Replies to reviews: Thank you everyone for reviewing my story. Sorry it's
been so long since I've updated, it's just my first chapter was a spur of
the moment sort of thing. I've been really busy and I haven't really come
up with any more ideas. Please bear with me. Btw, I got my idea because I
thought: hey. Why is that we never no what happens in North America? I
hope you will all continue to like it!;)
Madeleine Mitchell Carr - hey! Thanks for starting me off! I really appreciate it! And for where it's going. It's basically going to be a big struggle: Light vs. Dark in the dark reaches of the northern Boreal forests of Canada.
Huntress Diana - Thank you for reviewing! Now I need to think of another rhyme thing for the start.. :P and thanks for the suggestion about the author's notes. I'll remember that. And I'll remember how to spell Wales too. Trust me. You'll see plenty of what Winnie's up to. ;)
Ruth - thanks Ruth! It's good to have another positive review! THANK YOU!:D
Silver On The Tree - I like the sound of that "wow" I hope that this chapter does that too. ;) and when I said deviously manipulating, I just meant that he REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to go. Sorry if I put Will out of character.
A-man - Hey A-man. What do you mean by expand the intro? I'll try if you tell me what you mean. And if you're wondering whether or not Bran remembers what happened at SOTT, then I guess you'll have to wait. :P
Rika - Why thank you Rika. I appreciate that.
Now with, on with the chapter.
Where earth and stone, and water meet,
Lie trickery, Dark and deceit.
But with the help of comrades bold,
The Light shall win, and from the Old
New powers wake, and soon to rise
A boy of good, that will surprise.
The drive home was uncomfortably quiet. It seemed as though Winnie and Lorie's bubbling excitement had simmered away to a slight apprehension. What now? What were they to say? Their new guests had not tried to make conversation, and nor did they.
Winnie stared out the window. Its glass was glazed with a coat of mud and spattered bugs, their innards but little flecks of disgusting sludge. Will frightened her. When he looked into her eyes at the airport, she felt a distinct feeling of power. A hidden power, a secret power. The hair on the back of her neck rose every time she chanced a glance at him. So here she was, gazing determinedly out the window, avoiding all eyes but the invisible ones of the trees. Yes, the trees did have eyes. She was sure of it. More often than her mom would approve of, she had walked the twisting trail of the woods. They were no ordinary trees.
Some of the trees were ancient. They and stood proud, surrounded by their fellows, for hundreds of years. Their whispers and stares did not go unnoticed by Winnie. She had an odd sense that they were magic.
But that was silly, she told herself harshly, there is no such thing as magic. And wishing so will only make you foolish. Do really want Will and Bran to think you odd?
At last their car crunched off the highway and onto a turn off called: Sunset Beach. Dust enveloped them in a thick fog as Lorie's old Toyota Corolla rumbled down the road.
"You'll be able to see the lake in a moment, boys" Said Lorie, breaking the stifling silence.
Will and Bran, who had been sitting tiredly, eyes almost closed, perked up at this. The car reached the end of the road. In front of them lay a beautiful beach, covered in pure white sand, untouched except for the tiny patterns of footprints left by a variety of birds. But beyond it, there was a sight that took Will's breath a way.
The failing light revealed a gorgeous sunset. Brilliant shades of pink, orange and gold weaved intricate patterns upon the water's smooth surface. The dark trees of distant land were silhouetted by the suns dying face. There presence adding to the innocence and purity of the sun.
Will knew the beach was rightfully named.
Bran had even removed his dark sunglasses, letting his strange eyes drink in the full majesty of the site before him. Never were there sunsets like this in England or Wales. It was a moment that would be fixed in their memories forever. A picture of absolute beauty, and one that they would never see again.
And then, it was passed, the car not slowed. Through many more twists and bends the car traveled before at last settling in the driveway of a small but homely cottage.
Winnie's cottage was build of wood. Large thick pine logs felled by her ancestors held together by ancient mortar. Although there had been some additions over the many years, most of her cottage was made up the original wood. The roof was copper, turned a misty green, from weather and age. Will felt drawn to the place at once.
The tiny cabin fit perfectly with its surroundings. It was bordered by a small lawn, wildflowers blossoming from untamed gardens. The earthy tones of green and brown mingled harmoniously with the bright faces of the flowers.
Will felt a curious stirring of the air. Magic swirled throughout it. This cottage was shielded, protected from the dangers so near. The beasts that the forests hosted. Will glanced at Bran; his friend seemed to feel nothing in the air.
This new knowledge brought unease to Will. Why was this house protected? The Dark was banished. Gone. Unless.. No. It couldn't be.
