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Post by lexie152 on Sept 7, 2010 15:02:04 GMT -5
*THIS STORY IS COMPLETED*
The Midnight Well
Disclaimer – The inspiration for this story came from the Song ‘Midnight Well’, written by Phil COULTER, sung by Ryan KELLY. I do not own any rights to this song. The contents of this story is entirely fictitious and of my own imagination based upon the song. I hope this is classed as G-Rated. It is not my intention to make it unsuitable for all readers. Likewise I hope it does not cause offense or upset for anybody to read. I welcome feedback though, and would love to hear your opinions on the story.
Teagan was not showing any sign of hurry in the very over crowded Riley’s bar. The folk music was playing fast and furiously on the stage and the noise at the bar and surrounding tables was loud enough to put a cattle auction to shame. Despite all this she moved gracefully from customer to customer, smiling and making small talk as she pulled pints and exchanged money as if it was a usual quiet weekday night. For a Wednesday though, it was busier than usual, but business meant money and money took her one step closer to that expensive trip she’d been planning. She didn’t particularly care where she traveled to, just anywhere where the excitement was. At 27, she had been the very accommodating, very agreeable daughter to her parents and girlfriend to Mark. She received good grades in school, and earned her teaching degree at college. She taught for a few years at her local primary school, the one she had attended at a younger age. She had enjoyed it at first but soon found herself restricted and suffocated. Why had she chosen this particular profession? When she began to ponder on the subject one late night she had came to realize it had always been what her parents had wanted…expected. They were of course teachers and it was only natural for them to encourage her to do the same. No not encourage. Push. Mark had been her boyfriend since university and it was likewise expected of them by their parents that they move in together once they had graduated. She doesn’t know when exactly it had happened but she had fallen out of love with him somewhere along the line. They had become too routine. There was no fun, no spontaneity. The spark had disappeared. She knew she loved him, but was simply not in love with him. But what could she do? She was where everybody in her life wanted her to be. Settled in a relationship and had a stable job. But she was not happy. She was watching life go by. She was existing rather than living. The frustration with her stagnant life had kicked in. The turning point finally came on her last birthday when Mark had taken her out for a romantic dinner and proposed. Teagan still hadn’t overcome the shock of that, even now. It was so out of the blue. Yes they had been together for six years but there had been no build up to a proposal. No weekend away, romantic dinners out, gestures of flowers. Just the same old day to day waking up, going to work, coming home and going to bed. The same old conversation of ‘how’s your day been?’ ‘What do you want to do tonight?’ The same old stale life she had been leading since graduation. She was suffocating. She was sick of people steering her in the direction they thought she should go in, of not being able to make her own decisions, of being led around like a puppy dog. She was…pissed off. It was at that point she had taken a deep breath and said she loved him but she can no longer lead her life with him. He had been crushed, she knew, but she could no longer life a life when one more piece inside her was dying as each day passed. When she got home she did the first and best thing she had ever done. She rang her aunt who lived in a village on the outskirts of Dublin and asked if she could come stay with her. Her aunt was naturally thrilled at the idea and sensed a deep-seated reason behind the drastic move, but had the good grace not to play twenty questions over the phone and simply wait until she arrived. Her aunt had been surprisingly understanding and had pretty much left Teagan to her own devices in ‘finding herself’. The only condition Teagan’s aunt had imposed on her, and which she found most of the locals had cautioned her against, was to stay away from the midnight well. Teagan of course spluttered a laugh at her aunts bizarre request. But her aunt leaned in close, stared her in the eye and noticeably dropped the tone of her voice. “The midnight well sits on the hill in Rowans Green. They say its evil…cursed. Once you visit that well, you’re never seen again. You must steer away, you hear?” her aunt said in deft seriousness. Teagan didn’t know what to say. “Err. A cursed well?” she raised an eyebrow. Her aunt took a low dark tone to her voice. Slowly spoken and perfectly articulated. “Many a year ago, Rowan O’Meara was her name, the most beautiful girl ever to have graced this fair land. The young lads were queuing for miles to ask her hand in marriage. She a good sensible head on her that girl. She never said a bad word to anyone. Then one day she was seen walking up to that well just near the stroke of midnight. Some say she was meeting a young gentleman. Others say she was running. All we know is she never came back.” “Okay…” Teagan thrived on folktales, but she could not get her head around a cursed well. “Did anyone not think she’d simply…fell in?” she pursed her lips and shifted her eyes from side to side looking anywhere but her aunt, and thinking surely this was the most logical reason. “I’ve said all I need to,” her aunt said and walked away. Teagan thought her aunt’s adamancy about this was slightly amusing and when she decided to share it with a few men in the bar, there was a silence so resolute that she could hear a spider clomping along the floor beside her. The men seemed to tell the same tale in the exact same tone as her aunt, although the details varied somewhat, but the gist of the story remained. But being the agreeable person she was, she decided to stay away from the midnight well…for the time being anyway. For the first few days Teagan hadn’t a clue what to do with herself. She had no work to be at, no friends to socialize with and no other commitments. Mark had called her at least twice a day asking her to reconsider, that he still wanted to marry her and forced her to repeat her reasons for leaving him and leaving the country. Her parents had been even less understanding. Her mother was crying ‘how could you do this to us?’ Although Teagan wondered how her actions could appear to be a direct hit at her parents but she listened like the good daughter that she was and tried to explain, but to no effect. She may as well have been talking to a plank of wood. Eventually she mustered up the strength to saay to her mother she was moving on with her life and would check call to check in once a week, that she still loved her and respected her but this was something she needed to do. So here Teagan was, the former teacher and almost fiancé, pulling pints in a small but popular bar, in an even smaller village that was barely on the map. She loved it. She had been the talk of the town since she had arrived. The ‘fair English maiden’ was what the locals were calling her and had already had several offers from the local eligible bachelors in the village, and a few that were married. It had been a regular occurrence each night she worked when someone would insist she just had to go on a date with them. At first she found she blushed a lot and managed to fumble an apology but she had just left a long term relationship and wasn’t ready for another one. Now she laughed and teased ‘what would your wife say?’ or ‘I’m too much of a handful for you’. She stood about 5’6 with long blond hair which floated down her back, aside from the sections on either side of her temples which were mostly clipped behind. Her eyes were a deep brown color and radiated compassion and kindness. It was easy to see why the men found her attractive. She was wearing a white shirt with a black waistcoat over it, and smart dark blue jeans. Although the bar did not have any dress code and would prefer her to dress more comfortably, the years she had spent teaching had drilled into her the habit of dressing smartly and professionally for work. The atmosphere in the pub was lively as always. A group was playing traditional folk songs on the stage, a few couples dancing merrily to the tunes and a group in the corner playing card. Other than these, were the regular drinkers propping up the bar and seated at the tables talking in their rapid Irish accents. Even in amongst the din she could feel a pair of eyes burning into her. She paused to look up and at the end of the bar she locked eyes with the most captivating person she’d even seen. His hair was black as coal, short, thick and wild. His piercing eyes, the baby blue of a midday summer sky. He was wearing all black, adding to the appeal Teagan thought. Black shirt, black jacket and, though she could not see, she assumed black trousers. He looked dark, dangerous, mysterious and very much compelling. She straightened her posture. Her big, curious brown eyes locked contact for what seemed like an eternity, hypnotized by him, studying him. Her heart rate sped to an incalculable speed and she was sure the people around her could hear its fast rhythmical thundering. It was only when the pint she was pouring started spilling over her hand that she looked down and muttered a curse under her breath. When she looked back up, the man had gone. A hint of sadness briefly overcame her eyes as she scanned the bar and the tables to see where he went. But he had vanished. She set the pint down on the bar and walked past Craig, the owner. “Where are you going?” he asked more of interest than impatience. “Minute” Teagan managed to get out as she walked through the crowd, still scanning for the mysterious stranger and walked outside. The crisp air hit her like a sheet of ice. She wrapped her arms around her chest and huddled into them. The night was pitch black and the few street lamps lighting the road showed that there was noone in sight. She looked up and down for a few moments hoping that her eyes would adjust to the shadows and she would spot him. But he was gone. She returned to the bar slightly disappointed, and continued to serve the patiently waiting crowd, secretly wondering…no hoping he would come back. She’d been here a few months and had thought she’d met all the locals. She was certain she would have remembered meeting him. Customers flowed in and out of the bar throughout the night and every few minutes, Teagan would be glancing up from serving and looking around to see if she could spot him. 11.30 came around and the bar slowly started to empty. “I can take it from here if you want to get yourself away,” Craig said. “Thanks,” Teagan sighed and brushed a few loose strands of hair away from her eyes. “You be careful going home now,” he said as she picked up her bag from under the counter. “Goodnight Craig,” she said sweetly and kissed him on the cheek. Craig had been a good friend to her aunt since they were children and that friendship had naturally passed on to Teagan during these past weeks. It had been because of this that she found herself working there. But she loved the hustle and bustle and the day to day conversations of the locals. The streets were deserted, bar a few stragglers making their way home from the closing pubs. The roads were densely lit but the full moon provided adequate light for the darkened areas. She shivered as she once again huddled into herself for warmth, silently cursing herself for not bringing a jacket. It was supposed to be summer. How could it possibly feel like winter? Teagan thought as the tips on her ears and nose slowly numbed and she watched her breath escaping in front of her. Her teeth chattered as she walked from side street to side street over the cobbles, her mind wandering back to the dark haired stranger who had been watching her in the bar. A smile passed over her lips and she swears she warmed up slightly. She came to a stop as she had turned a corner and realized she had no idea where she was. She had walked home every night since she arrived and she’d never yet lost her way. She seemed to be on the outskirts of town. The houses ended. In front of her was a vast open field, darkened by the night sky but blades of grass were highlighted by the glow of the moon. And up on the hill, stood an old stone well, which at that moment appeared to be in a spotlight of sorts as the moon shone down upon it. Teagan took a sharp intake of breath and for a moment held it. Her heart rate once again sped up and she bit her bottom lip and shifted her eyes around her…a nervous habit when she knew she was doing something wrong. One foot after the other, and quite gracefully managed, she climbed over the wooden fence and into the field. She felt really exposed walking towards the well in this vast openness and began looking around herself uneasily. There was nothing around her. No one remotely nearby in case anything happened. Deep down she wondered to herself how good an idea this was, but her curiosity had peaked and the mystery had gotten the better of her. She had to see this well for herself. She edged closer, her eyes wide and fixed on the well, but using her peripheral vision to scan for any movement. Her ears became ultra sensitive and listened for even the quietest sound. Her breath became shallow and steady to make as little sound as possible. Adrenaline coursed through her veins ready to fight or flight, edging her on but at the same time holding her back. The well grew closer until she was stood right next to it. She paused a moment to take in the sight before her before. She reached out and slowly touched the cold stone with the tips of her fingers, expecting something magical or unexplainable to happen, but on all surfaces, this was just an ordinary well. Magnificent, granted, but a well all the same. Her teeth still chattered and her body was violently shivering in the cold, but despite all this, curiosity still overruled her sense of good judgment. The well stood just above her waist and was perfectly rounded. Every stone stayed in place and seemed as though it had only just recently been built. She walked around it, all the while staring at the glistening stones which formed it, as if looking for an explanation to the girl’s disappearance all those years ago. A sound. A hoof fall behind her. Teagan turned and breathed in sharply to see a horse stood only feet away from her. A beautiful pure black horse with a white star gracing its forehead. It took a moment for Teagan to register the animals presence, before she smiled in relief and extended a hand to stroke its nose and round its face. The horse seemed tame, but what was it doing out here alone? She looked around in wonder. Nobody and nothing was in eye sight. She didn’t care. She was glad for the company. “You’re a random surprise,” she told it. Her hand drifted down the horses neck, over its soft satin smooth coat. It shined beautifully in the moonlight. Teagan spoke to it and paused as if waiting for it to reply. When no reply came she carried on speaking. She told the horse how beautiful it was then continued with an explanation as to it why she was out here. Then as if remembering she was at the well, moved back to its edge. “I still say she fell down it,” she said adamantly to the horse. She slightly bent over it in a lost attempt to see into its heart but there was nothing but darkness. She let herself look down for a few moments, allowing her mind to wonder what mysteries it held, what lay in its depths. At that moment an arm hooked round her, a hand placed on her stomach and pulled her away from the watery abyss.
