I thougt Neirin’s choice of the password for his personal quarters spoke volumes about his life.  “ENOUGH!”  Sufficient to the need.  The perfect description of what he had striven to accomplish in defeating the Dark Lord.  Whatever was sufficient to the need.

What Minerva found when she entered his rooms was an eloquent history of his life for anyone who knew what to look for:

•  the enchanted carpet so reminiscent of his childhood memory of sitting on the river bank with Lily.•  the ebony tea chest filled with his preferred tea and the antique samovar •  the memory of their argument over their individual preference of teas•  his personal stores of ingredients and potions hidden from view within the sideboard•  his simple black grey and white clothing•  the chartreuse socks given to him by Albus•  the mixture of books in his personal library•  his shrine to Lily had been internal.  His body was the celebrant of these rites.  His memories were the acolyte that served as the assistant.  His soul was the sacrifice he made daily.

I liked the items the Headmistress chose to take to Gareth to help draw Neirin back to their world, to the world of light.  And I hope the day will come when he will be well enough to realize that he has been wearing those chartreuse socks.

I quite enjoyed Minerva’s memory of finding Severus reading in her classroom after curfew.  Her observances of how he had changed over the years and had slipped away from the light to the dark were sad, but expected.

The rather more stark furnishings of his bed chamber revealed more of the personality Minerva had come to know.  Simple linens, his trademark choices in his clothing, the lack of any hint that a feminine presence had ever been there.  The solitary set of dress robes that recalled the Yule Ball when he had stepped forward to dance the first dance of the evening because Albus had been too ill to attend.

The devotion of the house-elves to Neirin was good to see.  He had treated them well, and they would never speak badly of him.  Their promise not to speak his name will help to prevent his further descent into the Abandonment. 

I especially approve of the new password chosen to protect his privacy and guard his most personal effects from those who would pry for whatever reason.  “Maldwyn.”  It is who he is now, and his name is known to only three living people who would die rather than divulge it to anyone, and to one former Headmaster who has already died and would never reveal the name—because he already owes a tremendous debt to Neirin.  It will be revealed to only one other living soul, the third Secret Keeper who has yet to be found.

I love the way you tell the story.  This chapter giving us the back story we need to understand what is to come is well written and filled with many of the small, seemingly insignificant details that I have no doubt will prove crucial in the chapters to come.

This is one of my most favorite stories, and once again I must thank you for sharing with us.Beth

Dear moiramountain.What would be the best words with which to describe your story...Wonderful? ... Brilliant?... Fantastic? None of these seem quite enough, and since I do not have your beautiful way with words, I shall settle for simply...WOW!!Your words are so evocative, and in this chapter I especially love the way you seem to have captured Snape's character so fully through the description of his private quarters.Minerva's examination of his quarters and her resultant flashbacks were, again, beautifully written, and the battered buiscuit box brought a tear to my eye.Can't wait, but shall wait patiently for the next chapter. Your story is well worth the wait.

Now, is that blindness set in stone?

It's interesting that although remorseful, Dumbledore never regrets anything he's done or asked Severus to do. I find that definitely in character. I think Minerva was too engrossed in her own guilt to tell Albus he's a jerk.

What a magnificent story you are telling!  I can't tell you how much it means to be able to read such a well written tale.

The things that Albus told Minerva chilled my blood.  To hear the things that Albus' Secret Keeper had been required to do to repay the Life Debt and to fulfill the Unbreakable Vow made my soul cringe.  But when the former Headmaster told her about the curse that Riddle had cast upon Neirin, that even if he did survive he would never see again, I thought that this wizard would have welcomed death.  But he had said that even in death Neirin would not know peace.

When Albus described the totality of the Abandonment Curse, I recalled something that the Healer had said in the first chapter.  When Gareth touched the thoughts of Neirin Maldwyn, he told Minerva and Hagrid, “He is... there… but I could not see him. Strange for me… not to see him... His presence feels... splintered. I could not move beyond his pain... Nothing I could reach... nothing to hold onto... only a terrible darkness... and cold... forbidding me to enter... I felt... agony... a despair that cannot be comforted... drifting and alone..."

I cannot imagine what it must be like for Neirin in this accursed state wherein he now resides.  At one time or another, I think each of us must experience a feeling of utter hopelessness, but what Albus has described is so much worse than anything I could imagine.  My only hope is that this tale will be one of triumph, of love undoing what Evil Personified has wrought.  Neirin's third Secret Keeper must possess great courage and be capable of unending sacrifice.  Who will come forward to take on this arduous task?  Who will possess the capacity to love this broken wizard back to life?  Being able to instill within him the desire to live will be a monumental undertaking.

