The Hundreth Tear: Part II

There were simply not enough hours in the day.

Merlin Ambrosius tossed his quill pen down on his desk and stood. He'd been working all morning on changes in the plans for the Great Hall and it was time to take a step back. He moved across to the windows and looked out. Below him, the gardens were beginning to take shape, paths being laid out through the trees and shrubs. To the west, the waters of Camelot Harbor shimmered like gold in the noon sun. And everywhere Merlin looked from his tower, people were busily working. He smiled.

Arthur's dream was becoming a reality

The mage looked out at Camelot even after he sensed the other standing behind him in the doorway. "Well, don't stand there dawdling! Come in!"

"May I sit by your fire?"

The voice was melodious, and Merlin turned at once to look at the elf in his doorway. The Sidhe was tall, taller than any of the Fair Folk he'd ever seen, with bright blue eyes and very fair hair. The words had the feeling of ritual to them, but they were not any greeting Merlin was familiar with, so he nodded and made an open handed gesture of welcome. "Of course. Please, be at rest. It is long since one of your blood has been seen near Camelot, let alone right within it's walls. What brings you here?"

"You have, actually." The elf smiled as he stepped fully into the room and looked about with curious eyes. "You have many interests. and an active mind, I see. But that is to be expected, isn't it, for one of our blood?"

Merlin's looked sharply at his visitor. "So. Yes, I am half-elven, but I find the story that my father was a demon more useful. Tell me, what race of elf are you? I've never seen your like before."

"I am Sithryn, and I am called Evaynanvathallion of the House of the Silver Rose of the Clan of the Green Silences, and I have come from across the worlds in search for something of great value."

"I search for the Hundredth Tear."

**********

The afternoon was half over when the elven stranger finished the Tale of the Dragon's Tears. Merlin sat back in his chair, hands folded on his stomach as he spoke. "So, you are looking for the Tear that vanished. Why?"

"My ancestor was fighting with the man whose shield held the Hundredth Tear when it vanished. He felt responsible for its loss, and swore he'd recover it. He searched but he failed, and ever since, those of our clan have carried on the search. We think…we think the Tear was the last one the dragon shed, and might in fact hold part of its essence, if not the whole of it."

That last statement caused Merlin to lean forwards in his chair once more. "Its essence? Do you mean its soul?"

"I don't know." Evaynan's expression was rueful. "This was what my ancestor believed. And then there is its mate, who appeared over the battlefield and destroyed the other Tears. The black dragon stayed there long after the battle as if hunting for something, inconsolable in his grief. It was because of that my ancestor vowed to find the Tear."

Merlin nodded, then reached for the wine a wide-eyed page had brought them earlier. The mage poured a cup for each of them, then handed one to the elf. "I've not much experience with dragons. I've spoken with one who lives near here a few times, but Asgorath keeps mostly to himself these days." He took a sip of wine. "So, you believe this Tear fled the battle? How is that possible?"

"Of all Her children, the dragons were the first to travel the planes. We think that is what happened, that the Tear fled our plane to another, taking the bearer of the shield with it. Or perhaps it was the man himself who somehow used it to leave. We do not know. We won't know until we find the Tear."

"I've studied the theory of portals. There is a cave a day or so from here that contains one, but it only opens every three years or so. Could this Tear of yours open it?"

"Again, I do not know. Perhaps. But that is not my purpose. When we find the Tear, it will be returned to the black dragon to do as he sees fit." A troubled look crossed Evaynan's face. "He blames us for not finding it sooner. I'm afraid he is more enemy than friend to my House." He set his wine cup down. "We've been rather preoccupied with our own survival."

"Yes. You say you can move a whole castle with song? I used music to help raise some of the walls of Camelot, but move a castle? Did you move it here?" Merlin felt like a child peppering an adult with questions, but there was so much the elf's words hinted at that Merlin hungered to know. "Is it near Camelot? We could use an ally against the Saxons."

Evaynan stood and walked over to look out the window. "We are not on this plane, but I admit it is one which my people might find shelter in. But if the Green Silences were here at this time, we would not take part in the affairs of men."

"Why not? Arthur and his knights serve the Light! With the help of your people, we could drive back the Darkness from Britain's shores."

"The Sithryn believe in the Balance, and certainly, it would seem that your king's struggle will maintain it. But my people are diminished, and weary of war. We would not fight unless we had no choice. I am sorry."

Merlin nodded, then pushed back his chair to stand and join the other at the window. "Then, could you at least teach me what your folk know of portals and traveling the planes?"

"I will and gladly. But Merlin, I must warn you, such journeys are not to be taken lightly. The further away you travel from this plane, the more time is affected. You can return here to find many years have passed."

"Ah. So that explains the tales of those taken into `Underhill ' as youths who return old. I will be most careful, I assure you. And I, in turn, will help in your quest for the Hundredth Tear. Agreed?"

Evaynan nodded slowly. "Alright. I will return in a few days, for I must return for now to the Green Silences. But aye, I will teach you, Merlin Ambrosius, what you need to know." He bowed, and grinned, and then summoned the Road as the half-elf watched in eager-eyed curiosity.

**********

Miles away, on an old Roman estate turned holding near Glynebwy, a blue light flashed briefly under the tiles of the old inner courtyard, but it was still daylight, and the whole household was busy, and there was none to take notice before the light faded away.