For Arianne, Rachel and James

Copyright Aderyn y Mor (2015)

The right of Aderyn y Mor to be identified as author of this work
has been asserted by her in accordance with section 77 and 78 of
the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
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for damages.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British
Library.

ISBN 978 1 78455 974 8 (Paperback)

ISBN 978 1 78455 976 2 (Hardback)

www.austinmacauley.com
First Published (2015)
Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd.
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Printed and bound in Great Britain

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Acknowledgments
With love and thanks to my husband, John Moore, for his
patience and understanding when I was lost in the Forest and
for the many cups of tea that were carefully placed on my
desk to revive me and keep the inspiration flowing.

Chapter One
Queen Tangwen had assumed that she had finally accepted
that she would never again see her little daughter, Eira, again.
Not so little now, she thought; it was nearly twelve years since
Megan had stolen her and taken her to somewhere she could
not be found. King Llew and his men had searched the area
and found no sign of her or her abductor and even Rhys, the
kings friend, could not find her in the Forest of Shades to
which the Queen had suspected she had been taken. The day
Rhys finally returned to the Kings court, after almost a
twelve-year absence, a small ray of hope reignited in
Tangwens heart but it died as she saw that he was alone.
Surprisingly, Rhys didnt stay at the court very long; the King
told her that this was because he had promised Lord Huw that
he would return that same night despite the cold. That was
three days ago.
The Queen sat now in her room alone having dismissed
her maid early. Tangwen had found that sleep eluded her so
she got up and walked to the window looking out at the bright
night sky, the waning moon casting its light on the frosted
ground below. She sighed, wishing she knew what had
become of her little girl.
She thought back to the time when she had married King
Llew; one of the happiest days of her life, she reminisced, all
the pomp and ceremony and the happiness that exuded
throughout the Kingdom. She smiled at the thought. She had
assumed that they would soon have children, she knew that
the King desired it greatly and that, of course, it was expected
of her. A year passed by with no sign of her being with child.
This concerned her greatly and she visited the local wise
woman, Afon, for help. Afon gave the Queen some herbs with
instructions on how to use them and also a potion she was to
take at midnight for three nights in a row. Within a month
Tangwen was delighted to find that there was a likelihood that
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she was finally pregnant, but she kept this to herself until she
was sure. Finally after two months she confided in her maid
who urged her to tell the King the good news. Tangwen was a
little hesitant to do so yet but decided that it was after all his
right to know. Of course King Llew was delighted with the
news that finally he might father an heir to his kingdom, but
just before three months had passed the Queen miscarried and
the disappointment was palpable. The King comforted his
wife as best he could, pointing out that now that they knew
she could become pregnant they could soon find she would be
with child again. This did not console the Queen in the
slightest of course and it took some months for her to recover
sufficiently from the trauma enough to try again. They were
rather desperate months for the King too as he needed an heir
to pass on his kingdom to. He was proud of all he had
achieved during his reign, particularly as his land was finally
at peace and he would need a successor to continue his work.
Queen Tangwen finally decided to visit Afon once more
for help.
My lady, Afon told her, the herbs and the potion did
work for you but perhaps the child was not meant to be. I will
give you the herbs again and another potion, slightly different
this time. It will surely help you.
And if it does not? the Queen asked.
Afon looked at the Queen shyly as she timidly suggested,
You could petition the Spirits for help.
Yes, the Queen answered simply, taking the medicines
from Afon before slowly making her way back to her domain
in the Castle. She sat looking at the package Afon had given
her. She had no confidence that it would work and wondered
if she should ask the Spirits for their help. The King, of
course, would frown on what he saw as nonsense, not being a
believer in the old ways although he tolerated those who did.
He knew that most of the villages worshipped the Old Gods
and either had altars in their own homes or visited the sacred
places in his lands. The Queen was aware of the tales of the
gods and goddesses and the spirits of nature and was open
minded about it, although she did not follow the Old Ways
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herself. Oh, what should she do? Tangwen wondered.

Somewhat lost in thought she jumped as her maid came into
the room.
I beg your pardon, my lady, Lili said. I have come to
ready your clothes for this evenings dinner.
Yes, carry on, the Queen replied. I am only sitting here
considering something in the quiet.
May I help in any way? Lili asked, it seemed to her that
the Queen had become quite fond of her and often confided in
her knowing that Lili would never repeat a word that passed
between them.
Tangwen considered this offer for a moment before telling
Lili all that Afon had said, adding her concerns that the
medicines may only again result in her losing the child.
Perhaps it is worth considering petitioning the Spirits?
Lili tentatively suggested, uncertain of how her ladyship
would react to this.
Mmm that is what I am thinking about, Tangwen told
her, but the King must not know that I have found it
necessary to do so. I would not want him to think less of me.
The King loves you dearly, her maid responded, you
know he does, children or not.
But he does need an heir, Tangwen said rather
vehemently.
Yes mlady, Lili said.
I am unsure of the Old Ways, Tangwen told her in hope
that Lili might know something of them and that she would
impart the knowledge to her.
Lili coughed slightly before saying, I know of some of
them, mlady.
Then what must I do? the Queen asked.
I know a simple ritual that I heard when I was but a child
myself, Lili told her hesitantly.
Go on, the Queen urged.
At midnight on the day after the new moon shows her
face it is said that if you go to a sacred site and call to the
Goddess she will send a Spirit to you whom you can petition
for aid on a problem such as yours, but you must take
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offerings of bread and wine as well as a token of your respect.

When the Spirit comes to you, you can ask if she will help
you, but the Spirit may ask for something else in return. That
is all I know, Lili finished.
And the new moon will be shining tomorrow? Tangwen
stated.
Yes, mlady, Lili agreed.
So the night after that will be the best time for this?
Tangwen asked.
It will mlady, Lili again agreed with her mistress.
And will you come with me? the Queen asked.
If that is what you wish then I will be glad to help you in
this way, Lili was quick to respond to the request.
Thank you. We will talk of this later and make our plans
but it will be our secret. Tangwen looked sternly at her maid.
Of course, Lili said.
Come then, Tangwen changed the subject completely,
let us decide what I will wear for this evenings dinner. The
King is entertaining Lord Huw and I need to look my best.
Yes, maam, Lili said as she turned to walk to the
Queens closet.
You are a good girl, the Queen told her which made Lili
smile and her heart swell with pride. She loved her Queen so
much.
Queen Tangwen excused herself from the banquet that
night knowing that the King and Lord Huw would not mind
overly much as they had their own affairs to discuss and her
presence was not important to either of them this night. She
returned to her rooms where she soon disrobed, changing into
her night attire before dismissing her maid and going to the
open window to look out at the night sky. It was a clear dark
night with just the stars in evidence. She longed to see the new
moon rise on the morrow and to settle the next night so that
she could go with Lili to the sacred place. She hoped that her
maid knew where that might be.

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