In the Name of the Goddess
Nov. 15th, 2010 08:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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marysuevirusTitle: In the Name of the Goddess
Book One: Heulwen, Chapter Three: The Return, part 1
Fandom: a cross between the Marvel Universe and Arthurian Legend
Rating: mature.
Warnings: there will be violence and sex. maybe not language. but definitely the others. lots of religous references
Disclaimer: the Marvel men, even though hiding behind other names, do not belong to me. they belong to Marvel and whoever the hell else owns them. i'm simply borrowing them for the fun of it. i like putting them through hell, don't you know? i'm not making money from this, either. so don't even consider what you can score off me. i'm broke. not a penny to my name. the Sues belong to the women who thought them up, namely Dazzledfirestar, Nan, SFC, Gin and myself. don't steal them. they'll kick your ass. the name and concept of the Mary Sue Virus belong to Daz, who graciously allowed me to use it for my own personal pleasure.
A/Ns: some of this was written by Daz. i think it worked out rather awesomely, even though she wrote it months ago.
In the Name of the Goddess - the Index
Everything was white. It had snowed through the night so that, with the breaking of the dawn, the ground and trees were blanketed in a thick, heavy coat of snow. It was piled up on the cottage's thatched roof. And it was already deep enough to make walking a chore. The old woman stayed huddled in her blankets, sitting in the rocking chair before the fire. Brialle had said little to her since she'd risen from her bed but she couldn't bring herself to care. She loved her daughter, but the girl was disenchanted and bitter that there had never been excitement in her life such as the kind that existed in her mother's tales.
Her grandchildren spent the day frolicking in the snow, their high laughter and lilting voices a soothing music that put a smile on the old woman's face. They came in periodically to warm themselves by the fire and sip hot cider. Her son in law spent his day helping some of the other villagers by clearing away the built up snow around their cottages and out buildings. He was always away during the day. He'd never quite understood why Brialle hadn't simply turned her mother out into the cold. Brialle had told him that she would never treat her mother so. But the old woman knew that it was more likely that her daughter recalled what had happened to those who angered the old Gods and had no wish to find out if they would punish her for treating one of their most ardent followers so coarsely.
The day passed in wintery silence within and childish amusement without. By the time the evening meal came around, the old woman found herself looking forward to the excited chatter that she knew she would get from her granddaughters. No matter what Brialle thought about the tales of the Gods, it would never be enough to stop her telling them to her beautiful granddaughters. Perhaps she would succeed with them where she'd failed with her own child.
As soon as the meal was concluded, the oldest drew her younger sisters to the old woman's side and offered her a brilliant smile. "Will you tell us more about Heulwen and her mortal lover, Gran?" A strangled breath drew the old woman's eyes to where Brialle stood. There was a stern look on her face that suggested trouble if she went on with the story telling. Sending a knowing look her daughter's way in warning, she gave her attention to her granddaughters and motioned to the floor at her feet.
"Make yourselves comfortable, poppet. And remind me where I left off last night." She knew exactly where she'd left off. But the girls did so like to help her. It made them feel important if they got to be part of the story telling.
"Heulwen and Celyn had just admitted that they loved each other." The oldest sighed dramatically. A pretty blush stained her cheeks.
"And they'd just finished..."
"Girls!" Brialle said sharply. They shot innocent looks their mother's way, then gave their attention back to their grandmother.
"Yes, I remember now," she smiled at them, "They had just pledged their troth to one another. Though Heulwen was new in her feelings for the handsome mortal, she knew that they were strong and right. And so it was that she went to the All Father and told him of her love for the mortal hunter. He arranged to join them together in a special ceremony."
The oldest girl's eyes went wide with awe. "He did? I didn't know he could do that."
"He is the All Father, child. He can do what he pleases." The old woman nodded her head sagely. Then she smiled and pressed on. "Her sisters were pleased with the news. They made haste to see to it that she had a most memorable day. There were new garments to be sewn, food to prepare for the feast and a call to be made to the animals of the forest. Cernunnos wished to make it an event to be remembered by mortals and Gods alike."
~*~*~*~*~
Heulwen stared at herself in the reflecting pond and tried to figure out just when she'd stopped looking so cold and unapproachable. The face she saw was soft with joy and happiness, her eyes shining with something that could only be described as love. Gwenydd had come to help her dress for the ceremony and stood just behind her, waiting for her to say something. The smile her sister wore said everything that she didn't want to hear from any of the others.
One hand lifted to gently touch the tiny flowers that her sister had woven into her hair. Pale pinks and yellows and even virginal white blossoms formed a crown of foliage. Her red locks, usually kept confined to a braid, had been unplaited and combed through until they lay in waves against her shoulders. Even in the dimly lit forest sanctuary she called her own, Heulwen could see how the mass of fiery red shone with love and attention. Her face, usually as pale as the moon, had been given a touch of color. Her lids were painted with a pale shade of silvery green that made her eyes sparkle. Her cheeks held a touch of pink and her lips were berry red.
The gown she wore, a gift from Cernunnos himself, lay as dark as the deepest forest leaves against her skin. It was a shade of green that matched those hidden places in the woods, the material holding the shapes of flowers and leaves. The neckline plunged deep between her breasts, the edges embroidered heavily with golden thread to form more leaves and flowing vines. The skirt of the gown was split down the front to show a center panel of a paler shade of green, like that of the moss that grew on trees and rocks. It, too, was done with the same pattern of leaves and flower that the darker material had. Tiny, delicate gold chains attached to large green gems encircled by gold on the bodice above her breasts. They climbed up over her shoulders to trail down her back until they met with the gown's material again.
Though a pair of stones rested at her shoulders, they were not the only adornment the gown had. A girdle of golden links rested around her waist, an intricately set green gem resting beneath the vee of her bodice. A second set of golden links draped the gown's skirting at mid-thigh. A single chain hung from the center stone and ended at the knee with yet another green gem set in a ring of gold. It was a gown fit for a queen. Or a Goddess of the forest.
"Why do you stare at your reflection so, sister? You have not changed," Gwenydd's voice was soft and filled with amusement. Heulwen stood and turned to consider her. The other woman's domain was the air and, because of this, there was always a sense of lightness to her that didn't truly exist within any of Heulwen's other sisters. She stood regarding Heulwen with pale green eyes that bore an expression of joy. She was happy for her sister.
"This is not me, Gwenydd. This is not the woman I know as myself," Heulwen shook her head. Gwenydd laughed, a tinkling sound that reminded her of chimes striking one another, filled the sanctuary.
"This is the woman you have always been. She has simply been hidden behind a mask." Gwenydd drifted closer, a striking vision in a floating, wispy garment that seemed to be made of clouds. It clung to her body, hiding her curves while still accentuating them. A golden cord had been tied around her waist in order to cinch the gown in. It was a few shades darker than the long tresses that hung in long, spiraling curls around her shoulders. The ends rested somewhere around mid-thigh while shorter strands curled around her face. Small stones that winked in the light were woven into the golden silk of her hair at her crown, milky white moonstones and sapphires that flashed fire. "The love of your mortal has broken through the protective walls you have built around yourself."
"That was not supposed to happen. No mortal was supposed to find their way into my heart. The prophecy-" Heulwen began, only to have her sister interrupt.
"Have you considered that the prophecy did what it was meant to? Perhaps things were always meant to happen this way. Perhaps the prophecy was spoken so that no others could gain your heart before you met this man." Gwenydd's question surprised her and left Heulwen blinking in confusion at her sister. Never had she given consideration to such a thing. Could it possibly be true?
"But then why a prophecy at all? Why not simply say that this was the mortal I was to give my heart to?"
Gwenydd offered her an indulgent smile, then motioned to the path that led through thick tree trunks out into the rest of the Gods' realm. "Your mortal lover awaits, my sister. Do not keep him, or yourself, waiting."
She wanted to do just that. She wanted to stay here in seclusion and pretend that the events of the past few weeks hadn't come to pass. Maybe, if she did so, Celyn would grow weary and seek out someone else. That was what she wanted. Wasn't it?
It felt as if everything had happened so quickly and she hadn't given any of it real thought. She hadn't even really had time to herself since that day they'd joined together in the forest glen. Time spent with him had left her floating on a cloud of joy and happiness. When Celyn had suggested that they bind themselves to one another in the manner of mortals, it had felt right for her to answer him in the affirmative. But now, with the moment so close at hand, she found herself wondering if she was doing the right thing.
