Chapter One
by Paula B and CJ
10 December 2001
On an airplane between the United States and England
Early Evening
Cordelia nodded off beside AJ. He was getting used to it. <<<The plane hasn't even taken off yet.>>> AJ chuckled. He'd upgraded their tickets to first class so Cordelia would be more comfortable. Since she'd learned she was pregnant; she'd suddenly begun to show. Even though she was little more than three months along, she had a definite swell to her belly. <<<I'm glad she could join me on such short notice. And it will be interesting visiting a dig after this little errand for the SecNav is finished.>>>
AJ took a look around the cabin. There was a man who looked familiar sitting across the aisle and a couple of seats in front of them. He appeared to be well on his way to a buzz. In front of them was a couple, obviously newlyweds, who had been bumped up to first class for their honeymoon trip. Directly across the aisle from them was a woman with an infant and two small children. She saw AJ glance at her and said, "I'm meeting my husband. He's just been stationed in Germany. With all the children, it's much easier to fly on a commercial flight."
"We're stopping in England. Just let me know if you need a hand. " AJ glanced at Cordelia and chuckled, "I need the practice. Which branch of the service is your husband in?"
"He's a Captain in the Air Force," the woman said proudly.
"I'm in the Navy, myself. And Germany is one of the few places I've never been stationed. AJ Chegwidden," he held out his hand.
The woman took one hand from the baby, "Lucy Pace. Thank you, sir. I appreciate the offer. I think we'll be fine, the flight attendants have been a big help so far. Of course," she eyed Cordelia, "If you just want the practice, you can take a turn with this one. How far along is your wife?"
"Just three months. She's showing early. Looks good on her though," AJ winked as he made the last statement.
Lucy laughed, "You have the appropriate attitude for an expectant father. I guess she's sleeping quite a bit right now. I remember I was so tired the first few months. I think I could have slept standing up."
Nodding, AJ added, "Seems as if that's the only symptom she's had. There's been no morning sickness at all. I certainly hope the rest of her pregnancy goes as smoothly as the first trimester."
One of the children tugged at Lucy's hand and whispered in her ear. Lucy nodded, then turned to AJ, "Sir, if you don't mind, I'd like to take you up on that offer to help. If you'd hold the baby while I take these two to the bathroom before the flight leaves and it's all off limits, I'd really appreciate it."
"Glad to help," AJ held out his arms for the baby. "What's his name?"
Lucy placed the baby carefully in AJ's arms and said, "His name's Ryan. I think he's ready for a burp. Do you know how to do that?" When AJ nodded, she continued, "The other two are Crystal and Amanda." Then she took the two toddlers by the hand and led them to the bathroom at the back of the cabin.
AJ put the sleepy child over his shoulder and patted his back. The child stirred and rubbed his eyes, then opened them. He let out a resounding burp. <<<Glad she left the burping towel with him.>>> AJ chuckled, making sure there were no more burps forthcoming. He cradled the child in his arms. The baby drew back his lips ready to squawl, and AJ popped the pacifier into his open mouth. Satisfied, the child began to look around, his eyes drawn to the lights around the cabin. Then he looked at AJ and laughed.
"Looks like he likes you. He's laughing," Lucy said as she herded the children back into their seats. "I think we're settled now, until after they have something to drink." She fastened each of the children's seat belts before sitting and fastening her own. Then she held out her arms for the baby. "Unless you want to hold him a little while longer."
Ryan saw his mother and reached for her. "Guess it's too late for that." She took the baby from AJ. "Thank you, sir."
The flight proceeded without event, and AJ read while Cordelia slept. Lucy's three children fell asleep, curled up in the seats, and Lucy relaxed by watching the movie. Even the drunk had reached a nice buzz after harassing the flight attendant for refills. The plane hit a little turbulence, and Cordelia stirred.
"AJ, is everything OK?" she murmured sleepily.
"Just some turbulence. Why don't you have something to drink while you're awake?" AJ asked. Cordelia nodded and AJ caught the attention of the flight attendant. "Could you bring my wife some juice?"
In a few minutes, Cordelia was alert and drinking orange juice. The movie ended, and Lucy introduced herself. "Your husband's going to be a fine father. He has burping down pat. He's been practicing on Ryan, here."
Cordelia caught AJ's eye and grinned. "Would you mind if I had a turn?" she asked Lucy.
"I'd be glad to let you hold him," Lucy said as she passed the sleeping baby to AJ, who handed him to Cordelia.
The baby squirmed, then settled quietly as Cordelia gently rocked him. He sucked furiously on his pacifier for a few moments and grabbed Cordelia's finger in his sleep. "What a good baby," Cordelia cooed.
"He has his moments," Lucy added.
The plane rocked unsteadily as they hit another patch of turbulence. This time, the baby woke, crying.
"Shut that brat up!" screamed the drunk from the front of the cabin.
Cordelia jumped at the sound of his voice. The baby continued to cry, and Cordelia passed him back to his mother. It was too late, the damage was done, and Ryan screamed at the top of his lungs.
"I said shut that brat up! People with screaming infants shouldn't be allowed to fly in first class!" the man shouted as he stood up. He turned, his eyes drawn to the crying baby, and said, "Do something about that kid!"
The flight attendant was in the back of the plane. AJ hit his buzzer, but stood up to confront the man. "There's no need to yell. You're only frightening the child. And I suspect that most people in this cabin would rather ride with a crying child than with a loud, rude drunk. Why don't you sit down and be quiet?"
The man's attention was drawn to AJ, then to Cordelia, who sat quietly in her seat. "Well, if it isn't my dear sister-in-law. Cordelia, how are you? Spent all of my family's money yet?"
<<<Daniel Wallace. Of course, the drunk at the inaugural ball. That's why he looks familiar.>>> It suddenly dawned on AJ. "Sit down, Wallace. Now. Leave my wife alone."
