STORIES
255 - The Apple
Syrrah Zyfan
Wednesday ...
ZYFAN:
… It is not as if I do not enjoy having tea with you Syrrah,
but what is this about?
SYRRAH:
You are very perceptive. I received word from the One.
We have been summoned back to court.
ZYFAN:
But ... why? I did as they asked. Phae and I are betrothed.
What more do they want of me?
SYRRAH:
It is not official until the future One introduces his future bride to
the people. Then the festivities will begin.
ZYFAN:
Oh the festivities - they will go on forever! Is there
no way to be excused from this?
SYRRAH:
You and Phae are the ones being honored. She is the future
Heart of the One. This is all for you, whether you want it or not.
ZYFAN:
But, Phae is not yet of age and I'm still on sabbatical.
We will not be wed for decades.
SYRRAH:
That does not matter. Remember, yours is a royal wedding, the royal wedding of the millennia. You had best prepare.
The griffins will arrive Friday.
ZYFAN:
Friday! So soon? Since when do we Elves act so quickly?
SYRRAH:
Apparently any time it involves you. Brace yourself Zyfan, there is more.
Mother wants to meet Karanthir and his brothers. They will be joining us.
ZYFAN:
They … Mother wants – what! But why? Why now? Is it not
enough for herto meet Phae for the first time? Must she drag
Karanthir into this, and his brothers too?
SYRRAH:
Why are you surprised? Mother has been curious about Karanthir for
some time. You need not worry, father will be on your side, as am I.
ZYFAN:
But, she is so hard to please! I would prefer not to be subjected
to her criticisms of everything that has to do with me -
while being forced to endure the festivities.
SYRRAH:
It is true that mother can be opinionated at times. She certainly
tries to impose her will on others, whenever she can.
ZYFAN:
Yes, her behavior is very similar to another who is close to me.
SYRRAH:
Are you suggesting that I am like mother?
ZYFAN:
There is a human expression I heard that sums it up for me
- the apple does not fall far from the tree.
SYRRAH:
Are you saying that I am this apple?
ZYFAN:
Sometimes I think you can be the tree itself.
SYRRAH:
Do you want my help or not?
ZYFAN:
Of course I do. This is awful. I hate to put Karanthir through this,
and Phae too. How am ever I going to tell them?
SYRRAH:
You will not. I have sent Vanni to tell Karanthir and his brothers.
It is Shichi's duty to inform Phae. As for mother, you must
understand she no longer has power over you, unless you allow it.
ZYFAN:
How can you say this to me? You know how she is.
SYRRAH:
You are betrothed now. Phae is the only one who matters. She is Heart
of the One and as such she outranks mother. Mother must accept this.
ZYFAN:
I had not thought of that.
SYRRAH:
As for Karanthir, did you not tell me Phae has given her blessing?
ZYFAN:
She has.
SYRRAH:
So, Phae has spoken. Mother must accept Karanthir. So you see, now
you can return to Court and enjoy the festivities bestowed upon you.
ZYFAN:
Perhaps I can. Thank you Syrrah. I am almost
looking forward to returning home.
