John Stirling has been in denial of his sexuaility all his life until the spirits of Ancient Celts bring him out of his shell with the chance to change his life and to make a difference. This story is based on ancient celtic tradition and set in a stone circle on one of the islands of Scilly.
Please remember that Nifty.org needs your continuing support so please use this link to provide your financial support by donating using this link. https://www.nifty.org/nifty/support.html
Disclaimer
The names, places, and events in the story, "Ancient Ways in the Isles of Scilly" are fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.
Ancient Ways in the Isles of Scilly
John Stirling stood at the edge of the ancient stone circle, his eyes scanning the meticulously placed rocks that formed a perfect ring around him. His breath misted in the crisp, early morning air, the only sound the distant hush of the ocean waves caressing the shoreline of the Isles of Scilly. He was a local historian with a penchant for the peculiar, often drawn to the archaic remnants scattered across the islands like breadcrumbs from a forgotten era.
The stones were arranged with a precision that defied their age, each one standing tall and unyielding against the ravages of time. They whispered of a past shrouded in mystery and ritual, a past that John craved to uncover. The stones, stark and grey, were adorned with carvings that danced in the dim light, hinting at stories of passion, power, and perhaps something darker.
As he reached the heart of the circle, John felt an inexplicable pull that he couldn't explain, his body leaning forward as if drawn by an invisible force. He looked around, half expecting to see a spirit from the past emerge from the shadows, but all remained still until a sudden gust of wind picked up, weaving through the stones and setting them to a low hum. It grew stronger, whipping John's hair into a frenzy as he took in the scene. The carvings grew more distinct, depicting figures in ecstatic contortions, a blend of pleasure and pain etched into the rock. His mind raced with the possibilities of what had occurred within this very space: rituals of fertility, human sacrifices, or perhaps something more as he touched the alter stone at the centre of the circle.
"What the fuck," John exclaimed when from the corner of his vision, he saw her, a woman with a wild mane of hair and eyes that burned with the intensity of a thousand suns standing next to him. She was naked, her skin adorned with intricate tattoos that mirrored the carvings on the stones. John took a few steps back not quite believing what he was seeing as the woman touched the alter stone, her fingers gently running over the rock as if she was remembering what had taken place. "What the fuck..." John repeated more in shock than anything else.
"Yes John Stirling, I am quite real. I am not a figment of your imagination and like you, I belong here so please stay and hear what I have to say." she said. "You heart called to me and the Ancients allowed me to respond and so here I am."
"Wow, woah, what the fuck," was all John could say as he started to hyperventilate.
Her voice was like the caress of velvet, a stark contrast to the raw power that seemed to emanate from her very being. John felt rooted to the spot, his body responding to the command despite his mind screaming for him to flee as he wondered, how this woman knew his name.
"John Stirling, you have woken something in the memory of the stones when you touched the keystone, the alter stone," she continued, her gaze locking onto him with an intensity that seemed to penetrate his very soul. "You must remain and bear witness to their memories and discover why you have been chosen by the Ancients."
"Chosen? But I haven't done anything," John responded, "I only touched the stone just to feel it, just wondering what it felt like."
"The stone knows the truth John Stirling," as the woman's smile became more enigmatic, a knowing curve of her lips that sent a thrill through him despite his fear. "The stones have chosen you," she said. "By touching the alter stone, it was enough for the Ancients to know the truth and they summoned me to help you on your journey of discovery."
John tried to defend himself, "I don't know about that, and I don't know about you either. Who are you? Where did you come from? Why are you naked. Really, for fucks sake, who are you?"
Her laughter was like the peal of bells, resonating through the stone circle and causing the very air to vibrate around them. "I am as much a part of this place as the stones themselves," she replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "And as for you, John Stirling, your curiosity has brought you here. Now, you must pay the price for what you seek."
"I'm not seeking anything tangible, just relaxation and history. I like history and I'm a local historian." he replied.
"You are more than a local historian John Stirling, you are part of history, but you have forgotten hence why you are seeking something," she said, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "You seek the truth of this place, the secrets hidden within its ancient embrace. And now, you shall find them. As for me, I have many names, but you can call me Danu."
"Yeh right? Danu, really?" John exclaimed. "Maybe you should get dressed and tell me the truth because Danu is an ancient name that died out thousands of years ago and besides, it's a name of legend and mystery. No one uses that name today unless..." his argument becoming more nonsensical with every breath he took, "unless you actually are Danu...which is just not possible."
The woman's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of challenge in her gaze. "Very well," she said, her voice a low purr. "But first, you must prove yourself worthy. Strip away the layers of the modern world and embrace the ancient rites of the circle. John Stirling, you were once part of this land, and I remember you as do the Ancients that guide me today. They like me, always knew you would return one day."
John swallowed hard, his mind racing. This had to be a hallucination, a trick of the early morning light playing tricks on his tired eyes. But the woman's presence felt all too real, and the power of the stone circle seemed to beckon him, urging him to comply.
"Prove myself worthy, really? How and why should I prove myself anyway?" John challenged her.
