Rites of Passage Redux (Armphid & Haremfaery)

[haremfaery]

Aine suddenly felt self-conscious under Tiernan's gaze and straightened her robe. "Hello. I imagine I did. The Druid's brew was potent and I don't remember much." Color tinged her cheeks. She lied. She remembered most of what had transpired, but it was through a haze. Of course, she had no idea who she had been with. And she dearly wished she did.

She looked Tiernan over. It could not have been him. Her Beltaine lover had been passionate, yet gentle. Tiernan had gone from indifference to this new sort of possessiveness. She did not know which irritated her more.

She kept quiet and let the two men have their pissing contest.

"You may both walk me back." Then the two could continue their verbal jabs and she would not have to speak. Her mind was awhirl trying to think who had been the vessel for the god. If she knew, she would seek him out and spend the next two nights of the celebration with him. She hoped they could recreate the same magic, but she was a little doubtful. Without the gods inhabiting them could any other coupling ever match it? She would like to try at least once before her marriage.

She hooked and arm around each of the men and walked toward her home. She must be experiencing some residual from the wine. She enjoyed the tactile sensation of touching them, feeling the fabric of their sleeves.

"And you, Tiernan? Was that Roisin I saw next to you?"

 

[Armphid]

Tiernan imagined that his own face as Aine linked arms with both men looked just as stunned as O'Banion's did. If so, he wasn't sure how the fiery redhead kept from laughing. They must have looked ridiculous. Ian spied the sly smile on Tiernan's lips and glowered; thinking the man was mocking him.

But the other merely ignored the dark glare shot his way, instead nodding in answer to Aine's question. "I woke near her, but I don't think I was with her last night." He sighed and shook his head, "I remember fragments of it, and she does not fit them. But it was...glorious," he finally finished in a tone of joyously pained remembrance.

Remembrance he would carry with him for all of his life, more like than not. He'd never had such love making, and he couldn't even recall it all. And he'd never feel it again. However she had been, he'd never know, and Aine would surely never embrace him with any kind of affection.

He caught himself before he sighed. Such melancholy ill became Beltaine. And perhaps there was hope for he and Aine yet.

"I am sorry that you recall so little," he said again after a moment. "But I am sure that you will have such happy nights again, Aine. May the Gods will it so, the rest of Beltaine will be a well remembered happiness for you." He paused again and then went on, "I have not yet danced with you, and as such, the experience has been wanting for me. My own fault, I recognize, for I was out of sorts yesterday. But I feel as though I see the world a little differently now."

 

[haremfaery]

Aine kept herself from frowning in disapproval. After all, how could she begrudge a glorious night when hers had been transcendent. She sighed at her own memory. At least she would carry this blessed Beltaine and her partner who was God and man with her for the rest of her days. She hoped it would be enough to sustain her since Tiernan treated her like a possession and not his intended bride.

In the meantime, she would relish watching him twist as she paid attention to Ian O'Bannion. "Some remembrance does come back to me about last night," She sounded a little wistful and squeezed Ian's arm for good measure.

"I shall make every effort to ensure this Beltaine is one to remember."

Ian smirked at her. "From your mouth to the Gods' ears. I would help make those memories with you."

Aine gave no definite answer but smiled at Ian. She turned her head to look up at Tiernan as he spoke of dancing. "I shall take that as an apology, and so you may have my first dance. And Ian...my second." She smiled sweetly.

They had reached the house. "Was dancing the matter you wished to speak of?" She cocked her head at Tiernan, "Or were there other things?"

Ian bowed his head a bit. "Either way, I shall take my leave and see you alter for a dance. Good day, Aine. Mac Gowan." He turned and left.

---

Ian found members of his clan stirring. He went ot his father and drew him aside. "It is better than we had thought. She is not happy with the match and more than hinted that she would prefer running away. I do not think she would fight at all when we put our plan to action." Ian puffed himself up proudly.

"She does not remember much of the night, but since we awoke in close proximity, and they way she spoke to me...she seems to think happily on the idea that we were together. It is possible she already carries my son." Because truth be told, Ian remembered very little except a willing winsome lass who seemed the right height for Aine.

"Tiernan will be a problem, but we knew that. I will continue to use my charms on her and by tomorrow night, she may actually come with us willingly." And that would makes things so much easier because Ian thought an angry Aine would be worse than a firedrake amidst hay bales.

Perhaps tonight he would actually remember being with her. But it did not matter, once he got her back to their holdings, she would be his and he would be well-placed to inherit both clans. he looked very snug.

"Very good." His father said. "Do not speak of this again, until we are ready to make the move. No one can have inkling of our plan or all will be lost. Now, go eat. Enjoy this Beltaine."

 

[Armphid]

He visibly bristled at the fawning attention she was showering the O'Banion with. He'd never seen her act like that with any boy or man of their clan! Certainly, she'd never directed any such fondness towards him. It rankled and he felt his envy and his anger stirring in his stomach.

Gods, damn women and their petty little games! ...Is was a game, was it not? Or did she actually have feelings for that...

When Ian left them, Tiernan simply watched him go and made no attempted to hide his jealousy and distrust of the man. "There is more I would speak to you about, Aine," he said after several long seconds.

