The Hatchling—1999
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XXXV—The Surprise Guest
The sun shone brightly on Beltane morning. There was not much time left for quiet reflection. Arnica and Holly were walking in to Merrydale. Gino, the youngest of the coven, was with them, skipping and dancing along, filled with the exuberance only a teen could have on such a Beltane morning. Dark Star was wearing the most beautiful garlands of spring flowers. Holly and Gino had braided bells into the hatchling's silver-blue mane and tail, and with each graceful step of her small hooves, Dark Star carried the music of the devas with her. Her horn was sure to remain invisible. Arnica had altered the herbal formula which he rubbed upon her horn so she appeared no more than the most wonderful, small pony which was the most curious pet. A small cart wheeled behind the hatchling in which were the ritual tools Arnica would need for the Handfasting, their ritual robes, and a brightly colored parcel which carried their gifts for the couple's public ceremony. As its wheels turned Arnica reflected upon the turnings of the wheel since the hatchling had come into their lives.
Life at their cabin had changed little, although their coven had felt the wheel's turn. Pearl's partner, Phoenix, had passed over just two and a half years ago but Pearl had created a new life and was doing wonderfully. Four years ago at Beltane Amethyst and Crystal were still with them but they moved to Cloverville a year ago and already were so busy with their new lives that they rarely had time to stay in touch. Together they were the Three of Swords, Arnica reflected. And into their coven had come Gino, and Iris and Dolly. And with the new Trillium School, their lives were changing.
Although it was still out of sight, Arnica could sense that Merrydale was bursting with Beltane magick. Earthkin families felt the rising energies of spring within their homes. Not only was Trillium School becoming more functional every week, but Iris and Deodar were the talk of the entire region. Today Trillium School would be filled with guests as Merrydale's postmarm and Deodar Dolorum were joined in Handfasting. In truth, not everyone was as happy as the Earthkin. Although the anti-Earthkin had quieted down since the death of Bishop Miter, there were still some individuals who bore a strong resentment over Dolorum's resignation. Miter who worked with the right wing Users faction of the Politicos party died unexpectedly last winter just after he had ranted that his "god will punish evil." The controversy over this and over Dolorum's earlier resignation from the Church of the Martyr in protest last autumn were now quieted. For most people, including the Kristos, a marriage (even an Earthkin rite) was a sacred event and Merrydale was bursting with smiling faces and the bloom of flowers everywhere.
The binding of Iris and Dolly's wrists had been done with a more private Handfasting last evening at the coven's May Eve observance. After Pearl drew down the Goddess and Arnica brought forth the Poetryman, Holly opened the portal. Dark Star guided the newly blessed couple down the path toward the stone Circle, the very site where her egg had appeared four years ago this past Candlemas. Candles placed in glass jars safely lined the path and created the most magickal of sights. Iris and Deodar walked together, their robes the color of the blossoms of Beltane, soft pinks like the apple blossom, pale creams like the cherry. Patterns and designs of flowers and of sigils were embroidered in the colors of the first rhododendrons and azaleas. Dolly and Iris looked radiant and their love and desire for each other heightened the glow of their auras. Earlier they had followed Arnica around the quarters, to Gino in the East (so proud that he now had an 'adult' role in the coven. Lotus greeted them in the South where he held one of his prized staffs, beautifully carved. Tomorrow they would be surprised at their public Handfasting when it became a gift! Holly invoked the element of water in the West and Flying Raven, discovering how pleased she was to be back in Merrydale, held her station in the North. Jewel sat just outside the Circle where she played a small harp, one of her new interests how that Dagon was old enough that she had some time for herself.
The coven waited in the Circle as the strains of music from Jewel's harp danced through the dusky light like delicate flying creatures. Suddenly the sound of hundreds and hundreds of tiny bells began ringing out from the woods. Dark Star came trotting back toward the Circle, blushing as much as any human! The hatchling had gotten the Faerie and Devas, her Otherworld friends, to ring small bells at the moment of the consummation.
But it was a Mystery. As far as anyone knew, Iris and Deodar had not noticed Dark Star's effort nor taken the music as anything other than the ecstatic crest of their passion. No one ever told them and Dark Star's 'gift' to Iris and Deodar would not manifest until Candlemas!
Trillium School looked little like a school. The townspeople of Merrydale had placed streamers and bouquets of flowers at the doors and windows. The gardens in front had been beautifully planted. Shadow Tail, staying temporarily with Arnica and Holly, had taken a position working at the school with Gino's father, Carlos. The men quickly determined that the grounds were best left to Shadow, who was studying herbal magick from Arnica.
