~*Chapter Three*~
"Salazar…are you asleep?"
There was a grumble, and then a gruff voice spoke. "I'm not now."
Still sometimes, Rowena wondered if it was Salazar speaking to her. Last summer, he had grown taller, and this summer it seemed his voice was deeper.
"It's today," Rowena pleaded, leaning over the boy who was buried under a thick heap of blankets. "Today!"
"Yes, yes," Salazar replied, rolling over to face her and blinking his eyes sleepily. "I know, but we have lessons first…"
"Oh, but think of all the fun we're going to have. It will be the longest day of the year and we can stay up late, just like last year, and we'll see fairies and there will be dancing, and father says we're to…"
"Rowena!"
Rowena caught herself and smiled. "Sorry, Salazar but I'm just so excited I can't sleep another minute."
"Look out the window," he requested. "Is the blasted sun even up yet?"
Rowena slid off the massive bed and rushed over to the windows, flinging back the thick, velvet drapes. A pale glow was surfacing beyond the mountains, but the sky was still sprinkled with stars.
"Well?"
Rowena pressed her face to the glass. "No."
"You have done this the past two Midsummer's, and the last time I stayed here for Yule, as well. Oh, and your birthday…I'm glad mine comes in the winter."
She pressed closer to the glass, seeing the Loch placid in early morning stillness. The silver strands of beach were a dark gray; a bird landed here and there, and a bit of twinkling glittered around the giant oak tree.
"Fairies! There's some, by our tree, Salazar. Oh, little tiny ones and I can see them blinking!
"Great…fairies," he moaned, and threw the covers back over himself. "Something I haven't seen before…that can wait until the sun comes up."
Rowena stomped her foot. "You aren't any fun."
"That's because I'm tired. We have the whole day, Rowena. Come here."
Salazar, his eyes barely opened, pushed back the covers and motioned for Rowena to climb in. She pouted for a moment, and then reluctantly climbed into the bed and they snuggled in together.
"See?" he said, his voice drifting off. "Sleep is good…"
Rowena had the feeling he was asleep already, and she knew he would get mad if she asked him again if he was sleeping. So, she lay there quietly knowing there was no way she would ever be able to fall asleep—in fact, she wondered how she had managed it during the night. Tired, and trembling from excitement, Rowena lay still and tried not to move so she wouldn't wake Salazar, and let her mind float away, imagining all of the fun things they would get to do that day.
She knew first of all, her father would consent for she and Salazar to go with Kay's family into the heart of the Glen, where all the local folk, Muggle and Wizard, would be gathering for the all-day celebration. Elfrida would insist on flowering Rowena's hair with daisies and roses, then promise to see her there, as Rowena would tear off for the faire. Rowena smiled, laying there in bed, already anticipating the smells of the food, the music, the dancing, the play with the Oak King and his crowning…the thoughts of all the simple splendors made her shiver from excitement. She could just taste the berry tarts, and smell the flowers, and hear the songs.
Unable to contain herself, Rowena began to sing her favorite Midsummer's Day song, in the tiniest whisper she could bring herself to make.
Light of the shoreBrushes the waters
Touch of the wind
Rustles the oak
Call of the song
Summons the dancers
To twilight revel
Of all faery folkRowena felt Salazar move and she instantly hushed herself. He pulled his arms together around her, giving her a squeeze.
"Don't bother hushing yourself," he whispered. "You've gone and woken me up, and I don't think I'll be able to go back to sleep now."
"Do you want to go outside before our lessons? The fairy lights are pretty by the shore, and the sands are all silvery."
Salazar sat up and rubbed his eyes, causing Rowena to laugh as she saw the dark hair standing up in strange places on his head.
"Oh, shut up," Salazar said playfully as Rowena continued to laugh and tried to ruffle his hair. He held her back. "Really…"
Salazar took a pillow and hit her with it, causing her to laugh harder.
