By the time they reached the cottage it was nearly ten o’clock. Iris declared that the walk had made her thirsty and suggested that they have a final drink in the cool of the garden before they went to bed.
Iris sat in the swing seat whilst George and May sat at the table. Eager to try out some magic, Iris asked what they wanted and she would produce it.
“Don’t forget that it will appear as soon as we tell you,” said May.
“Why don’t you choose for us?” suggested George.
“Alright, let’s have three beers, then,” she said.
The child within her laughed happily when they appeared in front of them.
George, surprised by her choice, began to drink his straightaway whilst watching Iris gradually work her way through hers, much to his amusement. He still couldn’t get over the change in his wife. After several years of her being so straight-laced, this was a refreshing change. He hoped that she would maintain this new image long after they left Shasta.
May was sitting in her favourite seat enjoying her own company. The moon was shining brightly and a light rain was falling, enabling everything in the garden to drink greedily. Her brother-in-law and sister were now in bed, and she could spend this time thinking about Erasmus while she waited for him to arrive. She loved him dearly but her feelings would have to be postponed until Shasta and Merlin returned. She missed them dreadfully and constantly wondered what was happening. Shasta insisted that this was something she and Merlin must do alone and she had to respect that. So, without preamble, she had put all her ‘gifts’ on hold concerning the couple. She wasn’t one to tempt fate in any way. It was strange to think that they were in this village but two hundred years in the past.
Her place for the moment was here supporting her sister Iris and George.
“Hello, May.”
Erasmus had come quietly into the garden and had been watching her secretively for some time, almost reluctant to interrupt her thoughts.
“Erasmus! You startled me. I didn’t hear you arrive. Come and sit beside me.”
Settling himself, he laid his arm across the back of the seat.
“What were you thinking so deeply about, May?” he asked.
“I was just wondering about Shasta and Merlin.”
Although May and Erasmus had taken many moonlight walks in her garden, she had never taken him as far as the wishing well and gate which were the entrance to Faery Cove. This was mainly because she sensed that he hadn’t been quite ready to meet Abelia.
“Since Shasta left with Merlin my power of clairvoyance is not as strong as usual. Maybe it’s because I’m so concerned for them,” she offered as an excuse.
“If you feel it would help, I will be happy to come with you to Faery Cove, and there is no time like the present.”
May was surprised but happy with this gesture. She hadn’t expected him to offer so readily.
Slowly they walked to the wishing well at the bottom of the garden.
On the way, she explained that they had to drink from the water in the well in order to make them smaller in size. Erasmus thought this was rather amusing, but excitement tinged with apprehension began to creep in. She also explained that they would meet several faeries that would guide them to Abelia.
On reaching the well, May dipped the cup into the water and scooped up enough for them both to drink. Instantly the trees surrounding the garden began to tower over them. Instinctively she took hold of Erasmus’ hand. The look on his face was indescribable and it made her giggle.
“Are you alright, Erasmus?” she asked.
“Well, I must admit I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but being this small I hope we don’t meet any animals bigger than us.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll be safe, I promise you,” May said.
Not quite convinced, Erasmus began to glance around him. Women naturally expected a man to protect them, but this was literally a new world to him and he was preparing to expect the unexpected.
As he turned round, he noticed a small circle of lights in the distance quite close to the ground.
“What’s that, May?” he asked with some trepidation, hoping that she would have the answer.
“They are the faeries come to escort us to Abelia. After all, she is the Queen of the Faeries.”
May noticed that the faeries were standing off in the distance, seemingly reluctant to approach. As a regular visitor they recognised May instantly, but they were obviously unsure of Erasmus.
May suggested that he stayed back a few paces to give her the opportunity to explain his presence. Moving forward towards the circle of light, May explained that he was a friend and that they need not be frightened.
While May was talking to them, Erasmus took in the details of their dresses. Everyone who believed in faeries had their own idea of what they looked like and he was no different. Just because he was a man, it didn’t mean that he couldn’t believe in them, even if he didn’t advertise it. Actually he thought they looked just as he had imagined them, but far more exquisite.
