The Dark Crystal Part 6

"No. It cannot be," said Einar, flabbergasted to his very wits.

"What?" Astelna demanded, still holding her blood-stained scimitar. "It cannot be what? Speak! or your blood will also flow."

"You are Raven Warrior."

"What are you talking about?!"

"The prophecy "augured by a man of ages". It was written on this paper." Einar held out the note. Astelna took it and read it. "It says that I must wed Raven Warrior, who is you!"

"What makes you think that I am "Raven Warrior"?"

"Well, you are a warrior, judging from your sword and skills. And your hair is as black as a raven."

"That is absurd. I will not marry you!"

"Neither do I. I will never marry someone who murdered my brother!"

Suddenly, Einar heard a voice in his head. It was soft and calm and it said:

Take me, the stone, and leave this place

Take the Warrior fierce of face

Wed her you must but do not fret

Surprise she might do not forget.

After the voice had left his head, Einar took the stone quickly. Astelna put the tip of her scimitar at Einar's neck.

"Surrender or die," she said firmly.

"Everyone says that," said Einar with a smile. Then, he thought forgive me Uinar, you might not have a proper funeral. You might stay here. Then he turned towards the edge and jumped from the cliff, his hands clutching the stone.

"You fool!" Astelna exclaimed furiously. "A suicidal fool, I might say!"

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Of course Einar would not take his life. He had actually jumped onto the stream. It was risky, but Einar thought of it as the only way to escape from the elf. The waters, though deep, were as frigid as ice. His entire body became numb. It was exceedingly difficult for him to swim. As he did, he could hear the curses of Astelna.

He landed on a rocky shore. It was with great difficulty that he went to the shore and stood up. In front of him was a path in which there was a hallway. Using his strength, he darted to the hallway. Astelna must be chasing me, he thought. Or perhaps she will find another way to capture me.

The hallway was wide and well-lit by torches. They gave Einar warmth and he felt relieved, but he could not fully enjoy it. He still ran, fearing that the elf was pursuing him.

It was not long before he came into a large cave. It had ceilings, though the cave was empty. There was nothing. Only rock. Einar halted, for in front of him was Astelna, who this time held out a bow, its arrow ready to pierce him.

"Give the stone back," she said in a warning voice. "I have to return it to its proper place."

"Or what?" Einar said.

"Or he will awaken."

"Who is 'he'?"

"Geud the Terrible. He is a great dragon and that Crystal is his. He kills anyone who takes it. People have attempted to take it, but they never got out of Chema Cavern alive.  I am his guardian. I am trying to protect what is his. Now, give it back, or he will have "Einar Stew" for dinner."

"Well, I am going to make it out of Chema Cavern alive."

"Are you talking about that prophecy? Well, it said nothing about a man seizing a Crystal in order to heal his dying mother. I don't care about her. I don't know her. Now, for your own good, give it back. Geud is nasty when he is angry. I will let you leave the Cavern unscathed if you would only give me the Crystal. You might be the first person to leave it alive."

Before Einar could say anything, a fierce growl was heard. Then, suddenly, there was an explosion. The two fell to the ground.