The woman's smile grew, a glint of something primal in her eyes. "Touch the stone again and open your mind and soul and you will find out if you are worthy. The stones will not lie to you when they reveal your history."
The challenge was thrown down and John hesitantly reached out, his fingertips almost brushing against the cold but smooth surface of the alter stone when the woman shouted, "stop John Stirling, you must be as I am when you touch the stone."
"What, naked? You expect me to strip off my clothes whilst I provide your amusement and entertainment?"
"If you wish to feel the power, you must be as nature made you and it's not for my amusement either. You also have nothing to fear from me if I see you naked as you are the same as any man."
John pondered the last statement the woman had said, "Okay, okay, I will do it just to confirm it's all a load of bollocks and you are just a mad woman who likes walking around ancient stone circles whilst naked asking random men to get naked too."
The woman stood there as John stripped off his clothes and in the briefest of moments, he to was naked and approached the stone again, this time touching the ancient rock finding it smooth and warm when a jolt of energy surged through him, the power of the circle resonating in his very bones. His body was drawn to the warmth of the stone beneath his palm. He could also sense Danu as she continued to touch the stone like him.
John became trapped by the touch, knowing he couldn't move as the power surged within him revealing images he didn't quite understand or comprehend. They weren't frightening images, quite the contrary, they were warming and kind, fleeting images of people and rituals that could only be his imagination from reading too much in the history books of the isles.
Whilst John remained absorbed by the visions, Danu continued to touch the alter stone and she could feel the power of the circle and the Ancients as they told her, his love is for Macan �"c and not for Cailín �"g and he wears metal and our visions are impure.
She understood immediately what the Ancients had communicated to her as she released her fingers from the stone. "John Stirling, I have felt your pain and sense of loss, and I understand your loneliness. Come back tomorrow and you will find the answers, understanding and peace you seek."
"Is that it, you got me naked just to tell me to come back tomorrow. If you really are Danu, please tell me what you felt," John asked, knowing that something had just happened that he couldn't explain. The visions, the feelings he had experienced had convinced him that there was power at play.
"Firstly, tomorrow you must ensure you wear no metal substances as it impairs the visions and communication with the Ancients. Secondly, you have love in your heart, but you deny your soul. You seek happiness in a family, but you deny the chance to create one and you fail to embrace who you really are. That can all change if you put your faith in the stones and the Ancients and allow them to guide you. Come back tomorrow and your life will change forever. Remember though, there will be a price to pay and for enlightenment you must be prepared."
John stood there, still touching the alter stone as Danu turned and walked away without giving him a chance to respond or ask more questions. John watched the woman walk away until she disappeared between the stones leaving him alone again, as he stumbled out of the circle, his mind reeling from the encounter, confused and perplexed that he had imagined the whole incident as he got dressed again and started the walk home, his thoughts on fire with questions and doubt including, would return the next day.
That evening John pulled out his books and started to read about the names he had heard during the incident, Danu was the goddess of nature, fertility and motherhood he translated from the ancient Celtic. He also discovered that Macan �"c referred to a young man and Cailín �"g was a young woman. Besides other interesting facts he discovered, he was surprised to learn that the ancient Celts practiced circumcision and for a moment he thought, what luck, he had nothing to worry about as he put his books down feeling tired and confused as he decided to retire for the night.
John was awake early and watched the sunrise feeling himself drawn back to the stone circle. He was tired from a restless sleep with repeating dreams during the night disturbing his karma but despite his rational mind screaming at him to stay away, his curiosity had won as he entered kitchen to make his morning coffee. Drinking his coffee quickly wrapped in thought, he left the house and walked with a new purpose towards the ancient stone circle that was troubling him so much.
The sun continued to warm his soul as he approached the stone circle, viewing the alter stone with fascination and trepidation at the same time. His hand trembling slightly as he entered the circle holding out his hand to touch the alter stone once again.
This time though, he breathed a sigh of relief as no figure materialised before him, but he felt the same energy pulsing through him, the same connection to the ancient past. Not as powerful as before but the feelings and visions still conjuring images in his mind. He kept his hand on the stone, absorbing the energy emanating from its, lost in thought and memories, enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the moment.
The stone felt warm to touch and strangely calming him as his trepidation dissipated being replaced by a calmness he had never experienced before. John started to think that perhaps there was energy in the ancient stones when he heard a voice, "Dagda, you need to be divested of all material possessions to understand the stones, otherwise you will fail to really appreciate their power."
John was shocked by the interruption and opened his eyes to see a boy outside the stone circle. "I knew you would come," the boy said, "Mother told me to expect you."
"What the fuck, where did you come from and why do you call me Dagda? John responded looking at the boy carefully, taking note that the boy was wearing a white robe like a modern nightshirt with nothing else to protect him from the weather. "For the record, I am certainly not Dagda if that's what you think."
"Mother told me you might be defensive and that you would reject the name Dagda, but she also told me, you are Dagda and are worthy and if you wish to understand, I was to help you, but you have to be as nature intended and divested of all metal and personal possessions if you wish to feel the circle and power that emanates from the ancient ways."
