Chapter Four

Oh no, must be the season of the witch,
Must be the season of the witch, yeah,
Must be the season of the witch.
You've got to pick up every stitch,
Two rabbits running in the ditch,

Must be the season of the witch
Gotta be the season of the witch
Season of the Witch
Donovan

Scotland

“You don’t have to come with me, Daniel. I’m sure it will be all right if you stay here.”

That was Kitty’s way of saying ‘I’m not really sure that you should come with, see I’m not sure of what’s going to happen and whether or whatever does happen will make you angry or cause a further rift in our marriage so why you don’t you skip it’. “I thought you said the wanted to meet me.” Daniel countered pulling a heavy woolen sweater over his head. Winter was cold in Scotland just as cold as it was back home in Colorado and he remembered all Kitty had the last time she was here was the robe she must have been very cold.

“I’m sure all they really want is Excalibur.” She told him lacing up her boots. But no, she wasn’t sure of that at all.

“What are you afraid of, Kitty? Hmmm, what is it?” Daniel asked as he sat on the bed next to her.

“Nothing,” she said lightly waving her hand in the air to dismiss the idea. But she didn’t look at him she continued lacing up the over-the-ankle snow boots. “Do you love me, Daniel?”

Oh, well, now the last time she asked him that particular question she also wanted to know why he wasn’t making love with her anymore. “Always, you know that so why ask me?”

Callas’ heart skipped a beat. “It’s just that, well, it’s just that,” she stopped and let out a heavy sigh. “I have to show who I am so that Nimue will come across with the boat and the Gates will open. You know, like I did on the ship to hold Mother.”

“I can’t look at you, is that what you’re telling me?” Daniel asked as he slipped his hand around hers. I’m Immortal now, Kitty….”

“I can’t take that risk with you,” she let out a sad smile and cuddled her forehead against his cheek. “I love you. Does it bother you?”

“No,” Daniel didn’t have to think about it in the slightest. “Obviously it bothers you. You know you haven’t done your…” what did Duncan call it when she turned into the form of that pretty white kitty? “Your super-duper deluxe trick for me in a long time. I know you’re a goddess, Kitty. I know your name is Callestah, you’re more than just my Wife. You are the Daughter of Lord Ares and Lady Aphrodite, you’re a Goddess and I love you…all of you, Kitty, you don’t have to hide from me.”

“Not much of a goddess I’m afraid,” she mumbled thinking about the life she couldn’t save. “They don’t just want to meet you, Daniel, really that’s all. They just want to know why we’ve done certain things. Why they didn’t go according to plan. ” Calla stopped there.

Geez he hated that! “Yeah, ok, certain things……such as….” Daniel lead. “What plan?”

Letting go of his hand Calla rose from the bed and walked over to the balcony doors. Outside the day was cold and gray, the sea was turning up white caps well before crashing the rocks at the bottom of the cliff. “They’re interested in why you were once Sa’Tan but now you’re my Husband. You will convince them that this is not a bad thing.” She turned back to look at him. “You can do that, can’t you Daniel?”

“I would hope so.” He remarked in a soft voice. “Why do you look so scared?”

She turned back to the stormy day. “If your answers don’t satisfy them then they may make certain demands.” Looking back at him over her shoulder she spoke before he could ask the question again. “Perhaps they will demand a new Sa’Tan or that you resume that roll and another Husband chosen.”

“You’re kidding me, right?” Daniel rose to his feet and walked over to her. “No one can force us apart. They can’t just order us to give up everything we have. We won’t let them, Kitty. So what if they don’t like my answers? They can’t take away what we have.” His arms enveloped her in a warm embrace and Calla’s head lay back against his chest. “What’s the worst that can happen?”

“I already told you. You’re not listening to me.” Calla turned around inside his arms and sighed. “I love you, Daniel. Sometimes I think, for all of the magick I’ve brought into your life, part of you still does not believe.” Standing up on tiptoes she brushed her lips over his. “It’s time to go.” Wriggling away from him she grabbed up her coat and Excalibur, Calla made her way to the door. “Well, come on.” She encouraged.

