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[Govan]

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Govan had spent many a day working with Anne, moving things out of the crafters' house and into the new one... The new house was bigger, an old villa which still had that old-school charm. Though, even after they moved everything, they had to move things between the villa and Govan's old Malas home.. trying to figure out who would live where. Finally, after everything was where it supposed to be, Govan had left all the rearranging of the Malas place to Anne, and had started in working on rearranging and decorating. Most everything else had rather slipped her mind. One morning, Govan woke up and found that she had, yet again, crashed in the chair that was in her bedroom and just fell asleep. What woke her up this morning was another story... She listened again to see what it was.. Then it came again, the fluttering of wings, followed by yet another, quieter flutter of wings. Govan opened her eyes and looked around the room. Perched on top of the bookshelf that was next to the chair she fell asleep in, were three birds. The first was Anne's pigeon, who flew out the window as soon as Govan looked up. The next was the small falcon, who had delivered Govan's message to Dafyd, and now held another message in its small talons. The third bird was one Govan had never seen the likes of before. She gazed at it with wonder. It had the general form of a medium-sized hawk, yet it looked like it was made of intense, white-hot fire, from the tip of its sharp beak, to the tip of it's tail feathers, and even yet still, it didn't seem to burn through the bookshelf. It also carried a note, but also carried a small pouch, which it placed right in front of it. Govan stretched her arms, then stood up. The falcon handed her its note first. he opened it and started reading... It was from Dafyd.

"Your Highness;

It is with both joy and sadness that I can write you again. I have found a few more of our people, yet good news did not always follow our meetings. It is not my place to explain more about the things of which you asked. However, two of the people I have found are more capable and well-suited to explain everything. They requested that their bird be sent back with your little falcon. They also said to tell you to show her the circlet and necklace that I left for you, after you finish reading this message, and she will give you the items she carries.

I am afraid that this may be the last chance I will ever have again to write you, so I bid you farewell, and a safe, healthy life with everything you dreamed.

Your servant,
Dafyd

P.S. The falcon's name is Peregrine, though sometimes I call her Pere for short."


Govan blinked. Then blinked a few times more. The plot was thickening. She laid the letter down on the nearby nightstand, then picked up the necklace and circlet, and held them up to the magnificent fire-bird. The bird stretched her neck out and examined the jewelry, gently bit at it a couple times, then was satisfied. She handed Govan the message she carried, then placed her talon on the pouch, protectively. Govan looked a bit confused, but took the message, then placed the necklace and circlet back on the nightstand. The message was rolled up, and sealed with beeswax that was imprinted with a signet which was very strange, yet somehow very familiar to Govan. She broke the seal, unrolled the letter, and began reading the it, noticing that it was stained with teardrops....

"Our dear daughter, Govan,

We had hoped beyond hope that you had somehow survived and were still alive. Now that our hopes and prayers have been answered, we only wish time would allow us to express all that is in our hearts, but there is much to tell you, and possibly less time to tell it. Our people have scattered throughout many realms, yet not one that we know about has been able to return to that forest we once called "Home". In these outter lands, many of our people are not faring very well. Those who, like us, have found other forests to live in, seem to be doing only a little better. We were pleasantly surprised to hear that you were doing so well. However, it seems fate has decided that some of us will never see our home forest again. Many of us have fallen ill beyond our knowledge and skill of healing. Only the young ones seem to be immune. By the time you receive this, they will be the only ones left of our people. Therefore, we, Ainmire and Binne, Lord and Lady of the Aviona Forest realm, must pass on the position of Lady to you, our daughter. Along with the responsibility and duties of being Lady, come the symbols of the position: the Lord and Lady's crowns, the Lord's which your husband may wear if you get married, and if he wishes; the ring carrying the signet of the forest people, to be used only with beeswax or tree pitch, signifying the pure nature of our people; the bracelet of the Lady, to be worn at all times, even if you cannot wear the crown; and, finally, the scroll in which is written, in the ancient language of our ancestors, the history of our people. All these items and this message will be brought to you by the royal bird and our good friend, who will be at your service upon her arrival. Her name is Aisling, pronouned Ah-shling. She is a White Pheonix, an extremely rare type of pheonix whose firey feathers burn whiter than most pheonix'. However, her flames will burn down at a very slow rate, and, at the moment her flames die out, she will burst into a large ball of flame and be reborn, as a chick, from the ashes.

