The dreamweaver, p.10
The Dreamweaver, page 10
Anna's eyes spilled over, she daubed at them with an edge of her shawl, "That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me, Emrys. Thank you." She whispered softly, and it did mean a lot to her. Many people, especially men underestimated her intelligence, only seeing her blond hair and curvy body.
“I have something for you,” Emrys announced, pulling a small pouch from his pocket, “it’s a silver ring that belonged to my mother. I never knew her, she died when I was but a baby. I was given it by my teacher who looked after me for my first few years.”
Emrys withdrew a small ring from the pouch and held it out to Anna, “It is an early form of a Claddagh from Ireland, where she must have been from.”
“Emrys, I can’t take your mother’s ring… it is too much, far too valuable, you’ve only just met me.” Anna stammered, shaking her head.
“Anna, you’ve meant more to me in these happy hours than people I have known for many hundreds of years.” Emrys knew his feelings were far deeper than he was prepared to admit, but he didn’t want to scare her by moving too fast, “Remember time means little to me, I know how quickly it actually moves, I’ve learned it is the present that matters most; the here and now. I want you to have it." His eyes sparkled with sincerity, "It would please me greatly to see it on your finger.” That said, he took Anna’s left hand and slid the ring onto her slender finger, raising her hand and gently kissing the ring into place.
Her eyes suddenly blurry from the tears that had sprung into them, with a lump in her throat she could only nod silently.
They spent the remainder of their meal quietly, stealing glances at each other like children, smiling between bites.
Emrys had just refiled their two goblets when a loud knock came to the door of the crannog.
"That will be Cador and company. Anna you are welcome to stay, or go to your room to rest, I will leave it to you." Emrys hurried, peering out a small peep-hole before opening the short door to let in Cador and several other men.
Anna quickly cleared the table of the bowls and plates, carrying them to a sideboard where a large covered basket was left to hold the dirty dishes. She’d wash them in the morning to save Carwyn the trouble, she thought to herself as she loaded them into the basket carefully.
Anna found more mead and a barrel of ale that was tapped and ready, busying herself filling tankards of drink for the men as they spread maps on the table, and settled themselves to discuss the situation at hand.
Emrys nodded at Anna appreciatively, indicating a comfortable chair covered in a furry goat skin to his side, "You are welcome to sit here, Anna if you'd like."
Anna nodded, and pouring herself another goblet of mead, she settled into the chair tucking her feet under her bottom to listen to the men.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
NIghttime Whispers
“First, before we get started, let me introduce you the Lady Anna, from York.” Emrys said to the group of four men that had gathered around the table.
They nodded in Anna’s direction, “Cador you have met,” Emrys said to Anna, “and this is Anyon, the blacksmith from the village who sold me the horses this afternoon.” A very large man, with bright red hair and skin to match, rose briefly from his chair and nodded to Anna amiably.
“And this, I am pleased to say, is Blaise, from Northumberland. He was my teacher and mentor for many years. I am both surprised to find him here, and delighted to have the opportunity to introduce him to you.” Emrys had been shocked when he opened the door and Blaise had walked in with a twinkle in his eye. It was a measure of the gravity of the situation that he’d traveled so far to help the villagers.
A man about the age of her father stood, and walked around the table to stand in front of Anna. She hastily jumped to her feet as Blaise bowed slightly to her and took her hands in his, “I am truly honoured, Lady Anna, Emrys has long been special to me, and I am delighted that he has found someone as lovely as you to share his life and home.”
“Oh, no…” Anna stammered, we’re not sharing anything! I’m just visiting for a while.” Anna exclaimed, looking at Emrys for support, “But I am very pleased to meet you.” Anna demurred, with a brief curtsy as an afterthought.
Emrys moved to Anna’s side to hold her hand reassuringly, “Yes, Anna is here only for a short time I fear, but as you and I both know, time has a way of changing both events and the people in them.” Emrys looked at Anna with unreserved tenderness, raising her hand to his lips and kissing her wrist meaningfully.
Blaise nodded in approval as he noted Anna’s eyes closing briefly in pleasure at Emrys touch. “Whatever amount of time you and Emrys have between you, I trust it will be time well spent, Lady Anna.” Noting the ring on Anna's finger, he winked at Emrys as he made his has back to the table.
“And finally, let me introduce Alun, Carwyn’s husband.” Emrys nodded to an older man, who rose to come to Anna’s side, “This is the lucky man who gets to eat Carwyn’s cooking every day.” Emrys said as he gave him a robust pat on the back.
Alun reached out, taking Anna’s hand, “Carwyn told me all about you.” Alun said with a catch in his voice, “You are most welcome here Lady Anna, I hope you’re able to stay a good long time, we are grateful to have our Emrys back.” He leaned in closer to her so he could whisper conspiratorially, “And I’ve never seen him so happy.” The old man’s face crinkled in a warm smile.
