Chapter 15
An Uncertain Union
1636-1639 - (Retrospection) Glastonbury
Anu and Gawen had been handfasted shortly after coupling at that first Beltaine they'd shared. So much happiness rained upon them over the next year that she could not remember any tears but those of joy.
Shortly before the renewal of their one year and one day handfasting they'd produced a beautiful child, a daughter named Etain. Anu devoted herself to motherhood, happily nursing, cuddling and nurturing the babe. Etain was a happy child and full of the same fire and sense of adventure that had gotten her mother in so much trouble in her own youth. Anu had to smile whenever Etain ran up against the elders with her mischief and natural curiosity.
Gawen however, did not appear much suited to fatherhood; it did seem to take away all the fun in life. As a result, his eyes wandered and his soul strayed. Yet, as long as Anu had Etain, she was able to forgive and turn a blind eye to his indiscretions. After all, not only was she gifted with Etain but also with the knowledge and talents that would some day make her High Priestess of the village, succeeding the High Priest, Calum.
Not all was to remain a rosy picture for the small family. When Etain had passed two summers, she was taken from Anu to be raised a future priestess in the village, as was the tradition. Despite Anu's soft cooing of promises and safekeeping, Etain screamed as she was pulled from her mother's loving and very reluctant arms. Anu put on a brave front as was expected but once the babe was out of sight, she herself retreated to her quarters and shed
tears to fill the oceans. She stayed secluded for many days, tended only by her maidens. Without her child to occupy her time, Anu was no longer able to overlook the gossip regarding Gawen.
Gawen was not only the delight of the ladies in outlying villages, several of them bore his children, yet he had not shared Anu's bed since the birth of Etain. The hurt was deep, remembering that first Beltaine when he'd charmed her with such sweet words.
When the time came to renew their handfasting vows for a year and a day once again, Anu was nowhere to be found. She stayed far from the village for many days, existing only by the generosity and bounty of the land. This time allowed her deep meditation but no solutions to her dilemma. She chose her unhappy future, sitting 'neath the branches of a wise old oak on the banks of the River Axe.
Immediately upon returning to the village some days later, she was confronted by not only Gawen but also Calum and the village elders. Their words and demeanor stung and cut deeply but she endured it as she knew she must for now. During the heavy reprimand her eyes, an unnatural steeliness to them, bore into Gawen's. She felt him squirm more than once.
The days that followed found Anu becoming sullen, spoiled, demanding and childish. She kept Calum at bay with lies of meditation and introspection and Gawen was kept away by feigning a difficult moon time. She kept her maidens busy, snapping off hurtful remarks if they did not perform to her liking. She often demanded a hot herbal potion and when a frightened and overworked maiden had the audacity to serve it near room temperature, Anu hurled the
cup against the far wall, only nearly missing the poor girl.
Gawen of course, found solace with any woman who was willing, with only his pride injured at Anu's snub. He was concerned more with how it all might appear to the villagers.
One day, word was brought that a dark and brooding stranger was riding towards the village and he was not alone but accompanied by several other dark figures. They were indeed hunters, of a sort. When the group neared, Calum as High Priest took refuge in a secret cave at the Tor. The only thing that saved Anu from detection from these hunters was her very unpriestess-like behavior. In fact, the hunters were pleased to be away from her after she
threw a tankard towards the head of one of them in a childish display.
They were not quite as kind in the rest of the village, destroying herbal gardens and anything else that struck them as not being "right" in their eyes. They set fire to the main building that was used for gatherings such as lessons and meetings. Children and adults alike ran for cover, terror evident on their faces. These were the witch hunters that Anu had seen in her visions. She peeked out from her quarters and paled at the sight. She had seen it all before and she was frightened for her friends and family. She froze in terror herself, eyes wide as the sight before her blended with the visions she'd previously experienced. She was unable to determine what was reality and what was not. The world spun, her head whirled and she crumpled to the floor.
Chapter 16
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