"Your wife? Your wife!" Wallace turned to Cordelia and spat out the words, "No longer the mourning widow? You didn't wear widow's weeds for long, did you?" He glanced at her belly. "What's this? Was it a shotgun wedding?" he laughed. "I thought you couldn't have children. Surprise, surprise." He began to laugh.
Cordelia stared in shock as AJ advanced, twisted Wallace's arm behind him and led him to his seat, forcing the man into it. "I've had about enough of you," AJ said loudly enough for the others to hear. Then he dropped his voice and added, "If you ever insult my wife again, if you ever approach her while you're drunk and spouting garbage, you will regret it. She may have been married to your brother, but that gives you no right to harass her. I assure you, I will take whatever actions are necessary to protect my wife from you, be they legal," AJ paused and dropped his voice still lower. "Or physical. Is that clear?"
Wallace nodded his head furiously and fumbled with the seat belt. <<<Didn't Webb tell me something about this guy? He was a SEAL? Kills people with his bare hands? Something like that.>>>
"Don't get out of that seat until we land and it's time to leave the plane," AJ commanded. The flight attendant appeared, looking confused. AJ turned to her and said, "Ma'am, I believe this passenger is ready for some coffee. He's decided it's time to stop drinking."
The flight attendant smiled, understanding immediately, and said in a relieved voice, "I'll be right back with that coffee."
AJ returned to his seat, where Cordelia was crying, "AJ, I'm sorry."
"Cori, there's nothing for you to be sorry about. You couldn't have known that Wallace would be here, and you are in no way responsible for his behavior. It's OK," AJ offered soothing words, then wiped the tears from her eyes. "I don't think he'll be bothering you again. Ever."
"Hard to believe that he and Braxton could be brothers. They were so different." Cordelia held AJ's hand tightly.
"It's clear that they were very different. I can't imagine you loving someone who was anything like Daniel Wallace," AJ kissed her temple. "Try to ignore him, Darlin'."
By the time Cordelia calmed down, the plane was landing at Gatwick Airport. AJ had purposefully told Tiner to find a flight that would take them to Gatwick instead of Heathrow. "We'll get out faster that way," he'd explained. Cordelia and AJ spoke briefly to Lucy, wishing her luck on the rest of her trip, then exited the plane. They made their way to the baggage check, then to customs, where they were passed through quickly.
AJ noticed that Wallace staggered along behind them, keeping his distance. <<<He's why people think of 'the ugly American tourist.'>>> AJ led Cordelia to set of escalators where he stepped on behind her. "We'll go straight to the hotel room. That way you can have a rest before you head down to Cornwall. As soon as I finish up with business, I'll meet you at the dig. I've never been on a dig before. I'm looking forward to this. What are they digging up again?"
"It's a Celtic site, AJ. Archaeologists have been trying to verify elements of Arthurian legend for years. This particular site has found a record of a warrior called 'Artos' who was buried in a hero's grave," Cordelia began.
AJ raised his eyebrows and said, "I thought that Morgain took Arthur to Avalon?"
"The heroes at this site were buried in boat shaped rafts of willow. The ends of the boughs were tied together around the corpse, and the bulk of the body forced the center out. Theory has it that Avalon, the City of Mists, could be a figurative construct like heaven or Valhalla rather than a physical place. A spiritual place that could be reached by the dead, and possibly by priests and priestesses," Cordelia explained. "They're looking for more information, some kind of written record of the history of the place. And they're dating the materials to make sure it would be the right time period."
As Cordelia spoke, AJ noticed a piece of luggage falling, plummeting down the escalator. He reached around Cordelia to stop it. He caught it with one hand and began to search for the owner. <<<I am not believing this.>>> He thought as he spied the woman waiting at the head of the stairs.
"AJ, what a surprise. That's my bag. The wheels fell off it and it got away from me. Thank you," the woman held out her hand for the bag.
Cordelia stared, and AJ finally said, "Bad place to lose control of your suitcase. It could kill someone. Or at least hurt them."
As soon as AJ handed over the luggage, Cordelia took his arm, "Dr. Walden. What brings you to London?"
Sydney answered quickly, "I'm here for a conference. It starts today and lasts through the weekend."
Cordelia took one look at Sydney's luggage and struggled to keep from laughing. <<<Five days, five bags. She has more luggage than AJ and I have, combined. And we have an extra bag because I'm headed down to Cornwall before AJ.>>>
"Are you here for business or pleasure?" Sydney asked, suddenly aware of Cordelia's belly. <<<She's pregnant! Wonder if that's why AJ married her?>>> She studied AJ's face. <<<He seems awfully happy.>>>
"A little of both," AJ replied, leading them away from the escalator. "We won't be able to do much travelling for a while. In a couple of months, Cordelia will be grounded until early June."
<<<Hmmmm. June. Honeymoon baby? Or a little before that?>>> Sydney did some quick calculations in her head. "I would have guessed earlier. You're pretty big for just three months." To AJ she said, "I had no idea you wanted to experience fatherhood again."
"I had no idea that it would be such an appealing prospect. But Cori and I are both as excited as can be. It's her first, and I think pregnancy becomes her," AJ winked at Cori, whose face had fallen when Sydney had mentioned her size. She smiled and AJ continued, "We need to be going. I have work to do and Cori needs a little rest. Enjoy your conference." AJ led Cordelia out to the line of taxis.
10 December 2001
The Ritz Hotel
London, England
Later that evening
"AJ, I like the thought of you being pampered while I'm gone to Cornwall. I know we could have stayed in a nice hotel and been reimbursed for it. But I like it here. I like knowing that if you work into the middle of the night, which you sometimes do, they will still bring dinner to your room. I like the thought that if you don't have to work late, you can call for a massage. And I know that you like the health club facility and will be there by 0530 tomorrow morning, regardless of how late we get to bed tonight," Cordelia explained adamantly. She leaned against the pillows on the big bed.