Unbidden, Will's mind sprang back to a memory from two weeks before..
*Math was always Will's least favorite subject. The numbers never fully made sense to him, and his dry, dusty teacher only made matters worse. Never the less, Will always tried to pay attention. As the youngest member of the Stanton family he always was vaguely aware of his siblings success. He felt an unexplained pressure to live up to their expectations. And there was, of course, no reason why he should.
During an especially boring lesson in trigonometry, Will began to feel his attention wander, his eyes lose focus. Slowly, the room dimmed and he was enveloped in a blanket of heavy darkness. Whispers arose from it. Voices neither male nor female but were hauntingly familiar. Chanting began, softly at first, and then increasing in volume until it was a torment of noise. Words crashed on him, pounding him like the waves of a frenzied sea open a rocky shore.
A time will come, a dawn will rise,
When folk of Old, must save men's lives,
Or taste the bitter zest of death,
As Dark and shadow hiss a breath,
Where earth and stone, and water meet,
Lie trickery, Dark and deceit.
But with the help of comrades bold,
The Light shall win, and from the Old
New powers wake, and soon to rise
A boy of good, that will surprise.
They voices faded. And fear washed over Will. A prophecy. This could not be. It told of the Dark. No. They were banished. Thrown out of time by the silver blossom on the Midsummer's Tree. This could not be.
Where was Merriman? Desperately will felt and irrational need to have his mentor beside him. What had happened? He needed guidance.
Will was awakened by stifled giggles, and the concerned, but irritated look of his teacher.
"Will! Are you all right? What in god's name happened?" Will's teacher glanced at his pale and sweaty face. "Perhaps you should go to the headmaster's office, Mr. Stanton. Go to him and call home. There's a good boy."
He helped Will shakily climb to his feet. *
Maybe the Dark was back. Maybe the Dark did once again and reign over the mortal world. It frightened him. And Bran still did not know it.
Winnie's timid voice brought Will back from his ponderings.
"Dinner is almost ready. After it I can show you your room." She smiled prettily. "I hope you guys like pasta and pesto sauce because it's my favorite!"
Lorie opened the door of her tiny little cabin. They all piled in and enjoyed a hearty meal. Although, Will's thoughts were always shadowed with an unexplained wariness. His senses were keen and his guard was up. What ever was happening it was not natural. He was sure of it.
Well. As long as it tooko me to write it, here's chapter two. I WOULD REALLY REALLY REALLY LOVE SOME MORE REVIEWS!!!!!
Cheers,
-Norah
Madeleine Mitchell Carr - hey! Thanks for starting me off! I really appreciate it! And for where it's going. It's basically going to be a big struggle: Light vs. Dark in the dark reaches of the northern Boreal forests of Canada.
Huntress Diana - Thank you for reviewing! Now I need to think of another rhyme thing for the start.. :P and thanks for the suggestion about the author's notes. I'll remember that. And I'll remember how to spell Wales too. Trust me. You'll see plenty of what Winnie's up to. ;)
Ruth - thanks Ruth! It's good to have another positive review! THANK YOU!:D
Silver On The Tree - I like the sound of that "wow" I hope that this chapter does that too. ;) and when I said deviously manipulating, I just meant that he REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to go. Sorry if I put Will out of character.
A-man - Hey A-man. What do you mean by expand the intro? I'll try if you tell me what you mean. And if you're wondering whether or not Bran remembers what happened at SOTT, then I guess you'll have to wait. :P
Rika - Why thank you Rika. I appreciate that.
Now with, on with the chapter.
Where earth and stone, and water meet,
Lie trickery, Dark and deceit.
But with the help of comrades bold,
The Light shall win, and from the Old
New powers wake, and soon to rise
A boy of good, that will surprise.
The drive home was uncomfortably quiet. It seemed as though Winnie and Lorie's bubbling excitement had simmered away to a slight apprehension. What now? What were they to say? Their new guests had not tried to make conversation, and nor did they.
Winnie stared out the window. Its glass was glazed with a coat of mud and spattered bugs, their innards but little flecks of disgusting sludge. Will frightened her. When he looked into her eyes at the airport, she felt a distinct feeling of power. A hidden power, a secret power. The hair on the back of her neck rose every time she chanced a glance at him. So here she was, gazing determinedly out the window, avoiding all eyes but the invisible ones of the trees. Yes, the trees did have eyes. She was sure of it. More often than her mom would approve of, she had walked the twisting trail of the woods. They were no ordinary trees.
Some of the trees were ancient. They and stood proud, surrounded by their fellows, for hundreds of years. Their whispers and stares did not go unnoticed by Winnie. She had an odd sense that they were magic.
