He paused, thinking carefully before he spoke, a frown drew the corners of his mouth down slightly. "Anna, I tried to tell you this is not a dream as you would know it, remember the time-dimensional science I explained to you earlier? You are here while your body rests in New York as well." Emrys draped an arm over her shoulders, "I know it is a lot to expect — to accept all I’ve told you. Perhaps you could think of it as an ‘out of body’ experience that many of people in your time seem to think they can affect. This is real, but you should be unafraid,” He regarded her still pale face, "You’re are safe with me.” Emrys patted his scabbard, "You have seen what I am able to do with inter-dimensional travel, remember the tapestry I summoned for you to see?” Anna nodded, and he continued, “That should let you know I have other methods of protecting you besides my sword, please have no concern as to your safety. I brought you here to show you my former life and the world as it was. I wanted you to see history first hand, not from old, inaccurate books, or misinformed Internet searches.”
As Emrys held Anna’s small hand in his, he realised he would protect Anna with all that he had. The fact that she had somehow become the very centre of his universe finally dawned on him.
Emrys paused, a sad look on his handsome face, "It appears the light-hearted time I had hoped to show you may not be possible. I need to find out what has happened here since my departure. These people in this place are good, hard working folk who do not deserve the problems that, in all likelihood, my mistakes have brought them."
Anna's throat constricted in sympathy at his words, "Emrys, I’m okay. Yes, I do remember you saying that this is more than a dream. But you have to understand I am still struggling with all this," She blinked back tears, "You are amazing to me — magic that has come to life, into my life, I should say." Anna continued, "I used to read fairy tales as a little girl and wished something magical would happen to me, well I guess I got my wish.” Anna's light-hearted, brave tone cheered Emrys, who smiled at her appreciatively.
"I will not let anything happen to you, Anna. You are precious to me and your presence has brightened my bleak existence beyond measure." Emrys stopped, pulling Anna against his chest in a tight embrace.
Anna allowed her arms to encircle his waist and returned his hug, pressing her nose to his chest breathing in his masculine, woodsy fragrance, "I needed you too. I didn’t really realise how much I needed you until you came into my dreams.” Anna murmured against his tunic, "I don’t want to be any place other than here with you, I didn’t mean to make you think I didn’t trust you… I do, completely." And she did, she realised surprising herself.
Emrys cupped Anna's face between his palms and tilted her head up slightly, he lowered his head and brushed her lips with a soft kiss, Anna responded by deepening it, returning his kiss with her own.
Emrys pulled back in surprise, regarding Anna's flushed face with hooded eyes, "Anna you constantly amaze me." He brushed the hair that had escaped her braid back behind her ear, "I find I am increasingly unsure if I will ever be able to leave you."
Anna eyes glistened with emotion, "I am increasingly sure I will never want you to leave me." She replied honestly.
Emrys gazed at her intently, “We will have to see where this road takes us." He responded in such a way that seemed to mean more than the path they were on to the village.
They resumed their pace, Anna’s hand entwined in Emrys, "Just ahead, maybe a half-hours walk, we'll enter the village and the merchants quarter." He said as he absentmindedly rubbed her palm with his thumb, "I need to buy a few supplies for us before we go to my home for the night. I think you'll enjoy the shopping. I am fairly certain it will be unlike anything you've experienced before.” He said with renewed enthusiasm.
"Well, I can't lie, I like to shop.” Anna replied with a lilt in her voice, "But I’d feel better just watching you, and letting you do the talking.” Quickly adding, “I know I will ‘hear and speak’ the language normally, but I don’t know the customs and don't want to do anything wrong."
"I understand, and allowing a servant to do your shopping would be a perfectly normal way for a lady to conduct herself in this time. Unless you were my lady wife," He smiled as she blushed at the thought, “Bartering for goods would be done as a matter of course by your escort or servant, which today shall be your's truly, Myrddin Emrys.” He made a pretence of bowing in deference to her high station.
Anna giggled, "I could get used to that, Emrys so watch out - I may like it so much that I'll expect the same service back at home in New York!"
Emrys smiled at the thought, "As long as you make your delicious coffee, and feed me from your Indian take-a-way neighbour, we have a deal. Don't worry about making any cultural mistakes; the people who live here know everyone for many miles around, it would be assumed you are from a far away place. You heard me tell Cador that you are from York, well it's not far from the truth." Emrys smiled at his small omission of the word 'New,’ "You'll be fine. Just walk a few paces in front of me, and point to anything you fancy and I shall procure it for you. People may be curious and might say good-day to you — just nod and smile without too much eye contact otherwise they'll think you're in for a natter."
"A 'Natter'?" Anna asked, bewildered.
"Natter... Oh, sorry Anna," Emrys chuckled, “It means a bit of gossip or chat."
The village was as Emrys promised, a real-life theatre of Renaissance type shoppes and services. Anna was awe struck at the wide variety of choice; hanging legs of lamb and numerous game birds with bright feathers hung in windows. Baskets of root vegetables, cabbages, potatoes, cheese, pots of honey, sweets, flour, cakes, casks of wine, ale, wine and spirits lined the market stall fronts.
