The Prophecy

by Karen MacLeod-Wilkie

  ***

  The Fairy Realm

  It was midday. Asa sat at the table in a daze. It had happened again. He didn’t know what it meant.

  A buzzer sounded and he looked at the clock. It was the two-hour reminder to put wood in the stove. Since Brigid’s departure a couple of weeks before, Asa had been living in her home. He loved being on his own and exerting his independence, but he had a tendency to forget things. Brigid’s notes everywhere helped, but he’d learned to set the clock for the stove.

  Asa realized he’d missed the reminder earlier because he went out for a walk. He hauled himself up and went over to the woodbin. He had forgotten to fill it! Shaking his head at himself, he pulled on his work boots and headed out the door to the woodpile. It took four trips to refill the bin, and he remembered to restoke the fire.

  The kindling was low also, so Asa took the time to chop more in the warmth of the noon sun. His muscles heated with the exertion of hefting the axe and chopping the wood. Soon, his sweater was warmer than he needed. He pulled it over his head and turned to toss it onto the back steps. His bare arm brushed against the forsythia Brigid had planted, a bush on each side of the steps. Immediately, he heard the murmuring, as before. It sounded almost like words, but he couldn’t discern them. The same thing had happened on his hike, when he’d placed his hand on an oak tree to balance himself so he could shake a rock out of his boot.

  Asa had always had an affinity with plants, particularly herbs. He could sense which herbs would best accompany a meal or which ones would enhance a healing oil or tonic. He had trained with his parents so that he could support the family healing practice or to branch out on his own, if that was his wish. He had studied the plant kingdom extensively, but this was outside of his experience.

  It was as if the plants were trying to talk to him. It had begun about five days after Brigid’s departure. The first experience when he touched a live plant was just a simple hum. However, it was intensifying daily.

  Asa hadn’t told anyone what was happening. He missed Brigid’s steady presence and how easy it was to share things with her. He bent over to gather up the kindling and heard the scuff of boots on the ground. Arms full, he straightened to see his mother appear around the side of the house.

  “Hi, honey. How’re you doing?” she called out with a smile.

  Asa grinned back. “I’m managing okay… when I remember to keep the wood stocked.”

  Galena gestured to a basket she held. “I have fresh bread and corn chowder, if you’d like to take a lunch break.”

  Asa thanked her profusely because he hadn’t prepared anything, and the morning’s exercise had stimulated his appetite. Galena grabbed his sweater and opened the door for him so he could carry in his load of kindling. She set her basket on the table and stepped over to the stove to fill the kettle for tea. She discreetly glanced around to assess how Asa was caring for Brigid’s place. It felt strange to have him here and not Brigid. For ten years, Brigid had lived in the cottage they’d built for her.

  Galena had been used to seeing her daily, even if it was just for a quick hello and hug. Although she’d sensed great things in Brigid from a young age, as the years passed, she began to assume Brigid would always be around. To have her gone was heart-wrenching. It had happened so suddenly. Galena had been careful not to let Brigid feel her sense of loss when they’d said goodbye, but not knowing exactly where Brigid was or how she was faring was hard on a mother’s heart. Supposedly, she was travelling the Realm, but they’d received no communication from her.

  Asa placed a hand on his mom’s shoulder. Galena jerked back to the present moment.

  “Mom, the kettle’s boiling. Shall I make us some ginseng tea?”

  She gave his hand a light squeeze and nodded her agreement. Asa collected the tea from the pantry while Galena set their meal out on the table. The butter melted on the still-warm bread and Asa took an appreciative bite. Galena kept the conversation light as they ate. She waited until she’d finished her tea and set the cup aside before she posed the question that had drawn her to the cottage.

  “So, are you going to tell me what has you twisted in knots?” Galena asked.

  Asa gave a wry smile as he leaned back in his chair. “Never could get much by you, could I, Mom!”

  Galena raised a brow and patiently waited for him to continue. Asa’s eyes shifted from Galena to gaze out the window. The trees he could see through the pane seemed to urge him to speak. With a sigh, he looked at his mother. His words tumbled out as he revealed what had been happening to him.

