The Hatchling—2000
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XLVII—Spirits From the Past
The people of Merrydale were not really comfortable talking about it and yet an undercurrent of rumor and speculation had permeated local life. No one was certain just when anyone first noticed and no one was even sure what it was that had been noticed.
Arnica first learned about it when Iris called him. Although he was always warmed by his coven sister's voice, her news was disquieting. Iris was calling from the postal shop, talking quietly, not wanting to be overheard. She wanted to know whether Arnica might know anything as she had begun to notice the townspeople of Merrydale whispering and acting oddly as if they didn't want anyone to see them.
This morning Maude Graves had asked Iris directly if she knew anything about the ghosts. Iris didn't visibly react. "But inside I was shouting 'ghosts? what ghosts?'" Iris laughed quietly.
"The ghosts?" Arnica was incredulous. Surely Hallows was nearly upon them but he'd never heard any talk of ghosts in Merrydale or even within the district!
"Yes," Iris continued louder, now alone in the postal shop. "Apparently over a dozen people have heard things or seen things. People are quite certain there are some ghosts around Merrydale and they don't know what to do. They're becoming afraid and that's not good."
Arnica was troubled, believing there must be an explanation behind all of this. He knew well that Merrywood was filled with countless nature spirits. But ghosts?
More information arrived a few days later when Merrydale's police officer came to the cottage. Constable Trouver wanted to talk to Arnica. Holly was at the school and, frankly, Arnica wished he was there as well. Holly would have enjoyed this discussion.
Dark Star had quickly trotted out toward the stone circle. Trouver had seen her in Merrydale only when she was wearing the magickal ointment which kept her horn invisible. The hatchling thought she'd go play in the woods. Dancing with the dryads seemed much more fun than pretending to be a pony for a Merrydale official!
"Now look here, Arnica,"…said Andy Trouver, "I know you're well versed in Earthkin lore. My mother has come to you for herbal information and you helped my Aunt Tibby put her husband's soul to rest when he was unable to let go." Trouver was clearly uncomfortable. His rounded face blushed. He preferred to deal with straight forward difficulties such as the spray-painted vandalism at Trillium School last January.
Arnica sat the man down and, over steaming mugs of fresh herbal tea, they pooled their information. The autumn haze burned off as the sun warmed the gardens. A light steam rose from the potting shed roof as the early sun melted the frost. Hallows Eve was but a few nights away!
As an hour passed their conversation meandered through an array of Merrydale topics from the new school to the widow Morgan's desire to have a stop sign in front of her house to slow traffic. But when they shook hands near the greenhouse, little more was known about the ghosts other than repeating what others had been saying.
It had taken several phone calls, but Arnica and Holly were able to cancel the faculty meeting at Trillium School for the evening. Life at the cabin had been unsettled ever since the Constable's visit.
When the hatchling came back from her trot out into the woods, she was very skittery. Arnica knew something was wrong. Cleaning up the old rhubarb leaves, he was bent over the garden working, musing over his conversation with Andy Trouver when he heard Dark Star come trotting up. She looked nervous, uncertain and rubbed against Arnica almost like a puppy until he rubbed and petted her. Arnica could tell that she wanted reassurance and, although he could usually understand what she wanted, all he knew is that something was wrong. Dark Star never let Arnica out of her sight the rest of the day.
The cabin was warm and bright, the fire burning cheerfully. Holly sat on the rug before the fireplace, Dark Star laying at his feet. Holly's crystal ball sat on its stand where they could both gaze into it and share their thoughts. Arnica carried a censer around the room. The cornflower and horehound, both freshly dried from this year's harvest, with a few crystals of camphor not only cleansed the space but would make it much easier for his partner to commune with the young unicorn.
"Dark Star," Holly coaxed aloud as his mind formed images, "what did you see?"
The hatchling was not quick to answer. She was still a little nervous and the images in her mind seemed scattered. But when the room was censed, Arnica sat next to her and stroked her neck and quietly soothed her. This time Holly's question brought an answer.
"Shadows? Shades?" Holly asked. "Two ghosts…" Holly tried to stay focused upon the quartz sphere but he glanced quickly at Arnica. The old herbalist's eyes had widened as he watched Holly and the hatchling.
