Col and Andri: The Summer Queen

The Choice

The early morning had dawned clear and fresh, and there was something in the air. Andri and Col, arriving at the gathering place for the woodland celebration of Summer’s First Night, could sense it. Two unlit bonfires stood in the centre of the large opening in the forest, surrounded by pavilions and tents.

 Andri breathed deeply. He had decided to put aside his concerns and enjoy the morning. “Let’s walk in the woods a little. There should be no problem. In the late afternoon, when the Dance starts, I have to be circumspect. “

“Still, let’s take note of our surroundings. I feel a sense of . . . expectancy, I guess. As if something momentous will happen. I’m not used to these premonitions,” said Col, looking around as the trees enfolded them.

This part of the forest had deciduous trees: ash, oaks and birches, creating a more open canopy and allowing more light to penetrate. Consequently, a haze of wild blue hyacinths carpeted the ground, mixed with green grass and ferns. Sunlight sparkled in golden beams.

The two young men paused beside a rowan tree. Col took his belt knife and cut some green branch tips. Next, he collected a handful of honeysuckle vine. He took a handful of herbs from his belt pouch and placed them at the tree’s base, uttering a blessing in his own language. Andri looked on with interest.

“We must be careful to thank the spirits today,” Col said. “In my home region, it’s said that the spirits of the trees are awake and aware. Most are benign. Some, like the rowan, offer powerful protection against more mischievous or troublesome spirits.”

“Like the Green Man that haunts the edgewoods,” said Andri. “Cadwyr told me about them. They are trickster spirits, but some of their ‘tricks’ are dangerous. If we had not seen and heard the Forest God, I wouldn’t quite believe him, but today I’m open to anything. What are you making?”

They sat under the rowan tree, and Col swiftly twisted the vines and leaves into a wreath. He added some wild hyacinths for good measure. Then he placed it upon Andri’s head and kissed him.

“Now you fit in. I hope the wiser woodland spirits and the rowan will guard you.” He smiled and looked into Andri’s eyes. He kissed his lover once more on impulse, and Andri suddenly responded. Running his hand over Col’s loins, he felt his erection.

“Is it safe to make love in the woods today?”

“As long as we invoke no presence, I think I can risk sucking you. Give me your cock, ves’tacha. We will make a brief offering to the wood.”

Andri’s heart was won over by the look in Col’s eyes, and he obliged, opening his breeches to expose himself. Col bent down and took Andri’s cock in his mouth. Without preamble, he began sucking. Andri leaned his back against the tree and sighed in contentment.

Col worked on his cock until Andri simply let go and ejaculated into his lover’s mouth, and Col swallowed. After they had rested a little, Andri returned the favour.

When both were satiated, they resumed their walk, holding each other’s hands. A stag with budding antlers burst from the thicket in front of them. They admired its coat, glowing red in the early sunlight.

“A good omen, I hope,” remarked Col.

*    *    *

Back in the gathering place, they found more people had arrived. A group managed the tables laden with food. Jugs of ale and cider were placed to cool in a stream that ran at the woodland’s edge. Children ran between the adults, clutching flowers and playing their games. And already, the young women and maidens gathered together in their finery. Young men, too, engaged with the women. Andri saw several musicians and the two Ruithin bards, Draig and Emrys. Draig wore his black bardic Master’s robes, but Emrys was dressed in rich greens with a deep blue cloak. His expression was cheerful.

“Choose well today, Andri,” advised the bard. “Listen with all your senses to what the spirits tell you. If we are lucky, the Lord of the Wood himself will make known to you the one who is to be our Summer Queen.”

“I fully intend to listen well, Emrys. Cadwyr has instructed me. I feel relaxed now, but I expect I’ll be a little anxious when the time comes.”

“You’ll handle it; I’ve no doubt. Remember, I’ve seen you perform frequently, and you can summon great poise. I know you are not used to this, so it will be an adventure.”

“I’m sure it will,” replied Andri politely.

“Besides, you have Col to look out for you. And Cadwyr and myself. But now, I am off to join the Queen and her party to make the bower that she and the King will use tonight. I’ll sing to her as she gathers blossoms. And I will keep an eye on the maids to see that they behave until the Dance begins. Something about this day just makes people want to sexually frolic together.” He looked at Col and Andri with a knowing glance, and Andri was sure Emrys could read his mind.

They watched him go, greeting people as he went.

