A Mid-Winters Tale: Part IV

Ian walks swiftly towards the garden door; a glance at Skye shows her already walking towards it as well, their Soulbond having made her aware of Ashe's message. He waits for her outside, wraps his great cloak around her and together they set out for the pond, where Ashe had taken their oldest son. No words are spoken aloud as they move as quickly as frozen gravel paths will allow, but the tall half-elf and his love exchange Mindspeech, wondering what the summons means.

The night is clear and crisp, the well groomed gardens of Camelot outlined in pale silver by a huge full moon as they round the last bend of the path and come out by the small beach by the gazebo.A movement towards their left directs the pair's attention to the small boulder Skye sometimes laughingly calls "Ian's Rock". Ashe is standing atop it where Ian usually stands, the smaller form of Shane beside him. One hand rests on the boy's shoulder as he looks across the pond and speaks to his nephew.

"They are coming, Ian. It is time."

"Time for what, Uncle?" Blackthorn has no clue what this is all about. Neither, from her expression, does Skye. But Ashe does not answer, as from the far shore of the pond music begins to float across the water, bells and pipes and bodrhans in a proud defiant song against the dark. Realization dawns on Ian: another Winter Solstice, another Progress. And Ashe is the one to think to show it to the boy, not his own father who is busy dealing with the effects of Lord Blackhawke's sudden departure. He sees Skye's eyes glow in wonder as the first riders come out the the woods and begin riding across the pond, atop the water, as if they were crossing a strip of solid ground. There is, of course, a leyline running beneath the pond, one which Ian himself has called upon before to form a passage the road. Skye can see the Progress approach without any preparation because she and Ian share their Soulbond. He slips an arm about her waist and watches the column come to a halt as they realize Ashe and the boy are blocking the way. The music ends in mid-note as well.

"Who dares to block the sealing of the Ways of Light against the Dark on this Solstice?" The words come from Arianrhod, for the Lady chooses to ride tonight in this countenance. Ian and Skye look at each other, for the words have the lilt and phrasing of ritual. Ashe's response confirms it. "I, Ashevathallion of the House of the Sliver Rose dare, in order to make claim before those here."

"Say on and lay thy claim before all here assembled."

Nodding, Ashe draws Shane closer to him, enfolding him with one half of his cloak. "I do now what should have not ever been needed. I claim as kith and kin this boy, Shanevethallion, and with him his brothers Calenvethallion and Conannonvethallion, and the sisters Kara and Dara. I claim them all as blood of my blood, and also lay claim to the girl Arista, his human sister. I do this by right of rank and blood in my House!" He stands proudly, daring any to deny his right to do this, and a sudden movement in the rear of the Procession might be his anwer. Two riders step forth, and a sharp hiss of surprise from Ian draws Skye's eyes to them, and then a small gasp, for their faces mirror Ashe's. One is the Ashe that might have been had not a blade marred his features: Yarrowvathallion, his twin. The other is Ashe as he may someday have been, a face just starting to show signs of age, and eyes older than the face: their father, Ian's grandfather, Evaynanvathallion. Yarrow is flushed with rage, but the older elf simply stares at his great grandson while a murmur runs through the Procession. Then, with a smile so slight it might have only been an illusion, he reaches out to touch Shane on the forehead.

"With these words and touch I seal thee to my House, blood of my blood, kith and kin. Be welcome, Shanevethallion to the House of the Silver Rose." And with that he turns and walks past the furious Yarrow to reclaim his mount. One after another, other riders step forth to nod or bow in acknowledgement of the boy until only a few such as Yarrow remain. Then the music starts again, the Goddess raises her hand, and the Progress resumes, moving past the point where the astonished Skye and silent Ian stand. Some nod..a few actually smile at the pair. When his grandfather draws near, Ian steps out one pace and bows in the fashion of the Sithryn, but the older elf says not a word. He almost rides past. And then, he turns, looks back, nods to Blackthorn slowly, and rides on.

Ashe and Shane make their way down off the rock to the others as the Progress disappears into the dark. Skye looks at Ian.

"Could someone tell me what just happened here?"

Ian Blackthorn gives Ashe a grateful look. "Ashe laid claim to Shane as kin. And by acknowledging the ties of blood, both he and my grandfather acknowledged me. I am no longer clanless in Sithryn eyes, although Corwin and Amber will always be the clan of my heart. Thank you, my uncle" He bows deeply to Ashe, but then is drawn into a hug and soon all four are joined.

"I think Rowan would expect no less of me. I did it for your mother as well as you." Ashe gave them all another hug. "Merry Solstice, my family."

As they turned and walk back up the path to the firehall, Ian thought he saw someone standing beneath the stars clad in a red cloak that glitters with the stars. Then it was gone.

Just a trick of the light, he decided, as he joined the others.

Or was it?