  Galena let his words and feelings flow over her before she responded. “Thank you for trusting me, Asa. I could sense your confusion and other emotions, but I didn’t know why.” Galena reached to clasp Asa’s strong young hands in hers.

  “From what you’ve just shared with me, I can tell there’s something you need to know. It was a long time ago, before I met your father. I was a keen student of healing. I travelled to many places to study with different teachers around the Realm. I wanted to explore all subjects, not just those connected to the mind-soothing gift that had developed in me.”

  “Did you study with anyone who could converse with plants?” Asa said half-jokingly.

  Galena looked at him seriously. “I did. There were stories of a great herbologist who had a special affinity with plants. He was a recluse, and no one was quite sure where he lived. Many thought the stories were simply tall tales. I was determined to find him. It took me two years of searching, but I eventually found his cabin hidden deep in a wooded area.”

  Asa was curious. “How did he respond to being found?”

  “Not so well at first. Apparently, the forest usually warned him of anyone approaching so he could disappear. In my case, the forest was silent, and he was furious. He was outside working in his herb garden when I found him. He leapt up in surprise when he saw me. He yelled at me for disturbing his peace and told me to go away. Then, he stomped into his cabin and slammed the door. He was over six feet tall with long raven-colored hair. He was gorgeous.” Galena sighed at the memory.

  “Mom!”

  “I was in my early twenties and I wasn’t dating anyone. There was no harm in admiring his physique. Anyway, I didn’t sense any harm from him, so I sat on the cabin step and waited.”

  “Did he come back out?”

  “Not that day.” Galena chuckled. “But I didn’t give up. I camped out on his front porch for three days. There was an outside water pump and I had enough food to get by, so I decided to wait him out.

  “By day three, I was feeling pretty grimy, so I braved the cold water from the pump. I stripped down to my bra so I could bend under it and wash my hair, without soaking my clothes. I was bent over, with my hair dripping in my face. Suddenly, a hand holding a towel appeared in front of me. I took the towel and dried off. When I looked up, he was walking back to the cabin, grumbling that I might as well come inside.”

  “You went in?”

  “Yes.” Galena’s eyes softened as she remembered. “I ended up staying for a year. His name was Donovan. Slowly, he opened up to me and trusted that I truly wanted to learn. He taught me everything I know about herbology.

  “Eventually, he shared with me his ability to communicate with plants and trees and his surprise when they hadn’t warned him about me.”

  Asa looked at his mother. He wasn’t sure if he dared ask—or even if it was any of his business—whether they’d only been teacher and student. He settled on asking, “Why did you only stay a year?”

  Galena sensed his underlying wondering. “Although we had become involved, we wanted different things. Donovan loved the silence of the forest and the ease of just the two of us. I longed for people and other experiences. We parted amicably, grateful for the time we’d shared. Before I left, Donovan told me the trees had communicated with him that they’d let me through because they had sensed I needed to be there. Donovan promised if ever I needed him in the future, the trees would
let him know.”

  Asa stood up to put more wood on the fire. “You think this Donovan can help me.”

  Galena nodded.

  A knock sounded on the back door. Asa stepped forward to open it. On the step stood a tall raven-haired man. The man looked past him.

  “Galena,” was all he said.

  Galena stood in shock, then rushed forward. “Donovan! Come in.” She clasped his hand and drew him into the room as Asa stepped aside. Her eyes scanned his face. There were a few extra lines, but he’d changed little since she last saw him more than three decades before.

  She turned to beckon Asa forward. “Donovan, this is my son, Asa.”

  Donovan extended his hand. “The trees have told me of you. They led me here. I didn’t realize the connection.”

  He glanced at Galena. “Perhaps I should have.”

  Asa shifted uncomfortably from one foot to another. “Mom just finished telling me about you.”