Most of them were wearing beautiful gossamer dresses that looked as if it had been spun by spiders.
The faery approaching him was wearing a beautiful yellow dress which reminded him of a pale sun. Her hair was blonde and curly and, woven in and out of the curls, was jasmine blossom and ivy. In her hand she held a stem of jasmine. She hesitated slightly and shyly introduced herself.
“My name is Princess Jasmine,” she said importantly.
“I’m very pleased to meet you,” said Erasmus with some amusement and feeling less nervous than before.
This had given the other faeries courage and a second approached him wearing an identical dress but it was bright orange. On top of her blonde hair was the bloom of a day lily. Much like Jasmine, this faery held a white flowering lily.
“My name is Princess Day Lily,” she said equally importantly.
“I’m very pleased to meet you also,” said Erasmus.
One by one they came to introduce themselves. He noted that they were all similarly dressed. Interwoven in their hair were various flowers depending on which flower they represented. Apart from the two princesses, each of the faeries carried paper lanterns lit by glow-worms. As each faery moved, a faint rainbow coloured dust seemed to fall about them.
“Now it’s my turn,” said a voice.
It seemed to come from even closer to the ground. Erasmus had been almost at eye level with most of the faeries but he had to bend even lower to see this one.
“What is your name?” asked Erasmus
“My name is Evening Primrose and I am second in command after Queen Abelia.”
Dressed in a brighter yellow than Princess Jasmine, she had the bloom of an evening primrose perched jauntily on the side of her head. In her hand she carried a stem of evening primrose which seemed to glow much lighter in the moonlight.
Turning sharply she sent a cloud of faery dust into the air. “Come,” she said. “We must not keep the Queen waiting. She has been expecting you, May.”
“How did the Queen know that you were coming, May?” enquired Erasmus.
“Abelia knows everything. Her powers are far superior to mine, my dear,” she said.
With that, she started to follow the group of faeries who held their lanterns aloft to enable them to see where they were going.
Singing as they walked along, their voices sounded just like wind chimes tinkling in the breeze.
Looking around him as they walked, Erasmus noted that forget-me-nots and blue bells grew in profusion around the base of tree trunks. Meandering in and out at will grew Hedra ivy, which clung to the trunk of trees. It was difficult to accept that this was all still part of May’s garden.
“Halt.”
The command, spoken quietly but sharply by Evening Primrose, brought Erasmus out of his thoughts. May beside him came to a standstill.
“Ah, May, welcome to our kingdom once again. Your friend Erasmus finally decided to visit us, th
en?”
Abelia was sitting on a small throne shaped from a lavender bush, dressed in what looked like pure silver which seemed to shimmer in the moonlight. Unlike the dresses of the other faeries, this dress touched the ground. On her feet were silver and gold slippers which curled up slightly at the end. To complete her ensemble, a small crown of silver and gold, encrusted with tiny hanging crystals which sparkled in the moonlight, sat firmly on her head.
Behind the throne, standing on either side of her, were the two princesses, Jasmine and Day Lily. Standing between them was Evening Primrose with a fern which she waved up and down over the queen at regular intervals as if in homage.
“Good evening, Abelia. Can I introduce my friend Erasmus to you?”
“I’m very pleased to meet you, Erasmus. May has often spoken of you.”
“Good evening, Abelia. I’m very pleased to finally meet you,” Erasmus said.
“Shall we go to my toadstool and talk, May. Perhaps Erasmus would like to stay with the other faeries and watch them go about their work.”
This was spoken as more of a command than a suggestion.
“I’d like that, Abelia. It will be an interesting experience, I think,” Erasmus said.
“Erasmus will be your responsibility, Evening Primrose. Please ensure that he is given refreshments.”
“Yes, your Majesty,” she said.
“Come, May, let us go.” With that, they went to her toadstool to talk in private.
