The Dreamweaver Read online

  “This is so much to take in, can I have a moment alone?” Anna asked slowly, as she looked out of the corner of her eye trying to locate her purse which held her phone. Her thoughts racing; this guy is certifiable! A call to 911 would be a wise course of action. Keep him calm, she smiled nervously, play along with his delusions, “Soooo, any-who 'Merlin' what can I do for you?” Fake smile plastered on her face as she edged to the other side of the bed and towards her purse.

  “Anna, if you’re thinking of calling for help - don’t...I am here to help you.” He reached out to offer his hand to help her up, but withdrew as she flinched in alarm, he sighed, “I understand this is a big leap for you, and what I am asking from you beggars belief, but this is serious and I need you to open your mind. In the next fifty years, your physicists will finally work all this out; wormholes, multiple dimensions and their relationship to the universal building blocks, deoxyribonucleic acid, or probably known to you as DNA.” He swept a hand over his somewhat wild hair, “They’ll even discover the real function of black holes and eventually time travel - Einstein wasn’t wrong, but he wasn’t completely right either. Google ‘CERN’ if you want to see them figuring out how to separate particles,” He said waving a hand at her iPad, “but we can’t wait that long I’m afraid, I need you to believe this now."

  He regarded her wide-eyed, disbelieving stare, "I’m going show you something that may help you believe what I’m telling you is real, and I’m not the lunatic you’re thinking I am. Are you ready?”

  Anna nodded, pulling her knees up to her chest nervously.

  “Okay, here goes!” And with that Myrddin-Merlin-Wyllt-Ambrosius-Emrys waved his hand in a sweeping gesture, said some words that sounded like an odd mix of Welsh or perhaps Celtic, and a huge tapestry appeared on the wall in front of Anna’s bed.

  The tapestry was beautiful, the woven image was of another tapestry showing her… dream-cabin? And within it, was another tapestry of Anna’s bed at her mother’s house, and finally of Anna’s bedroom where she was now, showing the man with many names sitting beside her. It was like a mirror, mirroring another mirror, that held the image of yet a third mirror...and even more amazing — the tapestry was actually moving!

  The woven image moved slower than live action, she noted as she waved her hand in wonder, her movements weaving themselves into the tapestry a few moments later. It was as if motion was somehow stuck in molasses or on super slow-speed playback, but perfectly accurate, as a mirror would be. The image changed subtly again to include Py, who’d entered the room a few moments earlier, and was now curled up between Anna and Wyllt.

  Anna looked at Wyllt in amazement, (She couldn’t bring herself to call him Merlin) he was gazing intently at her, waiting for her reaction nervously.

  “Oh my God...either this is real or I have gone completely mad.” Anna whispered slowly as her eyes fluttered, and she promptly passed out again, this time (thankfully) her head landing softly on her pillow.

  Wyllt sighed, “Wonder what she’d do if I showed her something really cool, like the inter-dimensional time rift that is currently affecting the light continuum in Earth’s third alternate Universe after the collapse of the black hole known as Omega 3.1.” He pondered as he put away the tapestry and went to the kitchen to make her a cup of strong tea.

  Anna awoke this time feeling a little more clear-headed and somewhat less terrified. Wyllt (or Merlin), sat quietly on the end of her bed with a cup of tea on a tray.

  She gazed at him, her eyes wide with astonishment, as she rubbed her forehead, “This is...” She searched for words, “Incredible. Where is the tapestry?” She asked, noticing the wall where it had hung a few moments earlier was again bare.

  “Oh, I can only hold them in this dimension for a few minutes. Are you feeling any better?” He queried anxiously, “I’ve got tea...” He offered, lifting the tray up slightly to show her.

  Anna smiled weakly, well it was sort of cute — a wizard, and not just any old wizard, but the actual MERLIN, was worried about her and wanted her to drink a cup of tea. Okay rabbit hole, here I come, she thought as she metaphorically jumped, finally accepting the impossible as possible.

  “Sure, thanks, and, yes, I do feel better, still really confused, but better.” Anna replied, sitting up and taking the offered cup from him, “What do people usually call you.” She asked as she sipped the hot tea, he’d even added honey she mused, how thoughtful.

  “My childhood name was Emrys, but I will answer to any name you prefer.” He replied smiling encouragingly, not telling her that the name ‘Emrys’ was special to him and had only been used by people whom he’d cared about or had loved him.

  “Emrys it is then, I’m glad you didn’t choose Merlin, because I don’t think I could keep a straight face calling you that.” She admitted, “Can you help me understand what has happened? Did my dreams do this? Is it my fault? Because I knew those dreams were too good and too real to be believed!” She frowned, sitting straighter, “It is my fault, isn’t it? I am so sorry. Have I done something terrible? Because I KNEW remembering dreams was weird — and so many dreams that were almost the same! I should have talked to a dream-expert or shrink or someone who could’ve helped me stop it! I...I just liked the dreams so much... What should I do to fix this? I really am so sorry!” She exclaimed sadly, looking anxiously at him, her green eyes wide.

