Viviane seemed to notice the spark of light in Issylte’s eyes. She spoke again to Ronan. “Please take Lilée to ride frequently. Show her our island. Where we harvest shellfish, where the farmers raise our fruits and vegetables, where the sacred springs are located. Where she may ride through the forest that is so dear to her heart.”
Ronan nodded, accepting orders as a dutiful knight.
The Lady of the Lake graced them both with a kind smile. “Nature is at the heart ofallhealing. And that is precisely what our dear Lilée needs right now.”
Ronan replied, “It will be my honor, Lady Viviane.” To Issylte, he offered, “I will come tomorrow afternoon so that we may ride together through the forest. I’ll take you on a tour of the island and introduce you to some of the villagers.” With a hint of a smile, his deep green eyes beheld hers briefly. “And to my horses.” With a nod of his head, Ronan bid the two women good day and returned to his awaiting men.
As the Elves rode off through the forest, Viviane and Issylte watched the blond warrior disappear into the trees. “Your outings will be as good for Ronan as they are for you, Lilée,” Viviane murmured sagely. “He, too, has a great need for healing.” Turning away from the retreating escort, Viviane led Issylte toward the two priestesses and four guards who were waiting for them at the edge of the forest, horses in hand.
An additional mount had been brought for Issylte, and as she stroked the dark brown muzzle of the beautiful animal, the memory of Luna washed over her in a sudden wave ofgrief. “Good girl,” she murmured to the horse, as she had done countless times into the ears of her beloved mare. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she hoisted herself into the saddle, reined her horse, and followed the priestesses, flanked by the protective knights, into the forest and away from the rocky beach.
Viviane rode up beside her and indicated a path leading off to the left, deeper into the forest. “That road leads west, to the village, mainly populated by the Avalonian Elves. However, many humans live there as well, having decided to remain among us, often after seeking treatment for an illness or injury. We all live together in harmony with nature, blessed by the bounty of the Goddess.” She flashed Issylte a cheerful smile.
As their horses trotted at a gentle pace, the Lady of the Lake pointed to a second path, leading off to the right. “To the east lies another village, where fishermen live with their families in stone cottages all along the coast. There are dozens of boats, and the sailors frequently travel to the many islands in our realm.” With a conspiratorial grin, she chortled, “Perhaps Ronan can take you to an island or two. Not only is he our master blacksmith, but an excellent boatsman as well.”
Vivian’s bright smile lit up her beautiful face. In many ways, the Lady of the Lake reminded Issylte ofTatieand the warmth with which she’d welcomed her—the frightened princess—at the door of the ivy-covered cottage. Now in Avalon, as in the Hazelwood Forest, Issylte shuddered at the thought of her stepmother’s icy fingers, leeching her strength with a chilling numbness. The queen’s royal guards hunting her. KillingTatie, Bran and Dee. She took a deep breath, shook her head, and furiously rubbed the dreadful tingle from her arms as they rode through the dense trees along the forested path.
“Beyond this forest,” Viviane continued, “lie fertile plains where farmers raise animals and produce the fruits and vegetables for our island. The fishermen share their harvest,the farmers share their crop, the villagers produce many of our necessities, and we trade with other islands to import the goods we cannot produce here.”
She gestured to the forest around them with a slender white hand. “TheLittle Folk—the forest denizens—live in the woods throughout our entire realm.” Viviane pointed to a nearby wooden hut with a thatched roof. “That is one of their cottages. The woodland creaturescollect berries, mushrooms, and nuts for all of us to enjoy; many of them are skilled in woodworking, construction, and cabinet making as well.”
Viviane leaned forward to stroke her white horse’s mane. “Many of the women among theLittle Folkare skilled at spinning wool from the sheep they tend, knitting warm blankets for the villagers. They also weave the fabrics we need for our clothing. When we care for their sick loved ones, they often pay with the products they create. The Goddess provides for us all.”
They continued on, riding through the thick, verdant forest. In the distance to the north, Issylte perceived a clearing beyond the edge of the forest, where a flat-topped hill emerged from the grassy plain. Upon its summit, a white stone building glimmered in the afternoon sun. A wide, smooth, cobbled stone path led from the base of the plateau to the entrance of the structure at the top of the hill.
Abundant trees were blooming everywhere, a profusion of white flowers lining each side of the stone path. Thechâteauitself was surrounded by smaller trees, with delicate white blossoms. A vine-covered trellis, resplendent with fragrant white flowers, graced each side of the entrance door. The sweet scent of jasmine wafted through the fresh air as a flock of white gannets cawed to each other in the brilliant blue sky.
