Page 24

T earmann Manor , Caledonian Forest

T he days grew longer and Rolf found himself reluctant to leave. It was almost February and the weather was more suitable for travel. He wanted to introduce Melissa to his sister. Cristiana had not seen him on the Winter Solstice, so he hoped to stop for a visit before he was called back to court.

William and Trystan were hunting. There was still plenty of salted meat in storage, but they both insisted on the need for fresh meat.

Rolf had longed to join them on such a bright winter day.

Instead, he and Edric searched out a birch tree for Candlemas.

The Scots—and Elsa—dedicated this day to St. Brigid.

Rolf knew it was important to her, and the men had agreed to help with good humor.

They were outside the curtain wall but could hear the women laughing on the other side.

“So what do you think holds Merlin back, if I may ask?” Edric stopped in front of a birch tree and pulled his knife from his belt. “Lady Melissa loves you, and I don’t need eyes to see you love her.”

“I don’t know.” Rolf held the willowy branch while Edric made a slash and then another. “Merlin wants to speak with Melissa again. The first time he barely spoke two words. I did not know what a sharp tongue my wife had.”

“And may you never hear it cursing your own name,” laughed his friend. “Have you seen anything? Feel anything?”

“Nay. Verily, I sometimes forget about the curse until this stone begins to pulse with Merlin’s impatience.

” He shook his head. “Contentment is new to me. She surprises me every day with some word or story I haven’t seen before.

On our wedding night, I thought I could never love her more. Yet, I find now I do.”

“Mayhap that is all you need for the spell to be broken. Time.” Edric’s head moved up and down as he made his way through the snow. “Love does not grow in a day. You began with passion, which is part of it. But now you must work on the rest.”

Rolf knew the leg pained him more in the winter and the cold and slowed his pace. “Merlin does not have the luxury of time. She gave up a duke for me. Is that not enough? Granted, I will end up with a title but may never have the wealth Roker has.”

“He has time before spring is in full blossom. As you say, you both learn more about one another with each day. You did not have much of courtship, so you are wooing her now.” Edric stopped for a moment. “My lord, may I offer some advice?”

“Aye, your wisdom has seen me through many trials.”

“I see love like a foal. It is born wobbly and frail. We tend it, nurture it, and watch it thrive. And with that growth comes change. It is not the same animal we loved at the beginning. It is better, stronger. We look back on that foal with affection but not the same love we have the full grown horse.” Edric held Rolf’s gaze.

“Your love was fragile at the outset. Continue to tend it with affection and passion. Let it grow stronger each day, and you will find the woman you married is but a shell of the woman you grow to love deeply. Do not let Merlin or his gods take her away from you. Enjoy this time of discovery.”

Rolf was silent as they returned to Tearmann Manor. Edric’s words ran true.

“Our providers have returned with dinner. Do they have two hares?”

Rolf snorted. “Such a smug look on that boy’s face. He’s turning into a man, eh?”

The four of them joined the women just outside the gate.

Melissa and Elsa hovered over the ground, picking purple and white winter flowers that poked their blooms through the snow.

Elsa tossed a few of them in a basket already laden with straw.

It was the eve of St. Bridget’s Day. Rolf smiled, wondering what his wife would think of the religious Celtic holiday.

“So she was the midwife of the Blessed Virgin? A Celtic saint?” Melissa asked as she added more petals to the straw. “What will we do with the straw and flowers?”

Elsa pushed a strand of copper behind her ear and inspected the contents of the basket.

“I think we have enough. First, we make a doll in the form of a woman. I have one I always use, dressed in white. We decorate her with these petals, a white stick to hold, and a gem over her heart that I keep in my treasure box. Tonight after dinner, we will make crosses from the straw and hang them about the manor and stables.”

“Why?”

“For protection, of course!” Elsa looked at her as if she were daft. “She was a healer and a brewer, patroness of the hearth. A woman’s saint, ye see.”

Edric put his arms around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “We smooth the hearth in the ashes this evening. If there is a footprint in them on the morrow, the blessing of fertility has been left in the house.”

“Och, it means in the coming year we will see an increase in family, flock, and field. Not just a bairn. It would mean good fortune for ye and his lord as well.” Elsa blushed. “Do ye have the birch branch, Lord Rolf?”

