AN: This is a product of watching Brave and the Hobbit way to many times! I would like to say thank you to Reincarnated Poet. She helped me clean this chapter up, making it presentable for everyone to read. During the story I will use things from the Celtic Mythology, so if there's anything that needs a little more information I will provide it at the end of the story. I hope you enjoy!
Also, Maeve is pronounced MAY-V and Naomh is pronounced NEEV (they're Scot-Irish/Celtic)
Will of the Wisps
Prologue
839 A.D.
The sand was cold and wet between the little girl's toes as her feet sunk deep into the sand, the individual grains rough against her skin. She ran along it, her wild mess of hair whipping back behind her as the wind carried the smell of salt and earth over the beach. The waves crashed against her little legs, knocking her into the sand, where she rolled to her feet, screaming with shrill laughter as the gulls cried overhead. A few steps behind her, her older sister, Naomh, chased after her. "Come h're you lil' rabbit!"
"Ye can't catch me!" Maeve laughed as a wave crashed into her stubby legs again, washing her down the beach before she struggled to her feet again. She giggled and took off, the wind blowing her red mane behind her. Naomh laughed, head shaking and sending beaded braids wiping against her cheeks. She took short steps through the foaming ocean, exaggerating with her arms as she jogged down the coast. Her sister's peals of laughter echoed across the shoreline, joining the symphony of the ocean.
Looming ahead of the sisters were the mighty cliffs that bracketed the shoreline, the jagged edges cutting into the ocean like a ship against the harsh waves. The elements had worn them down, sending slabs of the stone into the water below, where masts and hulls splintered into nothingness. The rocks protruded from the water like the open jaws of a mysterious sea monster that lurked in the shallow water. To foreigners, the riches the land possessed weren't worth the risk, but to the girls and their people, the danger was just a beacon, leading them home.
Gazing at the cliffs, they stole Naomh's attention from her sister. They gave her comfort despite the dangers of being near them. The sand disappeared too quickly into the ocean there. One moment the water would be at your knees and the next step could be your last, the ocean sucking you in and drowning you in minutes. And the tide's pull was worse there as well, carrying unwatched children out to sea. But despite the dangers, they were a welcomed sight to Naomh.
Letting out a content sigh, Naomh lowered her eyes to her sister. With a cold dread she realized that her sister got too far ahead of her. Pulse quickening, she watched Maeve run closer to the tidal pools that were known to hold dark creatures beneath its depths. Dark creatures that delighted in mortal suffering and drowning their victims, especially little children.
"Mae, wait up!" Naomh shouted as an icy hand gripped her heart. Muttering a short curse, she began to sprint, eliminating the growing distance between them. A few seconds passed and the older sister stumbled next to younger, panting as the salty air made the sting in her lungs even worse. With no time to catch her breath, she grabbed Maeve's arm and pulled her from the water. Her little sister struggled, digging her feet in the sand.
"What are ye doin'!" Maeve whined, pulling at the tight grip her sister had on her arm. Naomh hissed without looking back, her chest heaving as her lungs grabbed for air, "I'm savin' yer life! There'res creature's th're that'll kill ye in a blink!"
"Ye don' know that! They're jus' stories!" Maeve continued, but she gave up in her struggle. She knew that she couldn't escape her sister's grip. Naomh didn't speak at first, dragging her sister far from the water now. When the ocean was more than a yard away from them, she let go of her sister's arm and turned to her. Hands on her hips and a stern look that rivaled that of their mother's, she began to lecture the younger girl, but she stopped before she began and let out a sigh.
Maeve was only a child, and Naomh knew she didn't really mean any harm. She was that age once, exploring the world around them and testing every story and legend their father told them. Her face softened and she knelt down before she sister. Taking the girl's shoulders, Naomh held her attention and spoke kindly, "Th're are stories for a reason, Mae, they keep us safe."
"But I've n'ver seen one!" Maeve said, no longer protesting her sister's actions. Instead, curiosity brightened her light eyes. "Are the Kelpie ev'n real?" (*)
Naomh sighed, having asked the same question when she was younger. But now she knew the truth, that the world was a beautiful and dangerous place all at the same time. Smiling she answered with wisdom beyond her sister. "They're real. They've killed our people many times b'fore. That's why th're are stories, ta warn lil' children. Do ye understand?"
Seeing the sincerity in her sister's eyes all the protests died in Maeve's throat. Closing her mouth, she decided not to press anymore, choosing to believe Naomh for now. Nodding her head Maeve kicked at the sand and looked away, her gaze returning to the cliffs behind them. The heavy moment dissipated like the early morning fog and her enthusiasm returned. A grin broke across her freckled face as her eyes found Naomh's again.
"Let's climb it!" Maeve suggested, pointing her tiny finger toward the rough edge of the cliff. All darkness from the previous conversation was forgotten as she bounced around in the sand, her childish energy never seemed to wane after all her running around. Naomh smiled and chuckled. Taking another deep breath, she remembering the days when she shared her sister's vigor. Gazing up at the large rough side, she judged whether it would be climbable. The rock was still jagged despite the years of erosion from the wind and rain. Clumps of grass braved the fruitless conditions and sprung from various cracks on the side. A subtle path of protruding earth could be seen in the cliff's side, the rocky handholds big enough to grab and support weight. She knew for sure that she could make it, but as she looked upon the various sharp edges she felt differently about Maeve, who still hadn't processed the strength to carry herself so far.