As if worrying about his, wife, new daughter and his impending conversation with Ares weren’t enough now he had to contend with the idea that someone might try to take her from him or, possibly even worse, try and plant another man between them. Daniel’d had enough of that with Andrew F. Hartley thank-you-very-much. “Don’t forget your gloves and your scarf, it’s freezing out there.” He reminded her as he gathered up his own heavy coat and accessories. “Are they angry about this, Kitty? And why?”

“I think they just don’t understand what happened or how much I love you.” She said with a small smile. “I was born in Avalon, Daniel, I spent the first year of my life there then Maeve took me away. They just want to get to know you.” She tried to sound reassuring. “Maeve fell in love with, just as I did. The Ladies of Avalon will too.” Way down deep inside she heard the Lady Callestah praying they would hate him and make him give her up. Perhaps that would leave her free to pursue her love for Ares.

“Well that’s just too bad for them,” Daniel said brushing his fingers through her graying hair. “I only have eyes for you, Mrs. Jackson.”

“That’s good because I only have them for you as well.” She slipped a gloved hand into his and they disappeared from the Manor House and reappeared some two hundred miles away in Glastonbury. “Down that way is the entrance to the Dark Kingdom.” Calla told Daniel. “If this goes well maybe I will take you.” She rested her head against his arm. “Close your eyes and just let me lead. Promise me you won’t look.”

“I promise.” Daniel said closing his eyes. The next thing he knew Calla began to sing. No words just tones and sounds. From behind closed lids Daniel saw that bright amber light come to life. What he could not see was that the coat, scarf, gloves all faded away replaced by gold and red satin robes of the highest quality known to the Gods. Walking hand in hand, she in the lead and he following Daniel wanted nothing more than to open his eyes and look at her, to sneak just one peek but he refrained and soon the singing and the walking stopped.

An unfamiliar female voice spoke. “I see you’ve returned.”

“As requested,” Lady Callestah told the Lady Nimue. “With Daniel Jackson.”

To his ears her voice was not her own, it was higher and seemed more lyrical, more sparkling than usual. Still holding onto her small hand and keeping his eyes shut he turned toward the voice of the newcomer when she spoke again.

“Daniel, why are your eyes closed?” Nimue asked.

“Ah, who are you?” He asked still not opening them.

“I am the Lady of the Lakes, my name is Nimue, Lover of Merlin.” Nimue slowly paced around Daniel. “You call her Wife yet you do not look upon her. I repeat why do you not open your eyes?”

“She told me to keep them closed.”

“I wish no harm to come to him.” Callestah bristled quickly.

“I see,” Nimue intoned thoughtfully. “Well, until we are past the gates then perhaps this is best. Help him into the boat, Lady Callestah.”

Taking hold of both of Daniel hands she guided him to and then in to the small boat. “Just sit still the crossing isn’t long but it can get a bit rocky.” Callestah told him as she took a seat in front of him. “I’ve got your sword.” She huffed to Nimue.

“I see.” Nimue remarked as they shoved off from shore. “Something else I see is that you are no longer pregnant. The battle cost you much.” She remarked without much emotion.

“If you’d done more than send the dragons perhaps it wouldn’t have.” Callestah returned coldly as she turned her back on the woman guiding the boat to the shores of Avalon. “It doesn’t matter now, does it? What’s done is done it can never be undone.”

Done bun can’t be undone. The irritating little rhyme skipped through Daniels’ head. The last time he was here in full flesh and blood form, that was what Davy said, over and over, that and singing the tune to Gilligan’s Island. Done bun can’t be undone.

Conversation was not to be had. All Daniel heard was the gentle sound of waves lapping against what felt like a small wooden boat. Not knowing what else to do he respected the silence and tried to take some pleasure in the ride, which was hard to do since his heart refused to stop pounding in his throat. Soon the little boat was running aground and everything ceased rocking. A small hand slipped into his.

“Come with me.” It was Calla’s voice but not Calla’s voice.

“Can I open my eyes now?” Daniel asked wanting to take just the quickest look at her to see his Wife, the woman who shared not just his bed but his life, in all of her divine glory.