“So, May, you are concerned about Shasta and Merlin?” she asked.
“Yes I am, and I miss them more than I care to admit,” said May.
“I realise that,” said Abelia. “Because of the concern you feel, your psychic powers are affected also.”
“Yes,” said May simply. “Sometimes they are quite strong, and at other times I find it very difficult.”
Abelia was thoughtful for a moment and then said, “You are in love with Erasmus and this could be clouding your judgement. Be careful, May. He is a very unusual man and I can see he obviously makes you happy, but sometimes you need to look deeper for reasons. Your concern for Shasta and Merlin is unfounded, though. At the moment Shasta has come into contact with Merlin and they are getting to know one another. They are living out their previous life as she planned before she left here. Realistically it may seem strange but they are living with you, May, as you were two hundred years ago. She is no longer aware of what has happened in this life, but eventually she will remember. Time is on her side and it will all work out, I promise you”.
May accepted this without question but was confused by Abelia telling her to look deeper for reasons for her power loss. Abelia was usually quite forthright. Putting this to one side, she took the opportunity to ask Abelia if she could bring her sister, Iris, and George to visit.
“Please do, May. I’ll be pleased to meet them. I have to admit I am surprised at how quickly your sister has settled into Shasta. I did think you would have a few problems.”
May agreed with this and said she would bring them when she felt the time was right.
Realising that she had been neglecting Erasmus in her thirst for knowledge of Shasta and Merlin, May concluded her conversation with Abelia and returned outside.
Erasmus was sitting by a tree trunk waiting patiently for May. As she appeared, his face lit up.
“Do you feel more at ease now you have spoken to Abelia?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you, Erasmus, although I’m still concerned for them both. However it’s time for us to leave the faery kingdom.”
No sooner had she thought it than they were back in her garden again and their size had returned to normal. This was the most difficult thing to accept when she visited Abelia. After all the visits she had made, this should have been second nature to her now, but it wasn't.
“Can I get you a drink, Erasmus?” May asked as they settled into the swing seat.
“No, thank you, I am quite content to sit here with you and enjoy the moonlight,” he said.
With that he very gently kissed May on the mouth, wiping out all the concerns she was feeling for Shasta and Merlin.
May kissed him back with the same gentleness.
Eventually Erasmus decided it was time to leave and they walked to the gate at the front of the cottage.
Kissing her goodbye, Erasmus said that he would visit again soon and she wasn’t to worry as he was sure that things would work out well.
With that he left and made his way down into the village to his cottage, whistling softly as he went, his mind full of thoughts as he blended with the night.
When this situation was finally resolved he would ask May to marry him if to do so fitted in with his plans. Time would tell, of course, and he had all the time in the world. He let out a soft heinous cackle and carried on whistling to himself as he suddenly disappeared, leaving behind a small vapour trail.
Chapter 27
The past
As evening approached and it began to get cooler, Shasta and Merlin, like the other villagers, made their way towards the fire. In doing so they met up with May who, having satisfied her appetite for gossip and food with many of her friends, was now enjoying the warmth given off by the fire.
Mothers sat in close proximity to the young children being lulled to sleep by the warmth of the fire. Other villagers filled with food and ale began to spontaneously break out into song, enjoying the atmosphere they had created.
Shasta and Merlin joined May and sat quietly enjoying each other’s company.
As Merlin turned towards Shasta, he finally admitted to himself that he was falling in love with her. This had nothing to do with the atmosphere of the village fair. He had finally accepted that from the first moment he had set eyes on her, he had been besotted with her.
Laying her head in Merlin’s lap, Shasta closed her eyes and, with a deep sigh, relaxed against his body. Merlin meanwhile stroked her hair in a gentle rhythm.
May was happy and contented for them. At last Merlin had found a woman to love and, judging by Shasta’s reaction, it was reciprocated.
May, in her own mind though, felt that Shasta had been brought here for a reason and hopefully it wouldn’t affect their feelings for one another. Only time will tell, she thought.
