Disclaimer: All characters and plot elements from The Dark is Rising sequence belong to Susan Cooper. The rest is mine.
12. Canu Telyn
(Harp Song)
Jane stood and looked out at the meadow before her, full of long grass and cornflowers waving in the breeze. Behind her lay the little stone chapel, peacefully nestled in front of the old oak wood. Before her, a little way in the distance, rose the great castle, shimmering like silver in the sunshine. The meadow swept down an incline to her left and was bordered by a stream that meandered lazily towards the castle. She breathed in the warmth of the day and, suddenly feeling as carefree as a child, she started to run down the bank that lead to the stream. The grass swished as she brushed past the tall stems and she didn't stop until she was at the bottom of the small rise, near the water's edge.
Will sensed Jane's unhindered joy as he watched her moving through the sea of long grass. He too felt as if all the anxieties of the day had at last been lifted off his shoulders. As she arrived at the little brook, she turned and waved, smiling.
"Come on, Will," she called.
He began trotting down the bank. Bending down, Jane let the water trickle softly over her fingers; the sound of the gurgling stream was like gentle laughter. Will stopped a few feet from her, holding out a blue cornflower he had picked.
"For m'lady," he said with a mock bow. She stood up and took the flower with a coy smile. She looked back at the meadow then up at the sky, a cloudless, intense blue.
"Will, this place it's…I can't describe it. Everything is so fresh and vivid. It feels like it's the first day of my life and I'm seeing the world for the first time."
Will gazed at her, smiling – he knew exactly what she meant. There was a feeling that you could never tire of living here, there would always be something new to see or do or explore, even if you had seen it a thousand times before. He opened his mouth to speak, but was caught by a wave of stronger, deeper emotion from Jane that he hadn't sensed before and he was suddenly aware of her true feelings for him. He felt surprise, much pleasure and a great deal of uncertainty all at the same time – he wanted to say something but he couldn't get a single sentence or even two words to form coherently in his head. He stared, mouth still open, and realised Jane was looking at him in a very peculiar way, but all he could do was nod and turn away.
Will pretended to look back at the chapel, while out of Jane's sight an unstoppable, wide grin spread across his face. He'd never felt like this before, even when he'd thought he'd been in love. This was a very different feeling – new and strange, and yet natural and familiar. Jane was a friend, they'd been through some extraordinary events together, maybe no other mortal understood about him as well as she did. But in that thought also lay the problem – she was mortal. He bit his lip, as the uncertainty flooded back. What was he supposed to do? Deny his feelings and act as if he didn't know hers or take a chance that their relationship could have a future? Jane's voice cut into his thoughts.
"It's The Lady, Will!" she said in surprise and delight. Will spun round.
Wearing an azure blue robe, the delicate but upright figure stood a little way off. Jane was already hurrying over to her, so Will quickly followed.
The Lady regarded Will thoughtfully, undoubtedly sensing some of his confused feelings, but she didn't comment on it. "Jane, Will, it's very good to see you," she said, her musical voice full of warmth. "Are you going back to the castle?"
"Yes, will you walk with us?" said Jane. She had been hoping to talk to The Lady. They turned and began to make their way along the edge of the meadow.
"You have both done well. Bran will never forget your loyalty and support. He and his parents can be at peace now, which is as it should be in Avalon. Now tell me, are you enjoying your visit to our home?"
"Yes, it's such an amazing place" said Jane. "I feel so…alive here. And I hope you don't mind me saying, you seem younger somehow."
"Ah Jane," she said smiling. "This place is beyond time and never grows old. Each person here becomes the person they were meant to be, whether young or old. And because time has no hold here, everything is constantly being renewed."
Jane was silent with wonder, trying to grasp what The Lady meant.
"Is Merriman still angry with Bran?" asked Will.
"No, he's wise enough not to hold on to such feelings," she replied lightly. "We knew that Bran would come fully into his power in Avalon, but his use of it was a little…unexpected. However, everyone is very glad that he has completed the testing and can remain here with us forever."
They continued to walk towards the castle, and as they drew closer to it they could hear the faint sounds of music and singing.
The Lady said, "The celebrations have begun, I believe. Go in through the small door over there and I will see you soon in the Great Hall. I must speak with Merriman first."
Waving goodbye, they went in and followed the sounds to the Hall. It was crowded with people dancing in groups to the tune of three fiddlers who were standing on a dais at the end of the lofty chamber. They listened to the music for a minute, but both were reluctant to join in the dance, so they edged around the wall of the Hall, weaving past the merrymakers and found a staircase in the corner that led upwards. Climbing the steps, they came out on to a gallery, which extended around three sides of the assembly room. Few people were about up there, and they found a vantage point at the end of the Hall facing the musicians where they could watch the happy crowd whirling around below.
The dance came to an end and everyone clapped. Suddenly a whisper started and the crowd began to move back to make a way through to the dais. From below them, King Arthur strode into the Hall and went to stand on the platform. There was no tiredness or strain in his face now, as Will had seen so often before, only a calm happiness, and he too seemed to look younger.
"My lords and ladies, today is a day for great celebration! For a long time I have borne a great sadness in my heart, but now what was lost to me has been returned and this Isle of Avalon can once more rejoice. See! My Lady Guinevere and my son Bran Pendragon!"