“Not yet.” She scolded in a sharp voice and caught the disapproving look from the Good Lady Nimue. “Soon Daniel.” Callestah said in a softer voice.

“The air here smells different.” Daniel remarked without peeking. “Lighter.”

“It is a bit more oxygenated than you’re accustomed to, Daniel Jackson.” Nimue informed him in a light voice. “The ambient environment is also kinder. Perhaps you should help him by removing that heavy coat?” She asked Callestah.

Without missing a verbal beat but with a returning look of disapproval Callestah said, “Why don’t you let me help you with that, Daniel.” She stopped walking and began tugging on the collar of his pea coat. He stood still and let her take it from him along with the gloves on his long fingers. Holding out his arms but still not opening his eyes Daniel waited for her to lay the items of clothing in them but she did not. “I’ll carry them.”

“Oh no,” Callestah said snidely, “don’t bother. I’m sure our hostess will be happy to carry them.” She shoved the clothing into Nimue’s slender hands. “Won’t you, Lady Nimue?”

Daniel didn’t have to see her face to know that something had set her off the Lady Callestah was not pleased by any means. Suddenly he hoped this meeting didn’t last very long. A strange sound came to his ears and it took him a moment before he realized it was the sound of a large gate being raised.

“Welcome to Avalon, Daniel Jackson.” Nimue intoned. “Open your eyes and have a look upon our mythical City of Spires.”

“Kitty?” He asked looking for reassurance. From behind him he heard her voice.

“Yes, Daniel, look. I know this is something that was promised to you long ago.”

Even though she was behind him it was almost like standing in front of the sun as the amber light radiating from her engulfed him and kept going forward illuminating everything in its path with its warm glow. He stopped in his tracks. “It’s beautiful,” Daniel remarked in a hushed whisper as he gazed ever upward at the city with a hundred spires or more in every conceivable shade of the rainbow, which by the way, was arcing over the city as he stood beyond the heavy gates staring at its grandness. “Calla,” Daniel reached back behind him for her hand.

The Lady Callestah looked down at his open palm not knowing what to do. They so loved to touch each other! If they weren’t actually engaged in sexual intercourse, they were holding hands, or her head was resting on his shoulder or they were walking arm-in-arm….something.

“Calla?”

His head started to turn.

By the Gods! She let out a low groan and slipped her palm into his. “Right here.” Callestah assured him. “Yes Avalon is beautiful.”

“Callestah spent the first year of her life here. Did you know that, Daniel Jackson?” Niume asked as they emerged from the gate and onto the brick streets of Avalon.

“She told me that but Calla….”

“Who is Calla?” Nimue asked.

Daniel found he was always making that mistake when it came to her. “Sorry, Callestah….told me that but she doesn’t like to speak much about her past so I don’t know much about it.” Facing forward and trying not to look in any other direction for fear of being struck down or something he felt ridiculous. Although to him it seemed that the ‘ambient temperature’ just dropped about ten degrees. Other than using the familiar name of Calla rather than Callestah did he make a more serious faux pas?

“You may look at me if you wish.” Nimue told him. “But you may not look at her, not just yet anyway.”

With a bit of trepidation Daniel turned his head toward the sound of the Lady Nimue’s voice and found her to be a very lovely creature. “How is it that I can look at you but not my Wife?”

“I am not an Olympian.” Nimue explained patiently.

“But…you’re a Goddess.”

“No,” she said in the same demur manner Calla took with him so often. “I am merely immortal and endowed with abilities you do not possess. Only the Olympians still call themselves Gods.”

“In our defense….” Callestah began in a stern voice.

“It is a title bestowed upon them by Mortals such as you once were, Daniel.” Nimue finished for the Lady behind them. “However the fact that they choose to cling to after so many centuries have passed speaks volumes about their character, don’t you think?”

“Ah…” Daniel stuttered. He’s never thought about this way before. “No,” he said finally. “My Wife rarely, if ever, refers to herself as a Goddess.” Daniel explained. Something about this beautifully mystical place was different, off somehow.

