we destroy Lyymurae there will be no more Elven cities. The Dark Lord will be pleased.

The battle was moving northward as the Elves retreated. Jubilex wondered, Where do they think they can retreat? Perhaps they think they can seek refuge with the Drow Elves. Their underground city is north of here but, at the rate the Wood Elves are retreating, we will kill them all long before they reach Lyymurae.

~~~

The Orc leader knew his battalion was the best in all of Jormungandr’s army. They had killed the most Elves and Britons and lost the fewest Orc warriors in the many battles they had fought. Today his Orcs were the first to break through the line of retreating Wood Elves. He ordered them to give chase to the fleeing civilians and children. It was not long before they caught up with a large group of them; the Orcs were much faster than Elves.

He estimated there were around 100 unarmed Elves, half of them children, outnumbered five to one by the Orcs. The civilians were defenseless but turned to face the Orcs anyway, after urging the children to run for their lives. It was a savage massacre. The Elves screamed as the Orcs ran them through with barbed spears, clubbed them with spiked iron clubs, and hit them with sharp axes, severing arms, legs, and heads.

Within moments, all the adult Wood Elves who fought against the Orcs were dead. The battalion leader licked the Elven blood off the blade of his axe. He shouted to the Orcs nearest to him, Spread the word; capture the children alive. The young ones are the tastiest.

Each of the Orcs carried a length of rope on their belt for tying up captives. They ran through the woods, chasing the Elven children. The leader ordered them to spread out at arm’s length so that they would not miss any of the children. He was surprised at how fast the young ones could run. The Orcs caught the toddlers first but the older ones were staying ahead of them, their fear no doubt driving them to run faster than would normally be possible.

Their heavy armor slowed the Orcs down a bit. The chase continued for more than an hour until finally they came upon the children, one at a time, as they fell from exhaustion. The Orcs tied the children with rope and left them to lie on the forest floor, then continued chasing after the rest.

They captured 37 children but it had been over an hour since they caught the last one and now they were so far from the battlefront they could no longer hear the screams of the dying Elves. The leader shouted, Back to the battle! Spread the word to pick up the captives we left on the way.

When they arrived at the scene of battle, it was over. One of the Orcs had impaled the Wood Elven queen’s severed head on his spear and was waving it about. Others had done the same with the heads of her officers and guards. Jubilex was congratulating them on a job well done. He turned when a battalion leader approached and said, I see you brought back little ones to eat. Did any escape?

The leader knew he had no good answer for this and began to tremble in fear. He could imagine vividly what Jubilex’s punishments for failure would be. He shook his head. There’s no way to know Master. We had no count of how many there were to begin with. I brought 37 Elven children back and I can assure you all the adult civilians are dead. I think we got them all.

Think? Do you actually think? I am surprised to hear it. Do you have any idea what Jormungandr would do if he discovered some of the Wood Elves had escaped? Jubilex shook his head and pointed north. Go! Get out of my sight! Take half your battalion and leave the rest here. I want you to find and kill every one of the Wood Elven survivors before you return. I am sure any that escaped have gone to Lyymurae to beg the Drow Elves for sanctuary. We will go there next, eliminate the Drow Elves, and destroy their underground city. I will remove one of your toes or one of your fingers for every Wood Elf we find among them. I will give you a day’s head start while we rest and feast. Be gone!

~~~

Saerad felt overwhelmed by his current responsibilities. He was only 12 years old but was the oldest of his group of eleven Wood Elven children and the others looked to him as their leader. They ranged in age from seven years for the youngest to one year younger than his age. These were the strongest runners. They were able to keep ahead of the Orcs and kept running long after most of the other children had dropped from exhaustion. The older children had stayed with the adults to fight the Orcs and buy time for the younger ones to escape.

He led his group to a particularly dense area of trees and bushes where their color-changing clothing made them difficult to see. After he judged they were well hidden he whispered to the others, We will rest here for a bit and listen and watch to see if the Orcs are still chasing us. If we hear any or see any we will resume running.

One of the other children said, Why don’t we keep running now? I don’t want to be eaten.

Patiently Saerad explained, If we don’t rest a bit we will drop from exhaustion eventually and be caught like the others were. Besides, I think the Orcs may have given up the chase. However, be ready to run if I’m wrong and they come.

Everyone seemed satisfied with this decision. They lay down among the leaves and some immediately went to sleep, exhausted. Saerad did not go to sleep. He was tired but his responsibility as leader weighed heavily on him. He stayed awake, alert, and vigilant. There were no sounds of Orcs in the forest. The silence was almost complete except for birds and buzzing insects. This calmed Saerad’s nerves. He thought it meant his hunch was right; the Orcs had quit the chase.