What a marvelous story!Beth

Now THIS is deeply horrible.  The cruelty dealt Snape here is worthy of JK Rowling.  Now that we know Snape has nothing but anonymity, pain, madness, drug withdrawl, self hatred and eternal darkness to look forward to it would seem a "friend" would help him through the veil already.   But even death would bring him nothing but pain.  Ouch.  There truly is no hope for this poor guy in your story.  Since misery is his only lot in life and death - I hope you'll at least find a way to make it as brief as possible a peroid before granting him oblivion.

OMG poor severus!  Please update soon.  This is soooo sad.

I'm very glad to see the return of this tale. I started following it a while back on Sycophant Hex, and I believe I may even have commented there.  Your gift of language and description is spare and elegant, and I love the visual images your prose calls up for me. I, too, love stories which deal with the Old Ones and the Fair Folk, so count me among those anxiously awaiting updates.

Oh, I am crying. So sad and beautifully written. I look forward to the next chapter.

This story is brilliant. I am so enthralled by it. Can't wait for your update.

Oh, I did not know you had updated! Well here is my review better late than never. Holy places were familar...I loved how you connected the holy places to Gareth, there is something in his countenance that suggests he has spent  time in  places of high spiritual frequency. Perhaps Machu Picchu as well? Not often do I find this kind of connection in fiction, it helps to remind me of my own spiritual path and that others are on similar paths. I also enjoyed the honesty between Minerva and Gareth. They are two strong characters who both have 'Maldwyn's" best interest at heart. I myself am ever the diplomat who avoids confrontation but loses when it comes to openly understanding others...working on that.  I look forward to the next update, I will pay closer attention next time, but what a delight to find this tonight.

Gareth’s climb to the henge of Myrddin’s Seat sent me scurrying to learn more of this place that called to him above all of the other holy places he had visited.  My efforts brought me to The Vita Merlini by Geoffrey of Monmouth wherein I learned more about the ancient Merlin.  I found it very comforting that Gareth liked to sit upon the grass just as Merlin did and felt close to the Knowing Ones and the Guardians in that place.

It is a testament to his devotion to the spiritual realm and the healing arts that he schooled himself so diligently in the teachings of many cultures, and I thought it was particularly telling that he in telling his beads he addressed his supplications to the Archangels, Blessed Brighid, Ceridwen, and Gwydion.

”Raphael of the Eastern Tower, send the Winds of Heaven to lift my fears and make my steps as light as breath.”Raphael is the Healer who heals body, mind and spirit.  He guards the traveler.  He is a kind and gentle angel who, with Mihangel, can drive out discarnate spirits.

”Mihangel of the Southern Tower, Keeper of all Flames, banish the willful pride and anger that pursue me."Mihangel is the Protector and brings courage, strength, truth and integrity to defeat evil spirits.  With his flaming sword he dispatches evil to the pits of Hell.

"Gabriel of the Western Tower, send gentle rains to sooth my sorrow.”Gabriel is the Messenger of God.  She is a powerful and strong, and those who call upon her will find themselves guided to actions that lead to beneficial outcomes. 

"Uriel, who is the Rock, strengthen me through all adversities.”Uriel watches over the heavens and is gifted in divine magic.  He brought knowledge of alchemy and the ability to manifest from thin air.  He brings intellectual information, practical solutions and creative insight, as well as gives prophetic information and warnings. 

"Ceridwen of the cauldron, temper my arrogance with humility and sustain me in wisdom."Ceridwen, keeper of the cauldron has the powers of prophesy, poetry, knowledge and inspiration.

"Gwydion who walks among the stars, grant me understanding of this journey.”Gwydion is a great mage and magician, and he could command the trees to war.

~O~

Gareth’s hurt and anger at realizing that Minerva had been there all along had driven a wedge between them.  His dream of talking with Albus gave me comfort to know that the Healer had been recognized and brought into the circle that Albus, Minerva, and Hagrid had sworn to protect.  I’m glad to see the Bright Wizard Become reaffirming that he will watch over Neirin and be his cloak of protection.

After he awoke from his dream and saw Minerva, I couldn’t be sure at first if he would deign to favor her with conversation, but she persisted and won his attention long enough to tell him that as he was working himself into a weariness he’d seldom known, she had been standing in the ruins of her home doing the same thing... both of them on behalf of this un-named wizard they have named Neirin Maldwyn. 

