There and back again - The continuing journey

CHAPTER 13 - GUYS DOUBLE COMMUNING.

Two nights later aunt Gwyneth told Guy that she thought he would benefit by accompanying her to the Communing on the hill. He looked concerned at her words, agreeing only to accompany her on the condition that it was not necessary for him to "Commune," to which she replied, "there is no other way to replenish the power that I "gifted" to you, for all of my people depend on each other to nourish and sustain their magical abilities and you are now a member of that noble race!"

She went on telling him "Gifting is a rare occurrence and there are many wanting to Commune with you, because you were born mortal and have travelled through time, albeit unwillingly. The young women are especially curious, as they have heard you are a virile man, very pleasing to the eye, who performs his marital loving with great skill. This is uncommon amongst mortals and they would know you better!"

"These others of my race have agreed to this joining of minds with you, because I am respected amongst them for my great age and wisdom. You have my permission to open your mind freely to them and receive any wisdom they may wish to impart to you in exchange. If at any point you feel overwhelmed by this great experience, you may detach yourself at any time."

    She then added, "Though I suspect from the manly pride that has suddenly appeared in your eyes that you are now prepared to suffer it!"

She stood up, saying, "It is almost time, we must prepare," adding that she would fetch him a 'Seine' cloak from her trunk, telling him that he would be able to bring nothing to the Communing that was connected in any way to his mortal life, except of course himself, and that when they arrived at the high place he would have to strip naked, as would she. Then they would each don a 'Seine' cloak

All the while Auriel could barely hide her smile at the great discomfort of her husband, who was now looking aghast at her aunt. "I envy you my love", she said, "for I have been able to attend a Communing only twice, once when I was a girl and accompanied my mother, and later as a young woman, but as I had not yet known a man's touch, I was excluded from some aspects of it, and had to be content to exchange spells with other witches of my own age. You have to put aside your fear, my love, and try to be receptive to this wonderful experience, for it is a great honour that the Magical People are bestowing upon you and you will be enriched by it."

Guy eventually agreed to attend the gathering, but with some reluctance now, due partly to his inexperience in all things magical, but mainly at the thought of seeing aunt Gwyneth in her nakedness, though he supposed that she was still quite pleasing considering her great age!

When they reached the high place, Gwyneth separated from him, saying that she would join him at the same spot when they were both cloaked and Guy agreed. Then they stood together in the moonlight and waited.

There was a sudden great rush of wind and Guy's courage almost failed him, but Gwyneth quietly reassured him that there was nothing to fear and that no harm would come to him. "At the meeting of minds," she said, "you may feel a brief stilling of your heart, that is to be expected, as part of you is still mortal."

Then came the chanting, and it was music such as Guy had never heard, he did not know the language of it, yet found he could understand its meaning. He could hear Gwyneth's voice raised in song beside him and then his own voice burst from within him, and it was so wondrous that he turned to look at her and saw that she too was uplifted because of it.

    Then there were indistinct figures encircling him, their robes so bright that he lifted his hand to cover his eyes and then the light softened as the figures came closer.

He could see gentleness in their eyes and found himself recalling his early childhood with his mother, whilst also remembering how he had wept at her graveside, and compassion flowed around him in great waves from the minds of those encircling him. They did not speak for there was no need of speech as he exchanged their thoughts with his own. They smiled as he thought of his wife and children and his great love for them all and they showed him images of their own families, their children at play.