Isolde: Blood-Rose Guardians (a supplementary novella)
Reunion

I was more nervous about the weddingthan Amelia was, in fact, she was remarkably casual about the whole affair.When Hobart puts on a beautiful day, it does it well. A stunning blue sky, asparkling azure ocean, yellow-white sand and a breeze so gentle that itcaresses the skin as a lover might. There have been many weddings in my past,but sadly, most of the people in them have passed away now. As technologyincreased my involvement with such things decreased. It has become harder andharder to remain invisible, that I had managed it for so long was a testamentto my determination to pass through time unnoticed. Despite my accumulatedwealth, I have maintained a low-key life. My house is simple, old andcompletely normal in the local landscape. I have had to get it retrofitted onoccasion for electricity and telecommunications, both things that were not yetinvented when the house was built.

Ihaven’t worn a dress as lovely as this one in centuries, though it has farfewer undergarments than the last one. The fabric is soft and shiny and golden.I am surprised by my appearance in the mirror – the beautiful girl staring backat me has been hidden in the darkness for a long time, but this image is brightlike sunlight. Though I would like to continue to help the Guardians, they areprobably right to exclude me from all battles. The bunch of red roses is richin colour and scent. I hold the posy to my nose and feel the soft petals brushagainst my cheeks. The scent is sweet and I am reminded of past encounters whereI was given sweet posies of wild roses. Amelia’s bouquet is fitting for a brideas exceptional as she, never could I have guessed this future when I first leftmy father’s keep.

“Iam ready,” declares Amelia, and I am suddenly aware of the room full of peoplesurrounding me. Thomas’ sisters have been in and out all morning droppingthings off and picking things up. Magical children have been running around ourfeet and we have had to be careful not to step on them. Azura’s dress is notgold, for that would clash with her own silver locks, but it is a fabulousshade of green – one that matches Amelia’s eyes. Amelia is the most simplydressed of us. Instead of the satin we wear, her dress is cotton; white andpatterned with delicate lace, but a simple sheath that skims her body. She isradiant. Her skin glows golden, like her brother Falcon who has turned up towalk her down the aisle, or rather the sand.

“Okay,everyone take a deep breath,” directed Azura and without thinking I follow hercommand.

“Let’sgo shall we,” says Falcon and I fall into line, still amazed that I am here towitness such an event.

Aswe cross the road from the small motel and head toward the matrimonial destinationI am greeted by the sun; it welcomes me to its fold, the breeze too insiststhat I am free and welcome. The sand is warm beneath my bare feet; thecoarseness of its grains a reminder of the grit and determination I have had toshow to get to this moment in time.

“Ihave a surprise for you,” whispers Falcon into my ear as I pass by him.

“Whatis it?” I whisper back.

“Truelove exists and I will show it to you today,” he tells me as though he has readmy mind and heart and knows exactly where my mind has traveled back to on thisday.

“Ican see it already – in your eyes when you look at Gabrielle, in Azura’s whenshe looks at her daughter and at Xavier, in Amelia’s when she sees Charity andThomas. It is all around me – I know it,” I reply with tears in my eyes becauseI can see it everywhere and I know that I once had it too.

“Trustme,” Falcon says squeezing my shoulder, “now off you go,” he points in thedirection of the congregation.

Itake another deep breath and, as the music begins to play, I begin to lead theprocession down the beach. I scan the faces. I see many new friends that I havemade in this journey, a few faces I don’t know. Thomas waiting with suchexcitement for his bride, Xavier standing beside him, best man, his own eagernessto see his fiancé evident. Adam, his brother Samuel, and then a face from myown past. I stop in my tracks – could it possibly be? How could it? I want tocall out to him, to make sure he is really there, but my voice has abandoned meand I stand there, frozen; still in the middle of the procession, bridesmaidand bride behind me, my mouth agape staring at a man whose face I thought hadbeen lost to me millennia ago. His eyes catch mine and my heart skips a beat –he has seen me, and his face indicates recognition immediately. He smiles andbreaks ranks to rush over to me. The entire crowd has eyes on us now – I canfeel their eager gaze. The vision of my past stands in front of me and gentlytouches my lips and I know with certainty that I am not hallucinating for Ifeel the tenderness of a man who loved me body and soul. Tears are streamingdown my face and I am still speechless; his time-wearied face also streams withtears. The crowd is silent, waiting it seems for us to say something, but Ican’t…I don’t know what to say. I draw in another deep breath, but my chest isso tight that I cannot get a full complement of air; my heart is thumping, I amsure that the onlookers must be able to hear it. I gingerly raise my hand tohis cheek and he closes his eyes and pushes his cheek into my hand. I drop theroses without thinking and bring my other hand to my mouth. It is him!

Iam shaking now, my hands are quivering and my breath is erratic.

“William…”I stammer, I have more to say, but he doesn’t let me. His lips catch mine andhe kisses me with such ferociousness that I am taken a little aback. Since thatday so long ago when my happy future was ripped from me, I have awaited thismoment, hoped for this moment but never dared to believe that I would ever replaceit! I wrap my arms around him and hold on for dear life in case this is a dreamand it will be torn from me. Oh my goddess! He is here, he is touching me, andhe is…still…

“Isölde,my heart, where have you been? I have missed you,” he whispered.

“Ithought you lost, gone from the world centuries ago…when I was made this…Ithought I had lost you forever…I have missed you too.”

Hekisses me tenderly this time and I am swept up off my feet.

“Iwill never let you go,” he says collecting me in his arms.

“Promiseme that, William, for I could not bear it again.”

“Withmy whole heart, I promise it.”

Clappingrouses us from our not so private interlude. I am jolted back to reality andrealise that I am holding up Amelia’s wedding. I bend down to collect theflowers and turned to catch Falcon’s eye. He smiles and nods at me, and thoughmy eyes are filled with tears, I smile and nod back. He had delivered exactlywhat he had suggested he would. He had given me back my William, the first andtruest love I had ever felt. I know this is Elizabeth’s doing, as is everyother carefully planned detail at this ceremony. I send a silent word ofgratitude towards the heavens. William attempted to move aside to allow theprocession to continue, but I held his arm firmly – I wasn’t letting go now orever.

Azurafollowed me down the aisle and stood beside Xavier. Falcon delivered Amelia toThomas. Amelia passed her lovely bunch of flowers to Azura, she smiled at meknowingly and then directed all of her focus on her beloved. The celebrantwrapped their hands with ribbon, a Wiccan ritual if ever there was one.

“Loveis the key,” she began.

Itried to listen, but instead gave thanks for the journey that brought me here;for an immortal future with William by my side; for friendships with women sopowerful and guided by love that they could help me keep on the path toward thelight regardless of the pain and suffering of the past; for the opportunity tobe a part of their Guardian world. I glanced up at William to see him staringat me. His hand slides about my back and he pulls me tight against him. Hiseyes glisten too. He smiles and his whole face lights up and I realise that thedarkness had lifted! I feel alive, filled with love and light. Guinevere andthe magic she wielded had kept their promise to me, I had been led back to theLight.