The Union of Avalon and Briton 10
The spells in the story aren't all mine. Some I got off a story from another author here called Calliann. Some spells are from Earth, Air, Fire, and Water: More Techniques of Natural Magic by Scott Cunningham and Everyday Magic by Dorothy Morrison. Other spells I borrowed from the writer Patricia C. Wrede, and still others are from a videogame-I don't know the game's name, but I got it from some sort of game. Some rewritten spells are from Green Magic: The Sacred Connection to Nature by Ann Moura. A few ARE mine though! Part of a chant is from Lady Alexia V and her story Dark Red. Some of the Dark Gods are from a web page Beltane information comes from and and the main web page and a few words are from Harry Potter. As always, King Arthur isn't mine and none of the characters are mine either. They are all apart of the Arthurian Legends. I am only using these characters as a fun activity in my spare time so please, don't sue me!
The Knights listed are TRUE Knights of the Round Table-I found the names of all the Knights listed on different websites!
Morgawse grinned ecstatically at the gathered group. She could tell that a few of them were still a bit rattled from the shaking, but for the most part, most of them had recovered from their shock quite nicely. She turned to the Priestesses and said with a sharp clap made for attention, "Build the fires! Bring in the people from the mainland!"
Lancelot, from his place beside Branwen, watched as a small group of Priestesses separated from the larger group and headed off the island by way of the beautiful, pure, white marble bridge. He sighed. The Priestesses were going to bring in all of the unmarried males for the revelry. Elaine…I've lost you…
Branwen was only eight years old, but her magical healing abilities stemmed from her singing and her aura. As such, she could read the auras of those closest to her. Lancelot was one such person whom she could read. She bit her lip. He was depressed. His aura wasn't the normal cheery green, but a blackish green. She looked up into his brown eyes and sighed. They were muddy brown with sadness. She smiled. I know! I'll bring Donella when she comes! Together the two of us can help Lancelot feel better!
Arthur raised his head as the Knights heard the rushing sounds of dozens of animals drawing nearer. He bit the inside of his cheeks when three different kinds of birds and an entire herd of stags arrived.
He watched as his eldest sister, The Mother Priestess on High, Morgawse, walk calmly up to the herd of animals, and said serenely, "The Mother Viviane has been sent to the Great Mother; the Lade of the Lake as well. Per their wishes, the festival of Beltane will commence within the hour starting with the hunt!"
The Knights watched with wide eyes as the animals reared and chattered animatedly. Then, right before their eyes, the largest, most well-endowed stag marched right up to Morgawse and bowed. With their mouths soon reaching for the mossy, green earth, they watched as Morgawse returned the bow with a reverential tilt of her head.
Within an hour, all the inhabitants of Avalon and the towns around Hen Lledrith Llyn were gathered around the unlit bonfire. All of the people gathered were eagerly watching as the Priestesses quickly readied everything with bright, happy smiles. The men especially were eagerly anxious to start the festivities.
Donella was excited. This would be the first time she would be able to join in on the festivities of Beltane with the other children. She couldn't wait to dance and sing with the other children and watch the Priestesses create magical tricks and bob-for-apples.
As she ran into the courtyard after the Priestess Odelia, she gasped in awe at the wonderful decorations all around her. The trees had brightly colors ribbons weaved throughout the willowy branches, and hanging from those branches were stringed together beads. The colored beads were alternated-green, soft pink, white, yellow, and blue. All around her, on all the tables, were bouquets of beautiful Daisies, Frankincense, Hawthorn, Honeysuckle, Lilac, Primrose, and Rose.
Around every woman and girl's neck was a daisy chain, and around every man and boy's ankle was a strong twinkling bell. Right in the center of the courtyard, just before her youthful, excited eyes, were a few dozen poles sticking up in the air with pink ribbons wrapped around them. She was bouncing up in down, for she was unable to contain her energy. But most importantly, I can see Lancelot!
