For the first time in her existence, Selene is apprehensive as she begins her familiar journey across the sky. She has no need to direct her horses, for they know the secret paths of the moon as well as she, and need only the gentle encouragement of their bright mistress to speed them on their way. But on this warm summer night her steeds are puzzled, for beneath the expected note of command in Selene's voice lingers another impression. It causes them to hesitate, to turn their heads towards the bright goddess in concern and an ever present offer of friendship.
Realizing what is amiss; she calms them with gentle words and urges them forward. Only when they are well on their way does she confide to her old friends the shocking truth. That on this night she is daring to make a choice which only her fair sister Ios has attempted, one which led to disaster and ruin. Like all immortal creatures her horses know the story, and whinny in alarm that their beloved friend and goddess has chosen to walk this dangerous path. For many miles they plead with her to abandon this plan, but she remains steadfast and will pay no heed to their words.
So they reluctantly follow her orders, carrying her closer to the earth than they have ever dared to venture before, until at last she smiles and points excitedly down. With a grace which no mortal horses could ever hope to equal they alight in a quiet meadow where her chosen consort is waiting. Knowing that her horses will not forsake her, Selene steps down from her chariot and approaches her sleeping shepherd; eyes alight with joy and eager expectation as she makes the request which will forever alter the course of this mortal's destiny.
"Zeus Thunderer, I ask now that you grant my request and give to my Endymion the gift of eternal sleep." For an instant the searing brilliance of lightning illuminates the evening sky, and Selene knows that it has been done according to her wish.
Tenderly she gathers Endymion close, and in one graceful motion leaps aboard her chariot, calling out to her horses in a voice filled with joy and triumph. Swiftly they ascend, until once more their hooves rest secure upon the sacred pathway. And Selene gazes down at her consort, awed at the prospect of making this mortal her own forever.
She claims him as her chosen as the midnight hour strikes, knowing that there can be no turning back once she has given her soul into this mortal's keeping. Curiosity stirs as she wonders at the strength of the spell which binds Endymion to Morpheus's realm, and she tentatively reaches out to brush back a stray lock of her lover's hair. He stirs at her touch, dark eyes focusing on her face with a look of incredulous wonder. . She welcomes his caresses, the first mortal touch she has ever known, and gives to him in return the gift of her passion. She learns to tame the scorching caresses of her divine hands into touches which a mortal can bare, though always there is present beneath the semblance of mortal woman the bright flame of her presence.
Theirs is a language of mingled thoughts and tender endearments, of knowledge shared during the deep hours of night as she loves her shepherd with a passion meant for eternity. But stronger still is the joining of their souls, where the strength and courage of his mortal spirit merges with the celestial flame of her divinity.
She proudly brings their children to him as soon as each is born; loosening for a brief instant the silvery threads of his enchantment so that he might rejoice in what their love has created. It is only then that she appreciates the skill of Zeus's work, the true mastery of power displayed in what appears to be a simple act of divine will. For the spell is a subtle one, crafted to linger at the edge of thought, to keep the one chosen forever within Morpheus's realm. It can be stretched, even reshaped to her will. But never broken.
She is always there to soothe him at the breaking of dawn, to whisper words of reassurance and reweave the tapestry of his dreams into patterns which promise a gentle sleep. He is forever caught within its seductive web, bound by the magics of storm and sky and the pledge which he gave to his beloved long ago.
Always she rejoices when he murmurs her name, calling her beloved in a voice so gentle and warm that she does not wonder that his people named him a friend to all creatures.
Deep within her rests the awareness of time's relentless march, and the bitter knowledge that all she holds dear will inevitably change. She knows that many of her divine kin will then pass into the realms of legend, and only those with strong ties to the earth and her people will survive. And so in the dark of the night she takes him up and commands her horses to bare them hence to a secret place high in the mountains.
Centuries pass, and according to her nature she welcomes others who have earned her favor to take up the mantle of consort. But always she is drawn back to her first lover's resting place by the strength of treasured memories of the nights they shared long ago. And within the secret places of her soul, she is always aware of her first Endymion's thoughts. Her one constant in an ever changing world, each is slow measured and deep, like the voice of the great river Nile. They are as much a part of her as her immortality, and she could no more bar them from her mind than she could command the dawn to rise in her sister's stead.
Authoress's note: This story is based on Snapegirlkmf's excellent tale Moon Fire. It's a unique and delightful blend of Harry Potter and various mythologies which I highly recommend.
I hope you all enjoyed this first glimpse of Selene, she will appear again further on in this series of short tales.
Feedback is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for reading.