Chapter 24
I Shall Call Ye Aengus
1643 - Dunnedin, Vanders
The lad worked hard and was at Starrling’s side most all the day from the moment she emerged from her cottage in the morning, till she bid him a good night after supper in the evening. With each day, his ease with her increased. Often sharing a joke as they performed some menial task, she too soon felt a kinship with this boy.
On the few occasions she traveled alone to the village, Starrling inquired about the boy, asking if anyone was missing a child fitting the lad’s description. No positive responses were ever heard. Musing in the tavern one day about this sudden acquisition of nameless hired help she decided to call him Aengus, the young god of love her people had worshipped. Upon presenting the name to the boy for approval, she was rewarded with a smile so warm that tears formed in the corners of her eyes. Unable to restrain himself, Aengus hugged her and she smoothed the hair on his head, which he snuggled comfortably under her chin.
Soon Aengus was accompanying Starrling on all her deliveries, allowing her to rest and chat with her customers while he unloaded her wares. Then, if her strength held, they’d stop in the tavern for a bit of entertainment before the journey home for the evening.
Aengus helped her and kept watch over Starrling at all times in the tavern. He made sure she had ale or cider as desired, that she was comfortable and undisturbed. He was prepared to deal with any strangers that might trouble her. Starrling was very aware her self appointed protector and allowed herself to be taken care of. It had been so long since she’d had a “watcher” that she felt complete relaxation for the first time since leaving Calum and her village.
They observed one another when the other wasn’t looking as they worked the animals or mixed the dyes for the cloth. The subtle dusting of freckles across his nose and cheeks and the reddish blond hair gave hint to his heritage, one not far from Starrling’s own she was fairly certain. The boy was not terribly tall but showed signs of a coming growth spurt this summer. Soon he would tower over her, for that she was quite certain. His fair and flawless skin was that of the young and innocent; however, she suspected that Aengus was far from pure. He never hinted at his past but she hoped she could soon break down those barriers. Starrling saw not only the boy Aengus, but also the emerging young man inside. It was not too long before she had come to think of him as her foster son, and he showed no displeasure at this.
What Aengus saw in Starrling was a lovely young woman whom at first, he’d developed a mad crush on. It didn’t take long though, for her kindness, generosity and huge heart to make him realize that she was the mother he’d been missing for so long. She comforted him when he was hurt, assured him when he was frightened and encouraged him just before he was ready to give up. For her he would do anything and he vowed that she would be safe, happy and well cared for, not only before the child’s birth but for as long as she would let him stay in her life. He so looked forward to the coming of the wee one and wondered what his role would be. Starrling had so convinced him that it was to be a girl that he imagined himself as a son and big brother, fighting off the young men and boys that would constantly try to be a part of his girls’ lives. If such a man or boy were to actually cross over the line, the tests they would need to pass in Aengus’ eyes were immense. Truth be known, there probably did not exist any such man or boy but it mattered not to him. He would fight and protect them to the end.
Starrling slowly tried to teach Aengus all that she knew; the farming, spinning, weaving, dyeing along with the art of using herbs to heal both body and spirit. However, in this area she made certain he realized that secrecy meant safety. He picked up the knowledge quickly and practiced during most of his free time. In the evening, she spent many hours telling him of her own childhood and training, and her destiny in the village near Glastonbury. He was in awe of both her and her story and vowed to keep her secrets to the grave. They sat out by the old oak tree, weaving together one day, chatting occasionally. The fresh air was such a welcome change from the closeness of the cottage and the sun had taken the chill off the afternoon for just a few moments. Aengus was still for a moment, as if deep in thought.
“Mistress, when ye return to Glastonbury, might I accompany ye?”
“Aye, Aengus, I would not have’t any other way,” she smiled and reached out to gently touch his cheek.
The relief in his eyes showed very briefly before he bowed his head to the ground. “I thank ye, Mistress.” He tried to hide the smile that played at the corners of his mouth. This time, Starrling tousled his hair and pulled him close for a quick kiss on the head.
“Think ye I would manage without ye,” she teased. “Ye have already spoilt me beyond repairs.”
“Ye are so very easy to spoil, Mistress.” He blushed several shades of pink and red. He was so slowly coming away from the initial shyness he’d show with her, although he was still so very quiet around other people. She was uncertain if that would ever change, nor was she very concerned about it. Shyness was not a flaw, but a trait.
They continued their weaving, working wool with the mystical blue dye, the secret method that Starrling had now shared with one other person, into a lovely blanket that had been promised to one of her customers. They worked until the light faded and forced them indoors to finish. Starrling but the cauldron to boiling for a mint potion, or tea, to warm them as they worked. She had not been this happy and relaxed in so very long a time; Aengus on the other hand, had never been this happy and relaxed.
Chapter 25 (coming soon)
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