Minstrel's Solstice
Page 3
My season has ended, yet the season of the Maiden begins.
Listen to the wisdom of those who have come before you,
and yet be wise enough to make your own way.
The Maiden followed:
Thank you for the wisdom of your years,
and for seeing the season through to its end.
You have stepped aside that the new season may begin,
and for this we give you honor.
Gryff took over the blessing and continued:
All changes as new life is born,
and the dead fade away, back into the earth.
The Wheel of the Seasons turns once more.
O Goddess, cast your eyes upon us this night.
Grant us love, wisdom, strength, and peace,
and blessings upon the Earth.
On the longest night of winter,
and the dark night of our souls,
there springs the new spark of hope.
We gather tonight to await the new light.
On this night, the Maiden, who is also Mother
and Crone, prepares to welcome the Sun.
Let’s now prepare to welcome the new light within.
When Gryff finished, Kerryll played a few more notes and let Gryff send an invocation to the Goddess as he lit the waiting log in the main hearth. Another group would repeat the ritual at the smaller fireplace. Gryff spoke:
We light this fire in your honor, Mother Goddess
You have created life from death, warmth from cold
The Sun lives once again, the time of light is waxing.
Bring us new light, the light of your glorious Son.
The Maiden took her candle and moved through the crowd to the fireplace where the new log waited, covered with the ashes of the previous, burned Dark Solstice log. She lit the white candle on the log and said:
I come to you as Maiden
Young and free, fresh as springtime
Yet within me a yearning stirs to create and share
and so I become….
She moved the flame to light the red candle in the middle and spoke:
The Mother
I bring forth the fruit of my creativity
Yet an ancient prophet once told me, as I stood with my son,
A sword shall pierce through thy own heart also
And I knew that I must become….
She finished by lighting the black candle on the end and spoke:
The Crone
The ancient wise one, Lady of Darkness
We three-in-one who brought forth that special child
as long ago, also anointed him for burial—
A bright light that grew and sacrificed to be reborn
as a new light.
When the Maiden returned to her position, Gryff picked up the first Goddess taper and lifted it high above his head. He lowered it and blew out the flame to close the ceremonies with the last words:
Thank you most gracious Lady
for your freshness of spirit, your nurturing care,
your infinite wisdom
Live within us throughout the coming year.
So mote it be.
The crowd echoed the words, and Kerryll drew his bow across the strings in a joyous tune to last throughout the longest night of the seasons.
OVERWHELMED BY the welcome of the crowd, Kerryll played as long as everyone danced and celebrated. Performing for such an enthusiastic audience energized him and he enjoyed the adulations. He gathered the children by the burning Dark Solstice log and sat them in a circle. He exchanged the violin for the flute and played an ancient magical tune. Between the melody and his magic, the flames danced and transformed into the story of the Dark Solstice. The children’s eyes widened as they exclaimed in glee at the changing images. The adults wandered over to listen to the music and hear the tale. Moving his gaze for a second, Kerryll caught Gryff’s warm gaze as he watched everything.
When Kerryll finished the tune, grateful parents gathered sleepy children and carried them to beds within the castle. He learned most would stay instead of returning to the tunnels and their homes. The castle would remain full throughout the three nights, ending with a final large banquet and presentation of gifts.
Preparing to lift his violin once more to continue music for the celebrating folks, Kerryll felt his arms tremble. Large hands touched his waist, and he glanced over his shoulder to meet Gryff’s gaze.
“Time for us to take our rest. Some will celebrate until the bells toll the dawn,” Gryff said.
“I can play.”
“There is no need. We need you strong for the rest of the nights. Come.”
Kerryll returned the violin and bow to the case and closed it. Carrying it close, he followed Gryff to the large bedchamber. When Gryff closed the doors, he sighed at the peaceful silence.
“I enjoy the quiet after a day of festivities,” Gryff said.
Kerryll returned his instruments to the chest. “It was a magical evening. Thank you for accepting my contract and letting me play this evening.”
