002 - voice;

[gwenhwyfar]

Under different circumstances, if I was in Eire, I am certain by the air and the temperature, there would be preparations for Beltane or what my people called it -- Calan Mai. The first day of summer. It's unfortunate, really, I remember in my youth it was one of my favorite festivals. And it is one of the few times in the year we would travel to Ynys Môn, the holy island for it.

But I suppose I can stand another Beltane without Nimue-- my Nimue. Perhaps one day I will be able to return to Ynys Môn for it and my people will now be able to practice our festival peacefully. Much more peacefully than the years before. You see, the druids, bards, and ovates cannot celebrate it so openly as centuries before. Give or take in a few decades, we will be able to come out of hiding and be free to own devices as we are here.

It is a bit ironic, isn't it? To be able to celebrate my faith more open while I am restricted as much as a human.

Comments

[childofthewickedday]

Sometime in this season is my day of birth.

voice;

[gwenhwyfar]

Is it now? That is something to celebrate indeed.

Re: voice;

[childofthewickedday]

...Celebrate?

Re: voice;

[gwenhwyfar]

Yes, your birthday is something worth celebrating. Such a wonderful boy deserves as much.

Re: voice;

[childofthewickedday]

[He looks down bashfully]

It has not been celebrated before...not for being my day of birth.

Re: voice;

[gwenhwyfar]

Why not? You deserve it.

[grownstrong]

We had a grand Summer Festival back in Highgarden as well. It is always my favorite time of year, I shall miss it greatly.

[It was the one thing she hated about becoming Queen. To not be in Highgarden. She had hoped to have a Summer Festival just as grand in King's Landing but she never got the chance.]

Why is that you were not allowed to have your festival in peace?

[gwenhwyfar]

My people are not permitted to celebrate the old ways because the Christians deem them to be "barbaric" and "unholy". They believe in one god and therefore others must believe in their god as well.

[grownstrong]

That sounds terrible. In my world, people worship many different gods. Your Christians sound like those who worship the Red God. I've heard tale of people being burnt at the stake at the hands of them. I don't see why people can not worship how they wish without others prying.

[gwenhwyfar]

Burned at the stake? That does not sound too different in comparison to them. They cannot allow others to worship in peace, simply because it means power. They feared my people centuries ago because our druids had more power than kings and queens.

[grownstrong]

The power in my world was steeped in politics rather than religion. Though recently, the religious leaders have been granted immense power by the ruling family, so much so that they could arrest the Queen.

[Meaning her but those are small details.]

[gwenhwyfar]

Power corrupts, as they say. If a group of people feel that their status of power is being threatened, they, of course, will do anything necessary to control it. Much like what the Christians have done to us; they stripped women of their equality and made them inferior to men.

[grownstrong]

That, I can most certainly attest to.

[The whole court was corrupt back home, if you asked her. Margaery herself was a victim of someone believing she was a threat to her power.]

In most parts of my world, it is believed women are inferior and only men are allowed to rule. Except in Dorne, where it is the women who rule. When I was a child I longed to go to Dorne until I realized the women had as much power as the men behind closed doors. My father is the Lord of our family and lands by name and in public, but it is my grandmother who has the power in our family.

[gwenhwyfar]

Unfortunately, I, too, as well.

Really, it is funny often men seem to forget that, in more ways than one. It is a shame that both women and men cannot be seen as equal. But your grandmother sounds like a strong woman already. I cannot say the same for my mother, despite her being queen of my grandfather's land.

[grownstrong]

They most certainly do seem to. My father is reminded of it every day as my grandmother chides him on everything. It is quite amusing to see, actually.

Perhaps your mother shows her power elsewhere, away from the eyes of others? That is the best way to do it, I've learned.

[gwenhwyfar]

He still cannot do without his mother?

As for my mother, I hope that she does. I haven't had the fortune of being in her household. Not for long, anyway. Men will allow their illegitimate sons besides them, but not daughters.

[grownstrong]

I'm certain he would not be as respected or wealthy if it weren't for her so I suppose not.

That sounds quite a bit like my worlds as well. You often see an illegitimate son in his lord father's house but I've yet to see a daughter. That's very curious, I wonder where they go.

[gwenhwyfar]

At least he knows to respect the very being who gave him life.

Hmph. More than likely -- I have not dared to ask or to find out what may be the fate of my other half-sisters.