New Beginnings
Chapter 6

True to her word, Rhiannon exiled Rowena and Helga from the Glen, though she first found a small cottage so that they would not be completely unsheltered. They lived just outside a town, distant enough not to arouse the curiosity of the local townspeople, but close enough that if they needed anything, they could easily acquire it. The people of the town did notice the girls, but thought little of them. It was not, however, uncommon for some of young men to seek out Rowena and Helga hoping to know the beautiful and mysterious young women. They were far more successful with Rowena. Rowena was quite uninhibited, as her surprised and delighted suitors found out. However, never once did she reveal to any of these men, be they Muggle and Mage, anything other than her name.

Helga and Rowena lived in relative harmony with each other. They had their minor squabbles from time to time, but what Helga noticed was that now, away from the Glen, they were close friends. They could not afford to be rivals, they only had each other. Neither one hid anything from the other. Both could openly speak about anything, save their last night at the Glen. But reminiscing about the rest of their time in the ancient forest was pleasant for the both of them. In private, Helga and Rowena honed their skills together and taught themselves how to duel. Since they had to leave behind their spear and bow, neither one sought to continue train anymore with weapons. But their control over the ancient magic increased astronomically.

There was one man, a young wizard named Arren, whom Rowena favored above the others in that she spent more nights with him. He was handsome and tall, but rather dull-witted. However, he was extremely gentle and courteous to both Rowena and Helga. Whenever he encountered Helga he engaged her in conversation and always treated her with the utmost respect. He followed Rowena around like a puppy. It hurt him to see her with another man, though he just bit his lip and waited for her to come to him again. Whenever Helga looked into his sad eyes, she felt enormous pity for him.

“Why do you still go to Arren?” Helga asked Rowena one evening.

Rowena briefly glanced up and smiled mischievously.

“He’s in love with you,” said Helga softly.

Rowena looked up again, but this time she sighed. “I know,” she said, “He’s asked me to marry him. He’s jealous, I think. But I have to admit I’m tempted. He’s the type of wizard who will be a devoted husband and father.”

Helga’s eyes widened. “I’m not going to do it,” said Rowena quickly, “He’s good for now, but he can’t keep my attention forever. He’s just not enough for me.”

“So why do you keep going to him?” asked Helga.

Rowena bowed her head. “What’s going to happen to me, Helga?” she said, “You know I’ll be like Mother and Modron ­ find an old wizard and bear his child. And from then on I’ll be forced to live a cloistered life, even if it’s not in the Glen. But I’m going to have a good time now so I regret nothing later.”

Helga opened her mouth to protest but laughed instead. Rowena joined in. Years later, Arren’s son was hand-selected by Rowena for her first class of students at Hogwarts. He was a prize student in the Eagle House, noted throughout the land for his stunning intellect. Helga and Rowena shared many laughs at the irony.