Nimue deferred to his judgement but not without a jab. “I’m sure your Wife….Calla did you say? Very pretty name. I’m sure Calla never refers to herself as a Goddess.” Nimue glanced over her shoulder at the Lady there. “However, if you ask her I’m equally positive she will be happy to extol her divinity to you.”

No words. Just the sound of metal falling onto brick. “Carry it yourself.” Callestah told Nimue while she walked away from the sword.

That temperature kept dropping and the air seemed to get heavier. “I’ll get it.” Daniel said without thinking about it and stooped to pick it up.

Also without thinking the Lady Callestah moved to stop him but the Lady Nimue shook a cold finger at her freezing the younger woman in her place.

Daniel Jackson picked up the sword and found it very light. “I’ll carry it, why don’t you give me the coat too? I’m sorry I should have taken that from you before.”

With a happy grin the Lady Nimue handed over the coat. “Thank you Daniel, you’re very kind. Are you sure that isn’t too burdensome?”

“No it’s almost weightless actually.”

The Lady Callestah hung her head while the Lady Nimue grinned a little brighter. “Is it?” She asked. “Strange, tell me Daniel, who did Lord Ares give the sword to?”

“Ares gave it to Duncan MacLeod to wield during the battle/”

“Not to you?”

From behind him Callestah cleared her throat. “No, not me. I’m no swordsman but I did do some fencing in college.” His words did not seem to lessen the tension in the air. “Obviously I’m missing something here. What’s going on with the two of you?”

“My presence is tolerated here, Daniel, it is not wanted.” Callestah explained.

“That is not true.” Nimue countered. “You are always welcome here. It’s just that you visit so rarely.”

Whatever was going on between the two beautiful women escorting him toward a very large castle it wasn’t going to be resolved in the space of a day or two. No doubt whatever the problem was it had something to do with Ares. That was the only thing that was off around here. “Where are…all the people?” He asked as it dawned on him. The brick streets were wide enough for two carriages to pass and the city of Avalon was filled with store fronts and many comfortable looking homes but the place was almost deserted.

“As I told Callestah during her last visit, my people are dying. Our time is passing into oblivion and soon we will simply cease to exist.”

“Isn’t there anything that anyone can do? Maybe we can help. Daniel suggested and watched the tall slender golden haired woman next to him smile brightly. “No, huh?”

“I don’t believe so but, we thank you for the offer.” Nimue intoned. “You’re different from the Mortals I remember. Your want to help appears genuine.”

“It is.” Now they were ascending the steps of the white castle with its many towering spires. “There could be something we could do to help you, if you just let us try.”

The smile on the older woman’s face turned a bit sad at the corners and she uttered an old familiar phrase. “Everything that is born dies one day. Avalon and those who live here are no exceptions to this.”

“No, I guess there aren’t.” Daniel agreed finally.

Having ascended the last of the huge white steps leading up the even bigger white castle the double oak doors with the wrought iron dragons swung open. “Welcome to our humble home, Daniel Jackson.”

Daniel looked up to see where the voice came from. Inside were two women who obviously had been waiting for their arrival. The speaker introduced herself as Morgan Le Fey and the other, the quieter one with the round hips and shining face said her name was Covetina. Daniel shook their hands and accepted their greetings. There was a lot of tension here between the four women but still, as he looked around, he found it hard to believe he was actually standing in thee Avalon and the women around him…all of them…were the mythical figures of legend he’d read so much about. Daniel found he had many questions. “Morgan Le Fey? King Arthur’s sister?”

“Half-sister,” the lovely woman corrected while holding out a delicate hand. At first she thought he was going to shake it but it seemed that Daniel Jackson had some knowledge of etiquette and propriety after all as he brushed his lips across it before letting it go rather than shaking as though she were a man. “Very nice to meet you, Daniel.”

Daniel turned to the shortest among them, the one with the black hair and round hips she looked like she could be one hell of a lot of fun if you got her going and did the same to her hand. Covey giggled and blushed while she took her hand away. “He’s quite handsome, isn’t he?” She asked.

