Part 2

They crept farther downstream, the fog muffling their footfall. Murdock could hear his heart pound and his breathing shorten as a pathetic figure materialised about fifty feet from where they crouched. It was shrouded in cloth the same color as the mist, a hooded bunch of rags that trailed in the water as it knelt at the bank. It appeared to be washing something. Murdock glimpsed a skeletal hand, and shuddered. But the worst thing of all was the pervasive wailing, an eerie howl that filled his ears and the surrounding forest, until it seemed it must be the only noise in the world. Murdock pulled his cap down lower and folded his arms tightly across his chest, trying to remember to breathe. Then his eyes bugged as the head slowly turned in their direction.

"We need to be gone, Captain!" Sean pulled on his sleeve urgently, but Murdock needed no such encouragement. The three of them fled back upstream, as the wailing rose to a screech, like hideous laughter. The faster they ran, the farther into the forest they seemed to be. All of a sudden the trees started spinning, the three of them weren't spinning, but the trees were. Murdock thought to himself, 'I wish I'd taken my meds this morning like I was supposed to', but then he realized that both Billy and Sean were standing still in a daze too.

The trees started growing, no they weren't growing, the three of them were descending. They descended lower and lower into the earth until the trees disappeared. Then with a thud they landed, Murdock on the bottom, and Billy on top of him, with Sean hanging on, swinging from one of Billy's ears.

"This is the weirdest trip I've ever been on", said Murdock. Murdock looked around, the sun was rising. Light was beginning to encroach on one side of the horizon. As it became lighter and lighter right before his eyes, he saw he was looking out over a beautiful ocean.

"Are we still in Ireland, Sean?" Murdock asked. When Sean didn't answer, Murdock looked around for him. 'Where'd he go?" he asked. The water's edge was at least 100 yards away, he and Billy were standing on a deserted beach. Murdock tried to get his bearings, he figured he was facing east since the sun was rising over the ocean. But then nothing had been as it should be on this trip so far.

He wasn't sure what to do, he didn't know how to get home without Sean. He didn't want to leave the poor little guy here, where ever they were. He sat on the beach and scratched Billy behind the ear.

"What's this boy, what's this in your ear?" Murdock said to Billy.

Upon further inspection, Murdock saw what looked like a tiny leg sticking out of Billy's ear. He pulled gently on it, and out popped Sean! Murdock remembered that Sean had been hanging onto Billy's ear during the fall, he supposed the little guy had climbed in for safety.

"Where are we now, Sean?" asked Murdock.

When Sean didn't answer Murdock looked around and asked another question. "Are we in Ireland, Sean?"

Sean got a foothold into the nape of Billy's neck and grasped a chunk of fur with his tiny hands and replied, "No Laddie, We aren't in Ireland."

Murdock reached down and stroked Billy's fur as he asked "Do you know where we are?"

Sean tugged on the sleeve of Murdock's leather jackets and replied, "How the heck should I know, I came here with you Laddie, remember?"

Murdock nodded and said, "Oh Yeah, You sure did." the pilot, big black dog that wasn't there and the wee little man riding on the dog's back, gazed with awe at the splendor of the beauty surrounding them. the were mesmerized by the lapping of the waves and the soothing breeze that caressed their faces.

Their moment of tranquility was soon interrupted by a loud hideous screeching filled the air. "Oh NO! Come lade we must run for the banshee is back!"

Murdock grabbed Sean with his hand and turned into a full run with Billy trying to catch up. "Come on Billy, Come on Boy" Murdock yelled as he slapped his thigh .

Billy began picking up the pace with all fours . His tongue hanging out and flying along side of his furry face. He ran as fast is big body could to catch up with his master and the little leprechaun. Murdock dug his heels in the sand in a sudden halt. A beautiful apparition appeared, floating in mid air before them.

"Don't be afraid H.M, Sean and Billy. I am here to help you."

Murdock gave a twisted look of confusion and asked "Who are you? How do you know us?"

"My name is Allura. I am your protector HM. I have been sent to guide you away from Hilda the banshee and into paradise. Another thing Keep your eyes focused on me at all times HM, no matter what happens." she answered.

