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Dark Angel
Summary~
Disclaimer~ This fan fiction herein in no way is meant to infringe in anyway on the copyrights of the MEGA DEITIES of Paramount or Viacom. It's just for fun guys:)
DARK ANGEL
Prologue
Eire Teinne
The sun had finally begun to set; it hung red and low on the horizon. Darkness riding behind it like riders chasing a prey that would not be caught and finally night had arrived. Her cooling breath touching and caressing the lone figure that stood silently waiting for her arrival. The woman had preformed this ritual almost every night of her adult life, it was a simple enough ritual, thanking the Lady for the day which had past, repeating through silent lips the goals she wished to accomplish and the ones that had already come to her. Slowly she raised her head to the night sky and focused her mind. When the white light had surrounded her and she felt the peace within her she lit a single white candle and sat it on the stone altar that stood in front of her. She would not perform an elaborate ritual as the moon was not quite in her full phase yet, but after the good news she received earlier in the day she had to give thanks for her good fortune.
In front of her stood the Lady, a full sized statue that she had cast herself. In one hand the Lady held a book which contained the inspiration she gave to all her children who wished to call upon her, the poet, the writer, the crafters and the artist were favored by her. In the other hand held aloft in the dark night sky a crystal crescent moon lying on it's back. A symbol that was feminine and represented all; if not most of the Goddess' on the Pagan path. The woman took a handful of blackberry leaves; cloves and cinnamon from a small jar on the altar and cast them onto the brazier that was glowing softly. The rich, sweet smell lifted silently dancing into the air. She bowed in front of the altar; taking a piece of moonstone from the pouch around her neck she placed it on a large pentacle in the center of the altar. She lifted her arms and closed her eyes and began her incant of thanks.
"Oh holy Goddess Brighid,
She took a small vial of oil from her pouch and took a drop on her finger then traced the five-pointed star upon her forehead. The Pagan symbol of fire, water, air, earth and spirit, the five sacred things that no one can live without. She approached the statue and anointed her white face the same as the giver of the five sacred things. Returning to her altar she picked up the moonstone from the pentacle and held it up to the Lady.
"I give thanks for what you have given,
She kissed the stone and knelt down and dug a small hole at the foot of the statue, she placed the stone in and covered it. She stood up and looked at the star filled sky and took a deep breath. She had applied to the Academy before and both times she had been turned down, not because of lack of talent...she figured it just wasn't her time.
She had been living in the Bay area of San Francisco for ten years. She had come from a big family, but now she was alone in this great big world and sometimes she felt so scared. But over the time she realized when she scared she had created some of her best works. The Lady for instance, was created a time of great grief, when her Mother had died, she had worked for many months on her hardly eating or sleeping until she was satisfied that she had done her best. She had been alone even on her Pagan path she was solitary. Her creative gift was used to make her living and she had done very well with her work. It had brought her some acclaim, but she was not interested in that acclaim, the only thing that mattered to her is that she could create beauty and it pleased others.
She still couldn't believe that she had been accepted by the Academy but it was true. She had received the formal reply that very afternoon, she had held the envelope in her hands for a long time before opening it, trying to draw out any information she could from it, she had always been sensitive in that way...but nothing. She finally opened the plain white envelope breaking the golden Vulcan runes in the back and read it silently. Her hand went to her mouth as she gasped in delighted surprise...she had been accepted...she was going to the Academy.
Eire shivered slightly in the cool night air and turned and walked away from her altar.
"A new lesson in life will begin tomorrow. I only hope I have the strength to learn it." She said to herself closing the door to her home, there she felt safe. The candle on the altar continued to burn and the night danced on.
~~Chapter 1~~
He had been there since the first graying light had broken the darkness. When he was not performing his job this is where he could be found. This day would be like any other, meetings, meetings and more meetings. If her were Human he would have given the tedious schedule more thought, perhaps it might even have depressed him. But he was not Human and to waste time thinking about such irrelevant things was illogical. He closed his eyes then opened them again and looked at the rain hitting the window and only then could one see the darkness that was this man, not evil or brooding...just darkness. From his Ambassadorial robes to the blackness of his hair, which was starting to show a bit of gray, to his eyes... yes, his eyes, they were what really held the darkness. He was entering late mid maturity, but his age did not show on his face or form.
He was actually relieved that he had been on Earth for the last ten months as Humans were not so attuned at picking up his emotional state and his young aides that worked under him could be eluded with his many years of control. A few times in the past he was on the verge of losing that control, of becoming emotional but he had drawn on his passion's mastery to hold him intact.
A year ago when his Human wife, Amanda, had died, he thought himself prepared for her passing, but he was not, he never realized how hard it would be. True, he had grieved for his parents when they passed, but they were Vulcans and their katras had been placed in the Hall of Memories to be drawn upon whenever he felt the need of it. But Amanda was not a Vulcan, she was Human and so had no katra that could be transferred to the Hall of Memories. She did have a soul, bit it was unsure what happened to the Human soul after the death of the body that housed it. There were many religions on Earth and most believed in one way or another that the soul did survive in an afterlife. But that was just speculation...blind faith. He was a logical being and could not go on blind anything. Yet for a moment at her death he thought he felt Amanda's life force... her spirit as she was leaving her physical body, he was sure of it, and that gave him some peace. Since Amanda's death, that was all the peace he had. His love for her, although rarely spoken, had been deep and fulfilling...and now nothing.
Sarek of Vulcan, Ambassador to Earth shook his head, reminding himself that the thoughts he was having were not logical. He tilted his head to one side hearing faint footsteps of someone approaching. It was his aide, Salin, who had entered Embassy work only six months previous; he was young and full of promise but occasionally talked too much.
"Good morning Ambassador." Salin said.
"Salin what is on my schedule for today?" Sarek asked still in thought.
"Sir, you have an appointment in fifteen minutes with the head of the sponsorship Association, Miss Krail. She wishes to discuss the problems a few of the Human students are having at the Academy on Vulcan." Sarek glanced at Salin.
"I really do not know why she wishes to take up my time with such petty problems I can do nothing about. The human students are given all the information they require prior to going to Vulcan. I can do nothing about the extreme heat or the fact that the Vulcan students do not have the same emotions as they do. I honestly think Miss Krail likes to hear herself talk..." Sarek turned and headed towards the stairs that led to his private apartment. Salin stood for a moment a little taken a back with the out burst of the Ambassador then hurried up the stairs behind him reading off the appointments for the day.
"At twelve noon, you have a meeting with the head of security, Mr. Tames. It should last till one." Sarek mused to himself, he really didn't know why these Humans were so insistent in having meetings when they had nothing of importance to say, it seemed a waste of time, but then again Humans did seem to waste a lot of time...including his.
"At three o'clock you have a meeting...." Sarek entered his private office as Salin's voice trailed off to nothingness. His computer was softly chiming. Salin stood in the doorway looking at the Ambassador, waiting for further instructions.
"I will speak with Miss Krail after I take this call Salin... leave me." with a quick glance Salin closed the door to leave Sarek with the chiming comm.
~~Chapter 2~~
"Young man, I am not in the habit of being kept waiting and I would expect the Ambassador to keep his appointments on schedule." She looked towards the closed door. "If I didn't know any better I would think the Ambassador was doing this on purpose!" She stared directly at Salin who's eyebrows lifted every so slightly.
"I am quite certain the Ambassador is not intentionally doing anything to you Miss Krail, he is quite busy and he will attend to you as soon as he is finished."
Miss Krail realized that nothing she would say would get her into see the Ambassador until he was ready to see her. This annoyed her greatly. She was the head of the sponsorship Association not some schoolgirl and she expected better treatment even from a Vulcan. She had worked with the Ambassador for some years now and in the past he had always been obliging in their endeavours to make both Vulcan and Human students comfortable with their stay. But over the last months the Ambassador had seemed to lose interest in the sponsorship of Human students to Vulcan. It seemed whenever they had a meeting to discuss problems an argument was the only thing that they could count on. Sarek had changed over the last months; perhaps it was because the death of his wife, but that was...what do Vulcan's say...illogical. After all Vulcans did not have the same emotions as Humans and it would be illogical for the Ambassador to grieve for his wife in they way Humans did. It must be old age; after all, the Ambassador was at least 180 standard years. Miss Krail continued her thoughts.
Her thoughts were broken when she noticed a young woman who had just come up the stairs and approached Salin's desk. Salin also noticed her. As she got closer he could not help but notice her striking beauty. The woman stopped in front of his desk and smiled openly.
"Good morning. My name is Eire Teine, I hope I am at the right floor?"
"What floor were you looking for Miss Teine?" Salin asked. Eire smiled again.
"I have to obtain a travel visa for my trip to Vulcan, am I at the right place?" She asked. Salin looked at her, he was fascinated with her beauty.
"Yes Miss Teine, I will process your forms now, do you have them with you?"
"I believe so." She answered and placed her portfolio on the desktop. Salin took it and opened and perused quickly through the contained documents. Eire stood quietly watching.
"You are traveling to Vulcan to study at the Academy?" He asked.
"Yes I am." Eire smiled.
"Your sponsorship document is not here." Salin looked up into her moon shaped face, noticing for the first time her clear green eyes. So green they reminded him of the stone the Humans called jade, he could almost see his reflection in them.
"Sponsorship document? I didn't know I needed one... after all I am quite capable of living on my own. Are you sure I need one?"
"Miss Teine, you definitely need a sponsorship form, are you sure you were not given one? No one may reside on Vulcan without it." Salin said.
"Let me have another look." Eire took the portfolio and rummaged through it one more time... but to no avail.
"What am I going to do? I'm supposed to be leaving for Vulcan the week after next. Is there anything you can do to help?" She looked pleadingly at the Vulcan.
"I must go to the Academy now or it might be years before they accept me again... if ever" She was duly upset.
"Leave your papers with me and I will see what if anything I can do for you." Salin offered.
"When will you know anything?" Eire asked anxiously.
"Come tomorrow at one o'clock, I should have found out everything by then."
Just then the Ambassador's door opened and he walked out towards Miss Krail who almost fell over her feet trying to get to greet him.
"Forgive me Miss Krail I had other business to take care of. I hope you haven't been waiting too long?" Miss Krail knew he knew just how long she had been waiting, but there was no use addressing it. He stretched his arm out ushering her towards his office. As he passed Salin's desk he took a deep breath and his eyebrows gently rose. Salin gave a knowing nod and continued keying in the information from Miss Teine's papers. Sarek glanced quickly at the woman standing patiently at the desk. He wondered briefly what her business was with the Embassy but that faded as he turned his attention back to Miss Krail who was inside waiting none too pleased. He went inside with one last look at the young woman and closed the door.
"Who was that?" Eire nodded towards the closed door.
"That is Miss Krail, head of the..." Salin was cut off.
"No, not the woman, the Vulcan?" She asked. Salin looked at her and stopped keying. In his time of being Ambassador Sarek's aide, no one had ever asked who he was. Everyone knew the Vulcan Ambassador extraordinaire. He looked at her face and realized she was being truthful, she really didn't know who he was.
"That is Ambassador Sarek, Vulcan Ambassador to Earth and the Federation... everyone knows him. He has done much for the relations between Earth and Vulcan over the years." Salin explained.
"Oh, I didn't realize... forgive me." She paused for a moment. "He is very dark..." She said more to herself than to Salin. Eire closed her portfolio and removed it from the desk.
"Tomorrow at one." She verified.
"Yes Miss Teine." Salin replied.
"Thank you for your help in this matter Salin, I just hope you can straighten this out, it would mean a great deal to me." she smiled.
"I will do everything I can Miss Teine to ensure your place at the Academy." Salin said standing. She smiled softly once again.
"I know you will. Good day Salin."
"Good day Miss Teine." Salin said bowing his head slightly. Eire turned and quietly disappeared down the stairs, Salin watched till he could no longer see her and returned to his work.
~~Chapter 3~~
"Good morning Eire, did I wake you?" It was T'Zah, probably her only friend. Although born on Earth, T'Zah was as Vulcan as any other Vulcan, though some of her ways were definitely Human, especially the way she rolled her eyes when someone said something unbelievable.
"Yes you woke me but that's alright, I have to go back to the Embassy this afternoon."
"Again, I thought you took care of that yesterday?" T'Zah asked.
"I did, but I was informed that I needed a sponsorship document to get my travel visa for Vulcan."
"Usually that is taken care of at the Academy, you must have a sponsor family to reside on Vulcan while attending the Academy." Said T'Zah.
Eire sighed. "I guess I will just have to wait and see what happens. What time is it T'Zah?"
"Ten after twelve." Replied T'Zah.
"I have to go, my appointments at one!"
"Perhaps a prayer to your Lady will bring you favor." Said T'Zah.
"That might be a good idea, have to run T'Zah... we'll talk later." Eire jumped up from the console and rushed to get ready.
She ran down the front stairs pulling her hood up as it was raining, her mind was full of anxiety, wondering if Salin was able to do anything for her. She ran most of the way to the Embassy, which made her face flush and all the way she incanted.
"Holy Goddess Brighid,
Eire arrived at the Embassy with two minutes to spare. Vulcan punctuality was well known and to be late was considered lax and irresponsible. She lifted her long dress and made her way to the top of the stairs just as the large water clock in the outer office chimed once. As she approached the desk she saw that Salin was not there, instead a young Vulcan female was sitting behind the desk going over discs.
"Excuse me, I have an appointment with Salin at one o'clock" Eire said quietly.
"I am T'Arin, Salin is not available at this time, what is your business with the Embassy?" She asked in a level voice.
"Salin was going to look into why I did not receive my sponsorship papers for attending the Academy and if could still get one." Eire smiled a little.
"Your name?"
"Eire Teine." T'Arin keyed in her name and looked at the monitor, a second later information started to run down the screen. A quizzical look came to T'Arin's face.
"Salin said he would have the information you required today?" Asked T'Arin
"Yes, he precisely said by one o'clock today..." Eire stated.
"I'm sorry Miss Teine, but all that is in your file is basic data, nothing more. If you do not have a sponsor family I assure you there is no possible way that you can reside on Vulcan... or attend the Academy."
Eire looked at her thinking her whole world, her dream was going to fall around her. She felt a pounding, whether it was her heart or in her head she wasn't sure. This couldn't be happening; she wouldn't let it happen.
"May I speak with Salin... I know he is here I can feel him." Eire said looking to the large door. T'Arin looked a little intrigued by this woman. She wasn't shocked at the statement, as she had met many beings that were sensitive. Vulcans were very sensitive to the emotions of other beings and refrained from physical contact. But a Human who was this sensitive was rare. Perhaps she had been trained in some discipline. Some Human's had gone through the Vulcan disciplines, but this was very rare also. T'Arin looked at the woman and tried to pick up her emotional state, but all she picked up was light and under that a sense of pain.
"Yes, Salin is here, he is with the Ambassador and cannot be disturbed... if you wish to wait?" T'Arin asked.
"I have no time to wait, I'm sorry." Said Eire.
Eire looked towards the large wooded door that was the Ambassador's office. She thought quickly what could result from the action she was contemplating. She had to find out the information. She laid her case on top of the desk and turned and walked towards the door before T'Arin could move or say anything she knocked twice. T'Arin was at her side as the door opened and Salin stood looking into her eyes. "Miss Teine. T'Arin you should have informed me that Miss Teine has arrived." He looked at T'Arin.
"You left no message to do so Salin, forgive me for my laxness. I should have prevented her from disturbing your meeting with the Ambassador." T'Arin apologized.
"Do not hold this against her Salin. She could not have stopped me" Eire took a breath. "Do you know anything about my travel visa?" She asked. Eire looked past Salin and saw the Ambassador standing looking out the window, the muted light resting on his face. He looked like some statue she had cast, no movement on his face...so still he stood. If it weren't from the pain coming from him, she would have thought he was made of stone.
"Is the Ambassador alright?" She asked not looking at Salin or T'Arin.
"The Ambassador is well Miss Teine... one moment please." Answered Salin. With that he went back into the office and retrieved a few discs from the desk and returned to Eire closing the door as he left.
"Why did you ask if the Ambassador was all right?" Salin asked her as they approached the desk. She stopped and looked into his face, even though he was not mature he was an attractive male, her green eyes grew soft and full of warmth.
"I felt his pain, his loss. Salin has he lost someone recently?" She asked quietly.
"Yes, one year ago his wife passed away... but you can sense this? He is a Vulcan; you should not be able to pick up his emotions. Said Salin mildly surprised.
"Sometime I feel to much for my own good, perhaps I was mistaken... forgive me." She placed her hand on Salin's arm; he was shocked at first that she would be so familiar. But when he felt no surge of emotions from her he relaxed. Her control was as good as his, perhaps better.
"Could you straighten this mess out?" Eire took her hand away. Salin went over to the comm and looked at her thoughtfully.
"I'm sorry Miss Teine, I have looked into every option available to try and get you onto Vulcan without a sponsor... but to no avail. It is a requirement for all off-world students to reside with a Vulcan sponsor family. It is part of the cultural agreement. I tried to get you there as a private visitor, which I can do. This would allow you a three-month stay, but you could not attend the Academy. Miss Teine, I have tried everything but there seems to be no way around this sponsorship problem, and all sponsor families have been taken months ago. I just cannot understand the error that has been made." He stood and shook his head slightly,
"Perhaps you could try again next year?"
"Eire sighed, she could say nothing. Salin had tried his utmost and she knew that. Finally she said.
"Salin are you sure you have looked at every possible? Of course you have... I didn't mean to demean your thoroughness." The office door opened and Sarek approached the desk, he noticed both his aides standing unoccupied and looked from one to the other. Salin stood.
"Ambassador?"
"Salin, when you have a spare moment I have need of you." He looked to T'Arin,
"T'Arin are the final drafts of the up-coming conference ready?"
"Not quite Ambassador, I..."
"I asked for them one point three hours ago, if it isn't too much trouble..." Eire looked up into the Vulcan's face, though there was no hint of agitation she felt it along with the pain deep inside, he hides it well she thought.
"Please Ambassador, it is my fault that Salin and T'Arin have not been able to finish their work to your satisfaction." She said.
Sarek finally looked at her, into to her eyes and saw a deepness, a knowingness that was not common in Humans. He immediately strengthened his control just in case she could sense anything, but he knew it was too late she already had.
"Your fault... is there a problem?" Sarek couldn't pull his gaze away from her eyes. After Salin explained the situation to the Ambassador and added that Miss Teine did have exceptional talent and would certainly benefit from the courses at the Academy everyone stood in silence.
"What courses if you were attending would you be taking?" Questioned Sarek.
"The course in fine arts, matriarchy in pre-Surak Vulcan and ancient religion... not that Vulcan's adhere to any these days, but it sounded interesting."
"Of course, but without a sponsor family... let me see what I can do, perhaps there is a way." he turned to Salin.
"Salin do you have Miss Teine's portfolio on hand?" Sarek asked.
"Yes Ambassador, right here and there is a disc of her latest work." He handed it to Sarek.
"Very well Miss Teine return at three o'clock, I will see what I can do to get you into the Academy." Eire reached out and touched Sarek's hand, there was no need to thank him verbally, and he felt her thanks flowing from her touch. He looked to where her hand rested on his then back to her face. Eire pulled her hand away quickly and picked up her case and headed for the stairs. All three Vulcans watched as she descended them and disappeared.
"She is very pleasing to look at." Salin commented, the Ambassador nodded.
"Yes indeed." Then catching himself he looked at Salin.
"Perhaps if you paid more attention to the work at hand... both of you..." With that Sarek turned and headed for his office portfolio in hand. Salin and T'Arin exchanged glances and proceeded to get the drafts ready for his perusal.
~~Chapter 4~~
Sarek sat behind the com. studying the disc which was in Miss Teine's portfolio, every once in a while he would stare past the computer into nothingness with silent thoughts only known to him. The music from the disc that accompanied the art was quiet lovely and soothing. Not only was Miss Teine an exceptional artist but also an accomplished harpist. He would have to ask if she also wrote the haunting words and melodies on the disc. She was surely above the average student, including the Vulcans. He couldn't understand why she was not given entry before this, on her last two applications, there were no reasons given. She was a little old for a Human to be going to the Academy, usually twenty-one was the standard age, she was thirty-six, but he couldn't see how that would make a difference. He closed his eyes and listened to a very beautiful melody accompanying the piece entitled 'The Kiss', a beautiful piece done in obsidian, the sun kissing the moon. He opened his eyes and touched the screen with his fingers. It was strange; he felt her radiating from the screen. His logical self told him that this was absurd... not possible, yet his emotional self which was so tightly controlled was fascinated. A knock came on the door and Salin walked in.
"Ambassador, you have a visual on the comm."
"Salin, have you viewed Miss Teine's disc?" Sarek asked his aide.
"I have Ambassador." Sarek looked at him,
"And...?"
Salin searched for the right words, after being told by the Ambassador that he was too young to appreciate beauty he didn't want to make himself a fool again. This thought should have been kept to himself under the strictest control.
"Yes, well... I found her material on the disc exceptional, her ability to create pieces so lifelike is indeed a great talent. I'm surprised she is not better known. She really should have a chance to study on Vulcan." Salin waited for the Ambassador to respond... he didn't.
Sarek looked back to the screen where a statue of crystal composed of two people, one a Human and if he saw correctly, one Vulcan embracing each other. In the Human female's hand was a Vulcan marriage pendant, he recognized it, as it was similar to the one he had given Amanda. Vulcan's did not where or give rings to proclaim their union as was the custom on Earth, the bonding ritual performed before the marriage was enough to form a bond between the pair, but on occasion the marriage pendant which was an ancient tradition was given. He noticed the one the Human female was holding was crafted from T'Khut's Tear, a semi-precious stone only found on Vulcan, it was similar to Earth's amber. The other colors in the statue were the green eyes of the Human and the dark eyes of the Vulcan; it brought a very dramatic effect to the clear crystal. The piece was entitled 'Loved and Beloved' which Sarek could not understand, as no Vulcan would take a lover, bonded or not. He pointed this out to Salin as they both listened to the haunting song accompanying the piece.
The comm chimed, Sarek answered, still watching the piece on mute.
"Ambassador, you have a visual on hold, and Ambassador Miss Teine is here." T'Arin announced. He turned to Salin.
"Could you please tell Miss Teine I will be with her as soon as I take this message."
"Yes, of course Ambassador, have you found a way to help her with her sponsorship?" Salin asked, not expecting an answer. Sarek looked, his eyes dark.
"I believe so Salin, but I must speak with her first, she might not agree." Sarek looked back to the screen where the visual had changed and there, staring back at him, a piece called 'The Vision'. He was certain it was she carved from obsidian, green eyes looking into his katra.
"We will see Salin."
Salin left the inner office closing the door behind him; Miss Teine was standing with T'Arin. As he approached she turned to greet him. For the first time she had removed her cape, the mist still clung to her hair, it glimmered under the lights making him think she looked angelic. Her long hair was braided in one large braid that hung over her shoulder clasped in three places by copper hair rings. Her dark green dress flowed softly about her, around her neck a silver torc with the moon and sun engraved upon it. For a moment Salin was taken by her fairness, he hadn't realized he had stopped walking till she approached him.
"Salin, are you alright?" She asked placing her hand on his arm.
"Yes, I thought I saw something... it must have been the light... I thought I saw..." Salin stopped.
"Saw what?" T'Arin asked.
"I'm sure it was nothing." Salin was a bit embarrassed, how could this Human have such a hold on him, to give him such thoughts was illogical. Yet he was sure the hold was not only on him.
"Please have a seat, the Ambassador will be with you shortly."
"Of course Salin, are you sure you're alright?" Eire let go of his arm knowing she was disturbing him in more ways than the obvious. She smiled sweetly at him and walked to the waiting area where she had placed her cape and case when she arrived. She sat down giving Salin one last look then turned her attention to a magazine on the table, 'Federation News', the Ambassador's face looked back at her from the cover. She picked it up studying his face, so dark... so very dark. She was just noticing how deep his eyes were and how she would love to look into them, to feel the depths of his katra, to know his thoughts, to feel his energy... now she was the one caught. She was so absorbed by her thoughts she did not see or hear the Ambassador till he spoke to her and she jumped blushing profusely.
"Miss Teine, will you please come to my office that we may discuss you sponsorship." Sarek said looking into her eyes.
"You've found a sponsor that will accept me?" She stood smiling.
"No, not exactly, my office please." He led the way and she followed glancing briefly at Salin as she passed. The inner office was not as bright as the main outer office; it had a sullen quality. While the outer office displayed posters and art that would be pleasing to Humans, the Ambassador's office was extremely Vulcan from the plain uncovered floor to the white starkness of the walls. They only elaborate thing in the room was the large ornate desk that held the computer. Looking around quickly her eyes settled on a tapestry, quite beautiful, perhaps a reproduction of part of his homeworld; the colors were muted blues, greens and grays. She walked over to see it better; the Ambassador closed the door and joined her where she was standing.
"Do you like it?" He asked.
"Yes, it's really quite lovely." She said not taking her eyes off the tapestry.
"My late wife created it for out home on Vulcan, she felt it might bring some softness to a rather harsh decor."
Eire lifted her hand and let it flow over the piece, a wave of emotion touched her that she was not ready for, her breath caught in her throat, but as soon as it came it passed.
"She loved you very much... there was much sadness, but the love always over-rode it." She pulled her hand away quickly and blushed; she should have kept her thoughts silent. Sarek ignored her words.
"Please sit down." Sarek showed her to the chair, she sat facing him across the large desk. She noticed 'The Vision' held on the monitor.
"You have found a solution to my problem Ambassador?" She asked. He looked at her for one point three second before answering.
"Well I have found a solution, but it might pose more of a problem than you would like to contend with." She gazed at him with a questioning look.
"Well Ambassador, are you going to keep me in suspense or are you going to tell me if you found a sponsor for me?" Eire was anxious to hear his solution.
"I will tell you that in a moment, but first there are a few questions I would like to ask you." He said watching her face for any emotion.
"Yes, of course, but I thought I answered all the relevant questions on my forms?" She replied.
"The questions I wish to ask you are more of a... personal nature. If you will bear with me, you will understand why I must ask these questions when we are finished."
Eire was not prepared for this and she was sure he felt her uneasiness. She sat forward in the chair waiting for the questions.
"First, would you allow me to do an in-depth background check?" He asked.
"Yes of course, but I warn you, you might be bored to tears. I live an extremely boring life."
"I assure you Miss Teine I will not be bored to tears as Vulcan's do not cry easily. Now Miss Teine are you involved with a Vulcan?" She looked at him unsure of his question.
"Yes." She said. He shifted his position in the chair and steepled his hands in front of his face.
"Yes?" He said not taking his eyes from hers.
"Yes, my best friend, actually my only friend happens to be Vulcan, her name is T'Zah, I'm sure if you wish to talk to her about my character she will tell you everything you wish to know."
Sarek decided to ask her straight out, as she did not seem to understand his question. "I should rephrase my question. Have you ever been involved?" He looked at her lowering his hands to chest level. "With a male Vulcan?"
Eire's eyes got a little wider and she reached down within herself for calmness. She knew she was blushing and that would not do. She shifted in the chair. "No Ambassador, I have not been involved with any Vulcan intimately." Sarek returned the monitor to her piece 'Loved and Beloved' and nodded towards it saying.
"Yet, you portray a piece of art which definitely shows an interest in the Vulcan male."
"Loved and Beloved, it's one of my favorite pieces, but to think that I have had intimacies with a Vulcan, only because a piece of art leads you to believe this to be true... actually I'm quite shocked Ambassador, you of all people could be so... so illogical." Sarek lowered his hands to his lap.
"Have you not placed a Human and a Vulcan together in an embrace? Have you not placed the Vulcan marriage pendant in the Human's hand? It would lead any Vulcan to speculate on the symbolic undertones."
"Ambassador, not everything is as it seems. I am an artist; I have to draw on my imagination to make my work of interest, controversial let's say. As for the Vulcan marriage pendant, I have an interest in ritual artifacts and I thought putting it in the piece would raise a few eyebrows. I suppose it did! Nor have I, am I now, or ever will I be involved in an intimate relationship with a Vulcan." The Ambassador rose from his chair, satisfied with her answers.
"If you will permit me to run the background check, I will be with you as soon as it is complete."
"But you haven't told me about your solution." Eire said.
"After the background check we will speak of that." That Ambassador walked to the opposite side of the room and opened another door, it led to his private apartment, he stopped and looked at her. "Miss Teine, never be too sure what will happen in the future." With that he closed the door.
Eire sat sorting out the questions the Ambassador had just asked, what was his solution regarding the sponsor? And why should it matter if she had or has a Vulcan lover? If he only knew the truth, not only had she never had a Vulcan lover, but she hadn't even had a Human lover, but that was none of anyone's business. She had chosen to remain... what did the Vulcan's call it, Pa Vetch, a non-woman, she preferred the Human term, virgin... it sounded nicer. Just then T'Arin entered the office.
"May I get you something to drink?" She asked.
"Yes please, water will be fine, thank you." Eire said.
T'Arin left and returned just as quickly with a pitcher of ice water and two glasses which she placed on the desk, she lifted the pitcher and poured the water.
"T'Arin, that's alright, I can pour it for myself." Eire motioned her to put it down.
"It's no trouble Miss Teine." She finished pouring the water and left the room.
Eire picked up one of the glasses and took a sip, she then noticed a Vulcan harp beside the window. She put the glass down and got up walking over to the window; she glanced out, it was still raining. Eire put her hand on the harp; she felt it was rarely used; yet the owner, the Ambassador took great delight in it. So strange were these Vulcans, so in control, yet beneath all that cool reserve, the unmoving face so hard to read, laid deep, dark emotions. Perhaps primitive ones, rage, passion, desire. She turned and went over to the tapestry and studied its pattern; it was indeed lovely. Madame Sarek must have had talent or a great deal of love to so such a fine job, perhaps both. Then she wondered what the Ambassador meant by his last statement, "Never be sure of the future?" Perhaps this will be the lesson she must learn. The Ambassador entered the room and closed the door.
"Do you play harp Miss Teine?"
"A little." Eire smiled.
"From the music on your disc you seem to be quite an accomplished harpist." He inclined his head slightly.
"Oh, thank you." She said.
"Perhaps one evening you will play for me? I am quite fond of the harp, I play myself... not as well as you of course."
"It would be a pleasure to harp for you Ambassador. " Eire said.
"Yes, I would enjoy that."
"Was my background check satisfactory?" Eire asked.
"Quite satisfactory, have you taken care of all personal matters on Earth Miss Teine?" He asked.
"Yes, I have Ambassador, Why?"
"Than we will be leaving for Vulcan in two days. It has been some time since I have returned to Vulcan, I think it is time I do go home... for a while anyway."
Eire's face radiated surprise and joy. "We, I shall go to Vulcan with you? Do you plan to speak for me at the Academy?" Eire was thrilled.
"No Miss Teine, I shall be your sponsor. If that is satisfactory to you. I mentioned earlier it might be more of a problem than you wish to contend with, that is why I needed to know your personal information, any rumor would be negative to you as well as myself." Eire looked at him and smiled.
"Satisfactory, Ambassador, I would live with a rock if it got me into the Academy!" Sarek's one eyebrow lifted.
"I assure you Miss Teine, I am a little more interesting than a rock."
"Oh, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to compare you to a rock and I am sure you are more interesting!" Eire laughed.
"Perhaps if you wish, we could dine tonight, to discuss any questions you might have?" Suggested Sarek.
"I would enjoy that Ambassador, yes, thank you!"
"I will have Salin make the arrangements and call you later. It has been a pleasure meeting you." Sarek said. With that he walked her to the outer office. She went and picked up her cape, which he helped her place over her shoulders. Eire took her case in her hand.
"Good bye Ambassador... till later." She turned and left smiling at Salin as she passed his desk, he nodded and with that she disappeared down the stairs.
"Salin, arrange a dinner this evening about eight, for two. Then notify Miss Teine I shall call for her at seven-thirty."
"Yes Ambassador, I shall take care of that right away." Sarek headed for his office, Salin opened a line on the comm to make the reservations.
~~Chapter 5~~
"Well you have been busy today. I've tried to call six times."
"I really can't talk now T'Zah. I just got home and have to rush to go out to dinner." Eire said releasing the rest of her braid.
T'Zah tilted her head slightly, "Dinner? When do you go out to dinner?"
"Tonight." Eire smiled.
"But you hate going out to dinner, you've always declined my invitations. Oh, how did the meeting go? Did you get your sponsorship worked out?" Asked T'Zah without taking a breath.
"Well T'Zah to answer your questions, it depends on the company you dine with, and very well and YES!"
"I'm pleased for you, so you are going to the Academy, who is your sponsor-family? I might know them." Asked T'Zah.
"Yes, you do know him." Eire said. T'Zah looked her one eyebrow lifting.
"Him?"
"Him, the Ambassador himself is going to sponsor me!" Eire still couldn't believe it.
"No!" T'Zah eyes flashed.
"Yes, that's who I am having dinner with this evening. I really have to run. I still have to shower and dress before he gets here."
"When do you leave for Vulcan?" T'Zah asked quickly.
