“May I suggest we retire to bed, mistress? We have to be in Faery Cove early in the morning and Merlin will be quite safe, I’m sure. Don’t worry too much.”
Shasta accepted the old ways very quickly, but she looked on May as an equal not a servant, and said so.
“Thank you, mistress,” said May, “but I’m very happy this way.”
“Very well,” said Shasta, “but you are still my Aunt May.”
With that, Shasta retired to bed.
Climbing into bed, she missed the comfort of Merlin at her feet. She hadn’t meant to upset him. How could she have been so stupid? Shasta spent a very restless night tossing and turning, imagining all the terrible things that could be happening to Merlin.
Chapter 12
While Shasta and May had been in the village, Merlin had been keeping close watch on them from a distance. He was very hurt by the remark of Shasta. Before Summer, as she was, came to stay, he had already accepted his role in this life too as a cat and had been content with that. After all, he was living with May. Should he really ask for more?
Now, with Shasta back, it had disturbed all his thoughts and he desperately wanted to be human again. He had been a cat in her life for quite long enough. The thought of putting his arms around her and holding her again was driving him mad. No one could possibly understand his feelings. The closest he came was to lie by her feet on the bed.
He had taken himself out to the forest to think and witnessed the cutting down of the tree. Wandering down to the village, but keeping under cover, he had seen the speech made by his beloved Shasta to her people. How could he stand a chance if he was still a cat? He felt sure that Shasta had feelings for him but was it as a cat or a human? Feeling hungry, he was tempted back to May’s cottage. She would have left him something to eat. So slowly, but with a heavy heart, he made his way back. On reaching the back garden he could see the door was still open. May was sitting in the swing seat, and obviously Shasta had gone to bed.
“Hello, May,” he said.
“Merlin, I was getting a bit concerned about you. Come and sit beside me.” Merlin jumped up beside May.
“Oh, May, what a day I’ve had. I know it was silly of me to get upset but I can’t stop remembering when I was once human and Shasta and I were lovers. I still love her so and I find this so hard to cope with. To be punished in our previous lives together was bad enough, but to be punished again and for eternity ….”
Merlin was so upset May stroked his fur as compensation. She knew it wouldn’t help but it might make him feel loved.
“You must be hungry, Merlin. I have prepared your favourite food,” said May. “Come and try to eat something.”
“I am hungry, May. I haven’t eaten all day. Thank you for going to the trouble,” he said.
Having eaten the food May had prepared, Merlin made his way to Shasta’s bedroom. She seemed to be thrashing about in the bed in the throws of a nightmare. Jumping onto the bed, he settled by her feet. Almost at once she seemed to calm down. Well if this was the way it was meant to be, at least he was beside his beloved mistress. With this thought in mind, he settled into a fitful sleep.
Merlin woke again. Why was he so restless? He jumped silently off the bed and went to the back door. It was open, which meant May was still sitting outside.
“Goodness you made me jump, Merlin. I didn’t feel your presence,” said May.
“Sorry, May, I just feel really strange and thought I would go for a walk to the bottom of the garden,” he said.
“Very well, Merlin. Would you like some company?” she asked.
“Perhaps just to the gate, May, that would be nice.”
As they walked through the garden in the gentle rain, they maintained a thoughtful silence. May wished she had the power to change the situation but that would mean changing the past. Merlin was wishing against all the odds that he could become human again. As they reached the bottom gate by the well, May left him and returned to the cottage. Merlin felt very lonely as May walked away. In many ways she was his main link to the past, even though his love was for Shasta. Realising he was by the well, he decided to visit Faery Cove so, jumping up, he lapped some water, taking care not to fall in. He still had to become smaller to visit the faeries. His normal size would frighten them, even though they were used to him. Feeling himself changing, he walked towards the gate and was welcomed by the circle of light. As he got nearer, the lights seemed to retreat from him. Strange, he thought to himself, they have never been frightened by me before.
“Halt, who goes there?” said Evening Primrose.
“It’s me, Merlin. Why are you challenging me?” he said.
“Merlin is a cat and why are you walking around on all fours?” she said.
“Because I AM a cat,” said Merlin. “That’s what we do.”
“Since when were cats given human form and why are you unclothed? Now will you please tell me why you’re in Faery Cove?” challenged Evening Primrose agitatedly.
The truth suddenly dawned on Merlin. Could it be? Was it possible? He was frightened and closed his eyes. When he could stand the suspense no longer, he opened them. First he looked at his front paws. They were dirty but they looked like hands. Then he turned to look behind him and, yes, his back paws seemed to be feet. Jumping up, he began to run about wildly, laughing fit to burst.
“Are you going to continue in this unseemly behaviour, especially unclothed?” asked Evening Primrose.
Realising his predicament, Merlin was somewhat overcome and tried to cover up. “Evening Primrose, I can assure you it really is me, Merlin. I asked the Book of Erasmus if I would become human again and it said ‘prepare for the unexpected.’ I suppose this is the unexpected.”
Still a bit unsure of things, Evening Primrose allowed him into the circle. As first in command after the Queen, she had to show some sort of authority.
“Very well,” she said, “who is the Faery Queen?”