“Aye, it’s ready and stripped. But you’ll have to finish on your own, Elsa.” He handed her the thin, white stick and pulled out the pulsing stone. It flashed from light to dark purple in a rapid swirl. It was an urgent summons. “Merlin is requesting our presence. Let us hope it is good news.”

***

Melissa wished for the warmth of the sun again as she stood before the ancient Rowan. The dankness of the dim forest sank into her bones, and she leaned into Rolf for warmth.

“We are here, Merlin. What is so urgent?” Rolf’s voice was wary, and she could feel the tension in his body.

“I had a vision that concerns Melissa.” His watery image appeared in the trunk. The arrogance was gone from his face, and lines of worry deepened the already craggy skin. “I cannot see what we have left to do, but I know she is the key. There is danger surrounding her.”

A chill went down Melissa’s spine. This was not what either of them had expected. “What kind of danger? I have two strong knights that rarely leave my side.” Her hands went to her hips, as much to give herself confidence as to evoke it.

“I don’t know. My vision only saw you on a horse, fleeing.”

Rolf began to pace. “I’ve been thinking. Edric and I were discussing this…matter of genuine love. It’s not like something that is just handed to us. It must grow to become potent. I don’t think we’ve given it enough time.”

“That is the one thing I don’t have, Arbrec. A Rowan tree is a portal, you know that. I will either re-enter the world or move on. It is almost spring.”

Melissa could hear the panic in his voice. The thought of this mighty sorcerer showing any fear almost made her smile. She placed a hand on her husband’s arm to stop his marching.

“My lord has had sound advice. Our affection grows as we come to know each other better. Merlin, you have said you feel the trunk expanding and can stretch your limbs more than in the past. Is that not proof the spell is weakening?”

Merlin sighed. “We can only hope. But if I am freed of this vile tree, to which world will I go? This one or another?”

“We are doing all we can.” Rolf began his pacing again. “Do you have any suggestions or only complaints?”

“I want Melissa to wear the amulet. She is the one who will need it. If something happens, at least I will know and can send word.”

“By Christ, nothing will happen to her. Between William and me, no man shall lay a hand on my wife.” But he took the chain from his neck and walked to Melissa, laying it gently over her head.

She tucked it under her chemise, marveling at the warmth of it. She jumped when it pulsed and looked to the Rowan tree.

“Aye, that was me. If you feel that, beware. I am warning you of danger.” He looked at her intently, his black eyes holding hers. “Swear it!”

“I swear.” She meant it. Dread was poking its ugly head up and ruining a lovely day.

He grunted, obviously satisfied. “And Rolf, I wanted to say… I am proud of you, boy. Regardless of what happens, you have done well. It is in the gods’ hands now.”

***

When they returned to the hall, the smell of herbs and roasting meat filled the long room.

Elsa brushed the hares with a sauce as she turned the spit, juices hissing as they hit the flames.

This was Melissa’s last night in the lodge, and she was feeling sentimental.

William and Trystan would accompany them to Wolfton, but she would miss her new friends.

“What are you basting the meat with, Elsa?”

“Some butter, ale, and spices. I remember my mother making this broth for the meat before she died. I experimented with a few things until I found the same flavor.”

She wondered if the girl’s mother had been alive when her father had burned her face. How horrible to see such a thing done to your daughter.

As if reading her mind, Elsa spoke. “My ma died of a stomach disease. I remember her crying in pain. The priest came so she could confess and told Da to pay him extra so she wouldna have to stay in Purgatory long.” She shook her head. “After that he started the heavy drinking.”

For the hundredth time in a month, Melissa wished she could work a miracle for her friend.

She had mentioned bringing the couple to their new home, whenever the King decided where they would settle.

Elsa had only shook her head. Though the household had become accustomed to her face, the outside world terrified her.

Their farewell dinner was bittersweet. The wine plentiful and sweet, the meat juicy and tender, and the custard tart baked to perfection. Elsa failed miserably to hide the sadness in her eyes. Melissa knew she would acquire her own ladies as a countess, but Elsa would remain here without a friend.