  Galena urged Donovan and Asa to sit and she put the kettle back on. As they waited for it to boil, Donovan asked Asa about his gift. Asa reluctantly described what had been happening to him. Donovan assured him that what he’d experienced was normal. This part of his giftedness had waited until he had a certain maturity before it began to emerge.

  Galena carefully observed the exchange between the two. She poured the tea and listened as the conversation continued. She could sense Asa relaxing as Donovan explained more about their common gift. Then, she heard him offer to teach Asa, if Asa would travel with him to his wood.

  “Can’t you teach him here?” All Galena could think of was her sense of loss without Brigid. If Asa went with Donovan, both of her children would be gone.

  “It would be better in my woods, Galena. There are too many distractions here for him to hone his skills.”

  Asa looked to his mother. “I think I need to go. It’s a feeling that’s been tugging inside me for the last two days, but I didn’t know what it meant. The trees and plants have been trying to tell me. I need to learn more about this.”

  Galena felt her heart clench, but she nodded her understanding. “Why don’t you go and ask your father to come here so we can discuss this as a family. I’ll settle Donovan in the guest room while you’re gone.” Galena walked down the hallway to the linen closet to collect sheets for the bed. The outer door snapped shut as Asa raced out.

  Donovan followed Galena. He placed a hand on her shoulder and gently turned her around. “You’re upset.” He tipped her chin up so he could see her face. “It’s been a long time, but I’ve never forgotten you, Galena. You’re as beautiful today as you were when you left me.” His fingers cupped her face and he offered a tender kiss on her cheek.

  He stepped back. “You have a good son. He’s a lot like you. I promise not to be too hard on him.” Donovan offered a lopsided grin.

  Galena reached up to trace the lines of his face. “I haven’t forgotten you either. The love we shared continues to be a bright light in my memory.” She stepped away to start making up the bed. “I was going to get in touch with you once Asa told me what he was experiencing. I just didn’t expect you so soon. My daughter, Brigid, left a few weeks ago. To have Asa leave too causes my heart to ache.” She plumped the pillows, then, returned to the kitchen. “My husband, Iason, will be here soon. He knows about you, but not about Asa’s latest gift development.”

  Galena had barely finished speaking when they heard voices outside, and the door opened. Iason and Asa stepped inside. Galena introduced her husband to Donovan. She was helpless to prevent their assessing gazes or the tension in the room. Instead, she took charge and gathered them around the table to discuss Donovan’s offer to Asa. It was agreed that Asa could have a day to tell his friends about his trip and to pack what he’d need. Galena left Donovan and Iason to discuss Asa’s studies while she went home to prepare supper. It gave her the privacy she needed to shed a few tears at the changes so quickly affecting her life.

  A day and a half later, they said their farewells.

  ***

  At the Academy, Tristan gazed anxiously at the picture on his desk. A week had passed, and no word had come from the other side of the portal. Had they interpreted the prophecy correctly? Had their chosen three made it safely through? Would they get the necessary medication to Seán? Would he see his grandson again? The worried questions seemed to have anchored in his brain and they refused to let go.

  Tristan rose from his chair and exited his office. The hall lights were on low. It was dark with only a hint of moonlight showing through the windows. The moon wouldn’t be full for another week. Tristan halted when he realized he’d unconsciously been drawn to the chapel. Overhead, the chapel boasted a windowed ceiling, through which a few stars shone softly. Water gurgled in a fountain. Prayer mats and benches were scattered about. Only one other person was present, seated on one of the benches by the far wall. Tristan couldn’t see who it was in the dim light.

  Tristan walked over to a tray of stones and collected a few to accompany him in prayer. He placed a mat near the fountain and settled into a comfortable position. He sank into the sound of the water and the gentle caress of the star- and moonlight. Holding a clear quartz stone in each hand, he visualized unhooking the worries circulating in his brain and letting them drain into the stones. Gradually, he felt himself begin to relax. When it felt complete, he placed the stones in the fountain to receive the water’s cleansing power. Next, he picked up a blue apatite crystal and let its energy seep into him. A small pulse of faith and hope began to flicker again. Tristan repeated affirmations to strengthen his trust and to send forth that positive support to those journeying in the human world. An hour later, he offered words of thanks and rubbed his stiff legs before he tried to stand up.