He allowed his group an hour’s rest, as judged by the direction of the sun’s rays filtering down through the thick canopy of leaves and branches overhead. He whispered to those who were awake, Time to get moving again. Wake the others.

Not a moment too soon they began to walk, not run, north. They moved quietly through the woods, not making a sound. As Wood Elves, even the children knew how to walk through the forest without snapping twigs or rustling dry leaves.

In a short time, Saerad was dismayed to hear the clanking of heavy Orc Armor coming from the South. He said, Time to run again! They come!

The Elven children dodged and weaved their way through the trees with practiced ease. These children had been raised in the deep dense woods of More’ Taure. Saerad knew the Orcs would not have such an easy time with their large size and bulky armor.

He imagined he could feel liquid fear running through his veins, enabling him to run faster than would normally be possible. He guessed it was the same for the other children too. Branches ripped his clothing and cut his skin but he ignored this, focused on survival.

His leg muscles were cramping, his lungs felt as if they were on fire. Sweat poured off his forehead, running into his eyes and blinding him. He willed his body to keep going. He ran for hours beyond the limit of his endurance. Occasionally he heard the screams of one of the other children and would think, Another one caught by the Orcs, but there’s nothing I can do about it; there are hundreds of them and only a few of us left.

Just when he thought he could run no farther, he heard one of the girls call out, Saerad, wait for me! We are safe! He halted suddenly, collapsed on the grass, out of breath. He was exhausted. He hoped she was right.

~~~

He woke some time later when he felt her shaking him. He did not remember falling asleep. He opened his eyes and there was Aridrimme, an eleven-year-old Elven female. He knew her well. Her parents had lived in the house next to his in Ithylldyn.

I know I said we were safe but I didn’t mean forever, she said. Come! Get up. We have to keep moving."

Saerad rubbed his eyes and yawned. Did the Orcs stop chasing us?

Aridrimme shook her head. No, not exactly. I knew they were going to catch us so I told the younger ones to spread out and run in all different directions, thinking perhaps some would escape or find good hiding places. Was that wrong?

Saerad shrugged. I don’t know. Perhaps there is not any right or wrong in this situation. At any rate we are still alive and free. I am ready to run again now if you are. It will be good to have some company.

Aridrimme nodded and managed a small smile. Yes, and we won’t have to run so fast this time, at least for now. I haven’t heard any sounds of pursuit during the time you were asleep.

How long was I out?

About an hour.

Saerad rose to his feet and they began running together at an easy pace, still north toward Lyymurae.

In another hour they emerged from the deep woods of More’ Taure. They crossed two rivers, both deep enough that they had to swim. Saerad thought this was a good thing because his parents had told him Orcs feared water.

Upon crossing the second river Saerad said, I think this is the River Lyymurae. If we follow it north, it should take us to the cave entrance to the Drow Elven city.

Aridrimme’s eyes widened and she asked, Are you not afraid of the Drow Elves? My parents told me they are evil.

Saerad laughed but it was a dry unpleasant laugh, not one of mirth. They are Elves; how evil can they be? At least I do not think they will eat us as the Orcs would. I think they are our only chance to survive. We will beg them for sanctuary and hope for the best.

~~~

The weary Orc gathered his battalion together again. He was not a very good tracker but it had been easy enough to follow the trails left by the fleeing Elven children. His warriors had captured nine of them so far but he saw evidence of others, headed straight north. He ordered his Orcs to spread out and run north again.

When they arrived at the first river, all of them balked. They milled about and muttered. Knowing what Jubilex would do to him if any of the Elven children escaped, he waded into the water despite his fear. Like all Orcs, he could not swim.

The current was strong, but not too strong. He managed to keep his footing. The water rose past his knees, then past his waist. The weight of his armor prevented the current from sweeping him away as the water rose to his chest. The other Orcs became silent, watching to see what would happen to him.

He crossed the hallway point and gradually the water became shallower. On the other side of the river, he saw footprints of the two Elven children in the mud. He called out to his warriors, Come! They crossed here not long ago.

The Orcs hesitated at the water’s edge. Their leader shouted at them, Move your asses! Get over here now or I’ll tell Jubilex which of you were too cowardly to get your feet wet and risked letting some Elves escape.

That did the trick. The Orcs first tested the water with their toes, and then walked in slowly until the water was above their ankles. They hesitated again and he shouted, Come on you babies. You will not melt. Look at me; the water didn’t hurt me.

