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Arryn, the elven knight, hadn’t been lying. As Selene stood on the dock that evening, she was astonished to see the broken, jagged prow of a ship soaring fast over the water, as Zelda, Calain, and a sturdy brown horse stood upon it, their hair streaming back in the fading dusk.
The horse was horrified and had to be calmed several times by Calain, who was holding to its reins, while Zelda stood nearby, leaning upon the prow’s side with both hands, smiling as her golden curls streamed back with the skirts of her blue gown.
The elves on the dock were as shocked as Selene to see such a display. Many had been loading boxes onto cargo vessels or hauling nets of fish onto the landing when they glanced up and froze to see the severed prow of a ship gliding toward them through the air.
The ship prow lowered itself at the dock, allowing Zelda, Calain, and the horse to step easily onto the landing (the horse neighing and struggling in horror). Then it sank quietly beneath the waves and disappeared.
Zelda brushed her gown off and glanced around, but it was Calain who noticed Selene first. She gave a bright laugh and yelled Selene’s name, leading the horse toward her.
“Selene!” Zelda shouted, her face brightened, and to Selene’s pleasant surprise, Zelda ran to her and crushed her in a hug, smashing her great breasts and the flowery scent of her golden hair against her. Baffled and laughing, Selene caught Zelda in her arms, and as Zelda showered her face with frantic kisses, she knew for the first time in her life what it was like to be Calain, on the receiving end of such wild and happy affection.
Zelda backed away, beaming at Selene, as Calain drew near.
“Selene! How came thou to be here?” laughed Calain, momentarily neglecting the horse to pull Selene in a rough hug that nearly choked her.
As Calain clung to her, Selene had to admit she was relieved to see Calain unharmed, happy, and glowing, despite how angry she was with her for leaving. Her lips gave away to a smile as she stroked Calain’s wild red hair and patted her back. But then the reason she was there returned sharply to her mind, and her eyes moved grimly to Zelda as she dreaded the news she must convey.
Zelda and Calain stepped back to happily regard Selene, and Selene knew she must have looked grave, for the smiles fell from their faces.
“Aereth,” Zelda said at once, her voice trembling. “Something has happened!”
“Yes,” Selene said hoarsely.
Zelda stepped forward, staring at Selene intently. “Take me to her!”