“Abelia, of course,” he answered without hesitation.
“Well, it seems you may be Merlin in human form after all, then.” She said. “Follow us back to the kingdom, but first of all at least try and cover yourself with a fern of some sort, please. Your form is most distressing to the eye.”
Merlin, hearing the titters of laughter around him, pulled at the nearest fern which seemed to just cover his embarrassment. The feeling of being human again and walking upright was beyond imagination. He was so happy he wanted to cry, but first he had to see Abelia and talk with her.
They walked in procession down to the kingdom, the faeries seemingly amused by his predicament. Queen Abelia, who was aware of everything that happened in the kingdom, was sitting pondering. “So, history repeats itself and Merlin is human again,” she said quietly to herself.
With these thoughts on her mind, she was aware of a bit of a commotion outside her palace. Ah, they have arrived, she thought. Evening Primrose was about to advise her of the fact but, anticipating this, she rose and walked outside.
“Good evening, Merlin,” she said.
“Good evening, Abelia. Please excuse my informal dress,” he replied, trying to ensure that the fern covered most of him. “I was taken a bit by surprise, as you can see.”
With an amused grin, she agreed and beckoned him into her toadstool.
Seated inside, they were comfortable in each other’s company. Merlin had visited many times but usually in his form as a cat.
“I cannot believe how fortunate I am, Abelia,” said Merlin. “I really never expected this to happen again and I can’t express my relief. This means that I will be able to join in with Shasta and May tomorrow, but as a human.”
“I’m really pleased for you, Merlin. I know how much you wanted this moment to happen. Your fate is still in Shasta’s hands, though, as you know,” Abelia replied softly. “If you are going to attend the fair tomorrow, then I think we have to make you some clothes. I think surprise is the element here, Merlin. Maybe you could stay here un
til after Shasta and May have been. They will be coming just before dawn.”
“Thank you, Abelia, I do feel slightly silly with only a fern to protect my embarrassment.”
Abelia laughed with him. It was so lovely to see him happy again and with a purpose. She wondered at the same time what Shasta would make of the situation. After all Merlin was a very handsome lad and they were very much of the same age. He looked exactly as he did in his previous life before he was transformed into a cat, but then why wouldn’t he?
Rising to her feet, Abelia walked outside. “Faeries, I have an announcement to make,” she said.
At once there was a complete silence.
“We have an unexpected surprise in the kingdom. As many of you know, Merlin was originally human. He became a cat, and now, because of Shasta returning to the village, he has taken on human form again. We need to ensure that he is correctly dressed when he meets Shasta at the fair today.”
With this last remark there was a general titter among the faeries who found the situation rather unusual. For a human he was an exceptionally handsome lad. His blonde hair was quite long, and curled under at the edges. They had to ensure that he was dressed to enhance his best features, and all this before Shasta and May arrived before dawn. It would be a long night.
Merlin was ecstatic. He couldn’t believe that The Eye of Erasmus had granted him this one wish. He didn’t stop to consider why, only that however long it lasted he would be happy. To be able to hold Shasta in his arms again would be wonderful. He just hoped that she would feel the same.
The faeries decided to dress him in traditional costume in a short dark blue velvet doublet with the front open to the waist. This was laced across with satin ribbon. Underneath this he wore a white shirt which was embroidered at the neck. The sleeves of the doublet were slashed between the elbows and wrist, and tied in three places with silk. There were long tights and a soft dark blue velvet cap decorated with a large feather. The finishing touches were a short matching velvet cloak and soft pointed black shoes.
Abelia came to look at the transformation in Merlin. He was indeed a handsome youth but for now he had to be hidden away, at least until Shasta and May had been and gone. She didn’t want to lose the element of surprise.
“Faeries, until Shasta and May have left the kingdom, Merlin is our secret, is that understood?” she announced to all assembled.
“Yes, your majesty,” they said in unison.
“Merlin, I think it would be better if you stayed in the guest toadstool for the time being until after Shasta has gone.”
“Very well, Abelia” he said, finding it very hard to curb his enthusiasm.
It would be a very long wait.
Chapter 13
It was still very dark when May woke the next morning. Rising, she looked at the moon which was still shining. She preferred the nightly comfort of the moon and the stars through open curtains. The gentle rain heard through the slightly open window lulled her to sleep at night.
There would be no need to wake Shasta yet. May had heard her through the night restlessly tossing back and forth. Her body was calm when Merlin had lain by her feet. Then the endless thrashing again when he had left her.
May knew that Shasta had the power to make things right with her and Merlin by simply wishing it, but this had to be something she discovered in her own time. It wasn’t May’s place to advise her now. She had reverted to the mistress again, regardless of how kindly Shasta looked upon her. Shasta’s magical powers would have far superseded hers by now and this would become self-evident over the next few days. May's renewed role was to be her gentle adviser. If pushed by Shasta she would always be there to comfort her, if she needed it.
What a beautiful girl she had become, thought May in reflection, both in looks and in her gentle nature. May felt she had gone back in time.
“Oh, if only we could go back in reality, all would be so much easier,” she mused.