John's cheeks flushed with embarrassment and confusion as he took in the young boy's earnest expression. "Is this a family thing? I met your mother yesterday who said the same. Tell me, are you a family of nudists by any chance and, what are you talking about and who are you?" he managed to say in between feeling annoyed by the interruption of his peace and quiet.
"My name is Aengus �"g," as his eyes sparkled with excitement. "It's part of the ritual," he said, his voice filled with the innocence of youthful curiosity. "My Mother told me to tell you that to truly commune with the spirits of the stone circle, one must be as the Ancients were -- bare to the earth and sky."
John couldn't help but chuckle, despite the oddness of the situation. "I don't think that's quite what they had in mind for a historian's visit," he said, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy, "and if I'm correct, Aengus �"g means Chosen One, are you suggesting you are the chosen one? You're fucking mad if that's what you are suggesting."
"I suppose I am as you describe but only because the Ancients have chosen me to guide you." the boy responded but he remained insistent. "It's the only way," he said, his voice filled with a surprising seriousness. "The stones, they have secrets to share, but they won't reveal them unless you're pure of heart and open to their whispers and carrying metal prevents full communication with the Ancients. Metal is from the land and can be impure and the wearing of personal possession can also introduce impurities which will impair the ability to hear."
John looked at the boy, torn between his academic scepticism and the undeniable pull he felt towards the circle. He had studied these structures for years, but never had he encountered anything that suggested such a direct and personal connection to the past. As John battled against his feelings, he couldn't believe he was contemplating such a ludicrous act in the presence of a young man. "How old are you boy?"
"I'm old enough Dagda but Mother tells me I'm sixty-nine seasons, and this is a sacred place that knows the truth, and its secrets are meant for those who remain worthy."
John hadn't heard anyone describe their age by seasons before and he quickly calculated he must be 17. "Fine," he said, his voice wavering slightly as he looked around, his mind racing. Dagda, really? John thought, knowing full well the meaning of Dagda. Was he seriously considering what he was considering? But the memory of the woman's voice, the power of the circle, and the unexplained attraction he felt compelled him to continue. "Fine, Aengus �"g, you win," as he began to unbutton his shirt.
"Stop Dagda," the boy announced. "We have to follow the ritual of the ancient ways before entering the circle."
"Are you saying you have to undress me?" John asked, "Your mother didn't undress me yesterday, quite the contrary, I had to humiliate myself by her watching."
Aengus �"g nodded, his expression earnest. "It's part of the ancient rites and the Ancients have told me what I have to do and how to help you but first you have to exit the circle and stand outside the stones like I am."
John stepped away from the alter stone, feeling the loss of the connection like a cold breeze. He stepped over the boundary of the circle, his heart pounding as he watched Aengus �"g approach, the ritual robe he was wearing allowing the boy to move with a grace that seemed beyond his years, his eyes never leaving John's as he stood in front of him.
With confidence and grace, Aengus �"g unclipped his robe allowing it to drop to the ground and John was left speechless by the vision before him. Aengus �"g's body was indeed beautiful, unblemished by the harshness of the world. His skin was pale and smooth, a stark contrast to the rugged landscape that surrounded them. His chest was flat, his stomach tight, and his limbs slender yet muscular. What truly captivated John was the lack body hair and his manhood was well proportioned and circumcised. It was not just the size that was surprising, but the sheer vitality it seemed to exude. It stood out proudly from his body, perfectly curved, his gland pronounced and the shaft rock hard, a testament to his maturity despite his age being a young man.
John felt his face heat up, a mix of embarrassment and something else, something he couldn't quite place. The child's skin was unblemished, and there was a sense of purity to his actions that seemed to cleanse the very air around them. John swallowed hard and stepped back, his eyes averted.
"You don't have to avert your eyes Dagda; I am as I was made, and it is fine for you to look at me."
John felt his face flushing deeper as he met Aengus �"g's gaze. He was right; there was something almost holy about the young man's nakedness, a purity that seemed to cleanse the very air around them and John felt aroused with the beauty of the body he was looking at. It was probably the most beautiful body he had ever seen.
Aengus �"g took John's right hand and pulled off his gold signet ring. He then held his other hand and gently removed the gold bracelet on his wrist. "Kneel down please Dagda," the boy asked and without thinking twice, John did as requested, looking at Aengus �"g's erection leaking fluid from its tip whilst he carefully removed the gold necklace from around John's neck. "You are now divested of all metal," whilst pulling John up by his arms. "Will it now please you to let me undress you."
John hesitated for a moment before he allowed the boy to unbutton his shirt. The cool air kissed his bare chest as the fabric fell away. Aengus �"g's hands were gentle, almost reverent, as he unbuckled John's belt and guided his trousers to the ground. His shoes and socks followed, leaving him standing in his y-fronts. "You must be completely divested, Dagda," Aengus �"g said, his voice steady. "The circle accepts no barriers."