"Don't you mean how late we get to sleep tonight?" AJ grinned. "Getting to bed and getting to sleep aren't always the same thing." It had bothered AJ when Cordelia told Tiner to make their reservations at the Ritz. It was far beyond the limits of even his per diem. It seemed so wasteful. But Cordelia insisted, and she paid for it using a Visa card tied to her inheritance. AJ had no idea how much it ended up costing, but he knew the minimum for a room was more than $300 a night. He knew part of it was a macho thing, he didn't want Braxton Wallace's money supporting him. He'd never imagined having too much money could be such a problem. He'd also failed to understand why she insisted on such luxury when she was only staying in London one night before she left for the dig in Cornwall. <<<Cordelia never mentioned that she wanted to do this to spoil me. All this while, I've been thinking in terms of wanting to take care of her within my means, but she's just been thinking about taking care of me. It will be nice to know that I can get a hot meal if I come in late. Much better than the fast food that's usually the only thing available that late at night. The fitness center was nice, too. As tired as she was after the plane ride, she insisted that they take us by before we came to the room. She wanted me to see it. And we're close to the US Embassy, so it will be a short walk -- or a small fare if I ride. Maybe I should just relax and get used to her spoiling me. I can't remember ever being spoiled quite the way she spoils me.>>>
"Come here, AJ," Cordelia said, quietly, patting the space next to her on the bed. AJ stripped to his boxers and undershirt before he joined her on the bed. Cordelia watched him and snuggled next to him before she began to speak again. "AJ, you do things to take care of me. That's why we flew first class, you knew I'd be more comfortable with more space. I want to do the same kinds of things for you. What else am I going to spend the money on? The baby, when he comes -- "
"Or she," AJ interrupted.
"Or she," Cordelia repeated with a smile. "When I see something that you like, or something I want for the baby, or to give as a gift, I want to feel free to buy it. And when I see an opportunity to spoil you, then I want to do it. You're not an easy man to spoil, do you know that?"
AJ laughed. "How am I difficult to spoil?"
"You have fairly simple tastes and when you want something, you buy it. You don't have expensive hobbies; you have a limited need for clothes because you wear a uniform at least five days a week, and you aren't into conspicuous consumption. The only times you seem to splurge on yourself are when you find good food or good music. And baseball tickets," Cordelia chuckled. "That's who you are, that's the man I love. But on those rare occasions that I find something that I know will please you or I can make your life more comfortable, the way you do with me, I want to be able to do it. I'm not sure why it bothers you so."
"It bothers me because it's your inheritance money. I want to take care of you, to take care of our baby. I feel like I haven't done that when you spend that money," AJ said quietly. "I'll never make the sort of money Braxton made. While I can provide comfortably for us, I can't give you those things he could give."
Cordelia cupped AJ's head in her hands. "It isn't a competition. You have already given me everything I've ever wanted." She kissed him, then took his hand and placed it on her belly. "Money can't buy that." He rubbed his hand against her stomach without speaking. "AJ, do you know that some of the happiest days of my life were in that three-room apartment you had?"
"The one you wouldn't move into with me?" AJ asked.
"Do you know why?" Cordelia whispered.
AJ shook his head and Cordelia continued, "I was afraid that if I moved in with you, you'd never ask me to marry you. I knew that you felt betrayed when Marcella left and I thought you might have been so turned against marriage from the first time around that you'd never try it again. But I loved that apartment. When I first moved back, I stopped by there. I'm not sure why. There's a young couple living there now. They're in college." Cordelia laughed, "Why did you live in such an awful little apartment, AJ?" AJ laughed and started to speak, but Cordelia covered his mouth with her hand. "I know, you didn't need any more than that. It didn't matter anyway; I thought it was heaven. Because you were there. If we lived there now, I'd probably still think it was heaven."
"What about where we live now? Are you sure that's where you want to be?" AJ said quietly.
"AJ, I love the house in McLean. I'd be happy to live there the rest of my life. In fact, if you were stationed somewhere else, I think I'd insist that we keep that house to retire in," Cordelia said. "And if me spending the inheritance money really bothers you, we can make a list of charities and give it away."
"I'm going to retire to that house, Darlin'. But you'll still be working to support me in my old age," AJ winked at her. "Unless we decide that we should both retire and live off your inheritance."
"You're OK with me spending money, then?" Cordelia asked.
"As long as there's still enough for us to retire on," AJ teased. "And I kind of like being spoiled by you. You left out one of the ways you spoil me, you know."
"And what way would that be?" Cordelia kissed him. "That way?" She slipped one hand into his boxers to stroke his cock. "Or this way?"
"I guess you left out a couple of ways," AJ said as he lifted her over him.
Cordelia straddled his lap and yanked his boxers down. "Or more," she whispered before she lowered herself onto his shaft. Only then did she lift his tee shirt.
"Spoil me, Darlin'. Any way you want," AJ sighed as she swivelled her hips around him. Cordelia ran her fingers through the hair on his chest, riding him the whole time. He fluttered his hands over her thighs, ending with his thumbs meeting at her clit, teasing it between them. Cordelia moaned softly. AJ slid his hands over her hips, holding her ass as he used his stomach muscles to pull into a sitting position. He shifted, wriggling to rub against her nub as she circled over him, grinding her hips into his. He felt her flesh quiver and her moan undulated with their rhythm. He held back as he felt her begin to tremble anew, her cry building to a peak. Then he shuddered uncontrollably, spilling inside her with a passionate roar.
They breathed together softly without moving. Then AJ cradled Cordelia in his arms, placing her gently on the bed. Her hair cascaded in ringlets over the pillow. AJ kissed her, then snuggled beside her. Cordelia rolled onto her side, pressed her back against AJ and they fell asleep like spoons.