Heulwen turned to Gwenydd, intent on convincing her that this was a bad time. That she couldn't do it. Her sister stood behind her, a gentle and knowing smile on her face. She reached out and laid a hand on Heulwen's shoulder. "You love him, do you not?"
"I..." she began, only to pause and consider the question seriously. "Yes. I love him. Gods help me, but I do."
"Do you feel your life would be empty without him?" Heulwen gave that question serious thought, too. Did she fear love and commitment so much that she could push him out of her life? She tried to picture her life without him, tried to imagine what things would be like without Celyn smiling upon her. Without the touch of his hand, so warm and calloused, against her skin. Without his voice whispering in her ear, telling her things he would tell no other. She tried to imagine going back to the life she'd been living before meeting him.
That life was empty and cold. Lonely. Sad. And she didn't want to return to merely existing, hiding in her sanctuary. She couldn't become that creature she had been only a few short weeks ago. Would her life be empty without Celyn in it? Yes. Terribly empty. Heulwen glanced at her sister and opened her mouth to give her answer. But Gwynedd's broad smile told her there was no need. The other woman knew exactly what Heulwen would say. "Celyn is waiting for you, sister. And you are wasting time."
Together, they passed through the narrow corridor of trees. Neither of them spoke as they left Heulwen's sanctuary behind. The trees that lined the path seemed to crowd in close, their leaves and smaller branches brushing against her shoulders and arms as if congratulating her. The music of birdsong followed after them, small sparrows and wrens singing her toward her destiny.
The path between the trees that led to Cernunnos' hall was dappled with bright golden light. Leaves rained down upon head, each tree granting her its blessing. A sense of peace curled around her, held her gently in its embrace. The magic of the realm was bestowing its own blessing on her coming union. The moss and mist had parted like a veil, closing behind her with silent intent. Any who had not made their way into the All Father's hall would find no passage along this path. None would be allowed to disrupt the joyous celebration of the day.
The trees parted to show the broad expanse of grass that lay before them, each blade painted a brilliant green by a loving hand. The same tall trees that reached to the sky and beyond created the walls on either side of the field, their leaves still forming the ceiling. The same older than time oak tree stood silent sentinel in the center of the hall. Today, though, the All Father's throne sat empty and forgotten.
The loud rumble of rushing water drew her gaze to the right of the throne. There she found her sisters waiting on her. Morgan and Fae stood side by side, only the colors of their gowns a sure way to tell them apart. Both had their hair piled in disarray atop their heads, though curling tendrils hung down around their faces and necks. Both wore a gown that had a single shoulder to it, a large, blood red stone resting against the paleness of their flesh. The material clung to their bosoms, the side without a strap dipping low over the curve of one breast. Morgan's gown was rose petal red, while the edges were in a darker shade that matched the stone at her shoulder. Though the same style, Fae's gown was of the darker, bloodier red with the rose petal color edging the entire thing. Both gowns flowed around their bodies, constantly moving though no breeze flowed through the trees.
Beside them stood Rhosyn, clad in a pale gold reminiscent of the wheat that grew in the fields. The bodice rested low, exposing the creamy swell of her breasts to view. The center plunged low so that her cleavage was well displayed. The top of the bodice and sleeves were edged in a deep, earthy brown that accented the slightly golden hue of her skin. The over sleeves had a gathered top and a belled cuff that exposed the darker brown sleeve beneath. A similar gather pulled the gown's skirt up on either side so that her legs were visible. Each one was topped with an amber stone. The gathers left an underskirt of the dark brown plainly visible. Her rich, lustrous hair hung long around her face and shoulders.
On the other side of Rhosyn was Deryn. Heulwen couldn't stop the smile that curved her lips up. Of all her sisters, only Deryn would arrive in some form of armor. Her bodice was of red and black and ended at her waist. Scrolling, decorative armor lay on top of the bodice, crept up to her shoulders where it met with actual plate armor. More plate armor covered her forearms while a collar of gold circled her throat. It was adorned with red and black gems. The skirt that she wore with it rested high on her sides and dipped into a low vee in the front. A delicate gold chain hung over a vee of deep red material and ended with a large red stone. The rest of the skirt's front and the entire back panel were of black. Neither panel met on the sides, leaving the long line of her legs exposed. Her black hair hung long and loose, forming a cloak around her shoulders and back.
The All Father stood to the other side of the twins. He wore golds and greens. A fine linen tunic in gold with green embroidery and green hose with golden thread woven into leaves. His attire and the leaves woven into his hair matched exactly. For the ceremony, he'd donned his crowning antlers. His mouth was turned up in a broad smile, the corners of his eyes crinkled with his smile. But her eyes slid past him the moment she saw Celyn and they stayed there, drinking in his beauty even while Gwynedd helped guide her forward.
He'd been gifted with new garments for the ceremony. A fine linen tunic was stretched across his shoulders and the muscles in his chest. It had been dyed a shade of blue that matched his eyes exactly. Silver thread had been stitched into the tunic to form chains of bows and arrows. The cuffs, the bottom edge and around the neck sported the finely wrought needle work. Black breeches hugged his muscular legs, tucked away into fine leather boots of the softest kid. A matching belt rested about his waist. The gold of his hair looked freshly washed, though there was no neatness to it. There was no hint of gold at his chin, attesting to the fact that he'd scraped the harsh stubble away for their special day.
He was magnificent. And just looking at him pushed aside every lingering fear and doubt she felt. This was right. This was destined. This was exactly what she wanted and needed. He was what she needed.
When she stood beside him, when he held her hands in his and stared down into her face, when Gwynedd stood with her other sisters and they were surrounded by the animals of the forest... That was when Cernunnos began.
The All Father's voice echoed deep within her body, but she didn't really hear anything he was saying. She knew, on some level, that he was speaking the words of the ceremony that would bind them in a way different from the one she'd used to bind them together. It was a ceremony derived from that which the mortals used with one another and it would end when Cernunnos wrapped a ribbon around their hands. But anything he said wasn't important. All she could do was stare into the eyes of her beloved and realize that this was where she belonged, She always had and she always would.
The roar of the waterfall was muted and distant, as if it was far away. It tumbled over a lip of rocks that was hidden by the boughs of the trees to fall a long way into the pool at its base. The water collected in the basin, frothing and bubbling merrily before flowing out into a stream that meandered behind the trees. She and Celyn stood at the edge of the pool, his hands grasping hers lightly while their eyes held. The smile on his face melted her heart, made her realize that she was doing the right thing. That was the look she wanted to see every day for the rest of their lives. This was the man she wished to spend eternity with.
The silky soft feel of the ribbon twining around her hand broke the spell long enough to realize that Cernunnos had finished speaking. He was smiling at them indulgently and the meaning of that final act sank in. Heulwen turned her gaze to the length of green and blue silk twined around their hands. As they were bound by the laws of magic, so too were they bound by the laws of man. Cernunnos laid a hand on her shoulder, then his. "Many happy years to you, children. Blessings will shower down upon you. Now to seal the ceremony. A gift from me to you on this joyous day."
The All Father lifted his hands and made a gesture. A loud cry rang across the hall, drawing everyone's eyes up to the ceiling of leaves. A pair of hawks soared over the distance, winding in and out of each other's flight path in a twisting aerial dance that left Heulwen breathless. She knew they were a mated pair, that they would be ever together until one or the other passed from this world. Cernunnos raised an arm and the hawks lazily drifted down to land on it. Shining gems glinted in their beaks. Palm out, he brought up his free hand and allowed them to drop the items they held into it. After delivering their burdens, the birds took to the air and once more danced with one another as they flew away.
Cernunnos turned to Heulwen and laid a heavy, ornate ring in her hands. It was wrought of the finest gold, shining brightly even though the light was dim and dark with the canopy of leaves over their heads. A single gem of brightest green was set in the center, the precise color of her eyes. Runes and animal figures had been worked into the gold on either side of the stone. She knew that the images represented her. Into Celyn's hand, the All Father laid a delicately formed necklace of silver. The arms gave the appearance of scrolling ivy vines that wrapped around her throat while a gem as blue as his eyes rested in the center of a silver nest. "Exchange your gifts, children. Heulwen shall wear Celyn's claim upon her, just as he will wear her claim upon him." He tugged the ribbon from their hand to allow them to do as he'd said.