He turned to look at her and again he did not hide his confusion and his anger, "I do not know if this is a game to rake my for some insult you feel I have given, or if you truly favor Ian O'Banion, but I would urge you again as I once did to be wary of him. He is a man who will try and claim the tree and the earth it grows in after being given an apple."

The young lord-to-be shook his head, "But either way, I would know what offense I have given you know. For I do not understand this spite and believe in confronting troubles."

 

[haremfaery]

If Aine thought about it, she truly had no complaint with Tiernan except that he was not the glorious Divine vessel she had spent the night with. If she thought about it, and she was more one to do than to think, so it was difficult. If she thought about it, she was conflicted. Part of her, she discovered, was looking forward to discovering more about coupling with Tiernan, or any one of the handsome youths either from her clan or the O'Banions. There was so much to learn, to experience. But part of her was frightened that nothing in her life would ever come close to what she had already experienced as the vessel for the goddess. And she could speak to no one about it.

So, she poked and prodded Tiernan like a sore tooth. Why she felt compelled to get a rise from him, she did not know. He would be her husband whether she welcomed it or not. Why was she determined to make him hate her?

She put a hand to her forehead. "I am sorry, Tiernan. The night was too long, yet not long enough. And the day is too bright, and my mind reels." She sighed. "I know what you have said about the O'Banions. But they are our guests and it is Beltaine." She smiled a little. "And should I give Ian an apple...I will be sure to tell him neither the tree nor the earth around it are part of the offering."

She looked up at him and realized she was trying to measure him against what she remembered of her partner the night before. No it could not have been him. She was sure of it. "Was there something else? I would sleep before I join the festivities again."

 

[Armphid]

Tiernan felt a moment of frustration at what seemed to be begging off. But then, perhaps it was not so. The night had been...more than intense for him, and if she had anything of the like, and a virgin before then he would bet his life on it...it would be jarring.

He took a deep breath and nodded, "Forgive me then, for pushing too much this early. And for...not attending you as I should." He felt foolish saying it, but there was truth to it as well. "Should...Aine, I will say that we are not yet wed, and I respect your right to do as you will and with whom."

He licked his lips and then leaned closer to her, "But if you wish to delight in life this night as well...pray, consider me for your partner. You think me disinterested, but I am not so. I would wish to...show you that interest, and what delights I may."

Then he gave her a slight bow and stood up straight, "Think on it, if you will, and I will see you anon. Rest well."

 

[haremfaery]

Aine wished her head did not pound so much so she could fully appreciate what Tiernan was saying to her. His night must have been very eventful for him to be so...she could not think of a proper word.

She smiled a little at Tiernan's offer, thinking not of him, but of the night she had had and fully sure it was not spent with him. The god's vessel had been taller, broader, she was certain, and his voice, what few words he spoke were deeper. Who of the clan youths had the deepest voice? She had little time to discover her lover before she was wed. But she felt no need to alienate Tiernan further since he seemed to be sincere in his words now that Ian was gone.

"If the celebration and the gods wish it so...we might share a bed ere the wedding." She gave him a faint smile. She was not sure she wanted any man inside her again so soon. She might feel differently once she had washed and rested.

"I will." She held out her hand to him before turning to go into her father's house.

She called for a servant to fetch her water to wash. She climbed the stairs to her room. Perhaps later she could speak to her mother. She could not tell anyone she had been the goddess's vessel, but she could say she had been with someone the night before.

She stripped her Beltaine robe off and began combing out her hair. One of the women brought up a basin of hot water. She looked at Aine noting the dried blood on her thighs. So, the high and mighty Chieftain's daughter finally deigned to lay with someone. She wondered if it had been Aine's intended. But having heard the redhead's tantrums, she doubted it.

"Do you need help?"

"No. I can clean myself. And then I shall sleep. I do not wish to be disturbed. My head aches." Aine dipped a cloth into the water and washed her face.

"Well I know, the druid's drink is far stronger than any May mead. I'll fetch some soft beer for you. Drink it before you sleep. It may help." The woman left to fetch the beer and some bread.

Aine was washing the blood from her thighs when the servant returned. Knowing Aine's temper, she decided it best to keep her thoughts to herself. Poor girl was rather old to lose her maidenhead. Better now at Beltaine than her wedding night. Now she would be fully opened to accept her husband.

Aine shooed the woman away and pulled on a chemise. She drained the beer in a few gulps. The servant had been right, she was very thirsty. She crawled into her bed and even though her body was still tender, she prayed to the goddess that she would be brought together with the one who had claimed her virginity so that she could know such bliss again before she was married.

She fell asleep to dreams of strong arms wrapped around her whispering sweet words in her ear that sounded oddly like Tiernan's voice if she remembered when she awoke.

((Shall we have the O'Banions make their move later this day? Or wait until the third and last day of the celebration?))

 

[Armphid]

((Depends if we want to invoke a "wrath of the gods" angle by having them disrupt Beltine. If Aine and Tiernan seem to be getting alone better, Ian may jump the gun. I think we should get to the abduction soon whichever day it is, maybe by doing some montage or fast forwarding.))

Tiernan's walk back to his own home was long, for he took a longer way than normal. There was much to think on. Aine, mostly, but his growing jealousy and suspicion of Ian O'Banion and what it meant. But even as he tried to puzzle out the nature of it, his mind kept returning to what little he could recall of last night.