Iris was in her bedroom dressing for her Handfasting. Pearl was fastening the silver clasps of the hand beaded wedding gown which her grandmother, Lady Ellhorn, had worn just 75 years ago. One of the last garments made by the last of the Elvenkin Priestesses to emigrate from the Otherlands, it radiated with its own energy. Iris looked so beautiful. Today there would be no postal service in Merrydale. The mayor had declared a town holiday in honor of the village postmarm's Handfasting. Just a few rooms away was the attached office. Iris and Dolly would be living in her house.
Deodar Dolorum was dressing in a handsome robe. He was in 'his' home which he had inherited when his mother, Mildora, had passed away. The former Kristos clergyman was moved to his soul upon feeling such fulfillment and joy. All that he had sought through mainstream religion was being fulfilled through the Earthkin. Dolly was the new school's principal, he had been joined with the most wonderful woman he'd met last night in vows taken before the coven, and now the community of Merrydale was gathering to celebrate his marriage and the new school. Never had he felt such love from so many people. He looked around his mother's house. Dolly had never quite felt it was his and was more comfortable in Iris' home where he'd officially be living starting this very afternoon!
Deodar and Iris knelt before the altar in the school's courtyard. There were people sitting in the classrooms looking through the open windows! It seemed as if all of Merrydale was here. Marking the separation between the sacred circle and the space for guests were a multitude of flower petals. Dagon, just four years old, had scattered them as Arnica scribed the Circle. Jewel and Lotus' little boy carried a basket Amber brought as a wedding gift. Woven by her sisters of the Loon Tribe, it had husks from maize to bring the couple fertility in their Union. Bleeding hearts, primrose petals, violets, some roses (from the greenhouse) and tulips (from the higher elevations) created a wonderful medley of Beltane color.
Arnica stood behind Iris and Deodar, looking handsome with his greying beard and best Wiccan robe. Holly stood over by the fountain, his arm around Dark Star. Dark Star was to come in at just the right moment carrying the ring. Holly had been very honored to 'give Iris away,' which (or course) led him to making all manner of jokes. When Holly asked Iris about her father, she reacted strangely. A quick cloud passed over her shading her smile. Iris looked a bit sad and said she didn't know where he was but that it was o.k…and quickly changed the subject.
Arnica looked about. He stood a bit taller and waited until the small crowd grew very quiet. He gathered their energy and brought it as the bud of a flower, planted between Iris and Deodar, and then he began reading the Charge of the Beloved from the Handfasting Ritual:
"Beloved, I seek to know of you and ask of the Gods and Goddesses that I be given the wisdom to see you as you are and to love you as a Mystery.
"I will take joy in you, I delight in the taste of you. You are to me the whispering of the tides, the seduction of Summer's heat.
"You are my friend, my Lover. Grow old and wise with me and I'll the same with you: A life before us of rainbows and sunsets and a willingness to share those things of sadness.
"I love you. I adore you."
Gazing into each other's eyes and hearing the words from each other's souls, Iris and Deodar were momentarily lost in their love. Many of the guests, including the men, quickly wiped away a tear. Arnica paused, waiting for everyone's attention, then nodded in the direction of Dark Star so she could bring in the ring.
Dark Star didn't move but remained next to Holly. What could she be doing? Arnica maintained his composure and then, over by the passage to the street, a small commotion began. Why, here came Andrius holding a small, silver basket with the two ring boxes. Both unicorns looked as pleased as they could be. What a trick they had played on their human friends. And Andrius' horn was quite visible. Voices were buzzing. Just last Candlemas some thought they saw a horn on Dark Star's head.
As he strode past the first rows of guests, Andrius paused and looked over at a stranger. A dark man, sitting quietly and not really part of the celebration, Arnica noted the object of Andrius' distraction. Who is the man in the corner? Then, to keep the Handfasting moving, Andrius came in with the rings and the Handfasting vows were exchanged. Andrius stood there, definitely looking more 'unicorn' than the public 'horse' image. He was pleased. His daughter, Dark Star, had made secret arrangements so that the 'something blue' would be quite a surprise for everyone. Then, the Handfasting done and kisses exchanged, the courtyard bubbled over with the ringing of bells. Some said they could hear them ringing far beyond Merrydale's boundaries!
The guests piled into the school's new cafeteria where Gino's mother, Rosetta, had prepared the feast. This was the school's first major test of its kitchen. Rosetta and the volunteer mothers did well. As people congratulated Iris and Deodar, Arnica and Holly looked for a quiet table, more than ready to rest their feet. As they sat down their plates of cake they looked out the window. Andrius and Dark Star were trotting back to the cabin but there was that man, walking down the street. "Who could he be?" they both wondered in unison.