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Post by lexie152 on Sept 8, 2010 1:56:55 GMT -5
“Easy there. You don’t want to fall in.” A male voice spoke as he pulled her into his body. Teagan had let out a yelp at the shock and sudden movement of being displaced and her hands tensed and steadied her against the mans chest as she was spun around by the powerful embrace of his arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” His voice was like a song. Teagan stared into the familiar piercing eyes of the man that disappeared from the bar that very night. His eyes were no longer a baby blue. Under the moonlight they seemed to have fire in them. A burning. A danger. A need for something. At first instance she felt dread. They reached into her as she stood frozen against his body, no longer in fear and no longer in shock, but just to be there. His stare was mesmerizing. It was as though he was keeping time still and if she broke the contact, everything would shatter. She relaxed and let her palms mold against his chest. Warmth radiated from him and seeped into her. He stood only a few inches taller than her but their eyes seemed to be at perfect level. His arm remained around her waist, but not holding her there, just holding her. He didn’t show it, but he was slightly proud of himself that she had not moved away. He looked even darker now, terrifying but soothing, electrifying and thrilling, yet calming. She could feel his heart beating through her palms. So soft and steady. So assured and comforting. Not at all like that of her own, which at this moment was ready to leap out of her chest. She was certain by the slight smile on his face that he could feel it too. “You.” Was all Teagan could say for the moment. As her thoughts gathered and began to form words. He said nothing. “You were at the bar tonight but you disappeared.” “I knew you’d come,” he didn’t reply to her. “Come?” she said softly, entranced by the soft tones of his voice. It was like an Irish lullaby. “I knew you’d come here. That’s why I had to see you for myself. I was…curious.” His voice remained hushed. Their bodies were barely touching as he lifted his hand and brushed away that same loose strand of hair which insisted on falling by her eyes and let his open palm stroke down her cheek, leaving his hand cupping her face. His face was a mere millimetres away from hers. She could feel him reading her with his eyes. She felt so vulnerable at that moment yet reassured, scared but safe. Teagan hadn’t realized she had been holding her breath up to this point and slowly exhaled. He pulled away slowly, and the heat of his body was replaced by an icy chill. As the embrace was broken she let out a small whimper. Even in the darkened night she knew he could see her blushing in her show weakness for his sudden distance. He removed his jacket and threaded it through her arms. Still he said nothing. He moved over to the horse and as he ran a hand down its neck, in a low voice said something to it in what sounded like Gaelic. He lifted himself onto its back. No saddle, no reigns, just pure wild bare back riding. Still he said nothing but maintained eyes contact with Teagan. She grew a little sad inside at the thought of him once again leaving her, but before she could finish that thought the horse walked beside her and the stranger extended his hand to her. “Ride with me,” he said. Her hand reached to accept before she had even processed what he had asked of her. All logic was lost when she saw this man. It was as though he had her under his spell. She was not fazed by this, she was excited, she was willing, eager. He lifted her onto the horse to sit behind him and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist and molded herself around him. Was it for warmth or for stability she quickly wondered. He sat tall and proud on the horse, as if it was second nature for him to be there. “Marcaíocht ar,” he told the horse to ride on and slowly the sure footed animal began walking in a slow rhythmical movement away from the well, away from the town. Away from everything she knew. Teagan took a deep breath as she eased into the soothing pace of the horse. Her lips were inches from the back of his neck and she was sure she could see little hairs above his collar sticking up each time she exhaled. She could smell the forest on him. The bark from the trees, the cold night air, the aroma of freshly cut grass, the dew that coats each flower in the morning. She smiled to herself as she thought of this dark stranger roaming through the woodland with his similarly dark horse. There was no hurry as the horse walked in its own proud way down the hill. It was not a steep hill but a slight gradient on a very wide mound of earth. Teagan felt alive with anticipation, her senses were on full alert, not from fear or anxiety, but from the excitement of not knowing what was to come, of the adventure this man was laying before her. Although Teagan was burning to ask a dozen questions, she remained silent, and allowing herself to enjoy the air of mystery surrounding this man and all he stood for. It was a comfortable silence that remained between them and was only broken once they reached the base of the hill. The moonlight glorified miles of vast green land in front of them. A patch of forestry lined their far right side and farm houses dotted to the left, but aside from this, just a wide open expanse. The night sky in itself was a beauty, one which Teagan realized she had not truly let herself come to appreciate before. It was a clear sky and a countless amount of stars could be seen glowing brightly millions of miles away. Then there was the moon, bigger than she’d ever seen it, each shadowed crater accentuated by the clarity of the night. She felt at this very moment she could reach up and grab it. Teagan had unknowingly been resting her cheek against the shoulder of the man she was warming in to, looking in front of them wide eyed at this picturesque scenery that lay before them. He half turned his head to look at her. “You ready?” Teagan raised her head and responded by way of smiling devilishly. He returned her smile and said. “Then hold on.” He turned his head to face forwards and patted the horses neck. Her arms tightened slightly around him. “Baile Firefly,” he told his horse ‘home’. He clutched hold of the horses main and Firefly eased into a gentle trot, a canter then transitioned into a smooth gallop. Teagan was amazed how graceful this horses movement was. She was not bouncing around as she imagined she would bareback riding. Her heart raced as adrenaline pumped through her. They glided smoothly and swiftly over the land and Firefly never dwindled in pace. She had no idea how long they had traveled or how far, but when Teagan glanced back, the lights of the town were nowhere to be seen. She was not disconcerted or afraid by this, simply baffled they could be so far away within a matter of moments. They gradually slowed to a walk as they neared a dense forest and she took a sharp intake of breath as she realized they were walking into it. She lifted her head away from the man’s shoulder and jerked back. Her head was turning slowly this way and that, breathing slow deep quiet breaths. He eyes darting around her. The strangers turned round slightly and he layed one of his hands over hers when he realized she was growing fearful. “Nothing in here will harm you,” he simply said. His words offered some comfort, as did his thumb reassuringly stoking her hand as he held it. What the heck was she doing? She didn’t even know this man and she was riding off with him into the night, into a forest of all places. Despite her reservations, something inside her was telling her she had absolutely nothing to fear. Although Teagan’s eyes had adjusted to the darkness of her surroundings, her vision could not penetrate the depths of the wood. A thick canopy of trees lay over head which made seeing anything virtually impossible, yet the horse walked on steadily but surely for what seemed like an eternity until they reached a clearing. What lay before her was breath taking and that’s exactly what happened. “Breath love,” he turned his head and whispered. In front of them, a high rocky ridge with water cascading down into a small lake. The moon was facing the waterfall and highlighted each drop that fell, each ripple it created as it graced the surface. The grassy banks looked rich and vibrant even in the darkness. As they reached the water’s edge, Firefly came to a halt and scraped his hoof against the ground. Teagan smiled taking the hint, and dismounted, soon followed by her companion. She was still smiling as she rubbed the horses back. “Sosa agus deoch. buíochas a ghabháil leat as do taistil sábháilte,” he said in hushed tones to the horse. ‘Rest and drink. Thank you for your safe travel.’ The horse let out a soft grunt and walked to the water’s edge to drink. Teagan watched for a few moments, its neck seeming to grow longer as it reached forward in its thirst. She only realized then that the stranger was watching her with fascination, his eyes burning into her. She felt herself blushing. He was only a few feet from her and the moonlight accentuated his features gloriously. His hair was still thick and wild, his eyes fiery, and although clean shaven, still had a rugged look in him. Everything about him screamed danger and mystery, and it was exactly those things which were right now appealing to Teagan. The slight breeze against him highlighted the muscles on his chest and the strength in his arms. Teagan grew redder as she realized he was watching her take all of this in. “So do I have to guess your name?” she said nervously. “Ryan Doyle.” “Doyle…” she pondered. “The dark stranger. Quite appropriate,” she smiled. He said nothing. “Do you not care to know mine?” she offered. Still he said nothing, but just smiled and watched her nervously fidgeting with her fingers and her eyes darting from him to anywhere but him, then back to him again. He found her intriguing. He smiled as he slowly walked backwards, all the while making eye contact as if willing her to follow. She matched his stepping wishing to maintain the distance but out of nerves was not returning his smile. “Its uh. Its Teagan…Teagan Matthews.” “Teagan…the poet,” he finally spoke. “Well I don’t know much about that,” she grinned. “So what brings you to Ireland Teagan the poet?” “The promise of a new life,” she said carefully, not wanted to ruin this lovely moment with her discontent of her old life. “Was the old one so bad?” he asked. She smiled and asked, “What about you? I’ve not seen you in town before.” “I’m not from around these parts,” he slowed and turned to walk forwards, allowing her to walk beside him now, knowing he had her completely. She did not ask any further clarification so he carried on. “My family and a few friends, we travel together across Ireland, never staying in the same place for too long.” He picked a flower from a bush next to him and handed it to Teagan. She inhaled its aroma and smile. “You’re a gypsy?” she asked wide eyed and fascinated. “Aye. That I am,” he returned her smiled, slightly amused at her fascination by what he thought a simple life.