Bran and his mother walked across the floor of the Hall towards the king. The people bowed as they passed and then broke into applause and cheering. Will and Jane had never seen Bran looking so happy as he stood between his parents, belonging at last.
The applause faded away and Arthur, Guinevere and Bran sat down on gilded chairs at the back of the platform as two other people stepped forward. It was Gwion and Telyn.
"Look, he has the golden harp!" said Jane.
"Yes, that's Taliesin, Telyn's teacher. Looks like he's going to play for us."
Gwion sat down on a narrow-backed chair in the middle of the dais with Telyn standing next to him. Smiling, Gwion looked around at the people gathered, then noticed Will and Jane up in the gallery; his smile broadened at the sight of them together. He gave them a slight nod, held the harp against his left arm and began to play.
Once more the power of the harp and the skill of the player wove their magic. The notes were like liquid enchantment falling through the air. There was stillness in the Hall soft as velvet, then Telyn began to sing. Her voice was pure and beautiful, clear as crystal. The song was in Welsh, but it didn't matter whether they understood the words or not. The melody of the harp rippled up and down, spinning its spell like a web, whilst Telyn's voice soared high and sweet. The song and music melted together in complete harmony, flowing around and through every person listening there.
Jane and Will were suddenly intensely aware of each other as they stood side by side at the balcony rail. Their eyes remained fixed on the golden harp but both reached out to touch hands at the same time. A pulse like electricity passed between them as their fingers entwined together. They had no need for speech.
'Jane'
'Yes'
'I love you'
'I love you Will'
Down on the platform, Bran felt a tingle near his throat and reached up to touch the pendant with the Lightning Stone. He pulled his gaze away from Telyn and Gwion and, looking up at the gallery, saw Will and Jane kiss, softly and lightly, just once. Afterwards, they just held each other very close, eyes closed, as the magical notes continued to pour from the harp.
* * *
When the performance had finished, the dancing began again. Bran went out of the hall to find his friends. As he hurried down the passageway, a door suddenly opened ahead of him – it was Jane and Will coming down a staircase. They were holding hands and grinning all over their faces.
"Finally" said Bran, making them jump.
"Oh!" gasped Jane, "Sorry, we were just…"
"Upstairs," finished Will. Their faces glowed red.
Bran burst out laughing at them. "I meant finally you've got together. I was beginning to think this Old One had got too old to make a move."
"Bran!" protested Will with acute embarrassment.
"Oh Bran, I'm so happy," said Jane. "You're back with your parents and Will and I are together. It all feels so right. I love this place, I love the way it makes me feel. I wish I could stay here for ever!"
"Jane, stop!" said Bran, nearly choking with laughter.
"Leave her alone Bran," said Will, hitting him on the arm, though he too couldn't help chuckling. "We're going outside for some fresh air – want to come?"
"Don't you two want to be by yourselves?" Bran said.
"I'm sure we'll have plenty of time later. But I don't know when we'll see you again," said Jane, a serious note creeping back into her voice.
"Ok then. I saw a courtyard garden that looked nice. Come on, I'll show you."
They set off down the bright passageways, past the painted flowers and animals. Turning down another corridor, a beautiful scene of a bluebell wood in full bloom greeted them – they felt they could almost step into the picture and gather armfuls of flowers.
"Here it is," said Bran, as they came to a row of small windows and a door. He lead them out into an enclosed courtyard planted with a small rose garden. The scent of the flowers filled the warm air and they sat down on the grass, soaking up the sunshine.
For a minute or two there was silence, then Jane asked, "Bran how did you just disappear from the Court room?"
Bran smiled wryly, remembering the scene. "I'm not really sure. I just knew I could do it and went."
"You have more power than you probably realise," said Will. "But take care and let Merriman guide you, because the High Magic is very potent and you don't want to get into any more trouble."
Bran rolled his eyes. "Relax, Will, you're always so serious about the High Magic. Trust me, I won't do anything stupid."
Will knew there wasn't much point in arguing further, and he didn't feel like it anyway. He wanted to enjoy the rest of the time he had left in Avalon.
Bran lay back, a feeling of peace and contentment flowing through him. He knew his purpose in his old life had been fulfilled and now he could enjoy this new life for which he'd always been destined.
Jane and Will sat close. There was such a sense of oneness between them that they hardly needed any words, looks and smiles seemed to say everything.
The three of them chatted about all that had happened since they'd left the lake, which seemed a million miles away. How much time passed, if any, none of them noticed. Finally Bran stirred himself and went to see if he could find a drink.
He sauntered down the passageway, heading back towards the Great Hall. Just as he was about to turn a corner, he heard familiar voices but something made him stop and listen out of sight. The Lady and Merriman were talking.
"… Jane" said Merriman.
"Did you see them?"
"No, but I sensed it. He never could hide much from me."
"Will you say anything to them?"
"I think we will let them have their moment. But of course they will have to forget when they go back."
"Yes. Still, it's not usual for an Old One and a mortal to be allowed…"
"I know, but he's still very young. He'll learn."
"Merriman, just because of your bad experiences, don't think things can never work out."
Merriman didn't reply.
"Come, let's go back in. Arthur wanted to speak to you," said The Lady, and Bran heard them walking away.
Anxiously, he peered round the corner but there was no-one in sight. He stood for a moment, trying to take in what he'd just heard, then turned and ran as fast as he could back to find his friends.