Arianrhod
Arianrhod would not speak to anyone in her household for three days. She roamed the halls and wide balconies of her caer with a stern look which clearly showed that anyone who spoke to her would be harshly dealt with. The servants hid or ran whenever they saw her. Experience had taught them the folly of being near her when she was in a such a mood. Gwen, Maelen and Elen, her sisters, also had the terrifying experience of being on Arianrhod’s wrong side. Yet, they loved her; so they followed her with their eyes, worrying their concern between them with quiet nods and raised eyebrows.
What none knew, what she kept from them, was the disturbing nature of her dreams of late. For under moonlight and starlight, while she slept in her private chambers, the Goddess was calling her. As the night hours passed, she struggled and battled in sleep, feeling as a wave pounded upon the rough rocks. Sun’s rise found her awake but limp with exhaustion and furious at the call that she fought nightly with all her might.
She would not go to Avalon! It served no purpose that she could encompass. Whyever would the Goddess call her there? Did she not have her own caer to mind, her own peoples whom depended on her, witless sisters who were without any ability to make sound decisions? Those simple priestesses of Avalon could teach her nothing she did not already know. As a child, her mother and father had schooled her thoroughly more than just in the ways of Avalon; they had taught her all they knew of the Mysteries.
Arianrhod stormed out to her private balcony and took in deep breaths of the salt air; she tried to calm herself, rubbing her face to ease the stiff muscles. It seemed ages since she had smiled. The sea below was rising swiftly with the incoming tide. Froths of spray and foam mingled with the winds; rainbows danced in and out of the sunlight. She sighed tiredly. It was so achingly beautiful she did not want to leave. But as the tide was relentless in its force so was the Goddess. And Arianrhod knew she no longer had the strength to fight the tide, to deny the call. She glanced at the skies above– gray eyes reflecting the clouds, her face settling into acceptance. Her hands moved restlessly in a gesture between entreaty and reverence. Her head bowed and she softly murmured an answer to the Goddess, “I will go, my Lady.”
One last look at her beloved sea, and Arianrhod turned quickly to make her way to the library where her sisters sat, giggling amongst themselves, embroidery dropped and forgotten. The moment they saw Arianrhod enter their giggling spluttered into shocked silence.
“I’m leaving for Avalon in the morning,” Arianrhod stated flatly, staring at them without a flicker of expression upon her face. “Gwen, you will oversee the caer while I am away. Elen, Maelen — assist as needed and as you can. Have the stable boy ready my horse at dawn. I ride out at first light.”
Turning with no further word, she made her way to her rooms to begin her preparations for the journey to Avalon.
~from a roleplay at AncientWorlds
Daphne Cochran-Shapiro is an Author and Poet, Virtual Assistant, Crafter, and Entrepreneur who specializes in working with people needing virtual office support and web design assistance. My goal is to empower you to be the best you can be in ALL your endeavors. I invite you to browse my sites and share your comments on my works! 
(221 customer reviews)
(207 customer reviews)