"Friday, T'Zah I have to go, drop by tomorrow and I'll fill you in." Eire said starting to rise from the chair.
"Yes, I will. I wish you a good night."
"Thanks, live long." Eire was gone before the picture faded. She combed out her hair and headed for the shower. Her head was spinning, she couldn't believe her luck. It was really happening.
She stepped out of the shower and headed for her yard grabbing a small pouch off her dresser. Once there, she took a white candle and started to dress it then placed it on the altar. She put some incense onto the brazier and lit the candle.
"Holy Goddess,
She went and placed a small handful of blackberries upon the book the Lady held, she reached up on her toes and placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Thank you." The wind chilled her body as she hurried back into the house to dress for the evening. She was just putting her hair up when the comm sounded; she hurried to answer it, Salin's face flashed on the screen.
"Miss Teine, I'm calling to verify your dinner this evening with the Ambassador. He will call for you at seven-thirty."
"Yes Salin, I'll be ready. Salin, I would like to thank you for all your help. I know you went to a lot of trouble, thank you."
"No thanks are necessary, Miss Teine. It was my pleasure... my job. I wish you well in your studies and perhaps we will meet each other in the future."
"Yes Salin, we just might."
"Live long and prosper Miss Teine."
"And you too Salin."
The screen went dark and she sat for a moment looking into it. In front of her a small image started to form, at first she thought the screen was coming back on, she went into soft-sight, a technique Wiccan's use for vision questing. As she relaxed her sight the screen in front of her exploded into a fury of motion, lights and sounds. All assaulted her at once, which was very confusing. It was coming too fast for her to make any sense of it. Her hand touched the screen and she pulled back... she didn't want to be there, she wanted to run, run and hide. What she was experiencing she had never felt before, so vivid, so strong. Fire flashed around her, she let out a moan as she saw herself in the screen, her hair unbound, lying very still in darkness. She felt pain, not only emotional pain, but physical pain and... fear, so vivid was the fear that it brought a rush of nausea over her. She grabbed the desk for support... I have to control this, calm myself she thought. She forced herself to look into the screen again and where the fire had been blackness now appeared and someone was there. Once again the nausea hit her and this time she vomited. When she had finished she put her hand over her mouth wanting to scream. All the emotions assaulting her were too much. Then out of the darkness of the screen appeared a figure. She wasn't sure at first, whether it was male or female, but as the vision became clearer, she knew it was female.
The figure stood among the black flames staring into Eire's face. At first Eire thought she was a Vulcan female, her black hair bound high a top her head, she was very beautiful, the gown she wore was dark gray in a traditional Vulcan style, flapping around her as if a hellish wind was trying to embrace her but to no avail. She looked closer and realized this was no Vulcan, she did not have the fine sweeping eyebrows not the elegant ears... she was Human, her blue eyes, so blue, like cold blue water stared at her. Eire looked into those eyes, so cold, calculating, and empty. The woman smiled from the screen and fear rushed through Eire, such fear she had never felt before.
As Eire watched, the woman lifted her hand and held before her a Vulcan marriage pendant. Eire looked closer, it was similar to the one she had created for her piece 'Loved and Beloved', within the eye of the pendant the Ambassador's face, the woman let go of the pendant and it fell slowly to the ground, flames dancing up to embrace it. Terror filled Eire as she watched the flames surrounding the pendant, the woman now walking into the darkness. Eire moved her hand towards the screen hoping to retrieve the pendant but as she touched the screen the pendant disintegrated into dust, she screamed.
"NO!" so loud her whole body shook, then the screen went dark again.
She sat trembling; staring into the darkness, tears fell down her cheeks. She had had visions before; she often vision-quested. Sometimes to help her with her creative process other times to find a solution to a problem. But she had never had such a vivid vision, such a violent one. Her whole body shook; she got up and started to walk to her bedroom, her mind a jumbled gray mess. She really couldn't make sense of this vision, what was it trying to tell her? Why was the Ambassador in it? Who was the woman? Oh... the Ambassador would be here anytime. She glanced at the clock on her night table... seven-twenty. Her head hurt and her mouth was very dry, almost on fire. She really didn't feel like going out, she felt like crawling into her bed and hiding, but she knew she couldn't do that, not after everything the Ambassador was doing for her.
She went over to the mirror and looked at herself. She looked wretched, she straightened her hair and fixed her make-up, she was still shaking. Her dark blue dress she had chosen did nothing to make her feel better. Eire lifted the wrap she had left out earlier, a black half cape with a cowl hood. She put it on and threw the longer piece over her shoulder then secured it with a pale blue and green Celtic broach. Another wave of nausea came over her and she wretched, but nothing came up, she crossed the room and opened a large oak cupboard, looking she took a vial of rue oil and dropped a few drops of it onto a cotton handkerchief and put it to her nose, she inhaled deeply and started to feel the calming effects of the potent oil. She put a few more drops on the handkerchief and placed it into a small blue pouch along with the vial of rue oil and a moonstone. She closed the cupboard and attached the pouch to a clasp on her hip; all her dresses had a clasp just for that purpose. Eire sat down on the bed and tried to center herself, pushing the vision into blackness.
~~Chapter 6~~
"Miss Teine, I am Sonn. The Ambassador is waiting for you in the car." He looked as her and stepped back, he sensed her fear.
"Are you unwell Miss Teine?"
"I don't know... it will pass." Eire said closing the door behind her and walked down the stairs to the waiting car, Sonn held an umbrella over her to prevent her from getting wet. Sonn opened the door and Eire got in. She sat in the shadows not looking at the Ambassador for fear he would sense something or she might see something she didn't want to.
"Good evening Miss Teine. I can never get accustomed to this planet's weather; if it's not raining it's cold. You would think after all the years I have spent on this planet I should be used to its weather. But it still chills me to the bone." Sarek said trying to put her at ease... Eire managed a small smile.
"I love the rain Ambassador, probably my Celtic blood... mist and rain I believe is very cleansing, it purifies the body and soul. I love to walk in it and let it wash away any negativity I may have. It's good for the soul." Eire said keeping her gaze straight ahead.
"Perhaps I should try this, I also might find it beneficial."
Eire looked at him and even in the darkness of the car all she saw were his eyes, dark and endless. Perhaps if she fell into them she would be safe, but she knew this not to be true because beneath the darkness, beneath the calm... the control the fires raged. She shifted closer to the door, she didn't want to be burnt, and she didn't want to feel the flames.
The Ambassador noticed her move closer to the door and wondered if perhaps she was frightened of him, perhaps she felt he had other motives in sponsoring her? But he felt this not to be the cause of her uneasiness. He looked at her face, it looked very pale and with the black cowl surrounding her she looked like an apparition, some mystic creature out of Earth's myths, Morgana, Nimue perhaps. He sensed her uneasiness and it concerned him. He wondered why she had not made a remark to his last statement.
"Are you alright?" He asked. Eire looked at him, her eyes did not seem as bright and clear as they were earlier in the day, they seemed strained, haunted. For a brief moment, ever so brief, he felt terror, he shut his eyes to gain control, to push back the intense emotion, and then it was gone. Her control was very good; she hid her emotions well.
"Yes Ambassador, I am just tired. I had a disturbing..." She looked into his eyes to center herself, "Message this evening."
"I trust everything will be alright, that this message does not cause you undue distress?"
"I hope not Ambassador, but that is left to the future to decide." She continued to look into his eyes.
The car stopped and Sonn opened the Ambassador's door, he got out and offered his hand to Eire to help her out of the car. She quickly gained her control and took his hand, as she got out of the car she felt fire touching her, still holding his hand she stumbled slightly and fell against him. He steadied her with his other hand. She put her free hand to her mouth to stifle a moan as the fire consumed her; Eire looked into his face and drew back.
"Dark angel...." She whispered.
Sarek bent closer to hear her, but she said no more. "Are you alright?" He asked.
"Yes, I'll be fine. I haven't really had anything to eat in the last few days; I've been too absorbed in other things to think about eating. I really should take better care of myself, perhaps it I eat something I'll feel better." She said trying to pull herself free from his embrace.
"Of course... are you sure you are well enough? We could return to your home." Sarek asked.
"No, no, I'm starting to feel better. I'll be fine."
He let her go and closed the car door. "Sonn, ten o'clock will be fine."
"Yes Ambassador." Sonn got back into the car and drove off. The Ambassador looked as her, but picked up no emotion,
"Shall we?" He said showing her the way.
She nodded and they both started to walk towards the restaurant. On entering Sarek removed his hood then took off his cape, handing it to a young woman. It had been too dark in the car to see if he was wearing his Ambassadorial robes, but now Eire saw he wasn't. His breeches were a very dark brown with the same color caped jacket and a black shirt with the Vulcan rune at his neck. She thought dark colors suited him. The woman smiled,
"Miss, may I take your cape?" Eire undid the broach at her shoulder and Sarek removed it handing the cape to the woman.
"Thank you." Eire said and smiled at her.
"Ambassador! It is always a pleasure to have you dine with us!" A very rotund, pleasant man approached them. Ricardo Donna had owned the 'Bella Donna' for many years and obviously the Ambassador was well known to him.
"And tonight you do not dine alone!" He looked at Eire through happy eyes. "Sometimes it saddens me to see such a fine man as the Ambassador dining alone. But I see he has as fine a choice in his dinning partners as he has in his food! Bella, Bella!"
"Ricardo, it is always my pleasure to taste your wonderful creations. May I present Miss Eire Teine? She will be attending the Vulcan Academy... in fine arts." The Ambassador said.
"Ah... an artist! Creator of beauty, crafter of the imagination... muse of the soul!" His smile was contagious, Eire smiled back.
"Your words are truly bardic. Truly you must be Eros, for only he could woo the fair Aphrodite." Eire said. Ricardo smiled sweetly at her.
"Ah Bella! Truly your tongue was given to you by the old Gods, perhaps Aphrodite herself... as you speak with the honey that drips from her sweet lips." Eire blushed then smiled.
"Ambassador, I advise you to keep a tight hold on this Bella, it would be a loss to you if you didn't." Sarek's eyebrow went up and he looked into Eire's face.
"Yes Ricardo, you might be right."
Eire felt another wave of nausea start; she pulled the handkerchief from her pouch and put it to her nose. Sarek placed his hand on her arm and once again she felt the flames.
"Perhaps we may go to our table Ricardo?" He asked.
"Yes, of course." He led them to the Ambassador's table and seated them.
"Enjoy!" And he was gone, singing some aria as he went; a waiter approached their table.
"Something to drink?" The Ambassador looked at Eire.
"Water will be fine." She said.
"Very good Miss, Ambassador?"
"Water, thank you." He said. Shortly he returned with a pitcher of water and poured two crystal glasses and left. Eire picked up her glass.
"Slainte!" She said. Sarek looked at her and picked up his glass and repeat what she had said. She smiled. "It's Gaelic, it means health."
"Do you speak Gaelic?" He asked.
"No, not really. I know the basics, and quite a few songs... but that's all." Sarek placed his glass on the table.
"Songs... ah, yes. Did you write the melodies and words that were on the disc?"
"Yes, some of them." She said averting her eyes from his.
"Ricardo must be right, Aphrodite had touched your lips, and they are beautiful." She looked at the Ambassador a bit shocked and he corrected himself. "Your songs are beautiful, although your lips are also beautiful too be able to sing such words."
She averted her eyes again and blushed and thought she had never known a Vulcan to be so forward with his words, perhaps his long stay among Humans and being married to one had allowed him to let some of those controlled emotions to come through. She was glad Vulcans could not read minds, unless they were in physical contact, she would have to pay more attention to her own control, which was quite draining. When it came time to order dinner she allowed him to do so, as she really wasn't very hungry and spent most of her time trying to keep the vision dark. By the time they had finished she had barely touched a thing, saying she had enjoyed it but she was full. She lifted her glass to take a sip of water when the vision of the pendant with the Ambassador's face flashed into her mind, she tried to pull it back, but she was too late. The blue eyes of the woman stared at her from the black flames licking at the pendant as it fell from her hand and then a black flash and the pendant in the dust. She jerked and the water glass fell from her hand, Sarek caught her just in time as she slipped down the chair. When she opened her eyes, he was looking into her face, so close she could feel the heat coming from him. Ricardo was standing beside him looking very concerned.
"Perhaps you should see a physician?" Sarek said.
"No, I'll be fine, I just need some air." The waiter handed Sarek a glass of amber liquid.
"Drink this, it will help relax you." Eire protested but he already had the glass to her mouth, she took a mouthful and it took her breath away burning all the way down. Another mouthful and she started to feel warm and relaxed. She put her hand on his pushing the glass away. Sarek handed the glass back to the waiter.
"Really Ambassador, I just need some air, not to get drunk!"
Sarek helped her to stand and their capes were brought, he helped her on with hers, and then put on his. After speaking to Ricardo and reassuring him she was all right they left the restaurant. Once Eire stepped outside into the chill of the night air she felt a little better, it was still raining.
"I need to walk in the rain." She said.
"You need to cleanse your soul?" Sarek asked
"That among other things... do you mind?" Sarek looked at her then out into the dark rain falling.
"You won't melt Ambassador." She touched his hand briefly.
"Of course not." He put up his hood. Sonn came up the stairs ready with the umbrella; Sarek put his hand up.
"That will not be necessary Sonn, I will walk Miss Teine home."
"But Ambassador, it's raining!" Sonn stated.
"I won't melt Sonn." Replied Sarek. He and Eire walked down the stairs into the night and the cleansing rain, leaving Sonn to think about how the Ambassador could possibly melt in the rain.
Eire didn't pull her hood up, she liked the rain on her face and hair, and it was soothing to her. When they arrived at her home they were both soaked, but she felt better. He walked her up the stairs to her door; he stood two steps lower that her so she could look into his face without having to look up.
"Would you like to come in... to call Sonn to pick you up?" She asked.
"I think that is not wise, it is late and I am already wet, I shall walk the rest of the way to the Embassy." He looked into her eyes.
"I never really realized how soothing rain could be."
Suddenly a thought came to Eire. "Ambassador, I will be sending my things off to Vulcan tomorrow. Where should I send them?"
"Ambassador Sarek, ShiKahr, will do."
"I will be staying with you?" She asked a little shocked.
"You will be staying at my residence in ShiKahr, I will be residing at my villa at Gol... unless circumstances change. Good night Miss Teine... and I wish you slainte."
Eire smiled and put her hand on his chest and slowly she leaned forward, he didn't stop her or back away instead he brought his two fingers up to her cheek and touched her gently, she closed her eyes as if he had kissed her, she trembled. When she opened her eyes again he had the barest of a smile on his lips. She touched her lips to the side of his mouth and gently kissed him. Lingering she took in his scent, his taste. His two fingers came down her cheek and on to her lips she felt the fire and kissed his fingers.
"Eire, I must leave." He whispered.
"Yes, of course Ambassador, good night." She kissed him gently once more on the lips and he allowed her to do so. He pulled back touched her cheek once more and turned into the rain walking into the night. Eire watched him till the mist enveloped him and he was gone. She opened the door and went inside. Hanging her cape up at the door she leaned against it.
"Oh no, what have I done?" She still smelt him, his musky smell, quite pleasant and the taste of his skin lingered on her lips, she sighed deeply. She felt feelings within her she had never felt before... was this desire. She pushed it away; back down into herself... it frightened her. She headed down the hall and into her room closing the door behind her.
By the time Sarek had walked to the Embassy he was soaked to the skin. He went to the indoor garden and stood looking out the window into the darkness, water dripped from him making a splattering sound on the stone floor. He breathed deeply reaching deep to clear his mind; he must control his emotions. All the way to the Embassy he could not erase from his mind her touch, how her soft lips were upon his face and his fingertips still pulsed from the touch of her flesh. The smell of her oil still clung to his nostrils. He undid his cape and let it fall to the floor. Placing his hands in front of him he clasped them so tight his knuckles paled. He reached down for his control, how could she have this hold on him. Emotions he always had control of surged through him.
"I am Vulcan. Emotions are illogical!" How could she move him like this? How could he have let her touch him? How could he have kissed her? The thought of her lips against his skin brought desire whelming up inside of him; he fought it pushing it back. I allowed her to kiss me; I should have stopped her he thought.
"What we do not prevent... we must face." Calming his breathing he searched for a clear thought... Amanda had rarely kissed him in the Human way... only during his Pon Farr did he seek such a thing, but that was a primitive, passionate time, so intense it made him shudder even now. Was he coming into his Pon farr, which might explain it, he calculated mentally, no, not for at least another six months? Perhaps I'm getting old and starting to loose some of my control... he knew this was not true. But still she was there just beneath the surface of his senses, but how could this be? Did she know she was doing this? Deeper and deeper he sought his control, perspiration beaded on his face, but there... there it was, he mentally grabbed the last bit of control, the last thread and held on to it. He stood for half an hour and when he was sure he was in control he climbed the stairs to his apartment knowing the fight was not over.
~~Chapter 7~~
"Who are you?" She screamed.
"What are you trying to tell me?"
She knew from experience that sometimes spirits would try to give the living messages, sometimes a warning, other times concerning themselves. But this apparition did not feel departed, it didn't have the same energy as one that was dead, no her energy was one that lived, but what did she want? And the Ambassador, how was he involved? Was this a foreboding of what might happen? Everything was so jumbled, so confusing, she couldn't make sense of it. It was over as quick as it started and she felt so drained, her head ached. Eire got up to get her pencil and sketchpad and started drawing the woman in her vision; after she had finished she sat looking at the finished piece.
"What do you want?" The door went and she got up to answer it.
"You look awful! Was your dinner date that bad?" Asked T'Zah.
"Come in T'Zah." Eire closed the door behind them.
"Are you ill?" T'Zah had more concern in her voice.
"No." Replied Eire. They went into the living area and T'Zah sat on the edge of the chair.
"So, tell me all about your interesting evening?" Asked T'Zah. Eire fell down onto the couch holding her head.
"Too much to drink?" Asked T'Zah.
"T'Zah, you know I very rarely drink!" Eire snapped resting her head on the back of the couch.
"You really do not look well, I didn't know the Ambassador had that effect on woman."
"He doesn't." Said Eire taking a deep breath.
Eire went on to tell T'Zah about the strange vision and the effect it had on her. T'Zah was very logical and found it hard to believe that Eire would allow such a thing to bother her so. Being Vulcan she knew that some beings including Humans were quite sensitive, visions, second-sight, premonitions and many other metaphysical things could exist and Eire being Pagan was a little more sensitive than most, but something was definitely wrong. Eire was usually so controlled, Eire got up off the couch and picked up her sketchpad.
"Here T'Zah, do you know her? She's the woman in my vision." T'Zah took the pad and studied the image carefully.
"She looks Human, but who she is... can't place her. There's nothing you can do about it right now, so forget it. So how about last night?" Eire looked at T'Zah and rolled her eyes.
"We went to dinner, we ate, he walked me home, he left, end of date." Eire said.
"That's it?" T'Zah asked bored.
"Well, almost." Eire smiled.
"Tell me everything, you said you would." T'Zah said her interest piquing.
"Well, before he left, he kissed me." T'Zah's mouth dropped open slightly.
"He kissed you?"
"Well I kissed him first, but he didn't stop me. Then he returned the kiss... like this." Eire showed T'Zah what he had done with his fingers. T'Zah was speechless.
"Did anything else happen?" Asked T'Zah.
"T'Zah!" Eire was shocked she would ask such a question.
"Have you told him you are Pa Vetch?" Eire's mouth fell open this time.
"Are you serious? I don't go around telling people I'm... I'm a virgin, your the only one that knows!"
"I'm sure the Ambassador would find that bit of information very interesting. I mean you're the only female on the planet that is Pa Vetch at thirty-six." T'Zah said.
"I really don't think so." Eire smiled.
"Eire, you are a walking enigma, a Pagan that does not enjoy in the pleasure of the flesh. Isn't that in your Goddess's charge? Dance, feast and make love, for these are my rituals also." Eire smiled again.
"Yes... well." She was a bit embarrassed. She looked at T'Zah wondering if she should ask her next question.
"T'Zah." The Vulcan looked at her. "How... I mean what is it like to make love to a Vulcan?" Eire's face reddened.
"I wouldn't know." Answered T'Zah.
"Oh, I thought you had... I mean that you knew... you are of age."
"Yes I am, but I'm not bonded, my parents didn't believe in that outdated tradition. But I've been told it is very... pleasurable. Pon Farr is another story, quite intense. Sexual intercourse for the sake of mating, lustful, very passionate. But that would depend on the partner, I'm quite sure a few Human females would thoroughly enjoy Pon Farr."
"Can Vulcans make love when they are not in Pon Farr?" Asked Eire.
"Yes, never forget Eire all Vulcans do have emotions although they are kept under strict control. Through passion's mastery we are able to deal with situations logically. Vulcans can and do make love whenever they wish. The Ambassador's actions last night should tell you that." Answered T'Zah.
"Yes, of course. But he feels so sad, so full of pain. I just wish I could block out those feeling from him."
"Will you see him tonight?" Asked T'Zah.
"I don't know... perhaps."
The comm chimed and they looked at each other, Eire got up to answer it, pulling her loose hair over one shoulder and closing her night robe. She pushed 'on' and the screen flashed.
"Hello Salin." She said smiling.
"Good afternoon Miss Teine, Ambassador Sarek has asked me to call you to let you know that he will be picking you up tomorrow morning at nine o'clock for your departure for Vulcan. And Miss Teine, will you be home later?"
"Yes, I plan to be Salin. Why?" She asked.
"The Ambassador will call you later, he wishes to speak to you concerning your music." Eire smiled.
"I'll be here."
"Very good Miss Teine, have a pleasant evening." The screen faded. Eire returned to T'Zah.
"Maybe I should tell him about the vision? Seeing he was in it."
"No! Are you trying to chase him away? Don't mention anything to him about this, he wouldn't understand." T'Zah cautioned.
"But he'll find out eventually, with all these strange attacks I'm having. I can't keep this high level of control. It wears me down quickly." Eire sighed.
"All I can say is I wouldn't make too much out of this right now, wait and see what happens. I'm really going to miss you." T'Zah said.
"And I'll miss you, but I'll call you all the time, and when you come to Vulcan we'll see each other everyday!" T'Zah got up off the chair and put her arms around Eire. "You are my friend Eire and I hope the Academy is everything you have hoped for... and I also hope you will become a woman soon!" A small smile came to her face.
"T'Zah that last hope might have to wait, I don't think I'm ready for that life change... not just yet. But you never know the future!" Eire said thinking of the Ambassador's words.
"You do know the future." T'Zah said.
"Good bye T'Zah." Eire walked her to the door and gave her one last embrace and closed the door.
~~Chapter 8~~
"Sweet Mother, who has answered my wish,
She stood and let the rain wash her. She didn't know how long she stood there till she heard her comm. She hurried in and sat in front of it and pushed 'on'. The screen flash and the Ambassador looked back at her, he looked tense but in control.
"Good evening Miss Teine, I called earlier but there was no answer. I'm pleased I found you at home now. If you would feel up to it I would enjoy it very much if you would harp for me this evening? I will not keep you too late, as our departure is early. Would this be suitable to you?"
Eire smiled pushing her hair out of the way. "Yes, Ambassador, I will be happy to have your company this evening and it will be my pleasure to play for you... half an hour?"
"Half an hour... till then."
The screen darkened and Eire touched it with her fingers. She wondered if she had done the right thing by allowing him to come, but it was too late now to change her mind. She didn't bother to dress, she got up and lifted the sketchpad from where it was lying on the desk and took one more look at the sketch before putting it away. She set a pot of chamomile tea to steep and waited.
It wasn't long before her door chime rang and she went to answer it, pulling up her control before she opened the door.
"Please come in Ambassador." He nodded and came inside; she took his cape and hung it up. "Please come in and sit down." She said showing him the way to the living area. He went to the couch as sat down.
"Would you like a cup of tea?" She asked.
"Do not go to any trouble." He responded.
"It's no trouble... it's made."
"Then yes, I think I will have a cup of your tea." Eire went to the kitchen, putting some honey into the pot she placed everything on a tray and returned to the living area, placing the tray on the coffee table. Sarek was no longer on the couch but standing in front of one of her paintings. She went to his side. Eire lifted her hand to touch his arm, but decided against it.
"Do you like it?" She asked, he glanced at her and touched her cheek, she turned her face from his hand, and his one eyebrow went up.
"Forgive me." He said.
"The painting... do you like it?" Her eyes went from his face to the painting.
"Yes, it's exceptional, does it have a title?"
"Dark Angel." Eire answered.
"But Vulcans do not have angels in their legends." Sarek stated.
"I know, but I chose to make him a Vulcan, he's my dark angel, he keeps me centered, he's my guide, my protector, my comforter." Eire's kept her eyes on the angels face.
"Your lover?" Asked Sarek holding her eyes when she turned to look at him.
"The tea is getting cold Ambassador." Eire said changing the subject. She went back to the table and kneeled down and poured the tea handing him a cup as he sat down. He took a sip then replaced the cup to its saucer on the table.
"Are you prepared for your trip tomorrow?" He asked.
"As prepared as can be." She said pouring herself a cup of tea.
"I hope the art study course lives up to your expectations."
"I believe it will." She smiled.
"You said you were also taking the matriarchy course in pre-Surak Vulcan and the Vulcan religion course, unusual choices. Vulcan religion such as it is has just been put on the curriculum this term. Why would you take such studies?" Asked Sarek.
"Ambassador, I am interested in all religions, Being Pagan I thought I would study your ancient religious beliefs and compare the Vulcan spiritual path to that of our own pre-Christian Pagan beliefs to see the similarities, if any. Our cultures however different with their customs and traditions, all seem, in early times, to have a religion in common, by that I mean Goddess and God with similar aspects." Said Eire. Sarek nodded.
"But why matriarchy?" He asked.
"Also because of my beliefs. All Earth peoples at one time in their history were matri-centered. The woman were considered equal or in some cases above the male counterpart. We were respected and honored. She was the fertile vessel, the mother, giver of life, healer and caregiver to the dying. She held all the mysteries. I would like to see if the Vulcan female has faired better under your boarder-line patriarchy than her Human sister." She smiled.
"Are you not respected? Do you not have equal rights with your males?" Sarek asked.
"Perhaps on the surface, but in actuality women are still considered the weaker sex, perhaps this is true in physical strength, but not on the intelligence level. I can't believe in this day and age there are still males that honestly believe that woman's only purpose is to satisfy there lust and bare them children, and other menial jobs." Sarek looked at her feeling his control waning.
"So you do not believe a female has a duty to pleasure her husband?" He asked keeping her gaze.
"Pleasure, yes, if both partners wish that pleasure, but not by force or because the partner believes it's his God given right."
"But what if the female expects it, is she to be pleasured because it is her right?" Asked Sarek.
"Well, I'm sure they could come to some arrangement that is suitable for both of them." smiled Eire.
"Ah... yes I'm sure. Will you play for me?" Sarek asked.
"Of course." Eire said getting up off the floor, she went to her room and took her lap harp from it's stand returning to the living area she sat in the chair and tuned it till she was satisfied, she began to pluck away absently.
"Do you have a request?" She asked.
"Anything you sing would be lovely." Said Sarek, Eire played softly then started to sing.
"Oh bonny Portmore I'm sorry to see
Eire played on enthralled in her music not looking at him. The song came to an end and she put the harp down and looked at him.
"More tea?" She asked.
He stood up and walked around the table, he held his hand out to her, she took it and the fire ran up her arm. He touched her cheek and felt his own fire. Eire looked into his face and started to fall into his eyes. Her control was fading, but she summoned it back. She couldn't allow this, not yet. But his fire was stronger than her will to resist. He felt her nervousness, her fear and embraced her in his arms, enfolding her against him. She pulled away tears on her face.
"I can't do this... I'm sorry."
"Sorry, why should you be sorry? It is illogical. I assumed after last night you felt the same way." His voice was hushed. Tears streamed down her face and she trembled, she knew he was disturbed by her show of emotion. "Forgive me for assuming something that was not there. I should leave." Sarek started to withdraw from the room.
"No, please stay. I have upset you; I should have more control over my emotion. Please sit down, I wish for you to stay." Eire composed herself.
He sat back down on the couch. She came and sat beside him and took a deep breath. Sarek never took his eyes off her; he studied her intensely, could he have been mistaken in his assumption. Human's kissed for many reasons other than the obvious; perhaps she was showing her gratitude for what he was doing for her. But no, he felt more in her touch, in her kiss. She had aroused him greatly. Since last night he had not slept, lying awake aching, fighting thoughts, feelings, he as a Vulcan should not have openly, even now as he sat watching her desire surged through his blood. But he had to control them.
"Ambassador, your assumptions were not wrong." Eire didn't dare to look at him less her words were empty. "You touched me deeply last night. I have had no moments rest since. I am fighting feelings that I have never felt before, feelings you have stirred in me. But I am not quite ready to give into those feelings. I believe giving in to them would affect my ability to do what I have wanted to do for years. The Academy has been my goal; now that I have it in my grasp I can't be distracted by illogical emotions. I have to keep centered." She glanced briefly at him and continued. "I am going through a bad time right now, personal, and that takes all my strength to stay in control, now with the Academy... I have to stay centered and what you are offering will not allow me to do so."
She turned to him and moved closer, she reached and took his hand in hers. His hand was large and the ring he wore stating his rank felt cold on her hands. He did not hold her hand but let his rest within her small hands. She finally looked into his face, into his eyes. He sat in perfect control. His ability to control was stronger than hers to read. She started falling into his eyes and she closed hers for a moment. "Sarek." She called him by his name for the first time and it sounded pleasant. "Sarek, I find you very attractive, and you have stirred within me a desire, an urge that is tearing me apart. I wish I could fill that desire, but I can't allow it. You probably think I am an illogical Human... but maybe not, you yourself as a Vulcan know that sometimes it is better... safer to be logical and not let your emotions run you. If I did not have the Academy... or this personal problem I would probably allow this desire, this passion to run it's course, to be... satisfied. But right now, I just can't... can you understand?"
He held her hand in his and raised his other hand to her face, holding it against her cheek for a moment then pulled it away quickly. "Eire, I can understand your choice. I have also been moved by you. Although I have no goals, no restrictions to hold me back in my pursuit. I do not know why I should have these feelings. I've turned the question over in my mind endlessly and there is no logical reason why I should be attracted to you. Only an emotional one." He closed his eyes and let out a shallow breath. "There are emotions within me even now, which should not be there, I am a Vulcan, I should not be disturbed by your touch, and I am... but not in the Vulcan way. I should have stopped you when you kissed me last night, but I did not." He got up off the couch folding his hands in front of him. He walked over and stood in front of the painting of 'The Dark Angel'. Looking at it he continued.
"I crave your touch, I want you lips to touch my flesh." His breath caught in his throat. "And this disturbs me, this is not the Vulcan way. I cannot control this. It grows stronger every minute that goes by." He turned and looked at her on the couch. "I thought at first I was entering Pon Farr. Do you know what Pon Farr is Eire?"
"No, not really, I've heard a little about it but mostly rumors." She said quietly.
"Pon Farr is the time Vulcan males must seek out their partner and mate. All control breaks down within the male; he must have sexual relations whatever the cost. We become primitive, animalistic, we seek fulfillment. We have no concern whether our females wish the same, thankfully they do. I have heard this called by some Humans legalized rape, they do not understand, they will never understand, how could they, they are not Vulcans. You know of course that Vulcans deplore any form of aggression or violence... and yet they go through Pon Farr." He looked at the dark angel and wondered if this Vulcan had ever felt her fire, had quenched his... but he was only imaginary. He was the true Vulcan, quietly staring out from black eyes, no fire, no illogical thought, nothing to fight down...just staring. "What I feel for you is like the intensity of Pon Farr without the aggression. What I feel for you is tearing me apart, and I fight it every second to hold it at bay... least it breaks me." He turned again and Eire got up off the couch and came towards him, tears in her eyes for the pain she felt coming from him. She took his hand and kissed it softly, he turned his head away.
"I understand your wish to go to the Academy out-weighs any and all other things, it is logical. And your personal problem must take a lot of your energy... if I can help you solve it, I shall. But I must withdraw from you, I can not demand that you give me what I desire, I would not do that. Perhaps at a later date should you feel otherwise... we might come to an understanding? I will leave in order not to cause you any more undue pain."
He took his hand from hers and went to the hall to retrieve his cape. Eire followed him holding down the urge to yell at him, to scream 'make love to me... stop this fire!' But she did not, instead she stood there looking... feeling lost, feeling empty.
"I'm sorry Sarek." She said fighting back tears.
"I am the one who is sorry. Nine o'clock tomorrow?"
She did not answer instead she reached up to kiss him but instead just brushed her cheek on his, he smelt her oil, her hair, her warmth, he turned his face till his lips were on her cheek, he brushed his lips over her cheek and down till they rested on her lips, fire raged. His mind said stop but he was not listening to his mind. She pulled away.
"No." She sobbed. He let her go and she fell to the floor holding herself in her own embrace. Sarek looked at her, the pain covering her face touched him; he reached to touch her, to comfort her but thought twice. Instead he turned and walked out the door. And she sat and cried bemoaning her loss.
