“Yes. Gwen. I’ve met her.” Arthur’s sour expression left Morgan in no doubt what he thought of Lance’s wife.
“And what about you, Arthur? I believe you have a wife, and children?”
“Yes. You should meet Elaine some time. I’m sure you two will get on well.”
Morgan could tell he wasn’t sure of any such thing. But his voice – and his thoughts – brightened as he continued: “We have two little boys aged four and two, and demons both of them. Perhaps it’s time they met their aunt.”
It was an opening of sorts, and Morgan took it. “Actually, I’m here because I was hoping you might come and visit me in Glastonbury,” she said. “That’s where I’m living now. I’m recreating a medieval garden there.”
“And you want me to come and see it?” Arthur sounded puzzled.
“Yes.” Morgan’s courage deserted her. “I … I’d like to show it to you. And to Elaine and the boys. Maybe you could come down one weekend? There are plenty of places you could stay, and there’s lots of interesting things to do there. The boys might like to climb the Tor, for instance.”
Arthur cast a quick glance at his watch, and stood up. “If it’s important to you, then I’ll come when I can.” He took out his wallet and extracted a card. “I’m afraid I have to run now, but here’s my mobile number. Give me a ring, and let’s make a plan.” He strode off to the counter to pay and then, with a wave, he was gone.
Morgan stared after him. Their reunion had gone better than it might have done, but he hadn’t made any commitments. It was completely clear he was still unsure of her. And, to be fair, she thought, as she poured herself another cup of tea, he must be busy right now, with parliament in session and the attempted terrorist strike – and the other strikes worldwide – to discuss. Plus he probably had to see constituents on the weekend, when he was home. Nevertheless, he’d told her to call him. She looked down to see what other details were on the card, and found his address. As she’d surmised, he lived in Cornwall, but not at Cornwallis Hall. So it wouldn’t be all that far for him to come to Glastonbury – if he was prepared to make the time for it. And if she was prepared to humble herself enough to beg.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Marie
After my conversation with Morgan I was torn between trying once more to make contact or staying away from the pool. I wondered if I’d ever see her again. Now that I’d passed on Viviane’s warning, perhaps my task was done? Nevertheless, I was curious to know if Morgan would find enough forgiveness in her heart to reach out to her family. Viviane had been insistent and it did seem important, especially in the light of what Morgan had told me about Britain – and the rest of the world in her time, for that matter. Certainly the scenes we’d both witnessed in the waters of the pool seemed to indicate the end of days; they were horrifying. I didn’t want to risk seeing them again. But I had to go back to my garden to establish the secret path. And so, on the night of the full moon, I crept out of the priory, with the magical objects in my possession, determined to test their powers.
The entrance, I thought, must be close to the real entrance of the garden for that was where we’d entered with my mother to embark on that ill-fated journey. Or was it? The moon was bright enough to illuminate my path, although the shadows were black with menace. Now that it had come to the time, I was seized with doubt. I had always sworn never to become involved in the magical practices of my mother – and yet here I was, creeping out of the priory like a sinner, ready to do just that.
This is for Guinglan. This is nothing to do with Morgan, or with interfering with the future. So I tried to tell myself, without believing it. Neverthless, I made my way towards the garden, clutching the amethyst in one hand, and my wands in the other. Once there, I stopped, gripped with indecision. Finally, I decided to brave the thicket of brambles beside the entrance, for I realized that my mother’s secret path must have been obscured in some way, otherwise others would have found it. Looking back to my childhood, I seemed to remember that on the few times I’d accompanied my mother to her scrying pool, she’d walked towards the brambles that grew close by, and I recalled now that my mother had also led Guinglan and me towards them on that last, fateful day. I wasn’t conscious of passing through them at the time, nor had we suffered any scratches, but it seemed now to make perfect sense that this was where I should start my search.