There was more now. Flashes of a fine body, still a girl's but shapely and fair. Red hair...he was sure now that her hair had been red. Aine's hair was red; as fiery as her temper. But there were other redheads in the clan as well. But what if...

He sighed as he walked under the gate of his family's little compound. All the what ifs in the world made no difference. If it wasn't Aine, he'd likely never be with that girl again. If it was...neither of them remembered or knew for certain, and it would be to risk the gods' wrath to speak of it. And she would likely claim that without the druid's wine she'd never have touched him.

But maybe she would. Her words when they parted...but she was distracted, and he was half certain she'd not even noticed what he'd said. The young lord turned and looked back in the direction of the house of Aine's father. "Nothing ever shall be simple between the two of us, it seems." Then he shook his head. He should see what needed doing before he could get food and clean. The day was yet early and there would be more celebration tonight.

 

[haremfaery]

Aine awoke to her mother shaking her gently. "Sweetling, 'tis time to wake up. I let you sleep as long as I could. But the feast will begin soon and you must make an appearance at the celebrations."

Aine sat up and stretched. She winced a bit. "Will I always feel this sore?"

"Would any woman allow her man near her, if she did?" Her mother smiled. "No the pain will fade. Is it so bad? Didn't you receive any pleasure at all last night?"

"Oh, I did. I did. It will be a night to remember." She nearly sighed but closed her mouth lest the words spill out telling her mother everything includign being the vessel for the Goddess. "It hurt a little when my maidenhead was taken. I did not expect to still be sore today."

"The druid's mead for the youths' is potent and is a great help for your first time. I too, lost my maidenhead at Beltaine. 'Tis a lucky thing. You may have pain the next time or two you lie with a man, until the way is clear." She patted Aine's arm. "You will be fully ready to enjoy your wedding night with Tiernan." She touched her daughter's cheek and gave her a kiss. "You are fully a woman now."

"Now, let me help you dress."

---

((I guess we can jump to the fourth and final day when the O'Banions are taking their leave after the three nights of Beltaine. Unless you have some business you want these two to do. I'm assuming that Aine may be a little more well disposed to Tiernan, and to things in general, although maybe resigned is a better word. Hmm, maybe we should do a little bit more.))

Aine went down to the feast for the second night of Beltaine. Tiernan sat beside her and she was cordial to him. She really did not have the energy to snipe at him. Besides, she was too busy trying to discern who it was she had been with the night before.

"I am looking forward to dancing tonight." Aine said to him. Some of the dances required that the partners put their arms around each other. She hoped she might get a clue as to which of the young clansmen had been the God's vessel. A woman could take a second husband if she chose to. It was not done often, but once she produced an heir, there should be no protest. And Tiernan would be free to bed whom he chose or even take a second wife. She felt some relief thinking these things.

((I'm thinking the dances would be reels, spiral dances, and maybe some sort of proto-polka.))

 

[Armphid]

((I think we can do a montage type pair of posts of the next two days to arrive at the fourth day when the O'Banions would be leaving and make their move.))

The celebration seemed more joyous to him somehow, this day. The smell of roasted meats and fresh bread made him hungrier than he could recall being in ages, the sky was blue beyond blue, and the smiling face and fetching form of maid and matron alike held the promise of bounty.

Tiernan wore one of the new shirts Aine had made for him as he walked among the revel and festivity and he smiled, though as was his wont he spoke little to those he passed. Those he spoke to noted his smile though and thought it better than the near-scowl he'd been wearing yesterday.

What had changed? Why was today so much more...wonderful than yesterday? It was something he'd been considering while doing chores at home before taking a brief nap and then cleaning to dress anew for tonight's feast and fete. Was it the touch of the God still lingering on him? Or an effect of lying with a living Goddess and having that love making shake the world under him and his soul within him? Could a man experience such a thing and not see the world as different?

He swept his eyes over the gathering. She was out there somewhere. Both of the shes in his thoughts were, actually. Aine and the girl who had been the vessel of the goddess; both in this throng and enjoying it. Aine had seemed distracted earlier; her own Beltaine liason had caused as much stirring in her as his in him. Could she have been...

He shook his head. What did it matter? She was his future, no matter whose night she had been yesterday. Or tonight. Though he'd put his hand in a fire before he let it be an O'Banion.

Teirnan made his way to where she stood; her fierce, bright eyes searching the gathering as well. "Good evening, Aine, and fair and fiery do you look on it." Music had started and he held out a hand, "The fairest and fleetest should be on their feet. Let us dance."

 

[haremfaery]

((Sorry, I've been sick Feeling better now, but still moving slow.))
((And yes, that works for me. I'm getting excited about the O'Banions making their movie.))

Aine was watching the dancers looking for some telltale sign that would let her know who her partner had been the night before. She knew it was foolish to think she would know him somehow, but she had to try.

She turned when Tiernan spoke. He was in a fine mood. She gave him a bright smile. "And the dull and heavy should keep their feet off of mine." She took his hand and they joined the throng skipping along to the music.

They changed partners often as they circled about. Aine tried to assess each one. Was he as tall as she remembered her companion of the night before? As broad? When she tipped her chin up to look in each one's eyes, were they the eyes she had seen behind the mask?

But the Druids' mead had been potent and none seemed right, yet each one held the potential.

