Epilogue

[New York City, Six Months Later]

“Mum, stop fussing, all right?! I’m quite sure that Arthur can dig into his own piece of cake! You don’t need to cut it up into little pieces!”

Laughter floated around the room at Anthony’s comment and warmed Annalia’s heart as she sat next to her husband silently while watching her son as they celebrated Arthur’s first birthday. She leaned her head against Talin’s chest and smiled softly as he squeezed her shoulders before rubbing her left one tenderly as they watched Bethany put a rather large piece of marble birthday cake before their son. Arthur squealed in delight as he dug his fingers in and grabbed clumps of the gooey treat to shove into his mouth and all over his face at the same time. The adults broke out into hilarity as they watched or, in Bethany’s case, tried to help in an effort to make sure her grandson didn’t hurt himself or any of the dishes.

Annalia’s thoughts wandered as the good natured partying continued around her as she let her mind go back to six months earlier. What had happened at the Silver Tree of Ages was vague in her mind, though she did remember up until she had cast the spell releasing Arthur’s soul to be resurrected. She had found out from Talin that she and her husband were reincarnations as well of the First King and Queen of the Celtic people and the first of the Ancient Line that ended with Arthur Pendragon.

She was still confused on how that had happened, but when Talin explained that it was how she had been able to call upon the Goddess for help so easily, she felt reassured that she hadn’t been getting taken over. She could still feel the Goddess within her and knew that she would have that connection until the end of her days, just as Talin would have a connection with the God of the Hunt and for an odd reason, to her, that reassured her even more.  She had come to trust and depend on the Goddess’ presence and had accepted the Lady’s warmth whole heartedly into her own soul.

Arthur had also changed, becoming more joyful and confident as he grew in life. He also seemed to cling to them more, but, to Annalia, that was just fine. She vaguely remembered seeing her son as a grown young man and looked forward to the day when her son would take his place in the world.

Talin had also changed, turning into a more carefree and loving man than he had been before, which had made her sense of security and love for him mature as well. They had already made plans to have another child soon and it seemed to her that he was ready to grow old now. With luck, they would both grow old together and die, but she knew that his duties as the last Merlin had not ended. She also was sure that, no matter what happened, they would be in it together. For after all, they had vowed to be together in all things. And not even the darkest Hell or Heaven’s call could tear that promise between them.

Smiling, Annalia returned to the present with her family. She knew that life would only continue to be generous with its gifts to her and her family. She was glad that she had accepted her fate all those months ago. It would seem that life had led her down a road that had brought her great joy and she was willing to see it to the end as long as she had her husband and beloved at her side.

For in the end, fate had guided her back to her family from Death’s door. That in and of itself spoke of just what it was that they held together. Who was she to deny fate?

The End

Afterword

*Notes on Symbols: Triquetra is a very common symbol in ancient and modern Celtic practices. It is a tripartite symbol composed of three interlocked vesica pisces, marking the intersection of three circles. In Wiccan and Neopagan belief, the Triquetra symbolizes the triple aspect Goddess (maid, mother, and crone). Some Christians have protested this "appropriation" of the symbol. However, ironically enough, the original Christian fish symbol was derived from an early symbol of Venus, one representing female generative organs, which makes the Triquetra the perfectly appropriate symbol for a Goddess revival. The Triquetra is also considered to represent the triplications of mind, body, and soul, as well as the three domains of earth: earth, sea, and sky.

Triskele or triple spiral, a symbol closely related to the Triquetra, is a tripartite symbol composed of three interlocked spirals. The spiral is an ancient Celtic symbol related to the sun, afterlife, and reincarnation. Triskeles are one of the most common elements of Celtic art and are found in a variety of styles in both ancient and modern Celtic art, especially in relation to depictions of the Mother Goddess. They also evoke the Celtic concept of the domains of material existence: earth, water, and sky, and their interrelations.

The Celtic Tree of Life was an important part of early Celtic spirituality. To the Celts, the tree was a source of sustenance: a bearer of food, a provider of shelter, and a provider of fuel for cooking and warmth. Trees were also associated in the Shamanic beliefs of the Druids and other Celtic peoples with the supernatural world. Trees were a connection to the world of the spirits and the ancestors, living entities, and doorways into other worlds. The interlaced figures known as Celtic knots represent sacred trees and plants, and the sacred animals of the forest. The Green Man or foliate god is the animus of nature; the spirit of the forest and of the hunt is pictured as a spirit face in the form of gathered leaves and sprouting tendrils.