11 December 2001
On a train between London and Cornwall
Early Afternoon
Cordelia watched the countryside pass by her as she thought of AJ. <<<He looks so handsome in those dress blues.>>> She paused and chuckled. <<<Of course, he also looks pretty good in his dress whites, or his khakis, or civvies, or for that matter, in the buff. Guess he just looks pretty good, regardless.>>> She caught a strange look from the woman across the aisle. <<<Looking at this ear-to-ear grin, she probably thinks I'm on drugs and that the baby will have three heads or something. Of course, the fact that I'm dressed for a dig doesn't help, I'm sure.>>> Cordelia turned to face the woman and smiled broadly at her. The woman began to read.
This dig sounded interesting. It was in Cornwall, at the end of the peninsula, between Penzance and Land's End. The dig was headed by Woodrow MacEwen, one of her former professors. She'd kept in touch with him, and when she mentioned she was planning a short trip to England, Woody had invited her to visit the dig. He'd assured her that she'd find plenty of familiar faces, a number of former students, several from her day, made up his crew. She adored Woody, he'd been a wonderful mentor on her second doctorate, even if she hadn't been quite so fascinated with Arthurian legend as most of Dr. MacEwan's students tended to be.
Now he was looking for Arthur, and had actually found some pin bearing the name "Artos" and some additional documentation of some warrior leader with the same name during the early Common Era. He was certain he'd found Arthur when he came across a ceremonial burial site, dug deep into the earth. The warrior's remains and those of his men were found in small boat shaped rafts of willow staves. The site itself was aligned with the summer solstice, the light from the sunrise on the longest day of the year illuminating the stone that covered the warrior leader's tomb. Was it Arthur? Probably not, but it certainly piqued her interest, and with the baby coming, it would be some time before she set foot on a dig again.
Then there was the fact that AJ would be joining her. He'd never been to a dig with her. Woody had promised to let AJ participate as long as he could follow directions. Cordelia had laughed and told Woody that as long as they sounded like orders, it shouldn't be a problem since her husband was in the military. Woody responded with surprise, amazed that Cordelia had married someone in the service. He mumbled something about some vague memory of gossip about Cordelia coming to Ireland on the rebound. The man in question had been in the military; at least that's what the scuttlebutt had said. Rumor had it that she cringed at the sight of a uniform. When he realized what he was saying, he'd stopped abruptly, but Cordelia only laughed and said, "There's usually some element of truth in scuttlebutt, and in this case it was dead on. But the story didn't end there, Woody. I ended up with my sailor after all, just later rather than sooner."
The time passed quickly on the train, and Cordelia reached her stop. One of the students met her at the station. "Dr. Morgan, I'm John Campbell. Dr. MacEwan sent me. He thought another American would make you feel at home. Let me get your bag." He took the suitcase and led her to a Range Rover. He opened the door, helped her step up, and then tossed the bag in the back before climbing in the driver's side. "I'll take you right to the dig, then I'll drop your bags off at the bed and breakfast. The reservations for you and your husband are in your name."
Cordelia nodded, perfectly content in the passenger seat. The young man seemed so earnest. <<<What on earth has Woody told them?>>> She halfway listened as the boy talked. <<<Young man, Cordelia, young man. You would have killed someone who called you a girl when you were his age.>>> She thought. He rambled on about Arthur and the legends, but Cordelia had spent her time around Woody, she knew them already. Instead, she watched the countryside pass by.
When they reached the site, another student was waiting to take her to Woody. Several days of rain had left the site soggy, and Cordelia was glad she'd worn her boots and jacket. She put on her hat, she wanted to make sure she had it on before she saw Woody or he'd tease her about coming to the site ill-equipped. She had to laugh when her mentor emerged from a rectangular entrance about three feet high and two feet wide.
"Cordelia, good to see you." MacEwan stopped abruptly as he noticed she was pregnant. "Oh, my. This is news. Are you sure you're fit for a dig?"
Cordelia nodded toward the entrance, "I can still fit through that hole. I'm fine."
"When will the bairn arrive?" her mentor asked.
"He's due in June," Cordelia smiled.
MacEwan raised his eyebrows, "So you know it's a boy?"
"No, we don't. I just keep calling it a boy, and AJ keeps reminding me it could be a girl. We have a girl's name picked out. Rebecca Jane, after his mother. We haven't agreed yet on a boy's name. I think a boy should be named after his father, but AJ says he already has a namesake and he'll pass on 'Albert Jethro Jr.' " Cordelia laughed. "He says Chegwidden is enough trouble."
"So your husband's name is Chegwidden." Woody smiled. "A nice Celtic name. Cornish, I'd guess, but I suppose it could be Welsh. Do you know what it means?" Cordelia waited for Woody to tell her. He didn't pause long, "Either 'white horse' or 'water spirit.' It fits well with your name, a fine Celtic name at that. Cordelia, the jewel of the sea. And of course, Morgan means 'sea dweller' or some variation of that theme in various Celtic tongues. And you've married a sailor. Sounds like destiny to me." Woody winked. "Come on," he motioned. "Follow me, let me show you what we've found."
Cordelia followed Woody to the entrance and he passed her a lamp to clip to her hat. She stooped and stepped into the darkness, following a path of boards suspended a few inches over the ground. She glanced at the tunnel walls to her right and left. It reminded her of Newgrange, a mysterious earthwork in Ireland. This structure contained the same spiral markings. She reached the main cavern and paused for a moment to look up at the ceiling. The board under her feet, soaked from days of rain, cracked. Cordelia lost her balance. Her arm shot out to support her weight as she hit the ground. She felt the sharp pain in her forearm before her head hit the cavern wall and she sank to the floor.
1 May 1554
Praia de Dona Ana
Lagos, Portugal
Cordelia watched the storm blowing farther out to sea. <<<Ugly, fearsome weather. This one is lucky to be alive.>>> She looked at the man beside her on the beach. He was strong, she could tell. His muscles were taut and strong, even as he slept. His broad shoulders tapered to a slim waist and legs that were sturdy as the masts of warships.
Although reluctant to leave this man, Cordelia knew she should look for other survivors. <<<He is safe. He is not injured. He will sleep for some time yet.>>> She left him there on the beach in the darkness.