At this time, our dear Govan, we ask that you stay where you are. Live your life to its fullest. Settle down and carry on the lines of our people. Perhaps, one day, the time will come for you to lead the young people of our people home, but for now, enjoy where you are. You will know when more will be expected of you.

Now, with heavy hearts, yet with sound minds, we must leave you. Our dear daughter, you have been our only child. Please carry on our lives, our love, and all that you know about us. We still love you, no matter the distance between you and us. Live and be happy, precious Govan.

~ Your loving parents, and Lord and Lady of our people,
~ Ainmire and Binne"

Govan dropped back into the chair. Her jaw dropped, her heart ached. She hugged the letter to her chest, curled up on the chair, and quietly started crying. After a moment, she felt something land on her shoulder. She looked up with tears streaming down her cheeks. It was Aisling. She was being careful not to hurt Govan with her talons, but laid down on Govan's shoulder as a mother bird would sit upon her nest. Aisling then leaned her shoulder on Govan's knees, and cuddled up to her cheek. Govan was again surprised that the bird didn't burn, but was soft and warm, but Govan couldn't stop crying, even in her surprise. She cuddled Aisling. Somehow Govan knew that Aisling understood.

After quite a long time, Govan was finally able to stop crying. Aisling cuddled her one more time before flying up to the top of the bookshelf, grabbing the pouch she had brought, then flying down and giving the pouch to Govan. Govan wiped her eyes, then uncurled and sat up in the chair. Aisling laid back down on Govan's shoulder and watched her as she opened the pouch. Govan looked at each item, one by one, both remembering, yearning, and hoping, all at the same time. The crowns were quite like her circlet, yet more elaborate. Instead of three tiny vines of golden ivy, there were four, all interwoven in a more amazing, intricate fashion. Unlike the circlet, however, the crowns did not have a small, teardrop shaped piece of moonstone hanging from the front. Instead, in front the Lady's crown had a larger ivy leaf standing straight up, with a smaller one on each side of it, a row of small moonstone spheres lined the bottom of the three leaves, with six more forming a small triangle aligning with the center leaf. Small moonstone spheres also studded several, evenly-spaced places around the middle of the crown. The Lord's crown was even more elaborate than the Lady's. It had small, upright ivy leaves all around it, with their placement in between the moonstone spheres, so the leaves and stones alternated. The Lord's crown also had ten stones to make up the front, center triangle. Placing the crowns in her lap, and going onto the next piece, Govan pulled out the signet ring. It was the same symbol that was on the letter. Govan made a mental note to ask Charis if she had any beeswax, and if not, to go out and buy some. Govan laid the ring in her lap, inside the Lord's crown. The next item was the bracelet. It was the same style as the crowns, with four golden ivy strands interwoven, but on the top center was a clearer, larger version of the signet, again, made from gold. Govan finally recognized what it was: a pheonix who's wings were interwoven in a tree whose branches and roots all interwove. The chest of pheonix was made from another moonstone sphere that was about four times the size of the spheres on the crown, and in the pheonix' talons, it held yet another moonstone sphere which was only twice the size of the ones in the crown. Govan held the bracelet for a little while, her head bowed in a moment of silence for her parents, and wished them speed to the lands beyond, then adorned it, as per their instructions. She looked at it a moment longer before pulling out the last item in the pouch, the scroll. Opening it, the writing looked familiar, but she was unable to read it.

"Ancient markings," Govan said to herself with a sigh and a smile.

She then went to put all the items back, except the bracelet, but Aisling took the Lady's crown gently in her beak and placed it upon Govan's head. Govan straightened it, then laughed. Something in that act lightened her heart. Aisling even seemed to have a smile on her face... if a smile is possible on the face of a pheonix.

"Not yet, Aisling. I cannot wear this just yet. Though, in memory of Mother and Father, in the meantime, I will wear my circlet until I can wear the crown," she said, placing the crown back in the pouch, but taking the circlet off the nightstand and adorning it. "And, of course, it would not be complete without...." She adorned the necklace as well. "I must learn your language, Aisling. Then we should have a nice, long talk."

Govan smiled. Her parents and most of her people may have headed off to the land beyond, yet her mourning was over for the moment. The future still held hope. From that hope, she would pull strength, and fulfill her parents' last wishes as best she could. Govan got up, Aisling balanced better on her shoulder, both, Govan and Aisling, thankful for Govan's leather sleeves. Govan then took the pouch and its contents, and headed downstairs to find places of honor for each of the pieces.
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