Title: Do No Harm

Fandom: Tir Alainn Trilogy

Disclaimer: Not my characters. Just for fun.

Warnings: spoilers for The House of Gaian

Pairings: none

Rating: PG

Wordcount: 440

Point of view: third

She is justice… and she is vengeance.

o0o

Do no harm. Never strike first. The creed of her kind, woven into her soul since before memory, six words that defined her every action.

Do no harm. Never strike first—deep inside, wired into her being, six words formed her. Do no harm. Never strike first.

Few could compete with her. Few could equal her. None surpassed her.

A handful of Crones in the Mother's Hills. Perhaps a dash of forgotten witches on the edge of the world.

Do no harm. Never strike first.

She could form storms that would flood the world. She could call down mountains and summon the sea. She could burn entire forests and towns, shatter the earth as men hurried to and fro. She could pull air from lungs and leave them gasping for breath. She could form bridges from moonlight and will alone.

Do no harm. Never strike first.

She never harmed on purpose. She never struck first.

Even those that loved her feared her. The power hummed just underneath her skin, always seeking release. The world—fire, earth, air, water—sang to her, listened for her, always willing to do as she asked.

Ask. She danced for them, for the Mother, asking—not commanding.

Do no harm. Never strike first.

And then she ascended. Became the Huntress. The Lady of the Moon. The Queen of the Witches.

The world trembled before her. She danced and others joined—and they were scared of her, terrified of the power humming in her blood, singing in the wind.

The Crones met her eyes; her sister stood beside her.

Do no harm. Never strike first.

Justice… vengeance.

A gentle touch on her shoulder; a murmur in the wind.

The Hunter ruled. The Huntress led.

Neither could afford hesitation. Neither could tremble beneath the load.

Do no harm. Never strike first.

She had to protect her kind, and innocents in the way of the Black Coats. She had to end it. She and the Hunter had to take a stand and keep such atrocities from ever happening again.

Do no harm. Never strike first.

But harm had already been done, and this was only striking back.

Her sister beside her, the Huntress led.

Do no harm. The earth shifted beneath her feet. Never strike first. The wind swirled around her. Do no harm. Fire danced in her eyes. Never strike first. Water fell from the sky.

Justice. Justice for those slain and maimed by petty fear and grudges. Vengeance. Vengeance for those whose light waned because of hate.

Do no harm.

The Huntress changed form and howled.