When Cordelia returned hours later, he was still there sleeping. The water had torn most of his clothes from his body, and she gave in to the temptation to run her hands over his sculpted form. He stirred at her touch, and she traced his lips as he struggled to speak. She had saved one of the water skins from the ship, and poured a little into his mouth.
<<<The water tastes good. So good. I must have washed ashore. I don't know how, we were so far out to sea.>>> His eyes fluttered open and he stared in amazement. There was a woman tending him. <<<A naked woman.>>> His mouth opened in shock. She must have thought it meant he wanted water, because she lifted the bag to his lips and poured the cool liquid into his mouth. She was close to him, touching him, and he felt his cock swelling. She noticed his cock, too, and began to stroke it. It shocked him, but not as much as when she began to lie with him. His body shuddered as she lowered herself over him, taking him inside. She seemed to take him in an inch at a time, drawing him ever deeper into her core. <<<I'm dead. I've died in the storm and heaven is filled with beautiful women who want to make love to me.>>> He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her as he thrust inside her. He felt weak and tired and exhilarated at the same time. Her hands pressed against his chest, lifting her torso, revealing her breasts. He reached to touch them, caressing her nipples into taut peaks. She lowered her body once more; her nipples rough against his chest, and kissed him, grinding her hips into his. Their bodies moved rhythmically together as she moaned in pleasure and he roared with his climax.
<<<Heaven. Or a dream and I am dying.>>> He thought as they lay silently on the beach.
The sun came up, casting a rosy glow over the sand and the rocks that shielded the beach from the storms of the Atlantic. The waves lapped peacefully against the shore. It was difficult to believe the same water had broiled with the energy of last night's storm. He looked at the woman beside him. <<<It wasn't a dream. Who is she? I don't even know her name.>>> He eyed her carefully, taking in her long, dark hair and sensuous curves. She seemed perfectly at home, sleeping naked here on the beach.
Her eyes fluttered and she smiled. As if she knew what he was thinking, she said, "I am called Cordelia."
He could barely speak, but he managed to say, "I am Martyn. Martyn Chegwidden."
"I know," Cordelia nodded. "I heard the men on the ship speak your name."
"The men on the ship. The captain. The crew. Where are they?" Martyn asked, looking around the beach.
Sadly, Cordelia eyed him, "You are the only one left. The ship was destroyed in the storm. The men are lost."
<<<Captain Eamons. Camshron and Rory. Young Madawc. All lost. All dead.>>> Great sadness colored Martyn's face.
"You will need this," Cordelia handed Martyn a small, damp bag. He opened it, discovering that it was filled with gold. He looked at her, confused, unable to speak. She nodded gravely, "I understand. It is not enough. I can get more." She moved to stand.
"No," Martyn said, reaching out to stop her. "It is more than enough. But I can never repay you."
"I have not asked for payment," Cordelia spat angrily.
Martyn was more confused than ever. "You would give me this gold with no expectation of repayment?" He looked at her strangely, as if remembering something long ago. "You pulled me from the sea." It was a statement, not a question. Cordelia nodded. Martyn spoke again, more excitedly, "I understand now. You are an angel. It is a miracle."
Cordelia laughed, and it sounded to Martyn like bells ringing the most beautiful music. He was entranced. "An angel." Cordelia shook her head. "Nay, far from an angel. There are even those who say I have no soul."
"Some would call you a demon? But that is clearly not so. Who would say such things?" Martyn waited for her answer.
"Those who are afraid of what they do not know. Of what they cannot understand. I am no more demon than you." Cordelia held his face in her hands and kissed his cheek. "It is morning. I must go." She moved quickly away from him toward the water.
"But where are you going?" Martyn called. Cordelia made no response and Martyn watched her leap into the water. He shook his head in wonder as she disappeared. <<<I could have sworn -- I must have hit my head -- But as she swam away…could I have seen a tail like a great fish?>>> Those were his last thoughts as he sank into a deep sleep.
2 May 1554
Praia de Dona Ana
Lagos, Portugal
Early Morning
The Moor liked to walk by the sea in the morning. It reminded him of his own dual nature. His family had come to Portugal with the conquests, but had remained after Islam was driven out of the country. His father's father had converted to Christianity before he was even born, but still, some people looked at him with distrust. Like the point where the sea meets the sand, he was a Moor, yet a Christian. His father had hoped at one time to become a priest, but his father's father had prevented it. He might have converted, but his son would not live the life of a celibate priest. He would have children, carry on the family line. Lost in his thoughts, the Moor walked the beach as he did every morning.
A storm appeared to be brewing over the sea. Black clouds gathered, hovering low over the water. The Moor stared at them, amazed at the thunder and lightning. He began to laugh at the display, his voice thundering over the water. It surprised him when the clouds began to dissipate.
Out of the corner of his eye, the Moor noticed a movement and peered intently down the beach. Something wriggled on the sand. <<<A man. Either he has had far to much to drink last night or some unnatural current has brought him here to this sheltered beach.>>> He ran to the form and found a man, weak, to be true, but living. The Moor removed his cloak and covered the naked man.
Martyn looked at the man before him. <<<A Moor! Am I in Araby? Or Africa?>>> Martin's thoughts raced. "Where am I?" he asked, repeating his question in several languages. He had been sailing for some time, and knew rudimentary words in a number of strange tongues.
The Moor answered in heavily accented English. "This is Lagos, the capital of the Algarve, in Portugal. You will be safe. My father owns an inn near here. Can you walk?"
Martyn stood. He felt the purse in his hand, round with gold. He had hidden it behind the water skin. <<<So it wasn't a dream.>>> He looked out toward the water.
"What is it?" the Moor asked.
"A woman. She saved me. She has gone into the sea," Martyn mumbled.