Finally, his battalion crossed the river and ran to the next river where the same slowdown occurred. The leader clenched his fists in frustration, knowing the Elven children would be putting more distance between them. He hurled insults and threats at his battalion members. Eventually he got them all across and had them running north again, following the footprints of two Elves. He thought, I was right. The Elven children are trying to reach Lyymurae.

~~~

Saerad and Aridrimme stood at the enormous mouth of the cave, the entrance to Lyymurae. Saerad wanted to go in but Aridrimme took his hand and held him back. Wait! I’m frightened.

Saerad patted her hand. Very well, he said. We will wait until we have no other choice but to enter.

They turned and looked down the mountainside. The river was still beside them, flowing out of the cave mouth and running down the gradual slope of Mount Lyymurae. It was a clear evening. The sun was setting, bathing the hills in golden light. Aridrimme said, It’s so beautiful and peaceful here, it’s hard to believe we’re in danger.

Let’s sit awhile and watch the sunset, Saerad replied.

They sat close together and Saerad put his arm around her. She leaned her head on his shoulder and said, I don’t know why but I feel safe now.

Saerad said softly, I wish I did.

The sun touched the horizon and as it sank, the sky turned pink and orange. He could tell from her breathing that she had gone to sleep on his shoulder. He was tired too but forced himself to stay awake and kept watch. There were no trees for two hundred feet below their position. He was somewhat comforted knowing he would see the Orcs coming and have time to wake Aridrimme and enter the cave before the Orcs could reach them.

He was almost wrong. The sun disappeared below the horizon and twilight descended on the mountain. The golden light on the hillside turned grey. The trees below them became indistinct dark shapes. Saerad kept staring at them, watching for Orcs. He was having a lot of trouble staying awake now and keeping his eyes focused. He thought he saw movement among the trees but was not sure.

To be on the safe side he shook Aridrimme, waking her. She opened her mouth to say something but he put a finger to her lips and said, Shh. I think the Orcs might be close now.

She sat up straight, rigid, wide-awake, and alert now at the mention of Orcs. Saerad was glad she did not say anything that might give away their position. He hoped the Orcs would have trouble seeing them against the dark background of the cave mouth.

He heard them well before he saw them. There was no way they could be stealthy with all the heavy armor they were wearing. Saerad heard the clanking of it and knew they were close. Then he definitely saw some of them emerge from the trees.

He stood up and pulled Aridrimme to her feet. Here they come. We have no choice now, or at least none but grim choices. We must either throw ourselves on the mercy of the Drow Elves or be taken by the Orcs.

I suppose you’re right Saerad.

The Orcs had evidently seen them now. They were shouting in their ugly guttural language and charging up the hill. The two Elven children ran into the cave. They had not gone 20 feet before they were stopped by two Drow Elven guards, females, armed with bow and arrows, nocked and pointed at them. Halt, said one.

Saerad said, We beg sanctuary. Orcs are chasing us.

Stay where you are, said the guard. I’ll be right back.

The other guard said, No. I will take them to the queen while you go see if what they say is true. In case it might be, the queen needs to be warned.

The second guard took their hands and said, Come, we must move quickly. Run down the pathway as fast as you can. I will be right behind you. Our city is at the end of the path.

They only ran for a short while before they heard the first guard blow an alarm on her Glaur horn. The guard they were with also removed her horn from her belt and blew the alarm. She said, You were right. Run fast now!

As they ran, Saerad could hear the clanking of Orc armor echoing down the tunnel behind them. He wondered how safe Aridrimme felt now. He imagined a battle between Orcs and Drow Elves would trap him and Aridrimme in the middle.

A small squad of Elven warriors came running up the tunnel toward them. Saerad could see them well by the light of magical glow globes hung from the tunnel walls. The squad appeared to be unarmed and there were only eight of them. Saerad almost laughed aloud, thinking, The Orcs will make short work of them.

The Elven warriors ran around them, ignoring them, and their guard urged them to keep running down the tunnel pathway. Shortly afterward, Saerad saw a brilliant flash coming from behind him, followed by screams of agony. He thought, The Drow Elves are fighting the Orcs with powerful magic. Maybe we have a chance after all.

Next came a large number, hundreds, of Elven warriors, armed with swords and bows and arrows. They passed by the children, barely noticing them, apparently intent on the battle raging at the tunnel entrance.

~~~

Merlin finished his tale by telling Narya the battle for Lyymurae had raged on for years, was in fact still going, and he had no idea whether the Drow Elves would survive or not. He also said that the two Wood Elven children who went to Lyymurae for sanctuary were the only two Wood Elves who survived the destruction of Ithylldyn.

Narya’s lover, Vilya, was sitting next to her listening to Merlin. She said, I want to go back to Arthannegh and see if we can help the Drow Elves.

Narya nodded. I do too.

That may be the best thing, said Merlin."