"Come on!" she cried, jumping down from the bed.
"In our nightclothes and bare feet?"
"Yes!" Rowena called, throwing open the door. She then remembered that quiet was a good idea, and proceeded to tiptoe out into the dark corridor. "Salazar," she quietly called to him.
"Here I am," he answered, appearing at her side, seeming even taller with his standing hair. He took her hand and they hurried through the halls, avoiding the kitchen area and ducking away from house elves and servants. They were nearly in the clear, when a voice called from behind.
"You're both up I see," Elfrida observed. "Which saves me the trouble of coming to wake you. Lord Ravenclaw expects within the hour for your lessons."
"But it's so early!" Rowena complained.
"Well, it ain't your decision," the nurse replied, taking both Rowena and Salazar's sleeves. "Hurry along to the kitchen to break your fast, and then you can dress and meet the Lord in the library."
She shuffled the children along, and Rowena decided not to complain any further, as she was very hungry. After eating, cleaning up and dressing, Rowena and Salazar hurried to the library with expectations that if they worked diligently and well in all of their lessons, Lord Ravenclaw might let them out early so that they could scamper off to the faire. As usual, Rowena's father was sitting at the tapestry-covered table in the center of the library, hunched over his writing desk. His wand was in one hand and a quill in the other, though he paused from his business to give both children a stern look.
"You both look up to mischief," he spoke deeply. "Up before sunrise, running off to somewhere? Were you planning on missing your lessons?"
"No, father," Rowena answered him, as Salazar said, "No, Master Ravenclaw."
"I see."
The old, yet powerful wizard set down the quill and rolled up the scroll he had been working on, then slipped his wand into the front pocket of his long, red robe.
"Retrieve your Arithmancy notebooks and your copies of the Nicomedes scroll, as that will be our first lesson today; and as it is the summer solstice, we shall review Eratosthenes's process in calculating the circumference of the earth. We will also read some from Platonicus."
Rowena would have normally heaved a great sigh, but on this day she would have to be on her best behavior, lest her father might restrict her from the faire.
The children resigned themselves to a day of tough brainwork, and before they knew it, noon was approaching.
"Rowena," Lord Ravenclaw said, causing her to look up from her arithmancy work.
"Yes, father?"
"What can you tell me about Midsummer's Day, in its astronomical significance?"
Salazar smirked—for him it was an easy question, but the scope of the question made Rowena balk a bit.
"Well…first of all…" she began, looking up at the thick beams in the ceiling. An interruption happened then, as a great tawny owl swooped in, its dark feathers beating the air as it came to land on Lord Ravenclaw's writing desk.
"That's my father's owl," Salazar told them, standing up.
Rowena watched her father take the letter from the large bird, unrolling it carefully. Salazar was definitely unsure about the letter, as his face went pallid and his green eyes gave an unsettled flicker. Lord Ravenclaw began to read the letter, and immediately, Rowena knew something was wrong, just by his pained facial expressions. He turned his dark eyed gaze to Salazar when he finished the letter, and Rowena nearly expected her father to cry.
She wanted desperately to ask what, but the silent acknowledgement between Salazar and her father was palpable, and there was no way that she could come between them.
Salazar straightened up and took a deep breath. "Mother?" he asked, his voice strained to sound calm.
"I am afraid so, Salazar," Lord Ravenclaw answered in a gray tone.
"When?"
"This morning, just before dawn. Your father wants you to return as soon as possible, but I won't take you home until you are ready, Salazar."
"Yes, of course," the boy replied, trying his hardest to maintain his composure. "Thank you, Master Ravenclaw. May I be excused?"
"If that is what you wish."
Salazar nodded, and then Rowena saw a tear roll down his cheek as he turned quickly on his heels and strode from the library.
"Salazar!" Rowena cried, about to go after him. He took off at a run, and Lord Ravenclaw grabbed her by her arm.
"Let him go, Rowena."