There was a pavilion not far from the two fires where Andri found Cadwyr with some of the other Ruithin, including Kireg and Neifion, the ArMor-ys priests. They greeted Andri, who seated himself beside them. Col made his excuses and left to find some of his new acquaintances among the warriors who attended the King and Queen. “I won’t be too far away, Andri,” he said. “If you need me, get Cadwyr to call me mind-to-mind.”

*    *    *

Andri spent the afternoon with his Ruithin companions. Col dropped in on him occasionally and shared cider with him. “I saw the twins,” he said at one visit.

“Could you tell them apart?”

“Gwenllaeth is actually wearing a gown today, and of course, flowers in her hair. She looked lovely, and I almost went over to talk to her, despite her obsession with you. Then I thought I’d better not stir the pot, so to speak. I saw Teagan, dressed as usual, and he waved at me but did not approach.”

“The Dance is starting shortly. The musicians are gathering, and the fires are lit,” observed Andri.

“Then I’ll stay with you. I met Catlin Cryf again. She invited me out for more practice.”

“No, please don’t tell me you agreed!” said Andri, alarmed.

“Oh, she promised not to hurt me—much. I like her. She’s a character and a damn good swordfighter. I could learn a lot from her.”

Then the music started, and people gathered: the maidens in a crowd of their own. They joined hands and raised a collective cry. The Dance began. The maids led the others, winding their way around the cleared space between the two fires. Their skirts swirled, and their hair flew free and unbound. Andri saw Gwenllaeth among them, looking fair and wild, like a woodland spirit herself.

The mature women followed the girls, and Queen Aerfen led them, her dark red hair glowing like embers. King Cyndyllan sat at the Lord’s pavilion with his men. The warriors would dance shortly.

Cadwyr escorted Andri to a bench placed on one side of the fires, where he had a clear view. It took a long time for the dancers to complete one circuit, as part of their track ducked into the woods.

Now the young men joined the Dance, in their bright clothes, with feathers, beads and flowers attached to braids in their hair. The warriors were next, and anyone else who felt inspired to dance after them. The maidens finished their first circuit and started on the second. Andri’s sense of alertness increased, and he wondered in what way the Lord of the Forest would make his choice known. But as the second circuit was underway, Andri suddenly became aware of some dancers who did not look quite natural. What he thought were people in leaf masks revealed themselves to be creatures formed of vines, twigs and leaves. Maids that were too thin, with strange features, oak-coloured skin and pointed ears danced with them. Among the warriors, Andri noticed those who sported stag horns, and he was less sure they were human. Did he imagine things? But there was a strange chill in the previously warm air that others didn’t seem to notice.

Beside him, Cadwyr said, “It is starting. Do you see them?”

“The strange ones? Yes. Are they real?”

“You are a bard-in-training, and you ask that question?”

“I’m a fool, Cadwyr. Brynnan would tell me that they are the most real. They must be the Elementals,” admitted Andri.

“Yes. Now watch for the Lord of the Wood. He will come. He always does.”

The Elemental beings danced among the maidens, taking them by their hands. The Dancers approached the fires for the third time. Then Andri saw the God.

He looked as he had in the glade when Andri had encountered him with Tegan and Col. A very tall man with deeply tanned skin and a garland of leaves, dressed in deer skins. His whole aspect was otherworldly, and power enfolded him like a cloak.

As the leading maidens began to pass the fire, Andri stood up, staring. The Lord of the Wood had a girl in his grasp, and he spun her in the Dance. Andri could see it was Gwenllaeth, and he stared in shock. She had never looked so lovely. She seemed to glow with happiness in the grip of the Forest God. Cadwyr put his hand on Andri’s arm, and the young singer was compelled to action. He raised both arms. Simultaneously, a horn sounded, bringing the Dance to a halt.

Andri did not know where his power came from, but he pitched his voice to be heard and felt as he did when he was Shadow-singing, gripped in the song’s emotions.

“The God has chosen!” he cried out. He waded into the crowd of young women and reached out for Gwenllaeth. The God turned to him and captured him in his yellow-eyed gaze. The pupils of his eyes were black slits like a cat’s. He placed Gwenllaeth’s hand in Andri’s. That was when he received an even bigger shock. The hand he felt was not Gwenllaeth’s. It was Tegan’s!

The God shimmered and faded from view. Tegan seemed to come from a trance, and his eyes widened in horror as he gazed, stricken, at Andri.

“He can’t have Chosen me!” he cried. “I never meant this.”

