So this is a test... I've always wondered if the gang would be able to survive in Ireland. So I decided to test it out. keep in mind this is my own 'unique' version of Ireland. It is not really like the honest to goodness real thing.
Irish Legends (YYH)
A relatively tall girl with very pointy elfin-like features, orange hair pulled back with a green headband and bluish purple eyes is sits in the middle of a meadow, surrounded by trees, reading a book by the dim light of the setting sun.
"Trill! Trill. Are ye reading again?"
"Aye. Sorry grandmotha." she looks up guiltily at the very short white haired old woman towering over her.
"I don't na' why I've been looking for ye for so long…This is just the place I'd find ye, tisn't it?" She smiles kindly at her, " How many times do I have to tell ye not to read in the dark?" a slight smile crosses the girls face at the reprimand, "There be a message waiting at the house for ye."
"Finally." She jumps up, book tumbling from her lap, momentarily forgotten, "Thanks Grandmotha!" Turning she runs in the direction of the house. The older lady smiles at her retreating form, shaking her head. Leaning down, she picks up the book Trill dropped.
"Book of the Fey." Lowering the book she stares after her with a knowing look in her eyes.
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I run to the little cottage at the edge of the green wood. It is surrounded by a brown picket fence. Behind it can be seen a small rickety shed, a trusty and well-used bike propped up against it. A single stone path leads to the heavy door through gardens of large voluptuous flowers and vegetables, mainly cabbage and potatoes. Before I enter the yard I stop to straighten up my red embroidered vest and pull my tee shirt straight, tucking it into my jeans.
Once I no longer look as messed up as usual I casually walk up to the door, pushing it open. It creaks loudly, as usual. The room behind the door has dark wood furniture and an empty fireplace in the corner. A single rug sits in the very middle of the room, everything placed around it. On the far wall hangs a very intricately carved short bow, hanging next to it is a quiver filled with silver arrows. Standing in front of those, back turned to me is a young girl with cropped brown hair in a pink kimono. Her hands folded behind her back in a distinctly girlish manner.
"It is here…" the girl mutters quietly in Japanese. Luckily I speak Japanese.
"Falte." I just choose not to. The girl jumps and turns toward me, raising a hand to her heart.
"Don't do that!" She demands in very accented English.
"Sorry." I can't help smiling at her reaction, "Trillian Merrik. 'Tis a pleasure!" After making a sweeping bow I reach out my hand. She takes it and shakes it once, very formally.
"Kendra." She hides her hands in the folds of her sleeves and looks at me, blankly.
"So…uh…you have a message for me?" Just to be annoying I pronounce my words very, very slowly. I'm such a skeerda.
"Oh! Yes I do!" Kendra pulls a piece of paper from her kimono, "Here. He told me to tell you to be quick about it because he needs you for something else as soon as possible. His words, not mine." She holds out the paper. My hands shake with restrained excitement as I reach out and grab it.
"Thank you, and tell him I shall do my best."
"Fine. Now I have to go." She turns to head out the door. I pull it open for her with a smile. What can I say? I just couldn't hide it.
"Thank you again, Kendra-san." She pauses a moment as though surprised to be thanked, are people really that rude? A smile breaks across her face for the first time, that I've seen anyway.
"No problem!" She says, sounding kind for just a moment. She disappears out the door and I close it behind her. My mind already focused on the note in my hand. Just glancing at the seal I rip it open. Practically shoving my nose in it I walk absentmindedly to the rocking chair.
If you thought that the smile on my face couldn't get any bigger you were wrong. When my grandmotha walks in a couple of minutes later I greet her with a look very much like a pooka that just ate the cheese out from in front of someone.
"Good news?" Nodding my head I stand up, "A mission?"
"It's been a while since I've had any missions, grandmotha, I'm so excited!" unable to refrain I dance around her in excitement. She stops me by grabbing my hands and turning me to face her.
"Calm down, child. Don't let yer excitement negate the need to keep safe." She looks up into my eyes, very serious. Worry wrinkles her brows.
"Don't worry grandmotha, I won't. Besides I have to come back so you don't die of starvation!" Grandmother's face cracks into a smile.
"Just make sure ye remember that!" she says, "Ye know how much I loves me food!" She waggles a finger at me. Her face slowly turns serious again, "When do ye need to go?"
"Tonight or I will have to wait another cycle, and by then it may be to late." Releasing myself from her grip I walk over to the bow hanging on the wall. Running my hand down it's surface I smile at it's smooth texture before taking it down. "It's been a while since I've had to pull you down, hasn't it?"
It has indeed I was beginning to get restless. A voice coos into your ear, coming from nowhere and yet everywhere. I chuckle quietly.
"We don't want that, now do we?"
Indeed not. I lay the bow down on one of the chairs almost reverently. Hey! After everything it's done it deserves it. I turn to the quiver.
"Hey boys, are you ready to go?"
Yes! Absolutely! About time. We were starting to get dusty! Many different voices echo around and through me. The feeling is pleasant.