"What's happened to Lady Slytherin?" she questioned, feeling a terrible sensation in her stomach. She could only guess what had happened, and she hoped her fears were not true.
"She died this morning from her illness, Rowena," Lord Ravenclaw replied, despair in his voice that Rowena had never heard before.
"No…but I loved her…Salazar loved her, father…" Rowena said as she began to cry. Her father scooped her into his arms, and sat down with her in his lap.
"Ssh, Rowena," he whispered. Crying into her father's chest, Rowena couldn't help feeling grief for not only Lady Slytherin, but also the son who was left behind. She knew Salazar loved his mother dearly, and worried for him to have to go back with only his father, who was very strict with him. It would be similar to her own father dying, leaving her alone with her wicked mother. Poor Salazar…
Rowena squirmed to get up.
"No," Lord Ravenclaw said firmly, though caringly. "He wanted to be alone. Give Salazar a little time. I know you love him, and so do I, and we will be here for him when he needs us."
Rowena fell back against her father and lay with him quietly for what seemed like hours.
So, Midsummer's Day passed, and the faire, which Rowena had been longing for since the first ray of summer sunlight, went on without her and she didn't even care. Eventually, her father released her, and though she promised not to, she went looking for Salazar. He was allusive, and all her searching turned up no signs of Salazar. Eventually, Rowena grew hungry and allowed Elfrida to snatch her up and feed her. The nurse gave her a gentle talking to about life and death, grief and consolation, as Rowena ate solemnly. The brightest, most beautiful day of summer had turned out to be the darkest, and she was disconsolate. Before turning her loose, though, Elfrida insisted on the yearly tradition, and decorated Rowena's hair with daisies and small rose buds. Rowena smiled and hugged her nurse before setting off again to look for her friend.
Twilight was settling in then, the last warm rays of orange and red fading over the mountains. Some stars were visible, twinkling in the dark blue of the sky as the fairies in the waving fields of grass near the silver strand. Rowena ran through the soft, tall grass, sending fairies scattering and flitting, even chasing her as she made her way to the sandy shore. She heard a buzzing chatter as some of the little fairies landed on the flowers in her hair.
The sand was still a little warm from the day's sun, and Rowena dug her toes down into it, staring out across the silent waters. Floating on the air was a song, music and singing from the faire, and Rowena heard the tune of a familiar song…
Light of the shoreBrushes the waters
Touch of the wind
Rustles the oak
Call of the song
Summons the dancers
To twilight revel
Of all faery folk…though now, she certainly did not feel like singing it.
"Don't you hear it, Rowena? It's your favorite song."
She spun around, trying to see where Salazar was, and saw him perched in the oak tree. She hurried over to the great, rough base of the trunk and peered up at him, hidden in the shadows. Twinkles of little fairies swirled around, and she could hear their small sounds.
"You missed the faire, didn't you?" he asked.
"Yes, but I…Salazar, I am so sad for you and for your pretty mother."
He showed her a sad smile, and she could see he was crying. Rowena began to climb the tree and was soon sitting on a thick branch next to him, hugging him.
"Do you know what I always wished, Rowena? This may sound strange…"
Rowena got that uneasy feeling again, such as when Salazar would say he wished Lord Ravenclaw were his father. "I wished that by some magic, my mother could have married your father. She would have been stronger then…"
He started to sob. "And now…she's gone…forever…and what I'm scared of most is…having to go home. This is my last summer here, and now, she won't be there for me when I'm home…and I wasn't there for her…when…"
He cried, and that was enough to tear at Rowena's heart as she began to cry as well. Salazar gripped her tight. "You are my family now, you're all I have…you're the only one who loves me."
"I do love you," she said, "and so does father. We won't leave you, I promise. Father even said we'll go with you to the Fen and stay with you until you come back home with us."