But that was silly, she told herself harshly, there is no such thing as magic. And wishing so will only make you foolish. Do really want Will and Bran to think you odd?
At last their car crunched off the highway and onto a turn off called: Sunset Beach. Dust enveloped them in a thick fog as Lorie's old Toyota Corolla rumbled down the road.
"You'll be able to see the lake in a moment, boys" Said Lorie, breaking the stifling silence.
Will and Bran, who had been sitting tiredly, eyes almost closed, perked up at this. The car reached the end of the road. In front of them lay a beautiful beach, covered in pure white sand, untouched except for the tiny patterns of footprints left by a variety of birds. But beyond it, there was a sight that took Will's breath a way.
The failing light revealed a gorgeous sunset. Brilliant shades of pink, orange and gold weaved intricate patterns upon the water's smooth surface. The dark trees of distant land were silhouetted by the suns dying face. There presence adding to the innocence and purity of the sun.
Will knew the beach was rightfully named.
Bran had even removed his dark sunglasses, letting his strange eyes drink in the full majesty of the site before him. Never were there sunsets like this in England or Wales. It was a moment that would be fixed in their memories forever. A picture of absolute beauty, and one that they would never see again.
And then, it was passed, the car not slowed. Through many more twists and bends the car traveled before at last settling in the driveway of a small but homely cottage.
Winnie's cottage was build of wood. Large thick pine logs felled by her ancestors held together by ancient mortar. Although there had been some additions over the many years, most of her cottage was made up the original wood. The roof was copper, turned a misty green, from weather and age. Will felt drawn to the place at once.
The tiny cabin fit perfectly with its surroundings. It was bordered by a small lawn, wildflowers blossoming from untamed gardens. The earthy tones of green and brown mingled harmoniously with the bright faces of the flowers.
Will felt a curious stirring of the air. Magic swirled throughout it. This cottage was shielded, protected from the dangers so near. The beasts that the forests hosted. Will glanced at Bran; his friend seemed to feel nothing in the air.
This new knowledge brought unease to Will. Why was this house protected? The Dark was banished. Gone. Unless.. No. It couldn't be.
Unbidden, Will's mind sprang back to a memory from two weeks before..
*Math was always Will's least favorite subject. The numbers never fully made sense to him, and his dry, dusty teacher only made matters worse. Never the less, Will always tried to pay attention. As the youngest member of the Stanton family he always was vaguely aware of his siblings success. He felt an unexplained pressure to live up to their expectations. And there was, of course, no reason why he should.
During an especially boring lesson in trigonometry, Will began to feel his attention wander, his eyes lose focus. Slowly, the room dimmed and he was enveloped in a blanket of heavy darkness. Whispers arose from it. Voices neither male nor female but were hauntingly familiar. Chanting began, softly at first, and then increasing in volume until it was a torment of noise. Words crashed on him, pounding him like the waves of a frenzied sea open a rocky shore.
A time will come, a dawn will rise,
When folk of Old, must save men's lives,
Or taste the bitter zest of death,
As Dark and shadow hiss a breath,
Where earth and stone, and water meet,
Lie trickery, Dark and deceit.
But with the help of comrades bold,
The Light shall win, and from the Old
New powers wake, and soon to rise
A boy of good, that will surprise.
They voices faded. And fear washed over Will. A prophecy. This could not be. It told of the Dark. No. They were banished. Thrown out of time by the silver blossom on the Midsummer's Tree. This could not be.
Where was Merriman? Desperately will felt and irrational need to have his mentor beside him. What had happened? He needed guidance.
Will was awakened by stifled giggles, and the concerned, but irritated look of his teacher.
"Will! Are you all right? What in god's name happened?" Will's teacher glanced at his pale and sweaty face. "Perhaps you should go to the headmaster's office, Mr. Stanton. Go to him and call home. There's a good boy."
He helped Will shakily climb to his feet. *
Maybe the Dark was back. Maybe the Dark did once again and reign over the mortal world. It frightened him. And Bran still did not know it.
Winnie's timid voice brought Will back from his ponderings.
"Dinner is almost ready. After it I can show you your room." She smiled prettily. "I hope you guys like pasta and pesto sauce because it's my favorite!"
Lorie opened the door of her tiny little cabin. They all piled in and enjoyed a hearty meal. Although, Will's thoughts were always shadowed with an unexplained wariness. His senses were keen and his guard was up. What ever was happening it was not natural. He was sure of it.
Well. As long as it tooko me to write it, here's chapter two. I WOULD REALLY REALLY REALLY LOVE SOME MORE REVIEWS!!!!!
Cheers,
-Norah