Eclipse of the Sun

[QueenTeleperien]

Nothing of the elvish queen was left. The druid's Umbramancer finished what Vanion's poison started. The slow growing taint attached itself like a parasite, quickly growing to full possession of body and soul.

Black eyes took in the room, the clean lines of furniture, simple décor and many paned glass windows, she said to herself;

“Who decorated this? It is very dull.”

Feeling her forehead she frowned as she felt a circlet. She pulled it off and examined it. It was gracefully wrought silver, a small blue stone in its center. She tossed it on the table, touched the cross around her neck. Yanking it off she held it up to examine it and with a look of disdain, dropped it next to the circlet.

With a haughty air she opened the door and strutted out. The door closed with a cold blast of air. The guards exchanged glances as she walked past. Teleperien sauntered slowly toward the Great Hall, her fingers tracing the tables that stood in the hall. Supper had ended and the usual assortment of rangers, elven guard, staff and such milled about, watching the storm outside exclaiming how sudden it was. When they saw Tele approaching they stopped speaking and bowed. Borin stepped forward.

“Lady! We are glad to see you!” Studying her closer Borin’s face now showed concern. His baritone voice softened. “Lady, are you well?”

She spoke, but it was not her voice. Not the soothing contralto but a hard fierce voice that seemed to come from some dark, evil place.

“Of course I’m well you meddlesome dwarf. Who are you to question *me*?” She tossed her hair. Another roll of thunder was heard. The crowd stared in shocked silence. Amongst the assorted household stood the young princess Erwyn and Xenograg’s daughters Amanda and Mystic. Instead of eating in their room as they normally did, they were allowed to eat in the Great Hall. It had been great fun.. until now. The girls did not show themselves but watched from behind ranger’s cloaks. Erwyn felt the small hand of Mystic slip into hers.

“Don’t you have duties to attend? Stop standing about and get them!”

Turning on her heel she made her way to her apartments totally ignoring the bows and respectful greetings. Her hips swayed seductively, and when she arrived at her apartment gave the guard a once over glance and traced her finger around his jaw. The guard started and inched away. Tele laughed, a cold hard sound and went into her apartment.. and slammed the door.

[Erwyn]

After her mother left, Erwyn pushed though the throng that was silent at first then all started talking at once. Pulling Mystic behind her Amanda brought up the rear. They ran to their rooms. They burst into the common room and started talking at once to Christy.

“Mother.. you should see her!” Erwyn exclaimed with alarm.

“Dark eyes and her skin is all blue!” Amanda added, her dark eyes round as she spoke. Mystic could only nod as tears rolled down her small face.

“We must do something!” Erwyn exclaimed.

Christy answered. “Nae, thi’ is fer adults ta handle. Stay away from thi’. Ye do na’ know wha’ could happen.”

No one slept that night. The atmosphere of the castle had changed from a quiet, soothing place to one of fear and doubt.

The next day the girls tried to concentrate on their studies but could not. The sounds from the queen’s room were loud and distracting. Shouts could be heard. Most of the words were muffled but on occasion a loud, “GET OUT” or “NO” echoed through the hall sometimes followed by the smashing of china or some other object bouncing off the hallway walls.

It was that night Erwyn slipped out of the castle to find Xenograg.

[Artemus Kurgen]

The dawn of a new day found the druid waking after another night of fitful sleep. But the waking world had him hopeing for the world of dreams once more. Pushing the blankets off of his body, the first thing he noted was the fact that this was not his home.

Rising anxiously, he glanced around at the chamber and quickly realized he was in one of the guest rooms at Teleperiens' castle. "What am I doing here? Thought I went home last night..." Shoving away the spell of nausia that tried to engulf his wits, Artemus walked quietly towards the door and tried to open it. Not finding it locked he slowly pushed the door open and found four guards watching his door, two on either side of it, and two across from it. "I take it that I'm in some kind of trouble?" To that question he added -Again- in his head, but didnt' think it was something for these fellows to hear. However, neither of the guards spoke to him. Remaining silent as statues three of the guards remained as the other nodded to the others and walked off, more than likely in search of Queen Teleperien.

Mind racing to figure out what in the Nine Hells was going on, Artemus closed the door and took to pacing across the room. His mind formulating what he should say and how he should defer to the queen, for he knew that the woman who walked through the door would be Queen first, his assumed friend last.