Salazar, still crying, nodded his head and they embraced again, holding on to one another as the last ember of light disappeared behind the mountains, and night encircled them; and all around, the golden glows of tiny fairy lights danced in the faint music that drifted on the Midsummer's night breeze.
~~~
"Rowena, it's Midsummer's Day! How can you sit here in this dark dungeon of a library?" Godric protested. "Can't you just smell the food? Hear the music?"
"I told you, Godric," Rowena replied, taping her chin with the wispy white end of a quill. "I am not fond of Midsummer's Day. Besides, our classes begin with Master Sinistra tomorrow and I want to review a few things…"
"Nonsense. We are going to the faire. Ludenwic, I'm sure, cannot compare to the festivities on my father's manor, but it is going to be splendid. I will not allow you to sit here!"
Godric smiled, and plucked the quill from Rowena's hand, then took her arm and pulled her from the table that was stacked with books and scrolls.
"Now," he instructed. "Go and put on a more Muggle-like dress so that we don't get noticed."
Godric was already clothed in hose and a brown jacket with skirting—clad like a Muggle, but also recognizable as a noble.
Rowena sighed, but could not help catching Godric's infectious smile.
"Fine. I'll need a few minutes."
She made her way quickly up to her apartment, feeling her smile fade the further she went as the memory of a past Midsummer's Day fought to stay at the forefront of her mind. The day now held a somber meaning for her, and she remembered sitting in the tree with Salazar as he cried over the death of his mother. The thoughts of her lost friend, both in memory and in wonder at his present situation, made her feel dark and uneasy.
When Rowena reached her apartment, she changed from her robes into a more suitable dress. Ludenwic, the biggest town, contained a growing population of Muggles who feared wizards or thought them vile, and it was deemed necessary to hide one's true identity. Rowena held that knowledge with disdain. That tension did not exist in the Glen, though most were wizards there, and the Muggles looked to her father and the other wizard families to keep them safe from invading Vikings. The same was true for Lord Gryffindor, whose large fiefdom kept hundreds of Muggles and wizards safe from the same invaders. Times were dark, and in the countryside, Muggles did not shun powerful wizards so readily, but they seemed to have different attitudes in the towns.
Preparing herself to look more like a Muggle, Rowena donned a white, fitted chemise. The sleeves were tight, and had been a bit too long so that they wrinkled at the wrists. She had fixed that with a charm after bringing the dress home from Threadneedle Street. The pale yellow over-tunic slipped over her chemise, and she straightened the fabric out, securing it at the waist with a gold embroidered silk girdle. Rowena looked at herself in the mirror and decided to renew her old nursemaid's tradition, pulling her wand and providing herself with a few daisies and small roses that she attached to her hair. The color of the tunic brought out the yellow strands in her gold tresses; bringing forth another memory of the straw-headed girl she once was on a past Midsummer's Day.
Rowena sighed. She would have fun with Godric, but she just couldn't get rid of the sadness that haunted her.
"Rowena?" an old voice asked, as she heard her uncle knock on her door.
"Yes, come in Uncle," she answered him.
Edelbert shuffled in, his tired gray face lighting when he saw her.
"You look like a shower of gold," he commented.
"Thank you, Uncle," Rowena said, kissing him on the cheek.
"I think young Gryffindor is anxious to get to the faire. I've come to give you a nudge out of the door. For five years I've seen you become solemn on Midsummer's Day, and I know it must hold a sad memory for you. Please, try to enjoy the day, hmm?"
"I will," she replied, setting her wand down on the dresser.
Edelbert quickly picked it up and placed it back in her hands. "Hide it. You cannot be too careful…on a day such as this, with all the drinking, Muggles can easily let things become volatile. You both are distinguishable as nobles, but that may not be enough to keep you safe, Rowena."
She nodded, slipping the wand beneath the tunic, fitting it between the girdle and her waist.
"Good girl," Edelbert said. "Now, not too much merriment, young lady. You have classes in the morning."
"I know."