Tiernan seemed determine to dance her with more than anyone else. It appealed to her vanity that he seemed finally to pay attention to her. He also did his best to keep her out of the arms of any O'Banion. She toyed with going off with Ian, just to tweak him, but if she were honest with herself, now that night had fallen, she was not in a hurry to go off into the fields with anyone. She wanted to hold that blissful memory of the God to her, and Him alone until she surrendered herself to Tiernan on their marriage bed. The decision made, she enjoyed the festivities even more. She felt no need to goad Tiernan or toy with Ian.

When couples began pairing in earnest, she gave Tiernan a sweet kiss on the cheek, "I think we should take the advantage afforded us at Beltaine to sample its many joys."

((My plan is to have her slip off to someplace more out of the way and sleep on her own, unless you have other ideas for this second night of Beltaine. If I went too far ahead for you, I can always edit my post.))

 

[Armphid]

((Not at all! It was excellent. I will montage a bit now to move things forward; feel free to go however seems best in your next post.))

Tiernan grimaced slightly at Aine's words, though the peck on his cheek was sweeter than he had anticipated. She had been more sweet than cutting all the eve, which was both comforting and troubling. It seemed she had made up her mind about something. Perhaps this was it. That she did not wish to be with him.

"Yet unknown to one another as we are," he began and then stopped. He was...stung. Disappointed, angry. He had been clearly rejected, and rejection was not a thing he was used to or knew well how to suffer. "Beltaine...is to be enjoyed, yes. Sample what joys you wish then, Aine, and good night."

He didn't really hear any response she gave, stepping back with a shallow bow and turning to stride away from her. She'd spurned him. After all her talk of being angry at his not courting her, it seemed that whether he did or no, the end was the same.

Perhaps this was punishment.

Perhaps she did hate him as much as he'd once thought.

Perhaps she did truly want the O'Banion over him. That scheming, fawning, two-faced lickspittle over him.

Tiernan heeded no calls of his friends or of other women as he passed away from the brightly lit and boisterous celebration. He only shook his head or waved and did not pause in his increasingly long strides.

Beltaine was a time for joy and peace. Right now he was furious and wanted to smash Ian O'Banion's smug, smarmy face in. He walked to his family's home and took his horse, riding from there to where he and his friends were building what would be he and Aine's home. Work would quiet the dangerous, potentially sacrilegious feelings in him. And if not, at least they would not taint Beltaine for the clan.

~~~~~~~~~​

"There he goes again," Cahan watched his cousin moving away from the gathering. Others were as well, but in pairs, much as he was. "What's gotten in his ear?"

"I know not," Molly shook her head and looked up at her recent paramour, "He's been about my lady more than ever this day and the last, since the first night. They say the druid's mead shows many men visions...think you he saw something that makes him so grim?"

Privately, Cahan was sure it was Aine that had his cousin upset. However he was not dumb enough to say that to the girl's maid as he lead her away for a sweet night. "So it may be. But my cousin's a man of deep thoughts, and often serious. I always thought he should have been a druid himself. But! Come, my pretty girl, let's not think on anything tonight but the glories of the gods."

"Putting yourself in high company, are you not?" Molly smirked up at him, her voice a lilting tease.

"I was speaking of you," he answered with a wink.

 

[haremfaery]

((Blah, still suffering with this cold. Too stuffy to sleep. I might add more to this if I can think of something. But I'm going to try to go to bed again.))

Aine would have liked to return to her own bed, but then it would be known for sure that she had not partaken of the Beltaine merriment. She went the long way around to avoid Ian and the rest of the O'Banions.

She found a comfortable spot away from the revelry and curled up to sleep. She was no closer to discovering who she had been with the previous night than when the day began.

Perhaps she was a fool to think she could fine him. They drank the Druid's mead and wore masks for a reason. They were not meant to know who had been the vessels.

She had one more day to try and find out. Then she must set aside this idea and prepare for her marriage to Tiernan. If Tiernan could bring her one-tenth of joy she felt in the arms of the god, she would count herself lucky. She would be a good wife to Tiernan. He was a worthy man and deserved the best she could give him.

She rolled onto her back and looked at the stars until she finally fell asleep to the sounds of couples enjoying Beltaine's delights.

~~~~~~
In the morning, Aine made her way back to her father's house. She did not see Tiernan and expected he was still in the arms of whomever he had chosen the night before.

She made her way to the kitchens, it would do her good to lose herself in work.

 

[Armphid]

The final day of Beltaine was bright and fair in the dawn. The sky was blue as blue could be and there was a sweet breeze from the west. Tiernan rose with the sun, though he had been late at the sight of his future house working. As he had the previous two nights, after attending the festivities and spending his time there with Aine, he had left her to take her pleasure where she wished and left to work.

He didn't understand why he was doing it. She was enjoying herself. Everyone was enjoying themselves. Why did he avoid the pleasures he knew he could have to labor alone in the dark?

It mattered little. Soon Beltaine would end and life would return to normal...or would it? This change that had come over him may not be so easily dismissed. But in any event, it would likely mean the end of Aine's sudden interest in the side of life she had hitherto avoided and that made him feel comfortable for some reason. It would also mean the O'Banions would go and that was even better.