John looked into Aengus �"g's eyes, searching for any sign of jest or malice, but found only earnestness. "Aengus �"g, I don't think this is right, I'm fully aroused and even though you are sixty-nine seasons, I don't think it appropriate you see me."
"Dagda, you must be at one with nature and as you can see, we have nothing to hide and if you are like me then so be it. It's natural for us to be aroused in the company of beautiful men and Dagda, you are beautiful."
"But you haven't seen me yet, how can you say I am beautiful? as John took a deep breath and let his underwear fall to his ankles, feeling the cool grass beneath his bare feet.
Aengus �"g looked at John and gently felt his nipples and his chest hair. "You are beautiful Dagda, truly and if the Ancients give permission, I we can bond with each other," as he took John's hand and led him back into the stone circle, his own nakedness a stark contrast to John's self-consciousness as John considered what he had just heard.
As they approached the stones, John felt the energy swell once more. The carvings on the rocks seemed to shift and pulse with an inner light, as if the very essence of the ancient world was alive within them. Aengus �"g guided him to the centre of the circle, and John could feel the power building around them, a hum that resonated in his very bones.
"Now," Aengus �"g whispered, his eyes still burning with a fierce light, "you must touch the stone with your bare flesh."
The air was charged with a palpable energy, and the very thought of what he was about to do made his skin crawl with anticipation. He placed his palm against the cold, smooth surface of the alter stone, feeling a jolt of power surge through him. The world around them grew hazy, and a sudden warmth enveloped his body, as if the very earth was welcoming him back into her embrace.
The carvings on the stones grew clearer, the figures coming to life before his eyes. He watched as scenes of ancient rituals played out in a silent tableau, the figures moving with a grace that seemed impossible for their time-worn forms. The whispers grew louder in his mind, a cacophony of voices from the past, speaking in a language he somehow understood. They spoke of love and loss, of power and sacrifice, of the endless cycle of life and death that the stones had bore witness to.
John felt himself being drawn into the scene, his hand sliding down the stone until his entire body was pressed against it, his skin tingling with an alien warmth. The figures in the stone reached out to him, their expressions filled with a hunger that was both terrifying and exhilarating. Aengus �"g's grip on his hand tightened, anchoring him to the present as the whispers grew to a crescendo.
The circle of stones pulsed with life, the shadows within deepening and swirling like a maelstrom of ancient secrets. John could see the dancers now, their naked bodies painted with the same symbols that adorned the stones, moving in a frenzied rhythm that seemed to shake the very ground beneath his feet. He could feel the beat of the drums, the pounding of his own heart syncing with their ritual dance.
"I can feel your heart," Aengus �"g said as he placed his hand on John's chest.
John's eyes remained closed, the visions of the ancient rituals playing out before him. He could smell the scent of bonfires and earthy musk that filled the air. The whispers grew into a chant, a call to something primal and all-consuming. The pressure from Aengus �"g hand grew stronger, and John felt himself being drawn into the stone, the barrier between his reality and the past dissolving.
"The Ancients tell me that you love men but the Ancients also tell me you don't love women as much as men but your heart is pure and honest."
John's eyes snapped open, staring at Aengus �"g in shock. The revelation hit him like a sledgehammer, his thoughts racing with the implications of what this all meant. Aengus �"g's grip on his hand remained firm, a silent reminder that he was not alone in this experience.
"How could you possibly know that?" John whispered; his voice hoarse with emotion.
Aengus �"g's smile was gentle, his eyes never leaving John's. "The Ancients show me all. They see the truth within you Dagda and they tell me to unite with you, to bond with you to be with you."
"What else do the Ancients tell you about me?" John's voice barely a whisper, his heart racing with a mix of fear and awe. Aengus �"g's touch remained light but firm, guiding him through this uncharted territory of his soul.
"The Ancients tells me of a yearning deep within you," Aengus �"g continued, his voice taking on a soothing, almost hypnotic tone. "A longing for connection, for a love that transcends the boundaries of your understanding. But it also speaks of pain, of loss and betrayal that has left you wary of opening yourself up to others."
John felt as if the stones themselves were peeling back the layers of his psyche, revealing his innermost secrets to the young man before him. It was an unsettling yet oddly liberating feeling, as if he were being stripped bare to the very core of his being.
"But fear not," Aengus �"g said, "for the Ancients offer you a chance at healing and rebirth."
John's eyes widened as the figures in the stone grew more distinct, their movements becoming a dance of passion and unity. The air grew thick with desire, the very essence of the rituals they were witnessing. He could feel the energy coiling around them, a serpent of power that seemed to demand his full attention.
Aengus �"g stepped closer, his naked body pressing against John's. "You must embrace and unite with me," he murmured. "Let the stones guide you, let the Ancients show you the path to wholeness."
John's breath hitched as the Aengus �"g 's hand slid down to his waist, his touch electrifying. The chant grew louder in his head, a siren's song that compelled him to move with the ancient rhythm. He could feel the tension in the air, a tangible force that seemed to beckon him into a world of unbridled passion and primal instinct.