It was fortunate that brambles were growing in a similar place here at the priory, and that I had left them in situ when we’d made a start on establishing the garden, for I’d believed there were more urgent tasks awaiting me. Now, as I approached the thorny thicket, I recited one of the chants I had memorized, and prepared myself for a lacerating encounter. Instead, I found myself in what looked to be my garden, shining in the moonlight, before the next step took me into a dark tunnel of hawthorn trees, all light obscured by the thick branches entwined over my head. Cautiously, I felt my way, taking comfort from the memory of the leafy green tunnel we’d traversed before when, in all innocence, Guinglan and I had followed my mother through her secret path to the Otherworld in which I now lived.
It suddenly occurred to me that I might go straight into an Otherworld now, rather than finding the scrying pool. I was struck by the thought that I should have brought Aline with me. Having embarked on this journey, I realized now that I wasn’t at all confident about finding my way back. But sooner or later I would have to take this chance. Besides, I’d come too far now to turn around. I closed my eyes, trying to shut out the agonizing thought that I might never see my daughter again.
It seemed, as I walked, that the ground sloped upwards. As I climbed, I continued to recite the next incantation. And when at last I felt brave enough to open my eyes and look around me, I found myself still in the garden. All seemed just as it was before: all the formwork in place and some hardy perennials scattered about, but a lot of bare earth lying fallow and ready for planting in spring. Was this really my mother’s secret place? It looked exactly the same. Nevertheless, I carefully negotiated one of the walkways that led to the pool in the center. It looked just like the pool with its radiating channels that Brother Thorold had so carefully fashioned, and again I was seized with doubt. I looked into its depths and saw the radiance of the moon behind my reflection, before everything suddenly went black.
Stricken, I put my hand to my heart. What did it mean? I wished I knew. I had uttered only two of the incantations. Should I say the third, or would that indeed lead me away from this world I now knew, and away from my daughter? No! It was far too great a risk.
Slowly, feeling humbled, I felt my way down to the entrance of the path, and with great relief recognized the squat buildings of the priory ahead. I’d worn a thick shawl for the outing; even so I was shaking with cold when I climbed under the fur blanket on my pallet. It took me a long time to fall asleep, for my heart was full of dread while my dreams brought only despair. I was almost convinced that I should never go back there again.
But Aline kept asking to visit the garden to see the lady. So one day, and against my better judgment, we went together, but not through the bramble path. After reflection, I had vowed not to take that way again until we were ready to go in search of Guinglan. And I could not do that, I thought, until I could be sure that I had done all I could to play my part in helping Morgan understand the visions we’d seen and the mysterious message I’d been given by Viviane.
“When’s the garden going to be ready, Mamm?” Aline asked. To my relief, she’d skipped past the brambles without a second glance and now she stood surveying the dark earth and muddy puddles that marked several days of soaking rain. I glanced around, admitting that it was a sorry sight. And I made another vow: that I would not leave this world until the garden was complete, and ready for Morgan to find.
Aline, meanwhile, had gone straight to the pool as always, and I hurried after her. But I was fully aware that I might never see Morgan again. After all, I had passed on the message from Viviane, I had done a
ll I was told, and now it was her decision whether or not she should trust Viviane enough to obey her directions. Then I had another thought: my mother had seen visions in her scrying pool in her secret garden. If I could persuade Morgan to use the magical objects to form a secret path in her garden, and show her how to do it, perhaps we could both make use of the scrying pool? Communication between us might become even clearer; it might help us find out why we were seeing these horrifying images and, more important, what we were supposed to do next? Another thought almost stopped my heart: perhaps I might even see my mother again?
I was thoughtful as I followed Aline to the pool. If by chance I should see Morgan again, I determined to urge her to action; I would not take no for an answer.
Aline was peering intently into the water. “There’s nothing here,” she said, disappointed. “It’s all just a gray mist.”