XXXVI—That Dark Stranger
Life in a small town among the forests of Merrywood was usually quiet. The scandal surrounding the mysterious death of Kalven, a friend of Carlos, in Mill City a year ago Candlemas culminated in Bishop Miter's untimely death shortly before last Yule. The political environment had calmed. Over the past four years there had been enough excitement to last a lifetime for the local folk of Merrydale. The threat to their beloved forest when the Bishop tried to influence Parliament to allow commercial interests to clear the trees was the first in this chain of events.
Walking about with an eye to the sky, the weather was the major concern of the folk. La Niņa continued the unpredictable cycles of spring like some mischievous weather deity, following unseasonable, cold deluges by bursts of Lammas heat, quickly drying the fields. Fortunately, the primary topic of conversation was of good news. People were still talking about the joyous Handfasting just last Beltane. Such an intricate tale. Iris had been the local postmarm for many years. She was loved but also respected, the first to take a public stance and organize a march to save Fern Holly just three years ago. Her love of the wilds created the impression that she was active in the Renaissance Tribes, but her popularity kept her from the subtle political pressure by the extreme factions within the Kristos.
Iris had looked so beautiful. Her long braid plaited about her head, a halo of flowers which were tucked throughout it. The gossips of Merrydale had never thought she'd marry, much less to Deodar, who arrived in Merrydale five or six years ago as minister of the Church of the Martyr. Standing up to Bishop Miter, Pastor Dolorum resigned his ministry. Unknown to the locals he had become involved in the coven. They sometimes called themselves 'Friends of Dark Star.' Deodar was now the principal of the new Trillium School, the pride of Merrydale for it was a quality school and the first Earthkin school chartered in the District. Secretly the older gossips wondered how long it would take before Iris was pregnant. "You know what they say about those Earthkin men," voices whispered as the threads were pulled taut in their needlework. "And who is that dark stranger Nettie saw walking with that science teacher from the new school? You know, that woman who just moved here from…where is it?…the Mothervalley?"
Holly and Dark Star were playing around the garden Circle. Dark Star was carrying a basket, the handle gently held in her teeth. It was filled with multi-colored bells, each attached to a long ribbon. Holly was opening and closing a tall, lightweight ladder. It was the hatchling's duty to hold the basket so Holly could select a bell to tie to a branch of the tree. Dark Star loved to tease him. You could tell she had Andrius' blood in her! She'd be really good for a few bells as Holly repositioned the ladder for each and then she'd play.
Just as Holly would reach for a bell, Dark Star would move the basket just out of his reach. The sound of a unicorn giggling is amazing. She'd neigh with her teeth holding the woven basket handle, the sound making Holly laugh as well. He'd hold tight to the ladder so his laughter would not cause him to tumble. Holly tried to act stern but Dark Star knew better. One time as he was climbing up toward the large hawthorne, she actually nipped him in the back pocket. Quick as a finch, Holly jumped down and the chase started. Dark Star's lead would gain because she could jump over the borage bed but on the grass Holly would catch up because she couldn't run fast without spilling the bells from the basket.
Arnica was doing his 'garden inventory.' With the weather so erratic, he wanted to feel secure that the harvest would be adequate for this year's tithing. With a loss of fifty students to the new Earthkin school, the Merrydale School District would be increasing their taxes to cover a loss in government allocations and the need to rearrange some of their classes. Arnica had been encouraging all of the Earthkin to accept the District's needs without creating friction. It was important that Trillium School foster only the best of energy.
"The raspberries are terrific this year and the grapes are outstanding. As usual we have so much comfrey that we'll offer a couple dozen bushels free to the local goat farmers. I'm not sure if we can take up any Solomon's seal root or mandrake this year but we have enough goldenseal that, with the current market, we'll not only easily pay the tithing but will also be putting a good sum into our savings."
But Holly was off chasing Dark Star again. Unicorn and man romped along the paths until both tumbled into a heap upon the grass up near the cabin. Arnica was still counting out loud and making notes as Holly and Dark Star worked to slow their breathing and cool down.
"Did you know that Flying Raven has gone out twice with that dark stranger?"
Suddenly Holly sat upright. Arnica's running inventory of the gardens was like the chirping of the bids. Holly heard his partner's voice, but wasn't really listening. This, however, came through with startling clarity.
Flying Raven was in her new science classroom. Hoping to be making progress on her lesson plans for the coming school year, she found herself gazing through the window at the school's courtyard. The fountain was on and the splash of the water played music in her mind. But it wasn't the melodies of her ritual songs she heard. Little ditties spun through her mind like a small swarm of bothersome gnats. 'Ollis,' she muttered to herself, 'why did you have to go and tell me your secret?'
