There's A Place
By Dragon's Daughter 1980
Chapter Four: Adeste Fideles (Part Three)
July 31st, 1981
Isle of Avalon
Upon seeing his wife appear at the other end of the clearing, Merlin politely excused himself from an engaging conversation with his guest and stood. Nimuë moved gracefully through the crowd, which parted to let her though, and to her husband's side. The couple and Dumbledore then moved up the hillside to become visible to everyone present.
"Hello, Professor," Nimuë smiled slightly as Dumbledore made a slight bow. "Thank you for joining us tonight," the High Lady said quietly before turning her attention to the gathered crowd and raising her voice so that all could hear her.
"My Children, welcome. We thank you for your prompt answer to our summons."
"We are in your service and in the service of Avalon," the gathering replied as one underneath the overlapping branches of the gnarled trees.
"Tonight we have a guest in our midst," said the High Lord smoothly. "He has been gracious in accepting our invitation here. I have called tonight's Council concerning the war against the Dark One. Who wishes to report first?"
One by one, the assembled Children came forth with their tidings from the Outer World. The news was both encouraging and dispiriting. The resistance against the Dark One was getting stronger and better organized, but was still very vulnerable to infiltration by the Death Eaters. The Ministry was having some luck in questioning Death Eaters about their accomplices, but was suffering severe manpower shortages as Death Eaters depleted Auror ranks. Children of Avalon were being sent back less and less to the Isle for emergency medical aid, but the number of Descendents in the United Kingdom was dwindling as Avalonian families were either attacked by Death Eaters or relocated out of harm's way on the Continent. Professor Dumbledore offered what intelligence he could from his organization.
"Thank you for your work in the Outer World. Are there other matters that any wish to be brought before the Council?" He paused. When no one spoke, he continued, "Then the Council is adjourned until the next summons. Avalon blesses you and offers sanctuary when you seek it."
As the gathering dispersed, Nimuë beckoned to a woman and her child who had stood in the shadows, just beyond the lighted clearing, during the Council. At Nimuë's gesture, Hannah came into the flickering torchlight, leading her sleepy-eyed six-year-old daughter and a small bundle of belongings, her tearstained face pale. Another woman, who looked to be in her late thirties, came forward to greet her at the bottom of the hill. The High Lady moved down the hill to join them.
"Hello, Priestess," the new woman said softly. Nimuë made the introductions.
"Lady Hannah, this Mistress Ruth Berkley. She and her husband, Master Harold, are the ones we have chosen to be your daughter Alice's guardians in the Outer World. They already have in their care April Coughlin, Lady Laura's daughter."
"Hannah," the Lady said softly, "Ruth has suggested that perhaps it would be better if you went with Alice into the Outer World for a few days, to help her get adjusted to her new surroundings—as well as give you time to adjust to the separation. Would you like that?"
Hannah nodded, apparently not trusting herself to speak. Ruth looked at her in concern as she spoke, "Then that's settled. If you don't mind, Lady Hannah, I think we should leave soon. It's been a long night for all of us, and we will need our rest for tomorrow."
While the women talked, Merlin turned to Albus with a grave expression.
"Professor, Avalon is a highly sensitive secret that is guarded diligently. It would be a catastrophe if the Dark One was to learn of our existence. While I do not doubt your word to the Isle or to Nimuë, there are still others that cannot be trusted. Are you certain that there is an informer who has penetrated your ranks?"
"Yes," Dumbledore sighed. "For roughly the past six months, information from the Order has reached Voldemort."
"Do you know the identity of this person?"
"No, High Lord, I'm afraid not. We are trying our best, but to no avail."
"Do you have any protocols to guard your information?"
"The Order is based on trust," Albus replied somewhat sharply.
"Someone has already betrayed that trust, Professor," Merlin replied just as sternly. "I am simply warning you to be careful."
Nimuë, having made sure that Hannah would be fine while in the Outer World with her daughter and Ruth, returned to Merlin's side in time to hear the tense exchange. She put a gentle hand of restraint on her husband's arm and then looked at Albus calmly.
"The Potters and the Longbottoms must be protected, Albus," Nimuë said quietly. "See to that and the Source will take care of the rest."
"Very well," Dumbledore replied willingly. She looked at both of them, noting their body language, before saying "We are allies on the same side. It does not bode well for us if we cannot trust the judgment of each other. As one American put it, 'A house divided against itself cannot stand.' Our alliance cannot be weak. It has been long years since we have dealt with the Outer World directly, please forgive us for expressing our concerns in what ways we do."
Dumbledore looked at her solemnly before replying, "I am simply grateful you have consented to aid us."
"I am grateful that you are willing to trust us," she replied, "odd as our customs are. We are an old-fashioned people, aware of the changing world beyond our shores, but sometimes unwilling to change with it."
"Then let us count this as a simple misunderstanding and we will lay it to rest." Merlin gave a slight bow of consent in reply.
"I believe your escort is waiting, Professor," Nimuë said graciously. "Thank you for coming and good night. Avalon blesses you in your fight against Voldemort."
"Thank you," Dumbledore replied, giving the couple a slight bow. "Farewell then."
"Until we meet again," Merlin said, taking a phrase from an Irish blessing.
"Until we meet again," Dumbledore echoed before he left the High Rulers of Avalon standing alone on the hillside.
Author's Note/Disclaimer: Thanks to Ruth and Beth for all of their help and advice. Anything that seems familiar does not belong to me. I'm sorry for the long wait, but I was struggling with some issues.
Abraham Lincoln (Springfield, Illinois: June 16, 1858)