I looked over her shoulder into the depths – and fear struck me dumb. The shifting coils of gray that obscured the surface of the pool looked, to me, like smoke. Or dust. Although formless, what I could see was not just the natural mist or fog of winter, but the aftermath of some catastrophe: fire perhaps, or the complete destruction of … what? I peered into the shifting wreaths of gray and had the sudden fanciful notion that I was looking at the shadows of what once had been people. They made no sound, nor could I make any sense of what I was seeing. I closed my eyes then, and tried to feel my way to some understanding. But all I could hear was silence. No screams this time. Nothing alive, only death.
I shuddered with dread, and opened my eyes. The water was clear again, the dark depths impenetrable. “Come, Aline.” I grabbed my daughter’s arm and dragged her away. At the same time I made a mental note to return, without her, and try once more to reach Morgan. I was gripped with the sense that time was running out for both of us. And I sent up a quick prayer, telling myself that I would join the sisters at Vespers, and pray in earnest tonight. Now, more than ever, I was in need of guidance, and help.
*
Although I’d prayed to God, I must admit that I also petitioned Viviane. Even so it came as something of a surprise, after being told a visitor awaited me in the parlor, to find her there, pacing impatiently.
“I thought my instructions were clear enough, Marie,” she said, as soon as she saw me.
“And God be with you this day too, my lady,” I returned as politely as I could manage.
“Your God, not mine,” Viviane growled.
I wasn’t about to start debating divinities with a high priestess. Instead, I said, “Thank you for coming in answer to my plea.”
“What do you want?” She settled herself onto a stool without waiting for an invitation.
“Enlightenment?”
Viviane gave a snort of laughter. “Don’t they teach you that sort of thing here at the priory?”
“I meant, I want you to tell me why I’ve been able to make contact with someone from this world who is living hundreds of years in the future? And why are we seeing these visions of destruction?”
Viviane’s eyes narrowed as she looked me up and down. “I would have thought it was perfectly obvious,” she said.
“To you, maybe, but not to me.”
Viviane heaved a martyred sigh. “Very well then; let me explain. And you may as well sit down.” She patted the stool beside her. “This could take some time.” She was silent for a few moments, perhaps gathering her thoughts before she began. “Your mother brought you to this world because she’d foreseen the end of Camelot, and she wanted to keep you safe. The fact that she was unable to join you later was not part of her plan, but it made no difference to the fate of Camelot. It did, however, make all the difference to the fate of the world in which you now find yourself.”
“My world – or Morgan’s world?”
“Both. You are here to perpetuate the line of magical ability that Merlin began with your mother before you. Yes, I know …” She held up her hand as I was about to speak. “I know you have vowed not to follow in your mother’s footsteps, and yet you have. I know that you propose to fashion a way through your garden that will enable you to reach an Otherworld – where you hope to find Guinglan. I wish you success in that, but that’s not the greater part of it all. You are here to tell Morgan how to fashion that same secret way, for it is essential for her survival. You are here to encourage her, if you will, to follow the path of magic that once your mother followed – and that your daughter must too, if she is to continue the line that, through the centuries, will eventually lead to the birth of Morgan.”
Horrified, I stared at Viviane. My Aline, practicing magic? “Never!” I meant the word with all my heart.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Viviane said briskly. “You well know in your heart that Aline has the gift, as do you, even if you won’t acknowledge it. You will pass on to her those magical objects, as well as the book, and ensure that she keeps them safely to hand down through the generations to come. She may, or may not, take up the practice herself, but it’s vital that she keeps the objects safe, and also that she produces children of her own to carry on the line.”
“Until we get to Morgan. Yes, I understand all that,” I said, slightly mollified that I was not expected to teach Aline anything, only pass on to her the objects given to me by my mother.
“What you don’t yet understand, perhaps, is that she needs to stay in this world so that her children and her children’s children will continue the line down to Morgan.”