Her children grown and on their own, Flying Raven had thought herself too mature to become caught up in romance. The dark stranger who appeared at Iris' and Deodar's Handfasting was, in his own way, quite attractive. Certainly he was mysterious and Flying Raven knew that the talk of the town was that she and the man had been seen together. They'd had dinner and gone for a couple of evening walks. She was flattered that the man sought her attention, that any man found a woman in her upper forties to be a desirable companion.
Last night he asked her if he might confide in her. Now she knew his secret and didn't know quite what to do. Logically the science teacher could understand why Ollis carried this knowledge as a personal burden but why had it become hers? 'Ah, Goddess, I don't understand.' The problems wasn't in the secret itself but in her having promised to say absolutely nothing to anyone. Ollis had caught her off guard. Flying Raven had not imagined that his secret had anything to do with any of her friends. Tomorrow was the Midsummer's Eve ritual. How could she go into the circle with her friends? How could she express Perfect Love and Perfect Trust without being open about what she knew? If she absented herself from the coven's sabbat questions would be raised and she couldn't answer them.
For a blessed few moments Flying Raven's mind merged with the sound of the undines playing in the fountain and she was given relief. If only she could find a solution to her dilemma in the water's music.
"How many Midsummer Eves have you celebrated here?" Gino, the youngest of the coven at 14 had begun developing a curiosity about the history of their Circles. Arnica was not certain why, but it seemed to arise just after the incident at the old school last Autumn when Merrydale School District began requiring an oath of allegiance to the Kristos god. Gino's mother allowed the lad to be home-schooled, all of which led to the opening of Trillium School. Watching the course of local history change before his eyes had brought maturity to the freckled youth. Gino was brushing Dark Star's coat. Dark Star loved Midsummer's Eve. Having been conceived in the astral, Dark Star had a strong affinity with the world of the faerie.
"Oh, Gino, it's been since long before you were born." Arnica, sitting on the grass near the greenhouse reading through the ritual script for last minute changes, was stalling. He really couldn't remember. He looked toward Holly.
"Well, do you mean those before the coven began? Or just those we've formally worked together. Our coven was nineteen years old last Hallows. I just came across an entry in an old diary at the last New Moon." Holly was filling a large basket with little sweet breads, two large jars of home made grape juice and unbreakable mugs. Holly loved preparing the ritual feasts.
"Can we come in?" Iris' voice called from the other side of the gate.
Knowing the answer was yes, Deodar opened the gate for his new bride. Despite the newness of their relationship, Iris and Deodar worked so well together they seemed to have been a couple for a good many years. Deodar's dark hair was growing longer and had just gotten to the length so as to be pulled back. "Guess who was coming down the lane behind us," he said, and in came Pearl.
"Dear Lady!" Holly jumped up to give Pearl a welcoming hug.
"Pearl," Arnica called from where he sat near the greenhouse, "do you remember our first Midsummer here?"
"You know, dear one, I was just thinking about that the other afternoon," she answered. "I was sitting on my porch watching the bees among the roses and thinking about Phoenix. I miss him so and yet my new life is so busy! I was reflecting upon my old life when I spent most of my time sewing. In my 'new' life there is so much to prepare for my art and music classes. And I've had good practice home schooling my favorite pupil." Pearl's kindly eyes looked toward Gino who blushed right through his freckles.
"Is Flying Raven here yet?" Iris asked. "Something's up. She came in to post some letters yesterday but seemed anxious to leave. I had asked her to stay for tea. I was due to close for my morning break in but a few minutes."
"I heard that she's been…" Pearl was about to mention the Merrydale gossip about Flying Raven and the dark stranger but hellos from the gate distracted them.
"It's Jewel and Lotus. Dark Star, here comes Dagon!" As Arnica walked quickly to greet his friends, he remembered how, three years ago, Dark Star and Dagon, then only a year old, had slipped through the portal into the Realm of the Faerie. Jewel was emotionally devastated but had since come to realize what an honor it had been for her little son.
Lotus set his beautifully carved staff against the fence (he was now a master carver) and lifted Dagon up so the child could sit upon Dark Star's back. The hatchling and Dagon had a special relationship, having shared an adventure which remained, to this day, a great secret between them.
"Is everybody here?" asked Jewel, her russet-colored hair braided with beads which matched her ritual robes. "Are we late?"
Arnica gave Jewel her welcoming hug. "We're ready to begin the procession down the path to the woods. It's only a matter of a few minutes before the sun's rays shift into twilight."
Holly cheered, "We're off to give thanks to the devas for blessing our gardens."
Dark Star shook her head gently, ringing the three sweet-sounding bells attached to her young unicorn horn.
Iris adjusted her ritual necklace and, as she and Deodar began walking with the others, leaned toward her new husband and quietly whispered, "Where is Flying Raven?"
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