She allowed Celyn to work the necklace into place around her throat. The metal was cool at first, but warmed so quickly that she knew it had been touched by the All Father's magic. When the stone was nestled in the center of her throat, he stepped away from her and held out his hand for the ring. It slid onto his finger easily and fit him perfectly. Cernunnos smiled at them. "Now seal this ceremony with a kiss, children, and let the feasting begin."
Again, Celyn's gaze met and held hers. And again, everything else faded away. They stood at the edge of the pool, blind to those gathered around them. Celyn took hold of her hands and held them in his, his thumbs rubbing softly across the tops of her hands. Sunlight broke through the leaves and poured down upon them, bathing them in a golden halo. The light caught and sparked off the stone in his ring, shone upon his hair. That golden light pressed her forward until she was caught up in his embrace. When his mouth took hers, her heart stilled in her chest.
The feasting went on for some time without them.
~*~
The forest bowed to her every wish. Trees moved aside for her as she raced through the woods in pursuit of an elusive buck. Only a few feet to her right, she knew he matched her steps. Since sharing her power with him, Celyn had gained her ability to move noiselessly through the forest. He'd had his own natural ability before, but her magic had sharpened the ability even further. She knew that if she veered off to the left, he would follow her without having to be told. It was as if they shared the same thoughts.
The sound of a twig snapping was loud in the silence and, together, she and Celyn turned to their right and threw themselves forward. The thrill of the chase was on. She swore she could feel his long, hand made bow in her hands, even though she carried her own weapon and her own arrows. The fingers on her left hand caressed the bowed wood softly, the fingers on her right keeping the bottom edge of the arrow snugged tightly against the bow string.
She could feel the buck leaping over fallen trees, running through the forest. Fear pounded in its blood as it kept an ear out for the predators following on its tail. It was trying desperately to get away, racing headlong toward a clearing in the center of the forest. Moments later, she sensed that Celyn had broken off his pursuit of the deer and had veered to the right even further.
His feet were swift and light as he raced for the other side of the clearing. This had happened more than once with them. Every other time they engaged in a hunt, they anticipated each other's thoughts and needs. She would keep up the chase and drive the animal straight at him.
Time held as she flew through the forest. She could feel the deer ahead of her, the distance between it and herself slowly growing shorter. It was getting tired, growing weary with fear and panic. Heulwen drove the beast forward, pushed it into the clearing where she knew he would be waiting.
She broke from the trees only a few heartbeats after the buck. It leapt across the clearing, its long and graceful legs carrying it away from her quickly. She stopped and raised her bow, sighting down the shaft of the arrow at the animal. A silent count of three sounded in her head, then she let the arrow fly. It arced across the distance and hit with a meaty thud, embedding itself in the buck's long neck. At the same moment, a second arrow slammed into the beast's neck from the other side. The animal didn't have a chance to scream in pain. It simply lost its footing and tumbled down into the long grass.
By the time she and Celyn stood over it, every last bit of life had drained from the buck. Celyn smiled at her as he reached up to wipe the sweat from his brow. "Well done, my lady wife. You are almost as good with the bow as I am."
"And you, my lord husband, are full of yourself."
His answering bark of laughter echoed around the clearing.
~*~
There was concern on his face as he came through the door of their stone and thatch cottage. Heulwen offered him a tired smile as she sat in the chair he'd made for her, a thin blanket laid over her lap. Without a word, he dropped to his knees before her chair and rested his hands on her knees. "You look ill. Have you taken cold? Does some ague plague you? Should I bring up the fire to warm you?"
"It is nothing so dire as all that, my beloved," she sighed, then offered him a soft smile.
"But I heard you asked the village healer to visit. Why would you need a healer?" The question was asked with all honesty and sincerity. Heulwen couldn't help but smile at that. She loved him, but there were times when he had all the intelligence of the All Father's antlers.
"I asked the healer to visit because I have been feeling worn down of late. Tired and..." she trailed off, unsure exactly what it was she'd been feeling. It was all new to her. "I haven't been feeling myself, beloved. So I asked the healer to visit and examine me."
"And what did she find?" He sounded so earnest. Obviously he hadn't figured it out yet.
"The healer found that I am with child."
Heulwen fell silent and let what she'd said sink in. Celyn stared at her for a very long time, as if his brain wasn't quite computing everything. Finally, after the silence stretched and became awkward, his face brightened and a huge grin spread across his lips. "I'm going to be a father?"
"That's what the healer said, Celyn. We've created a life. You'll be a father and I'll be a mother."
"Praise the Gods!" he nearly shouted, then scooped her up out of her seat so that he could crush her to him. Heulwen wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held tight as he whirled her around the room. "A child! We're going to have a child!"
"Celyn, please..." she begged, then shut her eyes. "Put me down. All of this spinning is making me dizzy. I have no desire to embarrass myself by getting sick on you."
He stopped immediately, letting her slide down until her feet touched the ground. He loosened his hold on her but didn't let her go. She kept her arms around him, a sense of joy and pleasure rushing through her at the feel of his hard body pressed to her soft one. She tipped her head back so she could stare up at him. "This news pleases you?"
"This news pleases me and more, my lady wife. You please me. I cannot believe my good fortune," he replied. The concern was long gone from his face. Now it was filled with joyous disbelief. And tenderness softened his eyes. He brought his lips down to lay a kiss on hers. "I'm going to start building a cradle for the babe immediately. And you'll have to learn to stitch so that you can make the child clothing."
She glared at him for that.
His response was a smirk that she knew meant trouble for her. "I'm going to love watching you grow fat with our child."
She glared daggers at him for that.
~*~
She slowly lowered herself into a chair near the fire. She couldn’t remember in all her life being quite so tired, though she imagined it was to be expected, given her condition. She smiled softly into the flames, her hands absently rubbing the swell of her belly. Gods knew she’d never expected to find herself in her current position, but the happiness she’d found here could not be denied. The happiness she'd found with Celyn could not be denied. Cernunnos had been right. There was much joy to be found in life.
The door to the small house opened and closed quietly as the man she loved entered the cottage. “And how is my family this evening?” He smiled at her as he dropped to his knees before her, resting his hands gently on her swollen belly.
Heulwen smiled back, resting her hands on his. “Tired.” She sighed and flinched as the baby gave an enthusiastic kick. “Ooh, and restless apparently.”
Celyn’s smile grew a little wider and he pressed a kiss just above her belly button. “Eager to join us, little one?” He chuckled lightly as the baby kicked in response. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Heulwen let out a sigh. “Any day now, I would imagine.” It felt as if it had been a lifetime ago that she'd found out that she would bear him a child. Now she couldn't wait for it to all be over. No one had ever told her that growing a life was so hard and trying. Not that she wasn't happy to be giving birth to his child. Far from it. She just hadn't realized that it involved so much.
“It’s hard to believe…” Celyn stared up at her for a moment. “I had never thought to have this in my life. I was to protect and care for the people here, but to have a family—” He shook his head and sighed. “It didn’t seem fair to ask someone to live in the shadow of my dedication to you.”
Heulwen smiled and rested her palm against his cheek. “I’m sure fighting wyvern wouldn’t have helped, either.” Had it not been for that thrice damned beast, none of this would have happened. And her life would have been terribly empty.
He rose up; keeping one hand on the spot the baby seemed most intent on kicking and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Thank you for this.”
“I should be thanking you.” She kissed him back. “I thought… I was content as I was. I thought that I was safe, hiding away from the beauty of the world as I was.” Her fingers threaded through his hair. “You’ve shown me so much. You’ve made me happier than I thought I could be. You've given me a real life. And a purpose.” She smiled softly and kissed him again. A moment later, she flinched and groaned, her hands instinctively going to her belly.
A short, sharp pain rippled across her abdomen before shifting to pull tight across her back. The midwife had mentioned the pains to her, but the woman's words hadn't been able to touch the true depth of the pain she was presently feeling.
“Heulwen?” Celyn touched her cheek, bringing her eyes to his. “My love?”
“I think….” She took a deep breath. “I think it’s time.”
She expected him to panic. He didn't. Instead, he helped her to her feet and walked her the short distance to their large bed. Once there, he helped her from the gown she was wearing, leaving her wearing little more than a chemise that was old and well worn. When he had her relaxing upon the down stuffed mattress, he hurried to the door to send someone after the midwife. When that task was done, Celyn returned to her side and sat with her, holding her hand through the worst of the pains.