Aengus �"g and John began to sway with the music only they could hear. John felt the barriers between his reality and the past dissolve further. The stone beneath his hand grew warmer, pulsing in time with his racing heart. Aengus �"g 's touch grew more insistent, his hands moving to John's hips as they began to move together in a dance as old as time itself. John stood there as Aengus �"g's hand explored more his body, his touch sliding down John's shaft, through his pubic hair and around his bottom. Their bodies melded together, their movements becoming one with the energy of the circle. John's eyes closed once more, the whispers of the Ancients guiding him, filling his mind with images of love and desire that transcended the confines of his understanding. The line between the past and present blurred as he became part of something greater, something that had existed long before he had ever set foot on these sacred isles.
The dance grew more intense, Aengus �"g 's hands moving up to John's chest, tracing the lines of his muscles as if he were a living map of forgotten knowledge. John could feel his own desire building, a potent mix of lust and something far more profound.
"You have seen the truth," Aengus �"g said, his voice barely audible above the sound of their ragged breathing. "Now you must choose whether to embrace it or flee from it."
John's mind was a whirlwind of emotions, his body humming with the aftershocks of the experience. He knew that he had crossed a threshold, but his desire was overwhelming. His penis was rock hard and seeking release and his arousal was unbelievable. He had to lose his virginity and acknowledge the fact he was a gay man without experience being seduced by a seventeen year old stranger.
Aengus �"g's hand remained on his chest, a silent question hanging in the air. John looked into his eyes, searching for an answer, for a sign of what was expected of him. Aengus �"g's gaze was unwavering, a beacon of clarity in the storm of confusion that raged within him. Slowly, John leaned down and pressed his lips to Aengus �"g's. It was a kiss that contained all the passion and yearning he had felt in the dance, a silent declaration of his willingness to embrace the ancient rites of the stone circle and the wishes of the Ancients.
Their kiss grew deeper, their bodies entwining as John lifted Aengus �"g onto the alter stone they were both touching. The ancient rock, the stone, seemed to shiver with approval, the other stones whispering their encouragement. John's hands roamed Aengus �"g's body, exploring every curve and plane as the Ancients resumed their approval and clouded the circle in a vale of mist.
John's mind was a tumult of emotions; confusion, excitement, and a profound sense of rightness. This was a moment that was beyond his understanding, yet it felt as natural as breathing. Aengus �"g's skin was warm and smooth, his touch electrifying against John's own.
The Ancients watched as Aengus �"g's legs wrapped around Dagda's waist, drawing him closer, his hands tangling in Dagda's hair as they kissed with an urgency that seemed to echo through the very fabric of the universe. The whispers grew into a crescendo, the figures in the stone joining their silent chant. John couldn't hold back as Aengus �"g opened himself to John.
John's erection slid into Aengus �"g with an ease that was surprising, given his inexperience with such things. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever felt before, a mix of pleasure and power that seemed to come from the very earth beneath them. Aengus �"g's body was tight and warm, a perfect fit as John began to thrust in rhythm with the ancient dance.
Their movements grew more frantic, their bodies slick with sweat as they became lost in the moment. The carvings on the stones around them seemed to pulse with every beat of their hearts, the air thick with the scent of arousal and earth. The whispers grew louder, the voices of the ancients urging them on, their breaths coming in gasps as they reached for climax.
John felt the power of the stone circle surge through him, amplifying every sensation. Each thrust sent a jolt of energy through his body, and he could feel the very earth beneath them tremble in response. Aengus �"g's cries of pleasure echoed through the air, the sound as ancient and haunting as the whispers that surrounded them.
Their union was a blending of past and present, the sacred and the profane. Aengus �"g's nails dug into John's back as he met each thrust with his own, their bodies moving in a symphony of passion that seemed to resonate with the very essence of the circle.
The energy grew to a crescendo, a maelstrom of power that seemed to envelop them both. John could feel himself approaching the edge of something vast and unknowable, a revelation that was both terrifying and exhilarating. Aengus �"g's eyes, now alight with an otherworldly fire, held his gaze, guiding him through the tumult.
As they reached their peak, the stone beneath them vibrated with a force that seemed to shake the very earth. John felt his climax tear through him, a wave of pleasure so intense it was almost painful as he pumped his seed into Aengus �"g as his body convulsed against John's, his own release a silent testament to the power of the moment as Aengus �"g's body arched beneath him, his eyes wide with ecstasy as the power of the circle surged through them both. The moment stretched on, an eternity of pleasure and understanding that transcended the confines of their mortal forms as John continued to fill Aengus �"g with his seed at a level that John had never experienced before. Aengus �"g's own seed kept shooting over his chest as John bent over to lick it in an act of devotion and love he had never experienced before as the Ancients witnessed with approval the divine act of sharing each other's seed.