“And quite here, Covey.” Morgan groused. “As is his wife.”

“I meant no offense.” Covetina said quickly to both Daniel and Callestah.

“None taken,” Callestah returned. All in all she had to admit, even though she would never love him the way Calla did, Daniel Jackson was a very attractive male. “May we sit?”

“Oh of course!” Covey gushed. “We’re so sorry, please, come with us. We’ve been waiting for you.”

The small party walked through the foyer with its gold inlayed marble floors and stained glass windows through the very comfortable and not overly done castle until they came upon the large room in which Calla and Achilles ate their last meal here before departing for the Mortal Realm. “As you can see we have anticipated your arrival.” Morgan announced as the table came into view. “Sit, sit, eat, drink, and talk with us.”

“Ah, um, doesn’t one of you want this?” Daniel asked holding out Excalibur. He watched as the Celtic ladies around him gave each other an approving glance.

“Just settle it down on the table, Daniel,” Nimue said. “We’ll deal with it in a while.”

“Tell us of the battle and what happened to you, Callestah.” Morgan Le Fey required as she took a seat at the head of the table and filled her silver plate with a steaming helping of mutton stew. “It’s cold out there, eat.” She told the younger woman among them when Morgan realized she was making no move to partake in the hospitality being offered her. “You loved this as a baby.”

“I’m not a baby now, am I?” Callestah shot in a cold voice.

“How do you stay with such a rude woman, Daniel?” Nimue asked also filling her plate with the hot stew.

“She isn’t usually like this.” He stammered still not looking at her though he wanted to.

“May I take normal form now?” Callestah asked. “You’ve seen me, at least this way he will be able to turn his eyes wherever he wishes.”

“And perhaps you might behave better?” Nimue asked knowing that it was a sensible argument. The Ladies of Avalon looked from one to the other while they mentally discussed it and decided on a plan. Before they said ‘yes’ there was something they wanted to know. From across the table Covey, the buxom little brunette, smiled at Daniel, a sly little grin that put him on edge. Something in him started whispering that he had to look at Calla no matter what the cost he just had to look at her right here and right now.

“Stop it,” Callestah said as she stood from the seat she’d just taken.

“Be silent,” Morgan told her.

Slowly oh so slowly Daniel’s head turned toward Callestah who could hear Calla inside of her screaming bloody murder! Daniel was not to look at her! Calla never wanted him to see her like this but Callestah thought it possible that it was high-time he did just that. So she silenced the other woman in her head and resumed her seat at the table telling herself that Daniel Jackson was Immortal now and Calla was simply being over-protective of him as she always was.

Daniel didn’t try to fight the sensation that he simply must look upon his Wife right now he couldn’t if he wanted to. The amber light that glowed so steadily behind him as they walked the shores of Avalon and then through the city streets, now became brighter and brighter until it almost hurt his eyes. Wanting to raise a hand to shield them from the bright light but not daring to do so he finally saw her as she really was.

So Beautiful that the sight of her honestly took his breath away and his eyes misted over with tears which he was sure would spill down his cheeks in great rivers as his heart froze in his chest. There she was in her Royal Robes and her refinery. The Lady Callestah glowed with a warm inner light, one that hed caught only the merest glimpses of until now. More radiant than the dawn was the woman he called ‘Wife’ and all he wanted to do was touch her.

“Stop it!” Callestah demanded. Perhaps Calla had been right. “Daniel look away!”

He wasn’t listening to her and couldn’t obey her if he wanted to, not even if his life depended upon it. Daniel reached out a hand to touch her softly glowing cheek. “I never knew such Beauty existed.” He whispered in disbelief. His frozen heart, the one that just wouldn’t seem to resume beating grew colder and the old familiar Pull he used to feel when they were bound returned until his heart was aching in agony and he just had to….

…Touch her….

….If it was the last thing he ever did in this world he just had to…..

…Tears spilled down his cheeks as his mouth hung open and his hand came closer to her cheek….

The Ladies of Avalon watched silently but with intense interest at the little scene.