The local midwife was brought and though the woman was skilled and comforting, Heulwen struggled. Should she feel so helpless in something she was so active in? The pains left her gasping for breath and weak. And it seemed as if it was taking an eternity for their child to leave her. Having never actually thought she’d come to that point in life, she’d never paid much attention to such things. It wasn't fair that she should have to fight her way through this battle without someone who understood her better than she did sitting at her side. She had just shut her eyes, leaning back into Celyn’s arms—he had refused to leave her side—when she wished silently for some kind of comfort from the Gods. She whispered a name and a plea softly, begging that she should have help for this momentous and difficult task. Only a handful of minutes passed before someone knocked on the door.
Celyn was reluctant to leave her side, but he moved to answer the summons. Heulwen clung to his arm, unwilling to let him go. He was her anchor through the pain and, despite her being a full Goddess, she was afraid. The midwife sighed and stood with a wave, then passed through the open doorway into the main room of the cottage. Several moments later, they heard the door close and a new face entered the room. “Where is Ula?”
“The woman needed her rest. You’ve kept her busy.” The new woman smiled at Heulwen. “Can you never simply do things the easy way?”
“Wait, who are you?” Celyn glanced between his wife and this new comer.
Heulwen smiled and patted his arm. “It’s alright.” She let out a small, slightly pained laugh. “She’s my sister. You might recall you met her at our binding ceremony.”
Celyn’s eyes grew wide as the implication in Heulwen’s words sank in. Then a blush stole into his cheeks. Rhosyn let go a resounding laugh. "I'm afraid, sister dear, that your beloved huntsman only had eyes for you that day. As it should be." Then she paused and smiled softly. “No one but me will help bring my dear sister’s first child into this world.” She glanced at Heulwen. “I had no intention of letting you do this on your own.”
“It certainly took you long enough to get here.” Before Rhosyn could respond, Heulwen cried out, gripping Celyn’s arm.
Without missing a beat, her sister began issuing orders to Celyn, telling him what supplies she would need. While he was rushing about, finding everything that Rhosyn had requested, she took the opportunity to examine Heulwen carefully. “It appears as if I got here just in time.”
Heulwen questioned just how ‘just in time’ Rhosyn had been over the next few hours. The pains came and went, leaving her covered in sweat and more tired than she'd ever been. With each one, Rhosyn instructed her on how she should breathe and ride through the pain instead of allowing it to ride her. She battled through her exhaustion, through the pain at the coaching and insistence of her sister. Finally she was told to push with all her might. She did, feet pressed into the mattress while Rhosyn sat between her spread legs and helped bring her child into the world. Then it was done and she lay limp in her love’s arms, her battle won. The first cry of her child was the only thing on earth that could have held her eyes open.
Rhosyn smiled and crossed the room with a bundle in her arms. She handed the babe to Heulwen and her smile widened. “You’re son, dear sister. You have a son.”
Heulwen held the tiny boy as if he’d vanish if she held him too tightly. A noise somewhere between a laugh and a sob cut through the room. She never thought she'd ever see this moment in her life. Celyn sat beside her, staring at them both, face filled with pride. He reached out one large hand to touch the tiny fingers on the child's right hand. She pressed a gentle kiss to her son’s forehead and whispered softly to him. “Welcome to the world, Talfryn.”
~*~
She felt them coming long before she heard them. Eight summers had passed since the birth of their first child and Talfryn had grown into a miniature version of Celyn. It was Celyn's eyes that looked out of Talfryn's face. It was Celyn's hair that topped the boy's head. Everything his father did, the boy had to do as well. And today had been the lad's very first hunt. Heulwen had been equal parts proud that her son would bring down a goodly sized buck just like his father, because that was how the Goddess of the Hunt in her thought, and afraid that some harm would befall him, because that was what the mother in her worried over.
She could still recall the first time Celyn had put a bow and arrow into the boy's hands. He'd barely been old enough to do his chores about the cottage, but her mortal lover had been determined to instruct his son in the proper use of the bow and arrows. The boy's first attempts had been clumsy, but his father had kept encouraging him until the little boy had been capable of landing the arrow through a mark several feet away. Celyn had beamed with pride the day Talfryn had hit the mark the first time. And she'd seen just how much like his father the boy truly was.
Excited chatter floated through the opened door, Talfryn's high pitched voice going on and on about the deer he'd brought down. There was an occasional reply in a deeper register that she knew belonged to Celyn. Rising from her chair, she made her way slowly to the door. The rest of their clan fell into step behind her.
The sun was still high in the sky, prompting her to raise a hand to shield her eyes. The other hand rubbed at her belly and felt the life growing within. The babe wasn't due to arrive for some months, but she'd learned with the previous four that things didn't always go according to plan. She was constantly on alert for anything that might indicate the babe would come early. This day, though, there was nothing to suggest she should worry. Instead, she simply rubbed at her belly because she'd learned that such actions soothed the babe and kept it from rolling about her insides until she felt queasy and ill.
Celyn walked with slow, sure steps beside his first born. A buck with a large rack of antlers was thrown casually over his shoulders, as if this was something he did every day. She knew better. She'd seen him rubbing at stiff muscles and joints when he thought she was not looking. She hadn't realized, when she'd bound herself to him, what watching him grow older would mean to her. At first, she'd seen nothing to suggest he was feeling his age. But then she'd noted that he moved slower, that he ached in places that had never ached before. She'd seen noticed a few more lines around his eyes and mouth. And some of the golden hairs upon his head had gone silver.
She hated that he was growing older right before her eyes.
"Mummy!" Damhnait's hand tugged at her skirts forcefully. The girl had seen six winters and was more likely to spend time doing the same things as her father than playing with the other girls of the village. Heulwen gave her attention to her only girl child. Like her first born, the child wore her father's looks, right down to the hair that crowned her head. The only difference was that Damhnait's eyes were the same brilliant green as her mother's. "When will it be my turn to go hunting with Papa?"
"When you can best me with a bow, my sweet!" Celyn told her, his big hands reaching out to scoop her up into his arms. She giggled and laughed as he spun her in a circle. Then he lowered her until he could hug her against his chest. She squealed with laughter as he dropped kisses on her forehead and cheeks.
"But when will that be, Papa? You won't teach me to use the bow." The girl pouted at him prettily.
"Perhaps I shall have to teach you to use the bow, my girl," Heulwen told them both. Celyn lifted a brow at her words.
"And you think you're capable of such a feat in your current state?"
"I can do anything you can do, my love. Only I do it better."
"Perhaps you should prove this to me," he replied, then lowered Damhnait to the ground. Before she could agree to take him up on his challenge, the two younger boys launched themselves at their father's legs. He knelt down and hugged them close, listening to the two of them trying to out talk one another. Celyn nodded and made the appropriate noises where it was required, allowing the two boys to prattle on until their attention was caught by their older brother's prize. The older of the two had seen four summers while the younger had seen three winters. Both boys looked up to their older brother. Because of this, they abandoned their father in order to see what Talfryn had brought home with him. Damhnait was only a few paces behind them.
No longer crowded by the smaller, more boisterous members of their family, Celyn closed the distance between himself and Heulwen, tugging her into his arms so that he could hug and kiss her. He did it every time he returned from a hunt or even just the village. She wrapped herself around him, her hands taking note of the soft places that had started showing up on his body. They weren't large ones, but they suggested that he was no longer the man he'd been in his youth. She pushed that thought aside and lost herself in the touch of his hands and the feel of his lips pressed against hers.
He broke away only when they were in need of breath. Heulwen made a soft noise when the babe within kicked heartily in the hopes that Celyn would grant it a few moments of his time. As if there was ever any doubt of that. He dropped to his knees before her and pressed the side of his face against Heulwen's swollen belly. His hands framed the swell, fanned out on either side of it. "And how is my wee one this day? Anxious to meet your family?"
He'd spoken to every child this way. And every one had responded in the same manner. The babe kicked her with strength, bringing another one of those noises from her throat. "Join us when you're ready, sweetling. We only ask that you arrive healthy." He rose to his feet, one of his hands gliding around so that it could press against the front of her belly, and stared down at her. "There is nothing more I want than a healthy babe and a healthy wife."
Heulwen smiled at him, then offered him her lips. His kiss was sweet and heated. As always, it reminded her of the very first time he'd kissed her.