She went out through the kitchen to the swing seat and sat down with a cup of coffee. This would always be her favourite place, she thought, where she had a beautiful view of the whole garden. Even in the moonlight the flowers were shown off to their best advantage. They seemed to take on a different look somehow. Knowing that Merlin was now safe, she could relax. She knew he would go to visit Abelia and talk things over with her. Strange that he hadn’t come back again, though.
“Oh well,” thought May, “I had better wake Shasta if we’re to be at Faery Cove in time.” As she stood up, Shasta was standing beside her.
“My goodness, child, you scared me,” said May.
“I’m so sorry, Aunt, I didn’t mean to. I was having trouble sleeping and we have to be at Faery Cove before dawn. Will you sit down beside me and talk while I have a cup of coffee?” she asked whilst automatically putting her hand out to receive the cup.
Sitting back down, May allowed Shasta to rest her head against her shoulder. As she did this Shasta burst into tears.
“Oh, May, I miss Merlin so much. Oh that he had his wish to become human again. I would be so happy for him.”
“Hush, child, all things will come to pass, trust me in this.”
“Let’s go and talk to Abelia and get you dressed for your day. Remember you declared two days of celebration.”
“So I did,” said Shasta, suddenly brighter. Once her coffee was finished, they both headed back inside.
Dressing themselves, they made their way to the bottom of the garden to the well. As they drank the water they felt the familiar feeling come over them as they shrunk in size. Going through the gate they met Evening Primrose on the other side.
“May and Shasta! I was beginning to think you wouldn’t come. Hurry, there is no time to lose. So many things have happened. Oh, it’s so wonderful and I’m under orders not to tell you, so I can’t. Hurry up,” she added excitedly.
Shasta, although feeling sad inside, was amused and, in spite of this, laughed out loud. May was more thoughtful. What had happened, she wondered, to get Evening Primrose so flustered and excited? Could her wildest dreams have come true? She felt a warm glow inside and was convinced that this was so. Through her power of second sight, May suddenly had a vision of Merlin in one of the guest toadstools, hiding. He was human again and dressed in finery. So the Eye of Erasmus had been right once again.
She had to put her fist to her mouth to stop shouting out in glee. She couldn’t let Shasta know what she had seen. If he was hiding in the guest toadstool, then Abelia had intended it as a surprise and she wasn’t going to spoil that.
With a light heart she followed Shasta and Evening Primrose to the faery kingdom and Abelia’s presence.
She began quietly to hum a tune to herself as they walked along.
“You seem happy, May,” said Shasta.
“Oh I have a good feeling about this fair, Shasta. I believe all will come out right in the end.”
“I do hope so,” said Shasta. “You are so wise, May. I want you to be right”.
Abelia, aware that they were coming, had already warned Merlin to stay hidden inside the toadstool. Besides, Shasta’s dress was to be a surprise.
“Very well,” said Merlin. “I’m looking forward to dancing with her. After all, it has been at least two hundred years since I last held her in my arms.”
Evening Primrose arrived with May and Shasta, and presented them to Abelia.
“My friends,” Abelia said, “we have much to do before dawn, so let us get started. Faeries, let us begin to dress our beautiful Shasta for the fair.”
On this instruction, they started work on the dress.
The inspiration for the dress had come from the shaft of light given off by the moonlight. It was to be full length, cut deep at the back and front, with full sleeves that finished at the fingertips. The faeries, assisted by millions of silk worms and spiders, would help spin it, ensuring that it would be gossamer thin and kissed by the early morning dew as the sun rose in the sky. The colour would be sky blu
e to match Shasta’s eyes, and threaded with pure silver and diamonds. On Shasta’s feet would be slippers of blue and silver with a small thin heel. They would sparkle in the moonlight because the faeries would cover them in rainbow faery dust. Woven in her hair would be tiny blue forget-me-nots and small white Shasta daisies. Then the long blonde tresses would be plaited and coiled at the base of her neck.
Finally the dress was finished, and Shasta, accompanied by several of the faeries, was taken to a guest toadstool to be dressed and to have her hair attended to. Meanwhile Abelia had taken May to her toadstool to talk.
“Well, May, you are aware that Merlin is here, of course, and in human form? She said.
“Yes I ‘saw' him. So history will repeat itself,” she said softly.
“Exactly my words,” said Abelia.
“Maybe it is for the best,” said May.
“Issues need resolving, but they are both young and Shasta’s powers will be demonstrated soon I feel. The village will greatly benefit, for I have spoken.”
“I would love to see a happy ending for them,” said May
Moving on, Abelia said, “It’s beginning to get light now and it’s time for you to be getting back to the cottage. Let’s see how Shasta is getting on with my faeries.”
Walking back companionably to the guest toadstool, they put their heads inside to look at Shasta. May and Abelia both gasped in amazement. She looked absolutely radiant now that she was dressed and her hair was finished. Her skin was a golden brown from the time spent in the garden and her blonde hair, entwined with forget me knots and Shasta daisies, gleamed and shone. The dress fitted her like a second skin and was finished off by the shoes of silver and blue which sparked with faery dust. Every time Shasta moved, a cloud of rainbow coloured faery dust rose around her.
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