~~Chapter 9~~
The three-day journey to Vulcan would at any other time excite her, traveling on a star ship as the Ambassador's sponsor was indeed something and she was sure there were lots of rumors about it. But she never left her quarters. A few times during the trip Salin came to see her, he had even asked if she would enjoy a walk in the ship's botanical gardens. If only it was Sarek who had asked. She spent most of her time sketching, she even sketched Salin when he had come and brought her something to eat as she was not eating. He was very pleased with the portrait.
"Perhaps when I'm famous you will be able to get a good price for that." She had said.
On the third day Salin had come to her quarters to inform her they would be in orbit around Vulcan in three point two hours, he had sat for a while and talked with her about Vulcan, when she asked.
"Is the Ambassador well? I have not seen him on the entire journey." Salin explained to her that the Ambassador had been extremely pre-occupied with certain business regarding his teaching at the Academy. But he was sure when he took care of it he would be able to see her.
"The Ambassador is teaching at the Academy?" She asked surprised.
"Yes Miss Teine, advanced computers. I must leave as I am sure your need to ready yourself and the Ambassador will surely have things for me to attend to."
"Salin, tell the Ambassador..." She stopped, and then sighed. "Oh nothing Salin, I shall speak to him later."
She started to get her things together and changed into a lightweight gown, pale green with willow leaves embroidered on the bodice and hem. She piled her hair loosely a top her head and pulled strands of it loose around her face and neck. She clasped a dark green piece of material on her one shoulder and let it hang down her back to the floor. Eire sat and waited.
Just before six, Earth time, for she was still going by standard time, Salin arrived at her quarters. Taking her bag he walked her to the transporter room. She was nervous, she had never been transported anywhere. They went through the doors and were met by the Ambassador who was standing at the console talking with the ensign who was going to be transporting them down to the planets surface. He did not acknowledge her; instead he kept talking to the young man. She felt warmth rise in her eyes but held it back.
The Ambassador stood aside as the ensign said, "Miss Teine, Salin, if you would position yourselves on the pad, we can begin transporting." Salin walked up onto the pad, Eire froze, she couldn't move.
"Miss Teine please, it will not hurt. If you will stand on the pad." She looked at Sarek. His face was blank, not even his eyes showed any signs of emotion. Salin stepped down off the pad and went to her.
"Miss Teine it will not hurt you, it is actually quite and unusual sensation... almost pleasurable." He took her by the arm and started to lead her to the pad. She moved very slowly, her breath caught in her throat. If only it were Sarek leading her, if only it was his touch. She was finally standing on the pad, Salin still holding her arm. Sarek approached the transporter pad and looked at her, his look was dark... like her angel. He turned his gaze to Salin and spoke to him in Vulcan; Salin released her arm as if he had been burnt by its touch. He stepped back and answered the Ambassador in Vulcan. With that Sarek left the transporter room his robes flying behind him.
"Ready?" Asked the ensign.
He hit the sequence and Eire felt herself dissolving. It was not unpleasant, but she was afraid. What if she didn't materialize on the planet? She had read of some accounts of this happening. It must be horrible, what happens to you? Does your soul float around forever in space or would your soul also remain lost? Before her next thought she materialized on the planet. The heat hit her and she swayed, she caught her breath and perspiration started to bead on her forehead and upper lip. A young Vulcan woman behind the control asked...
"Will the Ambassador be beaming down now?"
"No, he will advise you when he is ready." Salin answered.
"Very well." She responded and left the console.
"Follow me." Salin said to Eire.
"Salin, why is the Ambassador not beaming down with us?"
"He has requested I should escort you to his residence in ShiKahr. When he has time he will come to see you." Eire's eyes flashed.
"When he spoke to you in Vulcan... what did he say?" She asked. Salin looked at her, then straight ahead.
"He commanded me to release your arm... that you were not mine to touch." Eire touched Salin's arm and he pulled away.
"Miss Teine perhaps your should not touch others so openly, you are on Vulcan now, where touching is viewed as not appropriate behaviour. And now that you have been claimed by another male, it is not within your right to touch any other or mine to allow you to do so." Salin said not looking at her shocked expression.
She grabbed his arm again, "Salin, what do you mean? What are you saying?"
He looked from her face to where her hand rested on her arm; she removed it. "Miss Teine, I am sure Ambassador Sarek will answer any queries about the situation when you see him." He answered.
"But when will that be?" Eire asked.
"I do not know, whenever he has taken care of his other business. I'm sure he will attend to you. Shall we?" He showed her the way to the main doors, Eire stood behind him watching him walk away and closed her eyes sighing a hurtful sigh and wondered what she had got herself into?
~~Chapter 10~~
"If you will follow me I will show you what you need to know." He turned and she followed him halfway down the hall where he stopped at the room he had just come from.
"This is where you will sleep." He said. He turned and walked to the end of the hall, pointing to a closed door.
"The washing facilities." Then to the left into the kitchen, Salin went over to the food replicator and began to explain how it worked.
"I know how it works." Eire said still annoyed. Then Salin went into the living area where he went over to the wall and adjusted the temperature to suit her needs.
"I must leave. I will leave you the ground car, in case you have need of it."
"But how will you get back?" She asked.
"I will walk back to the Embassy, it is not far from here." He answered.
"How will I find the Academy? Where is it?" She asked.
"I am sure the Ambassador will see you long before you have to attend the Academy. And Miss Teine, the Ambassador asked me to tell you that you may have full access to his computer, his code is 17A."
"Of course, thank you Salin." How nice she thought sarcastically.
He turned and left, closing the door quietly. Eire wandered out to the hall and looked at the books, one caught her eye, 'Myth and Legend of the Vulcans', and she took it from the shelf. She thought she really should unpack her trunk but she would only look through the book briefly. She went back into the living area; it was already starting to get dark so she turned on a small lamp at the side of the desk where the computer was. She sat in the chair, it was Sarek's' chair and she felt his energy in it. What did Salin mean by' another male has claimed you?' She let the thought drift away as she opened the book and flipped through it till she came to a chapter entitled, 'Tulrah, Holder of the Heart.' She started to read.
'Tulrah, Goddess of the ancient Vulcan race ruled heaven and ground, her body was the very planet, her crown the stars in the heavens. She and she alone deemed who lived and died, she was the Great Mother, her temples filled the land and her name was sung in all rituals. She brought Pon Farr to the males as the blood fever. Through her females life was brought forth... she was a Goddess of great beauty, bearing all the passion and desire her children rejected. In her legend it is said when she stood on Mt. Seleya to beg her children not to discard their emotions, to hold within them the desire and passion she had given them. They attacked her and tore her to pieces as their last act of passion. Her blood filled the land and that is why Vulcan is red earthed. Her tears did not fall as she refused to cry for her children, in doing so she withheld the rains. She rides T'Khut every night her blood still dripping on the Watcher's face. She holds the hearts of all males, as they were her priests in the time before, they preformed her sacred rituals. And in death it is said all males carry their hearts to her, all males must submit to her.'
Eire read on noting the similarities of ancient Vulcans to pre-Christian Humans. She thought she might do a piece on Tulrah, perhaps in onyx if she could get some, No, T'Khut's Tear would be more appropriate. She laid the book down on the desk and wondered what time it was. She stretched and got up going to the kitchen she got herself a glass of green tea from the replicator. Eire stood sipping the tea noticing the clock on the counter had stopped, she assumed it was around ten o'clock, was Sarek going to come tonight or would he go straight to Gol? He had seemed so hurtful in the transporter room. Did he hold it against her that she could not satisfy his pleasures? She was sure that was not the reason why he had pulled away from her, he was very tormented, she felt that, pain and loss had filled his life this last year and when he came to her for comfort, she couldn't give it. She went back into the living area and stopped at a holo-picture that hung on the wall. It was of Amanda and a small child... his son? She was beautiful; her face so full of kindness, Eire felt love coming from it... so much love. She smiled and said. "But Amanda did you receive the love you needed?"
Eire didn't know. The chime on the comm started to sound, she put the glass down on the desk and sat in the chair. Her heart was pounding; she hoped it was Sarek. Perhaps they could talk about the situation, but she knew it was not him. She punched the 'on' button and T'Zah's face appeared.
"I thought I'd call and see how your were settling in?" T'Zah said.
"All I know T'Zah is that I'm hot and in misery."
"Is that vision still bothering you?" T'Zah asked.
"No, thankfully I haven't had it since I left Earth, no, it's the Ambassador he has feelings for me and I just can't bring myself to give them back to him. At the moment our relationship... if there was one, is very strained. He hasn't seen me since we left Earth, except for a few moments in the transporter room aboard the ship where he chastised Salin for touching me. Now Salin has backed off from me as well." Eire started to cry. "I'm sorry, forgive me T'Zah."
"Eire, have you slept since you left Earth?"
"Barely." Eire said wiping her eyes.
"Listen, go and sleep and I will call you tomorrow afternoon and we'll talk. Perhaps if you sleep you'll feel better and eat something. And Eire... is it really worth being Pa Vetch when all it brings you is pain?" T'Zah asked softly.
"Is the pain any easier if you are not Pa Vetch?" Eire asked.
"I don't know... get some sleep I'll call you tomorrow." T'Zah said.
~~Chapter 11~~
"Oh Goddess, what is happening to me?" She looked to the open door and thought Sarek was standing in the doorway, but as she focused her eyes she realized it was the woman in her vision, fear shot through her and she threw herself across the bed to try and get away.
"No, no!" She screamed.
Within the woman's hand she held a heart, it dripped blood on the floor the green liquid staining where it hit, then it was gone. Eire sat shaking uncontrollably in the dark, as time passed and she felt a little better she realized Sarek was not coming. She got up and undressed, putting on a sleeveless sleeping gown, even though Salin had dropped the temperature by ten degrees, she still felt hot. She undid her hair and sat brushing it humming to herself, hoping to keep the vision away. Finally exhaustion hit her. She put the brush down and lay on the bed and darkness over-took her. Her dreams were disjointed and passionate, Sarek touching her, kissing her, making love to her, and the woman holding the pendant and the heart, she leered and laughed at them. Eire tossed and turned all night. When she woke at first light she was wet all over and her hair clung to her. She decided to get up and shower, when done she felt cold and clammy. She wondered if she was getting sick. Eire finally forced herself to dress. She chose a teal colored dress with a sliver girdle over it. She wanted to leave her hair down but it was too warm, so she pulled the back up and braided the sides clasping the braids with silver moon-face hair rings. She headed for the kitchen and got herself a glass of sava juice and went into the living area. She sat down at the desk and started to flip through the book on Vulcan myth when she noticed that the comm held a message. She must have turned the volume down the night before, as she never heard the chiming as the message came in. She pressed the button and the message appeared.
11:14---Sarek---No message.
Eire pressed the delete button and put her hand to her head.
"Damn!" She keyed the number of the Academy and waited for a response. A woman appeared on the screen.
"Academy information, can I be of assistance?"
"Hello, my name is Eire Teine, I would like to verify my class's for the coming semester."
"One moment please." The woman said. "Vulcan arts and religion starts on the tenth, nine a.m. and one a.m. respectively. Matriarchy... the twelfth... six p.m.."
"Thank you, live long." Eire said.
"Welcome to Vulcan Miss Teine, live long and prosper." The comm went dark, Eire's head started to ache a little more. She looked in the comm directory for art suppliers, she found one and keyed the number, and again the com. came on.
"May I help you?" A Vulcan male asked.
"Perhaps, do you carry sculpting material?" She asked.
"Yes, we have some in stock and if you require any specialty material we do take special orders." He said.
"Wonderful, I'm looking for a piece of T'Khut's Tear, about eighteen inches in height, would you have that on hand?" Eire asked.
"Yes, we do."
"Where are you located in ShiKahr?" Eire waited.
He explained how she would get to the shop and she thanked him and turned off the comm. She went and got a silver pouch, making sure she had her credits card and the entry code for the main gate, checking that she had everything she would need she clasped the pouch to her hip and draped a teal colored scarf over her head and headed for town. It was ten-thirty in the morning and already the heat was almost unbearable. She started to walk towards ShiKahr proper; it wasn't quite as long a walk as she thought. She saw absolutely no one on her way, all Vulcans worked, so the whole area was deserted. She reached the art shop and went inside, she recognized the male at the counter as the one she had spoken to earlier.
"Good morning, I spoke to you about a piece of T'Khut's Tear earlier." Eire said smiling.
"Good morning, come this way." He said emerging from behind the counter.
He directed Eire to a separate room filled with minerals and stones. Slate, granite, obsidian and more exotic rocks, pearlathene, rosdi and maltan; the shop carried a large variety of stones from every part of the galaxy. She looked at the T'Khut's Tear and chose a piece with dark gold veins running through the amber-red background. The Vulcan picked it up and carried it to the counter, which was no easy task, as it weighed quite a lot for it's size.
"Will that be all Miss?" He asked.
"Yes, that will do." Eire answered.
"You've picked a striking piece of stone. Have you worked with it before? The reason I ask is that it is a very difficult stone to work with."
"Yes, I've worked with it before in a small form and it is difficult to work with, but well worth the frustration."
"Your credits card?" He asked.
Eire opened her pouch and handed him her card, she looked around as he keyed her number in.
"Miss Teine, this will not be necessary. Ambassador Sarek has opened an account for you, it will be credited to him."
"Oh, I really would prefer it to be deducted from my account." Eire said.
"That is not logical Miss..." The Vulcan said.
"I am Human, therefore, it is my right to be illogical." Eire said smiling.
"Of course." He keyed in her number again and deducted the amount. "We will deliver this to your residence later today, will there be someone there to receive it?" He asked.
"There should, if not leave it at the gate. Is there somewhere I could get something to drink, this heat is unbearable." Eire commented.
"Yes, three doors to the right." He replied.
"Thank you. Oh, and how would I get to the Vulcan Embassy?"
He told her how to get to the Embassy; she thanked him and went to get something to drink. It was after one when she arrived at the Embassy and she was so hot, she went inside, it was a bit cooler though not much. The main office was very plain; Eire approached the desk where a Human female sat keying at the console. She looked up as Eire approached her, without a smile or a nod she asked. "Can I help you?"
"Yes, is Ambassador Sarek available?"
"No, I'm sorry, the Ambassador is not in at the moment. Would you like to state your business and comm number where he may reach you?" Eire thought quickly; she knew he wasn't there, she couldn't feel him.
"Is Salin available?" She asked.
"Yes, Salin is available, who may I say wishes to speak with him?" Eire couldn't believe how Vulcan she sounded.
"Miss Teine." The woman keyed in Salin's code.
"Salin, there is a Miss Teine who wishes to speak with you." She looked at Eire.
"One moment please." And she returned to her keying. Salin came around the corner of the hall, he looked slightly surprised to see her.
"Miss Tiene, this way." Eire followed him around the corner and down the hall where they entered a small office.
"I must say this is unusual, why are you here?" Salin asked.
"I was in ShiKahr to get some art supplies and thought I would come by. Will the Ambassador be coming back today?" She asked.
"Coming back? He has not been in the Embassy since his return to Vulcan. You mean he has not seen you as yet?" Salin was confused.
"No, perhaps he's busy, perhaps this evening he will contact me." She forced a smile.
"Perhaps. Is there anything else?" Salin asked.
"No Salin, nothing. Thank you for your time."
She turned and left, Salin watched as she left the Embassy and wondered what was going on. Eire was becoming very depressed with this situation; she headed back to the Ambassador's residence. When she got there she hoped that perhaps he had arrived, but that was not the case. She took off her slippers and got herself a drink of water and went directly to the comm to see if there were any messages. There were none. She took the book off the table and went to the couch and started to read. She read for about an hour, then got up and went to the comm. She keyed in Ambassador Sarek--Res--Gol--code number. The comm hummed softly, then the information appeared. She thought for a moment, deciding if she should call him, but before she could decide the door comm chimed. Eire turned off the comm and answered it; it was the art shop delivering the T'Khut's Tear. When they had left she wandered around the house looking at things... she was so bored. Then she went into the hall and looked at the selection of books, she walked slowly down the hall till she was standing at the other room next to hers. Sarek's bedroom, she wondered if she should go in, she knew she shouldn't, but her hand opened the door before she could stop. She peered inside the dark room and went in. The darkness enfolded her. She felt Sarek, she felt Amanda, she should not be here so she left and closed the door. She decided she would try to sleep, she was so tired and the heat made her even more so. She lay on the bed and dropped off to sleep; when she woke it was dark. Eire sat up and listened to hear any noises... but nothing. She was feeling sorry for herself... oh, stop it, she thought, you have been alone for ages, get up and do something. After doing a centering exercise she went out into the living area, the comm was chiming; she went to get the message.
10:15---T'Zah----Greetings--- Call me when you have time!-
~~Chapter 12~~
"I didn't mean to wake you, I will complete what I have to do and leave." He said returning to his work. Eire couldn't believe what he had just said. He brings her here and just leaves.
"Do what you want Sarek, it makes no difference to me." He looked up again from his work.
"If you wish to speak Eire... speak." He waited. Eire turned to leave the room but stopped and turned again to face him. She was miserable, lonely and couldn't understand why he was acting so cold.
"Ambassador, I am well aware of your needs... I can feel them. But only because I have chosen not to comply with your sexual desires you just bring me here and leave, not caring of any of my needs or even how I am coping on this red hell fire of a planet!" Sarek's one eyebrow raised, but he let her continue.
Eire took a breath, "Believe me Sarek... I would love to be able to make love to you, but would that solve our situation? I don't think so, your too Vulcan." She stood looking at him, her breathing quick. She held her tears back. Sarek got up from the comm and walked towards her, his face blank and his eyes free from any emotion. When he stood in front of her he took her hand and raised it to his lips gently kissing it. She looked into his face, into his eyes. 'Is the pain any worse if you are not Pa Vetch, I don't know' T'Zah's words entered her mind. Surely the pain is no worse than this. She dropped her head then slowly raised it to look into his face.
"Sarek, hold me." She whispered through trembling lips. He took her in his arms enfolding her in his darkness. He held her for a few moments. Finally Eire pulled away from him and went to sit on the couch, he did the same.
"Sarek." She started. "I'm so afraid." She continued, wanting to tell him about her vision, but again T'Zah's words were in her mind, she didn't say anything. He raised his fingers to her cheek and traced her face with them.
"Why are you afraid?" He asked, his senses very aware of her body beneath her thin robe. He felt her emotions conflicting and he pulled up more control to keep them out. Eire stood up and walked out of his reach. She searched for the right words, but they wouldn't come, finally she turned to face him, arms at her side eyes focused on his.
"I'm afraid Sarek as I do not know if I could please you the way you would wish. I have felt your fire and it scares me, I believe your passion will be too much for me to contend with." He listened intensely to her not moving; the fire was burning within him. She came over to him and kneeled in front of him. Eire lifted her hand to his face, he closed his eyes and his lips brushed her fingers causing her to gasp with pleasure. Eire pulled her fingers away.
"Sarek... I am...." The words wouldn't come. "I have no experience in love making. " She dropped her head. "I am Pa Vetch."
~~Chapter 13~~
"What is this?" Eire asked. He bent and kissed her forehead.
"It is my bonding gift to you... if you will have it? I do not expect you to pleasure me until you are ready, and I will teach you what you need to know." He lifted her face towards his.
"And I will please you whenever you wish it. Give me your boon that I am your claimer. Let me hear your words of promise to me. Do I claim you?" Tears fell freely from Eire's eyes.
"Yes Sarek, you may claim me."
He bent a little and put his lips on hers and kissed her gently. She pressed harder against him and his desire flared, he took her in his arms and pulled her even closer, feeling her body against his, he had to stop before he could not, but she held him. Sarek summoned his control, and Eire felt the passion slowly ebbing, but she wanted that passion. Her body wanted more... but just beneath the surface fear clutched her winding ever so slowly around her mind. She opened her eyes and the kiss lay between them. She put her head on his chest and trembled slightly. This was her dark angel. From him she would draw all she needed, he was no longer a dark brooding winged creature staring at her from behind a frame... he was warm with passion and desire, she could touch him now, feel his energy, could envelope herself in his darkness. He kissed her one last time.
"Come sit with me?" He said. Eire pulled herself away from her embrace, not wanting to leave the safeness of his darkness. She sat on the couch beside him, her hands resting in her lap. His musky smell rising, keeping her senses aware of him. "We must speak, come to an understanding." Sarek said.
"Of course." Eire nodded.
"We must decide when we will bond and then marry. I will be staying on Vulcan for a period of three months, until I finish teaching my course at the Academy. Then I must return to Earth for two months... do you wish to marry before I leave or when I return?" Eire looked at him, she heard his words, but she could not believe them. Everything had suddenly slowed down; her heart was the only thing she really heard beating within her, rhythmic, steady. She listened to it to try and center herself.
"I will abide with whatever you decide, as I do not know anything regarding your traditions on wedding etiquette." She said.
"Very well, four weeks from today we shall bond and marry. I will also arrange for you in the coming days to speak with a Sister of the Seleya. It will help you to understand what is expected of you as wife." He touched her face thinking of the sweetness she would give him then brought himself out of his thoughts and continued.
"You might contact your friend... T'Zah, perhaps she would be of assistance to you in arranging the wedding." He put his hand out and took the pendant that lay between her breasts. His warmth caused her skin to tingle; he looked at it then drew his hand back and released it.
"Do you have any questions?" He asked.
Eire wanted to ask him about Salin, about how he was and why he had been so hard on him. She knew it would cause problems but she had to know. "Yes Sarek, why did you chastise Salin for touching me? After all he did not know you had claimed me... neither did I. Now he has backed away from me and this bothers me tremendously. He meant nothing by it... he was only trying to assist me."
Sarek sat back on the couch placing his one arm along the back of it. His eyes seemed darker and his voice lower, more controlled. "In truth, Salin knew my claim. I did not have to speak it. He blatantly touched you in my presence. This is not done. He broke the law. He shamed himself, you and me in this action. By Vulcan law I am within my rights to have him declared vrekasht." Eire looked at him not understanding. "It is an ancient word meaning exile, outcast." Sarek said. Eire gasped softly.
"You wouldn't? How could you do such a thing?" She couldn't believe that Sarek was contemplating such an action. Poor Salin, to be exiled from his home! "I am as much to blame, I allowed him to touch me. You should declare me this... vrekasht." Sarek got up from the couch and turned to look down at her.
"I could never declare you vrekasht, you are Human and did not know the law... you are innocent. But Salin knew very well that his action was wrong!" Sarek walked to the other side of the room and turned to face her.
"Do you have feeling for Salin?" He asked.
Eire rose from the couch and turned her back to him. Sarek was confused with her action. She controlled herself holding down her anger. How could he ask me that? He knows my feelings are for him and him alone. He is the only male that has ever kissed me, touched me Eire thought. She turned to face him.
"Yes Sarek, I have feeling for Salin!" His eyes got a little darker and the muscles in his jaw flexed just a little. "As I have feeling for T'Zah. I have feelings of friendship for him. Please do not have him declared vrekasht, please I do not want you to do this." She pleaded.
Sarek took a deep breath and walked over to the desk and stood in silence, finally he spoke not looking at her. "He knew he broke the law. It is illogical to forgive him; it is done. But since your emotions are running you at this moment... I will concede. I will not declare him vrekasht, but neither will I have him in my employ and I will ask that you not associate with him." Eire didn't take well to being told what to do when her friends were involved.
"Are you giving me an ultimatum?" She asked.
"If that is what you wish to call it... then that is what I am giving you."
Eire couldn't believe it, he was trying to tell her who she could and could not associate with. She knew she had to stand firm, not back down. She thought if she backed down she would be demeaning herself, not in his eyes, but in hers. "Sarek, I can not do as you ask, in my eyes Salin has done nothing wrong, nor have I. If you feel threatened by my association with Salin, I can't help that. If you insist that I do not associate with Salin, I... I cannot abide with your wish."
Sarek approached her, he knew she had fire, he felt that but she also had fight. Humans were so headstrong, stubborn to a fault. Does she not realize this fight is not worth it? Use your logic he thought and you will see that I am correct. "You leave me no choice. If you do not disassociate from Salin." His eyes were intense and his voice lower. "I will declare him vrekasht! You are on Vulcan now Eire, therefore you must abide by Vulcan law. It can be no other way!"
Eire stood feeling his eyes on her, reaching into her, touching, and teasing her. He saw she would not sway. He put his hand up and touched her face. She felt pain flowing over her, she fought it back, back into the darkness. Sarek tried to sway her touching her senses with wisps of fire, fingers of passion licked at her, he gave her promises of the passion that was to come. Eire blocked them the best she could; she would not be swayed.
"Will you disassociate with Salin?" He asked in a hushed velvet voice. Eire stood staring ahead, silent. He took his hand away. "I shall leave you to think about your decision. If I have not heard from you by tomorrow, midday, I will start proceedings to have Salin declared vrekasht. I will also make arrangements for you to see T'Lar. She will instruct you in our ways, we do not want this to happen in the future."
Eire gave him no response; she could not for fear of loosing her control and having her words strike him. She wanted to slap his face, to pound on his chest, no, she held back. Sarek bent and kissed her, she didn't return the kiss, and he drew back and exhaled a deep breath and turned and left the room and the house. Eire stood for sometime till the tears fell hot on her face. She had to speak with Salin, had to warn him of what Sarek was intending to do. He was her friend; she had to let him know... she knew this would not go well with Sarek. She went to the comm and brought up the directory, she found Salin's name and residence, she would call him, no, that would be recorded. She would go to him instead.
~~Chapter 14~~
When she finally located his residence, she stood and caught her breath just enough to be able to speak. She pushed the comm again.
"Yes?" Came a voice.
"Salin, it's Eire... I need to speak to you!" There was a long silence. "Please!" Another long pause then the gate clicked. Eire ran up the pathway to where Salin stood with the door open.
"It is very late Miss Teine, you really should not be here." Salin knew what trouble could come of it.
"Salin, I must speak to you. I don't know what to do?" Eire said, her eyes conveying her urgency. Salin studied her closely.
"Come in." He said.
She went inside and he closed the door, he led her into the living area and motioned her to sit down.
"What is wrong Miss Teine?" He asked.
"It's Sarek, he came tonight... he told me he wished to bond and marry me." Salin looked at her a little confused.
"I'm pleased for you. He is a male of power and rank, you should be pleased also that he has chosen you... this upsets you?"
"No, not at all. But the fact that Sarek has given me an ultimatum does!" Salin looked at her already half knowing what she was going to say.
"And what ultimatum is that?" He asked
"Either I disassociate with you or he will declare you vrekasht!" Salin turned and walked to the other side of the room.
"Then Miss Teine, you have no other choice, you must disassociate with me forthwith." Eire looked at him and shook her head 'no'. "But you have done nothing wrong, nor have I!" She couldn't believe Salin was going to go along with Sarek's wishes.
"Perhaps not among Humans, but in Vulcan law I have, and Ambassador Sarek is within his rights to act. I touched another male's female and I did wrong." He looked at Eire; she felt his eyes looking through her. "I have shamed myself and others. I will accept the charge."
Eire got up off the chair. "You can't accept the charges, you have done nothing wrong! Salin you have to fight it, bring your side to the counsel... he can't do this!" Salin's eyebrow rose.
"He can and he will. The law is the law and I have disregarded it." He said softly.
"He said if I disassociate with you he would not bring the charge forth. Instead he will only dismiss you from his employ."
"What does it matter, either way I will by gone. The Ambassador is very logical. If you do not do what he asks, he declares me vrekasht... I'm gone. And if you do comply with his requests, I am let go from his employ, which will bring shame upon my family and myself... I leave. Either way the Ambassador wins." Eire took a deep breath and held it, slowly letting it out.
"This is crazy! It is so petty, only because you touched me. I cannot understand it Salin. What should I do?"
"That Miss Teine is your decision, either way I leave... how, is up to you."
"I can't be a part of this Salin, to me it's wrong! Sarek is wrong! Even though I have only known you for a little while, I call you my friend and I hold our friendship dear. You have always been helpful and above reproach. I can not make the choice."
Eire's eyes became misty, holding back her tears. Salin looked away from her, he felt uneasy with her show of emotion. He wanted to comfort her but he dared not, not now, knowing she was officially claimed. He turned his back to her.
"Miss Teine, go home. You do not have to make the decision. I will take care of it myself, do not worry." He paused for a moment.
"You are my friend also, keep this with you, remember it always."
With that Eire went to him and put her arms around him and hugged him warmly. He did not return the gesture but stood allowing her to let her light flow over him. Eire released him. "I am so sorry Salin." She said.
"No need to be sorry, you have done no wrong." He said.
"And neither have you." Eire softly whispered. He lifted his two fingers and placed them on her lips lightly.
"Please go Eire." They both stood looking at each other, Eire sighed and turned to leave.
~~Chapter 15~~
But she knew it would not rain so she went inside and undressed. Kneeling before her altar she lit a candle and for the remainder of the night she incanted. When she could do no more she crawled into bed and at first light she fell asleep. She slept fitfully, in her dreams the black fire raged and she woke the images still in her waking mind, the perspiration still damp on her body.
She reminder herself that she had not eaten anything substantial for days, but that thought soon faded. She got up and showered and dressed herself in a black gunna with a silver girdle. She applied black to her eyes and left her hair unbound, she felt as dark as her clothing. She finally convinced herself to eat something. She found a piece of fruit and went to the couch. Her mind was filled with thoughts as she ate the fruit, Sarek, Salin, the woman in her vision holding the pendant. She pushed them all away, she was too tired to think and tomorrow she started at the Academy, she must keep focused. She took a final bite of the fruit and got up going to her room, she heaved the piece of T'Khut's Tear into her arms and carried it out to the yard in the rear of the house. Eire stood looking, studying it then went back in and got her tools. She started to grind away being careful not to put too much pressure on the block. T'Khut's Tear was very strong and solid but did have the tendency to split around the veins, so she took her time, gently grinding, each stroke carefully placed. Every once in awhile she stopped and put her hands on the cold stone, stroking it as she would a lover. She was immersed in her passion not allowing anyone or anything to enter her mind. She was creating; she was making love as only she knew how. Eire didn't hear the chiming of the comm through the afternoon, even if she did, she would not have answered it. She didn't want to know about Sarek or Salin. So she kept creating till the light started to turn red then to gray until she could do no more. She put down the tool and stroked the face of Tulrah then kissed her. The eyes of the statue stared back, passion shining from them, seduction on its full lips. Eire was pleased with what she had accomplished. She went into the house... she needed a drink. She went to the kitchen but decided to have something stronger so she went into the living area and opened the recessed cubical in the wall. Reaching for the decanter of amber liquid she took out the stopper and sniffed it... brandy.
Although alcohol had not much effect on Vulcans, it was kept on hand for the Human guests that the Ambassador entertained. Eire took a glass and poured herself a drink then went over to the couch and sat down putting the open decanter on the table. She raised the glass to her lips and drank it down, coughing as it took her breath away; she started to feel warm all over. She was not a drinker and rarely indulged in alcohol, but right now she needed to relax. She poured another drink and drank it putting the glass on the table, Eire stared into the amber liquid left covering the bottom of the snifter. She got up and went to the comm, a light flashed '---message---'.
She sat down and pressed play, the screen lit up and the messages rolled across the screen...
-1:00p.m.---Sarek---Call me at the Embassy.
Eire got up and poured herself another drink and returned to the comm. It had continued to print up the messages.
6:00p.m.---T'Zah---Call me.
Eire took another drink; she was feeling the effects of the alcohol. She knew she should stop but she didn't want too. She wanted to feel the warmth, she wanted to feel the comfort it gave. She got up and poured herself a large glass and went back and stared at the screen.
"Damn you!" She said.
She was hot, so hot. She took off her outer girdle and threw it onto the couch. It was not the alcohol or the heat that was making her feel this way. The thought of his touch scared her; the musk of his maleness seduced her. The chiming of the comm brought her out of her thoughts. She let it chime; when it stopped she proceeded to key in T'Zah's number, the screen flashed.
"Eire...what's wrong? You look awful." T'Zah said.
"I guess life on Vulcan does not agree with me my friend."
"Where is the Ambassador?" T'Zah asked.
"Oh my future husband should be here anytime."
"Husband? Are you drunk?" T'Zah rolled her eyes.
"Yes T'Zah! I am and it feels so good! I don't have to feel anymore. I don't have to feel his emotions! I want to stay drunk!"
T'Zah sat speechless looking at her.
"I'm just calling to invite you to come to Vulcan to help me arrange my wedding. I need you T'Zah... please come." Eire pleaded.
"Of course, I will leave first thing tomorrow. Will you be alright?" T'Zah asked.
"Of course I'll be alright, I have my dark angel to watch over me." Tears fell down Eire's face
T'Zah saw no sense trying to speak with Eire in her condition. She wondered how Sarek would warm to this situation?
