Contrary to what many thought, the last chapter was not the end, and perhaps, this one may not be either. depends if you guys behave and review!. jk.
Time passed swiftly, and I watched as Fechin, my beautiful son grew into a lad as handsome as his father. The thought of Eirwen continued to lurk in the recesses of my mind, and Maeve and her evil schemes had faded from memory. It wasn't until Epona visited with a warning that I knew I had to take action.
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I woke early one morning, the sun streaming through the window, sending golden ribbons of light dancing across the room. Evyn lay next to me, still sleeping. I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake my sleeping husband. Stepping out into the cool morning air I felt something was not right. The cool breeze seemed harsh, and the soft sunlight had become glaring and hard.
Something came running up from the distance. I squinted, trying to recognize the shape. It was a horse, pale white with a creamy mane streaming behind its regal head. "Epona." I breathed.
Epona and I had not spoken since I broke the mirror. Seeing her here confirmed my belief that something was amiss.
"Redynvre." Epona transformed from the white horse into a golden woman. "Trouble is brewing. Maeve and Keir think they have a solution to Eirwen's predicament. You must be at Eirwen's cottage by nightfall. Only you can prevent the worse."
I was surprised and became slightly panicked at this sudden responsibility. "What about my family? Evyn? Fechin? And how am I suppose to prevail against two people whose powers are stronger than mine?" I asked desparetly, my voice sounding almost like a whine.
Epona smiled reassuringly. "Do you remember our first true encounter? And the gifts I gave you? You used the two, but you still have one left. That last gift is all you will need." With those final words she bent down and kissed me gently on the brow before bursting into rays of golden light. In her place stood the pale horse, who looked into my eyes for a few moments before galloping off into the forest.
Troubled, I returned inside, where Evyn was waiting for me. He sensed my trouble and without a word rose from the table. He took me gently into his arms and I buried my face in his strong shoulder. We remained this way for several minutes, until Fechin came in. At that point he released me and looked me straight in the eye.
"You have what it takes." he said quietly. "Don't doubt yourself."
Fechin watched a puzzled expression upon his fifteen year old face. "Mother?" he asked, his voice inquiring. I smiled a half smile before speaking.
"There is something I must do. I need to leave soon. Take care." Fechin studied my face for several minutes. Then to my surprise, my independent fifteen year old hugged me like when he was a child. Sighing, I stroked his curly brown hair before breaking away.
Evyn had left the room, and returned with a small pack and a cloak, which he had packed for me. I smiled graciously and wrapped the dark green cloak around my body and with one last farewell I headed out into the forest.
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As is entered the woods, the pale horse came galloping up to me. She flicked her head, motioning for me to get onto her back. I obliged, and she galloped straight through the woods. I clung desperately to her flowing mane, anxious about what lay ahead. Gradually the mare slower down and came to a complete stop in front of the cottage. I slid off and nodded to the horse. In a flash the horse was gone, and I was left alone in front of the cottage.
I approached the door, apprehension beginning to fill up in side me. I had a sudden feeling of fear, like I really didn't want to know what was going on behind that door. I stopped for a moment and listened. Inside voices were murmuring and I paused.
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Maeve looked doubtfully at Keir. 'Are you sure this will work?" she asked, her voice full of disbelief.
"It has to." Keir replied, his voice quiet and serious. He began to pour the contents of the steaming kettle into a mug when he heard a noise and paused. Maeve sat up straighter and looked at him worried.
"No." Keir responded. "How would she know? She destroyed the mirror." Maeve settled back, still looking slightly troubled. Images flashed through her mind as she brooded on the past
"Why is this here?" Maeve asked, her voice young and innocent. Alec snorted and continued.
"You can be such a baby." he said contemptuously. Maeve shut her mouth, though her gut continued to tell her this was wrong. She didn't say anything, for fear of a slap or worse a cut from Alec.
"This way." Alec whispered, pointing his knife to a small crevice in the hollow tree. Maeve looked inquisitively and was repulsed by the sight. A young fawn's body that had been mangled almost beyond recognition.
"You, you did that?" she asked, her voice trembling. Alec looked sharply at her. Slowly Maeve began to back up, afraid at what might happen next. She wanted to go home.
"I have, I have to get home now." she said quietly to Alec's back. He turned around sharply, the knife still in his hand.
"Not so soon love." his voice was low and dangerous, and Maeve began to run. Alec was larger and faster and soon caught her. He held the knife to her throat, his voice threatening. "You shall tell no one, and you will return next week.Or it will cost you your life." Maeve just nodded, to scared to disobey.
"Maeve?' Keir's voice broke through her memory. Touching her cheeks she realized a tear had crept down them. She turned away and Keir shrugged and continued his work.
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I crept over to the window and peeked in. Maeve sat at the table, her face turned away from the dark haired man, which I assumed was Keir. To my surprise tears were coursing down her cheek quietly, and she seemed oblivious to everything else. I forgot myself and made as though to reach out to her when she snapped to life.
"You!" I froze. Keir jumped to his feet. I turned to flee but came face to face with the tall dark haired man.
"Going so soon?" he asked. I tried to say something but the words wouldn't come out. Keir took me by the arm and led me into the cottage, where Maeve stood ready.
"This is the last time you shall interfere." she growled. The tears had been wiped from her face, and she began to speak raising her hands.
"WAIT!" I shouted. Maeve lowered her hands surprised.
"You fool. Don't listen!" Keir barked and Maeve began to chant again.
"Wait." I began. "You haven't had an easy life." Everything seemed to come together. Now I understood. "You lived in Epona's shadow, though you were older. No one loved you." Maeve looked taken aback. I continued. "It's not over for you, you know. You still have a chance. People can change. People will accept you. They just need to know that you are willing to accept their love."
To my surprise I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around Maeve's waist in a hug. She froze for a second, her body tensing before releasing. She placed her head on my shoulders and began weeping quietly. Keir stood dumbfounded.
Maeve lifted her head and looked me in the eye. Her blue eyes no longer held a sharp, piercing look. They had softened and looked upon me with gratitude. She stepped away from my embrace and looked Keir directly in the eye.
"Now I will do something I should have done a long time ago." She said, her voice low. Closing her eyes she cupped her two hands together, between which something started to glow. Keir's eyes grew wide and he stepped forward, his voice pleading.
"Don't believe the girl Maeve. You know I ..." Keir felt the words stop in his throat as he tried to say it.
Maeve smiled slightley. "What do demons know of love?" she asked, her voice sweet and low. Swiftly her her hands opened completely, revealing a glowing bauble of energy and light and before Keir could respond he threw the great ball of energy towards him. It encased him, sending streams of light through him as the light broke him apart. In a final burst of magic he disappeared and Maeve collapsed onto the wooden floor.
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