Half-way through an entire discussion that -could- take place he heard shouts echoe through the halls. "GET OUT!" and "NO!". These hints at the circumstances gave him pause for more thought. "What in the hell happened last night? I'm under guard and Tele is pissed at almost everyone. But somehow I get the feeling I am partially to blame for all of this. Dear Goddess...can't I ever catch a break? Why must my path constantly be lined with brambles and and tribulation?

Shoving away that train of thought, Artemus steeled himself for the coming confrontation with the new, if not improved, Teleperien. Looking over his appearance in an attempt to look presentable only gave him more troublesome thoughts. "Why are my robes black?"

[QueenTeleperien]

A tenuous knock grabbed Tele’s attention. Her apartment was a disaster. Clothes strewn about, the bed upturned as well as a scattering of parchment, broken glass and assorted trinkets were strewn on the stone floor. Constance was doing her best trying to restrain Tele but was proving to be unsuccessful.

“Lady, your guest is awake.” The guard stated with respect, but he took a step back.

“High time too.” She snapped and marched out of her room. Guards hurried behind her, almost running. Stopping at Artemus’s guest room she opened the door without knocking. She looked long at him. At once she sensed the dark entity that both Artemus and Teleperien shared. A twisted smile formed across her fair but cold face.

“So you have come to finish what was started in Vanion's keep.” Her voice was hard, it was not Tele’s voice. “I thank you, this body is far better. Prettier. She has a strong will, she put up quite a fight.. but! I got her in the end. Good thing her husband didn’t stay, he threatened everything. Common pirate he was, he has no place in the courts of a queen.”