There were fabrics of all description and colour hanging from racks and hooks under canopies. Soft leather goods, fluffy pelts for rugs, woven blankets, hats with unusual feathers and heavy gold chain necklaces featuring precious stones sparkled in thick glass cases.
Anna walked a few feet in front of Emrys, he kept slightly to her left so she could see him from the corner of her eye. At first Anna was shy and, as instructed, pointed at a few items that she thought could use for a meal later. Emrys paid a few coins to a youngster with a hand cart to follow behind him to carry the parcels they purchased.
Anna soon became a bit braver, and with a wry smile, slyly pointed to a bright multi-coloured shawl made from dyed lambs wool. Emrys nodded, grinning, and gave the shop keeper a few coins who wrapped it in burlap and tied the parcel with twine. From that point forward, Anna's busy finger pointed at a beautiful belt of soft leather that sported a shiny silver buckle with a Celtic design, a deep purple cape of boiled wool, and an ivory sleeping gown of crisp linen with delicate tatting adorning the neck and sleeves.
Emrys made a few purchases as well, as he watched Anna’s animated expressions, taking in all the new sights. He found himself thoroughly enjoying shopping for the first time in his very long existence.
They made one last stop at the smithy where Emrys bartered for two horses, and a sturdy donkey to be delivered to his crannog the next morning.
It was near the glomming time of evening when they finally approached Emrys home.
He stood back for a moment when his home came into sight. His crannog was positioned in the loch a good forty feet from the shore to account for the tides. The crannog's pylons had been imported from a granite mill in Scotia to form a massive and sturdy base. Upon that, twelve thick oak timbers had been set in a circle that surrounded the centre point of marble, to support a multi-level fireplace. The floor was formed from thick milled oak planks, and the walls were slender oak logs with the gaps filled with strong clay. The structure rose imposingly three stories, and was massive even from the distance they now viewed it. Emrys had designed it himself as a boy and although it was only one of many places he called home, it was his favourite.
"I thought you said something about it being a round tee-pee sort of place on a little island." Anna said in
a hushed voice, "That is amazing. Huge! I had no idea."
Emrys smiled at her happily, "It is beautiful isn't it? It’s much larger than most, I built it to accommodate more than one family during a siege. I never believed I’d see it again." Emrys voice cracked with emotion.
The young porter they’d hired gave Anna and Emrys the parcels they wanted to take into the crannog and took the rest of their supplies to a thatched building that was on the land near the bridge, with the fresh food stored in the adjacent root cellar.
Beyond that sat two smaller houses that appeared to be occupied from the smoke that was curling from their central chimneys.
The narrow footbridge to the crannog was made entirely of thin wooden slats that moved ever so slightly as they walked across them. Noting Anna's nervousness on the bridge, Emrys explained, "The bridge to the crannogs were made to be easily set alight in case of attack. It’s safe, don't worry!" He grinned at Anna's white-knuckled hold on the rope hand rail as she carefully followed him.
Emrys opened the small oak door that led to the main room of the crannog. Anna had to bend down slightly to enter.
"The door is low so if enemies try to enter the crannog, the occupants have a bit of an advantage." Emrys patted his sword to empathise.
Anna shuddered, "I guess you don't much like drop-Ins then?"
Emrys laughed, "Sure we do, we usually have ample notice for when the bad guys are due to arrive, so friends aren’t given an unpleasant welcome.” He helped Anna off with her cloak, hanging it on a hook, “So…what do you think?”
Anna looked around in amazement. To the right and left of small doorway, two oak staircases followed the curvature of the structure to the upper levels. The floor was made of wide planks of highly polished oak and was covered in places with smooth goat rug pelts for warmth. In the centre of the spacious room sat an enormous stone fireplace, open on four sides, where a fire was already blazing. Warm pelts of shaggy goat skins were draped on leather bound chairs, and a long table sat to the side surrounded by sturdy stools and benches.
There was an aroma of something cooking that made Anna's mouth water, she looked at Emrys questioningly.
He laughed, "I think Cador may have warned someone we were on our way.”
Just at that moment, a small round woman with frayed greying hair and a big smile came around the corner of what must have been the cooking area of the fireplace.
"Oh my Dear, it is so! You're here! I never thought I'd see you again in this life!" The old lady eye’s streamed with tears as wiped her hands on her apron rushing past Anna to hold Emrys in a tight embrace.
"Carwyn! I have missed you too.” He kissed her cheek lovingly, “And your cooking — by the wonderful aromas, I think we're in for a treat.” Emrys gently turned Carwyn around to meet Anna.
"Anna, may I introduce you to the woman that is as near my Mother as it is possible to be, this is Carwyn Adda. She and her husband, Alun live just beyond in one of the cottages we passed at the edge of the dry land."
"I am so pleased to meet you Mrs. Adda." Anna curtsied slightly, smiling warmly.
"Oh Child, call me Carwyn please! You must be exhausted, poor dear.” She took the parcels Anna was holding and led her to the stairway to the right.
As she bustled Anna up the winding staircase, Carwyn twittered, "I've made up the bed with fresh goose feathers and clean linens. I am sure you'd like to refresh yourself before dinner, so I filled a crock with fresh spring water and left it in your room.”