Chapter 2 - Avalon in Otherworld

Viviane admired the work she and her personal coven of 13 High Echelon Priestesses had accomplished. She thought, This ought to stop all the complaining about being exiled in Otherworld. She removed Avalon from Baseworld out of necessity when Orcs and Saxons in growing numbers ran rampant in Arthannegh. She knew from Merlin that the Orcs were systematically hunting down and killing all the Elves they could find. Merlin also told her that tens of thousands of Anglo-Saxons were coming over from Germania every year. The new Saxons were all suspicious of magic and all were hostile toward Elves because of their magic and because of rumors that the Elves were allies of the Britons.

She thought, Arthannegh is no longer the Arthannegh we knew and loved. It is no longer Britannia either. It is just a bunch of little warring kingdoms, fast becoming a northwestern province of Anglesland. We need Avalon to be a safe haven, removed from Baseworld and impossible for any from that world to find. That is why I asked Merlin to beseech the Creator to remove Avalon from Baseworld.

Instead of being thankful, her seven guests complained that the permanent separation from the world they had lived in all their lives made them homesick. Even her Priestesses complained because now there was no way to bring men to Avalon for the sacred mating ceremonies so that new Priestesses could be born in Avalon.

So she called her coven to an early morning meeting at dawn’s first light in the middle of Avalon’s large sprawling apple orchard. As High Priestess, Viviane was dressed all in black while the Priestesses of her coven were dressed all in white.

Viviane drew a pentagram in the dirt with a sharp stick. She drew a perfect circle touching each of the five points around the pentagram. Inside the pentagram, she drew a five-pointed star, each of the points touching a point of the pentagram. The resulting drawing was a powerful tool for magical meditation. In unison, the coven of 13 Priestesses chanted magical incantations, "d’ooormen, seldarine."

The Priestesses hiked up their flowing white gowns and knelt in the dirt at 13 points around the circle, with Viviane standing in the center of the circle. They prayed to the Goddess of Avalon to allow the creation of a magic artefact, a doorway. Suddenly it materialized next to Viviane.

As she studied it, she saw it appeared to be a rather plain self-standing doorframe, not set into any wall. She looked through it and saw one of the Priestesses standing on the other side. She walked around to the other side and looked through it. From the other end, and could see there she saw another Priestess standing on the other side of the circle, nothing unusual so far.

Tentatively, Viviane poked her head through the doorway. Suddenly, the Priestess, the pentagram with its five-pointed star, and the apple orchard, all disappeared. Now Viviane saw the beach of a smaller island in Baseworld on the other side of the doorway, an island in the middle of what used to be known as South Lake Mysst in the land once known as Arthannegh. She pulled her head back and once again was able to see the Priestess, the pentagram, and the apple orchard of Otherworld.

I think it works! Viviane announced. I need a volunteer to go through it and see if it works coming back too.

Priestess Morgause immediately raised her hand and said, Me! I will go.

Viviane nodded. Very well but you must come back if at all possible. I know you are anxious to visit Baseworld. Many are. You will all get your chance at some point. For now, only make sure it works. If you don’t return in a few moments, I will personally come through and find you.

Morgause said, Yes Mother. I will have a short look at my old world and I will promptly return.

Viviane watched from the side as Morgause walked toward the doorway and poked her head in. Morgause’s head disappeared. Viviane went to the front of the doorway. From there she could see Morgause’s body from the neck down but her head was still missing, as if an axe had cut it off but there was no blood. All the Priestesses gasped as Morgause stepped through the doorway and totally disappeared.

Silently, Viviane slowly counted toward 100. She thought, If Morgause does not return by the time I reach 100, I’m going to go through the doorway myself and find a way to bring her back here. I’m not ready for an Avalon Priestess to go wandering about Baseworld by herself. … 97, 98, 99, 100.

I’m going through, said Viviane. Perhaps it didn’t work as I thought it would. Don’t worry; I will find a way to bring us both back to Otherworld.

Viviane took a step toward the doorway and just then Morgause came through from the other side and everyone could see her again. Viviane breathed a sigh of relief.

Well, tell us what happened, she said. What did you find on the other side?"

Avalon was gone, said Morgause. All of you were gone. I was standing all alone on a small island in the middle of a large lake. There was a doorway there just like this one. After having a good look around and taking a few nice deep breaths of the air to see if it tasted any different than the air here, I stepped through that other door and came back here. Did I do well Mother?

