Bedtime Story: Reflections Of The Past: Spirit: Chapter 55

Chapter 55 Midsummer It was Midsummer's Eve when Joan found the maidens.

Dan and I were sitting outside the chapel.

I had been given a present,

A simple wooden bench inscribed with the words Peace is the sound of heaven on earth.

It was fashioned of oak,

Fitted its surroundings perfectly,

And was placed beneath the rowan tree at the corner of the enclosure,

Giving a view of the chapel to the left and the valley to the right.

Dan and I had enjoyed a simple picnic,

And life could not have been better.

So peaceful,

Murmured Dan.

He took my hand.

Ever since Beltane we had grown closer,

And now our lives were entwined as one.

He smiled at me,

And there was no need for words.

The sun was setting behind the brow of the hill across the valley,

And I wondered,

As I often did,

What stories the other side of the river held.

How many people had gazed across at the chapel over the years,

Finding it nestling beneath the tall rocks in the shelter of the valley.

And how many had crossed to the chapel,

Perhaps not knowing what it held,

But always,

As I was beginning to discover,

It held the power to change lives.

What about these days then?

Dan stirred beside me,

And I pulled my attention back to the present.

When are you thinking of beginning?

I shrugged.

I know it was ages ago we thought of it,

But time slipped by,

And other things got in the way.

But it hasn't been wasted,

You've done a lot.

Dan surveyed the new gate,

Which replaced the rickety old one,

Fashioned in oak,

And carved with a Celtic cross.

And the new wider path,

Which traversed the most dangerous part of the field,

Where people had often slipped in winter.

This had been constructed to allow safer access to the chapel,

So more people could make the journey.

It's the roof next.

Every time I find a slate's come off,

It worries me.

They say it needs doing within the next five years,

But it's going to cost a bomb.

Grants are difficult to obtain and take an age to come through,

And I might not get one anyway.

Look on the positive side,

Replied Dan.

Make a plan.

You've got a few years in hand,

Start now.

Look at grants and help and such like,

And in the meanwhile start these days,

Get people interested in coming,

Just like you wanted,

And make it a twofold thing.

Raise money for the roof too.

How?

I don't know,

Sponsor a slate or something.

Anything which raises money towards getting the roof fixed,

Lets people know what you're doing and makes them feel a part of it.

I think you'll find they want to help.

A lot of people come here and you shouldn't have to bear the brunt of it all by yourself.

I surveyed the undulating roof,

Remembering how worried I always was someone might be injured.

I think you're right,

I began,

A slow certainty growing within me which rapidly ignited the first spark of excitement.

When shall we start?

No time like the present,

Said Dan.

No.

Once again I was overcome with the enormity of it all.

We need a bit of time to get organised.

We need to do it properly.

I thought for a moment,

My gaze resting on the gate with the Celtic cross carved in it,

Then smiled.

How about St Cletha's feast day,

November 4th,

Also close to Samhain and the beginning of the Celtic New Year.

The tour fits perfectly.

Let's start then and do them all.

What do you mean all?

The eight Celtic festivals of the year.

My excitement was taking hold now.

Midwinter Solstice,

Imbolc,

Spring Equinox,

Beltane or Mayday,

Summer Solstice,

Lammas,

Autumn Equinox,

And back to Samhain and St Cletha's feast day again.

Dan looked at me in amazement.

You been doing your homework or something?

You seem to know a lot.

I grinned.

I've been talking to Cornelius.

We've had long discussions about religion over the internet,

Especially the way so many of them reflect the same ideas but with different stories,

Even falling on similar dates.

There's so much conflict in the world,

Especially between religions,

But as Cornelius always says,

And he's right,

It's all just different paths up the same mountain.

That's why these days should be for everyone,

A time when anyone can come and be welcome.

We were silent for a while as the sun sank lower on the eve of the longest day of the year.

Very wise is Cornelius,

Commented Dan.

Joen could do with a bit of his common sense.

But he's young.

He grinned.

I wonder if he's found his maidens yet.

We both laughed.

Since the day of the bonfire,

Joen had been on his own special quest to find the lost maidens with a passion,

Which,

Cornelius commented dryly,

He would have been better putting to his studies.

But that was Joen.

Half of him seemed to be in one place and half in another.

And as his relentless search for the lost maidens appeared to take the form of dating as many young women as he possibly could,

Just in case one was a lost maiden in disguise,

He had been having an entertaining time.

Rowena,

Began Dan,

Taking my hand again and gently tracing the back with his finger.

There's something I've been meaning to ask you.

I turned to him.

The moment was magical,

Soft rays of sunlight fading to pink and gold in the sky.

The valley mellow from the heat of the day.

A lone bird flew along the skyline and I heard the croak of a raven overhead.

Apart from this,

There was silence,

Save for the rushing of the river below as the valley settled into itself for the night.

I felt at one with the world,

Sitting with my hand in Dan's,

And such peace and beauty around us.

In that moment everything was perfect.

Rowena,

Repeated Dan,

Gazing into my eyes.

Do you think.

.

.

There was a crash as the wooden gate banged open and the spell was broken.