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Post by lexie152 on Sept 9, 2010 17:21:48 GMT -5
“So what do you do?” He paused and turned to face her. He took the flower he had just handed her and placed it in between his closed palms. “Blow,” he said. Teagan gave a short giggle and blew on his hands as if she was blowing out a match. He opened his palms and the flower was gone. Teagan smiled and took his hands in hers, turned them over then patted up his sleeves. It wasn’t there. He was half laughing at her childlike curiosity. She smiled and raised her eye brows. He glanced down to the pocket of his jacket she was wearing. Teagan put her hands in both pockets and pulled out the flower in one. “How did you do that?” she asked. He opened his hand out for the flower and she placed it in his open palm. He took a step back and blew on his hand repeatedly in short breaths. The flower began to emit a single line of smoke, then a flame. The flower was on fire on his hand. Ryan had his eyes fixed on Teagan who was staring in what appeared to be a mixture of fear and fascination. “Gypsy magic,” she whispered, her eyes unwavering from what he held. Once the flower had burned into nothing, the flame remained in his open palm, burning just as wildly. He cupped both his hands and put them together, rolling them as if he was holding a baseball. When his hands separated, the flame was a perfect ball of fire. Teagan could feel the warmth emanating from the flame and gazed at Ryan’s face as the amber glow complimented his complexion and highlighted each strand of his hair. She was all too tempted by the mystery and magic surrounding this man and yearned for him to let her in if only for a minute. Teagan’s mouth was open in awe at this point. He reached his free hand to take hold of hers. She looked at him, not for the first time and let him hold her hand, palm faced up. He looked down and passed his fire hand over hers. Teagan gasped and moved to pull her hand away, but he held it firm. “I won’t let any harm come to you,” he reassured in his beautiful songful accent. He paused for a moment allowing her to prepare herself as her eyes darted from his to the flame and back again. He tipped his hand and the ball of flame poured like molten liquid into her hand before resuming its natural fire like state. Both Ryan’s hands were holding Teagan’s. They were stood close together, heads slightly bowed over. The flame although felt warm in her grasp, did not burn as it danced in the slight breeze. She could feel the movement of its flickering, as if water was passing over her palm. Ryans hand placed over the fire and everything went dark again. When Teagan looked down in her palm, there sat a small field mouse grooming its face. She stifled a small laugh and looked at Ryan. “Woah,” she said, and bent down to put the creature on the floor allowing it to run for cover under the nearby bush. “That was incredible…how…?” she began but couldn’t find the words. He smiled again at her child like intrigue and slowly continued walking, his head turned to entice her to follow. “How did you learn?” She asked. She would have asked how did he do it, but knew that a magician never reveals his secrets. “Its not something I really learned, just something I am. Each of us have our own gift to offer the world. My sisters a dancer, my mother a healer, my father the gift of sight. Me, I have my…gyspy magic,” he smiled coining her words. They walked around the lake listening to the thundering of the waterfall, watching a few creatures entering the clearing and play in the moonlight. All the while Ryan and Teagan talked. Although he answered Teagan’s questions about himself, he was not forth coming with the amount of detail and free flowing conversation she would probably have gotten from a townsman. Teagan supposed being a gypsy magician, he would assume a quiet contemplative role within his family, perhaps play the silent observer most of the time. “Ryan. How did you know I would be at the well tonight?” she finally asked. “My father told me somebody very special would be entering my life tonight,” he said in all seriousness. Teagan’s mouth opened like a fish, not quite knowing how to respond. “How did you know to be at the well tonight?” he offered. “Me? I didn’t know to be anywhere…I just got lost on my way home is all.” “Do you often get lost on your way home?” “Well…no. Not exactly. This was the first time,” she blushed feeling a bit silly right now. “The spirits guided you there Teagan Matthews.” “The spirits? Or you?” she boldly asked, uncertain of how far his powers extended. “Perhaps me visiting you earlier this evening had some play in it, but you cannot change what is or what is to become,” he said, trying to read her thoughts. “You know I was warned to stay away from there.” Until now Teagan had been looking down at the ground as they walked. It was only now she faced him. He didn’t reply, but she understood his silence and his intense stare to mean he was intrigued. “Everybody in town thinks the well is evil. They say years ago a young woman, err Rowan…something. She went up to that well just before midnight and she was never seen again.” “But you don’t believe that do you,” he said then paused after she flicked her gaze in consideration. “If you had, you’d have steered away tonight, when you yourself, just before midnight were at the well.” Teagan’s eyes widened slightly and her gaze fixed on him on no particular point exactly. Ryan could tell her mind was running ninety to the dozen over her actions and possible outcomes of the night. She shifted her gaze to the floor as she realized she was just like the girl in the story. But she knew she had nothing to fear from Ryan. He had been nothing but decent to her. Yes there was a lot about him that remained untold, enchanting she would go so far to say, but she knew she was safe with him. She’d known it since he had mesmerized her in the bar in those few short seconds with his eyes like arctic ice. “I hadn’t thought of that,” she said. “O’Meara,” Ryan said. Teagan looked behind her, thinking he was speaking Gaelic once more to his horse. “Her name. Rowan O’Meara.” “You’ve heard the story?” she asked eyes glowing with intrigue. “The most beautiful woman ever to have graced Ireland. Until now.” Teagan felt her face glow. “So its true then? The story? She really lived?” “Aye she lived alright. The story is true to a certain extent, but the fear of the locals stops them seeing the truth and the beauty behind what really happened.” They were at the farthest point from the waterfall and its thundering call had now died to a mere whisper. The sound of a wind through a trees leaves. Ryan rested against a tree stump and continued in a low tone. “Rowan O’Meara was only 19. Born and raised in your wee village there. Beautiful golden hair she had, and eyes green as emerald. She was restless. Wanted something more than what was being offered to her. One day, a group of gypsy travelers came to the village. Patrick O’Keeffe was his name. He was a musician and Rowan fell for him as soon as laying eyes on him. They met each other as often as they could, in secret of course. The towns people feared gypsies and grew weary of their presence there. They didn’t want to lose their most beautiful asset to the town. “Rowan,” Teagan breathed, captivated by the hushed voice this beautiful story as being translated in. “What did the towns people do?” “They told the gypsies to leave.” “What happened to Patrick and Rowan?” Teagan had a concerned look in her eyes. Ryan lifted himself from the tree stump and closed the few paces between them. Teagan stopped breathing as he drew himself close to her and cupped her face with his warm, strong hands. “Breath Teagan,” he whispered, knowing full well he had her captivated, and was secretly thrilled by it. She raised her hands against his chest more out of stability than the need for closeness. How could one person have this much power over her? She felt a landslide of emotions, nothing compared to this. This was the head over heels passion and tenderness she had only read about in fairytales. She knew nothing of this stranger who held her so lovingly, spoke to her so softly, and who had called her soul so he could whisk her away for a midnight walk in the moonlight. “The day the gypsies left, Rowan was heartbroken,” Ryan continued speaking in an even lower tone, still holding Teagan, his thumb stoking over her cheek so delicately, so caringly, that she could not longer hold her eyes open. She closed them, listening to his every word. His voice was like a song. “Patrick secretly sent his wee brother back in to town while he waited on the other side of the hill, and told him to pass a message on to Rowan that he’d wait for her at the well at midnight.” “And she went to him,” Teagan gazed at Ryan. “At the stroke of midnight, when the town lay sleeping, when the streets were dark and the only creatures stirring were the owls in the night sky, Teagan stole away to the well, where her love was waiting for her on a horse as dark as the blanketed sky. They rode off into the night, never to be seen or heard of again by the people of the town.” “That’s a lovely story,” she smiled. “Aye. Its been passed down from generation to generation of how my great great great great grandparents met,” he said slowly then paused and noticeably fixed his stare on her. Teagan’s eyes briefly widened as she beamed at him. He shifted his eyes to her hair and ran his hands slowly through it, enjoying the silky feeling and it passed through his fingers. “We’d best get you home,” he said a lot calmer than how he felt. The disappointment in Teagan was noticeable as she stepped back from his hold and looked away from him. She looked up and smiled half heartedly and waited for him to step towards her before she turned to walk back to where Firefly was patiently awaiting their return.
Teagan was quiet as they rode home, and although Ryan couldn’t see, he knew there was sadness in her eyes. As they arrived at the midnight well, they both dismounted and Teagan handed Ryan back his jacket, feeling the sharp bite of the night air almost immediately. She looked from side to side before looking in Ryans deep blue eyes. “I had a wonderful time tonight Ryan. Thank you.” Ryan said nothing but stared longingly into her eyes. Teagan couldn’t say for sure what he was thinking, but she hoped his thoughts were the same as her own. She didn’t want to say goodbye. She smiled sweetly at him, trying to hide the sadness she felt, and turned to walk away.
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Post by lexie152 on Sept 11, 2010 5:51:23 GMT -5
“Teagan wait,” he took her hand and pulled her into him, his hands securing themselves around her waist. He didn’t speak for a moment, just looked at her as if searching for the right words, and perhaps a faint attempt to keep her for even the smallest moment longer. “Say you’ll meet me tomorrow. Here.” He shifted his view back and forth between her eyes, holding his breath, for that first possible sign of rejection. She smiled. “Of course I’ll meet you.” He stroked his hand over her face struggling to keep his composure and not to grin like a schoolboy. “Until tonight then,” pulled away and with a slide of his hand produced a small sprig of flowers about ten centimeters tall. They were as white as fresh snow and very delicate with their few tiny petals. “Thank you,” she beamed. They smelled of everything and of nothing. Lavender, jasmine, freesia and lily all mixed into one. “Until tonight,” she echoed and walked away, suddenly needing to release a huge amount of energy that was building up inside her. She didn’t have to turn around to know he was still there watching after her, but she turned anyway and smiled once more as he was resting against the well with Firefly nuzzling in his hands in a congratulatory way.
The next evening could not have come soon enough. Teagan over slept that morning but her aunt was understanding maintained a low noise level in the house. Little did her aunt know that Teagan had stayed out with her gypsy man til gone three in the morning. Luckily for Teagan, her aunt was a heavy sleeper. Teagan woke up around lunch time, apologizing to her aunt and giving the reason that she hasn’t been sleeping too well recently and it had all caught up with her. “Well, a young thing like you should be taking care of yourself more. Perhaps it may be good to cut down some hours at that pub. You do work awfully hard,” her aunt said kindly. “Oh, but I love my job. I’m sure its just the excitement of living here,” Teagan blushed slightly as thought of meeting Ryan last night. “Well. If I see that you’re starting to get run down, I’ll be talking with Craig you hear,” he aunt waved her finger in a caring but firm manner. Teagan simply smiled and nodded. “Speaking of which, I’d best be off. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Teagan ensured to grab her jacket off the hook this time, despite the lovely sunny day which greeted her as she opened the door.
Time seemed to drag as Teagan wiped down tables and served the customers, all the while urging time to speed up so she could meet Ryan. She wondered if he would take her back to the waterfall tonight. Last night was so magical, if it weren’t for the flowers she had placed in water in a small tumbler by her bed, she would have almost convinced herself it had been a dream. “Hello? Is anybody in there?” a red headed girl was waving her hands in front of Teagan’s eyes as she rested her head in her hands at the bar. “Jess,” Teagan looked startled. “Sorry I was miles away,” she smiled slightly embarrassed she was getting this attached to Ryan after only one night of talking. “Apparently,” Jess said, then leant forward to only a few inches from her friend and stared into her eyes. “Look, I know we’re friends but if you’re going to kiss me, you can at least buy me a drink first,” Teagan joked and looked away. “Uh uh. Who is he?” Jess asked shaking her head. “What? Who?” Teagan felt her face redden and she looked around her to see who was listening. Bar a few men sat in the corner talking amongst themselves, the bar was empty. “The guy you’re thinking of.” “What guy? There’ no guy,” Teagan turned away from her friend and began making herself busy by cleaning the bottles of alcohol lining the rear wall of the bar. “Come on Teag,” Jess sat on a bar stool and slumped over the bar. “There is nothing remotely interesting going on in my life. Nadda! So I have to live vicariously through you. Spill it!” Teagan turned around, her face beaming with excitement that she finally had someone to share her story with and in a hushed whisper told Jess all about finding the well, meeting Ryan and the waterfall. Jess said nothing but just sighed in a romantic daydreaming kind of way. “That is the single most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.” “And, he asked me to meet him again tonight,” Teagan grinned. Jess lowered her voice. “At the well?” Teagan nodded. “You’d best not be seen by any of the town else you’ll probably be exorcised or lynched.” Teagan laughed but abruptly stopped when she saw Jess wasn’t laughing with her, but had a look of adamancy in her eyes. “You’re serious?” “As a heart attack.” “They wouldn’t. They can’t. That’s just…” Teagan looked to the side as she thought. “Would they?” “All I’m saying is be careful. This town is two bricks away from becoming an asylum. Last thing it needs is a tall, dark stranger meeting at the midnight well with their precious little Teagan and riding her off to some unknown place.” “Oh come on you make me sound like one of those helpless fairytale maidens who can’t manage to think a single thought without some dashing young prince coming to my rescue,” Teagan said, returning to cleaning the bottles now. Jess raised an eyebrow. “All I’m saying is be careful. As jealous as I am that you’ve had this wonderful experience, one that’ll hopefully be repeated tonight, you know nothing of this guy, and” she sighed dreamily again, “as handsome and sweet as he is, you are running on faith that he’s going to be one of the good ones. I just don’t want to see you get hurt is all Teag. You’re kind of growing on me,” she smiled. Teagan walked round the bar and embraced her friend. “Thanks Jess. You’re kind of growing on me too.” It was nearing seven o’clock and there was not one customer in the entire pub. Most of the town had taken to Dublin for the evening to watch the returning Riverdance, and would be back well after closing time, so Craig asked Teagan would she like to leave early. “Sure,” she said thankfully. She’s been too distracted to work anyway. As she took her coat and a book she had started reading from the shelf, and said her goodbyes to Craig, she wondered where she would go. If she went home, her Aunt would surely start asking questions if she tried to leave the house at midnight. She looked again at her watch and the time hadn’t changed. It was still seven o’clock. She shrugged her shoulders and began walking slowly up to the midnight well. The sky was turning a beautiful orange pink as the sun began to set on the horizon. She noticed the clouds as she walked over the grass, like wisps of cotton candy just waiting for someone to reach out and grab them. Birds flew overhead and nested in some trees not far off, settling down for the night. Teagan’s night on the other hand was barely beginning. Teagan sat just on the other side of the well from the town, as the hill began its gradual descent. She could see for miles out and was bound to see Ryan as he came towards her. Opening her book she began to read, but was struggling to concentrate. Hunger was settling in and she realized she would be missing dinner, which she typically ate at the pub. Regretting her impulsiveness to get here so early, she pushed her thoughts of food aside and re-read the same paragraph she had been trying to get past for the last ten minutes. A sound. A horse stamping its foot on the ground. Teagan quickly looked up and beamed at Firefly who was stood about ten feet in front of her nodding its head up and down. “I bet you’re laughing at me Firefly aren’t you, because I didn’t see you coming. You snuck up on me didn’t you?” she gave the raven black horse a rub down its neck. Looking around, no sign if Ryan. “Firefly, where’s Ryan?” Teagan stage whispered. “Never far away,” a voice from behind her spoke.
