8th day of the 7th month 580th year of the 8th era

As darkness descended, the nobles and commoners left and went to their own beds. Finally, the king rose and bid Akuchi and Aife a good night before heading back to the Mother Tree. He staggered for a bit before two women with red stripes held him and escorted him back to his chambers.

Vel appeared beside Akuchi, holding Akuchi’s sword in one hand, “I can take you home now.”

“Thank you.” Aife smiled. “I fear that my new husband has taken too much wine to remember the journey, let alone take us home himself.”

“It’s not that,” Akuchi slurred, “I can’t … do that … tree thingy.”

“It is true,” Vel agreed. “I brought him here; without the tree portals it could take months,”

“Oh,” said Aife, “will he be able to make the journey?”

“The first time was quite a shock to his system,” said Vel, “I think that he will be able to make the journey.”

“He is quite drunk now.” Aife turned to Akuchi. “Will he make it?”

“Drink never prevented anyone from using the trees before,” Vel answered.

“Okay, what trees do I need to take?”

“I will show you,” Vel stated.

Aife helped Akuchi up and then helped him to walk to the end of the clearing, following Vel. At the edge of town, Aife took off her veil and placed it at the foot of the tree. She took a deep breath and pulled Akuchi into the tree.

Darkness covered him and all senses were lost. Peace and calm washed over him, before a yank on his hip and he was propelled out of the tree.

Akuchi vomited all over the side of the tree; a pain seared through his head. Emptying his stomach calmed his nerves.

“I forgot about the effect of tree travel,” Akuchi moaned.

“Come on, husband.”

Doubled over, Akuchi let Aife lead him down along the forest floor, where leaf litter and moss on either side guided their footsteps.

“Should we rest to let him recover?” Aife asked.

“We should,” Vel said, “but we need to be back at his place before nightfall, or it will be a bad omen.”

“Thank you for worrying about the portents of my marriage,” Aife said, “but if he doesn’t survive the trip, what sort of portent is that?”

“Both are pretty bad,” said Vel.

Akuchi vomited again over the base of the tree.

“I feel much better.” Akuchi stood. “I swear.” He staggered and Vel rushed to catch him before he fell over the tree root and landed back first into his own vomit. Aife came along beside Akuchi and held up Akuchi.

“Which way is it?” she asked.

“This way.” Vel indicated with a wave of his sword. Together they walked Akuchi down the forest trail. The light from the sun was darkening and the light from the moss grew brighter.

“If we can make the last merge soon, we will be near the farm,” said Vel. “Then at least we can say he made it home if not to his bed.”

“I can agree to that,” said Aife.

They rounded the bend in the tree and started down the path that would lead them straight to the next merging tree. An owl hooted in a tree as they moved through the underbrush.

Aife looked towards the sound. “What was that?”

“Just an owl,” replied Vel.

“They are pretty,” said Akuchi, his head hung low between them both. “I like owls.”

“Nothing to be worried about,” assured Vel. “They only hunt small prey.”

“I know that,” blustered Aife. “I just have never heard one before.”

Vel looked at Aife over Akuchi. Her eyes were wide, and she kept turning her head to look at everything around her.

They arrived at the last merge tree, and Vel kept moving into it pulling Akuchi and Aife with him. His skin pricked, and all sensations were lost. Akuchi’s stomach churned and heaved. Then came the tug and they all stepped out of the tree. Akuchi fell to the ground and moaned.

“His farm is that way,” Vel pointed.

“Thank you for helping me,” replied Aife.

“This is his weapon.”

He handed Aife Akuchi’s weapon.

“Is he any good with it?” she asked gingerly taking the weapon from Vel. A faint voice murmured in the trees before falling silent.

“I don’t know but the light elf that guards his farm is obviously a master with her weapon,” Vel replied.

Aife placed the weapon on the ground and hefted Akuchi’s head into his lap.

Vel turned around and stepped back into the tree.

Aife and Akuchi were alone at last.

The cool sea air washed over Akuchi’s face and he roused.

“We are nearly at your home now,” Aife soothed.

Akuchi attempted to stand but staggered. Aife caught him, standing herself before he fell back to the ground.

“I want to see the farm before I sleep.”

“Okay, husband. Let’s go.” Aife said and shouldered Akuchi once more, helping him through the increasing underbrush as the forest thinned. They made their way slowly, for with each sudden movement Akuchi’s stomach heaved. Breaking through the underbrush and rounding a tree, they came upon the small humble farm that Akuchi had begun.

Three fields cordoned off with small wooden fences had crops in various stages of growth. One had small grain stalks, another the rambling vines of a legume, and another only had shot of what would later be tubers. At the far end of the fields stood a small hovel made from logs and dried mud. There were two buildings—one tall and narrow, the other short and squat—Akuchi’s home and his storage silo. In front was a small campfire where Aquillia sat, in front of the small wooden door. She was wearing a short skirt with her sword strapped to her back.

Aquillia stood, rushed forward, and confronted Aife with her double-bladed sword.

“Who are you, Dark One?” Aquillia asked.

“I am Aife princess to the dark elves,” she replied. “My husband is drunk and needs to be put to bed.”

“And I am the queen of the light elves.” Aquillia folded her arms.

“Nice to meet you, Your Majesty.”

Aquillia eyes widened. She turned her head and looked at Akuchi. She shouldered the sword on her strap and then took a hold of Akuchi opposite Aife.

“Let’s get him to bed,” Aquillia said.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Aife gritted her teeth and followed Aquillia’s instructions.

They moved into the small squat building through the wooden door and lay Akuchi down on the bed of rushes. He groaned and then started snoring. Aife set his sword against the log wall and then sat on the dirt floor beside him.

The room was sparse with no windows, only a small single bed of rushes, the roof thatched with straw. In one corner sat a small metal pot and a simple wooden spoon inside.

“My husband must lead a very simple life,” commented Aife.

“How did he become your husband?” Aquillia asked.

“We got married today. My father, the king, offered me to Akuchi to keep our secret.”

“What did Akuchi get in return?” Aquillia asked.

“Peace from our attacks,” answered Aife.

“He did go out for that purpose.”

“Why did the princess of the dark elves marry a poor farmer?”

“My father wanted me out of the way so my brother’s ascension to the throne would be clear.”

“You’re definitely out of the way here,” Aquillia said looking around the humble house.

“I hope it’s far enough away.”

They lapsed into silence watching Akuchi. Soon Aquillia got up and returned to the fort.