A Werewolf’s Story:

Arianwen’s Tale

By Jareth Sparrow

Prologue

Werewolves and humans lived in harmony for many years. It was the werewolves who protected the humans from harm and danger. They taught the humans how to hunt, how to protect others from certain dangers and how to use magic. They lived like this for years and years. Until an evil came into the land, thus breaking the bonds between werewolves and humans. This story is about that broken bond and how one werewolf, named Arianwen, dare to love a mere human male. It is her story. The first half is how she fell in love with another werewolf before the enemy killed him in the year 1252 when the Inquisition raised into power. The second half is at present date, where she rescues a human male, named Robert “Bobby” James McGowan who falls in love with her, not because of her beauty nor her beastly form but her heart.

Year 1252 AD

Tis the year 1252, Inquisition now has control of every thing. They have started to hunt those who are different from this world. Their commands are to either killed or destroy every thing or anyone who is practicing the Old Ways. They also have orders to kill anyone who is a shape-shifter, a werewolf, like me. I am sorry that I have not introduced myself, my name is Arianwen. Arianwen the werewolf. My clan has been hiding from these murders since Christianity came into order. I thought that their religion brought tolerance towards others and accepting who they are and building a friendly alliance with us, but I was wrong. Dead wrong. They wanted no alliance with us; instead they wanted us dead because we are not supposed to have power from their God and it should be reserve for Him alone and there is no Goddess; they denied Her existence. Bastards, do they not know that power is a blessing on the person and they are gifts from the God and the Goddess. And the Goddess does exist in their religion; no matter how they tried to hide Her; She is always there.

This is the year that they took my beloved Magnus, a fellow werewolf like me. It was the year that I stopped believing that the humans could change and come back to us and to the Old Ways that they used to believe in and live in harmony. Now that I see that all they want to do is hunt down others who were born different or wanted to help their fellow humans from the sickness or failing crops. After my beloved Magnus was dead, I found out who had killed him, Lord Maugrim of Glasgow, Scotland. Since we have been together, Lord Maugrim has been jealous of Magnus because of his youth and his beauty. Lord Maugrim of Glasgow damn well knew that my beloved Magnus took me for his wife and mate for life. If it weren’t for Neirin, taking me to Avalon on that day, I would be at the mercy of that bastard Lord Maugrim and his Inquisition priests. Goddess knows what would happen to me if Lord Maugrim found out that I am a werewolf like Magnus. I couldn’t risk that at all. From that point on, I couldn’t love anyone or trust anyone. I, Arianwen, the werewolf, will tell my story and how it happened.

January 13, 1252

Arianwen woke up in her straw bed with a smile on her face. Soon, she thought, I will be wed to Magnus. My heart belongs to him and to him alone. With the thought of marriage she couldn’t wait. To start a family, to be a good wife to her Magnus and to be a loving mother to her future children. Her heart was happy. Knowing that Magnus is her true love, nothing will break them apart. Nothing at all could ruin this moment.

“Arianwen are you still in bed, my loving daughter, your beloved will be here soon,” cried her mother, Isabella, who was opening the door.

“I was in a good dream, Mother, it was Magnus and I having a wonderful life together,” said Arianwen as she was getting up from her bed, “but the most strangest thing that happens, Magnus was surrounded by fire and I couldn’t go near him. What does that mean, Mother?”

“I do not know my love. Your father might know more than I do. He is a better interpreting dream. After all he is an elder werewolf. Which reminds me, that you must keep your werewolf identity a secret; yours and Magnus’s. Goddess knows what if someone found out and they turn either you or Magnus to those Inquisitors. I pray to the Goddess that this Inquisitors get what is coming to them.”

“Mother, you do not need to worry about us. Our secret is safe. No one will ever find out. As soon as these two weeks are over, we will be wed and you and Father will have a fine son-in-law,” Arianwen said hopefully as she move from her bed to her dresser table and sat in the chair.

“Still,” Isabella said placing her hand on her daughter’s shoulder, “I have the feeling of something evil is afoot for the two of you.”

“What is Mother? Is something evil going to happen? When!” demanded Arianwen as she turned around and looked sharply at Isabella.

“I don’t want to worry you, my love. It is a feeling nothing more. It will pass, my daughter, it will pass.”

Arianwen just sat there. Knowing her mother for eighteen years of her life, Isabella’s feelings always come true. Some thing is going to happen I know it and she knows it, thought Arianwen.

Magnus was riding through the woods to his beloved’s castle, knowing that she will be happy to see him again. In two weeks they will be wed. Her father, Count Aloysius, accepted Magnus’ s proposal of marriage to his daughter. After all, both of them are werewolves to begin with. Most important, he had save Arianwen from a lord; Lord Maugrim, son of Lord Algernon the First, of Glasgow. Lord Maugrim had his eye on Arianwen for a while and wanted her to be his bride. Luckily Arianwen turned him down saying that they would not be prefect for each other and the marriage would end in a disaster. But Lord Maugrim was persistent that Arianwen should be his own and proposed to her. But she lost her heart to someone else; she had lost it to Magnus, son of Duke Lindell of Wales. Lord Maugrim was furious when he found out and challenged him to a joust. Magnus being handsome and strong, of course won the match and Arianwen’s hand in marriage against the weak and old Lord Maugrim. Soon, I will be at my beloved’s castle and we will together as man and wife, thought Magnus as he was going through the gates of the castle with his black horse.

“Magnus, I wasn’t expecting you to be here so soon. I thought that you would be here later, closer to your wedding day,” said Count Aloysius as he walked down the stairs to greet his future son-in-law.

“Aloysius, you know well that my heart is here and I must see her,” Magnus said as he dismounted off of his horse.

“You know the rules Magnus, do not bed Arianwen until the wedding is over.”

“Aloysius, I am not here to bed Arianwen right away. I need to see her again, to feel her soft hair, caress her face and to hold her in my arms.”

“You will make a fine husband my dear son, a fine husband indeed! You make this old man proud to have you as a son.”

“I thank you, Count Aloysius,” Magnus proudly said as he hugged Aloysius.

“Come on in, the weather is mighty cold, God knows how long this winter will last.”

Both of them went in the great hall to the fireplace where the fire was burning ever so warmly. Both men were smiling and talking about the jousts and politics until Isabella and Arianwen came into the great hall.

“Isn’t that a beautiful site! My loving and beautiful wife and daughter! Coming down join us in breakfast.”

“Good Morrow to you Magnus! I didn’t know that you came! You were supposed to be here until next week before the wedding!” smiled Isabella.

“I wanted to be here, my Countess Isabella. My heart is here and I needed to see her.”