The shrill ear piercing screech from the banshee filled the air and caused great pain in their ears. Murdock fell to his knees in the sand. He clasped his hands over his ears and he kept his yes focused the whole time on Allura. Sean covered his tiny ears and crawled into the comfort of Murdock's jacket pocket. Murdock slipped is hand in the jacket pocket and gently cupped the little man in his hand and whispered" It will be alright Little buddy, We will make it."

The banshee swirled over and around Murdock. He could smell the stench of death on her breath and felt the dirty rags brushing against his face and his body. Billy crawled under his Master arm for support and comfort. The big dog was trembling as he curled up under Murdock's arm. Murdock continue to focus only on the beautiful apparition in front of him.

Allura waived her long delicate willow like arm and demanded" You will not harm them Hilda. You will not stop them. Be gone!"

Allura's beauty radiated to Murdock. He was gazing upon the beauty of her golden blonde locks and crystal blue eyes when she interrupted his thought.

"Follow me HM. Bring the leprechaun and Billy too."

HM with Sean in his pocket and Billy constantly under Murdock's feet followed the beautiful glow of Allura.

Allura flew up above them and smiled. She swooped down over top of them. Murdock felt like he was being swept of his feet. In fact he was. Allura had long beautiful wings as of a swan and he Billy and Sean were resting in her lovely wings. He felt so at ease he fell asleep.

Allura gently placed Murdock on green grass and carefully placed Sean on Murdock's shoulder. She laid Billy alongside of his master. She then kissed Murdock on the nose and softly whispered." Welcome home HM."

Sean stretched and opened his little eyes and gazed upon the beauty of the Emerald Isles. He also so crystal green walkways and the most beautiful sun. He grabbed on to Murdock shaking him awake. "Laddie we are here! We are in Ireland!"

Murdock stretched his long body and yawned. As he observed his surroundings he replied, "Hey, How did we get here?" Murdock looked around. "How did we get here?"

"I'm not sure laddie ,but me be thinking that lovely lady Allura brought us here."

"Here? Where's here?"asked a confused Murdock.

"Ireland me laddie we are back in Ireland. Come on I know where the banshee's castle is."

Murdock suddenly noticed something stuck in Billy's collar ."Wait Sean, what's is this?" He pick up a strange looking medallion.

Sean stared at it "Ah yes may the king of the leprechauns bless us laddie. It is the medallion of truth and it can help us defeat the banshee. Allura must have left it."

Murdock held the strange medallion his hands. It as pure gold and had a rainbow etched in the middle. "What's it do "? he asked.

"Place it around your neck .Then I will ask it a question .If you lie it will strangle you but if you tell the truth, it will help you defeat the banshee."

Murdock stared at Sean .He knew this was dangerous but he had promised to help. So he placed the medallion around his neck. "Okay ask me the question."

Sean nodded and smiled "Okay .Here's the question. Do you really need to be in the VA ,or are you faking it, just to help your friends?"

Murdock was stunned .Why would Sean ask such a question that he knew Murdock could not truthfully answer?

"Well answer the question." Sean repeated.

Murdock shook his head. "I can't answer that question."

Sean's eyes started to glow," Answer my question human."

Murdock again shook his head. "No I will not betray my friends. I will die first."

Sean's eyes returned to normal. "I am sorry laddie I had to make sure that you have a brave and true heart. Now you are ready to face the banshee. You must go into her castle alone. Remember this: She will try to trick you. Only, the medallion knows the truth."

He handed Murdock a pail made of crystal ."This will trap the banshee." Murdock took the pail. "If this will trap the banshee, Why don't you trap her yourself?"

"Because laddie only a human can do it. A human with a brave and true heart."

Murdock nodded his head and whistled for Billy to come. The man and his dog entered the castle. The castle was dark and dreary, with long corridors . Murdock began to walk down one corridor hoping it would lead him to the banshee .He remembered that the banshee had try to kill him but a beautiful woman named Allura had helped him. Suddenly he heard moans and cries coming from one of the rooms. Murdock burst inside the room to see his friends all in danger. Hannibal was swinging upside down over a fiery pit, Face as stretched out on a rack ,and BA was under a guillotine.