Book One: Heulwen, Chapter Three: The Return, part 1
Fandom: a cross between the Marvel Universe and Arthurian Legend
Rating: mature.
Warnings: there will be violence and sex. maybe not language. but definitely the others. lots of religous references
Disclaimer: the Marvel men, even though hiding behind other names, do not belong to me. they belong to Marvel and whoever the hell else owns them. i'm simply borrowing them for the fun of it. i like putting them through hell, don't you know? i'm not making money from this, either. so don't even consider what you can score off me. i'm broke. not a penny to my name. the Sues belong to the women who thought them up, namely Dazzledfirestar, Nan, SFC, Gin and myself. don't steal them. they'll kick your ass. the name and concept of the Mary Sue Virus belong to Daz, who graciously allowed me to use it for my own personal pleasure.
A/Ns: some of this was written by Daz. i think it worked out rather awesomely, even though she wrote it months ago.
In the Name of the Goddess - the Index
Everything was white. It had snowed through the night so that, with the breaking of the dawn, the ground and trees were blanketed in a thick, heavy coat of snow. It was piled up on the cottage's thatched roof. And it was already deep enough to make walking a chore. The old woman stayed huddled in her blankets, sitting in the rocking chair before the fire. Brialle had said little to her since she'd risen from her bed but she couldn't bring herself to care. She loved her daughter, but the girl was disenchanted and bitter that there had never been excitement in her life such as the kind that existed in her mother's tales.
Her grandchildren spent the day frolicking in the snow, their high laughter and lilting voices a soothing music that put a smile on the old woman's face. They came in periodically to warm themselves by the fire and sip hot cider. Her son in law spent his day helping some of the other villagers by clearing away the built up snow around their cottages and out buildings. He was always away during the day. He'd never quite understood why Brialle hadn't simply turned her mother out into the cold. Brialle had told him that she would never treat her mother so. But the old woman knew that it was more likely that her daughter recalled what had happened to those who angered the old Gods and had no wish to find out if they would punish her for treating one of their most ardent followers so coarsely.
The day passed in wintery silence within and childish amusement without. By the time the evening meal came around, the old woman found herself looking forward to the excited chatter that she knew she would get from her granddaughters. No matter what Brialle thought about the tales of the Gods, it would never be enough to stop her telling them to her beautiful granddaughters. Perhaps she would succeed with them where she'd failed with her own child.
As soon as the meal was concluded, the oldest drew her younger sisters to the old woman's side and offered her a brilliant smile. "Will you tell us more about Heulwen and her mortal lover, Gran?" A strangled breath drew the old woman's eyes to where Brialle stood. There was a stern look on her face that suggested trouble if she went on with the story telling. Sending a knowing look her daughter's way in warning, she gave her attention to her granddaughters and motioned to the floor at her feet.
"Make yourselves comfortable, poppet. And remind me where I left off last night." She knew exactly where she'd left off. But the girls did so like to help her. It made them feel important if they got to be part of the story telling.
"Heulwen and Celyn had just admitted that they loved each other." The oldest sighed dramatically. A pretty blush stained her cheeks.
"And they'd just finished..."
"Girls!" Brialle said sharply. They shot innocent looks their mother's way, then gave their attention back to their grandmother.
"Yes, I remember now," she smiled at them, "They had just pledged their troth to one another. Though Heulwen was new in her feelings for the handsome mortal, she knew that they were strong and right. And so it was that she went to the All Father and told him of her love for the mortal hunter. He arranged to join them together in a special ceremony."
The oldest girl's eyes went wide with awe. "He did? I didn't know he could do that."
"He is the All Father, child. He can do what he pleases." The old woman nodded her head sagely. Then she smiled and pressed on. "Her sisters were pleased with the news. They made haste to see to it that she had a most memorable day. There were new garments to be sewn, food to prepare for the feast and a call to be made to the animals of the forest. Cernunnos wished to make it an event to be remembered by mortals and Gods alike."
~*~*~*~*~
Heulwen stared at herself in the reflecting pond and tried to figure out just when she'd stopped looking so cold and unapproachable. The face she saw was soft with joy and happiness, her eyes shining with something that could only be described as love. Gwenydd had come to help her dress for the ceremony and stood just behind her, waiting for her to say something. The smile her sister wore said everything that she didn't want to hear from any of the others.
One hand lifted to gently touch the tiny flowers that her sister had woven into her hair. Pale pinks and yellows and even virginal white blossoms formed a crown of foliage. Her red locks, usually kept confined to a braid, had been unplaited and combed through until they lay in waves against her shoulders. Even in the dimly lit forest sanctuary she called her own, Heulwen could see how the mass of fiery red shone with love and attention. Her face, usually as pale as the moon, had been given a touch of color. Her lids were painted with a pale shade of silvery green that made her eyes sparkle. Her cheeks held a touch of pink and her lips were berry red.
The gown she wore, a gift from Cernunnos himself, lay as dark as the deepest forest leaves against her skin. It was a shade of green that matched those hidden places in the woods, the material holding the shapes of flowers and leaves. The neckline plunged deep between her breasts, the edges embroidered heavily with golden thread to form more leaves and flowing vines. The skirt of the gown was split down the front to show a center panel of a paler shade of green, like that of the moss that grew on trees and rocks. It, too, was done with the same pattern of leaves and flower that the darker material had. Tiny, delicate gold chains attached to large green gems encircled by gold on the bodice above her breasts. They climbed up over her shoulders to trail down her back until they met with the gown's material again.
Though a pair of stones rested at her shoulders, they were not the only adornment the gown had. A girdle of golden links rested around her waist, an intricately set green gem resting beneath the vee of her bodice. A second set of golden links draped the gown's skirting at mid-thigh. A single chain hung from the center stone and ended at the knee with yet another green gem set in a ring of gold. It was a gown fit for a queen. Or a Goddess of the forest.
"Why do you stare at your reflection so, sister? You have not changed," Gwenydd's voice was soft and filled with amusement. Heulwen stood and turned to consider her. The other woman's domain was the air and, because of this, there was always a sense of lightness to her that didn't truly exist within any of Heulwen's other sisters. She stood regarding Heulwen with pale green eyes that bore an expression of joy. She was happy for her sister.
"This is not me, Gwenydd. This is not the woman I know as myself," Heulwen shook her head. Gwenydd laughed, a tinkling sound that reminded her of chimes striking one another, filled the sanctuary.
"This is the woman you have always been. She has simply been hidden behind a mask." Gwenydd drifted closer, a striking vision in a floating, wispy garment that seemed to be made of clouds. It clung to her body, hiding her curves while still accentuating them. A golden cord had been tied around her waist in order to cinch the gown in. It was a few shades darker than the long tresses that hung in long, spiraling curls around her shoulders. The ends rested somewhere around mid-thigh while shorter strands curled around her face. Small stones that winked in the light were woven into the golden silk of her hair at her crown, milky white moonstones and sapphires that flashed fire. "The love of your mortal has broken through the protective walls you have built around yourself."
"That was not supposed to happen. No mortal was supposed to find their way into my heart. The prophecy-" Heulwen began, only to have her sister interrupt.
"Have you considered that the prophecy did what it was meant to? Perhaps things were always meant to happen this way. Perhaps the prophecy was spoken so that no others could gain your heart before you met this man." Gwenydd's question surprised her and left Heulwen blinking in confusion at her sister. Never had she given consideration to such a thing. Could it possibly be true?
"But then why a prophecy at all? Why not simply say that this was the mortal I was to give my heart to?"
Gwenydd offered her an indulgent smile, then motioned to the path that led through thick tree trunks out into the rest of the Gods' realm. "Your mortal lover awaits, my sister. Do not keep him, or yourself, waiting."
She wanted to do just that. She wanted to stay here in seclusion and pretend that the events of the past few weeks hadn't come to pass. Maybe, if she did so, Celyn would grow weary and seek out someone else. That was what she wanted. Wasn't it?
It felt as if everything had happened so quickly and she hadn't given any of it real thought. She hadn't even really had time to herself since that day they'd joined together in the forest glen. Time spent with him had left her floating on a cloud of joy and happiness. When Celyn had suggested that they bind themselves to one another in the manner of mortals, it had felt right for her to answer him in the affirmative. But now, with the moment so close at hand, she found herself wondering if she was doing the right thing.