Morgawse waved her hand to the side and watched with great pride in her sisters as the women of Avalon danced, sang, and carried the platters of food above their heads. She couldn't help the small giggle that escaped her control as flower petals fluttered down all around the court yard-especially when one landed on her extremely sensitive nose.
The Knights, but Arthur especially, watched appreciatively as Priestesses danced around and giggled. Ariel, the priestess with wavy red hared, an average body, and dark churning brown eyes were captivating to Arthur. They could see it as easily as they could see Galahad's desire for Aithne as the young Priestess danced along with her sisters.
Morgana, with her twins standing right beside her, raised her hands into the air and commanded, "Let the festival begin!"
With a loud, happy cheer, Morgawse, Morgana, and Isolde, with the cheering approval of the entire group, raised their hands and cried, "Bring forth all eligible men!"
With a surprised grunt, the Knights found themselves hoisted to their feet and brought into the circle by their Priestess hostesses. Lancelot groaned as Branwen eagerly pulled him to Arthur, who was standing near Priestess Ariel.
Lancelot raised a bemused yet amused eyebrow as his friend ogled the young woman. So, Arthur's got a fancy, eh? I can get some good blackmail outta this! He thought with a low chuckle.
As the bonfires grew larger with every burning branch, Morgawse with her husband, Arlec, walked into the middle of the three bonfires and raised their hands. There was immediate silence throughout the courtyard.
Morgawse and her lover-consort raised their hands, turned towards the east, and chanted as three of the Priestesses-in-Training, Vala, Radella, and Harmony came up behind them and placed themselves in front of the bonfires with a bundle of different kinds of tree branches,
"Hail to the guardians of the East,
By the power of Air and Invention I call you."
She and her husband turned to the South and intoned,
"Hail to the guardians of the South,
By the power of Fire and Passion I call you.
They faced West and asked,
"Hail to the guardians of the West,
By the power of Water and Intuition I call you.
They ended facing north and summoned,
"Hail to the guardians of the North,
By the power of Earth and Mother I call you!"
Morgawse and Arlec, her husband of nine years, smiled loving at one another and called forth for the nine trees of the Goddess and God,
"Nine woods in the fires go,
Burn them fast and burn them slow…"
As they slowed, Vala, Radella, and Harmony each stepped forward ready to toss the designated wood branches into the fire, and as each tree name was called the girls tossed in the tree branch.
"…Birch wood in the fire goes,
To represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest, towers with might in the fire,
In it brings the God's insight.
Rowan is a tree of power,
Causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand,
Ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify,
And to draw faerie to thine eye.
Hazel-the Tree of Wisdom and Learning,
Adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree,
That brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine,
Giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen,
To represent immortality seen."
They slowed down once more and added as the Priestesses-in-Training smiled and raised the last tree branch reverently,
"But-Elder is the Lady's tree,
Burn it not or curse you'll be."
When the three laid the branches down in a perfect triangle around the two, Lancelot couldn't help but think, oh Gods…this is it…Elaine PLEASE! I LOVE YOU! Don't do this!
His attention was drawn from his thoughts as Morgawse started again,
"Hallowed Lady of the Hawthorn,
Goddess of the greenwood groves,
We call upon thee in the season of thy sensuality,
As thy blossom opens to the amorous advances of our Lord, thy Lover.
In thy union is the fertility of Spring,
And the beckoning whisper of young desire.
Touch us with the breath of thy passion,
That we might seek for the ecstasy of life!
Inflame us with the fever of thine inmost longings,
That we not be satisfied until our oneness,
With the God is consummated!
Capture us with the fragrances of thine allurement,
That we may be overwhelmed with an obsession for thy presence!
Bright Maiden of May,
Be here among us as we celebrate the Beltane blessings of Thy bridal-bed!
Blessed Be!"
Arlec grasped his wife's hand and intoned as their helpers Isolde and Aithne, whom were standing off to the side of them built the forth and last fire-well away from the sacred Elder tree branches and handed them a bejeweled Athame,
"Horned God of power and play,
We hear the music of thy melodious pipes,
Enchanting our ears upon the evening wind!