Yes Morgause, you did very well. We will have a meeting of everyone in Avalon tomorrow morning and announce we now have a means for returning to visit our former realm. All who wish to do so may apply to me for permission, specifying the length of time they will be gone and the date I should expect them to return.

~~~

Arthur and Sir Ector had been engaged in practice swordsmanship for two hours. Both were sweating profusely but Ector was sweating more than Arthur was. Arthur’s footwork was superb today. As he danced the dance of the sword around his teacher, he always managed to be somewhere Ector did not expect him to be.

Suddenly Arthur saw his opportunity. He deftly parried Ector’s slash with his practice sword, a tightly bound bundle of thin canes the same length and about the same weight as a real sword. He feinted high and when Ector raised his practice sword to block the blow, Arthur brought his practice sword in low and slapped Ector’s leg with the canes. If it had been a real sword, he would have severed Ector’s leg mid-thigh. As it was, the blow did hurt quite a bit and Ector yelled in pain.

Rubbing his wounded leg, Ector said, Only sixteen years old and already you have surpassed your teacher. You are a natural; born to be an expert swordsman. At one time I was considered the best swordsman in all of Britannia but now you will claim that position. No man will be able to stand against you in a fair fight. In fact I think you could best three or four good swordsmen, fighting them all at the same time.

Arthur shook his head. If this is true, which I doubt, it’s all due to your superb instruction Uncle Ector. I weary of practice swords however. I weary of the peace and tranquility here in Avalon. I want to return to Britannia and claim my birthright. A fire is burning in my belly, making me long to use a real sword and battle the Saxons who stole my father’s kingdom and the Orcs who killed him.

Sir Brontiseus walked up as they were talking and evidently heard Arthur’s last sentence. Thirsty for blood and vengeance are we young Arthur? Don’t worry; Merlin says you will have your chance soon and I have never known Merlin to be wrong in his foretelling of the future.

Arthur nodded but also scowled. I know, he said, "Merlin always tells what will happen but never when. I am ready now! Uncle Ector says I am a better swordsman then he. Vilya says I have mastered the basic principles of magic spell casting. Merlin tells me the Orcs murder more Elves every day and the Anglo-Saxons conquer more of Britannia every week. Time is wasting while I play with these bloody practice swords here on peaceful Apple Isle of Otherworld. I hear there is a magic doorway now through which one can go to Britannia. I would go now, today, but Aunt Viviane has forbidden it so I stay here out of respect for her."

One day you may long for a return to this peaceful realm, said Brontiseus. Merlin spins dreadful tales, filled with blood and gore, of the battles you will have to fight after you return to Britannia.

Sir Ector asked Arthur, Has Viviane told you yet why she forbids you to leave?

Arthur grinned at this. Yes, he said. She told me that at the Spring Equinox celebration a sacred mating ceremony will occur, the first one since Avalon was transported to Otherworld. She says at this ceremony one very special couple will mate. I will be given to one of the fairest of the High Echelon Priestesses of Avalon, a young maiden one year younger than I and never before bedded. The Equinox is only a month away now. I guess I can wait until then and do my duty. I am to make her pregnant and Merlin prophesies she will bear me a son who will be a mighty warrior too.

Ector and Brontiseus laughed loud and long upon hearing this. Wiping a tear of laughter from his eye, Brontiseus said, I hope you will remember all the instruction I gave you about how to make love to a woman.

Yes Uncle, you, and Sir Ector have both been like fathers to me ever since my real father died in battle. All your instructions are committed to memory. I practiced all of them a few times with a few of the young priestesses. Oh gosh, don’t tell that to Aunt Viviane, she would be furious.

Brontiseus grinned and said, It shall be a secret amongst us men my son.

Sir Ector asked, Do you know the name of the girl you will mate with at the ceremony?

No, said Arthur, lying to cover up the fact that he did know her quite well, Aunt Viviane refuses to tell me her name.

Ector asked, After all your dalliances with the young Priestesses, you don’t even have a guess as to who she might be?

Arthur shrugged, I have made certain inquiries. I admit I am very curious. The Priestesses are all very tight-lipped on the subject.

~~~

Grraack and Emyrraul flew close together. His wingtips occasionally brushed hers lightly with gentle affection, causing her to coo. They were making a circuit around the perimeter of the island, flying along the coastline. The coast near Avalon castle was rugged and rocky. Flying east from the castle the rocks gave way to bushes bent inland by the strong winds blowing in from the Endless Sea, always from the same direction. On the southern side of the island was a long white sandy beach with seaside wild grasses growing on dunes fifty yards from the water’s edge. Flying back toward Avalon, they saw miles of swampy marshes. A few times during their trip, they flew far out into the Endless Sea until they could barely see Avalon. They hoped one day to get a glimpse of a ship, or another Gryphon, or even an Avian Elf.

They had done this for many years now, ever since Viviane had transported Avalon to Otherworld. Never had they seen any sign of life outside of Avalon. Gone were the mists that used to hide Avalon from the eyes of non-inhabitants. Gone were the distant shores of Arthannegh. Viviane told them the Endless Sea was indeed magically endless. She told them if they were to keep flying until they could no longer see Avalon, they would become lost and never find their way back. She said they would then keep flying until they tired and would fall into the sea and would drown. They never felt like putting her warning to the test.

