by Audra Hart
Morna laughs happily and mouths, “Always!”
Luca addresses the well-wishers, “My bride and I would be honored if everyone here would join us for a meal and a night of dancing.” Another loud cheer fills the glen, and Luca leads Morna down the green carpet towards their well-wishers as they rain birdseed down on their heads.
First the huge party is served a delicious dinner of prime rib and lobster tail with succulent grilled vegetables and an assortment of fresh baked breads and pastries for dessert. Morna is exceedingly grateful when Ingrid appears at her side with a travel mug full of blood. “Thank you, my sister. My craving was growing rapidly.”
“I know Morna. I am always focused on you, even in a crowd this size.” Ingrid assures her.
“Well, I am not sure that I deserve you, Ingrid. And right now I must tell you that I am in good hands.” She looks fondly at her mate and her children. “It would make me very happy if you would find that handsome young man of yours and enjoy yourself with him.” Ingrid leans down and hugs her. Morna says, “Thank you Ingrid, for everything.”
“You’re welcome. Have fun Morna, I know that I will.” Having said that Ingrid disappears into the crowd.
Morna spends dinner with her husband, her children, her sister, Damian, her father, his father and her mother in law and Mars at a large rectangular table that overlooks the rest of the glen. She feels so very blessed to have them all together for this vow renewal ceremony and the ensuing party. The band has been playing quietly in the background when Aiden and Damian excuse themselves from the table. Morna looks at Luca and asks, “What are they up to?”
“Just wait,” Luca says with a huge smile. Morna watches Aiden sit at the grand piano and Damian goes to the microphone. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Damian Summers, and that is Aiden Montfort Michaels on the piano, we would like to perform a special request of the groom for their first dance of the night.”
As Aiden begins to play the familiar notes of ‘Unforgettable’ Morna is rendered speechless by her son’s skill on the piano. “When did he learn to do that?” she whispers to her mate.
“Yesterday and today, of course.” Nora giggles. “Dance with Mama, Daddy!”
“Well my love, let’s not disappoint our daughter.” He holds out his hand to her and leads her out onto the dance floor. He holds her close much like he did that night in Chicago. They are so lost in each other that they don’t realize when the song ends until Nora tugs on their arms and brings them back to reality.
Morna blushes and turns to Aiden and Damian; “Come here you two.” Damian scoops up Aiden, leaps effortlessly off of the elevated bandstand and sets him down before his mother and smiles broadly. Morna takes Aiden into her arms and hugs him close, then she reaches out with one arm and says, “Come here Damian. You two performed beautifully. Thank you so very much.”
She holds them both for a long time until Aiden snickers and says, “Like you really even heard it! “ Morna bends and kisses her son on the forehead and lovingly gazes into his face, “Mom! Everyone is watching!” Morna chuckles and turns both young men loose.
The band starts playing another slow song when Morna feels a tap on her shoulder, it is Kylor, “Mother, May I have this dance?” Morna smiles happily and dances with her son. They chat happily about the ceremony and how talented Aiden and Damian are. Meanwhile, Luca dances with Nora. Over the next hour and twenty minutes they dance with everyone from the wedding party. Luca dances with his mother and Gullveig. Morna dances with her Father, Grandfather, Odin, Thor and George.
Morna is heading back to her table to sit down when a short young man with blonde hair and blue eyes and happy smile comes to speak with Morna. “Do you remember me?” the young man asks.
Morna looks at him thoughtfully for a second and then says, “Edgar? Edgar Jennings?” When he nods and tears start falling silently down his face. Morna leads him to sit beside her. “Edgar what is wrong? Are you not happy here?”
“Morna I have never been happier in all my life. I am working as a clerk for Shamus the Elder. I am computerizing Guild records.” Morna can’t help it, she has to chuckle at that. “I have my own little home, a job I love and friends, lots of friends. I really can’t thank you enough.” Edgar says with feeling.
“I am glad! I am sorry for what happened to you. How you were used like that to try to ruin my life. But you are safe here. And that witch, she can’t hurt you, or anyone else ever again.” Morna assures him.
