Valentines and Echoes - - Co winner

Princess Ithia sat, holding the painting of a young man in a blue tunic. Tears dropped onto the painting. “My love. It seems like just yesterday that I held you in my arms.”

She walked to a stain glass window and opened it. The morning sunlight poured in its honey hue as a light gale ruffled her blond hair.

“I imagine you must feel considerable heart ache,” said a voice form behind her.

“Indeed, father. Valentine’s Day is the anniversary of my beloved’s death at the hands of our archrivals, the people of Nathalia for allowing Prince Nestor to court me.” Ithia wiped the tears from her eyes. “I would give anything to see him again.”

“The Lord will preserve his life in heaven for you to be reunited.”

“That will come in many years from now. And when that happens, things will be different.” Ithia turned to face her father, King Luz. “How could the king of Nathalia kill his own son!”

“The people are pagans who do not hold to the morals of God. Perhaps in time things will change. We must pray for them.”

“Curses upon them! May they all descend into the Pit!”

Luz put a hand on her shoulder. “We are to love our enemies. You know this.”

“Father, if only I could see him again.”

“I know my daughter.”

Luz turned and left.

Ithia left her room and reached the antechamber. She passed by the numerous nobility and royalty and she headed for the gate.

She exited the castle, to the courtyard and to the royal gardens. The heady fragrance of roses, tulips, lilies and other flowers filled her nostrils. She sat on a white bench and sighed.

A man in a blue cloak sat next to her. “Princess, Ithia, my deepest condolences for the day of your loss.”

“Who are you?”

“My name is Elymus. What if you could speak to Prince Nestor.”

“How dare you speak such offensive nonsense to me!”

“I speak the truth. Come with me and I will prove it.”

Ithia’s eyes widened. “If you lie, there will be consequences.”

“Very well. Follow me.”

Ithia went after Elymus.

The man led her back to the courtyard and down some steps onto the city concourse, passing by houses. They walked to a small cathedral-like structure and Elymus got out a key and entered.

“This is my sanctum.”

“You said you could show me Prince Nestor.”

“Indeed, I will.” Elymus walked to a small pool of water on a stone pedestal. “Come here.”

Ithia walked to the pool.

Elymus hovered his hand over the pool and muttered some words under his breath.

The image of Nestor’s face appeared in the pool of water and Ithia gasped. “My love?”

“Is that you, Ithia?” said image of Nestor.

Ithia wept. “Elymus, can you bring forth his whole being back to me?”

“There is a way. But you must come with me. There is a talisman that can fully restore him. But only the member of the bloodline of the royal family can access it power. Will you come with me?”

“Why are you helping me?”

“I want the talisman for another purpose. Aid me and he will be returned.”

“So be it, then. Where are we going?”

“To an old and ancient cavern called the Cave of Illusion. It is in the forest not too deep. Let us make haste.”

“Lead the way.”

“I have two horses tide up behind my keep.”

Elymus grinned and led the princess to her mount and down the city street and soon they came to the end of the city and into the wilderness. Deep green grass covered rolling hills dotted with trees and shrubs stretched on until the forest border came into view.

They rode on and soon they entered the forest.

As Elymus said, the cave was not far and at last they reached it.

“We must go on foot from her,” said Elymus.

They dismounted and entered. The cavern was twelve feet high and had sparkling minerals that reflected their image.

They came to a stone altar, and Ithia gasped. Suspended in midair was an emerald heart that glowed.

“You must take the heart from above the altar and with it I will resurrect Nestor.”

Ithia climbed up the altar and grasped the magical jewel and pulled with all her might. “I can’t loosen it!”

“Keep trying!”

In a flash of light, the stone was torn from its place over the altar and Ithia fell on her back, clutching the jewel to her chest.

Elymus helped her up and took the stone from her.

Elymus shut his eyes for three minutes, silently. “Come forth, Nestor, son of Nehor!”

The emerald heart dispersed a sphere of light, and it floated in front of Ithia. The light sphere took the figure of a transparent man.

“Nestor!”

Ithia was about to embrace the manifestation but Nestor, cried out. “Ithia, no!”

She halted. “What is wrong, my love?”

“If we are reunited, Elymus will use the heart to work great evil.”

“What does it matter? We will be together.”

“Do it now, while there is still time, Ithia!” said Elymus.

“I love you, Ithia. But am telling you, please let me go,” Nestor said with tears.

“You’re breaking my heart.”

“Elymus will wreak havoc on the kingdom and the whole realm if I am brought back to life.”

“You are all that matters to me!”

“No, it is for the good of everyone. I beg you, let me rest. Take the heart as shatter it.”

Ithia wallowed in pain and confusion as she sobbed.

“Your love is what matters!” said Elymus. “Go to him!”

“I love you, Nestor. But I must let you go.” Ithia jerked the heart from Elymus and cast to the cavern floor and an explosion of light sent Ithia and Elymus flying backwards.

Ithia looked at the fading image of Nestor and heard his echoing voice. “I will always love you, Ithia…”