Emyrraul was bored. They were both warrior Gryphons and there were no battles to fight in Avalon. They were the only Gryphons in Avalon. Grraack’s father had stayed in Arthannegh hoping that Ryyssa, his rider, would call him again someday. For all she and Grraack knew, knew, Ryyssa was still battling the Orcs invading her unground kingdom, Lyymurae. When they left for Avalon, Rraauck told them he must stay because mental communication with Ryyssa through their bond told him she was still alive. That was many years ago however.

Emyrraul asked her mate, Do you think our parents are still alive?

Grraack shrugged. I have asked Merlin that question many times but he always says he has had no visions concerning their welfare. He says he believes the Orcs will attack Oiomyyst, the mountain nesting home of the Gryphons. Many Gryphons will be slain by the Orcs and he says we should not expect to see our parents again in this lifetime.

Emyrraul shrieked, You never told me this! Why did you keep it from me?

Because, answered Grraack, I have not been told of their death and will not believe them dead until I know it to be a fact. Merlin is always a grim prophet but not everything he foresees comes true. This is especially true when he is vague. I think his visions fail him lately.

We have to find a way back to Arthannegh and search for our parents, said Emyrraul. Alive or dead, I have to know.

I agree, said Grraack. I feel the same as you. Let us go back to the castle and ask Viviane again. I think everyone’s entreaties are beginning to wear her down. Perhaps soon she will find a way for those who wish to do so to return to Baseworld.

I wouldn’t go without Narya, said Emyrraul. She says she wants to go back as well but it must be with me and with both of her mates, Vilya and Kauko."

Vilya says the same to me, said Grraack. So we must ask Viviane to find a way to transport all five of us together.

They flew on in silence for a long while. Avalon was now a lot larger than it had been in Baseworld. It was almost one-fourth the size of all of Arthannegh. Partly they made this circuit to practice flight maneuvers. Sometimes Narya and Vilya rode on their backs to enjoy the warmth of the bond between an Elven rider and his or her Gryphon.

Grraack finally broke the silence, asking, Do you ever want to have a youngling of your own, Emy?

Oh yes, said Emyrraul. I want to have our youngling but you know that cannot happen unless we are in our own nest on Mount Oiomyyst."

Yes I know.

They flew on silently for a while until at last Grraack said, Come let us go to the palace now.

As they banked and turned back to the interior, Emyrraul saw Merlin riding a white unicorn, as was his custom these days, heading their way. He waved to them and beckoned them to land. He brought the unicorn to a halt just as the paws and talons of the two Gryphons touched the ground in front of him."

Hail friends, he said. I have good news for you. I know of your desire to go back to the realm that was once Arthannegh, even though I have told you Arthannegh is no more. I’m sure most of the Elves and Gryphons have been hunted down and killed by the Orcs. I understand you feel a need to find out whether your parents might still be alive, even though it is unlikely. The good news is, it has recently become possible for you to return.

Grraack and Emyrraul became very animated, both barraging Merlin with a hundred questions. When can we go? How? Could our Elven riders go too? Will there be a way to return to Avalon? If we find our parents can we bring them back with us?

Merlin held up his hands. "Slow down. I will answer all your questions, one at a time. Viviane and her coven of High Echelon priestesses have made a magic doorway. Anyone who wishes to return to Baseworld can simply walk through this doorway and will find themselves on a small island in the middle of South Lake Mysst on the other side. You must ask permission of Viviane however and she will only allow a few at a time to go.

"She will also set a limit as to how long you can stay in Baseworld. It’s very dangerous there now, more than ever before, and you might be killed by Orcs or Saxons at any time. She is going to send those of her coven who wish to go first. I will accompany them and transport them to the mainland in my small boat. They will stay no more than three days. Then I will take them back to the island where a duplicate doorway will allow them to return to Avalon when they step through it.

As you probably know, she was planning to mate Arthur with one of her Priestesses at the Spring Equinox sacred mating ceremony. There are no other young men in Avalon available for mating now. The doorway however allows for the possibility of finding suitable mates for all Priestesses who wish to have children. They will each use their three days to try to find a man who would like to mate with them, on condition that the men must return to Baseworld through the doorway the day after the ceremony. With the current exceptions of Brontiseus, Ector, Arthur, and Kauko, those of male gender are not welcome to live in Avalon.

"To answer your most pressing question, yes, if your parents are still alive, they may return to Avalon with you. I think there will be more Elves living in Avalon in the future and some will want Gryphons to ride. If Rraauck’s rider, Ryyssa, still lives she will be welcome to come here with him.