“You may go. I have no use for you.” The cold voice said with a wave of a slender hand.

~~~deep inside Tele watched this with horror. She felt as if she were being played like a marionette. And she could do nothing.~~~

[Artemus Kurgen]

At the dismissive he just started laughing, having sensed the taint in her long before she approached the door to his chambers. The sound filled the room and echoed out into the hallway like silk turned into a sound. A mocking undertone coarsing around them all.

"You know something, Tele? I highly doubt you understand just how humorous this whole situation is." Laughter ringing through the room, the guards behind the "Queen" were shoved back by an unseen force, the door slamming in their astonished faces.

As the blows of fists and feet began to strike at the door a black barrier snapped into places as Art released the shadow-weave. Nodding to himself, he merely folded his arms and cocked his head to the side.

"Now that the annoyances are taken care of, why don't you have a seat and make yourself at home?" A dark smiles twisted his features as he moved up to the queen. Pinning her to the door, he curled a hand through her locks and tugged sharply, jerking her almost 6' frame into a slouch so he could look her straight into the eyes. "Listen and listen well" he intoned in a feral growl, those bright emerald eyes bleeding into a demonic black. "I -Could- humor you, and let you think you have gotten the control you have on your own, but I have the distinct feeling that such a game would grow boring in short order." With each word the entire room seemed to grow darker and darker, all heat pouring out of the room like a torch in a river. "You have your body at this juncture only because I chose to move this game to the next level. Do. Not. Presume. To. Think. That. You. Have. Any. Control over the events that have brought this about." As the darkness encompassed them his form became less substantial until Teleperien was alone in the shadows. An invisible hand clenching her hair.

"I find you when you're sleeping,
and when the daylight fades.
I am that which cannot be destroyed,
for I am the King of Shades"

The sing-song words seemed to come from the voice of a child. And as abruptly as the darkness came it vanished, leaving the queen pressed back against the door, blinking at the sudden light. Artemus was nowhere to be seen, yet his laughter and words still echoed through the room.

( For any who might not know what a Shade is: "A supernatural being, such as a ghost: apparition, bogey, bogeyman, bogle, eidolon, phantasm, phantasma, phantom, revenant, shadow, specter, spirit, visitant, wraith."

[QueenTeleperien]

The sing-song words seemed to come from the voice of a child. And as abruptly as the darkness came it vanished, leaving the queen pressed back against the door, blinking at the sudden light. Artemus was nowhere to be seen, yet his laughter and words still echoed through the room. A bit more subdued ‘queen’ pulled away from the door and opened it again.

The guards relaxed to see that Teleperien was at least unhurt. She strode passed the guards without a glance and for some unknown reason decided she wanted to see the tower. Setting off, she studied the wall hangings, sconces with their torches, the occasional table with flowers and some portraits of former rulers.

“This place needs redecorating.” She said to herself as she went.

She opened the door of the library and stared around. “Ahhh.. nice.” Spotting the door to the tower, she opened a small bag that hung from her slender waist, and drew out a small ring of keys. One by one she tried the keys until she found one that would turn. Opening the door without a sound Tele stopped. She sensed another power close by, up in the tower. Just as silently she closed the door and crept up the stairs. Voices could be heard, the words floated down the turret, and somewhere a memory pricked but was gone just as fast.

Flattening herself against the wall she went up step by step. At the second stair from the top she stopped and peered carefully into the room. Within stood two men; one with long white hair, beard and flowing white robes, the second had a dark olive complexion, dark hair with flecks of grey with a royal blue cloak hung from his shoulders. They looked familiar.

The bearded one turned to the door. “I believe we are being spied on. Come here Teleperien.”

Propelled by an unseen hand she staggered in and just as unexpectedly she was not able to move. She tried to struggle against it but it proved to be unsuccessful. The dark haired one stared at her, shock in his face while the wizard seemed as though he was not surprised.

“Let me go.” Came the voice. The old man answered;

“I do not believe I will. Come along. Xenograg, would you please help Teleperien?”

Xeno easily lifted Tele and slung her over his shoulder. In spite of her height, she was lithe and weighed little. If she could she would be kicking and flailing, so she settled for shouting out, “LET ME GO! HOW DARE YOU?” Followed by a string of obscenities and more shouting.

The wizard was quite unperturbed. He walked along as if she wasn’t there, conversing with the one that carried the ‘queen’.

“I should have seen this Xenograg. I thought she was merely wounded. It was my haste to be elsewhere clouded my judgment.” Old man said. He looked at Xenograg then added with a smile in his voice. “Oh yes, even I am capable of mistakes.”

When they arrived at Tele’s apartments they stopped and took in what they saw. Constance and the guard was putting the bed right, a pile of broken items were in a small heap near the fireplace. Clothes, books and parchment were flung all over the place. Xenograg dumped Tele on the rumpled bed. More shouts, protests and obscenities. She watched as Constance and the guard was ushered out of the room. She was alone with Xenograg and the wizard Alatar.

“You will die for this.” The voice growled.

“We shall see.” Old man replied.

[Cont]

[Artemus Kurgen]