The magical moment lost.

Johan stood before us,

Dressed in his white tunic,

Bearing the red and gold emblem of a lion,

His sword at his side.

He looked wild-eyed and his mouth opened and closed as if he was unable to find the right words,

But was desperate to get them out.

Johan,

I rose to my feet,

Ran over to him and took his arm,

Guiding him to the bench.

What's happened?

Are you alright?

Is something wrong?

He was agitated,

Gasping for breath,

Having apparently run all the way along the pathway from the church.

Calm down,

Advised Dan.

He glanced at me.

Get him a drop of water or something.

He's out of breath,

That's all.

I hurried into the chapel to find a plastic cup and dipped it into the well,

Where it filled with clear,

Pure water.

Drink this.

Johan grasped the cup gratefully and downed it in one gulp,

But his breathing became steadier and we were finally able to understand what he was saying.

Found them,

He began.

Found what?

I wondered what he had lost this time.

His car keys?

House keys?

Important documents?

IPod?

There was no end to the stuff Johan might have lost and found.

He gave me a pitying look.

The maidens,

Of course,

He explained importantly between gasps.

I found the lost maidens of the wells.

Dan and I exchanged glances.

I paused,

Choosing my words carefully.

Johan,

I began.

Have you been drinking?

No,

He jumped up,

Grasped my shoulders and looked straight into my eyes.

I've found them,

He repeated,

In almost a whisper.

I've found them for you.

Where are they then?

Asked Dan.

And where did you find them?

Johan looked smug,

Seeming to return to his normal self.

You just wouldn't believe it,

He began,

Recovering his breath and getting into his stride.

They're on their way here now,

Coming along the path from the church.

That's why I ran on ahead,

I wanted to tell you before they arrived,

So you'd know who they were,

He finished.

How did you know we'd be.

.

.

Cornelius interrupted Johan.

On his way here to join you and Dan.

We picked him up and he's bringing them now.

Can't let them escape this time,

You know.

I had the sudden vision of a line of maidens bound with rope being herded along the path by Cornelius.

Perhaps,

I suggested,

Handing Johan another cup of water,

You'd better sit down and tell us what happened,

Right from the beginning.

Well,

Began Johan,

Obviously relishing every moment of his tale.

You know I've been on this quest to find the lost maidens of the wells for you.

Yes,

I replied hastily,

We all know about that.

And you know they say when you stop looking for something,

You find it.

I nodded,

A smile twitching my lips.

If I had a pound for everything Johan had found when he was searching for something else,

I would have been able to pay for the roof myself.

Well,

I decided today I'd probably never find them.

I mean,

It was a bit of a wild goose chase after all.

Fun though.

He paused and grinned.

But I reckoned it was about time to knuckle down and get on with some work and then decide what I want to do,

Just as Cornelius suggested.

In fact,

He smiled shyly,

I've made a bit of a decision.

Unusual for me,

I know,

But I've come to the conclusion I don't really have to be a solicitor to bring justice to the world.

And you're right,

I don't really see myself sitting behind a desk every day.

Surely I can do something I enjoy which helps other people too.

Maybe to do with museums or something.

But anyway,

It's my duty to myself to find my own path in life and do something I really want.

Dan winked at him.

That's my boy.

Anyway,

Continued Johan,

I was on my way to a re-enactment at Tintagel and just as I was deciding to stop all this running around looking for maidens and concentrate on my studies a bit more,

I went round a bend in the road.

It was a bit late as I couldn't find my keys earlier and took a shortcut through some back lanes and almost ran into the back of this van which had broken down there.

It was a VW camper van,

He explained.

You know the sort.

And I got out and found these three girls there.

So you found the maidens broken down at the side of the road waiting for a lift?

Commented Dan dryly.

No.

Johan turned to him quite seriously.

They were slap bang in the middle of the road,

Blocking the way.

No one could get through.

One was peering into the engine.

It's in the back,

You know,

He added importantly.

And the other two were looking sort of lost and helpless.

But you don't know anything about engines,

Cut in Dan.

You don't know a spare tyre from a spanner.

I know that,

And you know that,

But they.

.

.

Johan tapped his nose and grinned again.

Well,

Anyway,

What's a knight to do when there are three damsels in distress?

There was no signal for them to phone for help and they were broken down and lost.

Lost?

I asked.

Didn't they have a map?

That's the odd thing,

Explained Johan slowly.

They were on their way to Tintagel too,

For the re-enactment,

But they'd come from miles away and were completely in the wrong area,

Considering where they'd come from.

And when I asked if they had any idea at all where they were,

They said they'd been lost for ages.

Apparently they'd stopped for a picnic earlier on,

Had a bit of a walk and just got back in time to see some yobs on bicycles,

Making it off with their food,

Drink,

Cups,

Plates and map.

So they were lost,

Hungry and thirsty,

Had their cups stolen,

You found them,

A knight in sort of shining armour,

And decided they were the lost maidens,

Finished Dan.

Not exactly,

There's more.

Johan looked as if he was about to produce a white rabbit from a hat.

