“Intertwined”
                                                                   The story of Lady Kaleevah, Sir Rogan, and Lydia.
                                      Written by Wanda Honeycutt. 3/31/2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
Lady Kaleevah’s fingers lightly touched the cold metal crown that rested on her head.  Feeling the familiar details of the finely wrought metal embellished with jewels brought her a measure of comfort.  It felt solid and ‘real’.

An enormous pine tree sheltered her as she sat in the still and comforting forest.   Her nostrils flared slightly as she allowed the fragrance of the mighty pine to sooth and calm her.

Lately, there was not much in her reality that she could be certain was ‘real’…..she couldn’t even define real.
Events, time and space were merging, appearing, and then leaving her consciousness, only to re-appear again.

Who am I really? She wondered. Am I Lydia who resides in Los Angeles in the year 2020 or Lady Kaleevah, of royal blood, living in England in the year of our lord 1247?
 
Kaleevah closed her eyes and tried to find reality.
Her mind drifted to a time a week past…..
 
Kaleevah was reticent to say anything at all.  The knight questioning her could decide her fate….live or die.   There was no way to know for sure which answer would evoke which ending.  And it had nothing to do with telling the truth.
If he deemed she was not bewitched, she would live; if not…..she shuddered to contemplate her fate.   She knew that her royal title would not save her.

Lydia was sipping chamomile tea in her apartment, gazing at the Pacific Ocean…..when she had a very palpable experience of BEING Kaleevah.  She could smell the pine forest, and her hands could even feel the texture of the finely woven brocade cloth of Kaleevah’s dress. 

She also felt Kaleevah’s fear.

Was it true, as some have suggested, that time is not linear, but rather happening all at once…..past, present, and future?  Was she Lydia and also Lady Kaleevah?

Lydia’s logical mind told her that her reality was here and now……2020 Los Angeles. 
But why did part of her KNOW and feel what Kaleevah was experiencing?
 
 For some time now, Kaleevah had been having strange experiences. 
It began one day when she was alone in the garden.  She was perfectly relaxed, soaking up the warmth of the sun.  Suddenly, she had the experience of being in a different land, looking out onto a massive sea. In the foreground, there were a vast number of carriage like transports moving along a road at incredible speed…. without horses!…..an enormous roaring bird flew overhead….without even flapping it’s wings.

Although initially startled and somewhat afraid, Lady Kaleevah also had the sense of familiarity when viewing these wondrous sites.

These experiences happened more and more regularly.  At first, Kaleevah told no one.  But unable to contain her desire to share what was happening to her, she eventually confided in her dear friend, Adare.

Adare’s loose lips became the reason Kaleevah was now facing the possibility of death as one who is thought to be bewitched.

Kaleevah knew that the knight in front of her held all of the physical power.  His sword would find her heart if she were to answer his questions incorrectly.

“Sir Rogan”, Lady Kaleevah  said in a calm voice that did not reflect the terror that she felt.  “Sir Rogan,   I am not now, nor have I ever been bewitched. If you consult your inner knowing, you will find this to be true.

Rogan found himself looking deeply into Kaleevah’s eyes and somehow he knew with complete certainty that he could do as Lady Kaleevah suggested.

He felt no malice or wickedness in her.  He KNEW she was pure of heart.

Rogan relaxed his grip on his sword, and Lady Kaleevah released the breath she had been holding. She knew that on this day, her fate would be... to live.

In the days that followed, Sir Rogan could not get Kaleevah from his mind.  Kaleevah too, found her thoughts constantly turning to the powerful knight, Sir Rogan.

On this day, as Lady Kaleevah was sitting in the forest, Sir Rogan came riding up….this was not a chance encounter.

​Rogan dismounted and he felt as if there was a force, drawing him towards Kaleevah.  A longing and tenderness that he could not resist overcame him.

Lady Kaleevah also felt a powerful magnetic pull to this knight, who had only days before, been the biggest threat she had ever faced in her life.

They both gave in to their desire and came towards each other for a loving and passionate kiss.

Lydia sipped her tea and smiled.