Heulwen turned to Gwenydd, intent on convincing her that this was a bad time. That she couldn't do it. Her sister stood behind her, a gentle and knowing smile on her face. She reached out and laid a hand on Heulwen's shoulder. "You love him, do you not?"
"I..." she began, only to pause and consider the question seriously. "Yes. I love him. Gods help me, but I do."
"Do you feel your life would be empty without him?" Heulwen gave that question serious thought, too. Did she fear love and commitment so much that she could push him out of her life? She tried to picture her life without him, tried to imagine what things would be like without Celyn smiling upon her. Without the touch of his hand, so warm and calloused, against her skin. Without his voice whispering in her ear, telling her things he would tell no other. She tried to imagine going back to the life she'd been living before meeting him.
That life was empty and cold. Lonely. Sad. And she didn't want to return to merely existing, hiding in her sanctuary. She couldn't become that creature she had been only a few short weeks ago. Would her life be empty without Celyn in it? Yes. Terribly empty. Heulwen glanced at her sister and opened her mouth to give her answer. But Gwynedd's broad smile told her there was no need. The other woman knew exactly what Heulwen would say. "Celyn is waiting for you, sister. And you are wasting time."
Together, they passed through the narrow corridor of trees. Neither of them spoke as they left Heulwen's sanctuary behind. The trees that lined the path seemed to crowd in close, their leaves and smaller branches brushing against her shoulders and arms as if congratulating her. The music of birdsong followed after them, small sparrows and wrens singing her toward her destiny.
The path between the trees that led to Cernunnos' hall was dappled with bright golden light. Leaves rained down upon head, each tree granting her its blessing. A sense of peace curled around her, held her gently in its embrace. The magic of the realm was bestowing its own blessing on her coming union. The moss and mist had parted like a veil, closing behind her with silent intent. Any who had not made their way into the All Father's hall would find no passage along this path. None would be allowed to disrupt the joyous celebration of the day.
The trees parted to show the broad expanse of grass that lay before them, each blade painted a brilliant green by a loving hand. The same tall trees that reached to the sky and beyond created the walls on either side of the field, their leaves still forming the ceiling. The same older than time oak tree stood silent sentinel in the center of the hall. Today, though, the All Father's throne sat empty and forgotten.
The loud rumble of rushing water drew her gaze to the right of the throne. There she found her sisters waiting on her. Morgan and Fae stood side by side, only the colors of their gowns a sure way to tell them apart. Both had their hair piled in disarray atop their heads, though curling tendrils hung down around their faces and necks. Both wore a gown that had a single shoulder to it, a large, blood red stone resting against the paleness of their flesh. The material clung to their bosoms, the side without a strap dipping low over the curve of one breast. Morgan's gown was rose petal red, while the edges were in a darker shade that matched the stone at her shoulder. Though the same style, Fae's gown was of the darker, bloodier red with the rose petal color edging the entire thing. Both gowns flowed around their bodies, constantly moving though no breeze flowed through the trees.
Beside them stood Rhosyn, clad in a pale gold reminiscent of the wheat that grew in the fields. The bodice rested low, exposing the creamy swell of her breasts to view. The center plunged low so that her cleavage was well displayed. The top of the bodice and sleeves were edged in a deep, earthy brown that accented the slightly golden hue of her skin. The over sleeves had a gathered top and a belled cuff that exposed the darker brown sleeve beneath. A similar gather pulled the gown's skirt up on either side so that her legs were visible. Each one was topped with an amber stone. The gathers left an underskirt of the dark brown plainly visible. Her rich, lustrous hair hung long around her face and shoulders.
On the other side of Rhosyn was Deryn. Heulwen couldn't stop the smile that curved her lips up. Of all her sisters, only Deryn would arrive in some form of armor. Her bodice was of red and black and ended at her waist. Scrolling, decorative armor lay on top of the bodice, crept up to her shoulders where it met with actual plate armor. More plate armor covered her forearms while a collar of gold circled her throat. It was adorned with red and black gems. The skirt that she wore with it rested high on her sides and dipped into a low vee in the front. A delicate gold chain hung over a vee of deep red material and ended with a large red stone. The rest of the skirt's front and the entire back panel were of black. Neither panel met on the sides, leaving the long line of her legs exposed. Her black hair hung long and loose, forming a cloak around her shoulders and back.
The All Father stood to the other side of the twins. He wore golds and greens. A fine linen tunic in gold with green embroidery and green hose with golden thread woven into leaves. His attire and the leaves woven into his hair matched exactly. For the ceremony, he'd donned his crowning antlers. His mouth was turned up in a broad smile, the corners of his eyes crinkled with his smile. But her eyes slid past him the moment she saw Celyn and they stayed there, drinking in his beauty even while Gwynedd helped guide her forward.
He'd been gifted with new garments for the ceremony. A fine linen tunic was stretched across his shoulders and the muscles in his chest. It had been dyed a shade of blue that matched his eyes exactly. Silver thread had been stitched into the tunic to form chains of bows and arrows. The cuffs, the bottom edge and around the neck sported the finely wrought needle work. Black breeches hugged his muscular legs, tucked away into fine leather boots of the softest kid. A matching belt rested about his waist. The gold of his hair looked freshly washed, though there was no neatness to it. There was no hint of gold at his chin, attesting to the fact that he'd scraped the harsh stubble away for their special day.
He was magnificent. And just looking at him pushed aside every lingering fear and doubt she felt. This was right. This was destined. This was exactly what she wanted and needed. He was what she needed.
When she stood beside him, when he held her hands in his and stared down into her face, when Gwynedd stood with her other sisters and they were surrounded by the animals of the forest... That was when Cernunnos began.
The All Father's voice echoed deep within her body, but she didn't really hear anything he was saying. She knew, on some level, that he was speaking the words of the ceremony that would bind them in a way different from the one she'd used to bind them together. It was a ceremony derived from that which the mortals used with one another and it would end when Cernunnos wrapped a ribbon around their hands. But anything he said wasn't important. All she could do was stare into the eyes of her beloved and realize that this was where she belonged, She always had and she always would.
The roar of the waterfall was muted and distant, as if it was far away. It tumbled over a lip of rocks that was hidden by the boughs of the trees to fall a long way into the pool at its base. The water collected in the basin, frothing and bubbling merrily before flowing out into a stream that meandered behind the trees. She and Celyn stood at the edge of the pool, his hands grasping hers lightly while their eyes held. The smile on his face melted her heart, made her realize that she was doing the right thing. That was the look she wanted to see every day for the rest of their lives. This was the man she wished to spend eternity with.
The silky soft feel of the ribbon twining around her hand broke the spell long enough to realize that Cernunnos had finished speaking. He was smiling at them indulgently and the meaning of that final act sank in. Heulwen turned her gaze to the length of green and blue silk twined around their hands. As they were bound by the laws of magic, so too were they bound by the laws of man. Cernunnos laid a hand on her shoulder, then his. "Many happy years to you, children. Blessings will shower down upon you. Now to seal the ceremony. A gift from me to you on this joyous day."
The All Father lifted his hands and made a gesture. A loud cry rang across the hall, drawing everyone's eyes up to the ceiling of leaves. A pair of hawks soared over the distance, winding in and out of each other's flight path in a twisting aerial dance that left Heulwen breathless. She knew they were a mated pair, that they would be ever together until one or the other passed from this world. Cernunnos raised an arm and the hawks lazily drifted down to land on it. Shining gems glinted in their beaks. Palm out, he brought up his free hand and allowed them to drop the items they held into it. After delivering their burdens, the birds took to the air and once more danced with one another as they flew away.
Cernunnos turned to Heulwen and laid a heavy, ornate ring in her hands. It was wrought of the finest gold, shining brightly even though the light was dim and dark with the canopy of leaves over their heads. A single gem of brightest green was set in the center, the precise color of her eyes. Runes and animal figures had been worked into the gold on either side of the stone. She knew that the images represented her. Into Celyn's hand, the All Father laid a delicately formed necklace of silver. The arms gave the appearance of scrolling ivy vines that wrapped around her throat while a gem as blue as his eyes rested in the center of a silver nest. "Exchange your gifts, children. Heulwen shall wear Celyn's claim upon her, just as he will wear her claim upon him." He tugged the ribbon from their hand to allow them to do as he'd said.