You see,

I poked about with the engine a bit,

But nothing much happened,

Obviously.

Then I wandered round to the front just to check their tyres,

You know,

He explained,

And I saw it.

Saw what?

I was beginning to wish he would get to the point.

The writing on the van,

Of course,

On the side of their van was painted in great big letters,

Along with a lot of purple and yellow flowers.

Nicely done though,

In a hippie sort of style,

But in great big letters it said,

The Maidens.

And.

.

.

Johan looked at me in exasperation.

Do I have to explain everything?

He asked.

They're a band,

A trio,

Called The Maidens,

On their way to a Midsummer's Eve gig at Tintagel,

Miles out of their way,

Lost,

Alone,

And rescued by me.

But if you and the girls were on the way to the re-enactment at Tintagel,

I began slowly,

Desperately trying to sort it all out.

What are you doing here?

Ah,

That's the tricky bit,

Replied Johan.

I know,

I really do know I should have taken them to Tintagel,

So I could be in the re-enactment and they could play their gig.

I did know,

He repeated,

A slightly troubled expression crossing his face,

But it's been my quest to find the lost maidens for so long,

And in the end I just couldn't take them to Tintagel,

I had to bring them to you.

I just had to,

He finished quietly.

You could have brought them another day,

I suggested gently,

Tomorrow maybe,

Or the next.

But it's Midsummer's Eve,

Replied Johan.

I don't know why,

But it was like a big crossroads in my life,

A bigger decision than it could ever really have been,

And although my head told me I should have taken them to Tintagel,

I did what I felt was right,

Here in my heart.

Oh Johan,

I flung my arms around him and hugged him tightly.

You really are a knight with a true heart,

And I thank you from the bottom of mine.

Here they come now,

Commented Dan,

And we turned to see Cornelius making his way along the path,

Followed by three young women.

And indeed,

As they approached,

I could see why Johan had been so taken with them,

For they were dressed in medieval costume,

Each with flowing hair entwined with flowers,

And carrying an instrument.

In that moment I had to admit,

If ever the maidens really were to return,

This was exactly how they would have looked.

Cornelius ushered them through the gateway,

And Johan all but ran over to them.

This is Morwenna,

He began,

Introducing a pretty girl with long black hair,

A green dress,

And carrying a violin.

This is Tamsin.

Tamsin smiled and nodded,

Her golden tresses shining in the evening light.

She wore a white dress and carried a flute.

And this is Demelza.

Demelza was auburn-haired,

And with a deep blue dress,

And slung across her back,

Was a small harp.

I stared,

Entranced.

Nice to meet you,

Began Tamsin.

I don't suppose you have a drink,

Do you?

We're parched.

I'm so sorry,

I'm forgetting my manners,

I replied.

Only water,

Though,

Would that be okay?

All three nodded gratefully,

And promptly settled themselves upon the wooden bench,

As I hurried into the chapel to find some more cups.

Lovely place,

Commented Morwenna.

Glad we got lost now.

Glad we got found,

You mean,

Added Demelza,

With a wink in Johan's direction.

I filled the plastic cups with water from the well,

Clear,

Pure,

And sparkling in the sunlight,

And carried them to the maidens.

Drink and be refreshed,

I murmured,

And they each took a cup and drank gratefully.

There was a moment of silence,

And I looked up to see Cornelius,

Dan,

And Johan staring at us all,

Different expressions upon each of their faces.

Upon Cornelius's was a look of profound understanding,

As if an idea had finally slotted into place.

Johan wore an expression of absolute pride as he gazed at the four of us,

And Dan,

Dan looked as if he was about to burst into laughter,

And was unable to hold it back very much longer.

What,

I asked,

Unable to fathom at all.

What's the matter?

I found the maidens for you,

Said Johan.

They've returned,

Said Cornelius.

Symbolically,

Of course,

He added,

As the trio looked at him,

Puzzled expressions on their beautiful faces.

Dan burst out laughing.

He laughed as I had never heard him laugh before,

Until the tears ran down his face and the valley echoed with the sound of it.

For goodness sake,

He finally sputtered,

Must I do everything?

Johan,

You found the maidens,

And very well done indeed.

And yes,

Cornelius,

It has all slotted into place,

Quite amazingly,

In fact.

But the thing we've all missed is what's been right under our noses the whole time.

We stared at him in complete bewilderment.

The real living maiden of the well has been here all along.

Dan reached over and pulled me into the centre of the little circle.

Who cares for the chapel and loves it more than anything else in the world?

Who's written books and stories about it?

Who's getting it repaired and open for visitors?

And who's going to get more people to come and one day have the roof repaired so it's safe for another hundred years?

Who,

He finished with a flourish,

Pulls the snails out of the well,

Washes the floors and keeps flowers on the altar all year round?

All eyes turned upon me,

And suddenly I was aware of all I had done,

That being a maiden of the well was not simply sitting around looking beautiful and giving oracles,

But a role which changed with time.

This was my time,

There was a lot of hard work to be done,

And I was doing it.

Excuse me,

Said Tamsin,

Breaking the stunned silence,

But would anyone care to explain exactly what's going on?