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Post by lexie152 on Sept 12, 2010 4:13:53 GMT -5
Teagan spun around to find him practically on top of her. She stepped away to get some breathing room and backed into Firefly’s side. “But where did you? How?” Ryan smiled, obviously contented with the fact he wasn’t losing his touch at impressing her. “As I said. I’m never far away,” he raised an arm to rest against his horse, blocking her escape on one side. But escaping from his proximity never even crossed her mind. Teagan seemingly not satisfied with this answer raised an eyebrow. Her mind whirled as he looked at her. Although there was no contact between them, she could feel him in her head. She could feel his touch, his presence. “Shall we?” he asked as he mounted Firefly. She wrapped her arms around him once more as she sat atop Firefly and smiled giddily as they once again stole away into the distance in their secret rendezvous. Ireland looked so beautiful right now. She could see the vast openness of the landscape. Miles of countryside dipped in dark greens and oranges as the sun gave its last bursts of light before handing the torch to the moon, the night watchman of the earth. Their route looked a lot different than it had last night, but Teagan soon realized Ryan was taking her back to the waterfall. The canopy of trees did not seem quite so daunting in the light, and she could see the underbrush for its beauty. The fallen trees, the young saplings struggling in their growth to reach the sunlight. The animals scurrying into their burrows away from the intruders that were entering their domain. The cascading water looked even more glorious than before as it surged in bright pinks and oranges reflecting off the sky. The river itself a deep dark blue, and impenetrable to the eye in its depths. “Its beautiful,” Teagan said dismounting. “Aye, that it is. It’s the second most beautiful thing here,” Ryan looked at her and put a hand into the small of her back, motioning her to the farthest end of the waterfall. Teagan blushed and looked away. When she finally saw where he was leading her, she stifled a laugh and looked at him. “You did this?” He nodded. “I…don’t know what to say,” Teagan said. “Its…thank you.” Facing the waterfall on the furthest embankment, Ryan had set up a blanket, a picnic basket and about four dozen lit candles which glowed happily in the still night. “This is incredible,” she said once more as they sat down. Ryan said nothing, but just gazed happily at her as they relaxed into the evening, ate their way through most of the food and talked about everything and anything. He seemed to be opening up a bit more, Teagan thought. While his dark, quiet side was very appealing to her, she couldn’t help but prefer his lighter carefree side. He had a lovely smile and a contagious laugh. It was easy to feel relaxed when she was with him. She didn’t have to pretend to be somebody she wasn’t or act in an appropriate manner as she had had to do so many times before. He allowed her to just be, and she was grateful for that. The sun had long since been put to bed and Teagan hadn’t realized how dark it had grown. The time had flown by as they had just eased their way through the night, finding each other. “Dance with me Teagan,” Ryan stood up and offered his hand. “There’s no music,” she laughed but accepted his hand anyway. He moved in close to her and lightly placed his arms on her waist, his cheek against hers, quietly, softly singing in Gaelic. Teagan closer her eyes as she listened to the words, basking in his warmth, secure in his embrace, his lips brushing slightly against her cheek. It was so easy to become lost in Ryan right now, lost in the moment. She didn’t ever want to be found. She hadn’t realized he had finished singing until he pulled back slightly and looked at her. “That was beautiful,” she said as he brushed back a loose lock of her hair and let his hand slide down her body to rest on her waist once more. “You never said you could sing,” she continued nervously. “I’m a gypsy. Singing’s in our blood. Though I only sing when the occasion beckons it,” he continued to look at her for a few moments. Teagan could swear she felt his heartbeat speed up. It seemed like they had been put on freeze frame. Neither of them moved, just stared into each others eyes. Teagan knew what he was thinking. He was deciding whether he would be permitted to kiss her, whether she would allow it or be spooked and run off, whether the moment was just right, whether or not it was too soon. He looked to the floor quickly and with a hand around her waist still, lead her back to sit with him on the blanket. They talked more, about their childhoods and places they grew up, and as the stars began to glisten, they lay back and Teagan listened to Ryan telling her gypsy stories about each of the constellations. The air became cooler as it went past midnight, and Tegan wearily nudged across the blanket and lay against Ryan with her head on his shoulder. He placed his arm around her shoulder and exhaled a deep and contented breath. Teagan pricked up her ears as she heard a faint whispered tone and realized he was singing, but softer and much slower than before. It sounded like a Gaelic lullaby. He stroked down her temples and across her cheeks and through her hair with the tips of his fingers as he sang. Yes, this is where she wanted to be. She closed her eyes and relaxed into him, a hand on his chest as he closed his other hand over it.
Saying goodbye that night was a slow, painful process. Teagan struggled to look at him without anything but sadness in her eyes. He struggled to look at her without anything but pure devotion. He held her for what seemed like an eternity as he once more battled with himself whether she would permit a goodbye kiss. He leaned closer to her, slowly, his heart beating just as fast as Teagan’s as they both nervously anticipated the moment. His eyes averted from hers and he kissed her softly on the cheek. “Until tonight?” he asked, offering a small bunch of flowers similar to last night, which seemed to come from nowhere in particular. “I look forward to it,” she leaned in and kissed him sweetly on the cheek as if it was the most natural thing in the world to be doing. He smiled and rubbed his hand over his cheek, seeming to have enjoyed the sensation and the ease and grace which she had carried it out. “Goodbye,” she said, and walked back towards the town, looking back only once to see him smiling after her.
Teagan was practically dancing around the pub the following day. Making light hearted conversations with the customers and smiling her way through the hours. The regular visitors to the pub seemed slightly entertained by her sudden change of mood and naturally begged to ask who the lucky young man was. “Can’t a girl just be in a good mood for a while?” Teagan shrugged off their inquiries, but made a mental note to tone down the happiness.
“So…” Teagan began trying to sound as casual as possible, “did you need anything else doing Craig?” Teagan said looking at the clock. 11.55pm. Craig took his time looking around the pub at the handful of customers. He was enjoying having Teagan dangling on a thread awaiting his decision. It hadn’t escaped him that she had been in the clouds all day, and an hour before closing had ensured any possible job he could have given her to keep her there had been done. Glasses were cleared and washed, tables were wiped down, the kitchen was spotless, the vacant tables had their stools raised ready to be cleaned around. There was no possible reason to keep her there. “Aye, go on lass. Get yourself away,” he smiled. “Thanks Craig. See you tomorrow. She practically ran out the bar and down the street before she remembered what Jess had said about the townspeople being after gypsy blood if she got caught, then she slowed down and looked around her. No one was about, but just to be safe, she continued at a brisk walk, retracing her steps from the previous night. It was much warmer tonight. She had no need for her jacket but wore it anyway just to save carrying it.
She climbed over the fence and took one last look behind her. Her heart beat froze for a split second then rapidly sped up forcing her breathing to catch up with it as she sighted a silhouetted figure perched against the well, and his shadowed horse grazing beside him. Knowing full well he was watching in anticipation as she approached, she slowed her pace and placed her thumbs in her jeans pockets to hide her shaking hands. She saw him more clearly in his trademark black suit as she approached, and saw him smiling. She returned his smile and eased up a little. She stopped a few feet away from him and pursed her lips, swaying on the spot like a nervous child. “Hi,” she said sweetly. “Sorry if I’m a bit late.” He didn’t reply and didn’t shift his position from the edge of the well, but reached out his hand to her. She lightly placed her hand on his, and felt his warm fingers grasp hers and pull her slowly towards his body. She braced her free hand on his chest and stopped a fraction of an inch from him and he enclosed her in his arms. He lifted her hands over his shoulders and let his own fall to her waist, she could feel the power in them, yet he was so gentle with her as if he was afraid of breaking her. His thumbs stroked over her stomach as he held her and she closed her eyes briefly and rested her forehead on his. “A lady is never late. Everybody else is simply early,” she said quietly. She could feel his warm breath rolling over her lips. His eyes flickered over her features. The warmth and passion in her eyes, her rosy cheeks, her button nose, her soft lips. He allowed his lips to hover over hers. Never touching, but the desire to do so coursed through him. Teagan could feel his hesitation and the need. The burning desire which she felt also. His fingers clenched around her as he struggled to control himself. He knew it was too soon to allow himself to touch her in this way, but he felt a strong connection and he knew Teagan felt it too. She hadn’t pulled away, which was why he was inclined to keep her in his embrace. She wanted to taste him as much as he did her. She did not make any move to encourage or discourage his actions, more allowing him to take the lead. On some level she was aware that Ryan was in all likelihood raised with a different attitude on being with a female. Whereas with the guys she had dated back home, it was more than natural to kiss at the end of a first date and every available opportunity after that, Teagan was quickly realizing that Ryan had most likely been raised that you don’t kiss a woman unless she consents and quite possibly with more conditions in addition to this. His eyes were no longer dark and dangerous, but showed his internal struggle, the decisions he was weighing up, whether to kiss the beauty which he held in his arms, or just hold her and appreciate her innocence. Then Teagan surprised him. She lifted her hands from his shoulders and began running her fingers through his hair. His hair was short, but the sensation of her fingers over his scalp and gently combing her nails through his hair felt like a drug. It was calming, relaxing, a tender yet devoted act which was toying with him. He knew if they stayed any longer he would not be able to contain himself and so stood up slowly, still holding her close and still looking with a burning desire into her big brown eyes. Teagan let her fingers softly trace down his neck and down to his chest. He closed the gap between them and kissed her cheek a mere millimeters from the corner of her mouth. He stayed there, his lips touching the softness of her skin as he closed his eyes knowing it was not enough. He knew Teagan felt it too as she inhaled and exhaled a deep breath of air.