Here in Avalon the Lady Callestah’s magick was no where near as strong as the other three women all she could do was sit there hoping the man reaching out to her didn’t die from an exploding heart the way all Mortals did if they should look upon an Olympian in their true state of being. Inside her, Calla was screaming for someone to make it stop.

Daniel’s hand cupped her glowing cheek. It was warm against his skin. His lips parted in a loving smile while the tears continued to flow from those magnificent blue eyes. If there was never another moment after this one that was all right with him, Daniel Jackson could die a happy man. “I love you,” he whispered. “My Lady, My Goddess, I love you.”

It was the Lady Callestah’s turn to have her emerald eyes mist over. The honesty in his eyes and his voice, no pretense whatsoever or ulterior motives at all even the touch of his hand was genuine. Not even Ares ever look at her nor touched her like this, with such tenderness and affection, Ares certainly had ample opportunity to do just that. “Make him stop,” she whispered her hand covering his. “Breathe, Daniel, please breathe.” He didn’t respond to her request.

Silence ensued as the Ladies took in and judged the site. It seemed to take forever but finally Morgan Le Fey said, “We cannot make him stop.”

Covetina spoke up quickly. “But you may take your Mortal form now if you wish.”

The bright amber aura which encase, enveloped and radiated from her disappeared and in the heavy velvet chair was the small woman known as Calla. “Please breathe, my love.” She encouraged quickly. “It’s over now, you don’t have to look at her anymore.” Daniel said nothing, he didn’t move and he didn’t breathe. “Let him go.” She demanded of Morgan.

“In a minute,” she returned. “I see he did not perish.”

“No he didn’t.” Nimue agreed.

“What do you think, Callestah?”

“I believe my name is Calla,” she returned, “and I also believe you should stop messing with my Husband!”

Covey let out a groan and then a deep sigh. “Why don’t you take the sword back to Gupp. We want some time along with him.”

“Why? So you can interrogate him? I don’t think so.” Calla said in a strong voice.

Morgan rose. “Interrogate? Such an ugly word.” She chided. “We just want to talk to him.” She assured in a gentle voice. “Run along now.” The gentle voice took on a deep chill. “We’ll catch up to you when we’re done.”

“Why may I not be allowed to stay with my Husband?”

“Because your presence will influence his responses.” Morgan told her.

“I will not let you separate us.” Calla warned as she rose from the table unhappy that

Callestah had not stopped to taste of the mutton stew it did smell so good and it had been a long time she’d eaten it.

“Separate?” Nimue asked. “Is this what Ares told you we wish to do?”

“We assure you that is truly a last resort. We’ve no wish to permanently separate you from Daniel. Now, please, do as Morgan has asked of you.” Covetina told her with a coaxing lilt in her voice.

Daniel still wasn’t moving but his eyes were focused on her. “I love you, no matter what they say, I’ll always love you.” She whispered to him and kissed his cheek. Calla picked up Excalibur. “Won’t one of you accompany me?”

“For what purpose?” Morgan asked.

Calla stood there biting on her thumbnails and looking as confused as she felt. “I don’t know the way,” she admitted softly. She didn’t. Callestah made the trip down to the bowels of Avalon just as she’d made the trip to the top of the highest tower though Calla could find her way there and back since it had been her who lead Achilles down from the tower. “But I fear that is a long walk and I do not wish to make the journey alone.”

The Ladies of Avalon looked from one to the other and back again. “I will go with you.” Nimue said rising from her seat. “But….Calla, is it?” She watched as Calla nodded. “You may leave the coat and gloves here, my dear. I assure it’s quite warm.”

Changing into the more godly form she forgot about the outerwear and looking down she now noticed the long black wool coat and match gloves. Calla wiggled out of them and neatly hung the coat over the back of the chair she’d been sitting on. “Please be kind to him, he is a good man.” Was the last thing she said before leaving Morgan and Covetina alone with Daniel Jackson.

End Chapter Four Of
The Cradle Will Fall: Sentimental Journey
Continue to
Chapter Five

This story and all stories in the Cradle Will Fall series are copyrighted to Lisa Beth Darling these stories may not be transferred outside of this URL in any fashion.