"I'm so very proud of you," Edelbert told her, a twinkle of tears in his eyes. "Your father would be very proud of you. Rowena, taking the path of the scholar is a choice you've made after both our own hearts, and it seems to me that you are going this route because it is what you want, and not for any other reason."
Rowena smiled and hugged him. "I should go, Uncle."
"Yes," he replied. "Watch out for Godric. I have a feeling he'll get himself into trouble before the day is out."
She laughed and kissed Edelbert one more time before hurrying down to the shop's entrance to meet her friend. Godric was waiting there, arms crossed with his sword now affixed in a scabbard at his waist.
His eyes widened as Rowena appeared.
"And to think I was going to complain," he said. "I suppose I'm going to have to fend off unwelcome admirers all day."
"Who says admirers are unwelcome?" she replied, lifting a brow.
He flashed her a dimpled smile and winked a dark brown eye at her.
"To the faire, Lady Ravenclaw?" he asked, offering his arm.
"Very well, Lord Gryffindor," she answered, taking his arm as they stepped out into the brilliant summer sunlight.
The town was alive and filled with people, packed in the narrow streets all the way to the river. Merchants were everywhere, selling food and wares; music, singing, yelling and laughter made it difficult for Rowena and Godric to even hear each other talk. They made their way to the center of the faire, where there was a tournament being held, and nearby was a flurry of dancing and music. A troupe of actors was performing a small play, though it was about something Rowena was not familiar with, when she had expected it to be about the Oak king.
Pushing their way through the crowds, so Godric could get a look at the jousting and fighting, they could hear someone calling his name. Godric spun her around.
"Do you see him?" he asked her.
"No. Who is it?"
"It sounds like…" Godric was saying, when a young man with blond, curly hair appeared from a cluster of people. He was smiling widely, and clad very much like Godric.
"Tristan!" Godric laughed, embracing the young man and clapping him on the back.
"You devil!" Tristan greeted him. "I hoped to run into you here. How strange to find you interested in the tournament, of all things." He eyed Rowena then and his smile got even bigger.
"Oh!" Godric caught himself. "This is the young Lady Ravenclaw…Rowena. She's a friend of mine. We're starting classes tomorrow. Rowena, this is Tristan Malfoy, the son of one of my father's vassals."
"Well, actually," Tristan said, his grayish eyes flashing a proud sparkle, "I will be making the act of homage soon, and I will also be getting married."
"What?!" Godric cried. "Just when were you going to tell me this? You're going to be a married man? When?"
"At the end of the summer…both ceremonies will be held on the same day, but we're planning several days of feasting. It's going to be memorable. You will come, won't you? Bring Rowena along, and any other new friends you make here. The more, the merrier!"
"I can't believe this!" Godric was astonished. "Tristan, you mongrel! So, who is she?"
"A daughter of the MacFusty clan."
"From the Hebrides…breeders of Hebridean black dragons?"
"She's already on the manor, and I get the hint she was glad to get away from that place and her family. She's a bit too dainty for that life."
"Good for you," Godric said, clapping Tristan on the back again. "So your parents aren't opposed to a wizard marriage then?"
"I think after all this time my father has served yours and been his friend, he's learned what wizard life really is. It is what he wants, another alliance between the Malfoys and a wizard family."
Just then, the crowd hushed a bit as someone announced the next joust, and Godric's eyes lit up.
"Godric…" Rowena started.
Tristan laughed and shook his head.
"I think I've heard them calling me," Godric announced. "Time to trounce some Muggles…er…"
"No offence taken," Tristan replied.
Godric hurried off through the crowd, and Rowena and Tristan followed. Most of the people moved out of their way, and they were awarded a good place to watch the joust. It appeared Godric was going to battle another young noble man, though he looked like he had seen many real battles with the Vikings than unblemished young Godric. She heard the crowd saying that after so many victories, no one was willing to fight the man anymore that day. Rowena cringed.