<<<Poor fellow, he's lost his mind.>>> The Moor offered support, but the man insisted he could walk. "Are you hungry? My mother will have breakfast ready. I am sure there is enough for one more." He paused for a moment, then asked, "What are you called?"
The man looked the Moor squarely in the eye. "My name is Martyn Chegwidden," he said. "What shall I call you?"
"My family name is Volteiro," the man said. "It is like your word, turning. My father laughs and says his ancestors must have been mystical dervishes many years ago. He is Christian now. They are spinning in their graves, I'm sure."
"Your name may be Volteiro, but your roaring laughter turns away the storm. That's the kind of turning a sailor likes. Perhaps the storm thought it was thunder. I shall call you Tronada, the thunderstorm," Martyn smiled.
Volteiro seemed to take the information and roll it around inside his mind, then said, "Tronada. I will answer to that."
The two men walked along the beach quietly toward the town. Martyn glanced over the water periodically. <<<I wonder if I will ever see her again?>>>
2 May 1554
The Volteiro family inn
Lagos, Portugal
Later That Morning
Tronada and his family had clothed and fed Martyn, who surprised them mightily when he placed a gold coin in front of them after breakfast. "How long will this cover my room and board?" Martyn asked.
The innkeeper picked up the gold and stared at it. "It is not necessary. We are good Christians. The Bible tells us not to forget to entertain strangers, because we might be welcoming angels without knowing it," he said. "You are welcome here. Without your gold." He handed the coin back to Martyn.
Laughing, Martyn said, "My sister is a nun, but I wouldn't call her an angel. As for me, I am about as far from an angel as a Christian man can be. But I do appreciate your hospitality. And now I ask your help."
"What is it you need?" Tronada's father, the elder Volteiro, asked.
"I am seeking a ship," Martyn stated.
Volteiro nodded, "Of course. Bound for what destination?"
"You misunderstand. I wish to buy a ship. I know that Portugal has fine shipyards. But I need help, someone who speaks the language, someone I can trust. Will you help me?" Martyn implored, his gaze shifting to the younger man.
Tronada nodded, then added, "But I know nothing about ships."
"I know the ships. I will tell you what to ask; you will tell me what they answer at the shipyards," Martyn smiled.
9 May 1554
Praia de Dona Ana
Lagos, Portugal
Late Morning
Every day, Martyn visited the beach. <<<Perhaps it was a dream. The waves just brought me to the shore, carrying me along the current.>>> Martyn sighed. <<<But that doesn't explain the gold. She was real.>>> He reached an outcropping of rock and climbed upon it. Sitting quietly, looking over the sea, he relaxed. The heat weighed heavy upon him. He closed his eyes against the glare.
"It's cooler in the water," a familiar voice laughed.
Martyn's eyes shot open. "You are real," he whispered.
Cordelia laughed again. "First you think I'm an angel. Now you think I'm a vision. You know what I am."
Moving to the edge of the rock, Martyn looked down into the water. Cordelia swam, her hair fanning out around her. The water shimmered in the sun, barely covering her generous breasts.
"You aren't afraid of me, are you?" Cordelia asked. "I know some of your kind are afraid of my people. But here, in these climes, and even farther north, in the country you call Eire, my people have no animosity toward men. In the cold countries, where the nights last for months, that is where my people and yours are enemies. You sound a little like the men of Eire, yet different as well. I did not think you would be afraid."
"I am not afraid of you. I am just surprised. Stunned, really," Martyn paused. "I did not believe the tales of your kind."
"And now what do you believe?" Cordelia asked, approaching the rock and lifting herself up.
Martyn marvelled as her body emerged from the water. Her breasts were taut and firm. The water glistened in droplets, her body shimmering as sun reflected off the liquid prisms. Martyn took a deep breath. "I believe that you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," he said. Cordelia lifted herself onto the rock. Martin eyed her buttocks, staring in awe as he realized that her pale flesh merged with iridescent scales and where her legs should be, a great tail like that of a fish curled against the rock. "I believe that you have saved my life," Martyn said. Cordelia blew softly, and the scales began to change in color, from a deep green to a pale flesh color. The scales seemed suddenly to fall away. Martyn watched, amazed, as Cordelia wiggled her toes. She giggled at his surprised expression.
"Didn't know we could do that, did you?" Cordelia winked.
"I had no idea," Martyn grinned. "I knew you had legs when you brought me to shore. But then I thought I saw your tail in the water. I wasn't sure what to think. I thought perhaps I had gone mad."
"There are those of my kind who drive men mad, but that was never my intent with you." As Cordelia spoke, she reached out to touch Martyn's chest. "I sensed your heart. It is strong, powerful. A good heart. I'm glad I reached you in time."
"You carried me all the way to this beach?" Martyn was surprised.
"My people are strong, and in the water, we can carry great weights. You made no burden for me," Cordelia said.
"But it was a long way. The ship was far from port," Martyn continued. He tried to avoid any sort of indebtedness, but he knew he owed his life to this woman. <<<No, this creature.>>> He took her in his arms and kissed her. He was surprised at her passion as she wrapped him in her arms and returned his kiss. She tugged his shirt and he pulled away long enough to lift it over his head. He gasped as her hand brushed against his shaft. She backed away long enough to pull off his boots, then watched as he pushed his britches past his hips and over his legs. Then they came together once more. Cordelia rolled beneath him and placed his cock at her entrance. Martyn moved through her wetness, circling around her clit before returning to plunge deep into her core. She moaned and met his thrust with a grinding motion of her hips. He made sure that each thrust brought his flesh across her clit, working her into a frenzy. She trembled, her whole body responding as she cried out in ecstasy. He drove into her again, his shudder sending still more tremors through her body as he filled her, emptying into her. His shout of pleasure sounded, then faded, echoing against the rocks.
Breathless, they lay beside each other without speaking. Martyn ran his fingers over her breasts, tweaking her nipples. He watched her respond to his touch. A soft rain began to fall, the droplets mixing with the sweat that covered their bodies.