Eire sat with her hand on her head; she reached and poured the last bit of brandy into her glass. She wasn't feeling drunk she told herself. She took the glass and went to change into something cooler. She put on a sheer black nightdress and returned to the living area and turned down the temperature. She sat sipping the rest of the brandy and looking around the room till her eyes fell on the harp that hung on the wall... Sarek's harp. Eire put the glass down and went and took the harp off the wall, she returned to the chair and sat crossed-legged and started to pluck at the harp in a slow steady manner till a tune started to form. She didn't hear Sarek as he came in and closed the door. He stood quietly listening to her sing.
"Beloved gaze in thine own heart,
The surety of it's hidden root,
She ended the song but kept playing. Sarek removed his cape and walked into the living area where Eire was still harping. She didn't sense him, finally he said. "Eire, I will speak with you."
Eire jumped but didn't look at him instead she continued playing.
"Actually I would prefer to play than to hear your words." She said. She started to play a faster piece. Sarek walked over and put his hand on the harp. He took it from her and replaced it back on the wall. Eire stood, swaying slightly.
"You tell me who I may associate with and now you dare take my music away! I will not have this Sarek... you do not own me. No one owns me! I will not have you telling me what I may or may not do! Do you understand?"
Sarek looked at her, her eyes were flaming, her breasts heaving beneath the sheer dress. He summoned his control.
"Salin resigned this afternoon, of his own free will. He will leave for Earth tomorrow. I hope we shall not have another situation like this. It is best for all concerned to forget it ever happen." His breath caught in his throat as he watched her standing there, he closed his eyes. "We shall not speak of it again."
"You act as if Salin and I were lovers caught in some sordid, dirty affair. Goddess he touched my arm!" Her voice was full of anguish and pain. Sarek took a step towards her, his eyes very dark.
"In touching you, he might have well have bedded you! I will not speak of this again." He put his hand up to stop her from speaking. "It is over!" Only his eyes showed his anger.
Eire walked over to him and raised her hand to strike his face. He grabbed a hold of her arm before she struck him.
"You wish to strike me?" He asked in a cold voice. He let her arm go and stood looking at her. Eire didn't know what she wanted to do so she turned and left the room. He looked after her wanting to call her back... but he didn't. Instead he went and picked up the decanter and glass and sniffed the contents. She would pay dearly for this in the morning. Humans were so illogical. He placed them in the sink and returned to his desk, he had some work to do that would keep him busy until she came out of her emotional state. He sat and began keying.
About twenty minutes later Eire appeared in the doorway, she stood looking at him and she felt a fire begin to burn deep within her. Even though she was angry with him, even though she could scream into his face her loathing of him for what he had done, he still brought the desire out in her that she hid so well.
The alcohol had made the desire intense and she fought it, but in the end it would win. She wasn't sure of anything but one thing... she wanted him and she wanted him now. Eire crossed the room till she stood in front of his desk; Sarek looked up then sat back in the chair.
"Have you calmed yourself enough to speak at a normal decibel?" He asked. Eire came around the desk and stood in front of him.
"I do not want to speak anymore Sarek, words mean nothing."
She took his hand, he thought she would kiss it instead she brought it up and placed it on her breast. Sarek pulled back not wanting to comply with her action, but she held his hand firm. He looked up into her face his own desire out of control, he gently caressed her breast, and Eire let his hand go and bent down and kissed his lips gently.
"Is this what you want Sarek?" She asked.
Eire didn't let him answer. She straddled him in the chair, her lips on fire with his. Sarek was losing all control, he wanted to take her right there, he wanted to feel her beneath him, he wanted to be inside of her feeling her heat, her sweetness. He grabbed the sides of her face in both hands and kissed her till the taste of blood was on his lips. He kissed her with such hunger; such passion Eire thought she would pass out right then. She sought his tongue and took it deeply within her mouth, he could stand no more, and the fire was completely out of control and needed to be quenched. Eire pulled back from the kiss and he sought her breast taking her nipple into his mouth, she moaned deeply. Sarek pulled her back down again, she felt him hard beneath her. She wanted him inside of her. Sarek stood taking her up with him and carried her to the bedroom. He laid her on the bed and took her face in his hands, he looked into her eyes, he saw fear, the passion held the fear. He kissed her once more to make certain her fire was still burning... it was. Sarek walked to the end of the bed removing his tarab and boots. Eire came to the end of the bed and knelt her hands touching his broad back; she gently started kissing his back her tongue savouring his male taste. He pulled her to him, his musky scent making her drunker. She reached and undid his breeches, slowly he took them off then took her chin in his hand looking at her, she was beautiful, her hair wild and her eyes on fire, those lips waiting to devour him.
"Is this what you want?" His voice was rasping, on fire. He let himself come down on her Eire falling beneath him. Sarek held himself over her, kissing her face making her passion flare. She reached down and took his member in her hand. She trembled as she brought it to her opening. He had no more control, his passion's mastery dissolved into the flames that were consuming him. He looked into her eyes once more then plunged deep into her. Eire screamed and tears rolled down her face. The pain was hot and consumed her; she thought he would rip her asunder. Sarek brought his mouth to hers and kissed her passionately muffling her sobs.
"The pain will stop." He whispered. Within minutes the pain had subsided and Eire lay taking all he could give. He continued to love her until she exploded from with then he allowed himself the same pleasure. Carefully he pulled himself from her and took her in his arms making sure she was satisfied. Sarek pulled her closer against him and kissed her until she fell to sleep. Eire woke later making sure he was sleeping and rose from the bed, she looked down at his sleeping form and smiled.
"I am no longer Pa Vetch and you have made me so. My dark angel has become my lover." She bent and gently kissed his mouth and left the room.
~~Chapter 16~~
Sarek had laid awake most of the night, waking when she left his bed. When she did not return he got up looking for her and found her asleep in the guest bed. He stood for sometime and watched her sleep and it disturbed him that she tossed and turned so much, perspiration lay glistening on her body. He was tempted to wake her from her dream, but thought against it after awhile. He would speak to her later to find out if she had solved her personal problem? He believed this was what was causing her agitation. He reached mentally out to her, trying to ease her but she was not open to him.
He lay awake remembering her passion, the fire that consumed him in the night; he closed his eyes bringing himself to calmness. He had heard her rise and waited for her to come to him. When she didn't, he rose and got ready to go to the Academy... he would see her there.
Eire had arrived at the Academy just before eight-thirty, she had checked in at the off-world student's registry and was told that both her classes were on schedule and to go to registrations to pick up the discs she would need. She finally got to the classroom. The class was almost full with most of the students being Vulcan, and four other off-worlders. Erie sat down at the last desk and turned her comm on and put in the disc. She sat viewing it silently; the curriculum came up on the screen.
Early Vulcan Art
She watched silently studying the monitor, wondering if Sarek had arrived at the Academy. She sat back and looked around the room, most of her fellow students were viewing their discs as she was. She noticed one girl about twenty-two years old finding difficulty in loading her disc. Eire got up and went over.
"Need some help?" She asked.
The young woman looked quite shocked as she raised her head and saw it was another Human, she smiled. "Would you?" She asked. Eire smiled at her.
"You should always check to make sure the reset button is pushed." Eire hit reset, popped in the disc and pushed 'start program'. Instantly the screen lit up and the program started.
"Thank you, my name is Rhea Donson."
"Mine is Eire Teine."
"Have you been on Vulcan long?" Rhea asked, looking at the Vulcan rune around Eire's neck.
"No, about a week." Eire replied.
"You're wearing a Vulcan rune and usually off-worlders aren't allowed to wear them, it's some rule they have."
Eire had forgot about the bonding gift Sarek had given her, she picked it up and put it inside her dress.
"It was a gift." She smiled.
"Oh, are you bonded?" Asked Rhea.
A Vulcan male who sat in front of Rhea turned hearing the conversation and looked at Eire. Soon a few other students had turned, waiting for her answer.
Just then a Vulcan of middle age walked into the room dressed in a white robe, his hair was black and his blue eyes gave him a stunning look. He reminded Eire of a Roman senator.
"Good morning students. I am Sondar and I will be your guide through this course on Vulcan arts. I hope you all have some talent in the arts? I suppose you all do. We will get along fine if you all pay attention, I do not repeat myself. I see you all have your discs in place." He stopped and looked at Eire who was still standing beside Rhea, she thought it polite to wait till Sondar finished speaking before she returned to her seat. He walked down the isle and stopped in front of her.
"Miss..?" He queried with one eyebrow raised.
"Miss Eire Teine, sir."
He looked at her and his eyes sparkled. "Miss Teine, your work precedes you. I viewed your disc only yesterday. Fine work." He looked around the class. "Well students, I would advise you to pay close attention to Miss Teine, she might teach you something." He motioned her to sit.
"Please, or would you prefer to teach the class today?" He asked.
"No Sondar, I beg your indulgence of an off-worlder. You are the one that is the teacher, I am the student." She bowed her head just a little. Sondar looked at her approvingly.
"Well said Miss Teine." Eire returned to her seat.
"Meet me at break." Rhea whispered. Eire smiled and nodded her head.
The morning wore on and Sondar talked on, walking up and down the isles. At eleven o'clock Sondar went back to the front of the class. "Tomorrow, early Vulcan art."
The students started to talk among themselves; Eire put her discs away in her case.
"Do you have to run?" Asked Rhea.
"No, I have an hour till my next class." Eire answered.
"What class is that?" Again Rhea asked.
"Matriarchy, T'Landa is teaching it." They both got up and walked out into the hall.
"Down this way, there's an indoor garden. I found it earlier." Rhea said.
They walked down the hall Eire looking absently into each doorway as they talked. They passed the last door and Eire stopped, Rhea stopped short in front of her, then came back to where Eire stood looking in the door, she also looked in.
"I tried to get into his class, but I didn't pass the primary entrance exam. He's the Ambassador to Earth, they say he's a hard task master but well worth the aggravation. He's even got a sense of humor. Can you imagine a Vulcan with a sense of humor? His class is always full, I think it's because he only teaches three months out of the years."
Sarek stood at his desk explaining something to a student. When he felt Eire he stopped talking and turned his head towards the open door, his eyes locked on hers.
Rhea looked back to Eire. "I think we should go, we seem to be disturbing him." Said Rhea.
"Yes, it would seem so." Eire replied still looking at him.
They walked on and picked up two containers of juice and went to sit in the garden. They talked. Eire felt good, someone to talk to. Rhea seemed very open and sweet, Eire thought surely Sarek wouldn't forbid her from talking to Rhea as he had with Salin, and she wondered how he was. She felt very bad about what had occured but there was nothing she could do for him right now.
"Eire, maybe some night we could get together. It's quite lonely here. It would be nice to talk to another Human." Rhea said.
"Of course Rhea, that would be nice." Eire responded.
"Aren't you eating lunch?" Rhea asked.
"No, I really do not eat lunch." Said Eire.
"Well I do!" Rhea pulled a container out of her bag; she opened it and offered Eire some of the fruit inside.
"No thank you, I really don't eat lunch." Eire said again and smiled.
Rhea put a grape in her mouth then looked over Eire's shoulder. "Don't look now, but here comes the Ambassador. I've never really seen him up close, but they say he's quite handsome for a Vulcan."
Sarek approached the stone bench they were sitting on and looked at Rhea, she almost swallowed her grape whole. "Miss Teine, I will speak with you... alone." He said.
Eire got up and excused herself and Rhea stared in disbelief as the Ambassador and Eire walked off into the garden.
"I see you have found a companion." Sarek said.
"Yes, Rhea, she's in my art class, she's very lonely." Eire answered.
"Are you enjoying Sondar's lectures?"
"Very much so, but sometimes he can be quite dramatic... for a Vulcan." Sarek's eyebrow rose. They walked and stood at the window that looked out onto a stone garden.
"When I woke last night, you were gone... I missed you." He said.
"I didn't want to disturb you by coming back to your bed." Eire said looking out the window not daring to look at him in case she would touch him.
"I would have welcomed the disturbance." Sarek said. Eire blushed and shifted her case from one hand to the other.
"I have spoken to T'Lar, she will see you tomorrow evening. I shall go with you to arrange the ceremony."
"Ceremony?" Eire questioned.
"For our marriage." Sarek replied.
"Yes, of course Sarek. My mind is otherwise occupied."
"You have your Matriarchy class at one?" He asked his mind holding memories of their lovemaking.
"Yes I do." Eire looked at her watch... twelve forty-five.
"I really have to run or I'll be late." She turned to leave and Sarek reach and placed his two fingers on her lips, Eire caught her breath and pulled back.
"Will you be home early this evening?" He asked.
"I will." Eire said.
"Perhaps we could spend sometime together this evening. We have much to discuss."
Eire smiled and touched his hand lightly. He returned the gesture. Eire turned and walked quickly back to where Rhea was still sitting. Rhea got up off the bench just as Sarek came off the pathway and rushed by them going in quite a hurry. He did not glance at either of them, Eire smelt his musky scent as he past and she closed her eyes.
"What did he want?" Asked Rhea.
"He just wanted to tell me that my Matriarchy class starts at one." Replied Eire.
Rhea looked confused. "But why would the Ambassador seek you out and tell you something you already know?"
"I don't know, perhaps because he is my sponser... he is concerned I will miss my class and that would reflect badly on him," Eire said, not wanting to tell Rhea the truth.
"The Ambassador of Vulcan is your sponsor?" Asked Rhea.
"Yes." Eire said watching him disappears around the corner at the end of the hall.
"But how? Only families can sponsor off-worlders, and the Ambassador is widowed. So you live with him?" Rhea asked very interested.
"No! I stay at his home here and he stays at his villa in Gol. I really have to run or I'll be late. I'll see you tomorrow." Off Eire ran leaving Rhea standing trying to make sense out of what she just heard.
~~Chapter 17~~
She couldn't believe Eire was going to marry a Vulcan, the Ambassador? Why on Earth would she do that and did she know what she was getting herself into? She couldn't, or she would turn and run. She would have to seriously have a talk to Eire to make sure the Vulcan sun hadn't fried her brain.
After speaking briefly to her parents and explaining why she had come home she left for the Ambassador's residence. She had to smile to herself when both her parents' eyebrows shot up when she told them that her friend Eire had need of her help to arrange her marriage to the Ambassador. She wasn't sure if it was the result of the Ambassador's pending marriage or the fact that she was going to help arrange it. T'Zah pulled up to the iron gates and got out of her ground car; she pushed the code to announce her arrival.
"Yes." Came Eire's voice.
"Eire, it's T'Zah."
The gate clicked and T'Zah walked up the path meeting Eire halfway. She looked at her with concern. She looked unwell. She had lost some weight. T'Zah opinion was that it did not suit her. Eire's face was pale and her eyes dark and tired. They embraced each other and went into the house.
After filling T'Zah in about the Academy, Salin and the Ambassador, T'Zah looked at her. "Where is the Ambassador?"
"Sarek will be here later... I hope." Eire said.
"You hope?" T'Zah rolled her eyes.
"He was suppose to come to see me two nights ago, but something came up and I haven't seen or heard from him since." Eire closed her eyes briefly.
"I even had to go to see T'Lar by myself... she's spooky!" Eire smiled slightly.
"You don't know how spooky!" Said T'Zah more to herself, remembering the time she had encountered the High Priestess of Seleya. T'Zah was appalled at what Sarek had done. She thought with his many years on Earth among Humans and being married to one for so long, he would have picked up more Human ways. But Sarek was known on Earth as a traditionalist. Vulcan to the bone. She had often wondered how a Human could be attracted to a Vulcan? They were so different, but like they say, opposites attract. And now Eire, she just couldn't see her living her days out on Vulcan with a Vulcan husband and bringing little pointed eared babies into the universe.
"So when are you to marry?" She asked. Eire took a deep breath.
"Months end." Eire said not looking at T'Zah.
"You don't seem too happy, I mean you look awful. Are you ill?"
Eire looked at T'Zah. Thoughts of the last sleepless nights clawed at her brain. The vision had been assaulting her for the last two nights very vividly. She slept, but she fought in her sleep trying to suppress the bizarre dreams. She woke every morning exhausted, and then with the Academy and studying, she was living on nerves.
"No, I'm just tired, too many things to think about... and I guess the heat doesn't help."
Eire started to cry. T'Zah got up from the chair and sat beside her putting her arm around her. Eire cried till she couldn't cry any more. The comm chimed and T'Zah got up and answered it. Eire was in no shape to talk to anyone. She pushed 'on' and Sarek's face appeared. He stared back at T'Zah, stoic as always.
"Good evening Ambassador."
"T'Zah, you have arrived, was your journey pleasant?" He asked.
"Pleasant enough." T'Zah answered.
Sarek knew of this female's past and how she had thrown all Vulcan tradition out of her life. He wondered if it was such a good idea to have told Eire to seek her help in arranging their marriage but what was done was done. He had already caused Eire enough grief by forbidding her to associate with Salin. He would allow her to keep T'Zah as a companion... for now.
"I will speak with Miss Teine." He said formally.
"I'm sorry Ambassador but Eire is otherwise occupied." Sarek looked at her.
"T'Zah, I'm sure Eire could spare a moment of her time to speak with me. Please put her on."
Eire got up from the sofa and left the living area going to the washroom to wash her face.
When T'Zah was sure Eire could not hear her she said. "At this time Ambassador, Eire can not and does not want to speak to you or anyone else. If you wish to talk to her perhaps you can speak to her later." T'Zah's gaze was cold.
"I will speak to Eire now, T'Zah!" Sarek was becoming affronted by T'Zah's lack of respect.
T'Zah rolled her eyes and thought, 'I'm not your average Vulcan female Sarek, I don't take this patriarchal crap!'
"What have you done to her?" T'Zah's tone was just as emotionless as his.
"I will not respond to that question. It is none of your concern what transpires between Eire and myself."
"It is my concern, she is my friend. She is falling apart. But you wouldn't know that as you have chosen to stay away. Have you no concern about her welfare? She's not sleeping or eating, and it's because of you." T'Zah's voice got a little louder. She knew this last statement to be true as she knew Eire very well and whenever she was upset she always withdrew from everything.
"Is Eire unwell?" He asked, his voice a little softer.
"If you were here, you would know. Will you be coming later?"
"That is why I am calling. I will not be able to come this evening as I had planned." Sarek waited for T'Zah's response, she shook her head in disbelief.
"Of course Ambassador, there is always something more important than the well being of your females!"
T'Zah had heard the account of Amanda's death, and thought it sounded 'typical'. Sarek ignored her statement even though it did bring unpleasant thoughts to his mind.
"Tell Eire I will not be able to come tonight. I will speak to her at the Academy tomorrow." He said.
The screen went dark and T'Zah whispered... "Bastard." She got up and went to the bathroom where Eire was sitting on the floor, T'Zah helped her up and they went back into the living area. She went and brought some juice and flatbread. Perhaps if Eire ate something she would feel a bit better. T'Zah sat down on the sofa beside her.
"He's not coming." She said quietly. Eire didn't stir.
"He said he would see you at the Academy tomorrow. Eat something... you'll feel better." T'Zah thought she should talk about something rather than the Ambassador, so she change the subject. "So how's the Academy going, do you like it?" She asked.
Eire managed a smile knowing what her friend was doing. "Yes I do, it's going well. My arts course is wonderful but I think it's because Sondar is such a theatrical performer. I've met a friend, Rhea, she's very nice but talks none stop...sort of like you." Eire smiled and T'Zah's eyebrow went up. "My matriarchy class is interesting but T'Landa drones on like a machine. I think I could teach it better."
"I know you could." T'Zah gave her a little smile.
"How's the religious class?" T'Zah smiled openly now.
"I'm a Vulcan and I didn't even know Vulcan's adhered to a religion, except maybe logic."
"That course was postponed till next week, something about the professor not being able to arrive on Vulcan in time to start as planned. And in away I'm glad, feeling the way I do, I don't think I could give the course all my attention. Miss Dannan is supposed to be very knowledgeable on religious studies. I have one of her discs, 'The DeDannan', it was quite well research and brought a lot of new information forward that is quite plausable... but there's a few things I disagree with and I hope to bring them up in her class."
"Amazing! A Human teaching Vulcan religion!" T'Zah shook her head. Eire laid her head back against the sofa, it hurt and she was so tired.
"So how on Earth, or off Earth did you get yourself into this marriage?" She had to ask. Eire lifted her head; she looked like she was going to cry again.
"I love him, sometimes I feel he loves me, but then I push that thought away. Vulcan's can't love, not the way we do... it's illogical. I just wondered how Amanda lasted so long... she must have truly loved him." Eire closed her eyes and a tear fell down her cheek. "She must have been very lonely." She finished.
T'Zah got up off the sofa and pulled Eire up. "I'm starving, why don't you get dressed and call your friend Rhea and we'll all go out to eat. It might do you good instead of sitting here waiting for your future husband to have the time for you. Come on!"
Eire protested but in the end T'Zah won... she always won.
~~Chapter 18~~
"Tulrah, Holder of the Heart, although we Vulcans have a heart, I don't think most of them know what it is really used for. It's a beautiful piece Eire, I'd like to see it when it's complete."
Eire's head was starting to ache, she had controlled it through dinner, but she was tired now, so her control was fading.
"I really do not feel well, I should go to bed." She said.
"Perhaps I should call a the med center, you could see a healer." Said T'Zah. Eire was very pale and trembling.
"No, I just need to get some sleep, I'll be fine in the morning."
"Since Sarek is not coming tonight, I'll stay." T'Zah offered.
"Thank you, you're a dear friend."
Eire hugged her and went into the house. T'Zah thought she should call Sarek, but her logic told her it would do no good. She went in and cleared away the dishes from earlier that afternoon and found the book Eire had been reading. T'Zah sat down as started to read through it, shortly after which, she nodded off. Not long after she was woke by a scream, such a scream filled with terror and despair it shook her very being. She ran down the hall and threw open Eire's door. Eire sat on the bed holding herself and rocking back and forth. Her eyes were wide and staring. T'Zah went to her and held her.
"What does she want?" Eire asked. T'Zah held her tighter and looked around the room.
"What does who want?" She asked Eire. Eire didn't answer her, she closed her eyes and fell back to sleep. T'Zah lay her down and covered her, then she sat on the end of the bed watching Eire toss and turn for the rest of the night.
Eire woke at first light. She noticed T'Zah at the foot of her bed asleep. She didn't wake her instead she readied herself to go to the Academy. T'Zah woke when Eire was sitting putting her hair up.
"Good morning T'Zah." She said trying to smile.
"Is it?" T'Zah asked. Eire's smile faded.
"I really have to run, I'm going to be late." She crossed the room clasping a pouch to her hip. When she got to the other side of the bed she knelt down in front of her altar and started to incant to the statue silently. She put a drop of Brighid's oil on her finger and anointed herself then the statue. When she finished she got up and started for the door. T'Zah grabbed her arm.
"Wait a minute, you just can't run out of here before you confide in me... what's going on?" T'Zah asked.
Eire looked at her then sat on the bed beside her. "I don't know T'Zah...I really don't know."
"Are you still having that vision?" T'Zah asked.
"It comes and goes, but I think I have control of it." Eire lied.
"From what I have seen, I think it has control of you! Perhaps you should speak with Sarek."
Eire looked at her and her mouth dropped open. "You were the one who said don't tell him, I'll chase him away!"
"But I think it is really out of control, if you don't want to talk to him, when do you see T'Lar?" T'Zah asked.
"Two nights from now."
"Tell her about it, she might be able to help." Said T'Zah.
"Alright T'Zah I'll talk to T'Lar, but I really do not think she can help." Eire said sighing.
"You're going to be late, I'll give you a ride."
T'Zah had other reasons for giving Eire a ride. She was going to speak with Sarek; she had made up her mind after seeing Eire in such pain through the night. But she dared not tell her. She wouldn't allow it.
T'Zah had gone to Sarek's class but was told by his teaching aide that he would not be in that day as he had business at the Embassy. So she drove to the Embassy.
Eire could not keep her mind focused and missed a lot of the lecture. Rhea kept asking her if she was all right. By the end of the class Eire was exhausted and wanted to sleep but her next class was in an hour, she shared lunch with Rhea then ran off to her next class. She wondered why Sarek had not come to see her, in away she was glad, she didn't know if she would be able to keep her control and didn't want to cause a scene.
T'Zah had waited patiently in the Embassy reception room, she had been there since early morning and the Ambassador had not seen her yet.
"I'm sorry the Ambassador will be detained for most of the day with meetings. But if you wish to wait, he will see you when he is finished." T'Zah had looked at his aide with amusement. Humans trying to be Vulcans she thought.
Mid-afternoon the door opened and the Ambassador showed a Human male to the desk, he spoke with him a little longer then turned to leave. His aide called him back.
"Ambassador, there is a young woman that wishes to speak with you, she has been here all day." Sarek walked towards T'Zah and stopped in front of her looking down at her, T'Zah stood.
"T'Zah, I really do not have time to speak with you. I..." T'Zah cut him off.
"Ambassador I really do not care if you have time or not, you better make time. It's about Eire." The aide looked up and Sarek showed T'Zah into his office. He closed the door and went to his desk.
"In the future, you will not speak to me in such a manner. What is your concern about Eire? Not that anything to do about my future wife should be your concern." He stated.
T'Zah looked at him and remained standing as he did. She could see how Eire could be attracted to him; he exuded power and strength.
"Forgive me, I am allowing my emotions to speak for me instead of my logic." T'Zah said. Sarek nodded slightly.
"I have know Eire for over ten years now and she has always been a very level headed Human. Before she left Earth to come to the Academy she spoke to me of a deep concern she had." Sarek thought she would bring up the fact of Eire being Pa Vetch; he would not discuss that with her.
"She spoke to me of a dream, a vision that has been bothering her. Normally I would not pay much attention to such things, but I have seen a change in Eire, a physical change and this concerns me."
Sarek continued to stand, thinking of the night he and Eire had made love and afterwards as he watched her sleep. She was so uneasy in her sleep and that also concerned him. He had not found the time to discuss this with her, he had not seen or spoke to her since the afternoon at the Academy... three days ago. T'Zah continued.
"I asked her to speak with you... she will not. I've asked her to speak with T'Lar, she will do so, but she seems to think it will do no good. I had no choice but to come to you without her knowledge after last night."
"Last night?" Sarek queried.
"Yes, Ambassador, I spent last night with Eire sitting on the end of her bed watching her go through emotional pain... yet, I do not think she even knows."
Sarek sat down. "I had no knowledge of this, of her distress. We are not bonded as yet. If I would have known I would have attended to her."
"Forgive me Ambassador, would you have attended to Eire the same way you attended to your wife?"
Sarek's eyes grew very dark and he stood again. T'Zah wanted to take back her last comment, but it was too late.
"T'Zah, I would appreciate it if you would not bring up my personal affairs of how I conducted myself with my late wife. You know nothing about what she went through, or what I went through having to make certain decisions. Do not imply that my behaviour was anything but logical, and do not think that my decision at the time of my wife's death has not caused me grief, it has. I would never harm Eire, she will be my adunna...by choice."
For a moment T'Zah felt great pain and grief coming from him, she closed her eyes and quickly gained her control. She wondered how he could function with such pain.
"I will return to my home this evening, I will speak with Eire about this... and I thank you for bringing this concern to me. I will involve you no further."
"I am involved Ambassador, Eire is my friend." Sarek looked at her and tilted his head slightly.
"Of course." Was all he said.
With that T'Zah left the Embassy heading for her parent's home. Eire would not need her tonight.
~~Chapter 19~~
She lay there thinking of Sarek, why he did not come to the Academy or why he had not called her? Perhaps he was angry that she wouldn't speak with him last night... he didn't get angry... he was Vulcan. Her thoughts turned to Salin, was he all right? How was he coping with having to leave? Better than her with her problem no doubt she thought. Slowly she drifted of to sleep. Her dreams crawled around her like some gigantic serpent squeezing the very breath from her. The woman was there, tempting her to reach out and take the pendant, when Eire finally did, instead of a pendant in her hand she held a heart, warm and still pulsing. She stared in disbelief at it, fear raced through her. She clutched the heart to her breasts and screamed, screamed so loud and long she thought she would fall apart. She woke up screaming, her hands clutching emptiness to her breasts. She didn't want to feel anymore, she just wanted to be alone, away from everything and everyone. She got up off the bed shaking, still crying, she couldn't stop, she couldn't control it.
"What's wrong with me?"
She looked in the mirror, her face looked back at her, red rimmed eyes, dull and lifeless. Her white face gleamed like an unearthly wraith... this was not her; she couldn't look like this. She grabbed her make-up and applied some, when she finished she looked a little better. Eire sat and started to brush her hair, she always felt relaxed when she brushed her hair, she started to sing softly to herself and old Irish ballad of love and heart break, she decided it was too depressing for her emotional state and got up to go check if there were any messages, there were none.
She went back to her room and pulled the wooden box from beneath the bed. Looking through it she took out a vial of banishing oil and a black candle also some salt. She traced a pentacle on the top of the altar with the salt, her hands trembling. She took the banishing oil and put some on her hands then took the candle and dressed it putting all of her power into it, visualizing all negative energy leaving her, being pulled away, being absorbed into a white light. When she felt this done, she put the candle within the pentacle and lit it. She watched it as it burned, trying to see anything within the flame... there was nothing.
"I call upon the Mother,
She held her right hand up,
"Give me the power, the energy,
She visualized darkness being drawn into her power hand, it felt cold and sickly. When she felt she had contained it, she lifted her left hand into the air and transferred the energy out through it.
"It is over, it is done.
She rose and let the candle continue to burn; she would bury it later with the salt and a small gift. She actually started to feel better as the night went on... not as dark. She even managed to eat the rest of the soup. Eire sat down on the sofa and started to read. It was just after nine when she finally fell asleep curled up on the sofa. The dreams were not there and she slept soundly.
Sarek arrived just after eleven, he had tried to leave earlier in the evening but that couldn't be done. As he approached the front door he felt his passion starting to raise within him, he pushed it back. He went in and found Eire lying asleep on the sofa and he approached her. He bent down on one knees, she looked quite peaceful and he searched mentally for any turmoil she had, he felt none. He saw her face was very pale and she looked drawn, she still looked beautiful. He would not wake her but he wanted her, he needed her. He resisted and put his two fingers on her cheek then started to stand. Eire opened her eyes.
"Sarek." He was still not standing fully and Eire took his hand and pulled my back down.
"I did not want to wake you." He said. She looked into his eyes.
"I've missed you." She said.
"And I you."
He touched her face and she reached for his, they kissed deeply, he picked her up of the sofa and carried her to the bedroom. Sarek undressed her kissing her gently; she did the same. He touched her body sensing each part of her, filling his senses with her.
"Sarek, I want you." She whispered. He slowly entered her taking all the sensation in. Eire lay enjoying his touches, his kisses. She felt him inside of her and she wanted all of him. Her body ached from the sheer pleasure he gave her. She could no longer contain her pleasure, she dug her nails into his back and released all her passion, and he did the same.
Sarek lay calming his breathing looking into her face. He kissed her seeking her tongue, his passion started to ebb again. He pulled back; perhaps she was not ready for him again. He kissed her eyelids.
"You have my heart?" And kissed her.
Eire shifted beneath him and he pulled himself up and lay beside her pulling her up on to his chest. They lay there silently for a while; Eire didn't want to let him go, to move.
After awhile Sarek said. "Eire, I must speak with you. Concerning your personal problem. " She lifted her head and looked into his face.
"I understand you have been disturbed greatly over the last while with it." She sat up; she knew T'Zah had spoken to him, how else would he know.
"I'll be fine Sarek, do not concern yourself."
"I am concerned, it disturbs me that you are unsettled. Do you wish to talk about it?" He asked.
"I asked T'Zah not to say anything to you, why did she have to tell you?"
"She had to tell me, she was concerned. She is your... friend."
"I'll be fine Sarek, I will speak with T'Lar to see if she can give me assistance. If not... I will just have to deal with it on my own."
"I will go with you when you speak with T'Lar, and I will be staying here with you until our marriage. It is not acceptable, but necessary."
Eire turned and laid her face on his chest, she ran her fingers over his lips and traced his ear.
"Sarek." She finally said.
"Yes?" His voice was deep.
"I love you." Eire voice was so small. There was no verbal answer instead he pulled her up and kissed her and then showed her he loved her also.
~~Chapter 20~~
"You are being pursued." T'Lar stated slowly.
"I'm not sure I understand." Eire said.
"Thy sight is farther than most Humans, thee feel, thee sense other things that most Humans would not. Thy dreams, visions are not within thy conscious or subconscious. Thy dreams, visions are forebodings. A warning of something to come. Ye have a strong light within. Ye can win this." Eire didn't take her eyes off T'Lar.
"Who is this woman? And what does she want?" Eire asked.
"This I cannot know. You will know when she comes." Replied T'Lar.
"She's a real person? I thought she was only a symbolic piece of the vision." Eire blinked.
"Ye know better, thee have felt her energy!"
Eire looked at her in astonishment and accepted the Matriarch's words with thanks; she now had to worry about flesh and blood. The spectre was now physical.