Tegan whirled and ran straight towards the wood.

“Damn, I’ll bring him back!” Andri called to Cadwyr.

“Hurry! Before he goes in the forest,” urged Cadwyr.

Andri sprang into action and ran after the fleeing boy. He was dimly aware of Col shouting at him to stop, to not go there, but the thought of the frightened Tegan spurred him on. He was catching up to the retreating figure, then they were among the trees.

“Tegan! Please stop! It’s alright . . .” he shouted, but the lad ran on, and helpless, Andri followed. The trees thickened. There seemed to be a shift in the air: the temperature dropped suddenly. The sky had turned to evening all at once, and Andri did not recognize where he was. The forest looked strange to him, and he could see no paths. ‘Have I been in a daze all this time? Where is Tegan? Where’s Col?’ He called their names, but there was no answer.

There was faint laughter in the trees from no human source, Andri was sure. The spirits were playing tricks on him. Looking ahead, he thought he saw a pale form and headed there.

Tegan knelt in the clearing, naked. He had cast off the gown and the shawl that had covered his breast: they lay beside him. Flowers still adorned his long, dark gold hair. Three strange man-like creatures seemingly formed of twigs and leaves attended him. One combed his hair with its stick fingers. More Elemental spirits showed themselves among the leaves and branches of the trees.

Andri approached slowly. “Tegan?” he called softly. “Chosen One?”

The young man turned his head and looked at the Andri. Tegan’s beauty seemed unearthly, and his eyes glowed. The Power of the Wood was upon him.

“I never meant for this to happen; to be Chosen. I just wanted to be in the Dance. But the Lord of the Wood has chosen me,” Tegan said.

“Yes, he has,” replied Andri. “You are the Summer Queen. But why wasn’t Gwenllaeth in the Dance? I thought that was her desire.”

“She spoke with my father, who assured her there was no need to dance for her to choose a man. That any resulting child would be welcome. She wanted to give me the chance to be in the Dance, so I took her clothes while she acted my part.”

“You both fooled us.”

“I’m sorry if my deception hurt anyone. But now I just want to help Gwenllaeth. She wants you, Andri. I will help her find you. I can sense where she is, now.”

Andri felt chilled. He understood that Tegan was in the grip of Powers, and on this night, procreation was their primary aim. He was still about to protest, but a noise in the trees alerted them.

“Someone comes,” he said.

“Stay, Andri. I haven’t finished talking with you, and I want to summon my sister here to be your lover. “

Andri suddenly found that he couldn’t leave, even though he wanted to. He stepped back behind a great oak tree. If he was careful, he could watch what transpired without being discovered.

A man entered the glade. An older, very familiar man. He stopped abruptly and stared at Tegan.

‘Father,” said the young man.

“Tegan! What have you done?”

“I have been Chosen by the Forest God himself.”

“This—this is not possible! You cannot do this.”

“Look at me, Father. Do you not see my attendants?”

“I see them, alright.” Chieftain Aeran shivered. “Now come back with me, and we will get this sorted out.”

“It’s too late for that. I must stay in the forest and choose a partner. I have already provided for Gwenllaeth: don’t worry about her. Now it’s just you and me.”

“Then let us find someone and go.”

“Father: I choose you!”

Aeran’s expression showed disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”

“You can’t refuse the Summer Queen, Father. Would you risk the spirits’ displeasure? The summer’s bounty and the health of the land depend upon it.”

“Do you really understand what you are saying?”

“Do you? Father, I love you, and I want you to know it finally. Take my body, as you have longed to. You cannot now keep these things hidden from me. Shall I invoke the Lord of the Wood?”

“No, Tegan. Very well. I shall do as you ask. May we not both regret it!”

Aeran approached the kneeling boy. “Do you even understand what we will do?” he asked.

“Yes. I am a virgin, Father. My ass has never been taken, but I know what is involved. I have some dear friends who enlightened me. Before the Dance, I bathed and readied myself for the one who might take me.”

Before Aeron could reach up to remove his cloak, the three green, twiggy elementals did it for him. They continued to undress him. Aeran looked nervous and kept very still. Again, there was the sound of soft laughter in the wood.

When Aeran finally stood naked before his son, Tegan reached up from where he stayed kneeling and touched the Chieftain’s genitals, and Aeran shivered. He was not hard, but his well-proportioned cock in its nest of black hair began to stir. Tegan stroked it with his hand, then grasped the shaft lightly, continuing his stroking motion as the cock stiffened. He looked up into his father’s eyes.

