Disclaimer: All characters and plot elements from The Dark is Rising sequence belong to Susan Cooper. The rest is mine.
A/N I've had problems getting this chapter right and I'm still not happy with it all, but I've got to get on with the story before it takes over my life!
Pob hwyl = good luck/all the best, diolch=thanks
9. Going Home
The high-prowed wooden ship sailed gracefully across the water, drawn by the music of the golden harp. As Bran continued his melody, the rays of the setting sun caught the symbol of the Light emblazoned in red on the white sail. The circle quartered by a cross seemed almost to glow with fire like a beacon heralding the arrival of a king.
Bran was filled with a hoping – a longing – that the boat would bring his father to him.
Making no ripples or waves as it moved, the little ship swung round in an arc towards the shore. As it drew closer they could see the name Pridwen painted in red and gold near the prow, whilst at the stern they could make out a figure, though it was not one that any of them could recognise.
Bran stilled the strings of the harp as the vessel stopped in front of them and watched the person in the boat move forward. A young woman stood before them smiling.
"My lord the King sends his greetings and bids me welcome his guests. My name is Telyn."
Jane said happily, "You're the person I heard, the voice that told me to speak the first challenge."
Telyn gently inclined her head. She was a few years older than them with a fresh complexion and dark eyes. The dying sunlight picked out shades of red in her long brown hair which fell loose down her back. Her dark blue cloak was held at the neck by a silver clasp and underneath she wore a flowing pale blue dress.
Her speech was gentle, but there was a note of command in it.
"Bran ap Arthur, you have passed the first test of authority. Now you must make your final choice. If you wish to travel with me to the land beyond the North wind, I bid you come. But once you step into the boat, there is no turning back and your path will be set. You can never return to this place."
Bran took off his glasses and looked at the hills and the sky and the lake once more. But the towering grey mountains and sheep-scattered fields could no longer hold him. This had been a good place to grow up, but now he had to move on to where his destiny lay.
With complete self-assurance he said, "I gave up my place with my father once before. Now I have a second chance and I won't let that go."
Telyn held out her hand to him and he stepped aboard the boat. Jane and Will stood watching transfixed on the shore.
"Well come on then, you two," Bran called, sounding like a 15 year old boy again, not a Prince of the High Magic.
Will gave himself a slight shake, clambered into the boat and reached out to help Jane. Trusting in the hand he offered, she too climbed on board.
"Please make yourselves comfortable for the journey," said Telyn.
They settled themselves on some low cushioned seats just forward of the mast.
"May I have the harp, my lord?" asked the girl.
"Of course Telyn," said Bran with a smile.
Telyn took the instrument, smoothing her fingers over the carved gilded frame with its twining leaves.
"It's more beautiful than I had imagined," she said. She sat facing them and looked up for a moment, as if listening to some unheard voice. Then she began to play with obvious skill, her fingers moving lightly, nimbly across the golden strings. Once more the enchantment of the notes flowed out enveloping the valley.
"Look!" said Jane, pointing up at the mountains. Bran and Will turned to see mist floating down the hillsides, down towards the farm and the village beyond – Bran's old world. Will knew that as it passed by the houses and drifted away into the night, it would take with it all memories of Bran and his life.
Bran watched it with a twinge of sadness but no regret, then said determinedly: "It's time to go home."
The melody Telyn played seemed to change to a faster, lighter tune and the majestic ship sailed gently across the lake and into the air, out towards the west, as if following the sun. Soon they were out over the sea, then dipped down to glide through the water, an unfelt breeze billowing the square sail.
Bran had moved to stand at the prow, gazing out towards the distant horizon, while Will and Jane sat together listening to the liquid notes pouring from the harp strings.
Will felt at ease, and though he knew there were still challenges ahead, the prospect of seeing Avalon filled him with a quiet excitement. Allowing himself to be lulled by the music, he stilled his senses as an Old One and just rested; under the protection of the High Magic nothing could harm them.
Jane was caught up in wonder at everything that was happening. It was like a marvellous dream to be here and be part of it. She felt very safe next to Will and the bond between them seemed stronger than ever.
She glanced at him and her stomach suddenly lurched as it had done when she'd first seen him in the bookshop. She was hit by the truth which she could no longer deny. She loved him. It didn't matter that he was an Old One whose first allegiance would always be to The Light. She loved his mysterious nature and knowing air, and especially his great strength of character. He'd always treated her with a special care, always been gentle and patient, despite her many doubts and anxieties. How could she do anything but love him? The revelation melted her insides; it was a delicious, comfortable feeling like coming in on a cold night and being wrapped in a soft, warm blanket. A smile spread across her face that she didn't even try to hide.
Still smiling, her gaze was drawn back to Telyn as the music of the harp altered again to a softer lilting melody like a lullaby. Bran came to sit down with them, his features totally peaceful.
Tirelessly, Telyn's fingers caressed the strings of the harp, mesmerizing her passengers. And without any of them realising or being able to resist, they drifted off into a gentle, dreamless sleep.
* * *
Will was the first to wake, quickly followed by Bran and Jane. The music had stopped and they were moored by a wooden jetty in front of a magnificent castle. Telyn was standing on the jetty talking to a man. When she noticed they were awake she came over and helped them out of the boat.
