by Susan Owens, also written by Stompy Sara, Linda, and Kimberly Rated: G Part 1 ffffffffffff
H.M. Murdock was taking a walk with his dog Billy in the V.A. garden, when suddenly Billy started to growl. "Hey ,Billy ,what the matter boy?"
Billy kept on growling so Murdock went to see what was wrong. There in the bush was a little man all dress in green .He also was wearing a large hat on his head something like what a pilgrim would wear and pointing shoes. Murdock had never seen the likes of him before except maybe in story books. The little man seen to be caught on the bush.
"Hi can you uses some help?"
The little man turn as best he could toward Murdock. "Ah laddie, could you be given me a wee hand here? I seem to have gotten my button caught on this dang bush."
Murdock walk over to the little man and he study the situation. "Not with out cutting your shirt."
"Nay laddie ,you mustn't be doing that . I can't have you be ruining me shirt ."
Murdock studied it again "Okay maybe just the button, okay?"
The little man nodded his head. "Okay ,but be careful. Don't go a cutting me shirt." Murdock soon had the little man loose and he gave him back his button .Which he sew back on with magic .
He then look at Murdock. "The name is Sean O'Grady ,and I thank you for your help."
"So what a little fellow like you doing out here by yourself? .Won't your mother worry about you?"
"I am not a little fellow .I happened to be a leprechaun."
Murdock stared "Leprechaun .You mean like from Ireland ,the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow type leprechaun?"
"Aye That's what I am ."
"Wow that mean since I caught you ,you have to give me your pot of gold."
The leprechaun smiled technicality laddie you didn't catch me, and even if you did .I have no pot of gold to give you."
"I thought all leprechaun had a pot of gold."
"Aye ,they do but mind was stolen ."
"Hey no problem .I'll help you get it back."
"Would you be doing that for me laddie? If you help me I will grant you three wishes."
Murdock smiled ."Me and my friends will help you."
The leprechaun shook his head ."Nay ,laddie only you can help me. I only have enough magic to take one other person with me."
"What about my dog ,Billy. Can he come?"
"Yes he can come."
"So who took you pot of gold?"
"It be a banshee. She took my pot of gold. So are you ready laddie?"
Murdock nodded his head "So where are we going?" Suddenly things started spinning and the last thing Murdock heard was "Ireland laddie, we are going to Ireland."
Murdock stumbled at the sudden re-orientation. The first thing that struck him was the vast expanse of green surrounding him on all sides, broken only by the sea far to his left, and becoming a dark forest to his right. He tried to follow the treeline to its end, and found it impossible. The black branches, heavy with foliage, ran on to the horizon. He turned slowly, nodding to himself. Of course. He was in Ireland. Heh. He shrugged his shoulders and looked down at his diminutive companion. The little man drew in a deep breath, a wide smile on his face.
"Ah, home. And nothing like it in the world. So laddie, and do you be having a name?" Murdock stuck out his hand. "Captain H.M. Murdock, at your service." They shook hands solemnly. "And you've already met Billy." He nodded towards the large black mongrel cavorting in the waves not far from them.
"A fine animal, me laddie, a fine animal. Perhaps his nose will lead us to our quarry." Sean O'Grady straightened his coat, squared his shoulders and started towards the forest. "This way, Captain."
"Just plain Murdock is fine by me, Mr. O'Grady." "And just plain Sean suits me as well."
It was a strange trio that ventured towards that ominous wood, the mental patient, the dog that wasn't there, and the tiny man who walked between them, one hand on Billy's massive back. A heavy, wet fog soon surrounded them, obscuring the ground and winding through the trees.
Murdock glanced around nervously. The forest oozed with ancient power. He couldn't explain it, but he wondered if he had taken on more than he could handle, even with the help of a leprechaun.
"Uh, Sean, just what exactly are we up against? Most Irish lore describes banshees as horrible wraiths with ear-piercing shrieks, who only appear to those who are about to die, or as a sign that someone else has. Now I'm all for these three wishes you spoke of, but I'd like to live to enjoy 'em."
"Well, Captain, that is to say Murdock, I can offer you little reassurance. Just don't be looking in her eyes, and you'll be safer than most. As for the wailing. . ." He shrugged. "It would chill any man's bones to the marrow."
"Riiight. Okay gotcha." Murdock struck a defensive stance, brandishing an imaginary sword. "Perhaps this blade, straight and true, will aid us in our quest."
"No weapon will touch her, me laddie. You'll have to do better than that."
"Okay, my wits it is. . . God help us."
Murdock and Billy followed the leprechaun deep into the woods, until a small stream blocked their path. Sean O'Grady turned sharply to follow it downstream. They walked in silence for a time, Murdock gazing about in awe. No place he had ever visited had the palpable age these trees radiated. He shivered, glad for his leather jacket.
"You know where we're goin'?" he asked Sean.
"Your companion leads us to her," Sean replied, patting the dog's head affectionately. Billy had his nose to the dirt, and whatever trail he was following paralleled the stream. He suddenly slowed, then stopped, a low growl beginning deep in his throat. Murdock and Sean knelt next to the bristling animal. Sean pointed.
"There, and not far," he whispered.
"Wait, hold on," Murdock protested. "We need a plan, catch her by surprise or somethin'. If only Hannibal were here," he muttered.
"Let's get a look at her first, me laddie. An observation, if you will."
"Well. . ." Murdock hesitated. "Alright. Let's go."
