The Druids

THE DRUIDS. Eight year old Robert was very excited, his father had
announced at supper time that if he went to bed early they would get up
in the morning before sunrise and travel to Stonehenge from Salisbury
to see the Mid Summer festival of the Druids. This was re-enacted every
year on mid summer's day and it was quite a spectacular event to see
the modern day Druids as they paraded in their flowing robes into the
ancient mystic circle of standing stones. Robert had visited Stonehenge
before and had been fascinated at the sight of the great Sarson stones,
many had tumbled and most of the lintels had fallen from their tops to
lie jumbled randomly around. He knew that many years in the past an
ancient culture had built the massive temple but no one seemed to be
certain as to why and who actually had built it "Who are the Druids
dad," he asked his father who was reading a brochure quietly. 'They
were an ancient pagan priesthood culture and were here long before the
Romans even came to England." His father replied knowingly as he
stuffed the brochure behind a cushion on the settee. "They worshiped
the sun and thought it was a great god and mid summers morning is a
important time for them." "Why," Robert asked inquisitively. "Oh! I'm
not sure, but its something to do with the sun being aligned with
certain stone pillars as it rises.' His father explained reaching for
the brochure to see if it was informative. "Yes, here it is, it says
that they worshiped the sun god and at the time of its rising in the
east they would sacrifice a beast or even a human on the alter it was
supposed to freshen the soil and create a new growth" "Did it work,"
Robert asked a little confused. "I don't know I wasn't around in those
days, its long time ago," his parent laughed. "Now, I think you had
better get to bed as I shall wake you early, off you go now mum will
come up in a bit and tuck you in," Robert gave his father a hug and
kissed him goodnight, then went out to his mother in the kitchen. They
had left Salisbury early, for Roberts father wanted to arrive at
Stonehenge before dawn and watch the parade of the Druids as they
approached the circled temple of their ancient faith. There were
already many sightseers waiting patiently for the enactment to commence
and they parked the car in a designated area where an orderly flashing
a torch guided them into rows. Robert although a little nervous of the
dark was the first out of the vehicle and he waited with impatience as
his father locked the car. "Stay close to us Robert," his father warned
him. 'It's still dark and we won't be able to see you." With both his
father and mother holding his hands, he walked between them up the
slope towards the standing stones. They stood out in silhouette against
the skyline looking massive, invulnerable and majestic, but Robert felt
a chill and a shiver of apprehension as they approached and gripped
hold of his parent's hands more tightly. Quite a number of people had
braved the early morning chill and they were stood around the perimeter
of the stones talking and laughing as they waited. Then as a faint
brightening of the sky in the east developed Robert heard a humming,
chanting noise and from the direction of the avenue the procession came
into view. Burning brands were held aloft to light the way as the
Druids in columns of four came slowly through the entrance and into the
ring of Sarson stones. Robert strained to see but people were standing
to the fore of them and his view was obstructed. For some reason he
felt compelled to get closer so he released his parents hands and
ignoring their protests he squeezed between the forest of legs until he
reached the front close to the pillars. The gaps between the pillars
had been closed off with ropes to keep spectators from entering the
circle and disrupting the ceremony and although he could have passed
under them he choose to remain outside. By now the Druids in brilliant
white robes had formed a circle around the flat slab of the ancient
alter their torches reflecting eerie shadows on the great stones behind
them. Robert peering round the corner of the massive pillar could see
the standards and banners fluttering in the breeze, they seemed to be
enclosed in an aura of misty light, but he was fascinated by the
spectacle. The people were pressing close behind him as they tried to
see between the pillars and suddenly Robert felt a hand on his back and
he was pushed forward. He went under the ropes. blocking off the
opening and fell forward flat on his face inside the circle of stones
slightly winded. Slowly he stood up and turned to go back, but the
spaces between the pillars seemed to be sealed off with an eerie blue
light. Robert tried to walk through but it felt as if he was pushing
against a brick wall, he could not see through the space. He was
frightened and he could not hear the murmur of the voices of the crowd
outside, the only sound being the whistling of the breeze between the
massive pillars of stone. He turned to look at the Druids and felt a
shiver of fear pass through his body for they were all staring at him
silently and not moving he started to feel terror. Then he suddenly
realised as he glanced around that the jumble of fallen stones were not
littering the circle and looking up his heart skipped a beat, for the
massive lintels were all in place and the ancient temple had the
appearance of newness. His mind raced, as did his heart, although only
a young child he knew this could not be, it was not possible, this
place was built many years in the ago. Robert looked back at the men in
priestly robes; they were coming towards him now at a slow pace with
what to him seemed a menacing approach. He felt that he had to run away
but as he turned to do so his legs seemed numb and he felt as if he was
frozen to the ground, then he became a little boy extremely frightened.