Merlin turned to Emyrraul and said, If your parents’ Drow Elven riders still live, they may come here with their Gryphons. And of course both of your riders and Kauko will be welcome to go with you to Baseworld.

Emyrraul asked Merlin, You have no idea who lives and who has died back in Arthannegh?

Merlin shook his head. No. A strange thing has happened. Evidently, the power to see all events of the past, present, and future is limited to the world in which I reside. I can see clearly the future of everything that will happen here in Avalon but cannot see any of the events that have happened or will happen back in Baseworld.

Then you do not know for certain our parents are dead.

Merlin nodded. True. When I told you I thought your parents were dead, I was only guessing, based on my assessment of the probabilities. You should return to Baseworld and find out for certain in order to get closure.

Grraack said, If all the Priestesses are to go first, one at a time, it will be years before we can go.

Merlin shook his head. No, I said a few at a time, not one at a time. The mating ceremony will take place in one month so those Priestesses who wish to take part must find their man by that time. I think less than a quarter of the Priestesses will wish to go at this time and they will go as many as 100 at a time. Viviane only limits the number so that, in case violence should take the lives of those sojourning in Baseworld, it will not diminish the number of Priestesses too much. With the doorway in place, others can go at the time of the Summer Solstice ceremony or at the time of Fall Equinox or the Winter Solstice. Not all of the Priestesses feel an urgent need to bear children. They have been trained not to feel the need for a man, except for mating.

Emyrraul was happy hearing this. She knew it meant she would be returning to Arthannegh soon after the Spring Equinox in one month.

~~~

Morganna Le Fey stared her aunt Viviane down. There will be no need for me to wear a mask at the ceremony, she said. I do not need to conceal my identity from Arthur. I have already been in his bed many times and he still has no idea I am his sister. I do not want to mate with him only once in order to give birth to his son. I am in love with him and want to return with him to Britannia.

Foolishness! shouted Viviane. "It will come out that you are his sister, the girl called Anna at the time of your birth. If you go back to Britannia, the fanatical Christians who rule there these days will torture you and burn you at the stake for your so-called sins. They believe sexual relations between brother and sister to be one of the very worst offenses in their religion, as bad as murder.

"I gave you the name Morganna Le Fey and kept you cloistered, in training to be a Priestess of my coven, the High Echelon of Avalon. I did this to keep your identity a secret from your brother because I have planned this mating for many years, ever since Igraine brought you to me. Arthur’s tutors, Brontiseus and Ector, are devout Christians and would not approve. They would be horrified if they learned you are Arthur’s sister.

You have become one of the most powerful Priestesses Avalon has ever had. I plan to pass the role of High Priestess to you after you give birth to Arthur’s son. Do you wish to forsake that honor and the power that goes with it in order to pursue this forbidden love you feel for Arthur?

Yes I do. I love him. I fell in love with him when I first saw him by accident three years ago. You must know I have managed to escape your cloistering many times over the years. I have a free and restless spirit which rebels against confinement.

Three years ago? How long have you been sleeping with him?

Morganna giggled. Well I wouldn’t call it sleeping but I have been having carnal relations with him since shortly after that first meeting. Unlike most of your Priestesses, I will always have a need for a man.

Then you have been having relations with him since he was only 13, a child, not a man, and you were only twelve. You must have had the change in your body very early. How did you manage to avoid becoming pregnant all these years?

Morganna rolled her eyes to let her aunt know she thought the question silly. Some of the first lessons I had as a Priestess included learning the magic of avoiding pregnancy when unwanted and then becoming pregnant easily when a child is desired. I learned those lessons well. I will become pregnant with Arthur’s child at the mating ceremony, but not during the many remaining times I will be with him before the ceremony, in my bed or on the ground on my hands and knees.

Viviane scowled at her headstrong niece. I could have you locked up and kept under guard for insubordination!

Morganna laughed. You said I was now the most powerful Priestess Avalon has ever had. You really think any lock or any guard can keep me prisoner?

Viviane shook her head slowly. No, I suppose not. I guess I cannot keep you from going through the doorway after Arthur when he leaves, can I?

Morganna smiled triumphantly. I am glad you see things my way.

Has he never asked about your parentage?

Oh yes he has, many times. I conspired with sister Morgause to convince him that she is my mother, that I was the result of one of the mating ceremonies. She told him she didn’t even know my father’s name and only lay with him the one time at the ceremony. Arthur checked with her and she confirmed my story. We rehearsed it well.

Tell me, Viviane asked, does Arthur love you as much as you love him?

Morganna’s smile vanished. Someday I will make him love me. At this time he thinks of me as only a plaything, like all the other Priestesses he has bedded.

All the other …? What??!! exclaimed Viviane. "I can’t have this. Arthur will ruin Avalon with his roguish ways. I will have him locked up instead of you. I don’t think his magic is as powerful as yours."

Morganna shook her head, And I will simply free him. Don’t fight me on this Aunt Viviane. I am almost as powerful as you and a fight between us would surely ruin Avalon.

Viviane glared at her niece for a long time, her fists clenched and shaking. Finally her shoulders slumped in defeat and she said, Very well, you win. I change my mind; it will be a good thing after all when you leave Avalon to be with Arthur in Britannia.

Morganna turned to leave, feeling victorious, and, as she walked from Viviane’s parlor, called back to her aunt, We will speak more about all this after the mating ceremony.

