Chapter 4
Gawen Returns to the Village
THE TOR, GLASTONBURY, LATE 1630's
As the years passed, Anu received lessons and guidance in following the path of the Goddesses. As she matured, her grace and serenity became contagious. Whenever others were in her presence, they felt her warmth as if it were a Beltaine bonfire at the height of the celebration. The villagers knew they had been blessed as they saw their future High Priestess developing before their very eyes.
A warm spring day arrived, a day Anu had long awaited with nervous anticipation. Gawen was returning home to the village this day after many years away. She had seen the future that day in the sacred well and he was destined to play an important role.
She felt foolish as she prepared for his arrival, pinning her long hair up, choosing a gown of the softest blue wool and rubbing a bit of berry juice on her lips. Uttering an oath of protest, she licked the juice off and wiped her mouth clean. No glamoury, she thought. Outside a commotion arose and her heart fluttered madly, almost louder than the sound of the crowd gathering in the square and the wheels creaking to a stop. Hiking up her gown she ran like a child through the halls and out the door, stopping short and composing herself on the front step. If only she could calm her pounding heart.
Gawen, now tall and strong, jumped down from the wagon and was enveloped in the crowd of welcoming friends and family. Anu stood back, away from the gathering and admired him. His coal-dark hair was smooth and tied back with a piece of leather and his eyes were still the bright blue she'd remembered, but he was no longer the boy who had ridden away eight years ago. Gawen looked up from the crowd and met Anu’s glance. She swore under her breath. She had never felt her own blush before and her cheeks grew hot under his gaze.
"Merry meet, Anu," he spoke softly, a smile widening across his face as he admired her. "Ye have grown some."
"'Tis eight years ye last laid eyes on the village, 'twould be worrisome had I not sprouted up, some," the twinkle in her eye matched the jest of her words.
Calum appeared at Gawen's side and took his arm. "Come, we have much to speak of. There is a lot ye must learn about life in the village since ye left."
Gawen watched Anu as he was led away, craning his neck to look back at her. She smiled to him and turned, retreating to her room once again. She knew in her heart that her life was to change dramatically from this day on.
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
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