Awakening

Suddenly Dorcha blushed and looked down just to make sure that she was clothed. To her chagrin and relief, she discovered that she was wearing robes identical to his.

At her thought, the Sidhe smiled and pulled her close. With gentle lips he placed a kiss on her brow and lips just as the woman had when her test had ended.

"Who are you?" Dorcha asked when the elf pulled away. His kisses left her feeling loved. There was nothing sexual in her feelings for this man. He simply made her feel safe, cherished, and respected.

"I am Elbaeldar, sweet Dorcha … I am ... no, we are ... your teachers, your guardians, your guides, your friends. We are kindred souls, part of you, yet separate; we are children of the High Lords and Ladies, sent here to watch over you, and walk at your side in friendship and peace."

"But why honor me so?" Dorcha asked, a little mystified as to why she was worthy of such a privilege.

"Tis no honor bestowed, dear one!" the beautiful man said sweetly. "You have a gift of empathy that allows us to speak with you, allows our energies to merge, our minds to communicate. You also have a desire for peace, not only between the peoples of your lands. Dorcha, you also accept and understand that there is more to this universe than just the world which you see. You are awakening, dear one ... Your years of training in battle, peace-keeping, and seeking give you the discipline required to ascend. The test was to see if you could use your gift to find us ... You succeeded. Now instead of watching you through the veil that separates the humans and the elves, we can walk at your side, and make sure that no harm comes to you as you further your knowledge of your gift, and unite two races that should never have been seperate …"

With his words, other forms appeared until the Sidhe numbered four. The smiling Sidhe woman was there, along with another two elven males, the beautiful man, and herself.

"So what do I do now?" Dorcha asked, suddenly a little uncertain.

"For now, you learn!" The three spoke as one again in her mind, "You must use your gift to help our peoples heal. You have that ability, that gift. Your empathy allows you to see truth and lie, it will help you to find wounds that fester, old resentments, and hate ... and it will help you to find a way to make the wounded see, and grow to a newer understanding."

At once, Dorcha knew that their time together was at an end. The storm outside had abated, and a new dawn was painting the eastern horizon.

"When will I see you again?" The Seeker asked softly.

"We will be with you always, Dorcha There will be times when we shall gather here in this temple, and times when you will simply feel our kiss upon your brow. Never doubt that we are with you …

Slowly, the three faded.

"We are with you always!"

For a final time, all faded to darkness.

*

Dorcha woke with a start, momentarily confused as to her whereabouts until she felt a hard male arm curl around her abdomen. Paidrach mumbled softly in his sleep as he pulled her body back against his own.

Dorcha smiled sleepily. The dawn's glow was starting to chase the night's darkness from the room. Yet wrapped in the memory of her awakening, and the warmth of her lover's arm, the Seeker remained. A new cycle had begun, and the first steps in reuniting elf and man had been taken.