~~~

She left the palace and walked to the small house where Arthur lived with Brontiseus and Ector. She waited down the path until she saw Arthur leave the house alone, as he did every day at this time to meet with Vilya for a lesson in magic. She intercepted him.

Good morning Arthur, you’re looking very fit and handsome today.

Morganna! Hello! It’s good to see you too beautiful lady. I was on my way to receive another magic lesson from Vilya. She promised to let me handle her magic sword again today.

Pfft, that can wait, said Morganna. Wouldn’t you rather handle me?

I won’t refuse such an offer my pet. Unfortunately, Uncle Brontiseus and Uncle Ector are at home in my house. Shall we meet at yours, going by different ways?

Morganna kissed him passionately and upon breaking the kiss said, See you there soon lover.

She ran back to her house and quickly changed into a frilly nightgown of sheer transparent pink silk, trimmed with lace. She wore nothing underneath, knowing her body would be on full display although alluringly veiled when Arthur entered her house. She didn’t think she would be wearing the nightgown for long after he had a look at her.

~~~

Vilya had just finished having a beautiful morning threesome with Kauko and Narya. She still glowed from it as she swam in the ocean surrounding the Isle of Avalon; the ocean the Priestesses had named the Endless Sea. She found that lately, when her two lovers were satiated and exhausted from their lovemaking, she was still aroused, still wanting more.

She swam underwater to meet her secret lover, breathing through her gills. He did not live in Avalon; he lived below the surface of the ocean. He was a Dolphin.

She could not pronounce his name; it consisted of the whistles and clicks of the Dolphin language, which Vilya could understand but could not speak. Because of their high intelligence, Dolphin’s are clever with languages. Vilya’s Dolphin lover learned Elven quickly. When they talked, they each spoke their own language.

She was happy to know she would always be an Aquatic Elf in this lifetime, to feel the joy of swimming underwater, breathing through her gills. She had always loved to swim, even before the former king of the Elves had turned her into an Aquatic Elf. Merlin told her once any being was turned into an Elf they were permanently one of the six sub-races of Elf. There was not any magic capable of changing this, even if she wanted to change, which she didn’t.

She remembered being the Elven Spirit of Waters when she lived in Maahilund, far to the north of Britannia in Baseworld, in her previous life. Her name was Sashegh then and, because Merlin had restored all memories of her past life, she still thought of herself as the same person, Sashegh. In this lifetime, she wore the powerful magic Elven ring called Vilya, which gave her total power over all water. She thought the Aquatic Elven race was perfect for her.

As an Elf, she would never grow old. As a young female, she had carnal needs. Narya and Kauko, her Elven lovers and life partners had taken other lovers in the past and she had learned to overcome jealousy when they did so. Their three-way love was strong and other lovers never came between the bonds of love they shared. She knew they would not mind her playing with another lover sometimes.

The only reason she never told them about her current lover was he was a Dolphin and she was not sure how her partners would feel. She knew the Christians, including Uther Pendragon, her old British friend who was Arthur’s father, thought copulating with non-human species was a sin against their god, so she certainly did not want Arthur to know. He looked up to her as his teacher in the art of magic. Viviane had given him and his mother, Igraine, immortal life and the ability to learn magic. All inhabitants of Avalon had these gifts yet few were Elves.

She remembered her surprise when she discovered there was life in the Endless Sea of Otherworld. Now she thought, That was silly. Why wouldn’t there be life in a living sea? She discovered the warm ocean waters of the Endless Sea in the area around Avalon teamed with colorful fish of all sorts, living coral reefs like the one she used to live in with her Aquatic Elven lover, Aearion and, best of all, there were Dolphins here. She felt a kinship with Dolphins perhaps because, like her, they were intelligent air-breathing mammals with a physical need to be in water.

After Viviane moved Avalon from Britannia to Otherworld, the climate was very warm. The water around Avalon was warm too, much warmer than the water of South Lake Mysst where Avalon was previously located. Being an Elf, Vilya wasn’t bothered by cold but the warm water felt very pleasant to her.

Vilya knew some would disapprove of what she was doing, making love with another species. She thought some of those people were muddle-minded. No one