The Ancient One (Updating Mon, Wed and Fri)

Chapter Four

    After supper, Phoenix helped MaryAnn with the dishes while the boys went to the barn with Daniel to finish up any last minute chores before sleeping. As they cleaned, MaryAnn continued to look over at Phoenix periodically. When they finished and Phoenix had still not spoken, MaryAnn finally sighed and turned to her. “Is everything alright, love?” She asked softly. Phoenix looked down and wrung her hands in her apron, shrugging slightly.

    “There is a lot happening.” She bit her lower lip and her ears went back. Rookewood sat on the table next to them in the form of a small house cat. “Tis nothing I am unable to handle, just a lot to process.” She finished.

    “Do not misunderstand her, MaryAnn, she is so incredibly excited that she found her Safermenila.” Rookewood tilted his head and looked to MaryAnn who visibly relaced and nodded, trusting his words.

    Rookewood was a being known as Malari Tenaii, a creature that could shift into any creature at will. They bonded to an Ancient One at birth. Their minds were connected. They could sense everything from thoughts to feelings to emotions. If one died, the other would soon follow being unable to live without their other half.

    Phoenix gasped after realizing what Rookewood had said. “Oh of course! I am so incredibly happy that not only have I found my Soul Mate, but that it is Matthew.” She blushed deeply and smiled warmly. “It is not that, but the timing of it along with everything else going on.” She whispered before shaking her head and shrugging again. “I know it is not common, from the stories you were told by my parents, but I need to take things slow with him. It is not simply a normal bonding ceremony. He will become an Ancient One. It is a complicated ritual that I can only hope to be able to accomplish with him.”

    MaryAnn smiled and laughed softly at Phoenix. “You are about to be leaving to become a knight of Camelot. Of course you are going to have to take things slow. You turned eighteen at a very inconvenient time.” She grinned and Phoenix let out a soft chuckle. She moved towards Phoenix and enveloped her in a tight hug. “You will know when the time is right to move forward in your relationship. Your parents were late bloomers. They did not discover each other until they were twenty-six and twenty-nine. Your mother was so focused on her training and studies that she was oblivious to your father following her around like a lost puppy for at least a year.” MaryAnn smiled fondly at the memories of the Teraldan’s, Daniel and her getting together for tea, sharing stories and news. Simply enjoying the others company.

    Phoenix closed her eyes. She loved hearing about her parents, but it was still hard on her. Why couldn’t they have gone into hiding with her…? Why did they have to leave her…? She shook her head and sighed softly.

    “Well, we only have a day before the Prince arrives, I need to discuss with Merlin how we are going to hide the fact that I am a mystical being. I might as well help them bring in the horses seeing as we are done here as well.” She laughed softly and hugged MaryAnn one more time. MaryAnn smiled and nodded, watching Phoenix and Rookewood leave.

    Raising her had not been easy. To begin, Matthew and Jonathan had only been a year old. They were fascinated by the baby who changed between having wolf ears and a tail or dragon horns, wings and a tail (that tail was quite dangerous too but that was a different story). When she was dropped off, it had been in the middle of the night. The next morning, the townspeople thought that she had given birth to a demon in the middle of the night. MaryAnn and Daniel explained that she was Christopher and Melody’s daughter and she needed to be kept a secret. The village accepted this without the slightest hesitation. They agreed to allow her to train because of what they knew of her parents. The Ancient Ones were a race in which gender did not matter. Women could be warriors, scholars and teachers. Men could be homemakers. If Phoenix wanted to learn to fight, they were going to allow her to learn.

    The only problem MaryAnn thought they would face would be finding someone to help teach her to control her magical abilities. Luckily, Rookewood was able to tap into the memories of his ancestors, giving him the ability to teach Phoenix himself. After that, the only struggle was keeping her and her powers hidden. MaryAnn liked to think they did a pretty good job at that, and the townspeople did what they could to assist. Phoenix was a very easy child compared to the twins.

    She was always an excellent listener and even helped keep Matthew and Jonathan in line. Daniel had kept books and writings that Christopher had given him and read them to the children regularly. Phoenix loved being able to share who she was with the two boys. She would not allow Daniel to move ahead in a story unless all three were there to listen, until she was able to read on her own that is. Together, she and Rookewood learned how to read not only English but the Ancient Language as well. As she was able to read more complex books she would enjoy the little bit of alone and personal time she would get. She even had a few letters from her parents she read day and night, always keeping the little piece of them close to her.

    When Matthew and Jonathan would tease her (typical brotherly behavior), she would speak the Ancient Language with Rookewood, causing the boys to be unable to join the conversation. They would chase after her, apologizing until she spoke English again.

    MaryAnn smiled at the memories that went through her mind. Having them leave for Camelot was going to be incredibly difficult. And once Matthew and Phoenix enacted the ritual and the ceremony, Matthew was going to have to learn to accept the fact that those around him were going to grow old and pass on while he remained unchanged. Was he going to be able to handle that? Phoenix had no choice, and therefore had already come to terms with this fact. Matthew had a choice. Would he chose to stay with Phoenix?