"I trust you slept well," she said. "Please come with me. You must present yourselves to the Court in a little while."
They were surprised to find it was still daylight in this place; in fact it was hard to tell if it was morning or afternoon. The light was bright but Bran found, for the first time anywhere, that it didn't hurt his eyes and he didn't need his dark glasses. Will glanced at his watch, but it seemed to have stopped. They had no idea how long they'd been asleep, it could have been minutes, hours or even days.
They surveyed the castle which was quite as beautiful as any fairytale palace they could imagine. The walls were of smooth, silvery-grey stone, green flags flew from the many towers and turrets, and at the entrance were two immensely grand carved wooden doors that reminded Will of the great doors into the Hall where he'd so often met Merriman.
They didn't go through this entrance, however, but Telyn led them to a small, no less ornate gateway set further along the wall of the castle. She tapped lightly three times and the thick wooden door swung open. Will, Bran and Jane followed her inside and through another door into a brightly lit chamber.
There were candles set all round the walls but they didn't flicker or waver and gave off a brilliant yet gentle light. The walls were decorated with painted flowers and leaves twining around each other, so vivid that it was as if they really grew there. The three new arrivals gazed about in amazement.
"Please wait here," said Telyn smiling at their wondrous expressions. "The Court of the High Law and the Masters of the High Magic are preparing to meet you. Help yourselves to something to eat and drink."
She left through another door and they went over to a wooden table at one end of the room laid out with bread, fruit and a jug of golden liquid. Bran poured some into a glass goblet with a long, smooth stem and tasted it.
"Mmm, apple juice. Should've known," he said smiling.
Will looked puzzled for a second before he got Bran's meaning. "Oh yeah," he laughed. "Avalon – Land of Apples!"
Jane poured some juice too, feeling quite thirsty. "Hey, it's delicious. I don't think I've ever tasted anything so good."
Will was almost overwhelmed by the sensation of happiness that flowed from Jane but put it down to the sheer wonder of being in this strange castle.
They ate and drank, feeling rested and relaxed. There was a sense of tranquillity in this place; it was like the first day of the summer holidays where endless possibilities lay ahead and there was no pressure to do anything.
Telyn returned.
"I hope you enjoyed the refreshments," she said her dark eyes shining in the candle light. "The time has come for the second test."
"Will my father be there?" asked Bran, excitement showing in his face.
"No, I'm sorry my lord, the High Law doesn't allow him to be part of the Court that judges you. If all is well, you will see him later."
Bran looked a little dejected, but could not remain so for very long. Deep inside he knew already that this was the place to which he belonged; he really was, at long last, home.
Telyn led them through bright corridors decorated with murals of flowers, animals and scenes of distant places. On one wall there were leaping fish, on another mice ran through a border of painted grass, the colours so bright and fresh it was as if the artist had only finished them yesterday. They wished they could have stopped to look more closely because there was so much to see in each picture and it felt like there would always be something new to find.
Jane, who was walking next to Telyn, said to her, "You play the harp so beautifully."
"You are very kind," she replied. "I have been playing since I was a child, but now I have a wonderful teacher who has taught me so much more than I ever hoped."
"He must be someone very special."
"Oh Taliesin is the most gifted poet and musician you could ever know."
At the name, Bran and Will looked at each other remembering with delight the small, grey-bearded man who had been their guide in the Lost Land. "Gwion!" said Bran.
Will smiled. "Maybe he'll teach you too. I hope I can see him before I…leave." He felt a sudden pang at the thought of going away again, even though they'd been there so short a time.
They went through another door and found themselves in what seemed to be an ante-chamber.
"Here I must leave you," said Telyn. "Pob hwyl, Bran."
"Diolch," answered Bran in surprise.
Her cloak swishing around her, Telyn went back out the way they'd come.
There were large double doors in the wall in front of them, painted with a scene of the night sky. There was the moon on one side, many stars in their constellations, a comet and smaller shooting stars and on the far side was the sun. Will felt he had seen something like this before. Then his senses were shouting at him that this was the final barrier of the High Magic. Beyond the doors would be the Court of the High Law.
"Bran, we're here" he said, the sudden anxiety coming through in his voice. Bran nodded; he sensed it too.
"What's going to happen?" asked Jane.
"I don't know, but as long as you've got the ring you'll be protected," said Will
"Protected from what?" She was beginning to feel alarmed.
"The power of the High Magic, the most powerful force in the universe. If you have no right to enter into the presence of the High Law, you could get blasted out of existence. The ring is your talisman, like a passport to permit your entry."
Jane looked at the ring and glanced up at Bran's pendant. A sudden thought struck her.
"But what about you Will? Bran and I have the Lightning Stones, you have no talisman."
"I have one for always," he said and pulled up the left sleeve of his jacket to show on his forearm the scar of a circle quartered by a cross.
She stared at the white brand in his pale skin, then looked into his eyes and thought 'Can I ever truly know you, Will Stanton?'
Will held her gaze for a second, very tempted to read her thoughts, but resisting. Then they heard the doors beginning to open and moved to stand together, Will and Jane on either side of Bran, waiting.