To Court the Fèidh - Chapter Eight -
Story by Cederwyn Whitefurr on SoFurry
Alexander spares Fianna's life, for somewhere within him, he finds his true self, one that's long been surpressed and masked. Through his bond to her, and with the aid of the Goddess herself, through an intermediary, Alexander forsakes his former self and truly becomes one with the wider world - and with Fianna herself... Their newly consumated hand-fasting brings them even closer - but their happiness and pleasure are to be short lived...
To Court the Fèidh
Chapter Eight
© Cederwyn Whitefurr
6th October, 2021
All Rights Reserved.
Fianna squeezed her eyes closed, fearing the millisecond of agony that would come as her life was taken...only it did not.
Stay your hand child! Come a voice that overwhelmed and froze Alexander in mid swing. You are not the judge, jury and executioner of this Fèidh! I can see in your heart that you are fuelled with rage and grief and other such negative emotions! Yet somewhere in there, is a spark of compassion, mercy and kindness.
“Release me spirit - “ Alexander's strangled croak come from his throat.
I will not, you are not what you were, no more than she is what she was! Look inside your heart, you know the truth of this. Have you learned nothing from her? She acted out of fear! Fear of being alone, fear of being hunted by you and yours! You saw the true heart of that Therian in your cell. You know it spoke truth to you when it said its people had long ago turned from the darkness and no longer preyed upon humanity! Admit it! These Fèidh are even more evolved and enlightened! They have stayed hidden as best they can from humanity and its callous cruelty and violence! They grew up as a species, will you?
Alexander's resolve began to crumble as he felt the calming presence of the oak tree, somehow, sending its quiet, cool thoughts to him, and through him.
The Great Mother speaks the truth, for ages beyond recall, have I stood here and pondered the comings and goings of all. I am old, even older than the Fèidh themselves! Yet in the grand scheme, I am but an acorn... Be at peace child of the Fèidh, know she did what she did because she sensed the good within you, your evil ways can be banished, discarded, drawn down into the earth where it shall harm none. Turn from this dark path child, not only for her sake, but for yours...for within her lays the seeds of your forgiveness and...
Alexander's eyes widened.
No...it can't...
Again, that voice filled him.
Why can it not? You gave yourself to her, freely and willingly – did she not do the same? You are bonded, one soul to another, through the Fèidh magicks and through that which you share. Life begets life, such is the cycle of things. Would you punish an innocent, because of the actions of its mother?
Alexander moaned, the sword falling from his gloved paws and thudding into the ground, right in front of Fianna's leathery nose. With a startled squeal, she threw herself backwards, landing heavily as Alexander dropped to his knees and clutched his muzzle between his paws and began to sob heart-brokenly.
Come to me child, so I may take from you, that which has long poisoned your heart and mind. Come the thoughts from the Oak.
Almost helpless, Alexander crawled over and his hooflets dug into the bark of the Oak, before he threw his antlered head back and screamed with a primal shriek of anguish as his hatred, his negativity and everything dark and poisonous was drawn out of him like the infection of the heart and spirit it was.
Fianna rolled over, then weakly stood, watching and sensing what was happening. All around her, the woods filled with the strength of the magicks of the natural world – as it flowed to that great oak, who in turn, used it to heal the crying Stag who gripped its bark....
*
In the main hall, the Arch-Magi had summoned the greatest of the Hunters who arrayed in ranks before him.
“Well have you fought and conquered – yes – we have suffered loss, of brothers in arms, comrades even – to the beast kin and their ilk!"
Screams of rage and hatred boiled forth from the assembled.
“Therian, Were, it matters not, these abominations must be purged and we are the ones who shall bring an to their unholy spawn! They will know fear, when we come down upon them, be it individually or in their enclaves and villages! We will leave not a single beast alive brothers, for even one can multiple their numbers exponentially. Through magicks and mundane, have I found locations of both Therian and Were! You are my chosen – my greatest of Hunters, to you go with glory and victory – or may your death be honorable! Show them no mercy, wipe them from the face of the earth – burn their corpses and their villages! Spare not even the young, the old or the crippled! They are less than beasts, they are abominations – now – go, go put an end to their unholy existence, for I have spoken, and so shall it be!"
Chants rose from a hundred throats as they stamped their booted feet on the stone floor then filed out, heading for the armoury, the stables and other locations.
Satisfied, the Arch-Magi turned to the dozen who stood at attention before him.
“You, are my personal guard and the best equipped, trained and loyal of our Order, for you, have I a special task... There exists one, far stronger, more cunning and cruel than the most savage of Were's! Hunt this one, bring her to me, alive. I will make an example of this beast – such will be her suffering, even her ancestors will cry and wail! She has taken a human – a male – he is of small consequence. Kill him if you find him, but bring her to me, alive, but be mindful – she is possessed of strength, resilience and cunning – she will not fall easily. Now, go, hear me and obey, glory beyond anything awaits your success on this mission. Honor shall be heaped upon your heads – those who bring me that beast..."
Bowing formally, the twelve saluted and turned on their heels and marched from the hall.
“It has begun..."
*
Alexander broke his contact with the oak and he stumbled, then fell to his knees.
Who am I... His mind whirled. I'm not who I was, I'm...
Something more, at last, truly, you have become one of the Fèidh – welcome – brother...
Timidly, Fianna approached, then knelt down and placed a paw on Alexander's trembling shoulder. He flinched, then without warning, twisted around and grabbed her, burying his muzzle against her belly as great choking sobs were ton from him as she cradled him close like she would a fawn and gently stroked his neck, trying to comfort and soothe him.
Alexander placed a trembling paw against her belly, then he squeezed his eyes closed and concentrated. Fianna blinked, then she looked down and moaned, as she felt the warmth within her womb as Alex sniffled and looked up, then used his fingers to wipe away his tears.
“I'm..." Fianna murmured, her paws against her belly as she felt through her magicks, the new life that had barely kindled within her.
Taking her paws in his, Alexander knelt, then looked up at her.
“Fianna... will you...please do me the honour..."
Tears welled in her eyes as she nodded and leant down and kissed him gently on the forehead.
“I will..."
*
They consummated their love on the edge of a shallow brook, their bed a patch of soft, dry moss.
It was kind, sweet, gentle, and pleasurable for both Doe and Stag...
*
That evening, beneath the full moon, Fianna had sent word to a Druidess, who presided over their hand-fasting ceremony.
“Fianna, Daughter of the Fèidh, Alexander, blood-kin of the Fèidh, do I announce before the four watches of the tower and the Lord and Lady themselves, from this day until you last, to be married."
Alex turned to look into Fianna's eyes, before he turned his head to the side and his furred lips met hers, as his paws slid down her hips and pulled her close – once more before the Druidess in this sacred circle, did Stag claim Doe...
*
Quietly, dark forces entered the woods, their horses hooves muffled with leather bags over their hooves and the four trained war dogs padding alongside the Hunter's. Ever so often, the dogs would lower their heads and sniff, but without an accurate scent to go on, they had no idea how to find the Fèidh – so their search continued...
To Be Continued...