Eire felt good over the next few days; the dreams had not chased her as she slept. Sarek was with her last thing at night and when she woke with his arms around her in the morning. He had not spoken to her again about the vision; he saw no need. They had made most of the important arrangements for the marriage ritual. Eire only had to get her dress made and T'Zah would do that. They would go tomorrow and pick the material for T'Zah to begin. After that there was just one more instruction on the ritual by the Sisterhood, but that was still two weeks away.
Sarek walked with her to the Academy and back every day. But tonight he would walk home alone as Eire's religious study course started that evening.
The day went quickly and soon T'Zah was there to pick up Eire and Rhea to go look at material. After looking at twenty different types, Eire settled on a sheer ivory linen imported from Earth, she also chose tiny pearlized stars to be sewn on the bodice of the dress. T'Zah would start the dress the following night. She dropped Eire off at the Academy and left with Rhea to get something to eat.
It was five minutes past six when Eire walked into the classroom; the lecture had begun. She hoped she would not be noticed as she slipped quietly to a seat. She was! She had never seen a picture of Miss Dannan as there was none accompanying the disc she had. But there she stood, her black hair piled a top her head and her blue eyes shining. She approached Eire her robe softly brushing the floor. Eire sat mesmerized; this was the woman in her vision. Miss Dannan stopped at her desk and Eire stood.
"Perhaps you should make an effort to be on time for my lesson. I do expect students to at least be on time. What is your name?" Eire looked at her, those blue eyes showing no emotion, so cold.
"I shall put it down for a reference of who not to count on in time of need." Miss Dannan's eyes flashed with contempt.
Everyone in the class turned to see whom Miss Dannan was reprimanding. Eire could not believe this woman was standing and disciplining her like some school child. Eire stared into those cold blue eyes.
"Miss Eire Teine." She said.
"Oh dear, Miss Teine your talent precedes you. Why only yesterday Sondar acclaimed you to the near heavens. How did he refer to you?" She smiled. "The muse of Vulcan, yes, that's what it was, actually he quite bored me with his accolade of you!"
She turned around and walked down the isle, all the other students sitting wondering if they were really hearing this. Miss Dannan turned.
"Oh Eire, I would appreciate it if you showed me the same punctuality you do the Vulcans." She carried on with the lecture. Eire sat in her seat glaring at Miss Dannan. She did not like her and if this woman was the same woman that was in her vision, she had a problem. By nine the lecture ended and the students started to get ready to leave, as the last of the class was leaving, Miss Dannan asked Eire to remain behind, she wished to speak with her.
Eire remained at her seat till the class was empty. She approached the desk where she stood waiting for Miss Dannan to speak. Miss Dannan put aside the disc she was viewing and got up coming around the desk to stand beside Eire, she was five inches taller and heavier than her. She smiled.
"Forgive me, I didn't mean to come down on you so hard. I hope we can put our differences aside and get through this course without further problems? You are an excellent student and it would disturb me to no end to have to have you removed from this course."
Eire couldn't believe her; remove her from the course? Was she serious? Was she crazy? "Miss Dannan, I don't know who you think you are, or what grievance you have against me, but I assure you I will have YOU removed if you ever treat me or any other student as you did tonight. You, Miss Dannan, are here to teach a course in religious studies, not to ridicule or demean the students!" Eire turned to leave the room.
"Miss Teine, I wouldn't play with fire if I were you." She smiled a cold smile.
"You might get burned!" Eire stopped and turned to face her.
"And I warn you Miss Dannan, fire and I are old friends!"
With that Eire left for the walk home, it was almost ten o'clock before she got out of the Academy. She walked the dark streets, seething with anger, Miss Dannan was a very cruel and cold woman she sensed that much. She shivered even though it was still over one hundred degrees. She hoped her vision was not a piece of the future, of things to come. She wouldn't tell Sarek of her confrontation with Miss Dannan. She would handle this herself. T'Lar said she could.
~~Chapter 21~~
"... This is sacred knowledge handed down to us by our ancestors. We believe in a Goddess as well as a God. Our Goddess is triple form, Maiden, Mother and Crone. The Earth symbolizes her and moon as well as other things, we honor her through the moon phases, but the full moon is the most sacred. The God is symbolized by the sun, father, he is the consort of the Lady as well as her son. He fertilizes her and in turn she brings forth the abundance that is the Earth. Of course on Vulcan it's difficult to keep track of the seasons and moon phases, but after a while you instinctively know when to perform ritual. At the end of October, which corresponds to the Vulcan's Little Sun, is our New Year, it's a time...." Rhea looked past Eire.
"Excuse me for a moment Eire, but who is that woman with Sarek?"
Eire turned and saw Miss Dannan standing and speaking with Sarek. They seemed very involved in their conversation. Eire got up from the bench and walked over to them, Sarek's back was turned towards her and Miss Dannan saw her approach. Eire stopped just behind and to the right of Sarek. She waited. Miss Dannan saw her but continued talking, ignoring her completely. Finally she stopped talking and put her hand on Sarek's arm, he withdrew his arm quickly.
"Miss Teine, I really do not have time to speak with you right now." Sarek turned quickly to look at Eire.
"Eire, it's quite alright Miss Dannan." He held out his hand for Eire to take, she did not. His eyebrow went up slightly and he continued.
"Miss Dannan, may I introduce Miss Eire Teine. She who will be my wife." Miss Dannan smiled sweetly.
"Oh Miss Teine, you never told me that you were the Ambassador's female? Married... how lovely. You should think yourself very fortunate to have captured the affections of a Vulcan of the Ambassador's rank and power, perhaps you can tell me your secret?" She smiled.
"I assure you Miss Dannan I did not have to capture the Ambassador, he came quite freely." Eire's glare was icy. Sarek felt the tension and hostility between them; he put his two fingers on Eire's arm.
"Miss Dannan had just invited me to dine with her one evening, of course you will join us. Perhaps you could speak to her about the time?" Said Sarek. Eire looked from Sarek to Miss Dannan.
"Unfortunately Miss Dannan, Sarek and I will be extremely busy over the next while, we will have to decline your most gracious offer." Eire kept watching those blue eyes.
"Oh I was really looking forward to speaking to you about your beliefs, I didn't know your were Pagani." She used the Latin term for Pagan. She again put her hand on Sarek's arm. Eire looked; Miss Dannan withdrew her hand and looked up into Sarek's face.
"Ambassador, could you not speak to Eire and maybe convince her to join us for dinner?"
"Perhaps after our marriage we might dine with Miss Dannan?" Suggested Sarek.
Eire took a deep breath.
"Please do not call me by my first name, to you I am Miss Teine, soon to be Madame Sarek. And I would not lower myself to dine with the likes of you! Good day Miss Dannan." Eire's loathing of the woman festered within her. Sarek could not believe that Eire had just publicly insulted Miss Dannan. Eire looked at him.
"Sarek, if you insist that we dine with this woman, you will dine with her alone, I'm sure she would enjoy that. Excuse me." Eire turned and walked off, Sarek coming after her.
"I will speak with you Eire!" He called. Eire kept walking; she had no mind for Sarek's words.
~~Chapter 22~~
T'Zah stopped and they both got into the ground car, Eire caught a glimpse of Sarek and Miss Dannan getting into her ground car, she pretended not to notice. Sarek turned as T'Zah went to turn onto the main road. He tried to wave T'Zah down and she would have stopped, but Eire told her not to, she didn't and Sarek watched as they drove away. The muscles in his face tensing.
By ten o'clock T'Zah had taken Eire's measurements, cut the pattern and had basted the wedding gown roughly together. Eire tried it on and it looked gorgeous. She took it off and T'Zah started to hand sew the little stars on the bodice, she would also put them on the pointed sleeves and the bottom tiers of the dress. She would start the head veil later. Rhea and Eire were sitting discussing Pagan hand fasting when a ground car pulled up to the gate.
"Who's that?" Asked Rhea.
Eire stood and went to the window; Sarek was standing at the gate speaking with Miss Dannan. Eire thought she had nerve, Sarek did not come directly in. Eire went back to the sofa and sat down not saying anything.
"Maybe we should go?" Rhea asked. T'Zah looked from one to the other.
"Why? What's going on?" Rhea looked at T'Zah.
"Miss Dannan is really causing Eire a lot of grief. She insulted her in front of the whole class, for no reason. She's really being a bitch to her... now she' becoming friendly with..."
Eire put her hand on Rhea's arm as the front door opened then closed. Sarek stood in the entrance of the living area, he removed his cape and put it over his arm and came into where they were sitting. He looked briefly as T'Zah and Rhea.
"Eire, I will speak with you."
"Of course Sarek, we're almost finished for the night." She didn't look at him.
"Now!" His voice was demanding.
Rhea stood up quickly.
"Rhea sit down, we're not quite finished yet." Said Eire.
Rhea looked at her than Sarek, she did not sit back down instead she started to clear away the mess, T'Zah kept sewing. Sarek turned and left the room, they all looked at each other, T'Zah folded the dress and put it in the bag at her feet. Collecting all her supplies she got up and hugged Eire.
"We'd better go, will you be alright?" She asked. Eire smiled.
"Of course."
Eire walked them both to the door and hugged them, thanking them for coming. When they drove off she closed the door and went back into the living area, she straightened it up a bit and took the dishes they used for dinner into the kitchen. She stood for a moment wondering why Sarek had gone with Miss Dannan, knowing how she felt about her.
Eire didn't feel tired and she didn't want to speak with Sarek right now, so she went out into the back of the house and started working on Tulrah.
Sarek came out when he heard the humming of the grinding tool. He stood looking at her as she stroked the cold gold veined stone.
"I will speak with you." He said loud enough for her to hear above the tool. She did not answer.
"Turn off your grinder." He said louder.
Eire continued to work. He reached down and took the grinder from her hand and turned it off. She got up and stormed past him into the house, Sarek right behind her. Eire went straight to her room and pulled out a cape, she slipped a pouch to her hip and threw the cape over her shoulders. She started to leave the room but Sarek was blocking the doorway.
"Remove yourself from the doorway Sarek!" He did not, so she pushed against him trying to move him, it was like pushing against a mountain. Eire hit him in the chest.
"Damn you!" She cried. She hit him again and again. He still did not move. He knew she was very angry so he allowed her to take it out on him. When she realized that no matter what she did, he was not going to let her go, she went to her altar, kneeling she started to chant.
"Ground and center,
Eire continued chanting, blocking all else out, focusing, centering herself. She was angry. In all her adult life she had never lifted her hand to anyone, she always believed that any problem could be solved without hitting and yelling. And in the past she had stuck to this belief. She couldn't remember a time in her adult life when she had got angry, but she hadn't been in love before and being in love brought intense emotions, desire, passion, love. But with them also came jealousy, mistrust and anger and she didn't like it. Finally Sarek realized he would have to speak whether she listened actively or not.
"Eire, I will say what I wish to say."
She kept on chanting, trying not to hear his words.
"I found your behaviour today quite disturbing. I do not know why you acted like you did and neither do I want to, but there is no excuse for the way your treated Miss Dannan. Whatever you may have against her from now on keep it to yourself. She is a colleague and a professional. She did not deserve the treatment you put upon her. You were extremely childish in your behaviour and I will have nothing more of it. Her touch meant nothing to me, she is new to our ways and did not know our laws." He stopped looking at her still chanting, rocking softly. "Miss Dannan will dine with us the night after tomorrow." He turned to leave the room.
"Come to bed." And he went into the master bedroom.
Eire did not go to his bed that night, she continued chanting till she was exhausted. She did not cry, she would not allow herself to cry. She sat on the floor in front of the altar running his words over in her mind.
"She will dine with US! Childish! A colleague and professional!" She couldn't tell Sarek that Miss Dannan was the woman in her vision. He would probably think it was just Human emotion...jealousy, she would not tell him. But she would no heed to him either.
~~Chapter 23~~
"How did it go last night?" Rhea asked.
"It went badly." Eire said staring straight ahead.
"Sarek frightened me, he seemed very angry. But T'Zah said he would never let his emotions overwhelm his logic and that I shouldn't worry about you... but I do." Rhea said. Eire hugged her.
"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."
"What did he say to you? Why was he with Miss Dannan?"
"He didn't say, but assured me she was only a colleague and my treatment of her was childish." Eire's eyes started to fill with tears.
"But she was very unprofessional to you. Didn't you tell him that?" Asked Rhea
"There was no sense, he wouldn't listen. He would only say that I was being Human."
"But you are Human! These Vulcans expect all Humans to just put our emotions in a little dark room and lock them away and walk around as boring and unemotional as they are!" Rhea said, her voice full of frustration. Eire laughed.
"Oh Rhea, I assure you Vulcans are not unemotional. In actuality in some emotions they're more intense than us." Rhea looked her eyes wide.
"What emotions?" She asked.
"The right ones." Eire blushed.
"You and Sarek haven't been... uhm-m... well you know?" Rhea now blushed.
"Been intimate?" Eire asked her question for her.
"Well yes... but I thought Vulcans didn't do that sort of thing. That they're to logical to allow themselves pleasure, that passion was one of the Vulcan sins."
"Rhea, why do you think they call it passion's mastery? Passion and every other emotion are within them but they have mastered it. They believe and maybe they're right, that emotion is a useless thing when dealing with life. It makes them seem very cold and like you said unemotional. But deep inside, deep down beneath all that cool reserve, underneath that stoic face, is real fire."
"But I thought they could only be intimate when they went through the Pon Farr?"
"Pon Farr is a very intense time for Vulcans. They have to mate, sex at its most primitive state. I really don't know much about it, as Sarek's time is still quite a ways away. But I can tell you your thoughts on the Vulcan sex drive are wrong. Sarek and all other Vulcans have sex without Pon Farr." Rhea sat a little closer her face slightly blushing.
"Is he... I mean, Sarek... is he good at it?" Eire blushed thinking of the fire.
"Rhea you'll have to get your own Vulcan to find out the answer to that."
"Maybe I will." Said Rhea.
They got up and started down the hall to Sondar's class when Sarek and Miss Dannan turned the corner and walked towards them. Eire felt her skin crawl, they seemed to be in a hurry as they approached each other, Sarek slowed down and came to a full stop in front of her. Eire tried to side step him but he put his hand on her arm to hold her. Eire stood stiff and looked at Miss Dannan.
"I will be home late this evening. I will wake you when I arrive." He said.
"Do as you wish Sarek, it matters not to me." Sarek exhaled gently and let go of her arm. Miss Dannan put her arm through his.
"Sarek we must run, we have an appointment in five minutes." Sarek pulled his arm away.
"Miss Dannan, do not touch me. It is not our way, it disturbs me." Miss Dannan looked at him and then at Eire and smiled sweetly.
"Forgive me Sarek, I did not mean to disturb you." Eire turned and almost walked into Rhea.
"Come Rhea, I have a Matriarchy class to attend." Both of them walked down the hall not looking back.
~~Chapter 24~~
"Vulcan females have always had more rights than Human females, especially the Oldest Mothers of each house. Since the coming of Surak's philosophy, we have been allowed to keep our equality but not our high rank over the males. We as females are smart enough to realize that even though our males are superior to us in physical strength, in intelligence and logic and in all other aspects, we are his equals. It is hard to believe that within the Vulcan society there are still males that view females as inferior and try to keep us shall we say... in line. But what is more unbelievable is that there are females that allow them to do this! All we have to do is look at all the females that in the past and even today have regained and kept their position above the male... S'Tha, San'ind, T'Ran, T'Fra, Andrassa, Rish'a, T'Pau and T'Lar. All have done much for Vulcan Matriarchy, all have held strong to the belief that females in many ways are superior to males, all have captured and held the female power, the female energy and wielded it like a flaming sword over the head of Patriarchy! They have allowed all female Vulcans to stand equal with their males to allow us to achieve the rank and power that is ours. Our birthright... to be female... to be whole!" She took a deep breath.
"Is there any questions?"
Eire stood. "T'Landa, I do not have a question, but more of a statement. Your assumption of Human females always being beneath the male is erroneous. In Earth's past as in yours Human females also stood above their males, they were revered and honored. The male considered the female to be endowed with magik, power, after all she brought forth life that he could not do, even now this eludes the males in most species. The Human female in the past held great power. They contained life, gave it birth, sustained the life all from their own bodies. Without her the tribe would die. Later as the tribes became stationary she was the gatherer of food, she prepared the herbs and roots which they needed for healing, she healed, she gave pleasures, she was the holder of the past and the bringer of the future and in the end it was woman who tended the dying. She was mother, lover, teacher, justice giver, priestess, healer, and warrior. She was all this and more. As time went on certain males started to fear her power, started to envy her place in society. Enter the church and it's mad men. They tortured and murdered her under the falsehood that she was a Witch... which is really laughable as all people at that time on Earth were Pagans... Witches and then in the seventeenth century c.e. the old ways were lost, they thought after three hundred years of terror upon woman and men they had stamped out Matriarchy and Paganism and to a great extent they did. But within each Human females heart still even today burns the power, the deep belief that she is all-powerful and her femininity is a blessing. And all females whether Human, Vulcan, Klingon etc. can re-claim this power as their own if only they would believe the power is theirs' to claim. Being female is our right as you said. All we have to do is reclaim that right! Thank you."
T'Landa clapped her hands causing the rest of the class to join in. Eire felt a little embarrassed, but accepted their applause with humility.
"Very well said Miss Teine, perhaps you would in a future class like to speak more about Human Matriarchy, I would be very interested in hearing as I'm sure the rest of the class would any other thoughts you may have on the subject."
"Of course T'Landa, it would be my pleasure." Eire said.
"Well after that rousing commentary I believe I have to do more background work into pre-Christian Matriarchy and Paganism or Miss Teine will have me speechless once again. Good day class."
Eire left the class and walked towards the front entrance of the Academy. She had three hours before her religious course, she moaned, the very thought of having to stay in the same building as Miss Dannan never mind the same room left her ill. She stopped at the front door and thought, perhaps she could talk to Sarek, tell him she was being very childish but that did not excuse Miss Dannan from treating her in a demeaning manner, that her love for him was confusing at the best of times and she would try to be civil to Miss Dannan if it made him happy. After all they were to be married in just over a weeks time and she didn't want any tensions between them. She sighed and turned heading down to Sarek's class. When she arrived it was empty except for his aide that was grading discs.
"May I help you?" He asked.
"Yes, will Ambassador Sarek be returning to class today?" Eire asked.
"No Miss Tiene, he will not be returning to class today, but if you wish to speak with him, he is in his office on the second floor."
"Oh, thank you, thank you very much." Eire said.
Eire left heading for the stairs, she didn't know Sarek had an office at the Academy, he never mentioned it. She reached the second floor and walked down the hall noting that most of the rooms were offices of the professors with a few study rooms. She passed each door looking at the nameplate on the door. Not paying attention she bumped into Sondar who had just come out of his office, discs flying from his arms.
"Oh, I'm sorry Sondar... here let me help." Eire bent down and helped him retrieve the discs, when they were all picked up and safely in his arms she said.
"Forgive me, it was entirely my fault, I should pay more attention to where I'm going."
"It's quite alright Miss Teine, no harm has been done. Miss Teine, Sarek has told me of your accomplished harping, perhaps when we go into Vulcan music and dance you could demonstrate your harping ability to the class?"
"I would love to Sondar; when the time comes." Eire said smiling.
"By the way, where are you going?" He asked.
"Actually I'm trying to find the Ambassador's office. I was told her was there."
"Yes, right down to the end of the hall, first door on the right."
"Thank you Sondar."
He turned with his arms full of discs and headed to the stairs. Eire continued down the hall till she stood in front of an open door with a plate reading.
'Ambassador, Professor Sarek--Computer Department'
She took a step inside the door; the office was small and empty. It was an outer office, behind the desk was another door slightly opened and she heard muffled voices. Eire approached the door quietly wanting to know who was speaking with Sarek. She stood at the door listening as Miss Dannan's voice seeped out, she grabbed the Vulcan runes that hung around her neck and squeezed it tightly, and she started to turn away when she heard Miss Dannan say,
"Sarek, I would advise you to think clearly on this upcoming marriage of yours, she is rather young for you and you do not really know what you're getting yourself into. I mean with her adhering to this Pagan religion she will bring you nothing but shame... running around sky clad, doing strange rituals, even her normal clothes are not traditional Vulcan. Perhaps you should give your decision more thought?"
Eire felt anger rising inside of her, but when Sarek did not answer Miss Dannan she felt tears running hot on her face, she didn't stay to hear his response. She ran out of the office and down the hall and continued running till she reached a small park about a mile from the Academy. She sat on the stone bench and cried. He doesn't love me... does he think that way about my religion? Perhaps being Pa Vetch was not as painful as loving him.
If she would have stayed just a few moments longer she would have heard Sarek demolish Miss Dannan for her unwanted statements and criticism of his future wife, but that was not to be.
~~Chapter 25~~
"Miss Teine, may I speak with you?"
Eire stood up, took her case and started for the door.
"Please Eire, it's about Sarek." Eire stopped at the door. She knew she shouldn't turn and listen to her, but she was Human. Miss Dannan approached her, her face looking unsure; when she reached to where Eire stood she sat a top one of the desks.
"You wish to speak to me about Sarek?" Eire asked.
"Yes Eire, I really do not know how to tell you this." Miss Dannan said in a hushed voice.
"Just tell me Miss Dannan, although your chances of me believing you are minimal at best." Eire stared coldly at her.
"Perhaps you will believe me when I tell you that Sarek has no intention of marrying you. He has decided that you are not the logical choice for him."
"And you are?" Snapped Eire.
"Well considering your background and mine, he would be a fool to marry someone who's standing in Vulcan society is looked upon with raised eyebrows."
Eire stood concentrating on those blue eyes, trying to pick something up from her. But she was hitting a brick wall, emptiness surrounded her and blackness filled her. Miss Dannan smiled.
"But that is not what I wish to speak to you about. No, you see my concern is not whether Sarek marries you but rather what will happen to me if he does?"
"Why should Sarek care what happens to you at all?" Spat Eire.
Miss Dannan stood and walked around the desk. "Well actually Sarek and I are, well... involved. Where do you think he was last week when you needed him? Has he ever told you he loved you? He told me, this very afternoon that he loved me!"
Eire thought of what she had heard, Miss Dannan's words rang in her ears, and Sarek's silence ripped at her.
"Where do you think he'll be tonight? And what do you think he'll be doing?" I'll leave that up to your imagination. Vulcan males can be so insatiable... but you should know that?" Miss Dannan was enjoying herself. "Don't you?"
Eire had heard enough of this; her disgust for Miss Dannan was rising.
"Miss Dannan I do not believe you. Sarek is not involved with you in any way, where he was last week I do not know, but I am sure it was not with you! You are a liar, Sarek would not verbally tell anyone his emotions. And I do not have to use my imagination to tell me what he was doing with you... because Sarek would not touch another female not when he is claimed. You are a sick, pitiful excuse for a Human, and I find it distasteful to stand here and waste my time listening to your lies!"
Miss Dannan laughed very softly. "You poor naive child, don't believe everything you hear about Vulcan loyalty. If you know the right buttons to push, even the most traditional male can be broken... and I really enjoy a challenge, and Sarek was certainly that."
"You're a Liar!!" Eire screamed.
"Believe what you want but my bed will be extremely warm tonight... will yours?"
Eire felt the hot sting of tears welling up in her eyes but she held them back. She was so angry she could have strangled Miss Dannan instead she slapped her face so hard she left her handprint on it. Eire turned and ran from the room. Miss Dannan calling behind her,
"I hope you will be joining us for dinner tomorrow?" She rubbed her face,
"Bitch!"
Eire ran tears falling down her face, she stopped at a comm and keyed Sarek at home, no answer, and she keyed the Embassy, no answer. She even keyed his residence at Gol, nothing. She banged her fist into the screen.
"NO!" She moaned and slumped against the comm. Her heart felt like it was being ripped out of her chest, she pulled herself up and keyed Rhea, only the message light came on. She didn't want to call T'Zah, not at her parents home, not in her condition. So she pulled herself together and went home. When she got there Sarek was still not there, the house was empty and dark.
She stood looking at the holo-painting of Amanda. "How did you do it all those years?" She asked. "How did you stay so strong?"
She didn't know how or why but all at once she felt peaceful and warm as if Amanda's smiling face radiated over her. She looked up into the paintings eyes and heard a tiny whisper, so soft she thought she was hearing things, but then again it came just as soft but now she heard it. "Love."
She closed her eyes and reached down to center herself, when she had stopped shaking she went and took something to drink, and then she showered. Although she felt controlled she decided not to sleep in Sarek's bed. She didn't feel she could not until she found out what the truth was. She was just ready to get into bed when the comm chimed. It was after ten and she thought not to answer it but then decided to. She pulled her over robe on and went and sat down, Eire reached for the 'on' button but pulled back. Finally she pushed the button and the screen lit. A Vulcan male looked back at her.
"Forgive me for calling so late, but I wish to clarify some information. Is my father available?"
Eire looked at the screen, this was Sarek's son, Spock, and for being half-Human he looked very Vulcan.
"I'm sorry your father is not at home. I am Eire Teine would you like to leave a message for him?" Eire asked.
Spock looked at her; she was definitely beautiful, as his father had remarked on her beauty. And she was definitely young, but there was something disturbing within her, he sensed pain, and noted her eyes were red... crying?
"I am very honored to meet my father's choice for wife. May I say my father has impeccable taste? Would Sarek be at the Embassy?" Spock asked.
"Your father did not inform me of where he would be, only that he would arrive home rather late." She pulled up her control as the thought he might be with Miss Dannan shook her.
"Are you alright Miss Teine?" Spock asked.
"Yes, I'm fine, I guess the busy schedule and now the wedding, I'm a bit tired."
"Then I will keep you no longer. I look forward to meeting you in person in nine days. Good night Miss Teine."
"Would you like me to give Sarek a message?" Eire asked.
"No, I think I can wait and speak with him tomorrow, thank you."
The screen went dark and Eire returned to her bed wondering what Spock wanted to talk to his father about. It really didn't matter. She lay awake for hours listening for Sarek. She heard the clock ticking in the living area; it chimed three times. A tear dropped down her face. "Sarek, please don't do this to me."
~~Chapter 26~~
Neither of them slept and Eire rose at first light and went to shower. Sarek got up and went to the master bedroom and started to dress, he returned to her room and when she got out of the shower he was waiting for her. She pulled her robe tighter around her.
"I will wait for you to dress and walk with you to the Academy. I have been neglecting you lately, I think it will be beneficial for both of us."
"I'm afraid Sarek that will not be possible. I am not going directly to the Academy and I do not know what time I will arrive there." Eire said not looking at him.
"Then perhaps we may meet at your break, take mid-meal together?"
"No Sarek, I have made previous arrangements." He let out a sigh.
"Suit yourself."
Sarek left the room and went to the kitchen. Eire went and dressed, choosing a dark gray gunna with a navy outer girdle. She tied her hair loosely back and took a lightweight navy cape from her closet as it was misting out and went to the kitchen. She didn't bother to take anything to eat for that meant she would have to stay and speak with Sarek. She turned to leave.
"Eire, wait."
She stopped and he came to her side, he took her face in one hand and bent and kissed her, she stood, eyes open, waiting for him to finish. He did letting her go and said.
"Miss Dannan will be dining here with us tonight. I expect you to be here."
Eire took a few steps and turned to face him. "Sarek."
He looked at her hoping her mood had changed.
"Your son called last night...no message." Eire turned and left.
Sarek banged his fist into the counter closing his eyes tightly summoning his control.
~~Chapter 27~~
They arrived at the sacred mountain just after twelve and started the long accent to the top, as T'Lar was not at the base.
"You know you'll have to climb these stairs for your wedding?" T'Zah said looking to the top.
"If there is a wedding." Eire mumbled.
When they reached the top Eire was so wet with perspiration she looked like she had showered. They approached the low stone building where they were told T'Lar would be. Two Vulcan guards stood at the main door. When they reached the entrance the one guard asked T'Zah their business. Eire couldn't understand as they spoke in a Vulcan dialect.
"He asked your business." T'Zah translated.
"Tell him it's personal, for the ears of T'Lar only." Eire said. She knew the guard could understand English, but it didn't bother her he chose to speak Vulcan.
He addressed T'Zah again, "He wants to know your name." T'Zah asked her.
"Tell him the future Madame Sarek wishes an audience with the High Priestess."
T'Zah translated it for him and he disappeared inside. Shortly he returned.
"T'Lar will speak with you, this way." He turned and they followed him in out of the raging sun.
It was slightly cooler as they entered the stone stairway within the building; the guard stopped in front of a large door and opened it, motioning them to enter.
"Coming T'Zah?" Eire asked.
"I'll pass, meeting T'Lar once in a life time is enough for anyone." She smiled.
Eire went into the room and approached T'Lar; she sat in a large ornate chair, her breathing so shallow Eire thought for a second she was dead. She stood in front of her until T'Lar opened her eyes. Eire bowed a little to show her respect. "I have need to speak with you." Eire said.
"Speak!" T'Lar's voice was curt.
"I beg your tolerance T'Lar. I have doubts that marrying Sarek is not the logical thing to do. Since I was last here there have been certain happenings that leads me to believe that Sarek does not want this marriage. And I would not expect him to do something that was not his wish... so I request that you break Sarek's claim on me. As I also believe he will not do it himself." She stood and waited.
T'Lar rose from the chair her hawk-like features studying Eire. "I do not feel that this is thy desire. Ye must seek within thyself for the strength ye need. Ye believe Sarek is thy hearts break... ye must search further into the light to find the real heartbreak, thee in truth already know. I could not dissolve the claim Sarek has placed upon thee... even if I chose too. Sarek must do that himself. It is his decision; he must do this before the bonding. If that is really what thee wish... I am not certain that it is."
She came down the stairs and lifted her bony hands towards Eire.
"May I?" She asked. Eire nodded and T'Lar placed her fingers in the position of the mind meld. Eire started to receive pictures, flashing so quickly she couldn't keep track of them. T'Lar held her hand on her face for only a short time then removed it. T'Lar walked past Eire towards the door. "Ye have the strength." She said.
Eire turned and she was gone. She joined T'Zah outside, she really didn't feel like talking but T'Zah did.
"Did you accomplish what you wanted?" She asked.
"No, she said she couldn't dissolve the marriage claim." Eire sat quietly.
T'Zah's faced held open shock, she was not prepared for Eire's answer.
~~Chapter 28~~
It was late afternoon and Eire had not arrived at the Academy, he was becoming concerned. Miss Dannan stopped in at Sarek's office to confirm the time he wished her to come by the house.
"I will have to cancel our dinner for this evening, perhaps some other night." He said. Miss Dannan's eyes flashed.
"Problems?"
"It's personal." Sarek replied. She walked over to him and put her hand on his.
"Perhaps if I just come by, we wouldn't need to have dinner. It might do you some good to talk about this. Problem?"
Sarek took her hand off his. She looked at him, he was hurting her, and she pulled her hand free.
"I do not wish to speak with you now or later, I have asked you before not to touch me. If you continue this behaviour Miss Dannan I will have you removed from your professorship. I do have the power to do so...and I will. Do not interfere in my personal life ever again!"
He side stepped her, making sure he didn't touch her and walked out of the office, he stopped just before he reached the door and looked back to where she stood. "Miss Dannan if you have any thoughts in taking your frustrations out on my future wife, I warn you it is not wise!" He turned and left.
Miss Dannan stood shocked at what Sarek had just said. She could not let this happen. Eire did not deserve him, and she would do anything to stop her from having him. Without him her plan would be ruined. Eire would not have the pleasure of being his wife.
Sarek had left right after that and went home hoping to find Eire there... she wasn't. He was very weary so he went and changed into his sleeping robes and laid on the bed. When the door closing wakened him it was dark. He got up and went into the hall to greet Eire but instead of Eire Miss Dannan stood there.
"How did you get in here?" He demanded.
"Quite simple when you have the access code to the Academy's comm system." She smiled.
"You will leave my home."
"Oh, Sarek, you really don't mean that." She walked towards him.
"Do not make me use force. Leave!" He went into the living area, Miss Dannan following him. Sarek went to the comm and started to key.
"Who are you calling?" She asked.
"I am calling the authorities to have you removed from my home." He answered.
She reached over and punched the 'off' button. She put her arm around Sarek's waist.
He pushed her back and she stumbled against the desk. Sarek walked away. "Leave!" His voice was as hard as steel.
"NO!" She screamed back at him.
"I will not allow you to do this." He said.
Miss Dannan jumped at him and hit him full force in the chest, Sarek didn't move, she grabbed at his robe and it ripped at the neck. Sarek grabbed her by the neck, he wanted to perform Tal-shaya, the ritual breaking of the neck but he gained his control, instead he put pressure on her neck and she fell, he lowered her to the floor his arm supporting her. He had not heard Eire come in.
"What are you doing?" Eire's voice was so full of anguish; she lifted her hand to her mouth. She wanted to scream.
Sarek looked at her intensely, he knew her thoughts, and Eire turned and rushed down the hall to her room, Sarek after her. She started grabbing clothing from her closet and throwing it in the center of the bed. She stared to pull her trunk out. She could stand no more. Her heart was breaking. Her emotions running wild, she had no more control, she was raw, her emotions flooded the room. Sarek stood trying to calm himself; he too was raw. When he had brought up as much control as he could, he assessed the situation. Eire was leaving him, he should prevent it, but it was her choice to make...but Amanda had left him once before and he had done nothing to stop her, except say.