Anna nodded, and turned to wave bye to Emrys who grinned at her perplexed expression.
He watched them until they disappeared and took the left stairway up to his old workroom two steps at a time.
The room Carwyn showed Anna was lovely. A tall four-poster oak bed, draped in white netting, was positioned between a thick glassed window and the central fireplace. The room was far brighter and more homely than Anna would have ever imagined. A vase of lavender stalks and pine boughs scented the room delicately. Anna walked in and sat on the edge of the soft bed, "This is wonderful, thank you so much Carwyn." Anna beamed,”I never expected such luxury.”
"Don't you worry about a thing, Lady Anna. I heard about your heroic deeds from Cador; we owe you a great deal more than a good nights rest my dear!" Carwyn wiped a tear hastily with a corner of her apron, "My Emrys was taken for dead, I mourned him like a lost babe. It is so good to have him home and safe again, thank you for bringing him home to me.”
"He’s a wonderful man. I really didn't do anything..." Anna stumbled, not knowing how much she should say.
"Well, what ever you did, it freed him and brought him home safely to us. That is enough in my book to make you a very special young lady, and if what I saw downstairs is true, you've caught the eye of my Emrys in more ways than one!" Carwyn added slyly winking.
Anna blushed, "Well, I don't know about that...we are..." Anna realised she didn't know exactly what they were, "We are really good friends." She hastily finished feeling it was not precisely accurate.
Carwyn just smiled enigmatically, "So, Lady Anna, there is the water crock and bowl for washing," Carwyn gestured to a pitcher and bowl on a dry sink with a rough linen towel draped over a hook, "And behind this screen," She motioned to a divider that covered one corner, "is the chamber pot and some dried mullein leaves.”
Anna nodded, hoping she wouldn't need the chamber pot anytime soon.
"I'll leave you now and go attend to supper. You come down whenever you're good and ready, no hurry dear.” Carwyn closed the door quietly behind her as she left.
Anna took off her apron and the muslin dress, hanging them on the hooks and leaving the sleeveless linen slip on.
For the first time since this...dream? Began, she regarded herself in the shiny polished silver mirror that reflected her somewhat blurry image. Anna was pleased to see the 'slip' she wore was as much of a dress as any she'd have worn on a summers day. It covered her completely and included, what she now realised, was some sort of thicker binding that supported her breasts modestly.
Anna released her hair from its braids, brushing it with the boar bristle brush she found on the dressing table until it gleamed. Using the fragrant soap near the bowl, she washed her face and arms before opening the parcel that contained her gown.
Although it was meant to be worn for sleeping, it was so ornate that when worn over her heavy slip, it created a lovely dress, and adorned with the belt Emrys had purchased for her, it was perfect.
Taking the colourful shawl from it's packaging, and drawing it over her shoulders, Anna stole another look in the mirror. Pleased with the results, she headed downstairs.
CHAPTER TEN
A Mediaeval Dinner for Two
Emrys was pleased to find his old workroom and library intact and orderly. Clearly Carwyn had disobeyed his orders to never enter the room as not a speck of dust, nor a single cobweb could be found. He wasn't worried as there was no more loyal a soul than Carwyn in the land. Emrys smiled to imagine Carwyn's wonder at some of the unknown devices and unworldly tools she must have seen when she cleaned the room.
His much worn stool was still positioned in front of his desk, and the small bed in the corner was still covered with his old manuscripts and notes. Even the walls near the bed bore the marks of many a sleepless night where equations or ideas had awakened him with the need to record them.
The floor to ceiling bookshelves contained thousands of books. Some were his own writings, other works were from scholars, poets, scientists and necromancers; all bound in fraying leather covers and cataloged according to topic. Papyrus scrolls, tied with leather strips written by Roman mystics and Egyptian priests sat in another corner in large reed baskets. A few dozen clay tablets, and even some dried palm leaves with logographic images were stacked carefully on the lower shelves.
An enormous telescope; an acquisition from one of his many forays into the future, was still pointed upwards towards the round ceiling where the roof could be opened to
create a sophisticated observatory. Around the base, his notes and illustrations of the cosmos, normally scattered carelessly, had been neatly stacked - Carwyn again, Emrys smiled.
Upon two large rough hewn tables were an assortment of equipment, some from this era and others from different times in mankind’s history. Copper-piping that wound it's way throughout a series of glass orbs, microscopes, petri dishes, glass slides, beakers and even a few Bunsen burners from years in the future, sat along side the obligatory crystal balls that sparkled in pride of place on their ebony stands.
This was the room where Emrys self-imposed isolation had lasted for decades — long before the one Nivane had dealt him. He’d never realised how lonely was his existence until Anna had come into his life.
Emrys smiled, realising what he’d finally admitted to himself — he loved her, perhaps from the moment he first beheld her in her dream tapestry. His passion for Anna, the way his soul seemed to be filled with her, made him finally understand the true nature of real love. What he’d felt for Nivane had been a juvenile infatuation; a bit of trickery wrought by something as fleeting as the blush of youthful beauty — a falsity he’d mistaken for love as an unsophisticated young man.
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