“Is that so bad, my Lord Father?” he asked.

“No, my—son. It is not.”

Tegan took his father’s cock in his mouth. He sucked on it, using the newfound skills taught to him by Andri and Col. His tongue lapped the shaft and swirled around the broad head. Then he paused to lick and suck on his father’s testicles. The Chieftain groaned and pushed his hips forward.

Behind the oak tree, Andri watched in amazement. Tegan’s love showed in the intensity of his actions, and Aeran seemed not only to respond but accept. Andri felt relieved about it. If Aeran had refused to engage, the consequences would have been dire, according to Cadwyr.

“Lie down, my son, let me take you with my cock,” Aeran muttered thickly. His passion was evident now.

Tegan complied, stretching back on the bare grass among the wild hyacinths.

“Do you understand what I must do?”

“Yes, Father. You will put your cock inside my ass.”

Tegan raised his hips and opened his legs. Aeran’s cock dripped with pre-cum, and he used the slippery substance to lubricate the opening, playing his cock against it. Tegan’s cock also oozed pre-cum, and Aeran rubbed his fingers in it, massaging his son’s proud-standing member. He used his fingers on the boy’s opening.

“Does this hurt you?” he asked.

“No, Father. I am breathing and relaxing now. I think you can enter.”

“I’ll go slow. I don’t want to cause you pain.”

“You won’t. I desire you too much. As your son, I have wanted to show you my love for a long time now.”

“And I have wanted you. I have just been afraid of myself, of my own emotions. Now I am putting it in.”

Aeran’s cock thrust gently against the rectal opening and made its way inside. Tegan cried out, but it was desire, not pain. Once inside, Aeron kept still for moments until the boy urged him on.

“Push your cock in deeper, Father.”

The Chieftain obliged, slowly moving until his cock was seated fully inside his son’s ass.

“Put your leg over my shoulder,” he instructed. When Tegan did so, Aeran began to stroke his cock back and forth in the ass.

Tegan moaned, “Fuck me harder, father,” and pushed back against him.

Watching, Andri felt himself becoming aroused and freed his cock from his breeches. He began to masturbate in time to Aeran’s thrusts.

Aeron now pumped freely into his son’s ass. He gripped Tegan’s ankle with one hand, holding him open. His thrusts increased in intensity until he groaned, “I’m fucking you, my son; I’m taking your young ass!”

“Cum in me, Father,” Tegan urged.

With a roar, Aeran let go and ejaculated forcefully. He gave a few more deep thrusts as his cum flooded Tegan’s rectal passage.

“I’m cumming, too, my Father!”

“Show me!”

As Tegan’s cum pumped over his stomach, his father took his son’s cock in hand, rubbing the cum in.

“I love you, my son,” murmured Aeran.

Teagan’s face lit up like the forest in sunlight. Voices echoed in the trees: ‘I love you . . . I love you . . .” the Elementals whispered.

“My Father, I have longed to hear you say those words.”

“Too seldom have I shown my love to you, Tegan. But I promise that from now on, I won’t be amiss in telling—and showing you! You are under the influence of the Forest Spirits now, but never be afraid to approach me.”

“May the Forest God bless you for it!”

As he spoke the words, the God himself materialized near them. ‘Your words are heard, O Summer Queen. Your sacrifice is accepted. Love is the law and the bond this night.”

Aeran bowed his head.

*    *    *

After spending more time with Tegan, Aeran eventually left at his son’s urging. “I still have business in the Woods,” said Tegan. “Tell the priest, Cadwyr, that I am well.”

When the Chieftain had gone, Tegan called to Andri. “You may come out now.”

Andri approached him, but not too close, as the Elementals still attended him, and he did not trust them entirely.

“I have summoned Gwenllaeth. She is on her way. You can make love to her.”

“Tegan . . .” How to tell him that he didn’t want to? Tegan’s eyes still glowed with an unearthly power. Andri felt trapped. He knew Tegan would not have insisted in normal circumstances, but he began to fear the young man was possessed.

They heard laughter, and this time it was human. Gwenllaeth herself entered the clearing, attended by a group of young women and youths. When she saw Andri, her features lit up with hope. She prepared herself to say the fateful words, which Andri would not be able to refuse.

“I choose you!”

But the voice was not Gwenllaeth’s but Col. He approached her and said, “I choose you to be my lover this night, Gwenllaeth.”

*    *    *

To be continued . . .