By ten o’clock many of the villagers and their children had left and taken to their own beds. Small groups of men and women were dotted around the fire which still burnt brightly and gave off plenty of warmth for those who wished it. Villagers threw kindling onto it as the mood took them. Now and again ribald laughter could be heard as one of the local men told a joke or made a pass at a wench. This usually encouraged his prey to give a playful slap on the face for his trouble. Mostly this was all done in fun and no offence was taken, the men too full of food and beer to remonstrate, and the woman secretly flattered by the attention.
Eventually Shasta began to stir and they also decided to leave the festivities. It had been an excellent day but she suddenly felt very tired. The heat of the fire had probably contributed to this.
As they walked up towards the cottage from the village, the rain began to gently fall, refreshing them after the heat of the fire. May walked slightly in front, with Shasta and Merlin hand-in-hand following closely behind.
As they reached the cottage, May suggested Shasta might like to sit in the garden awhile before retiring for the night. Shasta considered this for a moment and decided she would, thinking to herself it would give her a little longer with Merlin. She followed May and Merlin through the side gate to the back of the cottage. Merlin made his way to the swing seat as May had expected, indicating that Shasta should sit beside him. Settled comfortably, they sat quietly absorbing the silence while May sat at the table nearby, her eyes closed, with her mind on her own thoughts.
Shasta rested her head against Merlin’s shoulder and felt at peace. This was indeed a magical garden. In the rays of the moonlight she could make out fruit trees and plants all familiar to her, and the heady perfume f
rom plants close at hand was very intoxicating.
Sensing that they might want to be alone, May rose from her seat to go inside, telling Shasta that she would see her on the morrow.
Merlin and Shasta stayed still for fear of breaking the spell that seemed to be around the garden.
Eventually Merlin felt the urge to ask Shasta what had been troubling her earlier on.
“Can I help in any way, mistress?” he said.
“Thank you for your offer, Merlin, but I am not really sure what ails me,” she said, once again reverting to the old dialect in her anguish. “When I approached the village, I felt that I had been guided here for a reason. I am convinced that you and May are part of the reason that I was brought here, but the more I think about it the more confused I become. I know that I‘m very much in love with you, Merlin, and I feel this was meant to happen.”
“Oh, sweet mistress, I am so happy to hear you say that. I have loved you from the moment that I set eyes on you, and if I can help in any way I will.”
“Dearest, Merlin, I thank you, but for now I think I would like to sleep in my caravan. It may help me to collect my thoughts.”
Rising first, Merlin put both hands out to Shasta. Taking them she stood up and they walked arm-in-arm as far as her caravan.
Kissing her goodnight, Merlin returned to the cottage.
The following days were spent getting to know one another. Whilst Merlin worked in the fields, Shasta sometimes visited him, taking him lunch which they shared. If May felt like a break from pottering in the garden, she went also. At other times Shasta wandered down to the village to mix with the local villagers and to catch up on the gossip.
As the days went by Shasta and Merlin became more and more in love and decided finally that they would marry in the following springtime.
Chapter 28
Shasta awoke as dawn was beginning to break. Unsure of what had disturbed her so early, she lay quietly until the remains of sleep finally left her. Realising that she was in her caravan, she remembered that the previous night she had got a sudden urge to sleep here again. Shasta hoped that the familiarity of the caravan might jog her memory. Shafts of light, mingled with dust specks, began to appear through the small window of the caravan, encouraging her to begin the day. She leisurely washed and dressed, then decided to go for a long walk in the forest nearby. Breakfast could wait this morning until her return. The dew on the grass around the caravan soaked her boots but she didn’t mind, this was the best time of day. In Shasta’s mind, she was the only person alive and the forest was hers alone. Glancing up to the trees she could see the sun beginning to shine through the branches, throwing shafts of light to the ground. Sighing deeply, she stopped from time to time to inhale the musky smell of the forest. Mother earth gave her all and asked nothing in return.
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