Crouching down and offering her back, Naomh turned to her sister. "C'mon, get on."
"But why?" Maeve asked a whine beginning to form in her voice again, her fists balling at her sides. "I wanna do't myself!"
"Another day," Naomh laughed and urged her sister forward. "I promise."
Maeve pouted before she relented. She carefully scrambled onto her sister's back, wrapping her arms around Naomh's neck. Shifting under the added weight of the younger girl, Naomh held onto her tiny legs as she stood again and walked up to the cliff's side. Turning her head slightly, she looked at Maeve, "Ye ready?"
"Uh-huh!" Maeve nodded her head vehemently, her wild hair bouncing with the jerky motion. Naomh grinned as she let go of her sister's legs, which immediately wrapped around her waist, and began to climb the rocky surface, grabbing a hold of the rocks. "A'right h're we go!"
With deep calming breathes the sisters ascended from the sandy beach. Naomh was slow and careful as she felt her way up the side. Her hands tentatively reached for the next rock, testing it. When she was sure the rock was stable she did the same with her feet. She was cautious of any loose rocks that might cause them to fall to their deaths. She even used the clumps of grass to help pull them up.
Maeve clung to her sister in fear, but her curiosity and growing awe eventually allowed her to gaze at the world around her. The beach grew smaller. The white sands seemed to disappear into the ocean. Above them the sky turned from blue to pink as the sun slowly descended from its heavenly throne, leaching all the blue as it went. The wind grew slightly harsher, from a soft tugging whisper to a louder whistle. Maeve stared at it all with wide child-like eyes as her sister sweated and concentrated on the climb.
Blinking the sweat from her eyes, Naomh grabbed a hold of a chunk of grass. Pulling on the long blades, she lifted them up. The dirt around the pant crumbled and fell away. Quickly, she grabbed onto rock above it before the plant dropped from the side. Biting her lip, Naomh pushed forward, knowing that she shouldn't linger. Her fur stitched boots slid against the earth as she continued, making the climb that more difficult.
Finally, when the sun sunk half way into the ocean, Naomh struggled in pulling them up from the ledge. Her tattooed arms burned and trembled as she put them under the great stress, feeling too tired and worn to finish the job. But she persisted, determined to get on the flat landing. With a forceful grunt, which turned into a pained cry, she finally stood on the cliff top with Maeve still clinging to her back. Gasping softly, Maeve let go and dropped from her sister's back, running through the high grass as her sister collapsed.
Naomh watched her sister run through the high grass, the strands coming up to her waist. She tried to regain her breathing; the lush greenery tickling her exposed skin, as she heaved in lungful's of salty air. Groaning as Maeve disappeared, Naomh tried to go after her, but her muscles tightened in her legs. Falling to her knees, Naomh watched her sister's head bobbing above the grass like a boat on the water. When her muscles relented in their aching complaints and her breath was quiet again, she stood.
Maeve rested at the end of the ledge, completely still as she gazed at the beautiful scene before her. The sun was mostly behind the water's edge now, its long fingers stretching across the darkening sky in a last vain attempt to hold onto its reign and stay in the world. The pinks and oranges glowed around the sun like a halo, while the royal blues and purples closed in around them. The sun's image reflected on the ocean's surface, wavering like a candle flame in the nighttime breeze. And just above, where the nightly darkness was creeping in, the stars blinked into sight, like fireflies in the summertime.
"Tis' beautiful ain't it?" Naomh whispered as she walked up beside her sister. Her expression was somber compared to the younger girl, whose face was full of awe and wonder. Maeve could only nod her head, the scene before her stealing all intelligent words from her tongue. Naomh smiled and placed a hand on her sister's shoulder, pulling the tiny body into her side. No matter how many times Maeve had seen the sun set over the water each time looked different and more beautiful than the last. She sighed and relaxed into her sister's side. For a few quiet moments they watched the day give way to night, content with the silence between them
The gulls gathered around the beach, settling down as they prepared for the night. Around them the crickets and the tree frogs of the forests began to sing in harmony, their chirps and croaks welcoming the moon and stars with their nightly symphony. Maeve stared at the last of the sun as it sank into the water, but something caught her eye. A handful of black dots sat in the orange sun. They were so small, so shapeless that they brought the young girl from her mystified stupor. "Nee, wha' are those?"
Maeve pointed to the horizon and Naomh looked hard. She couldn't see a thing, the dots being too small for the older girl's eyes to catch. Laughing she patted Maeve's back, "I don' see anythin', maybe tis' just yer imagination!" Then she squeezed Maeve's shoulder, getting her attention from the ocean. "But let's start headin' back, we don' want ta start worrin' Da, now do we?"
"No." Maeve said, disappointment mixing in her voice. Naomh smiled and offered her hand. Together they began to walk away from the cliff's edge and in the direction of their village.
(*) Kelpie are from Celtic Mythology, which the Picts were a sect of Celts, and they were considered monsters. The Kelpie were usually described as horses with kelp in their manes or sometimes they transformed into men with kelp for hair. Now these creatures were very hostile towards humans and often led children and women to their deaths by alluring them to follow them. They usually killed their victims by drowning them in nearby lakes or other bodies of water. They are also considered by some as a species of Faerie.
