Gwyneth stood before the ancient stones, her white robes blowing in the breeze lost in thought. Her auburn hair hung loose reaching almost to the backs of her knees. The only ornamentation she wore with the white robes being the Glendruid pendant which hung from her neck on a silken cord and a wreath of daisies on top her head.

The chanting began in a slow and rhythmic whisper. As the chants grew louder and faster she raised her hands to the heavens in hopes that the Goddess might hear her. The powerful words echoed in the darkness and the winds increased. The offerings she placed upon the alter began to blow about.

She laughed aloud with rage and anger filling her once musical voice. "Goddess, take my offerings, make me your servant and serve me well in return."

She always had the power, as did her mother before her but she kept it well hidden until this night. "He must pay for what he’s done Goddess. He must not walk away unscathed."

She stared up at the moon, reaching out her arms to her Goddess. "I embrace you and the ways of the old ones, hear my voice, do my bidding."

The stone alter she stood before this night was older then man could say. Her mother came here many years ago. Her mother told her when she was just a child not to be afraid but she always had been. Not tonight, tonight she embraced the darkness which called out to her. She felt nothing of the light any longer, it was the darkness which claimed her soul.

Seeing nothing beyond the red mist of anger which consumed her now she continued to cry out to the Goddess, "I command you to hear me now!"

With those words the flames of the torches burned more brightly and flames shot into the sky from the ring of fire. Her laughter echoed out once more into the dark night. "There is only you in the sky this night Goddess, I think mayhap I have frightened away the very stars."

She lowered her arms, confident her desires would be fulfilled in time. "The stars are wise to fear me Goddess, I have the power and where once it flowed through my veins guided by love it now belongs to hate."

"Could he be so ignorant to think I would not learn the truth? Could he imagine I would allow him to kill all that was good and holy in my heart and yet, allow him to live in bliss and happiness."

"Aye, tis the greatest fool, I think he is for he has mocked me and abused me and I shall see him suffer at my hands."

"Too many times have I shown forgiveness and tolerance. I want his agony to bring me joy Goddess. I want it to be a slow withering death while I stand and watch. I want to see his life’s blood, black as it is drain from his body, while I see the love drain from his eyes."

"Avenge me Goddess, I have been so wronged! Avenge me by his suffering not only of this world and lifetime but into any other which come beyond. Curse his soul for what he has done."

Her body shook with rage and her shouts became sobs. For all she hated now she had once loved and she found the hatred all consuming. "I have been left alive but at what price I ask you? Why must it be so if not to repay his so called ‘love’ of me." I make my vow this night Goddess of the Moon, one of us must die. There can be no place upon this earth great enough to sustain us both."

His image flashed before her in her mind, a smile upon his face, a single tear leaked from her eye slowly trickling down her cheek. She reached out her hand toward the image wishing she could touch his heart one more time out of love and not hate. Just above a whisper she spoke once more, "Either thou, or I must die my love. Before mid summer’s night, either thou or I must die."

She let her hand drop down to her side once more. She felt the energy drain from her body and she let herself go limp. The exhaustion of the experience overwhelmed her but she did not doubt the Goddess heard her words.

She blinked away the remaining tears which pooled in her eyes and looked again to the moon. "Hear my words wise one who laminates night’s sky, you must take one of us from this earth. I have made my vows upon this alter and they shall be fulfilled. If I am to lose my life because I have judged him falsely than so be it."

"I can not live knowing he lives, you must take either one or both but there will come death to our household." "Prince or pauper, he can not treat me thus."

The flames suddenly died down in unison. Gwyneth knew her destiny had just been decided. The wind settled down once more and she kneeled down beside the fire. Removing her dagger from is sheath she sliced the blade along her palm. She drained the blood into the goblet and placed it upon the alter as an offering of thanks to the Goddess.

"I have made a vow with you now, my blood for his blood." "Take it all if you must only let me see him suffer before you do. Tis all I ask. Allow me to see with my own eyes the pain and fear he will know. Allow me to speak of this night and of this curse upon his very heart and soul."

"I want his eyes transfixed upon my mouth as I speak the words. I want to see the disbelief in those eyes, I want to see his pain."

