Chapter 3

Imbolc

3 years later

(Emma is 8)

The realm of Elanoriah was slowly recovering from the harsh winter it had gone through. The ice of the mountains melted, the rivers grew wider, the weather was more gentle. It was Imbolc1, marking the beginning of spring, the awakening of nature and the return of the sun. The festival would be celebrated on this February day all across the land. The people took care of it with a great enthusiasm: they prepared the bonfires and the feasts to come. Butter, bannock2 and milk were favored, and tables were disposed in the great courtyard of Eurwen.

Emma watched the preparations with curiosity, as she always did. Each festival of the Wheel of the Year3 was important, for it announced the end of a season and the beginning of another. Her mother had told her about the cycles that control our lives: life and death, winter and spring, night and day. She told her that they were part of these cycles, and that the decisions they made were to be part of them too, that every choice had a consequence. The little princess listened to her with close attention, even though she was not sure to understand.

This year, Imbolc was special. The King and Queen had told their daughter they had an important announce to make, and that they would do so during the Great Feast. Emma was impatient to know what it was about.

"Princess, watch out!" laughed a guard as Emma winded between the working servants.

The princess left the courtyard and headed to the gardens. She missed the mantle of snow, the cold and the peace of winter. She liked it when nature was still and the trees were bare, when the animals hid and the birds kept quiet. She enjoyed the silence of the season of Bertha4. Her old nanny had told her that snow was caused by her shaking her feather bed. Often, the little girl would sneak out of the castle and wander in the gardens, whispering prayers to the Goddess, asking her to shake her bed again. But obviously, the Goddess had better things to do now that Imbolc had arrived.

The gardens of Eurwen were covered with snowdrops that the King had had planted in honor of his wife, and were surrounded by the Lake of Brighid. Three bridges led out of the enclosure of Eurwen : one to Niamh5 Bay, the other to the Royal Road, and the last one to the Enchanted Forest. But Emma was forbidden to cross them alone, of course. What a pity. But she had found a way to comfort herself. She rushed towars the old oak, her old oak, near the third bridge. When she climbed it and sat on the highest branch, she could see beyond the horizon and contemplate the roof of leaves of the Enchanted Forest. She would go there once a week right before dawn, to see the sunrise. It was the most marvellous thing to see: all the land flooded by the ochre light of the rising sun, all the shadows disolving in its rays. She was the child of cold and snow, and yet, she felt complete when she was sitting there, hit by the warmth of the dawning sun. Maybe that was why she liked Imbolc so much. She was caught between winter and spring, cold and heat, night and day. She was not part of a cycle as her mom had told her. She knew she was different. That something else was waiting for her, maybe in this mysterious forest. She just didn't know whether this something was good... or not.

She let her little hand caress the bark of the tree and she cast a glance to this part of the lake. The latter was very peculiar : it was invaded by swans. That's why, many centuries ago, it was named after the Goddess Brighid, whom the swan was the attribute. She was celebrated on Imbolc, as swans return from their winter migration, and Emma could not help but think that, somehow, this festival was dedicated to her, or that she was dedicated to this festival, for her second name was Elea, which means "swan."

As she pondered on this, she heard a cry. She turned her head in the direction of the sound and ran towards it. On the bank of the lake stood a boy a little older than her. He was trying to catch a swan, but the poor animal was not that thrilled at the idea of this child laying his hands on its feathers.

"What are you doing?" she asked, outraged.

The boy jumped with surprise and let go of the swan which took advantage of the situation and flew away.

"Swans are sacred, you think you can just catch one?"

"I... I didn't want to hurt it..." the boy stuttered.

"You know that killing a swan brings bad luck, right?"

"I didn't want to kill it!" This time, the boy was clearly on the brink of tears.

The princess rolled her eyes. Boys are such babies. "There, it's okay, I know you didn't want to harm it," Emma said in a soft voice - at least she wanted it to sound soft. "But what did you want to do with it anyway?"

"I just... I like swans, they're pretty. I wanted to touch it."

"You're weird."

The boy smiled. "I know." He paused for a few seconds. "My name's Baelfire, but you can call me Bae."

"I'm Emma Elea of Eurwell," Emma answered with pride.

The boy's eyes widened in surprise. "You're... the princess ?"

She nodded.

"Aren't princesses supposed to curtsey when they introduce themselves or something ?"

Emma chuckled. "Aren't boys supposed not to cry ?"

Baelfire laughed. "So... Are you going to report my intrusion into the royal gardens ?" he asked.

"I'm not a snitch!" Emma declared, a little vexed. "I don't mind you around. As long as you don't try to catch the swans... and stay away form the old oak over there."

"Why that ?"

"It's mine."

"You, royals, you think you own everything," said the boy with a shake of the head.

"You boys, you think you own us, girls," Emma replied with a smirk.

"What are you talking about ?"

"I don't know, I heard one of my servants say that to a stable boy."

They both laughed. Suddenly, they heard the horn : it was time.

"Come !" said Emma, "the feast is beginning !"

"I can't" answered Baelfire.

"Why ? Everyone's invited !"

"Yeah... Not my father."

Emma didn't understand. She frowned and was about to answer him when a voice called out her name.

"Ugh", she sighed, "it's Mary, my governess. I really have to go, my parents want to make a big announcement."