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Post by lexie152 on Sept 13, 2010 7:01:09 GMT -5
ok - i'm glad you guys are enjoying this so far - i'd like to apologize if any of the Gaelic is incorrect first of all, and i'd like to add that if anyone has any objection to anything written in this next update, please pm me and i'll delete the appropriate parts as i'm not quite sure if it goes past g-rating or not - over here we'd probs call it pg - which would be parental guidance - but let us know what you think x
oh and CB - i hope i've nae disappointed you with that first kiss
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Post by lexie152 on Sept 13, 2010 7:01:28 GMT -5
He pulled away before he could second guess himself and climbed on Firefly, once more extending his hand to Teagan. “Are we going back to the waterfall?” she asked securing her arms around his waist. “Not tonight.” “Oh,” she said, and he sensed the disappointment. He turned his head slightly and said, “My family arrived last night. I thought maybe you’d enjoy an evening of traditional gypsy entertainment.” “Oh I’d love it,” she gave him a slight squeeze. “Then on we go…mo ghrá.” ‘My love’. He called her ‘my love’. She tipped her head upwards and kissed him on the back of his neck, just behind his ear. Stifled a laugh, more out of surprise than humor at the sweet act. “Dom a chur abhaile,” he told Firefly to ‘take me home’. The ride was slightly longer than the previous night. They rode past the forest they had entered the night before and Teagan gazed at it with fond thoughts. She enjoyed the long ride, the fresh Irish air, the wonderful darkened countryside, the stillness of the night, the rhythmical sounds of Firefly as he galloped over the expansive fields, and of course the closeness of Ryan. Turning past the edge of the forest, a glow of lights welcomed them in the near distance. Firefly slowed to a walk as they approached the group of caravans. Horses grazed not far off. They dismounted before they entered all the excitement and Ryan patted Firefly. “Dul a bheith le do chaired,” he told Firefly to go be with his friends. He turned to Teagan. “You ready for this? My family can get pretty…full on. They’re not like me at all,” he looked down almost as if he was apologizing. She stepped into him and kissed his cheek and held eye contact in an almost provocative manner. Before she could pull away, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back into him. He locked eyes on his sister, who was waving at him from nearby and whispered into Teagans ear. “You know I may just start getting used to that mo ghrá.” “And I may just start getting used to you calling me ‘mo ghrá’, Teagan smiled and lingered near him for a moment before she heard an approaching female voice speaking rapid Gaelic. She was a very pretty girl, a few years older than Teagan with flowing black hair and deep blue eyes. She wore a pale green dress which made her look, Teagan thought, quite like a faerie, with its ragged edges along the short sleeves and the hem line which fell just above the knee. The girl looked at Teagan and continued talking. Teagan smiled uncertainly after she had finished and flashed Ryan a look for help. Ryan, who still had his arm around her waist, rubbed his hand against his forehead and replied, “Teagan doesn’t speak Gaelic Keira.” “Oh forgive me.” Keira put her hand to her chest apologetically. “I’m Keira. Ryan is my wee brother. So you must be the girl he’s been daydreaming about,” she laughed. “I don’t daydream. There was no daydreaming,” he turned to Teagan. “Why, I do believe that even in this light I can see you blushing brother.” Ryan shot her a look more out of embarrassment than anything else. “Come on. Mum and dad are dying see you both,” Keira said and turned to walk with them. Teagan counted sixteen caravans grouped in a rough circle, and about forty people scattered around a huge campfire in between the caravans. “Ryan,” a boy of about five or six came running up with a group of friends and once again began speaking Gaelic. Teagan though he looked adorable in his white shirt, black trousers and a cap on his head. “You have to speak in English, Conor. Its rude to speak a language our guests don’t understand,” Ryan said as he crouched to Conors height. Conor blushed and actually raised his hat to Teagan. Teagan, baffled, simply smiled and nodded her head. Conor then repeated what he said but in English this time. “Can you show us another trick Ryan?” “Ok but I’ll have to make it a quick one. You know how my ma doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” Ryan clapped his hands together and began rubbing them together then opened them. Nothing. “Hmm. I may need a wee bit of help for this one. I need you to blow on my hands as I rub them together Conor. Can you do that?” “Sure.” Once again Ryan rubbed his hands together as Conor blew in little breaths. Ryan opened his palms like a book and there flickered the familiar glow of the fire. He transferred it in into one palm and with his other, made a motion of sprinkling something over it. An image flashed in the flames and Teagan saw something was actually in it. A black head and a beak, feathers. A bird rose out and spread its wings wide as the flame gradually died out. “Woah,” the children stared wide eyed. Ryan raised his hand and let the bird fly off. The children stood dumbfounded. “One more,” a child asked. “Ok Jack but then I really must be getting to my ma,” he laughed reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet bag. He handed it to Jack. “An ordinary bag?” he asked. “Nothing is ordinary with you Ryan,” Conor spoke. “Tis true,” Ryan laughed. “Looks good to me,” Jack said turning it over and putting his hand in it for safe measures before handing it back. Ryan blew in it, scrunched it closed with his hand then flicked it twice with his finger and handed it open to Jack. He reached his small hand in and pulled out an apple. “Aw Ryan!” he grimaced. Ryan laughed and told him to pop it back in the bag. He repeated the action of blowing in it, scrunching it closed and flicking it, then opened it up and handed it back to Jack. This time when he reached his hand in, he pulled out a fistful of sweets. “Thanks Ryan,” he smiled and handed them out to his friends. “Yeah thanks,” the rest of the children said in turn. “Just don’t be telling your ma’s you got them from me,” he said. “We won’t they said and ran off playing. Ryan stood and turned towards Teagan’s smiling face. “You’re amazing with them,” she said, a picture in her mind of him holding his own child. He’d make a wonderful father. He took her hand in his. Her hand was a lot smaller than his, more delicate. He enjoyed the way it comfortably rested in his, the way she wrapped her fingers around his to secure it there. A few people came up and greeted them both as they walked through the small mob. Ryan led her around the huge open fire and Teagan basked in its warmth. Big logs had been de-leafed and de-branched to become make shift seats for the gypsies. There was a small group of musicians nearby playing a traditional folksong and Teagan smiled broadly at the couples dancing and the small children copying. “Sure you’re ready?” he said without moving his lips. Teagan gathered his parents were watching them. “Most definitely,” she leaned into him and held his arm with her free hand, giving him a slight squeeze. “Ah Ryan, the wanderer returns,” a small dumpy looking woman approached them and framed Ryan’s face in her hands. “And you must be his new lassy,” she turned to Teagan and pulled her in for a bear hug. “Oh wow. It’s lovely to meet you,” Teagan was taken aback by this warm greeting. In turn, Ryan’s dad stood in front of her and whole-heartedly embraced her. “Its nice to see you love,” he said. “Mum, dad this is Teagan Matthews. Teagan these are my folks, Declan and Sarah.” Teagan eyed his parents. His mother was considerably shorter than Ryan and seemed very jolly indeed. She was wearing a short sleeved dress with small red flowers on, which came to just above her ankles. She had dark brown hair which was loosely braided behind and the most kindly brown eyes she had ever seen. Teagan couldn’t help but instantly adore the bubbly character that stood before her. His father on the other hand, was a bit taller than his son, with the trademark short hair, black as onyx and eyes blue like sapphire. He wore a white shirt and dark jeans and although did not appear as outwardly cheerful as his wife, Teagan could feel the kindness in him. “Ryan is quite taken with you,” his mum said quickly. “Ma,” Ryan winced in objection. “Oh come now. I’m your mother. Its my job to embarrass you in front of your lady friend,” she giggled. “Aye. And embarrassing me is just what you’re doing,” he nodded. “Come. I want to hear all about you. Ryan’s not much of a talker you see,” his mum stepped forward and placed an arm around Teagan, pulling her to sit on a log by the fire. Teagan glanced back amused to see Ryan pinching the bridge of his nose, somewhat regretting having the idea of bringing her here. His dad stepped forward and put his arm on his sons shoulder. “Now, now son. You know its just because she cares.” “Aye, I know dad.” As the evening progressed, a few more people seemed spring out of nowhere and the party became livelier. A few more musicians joined in the playing, and they seemed to be playing nothing in particular. Each time a song finished, someone would begin playing a tune, somebody else would pick it up, and everybody else would play along to this newly created melody. Their creativity was amazing. Bottles of whisky were shared around and the fire was constantly refueled. Food was placed on tables to be picked at and children kicked around footballs and chased the roaming dogs. Couples were up and down dancing to the various tunes being played and the occasional singer graced them with their voice. Teagan had been talking to Ryans mother for most of the evening and as time had escaped her, she realized she couldn’t see Ryan anywhere in the crowd. She politely excused herself from Sarah, who was waving at someone by the food table, and walked through the crowd, scanning for Ryan. Smiles greeted her as she walked around and she fidgeted nervously with her fingers as she returned these smiles. It was obvious that Ryan was loved among these people and she wondered what these people thought of her, an outsider coming into their group with their precious Ryan. Teagan saw in the background, away from the dancers and the music, Ryan was leaning against of the caravans talking to Keira. They looked to be in deep conversation so Teagan turned to go back to Sarah. But before she did she noticed Keira look in her direction and wave. She put her hand on Ryans chest, kissed him on the cheek and skip away. Ryan turned in the direction of Teagan, his back resting against the caravan, his hands in his pocket, waiting oh so coolly for her to walk towards him. As she neared twenty feet, he raised himself and walked around the side of the caravan out of sight from the crowd. The lights did not shine on this side and Teagan walked cautiously around to where she hoped Ryan would be waiting. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust but the second they had, a strong pair of hands lightly took hold of her shoulders and pressed her against the side of the caravan. Teagan let out an involuntary breath of air as she felt a warm body against hers, soft hands stroking down her face and over her hair. The heat of his breath swimming over her cheeks. Lips barely touching but never kissing her neck. Teagan felt swarmed with emotions as her heart beat heavily inside her. She wanted him. She needed him as much as he needed her. She knew he yearned to kiss her, just as she craved it too. She wrapped her arms around his waist and let them creep up to just under his shoulder blades, kneading her fingers in gently. Ryan let his nose, his cheeks, his lips softly drift over her cheeks to the corner of her mouth, pause, then repeated the movement. She could feel his teeth clenching, and his fingers tensing and the actions became slower and more restrained. “Ryan?” she whispered. “Yes?” he pulled away, resting one hand against the caravan by her head and looked down before looking into his eyes, his eyebrows low as if he was expecting her to say she’d changed her mind. He actually looked ashamed of himself at the very moment. Teagan let her fingers softly float down from his temples to his mouth. “Kiss me mo ghrá,” she whispered again. It was then she saw it. The relief, the happiness, the release of emotion he’d been so careful to hold back on. His eyes noticeably softened and lightened as he cupped her face, leaned in slowly stroking her jaw line with his thumbs and looked into her eyes. He stroked her temple with his fore and middle finger. He seemed to have calmed dramatically now he had her permission to kiss her. He was taking his time now to enjoy her, to take her all in. “Ryan,” she whispered. He smiled provocatively and leaned in a little closer. He maintained eye contact as he held her, one hand on her waist and the other curled round the back of her neck. Their lips met. Teagan’s mind whirled as she became lost in Ryan. Savoring the contact, relishing each moment as his lips delicately passed over hers, his tongue lightly probing in her mouth. Teagan pressed into him, deepening the kiss. Her hands didn’t know where to hold him, she slid them round his sides, up his chest and finally settled around the back of his head, gently working her fingers through his hair. Although they barely knew each other, this had seemed like a long time coming. They both felt it. Teagan could tell by the way he touched her, the way he held her. He seemed to have been awaiting this moment for a very long time indeed. Ryan pulled away slightly, planting single kisses on her then just stared at her longingly. The look in his eyes told her he wanted more, but she also knew he was more than thankful with what she had allowed him to have. Their mutual expressions of contentment expressed a need to just ‘be’ for a few moments. Teagan rested her back against the caravan once more, her hands exploring his chest slowly over his shirt and Ryan once more allowing his fingers to roam through her silky hair and trace the outlines of her face. A familiar Gaelic voice was heard nearby and Ryan dipped his head, closed his eyes and sighed. “Ryan Michael Doyle. I hope you’re not defiling that girl!” his mum said half scolding as she and Keira came round the corner and saw them. Teagan tensed up, wide eyed and turned scarlet for being caught, and by his mother of all people. She felt like a child again. “No ma,” he said huskily, pinching the bridge of his nose as he rested one hand against the caravan still. “Then what do you mean to be behind here then?” she questioned. Ryan couldn’t come up with an answer. He turned towards her, raised his hands and shrugged. “I don’t know what people would think,” she continued. They’ll think I’ve not raised you right it what they’ll think.” Ryan was staring at his mum’s feet as they walked back into the light and the music. Teagan tried not to smile at his humiliation but it was difficult. “Mrs Doyle, I’m afraid it was my fault. I had a little headache and I’m afraid I asked Ryan to take me somewhere quiet for a little while. But I’m fine now,” Teagan said sweetly. Sarah looked at Ryan who was still staring downwards but in thought now, then she looked at Teagan again. “Very well then. Come join the party,” she said, seemingly satisfied, and walked off with Keira in tow. Keira turned smiling and shaking her head at the two. Ryan smiled nervously and looked at Teagan, unsure of what to say.