Beneath the fullness of the May-night Moon,
Thy silhouette plays hide-and seek among the shadows of silver-tipped trees!
Thy hooves striking sparks like shooting stars,
As they step in sprightly patterns,
To the rhythm of the Ways of the Wild.
Holy Pan of the shepherds' shrine,
Goat-footed God,
Faunus of the forest glades,
We beseech thee to be here among us,
As we revel in Beltane abandon,
Beneath the swirling streamers of thy phallic staff,
Dancing by the light of the balefire's glow!
Sovereign Satyr Lord,
Be pleased within this circle to remain,
As we celebrate Spring and the beginning of thy reign!
Blessed Be!"
Together as man and wife, Morgawse and Arlec, raised the Athame high above their heads as Isolde whispered quickly to light the last, forth, fire for Beltane,
"Hail to the guardians of the South,
By the power of Fire and Feelings,
I bid you come.
Bring too me the strength of your passions,
And bring to me the power of your destructions.
Hail to the guardians of the South,
By the power of the Fire and Feelings,
I bid you come!"
Morgawse took a deep breath and continued as she gripped her husband's hand at a surprising burst of pain in her lower back,
"Strike the fire and let it rise"
Arlec looked at her in concern as he added the second line,
"Beltane flames 'neath Spring-night skies!"
Back and forth they alternated the spell's lines,
"Ancient customs we now renew,
'Tween dusky dark and evening dew!
Fire with warmth of Summer shrine,
Invoking Gods of older times,
For fertile crops with Sun-fed rays,
Gardens of plenty and golden days!"
There was a flash of golden light that completely surrounded the four bonfires and those inside the four pin-points of Beltane light.
Lancelot was amazed and awed as the well-endowed stag from before, walked dazedly towards the light and entered the light without any hesitation. He yelped a second later as the golden light exploded and blinded him. He heard the others yelping and scuffling around. They must be blind too. He thought with a wryly grin and a shake of his head.
When he was sure that he could see once again without any pain, he opened his eyes and gasped. He knew the others had heard as well because they were gasping and pointing at the fires in shock and bewilderment.
There right in front of him and all the other people gathered to celebrate Beltane, was a stag glowing with the powerful, all-mighty golden light of the God of Death and Rebirth, the Horned-God!
Isolde walked confidently up to the stage from her place beside Tristan. She was dressed in a wispy, pure, white dress that hung freely from her shoulders to the emerald grass. She also had newly blossomed white and yellow rose petals weaved throughout her wavy red hair. She smiled brightly at her fanciful scout and said saucily, "Let the chase begin!"
The stag bowed his many-antlered head regally and pounced like lighting into the dense forest of the island.
Arthur sighed with satisfaction as his sisters and their sisterhood sisters commanded those under their care with regality and humanity. He glanced to his right when he heard Lancelot sigh longingly. He eyed the trees in which the stag vanished through and nodded to himself. Elaine will no longer be a maiden come the morrow. She'll be a mother to my niece and nephew nine months later. I have no doubt that she'll marry whoever father's her child as is tradition, but how I WISH it could be Lancelot. I have to think of a way to cheer him up.
His thoughts were disrupted by the laughing, singing, and dancing of ten priestesses all decked out in silky costumes depicting the Mother-Goddess. In their hands were daisies and roses, and they were tossing them up in the air happily.
He stood up straight and tall as the moment he had been waiting for proudly and dreading arrived, for just behind the dancers were four tall, visually, physically, strong men. Each had a hand-sawed, smooth, wooden pole over their shoulders. Attached to those poles was a carriage painted silver. It shined under the light available from the sun high in the sky. The carriage also had pink, white, and yellow ribbons swathed all around in a mesh of colors and chaos that actually looked quite orderly and sophisticated.
Elaine had arrived.