Cordelia sighed quietly. "I must leave now, Martyn. But will you talk with me again? I will return to this rock tomorrow, around the same time."
"I have been here every day since that first day. I will be here tomorrow," Martyn agreed as Cordelia slipped into the water and swam away at an amazing speed.
10 May 1554
Praia de Dona Ana
Lagos, Portugal
Late Morning
The next day Cordelia was waiting for Martyn. She watched him walk across the beach toward the rock where she sat resting in the sun. Martyn joined her on the rock and began to ask questions.
"I have heard of your kind, but I never believed the tales," Martyn looked at her sheepishly.
"There are those who seem to fear us and those who doubt us, but very few who truly know us. To many, we are demons, but that is not so," Cordelia said.
"Where do you come from?" Martyn asked.
"In the beginning? Does not your holy book tell of the creation? My people are creatures of the sea and according to your book, we were created on the fifth day. We are an ancient people, an older race than man, who was created on the sixth day. We are part of the same creation, though many of your kind do not wish to believe it," Cordelia spoke quietly. "We are all over the world. In the colder climes, my people wear the skins of seals because the waters are so cold. In the far north, the mermaids are not kind, and people fear them. The place you call Eire is kinder to my people. There are many of my sisters and brothers there who have married men and women of the earth. They live together both above and below the water." She watched him carefully as she made her last statement. As she had hoped, he was listening carefully.
"You could come with me, Martyn. My people would welcome you. They can sense your heart as I could. You could live with me under the ocean," Cordelia waited for his response.
"Would I be able to come and go between the land and the water?" Martyn asked.
Cordelia shook her head, "Nay. When men of the earth come below, they may not walk on land again."
A look of sadness crossed Martyn's face. He thought of his young niece and nephew. He loved them like they were his own children. "I can not leave my family," was all he said.
"Then you have a wife already?" Cordelia asked, shocked. "I thought people of the earth wore rings when they were bound to each other."
Martyn laughed. "I am bound to no woman by marriage or promise. But I have a niece and a nephew, my brother's children, whom I love dearly. I could not leave them." Martyn paused and asked, "And you? Are you bound to anyone?"
Cordelia lowered her eyes, hesitating. Finally, she spoke, "By the ways of my people, I will be bound to you if we lie together once more."
"What does your bond mean?" Martyn asked.
"It is much like your bond, but my people wear no outward symbol. But we have senses your people do not have, and I will be linked to you through those senses. I will know where you are, I will feel it when you are in pain or when you have joy. I will know your thoughts, just as I already know your heart. You may, perhaps, know my thoughts, especially if I am near. If I were to die or be killed, you would sense it and perhaps feel it if you were near enough. It is eternal, a serious bond, not one to enter into lightly. And because we are of two worlds, it will not be easy." Once again, Cordelia watched him carefully.
Martyn stared at her. Cordelia lowered her head. <<<He is repulsed. What did I expect?>>>
Finally, Martyn spoke. "A creature...a woman as beautiful as you. You would chose me for an eternal bond?" he stammered.
"I know your heart, Martyn. You are a good man. I have met none finer." Cordelia smiled shyly, then said, "You are a gifted lover and I find you beautiful. I could not hope for a better man with whom to bond."
"How do we go about this bonding?" Martyn asked.
Cordelia laughed, and again, Martyn was reminded of the sound of bells. "We make love."
"And how do we maintain this bond after that?" Martyn waited patiently for her answer.
"Once a couple is bound, they are bound for eternity. You will know when I am near. I will know where ever you are. I will find you if you need me. I will sense your desire, I will know when you are hurt or ill. And I will come to your side. There are those of my kind who stay in a small area of the ocean, but I have travelled through the sea you call the Mediterranean and north in the ocean you call the Atlantic. You will never be alone, but you will seem always alone to your people. There will be few of your friends and family who will know of me, and fewer still, who know me. It is not an easy life," Cordelia whispered, expecting him to decline.
Martyn spoke quietly, "What will your people say?"
"What do you mean?" Cordelia asked.
"You told me what life will be like for me. What will it be like for you?" Martyn repeated. "How will your family respond? Will they be angry with you?"
Cordelia tilted her head as she looked at him. It certainly wasn't the response she expected. "They will be glad I have chosen to bond, I suppose. But for the most part, my life will not change. Except you will be a part of it."
"What will they think of me? Will it bother them that I am a person of the earth?" Martyn pressed her for an answer.
"Oh, no," Cordelia laughed. "There is no prohibition against bonding with people of the earth. They will only care that you have a good heart. They will be able to sense that as well as I could."
"Are you sure this is what you want?" Martyn wanted to pinch himself. <<<This is all a dream, I am still on the ship, asleep.>>>
Cordelia faced him, and looking into his eyes, said, "You are what I want. Of that I am most certain."
Martyn began to unbutton his shirt. Then he removed his boots. Finally, he placed his hands on Cordelia's shoulders. One hand circled behind her head, tilting her face up toward him. His other hand traced the curve of her jaw. He ran his finger over her lips, then traced the same path with his tongue. She met his kiss greedily, peeling away his pants and wrapping her legs around him. He could feel her wet for him as he plunged inside her. She threw back her head and called out, her voice blending with the roar of the waves. Then he could hear her, as if she were inside his mind, those same cries. He felt every nerve ending on fire and then cooled and soothed, only to burn again as he thrust inside her. He felt her shiver against him, her whole body quaking with passion. The he began to shudder as he erupted inside her, filling her with his warmth. He heard his climactic cry over the waves, then felt it echoing inside his head along with her moans of pleasure. They held each other, their bodies melded together, as the shocks of orgasm subsided. Then they lay together, resting as they listened to the waves rolling upon the shore.
"That is it, we are bonded. Married, as my people would say?" Martyn asked. <<<Although not many of my people would recognize this as a marriage.>>>
Cordelia smiled lazily, "We are bonded. Call it marriage if you wish. But why would your people not recognize it?" Martyn looked at her with surprise. Cordelia laughed, "I told you that I would know your thoughts. It is very intimate, our bond."