"I am done with all else that came before this night. I will know nothing but my revenge."

With that last vow she stood from beside the fire and turned her back on the alter. Gwyneth was secure in her belief that she would be avenged in all things. She had been wronged by the man she once loved.

Standing not too far away watching in stunned amazement was a man she knew yet did not realize loved her truly. He saw her leave the post-western gate of the keep after sunset and wanted to see her safely returned.

Jourdain has sworn to defend and protect her as one of his Lord’s men. Duke Kerrich may not really care for his wife’s welfare but his men loved her and would protect her with their lives.

Jourdain above all others loved the beautiful Lady of the manor. He has always sensed there was something special about her but never dreamed her to be Glendruid. He knew she carried sadness beneath her smiles, her eyes bespoke it but he never imagined the depth.

To hear her cries of anguish tore at him. His hand clutched the hilt of his sword, wishing to avenger her but he was duty bound and her husband was his Lord.

He did not wish to disturb her now of all times so he stayed hidden in nights shadow just beyond her sight.

Gwyneth sat down upon a low stone and decided to remain there in thought until dawn. She hoped to find inner peace with the sunrise after dusk had torn out her heart.

She thought that dusk would never again be peaceful for her. It would remind her everyday of her life what it meant to be betrayed. The idealistic young woman who lived on blind faith and trust was gone. She learned some very hard lessons about human nature.

Jourdain came forward and knelt down beside her. Very slowly, without a word, he reached out a hand to her and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. He smiled, very gently and looked deeply into her eyes searching for the Lady he knew and loved so well.

His wise blue eyes stared into her warm brown ones. She reminded him of a doe just before the slaughter. There was something so fragile behind those eyes. He wiped away a single tear that had just completed it journey down her face. He brought the tip of his finger to his lips and kissed the droplet of water. Gwyn sucked in her breath sharply, shocked by his behavior.

His fingers lovingly stroked her chin, then her jaw line when finally he spoke, "My Lady, may I escort you home?" He extended his hand to help her up from the ground. When the stood facing one another he realized how small she really was. She only came up to his chest being nearly a foot shorter then him. He tilted her head up to look him in the eyes once more and noticed the dirt streaked along her cheek. Gently he wiped away the smudge. With this act he smiled to her once more and to his surprise she smiled back.

Her smile was weak but it was there beneath all her sadness, he could see it there. Although he was nor certain how he would do it, Jourdain knew he was going to make things right for his Lady. He would not allow her to destroy her soul while he had breath in his body.

Gwyneth felt reassured by his presence somehow. She knew it was improper but she pressed her body close to his as he pulled her into an embrace. Jourdain felt without question that more than anything she needed to be held and comforted.

The tears came slowly at first. Silently spilling down her face while her huge mournful eyes stared up at him. Her lashes were dark and spikey from the tears that still clung to them. Her cheeks slightly flushed and her chest rising and falling just slightly faster than normal. She tried desperately to hold her emotions in check until he smiled at her reassuringly.

That smile, so filled with warmth and kindness penetrated the hatred which was consuming her. Her expression changed to one of wonder as he leaned down to place a chaste kiss upon her brow. Gwyneth lost all control of herself and began to sob uncontrollably on Jourdain's chest. He simply wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer, never saying a word.

They stood there for a small eternity until she had expelled a great portion of her grief. Her breathing began to steady and the tears began to subside. Something about being held by Jourdain made her feel safe and she didn't want to seperate from the feeling. She thought for a moment she could remain this way forever.

For those few moments, being held by him, all was right with the world. She was safe and protected and for some odd reason she felt infinately loved.

Fear and panic welled up inside her once again and she pushed him away. She refused to let go of her anger. She remember where she was and what she did here. She remembered the vow she made only hours before and resolved herself to see it through to the end.

She really cared for Jourdain, he had been a true friend to her for many years and she would not allow him to be tainted by her hatred. She quietly stepped away from him without looking him in the eyes again. After taking a deep breath she cleared her throat and wiped her eyes. She looked toward the path that would lead her back to the keep and told him it was time to go home.