Anna blushed, “Tell Carwyn thank you, supper was wonderful and everything she did to make me feel welcome was so kind. I hope to see her again tomorrow and thank her myself.”
Alun nodded, clearly pleased with Anna's appreciation of his wife's hard work, “I am sure you’ll see her again very soon, she couldn’t stop talking about you, and you’re every bit as lovely as she said you’d be.” His eyes twinkling as he returned to his seat.
“It is so nice to meet all of you, and please, call me Anna, not ‘Lady Anna’ — it sounds far too formal.” Anna smiled at the men, and looking under her lashes at Emrys shyly added, “And I hope to stay here as long as I am able.”
“May I refill your drinks?” Anna asked as the men began to settle around the table again. When they declined, telling her not to worry and they could serve themselves, Anna rose from her chair, “I don’t think I’ll stay for your meeting after all - I don’t want to get in the way or cause you to waste time explaining details to me. I understand you have very important things to discuss tonight.”
Emrys nodded appreciatively, “Perhaps it is for the best, Anna. If you’d like, you can go to my workroom and find a book to take to your room.” He stood and walked to the sideboard, lifting a beeswax candle with a glass hurricane cover, “Take this to light your way and for reading upstairs.”
As the men began to discuss the matters at hand, Emrys walked Anna to the foot of the stairway leading to his workroom, “This shouldn’t take too long, Anna. I’ll come up after they’ve gone to check on you. I think Carwyn left fresh water in your room, and you know about the chamber pot?” He asked quietly.
Anna’s face flushed pink, “Yes… Carwyn explained it to me. You’d think a flash wizard like you could figure out a better way than a sorry little pot in a dark corner.” She teased, “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me, Emrys.”
Emrys grinned, “If you were here all the time, I’d have an incentive to do some home improvements. I spent all my time here doing research or travelling. Mundane things like chamber-pots didn’t even register on my radar I’m afraid.”
Anna smiled at Emrys, admiring the way his intense eyes sparkled in the candlelight. Turning to go to up the stairs to look for a book, she only made it one step up before Emrys arms encircled her waist, kissing her neck tenderly and murmuring in her ear, “You are precious to me; I never knew how empty was my soul until you filled it.”
Anna leaned back onto him, her legs suddenly weak. Turning she pressed her nose into his neck, breathing in the fresh woodsy, smoky scent that was uniquely Emrys. Turning her head slightly, Anna found his soft lips waiting for hers, their emotions finally finding release in a kiss that was both tender and fierce with silent promise.
Anna pulled back, breathless, her eyes hooded with passion, “You need to have your meeting… and I… I need to read, and think or something.” Anna stammered, her emotions in turmoil and her legs suddenly shaky.
Correctly assuming Anna’s mind would soon be filled with doubts, Emrys whispered, “Think with your heart, Anna - not with your head.” He cautioned softly, “We will talk about this together later tonight. Don’t panic, please. I have waited too long for you…far too long.” Emrys gave her a gentle kiss before returning to his quests.
Anna stumbled up the stairs and eventually found a suitable book in Emrys library. It was harder than she’d expected as most were written in languages she didn’t recognise let alone understand. She chose one that had beautifully drawn illustrations of plants and their medicinal uses. She thought wryly it might help distract her from the alarm bells that were starting to go off in her head with increasing volume.
Back in her room, Anna laid the large tomb on the feather bed, it’s pages yellowed with age, it fell open to a place held by some sort of dried herb as a bookmark. The beautiful illustrations of fungi and mushrooms were amazing, but as hard as Anna tried to concentrate on the extraordinary hand drawn images, she just couldn’t focus; her was head buzzing with erratic thoughts and worries.
Finally giving in, Anna rose to look at herself in the hazy mirror, “How can this be real?” she said aloud, talking to her own reflection by the light of the flickering candle.
“We’ve really only just met, and talk about obstacles! Its’ MERLIN, for Gods sake! How would it ever work?” She stood and began to pace in an Emrys-like fashion, “My parents would think I’ve lost my mind. And what about my brothers...” Anna smiled for a moment imagining Andy giving Emrys ‘the eye’ as he explained the time continuum, and the thought of Emrys telling new doctor Alex that everything he knew about DNA was wrong, made her shudder in horror — oh yeah, that family introduction would go well.
As she paced, she tried to think rationally about what it was she loved about Emrys. Break down the pros and cons, as she would do with any dilemma.
On Emrys plus side there was his protective nature, his kindness, patience, thoughtfulness, intelligence, and let’s get real — he was beyond hot; with those flashing grey eyes, sculpted physique, cheeky grin and Captain Jack Sparrow hair, add to that, when he touched her, even casually, she went limp with desire. Seriously, that had never happened to Anna before, with any boy or man. That had to mean something really big was happening... right?