When the light and mist finally dimmed, John found himself lying on the alter stone, Aengus �"g cradled in his arms. They were both still naked, but the warmth of the stone continued seeping into their skin. They lay there, their breaths mingling in the stillness, the echoes of the ancient dance fading into the air. John knew that his life had been irrevocably changed as he continued to taste Aengus �"g's seed in his mouth, remembering the passion of making love that had been invoked that most would never experience.
He looked down at Aengus �"g, whose eyes were closed in a state of blissful exhaustion. "Thank you Aengus �"g," he murmured, his voice hoarse from the power of the ritual. Aengus �"g's eyes opened slowly, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You're welcome, Dagda," he said. "The Ancients chose me to unite with you. Now, it is your turn to carry on the legacy of the Ancients."
John wasn't sure what that meant, but he knew the stone circle had awakened something within him that had long lain dormant. He had found a connection to the past, a connection that was as profound as it was terrifying as he closed his eyes to enjoy the embrace of Aengus �"g and his newfound peace and harmony.
John woke up some time later, the sun had shifted in the sky. Aengus �"g was soundly asleep on the stone and looked beautiful like nothing or nobody he had ever seen. The aura around Aengus �"g was clearly defined, wrapped around his naked body as he laid on the stone beneath him. The circle was quiet now, the whispers of the ancients had subsided, and the air felt still and calm.
"The Ancients approve of your union with a child of the earth." Danu said shocking John out of his sleepiness.
"Oh, you're back and you have to stop doing that by the way," John said, "too much creeping about for my liking," as John's eyes searched the woman for an explanation, his mind racing with questions and confusion.
" Aengus �"g has served his purpose," the Danu declared, stepping into view. She was naked like them, her mature body glowing with an ethereal light that seemed to emanate from the very stones themselves. "He has shown you the way."
"What happens now Danu?" he asked, his voice still trembling from the intensity of their shared ecstasy.
"You now have time to be with him when he wakes up," she replied, her eyes gleaming with an otherworldly knowledge. "The child of the earth has served his purpose, but the bond you've formed is not yet complete and it must be sealed in the bonding of love and fertility.
John nodded, his mind racing. The thought of being with the Aengus �"g again, of feeling the power of the stones and the whispers of the Ancients, was intoxicating. He couldn't imagine leaving this place, not now that he had tasted the bond of their union.
"But how could a mere boy know so much about the ancient ways, and why was he drawn into such an intimate act?" John asked the woman.
"Aengus �"g is special and was born with a deeper connection to the earth and its ancient ways," she replied, her voice filled with a knowing smile. "He was merely an instrument of the circle's will, a conduit to bring you closer to the truth and to bond with you. The act of union was essential and magic to watch and Aengus �"g had to take your seed and you, his."
John felt a shiver run down his spine as he took in the woman's words. The truth of what had just transpired was still sinking in, the reality of his encounter with something so primal and powerful it was beyond his comprehension. He stood up, his legs wobbly from the intensity of the ritual, and took in the serene beauty of the stone circle once more as he stood there naked and free as nature had decided.
"You are truly beautiful Dagda, and we watched you and Aengus �"g seal your union as nature and the Ancients intended," Danu explained. " Aengus �"g is a boy of the earth with the elements of fire and love in his heart. The Ancients realised that your love is for Macan �"c, a young man, and they arranged what had to be arranged."
John felt a mix of emotions. He was torn between his attraction to the boy and his moral compass that told him it was wrong. Yet, the sense of belonging and the power that surged through him during their union was undeniable.
The woman saw the confusion on John's face. "Do not be troubled by what has transpired," she said, her voice a soothing balm to his racing thoughts. "The circle works in mysterious ways. The boy is a child of the earth, a pure soul who carries the knowledge of the Ancients. He was chosen to guide you through this rite of passage regardless of sex. Your seed is important, and the Ancients understood what had to transpire."
John looked around the now serene stone circle, the whispers of the ancients a faint echo in his mind. "But what about Aengus �"g?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. "What will happen to him?"
The woman's smile grew more enigmatic. " Aengus �"g is a part of the land, a vessel for the earth's desires. He will always be here, ready to serve when the circle calls."
"I must leave you now Dagna or should I say John? Worry not, Aengus �"g knows who you are and what he must do to fulfil the needs of the circle and the Ancients."
"Who am I? You keep saying weird stuff and apparently everyone knows who I am except for me."
Danu looked at John and smiled. "You are Dagda although your physical body is John Stirling. You just forgot who you were until you touched the stones that rekindled your inner self. Some will call you a good god or a shining god. Some might call you other things but to me and the Ancients you are fertility and justice, the fine balance between life and death."
John stood there reeling at the revelation he had just heard as he watched as the Danu disappeared into the shadows of the standing stones. The silence of the circle was eerie, as if it was holding its breath waiting for him to make his next move. The reality of what he had just done hit him hard. He had made love to a seventeen-year-old, no matter how beautiful or wise beyond his years. He felt a mix of emotions, guilt, confusion and a strange sense of loss.