“I know, I heard. I am glad she is dead. Morna she was wicked, truly evil. I saw what she did to you after she spelled me and my rig to crash into your family’s minivan. She really, really hated you.” Edgar says sadly.
“Well, it’s all behind us now and I am so relieved that you are doing well.” Morna says with a smile. “I hope to get to know you better when things calm down.
Morna and Edgar chat for a couple of more minutes and then the young man says, “I will see you around.”
Morna watches Edgar go with a smile on her face but frowns when she sees her mate’s grandfather approaching. She’s wondering what he is up to.
Mars claims a dance. The dance is almost over when Mars says, “Morna I have a gift for you. But I am afraid that you will be angry with me for not bringing it to you sooner.”
Morna sighs, “We specifically asked that no one bring gifts. Luca and I have all that we might ever need. We just wanted to share this night with our family and friends.”
“I know, but this is different. I am returning something that was stolen from you before Kylor was born. It has been in my possession for a few months now. I really should have returned it sooner, but I was afraid to do so.” Mars admits.
“You afraid? Hells bells, Mars! I seriously doubt that. What are you up to?” Morna demands fiercely. Her distrust for the Roman god of war is evident in her words and demeanor.
“I have a surprise for you that will be delivered to the Airensaur plain in about five minutes. Please have your protectors follow you there so that I might present you with my surprise.” Mars says stiffly, obviously feeling offended.
Luca who has heard all of this conversation is suddenly by his mate’s side. “Mars, what the hell are you up to?”
“Lucian, I came alone for this ceremony. I am not up to any skullduggery. Give me a chance. Bring along whoever you want to protect your mate. I promise, I wish her no harm. I simply want to return something to her.” Mars assures Luca.
Suddenly Morna’s face lights up. “I know what the surprise is. Luca, let’s go to the Airensaur plain! It’s Eurig!” Morna takes off running and Luca looks at Mars incredulously.
“You have Eurig? Where the hell has he been for all these centuries?” Luca demands stonily.
“The Dark One had him, actually he was in Valgullveig‘s keeping. I stole him from her. She protected him.” Mars says honestly.
Luca and Damian take off running after Morna. Several Airendell warriors and the Norsemen follow close behind. When they finally catch up to Morna she is nuzzling the head of the ugliest creature Damian has ever laid eyes on. It looks like a giant emerald green lizard with a huge snout full of sharp teeth, enormous red eyes, five horns, giant leathery wings, and a long whip like tail. The tail is wagging madly and the creature is screeching and mewling at the same time. “What the hell is that?” Damian asks in utter mystification.
“It’s Morna’s Airensaur, Eurig. It’s a type of dragon. He went missing right before Kylor was born. We never knew what happened to him.” Luca informs Damian.
“Well, I will be damned. I did not know that dragons were real,” Damian says incredulously as he rubs the back of his neck.
Thor laughs happily and slaps Damian on the back before he tells him, “Most species of dragons went extinct centuries ago. Eurig was hatched on this very plain nearly three thousand years ago. He took to Morna when she was nine years old. They were practically inseparable during her childhood. After she became the First Warrior and Protector of Airende
ll she used to ride him on her patrols. Airensaurs can travel between dimensions and carry a rider with them. They are amazing creatures. I heard that Morna was heartbroken when he came up missing. Dragons are also very unpredictable creatures and Morna finally accepted that he must have set off for some adventure without her. I can’t imagine where he has been all this time.”
By now Mars has joined the group. “Valgullveig captured him at the Dark One’s bidding and has held him prisoner for all these centuries. She had no choice but to him captive because she knew that the Airensaur would protect Kylor from her attack on him. I discovered that she had him recently and I stole him from her in order to return him to Morna. I don’t know why Morna likes the beastie so much, I couldn’t get the little bastard to talk to me.” Mars says grumpily. Mars looks around and says, “Where is that grandson of mine?”