"I do not want you to leave." She had left and he had gone through one year of misery. He made up his mind he would not allow Eire to walk away from his life.
Eire kept packing, throwing things into the trunk, she stopped when he took a step towards her and she backed away till the wall stopped her from going any further.
He held his hand out to her and a heart wrenched,
"No." Came from him. He continued to cross the room. Eire felt like a trapped animal, she had nowhere to run. Sarek reached out putting his hand on her face.
"Don't touch me!" She screamed and started hitting blindly at him. Sarek grabbed her by the arms.
"Listen to me!" His breathing was quick but his voice was level. "I have done nothing to Miss Dannan, I have not touched her in that way!" Sarek felt her thoughts pouring out.
Eire struggled to get out of his grip, finally one arm was free and she slapped his face as hard as she could. "Leave me, don't you touch me!!" She started to hit at him with her free hand.
Sarek realized he had to do something; she was not rational at this moment and would not listen to logic. He raised his hand to her face, Eire fought him, but he paid that no mind. He placed his hand on the side of her face, letting go of her other arm to hold her head still. Quickly he melded with her. Eire struggled for a few moments then stopped.
Eire saw flashes running through her mind, pictures jumping and turning. She saw everything that had happened over the last three weeks and she knew Sarek was guilty of nothing. He saw and felt her pain, her anguish and he closed his eyes. He took his hand away from her face and she fell against him sobbing. He did not ask her why she had not come to him with her concerns, he did not ask her anything. He just held her until she stopped crying. Sarek pulled her back and looked into her tear filled eyes.
"You will always be in my heart, I will love you always" He said. "No more tears." And he kissed her forehead.
When he was sure she was calm enough to leave her, he got up, he had to call security to come and remove Miss Dannan.
Eire sat on the bed remembering all the pictures that had invaded her mind during the meld and she heard his words. "Will always love you." She couldn't believe he said them. He was a Vulcan, there was no need for him to say them, but he did and she cried. When she had composed herself she got up and started to go out to the living area. Eire got to the entrance, Sarek was just finishing his conversation with security.
Eire looked to where Miss Dannan was lying and her eyes opened wide. "Oh Goddess!" She whispered. She looked at Sarek. She felt the breath was being squeezed out of her, she felt fear. Miss Dannan was no longer where Sarek had left her.
Eire looked at Sarek and whispered. "Where is she?"
He looked at her his face not showing his concern. "The logical assumption is that she regained consciousness and left. I have notified security, they will find her."
Eire stared hopelessly at him, her vision flashing into her mind. They did not make love that night, instead they held each other, touching and sensing one another, they were both satisfied.
~~Chapter 29~~
"She seems to have just vanished." They told Sarek they would keep the investigation open. If she were still on Vulcan they would find her.
"But is she still on Vulcan?" Sarek had asked. They assured him they had all lines open, if she was anywhere in Federation space they would indeed find her. Sarek wanted her found; she could be dangerous. When she was found he would push to have her incarcerated to get the help she needed. He knew he would not have to push hard.
Eire had not returned to the Academy till the second day after the incident. She decided she couldn't hide away until they found Miss Dannan, so she returned to her schedule. It was a lot easier than before and she enjoyed it. The head of the Academy, Sorl approached her and asked since the Vulcan religion course was now ended, if she would be interested in teaching an evening course in Goddess studies. T'Landa had spoke with him and recommended her as a knowledgeable and dedicated student of Paganism. Of course he had added the course would begin the week after her marriage to the Ambassador, Eire was thrilled and honored. Sarek shared her joy in a Vulcan way.
Although she was the happiest she had been in her whole life, just beneath the surface she fought every day with fragments of her vision, but she kept them to herself. She couldn't allow them to surface.
She was too happy and she wanted to stay that way. Sarek had not commented on her restless sleep or her sweat soaked body, he only held her tighter in her sleep.
T'Zah had finished her dress and it was beautiful. Rhea wanted to do something for her so Eire taught her to weave flowers into chaplets. She made three for them to wear at the wedding ritual. Eire had asked both T'Zah and Rhea to stand with her as her maidens. They both agreed with much joy.
Two nights before the wedding T'Zah drove Rhea and Eire to get their last instruction in the ritual. It lasted late into the night. After the instruction T'Lar had requested to speak with Eire.
"Thee are at peace with thy decision?" She asked.
"I am Mother." T'Lar had looked deep into her eyes and nodded solemnly.
"Ye will need thy strength, it is not ended." T'Lar stated. Eire felt a shiver run down her spine, she didn't ask what the High Priestess meant... she knew.
"Remember, never shall you doubt Sarek. It is he that shall bring ye strength and bring ye out of the darkness. His darkness shall be your light."
Eire nodded and left.
T'Zah dropped her off at home saying that Rhea and her would be by in the afternoon the following day and that she should save her strength for the wedding bed. She might need it. Eire had laughed saying she had enough strength for every night.
"Don't talk too soon, Sarek's Pon Farr has not come yet. You might have to eat your words." T'Zah looked at Rhea her face deep in thought,
"Although I could never understand why anyone would want to eat their words?" Rhea laughed and they drove off.
Eire went in and found Sarek at the comm working, his face dark. She went over and laid her two fingers on his extended fingers, he smiled slightly. Sarek sat back in his chair. "Your instruction went well?"
"As well as to be expected, there's so much to remember. I only hope I don't forget what I'm not supposed to do." Eire smiled.
"You will not, you have a good mind for ritual." He said.
"Yes, that has always been one of my joys, performing ritual." She kissed him.
"Perhaps I could show you a ritual preformed by the Daughter's of the Flame. It's rather pleasurable?" He touched her face.
"It would please me to learn of this... ritual... show me." She did and they both found out more about each other's pleasures.
~~Chapter 30~~
She braided the side of her hair and secured them with golden hair rings with the same cross. Eire finally went into the kitchen to start to prepare evening meal. She wanted to make it herself instead of using the replicator. She didn't really like the food from it, too bland. And tonight Spock was coming along with T'Zah and Rhea. She wanted to please them.
Four o'clock arrived along with T'Zah and Rhea, they looked at the home cooked meal, they couldn't believe it, it smelled wonderful.
"Sarek better watch himself or you might block his arteries with this rich food." T'Zah commented.
"But what a way to go!" Rhea said dipping her finger into the bowl of chocolate and sticking it in her mouth.
"This is wonderful!"
They went into the living area and talked till Sarek and Spock arrived. Eire remained seated till they entered the room. Then she stood, T'Zah and Rhea also stood. T'Zah had heard of Spock and had seen him on occasion but had never personally met him. Rhea knew a little about his illustrious career in Star Fleet and Eire knew almost nothing of the famous Mr. Spock, but she would make it a point to speak with him and find out more about Sarek's son.
Sarek held out his two fingers towards her and she approached placing hers on his, she did not look at Spock her eyes were held by Sarek's.
"Spock. May I introduce Miss Eire Teine; she that will be my Lady wife." Sarek said.
Eire looked into Spock's eyes, when he managed to draw himself out of them he said,
"The monitor does not do justice to your beauty Miss Teine. I wish you and my father both long life and prosperity." He bowed his head slightly.
"Will you do the introductions?" Sarek asked of Eire, motioning towards Rhea and T'Zah. Eire went back over to where they stood.
"Spock, this is my friend and fellow student, Rhea Donson." Spock nodded towards Rhea.
"And this, is." Eire put her hand on T'Zah's arm,
"T'Zah, my dearest and oldest friend."
"Ah, T'Zah. I have heard of you. Were you not involved in the incident with the Surak statue? As I remember you were sent to the Sisterhood and your companions were sent back to Earth, never to return." Spock said. T'Zah looked directly at him and raised one eyebrow.
"I master minded it!" She said.
"Indeed." Spock said with mild surprise. Eire interrupted.
"I hope everyone is hungry? Please come and sit down." They all went to the table. And Rhea and Eire started to bring the food in. After everyone had finished Sarek said.
"Your talents are always amazing me." Eire smiled. She felt a darkness coming over her and quickly brought up her control.
"Are you alright?" Asked T'Zah. Eire smiled again pushing the vision back down.
"Yes, I'm fine." They continued their conversation.
~~Chapter 31~~
"Miss Teine, my father tells me you will be teaching a course in Goddess studies at the Academy...why Goddess studies?" Asked Spock.
"Please Spock, call me Eire. Why Goddess studies? Well...I have been a Pagan for all of my adult life. The Goddess is what I know best. I find it fascinating that at one time our world, Earth, was united under a female deity. Even though the tribes were so different, so far apart, their Goddesses basically were all the same. Their names differed from country to country, even from town to town, but disregarding her many names as all Goddess are but one Goddess, the same is true with the God force.... her basic aspects were and still are very similar. I have studied, for many years, the reclaiming of the Goddess by Human females. Holding the feminine power and knowing how to use it along with the energy of the God force can and does bring us, females, back to a place, a state that we have all but lost through patriarchy. The power has allowed us to be female, and stand in honor along side our males, not beneath him. I think this is how it should be." Spock nodded.
"If I am here long enough I would enjoy sitting in on one of your lectures. If that would be agreeable to you?" He asked, Eire smiled.
"Of course Spock, I can only hope that I can keep you interested long enough." Rhea spoke up.
"Did Eire tell you Ambassador that Sondar has asked her to put together a Celtic concert? That's if she can get us all in tune. It will be held at the Academy next semester."
"No, she hasn't, that's wonderful Eire. I'm sure you will make accomplished performers out of your fellow students, you have that gift." Said Sarek.
"I really have my work cut out for me I'm afraid, since the Vulcan students do not seem to have the voice tone that is required for the Celtic song." Eire said.
"What form of Celtic song do you prefer?" Asked Spock.
"Actually the Celts inhabited quite a few countries in Western Europe including the British Isles. I prefer the Irish and Welsh song, the Welsh are the true bards of course, but the Irish to me have more passion. Whether it's a haunting love ballad or a rousing war chant they seem to stir emotions in everyone, humans that is." Spock sat back and listened to her voice, it sounded very soothing almost lilting as the music she was speaking of.
"For the great Gaels of Ireland,
Spock finished.
"Yes, Chesterton's 'Ballad of the White Horse', but I assure you not all their songs are sad. Eire said.
"Sing something for us Eire." Asked Rhea. Eire looked at Sarek.
"Yes, sing for us. It would please me." He said a smile in his eyes.
"Cold the winds on the moors blow,
Eire continued on singing the ballad, all sat listening to her. Her voice rising and falling like a well-trained instrument, she ended and they all clapped. T'Zah started into another song and Eire joined in,
"The minstrel boy to the war has gone,
They all looked at T'Zah. Rhea clapped her hands.
"That's wonderful T'Zah, perhaps Eire should get you to join us for the concert."
"I don't think that would be appropriate Rhea, after all I'm not a student of the Academy." Said T'Zah.
"I'm sure I could speak with Sondar, I don't see why he would mind. Come on, say you'll join us?" Eire took her hand. T'Zah looked from Eire to Rhea, Spock watched her. She was very attractive, but her Humanness seemed strange...after all she was a Vulcan.
"Alright, but remember Eire, this is the first and last time you win!"
The night wore on and finally Sarek rose to take his leave. He would keep this Vulcan tradition; he would not be sharing Eire's bed tonight. He and Spock would spend the evening and the next day at Gol preparing for the marriage ritual. Eire would stay here in ShiKahr with T'Zah and Rhea.
Everyone bid each other good night and Eire walked to the door with Sarek and Spock.
"It was an enjoyable evening. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, perhaps you will honor us with your golden voice at the wedding feast?" Spock asked.
"Perhaps." Eire replied.
Spock opened the door and went out to let Sarek and her speak. Sarek lifted his fingers to her lips and she kissed them, he took them away then kissed her tenderly.
"I will be lonely without you in our bed tonight." She said.
"It is only for one night." He whispered. He kissed her again and stroked the side of her face then left with Spock. Eire watched them get into the ground car and drive off. She leaned her head against the door and smiled.
"Good night, my dark angel." And closed the door.
~~Chapter 32~~
"Oh, sweet Mother,
She took the oiled water and dipped her fingers in it and anointed her feet. "I anoint my feet in her name. May they always walk the path of light."
Eire went and put on a plain white under dress and took the bowl of water out to the yard where she dumped it in front of Tulrah. She smiled.
"I guess I can use all the blessings I can get." She took the bowl and went into the kitchen were both T'Zah and Rhea were standing drinking tea. Rhea handed a cup to Eire.
"So are you ready to become Madame Sarek?" Asked T'Zah. Eire looked at her and took a deep breath.
"I can't believe it. Today I will be his wife, it's so unreal."
"Perhaps T'Zah could get hold of Spock." Laughed Rhea. T'Zah looked at her rolling her eyes.
"I don't think so...he's not my type, too serious."
Both Eire and Rhea broke up laughing, a Vulcan calling another one serious. It was amusing. Eire looked at Rhea.
"What about you? Do you have a secret Vulcan love?" Asked Eire.
"Me! Are you kidding? I wouldn't even know how to speak with a Vulcan male, they make me nervous." Rhea said a little uneasy.
"I think I know the right male for you Rhea. I'll ask Sarek when everything has settled if I could introduce you to Salin. I don't see how he would object." Eire said. T'Zah looked over her cup.
"Playing with fire. And I really can't believe this, you have only been on Vulcan for five weeks and your already making matches." T'Zah said walking to the living area.
"Scary!" She said. Both Eire and Rhea laughed.
By mid-afternoon they had packed everything they needed for the wedding ritual and put it in the ground car. Eire dressed herself in a dark green panni dress with a high bodice. She wore copper bracelets and T'Khut's Tear at her throat. She took a cape as it was misting and the rain would start to fall just after dark.
They left the house and started their drive to Mt. Seleya. Eire would meet Sarek before the actual ritual at the base of the mount to perform the bonding ritual. As they drove T'Zah asked.
"Has there been any information about whether they have located Miss Dannan?"
"No." Eire said.
"I really do not want to talk about her T'Zah, not today."
"I'm sure they are doing everything they can to find her." Said T'Zah.
"I'm sure they are." Eire said. T'Zah looked at Eire,
"Have the dreams stopped?" She asked.
"Almost, there not as frequent and vivid as before, I can control them now." Eire lied. She was still having the dreams every night but it seemed with Sarek beside her, she wasn't afraid, and he had not mentioned anything to her about any disturbance in her sleep.
Rhea had only been to Mt. Seleya once and it was night so she had not really seen the mount, not many Humans had. It was where the disciplines were taught, where the Sisterhood dwelled, it held the power and mystic knowledge of the Vulcans. Where the healing was preformed. And on its peak within the stone circle marriages were preformed and challenges were offered and battles fought to the death. Though it had not been the case for many years. Sarek's own son at his wedding to T'Pring echoed the last challenge; he had fought his friend and Captain under the eyes of the great Matriarch, T'Pau, first mother of the first house of Vulcan. Kirk had survived due to the quick thinking of the ship's doctor and mutual friend. Since that time many years ago the echo of challenge had not rung out on Mt. Seleya.
The great mountain sat just ahead of them lifting high into the Vulcan sky, mists of white rose around her crown as the sky threatened her with dancing shadows. Rhea looked eyes wide.
"We have to climb that?" She asked.
"It does have stairs." Said T'Zah
"It's not as bad as it looks, at least it's a bit cooler than when we climbed her." Eire said.
They stopped the ground car at the base of the mount and got out, the scent of pungent incense clung in the air. They stood for a few minutes, the mist gently falling.
"I hope it's not going to rain at the ritual." Said Rhea.
"Oh, I don't mind the rain, it cleanses the soul." Eire said.
Just then two guards from the order of Mt. Seleya approached them, between them a female of the Sisterhood. She was extremely beautiful. But what shocked Eire was her blonde hair and blue eyes, usually the Sisters were dark haired and dark eyed. Eire thought she looked stunning. The Sister stopped in front of Eire paying no attention to T'Zah and Rhea.
"You are Eire Teine, intended of Sarek of Vulcan?" She asked.
"I am." Eire stated.
"Your companions must stay here, come with me. He awaits you inside."
She turned and walked off, Eire following behind flanked by the two guards. They disappeared into a low stone building and continued down a stone staircase lit with torches, no man-made light was allowed in this sacred building. They stopped in front of two large doors and the guards opened them. The Sister and Eire went inside. It was a stone room with stone floors, torches lit it also, and in the center was a stone bench with a few pillows in red cloth. Just to the right was a very long stone table, the only things on it were a red chalice, Eire thought it was made of T'Khut's tear, beside it out of the same stone a small jar. The Sister stopped at the bench.
"Sit, thy intended will come soon to perform the ritual of bonding." Eire sat and the Sister walked out and closed the door. She sat quietly thinking of how old the chamber must be, what rituals were preformed within it. The power was very strong, she felt it's benevolence surrounding her. The door opened and Sarek came in, he was alone. He stood and looked at her for a moment, he seemed not his self, and somehow he seemed of higher spirit. She went to stand up but he motioned her to stay sitting. Sarek was wearing a long white robe similar to his sleeping robes but this one had Vulcan runes down one side of it. Without saying a word he went to the stone table and opened the jar, he took something out of it and crumbled it into the chalice. He lifted the chalice and approached her sitting beside her he offered it to her. Eire took it and took a drink, it burned worse than brandy and tasted bitter. She took another drink and he took it away from her placing it on the floor. Eire felt warm and light headed. Sarek lifted his hand and placed it on the side of her face in the mind meld position. The Sisters had instructed Eire in what to expect during the bonding so was not nervous. Suddenly pictures flashed into her mind. She felt his pain and anguish, all that he had known in his life. She also felt his joy. A few moments passed and he removed his hand. Eire had experienced his life in just a few moments and he hers. They now held a piece of each other within themselves. Sarek raised his hand once again and put his two fingers on her lips, she kissed them, he then traced his fingers down her chin and neck and to her breasts, and he bent and kissed her there, causing her to tremble. Sarek got up and left, not a word was spoken but so much was said.
~~Chapter 34~~
"You will come with me." It was more of a command than a request. Eire got up and followed her out into the hall and down to the next door, which was slightly smaller, the Sister opened it.
"Someone will come for thee when it is time." She said.
Eire walked into the room where T'Zah and Rhea were waiting; they both were in white robes.
"What do we do now?" Eire asked.
"You are going to bathe." T'Zah replied. Eire went over to a screen and removed her clothing, when she came out Rhea blushed and turned her head, T'Zah didn't raise an eyebrow.
"It's alright Rhea, you should never be embarrassed or ashamed of your body. It is beautiful." Eire said.
Eire slipped into a large round bath and let herself sink down to the bottom. The water had the same pungent smell as the incense that rose through the air at the base of the mount.
After about fifteen minutes she got out and T'Zah wrapped a length of white linen around her, she dried herself and put the material on a stool. T'Zah brought a container and started to pat a clear powder with tiny pieces of gold in it all over Eire's body. She then applied her make-up in the traditional Vulcan style. Rhea brought her dress and helped her on with it. Eire looked beautiful, the high empire waist was beaded with thousands of tiny stars was exquisite. It was also beaded on the bottom of her pointed sleeves. From the high waist fell three flowing tiers, also beaded with the stars along the bottom of each tier. Rhea took Eire to the mirror, a tear started to fall from her eye.
"Don't you cry, your make-up will run." T'Zah said as she dabbed her cheek with a piece of cloth.
"You have made me such a beautiful dress T'Zah. I love you." Said Eire. T'Zah kissed her on the cheek.
"And I you." She said.
Rhea brought her veil and placed it on her head, it hung down her back to the floor. Rhea pulled it forward till it cascaded around her face then T'Zah placed a silver circlet with a crescent moon in the center to hold the veil in place. Her final piece of wedding garb was the chaplet of hawthorn flowers that Rhea had made for her. She kissed Rhea, and then looked at herself in the mirror once again. She looked like Deirdre of the Sorrows; Eire took a deep breath and let it out. "Well, I guess it's almost time." She said.
"Just as soon as we get dressed." Rhea said. T'Zah and Rhea ran off and started to dress. Eire sat on the stool breathing deeply calling up her control. Soon T'Zah and Rhea stood behind her, dressed in their gowns, they were both wearing sheer white fabric with short sleeves, and each wore a hawthorn chaplet.
"Oh, you both look so beautiful!" Eire said tears starting to flow from her eyes.
~~Chapter 35~~
"This way." The smaller of the two said. They followed them out into the hall, Eire first then T'Zah and Rhea came last carrying a hawthorn chain. Two Vulcan guards walked behind them, they slowly left the building a very light mist was falling. The procession walked to the bottom of the stairs to start their ascent to the top... to Sarek. Two more Sisters fell in behind T'Zah and Rhea and they started up the great stone stairs. When they reached the halfway point, four more Sisters had positioned themselves, two in front and two in back of the wedding procession. They stood halfway and waited, everyone was silent, the air was still and the incense was very strong. A gong rang through the stillness and they continued upward. Before they reached the top six more Sisters had joined them, there were now six Sisters in front and six behind in the procession, the misting was not as heavy at this height and T'Zah was glad as all of them were covered in a shiny film of mist. When they reached the archway that lead down a flight of stairs to the main circle they were joined by four more Vulcans, males, two carried drums made out of some sort of animal hide, the other two carried bell harps. The two drummers started to beat out a slow rhythmic beat...they stopped, the reply rang out as a gong echoed three times, slowly the drummers started to beat their drums and walk forward down the stones stairs, the other two males followed shaking their bell harps. As they descended the stairs Eire lifted her eyes just a little to view the stone circle of Mt. Seleya, very few Humans had ever seen the Tadash Quam or sacred circle. She looked taking in every detail. Around the perimeter of the large circle stood giant megaliths, it reminded her of the Druid holy sites of Earth... Stonehenge, Callindish. To the extreme far side stood all those attending the ritual, possibly one hundred or more, she tried to look for Sarek, but there were too many others. Eire looked to the right where the dais stood. Thirteen stone stairs raised up to a floor then thirteen more to the upper dais. The dais was shaped in a half circle and was surrounded around the perimeter with smaller stone pillars standing thirty feet high. In the center of the dais stood a large stone table, in front of the table stood T'Lar, she was also in white with an over tunic of pale peach. Eire was so in awe of actually viewing the inner sanctum, it reminded her so much of the great temples which were used on Earth to worship the ancient shining ones. T'Zah poked her,
"Keep your eyes down." She whispered.
Eire averted her eyes. She had been told by the Sisterhood not to raise her eyes until they were raised for her. This was done as a sign of humility to all that would be there, but more for the intended male. When her eyes were lifted she would then stand equal to her male. Eire did not agree with the practice and had told them so, saying,
"I need no male to tell me by word or deed that I am his equal, as I know I am. But I will respect your tradition and allow it."
When the procession reached the stairs to the dais it stopped and the twelve Sisters formed a wall between Eire and the many guests, it was then she glimpsed Spock standing about twenty feet away, he also wore the traditional Vulcan wedding robe. Sarek stood beside him. He wore the Ambassadorial robes in a deep wine color, across his chest her wore a breast plate of dark burnished gold, large pieces of T'Khut's Tear inlaid in it. The cape that hung from his shoulders was clasped by a Vulcan broach called a Tresk, it stood for his rank as oldest father of his house, it had been passed to him upon his father's transition.
It was so silent, no one moved, no one said a word. The gong rang out once and Eire flinched not expecting it to be that loud. Sarek took three paces towards them, then stood and looked around him. He was so dark, darker than Eire had ever seen him.
"Ta Khe Kali Fee!" His voice was loud and it echoed around the circle, the challenge...all was quiet. When no response came the Sisterhood parted and Eire walked forward, T'Zah and Rhea behind her. When they had reached the halfway mark between her and Sarek she stopped, her head bowed. Sarek approached, Spock following him, they stopped a foot and a half in front of Eire. Sarek spoke.
"Tre kius khutha?" His voice was harsh with the Vulcan speech. T'Zah translated.
"Do you allow my claim?" Eire not raising her head answered.
"I allow the claim." Her voice was so soft she doubted even Sarek heard her, but he did. Spock approached her and stood in front of her.
"Do you accept the title my father is offering? Knowing of what it entails? Do you go to my father as female and wife aware of his needs? Do you stand as one yet apart?" He itemized.
Eire wanted to look up into Sarek's face to see his eyes, but her head remained bowed.
"I accept your father's title. I go to him knowing of what it entails, of knowing his needs. I accept his claim as female and wife. I stand as one and yet apart." Spock moved back behind Sarek and now Sarek stood in front of her.
"Do you come to my home freely?" He asked.
"I come freely." Eire answered
Sarek lifted his hand and raised it to her chin; he brought her face up to look into his. Eire wanted to smile but she did not. He removed his hand from her face and took her hand placing it on his outstretched arm, he turned and they started to walk up the stairs to the dais, to where T'Lar waited. T'Zah and Rhea followed them with the Sisters behind. They reached the top and stood before T'Lar, she looked at both of them.
"Sarek, child of Stonn, child of Solar, ye have made a claim upon this female to take as wife. Ye have bonded with her?"
"I have." He answered. She looked at Eire.
"Eire, child of David, child of Helen, ye have accepted the claim of wife?"
"I have." Eire answered.
"The claim has been offered and accepted." Said T'Lar. Both Sarek and Eire repeated.
"It is one."
Rhea came forward with the hawthorn chain. Eire had asked T'Lar's permission to perform a small ritual of her tradition while she was taking her instructions. T'Lar had given her permission. Rhea handed Eire the chain, she took Sarek's hand in hers and started to wind it around their hands, with Rhea's help. When the chain was tied Eire looked into Sarek's face.
"I am the star that rises from the sea,
She paused, T'Zah handed her a piece of red cord, attached to the cord a piece of moonstone encased in a rose quartz. Sarek lowered his head and with T'Zah's help Eire placed it around his neck.
"In the name of the triple Goddess,
She paused for the space of three heartbeats,
"Thus are our hands fasted,
Sarek looked at her pulling her deeper into his mind, he closed his eyes sensing her fire within him, and she felt his. They turned and the procession parted. Rhea came forward and hugged and kissed Eire.
"I'm so happy for you!" She had tears in her eyes. She turned to Sarek.
"I wish you love and joy Ambassador!"
"I have no need for your wishes Rhea." He said. Rhea's eyes widened. "They are all ready here, but I thank you for your kindness." He said.
Rhea smiled and fell in line with T'Zah and the procession started down the stairs of the dais. The gong sounded three times, as they reached the bottom of the stairs Eire looked into the crowd of spectators, Sondar nodded to her, she looked to find T'Landa but she couldn't see her. Her eyes fell upon a woman; she was dressed in a pale yellow gown with a russet veil over her head. The woman looked strangely familiar, it was only when Eire looked into her eyes, blue, blue eyes she realized it was Miss Dannan. Her breath caught in her throat and she froze. Sarek stopped and looked at her wondering why she had stopped so abruptly, for a moment he was sure he felt fear coming from her. But Eire quickly brought up her control. Sarek came closer to her.
"Are you unwell?" He asked.
Eire looked at him, her lips parted to speak, she looked back to where Miss Dannan had been standing, Sarek turned and followed her gaze, she was gone, he turned back to her.
"Are you alright?" He asked. Eire closed her eyes and shook her head slightly, trying to rid herself of the woman's face.
"I am well my husband perhaps just a little nervous." He touched her cheek gently and continued walking. Eire looked back as they left the circle and climbed the stairs leading out of the sacred space, all the guests were following the procession, she was sure it was Miss Dannan, she felt her. 'Oh Goddess lend me strength', she thought and walked on.
~~Chapter 36~~
"That!" T'Zah nodded to the group of males in deep conversation, "Could go all night!"
Eire had gathered around her a circle of her own, mostly Vulcan females with her and Rhea being the only Humans. They were teaching the Vulcan's how to sing, once everyone was used to each other's voice and could stay in tune it started to become fun. They sang most of the night, Eire and T'Zah doing most of the singing. T'Zah had learned most of the songs from Eire and took pleasure in singing with her, but she refused to sing the Gaelic ones, she couldn't bring out the rolling 'r's. Occasionally one or two of the males would look over to the women; finally they too began to drift over leaving the conversation to a few. After another hour of song Sarek came to her side.
"We shall take our leave." He said.
Eire stood and took the hawthorn chain she held in her lap and placed it around Rhea's neck.
"This is for you, I hope it brings you love and joy." Darkness filled Eire's mind and a wave of loss hit her. She pulled her control back, wondering why she should feel such a thing and then put it out of her mind. She kissed Rhea on the cheek then T'Zah. Eire went and stood in front of Spock and held her hand up in the Vulcan salute.
"Live long and prosper Spock." She said.
"And you Lady Eire." He replied.
With that she returned to Sarek's side and put her hand on his, they walked to the rear of the hall and disappeared down a stairway. T'Zah started singing 'Lilly of the West', Rhea joining in, their voices fading as Sarek led Eire down the stairs and through darkened corridors till they reached a transporter, it seemed so out of place among the ancient stones.
"Where are we going?" Eire asked.
He touched her cheek, "Home."
They arrived at Sarek's villa in moments, sparkling into solid form. He led her through the villa to the master bedroom. The rays of T'Khut shining in from the glass solarium dimly lighted it. Eire stood looking out the door into the solarium, Sarek came behind her and embraced her, he kissed her neck and she felt his fire, it was more intense now that they were bonded. She felt his thoughts caressing her. Sarek went back over to where a large wooden desk stood, he removed his cloak and placed it on the back of the chair, he started to unfasten his breastplate. Eire went and helped him remove it; she was shocked to feel the weight of it. He took it from her placing it on the top of the desk, all the time not taking his eyes off of her. He removed his tarab and went to the bed, Eire remained standing at the desk. Sarek removed the rest of his clothing.
"Come here my wife."
She obeyed and walked towards him the luminous light falling upon her making her look unworldly, gleaming, she seemed as if she was floating. He stood as she approached him and touched her face with his fingers causing heat to rush through her, Eire moaned. He reached down and removed her veil and circlet letting them fall to the floor. Sarek reached behind her and untied her dress letting it slip off her shoulders. Eire was burning inside; she pushed the dress the rest of the way till it lay on the floor beside her veil. Sarek bent and kissed her glistening breasts then continued upward to her neck, she could stand no more, she went to kiss him but he stopped her. Sarek walked over to the desk and came back to the bed holding a small red pouch. He took the Vulcan rune from her neck and placed it on the bed, removing another pendant from the pouch he placed it around her neck. Eire picked it up; it was heavier than the rune. It was a Vulcan marriage pendant identical to the one in her sculpture 'Loved and Beloved.'
"Sarek, it's beautiful. I am honored to wear it." She whispered.
"It is not as beautiful as the ones who wears it. And I am the one who is honored to have you in my life." Sarek pulled the hair ring from her hair and it tumbled down around her, he pulled her to him and kissed her.
"No more words wife, only pleasure." He whispered.
The Vulcan sun burned less compared to the fire that consumed them that night.
~~Chapter 37~~
Sarek had been working in his office; going over stats he would have to take care of on his return to Earth. Eire knocked on the door and went in.
"Good morning." She said.
"Did you sleep well?" Sarek asked getting up from his desk.
"The little bit I got was good." She smiled. She walked over to the end of the desk and put her two fingers on his.
"Sarek, I was thinking, perhaps if it is alright with you in the coming weeks I might introduce Rhea to Salin?"
Sarek shifted some papers on his desk and took a deep breath. Eire knew she had touched the wrong subject, she felt his agitation.
"My wife, have I not told you that I did not want to discuss Salin? That it is over. I see no reason to introduce Rhea to Salin, it would only get you involved with someone I do not want you involved with." He looked directly into her eyes.
"But Sarek, now that we are married can you not forgive him?" She asked putting her hand on his.
"I see no logic in that. Salin knew the law... he broke it. It would be illogical for me to forgive him, what is done is done."
"But Sarek...!" Her voice was pleading.
"My wife I will hear no more of this. Do you have anything of more importance you wish to discuss? As I must finish my work as tomorrow I as well as you return to the Academy."
Eire decided not to push the issue right now but she would continue the discussion at a later date.
"Yes Sarek," Her voice was controlled.
"Would you mind if I went to the ancient ruins of Gol today?"
"I would prefer if you waited till I could accompany you. You do not know Gol and I would be concerned for your safety if you went alone." He said. Eire was becoming frustrated.
"Sarek, I am quite capable of taking care of myself. I've been doing it for years. I do not need a male following me around making sure I do not break a nail! Sarek, I am not a child, I know I can do this!"
"I am quite aware you are not a child, but my answer is still no." Sarek's voice was quite stern.
Eire was not going to let this rest. She had given in on the Salin issue. She was not going to give in now.
"Sarek I will go to Gol whether you want me to or not. It is my choice!" Sarek saw no sense in arguing with her, if she went to Gol, he would go and bring her back.