  A hand reached down to offer assistance.

  Tristan gratefully accepted the support. As he stood up, he looked into the face of Evander’s great-grandfather, Donal. Although much older than Tristan, the man still held himself erect with the stance of a younger man.

  He patted Tristan on the shoulder. “Rest easy, my friend. I’m not here to ask you uncomfortable questions. Queen Amethyst sent word to me that my support might be helpful here. I’m aware that Evander was chosen for the prophecy. I don’t know all the details, but I know he’s wanted to make the crossing since he was a child.”

  Donal gazed out the window as he continued, “This is not an easy time to lead. I’m offering whatever assistance you ask of me.”

  Tristan was relieved by Donal’s words. He valued having the elder’s counsel available to him and told him so.

  Donal chuckled and offered his first bit of advice: that they both go to bed and get some rest. Tristan agreed.

  ***

  The Queen pulled her legs out of the tangled sheets of her bed. She couldn’t settle. Her duties weighed heavily upon her. She slid her feet into warm slippers and grabbed a robe to drape around her. She tossed her thick blonde hair, freed for the night, over her shoulders to tumble down her back.

  She fumbled in the dark. This wasn’t her familiar room at the castle, but the monarch’s suite at the Academy. She’d been staying in the suite for a few weeks now, since she’d first called a meeting with the priests and Elite Guard. Their discussions had led to the chosen ones of the prophecy and their crossing to the Human Earth. With each passing day, and with no word back from them, Amethyst felt the weight of their lives upon her heart.

  She walked toward the sliding door that opened onto a small balcony outside her room. The comfort of the stars and the night air beckoned to her. The door swished quietly as she slid it open and stepped out. With eyes closed, she raised her face to the sky. A gentle breeze molded her robe around her body.

  When she opened her eyes, she noted Finn’s strong frame leaning against the balcony edge. His shirt sleeves were pushed up and she could see the corded muscles of his forearms. His legs, encased in sleep pants, stretched out before him. In her vulnerable state, Amethyst’s e
yes eagerly roamed over him before she had time to think. When her eyes reached his, she saw them gleam with desire before he shut them.

  Amethyst’s hands clenched the balcony as she stepped forward. “Trouble sleeping?” she asked.

  “No. I just returned from the Vault.”

  Amethyst eagerly turned to him. “Is there word?”

  Finn shook his head and shifted to look out over the Academy’s grounds. “I would have come to tell you immediately, Your Majesty. You know that.”

  “I know,” she grumbled. “And don’t call me, Your Majesty. It’s just the two of us.”

  “As you wish.”

  Amethyst began to pace. “Nothing is as I wish! This was supposed to be my last few months as monarch. After the crossing in January, the focus was meant to be on preparing for the Ceremony of Choosing in June. I thought my reign would be winding down now and instead I’m being called to offer leadership beyond anything I’ve ever had to do.”

  She stopped and held her shoulders stiffly as she braced herself against the railing. “I’m sure my words sound foolish with the seriousness of all we’re facing.” She drew in a ragged breath. “But I thought I’d be free soon. Fifty years is a long time.”

  She felt Finn stand behind her. His hands lifted cautiously to rest on her shoulders. “You’ve never been foolish to me, Amethyst. Passionate. Stubborn. Committed to your position. Caring of your people. That’s how I see you.” Finn gave a gentle squeeze and turned her around to face him.

  “We agreed fifty years ago that our positions would need our full attention and would take us to different places.” He clasped her hands in his. “But I have always been and will always be, yours.” His voice was hoarse with the emotion he was holding back.

  Amethyst looked down at their joined hands. “Finn, I need you so much. This prophecy has dimensions to it that aren’t clear. I was chosen as Queen because I had a clarity of sight for leading our people. Now, I feel blind. I’m afraid of letting you and everyone down.” She let her vulnerability show as she looked up into his eyes.