  Anna’s quickly fired questions and apologies amused Emrys, she was so cute sitting there; hair mussed, eyes wide and accepting responsibility for something she could not have possibly influenced, except perhaps that she’d unknowingly caused him to take a particular interest in her dreams by simply being herself.

  He regarded her with an amused smile, “Do you do that a lot? Run on with questions, then the answers, followed closely by acceptance of responsibility and finally an apology? It is entirely adorable.” He asked with a barely restrained chuckle as he patted her knee.

  “No!” Anna exclaimed defensively, “Its just so much to take in, my head is spinning, and how did you find Py? And what did you mean when you said, ‘when he entered my dream?'” She asked remembering his earlier comments.

  “Good questions, but before I answer them, tell me how you came to have Py?” Emrys asked quietly.

  “Well, a lady from the animal shelter called me and said they’d found a cat and his micro-chip showed me as his owner.” Anna explained, “I told her he wasn’t mine, but then she told me some stuff about how black cats are not adoptable and so I took him.” Anna shrugged a little defensively. Her eyes grew wide, suddenly understanding, “He is yours, isn’t he?” She asked dismally.

  Emrys grinned, “Perfect explanation, Anna. And no, not anymore, he’s your cat. Now, tell me how proficient is your knowledge of DNA?” He asked cryptically.

  Anna shook her head, “Not very good I’m afraid, a little biology in high school, nothing in college.” She admitted wondering where the conversation was heading.

  Emrys gave her a reassuring smile, “I’ll try to explain; let me start at the beginning. Cat...sorry, Py - a much better name than ‘Cat’” He murmured, petting Py’s head, “Was trapped with me for a long time in a place where dreams are guided; aided or influenced in a way, by a dreamweaver, like me.” He explained tapping his chest, “Using a tapestry such as you saw earlier...” Emrys stood and began to pace as he spoke, “as a portal into the sub-conscience of a dreamer, dreamweavers act as a sort of muse for some, for others a kind of dream-guide to help them sort through experiences, thoughts or problems.” He sighed remembering the long hours of never-ending dream-tapestries.

  “Your dreams were partly directed by me. Do you remember your cabin?” Anna nodded, eyes wide, he continued, “I took special interest in your tapestry.” Emrys looked a little sheepish, “I cannot tell you why, you just...captivated me in a way that I’ve not experienced before and well, it turns out having a cat in a dream-weavers workroom is not a great idea.” Emrys smiled as he looked fondly at the cat snuggled be
side Anna, “Although, Py was only guilty of inadvertently leaving me one of his spare hairs, but that one hair contained enough DNA to wander a Universe.”

  Emrys paused to check to see if Anna was still with him, she nodded with a weak smile, “As your scientists are just now discovering, a single strand of DNA, such as Py had in that one hair, contains a great deal of information, most of which in this century is only being used in medical applications.”

  His voice raised an octave as he continued, “But what they have yet to discover is the coding within the DNA contains a sort of master key to wormholes, which, among other continuum functions, can be a doorway to alternate dimensions. Add to that, a compatible directional format, or map if you prefer, like your dream-tapestry for example, and the combination can transport the owner of the DNA to any compatible alternate dimension within this or any of the layered universes.” He took a deep breath, “Which is why Cat - your Py - was found with a microchip that led to you. Subsequently the continuum laws of the Universe had to fit him in with relation to your existence in this dimension, hence the micro-chip that led to you — he is your cat, and I suspect if you checked, the records would prove it.”

  Emrys regarded Anna’s open-mouthed stare and smiled, “It all makes perfect sense if you think about it. Your scientists are nearly there with recent advances in adopting String Theory to explain elemental, oscillating lines of particles. They’ll soon discover how to separate graviton particles from mutant DNA strands with quadruple helix patterns, and finally work out their relation to wormholes, give them another fifty or so years, and they’ll be there.”

  His eyes sparkled with energy, “The fact is, a single strand of Cat’s hair got wrapped around one of the threads as I worked on your dream-tapestry. Py subsequently discovered he could travel through your tapestry to you. You fed him — and well, you know how cats are — he liked you, so he came back again and again for more. Then I discovered he was fatter, and had that wonderful little bell!”

  He grinned with delight, “I wouldn’t have remembered the relationships between DNA and wormholes so soon, or discovered its influence on dream tapestries, but you tied the bell on his neck, I saw it — and voila! — he appeared on your tapestry and in your life! It was so simple, my brain was turning to mush in there...I might have gone on for centuries longer in that miserable prison if Py hadn’t left a hair on the thread, and you hadn’t given him a bell...”

  Emrys ran a hand over his head to tame his wild hair, his explanation fugue expended, he calmed himself as he saw Anna’s stunned, deer-in-the-headlights expression, “Don’t you see, adorable Anna from New York, your little bell saved me from an eternity in isolation.” He regarded her with soft grey eyes that glistened with emotion, “Do you have any more questions?” he asked more gently, clearly fearing she may be due another faint soon.