“You made it magical.”
“I missed festivals like this so much. It’s been so long since I was welcomed and could play to those who love the music and don’t fear the minstrel.” Kerryll wrapped his arms around his waist and turned to face the taller Duke.
Gryff took Kerryll’s hands in one of his and lifted them. He revealed the matching bands. Using his other hand, he trailed his finger from his band to Kerryll’s band. “How long does this contract last?”
“I told you it’ll last for the Dark Solstice and it’ll disappear.”
“And you’ll travel on to another place.”
“When I’m able to leave, aye, I’ll leave.”
“I asked this before and I’ll repeat my question. Could you leave the traveling life? Could you create a permanent contract and bond with one city? We would love a minstrel to perform for all of the festivals, gatherings, births, deaths, and even a simple evening of music. I believe you would be the perfect fit.”
“Is this the only reason?”
Gryff shook his head. “I would like the chance to know the heart behind the minstrel.”
“I would like to learn about the soul behind the Duke.”
“Tell me you’ll stay here. With us. With me. Become our chosen minstrel.”
“I’ll have a home here? Forever?”
“I wish you’d stay with me here in this castle and my chambers. Please, Kerryll, tell me you’ll give me a chance. Your gentle strength intrigued me, drawing me in the night you appeared, frozen and barely able to stay on your feet. Awakening next to you was another twist to my interest. It finished when I saw you appear, playing the music I haven’t heard since I was a boy, and….” Gryff shook his head with a slow smile.
“What?”
“I’m yours.”
“We don’t….”
“We will learn one another if you stay.” Gryff brushed his lips against Kerryll’s mouth with a soft, light touch. He pulled back, clasped his face between his hands, and pressed their mouths together in a deeper kiss full of passion and growing love.
Kerryll hummed in pleasure and gave back everything this proud, powerful Duke gave him. When they stripped the clothes from one another and fell onto the bed, he pulled back and met those indigo eyes.
“Aye, I’ll stay with you. I’m your minstrel, your song, and your melody.”
When he spoke, the bands sparkled and altered into a different pattern.
“Blessed be, sweet Dark Goddess, for answering my prayers and granting me a chance to bring the song into my life this Dark Solstice,” Gryff said as he captured Kerryll’s lips in another long, lingering kiss.
Wrapping his arms around Gryff, Kerryll slid into the passion and drifted away. He was home.
Celebrate
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About the Author
NICOLE D
ENNIS is a shy, quiet office assistant in Central Florida by day. By night, she slips into the fictional realm of whatever current story she’s writing. She can’t silence the voices in her head and answers the demanding characters wanting their stories told. All the time, she’s a devoted human guardian to a semi-demonic tortie calico—Fat Cat—who has full on “tortie-tude” to get her ways.
A romantic at heart, she remains single—ever on the search for the one who doesn’t mind sharing her with books, characters, hours of staring at the computer screen, and a cat that could care less as long as someone maintains the stock of kibble. You can find her lurking on social media.
E-mail: nicoledennis.author@gmail.com
Web: http://nicoledennisauthor.com
Blog: http://nicoledennisauthor.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NicoleDennis.Author
A Solstice Journey
By Felicitas Ivey
Upon leaving his company’s Christmas party, Gunnar Dagviðurson decides to walk to the train and enjoy the snowfall, only to get caught in a winter storm that magically transports him to a mysterious foreign realm. That’s how Celyn finds him, stumbling blindly through the snow, and Celyn takes Gunnar home to a castle of faery. Gunnar wants to find his way home for Christmas, but suddenly he’s faced with a choice: does he go back to his adopted family in the human world or stay with the magical family he’s found?
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Copyright
Published by
DREAMSPINNER PRESS
5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Minstrel’s Solstice
© 2014 Nicole Dennis.
Cover Art
© 2014 Paul Richmond.
http://www.paulrichmondstudio.com
Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.
All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/.
Digital ISBN: 978-1-63216-745-3
First Edition December 2014
Printed in the United States of America