"Then let's go!" I tell them, already pulling the quiver from the bindings holding it on the wall. I lay them gingerly next to the bow.
"Yer vest, Trill." My grandmother tells me. She always worries.
"Thank you, grandmotha." I wouldn't have forgotten but to help make her feel better I turn my red vest inside-out there. Grabbing the bow and quiver I swing them over my shoulder.
"Time to go." I give my grandmotha a hug.
"Be safe, Trillian." She says in my ear. She really does worry to much
"Aye grandmotha. I will. This will be easy, I'm sure of it." Pulling myself free I head out the door, not looking back. I don't need to. Once I exit the gate I break into a sprint.
I run to my favorite place, the clearing I was reading in earlier. I look around for a moment, just to make sure there's nothing around me. Putting two fingers to my lips I let out a very loud whistle. The whistle echoes all around . As it fades I close my eyes and listen carefully. After a moment I finally hear it, but just barely.
The sound of wings beating in the distance. My eye twitches. Taking his sweet time, as always. Opening my eyes I look up at the patch of sky that is peeking through the trees. A moment later something covers the patch, blocking the sun. As it gets closer it becomes clearer.
A regal creature with the head and torso of an eagle and the hindquarters of a lion lands feet from me. It folds its massive bat-like wings it looks as me questioningly through glimmering yellow cat eyes. Its gold feathers catch the last rays of the sun, glowing in the light. It squawks. What's the problem?
"I have a mission, Serdel. I humbly ask if you would lend your vast power to my weak reserves and assist me." I bow low. If he had eyebrows one would be raised.
Oh get up flattery will do you nothing, daruhshie. Now either shut up or tell me what's up. I straighten with a laugh.
"I've missed you, Serdel."
Humph. He turns his head in general snub-like fashion.
"How are your children and Saliana?"
They are doing wonderfully. Karda brought us dinner for the first time last week. How's grandmere?
"Doing okay." I sigh, it's been so long since I've seen him, "There be a problem with the Seelie host. They wish for our aid."
Wish? Or demand? I can't help but smile at that.
"I said 'wish' for courtesies sake. They ask us to meet them by Sister Oak when the new moon is directly above."
Fine. Let's get going, I would like to be home before Saliana throws a fit. Serdel leans down on his front knees. Taking a step forward I jump onto his back.
"That would be the day." Serdel snorts at me and jumps into the air. With a powerful flap of his wings he has cleared the trees and is soaring through the sky. My grip tightens on his feathers. I've always felt at home on his back.
Serdel flies to another clearing large enough for him to land. As soon as he touches down I reluctantly jump off his back and stride toward a path large enough for a small dragon, or in this case a gryphon, to pass through. The path is dark, filled with threatening shadows, the grasping branches, very creepy, if you were someone other than me, that is. Seeing how it is me, I ignore them and whistle a nameless tune. The trees lighten and the shadows become mere shadows. After about a mile of walking I halt in front of a shallow river. Sitting on the bank is a large gnarled oak tree, leaning towards the water. It's branches stretch and reach in its seeming desire to just touch the clear liquid. I walk to the bank and sit down, feet folded under me. Straightening my back I close my eyes in meditation. Serdel practically folds in on himself as he makes himself comfortable, he always was fairly large, even for a gryphon. He lays his head on the mossy ground and closes his gold cat eyes. After hours of sitting there music begins to play. I open my eyes to see many small wrinkled humanlike creatures dancing around a fire across the river. The fire is the only source of light. A smile crosses my face. The Trow's are having a celebration. I close my eyes again and just listen to the lively music.
"Hae ye any sulver, ma'am?" A whiny voice asks my ear. I don't open my eyes to look.
"Go—get along to the dance."
"An it please ye, they will na' tak' me back, ma'am! They will na' let me in. I be banished frae Trowland and condemned to wander forever among the lonesome places."
"Why were you banished?" I raise an eyebrow, it's always interesting to hear these tales.
"Och, an' I stealed summat, ma'am, but I meant no harm, and it were sae bonny, all o' sulver. But it were the King's spoon, ma'am, the King o' the Trows. I gived it back, I did, but they'll nae let me in again, save for once a year on Littlesun Eve when I be allooed to veesit Trowland for a peerie start—but a' gets is eggshells tae crack atween me teeth followed by a lunder upon me lugs and a wallop ower me back. So I wanders wanless, poor object!"
The distress in the Trow boys voice drags a chuckle from me. Opening my mouth for a reply I quickly snap it shut again when a creaking sound emits from next to me. I open my eyes and jump to my feet, the little Trow boy scurries away squeaking. Serdel gracefully rises from the ground fluttering his wings before settling them onto his back.