"Help us Murdock .Please don't let us die." cried Face.

"Yeah, Fool if you don't save us, I will be in your nightmares and your dreams forever." growled BA.

"Save us Captain. That's an order!" Hannibal demanded.

Murdock stared at his friends ."How did you get here guys?"

"Someone brought us here . Please Murdock save us." cried Face again.

"I'm coming Face." Murdock started heading toward them when Billy knocked him aside. Billy growled at Hannibal, Face, and BA.

"Tell your dog to stop growling at us Fool!" yelled BA.

Murdock stared at BA, "Can you see Billy?"

"Yes I can see your dog Fool! Make him behave!"

Murdock did not move ."You are not my friends. This is just a trick . BA would never admit to seeing Billy." Murdock lifted the medallion and everything vanished.

Suddenly, the banshee appeared. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" she screamed as she flew towards Murdock. Murdock managed to jump out of the way. "You can't avoid me forever human . Do you really think I will let you catch me? Well at least you got this far . Many other humans have not. But this is as far as you will ever get. Die Human!" The banshee flew again at Murdock .Murdock stood still . He knew what he had to do . But he had to time it right, or all was lost.

The banshee was almost upon him as she swept right towards his body. Murdock held up the pail and the banshee flew inside of it. Murdock quickly closed the lid and it sealed. Suddenly everything disappeared and a rainbow appeared across the sky.

Sean was standing there. "Come on laddie let's get to the pot of gold."

Sean used his magic, that was now restored, and they were now at the end of the rainbow. But there was no pot of gold. Only a female leprechaun asleep in a crystal coffin. Murdock watched as Sean opened up the coffin and kissed her. She opened her eyes and kissed him back. He turned and faced Murdock.

"This is my pot of gold laddie, she is my wife. Thank you for helping her. Now name your wishes,"

Murdock softly stepped up to the tiny crystal coffin and as he looked at the tiny woman lying there, a soft warm smile crossed his face. He opened up the lid and extended his long slender arm down to her. He gently placed his hand next to her delicate hand.

"Please let me help you out of here." he whispered. The smile never leaving his lips.

The fragile, small woman sat up in the coffin returned the smile to the tall, lanky pilot who appeared so sincere. She raised her little arms up to Murdock and said in almost a whisper "Please lift me, Sir. Thank You." Murdock gingerly lifted the doll like lady and carried her over to Sean.

"Aye, Laddie. As I told ye. Name your three wishes." Sean stated. Murdock sat down the tiny woman on a Mushroom next to Sean. He pointed a long finger up to the sky and the pressed it against his own lips and lowly replied, "Shhhhhh, Sean, there is no rush. We will take care of that later now listen." The pilot looked all around as the two little people looked at each other with confusion. The pilot got down on his hands and knees and pressed his ear to the ground. Sean and his wife just shrugged their shoulders in unison.

"Ah Laddie, What are ye doin?" Sean questioned.

"Shhhh! I am listening. Don't you hear that?" Murdock asked. Sean looked at his wife and the two of them shook their heads. "Billy, do you hear what I hear boy?" The tall man with the leather jacket still on his hands and knees cocked his head and asked his dog. Billy excitedly barked in agreement with his master. "Good Boy!" Murdock happily exclaimed as he patted the large animal on the head.

Sean still confused asked, "What do you and Billy hear?"

Murdock then asked, "You mean you don't hear anything at all?"

Both the little man and his wife nodded and Sean spoke, "I am sorry, HM, we don't hear a sound."

Murdock grabbed his hat off of his head and squeezed with both hands. "Oh, I must really be crazy. I could have sworn, I heard a rumbling sound." At that moment a beautiful swarm of butterflies engulfed the trio and the dog. Billions of their wings flapping and swarming all around them.

Sean laughed and said, "My ya ears sure are good, what ye heard was the sound of their wings." Sean, his wife, Murdock and Billy frolicked on the lush green hillside rolling around with the butterflies all a flutter.

After the butterflies had headed to their destination, Murdock approached Sean's elegant tiny wife. He got down on one knee, Held out his hand palm side up and spoke "I am honored to meet your acquaintance lovely lady, My name is HM Murdock, May I ask yours?"