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Post by lexie152 on Sept 13, 2010 22:58:27 GMT -5
“It’s ok,” she said taking his hand. “I’ve not been scared off.” He grinned in relief. He had a lovely smile and perfect pearl white teeth. It was so easy to be with him, Teagan thought, so easy to want to be with him. They made their way over to the fire where the rest of his family were now sat. Ryan sat on the floor his back against the log, and beckoned Teagan to sit between his legs, resting against his chest. He instantly wrapped his arms around her and much to his embarrassment, his parents muttered an “aww”. He closed his eyes and laughed. The night went on and they talked about the places they had traveled to. Keira spoke in admiration of her brother, much to his further embarrassment. She told of his excellent command of fire, and his favorite acts to perform. There was one where he created a circle of fire around himself, where he could appear and disappear at will from the flames he created and where he could see into the unseen, though Teagan didn’t quite grasp what she meant by that. She assumed he had inherited his father’s gift of sight. Teagan spoke of her family but never felt the need to mention Mark. Small children came over to sit near Ryan and tell him stories and jokes. He was like a child magnet. They simply adored him. “Would your lady friend care to give us a song there Ryan?” one of the singers called over. Teagan looked momentarily mortified, which Ryan even though he was sat behind her, picked up on by the way her body froze. “Perhaps we’d better let her get used to us all before we ask her to perform, eh Rach?” Teagan’s eyes flickered over to the musicians who had stopped playing and were looking their way. Her eyes looked around to Ryan’s parents and his sister and the few of their other friends who had been sat talking to them for the best part of the night. She then did something that was not only a surprise to the onlookers, but to herself also. She pulled out of Ryan’s arms and stood up, walking nervously over to one of the violinist and extended her hands. The mustached man handed her the violin and the bow and raised his hat to her. She looked at the other musicians nervously and exhaled her nerves quite noticeably. Turning to face the group of people who had now gathered around expectantly, her eyes caught sight of Ryan’s astounded face. She smiled at him and raised the bow, bringing it down on the first string and began playing Reel of the Sun from Lord of the Dance. After a few bars, the guitarists, flutist, tin whistler, drummers and other violinist chimed it to fill out the song. Ryans family and friends seem to take to the song very quickly and those who weren’t watching and clapping, were dancing to the tune. Teagan smiled as she found her nervousness seeping away and she was actually enjoying playing for everyone. She had never played for anyone before, it had always been a private thing. But she was more than enjoying sharing the moment with these wonderful people. Her fingers moved rapidly up and down the fingerboard and as the claps from the crowd became noticeably quicker, Teagan laughed a little and sped up her playing until the final bar of the song where everybody finished and the crowd erupted in the cheers and applause. Teagan laughed with pleasure and handed the violin back to its owner. They moved swiftly onto the next song and Teagan, holding her head higher than usual, looking as natural as if she nothing had happened, walked over-casually back to Ryan who was still dumbstruck. She sat back in between his legs and said, “you’re not the only one who has a few surprises up your sleeves.” The others around the campfire erupted in laughter and Ryan simply smiled and kissed her cheek.
Teagan stirred and nuzzled further into Ryan’s neck. She opened her eyes sleepily and saw him waking up, turned and kissed her forehead. He looked at her for a moment as he remembered how they fell asleep together and lifted his hand to stroke her hair. The party had died down and people had retired to their beds, but he and Teagan had remained in front of the big fire talking. When the fire had been reduced to embers and not a voice heard, or a creature stirred, Ryan and Teagan consummated their relationship and soon after she had fell asleep in his arms. Teagan gazed lovingly into his eyes and stroked a hand down his cheek before it dawned on her, the sun was up and she wasn’t in her bed. A look of panic came over her as she sat bolt upright and put her hands to her head. “I’m here. I’m still here. My aunts gonna be worried sick. She’s gonna kill me.” Teagan sat up. “You have to take me home.” Ryan stood up. “Of course,” they rushed out of the campsite and saw the horses a small distance away. “Firefly,” Ryan whistled a shrill call to the horse and it raised its head and trotted over. They made their way at great speed back to the well. The sun was still rising but Teagan was worried what she was going to say to her aunt when she found out she had been gone all night. Ryan maintained an apologetic silence when they arrived at the well. “I had such a wonderful time last night Ryan. Thank you for sharing it me. Your family and friends are such wonderful people and I can’t think of a better place I would rather have been than there…with you.” As the sun was peaking over the hill, Ryan stepped forward and covered her mouth with his. He needed her. He didn’t want to say goodbye. “Ryan,” she pulled away looking sad. “I have to go,” she took hold of his hand which until now had been cupping her face, and she lowered them. It pained her to look into his eyes at that moment. He looked as if his heart had been pierced by a thousand knives that she herself had thrown. She turned to walk back to the town. “Mo ghrá,” he called. She turned back around. He was holding another bunch of flowers out to her, similar to those he had given her the previous night. “Say you’ll meet me tonight,” he said huskily. She jogged up to him, planted a sweet kiss on his pursed lips, and smiled at him before turning and running at full speed towards town.
Teagan opened the door as quietly as she could, praying to God her aunt was still asleep, but her lead dropped into her gut as she heard a chair scrape the floor in the kitchen. “Teag?” her aunt ran into the hallway and embraced her in relief then her face turned to anger. “Where on God’s green earth have you been? I’ve been up half the night worried sick about you,” her aunt yelled and shook her by her shoulders, but Teagan could sense it was anger rooted from fear more than anything else. “Aunt Colleen, I’m really sorry. I met Jess after work last night and I guess time sort of escaped us. I fell asleep at her place. I’m so sorry I worried you like that. I promise I’ll be sure to ring you next time I stay out somewhere,” Teagan embraced her aunt, holding her breath for a moment. She had never been good at lying, and while the apology was the only sincere part of her statement, she hoped it would be enough to carry the lie. “Oh,” her Aunt shed a tear. “Flower, I’m just glad you’re okay,” she rubbed Teagan’s arm. “Just promise you won’t scare me like that again.” “I promise,” Teagan said genuinely. “I really am sorry.” “It’s forgotten about. You are a grown girl after all,” she forced a smile as she led Teagan into the kitchen where she froze to the spot. “You!”
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Post by lexie152 on Sept 14, 2010 6:14:28 GMT -5
“What the heck are you doing here?” she said, surprise quickly transformed into anger. “Teagan Rianne Matthews! I’ll not stand for that language towards our guest.” Her aunt barked. “But he’s not a guest. This is my ex, the guy I told you about. What’s he doing here?” Teagan squeaked helplessly. Everything was going wrong after such a magical night last night. “Your ex he may be, but he’s a guest in this house none the less, and you shall treat him as such.” “Mark, sweetie,” Teagan cocked her head sweetly and smiled. “Would you like to go for a walk and I’ll show you my town?” “There, now that’s better,” her aunt obviously hadn’t caught the sarcasm of it. “Thank you very much for your hospitality Colleen,” Mark said graciously and followed Teagan outside and down the street. “So where were you really last night? I know you well enough by now to tell when you’re lying.” “How about none of your dam business?” Teagan growled. “Hold on a minute,” he grabbed her arm and spun her round to face him. “I flew all the way over here, I had to ask four taxi drivers before I found someone who had actually heard of this town, all for the sake of talking to you and asking you to come home with me. But when I get here, I find you’re nowhere around and you have your aunt worried half to death. And don’t even bother saying you were with your friend last night, because that doesn’t wash with me. This isn’t you Teag. You’re not this person,” He paused waiting for an explanation. Teagan realized she had never seen him fully angry. Not around her anyway. He was always so cool and level headed, one of the things she had grown bored of. His expression had always pretty much remained the same whether he was happy, sad, surprised. But here he was, holding too tightly onto her arm, face reddened with anger, eyes flaring and shouting at her in the middle of the street. “Let go of me before I drop you to the floor!” Teagan said in a very low growl. Her eyes zeroed in on his in a threatening, piercing stare. He blinked in shock at first, but let go. “How dare you think that I should account my actions to you. I don’t owe you anything. We broke up!” “No Teagan. We didn’t break up. You broke up. I didn’t have a say in the matter,” he looked slightly hurt now, but Teagan couldn’t tell for sure. “Dam straight you didn’t. It takes two people to want to be in a relationship and this person,” she pointed her thumb towards herself, “didn’t want to be in the relationship anymore.” “Yeah, well…that’s why I’ve come here. To talk to you.” Teagan sighed heavily and resigned to burying her head in her hands. “I don’t want to talk Mark. I just want to live my life.” “And so do I. But I can’t live my life without you in it,” he said with sadness filling his eyes. “Don’t you get it? I came here to get anyway from you. From all of you. I’ve started new. Everything back in England is all behind me now. Don’t you see that? I’m happy here Mark,” she softened her voice trying to reason with him. “I’ll move here then. We can make a fresh start together,” he pleaded. “Ahh,” she growled. “You’re impossible!” she began walking off and out the corner of her eye, saw him following. She whirled around and poked him in the chest. “Don’t follow me!” she articulated in a slow, warning-like tone. Teagan went round to Jess’s house and knocked on the door. It was soon answered by a sleepy Jess. “Teag? What? Its like…” she looked at her watch-less wrist. “I know, I know. I’ll explain later, I just need to sleep.” “Sure come in. I’ll get some blankets for the couch.” Teagan was grateful that Jess was good enough not to play 20 questions and just let her be. She plumped herself down on the couch and before Jess had returned with the blankets, was fast asleep. She smiled down at her sleeping friend and brushed the hair affectionately away from her eyes. “He must be one heck of a guy Teag,” she said softly.
Teagan awoke just after lunch time slightly dazed and disorientated, and not for the first time that day. Memories of the morning came trickling back to her and she groaned in displeasure. A note on the coffee table caught her attention.
Teag,
Had to go to work. Help yourself to the fridge. We’ll talk later!
Jess x
Teagan sighed as a deep and uneasy feeling filled her stomach. She not only had to explain herself to her aunt, then Mark, but now Jess. At least Jess would understand. She would be a good friend and help her through this. She felt so isolated from her friends since she moved here and Jess had been her one anchor. The one person who she had been able to offload her problems to. Jess had been her lifeline. Teagan got up of the couch and folded the blankets, straightened her hair and left Jess a note.
Jess
Will be at work until closing. Please come see me. Really need your help. Thanks for letting me crash.
Teag x
Teagan walked in a zombie-like motion back to her aunt’s house and opened the door with fingers crossed that nobody would be home. She was fortunate. There was a note on the fridge from her aunt saying that she had taken Mark out for the afternoon and would see her later. Teagan frustratingly screwed the note up and threw it in the bin.
Showered and refreshed, Teagan arrived at the pub with a new head on, that was until she saw Mark sat at the bar nursing a pint. “Ah. Here she is. Told you she wouldn’t be long,” Craig said cheerily from behind the bar. “Hi Craig,” Teagan smiled sweetly as she walked round up to where Mark was sat and practically pulled him off the stool by his collar, “A word,” she said in a low frustrated tone. “What the heck are you playing at?” She said once they were at the other end of the bar. “I just wanted to see where you worked,” he smiled and rubbed his hand down her arm. She shrugged away. “Don’t touch me!” she cautioned. Although she was keeping her voice in a low whisper, people were looking round none the less. “I want you to leave…please.” “No,” he said leaning too close for her comfort. “I want to talk to you and I want you to listen.” “Well I’m here for the rest of the night so you’ll have a long wait,” Teagan said and stalked behind the bar. “No bother. I’m here for as long as it takes,” he smiled slyly as he returned to his stool. This comment caused Teagan to turn around to face him. “What do you mean you’re here for as long as it takes?” “I mean I quit my job to come here,” he said sternly. “You…you quit your job? Why would you do that?” Teagan looked horrified, not at the fact he’d quit his job, but that he’d done it for her, in the fruitless attempt to win her back. “I did it for you…for us,” he said as if it was obvious. “What us? There is no ‘us’!” Teagan said starting to raise her voice now. “Teag,” Craig called from the back room. “Everything ok?” Teagan narrowed her eyes at Mark, who seemed totally oblivious to the outrage he was causing her. She walked defiantly into the back and collapsed against on the desk. “Kill me,” she sighed and covered her face. “Want me to boot him?” Craig asked. She sighed again. “Nah. My aunt will just get pissed at me. Besides I suppose he has a right to be here. He’s not doing anything wrong except being a major pain in the bum,” she resigned. “Ok but if you change your mind…” he left the sentence lingering. “Thanks Craig,” she got un-slumped herself off the desk and returned to the bar where the brown haired Mark was still sat at the bar. He opened his mouth to speak. She leaned across to him. “I am at work. You may sit here but you will not speak to me unless it is to ask for another drink. This pub and this town is my life and you will not disturb it. Is that understood,” her eyes burning into his, daring him to contradict her. “It’s as clear as crystal my dear,” he smiled and took a sip of his pint. “Ugh. I always hated it when you called me that,” she sneered and walked round to the tables collecting empty glasses and greeting the regulars.
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Post by lexie152 on Sept 14, 2010 23:53:57 GMT -5
She was hoping that Mark would get bored of waiting for her and take off either to explore the town, or return to her aunt’s house and wait for her there. But it seemed as though he was glued to that seat. The only time he stood up was to go to the bathroom. All afternoon her mind had been dancing fondly with the memories of last night, of Ryan kissing her, the way he felt wrapped around her body at the camp fire, waking up in his arms. She yearned to be with him. Her heart ached for him. It hurt so much that she wasn’t with him right now. Teagan was constantly looking at her watch. Nearly eleven. How was she going to get away from Mark to go meet Ryan? She went in the back room and sent Jess a text.