Ian O'Banion had made it a point to talk to Tiernan several times in the last two days; just this side of rude and always hinting that it was he Aine was with in the nights. Tiernan knew this was not so; he had seen the man taking Siobhan nic Fionn away the last two nights. But it galled Tiernan, and were he a less patient man he would have already caused an incident with the clan's guests.

He went into the festival grounds with a faint smile. Though he paused suddenly and took a sniff of the air. The wind was changing. Looking up, he could see clouds faintly in the distance but growing closer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The O'Banions had made themselves part of the morning's business at the king's house readily and easily. Their eldest was deep in talks with Aine's father, and the rest were making themselves helpful or entertaining.

Ian was one such, having found Aine and plied her food to break her fast and mead to go with it. "Now then, my fiery girl, you seem distracted the last days now. We've not known one another long, but it makes the heart ache to see so pretty and high a girl in heartache. Is it your betrothal that burns you so? Tis said you favor the match not."

 

[haremfaery]

Aine smiled at Ian. She knew he was trying to flatter her. Tiernan was right, Ian had been sniffing around her like a dog all through the Beltaine celebrations. Why did his flattery mean more to her than Tiernan's recent sincere attempts to mend the rifts between them? Perhaps it was simply because she saw this as the last time to thumb her nose at everyone's expectations of her.

She should leave Ian and seek out more of the clan youths to see if she could find any clue about her Divine Lover. But she feared the Druid's admonitions to keep that first night's doings secret kept any from speaking out, even if they did remember. As for herself, she was no closer to knowing who it was even though she had kissed a few lads and danced with all of them. None fit the measure in her memory.

She turned her attention back to Ian. "I do not, but I will do my duty for our clan. It's just...the match has been sealed between our fathers for a long time. The chieftain's daughter does not get to choose as other maids are able. Tiernan has never made any indication to me that I meant anything to him. perhaps because I do not swoon over him like the other maids." She shrugged quickly. "I am sure I will learn to be comfortable with him, even love him someday. And if not...after we have a few children, I could take another husband."

She pushed her plate away not having eaten much. "But Beltaine is nearly at an end and 'tis time to say goodbye. I expect I will see you and your kinsmen again on my wedding day."

 

[Armphid]

"Sure you will at that," Ian grinned. "A man'd be a fool to miss such festivities." Particularly since if would be him she'd wed. "But I understand doing your duty to your clan and family. It's a noble thing, surely, though it pains me to see you unhappy over it."

He pursed his lips as if a thought just occurred to him, "It seems to me, Aine my beauty, that you've enjoyed my time more than your husband's to be. Misery for your clan's sake is a duty, sure, but what if you could do your duty and be happier for it?"

Ian took up her cup as she finished, "Let me draw you another. But, as I said...well, I'm to be head of my clan one day. And if you enjoy my company as the second morning of Beltaine showed, my fiery heart, then perhaps there's a better match to be made for you and your clan." His back was to her as he spoke, dropping a thin bundle of herbs into the bottom of her deep cup before he poured the wine over it.

Turning back, he swished the drink around to help the bundle do its' work. "Think on it. We're leaving today, you could come with us to see our lands and my wealth, and present it to your father as a way out of this suffering you're seeing." And if not, the herbs would make her tired and weak and she'd go along anyway.

He offered her the cup again, "What say you, Aine?"

 

[haremfaery]

"I am sure things will improve over time. Tiernan has been making an effort and i am afraid I have been acting like a spoiled child." Aine should never have said anything to Ian about her true feelings.

She frowned at what Ian was saying. "If my father had wished our clans and lands to be joined, He would have spoken to your father years ago. You well know that there has been no love lost between the clans because of the raids your clan makes on ours, and the arguments over a thin sliver of land." Men. Arguing over a strip of land.

She smiled and took the mead from him. "Thank you. For the mead and the offer." She took a sip. This seemed different from her first mug. Not as sweet. Perhaps a new cask had been opened. She put the thought aside. She must speak with care. Things had been going well with the O'Banions, she could not afford to offend just now.

"I say, again, thank you. But my father's will is clear on this. I am to marry Tiernan. I will not go against my father's wishes."

She suddenly remembered that Tiernan had worn one of the shirts she made for him and she had not said anything to him about it. He was trying and she had to respect him for that. It was far more than she had done.

She looked around the room. If only she knew who's arms she had lain in on that first night of Beltaine. It would drive her mad not to know.

She took a longer drink of the mead and looked back at Ian.

 

[Armphid]

For a piece of a moment, just the time it took to blink, Ian's lips grew into a frustrated grimace. This was not what he had expected or hoped for; a few days ago the girl had seemed primed to jump on his horse and ride off with him. Now it would have to be less pleasant.

The expression lasted only an eyeblink before he was smiling sadly, "Alas to hear it! Well, you're loyal and that's no fault to you. A pity that the men around you see you as a thing for their direction and not a woman of your own, but if that's the life you see as right for you, I'll not gainsay you."

He sighed and then rose, straightening up to his full height. She should have drunk enough to start feeling it soon but he didn't want her draining the cup and finding the herb bundle. "If you've had enough, will you walk with me one last time under a Beltaine sky, Aine? It would do my heart good and I think yours also, to walk and talk before the leavetaking."

