Beltane Fires - Chapter 5

Elrond was beside himself. He was feeling really useless today. He had poured over every book on the subject of other races. He had found nothing to give him any clue as to the women he had envisioned. He had spent the whole day in the library reading book after book. He picked up one of those intending to start over when Glorifindel came in. The large blonde elf watched his friend and frowned. "Always the scholar, even with such a short time left here you are still alone with your books. You should be spending time with Arwen. You will wish you had when we are gone from here." He said.

"I know my friend. And I have every intention of going to her when I am done here. After all, my grandchild is due to be born soon. I would not miss that event, is that not why I have waited?" Elrond asked.

Glorifindel looked at him thoughtfully, "I am not convinced of this. If you are waiting for the babe to be born then why are you here in this library instead of at Gondor?"

Elrond looked at the elf and thought about it. Should he tell his friend about the visions? Would he understand the dilemma Elrond was in? How could he go to Gondor when the vision may have some meaning? What if the women were trying to get to Imladris for help? What if they arrived here to find it already vacant? It might very well mean that evil threatened again. Where would they turn for help if that happened? No, he would wait. Maybe just a few more days.

Glorifindel continued speaking, "I have taken the extra horses to Rohan. King Eomer was very gracious about taking them for us. I only kept the ones we will need for the trip to the sea. One for each of us and four for the wagons. Erestor said he would rather drive a wagon then ride. Personally I think he is lazy. Are you planning on taking all of these?" He asked looking at the bundles of books tied together on the floor. Elrond looked to where Glorifindel was pointing. "Yes, I need these." He said.

The tall elf turned to leave and tripped over a bundle of books. Shaking his head in resignation "Then we will need a bigger wagon. Maybe two!" And he left the room.

Shannon and Rhea had been at the ruins for sometime. Rhea was doing some pencil sketches of the inner circle stones. When Shannon decided she had neglected her worship for too long. "I'm going to the outer edge and do some channeling. Don't get worked up if I don't answer you".

"Ok" Rhea said waving her hand distractedly without looking up from her latest art work.

Shannon walked to where she felt centered. She stood there eyes closed until she felt the energy she was searching for. Taking a deep breath she would void her mind of all thoughts. Very black and calm. Centering her thoughts on her own body, breathing slowly almost shallow. Heart beat slowing, blood flowing slowly through each vein. She could picture these things in her mind. Channeling came easy to her; her grandmother had started working with Shannon at a young age. Feeling her body float away to the peaceful place she always pictured. A meadow filled with wild flowers just after dawn. Crossing a small bridge over a stream. She walked there in her mind and spirit. Here she was not sick, there were no worries. This was her special place, a place where the Goddess Dana waited for her with an outstretched hand. She had always worshipped this Goddess privately. Never had she mentioned Dana to the others. Dana was the sovereign goddess who had birthed all things into being. Shannon loved her the most of all the Pagan goddesses.

After Shannon had finished her ritual , she started walking around. She found a nice spot at the very center of the first horseshoe. She sat down with her back against one of the stones and day dreamed about the man in her vision. She closed her eyes and tried to picture what he would look like with a smile on his face. She pictured him in blue jeans and a nice black button down shirt on. His long dark hair pulled back the way she had seen him. No! That didn't suit him. How about coming out of the shower with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist? "Shannon!" Rhea screamed in her ear. She had decided to sneak up the hill when she saw Shannon day dreaming and grinning from ear to ear. Shannon jumped and hit the back of her head on the stone she was leaning against. "Damn Rhea, Next time just shoot me!"

Rhea started laughing and said. "By the look on your face just now, you were doing the deed with Mr. Pointie Ears." Shannon looked at her and blushed "So ?" She said.