“He went to get the children, and the Guild Elders,” Valliant says happily. “Mars, you old bastard, you really did a good thing here. Eurig has been the symbol of the Airendell Spell Weavers since the Guild was formed in 96 BC.
Suddenly all look toward the First Spell Weaver and her dragon, Morna is on his back and he is reared up on his hind legs. Damian sputters and almost chokes when the dragon booms, “Hang on tight, little girl!” And then he springs up and flaps his mighty wings and rises majestically in the air. They circle the plain a couple of times, but when Morna sees Luca returning with the children she says; “Eurig, let’s land. Luca is back with all of my babies. You must meet them!”
Eurig chuckles and says, “As you wish, Madam First Weaver. You should not ride me without a saddle and wearing a dress anyway. My scales will shred your skin.” He lands gently before the gathering crowd and Luca helps Morna off of his back. Eurig turns his giant head to look at Luca. “Lucian, you look well. Being a vampire wears well on you and my little girl! But she is no longer a little girl. I would not have known her except that she smells exactly the same. Well, she smells a bit like a vampire, but she still smells like Morna. Plus I would know those emerald eyes anywhere. Now please introduce me to these fine children of yours.”
“Eurig, you old lizard. It is great to see you! This is Kylor, the babe Morna carried when last we saw you.” Luca says happily.
Eurig ducks his head at Kylor, “Son, I am sorry, I let you down when I let that witch get the drop on me. It was my duty to protect you and I wasn’t around to do it,” Eurig booms sadly.
Kylor smiles, “Never fear old friend.” Kylor instinctively knows that Eurig had bonded to him when he was still in his mother’s womb. “I was in good hands. My grandmother Bellona whisked me away. I have been safely in hiding until mother regained all of her powers. I had no idea that any of your kind still existed. I am honored to meet you. May I introduce my siblings?”
“Please do!” Booms Eurig good naturedly. Nora is the last to be introduced of the children and she stands back until Luca takes her hand and walks her up to meet the dragon. “Why did I not see him Daddy?” Nora asks in confusion. “Am I losing my gift?”
The dragon chuffs sensing the child’s fear. “No, no little Nora. I assume you are a seer?” When Nora nods, Eurig continues, “Seers cannot see dragons. No seer in all the ages has ever been able to see a dragon’s future or anyone else that is in close proximity to a dragon.”
Nora starts crying at this news and hugs her Daddy tightly. “Daddy? How can I help keep you and Mama safe if I can’t see your future with Eurig around?”
Maria comes up and pats the little girl on the back, “Nora, my people have an incantation that allows seers to see what happens to the non-dragons that they care about, even when they are in the presence of a dragon. You won’t be able to see Eurig… he will only be a vague, undefined presence. Never fear sweetheart, you will be able to help your parents.” Nora hugs Maria and thanks her happily.
Finally she turns to Eurig and says, “Welcome Eurig. I am sorry if I was rude to you. I didn’t mean to be, I was just very scared.” Nora says in her sweet trembling voice.
“Never fear child. I too am relieved that you will be able to look out for your Mama’s future. I have loved your Mama since she was a little girl, not much older than you. You look a great deal like her at that age. Perhaps you would like to go for a ride with me someday?” Eurig speaks soothingly to Nora. It’s obvious that he is greatly moved by Morna’s youngest daughter. They spend several minutes talking about magic and seers and dragon legends.
Eurig finally turns his attention to the Elders and happily spends an hour chatting with them and reminiscing about old times in the Guild’s glorious history. “I was helpless for all these centuries when Magdrid would come to meet up with the Dark One and Valgullveig. I overheard enough of their conversations to get a pretty good picture of what had been happening to my Morna. But I was powerless to break the chains that she had me bound with. They had been forged in a fire made from dragon’s coal and cursed with dark magic. I would have given anything to have been able to help my Morna.”
Eurig looks at Morna and whispers; “Little Girl, I am not certain, but I think your sister needs your help. I have overheard things through the centuries that makes me think she has been working against the Dark One to protect you.”
