Aethelrien sat staring at the water as it cascaded over the rocks and crashed into a silver foaming spray at the base of the falls. The book she was previously reading laying forgotten on her lap. Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears as her mind replayed the fateful day she said her final words to her brother, Athelor.
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“Stand still, already!” Aethelrien admonished her brother, as she helped him put on his armor. When he shifted from one foot to the other, she hissed at him, no longer attempting to hide her frustration.
“I’m sorry, Aethel…I am just ready to go. All this waiting is driving me mad!” Athelor bounced on his feet and received a glare from his sister in return.
Attempting to control her temper Aethelrien spoke softly, “Ath, the High King will not leave without you.” She placed both hands on his shoulders and looked at him directly in the eyes, “You have been given an honor to command a column of his finest warriors. I know you won’t let him down.” She smiled at her brother. Athelor puffed out his chest in pride, and to Aethelrien’s relief finally stood still. When the last piece of his armor was secured, she tapped his breastplate, “There, all done.” Simultaneously, they both turned and faced the looking glass together. Athelor smiled at his sister’s reflection as she stood directly behind him, one hand resting on his sword hilt. Aethelrien watched her brother admire his reflection, he turned from side to side approving his new armor, a wide smile filling her face.
After several minutes Athelor turned to face her, “Aethel? Aren’t you going to get ready?” He looked her up and down, one eyebrow raised in mock appraisal.
Aethelrien laughed, “What? I can’t go like this?” She twirled; her gown swirled around her feet.
Athelor’s baritone laugh filled the room, “Not in those slippers. You’ll need something more elegant to face the enemy.” His eyes twinkled in merriment as she lifted one foot in the air considering her footwear.
Aethelrien stuck out her bottom lip in a mocking pout, then she smiled. “Today is not about me, dear brother. Today, you officially take your command and head off to meet our foe.” She beamed with pride at him, and tapped his breastplate, “You better not make me look bad.”
Athelor stuck out his tongue and wrapped his twin sister into a tight hug. She hugged him back, took his face in her hands and studied his face for a moment, in an effort to remember the details that made him different from her. She noticed the small scar above his left eyebrow from the time she smacked him with a tree branch when they were very young. She noticed the tiny flecks of gold in the green of his eyes. He pushed her back, escaping her grasp, “You’re not going to cry now, are you?” He offered her a brotherly smile.
She swatted toward his face, barely missing, “Of course not! I will be on the battlefield before you know it. When I get there with my archers, you better watch out!” She tweaked the end of his nose.
Athelor’s face suddenly turned serious, all teasing, and jesting washed away, “You dear, Aethelrien, keep yourself safe. Promise me. Oh, and please, hold onto this for me.” He removed his sapphire ring from his un-gloved hand and put into her palm. “I’ll want it back when this is over,” he squeezed her hand. “Don’t think you get to keep it forever.”
Aethelrien shook her head, eyes filling with tears, “No, Athelor, no, father made this for you. It’s yours to wear, and I have mine. You should keep it.” She tried to hand his ring back.
He shook his head in response and attempted a smile, “I will get it back, when we meet again.” He deep voice grew hoarse, as he tried to swallow his emotions. He took her hand and closed her fingers around his ring.
A messenger appeared in the doorway, Athelor turned to acknowledge him. He placed a kiss on the top of Aethelrien’s head, nudged her chin with a fist, winked with a smile, and turned to leave. He walked away, his steps proud and sure, without looking back.
Later that day, Aethelrien watched her twin brother from the balcony as he marched his column away, his ring cutting into her hand as she clasped it tightly. When she could no longer see him, Aethelrien turned into the room, slid his ring onto a silver chain, placed it around her neck, tucked it beneath her tunic, and prepared for her journey to face the evil at the Black Gate.