"One looked human, like an old woman," Holly translated from the images he saw in the sphere. "The other? It was not human. Dark Star wasn't sure what it was…By the stone circle, gesturing."
"Ask Dark Star if the woman was trying to say anything," Arnica urged.
Dark Star seemed restless. The young unicorn had never seen creatures like this, not even when she wandered through the realm of the faerie. But try she did, remembering in her mind what had happened and trying to see her memories without feeling so startled.
"The woman wants to…She has a message," Holly was almost in a trance, trying to absorb the information from Dark Star. "Morningstar, Rebecca Morningstar needs to speak with you, Arnica."
The coven was gathered in the stone circle. The night would be cool and they wore their wool coats. Dark Star, sitting near the Northeast portal, had difficulty sitting still. She was wearing a beautiful piece of midnight blue wool which draped across her back and was gathered at a silver clasp beneath her neck. Beautiful magickal sigils were embroidered upon it. This was Dark Star's first ritual robe and she was so proud. Pearl, the coven seamstress and Trillium School's 'arts department' had used metallic threads which gently caught the candlelight. Dark Star was so proud!
This was to be a very intense working and they were all gathered. Gino, their teen member, sat on a small rug next to his hatchling friend. He had never before seen a true calling of the dead. Iris and Deodar, Merrydale's postmarm and their school's principal, were next. It hadn't been easy for Iris to leave their baby, Diana, behind but Iris knew that Rosetta was a great baby sitter. Iris had watched how Gino's mother handled the Trillium School students (Rosetta was the school cook) and she was very wise in the ways of raising children. Why, look at Gino! He'd been part of their coven for some years, now.
Pearl sat on a small rug she'd hooked by hand. Her small body looked quite at home among the trees, quite other-worldly in the Circle. Flying Raven sat next to Pearl. Raven was a lovely woman, a grandmother and nearly matched Arnica's age. She was very pleased to now be living here in Merrydale. Although she missed seeing her children and grandchildren so often, she felt reborn with her new life teaching school and having an active role in the coven. Reading about it in letters was not nearly so fulfilling!
Jewel and Lotus had left Dagon with Rosetta as well. Dagon was five and a half and very aware of Hallows' magickal meaning. Dagon had taken his crayons and sketch book, wanting to draw pictures of his ancestors! Amber, the remaining covener, sat very still. Daughter of the Loon Tribe, she had come back to the stone circle an hour before the others to smudge the space and sit quietly. When Arnica and Holly came back with their ritual tools, Amber was so quiet a chickadee was actually sitting upon Amber's knee, preening its feathers!
Arnica was sitting upon the ground at the circle's center as Holly prepared the cauldron, pouring alcohol into it for the fire.
All were mindful, recalling what Iris had read to them that afternoon. It had taken some doing, but Iris had found Rebecca Morningstar in the community records but the information was suspiciously lacking: "Rebecca Morningstar was the first schoolteacher in Merrydale, back when there were only a dozen or so cabins. Miss Hirsch arrived by horse and wagon having emigrated from Europe. She taught in her cabin which was at the edge of the woods. She departed unexpectedly, possibly eloping with John Drover, a miner."
"We'll call lost loved ones from within to join us in this rite…" The coven voices joined in harmony as they chanted the Hallows Chant.' Flames flickered in the dark. Holly sat across the cauldron from Arnica, watching his partner carefully to provide a safe and watchful balance.
Suddenly the cardinal candles went out. It was a startling thing, yet no one moved. Even Dark Star remained quite still. The flames on the altar candles had not even flickered.
"Rebecca?" Arnica's voice was soft.
"I am here," a voice answered. "I am here with Elstrum."
"Rebecca," Arnica had leaned forward as the flame in the cauldron stretched up to the sky. "Rebecca, why have you come back?"
"I am here to tell my story. It concerns you."
"I was hung for witchcraft." Although not one covener said a word, there was a silent gasp at the implication of Rebecca's statement. Someone killed for witchcraft here in Merrydale? As the voice continued, the shadowy image of a woman dressed in early settler clothing was almost visible.
