Eddin's Courtships

From MeiLinWiki

Long, long ago, Silver-Eyed Eddin became enamored of Venna, She of the Hearth. He courted Her relentlessly, and still She would not give in, preferring the company of Her maidens. Eddin spoke with the all the spirits of the earth, sea and air, and the sea spirits finally told Him of the animals in their depths that could be both male and female, depending on the need. He spoke with the spirits of these animals, and they told Him their secrets. Knowing these secrets, Eddin came to Venna in the guise of a woman, a beautiful, strong woman with silver eyes and iron hair, and Venna instantly fell in love.

But once in Her bed, Eddin could not control Himself, and at the moment of delight, changed Himself once again and took Her as a man. Venna was too overcome with desire Herself and did not fight Him, though once They were through She bitterly condemned Him for His trickery and said He would one day pay for the insult. Eddin, however, was well pleased with Himself, especially when He found He'd left Venna with child.

Not long afterwards, Farr, He of the red hair and redder hands, lover of men, birthed a passionate longing for Eddin, who at first ran from His violent brother. But, thinking of the trick He'd played on Venna, Eddin changed His mind and agreed to come to Farr's bed. Once there, in the thick of passion Eddin changed His sex again, and Farr found Himself in the one place He swore He'd never be, inside a woman. So angry was He with Eddin that He continued on, not releasing Eddin until He'd had every charm Eddin's female body possessed, several times over, His anger fueling His lust. When They were through, Eddin staggered away bloodied, bruised, and with child Himself!

And so Venna's prophecy came to pass. When Venna gave birth to Her child, She sent Him to Eddin to raise. Eddin gave birth to a girl, and He raised the two as brother and sister. The girl He called Dawn, and She comes before Her father Farr every morning as He rides His sun chariot across the sky. The boy He called Twilight, and He comes before His mother Venna every night as She sails Her moon boat across the sky. Dawn ever takes the part of men, and Twilight ever takes the part of women, as They should, for the day is the time of men, and the night is the time of women.