The walk was when it would happen. The herbs should make her tired and weak; feeling unwell, she'd ask him to carry her off home and so he would. Just not hers. And the men of his clan should be ready by now to go, they were only waiting for him to grab their prize and make their escape.

 

[haremfaery]

"Ian, I am sure many of the girls of my clan would leap to be your wife. That would bring our clans together." Aine said. "And I hope when you become Chieftain of your clan and Tiernan becomes chieftain of our, that we may bring a lasting peace between us. I will always remember your offer." She stood as well feeling a slight dizziness but blamed it upon lack of enough sleep these last few nights. She went on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. "It would make me happy to count you as a friend."

She took his arm and gave him a bright smile. "I would love to walk with you." The outside air would do her some good. Now that she was standing she did not feel so dizzy, just sluggish. They walked arm in arm toward the edge of the village where the rest of the O'Bannions were readying to leave. They must have already paid their respects to her father.

Aine squeezed Ian's arm leaning on him a little heavily. "I hope someday soon to dance at your wedding, as I hope you will dance at mine. Mine may not be the happiest of matches, but I am determined to be content. My parents' marriage was arranged and theirs has grown into a great love."

She stopped and put a hand to her head. "I...oh. My head is spinning and my legs quiver like a newborn fawn. I need to sit down, or go home." She blinked up at him. Her large brown eyes looked glassy. The color had fled from her face and she looked ashen.

 

[Armphid]

"Then friendly we shall be," he answered her as she took his arm and they walked outside, "The more as life goes on, I am sure." Oh, yes. They'd be very friendly soon.

He smiled as she leaned on him more and more while they walked to where his kin waited. The herbs were doing exactly as promised; he was a bit worried he might have given her too much but she was very healthy. Ian couldn't wait to find out just how healthy she was.

"Oh, it's for certain we'll dance at our wedding. With flowers in out hair and all the trimmings of the occasion," he laughed after saying it; pleased with his own cleverness and the joke implicit in his words.

As she stopped, his worried expression was quite honest. Perhaps he had used too much after all...though the old man had said this is what would happen. "You do not look well, Aine." He slid his arms around her as his horse was lead over to them by one of the men, "Yes, I think we need to get you home as soon as we can. I'll take you."

Another man rode to the other side of her, partly in case she fought or tried to bolt, and he and the one leading the horse lifted the redheaded beauty up and onto Ian's steed. The young noble mounted up behind her, "I'll keep you on and steady, Aine, my lovely, you just rest and you'll be home soon."

He looked over at his father and nodded. The older man smirked, "All right, lads, let's get on home. Our hosts have been more hosptiable than they know, so keep a kind thought for 'em in your hearts, eh?"

The men laughed and mounted up, their horses snorting and whinnying before they set off at a brisk canter until they were beyond a spear's cast from the village. Then they kicked into a gallop and rode fast bearing Aine away from her clan and people.

~~~~~~~~~~~~​

"Sad to say, young lord, she's not here now." Aine's maid Molly shook her head with a sad smile. That girl was such a fool! A man like Tiernan could be hers and she spends all her time mooning after another, walking out with that Ian O'Banion. It was like choosing mutton over a thick beef steak. "She went to see off the O'Banions, I think, with that Ian." The maid pointed north, "They went yonder not even a quarter hour ago."

Tiernan inclined his head to the girl, "Thank you, Molly. I'll see if I can catch them then." He choked down the surge of jealousy and anger that flared in him at first; knowing it was unreasonable. Aine's attitude to Ian had cooled since that first day of Beltaine. He was confident it was not he she was spending the nights with, though he knew not who it was.

However, he trusted Ian O'Banion as far as he could throw a mountain.

The young noble set off with long strides, his eyes seeking ahead of him to spot the familiar figures. After a few minutes, he felt a strange worry. He should be able to see them by now. After another few minutes, he came across an area where the ground had been disturbed by many horses and evidence that the animals had been waiting there before leaving. And still no sign of Aine or Ian.

"She wouldn't be...no, she would not." Tiernan licked his lips, feeling a dread growing in his stomach that was accompanied by a fiery heat. "He would be that foolish."

He looked around a moment and then broke into a run before leaping up to grab hold of a tree branch and haul himself up into the boughs. In a few moments, he was as near the top as he could get, looking out away from the village. In the near distance he could see a plume of dust and men and horses moving within it.

Fury that he'd never known broke over him, Tiernan actually snarling into the wind, "Ian O'Banion, if she's harmed, I'll tear you apart with my own hands!"

 

[haremfaery]

((Gosh, I love this story so much And I love reading your posts.))

"I would be well pleased to see my clan and yours at peace." She told him once more. It was not like her to repeat herself. Her mind was sluggish.

"Weddings." She said. "At our weddings." Or had she misheard? There was a buzzing in her ears, like bees.

All was a blur. She let Ian and the other man lift her to his horse because she could not walk back to her father's house? Why be carried when the horses were right here?

Ian was mounted behind her in a moment. She leaned back against his chest and closed her eyes. She did not feel well at all and was suddenly frightened. "Take me to my mother. I want my mother." She thought she heard laughter before the drug completed it's work and she dropped into a deep sleep.