"I get it," Bae replied with a half-smile. "Go. But... If you want to... I could come back tomorrow? We could play together? I don't have many friends and hum... I like you. You seem strong."

The princess bit her lip. She barely knew him. Maybe he was annoying. He did cry for nothing earlier after all. But... She could use a partner. "Okay. Meet me there tomorrow afternoon. But don't..."

"'Approach the old oak'. I won't, I promise."

Emma smiled at him, and then ran towards the courtyard. She didn't know then she had just met the son of the one who ripped out her heart eight years ago.

Bliss filled the air of this festive evening. Two long tables were disposed alongside, and at the end of it was the royal table, facing the crowd. Charming and Snow-White were already sitting there, her hand resting on the wooden surface and his covering it, his thumb caressing her silky skin. Emma wondered how it felt to share what they shared. She did not understand the look in their eyes, this special spark that glowed whenever they were looking at each other. The smile on their faces. This mask of stillness and peace they wore when they felt each other's presence. Tonight, as they celebrated Imbolc, their smiles were even larger, the sparks even brighter. It had to have something to do with this big announcement they had talked about earlier. The little princess made her way through the servants and finally reached their table.

"Oh there you are sweetheart!" Snow-White exclaimed, extending her arms so as to hug her.

"Have a sit little elf," Charming said. "The feast is about to start."

Emma nodded and sat. She scanned the gathering with curious eyes. She didn't know how many people were sitting there. She knew some of them: there were the Queen Ella of Bróg6 and her husband the King Thomas, who ruled the Southern Kingdom of Tesni7, and also the King Midas who governed the Isle of Enfys8. She recognized Marco of Eoghan9 and his son, Pinocchio. The rest of the crowd was composed of nobles coming from all the realm and beyond the seas, even the King of Oighear10 had come from the Northern edges. Elanoriah was the most powerful kingdom of the four, and also the oldest. At the beginning of time, a warrior princess had defeated the Ogres and brought peace, knowledge and love to a wild land. She was called Orfhlaith11, the golden princess, for her hair was as golden as the summer sun. And she had built The Castle of Eurwen. This had happened thousands of years ago, and the castle had been rebuilt, but never did the power of Elanoriah dissolve. And ever since Snow-White and her Prince Charming were King and Queen, the festivals had always been successful, for all the other rulers loved them.

As Emma thought of this ancient warrior princess and wondered how she had found the strength fo fight such horrible creatures, the servants brought fruit whilst the jugglers performed in the middle of the tables. The princess loved the jugglers, but the only thing she liked about banquets... was dessert. And it would take a long time before they got there, she knew it.

A couple of hours later, there it was. Emma smelled a delicious scent of sugar and vanilla. The servants brought custards, crêpes, darioles12, fruits in marzipan and even sorbets. Suddenly, Emma scrunched the tip of her little nose, intrigued.

"What are you smelling honey?" asked Snow-White with a smile.

"I... I Think it's waffles. Mother, I love waffles!"

"I know you do" the Queen answered, laughing. That's why I asked the baker to make some. I know it's not really what we're supposed to eat at Imbolc, but I knew you would be happy with this decision."

A huge smile curled the little girl's lips, but suddenly, she frowned. "Does it have something to do with the announcement you're about to make? Are you trying to blackmail me?"

"Do you know what 'blackmail' means sweetheart?" The king asked, amused.

"No," Emma answered with a pout. "But I know it's something shady."

"Just enjoy dessert my dear, and thank the baker for doing this special meal."

Emma assented silently, but she was dying to know... What were they about to tell the world? She would know sooner than she thought, for her parents were now on their feet, ready to pronounce their speech. The crowd was silent. Apparently, they were as curious as the little princess.

"Dear Kings and Queen, dear people," Charming said, "we've been happy to welcome you all at Eurwen once again, to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring. We hope that Brighid is pleased by the offerings we made and that she'll watch over us this year. But the Queen and I wanted to take advantage of this celebration to share the good news with you." He stopped speaking and looked at her wife, encouraging her to talk.

"I have the pleasure to inform you all that I'm with child again," the Queen announced, "and that in seven months, the Kingdom of Elanoriah will be offered a new heir."

A thunder of applause welcomed the news, and the men threw their hats in the air in sign of joy. This was the big announcement. Emma was to have a little bother or sister in a few months.

"Are you happy sweetheart? You're going to have someone to play with," her mother said to her.

But Emma was not happy, she was not moved by this news. She even wondered why everyone was so excited.

"Yes," she answered lowly. "I guess I am."

1Celtic festival/sabbath. wiki/Imbolc

2Bread. wiki/Bannock_%28food%29

3Pagan calendar. wiki/Wheel_of_the_Year

4Bertha or Perchta, germanic goddess of winter. Means "the bright one". wiki/Perchta

5 means "bright" in Irish. She was the daughter of the sea god in Irish legends. Pronounced "Neev".

6Means shoe in Irish Gaelic.

7 Means "warmth from the sun" in Welsh.

8 Means "rainbow" in Welsh. Pronounced "EN-vis".

9 Possibly means "born from the yew tree" in Irish, though it is possibly derived from the name "Eugene".

10Means ice in Irish Gaelic.

11Means "golden princess" from Irish ór "gold" combined with flaith "princess"

12 wiki/Dariole