The Pearl of Avalon

It seemed as thought everyone on Avalon came to the stone circle to see me off. Even some griffons and young dragons came. I wondered what would happen when I appeared back in Stonehenge. Would a tour group be there? Would anyone be there? Would I be helped, or kidnapped again? What was I going to say if someone asked me where I came from?

I was badly bruised and scratched, so I made up my mind to say I was kidnapped, drugged, beaten up and dumped there. That might work. I wasn’t able to think of anything else that would be believable.

“Are you ready?” Nimue asked.

“As ready as I can be,” I replied. I went to Arthur and wrapped my arms around him, “I will miss you.”

“And I, you,” he whispered.

I couldn’t look him directly in the eyes. I would bust out in sobs if I did. I let go of his neck and kept my head down as I walked back to Merlin and Nimue.

They each held their arms up in the air and spoke in the language I had heard Merlin use back at the Golden Mountains. A circle of blue flame flared up within the stones. “Just walk on through,” Merlin said. “It will just feel like a mist.”

I nodded my head and took one last look around. Then, taking a deep breath I stepped forward. At least I tried to step forward. I couldn’t bring myself to move. I turned to Arthur, “Can you come with me?” I couldn’t believe I said that! But why couldn’t he? The Sisters have stepped off the island, as had Merlin.

Arthur had a surprised look on his face. He was about to say something, but Merlin spoke first, “If Arthur had been alive when he arrived on Avalon, he would be able to join you. But he was dead. If he leaves Avalon now, Lady Chloe, he will decay right before your eyes.”

“No,” I whispered to myself. I couldn’t walk away. I looked at my doorway home, then back to Arthur. I looked back and forth several times. My heart just would not let me step trough.

With tears streaming down my face, I turned to Nimue, “Do your offer still stand?”

“Of course,” she said, smiling.

I ran back to Arthur and fell into his arms. He held me tight. “I want to stay with you.”

“I would be honored if you did,” he whispered, tears in his voice.

“I will stay,” I choked out, and through the corner of my eye, I saw Merlin and Nimue let the blue flame fade.