Dumbfounded, I stared at Viviane. “But …”
She cut across my cry. “You cannot take Aline with you when you go to find Guinglan, Marie. Can you not see that your coming here, and the birth of Aline, is part of a long continuum, a schedule of events that was put into place by Merlin after Arthur was born? The goddess be thanked that, in spite of all her meddling and wrong-doing, your mother made the right choice at the end. She sacrificed you, as you must sacrifice your own child – or your husband.”
I could hardly speak, the pain was so great. To have to choose between Aline and Guinglan? It was too hard. I couldn’t do it.
Viviane watched me. I thought there might be some softening in her tone when she said, “As your mother brought you here to fulfil the prophecy, albeit unknowingly, so must you choose the right path for you and your daughter.” Her voice sharpened. “You cannot take Aline with you, Marie. You cannot!”
I bowed my head, full of sorrow. But a slow anger started to burn in my breast. I had wanted nothing to do with magic, and yet it seemed that I had been drawn in regardless. And at a cost that I knew would be too great to bear. My anger gave me the courage to speak. “It’s all very well speaking in riddles, Lady Viviane, but what I don’t understand – and nor does Morgan – is what we’re meant to do about the visions we’re seeing in the pool?”
Viviane gave an impatient click of her tongue. “You’ve seen what’s about to happen; so has Morgan. Your task, as I’ve told you before, is to persuade her to fashion the secret way. It’s also most important that she reconcile with her family, her brother in particular, and bring him to Glastonbury.”
“But why?”
“How can you be so obtuse, Marie?” Viviane sprang to her feet. “Her brother’s name is Arthur. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?” With a few quick steps she was at the door, and before I could say anything more, she was gone.
I spent a few sleepless nights after Viviane’s visit, wrestling with the unpalatable information she had imparted. Of most concern was what to do about Aline. And Guinglan. It seemed that I would have to choose between them, but just the thought of it brought me to tears. What jolted me out of my reverie was Aline. I’d noticed she’d become quieter, as if weighed down by some burden. Finally, she approached me.
“Please don’t be sad, Mamm,” she said, as she slipped her hand into mine. “When the time is right, you’ll know what to do. And the choice will be easier than you think.”
Stunned, I studied her, and realized that
my daughter was growing up fast, and possessed the wisdom to match her years. Wisdom beyond her years, in fact. “How do you know what I’m thinking?” I asked warily.
“I’ve always known,” she said. “I can hear your thoughts.”
“Always?”
“Yes. I know you’re worried about the lady in the pool. And I know you’re worried about what you’ve seen there. I thought you might tell me all about it, when you’re ready. When you think I’m old enough to know.” She gave me a cheeky grin.
In spite of my distress, I couldn’t help smiling back at her. “Very well,” I said then. “Leaving aside the choices I have to make, maybe you can help me make sense of what I’ve seen.” And I began to describe, in detail, exactly what had transpired between Morgan and me, and also my interviews with Viviane. Aline listened without interruption, her head tipped to one side like a little bird, her face frowning in concentration.
I found that speaking my thoughts out loud helped me to put them in some sort of order. And my conclusion was reinforced when my daughter said gravely, “It seems that the most important thing to do now is to talk to the Lady Morgan. You must tell her about the secret way you have fashioned, and tell her how to do it.” She laughed at my expression. “Yes, I know all about it, Mamm. I’m hoping you’ll take me there one day – when I’m old enough!”
“I cannot take you there, Aline. It’s too great a risk.” My heart ached as I went on to explain. “If you don’t stay in this world the line will be broken and Morgan won’t be born. And it seems that somehow she’s the key to all the frightening things I’ve seen in the scrying pool.”
“But if you use the path to go searching for my father in some Otherworld it may well be that you can come back to our world again, if you wish. Isn’t that what your mother, Morgana, did while she was in her own garden at the priory? So you might be able to come back here to see me, or I may even be able to come with you to visit my father, and then return here afterwards?”
The Once and Future Camelot Page 26