“I have been wondering about that myself Eurig. I have a feeling deep in my gut, I know there is something that I am not remembering…” Morna says quietly with a look of deep bewilderment on her face.
“Morna, she acts totally insane. Valgullveig is strangely driven… compelled or controlled even. I am not sure she acts on her own free will.” Eurig informs Morna sadly.
“I expected as much. It’s very sad, but I won’t let my pity for her keep me from protecting my family and my Guild.” Morna says quietly.
Eurig nods and whispers, “Hopefully we can talk more later.” When other’s approach them he picks up the thread of the main conversation; “I was suspicious when Mars freed me. But he has treated me well, and came to me every day to assure me that he would indeed reunite me with my Morna. He is a great admirer of hers. I was shocked at first, and didn’t really believe him. But it’s her strength, her passion, her zest for life and family that he is so attracted to.” Eurig says sleepily. “My Morna, I want to crawl into my cave and sleep. I haven’t slept in my own nest in centuries. I am grateful to God that I have been returned to you, my little girl and my beloved Airendell!”
Morna happily nuzzles his head and says, “Go rest my friend. I too, need to rest.” She pats her belly and says, “This babe grows rapidly and tires me easily. But Luca and I are remaining in our glen tonight, and I will come see you in the morning. I plan to meet with the Elders and others of our Guild. We have many preparations to make if we are to protect ourselves from Valgullveig and her allies.”
“Anyway, my old friend rest well. I will see you in the morning.” Morna kisses his muzzle and turns to her family. “Let’s go see if we still have any guests in the glen. We have been here for a couple of hours with Eurig.”
When they arrive back at the glen they are surprised to see that it looks as though everyone has remained. News of Eurig’s return has the gathering abuzz. Morna happily dances with her sons and relatives from Asgard again. She is yawning hugely when the Bi-frost opens in the middle of the dance floor and Heimdall comes to Morna. “Baby Girl, you are dead on your feet. Please dance with your old godfather and then call it a night.”
Morna laughs and happily dances with Heimdall. “I am flattered that you left your post to spend a few minutes with me.” Morna says quietly. “Thank you for watching out for me, tonight and for all of my incarnations.”
“I will always watch out for you, Baby Girl, but I do have a bone to pick with you.” Heimdall says quietly as they start to move around the dance floor.
“Rinda?”
“Of course. Why are you trying to get her to develop affections for someone else?” Heimdall asks.
“Do you think that you and she will ever commit to each other? Are you
her mate for life?” Morna asks.
Heimdall sadly shakes his head no. “I am being selfish aren’t I?”
“NO! Were I in your shoes, I would strive to keep her as well. But she needs more. She needs someone who will love her forever, someone who will put her before all others and everything else in all the worlds. Someone who will love her like my Luca loves me.” Morna says passionately.
“And you think Annveig might be the one?” Heimdall asks.
“I think it’s a very good possibility. I am sorry Heimdall, I should have spoken to you before I gave Annie that nudge toward Rinda. I was desperate to find a way to make her feel better,” Morna says quietly.
“You were feeling guilty because you don’t love her that way,” Heimdall declares flatly.
“True. I won’t deny it. But I do think Annie might be just what Rinda is looking for,” Morna says honestly. “Can you forgive me for interfering?”
“Nothing to forgive child. I love Rinda, but I won’t be heartbroken if she finds another. I just really enjoy her company. She is amazing, loving and beautiful.” Heimdall says with a chuckle. “I have never had a more fearless lover in all my life. I will miss her when she moves on without me.” A tear slips silently down Morna’s cheek at Heimdall’s words. “Buck up, Baby Girl! Nothing has changed yet. I suspect that Annie will take her time before she makes an earnest move on Rinda. I think she will want to make sure Rinda is truly ready to settle down. Regardless, our song is over and you are so tired you can barely keep your eyes open.”
Heimdall motions Luca over to them. He shakes hands with Luca and kisses Morna on the forehead. “Congratulations!” And with that he is gone, back to his post watching the borders of Asgard.