Turning toward the tree I fold my hands in front of me. The oak tree shudders violently before wailing once again. The very center of the tree seems to lift up then back, disappearing inside itself. Out of the doorway comes a procession of golden haired elves, each one more beautiful than the last. Their clothes shimmer in the night, catching the nonexistent moonlight. After a profound number of elves have surrounded me and Serdel two glowing figures step out from the tree. They are more beautiful than the dawn. Each one is hard to look at for very long, lest you become blind by them, unless it's me. Their beauty doesn't affect me in the least, it's not like I've never seen it before.
"Caiee mille falte." Says the king of the elves in a voice that promises unlimited wealth.
"Caiee mille falte." Says the queen of the elves in a voice that promises all of my dreams fulfilled.
"Mo gaidair." I say in a voice that promises…well... nothing really... I bow low.
"Do you know why we have asked for your assistance?" The king says to me.
I raise an eyebrow, I've been doing that a lot lately, "To help you, duh. Now quit with the stupid questions and let's get on with this."
The elves surrounding me gasp. No one speaks to the king that way! They take a threatening step towards me and Serdel. To their surprise the king chuckles, it is a beautiful sound like the chimes of bells.
"Well said, Chehrna! Well said."
"So why did you call me here?" I look him straight in the eyes, don't do that unless you have protection from glamour. Now I do so I look him straight in the eyes, they're really pretty.
"We are having a problem with a skeerdagoblin." The queen says.
"That's it?" I say, a little angry. They could have just had that put in the note instead of getting my hopes up like that! The elves all look at me expectantly.
I sigh, already knowing I'm beat," Very well. Where is this goblin?" Anger seeps through my voice. The High elves look at me blankly and point their long slender fingers at me. I know I'm not a goblin so I turn and look behind me and, what do you know! A path where once there was none. I turn back around mouth open only to see that Serdel and I are the only ones by the bank.
"I hate it when they do that." shaking my head, "I'm sorry I called you for a stupid extermination errand, Serdel."
Don't be silly, it feels good to get away from Saliana for a while, even if it is for something really sgorrama. I smile and start to head down the glowing path. After walking for about an hour we come to a fork in the path.
"Now what?" Looking at each path, trying to decide what the best choice would be I grimace. Serdel looks at me for a moment with his round eyes before heading down the larger one.
"Serdel, wha-?"
I can't fit on that path.
"Oh…Hehe!" I follow him in mock meekness. Farther along the path the two of us stumble upon a very old shack. The windows have been boarded and the roof is covered with holes. The door hangs crookedly on its hinges, seemingly held up by magic. Serdel and I exchange glances, could it be? I walk over and knock on the door. Before I can touch it on the first knock it falls to the ground with a loud crash, throwing dust into the air. Shrugging I and walk forward, pulling a hidden knife from the inside of my vest. I just place my foot on the wood floor when a hoarse yell cracks the silence and a yellow brilliance floods my eyes, blinding me momentarily. As my vision adjusts I can make out a short thickset goblin with long, prominent teeth. His skinny fingers, armed with talons like eagles, are wrapped around a spitting firebrand in one hand and a pikestaff in the other. Grisly hair streams down his shoulders. He glares at me with fiery red eyes.
"An Irishman!" cries the wight. "And me cap in need o' new color! All the redder for't! Why cam' ye by my door?" The redcap brandishes his pikestaff menacingly.
"It lay in my road." I reply evenly. The wight spits contemptuously at the knife in my hand.
"Yer cold iron afears me not. I sha' fling stones upon ye."
"I'd rather you flung loaves." I counter.
"I wish't ye were hangin' up on yonder battlement!"
"And a good ladder under me." I parry instantly.
"And the ladder for to break!"
"And for you to fall down."
The advantage is with me—I have pronounced the Last Word. The wight fumes and stamps, gnashing his teeth. Inspiration finally dawns on him.
"I wish ye were in the sea!"
"And a good boat under me." I remain undaunted.
"And the boat for to break!"
"And for you to be drowned."
"But I wish ye were in the lake!"
"And I swimming." My zeal blazing now.
"And the water frozen."
"And the smith hammering at it."
"And the smith to be dead!"
"And another smith instead!"
"I will hack ye with me axe!"
"You'll only chop stone." I say sidestepping suddenly to show how swiftly I can react.
"I will fight ye anon."
"Aye, and not long till I defeat you."
The goblin stands stuttering, openmouthed, dribbling and dumbfounded. Vanquished. I can't resist the opportunity to add one final triumphant insult.
"Giff, gaff, yer mouth's full of chaff." And as quick as that the goblin disappears in a puff of smoke leaving his screeching yell behind. Trouble taken care of I turn and exit the shack to stand next to a patiently waiting Serdel.
All taken care of without even a scratch I see. He squawks at me. I nod.
"Easy." It was too easy for my liking. One of these day's I'm going to get a challenge and then I'll probably regret my words, but for now that's what I wanted.
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Chehrna: dear damsel
Caiee mille falte: One hundred thousand welcomes
Sgorrama: stupid
Skeerda: bad devious person
Daruhshie: self-destructive fool
Mo gaidair: my friend
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