She allowed Celyn to work the necklace into place around her throat. The metal was cool at first, but warmed so quickly that she knew it had been touched by the All Father's magic. When the stone was nestled in the center of her throat, he stepped away from her and held out his hand for the ring. It slid onto his finger easily and fit him perfectly. Cernunnos smiled at them. "Now seal this ceremony with a kiss, children, and let the feasting begin."
Again, Celyn's gaze met and held hers. And again, everything else faded away. They stood at the edge of the pool, blind to those gathered around them. Celyn took hold of her hands and held them in his, his thumbs rubbing softly across the tops of her hands. Sunlight broke through the leaves and poured down upon them, bathing them in a golden halo. The light caught and sparked off the stone in his ring, shone upon his hair. That golden light pressed her forward until she was caught up in his embrace. When his mouth took hers, her heart stilled in her chest.
The feasting went on for some time without them.
~*~
The forest bowed to her every wish. Trees moved aside for her as she raced through the woods in pursuit of an elusive buck. Only a few feet to her right, she knew he matched her steps. Since sharing her power with him, Celyn had gained her ability to move noiselessly through the forest. He'd had his own natural ability before, but her magic had sharpened the ability even further. She knew that if she veered off to the left, he would follow her without having to be told. It was as if they shared the same thoughts.
The sound of a twig snapping was loud in the silence and, together, she and Celyn turned to their right and threw themselves forward. The thrill of the chase was on. She swore she could feel his long, hand made bow in her hands, even though she carried her own weapon and her own arrows. The fingers on her left hand caressed the bowed wood softly, the fingers on her right keeping the bottom edge of the arrow snugged tightly against the bow string.
She could feel the buck leaping over fallen trees, running through the forest. Fear pounded in its blood as it kept an ear out for the predators following on its tail. It was trying desperately to get away, racing headlong toward a clearing in the center of the forest. Moments later, she sensed that Celyn had broken off his pursuit of the deer and had veered to the right even further.
His feet were swift and light as he raced for the other side of the clearing. This had happened more than once with them. Every other time they engaged in a hunt, they anticipated each other's thoughts and needs. She would keep up the chase and drive the animal straight at him.
Time held as she flew through the forest. She could feel the deer ahead of her, the distance between it and herself slowly growing shorter. It was getting tired, growing weary with fear and panic. Heulwen drove the beast forward, pushed it into the clearing where she knew he would be waiting.
She broke from the trees only a few heartbeats after the buck. It leapt across the clearing, its long and graceful legs carrying it away from her quickly. She stopped and raised her bow, sighting down the shaft of the arrow at the animal. A silent count of three sounded in her head, then she let the arrow fly. It arced across the distance and hit with a meaty thud, embedding itself in the buck's long neck. At the same moment, a second arrow slammed into the beast's neck from the other side. The animal didn't have a chance to scream in pain. It simply lost its footing and tumbled down into the long grass.
By the time she and Celyn stood over it, every last bit of life had drained from the buck. Celyn smiled at her as he reached up to wipe the sweat from his brow. "Well done, my lady wife. You are almost as good with the bow as I am."
"And you, my lord husband, are full of yourself."
His answering bark of laughter echoed around the clearing.
~*~
There was concern on his face as he came through the door of their stone and thatch cottage. Heulwen offered him a tired smile as she sat in the chair he'd made for her, a thin blanket laid over her lap. Without a word, he dropped to his knees before her chair and rested his hands on her knees. "You look ill. Have you taken cold? Does some ague plague you? Should I bring up the fire to warm you?"
"It is nothing so dire as all that, my beloved," she sighed, then offered him a soft smile.
"But I heard you asked the village healer to visit. Why would you need a healer?" The question was asked with all honesty and sincerity. Heulwen couldn't help but smile at that. She loved him, but there were times when he had all the intelligence of the All Father's antlers.
"I asked the healer to visit because I have been feeling worn down of late. Tired and..." she trailed off, unsure exactly what it was she'd been feeling. It was all new to her. "I haven't been feeling myself, beloved. So I asked the healer to visit and examine me."
"And what did she find?" He sounded so earnest. Obviously he hadn't figured it out yet.
"The healer found that I am with child."
Heulwen fell silent and let what she'd said sink in. Celyn stared at her for a very long time, as if his brain wasn't quite computing everything. Finally, after the silence stretched and became awkward, his face brightened and a huge grin spread across his lips. "I'm going to be a father?"
"That's what the healer said, Celyn. We've created a life. You'll be a father and I'll be a mother."
"Praise the Gods!" he nearly shouted, then scooped her up out of her seat so that he could crush her to him. Heulwen wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held tight as he whirled her around the room. "A child! We're going to have a child!"
"Celyn, please..." she begged, then shut her eyes. "Put me down. All of this spinning is making me dizzy. I have no desire to embarrass myself by getting sick on you."
He stopped immediately, letting her slide down until her feet touched the ground. He loosened his hold on her but didn't let her go. She kept her arms around him, a sense of joy and pleasure rushing through her at the feel of his hard body pressed to her soft one. She tipped her head back so she could stare up at him. "This news pleases you?"
"This news pleases me and more, my lady wife. You please me. I cannot believe my good fortune," he replied. The concern was long gone from his face. Now it was filled with joyous disbelief. And tenderness softened his eyes. He brought his lips down to lay a kiss on hers. "I'm going to start building a cradle for the babe immediately. And you'll have to learn to stitch so that you can make the child clothing."
She glared at him for that.
His response was a smirk that she knew meant trouble for her. "I'm going to love watching you grow fat with our child."
She glared daggers at him for that.
~*~
She slowly lowered herself into a chair near the fire. She couldn’t remember in all her life being quite so tired, though she imagined it was to be expected, given her condition. She smiled softly into the flames, her hands absently rubbing the swell of her belly. Gods knew she’d never expected to find herself in her current position, but the happiness she’d found here could not be denied. The happiness she'd found with Celyn could not be denied. Cernunnos had been right. There was much joy to be found in life.
The door to the small house opened and closed quietly as the man she loved entered the cottage. “And how is my family this evening?” He smiled at her as he dropped to his knees before her, resting his hands gently on her swollen belly.
Heulwen smiled back, resting her hands on his. “Tired.” She sighed and flinched as the baby gave an enthusiastic kick. “Ooh, and restless apparently.”
Celyn’s smile grew a little wider and he pressed a kiss just above her belly button. “Eager to join us, little one?” He chuckled lightly as the baby kicked in response. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Heulwen let out a sigh. “Any day now, I would imagine.” It felt as if it had been a lifetime ago that she'd found out that she would bear him a child. Now she couldn't wait for it to all be over. No one had ever told her that growing a life was so hard and trying. Not that she wasn't happy to be giving birth to his child. Far from it. She just hadn't realized that it involved so much.
“It’s hard to believe…” Celyn stared up at her for a moment. “I had never thought to have this in my life. I was to protect and care for the people here, but to have a family—” He shook his head and sighed. “It didn’t seem fair to ask someone to live in the shadow of my dedication to you.”
Heulwen smiled and rested her palm against his cheek. “I’m sure fighting wyvern wouldn’t have helped, either.” Had it not been for that thrice damned beast, none of this would have happened. And her life would have been terribly empty.
He rose up; keeping one hand on the spot the baby seemed most intent on kicking and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Thank you for this.”
“I should be thanking you.” She kissed him back. “I thought… I was content as I was. I thought that I was safe, hiding away from the beauty of the world as I was.” Her fingers threaded through his hair. “You’ve shown me so much. You’ve made me happier than I thought I could be. You've given me a real life. And a purpose.” She smiled softly and kissed him again. A moment later, she flinched and groaned, her hands instinctively going to her belly.
A short, sharp pain rippled across her abdomen before shifting to pull tight across her back. The midwife had mentioned the pains to her, but the woman's words hadn't been able to touch the true depth of the pain she was presently feeling.
“Heulwen?” Celyn touched her cheek, bringing her eyes to his. “My love?”
“I think….” She took a deep breath. “I think it’s time.”
She expected him to panic. He didn't. Instead, he helped her to her feet and walked her the short distance to their large bed. Once there, he helped her from the gown she was wearing, leaving her wearing little more than a chemise that was old and well worn. When he had her relaxing upon the down stuffed mattress, he hurried to the door to send someone after the midwife. When that task was done, Celyn returned to her side and sat with her, holding her hand through the worst of the pains.