John looked around the stone circle, the reality of his situation sinking in. The whispers of the Ancients had not ceased, John could hear them in detail behind the quiet sounds of the natural world around them. Aengus �"g stirred, his eyelids fluttering open to reveal the same fierce gaze John had seen in his visions.
"You are awake," John said, his voice filled with uncertainty as he gazed upon Aengus �"g's naked form already demonstrating his arousal. Aengus �"g eyes met his, and for a moment, John saw the depth of the ancient knowledge that had been revealed to him during their union.
"I want you," Aengus �"g said, his voice a soft whisper that seemed to resonate through the very stones themselves.
"You don't know what you're saying," John replied, his voice shaking with a mix of fear and longing.
Aengus �"g sat up, his youthful body glowing with the aftermath of their union. "I know more than you can imagine," he said, his voice filled with the solemnity of a much older soul. "The circle has chosen us, Dagda. We are bound by ancient laws that you cannot begin to comprehend."
John stepped back, the reality of the situation crashing down on him like the waves against the cliffs surrounding the isles. "What do you want from me?" John asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Aengus �"g sat on the alter, the glow from the stones playing across his skin like a lover's caress. "I want you to be my partner in the dance of the circle and the Ancients," he said, taking John's hand once more. "The circle demands it, and I demand it, Dagda, I know who you really are, and I am here for you and the circle demands we share our seed in the dance of fertility so new life and light can be born into the world."
"But Aengus �"g, you are a man, and I am a man, how can we bring new life and light into the world. It's just not possible," John declared.
"Dagda, you still don't understand the power you hold within your soul and always remember, Danu and nature will always find a way," Aengus �"g responded, "now, come to me and take me, seal our union as the Ancients and the circle demand."
John felt the power of the stones once again, a siren's call that he could no longer resist. Despite his fears and the weight of his own moral compass, he knew that he had to follow the path laid before him as he finally approached Aengus �"g, pushing him back onto the alter, his body quivering with excitement and anticipation.
Aengus �"g's legs parted instinctively as John moved closer, his hands gliding up Aengus �"g's body as if drawn by an invisible force. He took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of earth and stone that seemed to cling to the child of the earth. The warmth of Aengus �"g's skin was like a beacon, guiding him to the core of his desires.
John took Aengus �"g's erection in his mouth, feeling the smoothness and firmness against his tongue. Aengus �"g's gasp was like music to his ears, the sound of the Ancients' approval. His hands moved to the Aengus �"g's chest, teasing his nipples as he deepened the kiss, savouring the taste of him. Above them, the carvings on the stones grew more vivid, the scenes of passion playing out in a silent ballet that mirrored their own union as the mist descended to shroud the stone circle.
Aengus �"g's hips bucked as John's mouth worked him, the pleasure evident in every line of his body. The stone beneath them thrummed with energy, the whispers of the ancients growing louder as John lost himself in the moment. He felt as if he were being drawn into a vortex of desire that had existed long before he had ever set foot in this sacred place.
John's own erection grew, straining against his stomach as he tasted the sweetness of Aengus �"g as his breaths grew shallower, his hands tangling in John's hair as he urged him deeper. The air around them was charged with electricity, the very fabric of reality seeming to bend to the will of their love.
John could feel the ancient rites wrapping around them like a cloak, binding them together in a dance that was as old as the very stones themselves. He knew that he had found something that was more than just a fleeting encounter, more than just a momentary escape from his mundane existence. This was a connection that transcended time and space, a love that was etched into the very soul of the earth.
As Aengus �"g reached his climax, John felt the power of the stone circle surge through him, a gift from the Ancients that filled him with strength and purpose. He knew that he had been chosen for this moment, that his love for this child of the earth was a catalyst for something much greater.
Aengus �"g went rigid, his cries of pleasure echoing through the stillness as he started to shoot his seed as his orgasm erupted. John continued to suck making sure he swallowed every drop, feeling the power of the moment pulsing through his veins. When Aengus �"g had finished his release, John climbed onto the alter stone and wrapped himself around Aengus �"g, their naked bodies entwined as they kissed and shared the seed. Aengus �"g looked up at him, his eyes filled with a mix of innocence and ancient wisdom, but John detected something different but couldn't put his finger on what it was.
As they laid there on the alter stone, they both heard the whispers of the Ancients. "You are now a part of us," their voices a soft caress against their joined minds. "Your love is the key to unlocking our power, to keeping the balance of the world."
John looked into Aengus �"g's eyes, feeling the depth of the bond that had been forged between them. He knew that he could never go back to his old life, not now that he had felt the embrace of the stone circle. Aengus �"g's hand reached up to touch his cheek, his smile filled with the warmth of the sun.
"Thank you," John whispered, his voice hoarse from the intensity of their union. Aengus �"g nodded, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "You are welcome," he said as he pushed John onto his back and straddled his hips slipping onto John's waiting erection.
They moved in perfect harmony, their bodies speaking a language that was as old as the stones around them. It was a dance of love and power, a ritual that had been performed countless times in this very circle, but never quite like this. The way Aengus �"g took him was both innocent and knowing, his youthful form a vessel for the ancient knowledge that coursed through their veins.