Eyes watched from a shadowed corner as the "queen" was dumped unceremoniously onto the bed. However the owner of those eyes did not remain in the room for long with the Istari there. Flitting from shadow to shadow the umbramancer reappeared inside Teleperien's study. Shoving the wailing voice of the Kurgen whelp from the forefront of his mind, it suppressed the darkness in it's spirit. Any enchantments would be easily noticed, but shoving that darkness down to a minute level it could be disguised as maybe pride or greed or any other number of dark human traits that suit a young mortal.

The next order of business had to be the robes, with Xenograg present, the black robes would announce something as being amiss. Concentrating on his garments, the black cloth slowly bled away into respectable green robes with the gold trim at the hem and sleeves that would suit a High Druid without looking too humble or too pompous. It is a fine line one rides when assuming a high position.

Face still slightly pale, the Druid walked through the halls confidently with his head held high. Any guards that tried to impede his way were given the same answer: "If you wish for your Queen to be returned to the woman she used to be, you will step aside."

After having to say that twice, he was given an escort to where the Istari and the General had taken Teleperien. Of course it had already known where they were, but pretense was such a useful tool.

Stopping just outside the door to Queen Teleperien's chambers, he lifted a slender hand and knocked three times. "Always need to be polite."

[Alatar the White]

Three knocks sounded on the wood door. Alatar looked at the door, sensing at once what was on the other side. The wizard turned back and with a thread of irritation said, “Stay with her.”

Alatar glanced at the ‘queen’ once more then walked to the door and opened it. There stood Artemus, or at least appeared as the druid. Alatar looked into Artemus's eyes and saw the spirit of the Umbramancer without effort even though it had shoved itself into the deeper recesses of Artemus’s soul. A bright light beamed into the dark pit that held Artemus hostage, exposing it to Alatar. He was not fooled.

“Yes?” His voice was quiet but authority was in its tone. The simple question had a force that demanded an answer and would not be denied.

From inside the room the voice from the ‘queen’ shouted. “HELP ME! THEY HOLD ME PRISONER!”

By this time Xenograg had taken a few steps from the bed and peered out at Artemus. He frowned slightly then joined Alatar at the door.

“Artemus.” Xenograg greets him with a nod, he continued getting to the point of the matter, time was precious. “What are you here for?”

“I AM THE QUEEN, YOU BOTH WILL BE HUNG FOR THIS”

Alatar spoke to Xenograg, “Go and stay with Teleperien. I will deal with this.”

Xenograg left the door after one long look at Artemus, distrust clearly showed in his face. Alatar stepped into the hallway, closing the door. More muffled shouts could be heard.

“Why have come?” The wizard asked.

[Artemus Kurgen]

"I am aware that time is precious with what you intend, however I wish to aid you in any way that I can. For I feel that in some way I am responsible for this ....escalation...in Her Majesty's 'condition'. "

He watched Xenograg calmly during that long look before returning his focus back to Alatar. Both beings knew where they stood with one another at first sight. One hand thumbing the rosary beads at his waist, the Umbran was so focused on the Istar that he could not sense Artemus climbing to the surface with a vengeance.

[Alatar the White]

"I am aware that time is precious with what you intend, however I wish to aid you in any way that I can. For I feel that in some way I am responsible for this ....escalation...in Her Majesty's 'condition'.” Artemus said. Alatar listened without comment, and was silent a moment before he answered. Though invisible to the mortal eye, a shadow swirled within the druid, trying to pull itself away from the sight Alatar.

“You can help no longer. It will take more strength than what you have to will deliver Teleperien. Leave this castle, and see to your own soul. Do not return until you are invited again.” He replied calmly.

With that Alatar gave one last piercing gaze, the wizard opened the door again then went back into the queen’s chambers, closing the door silently. He was concerned, deeply concerned. What gripped the queen was different than what held Artemus. It was slowly turning the Noldar into a dark elf. The exposure to the evil within the druid was furthering this transformation.

Pulling up a chair, Alatar sat, leaning forward, he studied Teleperien’s skin and eyes. She struggled again but Alatar just let her wear herself out again. When she was exhausted, he laid his hand on her forehead. At once deep inside Teleperien, the taint was aware of the power of the Istar. Tele tried to move her head away from his hand but the wizard did not release her. Her face twisted with rage, a voice that sounded from the depths of the netherworld.

“She is mine.. wizard. You cannot have her.”

“We shall see.” Alatar replied, his voice calm, his demeanor unperturbed. He removed his hand, then reached into his satchel and pulled out a clear orb. Holding the orb with his left hand, he laid his hand on the chest of the queen. He fell into a trance, slipping easily into the mind and soul of the elven queen. At once her eyes rolled and her body shuttered. The wizard did not remove his hand.

Her life since the disappearance of Philippe rolled through his mind. The loneliness, despair and pain that she held day after day, unspoken anguish ate at her like a canker. The weight of the realm lay on her shoulders, her help and work for many, but her own needs were left unknown to others. Eonwë, the Silmarils, healing Xenograg time and again, the battle with the wraiths, as well as many other struggles and fights she was involved with.

Alatar now pushed into the memory of her imprisonment. It was there the root of the taint laid. He visibly shuddered as he felt the evil that swirled and still grew within her. He saw the hooks that suspended her from the ceiling, the mental torture that twisted her mind.. and the taint that took hold and it’s roots wove around her heart.

Slowly he pulled tendril after tendril Teleperien groaned deeply. In his left hand, the orb was slowly filling with dark swirling mist. As he delved deeper, the orb grew darker..