"My wife, I have work to do, could we speak of this later and I give you my word as soon as I am free...I will take you to the ruins." He lifted his two fingers and held them out. Eire closed her eyes and sighed and put her fingers on his, she turned and walked out of the office, leaving Sarek thinking, she had too much fire for her own good.
~~Chapter 38~~
"Circling, circling,
After she finished she sat in the hot sands looking out to the ruins of Gol. Her mind went back many years, to when she had taken one of her pilgrimages to Ireland, it had been the festivities of Imbolic and it was raining which was quite normal for Ireland. Eire had been staying with some friends who were also Pagan. On the first day of February, one of her friends had come to her saying,
"Get ready, I'm going to take you to see something wonderful!"
Eire would have jumped at the offer, but Emer, her friend was eight and a half months pregnant and really shouldn't be running around the countryside acting as her tour guide. In the end Eire gave in and they left for Ulster. When they arrived it was mid-afternoon and Emer had been complaining terribly about her back. They traveled as far as the car could go, and then started walking. After walking for about an hour over bogland they arrived at a small grove containing mostly oak trees. They sat for a while to let Emer rest, then went into the grove. Within the grove right in the center stood a large green mound, Eire looked at Emer
"A fairy knoll?" She asked surprise on her face. Emer took her around to the other side where they came to an opening in the knoll. After removing some old brush, they each took out their flashlights and went in.
When they got inside, Eire was amazed to find it was not a fairy knoll after all, but an entrance to an under ground cave. They made their way down the darkened path, clinging onto the side of the rock. When they reached the bottom they sat and rested, they had come down about three hundred feet. The air was cool and damp and they sat listening to the dripping water that ran down the sides of the cave and trickled down well-worn cuts in the rock. After a while Eire decided they should start back, Emer agreed and they started up the path, they only got half way up when Emer told Eire she couldn't go any further, her water had just broke. Eire had thought 'Luck of the Irish!"
Eire went over the options in her head. She could try to get Emer out of the cave and across the bog to the car... but that might not be a good idea, with her in labour the hour walk could turn into three. Or she could go herself leaving Emer and drive into town for help... but that would take just as long and she didn't want to leave Emer by herself that long. So she took her back down to the bottom of the cave and laid her down to await the birth.
Eire had gone up and brought some old dry brush and started a small fire. She gave Emer her cape and sat holding her hand as the labour intensified. Emer was terrified, but by the six hour she was ready to give birth. Eire had ripped her skirt up into large strips, luckily she had worn a petticoat that day, to clean and wrap the baby in. Emer's screams ripped through the cave and Eire said a silent incant asking the Lady not to let her be fertile; she didn't want to go through this. Within a half an hour Eire held a little girl in her arms, she had to use her bowline to cut the cord, since she had nothing else and she didn't fancy biting through it. She cleaned the little girl off and held her over her head into the darkness of the cave.
"Mother, you have deemed to
She wrapped the child in her torn skirt and placed her at Emer's breast where she drank her first milk. The cave didn't seem so dark now; it was actually quite comforting. The next day when Emer felt she could walk they started back. Everyone was amazed at the story, but no one was more amazed then Eire, she had been in the Mother's womb birthing a child. Next to marrying Sarek it had been the most important event in her life. She got up off the sand and smiled looking out to the ruins.
"I will come...maybe not today, but I will come." She said.
~~Chapter 39~~
"The trip would be boring enough without having to keep up intellectual conversation with the Ambassador." Eire felt a little hurt at the statement but T'Zah thought all Vulcan's were boring, in the end Eire laughed and said,
"He's not boring in bed and that's the only thing that counts."
T'Zah had rolled her eyes and left.
Eire had been taking drug therapy to get her body ready to conceive a child. When she had brought the idea up to Sarek one night after making love, he had said.
"If you deem this of importance, I will give you a child." Eire was thrilled she really did not know if Sarek would want another child as he was in late maturity, if anything Spock should be the one producing a child.
Eire had been on the therapy for four weeks now and was told they usually had great success within twelve weeks. It was not like the old days when it took years for Human/Vulcan mates to engineer a child. The Vulcan's had made great strides in fertility enhancing drugs, they had no choice, more and more Vulcan's both male and female were choosing to marry off-worlders, and so to keep the population up they had to find a way which allowed for faster, easier, surer pregnancy rate. After years of experimental testing, they came up with the intense drug therapy T'Pan P. named after the scientist that made the break through.
Eire worried that perhaps Sarek's maturity had lessened his ability to produce a child, but they assured her as long as he was still experiencing his time, he would have no problem in fathering an offspring. She would just have to be patient, and now Sarek was leaving for Earth, two months without him, two months of not being able to conceive. She thought she was being a bit obsessed with wanting to have a child, but she had just turned thirty-seven and her body seemed to be putting out a warning,
'Time is running out!' She knew this was silly because Humans were now having babies into their late fifties, as long as they were healthy there seemed to be no ill affects on mother or child.
She would just have to put her mind to rest; perhaps when Sarek came home she would conceive a child, as he would be going into his time. That was another thing that worried her, he had not said much about it and she didn't want to ask him. But she had to wonder what it was like. He had only told her it was very intense. Eire couldn't imagine anything more intense than their love making now, she wondered if she would be able to withstand the fire that was Pon Farr, to mate for the sake of mating, no love, no tenderness, no gentleness, she shivered at the thought. She would go to speak with T'Lar. She might be able to calm her worries... she hoped.
~~Chapter 40~~
At the battle of Tulrah's Tia, the slaughtering and barbarity of the Sisterhood convinced the Vulcan people that they could no longer live with their emotions, they chose to live by logic and slowly they climbed the impetuous ladder to control their emotions, to achieve passion's mastery. There were many failures through Vulcan's dark warring past and many times they fell back into the abyss of emotion. Slowly they grew and slowly they achieved more control. But that was in the dark past and Vulcans have been civilized and achieved passions' mastery, they no longer warred against any one, they lived by logic, their emotions always under strict control... most of the time. Only at the time of Pon Farr do Vulcans regress back to the time when emotions rule them. Only at the time of Pon Farr are they the dark warriors of the past.
~~Chapter 41~~
Eire got up and approached him, Salin stepped aside as she put her hand out to take his. Eire smiled and put her hand down.
"Salin, how are you?" She asked. Salin inclined his head.
"I am well Madame Sarek."
"Eire." She said.
"What are you doing back on Vulcan?" She asked him.
"I thought I would take advantage of the Ambassador's stay on Earth to come back to visit my parents." He replied.
Eire was confused. Why would he choose a time when Sarek was not on Vulcan to come and see his parents? Surely Sarek would not hold a grudge against him. She didn't ask if this might be the case, she thought it was not appropriate.
"Salin, will you join us? I'd like you to meet someone." Eire said.
"I do not think it advisable that I am seen in your company after the... incident. There are sure to be those that will talk and it would disturb me if the Ambassador decided to castigate you."
"Don't worry, Salin, I will explain everything to Sarek, he'll understand." Eire said.
"I do not believe he will Madame Sarek." Salin looked into her green eyes they were as bright and clear as he remembered them the first day at the Embassy on Earth.
"I'll make him understand. Now come on, I want you to meet my friend."
Salin knew that she would never make Sarek understand that she had gone against his wishes and decided to see him, even though it was in a public place with a friend, Sarek would not understand. He knew he should just walk away, but in truth she was his friend and he believed that if he would walk away from her it would hurt her more than Sarek's irritation. After all, she was Human and friendship meant a great deal to her. He followed her back to her table where Rhea waited.
"Salin, this is Rhea, my dear friend Rhea, this is Salin, also my friend." Eire smiled.
Salin bowed slightly to Rhea.
"Miss Rhea, I am pleased to meet you." Rhea smiled and blushed, she found Salin very attractive and she knew he knew she did. Salin sat down and Eire thought they made a very stunning couple, Salin's darkness complimented Rhea's fairness.
They sat and talked till late and Eire was glad she had introduced them, they seemed to like each other... but then again it was hard to tell if a Vulcan liked anyone, but she felt the energy between them, and it was good.
They left the cafe quite late. Rhea dropped Eire off then was going to drive Salin to his home. Eire wished them a good night and ran inside. She wouldn't tell Sarek of their meeting, she didn't want to annoy him.
~~Chapter 42~~
"NO!" So full of hate and pain was his voice that it frightened her, she was afraid of him. When she reached the caverns mouth she ran downwards on a smooth stone path. She kept running faster and faster till she thought she would fall with the momentum. Eire finally reached the bottom; she looked around to find a way out other than the way she had just come. The walls of the cavern glittered in torch light they were they color of antiqued gold with veins of red glinting in the fire's glow. She realized that the whole cavern was created naturally out of a large mount of T'Khut's Tear. Within the caverns belly stood a large ebonite square stone. At the head of it a large gold vessel stood supported by chains, which hung from high above. Eire went closer to look at the vessel; it was old and archaic. On the outside it depicted male Vulcan's in a frenzied dance, above each dancer the Ray Kalt, she looked inside the vessel, Tulrah's face was embossed within it. As Eire looked closer at the detail, Tulrah started to fade, and Miss Dannan's face glared out at her. Eire screamed and fell back upon the stone table. She woke screaming, soaked with perspiration.
"Sarek! Sarek!" She screamed, She got up and ran through the house looking for him, her mind was filled with terror. She couldn't even think to bring up her control. She ran blindly from room to room.
"Sarek!" When she realized that Sarek was not there, he was on Earth she sat herself down on the kitchen floor and held herself, slowly she started to calm herself.
She reached out with her mind, there she found him, and calmness flowed over her. His mind was one with hers; he caressed her, his presence filling her every sense. But beneath the tenderness, the calmness she felt a smoldering fire, she fought to pull away from the heat, she did not want the fire. She wanted the tenderness, but the powers of the flames were too over bearing. She quickly pulled back, severing the bond. She sat for sometime on the floor going over the dream in her mind. Sleep did not come to her again that night and when the morning light shone in the kitchen window she pulled herself wearily from the floor.
~~Chapter 43~~
Between her art class and Matriarchy class she meet Rhea in the garden, she was happy to find that Salin had asked Rhea to join him for a concert the following week. Rhea was thrilled, but when she noticed Eire was not her normal, cheerful self, she asked what was wrong? Eire sighed deeply and the trembling started in her hands, she felt she was falling apart and she couldn't control it.
"The dreams are back, but they're different, they're more intense. I haven't slept all night, I've been afraid to close my eyes." Eire said trying to hold her hands still. Rhea put her arm around her.
"Eire can I do anything to help? Maybe stay with you till Sarek comes back?" Eire shook her head 'no'.
"It wouldn't help. The dreams would still come, but what bothers me is in my dreams I am terrified of Sarek!"
"When is Sarek coming home?" Rhea asked.
"Two weeks, but I do not know how I'm going to last two days with the severity of these dreams. I was thinking of going to speak with T'Lar, but she'll probably just tell me to find strength in Sarek. But how can I do that when it's Sarek that now that frightens me?" Eire said starting to cry.
"Perhaps you should call Sarek, get his mood, then you'll know if you should be afraid of him. But I can't see that he would ever hurt you, he loves you so much. I really think your putting too much into your dreams." Rhea said stroking Eire's hair.
"Yes, you're probably right." But Eire knew her dreams were forebodings of the future comings in her life.
"Look, why don't you go home and get some rest. I'll stop by T'Landa's class and pick up the disc for today's lesson and drop it off tonight so you won't miss anything." Rhea suggested standing to leave.
"Yes, I think I will, maybe if I get some rest this afternoon I won't feel so drained tomorrow even if I do have the dreams tonight." Eire said standing.
Eire lay on the bed trying to close her eyes to sleep but every time she did pieces of her dream would flash in front of her eyes. She sat up on the bed and took the marriage pendant from under her dress and looked at it. Her mind flashed and Miss Dannan was holding the pendant, the image of Sarek's face was in its center. Miss Dannan started spinning the pendant; it flew from her hand and smashed to the ground, shattering in minute pieces.
Eire reached towards the pieces but there was nothing there to claim. Her mind emptied and she lay back down drained, she wondered why Sarek had not called her. It was unusual for him not too as he had spoke with her every night since he arrived on Earth, except last night, perhaps something was wrong. If he didn't call tonight, she would call him.
She closed her eyes and fell into a fitful sleep of running and fear, and just underneath the fear... Sarek. When she woke it was dark, so she turned the lamp on, she was soaked, so she showered and put a light blue under dress on. When she had finished dressing she went to the kitchen and drank two glasses of cold tea, she had been so thirsty lately. She finished and went to the comm. The message light was flashing; she pushed the 'on' button and waited till the message came on the screen.
---8:03 p.m.---Rhea---I dropped by at 7:00, but no answer. The disc is at the door. See you tomorrow---p.s. If you need me...call.---
Eire sighed, why hadn't Sarek called? She looked at the clock, ten after two a.m. She had slept for twelve hours yet she felt so tired. She wondered if Sarek would still be awake. Eire keyed the Embassy number, it chimed softly, a visual came on, and a Vulcan female spoke.
"You have reached the Vulcan Embassy, Earth. No one is available to speak with you. Leave your name, number and business and someone will contact you as soon as possible." Eire started to key in her message.
---2:24 a.m.---Madame Sarek---No mess...
The screen came on visual and Sarek stared back at her. He looked very drained as if he too was fighting dreams, if Eire only knew his dreams were not causing him fear but passion.
"Sarek, you didn't call last night or tonight, I thought you were ill. Is anything wrong?" Eire asked.
Sarek strained to contain himself, Eire had never experienced a Vulcan in Pon Farr, and he did not want to frighten her. He had felt her fear last night when he reached out with his mind to comfort her. Just sensing her brought desire, lust he could not control, and she had backed away from him.
"My wife, I am well. It is very late is there a reason you have called. Are you unwell?"
"I'm fine Sarek." She pulled up her control.
"I just miss you. I miss you in our bed." She put her hand on the screen, he put his hand to the screen also, he felt her love coming through into his hand and it trembled. Eire felt his fire raging. She pulled her hand away from the screen as if she had been burned.
"I will be returning to Vulcan in three days."
"Sarek, you're not supposed to return for two more weeks, what's wrong?" Her face showed her concern.
Sarek took a deep breath, he saw no reason not to tell her, she was his wife and she must go through it with him.
"Necessity dictates that I return home... to you as soon as possible. My time had come earlier than I thought. I will be able to keep myself in adequate control for no more then three point five days. Please wait for me."
Eire stared at Sarek, so this was what she was feeling in her dreams and last night as he entered her mind... it had begun.
"Yes Sarek, I shall wait for you."
~~Chapter 44~~
--2:31 a.m.--Eire--I have gone to Gol. Be back in two days.--
She hurried and got a case and packed some water in it and some other supplies she would need for a small ritual. She transported from ShiKahr to Gol. By the time she loaded the air car and figured out how to work it. It was just after 3:00 a.m. everything went smoothly till she got about a mile from the ruins. It was then that the air car started to loose altitude, so she had to ground it and walk the rest of the way. She was glad it was before dawn; the heat was already unbearable.
The temple of Gol rose before her. The plateau was really not that high but with the neglect it had been left in for centuries a slow climb. Eire decided to make the climb later, she would wait for the sun to rise and perform a dawning ritual. She opened her case and laid out what she needed. She gathered stones and laid them in a circle in the sand, thirteen in all. She brought her supplies into the center of the sacred space. Eire then took off her clothing and took a bottle of water and washed herself. She then prepared the altar, then her directional points, the guardians. She went back to the altar, a small flat stone and lit two white candles. She also lit a yellow one to symbolize the God force. When she had finished, she picked up her athmae and circled the sacred space casting her circle. She then stood in the east and raised her athmae
"Welcome and peace powers of the East, air." She continues to the other three points and welcomed them one by one... south, fire... west... water, and north... earth. She returned to the altar and continued to round the circle with the four sacred things. She then stood and waited for the Vulcan sun to rise. It rose red over the plateau. She lifted her arms holding her athmae in her hands.
"The comforter, the consoler.
Eire put down the athmae and picked up the chalice, raising it to the glowing red ball she intoned.
"You, who are protector and lover,
She brought the chalice to her lips and drank, pouring the rest onto the red ground as a libation to her God. She replaced the chalice onto the altar and picked up a length of sheer fabric, she held it in the air and started to dance the vine dance around the circle. She did a series of spins now and then symbolizing the spiral. She continued dancing till the sun rose high in the sky, till she could dance no more.
Eire went back to the altar and lay in front of it. She lay there till the rays of the sun became too strong, then she got up and preformed the release of the guardians and banished the circle in love. She did not extinguish the candles; she would let them burn out. She would gather her other supplies before she left to go home. As she left the circle she began to sing, 'May the circle be open.'
She continued singing as she put her under dress on, she picked up some water and fruit from her case then began her climb to the top of the plateau and the birthing chamber.
Eire reached the plateau in the late afternoon and sat and drank some water and ate some of the fruit, leaving a piece for any wild life that may have need of it.
~~Chapter 45~~
She had waked up to a fire within her. At first she didn't know where she was, but as her mind cleared, she knew she was in the birthing chamber at Gol. She felt the fire deep within her. She put her hands on her breasts, and found they also burned with fire. She tried to get up, but she was too stiff to move. How long have I been here? She had no idea. Eire slowly straightened out her legs and swung them off the birthing stone to the floor. She stood; her back felt like it was broke. Again the fire ripped through her.
"Sarek." She whispered.
"Sarek, I am with you." She reached out with her mind till she found him. She let her fire touch his mind. "I will come my husband." She reached down and picked up her dress and put it on. Trying the bag to her waist and picking up her light, she headed towards the entrance. She climbed the path and came into the Vulcan sun. She noted its position and estimated it was about three o'clock. Once her eyes got used to the brightness she started down the plateau. Eire reached the bottom and started to collect her things off the altar, packing them in her case. She picked up the case and started the walk back to the air car. She hoped she would be able to start it.
She put her things in the car and climbed in, she said a silent prayer and pushed the button. Eire arrived back at the villa just as the sun started to disappear on the horizon. She went into the villa and checked the com. for messages.
---7:00 p.m.---Rhea---Where are you?
Eire realized she had stayed a day longer than she expected too. Sarek would be home tonight. She glanced at the water clock on the wall... six thirty five.
Damn she thought Sarek would be in orbit right now! She got up to go and shower when the comm light came on; she pushed the 'on' button and Rhea's face looked back at her.
"Eire, where have... What happened? You look awful! You had me so worried." Rhea was almost in tears.
"What happened to you? Were you in an accident?" Rhea asked.
"I'm alright Rhea. I was at the ruins of Gol. I guess I lost track of time. I'm sorry I caused you to worry... but I'm alright." Said Eire
"Are you sure?" Rhea waited for Eire to answer again then continued.
"Eire, Sarek called me about an hour ago. He was concerned; as he couldn't get hold of you on either comm He thought you might have been with me. I told him you were not, that you had gone to Gol three days ago and you were a day late in coming back. He was upset, not visually, but I could feel it. I told him if you were not back this evening Salin and I would go out to the ruins to find you." Eire put her hand on her head.
"Oh, Rhea... no."
"I'm sorry Eire, but he kept questioning me... I couldn't lie to him, he would have known."
"It's all right Rhea, you couldn't have lied to him. I'll take care of it. Look, I really have to go... I have to shower and dress before he gets here. I'll call you in a few days. And Rhea, thank you for being my friend."
~~Chapter 46~~
She had showered and cleansed herself of the red sand that clung to her body. She could understand how Rhea could have thought she had been in an accident. She put on a simple white under dress with ribbons across the low bodice. All the time, she fought the fire.
Eire went into the bedroom and sat cross-legged on the floor, her back and legs still ached from the long hours in the birthing chair. She could feel his fire and it took her breath away. She had spoken to T'Zah a little about the time, but she really couldn't tell her much. It was something that is just not talked about and since T'Zah had not experienced the time, she only knew what every other Pa Vetch female knew... it was intense.
She sat and calmed herself, which she found extremely hard. The fire distracted her constantly, finally she gave in to it and let it flow through her, touching, burning every sense, and her whole body was aflame. Eire rose from the floor, she ran her hands over her body, the sensation thrilled her. She ached for him, where is he?
"Oh, Sarek, come to me." She moaned. She reached her mind out touching his fevered one, blinding flashes of light exploded within her head, which caused her to sway. She grabbed the back of the chair and steadied herself. Her breathing was very rapid. What is he doing to me? She thought. Just below the fire, beneath the passion the fear hid, slowly rising within her, but the fire kept it at bay. Just when she could stand no more, he was there. At first she thought she was imagining him. Her head was not clear; she had not heard him come in so she doubted her own mind. He stood before her garbed in a black sleeping robe, his face so dark, his eyes aflame, his breathing as heaving as hers.
Eire let go of the chair and stood before her dark angel. She lifted her hand to him.
"Sarek, make it stop!" She was almost begging. He came towards her and ripped her under dress from her. His touch burned hotter than she remembered. Sarek fell to his knees moaning, he pulled her towards him. He grabbed her hand and placed his two fingers on hers, stroking them with anticipation. He threw his head back and a low groan came from deep within him. He reached for her; she could stand the fire no more. Eire reached for his face; grabbing it she kissed him, her tongue seeking his. His fire had to be quenched; he would have no more of this foreplay. Sarek reached and ripped his robe off. He grabbed Eire by the arms and pulled her down to the floor. She was a top him her long hair sweeping over his chest and face. Her oiled skin seeped deep into his brain; his musky scent rose and filled her completely.
No more!" He commanded. No matter how long it took the fire would be quenched.
~~Chapter 47~~
A top the plateau a lone figure stood. She stood wraith-like, staring across the endless stretch of red; her traditional white robe now hanging lifeless in the night air. The rays of T'Khut lingered over her form and made its presence otherworldly, gleaming. Her eyes empty of all emotion viewed a dr'shun, a small scorpion that inhabited Gol. The woman picked it up and glared at it through those passionless eyes. She crushed the dr'shun in her hand till it oozed from between her fingers. Her eyes flashed with such wickedness, such satisfaction it brought a thin lurid smile to her lips. She dropped the lifeless creature and gazed up to T'Khut, red and fuming T'Khut gazed back, all knowing, aware of the woman, of what she was planning, yet unwilling, and unable to warn or stop her.
"So it is time. It will be over soon!
Eire woke very late on the fourth day. The fire was gone. She reached out... so was Sarek. She turned over and dozed a while longer. Finally she pulled herself out of bed. It was after 3:00 in the afternoon. She stood up, then sat back down quickly... moaning. She had never felt this sore. Her whole body ached. She eased herself back up; perhaps a shower would help the aches and pains. After she showered she sat braiding her hair, she knew Sarek's time had ended or he would not have left their bed. She put on a scarlet gunna with a black girdle. She left her feet bare as she enjoyed the cool stone floor beneath them. Eire got up and looked in the mirror, putting her hand on her abdomen she whispered.
"Dear Lady, allow me to hold life within. Give me this child. I love him so."
She found Sarek on the walkway that led down to Gol. He was standing, his black robe flapping in the hot wind. He sensed her coming and he extended his hand to her. Eire stopped, without looking behind him he said.
"Come my wife, come stand with me."
She reached out and took his hand, he pulled her to him and looked into her face, he studied her eyes, and they were bright and shining. He brushed her cheek with his fingers.
"It is over. The fire has been quenched and we both stand in one piece." She smiled at him and kissed his hand.
"I hope the fire has not been quenched permanently?" She asked. The barest of smiles touch his lips.
"I assure you, my wife, the fire can be rekindled at any time." He enfolded her within his robe and they gazed out into the redness of Gol. The hot wind played with a loose strand of Eire's hair.
"A storm is approaching." He said.
"Come, I wish to speak with you."
They walked silently into the villa, when they entered the living area Sarek turned to her, his hands clasped in front of him.
"You have gone against my wishes on two occasions while I was off world. I am very concerned that you pay little or no heed to what I say. This is not acceptable behaviour for the woman who is my wife." Eire knew what he was going to say.
"Sarek I..." He held up his hand to stop her.
"I will speak. I have told you that Salin was no longer to be spoken of and get you are seen publicly with him. You have blatantly disregarded my wishes. I will not stand for this behaviour in my wife."
Eire could not hold her silence any longer. Her voice was controlled yet her eyes were full of fight.
"He is my friend and..." Sarek's voice was louder.
"And you are my wife! You will never go against my wishes again... do you understand!"
"Sarek, you are my husband, and I love you dearly, but I will not abide with your wish of not seeing Salin. He is my friend, and my friends are important to me. I could not disassociate with Salin, as I could not stop loving you. I'm sorry, Sarek, I just can't!" Sarek looked at her, his eyes darkening, anger flashed in them till her regained his control.
"I have one more thing to say before this conversation is over. I forbid you to ever go again to Gol. It is not safe. You do not know what danger you could have found yourself in, and staying out there for three days? Anything could have happened. You will never do such a thing again. Do you understand?"
Eire closed her eyes then looked up to the ceiling before answering.
"Ambassador you may talk to your aides like that and get away with it, but do not ever speak to me like that again. I will not stand for it! Do you understand?" Eire's control was quickly fading. Sarek's eyes were a little wider than before.
"I will continue to see Salin whenever I choose to. I will go anywhere at any time I want too. Only because you are my husband you feel you have the right to tell me what to do?" She took a deep breath and tried to clam herself before continuing.
"Ambassador, you are a Vulcan and have certain needs and wants. You have been raised to be logical. I am a Human and I also have needs and wants, and logic often eludes me. I am emotional and I am proud of that, I can love, I get angry, I cry, but most of all I can forgive!"
Tears were starting to fall down her face; she calmed herself and placed her hand on his.
"Sarek, could you not find it within to forgive Salin? He meant no harm, and now that he and Rhea are involved you do not have to feel threatened. Please do not keep this between us."
Sarek looked into her face, he wanted to say anything she wanted to hear, he wanted to forgive Salin if it made her happy, he wanted to do so much for her. But he was a Vulcan; he would not go back on his decisions. He took his hand away from hers and his face became cold.
"Salin knew what would happen when he touched you. It is illogical for me to forgive him!" Eire put her hand to her mouth to stifle a sob.
"If you are finished lecturing me I have work I must attend to." He said. He started to walk away and Eire wiped her eyes and took another deep breath.
"Sarek." He stopped with his back to her.
"I will go to ShiKahr tonight, I need time to be alone and access this situation." He turned his head slightly towards her.
"I do not want you to leave." He whispered.
"My husband, at this moment it does not matter what you want!" She walked past him and stepped into the transporter. She did not look at him... and then she was gone.
Sarek stood in that position for some time, his eyes a little moister than normal, he continued into his office and sat down at the comm. He closed his eyes and put his hands to the side of his head and a silent tear fell down his face.
~~Chapter 48~~
"To err is Human, to forgive divine." When she met him in the hall between classes she rushed past him. Once her grabbed her by the arm.
"I need to speak with you." He had said. Eire just walked away leaving him standing in the hall.
On the third night, Eire was giving her Goddess sturdy course; she had just received her fourth message from Sarek that day. She was going over some notes for her class that night when someone knocked on the door.
"Yes?" She didn't look up. The door opened then closed. When no one spoke Eire looked up. The female that stood before her looked strangely familiar, yet Eire couldn't place her.
"May I help you?" Eire asked. The woman walked closer to the desk into the light.
"Perhaps you may be able to help me Madame Sarek."
The smile left Eire's face as fear ripped at her. Slowly she rose from the chair. "What do you want?" She asked.
"What do I want?" Miss Dannan laughed.
"You know exactly what I want, Madame Sarek." She flew at the desk and grabbed Eire by the shoulders and pulled her over the top of the desk.
"I want him!" She shrieked, she let Eire go and backhanded her across the face. Eire flew backwards and hit the chair; she sat stunned on the floor. Miss Dannan came around the back of the desk. "My, my, the student has now become the teacher. You have done very well for yourself... teacher and wife of the Ambassador of Vulcan. Who would have thought such a weak female would have the strength to hold such a powerful male. But that will not be for long!"
Eire looked up into her face. She had cut her hair off and only about a quarter inch remained and she no longer dawned the traditional Vulcan robes but a tight black jump suit, that was why Eire didn't recognize her right away. Miss Dannan stared at her, those blue eyes full of hate glared at her. She was crazy, dangerous; she would stop at nothing to get Sarek.
"You will not have him!" Eire screamed and went to lunge at her, but Miss Dannan was in a better position and grabbed a hold of Eire again. She pulled her from the floor by the hair then around the other side of the desk and let her fall. Miss Dannan got down on her knees beside her and lifted her up by the front of the dress. She glared at Eire through slit eyes.
"Well, Madame Sarek, you are mistaken. I have a plan!"
Eire couldn't start to think of what despicable plan Miss Dannan could have.
Miss Dannan smiled at her. "You see Sarek will be coming into Pon Farr any day now. He will have need of you. If you were not available, there would be no one but me to offer him the comfort he needs. Because, you see, once a Vulcan male has reached blood fever, it wouldn't take much to convince him that I am his salvation. It's not the mating that drives me to Sarek, no, it's more than that." She grabbed Eire by the hair. "You see Eire, I want his katra! I want his very essence!"
She let go of her hair and stood up staring ahead of her like she was watching something in front of her.
"In Vulcan's past, before Tulrah's Tia, in the beginning of the ways of Tulrah, her priests were not as they were at the time of S'Tha and B'oada. No, they were powerful mystics that had demanded blood as homage. One of the rituals that they had... you should be interested in this." She smiled "Was the Ghe'm Pes Katra, the swallowing of the katra. You see Vulcans believe, one of their few spiritual beliefs, that the katra holds the living essence, the knowledge of everything the individual knows. In the Ghe'm Pes Katra, the katra must be removed to be absorbed, to do that they must first perform Tulrah's Kalt... Tulrah's pleasure. Do you know what that is Eire?"
Eire looked at her with complete terror on her face. Miss Dannan knelt back down and stroked Eire's head. Eire pulled away in disgust.
Miss Dannan smiled.
"The priests after many weeks of fasting to achieve a higher spiritual height and cleansing took their honored victim and removed his/hers heart! It is a very painful procedure, so the victim was drugged with strong infusions of herbs. Of course they couldn't be too drugged because the priest needed the katra to emerge without being too confused and as pure as possible. The Archpriest then absorbed the katra. He then gained the knowledge of each victim and their mystic powers. And that is why I want Sarek's katra. I want his knowledge! I want his power! I want his being within me! I want revenge for what he did to mine!"
Eire started to laugh softly, she wanted to reach out and kill her. "You're crazy! There is just one thing wrong with your plan." Eire had gotten her attention. She rose slowly watching Miss Dannan. "Sarek has already gone through Pon Farr, so you have nothing to draw him to you. You can take me... it doesn't matter. Sarek is a Vulcan; he works on logic. He would never put himself at risk, even to come after me. It's not logical... he would wait his time. He's too strong for you. You'll never get away with this!"
Eire turned to leave, to try and reach the door, but Miss Dannan jumped her, knocking her heavily to the floor. She was crazed. She grabbed Eire's hair and started banging her head against the floor again and again. The thought of Eire contaminating Sarek's katra with primitive sex drove her completely insane. She finally stopped, utterly out of breath, she pulled Eire up, disregarding the blood, and supported her under her arm and left.
~~Chapter 49~~
"Do you know of anyone that would want to harm Madame Sarek?" The officer asked.
"The only person that would consider doing any harm to my wife would be Miss Dannan. But she vanished three weeks ago and security, with the aid of the Federation, could not find her where-abouts."
Sarek was sick within, he could not think straight. He had tried to reach Eire through their bond, but anger had kept her control up not allowing him to influence her. And now he felt nothing, he knew she was still living, but there was emptiness there. He leant against the desk and put his head down.
"Ambassador, Oh God no! What has happened?"
Sarek turned and took a hold of Rhea who was standing staring at the blood on the floor. He moved her over to the far side of the desk and calmed her down.
"Ambassador, why would anyone want to hurt Eire? She broke into tears. Sarek removed his hands from her; this disturbed him greatly.
"Rhea, calm yourself. Did Eire mention anything to you concerning Miss Dannan?" He asked. Rhea looked at him through her tears.
"I'm sorry Ambassador, I know I must be disturbing you with my emotions... forgive me." Sarek looked at her, his eyes softening, he nodded.
"Just before she went to Gol, she was very upset. The dreams had returned. She seemed to think that they were caused by Miss Dannan, a foreboding." Rhea said.
"I know Eire is very sensitive and she can pick things up, but why would Miss Dannan want to hurt her?" Rhea started to cry again.
"Ambassador." Sarek turned to find Salin addressing him.
"If I could be of any assistance to you in helping to find Madame Sarek, I offer any help I can." Salin said. Salin reached out and took Rhea in one arm. She clung to him. Sarek looked from one to the other.
"I would welcome any assistance you may offer Salin." He said.
"She's going to be alright... isn't she?" Asked Rhea.
Salin looked at Sarek with concern in his eyes.
"We can only hope." Sarek answered.
Sarek had spoken more with security. They were going to put a search out, and keep track of all com. messages on Vulcan and monitor those coming and leaving the planet. Rhea had said she would call T'Zah; she had the right to know. Sarek had not refused.
