Thanks to those who took the time to review this story.
To Melissa Greenleaf it's nice that your sister has you for support. It's a sad fact that a lot of people will condemn something they don't understand. Good for you!
As always Blessed Be
I have had to change the rating on this last chapter to R . due to a romantic interlude at the end of the chapter . Better safe than sorry. So , if you are not the right age for this . Stop right here!
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Beltane Fires - Chapter 7
Luthien looked from Elrond to Shannon and smiled with a contented sigh. She spoke softly with an air of royalty. "The two of you have been chosen", she hesitated and then went on. "Shannon you have been a devoted daughter to your druid ancestors, without hesitation you have served them with an undying love. No matter the circumstances you have remained ever faithful to their beliefs. You have stayed pure of heart and stead fast to your convictions. Now in your hour of need they have sent you to be guided on your last journey . The one you must make into the afterlife. The druids you seek are waiting for you on the western shores. Should you elect to follow the path we have made for you, there is nothing for you to do except sail to the West with the elves of this land." Shannon turned and looked at Elronds ears. "Elves? You're an elf?" Elrond hesitated and said, "Yes, Why is that so hard for you to believe? " He looked at Shannon and waited for her to explain. She bowed her head in shame, afraid that she had offended him. "There are no elves where I come from." He reached out, took hold of her chin and raised her head so he could look into her eyes. They looked at each other in confusion and then turned to Luthien. She smiled patiently and continued. "Lord Elrond, you are to guide and console Shannon should she elect this path .I must make you understand. You are not to interfere with her destiny. Do not attempt to change her fate. It was written long ago in the Book of Almaren what her fate will be. And it cannot be changed by you. If you attempt to heal her it will only prolong her misery .You can however make her as comfortable as possible and guide her along the way." It was then that Elrond wanted answers. "But Luthien, how can I guide her when I am set to leave here so soon. Others wait for me to depart this haven and sail to Aman." Shannon spoke up "Luthien? This is the goddess Dana!" Luthien said almost immediately, "I have many faces. I am Luthien to the elves and people of Middle Earth. And I am the goddess Dana to those of Druid ancestry. Hear me Shannon should you wish to return to your own time, you have but to cross the bridge. Should you remain here Lord Elrond will sail with you to the shores of Aman and into the waiting arms of the druids. You have only until the end of the Beltane Fires to decide your fate." With that Luthien turned and walked to the end of the path. There she simply faded.
Shannon felt self-conscience and out of place suddenly. Here she was alone with an elf of all things and she was suppose to sail somewhere with him? What was she thinking? Elrond feeling her instability took her by the arm and smiled patiently "Come with me I will show you Imladris, my home. Do not despair, I will not harm you beautiful lady. Remember Luthien " then he corrected himself quickly "Dana has left you in my care. May I ask, what is this illness that Dana spoke of?"
Shannon wrinkled her nose and thought, now how do I explain this to someone who is not human? She slowly said "It is called Cancer. There are different forms that attack different parts of the body. In my case it is in my blood." Elrond nodded his head thinking about what she had told him. "And is this painful?" he asked. She thought her mother, "Not at first, in the beginning you feel tired and worn out all of the time. Then as the disease progresses it becomes painful. " This disturbed Elrond. Elves didn't get sick He guessed they were lucky in that respect, but they could grieve to death instead. They turned down another path and she could see a vast estate. "Oh, How beautiful. Is this Imladris?" Elrond beamed with pride at the safe haven he had built. "Yes, this is Imladris. I had this built as a haven for those who wished to leave the perils of Middle Earth. Elves and Men alike looking for sanctuary from evil." Shannon looked thoughtful and said "Is that why Dana brought me here? Because it is a safe haven? " The elf thought about this. "I do not know. "He led her up a stairway and into a great hall. Everywhere she looked the detail of the room was carved in wood. Everything was on a grand scale, but it had a homey feel to it. She liked it here, it did feel safe. He then led her down the hall and into the library. Glorifindel was sitting in the winged back chair drinking Elrond's good wine. "I knew you would eventually come back to this room. That is why I waited here." It was then he spotted Shannon standing next to Elrond. The large blonde elf jumped to his feet and bowed. "My lady forgive me I did not see you standing there." Shannon gasped and said "You're the other one, from the visions!" Elrond snapped his head around and looked at Shannon "You had them too!" Glorifindel not knowing what they were talking about turned his attention back to Elrond and asked "Visions? You have been having visions? You did not tell me of this." Elrond becoming impatient with his friend took the glass away from Glorifindel and barked "There are a lot of things I don't tell you." He started guiding his friend out the door." Go tell Erestor that we have a guest, she will be staying until we sail. Have him make something to eat and let us know when it is ready." He shut the door before the elf could object. "Now what were we talking about?" he said thinking "Oh yes, the visions."