"The spirit from the large oak, the hanging tree, tried to protect me but, unable to work its magick against the angry men, the dryad suffered terrible pain. Together we have waited until the time was right. Now a new tree has been planted in Merrydale. Whether you know it or not, the weeping goldenchain across from the postal shop is nearly on the same site as the oak once stood. My dear tree friend has been homeless since it fled the oak many years ago and a dryad without a tree becomes a wandering spirit."
Slowly the image of a willowy shadow emerged from the darkness of the trees to stand next to Rebecca's spirit.
"I am at rest," Rebecca said. "I've watched the Earthkin suffer terribly at the hands of those who bring darkness and I've watched the Earthkin emerge strong. And now you have a school where our ways are kept sacred. You do not know the joy I feel. But I cannot leave Merrydale in peace until Elstrum might also know rest. This dryad has asked me to appeal to you asking permission to enter the new tree. The moment it steps completely within the bark of the goldenchain, it will be reborn and have a new life as a Laburnum dryad."
"Iris and Dolly," Arnica spoke softly. "The tree was planted for your baby, Diana…" His voice was hushed.
"Oh yes," they both said, nearly in unison.
"So mote it be," Rebecca's voice was now strong. "I will take my tree friend there. After wandering these woodlands and watching Merrydale grow for over two hundred years, we are ready for some rest. But I'll not be leaving you for I will become a guardian spirit for Trillium School and now that I can rest peacefully, you'll never again feel my touch nor hear my step. But if you are very attuned, you will feel my blessings."
Rebecca vanished and the candles were relit in a moment. It was as if all had been dreaming and yet they knew this was true. In the weeks to come people began to comment that no one was talking about the 'Merrydale ghosts' any more and before long, only the coven would remember.
Now and then they would pause at the fountain in Trillium School's courtyard and extend a blessing to Rebecca for they felt certain she loved the sound of the water.
XLVIII—The Sun Baby
"Be careful." Holly knew that Arnica would be careful but the words were a reflex.
"I am." The response just as automatic, Arnica was several steps up the ladder setting the old, glass ornament atop the Yule tree.
"Are you ready for more?" Holly asked. They were hanging the ornaments on their Yule tree.
"Almost." Arnica snugged the glass spire down. It was fragile, hand-blown and had belonged to Holly's grandmother. She had brought it with her when she set sail for the new land, a journey of many days across the ocean and weeks across the raw, still-forested land. "There," he said, now with both feet and both hands upon the ladder.
"Here they come…" Holly took a red ball from a box, attached a hook and then carefully hung it from a loop attached to Dark Star's horn.
The hatchling carried it carefully over to Arnica and then stretched her neck carefully up toward her herbalist friend. Arnica easily took the ornament and hanger and placed it upon the tree.
This was Dark Star's first season helping to trim the tree. Arnica and Holly had talked about it a few weeks back.
Laying quietly in bed and whispering softly so she wouldn't overhear, Arnica had told Holly, "I think the hatchling is old enough to participate in decorating the tree."
Holly was intrigued, snuggling closer, and they whispered quietly before their dreamtime. Arnica had asked their coven sister Pearl to knit them a miniature stocking cap shape with a metal ring hanging from it which could be slipped over Dark Star's horn.
Now, with the Full Moon Eve tomorrow night and Yule less than a fortnight after, a new tradition was emerging in their home. Dark Star was having a wonderful time. She'd carried baskets with ritual tools in them, but this was delicate work and she was very proud.
And yet, although she was old enough for this 'grown-up' work, there was still some uni-filly in her. Every ten minutes or so she'd get just a bit restless and trot over to the large doorway into the kitchen where she'd try to look innocent, as if she'd just happened to be standing beneath the fresh mistletoe hanging from the red ribbon. Wren and Robin had gone out harvesting mistletoe from an oak grove in a valley near the Highlands and, just as the Sun was direct over head (Robin, an astrologer who teaches math would be very precise about this), they cut a beautiful clump of mistletoe with a silver boline to send to their Earthkin friends in Merrywood.
This was Dark Star's first year with mistletoe. Holly, who bestowed most of the kisses (Arnica was on the ladder and usually had his hands full), knew that the mistletoe was probably going to be the hatchling's favorite part of the holiday.