"Don't worry," Tristan assured her. "Godric's terribly good."
Before long, Godric had mounted a destrier and his lance was held at the ready. He had put on some rusty armor, but gritted and put on a helmet, determination in his face.
Still, she wished he had not been so bold.
In a moment, the joust was over, and Godric lay defeated on the ground. Rowena found herself holding her breath and covering her mouth to stifle a cry.
"Oh," was all Tristan said. "Come on, my lady. We have to go mend his broken pride."
When they finally reached Godric, he was sitting by himself near the stables, looking confused. A mixture of wonder and anger were present in his expression.
"Before you say anything," he told Rowena and Tristan when he noticed their presence, "know that this was not my fault. Yes, I'm distraught that I lost but it was because of a girl."
"A girl?" Tristan questioned, trying to hold back a chortle.
Rowena smiled and listened.
"Just as I'm heading full speed at that monster, what do I see? The most gorgeous red locks you would ever see, blowing in the summer breeze. Time froze, and there she was…and then there the ground was, and my face was in it."
"Excuses," Tristan laughed.
"Did you see her? Rowena? Tristan? You had to have seen her!"
Rowena looked at Tristan, then they both shook their heads.
"Come on, Godric," Tristan said, pulling up the defeated warrior. "At least you'll live to fight another day."
"And to find her…it's fate. Though I'm probably laughable now that she saw me lose. I've got to find her. She's bound to be around here somewhere!" Godric exclaimed, taking off for the crowds.
Tristan rolled his eyes. "My lady, just so we have an understanding, this is about the fiftieth time this has happened."
Rowena laughed and hurried off with Tristan, in pursuit of Godric.
After about an hour of searching, Godric sadly gave up in defeat and they resorted to dancing and eating and drinking, and had a wonderful time as the sun set. The sky darkened with reds and pinks, and fires and torches lighted, causing the air to fill with a smoky scent. Tristan had found the friends he had come to town with, and since disappeared, leaving Rowena stuck with a less than sober Godric. As night came on, she finally convinced him to return home with her, though he insisted on one more dance. So, they moved back into the crowd as the music started, and Godric whisked her around again, both of them laughing the whole time. She kept thinking, as she was dancing and laughing, how pleasant a day it had been and that she might be able to handle Midsummer's Day in the future, now that she had a more pleasant memory. But then, as she danced, Rowena began to get a strange feeling that was starting to drain her happiness. Something was calling her back to another Midsummer's memory. Was it something she had seen?
"What?" Godric asked. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know," she answered, looking around. For a moment, standing not too far away, she thought she saw a familiar face in the crowd beyond the dancers, looking right at her.
"Rowena?" Godric's face blocked her view. "Do you want to go home? You look like you've seen a ghost. Are you ill?"
"No…I…" Rowena felt uneasy and did not want to explain. "Yes, I'd like to go home."
"Fine," he replied. "Though I probably need you to help me home more than you need me."
They left the main area of the faire, and the closer they came to Bishopsgate Street, the more sparse the crowds and merchants became, until they walked quietly alone and stopped outside the shop.
"Oh, I'm going to have a headache tomorrow," Godric complained.
"Come in," she invited. "You can stay here. I'm going to get a potion for you."
"Thanks," Godric replied.
After getting him settled, Rowena returned to her apartment, changing into her nightgown. The nightly ritual of reading was dismissed, as she climbed into bed. Her body was a bit sore from walking all day, and it felt good to lay down in the softness of her bed. As her head fell back on the pillow, she could smell scents from the day on her hair, mainly a gentle smokiness. It had been a long time since she went to bed on Midsummer's Day smelling that scent on her hair.
Rowena yawned and closed her eyes, seeing immediately that face in the crowd.
In her mind, she wanted to question herself, but in her heart, she knew she had locked gazes with Salazar Slytherin. It seemed only yesterday she had looked into those green eyes…