“These trees will produce delicious red apples in autumn,” Viviane explained, referring to the lovely white blossoms lining the path as they rode up the hill. “The smaller trees producemy sacred flower—les aubépines—which in Britain are called white hawthorn.” Viviane indicated the delicate white blossoms surrounding the gleaming white stone building. “We use the leaves, berries and flowers ofles aubépines totreat ailments of the heart.”
The Lady of the Lake pointed to the fragrant white blossoms on the vine-covered trellises. “These jasmine flowers perfume the air that we breathe and provide natural medicine for diseases of digestion. We extract essential oil from the blossoms, which we use to produce sweet-smelling soaps and treatment for skin ailments.” With a knowing smile, Viviane crooned, “The Goddess has indeed blessed us with Her bounty.”
To the west of the clearing, Issylte glimpsed a large lake, extending behind and beyond the hill which supported the white building. Its deep blue surface was covered with water lilies; a pair of white swans swam gracefully amid the pearly white blooms. Taking in the apple blossoms, the hawthorn flowers, the water lilies, and the jasmine-covered trellises, Issylte marveled,everything is white—pristine and sparkling in the sunlight.She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with fabulous floral fragrance.
Viviane seemed to notice Issylte’s wonder at the white stonechâteau, the hill resplendent in white flowers, and the lake covered with white blossoms. “I chose the name Lilée for you because of these water lilies. You are beautiful and pure, like they are.” With an impish grin, Viviane chuckled, “White is my favorite color…as you may have noticed.” Her white moonstone necklace sparkled in the sun.
They rode up the cobbled stone path to the top of the hill, finally arriving at the gleaming white limestone building. The High Priestess dismissed the four Avalonian Elves who had accompanied them, and they rode off into the forest, back to their village. Nyda, Cléo and Viviane dismounted, followed byIssylte, handing their horses to grooms who led the animals into nearby stables. The two priestesses in deep blue gowns entered thechâteau, with Viviane walking beside Issylte as she familiarized the princess with her new surroundings.
“This white building is our center for healing, which we callLe Centre. It is here that we cure the sick and tend to the wounded, where we store our herbs and remedies, as well as the sacred stones we use for healing.” As the four women walked down the hall of the enormous white stone building, Issylte noticed the spacious, open rooms with large windows overlooking the apple blossoms and white hawthorn flowers. “This is where the priestesses care for the ill and injured who seek treatment,” Viviane explained, indicating the six rooms on either side of the wide central hall.
Issylte was amazed at the expansive rooms, the glistening white stone walls, and the sunlit windows which revealed the trees in bloom. Serenity and calm washed over her.
“This next building is the library,” Viviane continued, indicating a gray stone building just beyond the windowed exit doors ofLe Centre,“where we store the sacred books of herbal lore.”
Viviane paused as Issylte gazed out the window to examine the library. “Many of our most valued treasures are kept there—the ancient scrolls and manuscripts which contain spells for protection and healing.” A gleam sparkled in her wise blue eyes. “Many of which belonged to the famed wizard Merlin, who taught a trio of fairies in the enchanted Forest ofBrocéliande.”
Issylte’s breath caught in her throat as her eyes locked with Viviane’s. The trio of fairies!
Viviane’s eyes were the deep blue waters of the lake, flooding Issylte with fluid magic.
“La Fée Verte de la Forêt—the Green Fairy of the Forest, our beloved Maiwenn.La Fée Blanchedes Rochers—the White Fairyof the Sacred Stones, the powerful Morgane. AndLa Fée Bleue des EauxSacrées—the Blue Fairy of the Sacred Waters—I, the Lady of the Lake.”
Issylte’s hands were damp. Her stomach quivered. The wings of her magic fluttered in her chest, a white dove soaring in her heart.
“Maiwenn followed the love of her life to the Hazelwood Forest of Ireland.” Viviane pushed a long blond lock from Issylte’s face. “But Morgane and I came here to Avalon, to establish this Center for Healing. We brought with us the sacred knowledge of our venerable mentor. A priceless treasure for you to discover as you learn to wield the healing power of our sacred waters.”
Issylte swam in the limpid eyes of the mysterious Lady of the Lake.
They exited the rear of the white limestone building through the windowed doors, emerging onto a cobbled stone courtyard where a bubbling underground spring sprayed froth high into the air. The central fountain was enclosed by smooth stones and encircled by welcoming stone benches. The roar of the cascade, the fragrance of white flowers of apple trees,les aubépines,and jasmine vines, the glimmer of the deep blue lake, the lull of the distant, crashing ocean waves—all flooded Issylte with an aura of peace on this beautiful island of Avalon.