"What were in your visions? Was there a flash of light?" she asked. He looked at her and frowned as he offered her the chair Glorifindel had been sitting in. "I saw you get sick, you were in bed and there was another woman in the room." It was at that point Shannon remembered Rhea. "Oh my god, I forgot about Rhea. She must be frantic by now. I only left her a note and then Dana took me from the stones." She jumped up suddenly and the room started spinning. She grabbed the arms of the chair to steady herself. A shard of pain shot through her head and she got pale. He reached her just in time and supported her back to the chair. "Sit here and rest .I will return in a few moments." with that he left the room. It wasn't long before he returned with a glass in his hand. She looked at the glass and frowned, He saw the indecision in her eyes. "It is only water". I have had Erestor prepare a room for you. You can rest better there." He looked at the clothes she was wearing and asked "why do you dress as a man? Where is the green robe I saw you wear? "She looked down at her clothes and said "This is how women can dress from my time if they choose. My robes are back in my room at the hotel. They are my Wicca robes, I wear them when I worship and perform my rituals." He looked at her thoughtfully and inquired, "What rituals? , Are you a wizard or a priestess ?" She glanced at him sideways to get his reaction, "I'm a wicca! when he looked confused she corrected herself "A witch !" His beautiful face was shocked. "Are you evil then?" She started laughing and rushed to reassure him. "No, I'm not evil. In the land where I live a person is allowed to practice the religion of their choice. A wicca practices the ancient rites of the druids, it's very spiritual. We worship the gods and goddesses of the old religion. A religion that is dated back before the birth of Christ. We cherish that which the earth has given us. And show our appreciation through rituals. There is nothing evil about it! Just the opposite really. It is all loving." The headache was starting and she started rubbing her temples. He realized she was in pain and kneeled before the chair she was sitting in. "Is there anything I can do?" he asked with a concerned voice. "No" she said quietly. "Sometimes if I'm real quiet and relax it eases up." He suddenly thought of something. "I will be right back". He walked quickly through the door and down the hall. When he returned he had a white cotton gown in his hand and a robe of burgundy satin over his arm. "Come with me Shannon". It sounded strange to hear him say her name, but she liked the way he said it. She let him lead her outside and around the side of the staircase. They slowly walked to a small pool. He helped her sit down on the stairs leading down into the water. She looked at the pool then she looked at him. "What, you expect me to go in there?" She said pointing to the water. "Yes" he said smiling sheepishly "It is heated, it is naturally warmed by an underground stream. I think you will find it very relaxing." She looked at him and blushed " I don't know how to swim." He looked at the pool and thought for a minute "Then I will help you. Do you need help undressing?" She looked at him in shock, "Do you mean I am suppose to go in there nude!" she asked afraid to hear his answer. "Shannon, you can not very well wear your clothes in there, it would be terribly uncomfortable." The headache was getting worse by the minute. She was almost sick from it. "All right " she said and started pulling the sweater over her head. Elrond quickly turned his head to look in the other direction. After a few minutes she called out "Ok, you can look now." When he turned back around she was sitting on the bottom step with her back to him. Curled up in almost a ball to cover her nudity. Elrond quickly discarded his own clothing and slipped into the water. He swam over to where she was sitting and waited. "Shannon, open your eyes. I will not look until you are in the water. Here take my hand and I will hold you up." When she looked at him he was chest deep in the water with his eyes closed. She slipped into the water and took the hand he was holding out to her. He immediately took her into his arms and cradled her . He kept his eyes closed out of consideration for her modesty. She turned over and floated on her back. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her allowing her to lay back on his chest for support. They floated like that for some time. "Shannon?" he waited for her to reply. "Yes?" she said. "Can I open my eyes now?" She laughed softly "Yes" was all she had the nerve to say. She found she liked it where she was. She could feel the strength in his arms. Years of wielding a sword in battle had made the muscles in his arms rock solid. She lay there with her head on his collarbone and her back against his bare chest. She could feel the muscles in his legs as he treaded the water keeping them afloat. His arms were wrapped around just below her breast and if he moved slightly they would rub her into a frenzy. She just held her breath and tried not to move. He slowly turned her to look at him. They were face to face and treading water. "Does your head still hurt?" he whispered. She looked deep into his eyes, "No, I feel a lot better now". She saw the deep blue gray color of his eyes, the tanned skin from years of living in the open with his army. His long dark chestnut hair flowed out in the water behind him. God, he was gorgeous. He slowly lowered his head until his lips were touching hers. Softly at first, when she kissed him back he became more demanding. He wrapped his arms tighter and she felt him invade her mouth with his tongue. Then he ran his finger along side the vein in her throat and down to her breast. She pulled away suddenly, "I'm sorry " she said. "I can't do this". He laid his forehead against hers and sighed. He looked right into her eyes and smiled sadly "No, it was my fault. I am truly sorry. I should not have pushed you. We have only just met, but I feel I have known you forever." He put his hand on her cheek and held it there. "To me you were mine. A vision that was meant for me alone. Someone who made me forget the loneliness. I have been alone so long that it seemed you were a gift for me from the heavens. And in reality I am suppose to help you through what lies ahead. Please forgive me!" He took her to the stairs leading out of the pool and motioned for her to dress in the gown and robe. "Put those on, they are more comfortable than the clothing you had on." She walked up the stairs and was exposed to his full view. She had lost her modesty with the swim in the pool. He stood there in the water and looked at her body exposed to him. She was truly a goddess. Her long slender legs were pale but beautifully proportioned. Her stomach was flat and the breast he had tried so hard not to touch were firm and round. Every part of her body was perfection. She bent over to retrieve the gown he had laid there and her hair flowed over her shoulders covering her face from his view. While she was putting the gown over her head he slipped out of the water and reached for his own robe. He decided not to put his leggings back on until he dried thoroughly, instead he threw them over his arm. He came over to where she was standing and held the robe open for her to slip into. She stood there silently and allowed him to button the robe over the gown. He sighed as he lifted her hair to her back. "Come Shannon, before I do something we both will regret !"