Yule Eve had been joyful. Despite several inches of fresh snow, everyone had come out to the cabin for the ritual. It was a perfect Yule Eve afternoon. The sun was shining and yet it wasn't all that cold. The snow packed into snowfolk and an occasional snowball.
Eight months old, this was Diana Dolorum's first Sabbat. Her beautiful, dark eyes didn't miss anything. She was always very aware. Her proud parents Dolly, the principal of Trillium School, and Iris, Merrydale's postmarm, had decked her out in bright, warm clothing and took turns carrying her in a beautiful, wool sling. Pearl, their gentle Pictish friend, had woven the fabric in a hand loom. Deodar and Iris were still unable to believe how Pearl managed to do this as part of her art classes at the school without either of them having even the slightest idea. Obviously the mystery of secrecy, highly valued among the Earthkin, was understood even by the students!
Flying Raven was enjoying being back in the climate. With her children grown and scattered, now even her grandchildren were moving into their own lives and Raven loved once again having such a strong sense of family she found here with the coven. Raven had purchased new snowshoes and attached bells to them adding music to the procession of friends. It was at Amber's suggestion. Amber and her Loon Tribe sisters would often snowshoe off to a hidden cave for rituals of women's mysteries at the lunar times. Amber was very happy to be able to share shoeing with her coven sister.
What a sight they must have been walking from Merrydale to the cabin! Dagon, now five and a half (can you imagine?) would run ahead, throw himself into the snow, flail his legs and arms, then run back to walk along. As they'd near his spot of merriment, he'd tug on Jewel's sleeve, "Look, mother, a snow faerie must have been here." But the fresh air and excitement wore him down and Dagon finished the trek riding on Lotus' shoulders.
The only coven member missing was Gino.
Holly and Arnica were snuggled under their down comforter. It seemed they had been asleep for only an hour. Their coven family had returned into the night, gaily riding in a large sleigh they had hired to come out and take them home. Singing the Yule chant, they were bright of heart as the driver took them back to Merrydale behind two horses, one white and one black "just like the Chariot Card," Dagon cheered. Pearl took Gino's present for the youth and, when in the kitchen with Arnica, softly mentioned that she'd heard that Gino had been seeing Jenny Flower. Jenny was also in the ninth grade but attended Merrydale Junior High. Her parents were strict Kristos.
The presents had been opened and the ritual things put away. It was a late night when the men kissed Dark Star goodnight as she lay sleeping by the warm fireplace. Holly's head rested on Arnica's shoulder and they were sharing dreamtime, their astral beings literally dancing together in their stone circle, anticipating the Yule morning Great Rite.
Suddenly they were pulled back into their bodies by a loud knock at the front door. They groaned and stirred from the warmth of the bed, stretching their legs and trying to regain their mental balance.
"What time is it?" Arnica asked, sleepily.
Holly looked at his bedside clock. "Why, it's only seven thirty."
"What could she be doing?" Arnica wondered, thinking the sound was Dark Star.
"Why, I bet she's planning on watching the sun rise."
"I wish she'd be a little quieter about it."
Just then the hatchling, herself, came into the room. The men, now fully wakened, immediately sensed that something was wrong.
Dark Star seemed stressed. Something was troubling her. Whinnying, looking toward the front room, the hatchling nudged at them with her horn. Climbing out of bed, they grabbed for their robes, slid their feet into slippers and followed a troubled Dark Star through the cabin. As they padded through the front room, a hint of last night's incense still in the air but the altar set back in its place against the wall, Holly noted the mantle clock. It was 7:56 a.m., the exact time of sunrise.
By the time the men reached the door, the hatchling was sitting by it, restless and quite distressed. The sound of a baby quietly crying could be heard through the oak door.
Holly opened the door quickly.
The men gasped softly.
There, in a lovely, woven basket covered completely with a yellow, pink and blue quilt was a crying baby. It was a frosty morning. Whoever left this baby had great faith that Arnica and Holly would answer the door.
And there, pinned upon the quilt was this note: "I am the Sun baby. I need a home."
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