This is my first fanfic, so I really need reviews! I hope you like this, as it took me ages to write and I'm only on page 15. A few things first,
I can't remember all of the quotes from the film, so it won't all be accurate. I've tried to make it as close as I can, but correct me if it's not.
I own nothing. Get it? Nothing. Nada. All I own is Aibhilín and a few other characters that I can't tell you about yet (hehehe)
My story starts off a little like 'The Sister of Guinevere', which is a brilliant story written by Stahlfan125. I promise you, it goes in a very different direction, but again, I'm trying not to spoil the plot.
I will try to update as often as possible, but if I don't it's because I am very, very busy, or very, very lazy. I'm taking 11 ½ GCSE's next year, and it's only going to get worse.
And with those thoughts in mind, I hope that you enjoy this.
Blessed Be
ChiaraStorm
Chapter I: A Girl
"I am bowing my head
In the eye of the Mother who gave me birth,
In the eye of the Maiden who loves me,
In the eye of the Crone who guides me in wisdom,
In friendship and affection.
Through thy gift of nature, O Goddess,
Bestow upon us fullness in our need.
Love towards the Lady,
The affection of the Lady,
The laughter of the Lady,
The wisdom of the Lady,
The passion of the Lady,
The blessing of the Lady,
And the magic of the Lady
To do in the world of Abred,
As the Ageless Ones do in Gwynfyd;
Each shade and light,
Each day and night,
Each moment in kindness,
Grant us Thy Sight"
The ancient, wizened old man bowed his head devoutly as he finished his chant, and lifted his arms up to the sky, raising the cone of power. All of the tribe surrounding him-four score or so-knelt and made their magick.
The old man released the elements and deities, and stood up as tall as he could. The girls sitting by him were almost identical, black hair, pale skin and strong stature, but one had brown eyes and the other had green. The green-eyed one was Aibhilín, the older daughter, and the brown-eyed one was Guinevere. They were both wearing floaty robes that seemed ill-suited to the night chill, but they were Woads. They were built for the cold of the night, and it was more natural to them than the daylight sun. Both of them were listening intently to their father, Merlin, also called Dauídh as a mark of respect.
"The power of the Woads has always been in their homeland. This land. The rugged, cold, windswept coastline of Briton has ancient power and protection. The Woads have embraced this land, listening to it, working with it and replenishing it"
"But we have no power now!" Someone cried. "The Romans took all of that away!" He spat venomously on the ground.
"But we possess a power they cannot" Merlin said calmly. "The power of the ancients. It was them who built the standing stone and the wooden ring. The Romans do not know how to use that"
"What will change?" Someone asked. "The Romans will not give us our land back"
"Maybe not" Merlin agreed. "But there is a man, a man whose name is on every Roman's lips. The leader of the Sarmatian knights, Arthur"
"Arthur!" The man who had spoken first scoffed. "You mean Artorius! He is a Roman! He fights for Rome!"
"He fights because they tell him to. He may be willing to help us"
"Why?"
"Because his mother was a Briton. He has roots here, whether he admits it or not"
"He will not realise that" someone said levelly. That girl was Ealusaid, a rational woman of fifteen, a truly dangerous fighter. It had always been rumoured that Merlin was her natural father as she mirrored him in many ways. This had never been confirmed or denied by Dauídh. "He cannot stop being a Roman"
One man stood up and shouted. "How will he even meet us anyway? He has never come north of the wall!"
"True, so I have a plan" Merlin stood up tall-well tall for a stooped old man. "I intend to send a small group to the wall. You have all heard the rumours of Saxon invasion?"
A chorus of ayes hit his ears like water breaking on rock.
He continued. "Well, who else will Bishop Jermanicus send to defend the Roman families here? If a small group of us wait there, they can find Arthur"
There was a silence. "And do what?" The speaker was Leofwen, who was considered by many to be young and impulsive, but was wise and often delved deeper and more profoundly than she or anyone else thought.
"Direct him to the sacred forests of Maol Dúin. There, I will meet with him-unescorted".
There was a collective gasp. "Dauídh, this is madness. He could run you through as easily as blink". Leofwen cried.
Merlin smiled. "Leofwen, you, Rossa, "gáin, Ealusaid and Mór will go to the wall". Aibhilín smiled as she saw Leofwen's pleasure at being made a member of the scout group. The girls had always been firm friends, eating, fighting and working alongside each other. It was widely considered that the four girls-Aibhilín, Guinevere, Leofwen and Ealusaid-were a formidable fighting force, and would one day carry on the Woad fighting spirit.
Merlin took full advantage of the distraction. "I have to say that Arthur will be a worthy ally of the Woads and that we will one day be able to drive the Romans from our lands"
A spate of talking broke out, and Merlin held his hand up for silence. "I grow weary of all your chatter. Sleep. We will talk more tomorrow".
As the tribe moved away to sleep, he held back his two daughters. When the tribe was out of hearing range, he sat them down on the dewy grass. The moonlight was strong, and they could see every line and wrinkle in his face.
"My daughters" he began. "No matter what happens, you must stay strong. Your destiny lies beyond suffering and pain. You have the power to change all of our destinies. It is because of this that you must go"
The girls nodded. They had long accepted that their father would tell them strange things, and they had long accepted that was the truth. Many believed that Merlin had the sight, and what he saw was true. If he said they must leave, leave they must.
"Leave at dawn's light, and head south, towards the wall. And remember, your life is like the light. It goes down, but you have a duty, and with that duty comes the light. Do not be afraid, but accept it"
His daughters nodded and knelt for his blessing. He gave it freely, and they went to sleep under the stars, not knowing what tomorrow would bring.
What do you think? Please hit the little button on the bottom-left corner of the screen. That little button makes me very happy...
Blessed Be
ChiaraStorm