He had left the Academy just before ten p.m. and went directly to the villa. He did not want to have to answer questions from any of his acquaintances, and Gol was secluded, far enough to keep unwanted guests away yet close enough to get to ShiKahr very quickly if the need arose. He went into his office to check if there were any messages.
---9:36 p.m.---T'Zah---On my way, arrive in three days. Sarek, I lend you my strength---
Sarek sighed. He would need more than T'Zah's strength to get through this. He opened his mind and set it out to find her.
"Eire, I am here. Take my strength. Touch me. Eire, connect with me." There was nothing... empty. He rose from the chair and noticed one of Eire's pouches sitting on the top of the comm He reached for it and opened it. Sarek dumped the contents out into his hand, his eyes widened. In his hand lay Eire's marriage pendant, she would never take it off. But what concerned him more was the piece of Eire's bloodied hair tied around a roll of parchment. He opened it and sat back down and placed the parchment on the desk. The Ray Kalt glowed in the light of the comm screen.
~~Chapter 50~~
He had tried all morning to attempt to find out as much information about Miss Dannan's past as he could, but to no avail. He was now waiting for internal security to call him with their information on her... if any.
Rhea and Salin had been at the villa since first light, Salin going over anything that might give them a clue to where and what Miss Dannan wanted. Could she be bargained with? Perhaps, after all she was Human. Rhea sat staring out the solarium window deep in thought. She didn't believe this was really happening. The comm chimed.
"Sarek" The Ambassador said.
"We have the information you asked for sir."
"Go ahead." Sarek said and waited, the information rolled up the screen, Sarek sat and watched.
Name--Fian Dannan
Sarek froze the screen, he knew, or had known Morgana Brodaith. Years ago he had met her while she was studying the disciplines at Mt. Seleya. Few Humans had ever achieved that right, but Miss Brodaith was one of them that had. She had achieved and mastered the Kolinahr. He remembered her as a highly intelligent woman for Human standard. She had a doctorate in world religions, also in Vulcan ancient history and philosophy. Sarek remembered her as a fearsome woman, quite tall for Human females with long red hair. She had stayed on Vulcan for thirty standard years and was in her mid-fifties when she chose to leave the Sisterhood to marry Regis Dannan. He had heard she and Regis had returned to Earth, somewhere in Ireland and Morgana had had Regis's child. A daughter, whom she was training in the disciplines. As far as he knew both Morgana and Regis Dannan had died, leaving their daughter to be raised by an Aunt. Why would Morgana's daughter come to Vulcan? Why would she want to harm Eire? He sat thinking as the rest of the information was processed.
There was nothing really of importance that followed, her education level, her doctorates. Sarek turned off the comm and went into the living area.
"Ambassador, I'm sorry, there is nothing of value that would lead us to any concrete reason why Miss Dannan would want to do anything to Madame Sarek." Salin said.
"Yes, perhaps Eire is not the clue to this Salin, perhaps I am." Salin looked at the Ambassador as he sat down.
"Many years ago, I had met Miss Dannan's mother, Morgana Brodaith. She was a very attractive and fearsome female and highly intelligent. For some reason she was attracted to me, but I was married to Amanda. So I told her that nothing could ever come of the infatuation. That's when she joined the Sisterhood saying, 'If she could not have me, she would purge herself of all emotions so she would not have the pain of not having me.' She stayed in the Sisterhood and finally achieved her quest... Kolinahr. She no longer had to feel the pain. Suddenly and to the shock of all, Morgana left the Sisterhood and married Regis Dannan. Actually I do not think they were married. The last I heard, Morgana had given birth to a daughter, and this is what has confused me. Miss Dannan goes by the name Fian Dannan while Morgana had named her daughter B'oada. Perhaps if I would have made the connection of her last name, I would have been more cautious."
"Do you think Ambassador that Morgana Brodaith has imbued Fian... B'oada with the oath of revenge upon you?" Asked Salin. Sarek raised an eyebrow.
"It sounds absurd, I know Ambassador, but even if Morgana Brodaith did achieve foliar, she was still Human and Humans have a way of holding grudges against others. Do you think that Morgana's love for you could have caused her to be deranged and instructed her daughter to carry on her malevolence towards you and the only reason Madame Sarek is involved is purely by association?" Salin waited for a reply. Sarek looked at him and took a deep breath.
"If this is the case Salin, and B'oada was instructed by Morgana in the ways of the Sisterhood and then exhorted to seek reprisal for her mother's pain, then I would say Miss Dannan is as deranged as her mother might have been. Therefore very dangerous and will stop at nothing to seek her revenge."
They both sat quietly eyeing each other not wanting to contemplate on what Miss Dannan would do next.
~~Chapter 51~~
Eire tried to think of her words, her head hurt with the effect. Slowly the fog started to lift and there was Miss Dannan,
"I want Sarek's knowledge, his katra. The Ghe'm Pes Katra!" Eire's eyes opened in horror, she was going to kill Sarek. Her vision flashed into her head, Miss Dannan holding the heart... Sarek's heart! She sobbed; she had to stop her, but how? She couldn't even get up, and if she could get up, she would have to get away. She knew she was in no condition to subdue Miss Dannan then make her way across Gol to warn Sarek. She slumped against the wall in complete resignation that Miss Dannan would probably kill her whether she achieved her goal or not.
Eire calmed herself so her mind was halfway clear. Our bond she thought. I'll warn him through our bond. She sat very still and started to reach out slowly, her mind sought him. She needed to feel him, needed his comfort, his strength. She tried for sometime and just as she was going to give up he was there. Touching, enfolding her in his thoughts. She felt his love, his comforting energy; she felt his anger, his rage.
"Sarek, I love you, never forget."
Sarek felt her very weak, yet there, he reached his mind out for her. He felt her intense physical pain, her fear, and her hopelessness. He went deeper and surrounded himself in her love. Deeper and deeper, he felt life, life within her, a child, and his child.
"I will come my wife. I will be with you!"
Eire's mind screamed "No!" He pulled back shocked, and the bond severed. The color drained from his face. He had to find her; he had to prevent her death and that of his unborn child. He had too, but how?
Eire had cried until she fell back into darkness only to be woken abruptly with a sharp kick to her ribs. She opened her eyes and Miss Dannan squatted down to look at her. She reminded Eire of some grotesque creature. Her hair sheared and black make-up surrounding her cold blue eyes. The light from the torch did a macabre dance on her face making her look demonic.
"So your awake, Madame Sarek?" That's wonderful, now we can start."
"Start what?" Eire asked through clenched teeth.
"Start the plan to have your husband come so we... or I can perform Ghe'm Pes Katra!" She smiled.
"The swallowing!" She pushed a bowl towards Eire.
"Perhaps you should clean yourself, we wouldn't want your beloved to think I ill treated you when he arrives. Go on, wash!"
Eire didn't want to infuriate her. She had to go along with her until she could find away to stop her. She picked up the cloth from the bowl; she smelt it, the bitter smell of yarrow, a natural healer. Eire put the cloth to her face; it was warm and took some of the pain away. She continued to clean her face, till most of the dried blood was gone. She tried to soak some of the encrusted blood from her hair but it hurt too much. Miss Dannan took the bowl of water and dumped it over Eire's head, then started to comb out the blood with her fingers, Eire screamed but she kept on till most of the blood was removed. She handed Eire a swatch of cloth and told her to put pressure on the wound on her head. She did so. Before Miss Dannan rose to leave, she handed Eire a flask of water and some dried fruit.
"He will not come, I've warned him. Eire said quietly.
"He will come," Miss Dannan drew closer to her till her face was inches away from Eire's.
"Oh yes, he will come, for you see it is not only you he has to save."
Eire was perplexed. She didn't understand her statement. And Miss Dannan saw she didn't.
"Let me explain it to you. Sarek has just gone through Pon Farr, everyone or almost everyone knows that the chances of conceiving a child during Pon Farr are higher than any other time. Actually 95% pregnancy rate is the norm. So you see, Eire, not only does Sarek put you in danger by his act of the past, he has put your unborn child in danger also!"
Eire had not contemplated that she might be pregnant; she had been too involved to think about it. She put her hands on her lower abdomen and tried to feel any life energy. She did, very faint, very small, but there. She closed her eyes and smiled, tears streaming down her face. Miss Dannan turned and left the alcove calling behind her.
"Don't get too attached!"
Eire cried, how could she do this? She was crazy! What did Sarek do to her? What act did he commit to make her want to kill him? She closed her eyes.
"Spirits of the air, blow away my Pain and fear.
She lay herself down and fell into a somber sleep.
~~Chapter 52~~
"Who are you?" Snapped Miss Dannan.
"I am Salin, Ambassador Sarek's aide, and you must be Miss Dannan." Salin studied her face; he could feel her haltered. He could feel her maliciousness.
"Is Madame Sarek well?" He asked.
"SHUT UP!! I will speak with the Ambassador!" She shrieked.
Salin got up to get the Ambassador. He had been in the garden meditating, trying to center himself, but to no avail. His mind could not be settled.
"Ambassador, Miss Dannan wishes to speak with you."
Sarek stood and went directly to the com. Miss Dannan's appearance did not shock him. She noticed he had gotten a little grayer since the last time she had seen him. He looked drained, but his features showed no emotion, only his eyes hinted of the disgust and hate he felt for her.
"Good afternoon Ambassador. I hope I haven't disturbed you?"
Sarek leveled his eyes at her and spoke very quietly keeping himself in check, he could not allow her to think him weak and out of control.
"Where do you have my wife?" He asked. Miss Dannan smiled so sweetly.
"With me Ambassador, and she and your unborn child are doing just fine... for now!"
How did she know? She couldn't know. She was not a Vulcan; she could not have sensed the child as he did. "What do you what Fian?" His voice was cold and demanding.
"Do not call me that!! I am B'oada, do you understand? I am B'oada, Sarek... B'oada!!" She screamed. She calmed herself and continued. "I want you Sarek... or to be more precise... I want your katra!"
Sarek looked disbelievingly at her. "My katra? That's impossible, it can't be done. You are insane B'oada. Tell me where you are and I shall come to you and I will give you my word, I shall not harm you. I will get you the help that you need."
"SHUT UP!! I'm not insane. It is possible to have your katra. Ghe'm Pes Katra!"
Salin looked, as the Ambassador's face grew paler. He had heard of the ritual but it had not been preformed since the early times. And he didn't even know if the Arch-sisters of Seleya knew how to perform it... or even if they would want too. Sarek cleared his throat.
"I will come B'oada. You will have my katra in exchange for my wife and child."
"Very wise Ambassador, you will come to the ruins of Gol the day after tomorrow, at sundown. You will come alone. You will not... I repeat... not, inform security of your plans. If you break any of the above, I will kill her! Do you understand?"
Sarek thought quickly. "B'oada I will comply with your wishes, but I ask to bring someone, a Human female, to be with my wife. She will need someone to comfort her. Allow me this. I ask this one thing."
B'oada thought, what threat could a Human female be to her.
"Fine Sarek, a Human female. I suggest you come to peace with the oneness... good-bye!" The screen went dark and Sarek stared into it.
"Ambassador, you do not really intend to go to her without the authorities knowing? She'll kill you... and Eire. This is not logical." Salin stated. Sarek stood and looked into Salin's face,
"When the welfare of my wife is concerned, I have no logic. Salin, you are quite aware of that."
"Ambassador, the Ghe'm Pes Katra has to be preceded by Tulrah's Kalt!"
Sarek stiffened just at the thought; an emotional shiver went up his spine. "Salin, I am quite aware of the procedure. I will be alone now."
Salin left the office and went to Rhea. He told her of the arrangement the Ambassador had made with B'oada. He was surprised when she didn't break down and cry and even more surprised when she said.
"Eire is my friend, I will go with the Ambassador. I owe her that as her friend."
He lifted his fingers to her lips and held them there for sometime. He knew he would bond and marry Rhea when this nightmare had ended.
~~Chapter 53~~
She transported right to the villa and was greeted by Rhea and Salin. They filled her into Sarek's plan. She had rolled her eyes and said. "That's not a plan, that's suicide!" She tried to convince Sarek to take her instead of Rhea, that she was stronger and perhaps the two of them could subdue Miss Dannan, then no one would have to get hurt. Sarek had flatly denied her request saying.
"I have made my promise to B'oada. Anything out of the ordinary will just infuriate her more, and Eire will certainly die. The plan stands as is."
"But what good will it do Eire if she lives and you are dead? She will not be able to live with that Sarek!" T'Zah said flatly.
Sarek closed his eyes. "I have thought of that T'Zah, Eire is strong and she will have our child to give her life."
T'Zah did not know that Eire was pregnant and it made it all the more solid in her mind that she would do everything in her power to stop B'oada, even if it meant killing her.
The sun was setting slowly as B'oada climbed to the peak of the plateau to watch the red fingers dance upon the crimson sand. Far in the distance she saw a lone air car speeding towards the plateau.
"Just in time Ambassador." She stood and watched, as it got closer. It started to loose altitude and lower to the ground just below her. B'oada looked over the edge and saw Sarek had brought Rhea, Eire's friend. Both were dressed in desert suits, typical garb for anyone who went into the desert. She had never seen Sarek in anything other than his Ambassadorial robes and thought for his age he was in very good shape. Not that the prospect of his body aroused her, but perhaps he would be harder to handle than she thought. She paid no mind to Rhea.
Sarek looked up to the plateau and saw B'oada looking down. He motioned to Rhea to follow him and started to climb the path. They arrived at the top of the plateau just as the Vulcan sun blackened beneath a darkened sky. They stood and waited, looking, aware that B'oada was there but not anywhere they could see. Even Rhea could sense her. Sarek felt her close and took Rhea by the arm and put her behind him. He didn't want her to get hurt if they should get into a struggle. He no more ended the thought when a flash of white caught his eye but it was too late. Sarek slumped to the ground with a syringe protruding from his neck. Rhea screamed and fell to her knees at his side, B'oada slapped her so hard that she fell backwards.
"Where's Eire?" Rhea screamed.
"First, you will help me take him inside, then I will take you to Madame Sarek!"
She grabbed Sarek by the arm and motioned Rhea to take the other side. With great exertion they drug him down into the cavern, it was now lit with torches, Rhea stumbled twice under the weight, they passed the opening to the birthing chamber and continues along the path till they reached a large opening in the rock face. It was hidden by a larger boulder that stood in front of it. They drug Sarek through the opening into an inner chamber. Rhea's eyes widened at the sight she saw. It was completely encased in T'Khut's Tear, floors, walls, ceiling all shone a brilliant bronze color, caused from the light of the torches. In the center of the chamber stood a large black stone. Upon the head of the slab a large bowl hung, they pulled Sarek over and lifted him up onto the altar stone.
"Strip him!" B'oada said.
Rhea looked at her and shook her head 'no'. "I can't, I won't be a part of this!" Rhea answered.
B'oada grabbed her by the hair. "You will do as I say, or you will die now! Undress him!"
Rhea stifled a sob and proceeded to undress the Ambassador. When she finished B'oada threw a robe at her.
"Put it on him!" Rhea put the deep red garment on Sarek; it was opened to the waist exposing his chest and closed at the front of his waist with a large embossed face of Tulrah.
Rhea looked hopelessly at Sarek, she turned to B'oada. "Take me to Er ..." She felt a crashing blow to her head and then darkness.
B'oada pushed her slumped form out of the way. She bound Sarek's feet with leather straps and secured them at the base of the stone. She went to the head of the stone and secured his hands so that he was prone, his chest vulnerable. She pulled the syringe from his neck and touched his face. She bent down and kissed his lips.
"So cold, the fire I will never know, but I must do this Sarek. I must carry out my mother's wish. I must swallow your katra and perhaps I will feel your flame burning within me." She stood for the longest time studying his face.
T'Zah was pacing up and down the outside of the villa; finally she could stand no more. She ran inside. "Salin, I don't care what you say, I'm going to the ruins. I will not sit here knowing my dearest friend might die, not to mention the other innocent beings. If anything happened to any of them and I did not lift a hand to try to stop it, I couldn't live with that. Now you can sit here like a true Vulcan and not utter a word or you can come with me and try and prevent something horrible from happening!"
"T'Zah, what if we are too late already?" Salin had resigned himself to the fact that Rhea and the rest might already be dead.
"B'oada won't be." Her eyes narrowed. "So I'll kill the bitch!"
She turned and ran out to get in the air car, Salin right behind her, When they were both in the car, T'Zah turned to Salin and said. "Sometimes it isn't that bad to be emotional!" She engaged the air car and they were soon in the night sky heading to Gol.
Eire woke to find B'oada staring into her face. She jumped and her head split.
"He's here, he came!" Smiled B'oada.
"Take me to him. What have you done to him?" Eire's voice was harsh from not having anything to drink. She didn't trust Miss Dannan so she didn't drink any of the water she had brought for her. B'oada smiled.
"I've done nothing to him yet! That's to come and believe me, that I really do regret having to kill Sarek. I would rather bed him. But he would never have me. Because he loves you and even if I kill you... which I might... he still would not have me. Too bad." She came closer to Eire.
"But just think when I perform Ghe'm Pes Katra, I will have his katra inside me always, his living essence. You can't get any closer to someone than that!" B'oada laughed.
Eire wanted to spit right in her face but she knew she couldn't anger her. Maybe she could talk her into seeing Sarek and then... she didn't know.
"Miss Dannan, please allow me to see my husband one more time... to say good-bye."
"You will call me B'oada... get up!"
Eire struggled to stand on her feet and when she finally did she fell back against the wall. B'oada knew she was no threat to her. She could not even walk.
"Come, I'll allow you to say good-bye to him. It's the least I can do... considering." She laughed again.
~~Chapter 54~~
"Oh Goddess, no, not the baby." She whispered.
"Get up! Before I change my mind!" B'oada screamed. "Move!!"
Eire pulled herself to her feet and continued following B'oada to the stone. She saw Sarek prone on top of the stone. She ran forward, but B'oada held her, holding her face in an iron grip she said.
"I'll will leave you with him, I must get ready. Do not try and run... there's no place to run." She threw her to the ground and Eire watched her as she left. When she had disappeared through the opening Eire got up and rushed to the stone. Sarek lay, his eyes closed, his breathing shallow. She touched his face, he felt cold and his skin shimmered with perspiration. She laid herself over his chest and sobbed.
"Sarek, Sarek wake up! Sarek, you have to help me, I can't do this by myself!" She sobbed again. Eire went up to his face and kissed him gently.
"Wake up! Sarek! I need your strength!" A moan quietly came from him. She started to slap his face. "Wake up! Wake up!!" She screamed.
Slowly he opened his eyes and she gazed into them. They were dull and lifeless. She's drugged him; he'll never be able to help me she thought. She kissed him again.
"Sarek can you hear me? Do you understand what I'm saying? Sarek! Goddess help me!"
Sarek heard her and tried to reach her, but he just couldn't fight to rise above the drug. He had to talk to her, to say so many things to her before he could never tell her another word. He fought hard and finally his vision cleared. He looked into her face, he really believed he was too late; he had not sensed her in their bond for sometime, yet she was there. He looked at her and anger rose within him, her face black and blue on the one side, she had a gash over her right eye and her lips was split. Her hair lay straight against her head some of the blood still clung to it. The smell of the old blood sickened him. "What... has... she... done... to... you?"
She kissed him again. "Oh Sarek! Thank you Brighid. Sarek, I'm all right. I have to get you out of here!"
Eire started to pull at the bonds but they were secured tightly. She tried at his feet but it was no use. She looked around for a knife, a sharp object but there were none to be found. Eire went back to the head of the stone.
"Sarek, what can I do? How can I get you out of here?" She started to cry.
"My wife... leave me. You have our... child to be concerned about... leave me"
"NO!" She screamed.
"I will not leave you!" Sarek shook his head trying to shake off more of the drug effect.
"Eire, look at me!" She looked into his face.
"You have to leave... there is nothing you can do. Our... child must survive. You must leave!"
"Sarek, I cannot leave you. I love you my husband. If you are going to die... then I shall die with you." He shook his head 'no'
"No! I forbid you to stay. Find Rhea and leave!"
"Rhea? She was with you?" Eire looked around the chamber. She could not see her.
"Find Rhea and save yourselves!" Sarek was becoming resigned to the fact that not only he was going to die, but Eire and their child as well. Eire stood up straight.
"Rhea? Rhea!" She called through tears. She went around the head of the altar and there she saw Rhea's hand. She sobbed and ran to her. Falling beside her, she listened to her chest. She was not breathing. Eire picked her up in her arms, the blood still sticky on her head. Eire held her tightly and rocked her. "No, no, no, Rhea, no! NO!" She moaned. Eire let out such a scream from the bottom of her heart; her very soul seemed to scream.
Sarek closed his eyes tightly. "Forgive me Rhea." He whispered.
He heard Eire between the sobs keening, her voice full of grief and pain as she keened the dirge.
"This a' neet
Eire gently lay Rhea down and bent and kissed both her eyes. She got up and went to Sarek's side. She bent and kissed him; her face was composed and emotionless.
"Sarek, always remember I love you." She kissed him again and turned and walked away stopping once to pick up the marriage pendant that lay on the top of Sarek's clothing. She put it on and walked out the entrance.
"EIRE NO!!!" Sarek roared.
T'Zah and Salin were halfway up the plateau when they heard Sarek's scream. They quickened their pace. Both thinking they were too late.
Eire found a small alcove at the other side of the birthing chamber; she removed her clothing and lay down on the cold stone. She started to chant.
"Over heads shrieking,
She chanted it over and over till her voice reached a crescendo; she stood up and left the alcove going back to the place B'oada had first brought her. She stooped and picked up the water flask and bowl, she then filled the bowl with red dust from the floor and added some water to it, when she had made a thin paste out of it she started to apply it to her feet and legs first, when she got up to her waist she mixed some more and applied the rest to her upper torso. Eire stood and raised her arms.
"I call to the battle crone!
She reached back down and took the bowl and smashed it to the ground and brought up a large piece of shard. She left the alcove and took a torch from the wall; hitting it against the wall it broke a few inches from the top, sparks flying into the air. She turned and started back to where Sarek lay.
"B'oada, come, the Morrigu awaits you!"
Sarek lay wondering if Eire had got away, but deep down her knew she did not leave. He felt her, such hatred, and such coldness. He shivered. He wasn't as drugged as before and was trying to break the bonds but they were stronger than he was. He heard a swishing sound, robes on sand. He quieted his breathing and listened. From the corner of his eyes he saw her. He turned his head to the side and watched as she approached carrying the Quon'Tch in her hands.
Her dark red luminous robes floated behind her, her breasts were bare and painted with gold powder. Upon her head a circlet with the Ray Kalt symbol in its center. She came towards him, her eyes transfixed to his. When she reached the head of the altar she placed the Quon'Tch at the top of Sarek's head and went to the far side of the stone. She looked at Sarek and put her hands to hold his face. She bent to kiss him. Sarek jerked his head away.
"Never!" He hissed.
B'oada laughed. "No last kiss Ambassador? Or has your wife exhausted you?" She looked around the chamber.
"I see your wife had left you to your end. I'll deal with her later."
Sarek wanted to ask her to spare him, to let him go. To allow him to be able to hold his wife... his child. He had not told Eire that he loved her... he had to tell her. But, as many times before, he said nothing. He closed his eyes and waited for the pain.
~~Chapter 55~~
B'oada picked up the Quon'Tch and held it between she breasts. It was twelve inches long, wide at the base then narrowed to a deadly curved tip.
"Tulrah, wu'th ve po'sh tah,
Salin looked at T'Zah surprised that B'oada knew the old Vulcan, he as a Vulcan only knew a little. "Did you understand it all?" He asked.
T'Zah didn't look at him and without taking her eyes of B'oada she translated.
"Tulrah, holder of the heart,
B'oada raised the Quon'Tch above her head; Sarek opened his eyes and stared in horror. T'Zah jumped from behind the ledge and ran towards the altar, her heart was in her mouth. Just as she reached the altar both Sarek and B'oada turned their gaze towards her.
Sarek yelled. "NO!"
But it was too late B'oada slashed the Quon'Tch across T'Zah's chest, green blood soaked her desert suit. She fell across Sarek's chest; B'oada grabbed her by the hair and pulled her over him, dropping her to the floor beside Rhea's lifeless body.
Sarek started to pull at his bonds; he had had enough of this. He would get loose; he could not allow her to kill again. First Rhea, now T'Zah... Eire must not be next.
He roared at her. "B'OADA ENOUGH!!!"
B'oada was seething with anger.
"It will be enough when Tulrah holds your heart and I hold your katra!!" She ripped his face with her nails and raised the Quon'Tch. She heard a bang in front of her and raised her eyes. Sarek also turned, he couldn't believe what he saw, and neither could B'oada.
Eire came down the steps of the chamber, her body naked and aflame, her hair wild and flying as if a hellish wind blew through it. Eire's eyes were opened as wide as they could be. She walked holding her head proud; she banged the torch staff on the stone as she walked. She was the Morrigu, she was Scatha, she was Fea, and she was Maeve. Eire held every female warrior within her, every Goddess spoke through her, every battle maiden's blood pumped through her veins.
"Come B'oada, bring Tulrah, we all wait, all the Mother's of my world wait... wait to see who is all powerful!" Eire intoned.
Eire started crossing the floor towards B'oada. Her eyes froze B'oada and Sarek. She banged the jagged stick on the floor.
"I have been in the womb of the Mother, I have been in the tomb of the Crone. I come before you as one! I come before you as ALL!" Eire was almost at the altar, B'oada was mesmerized, and she still held the Quon'Tch above her head. Eire reached the altar and glared into her eyes. Eire closed her eyes and bent and kissed Sarek, she raised her head and looked into B'oada eyes.
B'oada blinked then screamed, bringing the knife across the altar.
Eire brought her hand up; it contained the bowl shard. She brought it across B'oada chest.
Blood splattered across Eire and Sarek as a six-inch gash appeared from her shoulder down to her breast. B'oada stumbled backwards still holding the knife. Eire leaped onto the altar. She saw Rhea and T'Zah, her mind snapped and she wailed. She shrieked and let the Morrigu's fury fly from her. She jumped and knocked B'oada to the ground. Eire rolled and was on her feet and at B'oada side in seconds. She grabbed her by the hair.
"UP!!" She literally heaved her up off the ground. She took the stick and smashed it into B'oada face. She fell again, blood spewing like a fountain from B'oada face.
Sarek watched horrified, yet amazed. What had a hold of Eire? She had never shown any sign of these emotions. Her strength was fearsome; perhaps just perhaps they would live. Salin was at Sarek's side holding the shard of the bowl Eire had dropped and started to cut through the bonds. Sarek tugged with all his strength.
Eire pulled B'oada back to her feet; she still had the Quon'Tch in her hand. Eire hit her again directly in the face, her head jerked back and a spray of blood left her mouth. Again Eire hit her and again. Eire turned to bring the stick up to end it, as she did B'oada brought the Quon'Tch up and struck Eire under the right side at the base of her ribs. Eire sank to her knees; B'oada came towards her to deliver the final blow.
Salin cut through Sarek's one side of his hands and feet bonds. He came around the altar stone to cut the last bond. He stopped and looked; he had not realized Rhea was in the chamber. He froze.
"Salin, free me! Salin! Salin!" Sarek screamed. But Salin didn't move. Sarek took the shard from his hand and continued cutting through the remaining bond.
B'oada brought the Quon'Tch down, Eire raised the stick and knocked it aside, it flew out of B'oada hand. She grabbed Eire by the throat and started to strangle her. Eire reached up and put her hands around B'oada throat and started to put as much power into her hands as possible. She pulled herself up till she was standing. Both her and B'oada still at each other's throats dancing a macabre dance. Eire was the smaller of the two; she felt her strength dissipating very quickly. She started to sink to her knees again. She could barely breath; darkness was starting to seep slowly into her head. B'oada felt this; she turned to find the Quon'Tch. She couldn't see it, only the jagged torch handle lay in view. She stumbled to retrieve it; picking it up, she came towards Eire. Everything was slow and muffled. Eire lifted her head to see B'oada but she was too late, B'oada came behind her, securing her arm around Eire's neck she hauled her up in a half kneeling position. She held the torch handle high in the air. Both of them struggling for breath. Eire closed her eyes.
"Mother Goddess Brighid,
She incanted through silent lips. She opened her eyes and before her not three feet away stood Sarek, he came towards them, so slowly he moved. She let her eyes envelope him, she wanted his form in her mind. The last thing she would see in this worldly place. He came towards them dark and terrible, her dark angel in fury. He stopped a foot before them, glaring blackness at B'oada. He still felt a bit weak from the effects of the drug and his movements were not as fast as he wished. B'oada glanced from him to either side like an animal trapped looking for away to escape. She knew Sarek would have her life. She knew she must make a move now or it would be over.
She let go of her grip on Eire and Eire slumped to the ground, as Sarek's eyes followed Eire down, B'oada made her move. She grasped the torch shaft in both hands and lunged forward entering Sarek just above and to the right of his heart. The sound was horrible.
"NE ASK'KRE GHE'M PES KATRA!!!" B'oada shrieked as Sarek fell to his knees, both of them holding the protruding shaft.
Eire climbed to her feet and went and picked up the Quon'Tch where it lay two feet to the right of her. She could barely walk; she swayed towards her dark angel. Neither of them saw her approaching. The last thing B'oada saw was the terror and pain in Sarek's eyes as Eire grabbed her forehead from behind and drew the Quon'Tch across her throat. B'oada made a gurgling, hissing sound and fell to her face half a top of Sarek. He pushed her aside and tried to stand but couldn't; he stretched his hand out. Eire stood, her eyes wild with shock still holding the bloodied Quon'Tch. She lifted it to her face and screamed such a blood-curdling scream Sarek shrank back in horror. Eire threw the knife; it hit the stone wall causing sparks to fly. She stood there, her whole body trembling. Eire finally centered herself enough to think. She reached down and touched Sarek's lips with her two fingers, then grabbed the shaft and yanked it with all her strength. Sarek made a gasping sound and then there was darkness.
~~Chapter 56~~
"You fought well Morrigu!" T'Zah whispered.
Tears flooded Eire's eyes. "Salin, Salin." Eire shook him; he looked at her his face full of pain for the loose of Rhea. "Salin, you have to help me get T'Zah and Sarek to the air cars. Can you do that?" Her voice was hoarse and raspy.
He nodded his head and stood. "I will attempt to bring the cars to the top of the plateau, that we do not have to carry them down to the base. Your weakened condition would not allow it." He turned to leave.
"Salin, I am so sorry, Rhea was a good person, she was my friend... I grieve with thee." Eire said holding her tears back.
"We all grieve at her loss." He said and put his arms around Eire and held her for a few moments, and then he turned and left the chamber.
Eire turned back to T'Zah, she looked pale but she would live. Eire bent and took her hand. She didn't look into her face; she was ashamed. "I have done the most horrible thing T'Zah." She paused. "I have taken a life. I will have to work very hard to have this removed from my karma... not to mention the charges the Vulcan Counsel will levy. Will Sarek still want me as his wife? He is within his rights to disclaim me for whether you are Human or Vulcan, to kill anyone is wrong, barbaric and disgusting." She put her hand to her wound as the pain shot through her open side. Then to her abdomen where Sarek's and her unborn child lay safe. "He is within his rights to claim this child and raise it without it's mother." She sobbed.
"Eire, Sarek would never do any of those things, he loves you. You did what you had to do. You saved Sarek's life and mine, and most likely yours and the child as well as Salin's. No one, the High Counsel, not even your Gods could punish you for that. She was crazy! You had no choice... it was destined to be. And even if High Counsel decided to bring you up on charges, I'm sure they'll have a hard time to pursue them, knowing the Ambassador!" T'Zah managed a slight smile, barely noticeable.
Eire kissed her friend on the cheek then stood and helped her to her feet. She helped her over to where Sarek lay and put her down. Eire kneeled at Sarek's side and took his hand and kissed it. She then laid his hand on the marriage pendant at her breasts. Sarek opened his eyes; there was pain in them, but something else. Something warm and soft. He put his other hand on her abdomen and closed his eyes. Eire was alive and his child was alive. She bent and kissed his lips and he kissed her.
"You are my heart, my soul, my wife. And I love you beyond know love." He whispered.
Eire picked him up into her arms and held him close, crooning softly to him.
As they headed back to the villa, the ruins faded into the redness of the rising Vulcan sun. They would send the authorities to retrieve B'oada and Rhea, they didn't want to leave Rhea but there was just no room for her unless Salin or Eire stayed behind. Eire had offered too, but Salin said 'no'. She needed her wounds tended too, and he had to drive the other air car as both Sarek and T'Zah were in no shape to.
As they approached the villa, Sarek put his hand on her abdomen, she smiled. "I will give you a daughter." Eire said.
"A daughter?" He asked.
"Yes, my husband... a daughter." Sarek one eyebrow lifted gently. He knew she would.
Behold the fire of inspiration,
Feedback cheerfully accepted, send to A.J. Ward
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