~~~~~​

Aine woke some time later. Her head was pounding and there was a bad taste in her mouth as if the pigs had been wallowing on her tongue. She was still on Ian's horse. Had she only nodded off for a few minutes? The should be at her father's soon. She looked around, the sun was too bright. And they were not anywhere near the village.

"What have you done?" She turned to look at him. "Ian! What have you done!" She grabbed his sleeve and tugged on it. "Take me home! Take me home now!" She looked at the other men riding with them. "It is not too late to make this right. Would have war between our clans? After all you said?"

She punched his arm as hard as she could. Repeatedly. In the same place. "Put me down. Put me down now! A shroud on you, Ian O'Banion! A shroud on you if you do not return me to my father!" She punched him again for emphasis.

The men laughed at her. The shouting made her head pound all the more. "The Morrigan take you all. You have spit on the hospitality of my father. I will see you all dead."

If Ian had not known of Aine's temper, he was getting a pure dose of it now. If her temper were fire, he and his fellows would be but piles of ash.

 

[Armphid]

"Keep your lip up and you'll see all of us, but 'tween your legs," snarled Bronn, Ian's father. He wouldn't actually take the girl that way; not until they were safely back in their lands, but she didn't know that. He was riding beside his son. "Your father might let you whine like an ill trained hound but I'll not have it."

"My father is a man of his word, Aine," Ian cautioned the fire haired and natured young woman. "And be at peace! This is what you wanted! To be away from your duty to choose your own man, is it not?" The young lord smiled broadly, "I think you'll find me to your liking soon, but if not, there's any man of my brothers and I to choose from. Your choice; not someone else's."

A small group of the O'Banion horsemen broke off of the main group and slowed before getting off. Ian looked back at them and then to his father. Bronn's answering grin was evil. "Magnus'll not have heard of it yet, but someone will and be coming. The lads'll make sure they're resting warm in the Summer Country."

~~~~~~~~~~~~​

Molly glanced up to see Tiernan approaching as she was out washing the cups from breakfast. "Did you not find her?" She frowned at the cup she was holding; some kind of burr on the bottom of it, "Now what's this the-"

She was cut off as Tiernan grabbed her arm and turned her to face him; her eyes staring. "Molly, you need to pick two of the boys here you trust most and send them to the king. You know where he's at now?"

"Y-yes." His face was composed but his eyes were...different. She'd never seen that look in his eyes before; it was as though a bonfire of fury burned behind each one, though his words were cool and precise.

"Good. Send them to him and tell him that the O'Banions have left and that they have the clan's future is with them." He did not want to spread panic, nor did he want a mob rushing after his new enemies. They'd likely ride headlong into an ambush and that would only give strength to their foes. The boys would likely not know what the message meant but the King would in an instant. "Tell them to say just that."

She nodded, "I will. Tiernan, what's happened?"

He looked at her for a moment; as if weighing her in his mind. "They took Aine, Molly." The color drained from her face. "Send the message, as I said it, and get you to Aine's mother. She'll need you."

The woman nodded and stumbled off, the drugged cup still clutched in one hand. Tiernan turned and broke into a run across the village; causing a few chickens to fly and folk to point or call our to him as to where he was going in such a rush.

"To war," he answered them under his breath.

He was at his family's compound in little time, as soon as his foot was over the threshold he bellowed, "Cahan! Brin! Get your arses out here!"

A knot of people boiled out of the house, staring incredulously at the young lord. Before any of them could speak, Tiernan's mother shoved through the group, "Tiernan MacGowan! What in the Gods' name is in your mind to be yelling like a damn wild thing?"

"The O'Banions have carried off my betrothed," Tiernan answered her. A thunderstruck silence fell. "I've sent work to the king and father," who would be with his friend as usual, "but I'm not waiting for them to get after her."

He didn't wait for anyone to speak, "Cahan, gather up as many of the lads as are handy and ride to Llano's farm." His blond cousin for once offered no witty retort or comment, but bolted off to find as many of their friends as he could. "Brin, find Kynthelig and tell him what has happened. The O'Banions have defied their will, the Gods will, hospitality and all, and I will have it all come down on them."

As his second cousin ran off, Tiernan's mother clutched her hands at her throat, "Son, what are you going to do?"

"I'm bringing her back to me." He then flushed, "To her clan and us all. If I've to kill every man in their clan to do it." The words were not hot or fiery; they were as cold as ice and as certain as a mountain. "We'll need supplies, Mother, and quick."

"You will." She turned and started to issue orders to servants.

Tiernan went into the house and to his room. Within it, he paused and took a few deep breaths. He had meant what he said to his mother; meant every word and it terrified him. Every one of them he could cut down himself if he had to.

Why? Was it the insult to the clan? Was it the insult to him?

Or was it Aine? He'd come to feel differently about her. But...he hadn't thought it was anything like that. But...could it be?

He shook his head as he belted on his sword. He could think about it later. Letting it distract him now would just get him killed. "I'm coming," he whispered to her, not that she could hear him. "I hope you know that I will come."

 

[haremfaery]

"You would not dare!" Aine screamed in her anger and despair. If she let go of her anger she would be a quivering mass of fear. And the daughter of the Magnus would show no fear.

"'Tis not what I wanted! You fool. I was but but thinking 'might have beens.' But I would never marry outside the clan! If I had my wish, I would choose NO man!" Or rather, one. The one who had awakened her to the world on the first night of Beltaine.

"Choosing between you and your brothers is no choice at all! I hate you Ian O'Banion, you are a man with no honor."

She heard what Bron said and her blood turned cold. "You can't kill them. Please."

Tiernan had been right. She should not have spoken to Ian, about her reluctance, not have spoken to him at all. She was sure never to hear the end of it when she saw Tiernan again. She prayed to Brigid that she would see Tiernan again, alive and well and back home with her clan.