Silently they came to a stop facing him in a half circle, he stared at
them wide eyed his heart pounding in his chest. He wanted his mum and
dad but he could not move where were they if he could find them
everything would be normal. Then a priest with a brightly coloured
cloak that had brilliant symbols of the sun and moon embroidered on it
spoke. "Hello Robert, we have been waiting for you," Robert could not
see his face for it was shadowed by the cowl he wore, but the voice to
him seemed to be full of a malice and he was sure that he recognised
it, it was the voice of someone he knew. " Come, the sun will soon
rise, we must hurry." Robert looked towards the east and saw that the
sky had brightened considerably over the distant hills and a long strip
of bright orange radiance was now visible. He wanted to run from these
men but his legs would not obey his mind, he stood unable to move his
eyes wide with fright as two of the robed priests moved towards him.
They reached out to take hold of his arms and as they did so their
hoods fell back from their faces. Robert was shocked; he knew them they
were neighbours who lived in the same street as he did, and they had
often waved and spoke to him as he had passed by their houses. He
opened his mouth to speak but no word would come, what was Mr Evans and
Mr Wiles doing here dressed up like Druids. With unsmiling faces they
half dragged, half carried him into the shadows of the three massive
pillars; they started to chant then, a peculiar humming guttural
rhythm. He struggled, but it was a feeble resistance for his whole body
seemed to be immobilised. The sky was brightening as they virtually
ripped the clothes from his body and he could feel the chill breeze of
the morning against his nakedness, which caused him to shiver
uncontrollably. Robert was so filled with terror he could not speak,
his throat seemed to be swollen, his eyes wide and tear filled for he
could not understand what was happening to him all he wanted was to be
with his mum and dad again. The torchlight's grew dimmer as the eastern
sky turned red; it was near to sunrise. Then he was lifted bodily off
his feet as two of the priests took hold off his legs and another two
held his arms and he felt the coldness of the stone slab on his back as
he was lain down to be firmly held on it. Robert stared up into the
sky; his heart pounding uncontrollably in his chest as the priest with
the bright coloured robes entered his vision to stare down at him. He
gasped with shock as the cowl from the mans head was thrown back to
reveal Mr Morley their next door neighbour and a friend of his parents.
Robert tried to speak but no words would come and he watched in horror
as with a grim expression on his face Mr Morley picked up a jewelled
long handled knife that lay on the slab by his head. He felt the prick
of the blades point as it was drawn lightly along the centre of his
chest and glancing down Robert saw a thin line of blood, he gasped and
tried to get up but the priests held him tightly and then he started to
cry. All the priests then turned their heads to look towards the east
and Robert turning his head to one side could see the blood red sky
light up as the sun started to rise above the hills. The chanting grew
louder and the humming into a high pitched whine as a thin line of
brilliant light appeared, the sun god was rising. He saw Mr Morley's
arm lift above his shoulders and as the knife descended towards his
chest he at last recovered his voice and he screamed out loud for his
mum and dad. Robert was sat up in bed saturated with sweat and
screaming as his mother and father rushed into his room with a look of
panic on their faces. His eyes were wide with shock, tears were rolling
down his face and he shivered uncontrollably. His mother rushed to take
hold of him placing her arms around his shoulders. He must have had a
nightmare.," his father said as he sat on the edge of the bed. Robert
did, nt know what it was and he hugged his mum tightly sobbing and his
body heaving. "He's terrified, something has scared him real bad, it's
alright Robert." She soothed, "Do you want to tell us what it was
about." Robert shook his head violently as he began to realise that he
was safe with his parents and his sobbing subsided. "It was all that
silly nonsense you were filling his head about before he went to bed."
He heard his mother complain. "About the Druids and sacrifices."
Roberts father had a look of concern on his face when he spoke. "That
was all long in the past Robert, they cant hurt you now." He explained.
"I think its best we don't go tomorrow how about a trip on the river
instead." Robert nodded his head and gave a sigh of relief as he lay
back on his pillows; he certainly did not want to see any old Druids
anyhow. His mother tucked him in and they went to leave. "We will leave
the light on and the door open, we are only in the next room, now go to
sleep." She said as she kissed him goodnight, Then they left quietly.
Robert lay still his mind now relaxed, if it was a dream it had been so
real and it must have been for his neighbours were kindly people they
could not be like those Druids. His chest felt sore and he felt inside
his pyjama jacket. Suddenly he sat up in bed and tore at his jacket, he
shuddered as he looked down for along the centre of his chest was a
long bright red scratch.
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