Teagan: Need you to come to the pub pleeeeease Jess: What’s up? Can be there in ten. Teagan: Thank you. Mark showed up this morning and he’s been sat in the pub all day. Supposed to be meeting Ryan when I finish and need you to keep Mark busy while I get away. Jess: Is he cute? Teagan: Ryan? Jess: No you tool. Your ex. Teagan: Well I guess. Jess: See you in 20mins Teagan: You just said 10 Jess: Now I know he’s cute, I need to go change
Teagan laughed to herself. Jess would never change. She was grateful for the help though. The pub was pretty busy for eleven o’clock and until Jess had arrived, Teagan had managed to keep herself suitably entertained by a group of men at the end of the bar that were of a similar age to herself. Through her peripheral vision, she could see Mark glaring down the bar at her, his jaw tight and teeth grinding in contempt. Knowing this just made Teagan enjoy herself all the more. Teagan turned her head toward the door when a bunch of men wolf whistled. In walked Jess, her curly vibrant red hair flowing beautifully down her back, and short black dress clinging to her body and flattering her figure. Teagan walked round the bar to her, noticing that she was lapping up the attention and embraced her. “Trust you,” Teagan smiled at her friend. “But thank you so much for doing this.” “Which one is he?” Jess looked at all the men at the bar. “Captain charisma there behind me,” she said smiling but making no indication of who she was referring to. “I got him,” she said and sat down next to the only person who had not turned around to look at her. Teagan returned to the group of men at the far end of the bar and let Jess work her magic on Mark. The sense of relief that came over her when she saw Mark smiling and turning to face her, to talk to her was indescribable. She would be able to get away and have another magical night with Ryan. 11.45 came quickly and Craig came up to Teagan and quietly said she could get away. “Thanks,” she whispered and looked over to Mark and Jess. Jess caught her eye and Teagan shook her watch wrist in the air. Jess returned her gaze to Mark and took one of his hands in hers and offered to tell his fortune as she ran her forefinger over his palm in an almost seductive manner. Teagan smiled and stole into the office and out the back door. She was almost giddy when she realized what she had just pulled off and felt invincible as she walked down streets smiling broadly at her cleverness. She turned corner after corner until she had left the mainstream streets that people traveled along. “Trying to ditch me are you?” Mark grabbed her arm and spun her around. “Oh my god,” she was mortified. “What the heck? Why can’t you leave me alone?” Tears of anger filled in her eyes. She looked over to Jess who was apologizing profusely. “I’m sorry Teag, he realized when you left”. “You set her up to keep me distracted?” Mark asked in disbelief. “Yes. The extents I will go to just to get away from you,” she raised her voice. “All I want is to talk,” he was gripping her arm tighter. “Mark, let go. You’re hurting,” she struggled to release his grip. “And you hurt me Teag, in here,” he placed a hand on his heart. “I proposed to you! We were together all those years and I proposed to you, and you ran off to…here. Do you not think that hurts me Teag? Well?” he pinned her against the wall roughly, rage in his eyes, while Jess stood back frozen in fear. “Mark what the heck?” Teagan’s voice shook as a tear rolled down her cheek. She’d never seen this side of him and it scared her. “I came here to talk, and that’s what we’re going to do,” he said pressing her shoulders further against the wall. “You’re hurting me. You wanna talk? We’ll talk. Tomorrow. When you’ve cooled off,” she said wide eyed and fearful. “No. We talk right now.” Teagans head darted to the left as she saw the outline of a person walk past for a fraction of a second. Had she imagined it of had she seen Ryan? Her head turned from side to side no longer listening to Mark but listening for…she heard it. The hoof falls of Firefly on the cobbled stones. Teagan started breathing rapidly in short shallow breaths. She felt dizzy, like she was going to pass out. “You have to get out of here,” she said in barely a whisper, her eyes still wide and rapidly darting from side to side scanning the background. “I’m not leaving until you agree to come back with me.” Mark said through his now clenched teeth. He grabbed hold of her face roughly and made her face him. “Look at me!” “You don’t understand. He’s here. He’s here,” her voice shook. Part of her hated that she was afraid of Ryan at this very moment when all she wanted to do was run to him, feel his arms wrap securely around her and let him make everything bad go away. But right at this very moment she was afraid not for herself but for Mark. As much as she despised him, she knew the kinds of magic Ryan was capable of and was scared he would use that to defend his feelings for her. “What? What are you talking about? There’s nobody else here,” Mark said seemingly not bothered and none the wiser to Teagan’s sudden change in body language and facial expressions. She was no longer struggling to get out of his grasp, she, like Jess, stood frozen to the spot. Jess on the other hand knew perfectly well what Teagan was afraid of and she knew who it was that was watching them. She backed into the corner of two buildings, away from on looking eyes, out of the light and into the shadows. “Mark, you have to let me go. You have to get out of here,” she was crying now. He released his grip on her ever so slightly and she made a move to bolt, but he caught her by one arm, pulled her back toward him and swiftly backhanded her. Teagan wasn’t sure what shocked her most. The fact that Mark had just hit her square across the face or the fact that when she looked up again Ryan was stood directly behind Mark. The horror on her face and her shrinking backward as she glanced over his shoulder was enough to make Mark turn around. Ryan was roughly the same height as Mark and the same well defined build. But Ryan definitely had him outgunned on the rage and power behind his actions.
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Post by lexie152 on Sept 15, 2010 12:29:33 GMT -5
“Ryan,” Teagan ran into his arms, her body shaking, tears flooding down her cheeks. Ryan looked stunned. She seemed so fragile as he held her. He stroked a finger over the cheek where Mark had back handed her and let it rest there. She knew what he was thinking. “Ryan, please don’t. Let’s just go. You and me. Please. Anywhere you want. Just let’s go,” Teagan pulled at his jacket lapels crying, urging him to go with her. Ryan took her hands in his and kissed them. “Are you okay mo ghrá? He wiped her tear ridden face with his thumbs and kissed her forehead tenderly. “What the heck is this?” Mark took a step towards then both and Ryan snapped his head round, eyes blazing at him. His eyes had actually turned black. They were no longer the soothing color of the Caribbean ocean, but a dark and deadly color. “Ryan please don’t hurt him,” Teagan begged pulling at his hand. Mark laughed, “I’ve had enough of this, we’re going,” he grabbed Teagan’s wrist as Ryan made his first move. Mark stood stunned in silence as Ryan stood there with his hands in a praying position but about six inches apart. Between his hands rolled a ball of flame. Teagan backed away a few feet to a safe distance, then also stood shock still. She could not even muster up the nerve to call to Ryan anymore. She had no idea what he was really capable of after all. She had only ever seen his doting, affectionate side. Would he kill Mark? Or just scare him. Teagan wanted oh so badly to run away but fear kept her frozen to the spot. Her legs felt like lead weights. She was incapable of moving. Everything started to run in slow motion as Ryan merely stepped towards Mark and seemed to force him to his knees by sheer will. Ryan raised his head slightly to appear authoritative over Mark. He threw the ball of fire to ground in front of him and watched Mark’s horror-struck expression as the ball created a high wall of flames encircling him with only a two meter or so diameter. Mark looked at Teagan, his eyes begging for her help. She could see he was trying to stand up but something Ryan was doing, was keeping him on his knees. Ryan, still with no spoken word, walked black eyed through the circle of flame and stopped in front of the fearful man before him. Teagan opened her mouth like a fish but could only croak an inaudible sound. He walked circles around Mark, making small fistfuls of flames in his hands and throwing them to the floor inches away from him as if they were devil bangers. At each one, Mark closed his eyes and winced away. Though none of them touched him, the threat Ryan posed and the point he was trying to make was abundantly clear. Ryan was the superior one of the two. He now possessed Teagan, and Mark by hitting her had made a fatal mistake. As Ryan stood in front of Mark once more, he dared to look up into his eyes. He shrunk back slightly, shaking on the spot, as Ryan once again brought his hands into a praying position, widened the gap between his palms and watching the growing fireball in between. Ryan lifted his chin up and raised the corner of his top lip in disdain of this man that knelt before him. “Ryan no!” Teagan screamed as she found her voice. She knew he was going to bring it crashing down on Mark, engulfing him in its inferno. Ryan snapped his head towards her. She took a step back when she saw the pure hatred in his eyes. She looked at him not with the loving devoted brown eyes she had when she’d lain in his arms, but with fear. She was afraid of him. Ryan’s heart cracked just then and all the anger that had been fuelling the fire he’d produced died away. The flames he held in his hands reduced to smoke, and his eyes returned to their natural arctic blue. The circle of fire also subsided. He stepped away from Mark, towards Teagan and she took a step back, wide-eyed and looked around her for a quick escape route. This killed him. He frightened her. She no longer felt safe with him. She wasn’t running towards him for protection as he had hoped. He hated himself for letting his temper get the better of him. He was scaring away the single most important person in his life. “Teagan,” he said softly. “I’ll never hurt you,” he said noticing her gaze drifting from his eyes to his hands in rapid flicks. “I know you’re afraid right now but if you believe anything you have to believe that…I love you mo ghrá.” She breathed out loudly, more out of incredulity than anything. “I love you too,” A fresh wave of tears fell down her cheeks and she closed the gap between her and her raven haired gypsy man. His hands instantly cupped her face as he pulled her in for a deep kiss. Her hands clenched at his waist as she tried to move closer into him. He pulled back smiling, relieved that he hadn’t lost her, elation that she loved him. “How did you find me? How did you know?” she asked him, their foreheads pressed together as they held each other. Keira told you I had the ability to see the unseen. Ever since you lay with me last night, I’ve felt every beat of your heart. The anxiety, the happiness, the rage, and then tonight when you didn’t show, I felt the fear, and I just knew how to find you.” “Oh Ryan,” Teagan closed her eyes and kissed the corner of his mouth. “What are we going to do?” It was then that Jess stepped forward from the shadows. “Mark can stay at mine tonight, just to save your aunt asking any questions.” “Jess,” Teagan walked over and embraced her friend. She had totally forgotten she was there. “Are you ok?” “I’m better than him,” she smiled and pointed to Mark, who was now shakily rising to his feet. Ryan turned around, and seeing as though he hadn’t had a chance to finish making his point, decided he would do so now. His eyes remained a cool icy blue as he single handedly grabbed the front of Mark’s shirt and pinned him against the same wall on which he had pinned Teagan. “You made a bad choice hitting my girl tonight Sasanach,” Ryan said calmly and collectively. Marks entire body was shaking profusely. “I’m s…sorry,” he stuttered. “You’re going to leave her be from now on, you hear? I’ll know if you come near her, if you cause her distress.” Ryan leaned into him and whispered very slowly, very carefully in his ear. “I am in every shadow, every flickering glow of fire, every dancing ray of sunlight. I feel her wherever she is, I know, and I’ll know where to find you soon after.” Teagan and Jess could not hear what was said but the petrified look in Mark’s face spoke volumes. Ryan released his hold on the trembling figure and returned to Teagan, who although wanted to say something, simply bit her lip. They both looked at Jess. “I’ll get Mark back to mine. Call me,” she told Teagan and hugged her friend goodbye, before taking Mark by the arm and leading him away in his bemused state. Teagan stepped into Ryan’s loving embrace and sighed as she nuzzled into his neck. “What am I going to do with you…my dark knight,” she smiled. “That’s one heck of a temper you got there.” Ryan said nothing. Teagan looked him. She couldn’t tell whether he was proud about what happened, whether he regretted it or was afraid by it.