~~~~~

Magnus roared when he got the news from Molly. He pulled Ruarie O'Daire aside. "Gather the men, tell them to bring their horses and weapons and meet at the Great House.

He strode away to prepare. "Gods! How am I to tell her mother?"

 

[Armphid]

"Is there a reason, cousin," Cahan whispered, "That we are not riding like the wind after your girl and instead creeping through the woods like hunting cats?" Tiernan, his cousins, and their friends had left their horses tied up in a glade not far back and were now moving with the practiced stealth of huntsmen who knew their lands through the sun dappled woods.

Tiernan restrained the urge to strike his cousin or yell at him. They would need surprise on their side if he was right. "Because Bron O'Banion may be an idiot but he's no fool." Cahan blinked at that but kept silent. "He would know that we couldn't catch him with the head start he has but he also knows that we'd come after him anyway. So he's left men on the road to ambush anyone following."

A birdcall sang through the woods and the men of the clan halted in place and hunkered down at the signal. Moments later, Brin came to his cousins moving as quiet as a cat. "Seven on either side as I make it. cos'," the thin, dark haired youth said in a voice that barely carried to the ears of those beside him. "They watch the road but not the woods nor their backs. We can take this side with ease." He shook his head, "No way to do it without the other side seeing though."

Tiernan took a deep breath. He looked calm and collected, as though he'd done this a thousand times. Inside, he wanted to scream. He'd been worried enough about leading a cattle raid or two this spring but thought it far enough off that he'd have time to wrap his head around it. Now, though, the time for a fight was here. His kin and his friends could die today. Some of them almost certain would and all on his word.

It made him all the angrier at the O'Banions. Why had they done this? Greedy fools!

"Brin, take the quietest men with you and take the ones on this side. Risk as little hurt to us as may be, but take them as unhurt as you can. We'll want hostages when we demand Aine back." Brin did not speak but nodded and slipped away as a passing shadow would.

Cahan licked his lips and peered in the direction of the road, "And the rest of us?"

"We," Tiernan answered, "will move forward so that when Brin attacks on this side, we will come from the forest and rush across the road to take the men there." It was risky springing the trap but not as much as it might first seem. They would not be coming from a direction the other men would expect and the support the enemy expected would already be engaged or defeated. "Move swift now, and no more talking until it's done."

~~~~~~~~~~~~​

Bron laughed at Aine's plea, "You're no fool, girl. If they come after you, and they will, we'll have to fight. And if we fight, they'll die. But it'll be clean and they'll make a good show of it, I'm sure."

Ian was frowning, though he had known to expect something like this. He hadn't hoped for her to take it well at first, but he hadn't imagined her voice would be quite so strident or piercing. "If you hate me, then you'll not have to marry me, unlike the choice your father gave you," he answered her. "Think on that and your treatment so far and how it could be before you decide where your ire should fall."

Bron had moved further ahead of them and called back to the group as a whole, "Faster now, my kinsmen! We ride hard until we can see my great house!"

 

[haremfaery]

Word came back to Magnus that Tiernan had already taken a few men to follow after the O'Banions. In the mean time, he gathered a proper war party. He hoped Tiernan did not do anything rash. Although he highly doubted the O'Banions would do Aine any harm, she might be hurt by accident.

He expected that son-of-a-dog, Bron, would hold her for ransom and ask for that patch of land they had been bickering over. To think he had broken bread with the man just that morning. The Morrigan rain curses on all their heads for such a breach.

----​

"I am no fool, but you are, Bron O'Banion."Aine snapped back at the man. "This will mean war between our clans. You wish to see all of your young men killed? For what? A piece of ground that will be cursed for all time for what you have done!"

She rounded on Ian again. "If you truly wanted me, you would have paid me heed in years past. You are no better than Tiernan with your last-minute attentions." She used all of her strength to elbow him in the gut.

Ian grunted. Aine proved again that she was as firey as her hair. "We'll have no more o' that." He grabbed her wrists and held them tightly with one hand and used the other on the reins. He galloped faster at his father's orders. "Do not push me, Aine, or I will truss you up and carry you across my saddle and spank you for acting like a spoiled child. Your father should have taken a stronger hand with you, girl."

"My father will show you his strong hand--"

"You heard what my father said, Aine. And I am my father's son. I have tried to accomodate you. I have tried to be pleasant, because in truth, Aine, I would like nothing better than to take you as my willing wife. But you try my patience. I'll give you the pick of my clansmen after we;ve all had a taste of you, you can decide which of us you like best." He pulled her tight against his chest and rode harder.

Aine decided it best to be quiet now. Although she seethed inside. She kept fueling her anger, however, because if not, it would open the gates to her fears and she would cry. She would not let any O'Banion see Aine Nic Magnus cry. And when Tiernan arrived and rescued her, she would have to humble herself before him, and that possibly angered her most of all.