“O Publius, you’ve opened the floodgates of despair. I feel the same as you, but what can become of it?” The tears began to roll down her cheeks. Here were two star-crossed lovers.
Publius fought to control his emotions. They sat in silence for fifteen minutes, and then Publius said, “Let’s go out. We must rejoin your father.”
They both got up, put on a brave face and headed for the door. When they got outside, they were greeted by a beautiful azure sky, with little or no wind and the sun blazing as though to give its blessing to the lovers. The first to greet them was her father Oroveso, wondering why she had taken so long. Publius went out of his way to make them feel at home. When they got to Londinium, the galleon sailed into a private harbour. As they came into view, servants came rushing down to the wharf to greet them. They disembarked and made their way onto a chariot for the drive up to the estate. Once inside, they were amazed at the opulence. Here was living at its most divine.
When bedtime came Publius made sure the company was at the opposite end of the villa and Tlachtga at the other end ,close to his bedroom. When all had retired and silenced reigned supreme, Publius strolled into Tlachtga’s bedroom, dropped his robe and climbed into bed.
“God forgive me for what I’m about to do,” cried Tlachtga.
Publius brushed aside her concern and began kissing her passionately. Tlachtga lay back powerless to resist. This continued to the wee hours of the morning. Then Publius rose and made his way back to his bedroom.
In the early afternoon, the lovers went for a stroll in the gardens. After a short walk they sat down on a bench.
“So, when will I see you again?” ask Publius.
“In two weeks’ time in Oumonii. There’s a castle there. I’ll leave word of your arrival,” replied Tlachtga.
Tlachtga and Publius sat with their hands clasped. Tears rolled down her cheeks. No matter what happened the outcome would be the same. They were walking on forbidden ground. Despite all his power and authority, here Publius was reduced to nothing. Their solace was their silence.
Publius stood on the wharf, his heart throbbing as the galleon pulled away.
“Come back, come back, come back!”
Tlachtga felt the anguish of forbidden love, her head telling her what’s wrong, and her heart telling her what’s right.
“O god, what perversity of circumstances that leads to our own destruction.”
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Here I sit in my old age and ruminate how I used to sit beneath the Willow beside the brook replete with harp.
And would compose ballads of Avalon’s heroes.
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