Rhea grinned and said " Hey, if I 'm not getting any, neither are you !" Then she got serious again. "You know after today this place will be swarming with people here for Beltane. We should take advantage of it and spend the rest of day here while we're alone. How about I go get a picnic basket and we stay here until dark? Are you feeling well enough ?" she asked. Shannon shook her head "I feel fine and that's a great idea. Do you want me to come with you?"

Rhea had already started walking to the car. She looked back over her shoulder "No; there's no sense in both of us climbing back up this hill. I'll be right back, sandwiches ok?"

Shannon called "Yeah that's fine" as she turned to walk back to the place she had been sitting. Tomorrow was Beltane eve and she was here at Stonehenge. It was a dream come true. Everything was ready back in the hotel room. She had her robe and under gown hanging in the closet. She had planned along with Rhea to be here at Midnight just as Beltane started. They would connect with their own deities and celebrate the coming season. Just as her druid ancestors had done thousands of years ago. She walked around to the other side of the rock and looked out over the meadow below. She should sit here and wait for Rhea to come back. But she had wanted to investigate the formations some, measuring the space where the missing stones used to be located. Looking at the diagram in the book she had, she walked to where one should be but had disappeared long ago. She stood in the spot belonging to the rock; this is where she heard the humming yesterday. She turned slowly just like yesterday, in a circle. Then the flash again, just like lightening striking. It was so brilliant she closed her eyes at the harsh light. There he was in what appeared to be a library. He was standing at a desk looking down into a book. The same sad expression on his face. She could see him clearly. This time she spoke "Look up! Look at me damn it! Don't you hear me?" she cried. Just as if he heard her words, he looked up. He stood there looking around the room. The frown on his face was beautiful. He wore a beautiful black satin robe, embroidered with silver threads. On his head he wore a silver crown of what looked like a Celtic design. She just knew he would look good in black! Is he a warlock or better yet a wizard? She would have to find out. She tried calling him again, but he didn't react this time." Come on look at me, please!" Nothing. She would have to be content with just watching him. She stood there with her eyes closed watching the vision. He turned and looked at something behind him. She could see a rather large man walk into the room. He walked over and stood right in front of the one with dark hair. They were talking but Shannon could not hear them. He had beautiful long blonde hair and his eyes, my god they were sea blue. He turned side ways to look at something on the floor; she could see his profile. Merciful heavens there were two of them. They both had pointed ears! She stood there afraid to open her eyes. She knew that if she broke the connection now, there was no telling when she would see him again. The blonde turned and walked out of the room. Shannon was beginning to feel like a peeking tom, but she couldn't help herself. He picked up a golden chalice and took a drink. God, even his hands were beautiful! They were strong masculine hands on which he wore a silver ring with a blue stone in the center. He quickly brought up his other hand and covered his eyes as if he were in pain. The vision was gone! She took a deep breath not realizing she had been holding it while she waited for him to answer her .

There was it was again , that flash of light . Without thinking he reached up and covered his eyes. He knew it! He thought he had heard something earlier. He could sense her presence. This time he actually felt someone in the room. He had looked around expecting to see her standing in the library. Then Glorifindel had come back to tell him that Erestor had finished the letters to Gandalf. Elrond would leave what books he could not take with him for the wizard. Gandalf it seemed would be staying with Aragorn and Arwen for a few years anyway. He could still feel someone watching but did not tell this to his friend. The tall one would surely make Elrond leave tonight for Gondor if he did. Elrond waited for him to leave and then took a drink of wine to rest his nerves. That is when the bright light came back .He could see her. She was standing in the sunlight, in the midst of some rocks. He looked at the long auburn hair with the sun shining on it. She still had that pale look to her skin. He tried to call to her, could she hear him? "My Lady, can you hear me? Where are you? What are these visions I keep having?" Nothing! He waited and watched as she stood there looking around. He looked at the scenery around her. He had never seen anything like that around here. Glorifindel poked his head in the library door and said "Did you say something?" Elrond's eyes flew open and the vision was gone. He looked at his friend and sighed. "No it was nothing."