Finally Minerva made the decision to tell Gareth about her kind, wizards and witches, and risk flying in the face of the laws that prohibited them from sharing information about their world with any non-magical folk.  It was a wise thing to do.  If he is to heal Neirin, he must know of the kinds of dark magic he will be fighting and who his allies are.  Likewise, the healer had his own secrets to share and messages to give.  After much soul sharing, they had become united in their commitment to save Neirin Maldwyn. 

It is fitting that Minerva chose the white holly for Gareth to carve his patient a lawffon, a staff uniquely suited to a great wizard that will help him in his battle against darkness.  The holly will guard against lightning, poison and evil spirits and protect him from mischievous sorcerers.

You’ve really made me work for this one.  But that is a small price to pay for the joy of reading this wonderful story!Hugs, Beth

This so well written, I feel honored to read it.  The curse you've invented is insidious, ugly, and utterly brilliant.  I am only up to chapter five, and I am absolutley stunned by your characterizations.  To me, at least, they are spot on.  The passage about the river rock in Severus' "save box" was heart-rending, and made me cry at the sheer tragedy of it.So many other worthy fics I have stumbled upon end up abandoned, and I truly hope this is not one of them.  It is simply too damn good not to finish.  Thanks for writing.

Ooohhh, poor Severus.

I very much liked your portrait of Narcissa - two things the Malfoys had: class and style.  Draco may have lost them for the moment, but I think he is going through his own dark night of the soul, until he finds what it is he has to do.  Which, I believe, is to be the third Secret Keeper. His journey will be an interesting one to follow, and I look forward to reading it.

There was  some great imagery in this chapter, especially towards the end - so much happening, my head was in a whirl, and I could hear all the voices.  Delyth is a bit of a mystery, and I haven't worked out just who - or what - she is yet, but obviously a woman with agreat spirit and knowledge.  The cat had to be Minerva, of course, and she must have had something to do with the calling of Neirin back from his dark place.And I'm guessing that the young man at the end of the previous chapter is Draco Malfoy - will he be the third Secret Keeper?  It would be very fitting, and I hope it will be him.

I lost this story for a while, but now I've found it again, I won't let itgo a second time.  The Abandonment Curse is indeed terrible, andyou've worked out how it would work very cleverly.  I'm glad you haven't painted Dumbledore as too cold and manipulativebut capable of remorse.  I think he was all to fallible, and at timesarrogant, but I'm never comfortable with stories that paint him asalmost a twin to Voldemort.  He did what he had to do, but it's goodto see that he can have regrets and admit to failings.

I love Minerva's anger regarding his inability to accept that he was one of theirs. That he took on so much alone. I do not believe I have ever read a more lonely solitary figure. I continue to love this story and I look forward to more.

Wow. Intense story so far, very much enjoying and looking forward to finding where you take it.

It is fitting that Minerva used "Maldwyn" as her ward for his chambers.  Neirin Maldwyn is the name he has been given... "Treasured Courageous Friend"... and Minerva will see to the wellbeing of her friend as only she can.This chapter is so beautifully written, and I was so touched by the memories that Minerva recalled as she thought on the sacrifices that her colleague and friend had made in service to the Light.  Your story has captivated my heart and my imagination.Well done!Beth

My dear,

so lovely how you draw Minerva and show us her side of the tale, her feelings and musings. Thank you so much for another great chapter.

I really do hope that you will be continuing this soon, I'm soo eager to see what's going to come now!


Author's Response: Dear friend - thank you so much for reviewing!  I'm working as much as possible on the next chapter - but the mundane duties of "real" life keep slowing the progress.  But be of good cheer - the tale will continue soon !!

Not only is the plot coming together nicely, like a well-crafted potion, but your attention to detail is exceptional. I really did feel like was in the room in my mind's eye (and in the characters' thoughts ) which really added to my enjoyment of your story.I eagerly await the coming chapters.Cheers.

So profoundly sad.  To see what all of Severus' spy work and self loathing has given him is truly heartbreaking.  A wonderful job once again.

Again, such a wonderful, dense and rich chapter, weaving such an intense story. Poor Snape, though - what kind of fate might await him?

Author's Response: Hello -- so happy to see your review !!  Rest assured the fate awaiting Severus is not going to come easily but is one befitting his courage.