  Anna took a deep breath, shook her head and swallowed — but remained upright...for the moment, “No, not for a while anyway. Are you hungry? I’m starving. Do you like Indian?” She asked as she brushed past him looking for her purse.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Morning after

  The next twelve hours were bizarre but wonderful. The stories Emrys told Anna were amazing, they stayed up most of the night looking up internet resources on medieval history and Arthurian legend. Anna asked, what she hoped, were intelligent questions, and Emrys tried to explain his version of the actual events versus the ones Wiki, Google and various ‘mediaeval experts’ had written.

  Anna and he debated the virtues of the advancements of modern science, and he tried to describe the incredible inventions, breathtaking works of art, and the science behind alchemy techniques lost from the dark ages. He tried, with little success, to explain casting to foretell the future; which was, Anna thought, fascinating in the extreme, and his role as a Dreamweaver to guide dreamers as a sort of a muse to enhance natural abilities, and encourage latent talent. Anna proved to be an apt student holding up her end of the conversation enthusiastically, if not ably.

  Their effortless enjoyment of each other transcended the short time they'd spent together, making it feel much longer and more meaningful.

  Anna’s little coffee pot had made no fewer than six full pots, and the Indian Restaurant, two floors below, had been quite a hit. The only trouble had been Anna’s attempt to explain why they were not open for breakfast the next morning, and why, if they had been, it would’ve been a bad idea.

  Anna checked the little clock on her stove and was dismayed to see it was already 8:45. She hastily called her work to use one of her many accrued days off; there was no way she was leaving with Merlin in her apartment! Just thinking of that made her wonder just how far down the rabbit hole she’d fallen, and how she’d ever get back up it to return to her previously boring and mundane existence.

  She regarded Emrys across the room as he changed channels continuously on her tiny set; appearing to settle on a science programme about penguins, and then changing again to a BBC offering featuring those guys who try out at fast cars and blow up things, to cartoons; which made him laugh uproariously.

  Emrys long hair waved over well muscled shoulders as they shook with laughter at the latest cartoon. His braids undone, his dark hair flowed to the middle of his back. The stubble that had developed overnight on his chin, gave him a rakish look, as his brows arched in an almost elfin way over deep grey eyes.

  Anna had stolen many a coy look under her lashes admiring his unusual beauty, and the way his eyes flashed when talking about something that excited him. Despite the fact that she'd understood about ten percent of what he talked about, she found herself drawn to him in a way she’d never experienced with any other man. She was not a frivolous girl, and the idea of love at first sight was a whimsy she'd never believed except, within the boundaries of the romance novels she’d read — until Emrys.

  Despite the amazing things she'd experienced and felt in the past ten or so hours, Anna knew she needed to start the journey back up the rabbit hole, and back to her oh-so-normal life, “Look, Emrys, we need to talk.” Anna said resignedly as she dried her hands on a dish towel after cleaning up the breakfast dishes in her small kitchen.

  Emrys put the remote down and looked up at Anna from where he was seated on her couch, still messy with the blankets and pillows from their sleepless nights conversation. He picked up his coffee cup and helpfully brought it to Anna for yet another refill.

  “Sure, what should we talk about? Would you like to know more about dreamweaving and how a muse influences dreamers?” He asked as Anna poured yet more coffee into his cup.

  “Yes...of course, especially my dreams,” she paused before continuing, “but I want to talk about this...” She waved her hand to encompass the room with him in it, “I kind of understand how you came here...sort of that is...” She said remembering feeling lost during most of his lecture type explanations, “and I really enjoyed our conversation last night — it’s not that I don’t like you, I do!” She hastily added blushing, “It’s just I am not sure where we go from here, or where you go from here.” Anna continued, feeling a little uncomfortable and inexplicably sad, “I have to go to work tomorrow and later this week to San Francisco on a business trip, and then lunch with my brother, Andy, on Friday.”

  She did like Emrys, perhaps far too much. But with her trip looming in the next few days, she needed to know what his plans were, and to be blunt, when he was leaving — as much as she was beginning to dread the thought of the possibility of never seeing him again.

  Emrys put his cup down and walked to stand in front of her, suddenly the lighthearted Emrys was replaced by a very serious one, “Right, we needed to talk about this eventually, and now is as good a time as any I suppose.” He spoke carefully, “The fact is, I need to be here in case anyone else comes through an open portal to you.” He paused, “If you remember, the DNA Cat provided with his stray hair opened a door, and you added to the same portal he’d opened by programming it to lead to yo
u, in your dimension, with your DNA.”

  Anna nodded, frowning slightly, Emrys continued, “As I explained yesterday, I discovered the phenomena and came through the portal created by Cat using my own DNA, which means someone or something could do the same thing if more tapestry portals were inadvertently created by Cat wearing the bell you gave him.”

  Emrys paused to see if Anna was still with him, “The phenomenon that allowed Cat to enter your dream may be simply a singularity; with no others compromised in my dreamweavers room — a one-off random event.” He rubbed his brow, “I closed the original door, or wormhole, that Cat created when he first travelled to you, and then the one I created after my subsequent journey as well,” He added, “but there are hundreds of tapestries in the weavers workroom, and even more that come and go constantly.”