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Post by lexie152 on Sept 15, 2010 13:04:36 GMT -5
“Ryan…what did just happen?” she begged the question. Ryan remained expressionless, and no move to answer her question. “Now’s not the time to be mister dark and mysterious,” she kept her voice calm and soft. “I thought you were going to kill him. I need answers,” she said, all the while keeping her hands lightly around him. “I don’t know. I can’t say its ever happened to me before,” he pulled away from Teagan and ran a hand over the back of his hair contemplatively. “I’ve never slept with a girl I felt so strongly for though…I was waiting by the midnight well and I felt this tug inside of me. I felt your fear and I was being pulled towards you. Then when I saw him hit you, I don’t know. I was furious. I mean he hit you. Guys don’t hit girls…at least its not the way I was raised. Everything went dark and it was as if I was another person, like I was no longer in control of what I was doing. I just felt this burning hatred inside me and everything had changed…I honestly did want to kill him.” She could feel the tension in his voice, the strain and confusion over what just happened. But never fear. She sensed she was trying to understand what was going on inside him. “Ryan, I’d better go home.” Teagan said. Ryan looked at her lost and sad. “Are you afraid of me Teagan?” She smiled and shook her head, averting her eyes to the side slightly. “I was afraid of what you would do to Mark, but I’m not afraid of you.” “And do I still hold the honor of calling you ‘mo ghrá’?” he nervously stepped forward and put his arms around her. “I never want you to stop calling me that,” she kissed him. “When do I see you again?” he asked and kissed her again. “I have to send Mark back to England. Let’s hope after this he goes,” she smiled and kissed him. “Tomorrow night?” he said hopefully. “Aye, tomorrow night.” He pulled away and with a slide of his hand and another small bunch of miniature flowers appeared. “I’m going to be running out of glasses to drink from at this rate,” she laughed. Ryan stepped away and turned. “Ryan,” Teagan said suddenly. He turned around. “Thank you…for saving me from Mark tonight. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t come,” she said slightly red in the face. He moved back towards her, looked her straight in the eye and said, “I’ll always be watching over you mo anamchara. Wherever you may be.” He kissed her and disappeared round a corner. My soul mate. She smiled and hugged herself. She hated leaving Ryan. He was so tender towards her. He cared for her in a way nobody else ever had. He saw only her. She lifted the flowers and sniffed them at random intervals as she walked home. Ryan called her his soul mate. He could feel when she was happy and when she was sad, when she was scared. Could he feel her happiness right now, she wondered? Did he know that the only reason she felt happiness was because he was in her life? Her heart craved to feel the rhythmical beating of his against her. Tomorrow could not come soon enough.
As she allowed herself into her aunt’s house she heard male voices coming from the living room. Her heart sped up slightly as it was unusual for her aunt to entertain guests at this late hour. “There she is,” six men stood up and walked toward her. She stood rooted to the spot looking from face to face. They were all people she knew, the local major, the police inspector and a few other influential people. “Now, now, let’s just hear what the girl has to say,” her five foot Aunt fumbled through the over six foot tall men, looking tiny as ever as she pushed them all back to their seats. One of the men gasped as he pointed to what Teagan was holding. It was the local counselor. “Gypsies kiss.” “So it’s true,” another man stood up again. “Aunt Colleen?” Teagan said helplessly. “Those flowers are only grown by the gypsies. And its said they are given by the males to their prospective females. She must be in with one of them.” The man remained standing and pointing an accusing finger at Teagan as if she was a witch on trial. “Have you been with a gypsy boy, lass? Did he give you that gypsies kiss?” another asked. “What the heck are you on about? Why are you all here?” Teagan looked near tears as they all bombarded her with questions. Then it all became abundantly clear. For in from the kitchen stepped Mark and Jess. Jess ran to Teagan’s side. “I’m so sorry. I couldn’t stop him. He came right here and told your Aunt everything. I’m so sorry Teag.” “Oh Jess,” was all Teagan could say as she embraced her friend forgivingly. She felt so horrible for putting Jess through all this. She was a good girl and a devoted friend and deserved more than this from Teagan. “Well?” a man looked at Aunt Colleen. “Teagan, love,” her Aunt began gently. “Where have you been these last few nights?” “Out,” Teagan she said weakly. She felt on the spot. She’d had no time to come up with an alibi or come up with a satisfactory explanation of her whereabouts. “She’s been meeting that gypsy magician. The same one who tried to kill me tonight. He’s evil. He needs to be stopped,” Mark said angrily. “You! You little punk weed! Teagan rose from her seat and seemed to grow ten feet. She went up to Mark and slammed him against the wall with such force. The police sergeant was on his feet before anyone could react and pulled her away. “I hate you. I don’t want you here!” she half shouted, half cried. “Teagan!” Aunt said in a half whisper. “What on earth’s gotten into you?” “That gypsy is what’s gotten into her,” Mark found his courage again. “He’s poisoned her mind. He’s turned her against her own people. You saw how she just flew off at me like that. That’s not the Teagan we know. He’s turning her to the dark side.” “The dark side? This isn’t star wars Mark,” Teagan ridiculed. “The only reason I flew off on Mark is because of this,” she pulled her hair from her face and showed a purple bruise on her cheek bone. “He did this to me. I’ve not changed from how I used to be. I’m the same person. I’m sick and tired of people living my life for me. I came here to do what I wanted to do. To be the person I wanted to be, and now because of it everybody thinks I’ve been put under some kind of spell?” Everybody was now looking at Mark for an explanation. He bypassed the fact that he’d laid a hand on her. “What about what that gypsy did to me? Forcing me down and creating a circle of fire all around me. He’s a sorcerer is what he is. He made fire from his hands and made it disappear just as easy. He needs to be stopped. We have to find him.” The mob of men seemed to be listening to Mark more than Teagan right now, and cheering as if they agreed with him, which scared Teagan to her core. It scared her not for her own safety but for Ryan and his family. What had she brought upon them? “No he’s not a sorcerer. He’s not evil. He’s really sweet and kind. You made him angry because you were pinning me against a wall and you hit me.” She paused. Her eyes softened. “We love each other Aunt Colleen. He was protecting me because Mark was hurting me. He’s really not how Mark is making him out to be. He’s the total opposite and if you just met him, you’d see in him all the wonderful things I do.” She shed tears as she looked at her Aunt’s glassy eyes. Her Aunt said nothing but saw the love in her nieces eyes and the devotion in her voice when she spoke of her gypsy man. She walked over and embraced her. “Go home. All of you,” she said to the men. “There’ll be no vengeance taken tonight.” “But what about what happened to the boy?” a man piped up. “I don’t reckon its anything he didn’t bring on himself,” her Aunt smiled kindly at Teagan. All the men filed out of the house, and it was only then Teagan grasped her Aunt’s influence in the town. “You,” her Aunt turned to Mark. “Are not welcome in this house.” “I’ll find him Teagan. I’ll find him and he’ll wish he had killed me,” Mark pointed a finger threateningly at Teagan. “You find him and he will kill you,” Teagan said calmly and coolly. The thought of this no longer seemed to bother her. “You still don’t get it do you Mark. The only reason you’re still standing here, is because he knew I couldn’t be with him if he followed through with it. I asked him to stop. And if you go find him, I won’t be there to stop him.” Mark blinked as the impact of her words hit him, but tried to maintain his masculine bravado. His shaky voice gave him away. “We’ll just see about that.” He stalked off. “Is he really all you say he is?” Aunt Colleen combed Teagan hair lovingly away from her eyes. “Oh. Much more Aunt Colleen. So much more,” Teagan’s eyes lit up as she thought of the tenderness Ryan has shown her. “Come on, I’ll put the kettle on. You too Jess,” Aunt Colleen motioned for Jess to follow them into the kitchen. They talked for a while and Teagan dreamily told them all about Ryan and the time they had spent together, his family and the wonderful time they had had at the gypsy party. “Oh love, he sounds wonderful. Bit of a temper mind, but wonderful.” “Aunt Colleen, he only got angry because Mark hit me. He was protecting me.” Teagan rightly defended. “I know love, I know.” “What am I going to do?” she asked, a forlorn look in her eyes. “Only you can decide that,” her aunt put a hand over hers. “Now come on. Away to bed with you. Its late. Jess you’re welcome to stay. You’ve had quite a night tonight.” “Thank you, I think I might,” Jess complied gratefully. The rest of the night passed uneventfully. Jess slept on the double bed in Teagan’s room next to her friend and they stayed awake awhile longer talking more about Ryan. Jess asked Teagan what is was like to lay with him, something they thought it best not to have shared with Aunt Colleen. Teagan grinned broadly as she recalled the memory and said, “He was so gentle with me, and passionate. It was incredible. Indescribable. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. It’s like everything was new but at the same time it was like…like we’d been together before and we were re-discovering each other.” “It sounds like a fairytale Teag,” Jess said. “It feels like one.”
The next day was overcast but warm. It was the last day of summer, which meant an end to the warm days they had been enjoying. “I hear you had quite a night last night,” Craig said as she walked into the back office. “Oh Craig, not you too,” Teagan said resigned. “Now now lass,” he put his arms around her. “I’m not taking sides. I wasn’t there, but the towns in quite a tizzy over this.” Teagan said nothing for a moment. “What do you think I should do Craig?” “Do you love him?” “Yes,” she smiled nervously. “Then all I can say is follow your heart lass.”
The regulars were in and out of the pub most of the day. While nobody said a word to Teagan, there was a great deal of whispering and hushed conversations. When eight o’clock came and night time began to fall, about twenty or so of the townsmen walked into the pub and sat at various tables. There was silence. Not one person spoke, not one musician played. Teagan knew what was coming. They were forming a mob and they were going after poor Ryan and his family. Teagan exchanged understanding glances with Craig and picked up a stack of paperwork from behind the bar and carried it into the office. Once the office door was closed she grabbed her jacket and ran out the back door, as fast as she could to Rowan’s Green. The sky was darkened, but not as dark as it would have been at midnight. She was still able to see all around her with some clarity. Her lungs burned from lack of oxygen as she ran across the field and up the hill. Her chest was ready to explode. Her legs shook as she ran in what felt like slow motion. She willed herself to go quicker but to no avail. She reached the top of the hill. She was stood at the well. She didn’t know why she expected Ryan to be here, but she found she was all alone. “Ryan!” she called and looked around. “Ryan,” she started crying. “You said you can feel when I’m scared and when I’m sad. Well I am that now. And I need you Ryan. I need you. They’re coming. You and your family need to leave before they find you.” A pair of warm familiar arms wrapped around her from behind. “Ryan!” Teagan turned around and clung to him tighter than ever. “You heard me,” she said though her tears. “Of course I heard you,” he kissed her forehead. “You have to leave, they’re coming,” she said quickly. “I know,” he said. “My family left early this morning.” “Why are you still here? You have to go with them. If they find you here…they’re out for blood. They’re afraid of you. They think…” Ryan cut her off. “Shhh mo ghrá. I came back for you.” “For me?” In the distance, they heard the thunderous call of the townspeople. They were headed towards the midnight well. Teagan let out a whimper. Her heart sped up so fast she thought she would hyperventilate. As the two turned their heads toward the town, they could see a few dozen people entering the green and coming at them in a sure and steady pace. Ryan held her close and forced Teagan to look away from the mob and at him. “Look at me Teagan. I love you, you are my soul mate. I’ve known it long before I met you. I knew you’d be coming into my life on that night I first met you. We are meant to be together and I know you feel it too. This isn’t like any other. We have a connection to each other that goes deeper than anything. I can’t explain why or how…everything we’ve done seems familiar doesn’t it? Us being together? It felt natural when you lay with me last night, like we’d known each other for years. Like we had lived our nights and lay together a hundred times over.” Teagan forced her eyes to look at the ever approaching angry mob, only for a second though before Ryan diverted her attention back to him. His eyes were glassy, his eyebrows lowered, his bottom lip fixed as he stared at her. “Teag, our souls are meant to be as one.” “Ryan,” Teagan said wide eyed with fear as the crowd was nearing a dangerously close distance. Panic began setting in for both of them. “Teagan, I love you and I always will,” he kissed her sweetly then looked toward the oncoming mass. He pulled away and in one swift and seemingly well practiced movement, he was atop Firefly. Ryan looked at Teagans pain struck eyes, to the impending horde of people then back at Teagan. He reached out to her. “Come away with me mo ghrá’.” Teagan looked at her towns people and without hesitating, took Ryan’s hand as he lifted her up behind him. She took quick hold of him, and Firefly needing no command, but sensing the urgency, went straight into a gallop. They rode away from the well, away from the now disappointed gathering on the top of Rowan’s Green and rode with joy in their hearts that they could be together in the way destiny had intended.
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