The local midwife was brought and though the woman was skilled and comforting, Heulwen struggled. Should she feel so helpless in something she was so active in? The pains left her gasping for breath and weak. And it seemed as if it was taking an eternity for their child to leave her. Having never actually thought she’d come to that point in life, she’d never paid much attention to such things. It wasn't fair that she should have to fight her way through this battle without someone who understood her better than she did sitting at her side. She had just shut her eyes, leaning back into Celyn’s arms—he had refused to leave her side—when she wished silently for some kind of comfort from the Gods. She whispered a name and a plea softly, begging that she should have help for this momentous and difficult task. Only a handful of minutes passed before someone knocked on the door.
Celyn was reluctant to leave her side, but he moved to answer the summons. Heulwen clung to his arm, unwilling to let him go. He was her anchor through the pain and, despite her being a full Goddess, she was afraid. The midwife sighed and stood with a wave, then passed through the open doorway into the main room of the cottage. Several moments later, they heard the door close and a new face entered the room. “Where is Ula?”
“The woman needed her rest. You’ve kept her busy.” The new woman smiled at Heulwen. “Can you never simply do things the easy way?”
“Wait, who are you?” Celyn glanced between his wife and this new comer.
Heulwen smiled and patted his arm. “It’s alright.” She let out a small, slightly pained laugh. “She’s my sister. You might recall you met her at our binding ceremony.”
Celyn’s eyes grew wide as the implication in Heulwen’s words sank in. Then a blush stole into his cheeks. Rhosyn let go a resounding laugh. "I'm afraid, sister dear, that your beloved huntsman only had eyes for you that day. As it should be." Then she paused and smiled softly. “No one but me will help bring my dear sister’s first child into this world.” She glanced at Heulwen. “I had no intention of letting you do this on your own.”
“It certainly took you long enough to get here.” Before Rhosyn could respond, Heulwen cried out, gripping Celyn’s arm.
Without missing a beat, her sister began issuing orders to Celyn, telling him what supplies she would need. While he was rushing about, finding everything that Rhosyn had requested, she took the opportunity to examine Heulwen carefully. “It appears as if I got here just in time.”
Heulwen questioned just how ‘just in time’ Rhosyn had been over the next few hours. The pains came and went, leaving her covered in sweat and more tired than she'd ever been. With each one, Rhosyn instructed her on how she should breathe and ride through the pain instead of allowing it to ride her. She battled through her exhaustion, through the pain at the coaching and insistence of her sister. Finally she was told to push with all her might. She did, feet pressed into the mattress while Rhosyn sat between her spread legs and helped bring her child into the world. Then it was done and she lay limp in her love’s arms, her battle won. The first cry of her child was the only thing on earth that could have held her eyes open.
Rhosyn smiled and crossed the room with a bundle in her arms. She handed the babe to Heulwen and her smile widened. “You’re son, dear sister. You have a son.”
Heulwen held the tiny boy as if he’d vanish if she held him too tightly. A noise somewhere between a laugh and a sob cut through the room. She never thought she'd ever see this moment in her life. Celyn sat beside her, staring at them both, face filled with pride. He reached out one large hand to touch the tiny fingers on the child's right hand. She pressed a gentle kiss to her son’s forehead and whispered softly to him. “Welcome to the world, Talfryn.”
~*~
She felt them coming long before she heard them. Eight summers had passed since the birth of their first child and Talfryn had grown into a miniature version of Celyn. It was Celyn's eyes that looked out of Talfryn's face. It was Celyn's hair that topped the boy's head. Everything his father did, the boy had to do as well. And today had been the lad's very first hunt. Heulwen had been equal parts proud that her son would bring down a goodly sized buck just like his father, because that was how the Goddess of the Hunt in her thought, and afraid that some harm would befall him, because that was what the mother in her worried over.
She could still recall the first time Celyn had put a bow and arrow into the boy's hands. He'd barely been old enough to do his chores about the cottage, but her mortal lover had been determined to instruct his son in the proper use of the bow and arrows. The boy's first attempts had been clumsy, but his father had kept encouraging him until the little boy had been capable of landing the arrow through a mark several feet away. Celyn had beamed with pride the day Talfryn had hit the mark the first time. And she'd seen just how much like his father the boy truly was.
Excited chatter floated through the opened door, Talfryn's high pitched voice going on and on about the deer he'd brought down. There was an occasional reply in a deeper register that she knew belonged to Celyn. Rising from her chair, she made her way slowly to the door. The rest of their clan fell into step behind her.
The sun was still high in the sky, prompting her to raise a hand to shield her eyes. The other hand rubbed at her belly and felt the life growing within. The babe wasn't due to arrive for some months, but she'd learned with the previous four that things didn't always go according to plan. She was constantly on alert for anything that might indicate the babe would come early. This day, though, there was nothing to suggest she should worry. Instead, she simply rubbed at her belly because she'd learned that such actions soothed the babe and kept it from rolling about her insides until she felt queasy and ill.
Celyn walked with slow, sure steps beside his first born. A buck with a large rack of antlers was thrown casually over his shoulders, as if this was something he did every day. She knew better. She'd seen him rubbing at stiff muscles and joints when he thought she was not looking. She hadn't realized, when she'd bound herself to him, what watching him grow older would mean to her. At first, she'd seen nothing to suggest he was feeling his age. But then she'd noted that he moved slower, that he ached in places that had never ached before. She'd seen noticed a few more lines around his eyes and mouth. And some of the golden hairs upon his head had gone silver.
She hated that he was growing older right before her eyes.
"Mummy!" Damhnait's hand tugged at her skirts forcefully. The girl had seen six winters and was more likely to spend time doing the same things as her father than playing with the other girls of the village. Heulwen gave her attention to her only girl child. Like her first born, the child wore her father's looks, right down to the hair that crowned her head. The only difference was that Damhnait's eyes were the same brilliant green as her mother's. "When will it be my turn to go hunting with Papa?"
"When you can best me with a bow, my sweet!" Celyn told her, his big hands reaching out to scoop her up into his arms. She giggled and laughed as he spun her in a circle. Then he lowered her until he could hug her against his chest. She squealed with laughter as he dropped kisses on her forehead and cheeks.
"But when will that be, Papa? You won't teach me to use the bow." The girl pouted at him prettily.
"Perhaps I shall have to teach you to use the bow, my girl," Heulwen told them both. Celyn lifted a brow at her words.
"And you think you're capable of such a feat in your current state?"
"I can do anything you can do, my love. Only I do it better."
"Perhaps you should prove this to me," he replied, then lowered Damhnait to the ground. Before she could agree to take him up on his challenge, the two younger boys launched themselves at their father's legs. He knelt down and hugged them close, listening to the two of them trying to out talk one another. Celyn nodded and made the appropriate noises where it was required, allowing the two boys to prattle on until their attention was caught by their older brother's prize. The older of the two had seen four summers while the younger had seen three winters. Both boys looked up to their older brother. Because of this, they abandoned their father in order to see what Talfryn had brought home with him. Damhnait was only a few paces behind them.
No longer crowded by the smaller, more boisterous members of their family, Celyn closed the distance between himself and Heulwen, tugging her into his arms so that he could hug and kiss her. He did it every time he returned from a hunt or even just the village. She wrapped herself around him, her hands taking note of the soft places that had started showing up on his body. They weren't large ones, but they suggested that he was no longer the man he'd been in his youth. She pushed that thought aside and lost herself in the touch of his hands and the feel of his lips pressed against hers.
He broke away only when they were in need of breath. Heulwen made a soft noise when the babe within kicked heartily in the hopes that Celyn would grant it a few moments of his time. As if there was ever any doubt of that. He dropped to his knees before her and pressed the side of his face against Heulwen's swollen belly. His hands framed the swell, fanned out on either side of it. "And how is my wee one this day? Anxious to meet your family?"
He'd spoken to every child this way. And every one had responded in the same manner. The babe kicked her with strength, bringing another one of those noises from her throat. "Join us when you're ready, sweetling. We only ask that you arrive healthy." He rose to his feet, one of his hands gliding around so that it could press against the front of her belly, and stared down at her. "There is nothing more I want than a healthy babe and a healthy wife."
Heulwen smiled at him, then offered him her lips. His kiss was sweet and heated. As always, it reminded her of the very first time he'd kissed her.
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(no subject)
Date: 2010-11-16 04:43 am (UTC)Great work and I'm looking forward to the next chapter.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-11-16 04:57 am (UTC)and i'm glad you enjoyed it.