John's hands gripped the stone beneath him as he thrust upward, feeling the earth's energy pulsing through him with every stroke. The whispers grew louder, the figures in the stone carvings coming to life to watch their sacred union. The air was thick with the scent of sex and earth, the very essence of life itself.
Their lovemaking was a symphony of sensation, each touch, each kiss, each gasp of pleasure resonating through the circle like the peal of a distant bell. The whispers grew into a chant, the stones themselves seeming to vibrate with the power of their union.
Their movements grew more frantic, their bodies slick with sweat as they approached the pinnacle of their shared ecstasy. John could feel the tension coiling within him, the ancient power building to a crescendo that threatened to consume them both.
Above them, the sky grew darker, the clouds gathering as if to witness the sacred rite below. The wind picked up, the grasses and leaves of the surrounding countryside bowing before the power of the circle.
John knew that this was a moment that would be etched into his soul forever, a union that was as much a part of the fabric of the universe as the stars in the sky. He gave himself over to the passion, to the love that he felt for this child of the earth, letting the power of the stones guide him.
As they reached their climax, the world around them seemed to hold its breath. The lightning flashed, the thunder rolled, and the earth trembled as if in the throes of its own ecstasy. The whispers grew into a roar, the very essence of the ancient rites filling the air as John emptied himself into Aengus �"g. This time though, the Ancients played their hand by increasing John's fertility and load and they smiled upon the lovers as John just kept emptying his seed into Aengus �"g. John had never experienced such an orgasm before as Aengus �"g collapsed and embraced him whilst he continued to shoot his seed into him. In that moment, John felt something deep within him shift, as if the very core of his being had been rewritten by the power of the circle. He knew that he would never be the same, that his life would be forever entwined with Aengus �"g and the mysteries of this ancient place.
And when it was done, when the storm had passed and the world had once again stilled, John looked into the eyes of Aengus �"g and knew that he had found his destiny. The boy leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to John's forehead, his smile filled with a love that was as timeless as the very stones that surrounded them, but John detected a sorrow from Aengus �"g as if the end had come Aengus �"g's smile distracted John away from his thoughts back to the lover he held closely to him. "You are the Dagda, the balance of fertility and justice and I am the chosen one," Aengus �"g whispered, his voice filled with awe and reverence. "Together, we will keep the balance of the world."
John could feel the weight of the promise in Aengus �"g's words, the gravity of the task that lay before them. But John was afraid for some reason even though the embrace of the stone circle offered them both protection. Their bodies still joined, John wrapped his arms around Aengus �"g, holding him close as the whispers of the ancients faded away. They lay there in the aftermath of their union, the earth beneath them still echoing with the power of their love.
As they lay there, the air grew warm once again, the sun peeking out from behind the clouds as if to bless their union. The scent of rain-soaked earth filled their nostrils, a reminder of the primal forces that had brought them together.
Their bodies finally still, John whispered words of love and commitment to Aengus �"g, his smile never leaving his face. They had become one in the eyes of the circle, and nothing would ever be able to tear them apart as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the stone circle into shadow. John and Aengus �"g lay there, their hearts beating as one, their love a beacon in the darkness that surrounded them.
John woke to the chill of dawn, the warmth of Aengus �"g 's body gone. He sat up with a start, the stone cold beneath him. The circle was not silent though, the whispers of the Ancients remained, as he called out for Aengus �"g, but there was no answer, only the distant call of the seabirds as they took flight from the cliffs.
It was then that he felt it, a gentle vibration from the stone beneath him. Looking down, John saw a baby lying beside him. His eyes widened in shock, and he reached out to touch the boy's soft skin, his heart racing. The boy looked up at him with the same fierce gaze he had seen in Aengus �"g, and John knew in that moment that this child was the product of their union as the whispers of the Ancients grew louder, filling his mind with images of the boy's conception and the great purpose that lay ahead for this new life.
John picked up the boy, holding him close to his chest as he tried to make sense of what was happening. He felt a sense of overwhelming love and protection for this child, a feeling that seemed to come from the very depths of his soul. The boy cooed, his hands clutching at John's chest, as if he too knew the gravity of the moment.
For the first time, John heard a single male voice declare, "The price of truth is often steeper than we expect, John Stirling, but fear not, for in the eyes of the ancients, this transformation is a gift, a sign of your commitment to the path you have chosen. You have been chosen, not just for a fleeting union with Aengus �"g, but to be the guardian of a new generation, a child born of the very earth itself. I know you will care for this boy, and I know you will raise him in the ways of the Ancients and prepare him for the destiny that awaits him."
The voice died away, leaving John alone with the boy. He knew that he had much to do, much to learn. But as he held the child in his arms, he felt a sense of peace that he had never known before.
Sitting on the alter stone with his new son, remembering the events of the last couple of days, John silently thought of a name for him, Cermait would be good John thought, the son of Dagda. Feeling satisfied with his choice he looked down at Cermait and suggested, "let's get dressed and go home."