"My people would not recognize our bond because no priest has blessed it," Martyn said. "But I recognize it."
"There is one more thing. I know your people wear rings, but they would think it strange if you did so, since they will not know me. But I have brought something for you to wear, a token, although it is not a ring." Cordelia lifted a flat gold chain from around her neck and placed it over his head. On the end of a chain, in mother-of-pearl, was an intricately carved mermaid. Her hands cupped his face and she kissed him once more, then whispered, "I must leave now. But I will return tomorrow, my love."
3 June 1554
Praia de Dona Ana
Lagos, Portugal
Late Morning
Martyn met Cordelia at the rock the next day and for many days afterward. He had purchased a ship, a fine galleon, with gold to spare, and he told her about his plans. His ship would be ready to sail, come tomorrow. Tronada would sail with him as his first mate. "Come with me, Cordelia," Martyn begged. "You can live among men. We can buy a cottage near the sea."
Sadly, Cordelia looked out over the water. "This is all I have ever known, Martyn. The winds and the storms are the lullabies my mother taught me and the roar of the ocean is my father's laughter. I cannot leave it for such a strange world. I would have to wear clothes always, and I find them so…tiresome." She paused at Martyn's laugh. "You find them rather tiresome yourself, sometimes," she teased him. She reached for his collar, deftly unbuttoning his shirt and peeling it off his body. Then she slid her hands under his waistband, and soon his breeches lay beside his shirt on the sand.
Cordelia's hands stroked Martyn's flesh, and her hand curled around his shaft as it grew erect and hard. Martyn sighed, lifting her over him, his hands passing over her flesh, cupping her ass as their bodies crashed together. She had loved him many times in these past days, sometimes wrapping her legs around him, other times winding her great tail around his body and holding him tightly. He didn't care which form she chose. <<<I love her. I don't care if I am a madman. I don't care if I am damned. I love her.>>>
"I know you love me Martyn. And you are not mad or damned. This I know," Cordelia whispered. "I have a present for you, something for your ship. I will bring it tomorrow. You will need help to take it away. A cart, perhaps, drawn by a horse. It will be large and heavy, so don't forget."
28 June 1564
On the Trident
Off the coast of Cornwall
Midnight
Martyn stood on the deck of the Trident. <<<The next day she brought me that figurehead.>>> He thought of the years since then, their life together...and apart. <<<I've never regretted a moment of it. I am luckier than most men I know.>>>
Cordelia had spoken truly when she described her travels, and she knew the coast of Europe well. She told him how to reach isolated beaches and cavernous grottoes where they could be alone. Occasionally, he brought her clothes and she ventured ashore with him. She was safe as long as she stayed within the sound of the sea. The more he learned about her, the more she amazed him. He stared at the ocean, sensing her nearby, then lost himself in memories.
Cordelia came ashore with him at Port-Louis in Brittany, where they saw a woman begging. The woman, barely able to lift her head, coughed blood into a rag. She was pale and clearly dying. Cordelia knelt beside the woman, cradling the frail creature in her arms. Then Cordelia placed her hand over the woman's chest and whispered something to her. Martyn stared, frightened that Cordelia would contract the disease. He was surprised as the color returned to the woman's pale cheeks and even more shocked when the woman stood with Cordelia's help.
"The Sisters of Wisdom have a hospital nearby, on the waterfront. Go there. Ask for Sister Marie Rive. She will help you," Cordelia whispered. The woman nodded gratefully and hurried away, looking over her shoulder at Cordelia.
Martyn said nothing, but looked about the streets, glad that they were empty.
Laughing as she returned to Martyn's side, Cordelia asked, "Do you really think people would suspect me of witchcraft? That woman needed help. I have the hand of healing, I could help her. Would these people punish me for that?"
"They might, " Martyn said quietly. Then he gave her a puzzled look and said, "How do you know of the Sisters of Wisdom?"
"Sister Marie Rive is one of my people who has taken to your world. She, too, has the hand of healing as her gift. She joined a convent where they care for the sick and dying." Cordelia smiled, "Although I suspect fewer have died since she has been there. If your men fall ill at sea, that is a good place to take them. If you fall ill, I will come where ever you are." She took his hand as she finished speaking.
"The hand of healing. What does that mean?" Martyn asked.
"It is my gift. All of my people have a gift, a power of the hand. Some can raise the dead. My grandmother can do that. It is a formidable gift," Cordelia's voice faded into the night.
"I could take the dead to her and she could bring them back to life?" Martyn's voice was filled with awe.
"Not any dead, but the newly dead, she can. They must be brought to her within the hour of their death." Cordelia paused, then spoke again, softly, "Martyn, promise me that you will come to me in death. Do not let them bury you in the earth. When you can no longer be with your family, come be with me. My grandmother could make it so."
Martyn promised her. Then he made his first mate, Tronada, promise to pass his body into the sea within the hour of his death. Tronada had given him a harsh look, but finally promised. He alone, of all Martyn's crew, knew of Cordelia. Martyn wasn't sure if Tronada approved of the relationship or not, but Cordelia trusted him. "He has a good heart," she said. "Almost as good as yours." Years later, when Tronada was ill near Portugal, Cordelia healed the Moor. Tronada called her Martyn's guardian spirit, but he was still a little afraid of her.>>>
Martyn's reverie was interrupted as Cordelia's voice stirred inside his head. She knew this made him uncomfortable, so she rarely communicated to him in this way. She sounded angry and frightened, "Martyn, your niece, Francesca, has been taken by evil men. She is on a ship called the Gorgon. I can follow it and send storms to slow its journey, but you must rescue her." Standing at the bow of the ship, he saw her in the water, almost as if she were a reflection of his figurehead. "Calm seas and safe harbor, my love," she called as she disappeared into the depths.