The final battle now was set. Alatar now was deep trance, he walked in the swirling grey mists.. and faced the second entity. It twisted and pulsed, evil eyes stare at the blinding white of the Istar.

“Be gone! You have no place here!” Alatar commanded.

Tele on the bed answered as the evil twisted away from the light. “No! She is mine!”

The orb in the left hand was now fully dark, Alatar, deep within raised his right hand, a light far beyond the range of color flashed. The evil screamed. Tele screamed with it. Her back arched, her head still on the pillow. Xenograg dove to hold her down.

The black swirled like a cyclone, hundreds of voices floated in the mist, the sound rose into a fevered pitch. Without warning the shadow imploded. The wizard raised his hand and drew the dark toward him. Outwardly a spiral of black mist swirled up from the right hand to the orb on the left..

It was over.

Alatar lingered in her to make certain all had been removed. When he was satisfied.. he slipped back into the room. He shook himself and opened his eyes. He was worn. The spell required much of him.

“Water please.” Alatar’s voice was tired. Xenograg found one unbroken glass and the water pitcher. Pouring the water, Xenograg asked Alatar,

“What held her?”

Alatar leaned over Tele and examined her closely. He was pleased to see the unhealthy hue was fading quickly. Her face had relaxed into a peaceful repose. “A poison.” Xenograg started at this pronouncement.

“Poison?” Xenograg asked astonished. “How, and why did we not see it until now?”

“This was a poison of the mind and soul, not one of the body. Of course you saw how she changed outwardly. It was that poison that caused this. I have removed it.”

Alatar leaned over and gently said. “Awake Teleperien.”

She lay still on the rumpled bed and did not respond. Alatar’s eyebrows knit together. Again he laid his hand on her, but this time on her forehead. It was cold. He searched her untainted memory.

Then he understood.

The infidelity that was committed when the taint had gripped her, brought guilt and remorse that threatened to swallow her whole. Deep anguish resulting from hurting the one she loved, was unbearable.

But no amount of magic could remove that.

Alatar tried again. He delved further to coax out the grieving queen to the living world but could not. He slipped back and sighed as he released Tele and sat back in his chair.

“I cannot reach her.” He said softly. A voice behind the wizard and Xenograg spoke up. A young voice, quavering and filled with fear.

“What do we do now?”

Alatar turned and looked to see Erwyn standing in the corner. It was obvious she had crept in and watched the wizard work with her mother. Xenograg went to the girl and gathered her into a hug. “We’ll find a way.” The General replied in a kindly manner.

[QueenTeleperien]

Finding herself being hoisted like sack of potatoes and slung over the shoulder of the sorcerer, the ‘queen’ shouted and yelled. However deep within, Teleperien was terrified, she had never felt so cold. She watched everything through the eyes of her nemesis. She was dumped on the bed and bounced once.

Alatar left to answer a knock at the door.

After yelling at the top of her lungs and when nothing came of it Tele fell silent again. The door closed. Pulling a chair with him, Alatar sat next to Tele. She hated him. His close scrutiny made her even angrier. Alatar laid a warm hand her forehead. She felt the power of the wizard and squirmed to get away from him. This body has been fought for; the entity was not going to give up so easily. Tele could only listen as the strange voice came from her.

“She is mine.. wizard. You cannot have her.” The voice raged.

“We shall see. Alatar replied with calm detachment. He removed his hand and as the wizard fished about in his satchel. Tele watched with disdain as he pulled a clear orb from it. The rest was a blur to Tele.

Pain. So much pain. White light flooded her, the evil was trying to get away from its power. The rest was a blur. The conflict within her churned and bubbled much like a geyser. While the wizard pulled the roots of the taint, she heard herself groan. What evil that had been claimed her was loosing ground; it was not going quietly. She felt the power writhe inside when Alatar revieled himself. The wizard called out, “Be gone! You have no place here.”

She heard her unnatural voice reply. “No! She is mine!”

One last stab of light flooded Tele’s mind and soul. The entity screamed, Tele screamed with it.

Finally it was gone.

For the first time in almost a year she didn’t feel the constant conflict. The problem that lay now is that Teleperien had full recall of the events of late. The insults to her trusted friends, her destructive moods and not least, her infidelity and how Philippe reacted.

She knew then she was alone once more, and she could not bear it. Somewhere, far away she heard “Teleperien awake.”

No.. Tele retreated into the deepest part of her mind and soul. No one or no thing could hurt her there.

[Erwyn]

Again and again they tried to reach the queen. Alatar, Xenograg and even Erwyn tried. Exhausted Erwyn was slumped in a chair. Alatar had not spoken for sometime. Erwyn wondered what he was contemplating. Finally he broke his silence.

“Where is Philippe?” The wizard asked.

“I heard he was at the inn, The Bloody Drake.” Erwyn said. Her face was fearful. The wizard nodded.

“We must summon him. Mayhaps he can reach her.”

Gwindor was called for. He was given instruction by the wizard to locate Philippe and appeal to him to return to the castle. Erwyn followed Gwindor out the door after kissing her mother on the forehead. She snatched up her cloak and trotted as she tried to keep up with the long legged elf.

Horses were saddled and several other elven guards, their hauberks emblazoned with the gold tree with a single star atop the tree. Long keen swords, bows and quiver of arrows, and Erwyn carried a small knife that was strapped to her waist.

“Princess, you should not come with us.” Gwindor sternly said. The princess glared at Gwindor. The stable hand gave her a hand up as she mounts her horse.

“I am coming.”

That was that. They rode through the gate and down to the Bloody Drake Inn.