THE MORRIGAN CHRONICLES
Chapter 16

THE TREES TURNED glorious oranges, reds and deep purples as crispness in the air replaced the lazy humidity of summer. Samhain had arrived.

It was a very important holiday for us. One of great feasts and celebrations. I was saddened that I would miss the festivities, but more anxious about being away for the span of a year. The entire grounds bustled as preparations for the great feast were being made. There would be bonfires, wine and roasted meats. Music, dancing and laughing would rule the night. The Royal family would begin the ceremony by walking through the crowd to light the first bonfire and all would cheer. The humans and Druids had the extra excitement of this being their first Samhain.

The official start would be after sunset. The moment the sun disappeared from the horizon would be when Emrys and I would enter the Great Oak to the realm between twilight and night to seek out Druantia.

It was late afternoon and Emrys, Brian, the King and myself were in the library going over plans.

Emrys cleared his throat before he spoke. “Riley is the best and brightest of the Druids that I have, and will continue to work with the others. Brian, I will trust you to make sure that the Knights and Druids become a single working unit for battle.”

Brian nodded and grunted his affirmation.

King Conall leaned back in his chair. “We’ll continue the training. Brian will decide progressions of the group over the course of the year. I will personally oversee the recon of the vampires and werewolves. Morrigan, you and Emrys will hopefully come back with the location of my sword. I fear that without the Sword of the Tuatha there is no hope of defeating Artaius. Somehow, Artaius, the vampires and werewolves are connected. By the Creator let’s hope Druantia has the answers for us.”

We got up to leave as Treasach, Alastar and Aine entered the library.

Alastar grabbed me in a bear hug, lifting me off the ground then setting me back down. “You didn’t think you were going to leave for a year without a proper goodbye did you?”

My heart leapt into my throat as my eyes misted. Treasach and Aine joined in the hug. The King stood back on his heels with his hands on his waist, smiling.

Aine pulled her head away from my cheek just enough to look at me in the eyes. “Have you ever been to this realm before?”

“No. I promise to remember every detail and next Samhain when I see you, I’ll tell you all about it,” I said, then pulled her head back to me.

Treasach towered over us and his bright blue eyes bored into mine as he spoke. “This will not be a true Samhain celebration without you. Next year, we’ll wait on your return and will not begin until you arrive. As it should be.”

The King walked over, placing his hand upon his son. “Treasach is correct. It is not a true Samhain without you. The Druids and Knights will have no idea what next year’s celebration will hold.” He placed his other hand upon Emrys and asked, “Can we count on a little help from you to make next year’s Samhain extra special?”

Emrys smiled and bowed. “I promise you, King Conall, that it will be one that even the Tuatha will be breathless at.”

I said my goodbyes to Treasach, Alastar and Aine. Emrys walked out of the library with them but I stayed behind to speak to the King alone.

I shut the door and turned. “Conall…” The lump in my throat had grown so large I couldn’t manage to speak. Silent tears began to roll down my cheeks.

The King wrapped his arms around me and softly kissed the top of my head, then barely above a whisper said, “Morrigan, I know you hate to miss a year. Especially after our long… our long sleep where we missed centuries. I know you also fear that you will be too late. But this is my ‘Get your head out of your ass’ speech to you.” He pulled back to look at me. “I have faith in you. You above any other Tuatha will succeed. And I need you to have faith in me. Have faith that in the time that you are gone I will have gathered more answers. Can you trust in me?”

I didn’t hesitate. “My King, I have never wavered in my trust for you. I know that you will.”

He smiled down at me. “I mean it. Samhain will feel hollow without you. Though we traditionally start at sunset, we will wait for your return from the Great Oak to begin next year.”

He leaned down and kissed me on the cheek. It wasn’t quite a chaste kiss but at least it was not on the lips.

My heart was lighter, feeling secure that things would progress in my absence.

“Until next Samhain, my King. Watch well,” I said as I exited the room.

I stopped to say my goodbyes to the team that I’d spent the last few months tracking vampires and werewolves with. Daur cried like a baby. Like the King, he promised that next Samhain would be the true celebration. I promised I’d dance with him and he went from crying to his mad laugh. Even Aiden seemed emotional and actually hugged me, though he immediately looked embarrassed. I was warming to him.

The sun kept getting lower in the sky as I made my way to my room. My hardest and last goodbye. Neil.

I entered the room to replace him sitting on the edge of the bed. His caramel eyes looked heavy. His light brown hair was a bit longer than when I’d first met him and I longed to run my hands through it.

He held his hand out and whispered, “Come here.”

I walked over, taking his hand, and he pulled me onto his lap. He stroked the side of my face, down my neck and rested his hand over my heart. “Morrigan, so much has happened over this past year. It’s gone so fast. Too fast. I’ve known this day was coming and now that it’s here—”

“I know.” I interjected. “There’s something I need to… tell you.” The words of Conall and Emrys about keeping my, our, history a secret for now reverberated in my mind. I caught myself. I’ll tell him upon my return, I vowed. Instead I said, “It’s only a year, though. Listen to Brian and continue to lead your Knights and work with the Druids.”

“I know what I need to do.” He kept his eyes intently focused on mine. He seemed to not notice my near stumble. “I just don’t want to do it without you. What will it be like for you?”

I stayed in his lap. His hand made its way to my back, rubbing it lightly. “Well, for me it will only seem like an hour. I’ve never been to the realm between night and twilight so I’m not really sure what to expect.” “Will you be safe?” he asked.

“Yes, it’s safe,” I said, now rubbing his chest. “Druantia is there alone. I’m not sure if she’s unable or unwilling to leave. Regardless, there are no enemies there.”

“That seems so lonely.”

“I suppose it is,” I said, leaning down to kiss him.

His lips were soft. I could feel the heat building in them as the tenderness dropped away. I leaned him back onto the bed and slowly soaked him in. For me it would seem like only a few hours from now we would be making love again. But I knew for him, a human no less, a year was a long time and I wanted to ease the ache in his heart with enough physical love to sustain him.

We finished making love, then I began to get ready for the five mile trek to the Great Oak. We would be taking horses and needed to be at the stables in twenty minutes.

“Neil, I know it would mean you missing the beginning of your first Samhain celebration but would you ride with me to the Great Oak?” I asked, realizing I sounded like I was pleading. I was, though.

“Morrigan, for you I would ride to the ends of the Earth.” he said as he began to dress.