With a lopsided smile, Anna considered the challenges they’d face as a couple; firstly, he was Merlin. Yeah that was a biggie. Secondly, she was having a hard time reconciling just how a girl in the 21st century could make a relationship work with a fifteen hundred year old wizard from an Arthurian legend. Reality struck. Hard.
Anna frowned, her doubts kicking in full tilt, she played with the notion that she'd have to walk away; from Emrys, the impossible down-the-rabbit-hole adventures and the crazy feelings that had her stomach in knots. Anna shook her head, even the casual thought of a life without him made her body clench in denial, and her spirit plummet in despair.
No, that wasn't going to happen, she couldn’t and she wouldn’t, walk away from him.
For what ever reason or circumstance that brought Emrys into her life, Anna wasn't going to let a few little ‘concerns’ like dimensional travel, and his celebrity status as Merlin, get in the way of what she now accepted was as true a love as any portrayed within her favourite romance novels.
Oh boy, she thought miserably, she was in trouble, because she’d just realised she was truly, madly, deeply…in love.
Anna collapsed on the bed, her head spinning and slightly dizzy. She curled on her side with the book near her head and the shawl wrapped tightly around her body, “Oh, God... I do love him...” She thought both happily and miserably as she closed her eyes.
Anna awoke, her eyes still closed, she reached a hand out to blindly search for Emrys beside her, realising she was alone, Anna's eyelids drifted open to see the cracked ceiling of her old apartment above her. She stretched, yawning, "Emrys?" She called sleepily, expecting him to answer from the other room.
No answer from Emrys, but a plaintive meow from Py, indicated he was happy to have her awake, gathering Py into her arms, she looked into the small kitchen, no Emrys there either.
As Anna stroked Py, she thought Emrys absence was strange, hadn’t he said he wouldn’t leave her side until the danger he’d described was past? She dropped Py onto the bed and headed to the bathroom. Next to the door she caught her reflection in her mirror and stopped — she was still wearing the gown she'd worn in Emrys time.
The celtic belt was still cinched at her waist, her linen gown and slip still crisp and beautiful, Anna looked in wonder at the intricate tatting. As her fingers examined the delicate needle work, tears sprang as her eyes fell upon the ring shining on her finger; Emrys ring, the one he’d tenderly kissed into place. "Emrys... She whispered, "Where are you?"
CHAPTER TWELVE
Plans
"The battle between you and the druid witch ten years ago was the strongest magick any of us have ever witnessed either then or since.” Cador said remembering the fierce battle, as the other men nodded bleakly, “We saw blinding flashes, back and forth between you and Nivane in the distance and I knew the moment when you began to weaken…” Cador continued, his eyes haunted with the memory, “But try as we might, we couldn't come to your aid, Nivane’s druid soldiers fought us back, many men fell to them that night — none knew how to fight against their dark powers.” He rubbed his hand over a jagged scar on his chin, "Most of the men had axes and clubs, some were fairly good archers, and a few had old broad swords that had belonged to their fathers from the battle of Camlann." Cador remembered sadly, “But none had training as soldiers, not that it would have helped against the druid's magick, most of the men were just farmers and fishermen. It was a slaughter, Emrys… fourteen men and boys lost their lives that terrible night.”
Emrys face was set in a grim line, "It wasn't your battle, Cador. You should have left me to my fate with Nivane.”
Blaise's fist abruptly pounded the table making the mugs jump and startling the men. He turned, facing Emrys, "Those men were honourable and you were one of them, a part of this village. They would never have left one of their own to such a fate and you know it. You'd have done the same if it had been any one of them against that witch. Their memories and sacrifice deserve more from you!" His anger subsided slightly, continuing in a softer tone, "You were never alone, Emrys. You secluded yourself in this crannog to study the arts, and science I began with you. You were... are loved here." He sat back down, his eyes focused on Emrys meaningfully.
Emrys nodded with regret, "I know, Blaise... You’re right, of course." He turned to Cador, "I'm sorry. I spoke only from guilt that it was my actions that brought so many good men to their death at the hands of the druids."
"It's all right, Emrys." Cador reached out to grip Emrys shoulder, "I understand, you were young, talking about it must bring back painful memories. We all remember you courting Nivane, she was beautiful. I don't think any one of us could have withstood her attention if she'd favoured us. No one blames you, no one knew how dangerous she was or what she really was.” The other men nodded in agreement.
"I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I accept it and honour the sacrifice of those who fell that night and after.” Emrys held his fist over his heart as he bowed his head in respect.
"Raise your glass to the fallen!" Alun lifted his goblet as the other men followed suit.
"Our honour of those who were lost will be much better served in vanquishing the evil that has befallen their families since.” Anyon said quietly, "We have all lost someone to this scourge. Two of my children are missing. My wife took ill shortly after." His face, normally creased with lines of laughter, was haggard with grief. He sat back down, shoulders humped in misery, "I can think of at least a dozen families with similar losses. They will want to be a part of any retaliation against the dark druids."