    Phoenix snuck around the stable, having no intention of actually helping. She did plan to discuss the plan of hiding what she was with Merlin, but right now she wanted to be alone. A swirl of violet mist surrounded her and when it disappeared a large Dire Wolf with bright purple eyes stood where she had been. She needed to run. She put her snout to the air to ensure there were no strange scents before she took off with a growl, Rookewood following quickly behind.

    Do you not think we should tell at least one of them where we are going? He asked her mentally. The Dire Wolf shook her head and growled.

    I need to be alone. If I told them they would only try and follow me. Was the response. Rookewood only nodded and proceeded to follow. It was not light they could not handle themselves if they came across anything. Phoenix running through the forest and not saying anything simply made Matthew anxious. They continued to run, their large paws flying across the ground, barely touching it. After around fifteen minutes of running they came across a clearing in the forest where a large, crystal lake sat. Panting softly, the violet mist surrounded Phoenix again, this time leaving her in her dragon True Form. She walked to the edge of the lake and dipped her toes in the water. Large horns went from just above her ears and swirled behind her head like a giant crown. She had large, leathery wings coming from her back and instead of a large, fluffy tail was a muscular, long, scaled and spiked tail.

    The water was cold, but not bitterly so. The summer was slowly coming to an end, paving way for autumn. She closed her eyes and tilted her head to the sky, soaking up the rays of moonlight that shone through the trees. After a few moments, she heard the faintest sound of crinkling leaves and growled, baring her fangs.

    “I told no one where I was going because I wanted to be alone, Merlin.” She turned and saw the young man standing in the clearing. He nodded and continued to walk towards her.

    “I understand, but we haven’t a lot of time to try out the spells I was given before his highness gets here.” He crossed his arms and watched Phoenix warily. “It should not be difficult to maintain the spell once it is cast. Between the simplicity of a glamour and the little amount of energy it takes to hold onto it, I have no doubt it would be incredibly easy for you to maintain it.” Phoenix nodded slightly.

    “Why did you follow me, really?” She asked dangerously. She really did not feel like dealing with anyone right now, especially not someone she had just met.

    “I am curious.” He said softly. Phoenix glared at him and frowned deeply.

    “Curious enough to chase after two Dire Wolves, not even entirely sure that they would not just turn and attack you the moment they sense you?” She walked towards Merlin threateningly. She was not happy at all that her alone time was being interrupted because of this man who is ‘curious.’ Merlin took a small step back before shaking his head.

    “Your magical energy is strong, I could sense you were not a normal Dire Wolf.” He said. Phoenix laughed bitterly. She did not like how nonchalant this man was about chasing a creature he did not know or understand. “I know a little bit about your kind.” He said softly. Phoenix perked up and crossed her arms, saying nothing and waiting for him to continue. “Gaius, my mentor and caretaker, was very very close to two of your kind. He said even the King cared about them deeply and refused to leave his chambers for almost a month after they disappeared. He told me this because they are the only magical beings King Uther did not despise and order to be killed.” He said quickly. Phoenix’s heart dropped and she looked up at Merlin sadly.

    “Did he ever tell you their names…?” She asked softly. Merlin shook his head and Phoenix sighed softly. “Okay. So you followed me because you were curious then. What do you want to know? You have already interrupted my alone time.” She muttered. She walked over to a large boulder, sitting on top of it and tilting her head to the side. She crossed her arms, waiting for his questions.

    “Why do you normally look like a wolf?” He asked first. Phoenix sighed. These were the questions he was going to ask?

“Because it is easiest. My other Fraidents, True Forms, are terrifying for people and forms other than my True Forms are more of a nuisance to use.” She said simply. Merlin nodded and put his hand to his chin, deep in thought.

    “What creature can you shift into?” He asked excitedly.

    “Any and all. Magical and non-magical. Only because of my clan. Any other clan can only shift into what their animal is.” She said thoughtfully. This was a little better than his first question. “One more question and then I am leaving.” She wanted a little more time to herself before going back to the stresses of her life. Merlin nodded and thought for a few minutes. Phoenix began getting impatient. “Please do ask your question soon, I do have things to do.” She growled softly.

    “Your clan is the Clan of the Dragon, right?” He asked. Phoenix’s eyes widened.

    “How do you know that?”

    “Because,” Merlin tilted his head curiously. “From what I have learned, each clan would be connected to a single living creature, usually passed down through generations. This creature was revered a little more than the rest of his kind.” Phoenix watched him with a frown, waiting for him to get to his point.

    “As long as he can remember, the Great Dragon has been connected to your kind, but he said it had been a while since he had felt the bond of a member of his clan. He has felt them when they are born and he felt their fire die as they were killed off. He has never been able to protect them from his prison until now. Mistress Phoenix,” He looked up at her and gave a soft smile. “He knows you and he will be able to aid in protecting and teaching you when you arrive in Camelot.”