Page 66 of May Queen: May Day

Chapter 17

Flora felt at home with the Druids, all except Mug who was naught but a murderer and a thief. She spent time tonight bonding with her father, and loved every minute of being with him. She learned so much about the traditions of her ancestors. She had longed for a father her entire life and now she had one. She looked up to him as her mentor and protector now.

Her father had told her all about the ancient Celts and their beliefs and how the Druids worshipped all nature. It was very important to them, especially the sacred mistletoe that clung to the oak trees. When she listened to her father talk about it with such reverence in his voice, she realized the true importance of the necklace and what it must symbolize to them.

“Have more wine, Flora.” Rosemunda handed her some more of the most potent wine she’d ever tasted. It did help to relax her just like her father said it would. A few of the Druids played music from bamboo flutes and drums made from tree bark and animal hides. People danced around the fire, and she felt as if she wanted to dance, too.

“Go ahead, Flora. Dance around the fire,” her father coaxed her. “This might be the only chance you’ll ever have to participate in the fertility rituals.”

“Fertility,” she repeated, thinking about her conversation with Ricard about having children. If she left with her father and the Druids, she would never have that chance to be the mother of Ricard’s heirs.

She got up and started dancing around the fire, feeling at one with the earth. Couples disappeared into the woods a few at a time, some of them pulling off their clothes as they went. This was the festival called Beltane where everything was all about fertility, new life, and growth. At a Beltane fire is where she was conceived, and she swore she felt power and life flowing through her veins right now.

The wine made her heady. The beat of the drums and watching as people made love on the earth caused her to think of Ricard once again. She was his wife now, but they had never even consummated the marriage. It made her heart ache to think that she might never see him again.

Then, he was there, just beyond the fires of Beltane. She saw him emerge from the woods, standing off in a shadow, but she was sure it was her husband.

“Ricard,” she said, walking away from the fire to meet him. Sure enough, her husband stepped out from behind a tree. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to get you, Flora, and bring you home.”

“Are you sure you’re not here to kill my father and the Druids?” She raised her chin in challenge.

“Flora, I know now that what you told me is true. Mug is the only one responsible for my parents’ deaths. I realize that now, and no longer hold vengeance for anyone but one man.”

“I am sorry I kept so many things from you, Husband,” she said, feeling love for him in her heart.

“Don’t be. I would have done the same if I were you. I was hurt and angry and wanted someone to pay for taking my parents from me.”

“I’m so sorry, Ricard.” She walked up to him, putting her hands on each side of his face and looking deeply into his eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Flora, even if sometimes it seems as if I don’t.”

“This is the festival of Beltane where new life is celebrated and the rituals are all about fertility.”

“Aye.”

“We never got to consummate our marriage, Ricard.”

“Nay, we didn’t.”

“Let’s do it now. Right here in the woods on the celebration of the night when I was conceived.”

“Flora, I might be well in my cups right now, but I think you are in worse shape than me.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Couple out here? In nature?”

“Nay. Make love out here in nature.” She kissed him passionately. With that kiss, Ricard dropped his inhibitions. They ran off into the forest, hand in hand. And when they were away from prying eyes, Flora dropped to the ground with Ricard, atop the soft moss.

“I love you, Ricard. I’m sorry for making you angry, but I needed to find out who I am.”

“I love who you are, Flora, and I accept that. I will never try to change you again.”

Sharing their love for each other, they surrendered to the temptations of the Beltane fire. Then, right there in the woods, Flora and Ricard consummated their marriage, joining together in the union of love.

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